Chapter 132 - Name and Reality 55 {83 Solo} (194-196 Toward Oshima's Arrest at Keiyo Hospital)
Arriving in Sapporo just before 7:00 PM, the three first headed to Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters. There, they joined Kimata and Mori, who had arrived earlier, and entered a meeting with Gojou, the Criminal Investigation Director at HQ; Baba, the Section 1 Head; Omine, the Team Leader of the First Murder Investigation Unit, Second Violent Crimes Division; and Todoroki, the Senior Staff.
"To be honest, this sudden turn of events has us a bit bewildered. The target is a sitting member of the Diet, and it's Oshima of all people, so things are likely to get complicated..."
Gojou expressed his frank impressions. Baba and the other members from HQ nodded in silence.
"However, since Assistant Section Chief Nishida has suspected Oshima's involvement for seven years, we have no choice but to leave it to him."
At Kimata's words, Baba also added,
"Well, our information is limited, so I suppose that's how it has to be. But if anything goes wrong, the sparks will fly our way..."
He glanced at Nishida, speaking in a tone that clearly suggested he felt dragged into something troublesome.
Nishida didn't entirely fail to understand this sentiment. Regarding the Kyoritsu Hospital shooting incident, there was at least an objective basis for suspecting Oshima's involvement: the long-term use of his office rooms to harbor the criminals and the established master-servant relationship between Oshima and Nakagawa. Normally, an indictment should be perfectly possible. However, precisely because of who the opponent was, Nishida hadn't been without anxiety regarding interference through political power. Now, having been moved by the administration's own intervention and even having the arrest date unilaterally dictated, even Nishida felt a sense of being "arbitrarily dragged into a mess," albeit from the opposite perspective.
"Nishida-san, you believe we can make this stick, right?"
Omine asked probingly, to which Nishida replied,
"Regarding the Kyoritsu Hospital incident, I believe we can manage somehow. But personally... I want to find a way to build a case for the murder of Sada Minoru fifteen years ago, and that might be considerably more difficult."
"The case involving that Motohashi fellow?"
"Yes."
Nishida answered Gojou's question briefly.
"That's as it may be! Regarding the hospital incident alone, we have instructions from the NPA, so we must bring it to indictment. As far as the prestige of the Hokkaido Police is concerned, we cannot yield on that. I don't know how the interrogation will go, but I can take it that we're fine?"
Despite Nishida currently having no leadership over the arrest itself, Baba's words were almost threatening. Nishida felt compelled to state firmly,
"That will also depend on the judgment of the prosecutor in charge, but I believe we'll be fine," while including a subtle caveat.
Afterward, Nishida discussed the details of the investigation policy starting the next day with the members other than Gojou. The meeting ended past 10:30 PM, and Nishida returned home by taxi for the first time in a long while. His wife, Yuka, greeted him, but she looked a bit older than he remembered—perhaps it wasn't just his own exhaustion. That said, Yuka landed the first blow, saying to Nishida,
"Dear, you've really aged quite a bit. I suppose it's because of all the trouble you're going through."
Thinking it would be childish to argue back, he simply said, "Yeah, maybe so..." and took off his jacket and dress shirt.
"Where's Mika?"
When he asked about his daughter's situation,
"She's in her room, but she'll be out soon to take a bath," she said bluntly. Considering her age, he knew from his phone conversations with Yuka that there were various issues, and it seemed that was the case today as well. However, unless it was vital, Nishida didn't have the luxury to worry about domestic matters of this level right now.
"Then I'll go in first," he announced, slinging a towel over his shoulder and heading for the bathroom.
Tuesday, September 17th. The weather in Sapporo had been poor since morning, with rain starting and stopping. Nishida and the others had gathered in the meeting room of the Criminal Investigation Department's Section 1 at the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters, located near the Hokkaido Prefectural Office in Chuo-ku.
While closely exchanging information with Yoshimura and the others dispatched to Tokyo, they planned to head to the Kotoni Detention Center after Oshima was taken into custody. Meanwhile, Yoshimura's group was on standby at the Yotsuya Station until around 11:00 AM. Apparently, the weather in Tokyo was similar to Sapporo's.
However, Nishida needed to have a "separate" consultation with Yoshimura, and being confined in a cramped room was hardly an ideal situation. The same applied to Yoshimura in Tokyo.
