Chapter 93 - Name and Reality 16 {Combined 30/31} (65-66, 67-68: Visiting the National Police Agency and Devising a New Investigative Strategy)
"Then, the documents you requested... Even so, the other day, a reporter from a certain newspaper came for a similar matter. Well, he was persistent."
Kusumi gave a wry smile, but from Nishida's perspective, it was obvious that the person was Igarashi, so he struggled with how to respond and limited himself to a polite smile while looking through the materials. To be precise, rather than materials, they were the contract documents of Onodera Michitoshi from that time.
Like Kuwano's, the paper had deteriorated considerably, and he looked at them while being careful with the handling. Naturally, the date of birth and permanent domicile matched. As far as the contents were concerned, the hiring was described as being an introduction by his cousin, Kuwano Kinya, as expected. Although he was a dropout, he had academic ability at the level of entering an old-system middle school, and it seemed Kuwano was quite trusted by the company, so even though he was a relative, that recommendation seemed to have been a considerable boost.
And the fact that he had entered an old-system middle school would have proven that the cousin Michitoshi also had a certain level of academic ability. Furthermore, although it said he was a dropout, if the family home of Onodera, who was born on July 10, Taisho 7 (1918), suffered damage in the Showa Sanriku Tsunami in March, Showa 8 (1933) and his parents died, he would have been 14 years old at the time, so the old-system middle school dropout and the tsunami damage could be said to match considerably in terms of age. Nishida was convinced that the cause of Michitoshi's dropout was almost certainly related to the damage to his family home and the death of his parents due to the tsunami.
"I'd like you to scan this, attach the data to an email, and send it to this address."
Nishida presented a piece of paper on which his police email address was written.
"Eh? Again? The reporter from the previous story made us do the same thing..."
Kusumi did not hide his seemingly troublesome attitude, but he called a female employee and gave instructions for Nishida's request as it was. Since he wasn't doing a fingerprint appraisal, a copy would have been fine, but he thought it would be better to have it as clean electronic data, considering his experience with Kuwano.
The stay at Sanyu Metal Mining took less than thirty minutes, and Nishida and the others transferred from Shinbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line at Ginza and headed to the National Police Agency in Kasumigaseki on the Marunouchi Line. It took a little over ten minutes. It didn't take as much time as he thought.
"As expected, Tokyo has good transportation! The connections are also good. In Hokkaido, a one-hour wait isn't even considered long."
Yoshimura was as usual amazed by the good transportation access, but Nishida's mind was more on what kind of investigative situation the Organized Crime Department would present.
Before the two who were shown into the office of the department in charge of the Organized Crime Department, Sudo, the Team Leader of the Violent Crimes Special Investigation Unit 4 of the Organized Crime Division 4, and Shimomura, the Section Chief of the Organized Crime Division 4, appeared. Honestly, he hadn't expected a Section Chief class from the headquarters to respond, so the moment they were introduced by Sudo, a bit of tension ran through Nishida and Yoshimura. Perhaps because he was in front of his direct superior, Sudo was not the somewhat arrogant Sudo that Nishida and the others knew, which was a bit comical...
"Thank you for all your help."
When the two bowed their heads, Shimomura said in a calm tone,
"No, no, this is also a natural duty. Although it's hard for both of us in various ways."
Nishida thought that rather than dealing with organized crime, this class had a strong bureaucratic image.
"Section Chief Shimomura, so how is the progress of the investigation?"
"Let's see. Since you, Nishida-san, will also be interested in that, let's get straight to the main point. I'll have Sudo explain."
Sudo, who was thus prompted, opened his mouth.
"As I contacted you last time, we were investigating the four people: Satake, Todate, Nakatani, and Oshita..."
