In Detective Conan: Intercepting Miwako Sato at the Start

Page 119

He calmly stood up, turned to Takada, and showed just the right amount of surprise.

“Lord Hennessy…” Bourbon nodded slightly in greeting, his voice as steady as in a normal conversation, “I can’t sleep right now and I want to find a quiet place to have a smoke, but I don’t want to break the rules by smoking in the rest area.”

His explanation was reasonable, and there was no trace of panic in his tone.

However, Yuki Takada keenly noticed that as Bourbon stood up, his right foot moved back a short distance very quickly, seemingly obscuring something on the ground.

Instead of directly confronting him, Yuki Takada took a few steps forward, his gaze lingering on Bourbon's face for a moment before slowly moving down to the ground at his feet.

“During all the time I’ve been training you, I don’t recall you ever smoking.”

Bourbon smiled calmly and pulled an unopened pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket: "A habit I've developed recently. After all, I feel the organization's work... is quite stressful, isn't it?"

The air between the two seemed to freeze.

Yuuki Takada sensed the vigilance beneath Bourbon's calm exterior, like a cheetah ready to pounce at any moment.

He knew he had to be careful—if Bourbon really had a problem, acting rashly would only alert him. Takada Yuki had personally experienced Bourbon's methods, and he absolutely couldn't cross that final line between them.

“The pressure is indeed considerable,” Yuki Takada replied slowly, taking another step forward. “So I understand that newcomers need time to adjust. However, I would prefer that you express your concerns directly, rather than hiding in a place like this alone.”

Just as Yuki Takada was speaking, his toe seemed to accidentally kick a small object next to Bourbon's feet.

The thing slid across the ground, making a faint metallic scraping sound.

The two looked down at the same time—it was a tiny, oddly shaped metal device, about the size of a coin, with fine embossed patterns on its surface.

Bourbon's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Yuki Takada bent down, picked up the device, and examined it carefully in his palm.

When he looked up again, his expression suddenly changed, and he stared coldly at Bourbon in front of him.

"What is this, Bourbon?"

The atmosphere inside the emergency exit suddenly became tense.

Bourbon's body tensed slightly, but his expression remained calm.

“It looks like an electronic component, probably dropped from some equipment,” Bourbon said calmly. “This place has been in disrepair for a long time, with many abandoned devices.”

Yuki Takada did not respond immediately, but instead examined the small device from all angles.

As an experienced intelligence officer, he immediately recognized it as a miniature signal transmitter, commonly used for tracking and location.

While not particularly advanced, it is by no means as simple as "electronic components that have fallen off discarded equipment".

Moreover, judging from the current situation, it is clear that this thing was brought from Bohr.

Although he didn't know what tricks Bourbon was playing on him, Yuuki Takada smiled faintly and said, "Since you want to play, I'll play along for a while."

Chapter 145 Dispatching Bourbon on a Mission

“Interesting…” Takada Yuuki said slowly, his gaze fixed on Bourbon’s face. “You were standing right next to this thing, and you didn’t even notice it?”

Bourbon shrugged slightly: "I was focused on something and didn't notice where I was stepping."

The standoff between the two was almost visible to the naked eye.

As expected of a police undercover agent sent into the organization, he dared to say such things when questioned, disassociating himself from that thing.

He cleared himself of suspicion in just a few words; he's truly a promising talent.

Whatever...

Yuki Takada suddenly remembered Shinichi Kurosawa's words: "A promising talent, but his character needs to be tempered."

This might be a great opportunity to test Bourbon.

"Come with me." Yuuki Takada suddenly turned around and walked out of the passage.

He didn't look back to see if Bourbon was following, but Yuki Takada could clearly hear the steady footsteps behind him.

They walked through several corridors and arrived at one of the offices.

The room was small and simply furnished, with only a desk, two computers, and a few filing cabinets.

Yuki Takada walked to the table, took a folder from the drawer, and then gestured for Bourbon to sit down.

"Do you know what the organization values ​​most?" Yuuki Takada asked bluntly.

"Efficiency and results," Bourbon replied without hesitation.

“And loyalty.” Yuuki Takada stared coldly at the blond man in front of him and added, “Without loyalty, ability and efficiency are worthless.”

Bourbon nodded, his expression serious: "I understand."

Yuuki Takada pushed the folder in front of Bourbon: "This is a simple test. Inside is information on a traitor, a former low-ranking member of the organization, who escaped last week with some classified information. Your task is to find him and handle the current situation."

Bourbon opened the folder, which contained a photo and basic information of a middle-aged man.

He quickly skimmed through the content, his face showing no change in expression.

"I'm carrying out this mission alone?" Bourbon asked.

“No, you will have a partner.” Takada pressed the communicator on the table. “Shinichi Kurosawa, come in.”

The office door opened with a click, and Shinichi Kurosawa's tall figure appeared in the doorway. He remained expressionless, his eyes cold and stern, as if he cared nothing for anything.

