Chapter 46
Doctors and Three Musketeers
The beeping of the machines was masking the chaos in the corridors. Shinichi watched with the ease of a seasoned law enforcer—or, as Shiho liked to call him, a stalker. While Masumi Sera had her ears pinned to the door, Heiji stood beside him. The female and Osaka detective, likely aware that something was amiss, was interested in discovering the source of diaspora.
"Hey," a 16-year-old girl regarded them uncertainly. A mane of curly shoulder-length hair frames freckled cheeks. Coffee-brown eyes intently focused on them. "What are you doing?"
Kazuha frowned, a habitual expression she used whenever she noticed Heiji's deductive mannerisms.
"Don't mind them," Kazuha sighed.
Having grown accustomed to their weird behavior, Kazuha peels an apple for Chiyo Ota. The girl whom she had accidentally injured.
"But—"
"You don't have to worry, Chiyo-chan. You should rest."
As she accepted the peeled apple from her pony-tailed friend, the girl, still thoroughly confused, relented.
There will be some explanations to make later, but for now—
The deceased was a Masato Fumie. At 55, she was in good health. Following a fall resulting in her hip break, she was hospitalized and had been laughing and talking normally with her daughter before the incident.
While making their usual rounds, the nurse found Masato-san gasping for breath. Her symptoms are synonymous with that of a heart attack. The suddenness of the event baffled the nurses and doctors. Masato-san didn't have high blood pressure, was in excellent shape, and had no history of heart disease. Despite pumping 1000 volts of electricity into her body, doctors could not revive her.
Masato Fumie was pronounced dead, much to the dismay of her distraught nurse. With long black hair and crystal blue eyes, the rather pretty nurse covered her face with her hands. Still inconsolable, she was surrounded by her colleagues.
"If only...if only I had discovered her earlier," she sobbed loud enough for Shinichi, Heiji, and Sera to hear.
From an outsider's perspective, hospital deaths weren't unusual. Considering that it hosts a variety of ill patients, an incident such as this was inevitable. But—
"Five in a week seems suspicious under mysterious circumstances, doesn't it?" Heiji remarked. A group of nurses gathered outside Chiyo's private room caught the eye of the Osaka detective. They were mumbling to each other. Quite mockingly, they were using tones not expected of "kind-hearted" nurses such as themselves.
"A shinigami," said a baby-faced man probably in his 30s. A wicked grin adorned his lips. "Are the rumors true, Inoue-chan? It's her tenth patient."
"What rubbish, Nakajima-san," a female nurse in her 20s snorted. Adjusting her spectacles, she eyed the victim with repressed disdain, "Masato-san died of a heart attack. It happens to the best of us. This is not some grand conspiracy."
"I know, but you can't deny it," Nakajima winked slyly, "that ever since she arrived, the deaths have been increasing each week, unexplained, I might add."
"Who knows," Inoue shrugged, "probably a curse. We all know what the gossips are about. A real life Angelus Mortis."
An angel of death?
Shinichi scowled at the moniker.
Fortunately, Shiho wasn't around to hear it. Shinichi did not need a nickname to be added to the ever-growing list—especially one of Latin origin.
"So, Angelus Mortis," Heiji joked, and Shinichi eyed him. "What are your thoughts on this?"
The Osaka detective was not asking. Instead, the theories formed in his mind most likely matched his own.
To put it simply, it was bizarre.
"It could be a heart attack," he said carefully. "It's not uncommon."
"That's true," Heiji said with the same smirk Shiho had declared a curse, "but there's something amiss right…Edogawa-kun."
"I agree," Sera chimed in. As the female detective showed her turtle tooth, she contemplated the information she had just gained. "Too much of a…coincidence… isn't it?"
"No," was Shiho's first words as she entered the room. After changing out of the bloodied clothes, she wore the skirt Kazuha had provided 15 minutes earlier. Now that the stains were gone, she looked better. With hands on her hips, she regarded them like a puddle of vomit spread across the floor.
Kazuha and Chiyo-chan, surprised by her entrance, studied the developing situation with curiosity.
"No," Shiho emphasized. "We don't need you guys parading around like the three Musketeers."
"The...three musketeers..." Sera muttered. "I quite like the sound of that,"
Shinichi smirked as Shiho folded her arms in absolute contempt.
"So, what is your prognosis, Doctor Watson?"
It was not like she hadn't foreseen or anticipated it. She was always prepared. The navigation glasses and the extra detective badge she kept in her bag were part of an emergency toolkit she always carried.
