Volume 37

Volume 37
Information
Release date:	April 18, 2002
Chapters:	373-382
ISBN:	ISBN 4-09-126167-1
Publisher:	Shogakukan
English release date:	January 11, 2011
English ISBN:	ISBN 1-4215-2888-6
English Publisher:	Viz Media
Featured Detective & Keyhole
Henry Jackson Shuichi Akai
Aoyama's death & Conan side images
Chronology
Prev volume:	« Volume 36
Next volume:	Volume 38 »
List of chapters • List of cases

Volume 37 was released on April 18, 2002 in Japan.

Cast

Characters

Conan Edogawa Ran Mouri Kogoro Mouri Hiroshi Agasa Ai Haibara Ayumi Yoshida Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya Genta Kojima Sonoko Suzuki Eri Kisaki Juzo Megure Wataru Takagi Miwako Sato Kazunobu Chiba Jinpei Matsuda Sango Yokomizo Misao Yamamura Shuichi Akai Vodka Shinichi Kudo (background) Gin (background) Vermouth (flashback) Akemi Miyano (background) Tequila (background) Pisco (background) Ki'ichiro Numabuchi (background) Slasher (background)

Gadgets

Gadgets
Voice-Changing Bowtie Stun-Gun Wristwatch Microphone Criminal Tracking Glasses Wristwatch Flashlight

Chapters

Serial Bomber Case

File 373 - Bye-Bye...

Conan believes the bomber to be fooled.

Everyone looks up in dread and anticipation, preparing for the tower to fall. Takagi is shocked to see Conan jump down from the elevator ceiling, wondering why the bomb hasn’t gone off. Conan says he got scared and cut the wire, successfully diffusing the bomb. The culprit listens through his device, believing the public will turn against the police for saving themselves over countless innocents. Meanwhile, Kogoro and Agasa watch Conan on live TV, who recounts his experiences diffusing the bomb. Takagi reunites with Sato, who warmly welcomes him back. After seeing part of the hint, he quietly informs her of what Conan theorized. Conan is reunited with the Detective Boys as Haibara says he made the right choice to “not sacrifice himself for those he doesn’t know.” Conan confidently replies the culprit likely thinks the same.
Ran and Sonoko converse during the break between exams. The two girls’ conversation is overheard by the culprit who stands on a bridge before Teitan High School, eagerly waiting for the bombs to go off. But even after the scheduled detonation time, the school remains standing. Inspector Megure with several of his men arrive, surrounding the culprit.

  Show spoilers »

The bomber's face revealed.

The inspector explains that the Explosives Disposal Unit had quietly entered the campus and disabled all of the explosives. He also explains that the riddle referenced a school. The hint given by the first bomb, EVIT, backward is TIVE, part of the word Detective. Because the word was given backward, the Japanese word for Detective, “Tantei (たん てい),” should also be reversed: “Teitan (てい たん).” While there are elementary, middle, high, and a university under the name of Teitan, the only one with a large population on that particular Sunday would be the high school with its exams.

Takagi echoes the words of Matsuda.

With his plans ruined, the culprit escapes by jumping onto the roof of a bus. Sato quickly gives chase. Sato eventually chases her target into a dead-end alleyway, where she draws her gun. The culprit desperately blames apparent voices in his head for his crimes, but Sato has none of it. Overcome with rage, a chase to exact revenge for Matsuda’s death, Sato fires her gun but misses due to Takagi’s last-second tackle. Takagi scolds her for losing control of herself as she cries in his arms. Takagi tells her never to forget Matsuda, uttering similar words as her late friend, telling her the dead can “only live on through memories.” The two almost kiss but are interrupted by Megure. The inspector finds the culprit on the ground, unconscious from shock.

Sato vows to never forget Matsuda.

On the way home in the car, Conan explains to Haibara and Professor Agasa how he knew the bomb’s placement because he had Ran and Teitan High School on his mind. At the police headquarters, Megure, Takagi, and Chiba call Sato to visit Shiratori. Sato is seen deleting Matsuda’s last text to her as she goes to join the others, stating she’ll never forget him.

