Detective Conan: Is Miss Haibara planning to assault a police officer again today?

All that effort for nothing.

At this moment, Higashino Ning walked up to Haibara Ai and patted her on the head, saying, "Inspector Megure said you did a great job this time, not bad at all."

What do you mean "not bad"? It's obviously amazing!

Hum~!

Ai Haibara rejected Higashino Ning's head pat and used her tsundere skills, while saying calmly, "I've thought about what you said before. Let's find an opportunity to talk about it in detail when we get back."

Higashino Ning's heart skipped a beat. He leaned down and whispered hesitantly in the little girl's ear, "That thing you mentioned... it's not about coming to my house, is it?"

Ai Haibara pursed her lips and asked, "Yeah, you've changed your mind?"

"No." Higashino Ning straightened his back, his eyes showing ease. "I'm actually quite looking forward to it."

[Host, are you sure you want to use the adoption card on the target, Ai Haibara?]

"determine."

[The adoption has been approved and all legal procedures are in the process of being completed. It is expected to be finished within 12 hours. At that time, please bring the current host to the relevant department to collect the necessary documents and other items. If you choose mail delivery, the time will be extended to 24 hours.]

After a moment's hesitation, Higashino Ning decided to mail it.

There was no other way; after taking the prisoner back today, he still had to deal with the follow-up matters, and Inspector Megure might also assign him other tasks, so he simply couldn't spare the time.

In the end, it's only a day at most, there's no need to be in such a rush.

Moreover, the adoption card only helps resolve legal issues; matters like dealing with Professor Agasa and Teitan Elementary School still require personal intervention.

It's not that Ai Haibara immediately became a resident of Higashino Yasuie's family on a human consciousness level once the adoption card took effect.

If that's the case, then Ai Haibara should stay at Professor Agasa's house for now; he has someone else in mind for adoption.

At the same time, Ai Haibara suddenly had a strange feeling, as if she had formed some kind of connection with Ning Higashino.

However, this feeling was fleeting.

"Stupid police officer, don't even think about it after being rejected by the law."

"If we continue to get along well like this, maybe sometime in the future I'll come to your house on my own."

Ai Haibara watched Higashino Ning's retreating figure and muttered to herself.

As for her mention of "sometime in the future," she doesn't know if that will change, but the scenario she's currently envisioning is:

One tiring evening, Higashino Ning dragged himself home, intending to have a drink and then rest and go to sleep, as usual.

Then, to the other person's incredulous gaze, she pushed open the door, reappeared as before, and waved with a smile, saying, "Silly policeman, how about trying to date me?"

Hmm...it's actually a little embarrassing to think about...

"Haibara, what were you whispering about with Inspector Higashino just now? Your expression is still weird."

Conan looks for an opportunity to enter.

Ai Haibara glanced at him. "You don't trust me, so why should I tell you?"

Conan left dejectedly, thinking to himself that Haibara really holds a grudge.

...

Higashino Ning soon met the culprit. The old lady was incoherent and unwilling to say anything, just sitting there in a daze.

With no other option, Higashino Ning had to question everyone one by one to reconstruct the full picture of yesterday's events. Then, led by Conan, he even toured the secret passage and recorded all the information that needed to be noted.

The old woman is a fake; the real one was burned to death years ago.

Further investigation suggests that this imposter also killed two other people.

Although the evidence is insufficient and the perpetrator has not yet confessed, the charges can still stand, but some manipulation is needed during the trial.

Of course, it would be best if the imposter admitted it himself, to avoid trouble.

Moreover, Higashino Ning was not worried about any problems arising from doing this, because the original script was in his mind, and there was no possibility of missing any criminals.

After a thorough investigation and evidence collection, it was already noon.

After having a free meal at the castle and bringing the investigation to a complete close, Higashino Ning officially left with the criminals in the afternoon.

[The case has been solved. Congratulations, host, you have received 2 reward points.]

Only two?

It's alright, anyway, it was free.

I've already accumulated 15 reward points. Once I solve the bank robbery case, I should be able to break through 20. At that point, I can start thinking about how to use them.

His desire to spend money was stirring.

Ai Haibara and the others still went home with Professor Agasa.

Conan's head was still throbbing, and out of respect for regulations and humanitarian considerations, Higashino Ning wanted Professor Agasa to take him to the hospital first, and the statement could be taken a few days later.

