Chapter 71 - Light and Shadow 50 {Combined 58/59} (244-245, 246-247 Takagaki's Conversation with Kosaka, To the Scene in Ikutahara)
To be honest, while he wouldn't say Kosaka and Takagaki were like oil and water, Nishida was quite anxious and skeptical about whether the conversation would mesh between a detective of the last generation with a strong old-fashioned streak and a reporter who was a typical mass of anti-authority sentiment. However, he had judged that having these two meet directly might lead to something for the sake of the investigation, and so he had set up the dinner meeting.
With four people, a large number, they didn't sit at the counter but started quietly in the raised tatami area of the shop. At first, they were introduced to each other by Nishida, but there was no mutual conversation. Yoshimura, who was usually noisy, was also devoted to "eating" today since he couldn't drink, but Nishida sensed that he wasn't just losing to his appetite, but was considering the atmosphere that he, a youngster, couldn't intrude upon. As for the two problematic ones, after a period of observing each other, once the alcohol started to kick in, conversation began little by little.
"I've seen you on TV and such occasionally. You seem to have some complaints about the police and the administration, but I'm honestly grateful that you've cooperated this time."
"That's because my consciousness of doing it for my own sake is stronger, so it's not something you need to be grateful for."
In response to Kosaka's statement, Takagaki said that flatly and then picked up a piece of salmon ruibe (T/N: frozen salmon sashimi) with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth with relish. It had started, but with the awkward exchange of jabs, Nishida felt the anxiety he had expected about the future. However, they were nearly the same age. They should have that in common.
"Kosaka-san, were you born in Showa 22? What about you, Takagaki-san?"
"1949. Kosaka-san? Two years younger than him."
"In Showa... that would be 24, wouldn't it..."
Nishida confirmed as such, but he felt Takagaki's twisted nature in the way he dared to answer with the Western calendar. However, the talk wouldn't progress if he worried about such things.
"Which means you're exactly the Dankai generation (T/N: Japanese baby boomers)."
At that one remark, Kosaka was the first to show a rejection reaction.
"It feels bad to be lumped together like that. Each individual has a different way of living and thinking, don't they?"
Kosaka complained while pouring beer into his own glass. Nishida thought, "I've done it now," but it was too late. He hadn't expected a counterattack from within his own circle.
However,
"Exactly. Influenced by a novel by Sakaiya Taichi (Author's Note: The naming 'Dankai' actually originates from the title of a novel by the former bureaucrat, critic, and novelist Mr. Sakaiya Taichi) and giving us a name so casually. I don't like that kind of all-encompassing treatment either. It's a typically Japanese way of thinking that doesn't look at individuals. Well, even in America, there are generational theories like the 'Lost Generation' or 'Baby Boomers,' but it's more prominent in Japan."
Takagaki also lamented while knocking back some sake. For Nishida, although it was a completely unexpected flow within the search for common ground in the conversation, he was rather relieved that the two men's talk had met in a strange place.
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The subsequent talk didn't necessarily mesh perfectly, but the conversation inevitably shifted to the investigation.
"I didn't hear the whole story from Nishida-san and the others today, but hearing that there's a high possibility Oshima was moving behind the scenes of the Motohashi incident, I was honestly surprised."
"I was also participating in the investigation of that incident eight years ago, and it ended in limbo... Even so, at the time I thought it was just pressure as a 'service' to Isaka Daikichi, who was an influential supporter, but in the investigation by these guys much later, it's come out that he might have been involved in the incident itself..."
Even though it was a raised tatami area, there were no partitions or anything. It was an environment where the talking voices of the surrounding drunks were rather acting as a screen, so the two were proceeding with their conversation in whispers. Since the gears had started turning, Nishida watched over the conversation of the two seniors without interfering.
"That incident ended up being spotlighted again from a completely unrelated incident? According to the talk just now."