People

Serial Bomber
	Matsuda and Hagiwara's murderer

Man
	Deceased (truck accident) Accomplice bomber

Major events

• Takagi finally asked Conan who he really is, suggesting his full suspicion on Conan's real identity. Conan said he'll tell him in another world. However, in the end, he wasn't able to do so. But this will be a new clue that Takagi closeness to Conan's identity is to be on it's way to it.
• Takagi and Sato almost kissed each other but are interrupted by Megure.
• The case of 3 and 7 years ago is explored. The death of the two dismantlers who died on duty, Hagiwara and Matsuda, and some other officials. The terrorist appears again and Sato will try to get revenge for Matsuda.

Kogoro's Childhood Friend Murder Case

File 374 - Kogoro's Choice 1

Kogoro films a prologue for a production that lost an actor due to illness. Among the cheers from the director and crew, the lead actor, Yoshiki Kazami, spouts some disagreeable comments about his colleagues: Kasumi Namihara, Akira Nagumo, Nobuharu Nagumo, and Ruri Ujou. Ruri suddenly appears and retorts Kazami’s insults. Kogoro introduces himself to the actress, attracted by her beauty, much to the dismay of Ran. Ruri reveals herself to be Kogoro’s middle school classmate who used to go by a different last name and wore incredibly nerdy glasses. Ran buds into the conversation introducing herself as Kogoro’s daughter. Ruri reminisces about the middle school days when the valedictorian, Eri, and school delinquent, Kogoro, miraculously fell in love.

Kogoro and Conan discover Ruri kneeling over Kazami's corpse.

The cast shoots a deduction scene for their detective drama with Kazami playing the detective and the rest playing suspects. Before Kazami reveals the answer to the mystery, he asks Kogoro to step forward and solve the case. Seeing the gray tablecloth atop the victim’s corpse, Kogoro believes that the murderer loved the victim and used the gray tablecloth over the black jacket because “gray is a warmer color.” Kazami mocks the detective for his idiotic answer, but Conan knocks Kogoro out and begins a deduction show. Conan states that the killer, who loves the color black, chose a different color item to cover the victim’s body, as they thought choosing black would cause suspicion. Hence, the killer is Ruri’s character, who wears an all-black dress. The cast and crew erupt into applause as Conan wakes Kogoro up. A livid Kazami takes his rage out on Nobuharu before blackmailing Namihara and Akira, bringing up the latter’s apparent affair with a young woman—hinting that it’s Ruri.
Following Kazami’s loathsome behavior, The crew decides to take a thirty-minute break. Ruri spends the time regaling Ran with stories of Kogoro’s and Eri’s elementary school days. She then notices snow falling outside and gets everyone to go and enjoy the magical weather. While everyone’s out, Conan notices that Ruri isn’t there before her scream echoes through the set. Kogoro rushes to the source of the scream, only to discover Ruri next to Kazami’s corpse, her hands tainted with his blood.

File 375 - Kogoro's Choice 2

Sango states that the killer's weapon is nowhere to be found.

