Chapter 4 the suspect

one Superintendent Mihara always had some doubts about Mine Oka Monday, the executive director of Aurora Transportation Company. Aurora Transportation seems to be a company that pays attention to ostentation. If you go to Fukuoka, there is a Chaofeng train in Tokyo at 6:30 p.m., and you will arrive at Fukuoka Station around 11:30 the next day.Even if that person had to arrive at Dadong Company at one o'clock in the afternoon, he would still be in time! In the previous case (point and line), Mihara had studied the Chaofeng train, so he remembered the time very clearly. No, Superintendent, that's not the case.Mineoka had something to do and had to fly there on the night of the 6th.The detective in charge of the case said.

Oh, it must be the shrine ceremony mentioned in this report! correct.From midnight on the 6th to dawn on the 7th, Moji's Wabu Kari Shrine held special sacrifices.It is the same every year. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the seaweed must be harvested and offered to God.He went to watch the ceremony. Is he the one with this interest? it seems that.It is said that he likes haiku, was attracted by haiku, and wanted to see it for a long time, and this time he got his wish. Yeah? Moreover, on the same day, around 8 o'clock in the morning on the 7th, he went to the Daikichi Hotel in Ogura to rest. At around 9:30, the Tokyo company sent a telegram informing him of the death of Takeo Doi.

Does Mineoka have such a close relationship with Takeo Doi? No, it is said that it is only the degree of business dealings. It can be regarded as affectionate and righteous!Mihara said this without knowing it. However, thinking about it afterwards, it was a bit wrong.It's just that a friend with a business relationship died suddenly in an accident. Why was it necessary to send a telegram to Mineoka in Kokura, Kyushu? In addition, Mihara has another question.Tokyo and Kokura belonged to the direct long-distance telephone area, so they should not send telegrams that take two hours to be delivered, but should make long-distance calls to Kokura.

Moreover, since the telegram was sent to the Daikichi Hotel, it was clear that Mineoka must have lived in this hotel in advance.Why take advantage of the late telegram?Mihara turned his head in thought. He ordered his subordinates to bring the timetable. The last part of the timetable, is the airline timetable.Mineoka took a flight from Tokyo at 3:00 on Monday, which was found to be Japan Airlines Flight 311. This flight arrived in Osaka at 4:55 p.m. and Fukuoka at 7:10 p.m. According to the detective report, the rituals at the Moji and Nunakari Shrines started late at night on February 6th until dawn on the 7th of the next day.After Mineoka arrived in Fukuoka at 7:10, he probably took a bus to Moji.

Between Fukuoka and Moji, if it is an express train, it will take one hour, and if it is a slow train, it will take two and a half hours.I don't know which train Mineoka took, but it takes 20 minutes from the airport to the station. If it is a slow train, plus the waiting time, the whole journey may take three hours. The ceremony at Hebu Kari Shrine starts at around 10:30 at night, so it's just right to go there at this time. As soon as Mihara Ji saw this timetable, he suddenly remembered how to arrange Mineoka's time if he went to Sagami Lake to kill people. Mineoka arrived at Fukuoka Airport at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, so what if he immediately took another plane back to Tokyo?Looking at the timetable, there are two flights available.The first class leaves at 7:20, and the first class leaves at 8:20.However, even if it is a jet, it will arrive in Tokyo at 9:35.

As for another airline, All Nippon Airways, there is no night flight to Tokyo. Mihara Kiichi scratched his head frequently. He forgot that Mineoka had appeared at the Daikichi Hotel in Kokura at about eight o'clock in the morning on the 7th on Monday.This is the strongest evidence of his alibi.Mineoka also received a telegram there, and appeared at Daito Company in Fukuoka at one o'clock in the afternoon. However, in any case, this telegram caused Mihara to be puzzled. He re-studied the timetable and found nothing.In other words, since Mineoka arrived in Fukuoka at 7:10 p.m. on Monday, it is absolutely impossible to return to Tokyo.

