63: Chapter 63 The Unsolved Case

At the scene of the car accident outside the Mihua Grand Hotel, sirens wailed one after another, and alternating red and blue lights reflected off the terrified faces of the onlookers.

Inside the police line, Inspector Megure squatted by the mangled Mercedes-Benz, his brow furrowed as he watched the forensic team carry a body covered in a white cloth from the wreckage—the bloody mess faintly visible beneath the cloth made his stomach churn.

“Inspector Megure.”

Wataru Takagi Ran over with a notebook, his face pale.

“The deceased has been confirmed as Diet Member Noguchi Shigehiko. The preliminary assessment is that he died instantly. According to testimony from bodyguards and witnesses, a heavy truck suddenly charged out from a nearby alley and slammed directly into the member's car. After the collision, it reversed and fled at a very high speed.”

“A heavy truck?”

Megure stood up, rubbing his legs which had gone numb from squatting.

“Have the license plate and model been identified? Did any surveillance cameras catch it?”

“Surveillance only caught the side of the truck; the plate isn't clear.”

Takagi said with a grimace.

“The model is an old Dongfeng heavy truck. There are thousands of these in Tokyo, making it very difficult to screen. And...”

He paused, lowering his voice:

“Witnesses say the truck looked like it had just come from a construction site, covered in mud. The cab windows had dark tinting, so the driver couldn't be seen at all.”

Megure sighed and turned to look at Mouri Kogoro, who was standing to the side.

“Brother Mouri, what do you think? Have you found any clues?”

Mouri Kogoro was striking a 'Famous Detective in Contemplation' pose. Hearing the question, he immediately snapped out of it and gave a dry laugh.

“Ahahaha... Well, looking at the scene, the culprit clearly had a plan! Look at the angle of impact; it's right on the driver's side. It was obviously meant to be fatal! Moreover, choosing to act in such a crowded place shows the culprit is very bold—likely a professional assassin!”

“Uh... Brother Mouri, we already know all that.”

Megure said, somewhat helplessly.

“I mean, are there any specific clues? For instance, the culprit's motive, or the truck's possible whereabouts?”

“That... that still needs more looking into, more looking into!”

Mouri Kogoro rubbed the back of his head, his eyes darting around, clearly having no clue either.

Conan stood outside the police line, seemingly comforting a pale-faced Mouri Ran, but in reality, his eyes never left the Mercedes that had been smashed beyond recognition.

His small face was expressionless, save for his eyes behind the lenses, which flickered with a sharpness unbefitting his age.

Noguchi Shigehiko killed by a truck...

Could this be the work of the Black Organization?

The names Gin and Vodka circled in his mind.

Why would they kill Noguchi Shigehiko? Was it because he lost his usefulness? Or did he know a secret he shouldn't have?

Conan's gaze swept over the alley where the truck fled, then toward the distant intersection—there was a surveillance camera there. Although Takagi said it didn't catch the plate, perhaps it caught the truck's driving trajectory?

He quietly stepped back a few paces, pretending to tie his shoelaces, and pressed the record button on his watch, recording the conversation between Megure and Takagi.

He'd have to find a way to get Uncle Mouri to check that surveillance later; maybe they'd find something.

However, the development of events exceeded everyone's expectations.

The police followed the truck's likely escape route and eventually found the abandoned heavy truck on a beach in Tokyo Bay—it had been pushed into the sea. Most of the chassis was submerged in seawater, the license plates had been pried off, and the fingerprints and hair in the cab had been cleaned thoroughly. Even the mud on the tires had been washed away, leaving almost no useful clues.

What was even more troublesome was that Noguchi Shigehiko's social connections were incredibly complex.

Political rivals, businessmen he had swindled, even family members of victims whose lives were ruined by his corruption... everyone had a motive. Investigating them was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

A few days later, this sensational case of the Diet member's car accident was eventually filed away as a 'cold case' for the time being.

Although the police hadn't given up the investigation, any discerning person knew that solving a case with no clues and such complex motives was almost as difficult as reaching the heavens.

In the Mouri Detective Agency, Mouri Kogoro watched the news report stating 'No progress in the Noguchi Shigehiko case' and couldn't help but sigh.

“Sigh, criminals these days are getting more and more cunning, not leaving a single trace!”

“Dad, did Member Noguchi really have that many enemies?” Mouri Ran asked curiously.

“You bet!”

Mouri Kogoro took a swig of beer.

“This Noguchi Shigehiko—the people he offended could form a line from Tokyo to Osaka! Who knows which enemy did it?”

Conan sat on the sofa holding a glass of milk, his expression solemn.

He felt this matter wasn't that simple, especially since the Black Organization had been unusually quiet lately, making him feel uneasy—like the calm before a storm.

...

Meanwhile, inside the bedroom of the Lin Family Manor, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the solemnity outside.