Kogoro announces Kazami to be dead, instructing Ran to call the authorities. Kasumi accuses Ruri of the murder as she’s the one who found the body, but Nobuharu confidently calms Kasumi down. Sango Yokomizo arrives, stating the culprit slit Kazami’s throat between 19:50 to 20:20. Conan adds that he saw Kazami sleeping in his room at around 20:00. Sango notices the presence of Kogoro as he goes to thank him for previously cooperating with his brother on a case . He proceeds to introduce himself to Ruri, believing her to be Kogoro’s wife but is soon corrected by Ran. Sango identifies Ruri, Kasumi, Nobuharu, and Akira as the suspects as all other staff members have alibis. He asks Ruri how she found the body. She explains she found Kazami dead when she went to notify him of the snowfall. Sango then asks for all four suspects to be frisked as the three items in the lodge that could feasibly cut Kazami’s neck failed to produce a positive luminol reaction.
Later, the four actors wait on the second floor. Ruri mentions Kogoro’s smoking habits, sparking a conversation about the actors’ smoking experiences. Ruri and Nobuharu never smoked, while Akira quit smoking after Nobuharu was born. Kasumi, a smoker, approaches Ruri, upset as she wants Nobuharu all to herself. Meanwhile, Kogoro is dragged away by Akira, who inquires about his relationship with Ruri. Kogoro denies anything romantic, ending the interrogation but as he returns, he remembers experiencing something similar. Conan investigates the set and discovers a peculiar stage spike: the middle swells upward, and a piece of cotton is stuck to the edge. He then realizes why the weapon is missing. He soon figures out the culprit and goes to knock Kogoro out. Kogoro ostensibly goes to inspect the evidence but hopes to use Kazami’s lighter to light his cigarette as his lighter is faulty. Conan takes the opportunity but realizes he had spent his one needle on the deduction show earlier that night. With no way to knock Kogoro out, Conan panics. Kogoro, on the other hand, notices something odd about Kazami’s lighter.

File 376 - Kogoro's Choice 3

Conan frantically pumps Kogoro with hints and suggestions, but Kogoro has none of it. Conan notices Kogoro with a determined expression, “has Kogoro solved the case?” Kogoro joins Ruri, inviting her to speak privately with him behind locked doors. Conan believes that Kogoro falsely thinks Ruri is the culprit and tries to stop him. He slides his Microphone under the door and eavesdrops on the conversation.

  Show spoilers »

To Conan’s surprise, Kogoro names Akira Nagumo as the culprit, stating that Ruri is covering for him.
Ruri’s actions:
He says that Ruri forced everyone out of the corridor and outside not because she wanted everyone to experience the snow but because she noticed Akira exiting Kazami’s room in the reflection of the door’s glass pane. She then went and discovered Kazami’s dead body.
The weapon’s location:
Kogoro states that Akira used a cutter knife and hid the blade by breaking it apart into pieces and stuffed it in Kazami’s lighter. Ruri retorts that if Akira used a cutter knife, Kazami’s blood would’ve splattered on the knife’s hilt and would surely test positive in a luminol reaction. Conan aids a stumped Kogoro by asking Ran if she has gum. Hearing this, Kogoro realizes that Akira must’ve used gum-tape (duct-tape). He wrapped the knife’s hilt with tape, shielding it from blood. He then cleaned the tape and stuck it on the set floor, masquerading it as a spike.

Why Akira is the killer:

Ruri begs Kogoro to turn a blind eye to Akira Nagumo's crimes.

Ruri asks why the killer is Akira, as she herself could’ve also committed the crime. Conan supplies another hint by asking Ran how to wear a bra. Conan yells he never used one, so he wants to know. While Ran scolds Conan for his perverted question, Kogoro figures out the remaining mystery. He asks Ruri how she would hide something in a lighter. She replies that she’ll take off the top. Kogoro shows that this type of lighter can only be opened from the bottom, proving that a non-smoker like Ruri couldn’t plan this trick—A former heavy smoker like Akira could.
Conan believes Ruri is Akira’s mistress, but Kogoro delivers the true answer: Akira is Ruri’s biological father. Kogoro sticks the nail in the coffin by stating the cotton from Kazami’s lighter is likely hidden under Akira’s fake spike. Because you can’t remove the cotton from a lighter with gloves on, Akira’s fingerprint is likely on the cotton.

Eri believes that Gray is warm color.

