Inspector Megure stroked his chin. "If that's the case, then the culprit in this case must be an arsonist *and* a murderer..." He secretly felt he was about to steal credit from his colleagues again.
Officer Satou thought for a moment. "Looks like I'll have to go back later and get materials from the Arson investigators." She added, "But in that case, it works out well. Fujino-san can also learn about our police system and procedures."
"Consultant..." Fujino paused, feeling a bit awkward with the title. But since he'd become a consultant, he really did need to properly learn about the different departments and systems within the Metropolitan Police Department... Although he knew *about* them, he wasn't really an insider.
...
Since this was an accidental murder caused by arson, there weren't many clues left at the scene. After investigating, Inspector Megure and Officer Satou packed up and returned to the Metropolitan Police Department with Fujino, planning to exchange information with the Arson Division.
On the way back, Officer Satou and Inspector Megure gave Fujino a thorough explanation of the Metropolitan Police Department's internal structure. The Criminal Investigation Division 1 is responsible for major criminal cases. Just the Violent Crimes section alone has over ten units. The first unit is in charge of finances; for example, Fujino's case-solving bonus comes from them. The second unit handles 'labyrinthine' cases and top-secret missions, while the units from three onwards are all responsible for murder cases. Crimes like arson are handled by a specific Arson section, which specializes in arson and related cases. Arson cases happen relatively infrequently in the Conan world, so the Arson section only has Unit 1 and Unit 2. Now that the culprit might have committed murder, this case will require their involvement in the investigation. Other cases can be understood this way too, like drug-related murders... Often in such matters, the credit ends up being snatched by the Violent Crimes investigators. This is also the fault of Japan's bloated police system. Criminal departments are broken down into several categories; they'd almost categorize cases based on *how* someone was killed.
Of course, this system has its advantages; for example, there are lots of high-ranking officers. For instance, Inspector Megure is the head of Unit 3, making him a superintendent-ranked leader. Officer Satou, on the other hand, is a subsection chief, a lower-ranking leader. Ordinary staff like Takagi-kun and Chiba-kun are below Officer Satou. However, since they see each other every day, there aren't usually significant rank differences shown within a unit, except for the highest-ranking officer, Inspector Megure.
...
Upon returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Inspector Megure immediately rushed to the Arson Division Unit 1 to exchange information. The unit chief, a Superintendent, was someone Inspector Megure knew well. So, after expressing some dissatisfaction, the materials were handed over to Inspector Megure. After getting the information, Megure took Satou, Takagi, and Fujino to a conference room to discuss the case.
Based on the case files, this incident was already the fourth in a series of arsons. The first case happened in Ikebukuro, the second in Asakusabashi, the third in Tabata, and the fourth in Shimokitazawa. Because of the arson methods used, the police in the Arson Division quickly confirmed that the culprits in all four cases were the same person. However, since the locations and times of the arsons didn't have much connection, they haven't been able to identify a suspect yet.
Fujino looked at the files on the small whiteboard and recalled a few things. If he remembered correctly, the culprit in this series of arsons was a psychotic individual. The arson locations actually followed a pattern. But just looking at it now, you couldn't see any pattern at all. It would be quite difficult to find the person. Even using 'White Wolf One-Click Search' (an assumed tool), you'd still need to know their name.
...
The case discussion finished quickly, and Fujino's work ID was successfully processed. The work ID was a small, hard plastic card inside a plastic lanyard holder. It had Fujino's information, his position, the Metropolitan Police Department's stamp, and was similar to a police officer's ID.
"No leather cover?" Fujino looked at the ID and muttered to himself, "It's a bit too shabby..."
"I think this batch of IDs was made back when my father was still around. Just make do with it," Officer Satou said, smiling broadly. "We've never had many consultants, practically none, so don't be too picky! You can always buy a leather cover yourself."
"Alright..." Fujino nodded silently, understanding. Most detectives and police have never gotten along well. And normally, no one would ever hire a detective as a consultant. Those who dislike the police and are arrogant would certainly not be willing to be consultants...
"Miwako!" Just as the two of them turned the corner, a female voice called out.