Television reports had been in a special broadcast mode since Prime Minister Takamatsu departed from Haneda for North Korea just before 7:00 AM, and Nishida and the others watched the TV when they were free.
For now, everything was proceeding as planned: they would arrest Oshima at Keiyo University Hospital shortly after 11:30 AM and, for the sake of form, lead him away without handcuffs, similar to a voluntary accompaniment. As expected, they were being cautious because he was a high-profile politician. Normally, this would be an impossible way of doing things, but the fact that he was unlikely to flee was a major factor.
Judging the timing to be right, Nishida left the meeting room and contacted Yoshimura by phone. Since they weren't receiving information from Tokyo, there was a high probability the other party was free. As expected, Yoshimura answered immediately and moved to a less crowded area.
"Things are proceeding as we planned beforehand. It's a hassle to keep calling back, so Yoshimura, find the right timing and contact Igarashi-san directly."
"I think that's for the best," his subordinate obeyed readily.
"Then, let's save the direct talk for when you return to Sapporo. Good luck!"
"Understood. See you later."
In contrast to Nishida, who sounded internally elated despite speaking quietly, Yoshimura seemed far calmer than usual. Perhaps the tension before arresting a major politician had affected him in a different way than Nishida. After finishing the conversation, Nishida returned to the meeting room and stared at the television.
Shortly after 11:00 AM, Yoshimura and his team, along with two supporting investigators from Yotsuya Station for driving and other tasks, plus Section Chief Arita of the Criminal Planning Division and Director Hoshino of the Information Support Office from the NPA, were heading to Keiyo Hospital in a total of three cars.
The two "bigwigs" from the NPA had already been participating as advisors for the arrest since yesterday and were accompanying them this time as well. After all, with the unprecedented arrest of a Diet member by the police on suspicion of murder, they couldn't leave it to the subordinates and were ensuring a foolproof setup. It was said that several plainclothes officers were also stationed at Haneda Airport to guard him until he boarded the aircraft.
Yoshimura and the others were in a white minivan, while Arita and Hoshino were in their respective black official cars. They arrived at Keiyo University Hospital in no time, parked in the underground staff parking lot behind the hospital, and took the staff elevator up to the 10th floor of the ward where Oshima's private room was located.
Kusaka was carrying the arrest warrant, but Yoshimura told the other members he was going to the restroom and, after getting their leave, made his second contact of the day with Igarashi.
"Hello, this is Yoshimura. I've just entered Keiyo Hospital. I think we can make the arrest at 11:30 as planned. The car is a white Estima; I'll give you the plate number now, so please take it down. The number is... I intend to send an email just before we leave the hospital, probably right before we get into the car. I won't be able to call then. But depending on the situation, even an email might be tricky... After 11:30, be ready for us to come out at any time."
"Understood. I'll send an email from my side later, but please give my regards to Nishida-san when you get back to Sapporo. Due to circumstances, this might be my last contact for today."
When Igarashi replied, Yoshimura suddenly changed the subject to what he had been worried about all along.
"By the way, the photographer is a professional, right? There's only one chance, so if you miss it, that's it."
"Of course! He's a proper photographer from our office. I've got people stationed right in front of the staff parking exit and on both sides of the road after the turn, so they can get the shot no matter which way you go."
Igarashi seemed a bit piqued as he flatly rejected Yoshimura's concerns.
"Sorry. I understand. That's fine then. Since I'm taking my own risks here, I just want to make sure it succeeds. However, as you probably know, the rear seats have tinted windows, so the photographers on the sidewalks might be wasted."
"Naturally, I've accounted for that... Anyway, I appreciate the concern, and we'll make sure to nail it."
Igarashi spoke with confidence this time.
"Then, if there's room, I'll contact you later. If not, this is the last time. Good luck."
"Yeah. Let's both pray for success."
After confirming the call was disconnected, Yoshimura hurried out of the restroom and returned to Kusaka and the others.
"Hey, what are you doing! You're late!"
He was scolded by Kusaka as soon as he returned, but he had no reason to argue back.
"Sorry, sorry. My stomach's been acting up from the nerves."
As he said this, he ostentatiously rubbed his belly.
"Well, I'm nervous too, so I guess it can't be helped... Anyway, the doctor in charge and the Director are currently in Oshima's room explaining the situation. As soon as they're back, we're going in to show the warrant."
Having been briefed on the situation, he looked at the other "participants." The two dispatched from the Hokkaido Police HQ and the two supporting from Yotsuya Station all looked somewhat restless.