As Sudo began to speak, Nishida and the others also followed the materials they had brought with their eyes. Each of the four accomplice candidates for Kagami:
○ Satake Daisuke
Under Aoi-ikka, 2nd-tier organization, Kanto Takatou-gumi (Nerima Ward), Headquarters Chief (at the time in 1995, a rank-and-file member)
Born January 20, 1960, from Mizusawa City, Iwate Prefecture
"Alibi around November '95 is unknown"
○ Todate Akira
Under Aoi-ikka, 2nd-tier organization, Sunpu Group (Taito Ward), already left the group (around January 1996; at the time in 1995, a rank-and-file member)
Born June 10, 1959, from Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture
"Alibi around November '95 is unknown (surrounding investigation did not go well due to the influence of leaving the group). Current location unknown"
○ Nakatani Hisashi
Under Aoi-ikka, 3rd-tier organization, Munesue-gumi (Mito City), Headquarters Chief (at the time in 1995, a rank-and-file member)
Born September 21, 1958, from Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
"There is a story that he did not show his face to the group for a while in early November '95, claiming to go on an overseas trip, but there is no record of entry/exit"
○ Oshita Eiichi
Under Aoi-ikka, 3rd-tier organization, Kyokkei Kogyo (Toshima Ward), Boss Assistant (at the time in 1995, Young Head Assistant)
Born May 31, 1955, from Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture
"It seems there were many days when he did not show his face at the affiliated front company where he was an officer from October to November '95"
This is the material in which the aforementioned information is recorded.
"First, regarding Satake, when we had the Organized Crime Division of the Metropolitan Police Department's Shakujii Station conduct a preliminary investigation, it was found that he attended a group meeting on the night of November 9, 1995, and while it is technically possible to participate in the shooting on the 11th in terms of chronology, the recognition is that it is difficult due to the point that there was too little preparation."
"The corroboration for that hadn't been done until then, but it was done this time?"
Yoshimura hit him with a straight question about the fact that the alibi had suddenly become clear this time.
"It seems that things like the date and time of group meetings don't come out unless you dig quite deep into the internal people, so it wasn't known until then."
Sudo answered as if not mixing in any emotion. In short, it probably meant that the local station had once again approached the core information network to the limit and obtained corroboration. Yoshimura had no choice but to back down.
"Next, Todate. At the stage when the materials were sent after he left the group, he was said to be missing, but from the renewal history of his driver's license, it has been found that he currently resides in Sendai. This was found relatively soon after we started moving. He is said to be running a snack bar in the entertainment district called Kokubuncho. We are continuing the investigation by requesting the Sendai Chuo Station."
Since Todate has already left the organized crime group, the investigation will need to be done quite carefully. Even considering his subsequent treatment, there should be almost no possibility that he is the culprit.
"And Nakatani... Regarding this, the alibi is not yet clear. And there is other information of concern. It seems there is a story that he might have been in Hokkaido during the relevant period. Since it's bad if it's found out, we have to handle the information source carefully, but it seems there are those among his subordinates who testify that they received Hokkaido souvenirs from Nakatani around '95. However, despite having gone to the trouble of faking an overseas trip, it's unlikely he would do something like give out Hokkaido souvenirs and blow his cover. The Mito Station's department in charge seems to speculate that it's probably a confusion of the period or something. Since that's the situation, we have left the request for continued investigation, but the possibility is low."
"Do you know the purpose of faking the overseas trip?"
Nishida tried to peer into Sudo's face, but after Sudo glared at him once,
"I'm sorry that this isn't clear either, but there seems to be a theory that he didn't get along with the Boss and didn't want to face him. Whether this is correct or wrong, if his relationship with the Boss was bad at the time, that could be said to be fatal before an important 'mission'."
He told him without meeting Nishida's gaze. It's unlikely that the Boss would not be involved in an assassination order, which is a top secret. It's true that it's not rational for a member who doesn't get along with that Boss to move as a tool for a killing.
"And finally, Oshita. It has been found through the investigation by the Mejiro Police Station's Organized Crime Division that he was not showing his face at the group, let alone the front company. The reason for his absence has not yet been grasped. Naturally, he remains a target for continued investigation. That is all."
After finishing the report up to this point, Sudo began to mention the future investigative policy.