However, to have not one or two but three incidents happen in a single day takes the cake. Not wanting to be involved was a no-go. It was evident in his eyes. He was stubborn in that way, and Shiho could only curse in every language she knew. Standing with arms folded, she observed Heiji Hattori speaking casually to the hospital staff. A temporary partnership had been forced upon her.
"We need more details about the deaths before we make any assumptions," Shinichi briefed, and they agreed.
Hence, here they were, scouring the halls for clues regarding the aforementioned case that could be attributed to a medical issue or, in Shinichi's circumstance, a planned murder.
"That bloody Shinigami," she muttered.
While Shinichi had a more subtle way of collecting information, Heiji, on the other hand, was more overt. With small talk, he charmed a red-faced nurse with a series of jokes. After a few minutes, he began whistling while twirling a card-like object in his fingers.
"Have you found something useful, or were you merely flirting?"
"Flirting?"
"If so," she quipped. "It was a feeble attempt."
"How rude," he remarked, "I have you know I was gathering evidence that is—"
With the employee card displayed, he grins widely.
"We would be able to access the staff room with this," he exclaimed excitedly. "If we're lucky, we'll have access to the patient files."
"Good luck," Shiho waves to him as she walks away.
"Hey, come on!" He whined like a kid who couldn't get his parents to buy him what he wanted.
The moment he grabbed hold of her shoulder, her eyebrows twitched.
"You can't expect me to do this alone."
"I'm sure you can."
"I know I can," he snorted haughtily, "but a fresh pair of eyes might help, wouldn't it?"
He was not letting her go, and she was starting to feel like a sidekick to a movie she didn't ask to be a part of. With her fiercest glare, she pinched the hand that grabbed her.
Heiji shrieked.
"A fresh pair of eyes? I do not fancy getting caught nor risking time in jail."
"I'm just borrowing it. I'll return it later."
"No."
Heiji regards her, lips tightly pressed together.
"Well, I wasn't planning on using this, but you leave me no choice," he grumbled.
"Again, I bid you good luck," Shiho snorted when he reached for his phone, "Blackmail doesn't wor—"
A picture was shoved into her face, forcing her to look at it. Nothing was flattering about the image; it was taken by the hospital vending machine an hour ago. Although the photograph was blurry, it clearly depicted Shinichi cupping Shiho's cheeks—quite intimately, she might add. Realizing the implications, Shiho scowled at the detective.
Heiji was studying her with a cheeky grin that spurred a murderous feeling in her chest.
"So?" he asked, "I mean, you can leave, but I might just accidentally send it to the children."
The cunning glint coupled with his subtle blackmail—and Shiho became aware of Shinichi's great annoyance for his "bestest" friend.
"Accidently," he emphasized.
It was an unavoidable situation. Shiho had to take one for the team to prevent a natural disaster at home. She relents, and the cunning smirk on Heiji's lips widens to show teeth. It was enough. The surge of irritation coursing through her fueled the kick worthy of an Olympic medal.
The Osaka detective cries of pain music to her ears.
"What was that for!"
"That," he flinched when she replied sweetly, "was an accident."
If there was one thing Shinichi was sure of—it was that Sera Masumi, though lacking in feminine charm, had charisma that far surpassed his own. Having strolled up to the reception five minutes ago, the boyish girl was now striking up a conversation with one of the nurses, who was looking rather googly-eyed at the moment. A nurse, who identified herself as Yuika Inoue, batted fake eyelashes at Sera. Shinichi recognized her as the nurse who had spoken about an "angel of death" 30 minutes prior.
"So," Sera started with a deep voice accent, "You're telling me that a pretty lady like yourself has to work 12-hour shifts every day?"
"Pretty?" Inoue chuckled, "If you weren't a girl, I'd think you were trying to flirt with me."
"And? Is there a problem?" Sera continued.
Shinichi raised a brow as the woman chuckled softly. The flirtatious nature continued, and he had no idea where the female detective would go with this. Making informal conversation was typically not his forte. Rather, he preferred observing from a corner and reading body language. Sera, however, appeared to have a more direct approach to things and tended to rush the investigations along.
Not that it was a bad thing.
It was just—different.
"Inoue-chan, don't be slacking off now. We still need to register a body," a man strolled into the counter. Shinichi recognized him. He was the nurse Inoue-san spoke with earlier.
