Using his small frame, Conan climbed through the ventilation duct into the locked basement and discovered a package inside.
Inside were:
A hood and gloves,
A handgun,
And a receipt from a car rental agency, dated April 4th.
The date immediately recalled what the homeless man had said earlier—about seeing a large white bird and a mysterious vehicle swap.
"So the new car was swapped out here... I get it!" Kogoro Mouri exclaimed.
"The suspect changed cars and made their escape!"
"But what exactly did the person wearing this gear—and carrying a pistol—do?" he continued.
"If we can figure out what happened here on April 4th, we'll crack the case!"
Kogoro slung the package over his shoulder and stepped outside.
But just as he approached the entrance, he spotted four or five suspicious men surrounding the rental car—and one of them was holding a gun.
His expression changed instantly.
"In this case, Conan—you've gotta run out to draw their attention. Yoshiki and I will dash to the car and rescue you!"
"Huh?! They're armed!"
"Don't worry. Even if they're criminals, they won't shoot a kid!"
"...!"
Conan wanted to sock the old man—hard—but knowing there was no time to argue, he gritted his teeth and made a break for it.
As expected, the men chased him. Kogoro seized the moment and dashed toward the car.
Seeing Hayashi Yoshiki walking unhurriedly, he shouted:
"Yoshiki, hurry up! Why are you so slow?!"
But Yoshiki calmly raised his right hand, pulled out his phone with the left, and said:
"Wait a moment, officers."
One of the men growled,
"You're under arrest! Whatever you've got to say, say it at the station!"
Two of the men stepped forward with handcuffs—but before they could reach him, a familiar voice came through the phone:
"What's going on, Consultant?"
"Sorry to trouble you, Chief Odagiri," Yoshiki said. "There's a small misunderstanding with some of your officers."
He quickly explained the situation.
The armed men were actually plainclothes officers, stationed there since early morning in anticipation of a rumored Kaito Kid heist. Seeing a suspicious vehicle approach, they moved in to investigate.
Thanks to Toshiro Odagiri's swift intervention, the misunderstanding was cleared before things escalated.
Kogoro, rubbing his twisted shoulder, restarted the car. As they drove off, he glanced sideways at Yoshiki in disbelief.
"When did you get Chief Odagiri to answer your calls that fast?"
He knew Odagiri's reputation well—strict, even with family.
To see Yoshiki casually call him and get help like this was stunning.
"It's complicated," Yoshiki said, brushing it off.
Conan, listening quietly, already knew the answer.
He had overheard the hospital conversation between Yoshiki and Odagiri via a bug.
He's a special advisor to a task force… and probably knows more than anyone else.
They barely exited the neighborhood when the client's phone call came in.
"So," the distorted voice said, "what did you find?"
After they reported the contents of the package, the client gave his next cryptic clue:
"An open-air café at night."
"You should know where to go."
Then, the call ended.
"What a pain," Yoshiki muttered, pulling out his phone and opening his contacts.
Conan looked over.
"Who are you calling?"
"Ms. Soda and Mr. Mogi," Yoshiki replied.
"Didn't the client say he hired them too?"
He was referring to Soda Ikumi and Mogi Harufumi, two famous detectives they had worked with during the Sunset Mannor case.
"But didn't they already—" Kogoro began.
"It won't be that easy to take those two out…" Yoshiki replied, just as his call connected.
A sharp, professional female voice answered:
"You called me first? That's a surprise, Mr. Hayashi."
"So you and Mogi-san are still alive."
"...You've been contacted by that lunatic client too?"
"That's right. What's your situation?"
"We disarmed the bomb watches and went into hiding. Mogi and I are currently trying to trace his location and catch him off guard."
Then she added, half-jokingly:
"So, you're still wearing the explosive watch? Want us to help you out?"
Yoshiki's expression darkened.
"We're not the only ones. He's taken hostages—children."
There was a pause.
"…I see," Ikumi Soda said, her tone now serious.
"In that case, I'd like to share what we've found. Compensation isn't important—what matters is stopping him."
"Appreciated," Yoshiki replied. "Let's meet in person."
"Send me a time and place."
Yoshiki ended the call.
Both Conan and Kogoro were visibly relieved. Any extra info could save lives.
"Here's the plan," Yoshiki said. "We'll split up. I'll meet with Soda-san and see what she's found. Uncle Mouri, Conan—you two head for the carriage road."
"Carriage road?"
Conan immediately explained:
"'Café Terrace at Night' is a Van Gogh painting from 1888. It depicts a gaslit café with a horse-drawn carriage passing by at dusk."
"So, the clue must point to Japan's first gaslit carriage road," Yoshiki concluded.
"Wow, the client's even more pretentious than I thought."
"Drop me off at the next intersection," he added.
"Got it."
Mouri parked near the curb.
Yoshiki stepped out and checked his watch—still thirty minutes until noon.
Just then, Soda Ikumi sent the meeting location.