Ruri explains that her mother realized she was pregnant with her after she had married another man. One day when Akira and Ruri worked on a film together, Akira told her that she “looked like his mother.” Ruri was initially against the idea of Akira suddenly returning to her life, but after seeing him in a saddened state, she agreed to meet him on occasion. He killed Kazami to protect her, as if the secret got out, the family name would be tarnished.
Ruri begs her childhood friend to spare Akira, but Kogoro refuses. He tells Ruri that he knew the secret not because Akira told him but because the tone he gave off during his interrogation was not of a jealous paramour but a protective father. Kogoro remembers his experience meeting Eri’s father for the first time. Defeated, Ruri lets Kogoro know that she dressed so nerdy in middle school because she saw Kogoro attracted to Eri and believed he was into the nerdy type. Later that evening, Akira turns himself in, as per the request of his daughter.
Days later, Ran is seen shopping with Eri. The two discuss the stories Ruri had shared, with Eri nonchalantly saying she forgot the reason why she married him. Eri asks Ran which of the two gloves she prefers, the black one or the gray one. Ran chooses black, but Eri says she likes gray (gray is sometimes referred to as rat color(ネズミ色) in Japanese), as when a color’s name refers to an animal, it makes it seem warm. Ran remembers how Kogoro said, “gray is a warmer color,” which puts her in a good mood.

People

Man
	Director

Yoshiki Kazami
	Victim (throat slit) 28 years old Actor Role of the detective Son of the newspaper company president

Kasumi Namihara
	26 years old Actress Role of the daughter

Akira Nagumo
	60 years old Actor Role of the butler

Nobuharu Nagumo
	31 years old Actor Akira Nagumo's son Role of the daughter's husband

Ruri Ujou
	37 years old Actress Role of the old widow Kogoro Mouri's childhood friend

Mr. Kisaki
	Eri's father Ran's maternal grandfather

Major events

• Ruri reveals that Kogoro and Eri used to bicker over everything in middle-school. That's why everybody around would make fun of them and say: The lover's quarrel has started again!
• Glimpses of Kogoro and Eri's childhood. It is revealed that they knew each other since kindergarten.
• Both Kogoro and Eri find that grey looks warmer than black.

Footsteps of Darkness

Characters introduced

Suguru Itakura
	45 years old Game programmer

File 377 - Footsteps of Darkness 1

Conan deduces Haibara's real name.

A proud Kogoro rewatches his interview about the previous case. Meanwhile, Conan reflects on the lack of information he’s acquired about the Black Organization, as all he knows is that the organization is developing drugs and hiring software developers. Since the deceased member, Hirota Masami’s actual name is Miyano Akemi, and Pisco called Haibara “Shiho-chan,” Conan theorizes that Haibara’s true name is Miyano Shiho. Ran gets a phone call from a client; she relays the message, saying the client wishes Kogoro to locate a missing game system engineer. Conan wonders if it’s the work of the Black Organization.

Conan identifies the description as the deceased Black Organization member, Tequila.

The clients are three men: Katsumichi Sugai, Johei Naito, and Ryusuke Souma, all from different companies who all ordered game systems from the computer engineer Suguru Itakura. A week ago, Itakura sent a video message to the three men, stating that he was tired from work and will take a short break. Ran recognizes Itakura without his glasses, stating that he’s a CG artist whose name often appears in film credits. Souma says after Itakura hurt his eyes three years ago, he left the CG business.
Kogoro entertains the idea of Itakura being abducted, to which Souma says it’s possible, as he recalls seeing a large suspicious man dressed in black at Itakura’s office two years ago. The other men also remember saying they saw the man at the Mantendo Game Conference. Conan recognizes the description; it’s Tequila. He immediately demands Souma tell him what Tequila said. Souma states he saw Tequila exiting the office, saying, “I’ve got no use for you anymore,” to Itakura
Kogoro returns to the relevant topic, with Naito saying Itakura is at an undisclosed hotel. Suddenly, Conan asks Ran for an assortment of foods from different cultures, sparking thought in Kogoro. He notices that Itakura has a Shogi, Go, and Chess set in his room. Believing that the hotel staff will remember a guest who asked for such an assortment of games, he calls several hotels posing as Itakura, hoping someone will receptively respond. Finally, Hotel New Beika responds, revealing that Itakura is in room 2004.