"Relax, grumpy cat," Inoue-san snorted, "I'm getting to it. It's just this…"
"Sera Masumi," Sera introduced herself to the male nurse. "I'm a private investigator hired by one of the deceased's families to investigate the deaths."
"Oh?" the man asked with raised brows. "Who is this family that hired you?"
"I'm afraid I'm not allowed to reveal it," Sera beamed, "It's client confidentiality, you see."
It was an excuse that was riddled with holes. If it had been a ship cruising the ocean, it would have sunk as soon as it set sail. However, Sera was smooth in her delivery. Moreover, she had a confident smile that made the male nurse forgo any sense of logic.
"I see..." the nurse murmured, "I'm Tsubasa Nakajima. What questions do you have?"
His willingness to cooperate was unexpected. Frowning, Shinichi observed the nurses' shared glance.
Yes. Something was going on in this hospital. He was sure of it.
"Well, you see, my nephew here," Sera gestures to Shinichi, who looks at them with big innocent eyes, "Heard you two talking about someone a few minutes ago, and I was wondering...who might this be?"
"Yeah, what is Angelus Mortis?"
The nurses, a little taken aback at first, studied Shinichi before sighing.
"Nakajima-san, this is why I warned you not to say such things," Inoue chided the man.
"You were the same," he huffed.
The woman leaned back into the hospital's cheap swivel chair. "You didn't hear this from me," she reluctantly revealed, "but there has been a general increase in deaths since that new doctor arrived."
"Sudden increase in deaths?" Sera reiterated as Nakajima nodded.
Most of the patients the doctor was responsible for were old and critically ill. Therefore, it is not unusual for them to pass away. It's just that…"
"Some patients were healthy, but when they came into contact with her, they just died," Inoue-san continued.
"And you guys didn't find that odd?" Sera rapped her fingers against the counter.
"Look," Nakajima stroked his chin in contemplation, "it is not that we didn't question, but as I said, it is not uncommon for patients to die unexpectedly."
"But about those who were relatively healthy?"
"Rare occurrences that unfortunately happen."
"Hmm…"
"I understand your suspicions, and frankly, we have our own questions, but it's not something to fret about."
"Why?"
"Most of the deaths were caused by heart attacks or defects, and given their age, it shouldn't be surprising."
"And you're fine with such an explanation?" Sera leaned against the counter, eyeing both nurses pointedly.
There was hesitation, a peculiar sentiment between them.
"Yes," they answered together.
A spell had been cast. There were times when people chose to be blind—the alternative would be too scary to deal with.
"Well..." Inoue-san muttered. "I can't say this, but the other nurses and doctors have been discussing it."
"About?"
"The bizarre heart attacks, and the fact that they always happen after the doctor's visits."
There it was. The missing link. The piece of the puzzle that would unravel the relative peace.
"What is the name of this doctor?"
"Kasumi Kondo-san," replied Nakajima-san. Biting his lower lip, his eyes darting around, he looks like a cat on the verge of bolting. "Since she arrived six months ago, the number of cases has spiked."
"So much so that the other doctors and nurses have given her the nickname Angelus Mortis, the angel of death," Inoue continued.
"Something akin to a grim reaper. There have been rumors circulating that she has been transferred to our hospital after the same thing happened in the last place she worked."
"Same thing?"
"Yes, but those were just rumors. Though, it wouldn't surprise me if it were true," Inoue twiddled nervously with the helm of her uniform. "She remained unresponsive when her patients died, with no reaction, no regret...nothing. Her only action was to issue the death certificate. She offered no comfort to the patient's family at all...so much so that the families of the deceased called her—"
"Yuki Onna," Nakajima interjects. "The Snow Demon."
It did not paint a rosy picture. And Shinichi could not help but be a little curious about this—Yuki Onna.
"Kasumi Kondo, huh," Sera winked at Shinichi. The female detective seemed intrigued as well.
"She isn't!" a voice rang out, startling them all. When Shinichi turned around, he was confronted by a flustered young woman. Her uniform was pink, as is the case with all female nurses. Wearing square spectacles, she marches over with her brown shoulder-length hair tied neatly into a ponytail. Carrying a bundle of files, she slaps them on the counter.
A faint exchange of annoyance was shared between Inoue and Nakajima-san, but it mellowed into resignation. It appears that the older nurses were too tired to argue with their younger colleague.
"Kondo-sensei is not like that!" the nurse insisted. "She is kind, kinder than any other doctor I have assisted. She just can't express herself well."
