Chapter 39 - Light and Shadow 18 (105–108: Takeshita's Tactics)
"Hello?"
"Igarashi-san, it's Takeshita."
The person on the other end was Igarashi, a reporter for the Doho and a senior from his university circle.
"Oh, what's up? If you're calling me, you must have some kind of business, but I paid back my debt the other day, didn't I?"
"No, you did pay it back, but this time I have a genuine favor to ask from my side."
"Then I refuse! I'm busy over here!"
Even through the mobile phone, Igarashi radiated an aura of wanting nothing to do with it.
"I know that. However, what if I told you I have a massive scoop?"
"A massive scoop?"
Igarashi bit directly onto Takeshita's hook. Of course, while it was a hook, he intended to provide proper bait rather than a deception.
"You know the Sada Minoru murder case we're currently chasing, right?"
"Yeah, it's barely been reported, but it seems you guys are indeed investigating it."
"Well, I have a huge scoop regarding that."
"It really is a big scoop, isn't it?"
Igarashi made no attempt to hide his suspicion at the affected tone.
"Of course. However, on our end, it would be a problem if you put it out before the evening edition immediately following the day after tomorrow's early afternoon—when the police announcement will likely be. If you do that, it'll become a matter of my credibility. Since only a very small part of the Hokkaido Prefectural Police is moving on this, the source would be identified to some extent, and Headquarters wouldn't stay silent."
"Then there's no point, is there? There's no merit in it for us."
Igarashi's argument was reasonable. Indeed, it would cease to be a scoop in the absolute sense.
"No, considering the timing of the press conference, articles based on it probably won't make it into that day's evening edition. That's why I want to provide the information just before the police conference, at a time when your side can still make the evening edition. Other newspapers won't make it in time. Well, I could tell you now, but you might jump the gun, right, Igarashi-san?"
It wasn't that Takeshita didn't trust Igarashi, but he felt the need to take out an insurance policy.
"Hey now, I'm not trusted at all... Still, if someone as cautious as you says it's a massive scoop, there's no doubt it's a significant case... So, what's Takeshita's demand?"
As expected, Igarashi took the gamble.
"I want you to look into the background of a reporter named 'Shiino Satoshi' in the Social Affairs Department of the Tozai Shinbun's Osaka Headquarters."
"Huh? You want me to investigate a Tozai Shinbun reporter? ...And an Osaka guy at that! We do have an Osaka branch, but I wonder... How do you write the name?"
At Igarashi's request, he taught him the name character by character.
"And I have to look this up by... the day after tomorrow, based on what you said? That might be quite tough. It would be fine if I could find an acquaintance immediately, but it might not go that way... Anyway, why are you looking into him?"
At this point, it seemed to Takeshita that Igarashi was showing signs of hesitation. In fact, considering the number of days, it might be a difficult timeframe if they couldn't find a starting point.
"I can't give you the details, but it relates to the Sada case. In any case, if you can look it up by noon the day after tomorrow..."
"Noon is tough for the evening edition, you know? We have to write the article from there, layout the front page or whatever, and print it. Do you really understand what you're saying?"
Igarashi was clearly dissatisfied.
"Don't worry about that. I'll write the outline of the article itself and fax it to you! If you're a pro in the news business, you should be able to whip up an article from that in no time."
Takeshita spoke with overflowing confidence.
"Ho... Well, even if you're not a pro, given the writing skills I know you have, it'll be at a level where the person in charge won't have to do much editing to make it an article. Anyway, I'll have to consult with the Desk for the final decision, but I think I have a fair amount of trust from the Desk, and I have a track record of producing several scoops. I don't think it'll be that hard for me to persuade them. Of course, normally I'd want more specific content... The problem is still whether we can wash this Shiino guy in this amount of time. I'll probably have to mobilize the full network of everyone in our Social Affairs Department... It's also tough that tomorrow is Health and Sports Day (T/N: At the time, it was fixed on October 10th) and a holiday."
Igarashi seemed to be focusing entirely on what was to come. Takeshita waited for a while so as not to disturb him, then said with emphasis:
"I'm counting on you."