Itakura's diary.

The group arrives at the hotel. On their way in, the three employees squabble over minutia, informing Kogoro that Itakura is unforgiving about wearing cheap watches. In the elevator, Conan notices Naito using the braille marks to press the floor button. He also considers the possibility that Itakura is a member of the organization, but after considering his behavior around Tequila, he concludes it’s unlikely. The group gets a bell boy to open the door. They enter, seeing Itakura slumped over on his desk, but when they approach him, he collapses to the floor, dead. Based on the drugs on his desk, Kogoro believes he died of a heart attack. Conan takes a closer look, realizing Itakura’s death wasn’t medical, but foul play was involved. While expressing frustration over his constant deadends with the mystery of the Black Organization, Conan notices a disk in a duffle bag labeled “diary.”

File 378 - Footsteps of Darkness 2

Conan attempts to lift the diary, believing Itakura may have written about his business with Tequila, but Kogoro stops him. Conan realizes that he has to solve the crime before he can make a move. Inspector Megure and Takagi arrive. Their forensic investigator comes to the same conclusion that Kogoro did: the cause of death was a sudden heart attack. Chiba, who talked to Itakura’s doctor, reports that Itakura’s heart condition worsened to where he had to take his medication three times a day. Megure wonders how the hotel staff wouldn’t notice the body, as two days have passed since the victim’s death. Naito states that Itakura wasn’t kind to interruptions and likely denied the hotel’s room service.

Inspector Megure takes the diary.

Conan points out that the table Itakura was slumped on lacks any stains from drool or sweat despite clear remains of saliva on the man’s mouth. The investigator also adds there should be marks on Itakura's hands if they were on his heart and sandwiched between his body and the table. Kogoro and Megure realize the only explanation is if Itakura was tied to his chair with a rope with no method to access his medication.
The investigator finds no sign of rope marks on Itakura’s body. Conan then draws attention to the bed sheets, saying it’s sticky in some places. Megure realizes that the killer must’ve used the hotel’s bed sheets to restrain Itakura. Takagi even finds faint bits of adhesive on the table leg, where the chair was likely attached with tape. Kogoro finds the opportunity to confess the method he used to obtain Itakura’s room number but adds that he heard the hotel staff quietly say, “again?” meaning someone else previously discovered Itakura’s location using the same trick. Because Kogoro’s method was contingent on the information presented in Itakura’s video message, the only possible suspects are the three clients who were the message’s recipients.
Seeing this as an opportunity, Conan suggests they open Itakura’s disk diary to see if answers lie in it. Takagi inserts the file into the computer and observes that it’s a daily diary dating back five years. They check the most recent date but find nothing noteworthy. Conan ostensibly tries to return the disk to its original location, but Megure swipes it, stating they should send it to forensics for further analysis. Conan determines that if he ever wants to see the diary’s contents, he’ll have to solve the crime first.
Conan knows that Naito ordered a chess-based system, Sugai ordered a Go-based system, and Souma ordered a shogi-based system. The forensic investigator finds that Itakura lacks a sock mark on his right leg. This means the culprit noticed the irregularity and put his sock back on after Itakura died. While ruminating on why the victim removed his sock, he spots a strangely organized Go board. Seeing this, Conan identifies the culprit.

File 379 - Footsteps of Darkness 3

Kogoro and the three suspects request to be dismissed, the former wanting to check if his TV properly recorded Yoko Okino’s special. Conan shoots his anesthetic needle into Kogoro’s neck, commencing the Sleeping Kogoro Deduction Show.

