Chapter 179: The Commission of the Mysterious Woman

"Idiot!" shouted Officer Okamura angrily. "In times like this, you need to trust the police even more!"

"Do you think that by hiding the truth, those people will really let your family go?"

"If the criminals are not brought to justice, they might continue committing senseless murders!"

Kunio Koizumi dismissed Officer Okamura's statement with a cold snort.

"If I say nothing, I'm not only protecting my own family but also you."

"Those people would dare kill even the police."

Koizumi Kunio's words left everyone in the room stunned.

When Conan and Sera Masumi heard this, their hearts sank, and a sudden realization dawned upon them.

---

Just as everyone fell silent due to Koizumi Kunio's statement, another slightly hesitant voice broke the stillness.

"Uh… then I won't listen. Since it has nothing to do with me, I'll go back to my room first."

Everyone turned to see Akikawa Kyousuke, his face panicked, as he excused himself from the room.

He seemed terrified of what they were about to discuss.

---

Officer Okamura quickly shouted after him:

"Wait in the lobby! I'll need to take your statement later."

"Alright…"

Akikawa Kyousuke reluctantly agreed and left for the lobby.

---

It was clear most of the police didn't believe Kunio Koizumi's words.

They assumed he was simply exaggerating.

However, Conan and Sera Masumi thought otherwise.

---

Over half a month ago, a criminal investigator had been shot dead.

Could it be…?

Conan and Sera Masumi exchanged glances, confirming they shared the same suspicion.

Sera Masumi then turned to Officer Okamura and spoke loudly:

"Excuse me, Officer Okamura, but could you please step outside for a moment?

I'd like to speak to Mr. Koizumi alone."

---

Officer Okamura was obviously reluctant.

When handling a case, how could a detective ask to speak to a suspect alone and request that the police leave?

Still, the detective next to him whispered a suggestion into his ear:

"Mr. Koizumi clearly doesn't trust the police anymore."

"It might be better to let Miss Sera speak with him privately.

Maybe he'll reveal the truth to her."

"Miss Sera is much sharper than we are. She'll undoubtedly make the right judgment."

---

Officer Okamura reluctantly agreed, though he couldn't shake the embarrassment of stepping out with his team.

At that moment, Sera Masumi added:

"By the way, Officer Okamura, the person who killed Mr. Kawasaki has yet to be identified."

"If Mr. Koizumi isn't the true culprit, then the real murderer must have killed Mr. Kawasaki between 12 noon and 6 p.m."

"And since Mr. Kawasaki was already in full rigor mortis when he was discovered, the time of the attack must have been closer to noon."

---

Hearing Sera Masumi's reminder, Officer Okamura reacted quickly.

"According to Mr. Koizumi, Mr. Kawasaki died from a stab wound to the neck, meaning the culprit must have entered Kosen-an to kill him."

"Exactly," Sera said with a bright smile.

"Let's go and review the surveillance footage. We'll catch the real culprit."

"I'd like to see who has such blatant disregard for the police."

---

Officer Okamura gladly followed Sera Masumi's lead, leaving the room with the other officers.

The door slowly closed behind them.

Now, only Koizumi Kunio and Sera Masumi remained in the room.

And…

The schoolboy, Conan.

---

Kunio Koizumi glanced at Conan with a puzzled expression, as if to ask:

Why is this elementary school student still here?

---

"Mr. Koizumi."

Sera's clear voice drew Kunio Koizumi's attention away from Conan.

"Now that the police have left, can you tell me the whole story?"

---

Kunio Koizumi shook his head.

"I won't tell you. Even if I do, it's useless.

What can a high school student like you do?

You'll only put yourself in danger."

---

Sera Masumi didn't refute his words but calmly asked:

"Mr. Koizumi, as you just said, these people even dared to kill a police officer."

"Was that officer the criminal investigator from the Criminal Investigation Division 3 who was shot over half a month ago?"

---

"You… how do you know that?"

Kunio Koizumi looked at Sera Masumi in shock.

The police hadn't believed him, yet Sera Masumi had guessed the identity of the officer he referred to.

---

Seeing his reaction, Conan and Sera Masumi silently confirmed their suspicions about the organization that had commissioned the software.

"Mr. Koizumi, we know because we've been in contact with the organization that hired you to develop the software."

Sera Masumi explained.

"And we're investigating their activities."

---

"I see…"

Koizumi Kunio stared at Sera Masumi, and a thought crossed his mind:

Perhaps this sharp detective truly had the ability to bring those people to justice.

---

After struggling internally for a long time, Kunio Koizumi finally began to speak.

---

"About half a month ago, Kawasaki came to my house for a drink one evening when the phone suddenly rang.

At first, I thought it was a call from reception, but instead, I heard the voice of a strange woman."

"She immediately said she wanted to commission Kawasaki and me to develop some software."

---

"At first, I thought it was a prank by an employee angry at their boss, so I refused right away."

"But the next morning, Kawasaki and I received another call from the same woman."

"I was furious and threatened to call the police, but she told us to check the living room before making a decision."

---

"When I went to the living room, I sobered up instantly from the previous night's drinking."

"Because I saw photos of myself, Kawasaki's wife, and my children pinned to the wall."

"At that moment, Kawasaki and I realized this was no joke."

"This person could destroy what we held dearest without hesitation."

---

"At the same time, the woman told us that calling the police would be futile and instructed us to watch the news."

"I turned on my computer, and the first headline I saw reported that a criminal investigator from the Metropolitan Police Department's Division 3 had been shot dead."

"The woman then gave us just half a month to complete the software she wanted."

"If we failed, both Kawasaki and I would die.

And under no circumstances were we to reveal the contents of the software to anyone.

If we did, the safety of our families would be jeopardized."

---

"So, we began working overtime to develop the software.

A week ago, Kawasaki had to leave for a day due to some urgent matter.

But even if we accounted for that lost time, how could we possibly complete such a complex project in just half a month?"

---

"Two days ago, we received another call from the woman, so we explained that we couldn't meet the deadline and asked for an extension.

She agreed but said there would be consequences for breaking the contract."

---

"Yesterday, I returned late after visiting the police station. When I got back, I found Kawasaki dead."

"I was completely shattered. I couldn't bring myself to continue developing the software for that woman."

"But worried about my family's safety, I decided to hide the fact that we had been commissioned to create the software.

I even admitted to Kawasaki's murder, hoping to be arrested and taken to the police station."

---

"That way, I wouldn't reveal the secret of the software, and both my family and Kawasaki's would be safe."

---

Kunio Koizumi finished his explanation.

"Mr. Koizumi, did the woman tell you why she wanted the software developed?"

Sera Masumi asked solemnly.

---

"She gave us a ridiculous reason. I don't think she intended to tell us the real one."

"She said they wanted to reverse the flow of time and resurrect the dead."

(End of Chapter)

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