"Yumi!" Officer Satou turned around and greeted Yumi Miyamoto, who was wearing a police uniform. "Did you just finish external duty?"
"Yeah..." Yumi Miyamoto yawned. "I didn't expect to run into a fire like that. I had to go maintain order right after starting my shift."
"You didn't stay up all night playing mahjong again, did you?" Officer Satou looked at the dark circles around her drooping eyes and teased. "If you keep staying up late, you'll turn into an old lady soon..."
"Haha..." Yumi Miyamoto gave an awkward laugh, scratched her ear, and turned to look at Fujino. "Speaking of which, this must be the famous detective Fujino, right? I saw him leaving a case with you guys earlier..." Before she could finish, she noticed Fujino's badge. "Fujino Touji... Position... Criminal Investigator Consultant?"
"That's right," Officer Satou nodded. "Fujino-kun just became our consultant in the Criminal Investigation Division."
"Huh?" Yumi Miyamoto was slightly surprised, then got excited. "So the famous detective is one of us police now, huh..." Saying this, she enthusiastically stepped forward and patted Fujino's shoulder. "Hey kiddo, your big sister here will take care of you at the Metropolitan Police Department from now on!"
Fujino: "..." *This big sister is really enthusiastic.*
"Alright, Yumi, cut out your usual routine for hitting on newcomers," Officer Satou said with a laugh, naturally seeing that her friend was trying to charm a guy. She stepped forward and pulled the two apart, explaining, "Even though Fujino-kun is a consultant, he usually doesn't work *in* the Metropolitan Police Department."
"Oh, is that right..." Yumi sighed disappointedly, then immediately exclaimed again, "Still, getting a job where you're called in but don't have to be there all the time sounds really easy! I wish I could be a consultant, too. I could slack off all day!"
"You can't say that," Officer Satou said seriously, crossing her arms. "Yumi, if *you* solve dozens of murder cases and single-handedly take down several criminal organizations, maybe *you* could get hired too..."
"Uh... I think I'll pass," Yumi Miyamoto's mouth twitched. Murder cases are already something a normal person couldn't solve. And single-handedly taking down a large criminal organization... Is that even something a normal human could do? What, like a 'Beika Superman'?
Fujino, standing nearby, couldn't help but nod: *Jealous? I earned it with my life.* But saying he earned it with his life wasn't entirely accurate. After all, as a 'spoiler dog' and 'cheat dog', he felt those cases weren't that difficult. But from a normal person's perspective, it was definitely like that... Although the criminal organizations in this world were pretty weak, they *could* still commit murder... Thinking about it carefully, the things he'd done were quite terrifying. Putting aside the murder cases, even taking down criminal organizations went beyond the scope of a normal person. It was just that, for him personally, it was like drinking cold water.
After a quick tour of the Metropolitan Police Department and getting familiarized, he really did go buy a leather cover. However, since police ID covers like that were impossible to get there, and getting one would be illegal, he just got a plain black cover to make do.
...
The next morning, in the car heading to the Metropolitan Police Department.
Fujino sat in the driver's seat, looking in the rearview mirror at Conan, Ayumi-chan, and the others in the back seat, and let out a mournful sigh. Just that morning, Inspector Megure had called him and summoned him out. He said that Ayumi-chan had run into the continuous arsonist the previous night. Since he heard Fujino-kun had a good relationship with the kids, he asked him to pick them up...
"You... became a criminal investigator consultant for the Metropolitan Police Department?" Conan asked, looking at Fujino from the back seat with some surprise.
"Yep, just signed the contract yesterday," Fujino said from the front seat, showing off his work ID hanging around his neck with the leather cover on it. "See? I even got my work ID."
"Wow, that's so cool!"
"Does that mean Fujino-oniichan is a police officer now?!" The three kids didn't understand what a consultant was. They just thought it was amazing that Fujino had been hired by the Metropolitan Police Department, had a work ID, and had become a police officer.
"Alright, you guys are thinking way too wildly," Fujino said with a light chuckle, explaining. "I'm just a consultant who helps guide the cases. It's very different from being a real police officer."