  Show spoilers »

Why Itakura Removed his Sock:
Itakura needed to remove his sock, so he could manipulate the Go stones and write a dying message. To better explain, Kogoro ostensibly instructs Megure to start the computer, copy the diary files onto the hard disk, and finally shut the machine down. Megure demonstrates his incompetence with PCs, relying on Takagi’s help to complete the objectives. In the end, Megure turns off the computer by pulling the plug—an action potentially fatal to the computer’s data. Megure’s bout with the computer is an analogy to the Go-based dying message: if you don’t know the terminology, you can’t follow the directions.
The Go-Board’s Meaning:
Sugai notices the Go stones aren’t positioned correctly and don’t follow the rules. While the police investigate the board, Conan steals the disk diary. Ran catches him in the act, but he spins the story into that of him examining the braille on Itakura’s keyboard. Naito explains his and Itakura’s eyes have lately deteriorated, and they both know braille. He then notices that the Go stones spell out: “Souma, proof is watch.” The culprit is Ryusuke Souma.

Why Souma is the killer:

Itakura's fingerprints are likely on Souma's watch.

Kogoro explains Souma is the killer as he doesn’t know braille and has damning evidence on his person. Megure tells him to slow down as he’s skipping key steps of evidence. Conan calms himself, knowing he has the disk diary. Kogoro states that Itakura used Go stones and braille as clues because Sugai and Naito are knowledgeable about those things, thus will eventually call attention to his dying message. Souma, on the other hand, would be oblivious to the message.
Evidence:
If Itakura had a habit of inspecting everyone’s watches, he would’ve done the same to Souma. Since Souma bought his watch five days ago and claims to have not seen Itakura in over a week, it shouldn’t be possible for Itakura’s fingerprints to appear on his watch.
Motive:
Twenty years ago, Souma and Itakura had promised to develop a Shogi AI that could contend with the Meijin title holder. For twenty years, Souma sent historic Shogi matches to Itakura for reference, carrying debt. But five days ago, Itakura revealed he was developing a shogi AI for the casual player. Enraged, Souma killed him.

Souma believes that when people are separated, they change—their lives, their dreams.

Ran wonders if Shinichi has changed.

After the case, Ran and Conan decide to walk home. Conan can barely contain his excitement, intending to search every last inch of the disk at Professor Agasa’s place. Then, Ran asks Conan, “Do you think people change… If they are apart for a long time?” Conan assures her that Shinichi hasn’t changed, but Ran looks down at the boy with tears in her eyes, wishing Conan was Shinichi. Seeing Ran’s suffering, Conan debates revealing his identity but chooses to keep the secret until he brings down the organization.
Suddenly, a man with a familiar face exits the telephone booth in front of them.

People

Katsumichi Sugai
	39 years old Game company executive

Johei Naito
	47 years old Game company executive

Ryusuke Souma
	44 years old Game company executive

Suguru Itakura
	Victim (heart attack) 45 years old Game programmer

Major events

• Conan discovers Tequila had a contact.
• Conan gets a diary of a Black Organization contact.
• Ran and Conan encounter Akai once again as he walks out from a phone booth. He makes a comment on how Ran reminds him of a woman he knows.

Jewel Thieves Case

Gadgets introduced

Anywhere Ball Dispensing Belt
	With the press of a button, the belt inflates a soccer ball for Conan to kick at criminals

File 380 - White Snow... Black Shadow...

Ran's second encounter with Shuichi Akai.

The man, Shuichi Akai, mocks Ran for crying again, saying that Ran reminds him of a “stupid woman,” a woman who propped up a sturdy facade but was broken underneath. Conan asks how Ran knows him. She tells him about her encounter with Akai in New York and how he’s likely an FBI agent. Conan wonders what the FBI is doing in Japan, but when he turns to look back at Akai, he’s gone. The New York serial killer couldn’t have been murdered if the FBI had guarded the area. And Haibara felt a dangerous aura from him when James Black was abducted. Conan theorizes that if Akai killed the New York serial killer and had ties with Haibara, he may very well be a Black Organization member.
Conan arrives at the Professor’s home, where Agasa informs him he made a new gadget, and he even made an additional pair of Criminal Tracking Glasses with extended battery life. Conan tells Agasa about Itakura’s diary but excludes Haibara from the discussion to keep her from worrying. The two open the files but are disappointed to find very little written about the organization. Conan then notices that Itakura hid confidential portions of his diary by using white text. The diary states:

