Detective Conan: Death Note

"Please look here.

Based on the photos we obtained and the sniper skills, we can identify the culprit as this man."

Inside a conference room at the Metropolitan Police Department, Hayashi Yoshiki and his group sat across from the police officers at the meeting table. Standing on the podium were Jodie Starling and several FBI agents.

— Earlier, during the operation to capture the fake Shuichi Akai, Jodie and the FBI had their identities revealed to the police. Although it's unclear how James Black negotiated with the higher-ups, they are now "legally" operating within Japan.

Jodie pinned a photo of a blond man on the whiteboard, then looked at James, who nodded and spoke loudly:

"Timothy Hunter, 37 years old.

A retired sniper from the Navy SEALs, he participated in the Middle East wars for three consecutive years starting in 2003, earning a distinguished reputation as a battlefield hero."

Murmurs broke out across the room.

Soon, Wataru Takagi raised his hand:

"May I ask, why would such a hero..."

"We believe this Silver Star medal is the cause."

A photo of a five-pointed silver star medal was pinned to the whiteboard. Jodie pointed to it and explained:

"This medal is awarded only to soldiers who demonstrate bravery fighting hostile armed forces. Hunter received it in 2005 but was stripped of the medal the following year for alleged violations of the rules of engagement.

"Stripped!?"

"Yes. An army officer accused him of killing unarmed civilians, which Hunter vehemently denied. Although insufficient evidence prevented a trial, the scandal caused Hunter's image to fall from battlefield hero to a suspicious figure."

Jodie paused to let the gravity sink in, then continued:

"Later, possibly affected by the Silver Star incident, Hunter lost his usual composure returning to the battlefield, became isolated, and was shot in the head by enemy fire.

"And then...?"

"Fortunately, surgery was successful, and he survived, but he retired and returned to rural life in Seattle. However, his misfortune did not end there.

Tormented by hateful memories from the battlefield, his misfortune spread to his wife and sister... He went bankrupt due to failed investments, his sister committed suicide after being jilted, and his wife died of an overdose."

"After losing his honor, fortune, and beloved family, Hunter disappeared for six years."

Jodie then explained why Hunter was a suspect in this murder case.

Three weeks ago, local Seattle journalist Brian Woods was killed by sniper fire. Investigations revealed he had been publishing a series titled The Suspicious Hero, obsessively stalking and harassing Hunter and his family.

The police made Hunter a prime suspect and discovered he had come to Japan two weeks ago.

Because of this, Jodie and the FBI, following orders, arrived just in time to save Conan at the scene.

"We searched the Bay Area where the suspect escaped, but have found no leads so far," said Megure Jūzō with regret.

"I hear swimming is a specialty of the SEALs."

Hayashi Yoshiki received an approving nod from Jodie:

"Indeed, swimming is among their strongest skills, rivaling their sniper expertise."

"Speaking of snipers, we found something strange on the suspected sniper point's rooftop," said Ninzaburō Shiratori, standing as he spoke.

He pinned a photo on the whiteboard showing a 51mm empty shell casing and a blue dice with the number "4" facing up.

This shell matches the bullet caliber found inside the Suzuki Tower, and James confirmed Hunter's favorite sniper rifle, the MK-11, uses NATO rounds of the same caliber.

Hayashi Yoshiki pondered.

The sniper involved in this incident was indeed formidable...

Or rather, as Kogaku (Conan's science) develops rapidly, Conan's gadgets and abilities grow exponentially, so villains in the movies must be equally impressive.

Most importantly,

This culprit seems somewhat persuadable?

Fingertips lightly tapping the conference table, his thoughts stirred vividly, but his expression remained calm:

"What about the person shot at the Suzuki Tower? Is there a connection with this Hunter?"

"Ah, the victim Hiroaki Fujinami sold Hunter problematic Japanese real estate seven years ago, contributing to his bankruptcy."

"Sounds like hopelessness in life drove him to take revenge on those who ruined him."

"Exactly. According to our investigation, three other people meet Hunter's revenge criteria."

Jodie pinned three more photos to the whiteboard and kindly provided their names.

At a glance, Hayashi Yoshiki committed every detail to memory.

The meeting ended shortly thereafter.

Megure Jūzō quickly decided to issue a warrant for Hunter, and the FBI formally joined the case, cooperating with the Japanese police.

"Mr. Hayashi."

As everyone began leaving the room, Jodie called after him.

"What is it?"

Hayashi Yoshiki stopped, smiling as he looked back at her.

"I... no, it's nothing."

Waiting for others to leave, Jodie had originally intended to discuss the diary she found, but suddenly changed her mind.

No... not yet.

She fell into an unexplained silence.

Though a little puzzled, Hayashi Yoshiki didn't press.

However, as he turned and Jodie failed to notice, a faint, calm smile curled on his lips.

(You really hurt me, Miss Jodie. You discovered such crucial information... and yet don't plan to share it with me right away?)

The diary of Io Hodgson was written under the influence of a death note—just like how Light Yagami manipulated a criminal in prison to write an obscure acrostic poem in blood.

It was merely a quiet move.

After all, Hayashi Yoshiki wasn't sure if Jodie would find the diary, but when he sent Shimizu Reiko to tail her and discovered she indeed entered Io Hodgson's home and stayed for a long time, he knew she was hooked.

Exiting the Metropolitan Police Department under the falling sunlight, Hayashi Yoshiki's faint smile instantly brightened into a sincere one as he walked toward Kogorō Mōri, Ran, and the others.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go."