"Ayane-chan," Inoue-san groaned, "we know you've worked with her before, but there is no need to defend her. Don't you think she's a little weird?"
"It doesn't matter. Look at these files," she motions to the documents on the table. Listed on the title was the name of the deceased patient. Masato Fumie.
"She has been researching the cause all afternoon. You can't tell me she doesn't care," the young nurse insisted. Inoue and Nakajima both shifted uncomfortably in their seats as Ayane turned her attention to Shinichi and Sera.
"Who exactly are you guys? What does Kondo-sensei have to do with you?"
"Ah, about that," Sera beamed, reenacting the lie which had charmed both Inoue and Nakajima-san. Again, Shinichi could not help but wonder how Sera had managed to get away with it. After much persuasion and role-playing on her end, Sera finally got the needed information.
"I'm telling you, Kondo-sensei is one of the nicest, most dignified people I've ever met. The other doctors are just jealous," Ayane Maeda continued later.
They were now following her through the corridors toward the cafeteria. "The other medical staff may not be aware of this, but she was highly respected and dignified in her previous hospital. I have never seen Kondo-sensei do anything wrong."
"It's not that we don't believe you," Sera said, "but we'd need to dig deeper. Wouldn't you like to clear your beloved doctor's name too?"
Her move was calculated and done to achieve her goals. With a sly glint in her eye, Sera winked at Shinichi as he grabbed the nurse, giving her the broadest, most sincere smile he could muster.
"Pretty please, Onee-chan," he sang, glad that Shiho was not here to witness his tone-deafness. He was certain he would get a month's worth of teases from it. "We would like to talk to Kondo-san. Pleaseee~"
If he learned anything from the children, it was that acting cute enough would get you anything you want. While it had worked better when he was seven, being shorter than most 10-year-olds had its advantages. As he bats his long eyelashes at Ayane, the woman sighs.
"Fine," she replied, "but I can't guarantee anything. She is very busy and doesn't eat lunch at the cafeteria. At this time, you would probably find her in her private office on the 2nd floor, near the medical library. Please do not tell her that I told you about this."
"Thank you, Maeda-san," Sera bowed to the nurse, who gave them one last worried glance before walking away. As soon as she left, Sera was before him. A big grin spread across her face, and her eyes sparkled like a puppy that had just received an early Christmas present.
And Shinichi was made aware of what Shiho meant by "Invasion of personal space."
"Well..." Sera began, showing her shark-like teeth. "What do you think about this situation, Kudou-kun?"
She was purposely using his real name. Slowly, drawing out the information she so desperately craves. Shinichi could sense the untamed eagerness in her eyes. And though the purpose of their sudden meeting together was vague, Shinichi had an inkling of what her personal mission entailed.
She, like him, was probably caught between a rock and a hard place.
"It's Edogawa-kun," he emphasized, "Besides, what can a 10-year-old infer?"
"Hmm," Sera folded her arms at the blatant lie, "the nurses' statements have several discrepancies. For example," she listed the inconsistencies they'd noticed. "The deaths though common in a setting such as these places, all seem to hold a similarity."
"Yes," Shinichi agreed.
An undesirable commonality that was causing the unease in the first place.
"We might be wrong, the deaths might be natural...but," he paused when Sera squatted before him. A pair of light green eyes similar to those of Akai Shuichi gazed into his. Her cheeky, bright expression belies something else. It simmered violently, carrying an intensity that made Shinichi step back.
"Kudou-kun, what do you think…about doctors who kill?"
She was adamant. He couldn't stop her.
The girl wanted answers…and Shinichi knew from the bottom of his heart that she—wasn't talking about Kondo-san.
No. This female detective—was committed to a fact. Providing snippets of a story that Shinichi could only deduce.
A sister lived beyond a domain.
And that sister was probably…
"Miyano Shiho is not what you think she is," he whispered in a low voice.
The air shifted, and the girl's smile was replaced with a stunned countenance. Her lips parted, and her eyes hardened as she considered the data. It told Shinichi all he wanted to know.
It would not be easy. Shiho probably already knows this.
"Oh, so you do have an idea," Sera said cryptically once she regained control. The sly smile was back. "Of what transpired."
Once again, tension reigned, and the temperature dropped by a degree. Shinichi had no idea how to navigate this. Of how much should he reveal to this girl he barely knew.
Would it be worth it? Would it cause more harm than good?
Could she be trust—
"Relax," Sera chuckled, finally standing up, her stance at ease. "I'm not here to witch hunt," placing hands behind her head, she walked ahead. Shinichi had to catch up to her.