The main issue is that Conan didn't actively request to follow up on the bank robbery case.

If the other person doesn't ask, Higashino Ning can't just rush them to come.

When it comes to seeking help from detectives, the current police force adopts a policy of neither actively seeking nor refusing assistance, and Inspector Megure has adhered to this principle most of the time.

As a man who aspires to be the king of police officers, Higashino Ning is not in a position to openly oppose the entire police system at the moment.

Furthermore, actively seeking help from detectives to solve a case will only hinder his progress; passively accepting their help is sufficient.

...

Back at the Metropolitan Police Department.

Higashino Ning handed the prisoner over according to standard procedures, then returned to his office to organize the case files while awaiting any new orders that Inspector Megure might give.

Not too busy, but not too idle either.

While organizing the files, a colleague said that the prisoner had started to confess, so he stopped what he was doing and ran over to listen in.

For a landscape called treasure, he wasted his time, ruined his appearance, and even killed three people.

Is it worth it?

Of course it's worth it.

How could the evil in her heart not deserve such an O. Henry-esque, farcical ending?

Chapter 46 made me understand Inspector Megure a little better.

Time flew by and the next day arrived.

"Mrs. Masuo, do you really have no other clues to provide?"

Higashino Ning sat opposite Masuo Kayo, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand.

Yes, he's here again.

They continued to visit him in person, hoping to pressure him into revealing the truth through repeated visits.

Excessive pressure can easily lead to a breakdown, especially pressure from the law, which is difficult for ordinary people to bear.

Masuo Kazuo's expression was now rather unpleasant, but he forced a smile and said, "Officer, I really didn't hide any clues."

"What benefit would I gain from concealing details to interfere with the police investigation? As a former hostage, I have no reason to speak up for the criminals."

"Or......"

Her mind raced. "Or do you think I have Stockholm syndrome? That would be too unrealistic."

Higashino Ning shook her head. "That's not what I suspect. I just suspect that your husband, Masuo Keizo, is one of the kidnappers. Based on your surveillance video..."

Before she could finish speaking, Kayo Masuo stood up, her emotions running high, and said vehemently, "Officer, please take back what you just said!"

“How could my husband, as a bank president, do such a thing? This is a huge insult and slander. If you continue like this, I will definitely take legal action against you!”

She quickly walked to the door in her slippers, took a deep breath, and pointed outside. "Okay, I'm a little tired now and need to rest. Officer, please leave now!"

Higashino Ning shrugged. "An accomplice is different from a principal offender, and failing to report a crime is also different from being an accomplice. The sentencing standards for surrendering oneself and being arrested are worlds apart."

The footsteps inside the house weren't very heavy, but they were still quite noticeable.

Sunlight streamed through the large windows all the way to the doorway.

Higashino Ning slowly changed his shoes, then turned around and said calmly, "It's only a matter of time before they catch him. There's nothing shameful about choosing to protect yourself in the face of imprisonment."

"Anyway... the relationship between Mrs. Masuo and your husband wasn't exactly pure, was it?"

After saying that, Higashino Ning slowly walked away.

Kayo Masuo pressed her forehead against the door panel after closing it, trembling all over.

After a long while, she turned around and leaned against the door, her body losing all strength as she sat down abruptly, her expression extremely conflicted.

Higashino Ning's guess was correct.

She recognized the kidnappers while she was being held hostage.

The person who took her hostage was her husband's friend, and the other kidnapper who barely appeared was presumably her husband.

Kayo Masuo could guess why her husband chose to rob the bank she managed.

It's all to fund her extravagant lifestyle.

That's two hundred million... If she can survive the police investigation and pursuit, who knows how long that money could keep her squandering!

But now...

Just thinking about Higashino Ning's eyes, which seemed to see through everything and were convinced that the culprit had been found, made Masuo Kayo feel that the two hundred million yen was simply not going to be saved.

She was unaware of the situation at first and had no involvement in it, so at most she would be convicted of knowing about it but failing to report it.

If she confesses the truth now, she will not only be innocent, but will also be credited.

It seems there's no need to think about how to make a decision anymore.

...

on the street.

Higashino Ning was on the phone; it was a deliveryman calling to say he had a package that needed to be signed for.