39: Chapter 39 Vermouth

Morning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Kudo Family living room, casting warm spots of light on the floor.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, yet it could not dispel the subtle, lingering tension.

Kudo Yusaku sat on the sofa, his fingertips tapping lightly against his knees, his gaze fixed calmly on the doorway.

Yukiko Kudo stood beside him, her palms slightly sweaty, and several deep breaths failed to calm her accelerating heartbeat.

After hanging up the phone yesterday, they had barely slept, repeatedly rehearsing every possibility and every word they might say when they met Vermouth.

They knew that today's meeting would determine their future fate.

"Ding-dong—"

The doorbell rang right on time, its crisp sound like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly breaking the silence of the room.

Yukiko Kudo and Kudo Yusaku exchanged a glance, seeing determination in each other's eyes.

Yukiko took a deep breath, smoothed her skirt, forced a natural smile, and walked toward the door.

Opening the door, standing there was indeed Chris Vineyard.

She was wearing a well-tailored beige trench coat, her long golden hair draped casually over her shoulders. She wore a pair of oversized sunglasses that covered most of her face, yet she could not hide the elegance and aura of a Hollywood superstar.

"Yukiko!"

Seeing who opened the door, Vermouth immediately took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of captivating blue eyes, her tone carrying just the right amount of familiarity and intimacy.

She stepped forward and gave Yukiko a warm hug. The scent of perfume mixed with a faint trace of tobacco was a smell Yukiko was familiar with.

"You're finally here."

Yukiko Kudo hugged her back, though her arms felt somewhat stiff. Every time she thought of the true identity of the woman in her arms, she couldn't help but feel terrified.

"What on earth is so urgent?"

Vermouth let her go, her tone carrying a hint of half-playful complaint, like a friend whose vacation had been interrupted.

"I even turned down an important movie premiere and flew over overnight."

"Come in first, come in first."

Yukiko Kudo suppressed the turmoil in her heart and pulled Vermouth into the living room.

"I guarantee it's a very important matter."

Vermouth walked into the living room, her eyes sweeping over Kudo Yusaku sitting on the sofa, a lazy smile curling the corners of her lips.

"Yusaku is here too? It seems it really is a big deal."

"Chris, long time no see."

Kudo Yusaku stood up, his smile gentle and his tone natural, as if he were simply hosting an old friend.

"Yes, long time no see."

Vermouth sat on the sofa opposite them, crossing her legs with a casual posture, her gaze shifting between the two with a hint of inquiry.

"Say it, what exactly is the matter?"

The atmosphere in the living room instantly became heavy.

Kudo Yusaku and Yukiko Kudo exchanged another glance, silently communicating with their eyes.

Yukiko took a deep breath, took an envelope from under the coffee table, pulled out the photos inside, and gently pushed them toward Vermouth.

"Chris, take a look at this first."

Vermouth raised an eyebrow and picked up the photo in confusion.

When she saw the content of the photo, her pupils constricted slightly, and a flash of imperceptible coldness crossed her eyes, but the emotion was fleeting, so fast that one might think it was an illusion.

The person in the photo was her profile when she was carrying out a mission under the identity of "Vermouth"—black trench coat, long silver hair, icy eyes, a completely different person from the elegant Chris at this moment.

She put down the photo, raised her head again, and looked at Yukiko Kudo, her face still wearing that lazy smile, her tone even carrying a hint of teasing.

"Yukiko, are you... secretly in love with me? You actually took photos of me? But this angle isn't very good, it makes me look too fierce."

She tried to use a joke to break the awkwardness and probe the other party's cards.

Yukiko Kudo's heart sank, knowing she could no longer avoid it.

She took a deep breath, her tone becoming serious.

"Chris, we asked you to come here today because we want to ask for your help with something."

"And... you don't need to hide it anymore. Yusaku and I already know your true identity."

Yukiko Kudo paused and said word by word:

"Vermouth, a codenamed member of the Black Organization, the 'Vermouth'."

The moment the words fell, the air in the living room seemed to freeze.