"I'm not going to lie, it's been hard," she murmured, the lively tone she always used disappearing. "But I've heard about the FBI operation, about a Sherry involved with it. So if anything," stopping, she faced Shinichi with a crooked smile, "don't stress over it."
Shinichi could only follow the girl through the corridor, speechless. Many questions remained unanswered. Riddles that they needed to stop playing. Perhaps, Jodie-sensei was right. That detectives and law enforcers were really just folks that lacked the skills for communication. Running in circles, forming more riddles than answers—they overlook the one thing that will ruin the organization.
Sharing information.
"We are here," Sera said, sliding open the door of a private office. Shinichi followed after. A dark room lit only by a PC screen greeted them. A woman sat at the desk, typing furiously, surrounded by files strewn and stacked high on an untidy table. Picking up a coffee mug from the side, she sipped it.
The woman was busy. Short bob-cut black hair, and a pretty face, there were bags under her green eyes. With a doll-like appearance, Shinichi felt like he was looking at a carbon copy of an auburn-haired scientist.
"Hello," Sera said effortlessly, snapping the woman out of her work. Unimpressed by their presence, Kondo-san studies them. "Kasumi Kondo-san, I'm a private detective, and I'm afraid we have some questions to ask you."
Why was she doing this?
A rain check was in order, and Shiho would not settle for anything less than 500,000 Yen. Shinichi could cry all he wanted, but it was the minimum he would have to pay for making her go through something like this.
Situated between Heiji's legs, Shiho shuffled forward as they moved through the staff room, concealed under his long lab coat. After being greeted by a few doctors with suspicion a few minutes ago, they were now in a janitor's closet. Heiji had found a portable standing computer, and they had promptly wheeled it in.
Safe and out of sight, she hacked into the system using the staff card Heiji had obtained or most likely stole. He was carrying her in an awkward position like he was carrying a stuffed animal, and Shiho made a mental note of revenge at a later date.
Despite the humiliation, Shiho had to admit that Heiji's plan had some advantages, even if it was troublesome. Hacking into the hospital system was a breeze. Even with all the money spent on high-end security systems, upper management failed to account for human stupidity. One stolen card and an employee carelessly writing the username and password on the back of the card were all it took. Shiho could only scoff and continue with her work.
"So," Heiji asked as she navigated the overly complicated system. "When were you and Kudou-kun going to tell me that you guys were an item or something?"
Shiho had half a mind to smack him with the mouse she was holding.
"You hardly matter, Hattori," she snapped.
He feigns hurt. A hand was placed over his eyes as he pretended to sob dramatically. Shiho felt that he ought to take an acting class. "But, but, I thought I was his bestest friend," he emphasized.
"I'm sure he'll tell you," Shiho said, clicking harder on the tabs at the top, excessing the confidential files. At this point, Shiho was fairly certain she was committing a crime. "After you confessed to Toyama-san."
"Ah, ah, don't change the subject. I know what you're trying to do."
"Continue, and I might accidentally send your confession to her."
"Then I'll just send the photo to the children," he retorted.
"One day, Hattori," she continued, extracting the files of the recently deceased patients, seeking trends. "You'll wake as a cockroach with no memory of your previous life."
He paused, reeling for a second. "…That sounds like a threat coming from you."
"It's not a threat," Shiho emphasized, facing him with a menacing grin, one she reserved for people who pushed too far, "It's a fact."
Heiji turned back to the screen, changing the topic. "I see a pattern here," after reviewing the files of the recently deceased, a link emerges. Heiji spots it as soon as the 3rd file pops out.
"A Kasumi Kondo," he murmured, "the patients who died suddenly were all Kasumi Kondo's patients."
"A coincidence?"
"Maybe, maybe not…" Heiji muttered, reading through the files and the cause of death.
"Says they died of respiratory failure. Apparently, they experienced muscle spasms, and they couldn't breathe. Next thing you know, they have a heart attack, and what follows after..."
"Death," Shiho finished. Deep rasping breaths followed by sudden seizures. The patients could not take in the oxygen needed to sustain life. Then, violent contractions occur, causing choking and hacking coughs. Minutes or even hours later, the patient usually succumbs to a heart attack or respiratory failure.
It was indeed unsettling. One occurrence was odd enough, but having multiple on her watch was indeed concerning.
The angel of death, huh?
Shinichi may have met his rival.