"Well, don't get your hopes up too high. I certainly want the scoop, though... Anyway, once I get permission from the Desk, I'll call you again. See ya."
With that, Igarashi hung up. Having heard that, Takeshita decided to wait for the other members to return in the Section Chief's office of the Violent Crimes Unit.
"Umeda and the Hakozaki Faction are connected. The problem is who this Shiino is, the one Umeda introduced. Moreover, that Shiino is involved in Motohashi's sudden confession. There's definitely something going on!"
Takeshita muttered to himself as he sat on the sofa, as if praying.
It didn't take very long for Nishida and the others to return from the detention house, perhaps because it was nearby. However, the expressions they wore upon their return were a study in contrasts between the Hokkaido side and the Prefectural Police side. For the Hokkaido police, there were only new harvests, but for the Prefectural Police side, they remained "unable to corner him" just as before. Furthermore, with the need to transfer him to the Hokkaido side arising, the administrative procedures for the Prefectural Police and the Osaka Detention House would only increase. Takeshita didn't exchange words on the spot, but he gave a small nod to Hiramatsu as a substitute for thanks. Hiramatsu only responded by raising his hand slightly.
Afterward, they moved to a meeting room, where the organization and analysis of the information obtained from Motohashi's interrogation proceeded. Judging from the fact that both Kurano and Nishida had obtained confessions of information that could not have been known unless the person was at the scene on the day of the murder—in other words, several "disclosures of secrets"—they determined that his involvement in the case was certain. Beyond that, they declared that if the analysis of the outer components of the bullets matched, they could build a case against him as the primary perpetrator of the murder. The problem for both the Prefectural Police and the Hokkaido police was to determine the route of the request to Motohashi and the transfer of rewards, but they agreed that the possibility of Motohashi talking about this was low—no, almost non-existent.
Meanwhile, Takeshita mentioned the possibility, based on Motohashi's statement, that the request to kill Motohashi might not necessarily have been made by Isaka Daikichi. On this point, opinions were divided even within the Hokkaido police. While Kurano questioned whether Motohashi himself clearly distinguished between the requester and the instructor, even if he only referred to Isaka as the person who "instructed" him, Nishida stated that Takeshita's theory was a possibility.
However, Kurano did not completely reject Takeshita's idea; he merely meant that the probability was low, and it wasn't as if a clear state of conflict had developed. Kurano was a "superior" who had shown a certain level of consideration for his subordinates even during the joint investigation headquarters with the Kitami Regional Headquarters, and he naturally followed that line this time as well.
Just as the meeting seemed to be winding down, Shibata from Forensics and Kasaya, the Section Chief of the Forensics Division of the Prefectural Police, entered the room. It seemed the analysis was complete.
"How is it? Did they match?"
Kurano asked Shibata the moment he entered.
"Yes. They matched perfectly. There's no doubt that Motohashi's handgun was used in the Sada murder."
Upon hearing Shibata's answer, although the conclusion had been somewhat foreseeable, the atmosphere in the entire meeting room changed. It didn't take long for that restless air to return to normal, but as if judging the boundary, Kasaya spoke up.
"The handgun Motohashi used in previous cases was a modified Tokarev, and the bullets weren't Tokarev rounds but German Mauser rounds. Since they matched the jacket (outer) components of the Mauser rounds used until now, it's basically checkmate."
Judging by his tone, there was a sense of meaning beyond just "matching."
"Then, I guess all that's left is to contact the relevant parties..."
When Sugai, the Section Chief of Investigation Cooperation for the Prefectural Police, spoke to Tamaru, the Section Chief of Investigation Cooperation for the Hokkaido police, the latter responded pleasantly:
"Yes, after this, it's primarily our turn to move."
Kurano, who had been listening in silence, said as if psyching himself up:
"Well then, I have another investigation to handle, so I'll be returning to Hokkaido on a night flight. Shibata, you're coming back with me!"
"Eh? You're leaving already? Do you have another case you're handling?"
