Whomp whomp whomp!
A strong gust of wind blew as a helicopter marked "Metropolitan Police Department" appeared before them.
"Brother-in-law, let's go."
Ai glanced at Heiji, then at the helicopter.
Heiji was baffled. He couldn't keep up with this proud queen's train of thought.
"Heiji, it's Miwako. Get on the helicopter first."
Miwako Sato's voice came from the phone.
Heiji hung up. The sound of the helicopter's rotors was like thunder, making it impossible to talk.
Miwako Sato understood. After hanging up, she used her radio from the ground to communicate with the pilot and give directions.
The helicopter hovered above the cabin, and a harness was dropped down.
Heiji opened the emergency hatch on the cabin's roof. He leaped, grabbed the edge, caught the harness swaying in the wind, and pulled it inside.
"Ai, you go up first."
Heiji started to fasten the harness around Ai's small waist.
"Brother-in-law, this harness can hold two people."
Ai took the harness off, fastened it around Heiji's waist, and then clung to him.
Her meaning was clear: they would go up together.
Heiji knew what she meant. With this kind of helicopter rescue, you get one shot. Waiting for a second pass was too risky.
The wind could suddenly pick up. The risk was too great.
Heiji smiled faintly, fastened the harness around Ai instead, then lifted her out of the hatch.
"Ai, grab the edge, tight."
Once she had a firm grip, Heiji jumped from inside the cabin onto its roof.
"Oh my god! That man just climbed onto the roof of the cabin!"
The people below were terrified, their hearts in their throats as they watched Heiji stand on top of the cabin.
Miwako Sato's eyes trembled as she stared, her hands clenching. The scene reminded her of something that had happened before.
"Brother-in-law, hurry and strap yourself in!"
Panic flashed in Ai's eyes as she grabbed his hand.
Heiji just smiled. He pulled Ai into his arms, stepped onto the harness loop, wrapped the cable securely around his hand, and nodded to the crew above.
The line went taut, and they began to ascend.
"Brother-in-law, this is dangerous!"
Ai's face was flushed from the wind, her eyes wide with panic.
Heiji chuckled. "It's fine. As long as you're okay, Ai."
A drop of water landed on the back of his hand.
"Is it raining?"
Heiji looked up, but the sun was bright in a clear blue sky. No rain.
Ai buried her face in Heiji's chest, her small hands clutching his waist tightly. A slight, touching smile formed on her lips.
They made it to the ground safely, without any further incident.
"Heiji, are you alright?"
Miwako Sato ran over, her expression full of concern.
"We're fine. Thank you for asking."
Ai suddenly spoke, her voice laced with an icy chill.
Heiji looked at Ai, confused. He sensed this proud queen had changed, but he couldn't put his finger on how.
"Big Brother, Ai, are you okay?"
The Detective Boys ran up to them.
Ai slipped out of Heiji's arms, moved to the side, and resumed her cool demeanor.
[How can this be? Why was the bomb at the Beika Department Store? What did the 'watchmaker' mean?]
Conan stood to the side, pinching his chin in thought.
"Miss Miwako, I've solved the riddle. Can I use your radio?"
Civilians weren't normally allowed to use police radios.
But Miwako Sato didn't hesitate, handing it right over.
"Hello, this is Heiji Hattori. Inspector Megure, can you hear me?"
Static...
"Ah, Hattori! Why are you on Miwako's radio?" Inspector Megure's voice crackled through.
"I'll explain later. You need to go to Beika Central Hospital immediately. The bomb is there."
"Be discreet—there's a listening device in it. It's best to not make any sound during defusal."
The radio went silent.
"Inspector Megure, are you still there?"
Heiji frowned. He was only helping to complete his mission.
All signs indicated this bomb incident posed a threat to Ai Haibara, which meant it was interfering with his task. He had no choice but to get involved.
"Ah, yes! I was just discussing this with Superintendent Matsumoto. I'll send men to Beika Central Hospital right away."
Megure's voice came back.
"Good," Heiji nodded. "Also, check the surrounding area, especially any overpasses. The bomber might be watching from there with binoculars."
"Got it, I've already dispatched officers. But Hattori, how do you know all this?"
Megure's voice was awkward. It sounded like he didn't quite trust Heiji.
[Sorry, Hattori, Superintendent Matsumoto is the one asking. I trust you completely!]
Heiji smiled faintly. "Inspector, Superintendent Matsumoto is the one asking, isn't he?"
On the other end, Inspector Megure gave Superintendent Matsumoto an awkward glance.
Kiyonaga Matsumoto took the radio. "This is Kiyonaga Matsumoto. Mr. Hattori, I don't doubt your skills, but this is a serious matter. I just need some verification."
"Hmph! You just doubt him. You're a fake!" Ayumi shouted from the side.
Inspector Megure gave a dry laugh, avoiding Matsumoto's darkening expression.
"All police are fakes," Ai added. "They deal with fake criminals all day, it's become a habit they can't break."
Ai's sharp, fatal blow hit the mark.
Miwako Sato laughed nervously, a helpless look in her eyes. Why am I included in this?
The radio went silent again.
"'I am a watchmaker. When the sun's shadow aligns, one minute after the clock strikes, the laughter in the fifteenth square will end in a blaze of brilliant fireworks.' This line already explained the first explosion site."
Everyone quieted down as Heiji began his deduction.
"A clock is usually round. A 'revolving clock' isn't a real clock. Think about what it resembles."
Hearing this, everyone bowed their heads in thought.
Conan glanced at Heiji, and a glint flashed in his eyes. "The Ferris wheel."
"The Ferris wheel."
At the same time, Ai's cool voice rang out.
"That's right! A revolving clock, a revolving Ferris wheel! They're so similar!" the three kids shouted.
"It's similar, but the explanation feels a bit weak," Miwako Sato said with a frown.
"One minute later. One minute is sixty seconds. Who knows how many cabins are on this Ferris wheel?"
"I know, I know! There are 75!" Ayumi said excitedly.
[75?]
A flash of insight hit Conan's mind. I get it! I know what Hattori means!
"'One minute after the clock strikes, the laughter in the fifteenth square will end...'"
"One minute after' means the second hand has moved 60 steps. This signifies the 15th cabin after the 60th cabin."
"In other words, the 75th cabin. That's when the explosion would happen, and the laughter inside would stop."
Heiji's voice echoed over the radio.