"Okay! It seems everyone is almost back!"
In front of the main entrance of the Minka Edo Street Guest House, guests who had wandered around Edo Street following the reasoning activity returned here again.
Xueding stood in front of the crowd, holding her big trumpet in her hand, and said loudly to the crowd:
"Everyone present now is the breakthroughr of the final mystery!
Along the way, I believe you have seen a lot of the unique scenery of our Edo Street with your own eyes. Now that the event is finally coming to an end, it’s time for us to catch the nasty monster thief who stole the valuable treasures of Edo Street!
Are you all ready? Will I open the door next? "
After the words fell, Xueding turned around and ran to the front door of the guest house, pushing the closed door open with all his strength.
"Okay! Prepare to be captured without mercy! Phantom Thief! We already know you are here! Now it's time for you to pay the price! Come out quickly... Huh?!"
The door opened, and the light in the already empty reception hall was dim.
Only the spotlights on the stage were all on, and their light converged on a point in the middle of the stage, where a male corpse was hanging.
"What?!"
The corpse was wearing a cloak and a top hat. Looking at this outfit, it was obvious that he was the man who played the phantom thief who had appeared on the screen several times before.
"It's a lie..." Looking at this scene with wide eyes, Mao Lilan subconsciously raised his hand to cover his mouth.
"How, how could it be..." Xueding staggered back two steps, and the horn in his hand fell to the ground.
"Hey! Host! Is this, is this also part of the event? This joke is a bit too big..."
"That person, that person seems to be dead!"
"I, I don't know either..."
Facing the questions from the guests around him, Xue Ding, who was completely at a loss, shook his head repeatedly and turned pale.
"There is no such link in the plan. I don't know why he would..."
"Call the police! Also! Go and notify Ms. Igarashi!"
Mouri Kogoro shouted, rushed out of the crowd and quickly ran onto the stage. He looked up at the male body hanging in the air, stretched out his hands, and finally looked back at the people who were still stunned at the gate.
"Come and help! Let's put him down first! Maybe he can be saved!"
"..."
However, in Rice Flower City, this possibility is slim.
By the time everyone put the man down, he had already expired, with only a little residual warmth still remaining on his body.
"The deceased's surname is Dongtang, he is a detective who was invited here, and he is also the actor who plays the role of the Phantom Thief in this reasoning activity..."
After learning the identity of the deceased from Igarashi Kiyoko, Mouri Kogoro followed his usual practice and began to observe the condition of the corpse.
"The body is still warm, and the joints are not stiff yet. It is estimated that the death of the deceased Mr. Dongtang will not take too long. It is very likely that he was killed while we were out participating in reasoning activities...
Judging from the situation at the scene, the murder weapon should be the banner hanging behind the stage curtain. The murderer probably used the banner to strangle the deceased, and then used the banner to hang the deceased in mid-air on the stage, eventually forming what we saw before scene……"
"With this exaggerated murder scene, could the murderer have a grudge against Mr. Totang?" A detective at the scene couldn't help but ask.
When the host Xue Ding was about to open the door, in the dim guest house, all the lights on the stage focused on Mr. Dongtang who was hanged on the stage banner.
This exaggerated and conspicuous scene, as if the murderer was deliberately showing off his murderous results, brought great shock to everyone's hearts.
"Indeed... this possibility cannot be ruled out."
Hearing this, Mouri Kogoro nodded. He then turned to look at Igarashi Kiyoko beside him and asked, "Ms. Igarashi, have the police been notified of the situation here?"
"Yes, but because Edo Street is not located in the city center, it will take some time for the police to arrive..." Igarashi Kiyoko replied.
"Yes, I understand." Nodding to express understanding, Mouri Kogoro turned to look at the people under the stage and said loudly: "Everyone, it will take some time for the police to come over. Before that, I hope everyone will try not to disrupt the case as much as possible. Discover the scene, especially not close to this stage, in case..."
[Uncles are quite reliable in situations like this...]
Listening to Mouri Kogoro's loud shouting on the stage, Haibara Ai in the audience said silently in his heart.
[However, a murder occurred at this time... Was it an accident? 】
"Xiao Ai!"
At this time, the three little ones from the Youth Detective Team appeared out of nowhere, pushed through the crowd and ran behind her.
"Let's go investigate? Let's find out the murderer of Mr. Phantom Thief together!"
"Eh……"
Looking at these three people who loved to join in the fun, Haiyuan Ai leaned back slightly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Didn't Mr. Maori just say that we should not get close to the scene..."
"We are different!" Yuantai immediately said excitedly: "We are a young detective team! We can definitely help uncle!"
"Eh……"
Hearing this, Hui Yuan Ai leaned back again and took a breath of cold air.
[Well, sometimes self-confidence is also a rare talent...]
"Besides, let's just quietly go over and take a look. We will never damage the scene!" Mitsuhiko was also a little moved.
"Uh-huh!"
"Really..."
Looking at the three little ones who were too excited to hold back, Haiyuan Ai shook his head and said, "Didn't you say before that you would help Brother Amuro catch fugitives? Why are you suddenly..."
"Because the things now are more important!" Genta interrupted her, "Mr. Phantom Thief has been killed. We must first catch this arrogant murderer!"
[Okay, it’s not a dangerous trap. People don’t want to step on it yet. Is that what you mean? 】
After complaining in his heart again, Hui Yuan Ai finally nodded, as if he was persuaded by them.
"Okay, let's go up and take a look together."
"Great!"
Just like that, Haibara Ai climbed onto the stage with the three little ones. She walked at the front and walked directly behind Mouri Kogoro who was still squatting on the floor to observe the corpse. Under his eyes, he raised his hand and patted Mouri Kogoro on the shoulder.
"Um?"
Being suddenly tapped on the shoulder, Mouri Kogoro turned around in confusion.
"Uncle Maoli, let us also participate in solving the case." Haiyuan Ai said with a smile.
Hearing what she said, Mouri Kogoro was stunned for a moment, his expression changed from doubtful, to incredulous, to angry, and finally yelled:
"This is an adult matter! You little brats who are getting in the way! Get out of here!!"
"Wow wow wow——"
Just like that, amidst Mouri Kogoro's roar, the three little ones ran off the stage with their heads in their hands, followed by Haibara Ai who jumped off the stage with them with a smile.
[Sure enough, uncle is really reliable at times like this...]
∠( ∠)＿
(End of chapter)
