Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Hokkaido and Kyushu

one The next morning, when Mihara Kiichi entered the office, Section Chief Kasai of the Police Department had already arrived. Good morning, Mihara said hello, and the section chief who was looking at the documents also raised his head and said. morning.You wait a minute.Greet him with your hand.How about it, after a trip to Kyushu, the fatigue has recovered.The section chief asked while drinking tea. The tea bowl was as big as a sushi restaurant. After two nights of sleep, no fatigue at all.Mihara laughed. I was supposed to let you take a day off, but I'm busy with work, so I'm sorry.

That's okay. What will be done soon is the matter of Yasuda Tatsuro.The section chief got to the point right away.You sit there first. Yes, Mihara was sitting on the chair opposite the desk. I have investigated it, and it turns out that it has a deep relationship with the ×× department. Not bad as expected! The business is not astonishingly large, but he has a lot of contacts with Yoshio Ishida from the ×× department! Oh, Director Ishida? Mihara stared blankly at the section chief.Yoshio Ishida is the central member of the XX Department, the director of the XX Division who is currently under investigation for corruption.People in the ministry thought he was quick-witted and capable, but according to insider investigations, he had a lot to do with corruption.

It is said that the two are quite close, and this matter is worthy of reference. Not really.Mihara recalled Yasuda Tatsuro's demeanor that he met yesterday.This man, as soon as he met, knew that he was a capable guy.The face is full of kindness, and a pair of big eyes are turning from time to time, which is simply impeccable.He is very confident in his work, and seems to have a coercive power over others. When Mihara met yesterday, he felt that this person was very difficult to approach.That being the case, if you catch this person, you can expose Director Ishida's background. That being the case, what is the relationship between the dead Sayama and Yasuda?Mihara asked.

You have thought about this too.However, surprisingly, their relationship has not yet been judged.said the section chief. In name, Sayama is the alternate section chief of the ×× section, and he does have real power, so he should have contacts with Yasuda.However, according to the materials from the current investigation, they are nothing more than the relationship between official personnel and businessmen.There must be some secret collusion, which has not been revealed yet. Yeah?The section chief handed over the cigarettes, and Mihara took one. How about it, is it good to dig out from Yasuda again?Section Chief Kasai raised his head and asked.This is the expression he must have when he encounters important matters.

It seems necessary.Give it a try.Mihara looked at the section chief's shining eyes and said. Regarding the question of whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement, the section chief suddenly mentioned yesterday's words, obviously attaching great importance to this evidence. I think it was deliberately arranged.Seize those four minutes on purpose.Chances are very little. You said yesterday that if it was arranged on purpose, if you trace it down, you will find out his purpose. Yes, that's what I said. You also said that Zuo Shan and Ah Shi went to other places to die in love, why did Yasuda arrange witnesses other than himself?And why should it be arranged to see the opposite platform naturally?

Yes, I think so. Great, I feel the same way.The chief totally agrees.Just do what you suspect. Mihara put out the cigarette butt on the cigarette dish, lowered his head slightly, and said: Got it, I will try my best. However, the section chief still needs to ask carefully, where do you start?Asked as if nothing had happened, in fact, there was a look of concern on his face. First investigate his actions on January 19th, 20th, and 21st. After Mihara said that, the section chief rolled his eyes and calculated. Nineteenth, twenty-first, twenty-first.On the morning of the 21st, Qingsi's body was found in Xiangshii. You are going to investigate for two more days.The distance between Tokyo and Kyushu is exactly two days.

correct.According to this calculation, No. 22 should also be investigated. How long is the express train from Tokyo to Hakata? About twenty hours.If it is an express train, it will take seventeen hours and twenty-five minutes.Chaofeng is the special express train. Yeah?Count every time you go and come.It is necessary to check the events of forty hours before and after.The section chief held the cigarette between his fingers, feeling the cigarette butt with his index finger while thinking. two Mihara came back to the living room where he visited yesterday.The girl who came in with the tea said that the boss is listening to the phone, please wait a moment, and sure enough, Yasuda Tatsuro didn't come out for a long time.Mihara stared absently at the still life oil painting on the wall.I thought to myself, the business phone call is really too long.

