Sato Miwako quickly pulled up the video recording from the underground parking lot.
"Miwako, rewind a bit."
Sato Miwako nodded and dragged the progress bar back.
"Stop!"
A click froze the frame on a person dressed in black, hands in their pockets.
Two computers sat side by side, both screens paused.
"Hattori, would you say these two people are the same person?" Inspector Megure asked seriously.
The same person?
Sato Miwako narrowed her eyes, comparing the figures on both screens, her expression growing more solemn.
[So this is the video from when I robbed the Black Organization. I didn't expect the police had already noticed it back then.]
Heiji stayed calm, studying the two frozen images carefully.
"They should be the same person."
At once, everyone's gaze fixed on him.
"Hattori, tell us what you think—quickly," Inspector Megure urged.
Inspector Megure clearly considered this extremely important.
"Inspector Megure, is there any connection between them?" Heiji asked.
He needed to know more—how much the police actually understood about that identity.
"In the last underground parking lot incident, several people died," Inspector Megure said.
"I know. Wasn't it reported as a gang fight?" Heiji replied, following the version that had been in the news.
Inspector Megure shook his head.
"Calling it a gang fight was a last resort. We couldn't find this person, and we didn't even know the other side's purpose. But after confirmation from many officers, we believe this is a professional killer—likely a very well-known one in the criminal underworld."
"A well-known killer…?" Heiji paused briefly. So they stumbled into the truth…
Inspector Megure nodded grimly.
"That's why I'm afraid this case isn't simple. A world-class killer has been in Japan for two or three months, and several people have died at his hands. Headquarters is taking this very seriously. Hattori, we're counting on you."
Heiji sighed.
"The reason I say they're the same person comes down to two things."
As Heiji began his reasoning, everyone fell silent.
Takagi even pulled out a small notebook to take notes.
"First, everyone has habits. Some are so subtle they become instinct—sometimes the person doesn't even realize it."
He glanced around; everyone was listening closely.
After a brief pause, he continued.
"In both recordings, even though the clothing is different, there's a shared detail: the brim of the hat is set exactly level with the eyebrows."
At Heiji's words, everyone leaned in toward the screens, eyes widening.
"It's the same—almost even the angle is identical," Inspector Megure exclaimed.
"But it could still be a coincidence," Officer Shiratori cut in.
"So here's the second reason," Heiji said evenly. "Look at his neck—just past the left side of the chin."
Inspector Megure and the others followed his direction.
Sato Miwako narrowed her eyes again, then looked sharply at Heiji.
"They have the same black mole in the exact same spot."
"I see it too," Inspector Megure said, energized. "They're definitely the same person."
"Great," Takagi said, relieved. "That means we have a new lead for the underground parking lot case."
Heiji nodded.
"One match could be coincidence. Two matches isn't."
Suddenly, Heiji's collar was tugged upward.
"Officer Shiratori, what are you doing?" Sato Miwako stood up at once, staring coldly at Shiratori.
Officer Shiratori frowned as he examined Heiji's neck, then looked disappointed.
"Heiji, are you alright?" Sato Miwako asked, quickly straightening his collar for him, concern clear in her voice.
Heiji gave a faint smile and let her fix it, while thinking to himself: If it's a disguise, it won't have flaws. Otherwise I would've died countless times in my previous life.
"Officer Shiratori," Sato Miwako said sharply once she finished, "Heiji was just discharged. Don't be so rough again."
"Mr. Hattori looked like he showed it to me on purpose just now, didn't he?" Officer Shiratori asked.
"Yes," Heiji replied calmly. "I knew you wouldn't let it go, so I gave you a chance to see for yourself—and give up."
The moment Shiratori moved, Heiji had already noticed. He simply didn't avoid it.
What needed to be known was already known. There was no reason to waste time arguing.
Officer Shiratori's face darkened. He glanced at Sato Miwako, snorted, and turned to leave.
"Officer Shiratori," Sato Miwako called after him, "you still haven't apologized to Heiji."
Shiratori stopped.
After a long moment, he turned back, walked in front of Heiji, and gave a small bow.
"Mr. Hattori. I offended you earlier."
Heiji smiled faintly.
"Let's hope you won't act so recklessly next time."
As Shiratori walked away, the officers from Investigation Division 3 exchanged looks and shook their heads. What was going on with him? Picking a fight with Heiji—someone even the Night Baron and Kaitou Kid were wary of.
"Hattori," Inspector Megure said, bowing slightly, "Shiratori was anxious to solve the case. Please don't take it to heart."
Heiji answered flatly.
"He already apologized. Just don't let it happen again."
Inspector Megure forced a weary smile. He's clearly still upset.
"Inspector Megure," Sato Miwako said suddenly, "Heiji was just discharged. Is it alright if I take him home?"
"Yes," Megure replied. "Miwako, you should rest too. Tomorrow may be very busy."
With leads on the killer, they would be tied up for a while.
Sato Miwako felt a quiet sense of relief, her eyes shifting toward Heiji.
Heiji gave a light smile.
"Inspector Megure, I'll be going."
Watching the two of them leave, Inspector Megure frowned. "Why do I feel like Miwako is acting strange today?"
Inside the Mazda, cruising steadily along the highway, Sato Miwako sat in the passenger seat and looked at Heiji.
"Heiji… let's go eat, alright?"
"Is this a date?" Heiji asked with a slight smile.
Sato Miwako's face flushed, and she nodded softly.
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