Conan: The Spring of Meguro 5
Chapter 5: First Meeting with Conan
January 21, 2025
Chapter 5. First Meeting with Conan
“Longma-ge, the bill’s settled.” Jin Tian emerged from the private room, seeing Lin Longma with a cigarette dangling from his lips, quickly stepped forward, produced a lighter, and lit his boss’s cigarette.
Wisps of bluish smoke obscured Lin Longma’s face, the flickering orange glow of the cigarette tip a small accent against the night.
Lin Longma stood quietly in the restaurant’s courtyard, lost in thought, replaying the evening’s dinner conversation with Kogoro Mouri in his mind.
“Boss, that Kogoro Mouri’s mouth is really tight,” Jin Tian lit a cigarette for himself, keeping his boss company, then subtly brought up the topic Lin Longma was contemplating.
During dinner, Lin Longma and Kogoro Mouri had engaged in casual conversation, with Jin Tian in attendance.
His primary duties were to serve Mouri food and drinks, and meticulously note everything Mouri said for later analysis.
As a secretary or assistant, Jin Tian was undoubtedly exceptionally capable. His presence significantly eased Lin Longma’s burden.
However, they hadn’t gained much from the meal.
Initially, the conversation was light, punctuated by occasional toasts. As the atmosphere warmed and the conversation flowed, Lin Longma subtly steered the topic towards Mantentou Game Company’s upcoming press conference.
Lin Longma had expected that Mouri Kogoro, a detective known for his love of alcohol, would reveal some information under the influence.
But they were sorely disappointed. Mouri Kogoro’s responses were consistently “I don’t know,” or “I think I must have fallen asleep.” Or, “I opened my eyes and the case was solved!” In short, his every action and word perfectly matched his reputation: the Sleeping Kogoro.
Could he really have solved the case in his sleep? Could anyone truly believe that?
Jin Tian certainly didn’t, but he understood Mouri. The detective industry was fiercely competitive; without some kind of gimmick, how could one stand out?
But Lin Longma had a different perspective.
“I think this Detective Mouri is quite sincere; it’s possible he wasn’t lying.”
Having spent years in the organization, Lin Longma had encountered many such counterintuitive situations. He’d seen it all.
Even Sherlock Holmes said, eliminate all the impossible options, and whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.
Only this truth wasn’t particularly relevant to Lin Longma.
“Whether it’s true or false, the Mouri lead is currently unusable. But Jin Tian, take note…”
As soon as Lin Longma finished speaking, Jin Tian immediately pulled out a palm-sized notebook, holding the book in his left hand and a pen in his right, awaiting instructions.
“Have some resources focus on Detective Mouri, while maintaining a good relationship with him. Other famous detectives established their reputations too early; we don’t have time to build relationships with them. Now that Mouri is emerging, whether he’s truly skilled or a fraud, as long as his reputation as a famous detective remains intact, it benefits us.”
“The organization’s task needs to be expedited; don’t give Gin any reason to criticize us. Have Doi lead the investigation. There were many people at the press conference; surely some observed everything. Find these people, and find a way to extract the truth.”
“Finally, contact Bourbon; I need to meet with him.”
“Yes, Boss, I’ve noted everything. When would you like to meet with Bourbon?”
“The sooner the better. Oh, and get me the phone number for the Mouri Detective Agency. I’ll contact Detective Mouri’s family.”
Jin Tian worked on his phone for a moment: “Boss, I’ve sent you the number.”
After sending Lin Longma the phone number, Jin Tian discreetly left the courtyard to contact Bourbon.
Unlike Lin Longma, a management-type executive, Bourbon was clearly a technical specialist.
This meant Bourbon didn’t have a fixed team. If a mission required personnel, the organization would assign them to Bourbon. Bourbon could also mobilize some personnel through the organization in daily operations.
But Bourbon didn’t have direct subordinates like Jin Tian and Doi.
“Is this the Mouri Detective Agency? This is Lin Longma, who visited earlier today. Detective Mouri accepted my invitation to dinner, but he’s become quite intoxicated. I’ll be sending him home shortly; please have someone at the agency receive him.”
To Lin Longma’s surprise, the person who answered wasn’t Kogoro Mouri’s wife, but a young voice. The girl introduced herself as Kogoro Mouri’s daughter.
They arranged to meet downstairs at the agency.
After Lin Longma hung up, Jin Tian returned: “Boss, Bourbon is available tonight. We can meet.”
“He’s still working various part-time jobs?”
“Seems so. The background noise during our call sounded like a restaurant kitchen.”
“Alright, he’s talented.” No wonder Lin Longma was so worldly; had he ever encountered a high-ranking member of a criminal organization working odd jobs?
Well, now he had.
After setting up their next meeting, Lin Longma and Jin Tian watched as two waiters carefully helped Kogoro Mouri into the car.
Although Mouri’s alcohol tolerance was low, he was a good drinker. Even when heavily intoxicated, he didn’t cause a scene or talk nonsense; he just sat there with a flushed face, sleeping quietly.
As the Mercedes-Benz S680 pulled up to the Mouri Detective Agency, Lin Longma noticed two figures, one tall and one short, waiting at the entrance.
“Hello, are you Miss Mouri?” Lin Longma asked the taller girl, getting out of the car first.
“Yes, Mr. Lin. I’m Ran Mouri. My father caused you trouble,” the girl apologized, her concern evident.
“No, no, I should apologize. We were having too much fun and drank a bit too much. Thank you for taking care of Mr. Mouri tonight.”
While Lin Longma and Ran Mouri exchanged pleasantries, the driver and Jin Tian got out to help carry Kogoro Mouri out of the car.
“Let’s help get Mr. Mouri settled,” Lin Longma said, then suddenly felt a scrutinizing gaze. Looking down, he saw a child curiously observing him.
“Is this little brother your younger brother, Miss Mouri?” Lin Longma nodded at the small boy and asked Ran Mouri.
“Excuse me, this is Conan Edogawa. He’s staying with us. Conan, greet Mr. Lin.”
“Hello, Mr. Lin!” In an instant, the scrutiny in Conan’s eyes vanished, replaced by a child’s innocent charm.
“Hello, Conan,” Lin Longma greeted Conan seriously, then followed Ran Mouri, directing the driver and Jin Tian as they carried Kogoro Mouri towards the living area on the third floor of the agency.
“We’ll leave Mr. Mouri in your care,” Lin Longma stopped on the second floor, indicating that Ran Mouri could leave them there.
Ran Mouri readily complied, bidding farewell on the second floor: “Thank you very much, Mr. Lin. Please visit again anytime.”
“Haha, certainly! Detective Mouri and I hit it off; I’ll undoubtedly need his help in the future.”
Lin Longma waved to Ran Mouri, then got back into the car.
“Boss, shall we leave now?”
Back in the car, Lin Longma didn’t speak, but closed his eyes in thought. Only when Jin Tian spoke did he open his eyes:
“Let’s go.”
Then, Lin Longma took one last look at the detective agency outside the window.
That elementary school student’s gaze had been off.
(End of Chapter)
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