[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 56 - Silence

   Jinpei left the hospital and started to walk away, hands in his pockets, sunglasses on his face. He was on his way to the police department, having no other choice at the moment, on foot. He hadn't taken the time to take his car and didn't intend to take the time to go and get it. But he could always ask Sato to take him to pick it up.

   Suddenly, the policeman realised something that didn't make him particularly happy. He had fired his service weapon. He had had no choice and now he was going to have to face the consequences. It wouldn't do him any good to tell the truth, because the police would be interested in this strange woman, and in Gin and Vodka as a result, and Yoko would be inundated with questions. And what other consequences would follow?

   With a sigh, the man took out his phone and quickly dialled a number before making his call. Rather quickly, a voice answered.
   -"Yes ?" Said a male voice.
   -Yeah Zero, can you help me?
   -"What's the problem?"
   -Is there any way you can save me some trouble? Jinpei asked.
   Jinpei couldn't help but smile. He didn't know if it was the best idea, but in any case, it was going to help him a lot.

   The man had arrived at his place of work, and it wasn't long before he was faced with the famous problem that awaited him: the empty magazine of his gun.
   He stood opposite Megure, scratching the back of his head and looking annoyed to be there.
   -Can you explain? Asked his superior.
   -Explain what? Jinpei replied, pretending not to know.
   -The empty magazine!
   No reply.
   -Matsuda-kun. Megure repeated.
   Still nothing. Just the man concerned putting his hands in his pockets with an air of boredom. This annoyed the man in front of him.

   Hearing part of the conversation, Sato moved closer and looked at her colleague, intrigued.
   -What's going on? She asked.
   -Ah, Sato-kun... Matsuda-kun has an empty magazine and refuses to explain why. Megure explained, happy to see Sato knowing that she could certainly make Jinpei talk.
   The woman turned her gaze towards her colleague, somewhat surprised, before looking stern, hand on her hips.
   -Matsuda-kun, can you explain?

   Still no answer. He wasn't ready to talk. And his colleagues didn't understand his silence, and couldn't guess why.
   -You know that if you don't say anything you run the risk of being demoted? Warned the policewoman.
   This didn't seem to bother Jinpei, who just yawned. Even the threat of being demoted didn't make him talk.
   -Matsuda! Megure shouted, starting to get seriously annoyed.
   -Why are you refusing to talk? Sato was also annoyed.
   The man concerned looked at the two policemen through his glasses before raising his shoulders with a smile.
   -I've got nothing to say to you.

   Why was he refusing to answer? Was it serious or had he just done something stupid? But he was determined to remain silent.
   Megure looked serious and sombre in the face of the situation. He didn't want the policeman to get into trouble, but he had no choice. He had used his gun off-duty, so he was going to have to take responsibility.

   Just as Jinpei's superior was about to speak, the door opened a little abruptly, attracting everyone's attention. It was a man with short hair, wearing glasses.
   -Who are you? Megure asked.
   The newcomer pulled out a card containing a photo and a gold police badge.
   -Kazami, from Public Security. Can I have a word with you?
   The man in the sunglasses smiled wider.
   -Well, I'll leave you, I've got something else to do. He announced simply before leaving the room.

   Megure and Sato were stunned into silence for a few moments. They had expected everything except for the arrival of Public Security.
   -What's going on? Asked the policeman.
   -I'm going to ask you not to question this policeman any more. Began the newcomer, pointing at Jinpei who was leaving the room. This is a Public Security case. You're not allowed any details.
   -What are you talking about? asked the policewoman.
   -As I've just said, you're not allowed any details.

   Megure had to wave his hand to tell his colleague not to say anything more. The latter decided to leave the room. Was this such a serious matter that Public Security had to intervene?
  
   Sato soon caught up with Jinpei, who still had his hands in his pockets.
   -Matsuda-kun! What happens in the end? She asked seriously. Between that and you being late...
   -Didn't you hear the four-eyed man? I don't need to tell you.
   -So at least you're late.
   -I had things to do.
   Sato got a little more annoyed.
   -What did you have to do?
   -It's none of your business... Can you give me a lift home so I can get my car?

   The woman was confused. Her colleague was not acting as usual and was hiding things. What was to stop him telling her the reason for the empty clip and why he was busy? At least, what he was busy with, unless it had something to do with Public Security...
   -Did you come on foot? she was surprised.
   -Yeah, well... I just had a few complications and couldn't pick her up.
   Jinpei scratched the back of his head, looking bored again. This wasn't the way to avoid questions, but it would be easier to go back and forth to the hospital.

   His colleague sighed and finally agreed, even though she would like to have some information about the situation. The man knew he could talk to her. But if Public Security had intervened and he himself categorically refused to talk, then the situation must have been important and beyond the reach of the police. This only worried Sato.