Chapter 7: Even Human Trafficking Can Be Intercepted

"That?"

Conan wanted to explain on Shoichi's behalf, but he didn't know what there was to explain.

Whether the man had actually kidnapped children or not—as the child who had been kidnapped—even Conan wasn't sure.

"Come back to the police station with me first," Yumi Miyamoto said.

Shoichi sighed. "You can't really do anything to me, so why bother?"

Unable to stomach Shoichi's provocation, Yumi Miyamoto maintained a firm attitude, insisting on taking him back.

Conan, the little brat, was also invited to the station by Yumi Miyamoto since he was the child who had been kidnapped.

...

"Hello, hubby, we've been intercepted."

After Edogawa Fumiyo's car was stolen, she and the Mouri family had begun a high-speed chase. At a corner, she left the Mouri father and daughter to call her husband alone.

"What are you talking about?"

The man clearly did not understand what Fumiyo was saying.

"Shinichi has been snatched away!"

"By whom? Is it the people from the organization that turned Shinichi small?"

"I don't know," Fumiyo said, racking her brain.

Who could possibly know?

Someone had snatched both a person and a car in broad daylight; it had to be someone lawless. With Shinichi in that person's hands, his situation was likely dire.

On the other side.

Kogoro Mouri and Ran were bent over, gasping for breath.

The car had been going too fast; they couldn't even see its taillights anymore.

"Let's call the police first," Kogoro Mouri said.

There was no other way; they had to ask the police for help.

Human traffickers and thieves were far too rampant these days, daring to steal cars and people right in front of his house in broad daylight.

What was most infuriating was that the thief had actually succeeded.

Ran said, still bent over, "That's all we can do. By the way, where is Auntie Edogawa?"

"She probably couldn't run anymore and is resting somewhere," Kogoro Mouri guessed, looking around.

*Beep beep beep~*

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department."

Ran blinked in astonishment. She hadn't even called the police yet; how did they call her?

Ran asked, "Is something wrong?"

"There is a child named Conan who says he is your younger brother. He is currently at the Metropolitan Police Department. Can you come over and pick him up?"

"No problem, I'll head over right now."

Ran hung up the phone, her mind full of confusion.

Why was Conan at the police station?

...

At the police station, Conan had also figured out his situation.

He hadn't lost his memory.

He had simply been sitting in that lady's car, but this guy named Shoichi had come along and stolen the car, making Conan a "free gift" included with the theft.

Shoichi was a habitual offender; he simply enjoyed stealing cars and had nothing to do with that lady or the organization that had drugged him.

Although stealing was wrong, he had accidentally rescued Conan from that lady's hands. It was a case of a good deed being done through bad intentions.

Shoichi set down his water cup and said with some dissatisfaction, "Does the police station not serve tea or coffee to guests?"

Yumi Miyamoto looked at Shoichi with a forced, mocking smile and said

"The police station doesn't have those things. Besides, you are a criminal, not a guest."

Shoichi sighed, pulled a check from his pocket, wrote a string of numbers on it, and handed it to Yumi Miyamoto.

"This is my donation to the police department. I hope I can have coffee next time."

"The police station won't take your money!" Yumi Miyamoto threw the check back at Shoichi.

Did this guy think he could do whatever he wanted just because he had money?

"Ahem, Yumi, come here for a moment."

Yumi Miyamoto was called away by an elderly officer. Shoichi glanced at her, then sat back in his chair, crossed his legs, and began reading the newspaper.

Conan felt this guy was incredibly cocky.

*You're just a car thief, how can you be so relaxed in a police station?*

Furthermore, after the female officer was called away by the old officer, she returned with an unpleasant expression and left without a word.

The elderly officer who approached spoke to Shoichi with great gentleness, as if afraid that a loud voice might disturb him.

Conan thought deeply.

It seemed this man was not only wealthy but also very powerful. Was he a young master from some conglomerate?

The soul of justice in Conan's heart began to flare up.

Even if one is rich and powerful, they cannot stand above the law!

"Master Shoichi, is your mental state alright? You weren't frightened by Yumi Miyamoto, were you?"

"I've been taking medication lately, so my mental state is much better. I won't have a breakdown just from being startled like that."

Conan lost his momentum.

If he was mentally ill, this was going to be difficult to handle.

"Conan!"

"Ran-neechan!"

Conan lunged straight toward Ran. Ran patted Conan's head and picked him up.

Behind them, Professor Agasa was actually following as well.

Ran asked Conan, "How did you end up at the police station?"

Conan explained how he had become a "free gift" and been taken away by Shoichi.

Kogoro Mouri glared at Shoichi with ill intent.

The elderly officer stepped protectively in front of Shoichi, saying to the approaching Kogoro, "You must stay calm! This is a police station! This is not a place where you can just start a fight!"

Shoichi folded his newspaper, placed it on the table, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He handed the rejected check to Kogoro Mouri.

"I am very sorry about this incident. Please accept this as an apology."

"Is an apology all it takes for something like this?"

Kogoro Mouri took the check irritably. He wanted Shoichi to know that not everything could be resolved with a simple apology.

"Fi... Five... Five million?"

Seeing the number on the check, Kogoro Mouri stammered, his jaw nearly dropping. He immediately changed his expression and said

"Really, you are far too kind. I should be thanking you for helping to find this brat Conan."

Kogoro Mouri wished Conan had been "found" by Shoichi a few more times.

Shoichi's sincerity was too much; if he had "picked up" Conan, it was all Conan's fault for not knowing how to dodge.

"You're welcome. It's what I should do," Shoichi said with a smile.

Ran slapped her forehead and said embarrassingly, "Dad, how can you be like this! Give the money back to him!"

...

Leaving the police station, Shoichi stretched his wrists.

After that interaction, he believed Yumi Miyamoto would likely ignore him for quite some time.

Honestly.

I'm such a prominent young master, and I don't bully people or terrorize the streets; I just like to pick up cars that nobody wants. Why is she watching me so closely?

Oh, I also pick up lolis that nobody wants.

"Hello? This is Shoichi."

Before the driver arrived, a call came in.

"Manager Shoichi, this is Jiro Koya. The company's listing is truly thanks to your guidance. I was wondering if you have time tomorrow? I would like to host a thank-you dinner for you at the Beika Grand Hotel."

"Of course I have time. I will be there on time tomorrow at noon."

(End of Chapter)