The smile on Vermouth's face vanished instantly, and her blue eyes became exceptionally cold, like poison-quenched ice blades, piercing straight at the Kudo couple.

She didn't speak, but slowly raised her hand, and as if by magic, a black pistol appeared out of thin air in her hand.

"Click."

She gently pulled the bolt, holding the gun on her lap, her movements calm, yet carrying a suffocating sense of pressure.

"When did you find out?"

Vermouth's voice was as cold as ice, devoid of the previous intimacy, leaving only the vigilance and danger belonging to a killer.

"Who else knows?"

Yukiko Kudo was frightened by this sudden action, her face turning pale, and she subconsciously leaned toward Kudo Yusaku.

Kudo Yusaku reached out to wrap his arm around his wife's shoulders, patted her soothingly, then raised his head to meet Vermouth's cold gaze, his tone calm.

"We know your identity not because we want to blackmail you, but because we want to ask for your help."

"Help?"

Vermouth sneered, took a slim ladies' cigarette from her bag, lit it with a lighter, and took a deep drag. The smoke curled in front of her, blurring her expression.

"Yukiko, we've known each other for so many years, and I've always considered you a friend."

"But you must be clear, some things are not for you to touch."

"Letting what you shouldn't know rot in your stomach is better for you and for me."

Her tone carried a hint of warning, and also a hint of imperceptible complexity—after all, Yukiko Kudo was one of the few people she could call a "friend".

"We understand."

Kudo Yusaku nodded, his tone sincere.

"But we are truly at a dead end this time."

"Chris, we would like to ask you... to introduce us to join the Black Organization."

"What did you say?!"

Vermouth sat up straight abruptly, the cigarette in her hand almost falling onto the carpet, her blue eyes full of shock and anger, even carrying a hint of disbelief.

"Are you crazy?!"

Her voice rose sharply, carrying a hint of reprimand.

"Do you know what the Black Organization does? It's dancing on the edge of a knife with your lives!"

"Murder, arson, drug trafficking, researching banned drugs... Do you think it's child's play? Just based on you two?"

She simply couldn't understand what this couple was thinking.

Kudo Yusaku was a world-renowned mystery novelist, and Yukiko Kudo was a once-popular actress. They should have been living a comfortable and stable life; why would they want to join such a hellish organization?

"We are not crazy."

Kudo Yusaku's tone was exceptionally firm.

"We know what we are doing."

"Yukiko, what exactly is going on?"

Vermouth turned her gaze to Yukiko Kudo, her eyes filled with inquiry and worry.

"Is someone forcing you?"

Yukiko Kudo bit her lip, and under her husband's encouraging gaze, she slowly spoke, recounting everything from Shinichi being fed the poison and shrinking, to being controlled and threatened by a mysterious person (Lin Long), and Lin Long suggesting they join the organization for self-preservation.

She didn't hide anything, including Conan's current identity, and their fear and helplessness.

Vermouth listened quietly, the expression on her face gradually becoming calm, the anger in her eyes fading, replaced by a complex and indescribable emotion.

She smoked until the cigarette burned out, then crushed the butt in the ashtray.

"So that's how it is."

Vermouth said in a low voice, her tone carrying a hint of realization.

She raised her head, looked at the Kudo couple, and suddenly smiled. That smile carried a hint of helplessness, and also a hint of relief.

"You are too nervous. I have known about Kudo Shinichi shrinking for a long time."

"You knew?!"

Yukiko Kudo and Kudo Yusaku widened their eyes at the same time, full of shock.

"Otherwise, do you think that with that kid hanging around Mouri Kogoro every day, appearing at crime scenes all the time, he would have been discovered by the organization's people long ago."

Vermouth said indifferently.

"I have been cleaning up after him in secret, erasing some traces that might expose his identity."

Yukiko Kudo's eyes instantly turned red.

So, for so long, it was Chris who had been protecting Shinichi in secret? This realization made her feel a mix of emotions—the woman in front of her was both a terrifying member of the Black Organization and a friend who treated her sincerely.

"So, you don't need to rush to join the organization at all."

Vermouth continued.

"With me here, at least I can ensure that the kid's identity won't be discovered by the organization."