“Shinichi Kurosawa will accompany you to evaluate your performance,” Yuuki Takada explained. “You will depart in an hour. Any other questions?”

Bourbon's gaze swept between Yuki Takada and Shinichi Kurosawa before he finally shook his head slightly: "No, I will complete the mission."

“Very good.” Yuki Takada nodded. “Go back and rest now. You will meet in the open space outside in an hour.”

Bourbon stood up, bowed slightly to the two men, and then left the office.

After the Bourbon door closed, and after waiting for about a minute, Shinichi Kurosawa finally spoke: "Do you think there's something wrong with him?"

Yuuki Takada placed the miniature signal transmitter on the table: "This was found near him. I think he's an undercover agent here to steal information, or maybe someone is trying to frame him?"

"Lord Hennessy, what is your judgment?"

Yuki Takada pondered for a moment: "I lean more towards the former. But his abilities and potential are indeed outstanding, and if he can prove his loyalty, he will be a valuable asset to the organization."

Shinichi Kurosawa sneered: "What if he can't?"

“Then you’ll have the chance to test your new gun,” Yuuki Takada said calmly. “This mission is both a test for him and an opportunity for him. Keep an eye on him, Shinichi Kurosawa. I need to know his every move.”

Kurosawa Shinichi nodded, a cold glint in his eyes: "Don't worry, no one can pull any tricks under my nose."

An hour later, Bourbon appeared at the meeting point on time.

He was dressed in simple black tactical clothing, carrying a backpack, his expression calm yet sharp.

Shinichi Kurosawa was already waiting there, with an inconspicuous black sedan beside him.

"Get in the car," Shinichi Kurosawa commanded curtly.

The vehicle drove out of the organization's base and quickly disappeared into the dark driveway.

Bourbon sat in the passenger seat, quietly observing the scenery outside the window.

His posture was relaxed, but Shinichi Kurosawa noticed that his eyes were constantly observing the surrounding environment, noting the route and possible strategic points.

"What are your thoughts on this mission?" Shinichi Kurosawa asked, unusually taking the initiative.

Bourbon turned his head, his tone calm: "The target was a member of the organization and is familiar with our modus operandi, which will make tracking more difficult. But he may also underestimate our tracking capabilities and make mistakes."

Shinichi Kurosawa gave a soft hum: "Not bad analysis. But you missed one point—traitors usually flee to places they think are safe, and those places often contain their weaknesses."

Bourbon nodded thoughtfully: "The records show that he has an ex-wife and daughter in Saitama Prefecture, but he shouldn't go there; it's too obvious."

“That’s why he might think we won’t search there,” Shinichi Kurosawa said. “Intelligent people are often misled by their own intelligence.”

Bourbon frowned slightly: "Do you think he would risk going to see his family?"

“People make irrational choices when they are desperate,” Shinichi Kurosawa replied, glancing at Bourbon at the same time. “What’s your opinion on traitors?”

The question seemed random, but Bourbon knew it was a deliberate probing.

He paused for a moment, carefully choosing his words: "Betrayal is unforgivable, especially in our industry. Once unfaithful, never trusted again."

Shinichi Kurosawa's lips curled up slightly, but it wasn't exactly a smile: "A standard answer. But I'm asking for your personal opinion."

Bourbon stared straight ahead at the road, his voice low and firm: "I chose to join the organization because I agree with its rules and order. Those who break the rules should bear the consequences."

Shinichi Kurosawa did not respond immediately, but focused on driving.

After a long pause, he said, "Lord Hennessy values ​​you highly. Don't let him down."

This statement could be either sincere advice or a further probe. Bourbon simply replied, "I understand."

Hours later, they arrived at the ex-wife's residence in Saitama Prefecture, where the traitor lived.

It was an ordinary two-story house located in a quiet residential area.

Shinichi Kurosawa parked his car two blocks from the target and approached on foot with Bourbon.

"You infiltrate from the back, I'll enter from the front," Shinichi Kurosawa commanded. "Signal immediately if anything unusual happens."

Bourbon nodded and quietly went around to the back of the house.

His movements were swift and professional, making almost no sound.

Shinichi Kurosawa, observing from a distance, had to admit that Bourbon's skills were indeed outstanding.

Chapter 146 Small talk

Five minutes later, Bourbon's calm voice came through the communicator: "Target is in the basement, alone. Over."

Shinichi Kurosawa acted swiftly, entering the house through the front door.

When he arrived at the basement, he saw Bourbon pointing a gun at the trembling traitor.

The middle-aged man knelt on the ground, his face pale, and kept begging for mercy.

"Please...please don't kill me...I can explain...I can do anything for the organization..." the traitor stammered, "I did so much for...the organization, why is this how I end up?"

Shinichi Kurosawa coldly watched this scene, then snapped at Bourbon, "Execute the order."

Bourbon's gun didn't budge, but his eyes flickered slightly.

This change was so subtle that ordinary people could not detect it at all, but Shinichi Kurosawa keenly noticed it.