The next day. Morning.
Kurosawa Hoshino took Conan downstairs to the Mouri Detective Agency across the street.
As soon as they reached the second-floor entrance, they heard a heated argument inside.
"I already said I don't need you to introduce me to any cases. So why did you come all this way?"
"Mouri Kogorō, don't be so narcissistic. I didn't come here to see you."
"Dad, Mom, please stop arguing. Talk it out."
"That's right, Uncle Mouri, Aunt Kisaki, please calm down."
Kurosawa suddenly realized that Eri Kisaki had come. No wonder it was so noisy inside. He didn't go in directly but instead knocked on the door like a guest.
Instantly, the argument inside stopped. Ran's voice followed: "Please wait a moment. I'll be right there."
Soon, the door opened. Ran looked at the two people standing outside—one big and one small. A hint of embarrassment flashed in her pale purple eyes. She said softly, "Hoshino, Conan, you're here."
"Yes." Kurosawa nodded, smiling as he walked into the house, immediately seeing Eri Kisaki.
She wore a sharply tailored purple suit. Her hair was styled in a bun, revealing a fair, clean neck. The thin-rimmed glasses on her nose didn't obscure her beautiful eyes but rather added a touch of intellectual coolness. To be honest, this was the first time Kurosawa had met Eri Kisaki.
"You must be Hoshino." Eri approached, a faint smile on her face. She looked Kurosawa up and down and nodded with satisfaction.
"Aunt Kisaki, hello." Kurosawa greeted politely.
"Hehe, you too." Eri said, giving her husband a warning look. "Hmph, I told you. I'm not here to see you. I'm here to see Hoshino."
Kogorō turned his head away arrogantly, refusing to look at her.
Sonoko and Ran sighed in unison, smiling helplessly. They were completely helpless against these two adults.
"Aunt Kisaki, have you encountered some difficult case and come to me for help?" Kurosawa asked.
After all, the only thing that could make Eri come to him for help was a case.
Just as I thought. Conan muttered to himself. He didn't believe that a great lawyer like Eri would come to Kurosawa. She must have encountered a case she couldn't solve and needed Kurosawa's help to solve it—so that it would be easier to win the case.
"Mom, are you having trouble?" Ran asked softly, looking at her mother with concern. She knew that her mother's winning rate in court was always one hundred percent. If she lost even once, it would definitely cause a huge sensation.
Kogorō couldn't help but look over. His brows furrowed deeply.
"Don't misunderstand. It's not me." Eri waved her hand. "Actually, it's a friend of mine. She's waiting in the coffee shop downstairs. Okay, since you're here, Hoshino, I'll go invite her up."
"Mom, you wait here. I'll go."
"Okay. By the way, her name is Shichiko Tsukumo."
"I know." Ran smiled and ran out the door.
Shichiko Tsukumo— Kurosawa repeated the name in his mind. He already knew that this was an episode from the original story. After all, when he watched the anime, he found the surname "Tsukumo" very interesting. So he had a fairly deep impression of this episode and remembered the name.
About two minutes later, Ran brought a middle-aged woman with short hair and a haggard face into the house.
Seeing so many people in the room, Tsukumo Nanako quickly bowed. "I'm sorry to bother you all."
"Mrs. Nanako, please don't be so polite. Have a seat. I've already found the person for you." Eri smiled and walked over, pulling Tsukumo Nanako to sit on the sofa. Then she pulled the reluctant Kogorō over and made him sit next to Kurosawa, while she went to the boiler room to boil water.
"You all chat. I'll make you some tea."
"Mom, let me help you." Ran happily hugged her mother's arm and went in with her.
Sonoko and Conan stood at the side of the sofa, ready to listen.
Kurosawa spoke up. "Mrs. Tsukumo, Aunt Kisaki said you were looking for me. I wonder what happened to you?"
Tsukumo Nanako said with a bitter smile. "It's because of my husband. He died two days ago in the basement of our house. The cause of death was poisoning. But the police said it was suicide by poisoning—"
Hearing this, everyone present—as well as the mother and daughter in the boiler room—understood the meaning behind these words and roughly figured out what was going on. Tsukumo clearly didn't believe her husband had committed suicide by poisoning. She suspected homicide. However, the police ruled it a suicide by poisoning, leaving her helpless. So, through her acquaintance Eri Kisaki, she asked her to ask the now-famous high school detective, Kurosawa Hoshino, to help investigate the truth behind her husband's death.
"Kurosawa-kun, this is my fee. Mr. Mouri, I heard from Attorney Kisaki that you're also a detective. I'd like to ask you to help investigate my husband's case as well." Tsukumo took out two checks from her bag, handing one to Kurosawa and the other to Kogorō.
It was clear from this that she was a woman who understood social etiquette. Knowing that Eri wasn't short of money, she gave the money to Kogorō instead.
Kogorō glanced at it and saw it was a two-million-yen check. He swallowed hard, very tempted. Watching Kurosawa generously accept the five-million-yen check, he hesitated for a moment, then blushed slightly and accepted it.
Just then, Eri smiled and left the boiler room, standing at the doorway. Her gaze occasionally glanced at Kogorō.
Kogorō regretted it. He should have known better than to accept it. But going back now would seem impolite. So he simply pretended not to see his wife's expression, trying his best to keep a straight face.
Kurosawa said, "Mrs. Tsukumo, could you please tell me exactly what happened?"
"Two days ago, I left my husband home alone. When I returned, I couldn't find him anywhere. Then I remembered the studio in the basement, so I went there to check. And that's what happened—what I told you at the beginning."
"Mrs. Tsukumo, why are you so sure your husband didn't commit suicide by poisoning? And were you the only one who found his body?" Kogorō asked seriously.
"Because our daughter's birthday was coming up soon. He was very happy and said he was going to prepare a gift for Fumino. There was no sign that he wanted to commit suicide. And I wasn't the only one who discovered it. Three of my husband's students were there too."