"Regarding Satake, we will treat the possibility of involvement in the crime as extremely small and just monitor him. Regarding Todate, we also see the possibility as considerably small, but since we cannot yet conclude that he was not specifically involved in the crime, we will also have the Sendai Chuo Station keep him under surveillance for the time being. Since Nakatani has both positive and negative materials, we have told the Mito Station to conduct a preliminary investigation more carefully. Although the details for Oshita are currently unknown, he is currently the most suspicious by process of elimination, so we have already instructed the Mejiro Station to be able to arrest and interrogate him at any time."
Sudo finished speaking at a speed as if he had spoken in one breath.
"I see, I understand well. The one with the most possibility is Oshita. Is that it?"
Nishida nodded while looking down at the materials, but Shimomura slowly opened his mouth.
"I'm sorry that you've come all this way and we haven't produced much in the way of results. To be honest, it seems the local stations are having difficulty gathering information, and the situation where it's not gathering as much as expected is continuing... I don't think this situation will be resolved even if we take time."
"Certainly, we also feel that in our own investigation and sympathize."
Nishida showed understanding for Shimomura's seemingly apologetic statement.
"However, since there are samples thought to be hair left by the culprits in the shooting incident, if we can investigate whether they match the DNA type, we should be able to change the situation at once..."
When Shimomura said that much,
"But the problem is how to collect the hair. More than that, in what kind of situation it can be collected, that's what's essential, is what you want to say, right?"
Nishida said this, anticipating what Shimomura was likely to say next.
"You said what I wanted to say before me."
Shimomura gave a wry smile, but immediately became serious and said,
"I think you know, but we also need to consider that if it's deemed illegally collected evidence due to the problem of evidentiary capacity, we won't be able to maintain the trial, so we have to be careful about that."
"But since the illegal collection of evidence should be quite limited, isn't it fine if we can obtain things that could be samples for DNA testing from the shops they frequent or the surroundings?"
When Sudo stated an optimistic view, Shimomura lightly rebuked his subordinate,
"Even so, as long as there are no established precedents or legal frameworks, we can't be clearly at ease!"
Certainly, criminal litigation surrounding DNA appraisal was in a state of groping even for the field, and only the appraisal methods and investigative use were evolving rapidly (Author's Note: Regarding this, even in 2015, clearly codified standards still do not exist. If anything, they seem to be in the National Public Safety Commission rules created in 2005. Also, in 2016, a new judgment regarding DNA collection was issued by the Tokyo High Court. If we take this as a premise, this case might be quite delicate). Even so, Nishida felt that Shimomura was a very cautious person, even though he was a police bureaucrat rather than just a policeman. It was as if he were looking at Takeshita.
"But well, it'll turn out how it turns out. The court is on our side."
Yoshimura made a statement that was hard to tell if he had read the room or not, and the place fell into an indescribable atmosphere, but it was true that it couldn't be helped even if they worried about it here.
"What are the views of each local station?"
When Nishida checked as if to change the atmosphere of the place,
"The local stations are quite eager. They're in a situation where they're waiting for our OK sign,"
Sudo suggested that Shimomura himself was not very eager. After thinking for a bit, Nishida requested a change in Shimomura's thinking,
"I don't think it's something I should say, but if possible..."
"I don't know the details, but I heard the detective who died in the line of duty was your colleague."
"Did you know? That's right. Our workplaces were different, the local station and the area headquarters, but he was my partner in the investigation back then."
"As expected, the feelings are naturally different... I understand. I wanted to confirm it properly once."
After saying that, Shimomura leaned back on the sofa. Nishida realized for the first time at this moment that the reason a Section Chief class had gone to the trouble of coming out was to confirm the feelings of Nishida and the others, to use it as a "trigger to get his heavy butt moving."
When Shimomura left, Sudo muttered with a face that said "Good grief,"
"Honestly, because he's obsessed with trivial things, semi-carriers are looked down upon."