However, as expected, the two elites from the NPA were chatting quite calmly. Even though the opponent was a major politician, they didn't seem particularly strained. That said, both Yoshimura and Kusaka found it strange that they were more relaxed than they had expected. It might have been because the feeling that there was no point in fussing now was stronger than the tension, but they couldn't clearly explain the reason.
While they were waiting, they saw a figure who looked like an elderly doctor in a white coat walking toward them. Both of their faces were clearly grim. Kusaka whispered to Yoshimura,
"The one on the right is Director Sakuma. The one on the left is the doctor in charge, Morozumi."
Yoshimura muttered to himself, "So that's the corrupt Director."
"I've just explained things to Oshima-sensei and his secretary, but the secretary berated me, and Oshima-sensei made sarcastic remarks about the past... It's a thankless role... I'd like to be excused from this kind of thing in the future!"
Sakuma explained to Arita with a sigh, as if it were someone else's problem. However, Yoshimura could only think "give me a break" at the fact that he showed no sign of remorse for having sheltered such people until now... Still, with the recent weekly magazine scandal, the hospital's personnel were likely to change, and Sakuma might have been frustrated by that.
"Then, may we go to the room immediately?"
"Yes, feel free. However, please be discreet when taking Oshima-sensei out. Morozumi-kun will lead you to the parking lot."
Sakuma approached Arita, who had spoken, and emphasized this.
"I understand. Then, Morozumi-sensei, if you please."
After saying that, Arita signaled to the other investigators and, along with Hoshino, followed Morozumi toward Oshima's hospital room.
Entering the private room at the very end of the corridor with Morozumi in the lead, Yoshimura felt it was a quite spacious room, exactly the kind of secret room a major politician would flee to. Oshima was already wearing a gown and sitting in a chair rather than on the bed. He was accompanied by three secretaries: one who looked the most senior, around 50, and two others who looked to be in their 40s and 30s.
Despite the report of a cerebral infarction, his complexion was good, and he didn't seem to be showing any particular symptoms. And there was the face of the old man with sharp eyes often seen on television. At the same time, everyone must have felt a sense of pressure—though it might be too abstract to call it the "aura of a major politician."
When Morozumi told Oshima, "These are the people from the police," Oshima replied,
"I can see that just by looking!" showing not a shred of intent to hide his displeasure.
In response, Arita took a humble stance to try and appease Oshima.
"Oshima-sensei! I am very sorry, but we would like you to accompany us to Sapporo today."
"Aren't you being a bit rude? Oshima-sensei is ill, you know?"
The secretary who seemed the most senior in the room spoke up with a cautionary tone.
"We are aware, but we were informed that he has passed the worst of his condition."
Arita answered with the reason for the arrest in a transparently polite manner and commanded briefly,
"Detective Kusaka, present the warrant."
Kusaka stepped forward.
"Residing in Chuo-ku, Tokyo... born May 20th, Taisho 4, Tadokoro Yasuo-'san', I am 'permitted' to arrest you on suspicion of the murder of three people at Kitami Kyoritsu Hospital on November 11, Heisei 7."
Because the opponent was a major politician, the phrasing became strange, and Yoshimura almost burst out laughing, but he fully understood how Kusaka felt speaking that way. Furthermore, after the reading of the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney was finished, the most senior-looking secretary barked at the detectives,
"You people, how dare you say something as ridiculous as Oshima-sensei committing murder. This won't end here!"
He spoke as if to intimidate them, but saying such things now was meaningless.
"This must be that Takamatsu fellow's idea, this kind of tactic! It's just like that youngster to stir up conflict within the party."
Oshima spoke as if it were loathsome and stood up straight from his chair. To Oshima, even Prime Minister Takamatsu was a "youngster," which vividly illustrated the age structure of the political world.
Even if Oshima Kaiji, alias Tadokoro Yasuo, was not the cousin he impersonated, "Kuwano Kinya," but "Onodera Michitoshi," he was well over 80 years old. Yet, for his age, he was quite tall when he stood up, appearing to be over 175 cm.
According to the stories Isaka Masamitsu had heard from his father, Daikichi, and the elderly Amai in Miyako, who was a junior in the old-system middle school, Kuwano Kinya himself had been tall, but his cousin Onodera Michitoshi was also quite tall considering the historical background.