Ah, I kept you waiting.Yasuda Tatsuro came in with a smile on his face.Same as yesterday, Mihara felt that his attitude was a little bit of pressure. You are busy, very disturbing, Mihara leaned forward and said. where, where.It happened that I was on the phone, so I kept you waiting for a long time.There was a smile in the corner of An Tian's eyes, and he said leisurely. You are so busy. fine.The call I made just now was not to discuss business, but to talk to Kamakura's family. Oh, it's talking to Mrs. Zun.Mihara remembered that it was mentioned yesterday that Yasuda's wife was recuperating in Kamakura.

No, it's the person who takes care of his wife.My wife was not in good health, and I couldn't go to Kamakura every day, so I asked her about her condition on the phone.Anda was still smiling. You are working too hard. thanks. However, Mr. Yasuda.I came here today to inquire about something.Mihara tried his best to speak as nonchalantly as possible. Yeah, what's the matter?There was no anxiety on An Tian's expression. It's been a while.From January 20th to 22nd this year, were you in Tokyo?This question is asked for reference only. As soon as Mihara said this, Yasuda laughed out loud.

Ah, is it that I have been suspected of something? where.Not saying that, just for reference. For Mihara's words, try to avoid Yasuda and Sayama's love death.When Yasuda heard the three-day date from the 20th to the 22nd, there was still no reaction on his face. Look, January 20th.Yasuda squinted his eyes and flipped through the notebook page by page. There it was, that day he went on a business trip to Hokkaido. Ah, Hokkaido? Futaba Trading Company in Sapporo City was negotiating a big deal with me.I went there and only stayed in Hokkaido for two days, and returned to Tokyo on the 25th.Yasuda said while looking at the notebook.