Hiramatsu asked with a surprised look.
"Yes... You might know from the news, but there was a serial rape-murder near Kitami in August, right? That's the one. Interrogations are progressing, but we haven't indicted him yet."
Kurano flashed a wry smile.
"Right, right! I see, you were involved in that, Kurano-san. That must be tough..."
Even if the Prefectural Police Section Chief was technically higher in rank, Hiramatsu couldn't help but feel a sense of sympathy, perhaps because it hit close to home. Shibata, watching this exchange, remarked with his usual bluntness:
"Man, I didn't even have time to properly enjoy Osaka..."
In response, Kurano issued a "cold-blooded" instruction to Shibata, as if he hadn't heard a word:
"I'll stay in Sapporo after arriving from New Chitose, report to Director Toyama, and then return to Kitami. You stay one night in Sapporo as well, then take the Okhotsk (Limited Express Okhotsk) from the morning with the results and return to Kitami. If you want, I could have you return to Kitami on the overnight Okhotsk without stopping in Sapporo, but that would be pitiful."
Then he turned the conversation to Tamaru, the Section Chief of Investigation Cooperation.
"By the way, what will you do, Section Chief Tamaru?"
"Section Chief Kurano, I think it's impossible for me to make it back today. I'll probably return on the first flight tomorrow morning and give a detailed report. I'll have to report by phone tonight, though. Either way, I'll have to come right back here with the higher-ups soon."
Tamaru already looked busy as he opened his organizer.
"Then, Tamaru-san, shall we talk at our place?"
Sugai suggested to Tamaru that they have their meeting at his Investigation Cooperation Division, and the two left the room first. Shibata and Kasaya from the Prefectural Police Forensics also returned to the Forensics Division once.
Hiramatsu, who had been watching each interaction in silence, gave instructions to Murono and Hatayama:
"I have something to discuss with the Hokkaido police, so you two can head back."
The two received the order and left first.
"Hiramatsu-san, was there something?"
Kurano asked.
"No, it's nothing major, but I wanted to hear your proper impressions regarding the matter Takeshita-kun went to ask about earlier."
"Oh, I see... Then should we leave?"
"No, it's better if you stay, isn't it? The Hokkaido police are the ones who will be investigating from now on."
After saying that calmly to Kurano, Hiramatsu immediately turned to Takeshita.
"So, how was it? Section Chief Yoshise's talk? It seems it was somewhat helpful?"
"It was a huge help! I heard about the lawyer's office and the yakuza, but more than that, it seems Motohashi still hasn't completely cut ties with the yakuza even now."
Takeshita loosened his tie slightly and spoke while looking directly at Hiramatsu.
"Umu... We know that too, but even when we try to step further into it, we can't quite catch the tail. Even the police don't have a complete grasp of the core information."
Hiramatsu's face turned serious.
"Anyway, I heard that Motohashi was originally a direct subordinate of the Boss of the Aoi-ikka and was a fairly influential executive-class member. Regarding this, I had already heard the details from you, Hiramatsu-san, but Yoshise-san also spoke about it in quite some detail."
Takeshita did not forget to show consideration for Hiramatsu.
"He was excommunicated, but since his connection with the Boss is strong, the consensus between us and Division 4 is that it was just for show. When it involves the Boss, the yakuza naturally become tight-lipped."
Hiramatsu restlessly tapped his fingertips on the armrest of his chair. It was a topic that neither Nishida nor Kurano could join even if they wanted to.
"But was that really the only reason the Prefectural Police couldn't follow through?"
At Takeshita's suggestive words, Hiramatsu let out a breath.
"Yoshise talked about the connection between the Aoi-ikka and politics when he spoke about the Legal Office and the Aoi-ikka, didn't he? But let me say one thing: Motohashi is tight-lipped to begin with. That's the reason we couldn't get him to talk. I don't want you to have any strange misunderstandings about a case of this level. However, it's true that there are situations where the police are hesitant, unfortunately..."
While Hiramatsu didn't show anger when denying it, he was getting a bit defensive with Takeshita. However, he did not deny the final 'weakness' of the police.