Since the question was directed at him from Takagaki,
"That's right. From the first incident, or rather the fatal accident, the story kept spreading, leading to now. Well, I'll continue the explanation tomorrow, so I won't talk about the fine details here," Nishida answered.
"The fact that a path to solving a difficult case appears from an unexpected place is something that has happened in past examples, and I guess that's how it is this time too... However, looking at the entanglement with the Hakozaki Faction and the Aoi-ikka, it's a typical example of the secret maneuvers between post-war Japanese politics and the underworld, if the story is true."
"Is that how it usually is? Even from a journalist's perspective?"
When Kosaka asked that,
"Yes, yes. It's not limited to the Hakozaki Faction. Every faction in the Minyu Party has yakuza involved. Of course, there are plenty of people in the opposition parties who are involved with yakuza too... Even when the banks teamed up with yakuza during the bubble, politics sucked the sweet nectar. Even though the bill ends up being paid by the citizens! On the other hand, if I'm told that the ones choosing those guys are also the citizens who are the voters, then that's exactly right!"
He puffed out his cheeks with dissatisfaction.
In the midst of that, Kosaka asked Takagaki a question as if to return to the topic.
"I'd like to ask something, is that okay?"
"Go ahead."
"I think you're on the side that criticizes power, but do you have connections with people who come into contact with the guys in the ruling party? This might be rude, but I don't think you'd have that kind of personal network?"
Kosaka threw the question in a half-doubting tone. Hearing that, Nishida sensed it was a lead-in to bringing up the "fingerprints" Kosaka had mentioned earlier. In response, Takagaki showed a somewhat mocking attitude. Kosaka seemed to be enduring it.
"Basically, it's true that I'm in that kind of position. But you see, if you only associate with people of the same type, you can't survive in this industry, and you can't find the facts either... Specifically, there are quite a few people I associate with solely for the purpose of having them provide information in a 'mere exchange of money' kind of dry relationship."
Takagaki said that while pouring beer into Kosaka's empty glass and continued the talk.
"But not just that, there are also quite a few people around those guys who are the type to smile at the side of power publicly while mocking them behind their backs. There are indeed total 'dogs' like Shiino, the famous beat reporter even at the Tozai Shinbun, whom I heard about when I listened to the investigation information earlier, but there are also those who aren't! I won't deny that places like the Tozai basically have many such dogs, but there are dogs even in the anti-authority Maiasa Shinbun, Toyo Shinbun, and Tojitsu Hanbai, and while there aren't many at the Tozai, there are guys who stay in the organization by the skin of their teeth while rebelling against that kind of disposition, or as I just said, guys who are obedient in appearance but rebellious in spirit. With those guys, I'm connected behind the scenes through 'principles and beliefs' rather than an exchange of money."
"In other words, simply put, they exist, right?"
Kosaka seemed to want to say implicitly that he was being roundabout, but Takagaki parried that and said,
"Simply put, that's how it is."
He looked straight at Kosaka and answered.
"Which means you'll use that to investigate the entanglement between the Satchou and the ruling party this time."
When Nishida confirmed that,
"Yes, yes. That's possible," he gave his seal of approval.
"Then, I say this, but how about this?"
Kosaka made a provocative statement after gulping down his beer.
"What is it?"
Takagaki also seemed prepared to fight back.
"Can you obtain Oshima Kaiji's fingerprints?"
"Fingerprints?"
Nishida, who had heard the matter, supplemented as if he had been waiting for it.
"I mentioned it earlier, but the blood seals of each heir were pressed on the deed that recorded the distribution of the gold dust. And among them was the blood seal of the man we believe to be the current Oshima Kaiji, Kuwano Kinya. It's said to be the right index finger. If that and Oshima Kaiji's fingerprints match, the plan is that we'll have almost confirmed the back of the case. Is that right, Kosaka-san?"
Kosaka had been listening to that, but he just nodded silently.
"I haven't seen the actual thing, so it's hard to imagine, but if you ask whether I can or cannot obtain the fingerprints, I'll just say there's a sufficient possibility, though I won't say 100 percent."
