Chapter 128: Officer Toda, You're Lying

Sera Masumi and Conan were left stunned after hearing what Toda Kyouji said.

Especially Sera Masumi.

She had always been suspicious of Akikawa Kyousuke.

What Toda Kyouji revealed matched another potential image of Akikawa Kyousuke that Conan had analyzed earlier.

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'If we base it on what Kyouji Toda initially claimed—that Akikawa Kyousuke wanted to "commit suicide"—then the way the knife was inserted actually negates that possibility.'

'But if it's true that Akikawa Kyousuke wanted to "frame" Toda Kyouji, then what Toda said might hold some truth.'

Sera Masumi reflected.

'It seems she also harbors doubts about Akikawa Kyousuke.'

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Observing Sera Masumi's reaction, Toda Kyouji couldn't suppress a flicker of satisfaction in his heart.

Perhaps, by steering Sera Masumi's thoughts, he could convince her of Akikawa Kyousuke's guilt.

Even if Sera Masumi ultimately lacked solid evidence, Toda still had "concrete proof" to label Akikawa Kyousuke as the murderer.

All it would take was for Sera Masumi to propose searching Akikawa Kyousuke's house.

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"Officer Toda," Sera Masumi said, her dark green eyes locked onto him.

"Do you have evidence to prove what you're saying is true?"

"I do."

Toda Kyouji smiled and spoke confidently.

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"Kyousuke Akikawa initially held the dagger with an 'overhand grip,' but to frame me, he switched to an 'underhand grip' before stabbing himself with the knife."

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"Wait. The forensic team should be able to find Kyousuke Akikawa's fingerprints in both orientations on the knife handle."

"This should confirm what I'm saying."

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As Toda Kyouji explained, he turned to look at the forensic officer examining the dagger's handle for fingerprints.

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'Thanks to my quick thinking earlier, if Kyousuke Akikawa's knife had punctured his carotid artery, the fingerprints on the handle would've been obscured by blood.'

'Just like the way he initially got away with it.'

Toda thought to himself.

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Sera Masumi continued to study Kyouji Toda, her gaze unwavering. She noticed the unwavering confidence in Toda's smile as he delivered his speech.

'Could it be that Akikawa Kyousuke really framed him, just as he claimed?'

'Is everything we've seen so far—the childlike innocence of Akikawa Kyousuke—nothing more than a facade he carefully crafted?'

'Could it be that Akikawa Kyousuke truly intended to frame Toda Kyouji because he knew the truth about the car accident?'

Sera Masumi pondered.

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Moments later, Sera Masumi and the others saw the forensic officer walking toward them.

"Are the fingerprint results ready?"

Toda Kyouji asked with a smile.

"They are," replied the forensic officer.

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Sera Masumi, Conan, Megure Juzo, and the others all turned to the officer.

Then, they heard him continue:

"There's only one set of fingerprints on the knife handle, Officer Toda."

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Hearing this, Toda Kyouji felt as if a thunderous "boom" had gone off in his head.

The confident smile on his face instantly froze.

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Toda Kyouji saw everyone present staring at him.

The cold look on Sera Masumi's face returned, the same one she had when they first met.

It was clear.

Sera Masumi now believed she had been deceived again.

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"No! How could this be?!"

"Are you sure you checked thoroughly?!"

"The entire ring of the knife handle must be examined! Are you sure you're using the correct fingerprint analysis method?!"

Toda Kyouji grabbed the forensic officer's coat and started shouting.

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'No fingerprints? Impossible!'

'If Akikawa Kyousuke had prepared in advance, that would be one thing—but he didn't even know I'd visit him today!'

'Absolutely impossible! There has to be an error in the fingerprint analysis!'

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Toda Kyouji was completely unraveling.

The forensic officer, whose coat he had grabbed, shoved him off and looked at him angrily.

"You're insulting my professionalism. How could I make such a basic mistake?"

"Moreover, if my fingerprint analysis method was flawed, how would it have detected Officer Toda's fingerprints?"

---

Masumi Sera stared coldly at Kyouji Toda, who had been silenced by the forensic officer.

She spoke icily:

"Officer Toda, I recall that you showed up unannounced at Akikawa's place today, and Akikawa had no idea you would be there, correct?"

"So how do you explain the fact that only your fingerprints are on the dagger handle?"

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"No! There must be a mistake somewhere!"

Toda Kyouji shouted, looking desperately at Conan, Mouri Ran, and Suzuki Sonoko standing nearby.

"You all saw it, didn't you?!"

"Kyousuke Akikawa also held the dagger! It's impossible that no fingerprints were left!"

"He must've done something!"

Toda Kyouji yelled at them.

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"No, I didn't see Mr. Akikawa touch the dagger," Mouri Ran said hesitantly.

"Exactly! I only saw Officer Toda pull the dagger out of Mr. Akikawa's neck. When did Mr. Akikawa touch it?"

Suzuki Sonoko added angrily.

"I didn't see it either," Conan agreed.

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Hearing this, Megure Juzo realized Toda Kyouji had been bluffing.

His expression darkened.

A criminal investigator under his command attempting to kill an ordinary civilian was a massive scandal.

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"I see!"

Toda Kyouji suddenly roared.

"Akikawa Kyousuke must have anticipated I would come for him, so he used some method to conceal his fingerprints in advance!"

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The detectives present frowned at Toda Kyouji's hysterical outburst.

To them, Toda now resembled a criminal caught red-handed, grasping at implausible excuses.

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"Officer Toda," Conan said quietly, his glasses reflecting a white gleam as he approached Toda.

"You claim Akikawa Kyousuke covered his fingerprints. Which hand was he holding the dagger with at the time?"

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Toda Kyouji recalled.

Akikawa Kyousuke had gripped the dagger with both hands, but his right hand had been on the inside, holding the blade.

He quickly replied:

"His right hand!"

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"Officer Toda, are you sure?"

"I'm certain! Akikawa Kyousuke definitely held the dagger with his right hand. If you check his right hand, it must be covered in glue or something similar!"

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"I'm sorry, Officer Toda, but you're lying."

Conan lifted his head, his sky-blue eyes visible behind the light-reflecting lenses.

"And this is proof you're lying."

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Conan extended his left arm, revealing his suit sleeve to the officers.

On the right sleeve, a bloody palm print with clear fingerprints was visible, left by Akikawa Kyousuke when he had gripped Conan's arm earlier.

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"Akikawa just grabbed my arm with his right hand, leaving this palm print."

"If his hand had been coated in glue, how could there be fingerprints?"

Conan asked Toda Kyouji quietly.

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(End of the Chapter)