Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Words that Attack the Heart
The blue train continued to race towards Hokkaido with a howling speed, yet inside the compartment, everything was calm, to the point where one couldn't even feel the train moving.
Although Asama remained silent at the moment, Senichi knew that he was interested in this topic.
And that was exactly what Senichi wanted.
Whether it was interrogation or analysis, it didn't matter. The fact that he could listen to the words was enough.
Because Senichi's analysis would guide his thinking, help him discover the truth, and make him speak up automatically!
So, for now, the interrogation had temporarily turned into an analytical session.
Senichi stood in front of Asama and raised his index finger to make the number one gesture. "First, let's talk about something worth noting. When you robbed the jewelry store, there was an accident. But have you ever wondered why?
If we're looking for a good explanation, it's actually quite easy to explain.
After all, the store owner is the owner, and when he decides to go to the store is completely random. It was just bad luck that you happened to encounter the owner.
But pay attention to this: Was the owner really impulsive in coming to the store?"
"What do you mean?" Asama's expression turned dark and uncertain. "You said the owner's visits are unpredictable, so it's just bad luck, right?"
"No, no, no." Senichi shook his index finger, then extended his middle finger. "This brings us to the second point worth noting.
Is it really just a coincidence that the owner happened to come to the store? Are you really that unlucky?
Generally speaking, the owner's visits are regular, even requiring a secretary to arrange his schedule. Would someone like that suddenly have the urge to visit a store?"
"And I heard that the owner of the store you robbed is preparing to run for mayor. Shouldn't such a person be very busy? His schedule should be full."
"In other words, if you had an insider in the store, they couldn't be unaware of the owner's schedule.
So if your planned robbery encountered an accident, it becomes quite intriguing."
At this point, Senichi paused, waiting for Asama's reaction, to see whether he would agree or refute.
Senichi naturally knew that there was an insider in the jewelry store, and they were the culprit of the "North Star Train" case.
But Asama didn't know, so he was instinctively protecting his accomplice.
That's why Senichi introduced the role of an insider in his speculation. If Asama didn't intend to cooperate, he would definitely deny the existence of an insider.
This would prove that Asama wasn't thinking along the same lines as Senichi.
On the contrary, if the seed of doubt was planted, he would accept the notion of an insider and listen to Senichi continue.
And obviously, Senichi's plan was proceeding smoothly, so he could add a little fuel to the fire.
He looked at Asama, who was contemplating, and continued, "Ah, by the way, let me add another point. If your insider holds a higher position in the store, like being the store manager, then there is even more reason to suspect.
Because for high-ranking individuals like that, even if the owner visits suddenly, they would usually be notified in advance to greet him.
So if that's the case, you don't have to hide anything for your accomplice. Maybe they've already betrayed you."
This statement seemed like a conjecture or assumption about a specific situation, but it was actually accurate information because the accomplice in question was indeed the manager of the jewelry store.
But Asama didn't know that. He only felt that Senichi had hit the mark again.
When you guess and analyze something in a way that hits the mark, it increases the credibility of your words.
And in the mind of someone who knows the answer, hearing your analysis, they unconsciously believe it to some extent.
Why do so many fortune-tellers and swindlers succeed? It's because they exploit this psychology.
And Senichi's words were just as effective, but with the difference that the con artists use "generic" words to let you imagine things, whereas Senichi spoke only "key" truths.
As long as Asama compared the information he knew, he would find Senichi's analysis even more convincing.
It would be strange if it wasn't because it was the truth.
A perfect and effective attack on the heart!
Regardless of whether the owner's visit to the store was a coincidence or not, and how the process unfolded, Senichi only needed to use this excuse to speak. In the end, Asama would escape disheartened, unable to refute anything.
"Are you saying he betrayed me!?" Asama's face darkened, and he fell into silence, pondering for a moment before he couldn't help but speak up.
"It doesn't necessarily mean he really betrayed you because there are many possibilities. Perhaps it's just your bad luck."
Senichi insincerely analyzed a statement that would "damage" his own interests. Then, in the next moment, he changed his tone and continued, "But well, that's based on the premise that you think about whether you've done something to wrong them.
For example, unequal division of the loot, or maybe you caused the death of their girlfriend..."
As soon as the words fell, Asama, who had been keeping a straight face, could no longer maintain his composure. His facial expression underwent a dramatic change.
"Ahaha... Your reaction says it all, and it seems like the latter." Senichi's tone carried a hint of playfulness. "So, this brings us to the third possibility.
If you really did cause the death of their girlfriend, not only would they refuse to cooperate with you, but they might also seize this opportunity to seek revenge and kill you."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Asama's expression became even more uncertain, and as he listened further, he became increasingly alarmed because he had indeed drugged the other person's girlfriend...
"What do you say? Will you talk or not?" Senichi added a bit more fuel to the fire. "Since things aren't looking good for both of you, it wouldn't be too much pressure to expose the other person and earn yourself a reduced sentence."
Asama let out a heavy sigh. "I'll talk..."
At this point, the other three people present also knew that the interrogation had been successful.
Conan also wore a solemn expression because Senichi's performance this time was incredibly powerful!
Based on a single sentence uttered by Asama during the robbery escape, Senichi suspected that he had an accomplice.
Then, with that suspicion, he gradually made Asama expose information during the conversation, turning suspicion into confirmation.
Throughout the conversation, Senichi pinpointed crucial points, continuously expanding Asama's doubts until he completely broke through his psychological defenses.
So, this is the use of microexpressions!
By leveraging keen insight to capture subtle facial expressions, Senichi gradually uncovered the truth from Asama's faint expressions, found the correct path, and ultimately broke through his psychological defenses!
Has Senichi, the detective, mastered the use of this skill to such an extent?
"The gap is too wide..."
Conan clenched his fist. "The disparity in our professional skills is too great. It's not something that can be bridged in a short time. It's a difference in knowledge, and I've been wasting my time in elementary school, even though those elementary school courses were completely useless for a high school student like me.
But I never realized that I could use that time in class to fill in my professional knowledge!"
I've been far too complacent!
--------------------------------
Please consider supporting this translation project by becoming a P@treon member, if possible!
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Available on my P@treon page for just $4!!
Early access to the following translations:-
~Marvel: Little Genius (MLG) - +118 advance chapters & 4 Chapters/Day
~Famous Police Detective in Detective World (FPDDW)- +57 advance chapters & 2 Chapters/Day
p@treon.com/Lightreaper457
--------------------------------
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone