"Hayashi-kun, your take?" Kudo Yusaku ignored Mouri Kogoro and turned to Hayashi Shuichi. "Since you're sure Mrs. Miyagi's the killer, you must know how she poisoned him."
"Yeah," Hayashi Shuichi nodded, then frowned. "You're acting odd today, grilling me like this. Trying to see me slip up so you can mock me?"
Yusaku froze. He had planned to swoop in with the answer if Hayashi Shuichi faltered, hoping to impress Yukiko.
"Tch, just spill it instead of acting clever," Yukiko huffed. "Shuichi, what's the deal?"
Ugh… Yusaku wanted to cry. His plan backfired.
Hayashi Shuichi glanced at him and explained, "It's simple. A sleight of hand."
"Sleight of hand?" Kogoro asked, confused. "She didn't leave?"
"She left but stayed close, watching Miyagi," Hayashi Shuichi continued. "That way, she could rush back when he collapsed."
"But why would he collapse if not poisoned?" Yukiko asked, puzzled.
"His death was from poison, but his collapse wasn't," Hayashi Shuichi said. "In the lounge, we heard Mrs. Miyagi remind him to take his medicine. He had a health condition."
"He took the medicine, though," Yukiko noted.
"He did, but said something odd: 'Why are there only two pills left? I thought there were half a bottle,'" Hayashi Shuichi said gravely. "That's likely why he collapsed."
"You mean Mrs. Miyagi tampered with his medicine?" Eri pieced it together.
"Miyagi had diabetes," Yusaku cut in, unable to stay silent as Yukiko's eyes sparkled at Hayashi Shuichi. "I overheard him mention it earlier. His symptoms before collapsing were likely low blood sugar."
"Exactly!" Yukiko clapped excitedly. "Diabetics take blood sugar-lowering drugs. Mrs. Miyagi tampered with them, causing an overdose, leading to hypoglycemia and his collapse."
"Right," Yusaku nodded, about to elaborate, but Yukiko ignored him, grabbing Hayashi Shuichi's arm. "I got it right, didn't I, Shuichi?"
"Pretty much," Hayashi Shuichi said. "Miyagi's diabetes pills were likely capsules. Mrs. Miyagi opened them, concentrating an overdose into two capsules, which explains why he noticed fewer pills."
"She stayed close to ensure no one realized he collapsed from low blood sugar," he continued. "She had to poison him before anyone figured it out, or her plan would fail."
"When Miyagi collapsed, she rushed over and held him," Eri recalled. "I thought it was love. Now, it seems she poisoned him then."
"With Miyagi in a hypoglycemic coma," Hayashi Shuichi nodded, "she could use a cyanide-coated needle to kill him quietly, without drawing attention. Find the needle, and we've got her."
"The needle? Could it be in that syringe from Goto?" Sharon Vineyard suggested.
"No," Hayashi Shuichi shook his head. "Mrs. Miyagi caused a scuffle with Goto, but officers, including Samezaki, confirmed she didn't touch Goto's pocket. Her goal was to make police find the syringe she'd already planted there."
"Already?" Sharon paused. "You mean during their first scuffle, when Goto threw the photos?"
"Exactly," Hayashi Shuichi nodded. "They fought, giving her a chance to slip the syringe into Goto's pocket."
"Was Mrs. Miyagi also behind Goto's presence here?" Sharon frowned. "Did she plan to frame Goto all along?"
"Probably a coincidence," Hayashi Shuichi mused. "As a retired actress, she likely didn't have the clout to get Goto invited. From what Yukiko and I overheard in the lounge, Miyagi often mingled with young actresses."
He glanced at Sharon. "Her original plan was likely to frame any woman close to Miyagi, like you, Miss Vineyard. Goto's sudden appearance just gave her a better scapegoat."
Sharon was stunned. This is Rice Flower? It feels messier than Sin City! She'd barely arrived and nearly got framed.
At that moment, a forensics officer reported to Samezaki, "We found cyanide residue in the syringe from Goto."
"That's impossible! I didn't kill Miyagi!" Goto paled, collapsing. "Someone framed me! The person who arranged my attendance—it's them! I was just their pawn!"
"We're investigating their identity," Samezaki said sternly. "Until then, Miss Goto, you're coming to the station."
"Officer," Mrs. Miyagi said, wiping tears, "may I go to the lounge? Kazuya's sudden death… I can't process it…"
(End of Chapter)
----------------------------------------
If you'd like to follow the story earlier than the public release, come join my Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/TripleCrown07
There, you can read up to 40 chapters in advance, enjoy exclusive content, and help support me to keep releasing chapters more regularly.
Thank you so much for your support and for being part of this journey! ❤️