On the soft, large bed, Suzuki Ayako lay slumped in Lin Long's arms, her strength completely spent. Her fair skin was still covered in fine beads of sweat, her long hair was messily plastered to her cheeks, and her eyes were hazy with a lingering flush.

The sunlight from outside filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows on her body and outlining her seductive curves.

Lin Long leaned against the headboard, one hand gently stroking her smooth back while the other held a cigarette. The curling smoke blurred his profile.

He looked at the woman in his arms, who was as languid as a cat, and a playful smile curled his lips.

“Exhausted?”

Suzuki Ayako gave him a reproachful glare, reached out to snatch the cigarette from his hand, and stubbed it out in the ashtray on the nightstand.

“Smoke less, it's bad for your health.”

She snuggled closer into Lin Long's embrace, found a comfortable position, and traced circles on his chest with her finger, her voice carrying a hint of lethargy.

“Speaking of which, the Tomizawa Financial Group inheritance you had me take over is mostly sorted out now.”

“Oh? Did it go smoothly?”

Lin Long raised an eyebrow. After the tomizawa family was exterminated, he had used certain means to successfully send the entire family to a reunion underground. Suzuki Ayako, as the daughter-in-law of the tomizawa family, naturally inherited the Tomizawa Financial Group—this was both to control the remaining resources of the group and as part of Lin Long's promise to Suzuki Ayako and a basic requirement of their cooperation.

“Fairly smoothly.”

Ayako sighed.

“It's just a bit of a hassle. Once the tomizawa family fell, many jackals and tigers wanted to come and get a piece of the pie, poaching people and stealing projects. It was annoying as hell.”

She paused, a flash of pride in her eyes.

“But fortunately, Mom and Dad helped a lot. The Suzuki Conglomerate stepped in to apply some pressure, and those people didn't dare act up anymore. Now the core industries are in my hands. Once things stabilize, we can start turning a profit.”

“That's good.”

Lin Long nodded with satisfaction and lowered his head to kiss her forehead. “Then my efforts weren't in vain.”

“Tsk, you make it sound like you worked so hard.”

Suzuki Ayako rolled her beautiful eyes, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness.

“Let me tell you, my public identity now is the sole heir to the tomizawa family.”

“Oh—”

Lin Long drew out the syllable, suddenly leaning close to her ear, his warm breath making her neck itch.

“The tomizawa family's widow?”

He deliberately emphasized the word 'widow,' his gaze becoming suggestive as his fingers gently slid down to her waist.

“Then shouldn't this 'Mrs. Tomizawa' fulfill some... 'obligations'?”

Suzuki Ayako's face instantly turned red. She pushed him away, both embarrassed and annoyed.

“What nonsense are you talking about! Who is your wife!”

She struggled to get up from his arms, but Lin Long pinned her down.

Lin Long flipped over and pressed her beneath him, looking at her with burning eyes.

“Not my wife? Then who was the one calling me 'hubby' just now...”

“Shut up!”

Suzuki Ayako was so embarrassed she covered his mouth with her hand, but her eyes involuntarily flickered toward him, filled with a mix of panic and anticipation.

Lin Long gave a mischievous grin and said with feigned ferocity:

“Madam, you wouldn't want to... hehe.”

As Lin Long spoke, he lunged toward Suzuki Ayako.

The temperature in the room rose once again. The sheer curtains were blown up by the wind and then slowly fell, concealing the spring scenery within.

After their intimacy, Suzuki Ayako leaned in Lin Long's arms, panting as she asked:

“By the way, do you think... the tomizawa family case will really keep being investigated?”

“I always feel a bit uneasy.” Although she knew Lin Long was the one who acted against the tomizawa family, she still felt a bit shaken whenever she thought of those who died miserably.

“Don't worry.”

Lin Long patted her back, his tone relaxed. “The police suppressed the case long ago, the FBI has its own hands full, and the Black Organization won't meddle in others' business. No one will trace it back to you.”

He paused, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

“Even if someone dares to investigate, I will make them shut up forever.”

Suzuki Ayako felt the murderous intent in his tone and shuddered, asking no further.

She knew Lin Long's methods and understood that once she stepped onto this path, there was no turning back.

“By the way, how has Sonoko been lately?”

Lin Long changed the subject, mentioning her boisterous younger sister.

“Her? Still the same.”

Mentioning her sister, Ayako's tone softened.

“She's with Ran every day, or chasing after Kaitou Kid. She lives quite carefree.”

She hesitated for a moment before saying:

“But... she seems quite curious about you. She always asks when I can bring her to meet this 'mysterious partner' of mine.”

Lin Long smiled.

“Wants to meet me? Sure. Whenever there's time, we'll have a meal together.”

He didn't mind meeting Suzuki Sonoko; after all, a pair of sisters...

Suzuki Ayako didn't think much of it and simply nodded.

“Okay, I'll arrange it then.”

The sun gradually dipped in the west, pouring through the window into the room and stretching their shadows very long.