The Corpse Collector In Conan

31: IT'S THE DOCTOR'S PROBLEM

Mouri Ran climbed down from the bridge and landed on the ground, showing her acrobatic skills. 

However, by the time she arrived at the scene, Jiang Xia had already stopped.

At this moment, from Mouri Ran's perspective, Jiang Xia was standing beside the still-breathing culprit. He gazed at the child behind the tree, his expression fairly calm, though he seemed somewhat displeased.

Mouri Ran recalled the child who had swiftly hidden behind the tree and guessed that the child's evasive behavior wounded Jiang Xia's spirit.

...The child was really too much.

Mouri Ran walked up to Jiang Xia's side and thanked him on behalf of the child, "Thank you for saving that child."

After a moment, she couldn't help but add, "Um... next time you intervene heroically, try not to be too harsh. Just subdue them and let the law take care of them."

Jiang Xia: "..."

He remembered scenes of Mouri Ran smashing an electric pole with a punch, kicking a wall apart with a foot, and criminals spiraling into the sky with a punch...

...Don't you feel guilty?

Jiang Xia turned his head and looked at Mouri Ran's angelic and delicate face.

Then he looked at her seemingly delicate fist.

He silently swallowed the words he wanted to say, nodded, and said, "I understand."

*****

The other three people hadn't climbed the bridge; they had obediently taken the longer path to come down.

There happened to be a police station nearby.

When the three of them arrived, the police were already there.

Ogino, lying on the ground, wasn't granted redemption. Seeing his plan fail, he let out an unwilling roar.

Dr. Ogawa held his son tightly, looking at Ogino being led into a police car with mixed emotions. After settling his son, he decided to immediately transfer 25 million yen to Ogino's account at the bank, not wanting to be associated with that blood money any longer.

*****

The next day, Jiang Xia went to the police station again.

To provide additional information.

And also to see if Ogino's father's murderous aura had lessened.

After finishing his business and leaving the police station,

Jiang Xia checked his watch and realized it was just past noon, and he had plenty of time.

There were no exams today, so no need to attend classes.

The ingredients for the Ghost Mint had just been planted for the next harvest, and the new ones hadn't sprouted yet, so there was no rush to go home.

*****

Jiang Xia, out of habit, turned towards the Amuro Detective Agency.

However, at present, there are few cases from the agency.

But reputation needs accumulation. Perhaps one day, a guest with a murderous aura might be recommended by the agency's old customers who have already been found.

And in the agency, apart from the homicide cases, there's also a certain chance of encountering the randomly refreshed Amuro Tooru, an undercover agent sent by the public security bureau.

Jiang Xia is still yearning for the aroma of Dr. Kazami's hotpot-style murderous aura.

Moreover, Dr. Kazami's victims are, after all, police officers, so it's possible for Amuro Tooru to get involved.

If the police proactively arrest him, then after Dr. Kazami is caught, Jiang Xia just needs to stroll around the police station to have Shiro retrieve the murderous aura.

In a legal society, especially in this world, collecting murderous aura is not difficult.

*****

Jiang Xia arrived at the entrance of the detective agency and took out the key to the front door.

However, as he got closer, he realized that the door wasn't locked—there was someone inside.

With a puzzled expression, Jiang Xia entered and looked inside.

He saw Amuro Tooru, an unusual sight in the Amuro Detective Agency.

Moreover, he had brought a client along. At this moment, he sat across from the client, listening attentively, looking ready to take on the task.

Jiang Xia: "..."

... Something is fishy.

... Amuro Tooru personally receiving them meant that the client likely had an interesting story, potentially leading to cases involving ghosts and murderous auras...

Thinking about this, Jiang Xia approached stealthily, wanting to hear about the task.

However, he was noticed by Amuro Tooru's sharp gaze, who intercepted him: "Wait outside for now."

"... Okay," Jiang Xia nodded.

He retreated to the outer area and thoughtfully closed the door.

The doors and walls here have been soundproofed; he can't hear the conversation inside once the door is closed.

... However, can this slight soundproofing material really block a medium with a ghost?

*****

Jiang Xia sat on the waiting bench and summoned the ghost baby.

Shiro obediently climbed onto Jiang Xia's shoulder, pressing against his ear.

Jiang Xia's hearing was instantly shifted to Shiro.

Afterward, Shiro darted towards the soundproof door and swiftly slipped through it.

In Jiang Xia's ears, the voices inside suddenly became clear.

*****

Jiang Xia drove the ghost and eavesdropped, gradually understanding the situation.

— A few days ago, the client's house was burglarized. Although money and jewelry were untouched, a precious pottery piece was missing.

Initially, it was thought to be the work of a sophisticated thief, stealing only artworks.

But the next day, the client found deliberately shattered pottery fragments near their home.

"...," Not for wealth, not for art, and violently smashing a just-acquired pottery piece as if venting... This unclear motive made the client feel uneasy.

They reported it to the police, but the investigation yielded no results.

Later, while the client complained about the incident with a friend at a cafe, a passing waitress suggested they consult a detective.

So, they ended up at the Amuro Detective Agency — the enthusiastic waitress, of course, was Amuro Tooru, "coincidentally" working at the cafe.

*****

As Jiang Xia eavesdropped on the case, he recalled various plots he had seen before but couldn't recall encountering a similar case.

While there were a few items related to pottery, the details didn't quite match up.

Jiang Xia: "...," It may be an irrelevant case and just an assignment from the organization. Of course, it could also be related to the public security bureau.

*****

Not long after, Amuro Tooru got the client's contact information and saw the client off.

Jiang Xia recalled the ghost baby, retracting his enhanced hearing ability. He got up and helped Amuro Tooru see the client out while trying to find an opportunity to strike up a conversation.