"Yes. However, while I've occasionally heard of collusion between the yakuza and politics, I was honestly surprised that the Aoi-ikka is so heavily involved with the Hakozaki Faction."
Kurano reacted to Takeshita's statement.
"Hakozaki... you mean the former Prime Minister?"
"Yes. That Hakozaki. This is a sort of tacit understanding—or rather, it's quite well known among people in the Kansai region who have knowledge of the underworld. Naturally, it's known to some extent by police personnel as well, but well, it's not something people want to talk about much... It's a case of 'let sleeping dogs lie.'"
Hiramatsu spoke as if he were talking about something truly loathsome.
"According to Section Chief Yoshise, the lawyer's office that has a deep, intertwined relationship with Hakozaki through personal connections is the Legal Office, and through that connection, the Legal Office is also linked to the Aoi-ikka behind the scenes. That was the story. Furthermore, Lawyer Umeda of that Legal Office makes an appearance. Ah, apparently this person is a relative of MP Umeda of the Hakozaki Faction, but through Lawyer Umeda's introduction, a reporter named Shiino from the Tozai Shinbun has been in contact with Motohashi since August. As Section Chief Hiramatsu probably knows, Shiino began visiting under the pretext of interviewing for Motohashi's confession book, but that must be a cover. At the end of September, after the death penalty was finalized, Shiino sent a letter to Motohashi, and after that, Motohashi suddenly changed his attitude and began to confess. Given the timing, there's no doubt that letter must have made Motohashi change his mind. We can't reach a conclusion without investigating what kind of reporter Shiino is, though... Either way, too many things are connected. Anyway, Section Chief Hiramatsu, is it safe to say that you actually wanted to convey that to me through Section Chief Yoshise?"
Takeshita said this while searching Hiramatsu's face. In response, Hiramatsu nodded silently while pursing his lips, then said:
"As far as I can tell from your story, it seems Yoshise told you more than we anticipated."
He gave a wry smile. Then:
"To be honest, I could have said it myself in that place, but the story would have been long, and I thought Yoshise, who is a good speaker and knowledgeable due to his duties, could explain it better. Besides, there were other Prefectural Police personnel nearby... However, it's news to me that the lawyer named Umeda is a relative of MP Umeda. That bastard Yoshise didn't mention that bit of information."
Perhaps because he was speaking his true feelings, his speech was more heavily laced with Kansai dialect than before.
"Was that why you sent Murono-san and Hatayama-san back first?"
Nishida immediately interjected, seizing the opportunity.
"Hahaha. Well, it's not that I don't trust Murono, Hatayama, or Sugai, but there's a tendency not to want to be blatant about things one doesn't want to make a topic of conversation in front of anyone other than one's trusted subordinates... I can't deny that, I'm ashamed to say... However, the main reason I sent them back first was really because they had no more business here."
Hiramatsu dodged the question like that, but it was as good as implicitly admitting that the Aoi-ikka's involvement with the center of politics made investigations difficult for the police and was a touchy subject even for those inside.
Takeshita drove the point home as if ignoring Hiramatsu's explanation.
"In short, it means the three groups—the Osaka Midosuji Legal Office or whatever it's called, the Hakozaki Faction, and the Aoi-ikka—have a close relationship. And Motohashi hasn't cut ties with the Aoi-ikka either, and he owes a massive financial debt to the Aoi-ikka he belonged to. Regarding the Sada murder case, Oshima Kaiji clearly put pressure on the Hokkaido police during the investigation stage. And as I argued with the Team Leader in the waiting room earlier, there's the inexplicability of Motohashi's actions at the time... Motohashi's confession this time, if there's someone else involved in the crime, would serve as a 'stop' to the investigation for that person. They would fall completely outside the scope of the investigation, since everyone involved would be heading to the other world... It's a hypothesis, but I wonder if the ultimate mastermind might actually be Oshima. At the very least, I think he's on par with Isaka. When you think of it that way, the pieces fit together."
