Chapter 29: You Are Being Watched

The doctor holding the morning glories had long felt that Jiang Xia looked familiar.

As Jiang Xia spoke, it finally clicked—this young man had been in the newspapers a few days ago for solving several consecutive cases.

The doctor: "..." It seemed... he could get a detective for free?

With this thought, Dr. Ogawa instantly became much more enthusiastic.

He explained in detail

"This pot of flowers was delivered to the front desk by someone calling himself 'Mr. Tanaka.' There is a pot every year on August 3rd."

—And it wasn't just flowers.

Starting about two years ago, Dr. Ogawa had been receiving old toys and 1 million yen every month from "Mr. Tanaka."

By now, the total amount received had reached 25 million yen.

Previously, Dr. Ogawa had always assumed these were thank-you gifts from an anonymous patient—he had a five-year-old son, so it seemed perfectly normal to send toys along with money.

To his surprise, this month, what arrived with the money was no longer a toy, but a letter signed "Taro Tanaka."

The letter read: *The 25 million yen is now paid in full. I am coming to take what is rightfully mine.*

...The faint hint of malice in the tone was unsettling.

Only then did Dr. Ogawa panic. He hurriedly sought help from a detective and, ten minutes ago, had found Kogoro Mouri's agency.

At Kogoro Mouri's suggestion, Dr. Ogawa remembered that an oil painting worth over 20 million yen was hanging in his office. "Mr. Tanaka's" claim of "taking what is rightfully mine" might be targeting that painting.

That was why the group had rushed to the hospital so quickly.

...

Standing on the hospital steps, Kogoro Mouri stared gloomily at Dr. Ogawa, who was explaining the situation to Jiang Xia, sensing the scent of "stolen business."

Driven by the thought of "not wanting to lose to a junior," Kogoro Mouri cleared his throat with a composed expression and cut into the conversation between the doctor and Jiang Xia: "Insisting on sending the same flowers every year shouldn't be a mere hobby; it must have a specific meaning."

Jiang Xia gave him face by nodding

"Morning glories do have some special flower languages. 'The end,' 'bonds of love,' and..."

He suddenly lowered his voice, his tone becoming eerie: "'I am haunting you.'"

Listening in, Ran Mouri: "!"

Could it be... could these flowers be from a patient who died on Dr. Ogawa's operating table...?

Kogoro Mouri didn't believe in ghosts, so he rubbed his chin doubtfully: "The first two meanings are indeed common, but that last one, 'haunting you'... did you make that up yourself?"

"No. I received morning glories before." Jiang Xia pushed aside the layers of flower vines, pulled out a greeting card hidden inside, and read the words

"Back then, there was a note like this in the flowers too, but it wasn't a signature; it said 'I am haunting you.'

"I actually was haunted for a while afterward, so the impression is quite deep."

Conan: "..."

*Why are you always experienced in such strange areas?*

*Also, you were haunted before, but you aren't now...*

*If we went diving in Tokyo Bay, would we find concrete blocks imprinted with Jiang Xia's fingerprints?*

...

Kogoro Mouri's internal monologue wasn't as erratic as Conan's or Ran's.

After hearing Jiang Xia's words, he began a systematic process of elimination: "If they are sent every year, the meaning probably isn't 'the end.' As for the other two, whether it's 'bonds of love' or 'I am haunting you,' they're both quite ambiguous. Um..."

As a professional at catching adulterers, Kogoro Mouri couldn't help but pose a soul-searching question to Dr. Ogawa: "Are you being threatened by a mistress?"

Dr. Ogawa shook his head violently: "I've never cheated!"

"Sending flowers usually represents gratitude or love," Jiang Xia said. "If it were to express gratitude, it would be quite strange to never show one's face, so we can temporarily rule that out. As for love..."

He looked at Dr. Ogawa.

Dr. Ogawa froze, shaking his head even more vigorously.

Jiang Xia withdrew his gaze: "Alright, we'll rule that out for now too."

"If it's neither of those." He held up three fingers, then lowered two of them one by one. "Actually, flowers have another use—memorials."

"Flowers offered on an anniversary are usually chrysanthemums or lilies. However, in recent years, many people choose the deceased's favorite flowers or seasonal blooms."

Jiang Xia subtly dropped a hint: "And morning glories bloom most abundantly in summer, during July, August, and September. August 3rd falls right in the middle of that."

...

As Dr. Ogawa listened, his face turned pale.

Sending memorial flowers to a living person was nothing short of bone-chilling. That person using the alias "Mr. Tanaka"... did he want his life??

At this thought, Dr. Ogawa's hair stood on end. He looked at Jiang Xia as if he were a savior

*As expected of a detective who makes the newspapers. After just a few sentences, he's already analyzed so much.*

*In that case, if we talk for another hour, could Jiang Xia directly unmask 'Mr. Tanaka'?*

Under his expectant gaze, Jiang Xia said thoughtfully: "Since 'Mr. Tanaka' is also sending you toys, his motive might be related to a child. You should try to recall any connection you have with him using that keyword."

"A child..."

Dr. Ogawa muttered, and suddenly, as if remembering something, his expression changed drastically. He dropped the flower pot and ran toward the archives.

His sudden sprint startled Conan and the Mouri family, who reflexively hurried after him.

The stairs were instantly empty.

...

Jiang Xia glanced at their retreating backs, straightened his collar, and leisurely walked downstairs.

Successful evasion of consultation √

And, if he wasn't mistaken, besides clues related to Dr. Kazato, he would have other gains from this trip.

...

Walking out of the hospital gates, Jiang Xia did not go home, but instead turned into a park.

As soon as he entered the park, Xiao Bai, who was still savoring the murderous intent from the hotpot incident, froze. As if sensing something, it suddenly sat upright and quickly fixed its gaze on a certain direction.

Following its gaze, Jiang Xia walked a distance and saw a kindergarten.

School hadn't let out yet. At this moment, sitting on a bench outside the gate was a middle-aged man shrouded in murderous intent.

Seeing him, Jiang Xia felt at ease.

...As expected, it's this case.

(End of Chapter)