However, Mihara suddenly thought of something. Although his spies had confirmed that Mineoka had indeed departed from Tokyo at 3:00 p.m. on the 6th, he had not obtained any evidence that Mineoka had attended rituals at Moji and Nukarari Shrines on Monday. Mineoka did arrive at the Daikichi Hotel in Okura at 8 am on the 7th.However, there was no evidence of his activities during the period between arriving at Mineoka at Fukuoka Airport at 7:10 p.m. on the 6th, and entering the Kokura Hotel at 8:00 the next morning. This period lasted about twelve hours and fifty minutes. spare.Of course, the travel time between Fukuoka, Moji, and Kokura should also be included in this.

On the other hand, Takeo Doi was killed in Sagami Lake from 9 o'clock on the night of the 6th until the discovery of the body at 12 o'clock.After the autopsy, the forensic doctor deduced that he died between nine o'clock and ten o'clock in the evening, but it could not be considered absolutely correct. However, no matter how you say it, since the time of the murder by Lake Sagami was between nine o'clock and twelve o'clock at night, Mineoka Monday cannot be included in the list of suspects. Superintendent Mihara is going to give up this clue. However, he was still unwilling to give up.One of the reasons is that no other suspicious suspects have been found so far.

Mihara thought about it for a while, and felt that he should meet Mineoka Zhou Yi in person.It is certainly possible to send other spies to meet him, but it is better to go by yourself. Superintendent Mihara left the Metropolitan Police Department and stopped a commercial vehicle. where to go Kanda Siming 12341.That's the Aurora Transportation Company! Yes, the Aurora is there.Close to the YMCA neighborhood. Sure enough, it is in this line of work.The driver knows it all too well. two Aurora Transportation's offices have a wide parking lot with a long garage next to it.The office building is three stories high and has a grand appearance.

After Sanyuan Ji handed over his business card, the person in the communication office immediately invited him to sit in the living room very politely.The title on the business card was the Metropolitan Police Department's First Search Division, and people from the transportation company had always been scruples about the Metropolitan Police Department. The living room is very large, and there are many photos hanging on the walls, including sightseeing coaches, commercial buses, models of long-distance commercial buses, and so on. After a while, a slightly fat gentleman in his thirties appeared.

