At 4:40 p.m., the setting sun had already painted the sky crimson.
In the parking lot behind Nishitama City's landmark, the Twin Towers skyscraper, Takagi circled his car one more time before finally voicing his concern to Megure beside him.
"Inspector Megure, aren't we going up? Couldn't we just have the Public Security officers take us inside?"
Megure sighed and shook his head.
"We can't. Since Tokiwa-san refused, all we can do is wait here. Right now, we can only hope Onizawa-kun handles the case properly."
It was obvious that the relationship between the regular police and Public Security wasn't exactly harmonious.
After all, Public Security had a habit of barging into investigations, which naturally led to friction between the two sides.
Chiba looked up at the towering Twin Towers skyscraper and muttered,
"Let's just pray nothing happens."
.
Meanwhile, on the 75th-floor banquet hall, the buffet reception had already begun.
Prominent figures from all walks of life attended in elegant attire; tailored suits, formal gowns, and even the children accompanying their parents wore neat bow ties.
The moment Ritsu stepped into the hall, his eyes wandered among the guests. Naturally, he was searching for Pisco.
After all, he was the only person present who actually knew what Pisco looked like.
Glancing down at the grass-green patterned carpet beneath his feet, he couldn't help grumbling inwardly.
'The Tokiwa Group really is loaded. Even the carpet for the opening ceremony is handwoven pure wool.'
"Wow! Caviar with foie gras, and roasted duck too! I can't take it anymore!"
Behind him, Kogoro, dressed in an off-white suit, had completely surrendered to his appetite. Grabbing a pair of serving tongs, he launched an all-out assault on the buffet.
Agasa had just reached for a piece of pan-seared foie gras when Haibara's devilish whisper sounded beside him.
"No. Professor, you're only allowed to eat greasy food. I'll get you something low in calories. Until then, no sneaking food. Otherwise, I'm not making breakfast for you tomorrow."
Ritsu smiled wryly as he looked at Haibara.
When it came to health, she really did have an occupational habit.
Faced with someone as obviously plagued by high cholesterol and high blood sugar as Agasa, she was genuinely putting everything she'd learned to use in helping him lose weight.
Picking up a wine glass, he merely inhaled its aroma without taking a sip.
He had a mission tonight. Drinking wasn't a good idea.
"Sensei."
Conan tugged lightly on Ritsu's pant leg and whispered, "Is there someone from the Organization here?"
Ritsu discreetly glanced toward the bar in the corner before replying,
"What do you think? Don't interfere with what I'm doing. I'll do everything I can to make sure everyone gets out safely."
Conan narrowed his eyes helplessly.
"Come on, it's not like I'd recklessly confront an Organization member. You're really stingy, Sensei."
"You've got something more important to do."
He lowered his voice.
"Keep an eye on Shiho for me."
"Got it."
Taking advantage of the fact that Mio hadn't yet begun her speech, and that Hiro and the other undercover Public Security officers were focused on Yoshiaki as he mingled with the guests, Ritsu quickly made his way toward the bar.
He deliberately left two empty seats between himself and the man beside him before sitting down.
When the bartender looked his way, he simply waved his hand, indicating he was only resting there.
The elderly man sitting nearby was Masuyama Kenzo, a.k.a Pisco. This was his first time meeting Augier, the mysterious codename member planted inside the MPD.
Of course, despite his advanced age, he wasn't foolish enough to let anything slip.
"Isn't this Inspector Onizawa? I never expected you'd also be invited to the Twin Towers opening ceremony."
His kindly smile served as the perfect disguise. How much sincerity lay behind that smile, however, was another matter entirely.
Equally skilled at putting on a fake smile, Ritsu narrowed his eyes pleasantly.
"So you're the chairman of Masuyama Motors. It's an honor to be recognized by such a prominent figure in the business world."
There was no need to exchange too many pleasantries. He stood up, gave Pisco a meaningful look, and said,
"Well then, I won't disturb you any longer, Masuyama-san. There are still a few colleagues I need to greet."
By saying that, Ritsu was subtly reminding Pisco that there were police officers here besides himself.
If Pisco intended to make a move, he'd better be careful.
"Very well." Pisco smiled.
"Go ahead, Inspector Onizawa."
Masuyama watched Ritsu disappear into the crowd before pulling out his phone and sending a text message.
He knew this assignment had been personally given to him by Gin. If he made even the slightest mistake, he would be removed from the Operatives Division.
And whether he could continue serving as chairman of Masuyama Motors would depend entirely on how the higher-ups decided to deal with him.
.
Dozens of kilometers away, at a gas station, Gin lit a cigarette while staring at the glowing screen of his phone.
He hadn't expected Public Security to become involved.
How had they learned about the operation?
'Could the lost kitten have been secretly watching them all along? Or had she found new allies?'
He let out a cold chuckle.
No matter what, tonight's Twin Towers skyscraper would become her execution stage. The corners of his thin lips curled into a cruel smile.
The glowing ember of his cigarette illuminated his dark green eyes, which overflowed with murderous intent.
His slightly hoarse voice echoed like something emerging from a silent valley.
"Well then, Sherry... will you be satisfied with the stage we've prepared for you?"
Vodka returned the gas pump to its holder before jogging over.
"Aniki, the tank's full. I've also checked the tires and the engine, everything's in perfect condition. Should we head to Nishitama City now?"
Gin casually flicked the cigarette butt onto the asphalt before crushing it beneath his leather shoe.
"Mm. Are the sniper rifles ready?"
"Everything's prepared. The bomb detonator is safely stored in the trunk too. Nothing will go wrong."
"Good. Let's move."
.
Back in the banquet hall,
After finishing his conversation with Pisco, Ritsu walked over to Hiro. Holding an empty wine glass, he pretended to clink glasses with him before saying,
"Looks like Public Security has some tricks up its sleeve. You got up here without any trouble."
Hiro smiled warmly.
"You're giving us too much credit, Onizawa-san. Someone like you, who got in purely on your own reputation, is far more impressive."
'Just as I thought... Even the gentle ones are black-hearted underneath.'
Ritsu shrugged helplessly.
"The MPD wants to turn me into their media spokesperson. Honestly, I'd much rather stay behind the scenes quietly investigating cases."
Hiro shot him a sympathetic look. He had attended two press conferences himself. The reporters always asked incredibly tricky questions.
One careless answer, and you'd fall straight into one of their traps.
"Actually..." He smiled.
"I've always wanted to play the role of a reporter and interview you, Onizawa-san."
Ritsu froze for the briefest moment before immediately concealing his surprise.
"Oh? What would you like to ask?"
Still wearing that gentle smile, Hiro reached up and lightly touched his earlobe.
"I'd like to know... Is Onizawa Takashi really just Onizawa Takashi? Or perhaps do you have an English name?"
'As expected of one of the police academy's finest graduates. After seven years, you've become much sharper... Hiro.'
Ritsu set down his empty wine glass and calmly adjusted his glasses.
"It seems you don't know me well enough, Morofushi-san. I used to work as a criminal consultant in the United States, so naturally I have an English name."
"My English name is Clifford. I never expected you'd be interested in something like that."
---
bonus chapter every 20 PS; currently at 630
read ahead on my patreon(.)com/Siamus404