Nearly two hours later, Officer Megure arrived, having sped the whole way.
Tsuneo had scared him on the phone: a dozen lives at stake.
Who'd slack on that?
Seven or eight police cars lined up outside the castle, lights flashing, sirens blaring—lively night.
"Inspector, isn't that Mr. Tsuneo??" Takagi got out, staring puzzled at the repairman under a huge umbrella, cup in hand, legs crossed, sipping something.
"It's him..." Megure sighed, approaching.
The sizzling on the phone? Now clear: the grill before him.
"Officer Megure, a cup?" Tsuneo eyed the empty cooler.
No meat left, but Dr. Agasa's coffee to share.
"Brother Tsuneo, what's this case?" Megure glanced at the blue castle, asking.
Looks peaceful—no murder vibe?
The gardener, watching the show, recalled.
A dozen lives...
Only the fire four years ago killed that many.
No way?
The fire arson?
"Heh, let's go inside; castle folks must've noticed the commotion." Tsuneo downed his coffee, patted his belly, stood satisfied.
Rainy grill session: bonus!
"Should I inform the old lady first?" Gardener led, eyeing figures in windows, rubbing his bald head.
Duty-bound.
"No need." Tsuneo smiled.
The castle show started long ago.
Entering now might catch the climax.
...
Rewind a bit.
Blue castle interior.
Dr. Agasa gathered everyone.
Besides the camping group, the Mamiya family of three in the hall.
"Dr. Agasa, you really solved my father-in-law's puzzle?" Mamiya Man seemed excited.
Treasured fantasies.
Yes, after wife's death, enduring here four years—just for this!
Mamiya Takato pushed grandma's wheelchair, glancing complexly.
As grandma said...
"Well." Dr. Agasa scratched head, eyeing Shinichi by the pillar, hands in pockets, posing.
Shinichi knows all, including puzzle answer?
But who attacked a kid, locked him underground?
Too vile!
"Your stage, great detective." Ai beside him, wanting the finale.
Mitsuhiko, Genta, Ayumi exchanged looks.
Anyone explain?
"I'll start from entering the castle passage, then attacked." Detective removed glasses, smiled, approached the Mamiyas.
"Attacked?!"
Man and Takato exchanged shocked glances.
Wasn't it a bump?
The white-haired old Mamiya matriarch sat wheelchair-bound, head down, silent—asleep?
"Yes, I adjusted the wall clock hands, triggered the mechanism—wall flipped, sent me to the passage." Conan nodded.
"Descending stairs, found something big—suddenly hit from behind, culprit exited another way, locked me in tower basement chamber."
Detective dangled glasses, smiling at the elder.
Agasa's glasses found in corridor to tower—route obvious.
Back at castle, he investigated; post-knockout, wandered, got key soccer ball...
"You're saying grandma? Joke?" Takato tensed at first, then laughed, shaking head as kid pointed to wheelchair grandma.
She's been wheelchair-bound ten years, can't stand—how open mechanism, enter passage, attack kid, move to tower?
"My daughter back yet?" Old lady seemed to wake, lifting head, asking hoarsely.
Relapse?
"Miss Mingmei!" Conan smiled, calling back without turning.
"Oh, sure!" Mingmei tossed the soccer ball.
No idea why.
Just follow orders...
Detective bent, twisted shoe switch—sparks flew.
Then perfect bicycle kick; ball deformed, rocketing at old lady's face.
Murder ball incoming!
Mingmei gaped—unexpected use.
Takato on floor, staring at shattered sturdy wooden railing behind, heart pounding, turned yelling: "Hey!"
"What are you..."
Mid-sentence, stopped—like everyone, staring incredulously at empty wheelchair.
Grandma stood, dodged the ball...
Black-clad, white-haired old lady hunched, old face sweating coldly.
"Heh, perfect timing!"
Then Conan heard distant-to-near sirens outside.
Before shock faded, Tsuneo pushed open castle door, police swarm behind.
"Right at the good part."
Repairman eyed wall ball and broken railing, then smiling at the decade-ill suddenly wheelchair-leaping granny.
Medical miracle!
(End of Chapter)
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