• March 23rd: The pen on my desk has shifted five centimeters, someone must be sneaking into the office.
• April 15th: Someone entered my house. The police won’t do anything as there’s no sign of breaking and entering, and nothing was stolen.
• June 11th: I changed my keys and hid security cameras, but it’s no use.
• September 6th: Who are you? Show yourself!
• December 19th: I’m tired. If this continues, I’ll one day be murdered.
• January 6th: I left a message for the intruder stating, “I’ll do what you ask.”
• January 8th: The intruder replies: “OK” adding a suspicious phone number at the bottom of the page. The words were probably written in blood.
• January 23rd: I decided to call the number. The person who answered was a woman who spoke like an entitled queen. She said if I complete the system software I’m currently developing in a year, she’ll buy it at a high price. She’s likely working with the large man.
• February 13th: Our method of contact switched to Email. I decided to take the job under the condition that I get paid in advance and am left alone.
• December 22nd: I can’t complete it. Not for my skill, but for the sake of humanity.
• February 9th: I hid the incomplete software and check next to my computer in my vacation home. They will send an Email revealing where to meet in five days at 0:00. I plan on fleeing overseas by then.

Since the last entry in the diary was four days ago, the planned Email will be sent in approximately three hours. Conan realizes Itakura likely accepted requests from the three game companies to raise money for his escape overseas. Agasa notices a final hidden portion of the diary:

• February 10th: What are they trying to do with my software? I keep remembering that woman’s words, “We can be both of God and the Devil. Since we’re trying to raise the dead against the stream of time.”

Haibara suddenly appears and translates the quote.

Haibara unexpectedly juts in, translating the text on the screen. Agasa explains Conan’s presence, saying he’s merely here to test a new gadget: the Anywhere Ball Dispensing Belt. Bored, Haibara goes to bed, allowing Conan and Agasa to sneak out and receive Itakura’s Email. The two head for the Gunma prefecture, where the vacation house is located. Agasa worries that news of Itakura’s death will notify the organization of meddling, but Conan states the news cycle is flooded with reports of a three-men jewel robbery. The two discuss the diary’s final quote, with Conan wondering what Haibara meant when she said, “you can’t halt the flow of time... you’ll suffer if you try.”
The two enter the lodge using a key place under the entry stairs. They locate the computer and prepare for the Email. The message soon arrives but asks for a password to be entered in ten seconds to view the contents. The timer hits zero, causing the Email to vanish. Conan and Agasa panic as the Black Organization likely know that the Email was clicked but not opened. Then the lodges’ phone rings and the two hear Vodka’s voice on the other end, demanding Itakura to answer.

File 381 - Precarious Encounter

Vodka says to meet at Kenbashi Station in front of Coin Locker 0032.

Vodka continues to demand Itakura to answer the phone, aware the organization's Email was received but not opened. Out of options, Conan answers the phone, using the Voice-Changing Bowtie to speak in Itakura's voice. He blames missing the Email on the heavy snowfall, claiming the power went out. Conan then asks Agasa to turn the lights on, but Vodka hears the noise, causing him to suspect another person in the room. Conan reassures him that he's alone and the sound came from the wind. Vodka says to meet at the under-construction Kenbashi Station at 0:00 tomorrow morning in front of coin locker 0032. Conan asks for the meeting time to be pushed back, saying he's got an important doctor's appointment tomorrow for his failing heart. Displeased, Vodka instead quickens the scheduled time, forwarding it to 4:00—giving Conan three hours. He agrees under the condition that he'll leave the software in the locker, avoiding a face-to-face encounter. Vodka agrees, and the call ends.

Vodka took the bait.