This was the biggest promise she could give.

Yukiko Kudo was so moved she couldn't speak, only holding Vermouth's hand tightly.

"Chris... thank you..."

Kudo Yusaku also breathed a sigh of relief, but soon, he frowned again, his tone firm.

"Chris, thank you for your kindness. But we have still decided to join the organization."

Vermouth frowned.

"Why? Is my protection not enough?"

"Not enough."

Kudo Yusaku shook his head.

"That man named Lin Long is too terrifying."

"He not only knows Shinichi's secret but also knows the organization like the back of his hand."

"We don't know what his purpose is, but we cannot continue to live under his threat. Only by joining the organization and mastering sufficient power and information can we truly protect ourselves and protect Shinichi."

Kudo Yusaku paused, briefly recounting the information Lin Long told them about the Black Organization, and how Lin Long accurately grasped their weaknesses.

"...It was he who suggested we join the organization and even told us your identity."

"Lin Long?"

Vermouth felt a flash of interest when she heard the name.

"The president of that information consulting office?"

She had heard of this person.

He had been very active in Tokyo's high society recently, and his methods seemed quite extraordinary; even the Suzuki Conglomerate was cooperating with him. But she had never taken him to heart, never expected...

This Lin Long actually knew her identity? And dared to instigate the Kudo couple to join the organization?

Interesting.

Vermouth looked at the Kudo couple's firm eyes and knew they had made up their minds. She was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons.

She knew Kudo Yusaku's talent.

If she could get him to join the organization, perhaps he could become a force to be reckoned with, and maybe... even help her.

Besides, for Yukiko's sake, she couldn't just sit idly by.

"You two are really..."

Vermouth shook her head helplessly, her tone carrying a hint of compromise.

"Fine, I can help you submit the application."

"But I'll say this in advance, the organization's vetting process is very strict, and once you join, there's no turning back."

"We understand."

Kudo Yusaku and Yukiko Kudo nodded at the same time, gratitude showing in their eyes.

"However..."

Vermouth changed the subject, a shrewd light flashing in her blue eyes.

"Do you know the bottom line of that Lin Long?"

"Not clearly."

Kudo Yusaku shook his head.

"We only know that he suddenly appeared in Beika Town half a year ago, opened an information consulting office, has great energy, and is very mysterious."

Vermouth smiled thoughtfully.

"Is that so? It seems I have to find time to meet this President Lin Long."

Being able to make Kudo Yusaku so wary, and daring to reach into the Black Organization, she was becoming more and more interested in this man.

She stood up and smoothed her trench coat.

"Alright, no time to lose, I'll go help you handle the matter of joining the organization now. Wait for my news."

"Thank you, Chris." Yukiko Kudo said gratefully.

"Don't be too happy yet."

Vermouth glanced at her, her tone returning to a hint of coldness.

"Once you enter the organization, you can't be as willful as before. Also, keep an eye on your son, don't let him cause any more trouble."

After speaking, she picked up her sunglasses, put them on, turned, and left the Kudo Family.

Watching Vermouth's back disappear at the door, Yukiko Kudo leaned against the sofa as if exhausted, letting out a long sigh.

"Are we... really going to join the organization?" Her voice carried a hint of confusion.

Kudo Yusaku held her hand, his eyes firm.

"Yes. For Shinichi, for ourselves, this is the only way."

It was just that there was a faint unease in his heart.

That Lin Long, why did he want to push them toward the Black Organization? Was his goal just to force Shinichi away?

And Vermouth, would she really help them sincerely?

Too many questions swirled in his mind, but there were no answers.

And at this moment, Vermouth, who had walked out of the Kudo Family, sat in the car and did not leave immediately.

She took out her phone and dialed a number.

"Bourbon, help me check someone."

She said to the other end of the phone, her tone cold.

"Beika Town, Lins Information Consulting Office, President Lin Long. I want all his information, the more detailed the better."

Hanging up the phone, Vermouth looked at the direction of the Kudo Family outside the window, a meaningful smile curling the corners of her lips.

Lin Long...

Let me see, who exactly you are.