He held Mihara Kiichi's business card in his hand. You are here, I am Mineoka.He bowed deeply. My surname is Mihara. The two saluted again. The managing director, Mineoka, is a very kind businessman. Our company has always accepted the care of the Police Department, thank you very much.Mineoka said with a smile. In fact, the traffic business has always belonged to the traffic section, and has nothing to do with Mihara, who specializes in homicide cases.Mihara couldn't help but smile wryly when he heard this, he didn't come to talk about crimes committed by commercial car drivers. I came to visit today because of some special troubles.Mihara wanted to bring the conversation back to the main topic at once. What's the matter? The female clerk came in and set down black tea and snacks in front of Mihara. I have something to ask you!Mihara waited until the female clerk came back before continuing. From the standpoint of investigating crimes, we must ask the assistance of citizens.Now I'm asking Mineoka-san to help. As long as I can do my best, Mineoka said with a smile, I will do my best.Moreover, as businessmen, we have always brought a lot of trouble to the Metropolitan Police Department. If we take this opportunity to repay, wouldn't it be better. Then I'm relieved.As for this matter, I don't say that you may not know it. I am currently in charge of investigating the murder case in Lake Sagami, which is the murder of Mr. Doi Takeo as you know.This case is handled by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Department, but the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is also cooperating with the investigation, and I am the person in charge. That's hard work for you. It's really sad that this happened to Mr. Doi.Mineoka said seriously on Monday.He was a good man, he founded a professional newspaper, he took great pains, and he was kind and decent. Therefore, the Metropolitan Police Department hopes to solve the case as soon as possible.But, frankly speaking, it's a pity that I don't even have a clue yet. We read in the newspaper that Mr. Doi went to Lake Sagami with a woman, and this woman was a little special. No, the woman's whereabouts are still unknown, so we plan to change the search method.Sincerely start from scratch. please wait a while.Mineoka said on Monday, this is your case secret, is it necessary to tell people like us? No, since you are asked for help, I have no choice but to tell you the secret.I want you to keep it a secret. good!I see. Then, I would like to ask you about your relationship with Mr. Doi during his lifetime. I think you have no objection.There was a slight smile in the corner of Mihara Kiichi's eyes. In other words, you want me to try to make sure that I was not at the scene of the murder.A wry smile appeared on Mineoka Monday's face. Of course, Mr. Mineoka will not be there.It's just that the police are investigating every friend of Mr. Doi's life. If you are excluded, others will criticize us as unfair.Investigate only them, not others. I know this well.The parties must always be careful.So please don't worry.Oh, by the way, a spy has come to me in the past and questioned me. Sorry to bother you, Mihara bowed to pay his respects.I have heard his report.You took a Japan Airlines flight from Haneda Airport to Fukuoka at 3:00 pm on February 6th. No, I told that Mr. Spy. Then, you go to Moji's Wanukari Shrine for an overnight ritual. Yes, yes.Fukuoka nodded. Then, at about eight o'clock in the morning on the 7th, I arrived at the Daikichi Hotel in Xiaokura, and went to sleep and rest. good. At that time, you received a telegram from Tokyo informing Mr. Doi of his death. Yes, I told that Mr. Spy. Speaking of which, I would like to ask Mr. Mineoka a question. Superintendent Mihara lit a cigarette and said: Who is the person who telegraphed you? Mineoka's eyes did not change, and he replied quietly: "It's our company's duty officer. He knew that I was going to stay in the hotel in Okura, so he telegraphed me as soon as he received the news of Mr. Doi's death." So he knows that you know Mr. Doi very well? yes.We often drink together.Therefore, the duty officer was taken aback when he read the news in the morning paper.Because the soil fertilizer is not ordinary to die, but to be killed. When Sanyuan Ji heard it, he felt it was natural.He remembered that he also saw the news in the newspaper.The morning newspaper was delivered at about 6:00 to 6:30, and if the telegram was sent to Xiaocang, it would arrive at 9:00, which would roughly coincide. Sagamiko's body was found just after twelve o'clock the night before, and the newspaper got the news about one o'clock in the morning on the 7th.So, still catch up with time, as the last news. I understand this!Mihara nodded.Mineoka-san is very familiar with the rituals of Moji and Nukarari Shrine? No, not familiar, Mineoka smiled brightly.I am somewhat fond of haiku, but the level is very low. Usually, in the complete collection of haiku, I see a lot of haiku with the theme of Wabu Kari Festival in winter.I heard that every year from the Lunar New Year's Eve to the first morning of the New Year, we have to go to the beach to harvest wakame and sacrifice to the gods, so I really want to open my eyes.Coincidentally, this time I had the opportunity to travel to Fukuoka on business, so I stopped by for sightseeing, departed one day earlier, and took a Japan Airlines plane at three o'clock in the afternoon. I heard that the ceremony of Hebu Kari Shrine has been very popular in recent years.You arrived at Fukuoka Airport by plane at 7:10 pm? Yes Yes. The plane doesn't have many passengers? No, it's full as soon as it leaves Tokyo, and there isn't even a single vacant seat. Yeah?From there to Moji? Take a business car from Banzui Airport to Hakata.When we arrived at the train station, it was seven forty.There was still plenty of time, so I had dinner on Hakata Street before boarding the train to Mojiko.Let me think about it.It was the slow train at twenty one forty-eight.It was 23:23 when we arrived at Mojiko Station. oh.Well, only half an hour until February 