Chapter 56: Speculation
In the video feed, Gin had a cigarette dangling from his lips, one hand resting casually on the car window.
He appeared to be driving, his silver hair whipping back in the wind, his eyes simultaneously lifeless and razor-sharp.
What was the deal with that hat? Despite the fierce wind, it didn't even budge. Could this be some kind of permanently fixed accessory, like Ran's iconic horn-shaped hairstyle?
And the car? His Porsche 356A was still parked in Tokyo. Didn't Gin claim he'd never drive anything except a Porsche 356A? Did he have a second one in Hokkaido?
More importantly, what kind of cutting-edge technology made this video call possible? And it could be answered while driving! This era barely had 2G networks—wasn't this 4G wireless communication a bit too advanced?
He'd have to ask Frank about this later. This kind of high-tech equipment should definitely be installed in his GTR.
Natsukawa's mind overflowed with questions, but now wasn't the time to ask them—not while on a call with Gin.
He'd have to interrogate Vodka separately later. That loose-lipped fool would probably spill everything.
"Has the Tokinin Haruki matter been resolved?"
Gin's voice emanated from the screen. Despite being weakened by the electronic transmission, it still carried a bone-chilling quality.
Vodka responded with a fawning smile. "Yes, Aniki, he's been delivered to the facility. By the way, do you need me to come to Hokkaido? Tequila can handle things in Tokyo, right?"
Despite his subordinate's obsequiousness, Gin remained unmoved, merely casting Vodka a cold glance before turning his attention to Tequila. "Tequila, what are you doing there?"
Natsukawa raised an eyebrow, looking toward Vodka.
Vodka hastily offered several explanations, and Gin nodded curtly. "Alright, you can leave now. I have something to discuss with Vodka."
Clearly, compared to his trusted subordinate Vodka, Tequila hadn't yet earned Gin's confidence for important assignments.
Natsukawa nodded slightly and headed straight for the door.
Outside, Natsukawa thoughtfully crushed the listening device in his hand.
For a fleeting moment, he'd considered eavesdropping on Gin and Vodka's conversation, but quickly abandoned the idea.
This was a software development facility—it would inevitably be equipped with counter-surveillance technology. Attempting to listen in wouldn't be safe.
The Black Organization had two critical projects in the storyline: software development, and the development of APTX 4869, primarily researched by Sherry.
Natsukawa suspected that Vodka and Gin's conversation was related to that mysterious software development program.
The presence of Tokinin Haruki and the previously obtained list of software developers all pointed to one conclusion: the Black Organization was increasing its investment in software development.
Natsukawa suddenly noticed a crucial detail.
While the Black Organization was aggressively recruiting software development talent, Gin's tolerance for Sherry seemed to have decreased significantly.
Based on the original story, Sherry was likely the most important person overseeing the Organization's APTX 4869 development.
Even if other talented researchers could assist with the drug's development, Gin had no logical reason to kill Sherry's sister simply because she was being difficult.
It made no sense.
Previously, her sister had dated an Organization mole—Rye Whiskey—and Gin had tolerated her survival until now.
Sherry had grown up in the Organization, and Gin couldn't possibly be unaware of her personality. Miyano Akemi's death would definitely affect Sherry, potentially causing the research to stall or even halt completely.
He was Gin—the Organization's most diligent worker bee. He couldn't have acted without considering this factor.
Could it be that APTX 4869's importance to the Organization had diminished?
Was it because decades of research hadn't yielded the desired results, and Karasuma Renya was growing impatient?
Or had they discovered a new path to immortality? Perhaps it was related to software engineering—something like artificial intelligence or digital consciousness transfer.
With physical immortality seemingly hopeless, maybe Karasuma Renya had chosen to preserve his consciousness digitally, like Hiroki Sawada in Noah's Ark—it wasn't impossible.
However, this was merely speculation. The truth remained unknown. The Organization's deepest secrets still awaited Conan's discovery.
Or perhaps he could remain undercover for a while and uncover some clues himself.
After half an hour, Vodka finally emerged from the room.
"Why haven't you left yet?"
Vodka looked startled to see Tequila standing not far from the door. He'd assumed Tequila had already departed, but here he was, waiting.
Natsukawa shrugged helplessly. "You can't even catch a taxi around here. What else would I be waiting for?"
To gather intelligence, obviously.
For instance, he was extremely interested in that two-way video communication system.
Gin could make wireless video calls while driving in Hokkaido—the Organization's technology was quite impressive.
During this era, bulky mobile phones were standard, and smaller cell phones were still luxury items for the wealthy. The Organization's ability to achieve remote wireless video calls suggested they'd recruited considerable talent in software and electronics engineering.
"Let's head back to the cocktail bar for a drink."
Vodka acknowledged the codename member who could handle his driving and planned to enjoy some drinks before dawn. With his big brother away and nothing pressing on today's agenda, it was perfect for letting loose.
Watching Vodka's behavior, Natsukawa got the distinct impression of a husband partying while his wife visited her parents.
"Sure. But shouldn't you hurry up and handle whatever Gin asked you to do?"
Vodka started the car, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he exhaled a perfect smoke ring. "Nothing major—just told me to keep an eye on Sherry."
Vodka clearly wasn't telling the whole truth. Monitoring Sherry didn't require a video call; an email or phone call would suffice. The video communication must have served another purpose, but since Vodka wasn't elaborating, Natsukawa didn't press.
"By the way, this car has that communication technology too, right? Where's the switch?" Natsukawa settled into the passenger seat, his eyes scanning the control panel.
It was Gin's car, after all—it definitely had the system installed.
"Right here." Vodka tapped a black button next to the hazard light switch. "This is cutting-edge communication technology developed by the Organization. However, because the equipment is too bulky, it can only be installed in vehicles and can't be made portable yet. Plus, it's extremely expensive and can't be widely distributed."
The implication was clear: this thing was impractical. Beyond allowing visual communication, it had no special advantages, and the image quality was poor. Natsukawa understood this all too well—the video quality barely reached 480p. Any lower and it would look censored.
"The only real advantage is that it's encrypted video communication through a dedicated satellite channel, eliminating the possibility of being intercepted."
Wait—the Organization actually has its own satellite?
Natsukawa's eye twitched. He hadn't expected the Organization to be that well-funded.
Seemingly noticing his surprise, Vodka sighed. "We don't have our own satellite—at least, not yet. If we had money to buy a satellite, why would we need your measly deposits?"
Natsukawa considered this and nodded. "So we have someone inside a satellite control center in some country?"
"Can't tell you that," Vodka said in a low voice.
Alright.
Natsukawa understood—Vodka's non-answer was confirmation enough.
The Porsche's exhaust once again polluted the streets of Beika Town. Several traffic officers who had just returned to the Metropolitan Police Department were fuming with frustration. Reluctantly, they responded to another call, but once again failed to catch the reckless night racer.
(End of Chapter 56)
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