"I didn't expect Hitoshi Moriyama had already returned to Japan."
"Yeah, that was a serious miscalculation."
"First, the real estate dealer Hiroaki Fujinami, then Hitoshi Moriyama... Both were killed one after another.
It's almost certain that Hunt is the culprit."
"Yes. Not only were the bullets found in Moriyama's car matching the MK-11 caliber that Hunter favors, but when we arrived at the hotel rooftop where the sniper attack happened after the alarm call, we found the sa shell casings and dice.
Also, this morning, the hotel cleaning staff unexpectedly found an MK-11 sniper rifle hidden in a golf bag in the hallway."
At the joint Tokyo tropolitan Police and FBI task force eting room, the details of last night's case were currently being discussed.
Hayashi Yoshiki was also present at the eting.
Since he was familiar with the FBI agents and served as a police consultant, his invitation to the eting was welcod by both parties.
"The rifle was only found in the hallway this morning?"
Hayashi Yoshiki asked, surprised.
"Yes. Normally, guests and staff use the elevator, but early this morning a cleaner found the golf bag hidden in the 13th-floor hallway," Shiratori Ninzaburo responded, adding:
"We imdiately tested the evidence after collection. From the gunpowder residue at the muzzle, it was confird that this was the gun Hunter used last night to snipe Hitoshi Moriyama.
However, the rifle and scope were extrely clean, as if deliberately wiped down, leaving no useful information.
Of course, no information would remain.
Hayashi Yoshiki specifically instructed Seiran Hoshi to clean all traces from the rifle and the scene.
Also, anticipating Conan might show up, he had Seiran leave the rifle in the hallway instead of taking it away—despite Shimizu Reiko's cover, Conan wouldn't suspect Seiran.
But carrying a bag capable of holding a sniper rifle openly in front of him would still attract attention."
"What does it an that Hunter left the gun at the scene?"
gure Juzo wore a thoughtful expression.
"Maybe carrying the bag out looked too conspicuous at the ti."
Jas crossed his arms and said, then looked at Hayashi Yoshiki: "What do you think, Mr. Hayashi?"
"Highly probable, yes. But I have a question."
"Please, go ahead."
"As ntioned before, Hunter was hit in the head after returning to the battlefield and survived an extrely dangerous surgery, right?" Hayashi Yoshiki showed a hint of doubt on his face. "I don't know much about snipers, but wouldn't such a severe head injury affect his sniping skills?"
Jas adjusted his glasses.
The surrounding officers exchanged looks.
"Unfortunately, we don't know if Hunter suffered severe after-effects from that injury, but brain injuries generally impact shooting ability."
Jodie spoke.
Hayashi Yoshiki fell silent for a mont.
His gaze fixed on the table, no one interrupted.
After a while, he lifted his head.
"I'm wondering if the culprit deliberately left the MK-11 at the hotel to make us more certain that 'Hunter is the killer.'
After all, we have gathered so much intelligence on Hunter, and without ever seeing the culprit's face, we have almost confird it must be him.
Could there still be soone else?"
"Of course, we can't be sure… but I don't rule out that possibility.
This is just , as a mystery novelist, imagining how the story might take a twist."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.
gure Juzo and the others could only scratch their heads.
"But regardless, the victims must be those Hunt wants to take revenge on... The dice left at the scenes showed '4' then '3,' and according to FBI intelligence, Hunt still hates two people."
Those two were Jack Walz and Bill Murphy.
Both Aricans and forr Navy SEAL mbers — Jack Walz was a forr Army captain who reported Hunter for violating engagent rules, Hunter's forr superior, Bill Murphy was Jack's subordinate and also a witness who testified against Hunter.
Coincidentally, both are currently in Japan.
Kevin Yoshino found Timothy Hunter the next day.
Hunter was happy upon hearing the news of Hitoshi Moriyama's death, the man who killed his sister.
But Kevin's expression was grim.
"Sothing's wrong, Mr. Hunter, I didn't kill Hitoshi Moriyama!"
"What?"
"I was preparing to act last night. I had already scouted the hotel and disabled the security caras. But when I was heading to the building to strike, I had a car accident..."
Kevin's face looked dark and sowhat panicked.
Hunter imdiately asked what happened.
Kevin described the accident: his car was nearly flipped after being hit by a small truck, whose driver was visibly drunk.
At the ti, Kevin thought it was just bad luck eting a drunk driver, but before he could act, he learned Hitoshi Moriyama had been killed, and the shell casing and dice he planned to leave were found at the scene!
This made Kevin realize sothing was wrong.
Who else would want to kill Hitoshi Moriyama?
Not only was the timing perfect, but soone also arranged to intercept him.
Even the shell casing and dice left were exactly as he and Hunter planned…
Was every move he made being watched?
Kevin felt uneasy.
Hunter fell silent for a mont after taking a sip of alcohol.
"Whoever did it, we'll proceed as we originally agreed."
"But—"
"I don't care anymore."
A smile appeared on Hunter's face as he put down the bottle.
"I just want to reunite with them soon... and I hope they go to hell with ."
Seeing the war hero he had always admired looking so broken and even weak filled Kevin with an inexplicable rage.
He lowered his head and stood up silently.
Hunter didn't look at him.
He just took another sip and left with:
"See you later...
See you later."
Kevin's voice was low.
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