7th. Not really.Thirty-seven minutes until the Lunar New Year. three After getting off the bus, I took a commercial bus from Mojiko Station to Wabu Kari Shrine.Mineoka said openly on Monday.When I got there, I was surprised that there was already a sea of ​​people.Although it was midnight, I don't know how many sightseeing buses came! Is the ceremony very lively? Very solemn.The lights are all extinguished, and the priests hold torches aloft and go to the sea to cut vegetables, which is a bit mysterious.Mineoka half closed his eyes, recalling the situation at that time. Your long-cherished wish for many years will be fulfilled once.Sanyuan checked his words intentionally. Not really.I also took a camera and took pictures of the ceremony. What, did you take a picture?Mihara Ji was taken aback. Before visiting Mineoka, Mihara always felt that Mineoka could not be verified from the time he got off the plane in Fukuoka until he showed up at the Daikichi Hotel at eight o'clock the next morning.But now, isn't this strong evidence?Mihara felt that he was being suspicious. Do you still have this batch of photos?Mihara asked. Of course, I keep these photos properly as souvenirs.I have a photo album here, do you want to see it? Can you show me? Ok, Ok. Mineoka walked out of the living room on Monday, and in a blink of an eye came in with a large photo album under his arm. This is it.He handed it to Mihara Kiichi. Let me appreciate it. Mihara opened the first page and looked back, the photo of the ceremony was in the middle, the size of a postcard. It seems to be shot on the fastest film of the 3S, and the color tone is very good.Sure enough, as Mineoka said just now, the priests wore white girdles, walked into the sea, rolled up the corners of their clothes to their thighs, one with a sickle, one with a barrel, and one with a torch. There are five frames in this batch of photos, with different compositions.One is a close-up shot of the priest, one is the main hall around the shrine, and the other ones are tourists, pine trees, etc. Mihara Jiyi turned another page, and suddenly found that the content of the photos inside was completely different from the previous page. It is a large-scale rockery with waterfall-like springs hanging upside down. A twenty-two or three-year-old girl in a kimono is standing in front of the rockery with a smile. Who is this?Mihara asked. this!Mineoka scratched his head.When I was resting at the Daji Hotel, I still had a few films left, so I sold them as a favor and took some pictures for the hotel maids. I see!Quite beautiful!Mihara took another careful look. She is a very lively girl. After I returned to Tokyo, I sent her a few photos. That's what happens when you travel. Mihara Jiichi made a request to Mineoka: I want to borrow this photo book for two or three days. Mineoka was surprised on Monday. What's wrong with my photo book? It's not that I have any doubts about you, but I want to study these photos. Is that right, there is no other way, so I have to ask you to take it back.Mineoka nodded.The photos are bad, but there's nothing wrong with that. Sorry for the abrupt request.Mihara closed the photo album. In addition to the photos, I also wrote a few haikus to commemorate the rituals of the Nunukari Shrine. The level is very low and it is not worth seeing.Mineoka said with a smile on Monday, there was no sign of displeasure on his face. Mihara also smiled and said, it's best to borrow it to take a look. No, no, it's not time to publish yet. Mineoka-san has great taste!Our Metropolitan Police Department persuaded me to join the haiku group, but my level is very low and it is difficult to cope. This is wrong, as long as you do it, what are you afraid of if your level is high?The two laughed together. I have bothered you for a long time.Sanyuan Jiyi said.Finally, I would like to ask, you left the Daikichi Hotel in Kokura, did you go to Fukuoka right away? Yes.After I received the telegram, I found it impossible to stay at the hotel any longer.Immediately settled the bill and took the train to Fukuoka.I talked for an hour with the Daito company there, took the Asakaze train at 4:30 in the afternoon, and returned to Tokyo at 9:30 the next morning.Mineoka Monday answered in one breath. Oh, mentioning that telegram, Mihara said: There is a direct telephone line from Tokyo to Kokura, why did you send a telegram instead of hanging up?Mihara raised his own doubts. Is this the reason?Mineoka narrowed his eyes and replied, as if to consider the cost.The telegram's urgent telegram costs 20.88 yen, but the call fee between Kokura in Tokyo is 480 yen per call, which costs 1,000 yen twice.The difference between eighty-eight yuan and one thousand yuan is too big. It turns out that this explanation makes sense.Mihara Kiichi cleared this doubt. Mihara asked again, what is the name of the restaurant for lunch in Fukuoka.Mineoka replied pleasantly, the name is Chunmei near the station. Sanyuan Ji took the photo album back to the Metropolitan Police Department, and immediately called the forensic department. Please reprint all the photos above. The technician looked at it and asked, "How many copies do you need for each one?" Almost three. After finishing the matter, Mihara lit a cigarette and thought carefully, analyzing what Mineoka Monday said just now.Besides, he made another plan. The photo will probably be re-photographed tomorrow morning, and one copy will be sent to the Moji Police Station, and the other will be sent to Fukuoka Police Station Detective Tokai Shigetaro. This is because it may not be this year's photo of the festival with Nunukari Shrine.The situation of the festival is the same every year, and photos from last year can also be used.He suspects that Mineoka is forging. If the Moji Police Department investigates, it can be determined whether the photo is from this year or from last year.In the five frames of photos with Fukari, there should be people who only showed up this year. For the photo of Torikai Shigetaro, I added my own opinion, and I hope to cooperate, and the investigation is also carried out in Kyushu.