"Yeah, consultants only have the right to participate in case investigations and some investigative powers. It really is very different from regular police officers," Ai-chan, sitting in the passenger seat, nodded. "However, compared to being a formal police officer, this kind of relaxed position should be harder to come by, right? After all, you get extra pay without having to work everyday. In a way, that *is* pretty impressive." Pausing, she changed the subject and looked at Conan in the rearview mirror, continuing, "Being able to formally participate in case investigations means he's halfway to being official personnel. He's much more legitimate than other detectives or whatever."
Conan: "..."
*Just say it, why are you looking at me? Is she talking about me...? Damn it... I'm not legitimate?*
Conan's eyebrow twitched. He looked at Fujino, feeling a bit jealous. *Not only can he formally participate in investigations, but he also gets paid... How annoying!* Conan felt worse the more he thought about it, so he decided to stop thinking. He *had* heard about consultants before, but Inspector Megure had never asked *him*... *So, he'd been helping for free all this time!*
...
Metropolitan Police Department, Violent Crimes Investigation Office.
"Thanks for coming, Fujino-san," Officer Satou said, smiling as she ushered everyone in.
"Huh?" Fujino looked at Officer Satou speechlessly, then glanced around the somewhat empty office. "Speaking of which, there aren't many people here today."
"It's usually like this here," Officer Satou explained. "Inspector Megure went to handle a bank robbery case, and the other officers are busy with cases too, so I'm the only one here to look after you all." Saying this, she grabbed a notebook and pen from her desk nearby and then turned to Ayumi-chan. "I've already heard about that incident from Inspector Megure, Ayumi-chan. Can you describe what the person you saw last night looked like?"
"Let me think," Ayumi-chan said, putting a finger to her chin, trying hard to recall her memories. "It was a man with messy hair, a mustache under his nose, and medium-length hair..."
"Okay, a medium-haired man with a mustache..." Officer Satou nodded seriously, scribbling something in her notebook. She quickly looked up again and asked, "What about his expression? For example, what did his eyes look like?"
"Let me think... Oh right, foxy eyes!" Ayumi-chan said cutely, afraid Officer Satou wouldn't understand, and vividly pulled up the corners of her eyes. "Like this, slanting upwards like a fox!"
"Okay, okay!" Officer Satou scribbled some more, then showed the notebook to everyone, smiling with narrowed eyes. "Like this?"
"..." Fujino stared at the drawing and couldn't help but slap his forehead. *Hopeless!*
On the notebook was a very rough stick-figure drawing. The lines were straight, without any curves, but it subtly managed to capture the suspect's facial features. If you colored it in with crayons, someone who didn't know would think an elementary school student drew it... Being able to draw like this was, in a way, pretty amazing. A true 'soul artist,' alright.
"It's completely different!" Ayumi-chan looked at the drawing in the notebook and naively poured cold water on it.
"Huh?" Officer Satou was taken aback when she heard that. She blinked and looked at her drawing. "It's not like that...?"
Genta hit it directly with a hammer: "It's super ugly, isn't it!"
Mitsuhiko nodded, adding a blunt jab: "It looks just like something a kid would draw."
Ai Haibara was also somewhat speechless, looking around with half-closed eyes. "Isn't there anyone here who can draw better?"
Satou: "Ugh..." *To be told by children that your drawing is worse than a child's...* Is my drawing really that bad? Officer Satou felt like crying but couldn't, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "It can't be helped... After all, Mr. Chikawa, who's usually in charge of sketching, is on leave today..."
"But Satou-san..." Takagi-kun walked over at that moment and said awkwardly. "With such an abstract drawing, we can't really give it to the investigators to compare with suspects."
"This drawing certainly has a lot of artistic value," Shiratori-keibu, who had also come over, added with a smile. "While the lines are crisp and the style is thought-provoking, if we hand this drawing over to the investigators..."
"Well then, *you two* can draw it!" Officer Satou pouted and crossed her arms. *It's bad enough the kids are making fun of me, but you guys too! You dare say things like that when I'm the one doing the work. If you're so capable, do it yourself! I'm not serving you anymore!*
(End of Chapter)