Nishida wasn't well-versed in the circumstances of the "center," but he knew that semi-carriers were those from the National Civil Service Class II exam group (Author's Note: In the current recruitment system, this category was abolished after 2011), unlike the carriers from the Class I exam group. Considering Sudo's age and post, he didn't seem to be a carrier either, so he probably hated being labeled as "unable to do the job" as someone in the same "position."
"Anyway, I'll tell the local stations to do it well. Since it'll be decided in one shot with DNA. The guys at the local stations won't move unless we whip their butts from here."
Now that his superior was gone, he became talkative, and his usual somewhat overbearing attitude seemed to have revived. Since Nishida and the others were from the Area Headquarters, they were a subordinate organization from the NPA's perspective, so it didn't feel very good to think that the same kind of things were probably being said behind their backs.
By the time the two left the Central Government Building where the National Police Agency was located, although the sun was still high since it was June, it was already past four o'clock.
Since the schedule for tomorrow was completely gone, depending on the situation, it was a time frame where they could make the final flight to Memanbetsu, but a plan based on a day trip on such a tight line was utterly reckless. Moreover, since they had reserved a business hotel, it was also a pain to cancel it. Since it couldn't be helped, they discussed checking in early, relaxing, and then having dinner.
Since there were no plans other than work at all for this business trip, they had taken a business hotel in Shinbashi, which was close to Kasumigaseki. After leaving the hotel early, the two were wandering around the surroundings, but they felt a bit sick from the atmosphere, which was different from Shinjuku, which they had become somewhat accustomed to.
Shinjuku felt urban and at the same time cluttered, but the business district around Shinbashi felt like an indescribably uncomfortable streetscape. While being tormented by a sense of discomfort, and having a strange victim mentality, they entered a restaurant where a menu that wasn't too expensive (but certainly not cheap) was lined up in the display case outside. Nishida ordered a hamburger steak and Yoshimura ordered an omelet, orders that were like those of elementary school students. They barely proved they were "adults" by both ordering beer.
*
"It's not that great for being expensive."
While eating, Yoshimura whispered to Nishida.
"That's because a portion for the location cost is included, so it can't be helped."
Nishida spoke as if to admonish him, but 1,500 yen for a hamburger steak was a price that felt out of place in Kitami. To be precise, should he say Hokkaido as a whole rather than just Kitami? Even in Sapporo, it's not this expensive. His true feelings were the same as his subordinate's.
"By the way, regarding the matter of Kagami's accomplice in the shooting incident, aren't you worried about whether they're among those four? Honestly, is it going to be okay? If we fail with this, the uncertainty ahead will increase."
Yoshimura started talking about work with the beer foam still on his mouth.
"The Organized Crime Department stepped in and listed those four, thinking that if it wasn't the Shiun Association that Kagami belonged to, or an organization close to the Shiun Association, it would be risky to cooperate and cause such an incident, so shouldn't we trust them to some extent? If they don't show up, they don't show up, is all I can say."
"You're quite philosophical. It's true that the listing done seven years ago couldn't be helped because they misunderstood the 'Abe' statement, but if we fail this time, we'll have to expand and list people from around Iwate Prefecture again, you know?"
"I suppose. However, I don't think there are that many yakuza from Iwate, so we'll probably manage somehow."
He dodged it like that, but Nishida also hoped that it would be decided with the four people no matter what. He harbored a sense of dread that the conviction of having deciphered the mystery of 'Abe' would weaken if the scope of the investigation expanded.
The two were talking about the investigation for a while, but Nishida burst out laughing when he saw that Yoshimura now had ketchup on his mouth.
"Hey, you're not a child, so wipe it."
While saying that, he handed him a paper napkin from the table, and Yoshimura wiped it and placed it on the table. Nishida looked lightly at the partially red-stained napkin and took a sip of beer, but something suddenly bothered him.
"DNA appraisal has evolved considerably, hasn't it?"
"Ha...? Well, I suppose so... Nowadays, DNA appraisal is a powerful investigative tool."
Yoshimura was momentarily taken aback by the out-of-context question, but immediately answered Nishida's question.