At Takagaki's unexpected response, both Kosaka and Nishida pressed him,
"Really?"
"Yeah. It would be tough if it were from Oshima's inner circle, but it's not like there aren't people who will cooperate with me at the places he frequents. If I utilize that..."
Saying so, he made a gesture as if bringing his face closer to the two and whispered,
"The problem is how to have a general amateur take the fingerprints. I can't do anything about that. I'm not a police officer, so I don't know the method."
"No, that's not difficult. If you can have them submit something Oshima touched to us, we just have to detect them on our end afterward."
Kosaka grinned and flicked the empty beer bottle with his finger.
"It's exactly as Kosaka-san said. If that's possible, it will have a very large significance."
For Nishida too, he had the thought that obtaining the fingerprints might be a help in breaking through this situation where they couldn't move. It wasn't strange to think that if the "whole" story was neatly connected, they might be able to move the upper management.
"Hmm, if that's all that's needed, I might be able to manage somehow..."
"Please, we're counting on you."
Nishida pulled his face back from being too close to Takagaki and bowed deeply.
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"But that detective called Takeshita, how did he ever get into the police?"
Once the conversation had broken off and the four were concentrating on eating, Takagaki suddenly spoke.
"Takeshita, huh... I think that's exactly as you say."
Kosaka pulled a yakitori skewer out of his mouth and placed it roughly on the plate.
"Do you really think so? Did he say something in Tokyo?"
Nishida asked in rapid succession.
"He didn't say anything in particular about the police, but I felt an air he has, or something, that's different from the police personnel I've met until now... It's hard to explain in words. I tried saying that to him himself in Tokyo too."
"Did he say anything about that?"
Nishida asked eagerly, as if he were curious.
"I don't think he said anything in particular... He just gave a wry smile, though."
"I see..."
Perhaps feeling something from Nishida's state, he was asked back with a sharp reading,
"Does he intend to quit being a detective?"
"No, I wouldn't know that, but..."
While looking at Nishida, Kosaka muttered,
"He's excellent, but fundamentally he's not suited to be a cop, after all."
"Hmm. From what I'm hearing, it seems you senior detectives have the same impression as me. It's bad to say this, but it's a bit of a waste to keep him as a detective."
"It's frustrating, but I have to agree. But you know, while saying that, it's also an era where the police need that kind of type. There's no way our old-fashioned ways can go on forever! Right, Yoshimura!"
Kosaka barked as such and poured shochu into Yoshimura's oolong tea glass until it was brimming. Yoshimura was unusually just being purely humble, but Nishida shouted,
"He's going to be driving after this!"
And he quickly snatched away Yoshimura's glass.
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He had succeeded in requesting the provision of fingerprints from Takagaki, and while he couldn't say their friendship had deepened, they had reached a point where they could communicate with each other reasonably well. Nishida was satisfied that it was a passing grade, and after finishing the dinner meeting, he returned to Engaru with Yoshimura, but he stopped by the Engaru Station before going back to his apartment.
He had thought of showing Takagaki the deed and the letter from Sada, so he went to take copies. He couldn't take out all the investigation information, but he could manage to take copies of just these two and take them out without the Section Chief's permission. Especially since these two were the foundation of the case, he thought that showing the actual copies to Takagaki would deepen his understanding of the case.
When that was finished, Nishida revealed to Takeshita that he had asked for the fingerprints at the dinner meeting with Kosaka. Takeshita said that was a great idea, but then he said he also had something else he wanted to ask for.
"I want information about Kuwano's career path. In this business trip, the period from elementary school to university was completely skipped over. We don't have the time to investigate that right now. I feel like Takagaki-san would do it for us."
"Even so, isn't that a bit too vague? That man isn't free either, you know?"
"That's true, but... I think the school he went to can be narrowed down geographically to some extent. At least for the old-system middle school, he shouldn't have gone that far away..."
