Conan: No, why aren't you following the script?

Noticing Conan Edogawa's scrutinizing gaze, Furuhashi was taken aback at first, then saw Inspector Megure and the others also staring at him menacingly.

Just as the detective had said, the sharp gazes of those people almost made him breathless.

However, what's happening right now is exactly as that young man described.

These police officers, including this kid... there's not a single good guy among them!

Thinking of this, Gu Qiaonian shuddered involuntarily, then looked up in a panic, his eyes filled with fear.

"Officer, please listen to me, I really never hired any detective. That person... he came to me on his own initiative. These things have nothing to do with me, really nothing!"

"They came to you on their own initiative?" Inspector Megure frowned. "Tell me in detail what exactly happened."

"Hey, hey, here's the thing... that young man said he's a private investigator. He's been hired to keep a close eye on Mr. Zhang Tian's whereabouts. He heard that Mr. Zhang has been causing trouble at our cinema every day lately, so... that's why he came to me, asking for my help..."

Gu Qiao Nian's tone was intermittent, and she sounded as if she was very scared and nervous.

However, precisely because of his state, after listening to his story, Inspector Megure did not suspect anything about Furuhashi, and simply regarded him as an ordinary person who was frightened by the incident.

"Mr. Furuhashi, you said that detective asked you for help. What did he ask you to do?"

"Yes, at first he asked me to help keep track of Mr. Zhang Tian's whereabouts, but I said our cinema is closing tomorrow, and today is the last day of business, so I probably can't help him. After the detective heard me say that, he gave me some money and asked me to tell him the times when Mr. Zhang Tian left in the next few days..."

"What about the money?" Inspector Megure quickly pressed.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qiao hurriedly rummaged through his pockets and pulled out an envelope that didn't look very thick.

Inspector Megure took the envelope and saw that it contained about fifteen Fukuzawa Yukichi bills, which amounted to about 150,000 yen.

“He said it was hush money for me, and that I absolutely must not tell Mr. Zhang Tian about this,” Gu Qiao Nian continued. “He also said he meant no harm, but was just worried that Mr. Zhang Tian might suddenly disappear, so he…”

"Suddenly lost contact?"

Inspector Megure frowned upon hearing this, then suddenly realized what was going on.

It's obvious that the black-clad detective's employer is a powerful figure who was owed money by Zhang Tianzhengji and refused to pay it back. To prevent Zhang Tianzhengji from running away with the money, he arranged for the detective to follow and investigate him.

and so……

So, Zhang Tianzheng actually used the movie screening as an excuse to escape? Was he being pressured by those powerful figures to pay off his debts, so he chose to disappear without telling anyone?

Thinking about this, Inspector Megure couldn't help but stroke his chin, and the more he thought about it, the more sense it made.

If that's the explanation, then everything makes sense.

Fearing that Zhang Tianzhengji would escape, the creditors arranged for a detective to follow him. Zhang Tianzhengji probably realized this, which is why he chose to sneak away in the movie theater. By the time the creditors realized what was happening, he had already left Tokyo by car or simply found a place to hide.

However, the creditors were not willing to let Zhang Tian go so easily, so they went to the Metropolitan Police Department, hoping to classify Zhang Tian's disappearance as a violent crime such as kidnapping, so that the officers of the First Investigation Division could help find Zhang Tian.

This is arguably the most logical speculation at present, and Inspector Megure felt nauseous when he thought about it.

Mistaking officers from the First Investigation Division for debt collection agents—such an insult! He really wanted to quit on the spot.

But this was, after all, his responsibility. As a serving police officer in the Metropolitan Police Department, he could not let his emotions control him.

Of course, that's what they say, but he wasn't the only one whose mood was affected.

It was obvious that the other officers present had also figured out the ins and outs of the case, so they inevitably seemed to lose some motivation in their investigation and questioning.

Finally, having no other choice, Inspector Megure gave a few instructions to the movie theater staff and hastily led his group to retreat.

……

And so, after seeing off the members of the First Investigation Division, the Junior Detective League had no reason to stay any longer.

Although Conan Edogawa finds this disappearance case highly suspicious, there is indeed a lack of clues to open a case. They cannot even confirm whether Masatsugu Hideaki himself fled voluntarily or was forced to disappear.

Compared to all of these, the detective named 'Kurosawa Saburo' appears to be even more suspicious.

As Conan walked home with the Junior Detective League, he stroked his chin, pondering the connections between them.

If Saburo Kurosawa is a member of the Black Organization, then his investigation into Masatsugu Hinota is most likely on orders from some high-ranking member of the organization; but if Saburo Kurosawa is not a member of the organization, then he may simply have received a routine request.

Of course, it cannot be ruled out that Furuhashi Nian was actually lying, but whether it was the envelope or Kurosawa Saburo's name, these were real things, so Edogawa Conan did not have much suspicion about him.

His thoughts were basically the same as Inspector Megure's. Even if someone like Furuhashi Natsume, who seemed honest and upright, really harbored resentment towards Nagata Seiji to the point of murder, he was unlikely to make any overly elaborate cover-up.

It's highly likely that the body will be discovered immediately, and after some sophistry, he will eventually confess on the ground.

Now, two hours have passed since Zhang Tianzheng disappeared, and he can't believe that a body could have been hidden in a movie theater for so long without being discovered by the police.

Not only was there no smell of blood, but there was also no smell of incontinence. As for the smell of evaporating poison, or any strange smells, those were completely absent.

Therefore, it is very likely that Masaji Nagata is still alive.

But where could he have hidden himself?

Thinking this all the way, Conan Edogawa had unknowingly returned to the downstairs of the Mori Detective Agency.

But he didn't know...

Of all his conjectures, only the final result was correct.

Zhang Tianzheng, he is indeed still alive, but he is not far from death...

…………

Let's go! First update launched! Two more chapters to follow~