Conan puts the phone down, confident that Vodka has fallen for his trap. He had steered the negotiations so that Vodka would quicken the meeting time, as news of Itakura's death would be publicized if he waited any longer. Conan also confirms that no organization members are eyeing the lodge since Vodka wasn't notified that the lights were turned on, which would prove Conan's power outage excuse was a lie. Conan intends to search the contents of the software in the car. If it displays anything construed as illegal, he'll call the police to the meeting site, arresting any organization members present.

In the car, Conan learns the software is guarded with another password and is copy-proof. Since the police won't act on a mere report of malicious software, Conan thinks of a new, more dangerous plan. Suddenly, the wheel punctures, stranding the two on the snowy mountainous road. Luckily, Conan sees a car approaching, which he flags for help.

The driver seems to be having some difficulties.

The car pulls over, revealing a man in the driver's seat and a woman lying in the back. The two decide to let Conan and Agasa on, the former taking the backseat and the latter taking the shotgun. Conan expresses excitement as he rides an expensive BMW, to which the woman explains that the man has inheritance claims to a major corporation; thus, they can afford such luxuries. The man then pulls out a cigarette, but the woman harshly protests, forcing him to put it away. While driving through the snowy roads, the man swerves the car several times, often shifting dangerously close to obstructions. The man blames it on the icy pavement, but Conan looks out the window, confirming that these two people are not who they claim to be.

File 382 - The Fellow Passengers

Conan points out the sticker on the windshield, a colored square with a "2" on it, signifying the man must renew his license in February. The man agrees, but Conan realizes that because he sees the sticker from the inside, the number is "5," which means May. The woman explains it by saying the man's a snobby rich kid who can get away with everything. The car approaches a police inspection checkpoint headed by Misao Yamamura. The inspector says they're looking for the three jewel robbers who fled into the Gunma mountains by car. He also adds that he miraculously managed to shoot one of the robbers in the thigh. So he sees the woman with a jacket on her lap, he commands her to remove it, but there's nothing. Though suspicious, Yamamura decides to let the car pass.

Vodka intends to kill Itakura after the exchange.

Haibara awakes to a call from Yamamura, informing her the Gunma prefectural police have towed their car in fear of it being taken by the robbers. Haibara imagines Conan is concealing secrets from her, which prompts her to use the new pair of Criminal Tracking Glasses.
Meanwhile, Vodka calls an associate on the phone, telling him to relay the message to Gin. He says to bring a team with guns in case of police interference, and they intend to kill Itakura in the station once the exchange is completed.

  Show spoilers »

The passengers' identities are revealed.

The car nears Kenbashi Station with the two factions preparing to depart. Then, Agasa notices both used cigarettes and coins stuffed in the ashtray, which Conan nails as proof that these two are the Jewel Thieves from Gunma.

• The two likely stole a car from someone on the road, someone who was a non-smoker who used the ashtray to store coins. The man probably noticed this too late, and the coins were already covered in ash by the time he did.
• The constant swerves the man did on the mountain trail were due to him not being used to driving on the left side of the road.
• The woman covers her lap with a jacket to hide the blood stains from the third robber who sat in her seat. The third robber—the one who was shot in the thigh—hides in the trunk to avoid detection at the police checkpoint.
• They let Conan and Agasa hitchhike to present themselves as less suspicious, making it seem like they're a family going on a trip.

With their cover blown, The woman points a gun at Conan's head, with the man remarking they'll have to stick with them for a bit longer.

People

Man
	Driver

Woman
	Passenger

Cover in other countries

• 

  China
• 

  Finland
• 

  France
• 

  Germany
• 

  Hong Kong
• 

  Indonesia
• 

  Italy
• 

  Korea
• 

  Malaysia (Chinese)
• 

  Malaysia (Malay)
• 

  Rep. of China (Taiwan)
• 

  Spain (Spanish, Volumen 2)
• 

  Sweden
• 

  Thailand
• 

  United States
• 

  Vietnam

See also

• Manga
• Volume 31-40
• Detective Conan