After seeing the client off, Amuro Tooru turned back and noticed someone following behind, recalling the incident from yesterday when Jiang Xia took a leave to visit the hospital.

So, he casually inquired, "How are you? Is everything okay with your health?"

Jiang Xia hesitated.

Amuro Tooru was taken aback.

He had asked casually since Jiang Xia appeared fine. Going to the hospital should've been just a regular check-up.

But now, why does he have this expression...

Amuro Tooru felt something was amiss and focused his attention a bit: "What happened?"

Could it be that a terminal illness was detected during the health check?

Jiang Xia shook his head, "Nothing really. It's just... that doctor at the hospital... I have a feeling he has killed someone before."

Amuro Tooru: "?"

Jiang Xia continued, "And my intuition tells me that everything isn't over yet — in the future, something similar might happen."

Amuro Tooru: "..."

He instinctively adjusted his sleeves and his gaze became sharper.

In any case, there are two possibilities at the moment.

One is that Jiang Xia is a genius at reading people's emotions: from a short conversation, he concluded that the doctor is a dangerous serial killer.

The other possibility is that Jiang Xia isn't as normal as he seems and might be harboring something like a delusional disorder.

Amuro Tooru: "...," Regardless of its possibility, it's worth being cautious and must be addressed promptly.

In the former case, the doctor should be dealt with. In the latter case, send the staff member to the hospital and, incidentally, get the organization to cover the treatment costs.

After Jiang Xia finished speaking, he felt that Amuro Tooru's expression was somewhat strange.

He cautiously took a step back and with emphasis, added, "Moreover, the doctor had a gun in his bag. I will not mistaken."

... The gun was actually something Shiro saw. Ghosts have a unique advantage in searching — they can penetrate anything to investigate what hasn't been seen yet.

Amuro Tooru: "Is that so..."

Amuro Tooru finally reacted to this specific information about the "gun," gradually leaning towards the possibility that the "doctor has a problem."

During psychological treatment, even if a doctor intends to control things, it's hard to completely hide some of their habits and attitudes.

He heard that some people are extremely sensitive to this. And Jiang Xia isn't an ordinary patient with depression — on the contrary, he's connected to the black organization and has had contact with many murderers.

Amuro Tooru: "...," In his impression, Beika Hospital's psychiatric department is quite famous.

According to what he knows, several police officers also go there for consultations. As long as the doctor wants, it wouldn't be difficult for him to gather some information from the police or even exert an influence on those police officers.

A doctor like that, if he really has an issue...

Amuro Tooru gradually realized the seriousness of the problem.

*****

However, regardless of what he thought in his heart, he definitely couldn't say it out loud.

— After all, he's not a policeman now; he's an undercover agent for the organization. The police are in trouble, so he should be happy.

"You're overthinking." Amuro Tooru lowered the cuffs he had rolled up, sounding indifferent, "But if that doctor made you think that way, it means he's not suitable for you. You should try a different hospital next time."

Jiang Xia nodded and didn't say much.

If he kept talking, his intentions would become too obvious. In that case, the undercover comrades would avoid touching Dr. Kazama to protect their cover. Jiang Xia would have to take action himself.

*****

Amuro Tooru remained busy today, and after a few words with Jiang Xia, he had another task added to his heavy workload.

He didn't linger and quickly left.

On the way, Amuro Tooru sent Dr. Kazama's information to his subordinates to investigate.

Of course, he emphasized the need for secrecy in their actions. Even if they found a problem, they should make sure Dr. Kazama exposed himself "accidentally." It was crucial not to let anyone know that this investigation was purposeful.

Otherwise, if Jiang Xia pointed out the problem, the police would arrest Dr. Kazama... considering Jiang Xia's sharpness, he might notice something.

*****

At Detective Agency.

Jiang Xia was about to lock up and leave when he inadvertently glanced at the magazine rack at the entrance, pausing momentarily.

— On the rack, there was a familiar book.

Jiang Xia pulled it out, realizing it was the detective manual he had borrowed from the library.

He had brought it with him when he applied.

Later, when he truly joined the agency, Jiang Xia forgot to take the book back.

The borrowing period from the Rice Flower Library was relatively short; regular citizens could only borrow books for 14 days.

Jiang Xia checked the date and realized it had yet to expire. Rather than waiting for the chance to randomly get these 14 days again, he decided to return the book now...

Thinking this way, he glanced at his watch and realized it wasn't time to leave work.

So, he mounted his motorcycle and headed for the library.

*****

Jiang Xia rode his motorcycle quickly and arrived at the library.

At this point, there was still more than half an hour until closing time.

However, upon approaching, he saw that the front door was locked. They had already closed.

Jiang Xia was taken aback. He walked to the bulletin board near the door and discovered that today was a holiday; the library closed two hours early.

"..."

Holding the book he was about to return, Jiang Xia looked at the darkness inside with a hint of disappointment.

He was about to turn and leave.

But at that moment, Shiro suddenly perked up, raised its paw, and poked Jiang Xia, murmuring something.

—"There's something in the library."

Not only was there a sense of murderous aura, but it also seemed there was a newly dead shikagami around.

Jiang Xia: "!"

*****

This library didn't have security windows installed.

Jiang Xia walked around the library, circling it halfway until he found a window in a secluded corner that was locked from the inside.

He stopped in front of the window and raised his hand.

Several shikigami floated lightly out, slipped through the gaps in the window, and landed on the library floor. Gradually, they merged into white clay-like puppets.

The puppets clumsily crawled onto the window, and with some effort, they extended their small hands to twist open the locked window.

Wearing gloves, Jiang Xia swiftly opened the window from the outside with a rustling sound and then leaped into the library.

The moment he touched the ground, the puppets collapsed back into paper-like shikigami, fading into the tattoo on his chest.