He likely wanted to do something about it himself, but he didn't hide his frustration at not being able to. Certainly, if the police were to move for that alone, a corresponding reason would be necessary. When they investigated the family register in Taro, they couldn't check the family register of the mother before her marriage, partly because they didn't have much time overall, but that was also a big reason. Takeshita likely wanted to check if there was anything that could be a hint from that missing part, but there was no guarantee it would actually be useful. Two gambling business trips to the mainland in a short period would be tough on the budget. Currently, no active reason to attack that point specifically could be found. If so, the idea of having the free-handed Takagaki investigate wasn't incomprehensible.
"I'm not the one who decides, so if you want to know that much, try asking him yourself tomorrow. In the end, it's useless even if we reach a conclusion on our own here."
While preparing to go home, Nishida had no choice but to say so.
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The next day, Wednesday, November 22, the four went from Engaru to Kitami, and just like yesterday, they picked up Takagaki from his hotel and took him to the Kitami Regional Headquarters. Similarly, Nishida and Yoshimura showed their faces at the Investigation Headquarters at the Kitami Station once before returning to the meeting room at the Kitami Regional Headquarters where the other three were.
Takagaki had already carefully read the deed and the letter that had been handed to Takeshita. He had already heard the overview yesterday, but even if it's a copy, he should have a different feeling when he sees the concrete objects. Especially regarding the letter, he read it over and over, and the four detectives watched him in silence for nearly 20 minutes.
"Thanks to this, the story I heard yesterday is starting to take shape in my mind. I feel like I've heard the name before, but where exactly is the town called Ikutahara?"
"You can think of it as a place a little less than 50 kilometers from here toward Asahikawa."
Having finished reading, Takagaki confirmed the location of the scene at the time with Nishida, and Nishida brought out a map and pointed it out.
"I see. I wonder what kind of place it is. It's in the mountains, right? Judging by the map and the text?"
"Exactly. Brown Bears come out too!"
Yoshimura joked, raising both hands as if to attack.
"What do you think? If you like, shall we take you there now, or tomorrow?"
Nishida made a bold proposal. Of course, it was because they had time to spare.
"Is that okay? Well... if time permits, I feel like I want to see it with my own eyes. I'm not the one investigating, but looking at this letter, I've simply become more curious about this case."
"Is that so? We're attached to the Investigation Headquarters, so we can't just do whatever we like, but at least Takeshita and the others can move freely. Well, we're likely in a state of being exclusively for the statement from you, Takagaki-san, so I think we can manage to go somehow."
At Nishida's words,
"Alright! It's decided. Since I have the chance, I'll take you up on that."
He agreed.
"By the way, I want to hear more of your impressions of the letter and the deed. The blood seals are clearly left there, aren't they?"
"Nishida-san, I was allowed to see both, and even though it's a copy, the deed gave me the impression of looking at an old map for a treasure hunt. When combined with the letter, it gains a sense of truth, but looking at this alone, it feels a bit detached from reality."
Takagaki held up the deed and shook it up and down lightly.
"There's that... But it's normally a fact."
"That's right. It's hard to believe at first... Even so, it's not like yesterday's talk, but if this blood seal of Kuwano Kinya and Oshima Kaiji's fingerprints match, then along with the circumstantial evidence of the pressure on the investigation, the suspicion will deepen further. Yes, Nishida-san, I understand! I certainly want to obtain them and confirm the backing!"
Takagaki grinned for a moment, but immediately tightened his expression and said,
"Well then, continue the story. There's just a little bit left, right?"
And he requested further provision of investigation information.
After having lunch and giving him a detailed lecture on the remaining investigation information, the clock suddenly reached nearly 3:00 PM. Considering the sunset time at this time of year, even if they went now, they wouldn't have time to stay at the scene properly. They decided to take him the next day instead.