Takeshita presented his theory to everyone present. Hiramatsu didn't show any major reaction, but the Hokkaido police group, including Nishida, remained dumbfounded.
"What Takeshita is saying is that Oshima Kaiji didn't just pressure the investigation because Isaka asked him to, but was actually involved in the case itself?"
Nishida asked for Takeshita's opinion.
"I think so. At the very least, it's highly likely that Oshima was the one who, at Isaka's request, introduced Motohashi via the Aoi-ikka. At minimum, he acted as a mediator. However, he's crossing too dangerous a bridge just to be a mediator. Did Oshima also have some kind of motive? That's what I think. Therefore, from Motohashi's perspective, the direct requester was Oshima. And I suspect it was Isaka who gave the direct 'instruction' for the murder in Kitami... I think that's why Motohashi is so particular about the word 'instruction' rather than 'request.' Of course, I suspect Motohashi has a clear intention to deceive us by using the fact that we're conflating the two, while actually telling the truth. Moreover, he's probably even enjoying the situation... However, whether it was Isaka who brought up the murder of Sada, or Oshima, or if they both came to that conclusion at the same time, I don't know. But I believe the structure is that Oshima was involved as a principal offender in requesting the murder from Motohashi, equal to or more so than Isaka."
Everyone present let out an involuntary groan. They realized that Takeshita's persistent concern over Motohashi's thorough "differentiation" between "instruction" and "request" now made sense.
"But, Senior Staff just said he thinks Oshima also had murderous intent toward Sada, but what do you think that is?"
Suddenly, Yoshimura, who had been overwhelmingly quieter than usual today, spoke up. Nishida had been somewhat curious about that, but he thought that in his own way, Yoshimura might not have wanted to get in the way, or perhaps he sensed the atmosphere wasn't right for him to say something as if he understood. Since he suddenly spoke up, Nishida was a little taken aback. Meanwhile, Takeshita, who was hit with the question, was at a loss for words at Yoshimura's sudden and blunt remark, but he managed to say:
"Yoshimura, you occasionally poke at the vital spots, don't you?"
"Which means, as I thought, that's the bottleneck."
Nishida wouldn't allow him to dodge it, seeing it as a crucial part.
"...Yes, that's right. I can't explain the root of Oshima's murderous intent toward Sada yet. Mine is just a hypothesis, after all. Also, as I said earlier, I wonder if that Tozai Shinbun reporter who's been visiting recently for the so-called confession book is involved in some way. Looking at the timing of Motohashi's confession and the timing of the letter he sent, I'm certain he's involved. I want to do something about that."
Takeshita confessed the current situation.
"Oshima involved in the crime, huh... Good grief. I'm sorry, but I'd prefer if the Takeshita theory were wrong. If we don't know anything about the murderous intent, it's still just a guess..."
Kurano suddenly looked up at the ceiling and spoke with a groan. Judging by his tone, it was also proof that he didn't think Takeshita's idea was completely preposterous.
"How is it for the Hokkaido police? Is there pressure from politics? From what I've heard, it seems pressure was actually applied to the investigation. Kurano-san, how is it on that front?"
Hiramatsu asked Kurano in rapid succession, as if full of curiosity.
"Well, I can't say there isn't any."
To the hesitating Kurano, Hiramatsu said:
"Well, I suppose that's how it is. But over here, it's even more dangerous because yakuza are involved with politicians as well. It would be fine if it were just losing one's head (T/N: losing one's job), but if things go poorly, it could end up with one's life being taken."
Hiramatsu put his hand to his neck, then made a gesture of pointing a gun at his head.
"No, it really is just a hypothesis. I'm sorry for making the conversation go in a strange direction."
Takeshita said apologetically, but Kurano said with a serious face:
"Hypothesis or not, we have to firmly secure the background first. Especially when moving around politicians..."
He drove the point home. However, just like what Nishida had said to Takeshita at the detention house, Nishida interpreted the hidden meaning of that statement to be: "If you can take responsibility for solidifying the evidence, then when the time comes, I'll also make up my mind." And Nishida himself was of the same mind.