Hokkaido.Mihara stared straight at both eyes.Hokkaido and Kyushu are not exactly opposite directions. Want me to go into details?Yasuda looked at Mihara and said, the corners of his eyes wrinkled as he laughed. OK, please tell me.No matter what, Mihara also took out the notebook and pencil. On the 20th, take the express train at 19:15 and leave Ueno Station.This train is Towada. Let me ask you a question.Is this trip alone? one person.On official business trips, I have been almost always alone for many years. Understood.Please go ahead. Arrived in Aomori at 9:9 the next morning.I was catching up with the ferry from Aomori to Hakodate that departed at 9:50, and crossed the sea by boat.Yasuda said while carefully reading the words on the notebook. The ferry arrived in Hakodate at 14:20.From there, I took the express train bound for Nemuro.I drove at 14:50 and arrived in Sapporo at 20:34.Mr. Kasai from Futaba Company greeted me at the station, and he took me to the Marumo Hotel in the city to stay.That was on the night of the 21st.They were there on the 22nd and 23rd, left Hokkaido on the 24th, and returned to Tokyo on the 25th. Write Mihara one by one in the notebook. How about it, is it useful?Yasuda put down the notebook, still said with a smile. Got it completely, thanks a lot.When Mihara answered, he especially smiled. Your job isn't fun.Investigate everything.Although the words were spoken calmly, Sanyuan's ears were somewhat harsh. Please don't think so badly.We also often receive comfort and praise from all sides. No, I don't mean that.If you have any more questions, please feel free to stop by. Bother you.When Mihara was about to leave, Yasuda sent him to the door.He still looked as if nothing had happened, showing no signs of uneasiness. Before returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Mihara went to the tea shop in Yurakucho, where he often went, and ordered a cup of coffee. While looking at the notebook, he compiled a form on white paper with what Yasuda said. January 20th.one nine.One five from Ueno (take the Towada train). Twenty-one, nine.Zero nine to Aomori, nine.Five zero from Aomori (by ferry), one four.20 to Hakodate. one four.Leave Hakodate at 50 (by express train), 20.Three or four to Sapporo (someone will greet you at the station). On the twenty-first day (living in the Marumono Hotel) on the twenty-fourth day.Return on the 24th and arrive in Tokyo on the 25th. Mihara was studying the form; the coffee girl looked over from the paper and asked: Hello, Mr. Mihara, do you want to travel to Hokkaido? Well, think so!Mihara smiled bitterly. how nice.I just came back from Kyushu, and I'm going to Hokkaido again.From the west to the north, I can really fly.It's too enviable to say. Not really.The stage of this incident unexpectedly involved both ends of Japan. Back in the hall, Mihara reported the process in front of Section Chief Kasai, explaining Yasuda's words and the form he drew. Well, well, that's it.The section chief looked at the form eagerly. but.It was an amazing accident to go to Hokkaido.Isn't it the opposite of the position of Kyushu? No, what a surprise.Mihara really thought so. Are these words true?The section chief said while holding his cheek. Yasuda is very shrewd and careful.It looks like you won't lie to your face, I think it's true. However, it is also worth checking his words. Yeah, should check.Let the Sapporo Police Department investigate the people from the Futaba Company who greeted Yasuda at the station, and investigate the hotel. OK, let's do it. Mihara was about to stand up from the chair, but the section chief stopped him quickly.Also, what about Yasuda's family? ah.There is a wife, but because of a lung disease, they are separated in Kamakura for recuperation. correct!I talked about it yesterday.You said, is it because he often goes to Kamakura that he discovered the four-minute gap? Yes.When I went today, he was making a long-distance call to inquire about his wife's condition. Yeah?Where does she live alone? She lives alone in Asagaya, but is accompanied by two maids.This is the situation from Mihara's investigation. After telling the story, the section chief thought about it for a while and didn't say anything more. Mihara sent a long telegram to the Sapporo Central Police Station.A call back will probably not arrive until tomorrow or even the day after tomorrow.He didn't expect much from a call back.Because Yasuda would never tell a lie easily, he is not the kind of person who gives people an opportunity to take advantage of. Mihara felt bored, maybe somewhere in his heart was still somewhat waiting for the call back.As a result, I feel unspeakably anxious. Suddenly, a thought came up, maybe this kind of psychology is at work. There is a vague question in my heart: Is Yasuda's wife really recuperating in Kamakura? Yasuda's wife probably won't have anything to do with this incident.However, ever since he discovered the four-minute problem, Mihara has been thinking about it in his heart.Yasuda found those four minutes. Could it be that he often went to Kamakura to visit his so-called wife?Could that person not be his wife, but someone else?Yasuda claimed to have traveled to Hokkaido, he must have proper evidence.Moreover, even with circumstantial evidence to prove it, it seems that he is also sure.However, he said that his wife was sick and bedridden. How could I trust him as soon as I heard this.The more mundane and credible things are, the easier it is to cause illusions.Judging by the way he spoke, there is still room for research here. Danger, danger!Mihara talked to himself, reminding himself. Looking at the section chief's desk, I don't know where he was lost, and there was no one there.Mihara wrote the word Kamakura on the pad, put it on the section chief's desk, and left the police station.Now go to Kamakura, and it will be dark when we come back. I bought a batch of fruit at the famous store street at Tokyo Station.In case of necessity, it can be used as a gift for visiting the sick. When you get to platform 13, take the train that stops next to the platform.Looking at it now, since there are still cars next to platform 14, platform 15 cannot be seen at all. It's really careful to find a gap of four minutes.Mihara thought about it again.It is still said that this is not accidental, but arranged by Yasuda. Yasuda must have found this time after detailed investigation.Only then did the waitresses from Xiaoxue Restaurant be brought here and let them become witnesses.It seemed that he thought it necessary to have a third witness.This is Mihara's intuition. The car moved.During the hour's journey to Kamakura, many things were on his mind.Yasuda's action must be something, what is it for?Didn't the pair of men and women who committed suicide die of love?Since it was a death in love, why did you arrange for witnesses?It is difficult to make clear the intention of this action. Moreover, the time when Sayama and Ah Shiqing died was from the night of the 20th to the 21st, when Yasuda Tatsuro was heading to Hokkaido.Kyushu and Hokkaido, these two places cannot be connected. At Kamakura Station, Mihara changed to a train bound for Enoshima.The primary school students traveling together are like a group of little swallows in the car, chirping non-stop. He got off at Kek Lok Si Station.Although I don't know the house number, there are very few houses in this place. As long as there are such houses, you can find them as soon as you inquire. Mihara went to the local police station, identified himself to the young policeman, and immediately asked if there was a family named Yasuda here. Is it the family whose hostess is sick and is recuperating in bed?asked the policeman.Hearing these words, Mihara seemed to have lost the battle.Could it be that it is really not bad?It seems that Yasuda is not lying. They come, the security.Mihara carried the visiting fruit basket and walked in the direction indicated. The place is quiet.There are also several thatched houses.There are mountains on one side, and on the other side, looking out from the roof, is the blue sea.