𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 019 | lost memories

After being looked over by Dr. Kazato, he met with the group in a conference room to give them his findings.

"Retrograde amnesia?" Kogoro repeated.

"Yes. It's a type of memory disorder in which sudden illness or injury leaves the sufferer unable to remember anything prior to the infliction," Kazato explained. "In your daughter's case, I believe she received a strong mental shock after witnessing Detective Sato being shot before her very eyes."

"So, will my daughter's memory return?!" Kogoro demanded.

"I can't say anything at this point in time," Kazato said, which didn't exactly bode well for Suzume, who rubbed at her temples as she felt a headache coming on. "But I found no problems with her knowledge about everyday life."

"So she can live a normal life, then?" Eri asked, hopeful.

Kazato smiled at her. "Yes. But let's keep her here for observation for a few more days."

It's natural that she would be shocked if a detective she knew was shot right in front of her...but there has to be more to it than that for her to get retrograde amnesia! Suzume clenched her jaw. Something that would force her mind to try and protect her!

Shortly after Kazato left the room, Takagi and Chiba walked inside, shutting the door behind them.

"They've finished operating on Sato-san," Takagi informed them. "They managed to remove the bullet, but it's hard to say if she'll survive or not..."

"Inspector!" Kogoro snapped, getting to his feet and glaring at the man. "You still won't say anything, even after all this?! Shiratori! You know, too! Tell me!"

"We will arrest the person responsible ourselves," Shiratori said instead.

Kogoro punched the table. "Damn it!"

Suzume exhaled slowly, trying to remain calm. "Detective Chiba," she called out. "Did you check the flashlight for fingerprints?"

"Yeah, but we only found Ran-san's fingerprints," Chiba said, making Kogoro and Eri gasp. "We all assumed it was Sato-san who had the flashlight, but it appears it was actually Ran-san."

"In which case, Ran would've felt it was her fault Sato-san was shot," Eri realized grimly.

"And it's because of that shock that she lost her memory?!" Megure asked.

Ran...I'm sorry.

"I'll tell you everything," Megure said, making everyone look at him in shock.

"But, Inspector Megure! That's..."

"It's okay. If I get fired, I'll just open a detective agency like Mouri-kun."

"Inspector..." Kogoro had a thankful smile on his face.

"Takagi-kun, watch Sato-kun. Chiba-kun, you watch Ran-kun," Megure ordered as Suzume pulled out her phone, firing off a quick text before putting it back into her pocket. "If anything happens, report immediately.

Chiba and Takagi left to do as they were told as Megure and Shiratori took seats across the table from Suzume, Eri, and Kogoro.

"Last summer, the body of Jinno Tamotsu, a doctor at Tohto University Hospital's 1st Department of Surgery, was found in his apartment." Shiratori laid out a photo of the deceased. "The investigation was headed by Inspector Tomonari, my superior in Investigation Section 1. Under him were Narasawa and Shiba, who've been shot and killed. Sato-kun was also working with them. Jinno-san drank a lot of alcohol and then cut his right jugular vein with his own scalpel. He died of blood loss."