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Thursday, November 23, Labor Thanksgiving Day. It was a public holiday for the general public, but Nishida and the others were exactly "at labor." As promised to Takagaki, in order to take him to the scene in Ikutahara where most of the series of incidents occurred, they went from Engaru to Kitami to pick him up and were now in the car returning to Ikutahara. It was snowing quite a bit outside, and the down coat Takagaki had brought was proving useful in this weather.
"Is this going to become permanent snow just like this?"
Takagaki, by the window, was looking up from below through the glass, scouting the state of the sky.
"The minimum temperature is still around 5 degrees, so it's fine today, but well, soon..."
Hearing the statement from Takeshita, who was sitting next to him,
"To be trapped in the snow from now until April..."
He lamented, even though he wasn't a local.
"It's relatively warm this year, and it's rather late for it to become permanent snow, actually."
Yoshimura said that and laughed.
"But the indoors are actually warmer in Hokkaido because the heating and insulation are solid. In a house in Fukushima, it's so cold in the morning you don't want to get out of bed. Even though it's dry and damn cold in winter, the structure of the house is the same as in Tokyo, so there's nothing you can do."
He now began to lament the structure of the houses in his hometown. While they were doing that, they entered the Ikutahara town area, and from there they headed toward the forest road.
Getting out of the car at the usual "parking space" and walking along the forest road, they came out to the tracks of the Sekihoku Main Line. The entrance to the Jomon Tunnel could be seen in the back to the right, but the group ignored that and headed toward the scene where the young man Yoneda had been murdered and abandoned. After walking along the tracks for a while and arriving, Takeshita began to explain to Takagaki.
"As a result, while investigating a person who died in an accident around here, the story became that there seemed to be someone moving suspiciously, and while searching for that suspicious movement, we found the body of the victim of the first murder case—that's the story."
"And that was the university student who had gone missing three years ago, is that it?"
Takagaki said while looking around.
"Yes. And as we proceeded with the investigation, the story became that people from the Isaka Group were involved... And then the story of the disappearance case eight years ago involving the deceased president of the Isaka Group resurfaced, and it became a story that perhaps a missing person had been murdered and buried in the same place where the university student was buried even before that."
"That part really doesn't sit right no matter how many times I hear it..."
Stopping Takeshita's statement, Takagaki tilted his head.
"Even for the side that's actually been involved in the investigation the whole time, it's quite a troublesome part, so it's natural that you don't quite understand just by listening."
Nishida comforted him as such.
"Well then, next. Let's look at the place where the gold dust of the old man Senzaki is thought to have been, and the area where the three bodies of the old man Senzaki, Mende, and Takamura were buried."
Takeshita said so, and the five walked several hundred meters along the Sekihoku Main Line toward the Engaru side.
"You see that large rock on the slope over there? It was also written in the letter you read yesterday, but it's said the gold dust was buried right under there."
"And Isaka and Oshima, uh..."
"Took the shares of Hojo Masato and Mende's child."
When Takagaki, who spoke after receiving Takeshita's explanation, got stuck, Nishida offered a helping hand.
"That's it! The story that they even took the shares of those people."
"That's how it is. And it's the story that the three were buried over there, and they were discovered in 1977 by the JNR employees who found the bodies of the first two, plus the Engaru Station officers who rushed there upon the report. The body of the last person was discovered by the Engaru Station officers at the time while they were investigating around the two bodies found first."
Takeshita resumed the commentary after receiving Takagaki's talk.
"And among those JNR employees were the two who were there when Motohashi murdered Sada Minoru—in other words, Kitagawa and Shinoda?"
"Takagaki-san, you're correct. They were employees of the Isaka Group at the time. Well, the fact that they became executives was likely because their 'contribution' was evaluated, and at the same time, they saw the letter Sada had and obtained their positions by 'blackmailing' Isaka Daikichi with his past murders and such."
Takeshita supplemented after grading Takagaki's "answer."
Having finished the explanation at the scene for the most part, as the five were heading back the way they came to return to Kitami, Takagaki suddenly raised his voice.
"What's that over there?"