"This is quite creepy," Heiji continued. "She seems to have the touch of death. Says here, her patients started exhibiting these ailments when she visited them for their daily checkups."
Facing her, he hesitates, his brown eyes holding a horrifying thought. "You don't think she's administering something to them…right?"
"How would she be able to?" Shiho frowned at his statements. "Countless witnesses are present in the room. The patient, their family members, her nurse aides, and even..." Shiho trailed off, reviewing the symptoms once more.
Wait a minute.
Opening a few more files, Shiho pauses.
"Figured something out?" Heiji noticed her pale demur.
Recoiling from the screen, Shiho struggles in the tanned detective's grip, forcing him to put her down. Pulling out her phone from her pocket, she accessed the internet by typing in a few keywords. As soon as the name pops up, she stops.
She had hoped to be wrong. However, the three musketeers were right in their instincts.
Something was brewing in the midst.
"Hey little nee-chan, what's the ma—"
Shiho showed Heiji the image on the phone, who regarded it solemnly. Taking hold of the mouse, he clicks on the patient files of those involved with Kasumi Kondo. They are led down a rabbit hole of patients, sickness, doctors, and—
He gasped.
"It's a murder," Heiji concluded, "A serial killer is in our midst."
Initially, she was perplexed, then annoyed.
"A private detective," Kondo-san snorted, seeing through Sera's lies, "I've heard better excuses."
"I can't prove it to you," Sera continued without backing down. Shinichi was impressed by her ability to weave stories out of thin air and run with them.
"You don't have to believe me. Rather, I have some questions, and I would like them answered."
"And why should I give you the time of the d—"
"We both know," Sera interrupts, "that even the victims...need closure."
Sera had worded it carefully. Yes, they were indeed victims. Not patients. But victims of an insidious plot unfolding right now. A motive buries itself in the cemented walls of this pristine establishment, one—too horrifying to speak off.
The Hippocratic oath is sworn by every medical professional. To break it would be an act of rebellion against God himself. Humans, unfortunately, excelled at it.
"Victims?"
"Kondo-san, I'm sure you've noticed the peculiar way your patients expire...and from what I've heard, it doesn't paint you in a favorable light."
For a second, Shinichi spotted pain beneath those icy green pools. He realized the doctor was swimming in it. Slowly, the woman stands, regarding Sera with what seems like bored indifference and—
"Then I must be an angel of death," she replied in a light tone dismissing them with a wave, "If you think I'm a murderer, then I'm most probably one."
It was not an answer they wanted to hear from a doctor. Although her biting tone and sharp retort did not surprise Shinichi. Sera, though, had lost her friendly act.
"Are you confessing to a crime? What are you doing to cause their deaths? Surely you can't think we're dumb enough to think these are just simple coincidences."
Laughter escaped from Kondo-san. It was dry, lacking joy.
"Guilty as charged," she mocked, motioning to the documents on her table. "I must be researching to kill my patients off."
And there it was again, the imperceptible guilt and sadness. It lingers a moment before burrowing deeper. The woman hiding it expertly, her expression readjusting itself to one of studied indifference.
"If you're done," Kondo-san motions to the exit, "I have to make my patient rounds soon, and you're interfering with my work."
"We'd like to follow you," Sera piped in, obviously ignoring the implied social cues, "on your rounds...just to make sure."
The doctor seemed ready to call security but decided against it. Instead, she sighs.
"Fine, just wait outside. I'll be there soon."
It was quite not expected. They had not only insulted her, implied that she might be the murderer, and invaded her workspace…but she had agreed to their little fiasco.
"Thank you, Kondo-san."
The doctor snorted, and they left. While waiting by the corridor, Shinichi recalls the items he had noticed in Kondo-san's private room. Rather than hanging on the walls, framed awards were strewn about and collecting dust. All the documents on the table point to respiratory and heart failures. All of which suggested that the doctor was indeed investigating her patients' death.
The gossips floating around the patients' sudden death differ in nature. One was about a heartless monster that didn't care about the patients, and another told of an awkward, sharp-tongued doctor who was mostly kind.
"Did you notice it too?" Sera asked, and Shinichi nodded, looking to Kondo-san's private office and then to the staff walking down the corridors.
"This isn't as simple," Sera continued.
"Aye," Shinichi agreed, "It appears we have an Angel of Death."
I'm back :D I hope you've enjoyed your holidays. Again, Happy New Year :D.
Thank you for the feedback and reviews of these last chapters. See you next week :D