"In the test seven years ago, they could only produce appraisal results for the bloodstains on the scrap at the mitochondrial level, but I wonder if something can be done..."
"At that time, when they tried to compare the bloodstains on the cloth using the DNA sample from Oshima that Takeshita-san collected at the hotel, the result was that only the mitochondrial portion could be appraised."
"Yeah. And for the blood seal on the deed, they said it was at a level where even that couldn't be done..."
When he said that much, Nishida began to speak with some pauses, as if drawing out a memory.
"Actually, last year... I had a chance to get to know a researcher from the SIL of the Hokkaido Prefectural Police Headquarters through an investigation."
"Was that during your time at the Atsubetsu Station?"
"Right. It was for a rape case. Since he's an expert in scientific investigation, I tried asking him various things I was curious about, and as expected, he said, 'With blood at the level of a blood seal on a deed that has passed about fifty years and is attached to paper, the amount is small and the oxidation is intense, so even today, even appraisal at the mitochondrial level might be difficult.' It seems that in cases where it remains in the bone marrow or the like, there are cases where appraisal is possible at the level of a normal human's DNA even after a considerable number of years have passed."
"So it's possible if it's trapped inside. But now that it's almost thought that Onodera Michitoshi was wearing the main body of the scrap, well, basically the clothes, doesn't it not matter?"
"It's not like it's been proven. At present, we just see that the probability is high based on the shape of the scrap and the bloodstains. It's a story that it's reasonable to see it as a scrap that was attached to the body of Onodera, who was blown to pieces and scattered."
"Ah, that's right."
Yoshimura lightly slapped both his cheeks with both hands.
"However, if that's the case, another problem arises. It can be asserted from the fingerprints and the missing thumb that Kuwano and Oshima are different people. Moreover, at the time, both were at the accident site, and Kuwano, who vanished while holding Onodera's memento, remains vanished somewhere, and Oshima had that memento after the war. Moreover, Oshima, from the analysis of the mitochondrial DNA, matches the owner of the bloodstains remaining on that scrap, or is a matrilineal relative. Since matching is impossible because Onodera is dead, if he is a matrilineal relative, it means that Oshima, Kuwano, and Onodera all have a blood relationship through the matrilineal line, including the information on Onodera and Kuwano, who were definitely cousins on the family register."
"Is that something that couldn't happen? It might just not be visible on the family register due to the tsunami loss. Oshima had enough academic ability to get into Meiho University, and considering the academic backgrounds of Kuwano and Onodera at the time, in a sense, it could be said to be consistent in terms of lineage?"
Yoshimura's statement was not something that could be flatly denied. However, when he talked about this with Takeshita the other day, Takeshita at least did not acknowledge this head-on and said he didn't know. Nishida also had a kind of aversion, thinking that if he started thinking about this, he would lose track of everything. It was frustrating to be losing to the bug of cowardice...
As if to deal a further blow to such a situation,
"But regarding the vanished Kuwano, if we take the theory we thought of at the hotel seven years ago, that the actual person of Oshima directly murdered Kuwano or was an accomplice, then it becomes a murder between relatives, so I guess that one is out after all."
He started saying.
"Hmm."
Nishida groaned and then was silent for a short while. Based on the premise that Kuwano and Onodera both worked at the Konomai Gold Mine and were victims of the Yubetsu Mine Accident, he had been discussing with Takeshita why Kuwano fled the scene, but they had hardly entered into consideration of the consistency with various previous theories.
However, the idea Nishida presented in the room at the Hotel Shochikubai, where the fingerprints directly collected from Oshima did not match—that "Kuwano was murdered by Oshima Kaiji and he just took his place"—would inevitably mean that the actual person of Oshima Kaiji was also a relative if we stand on the premise that the scrap belongs to the dead Onodera, and there is no doubt that various hurdles would become high.
Since it couldn't be helped even if he thought about it more here,
"Well, it's true that various things have become suspicious... But for now, no good ideas come to mind. That aside, I've come all the way to Tokyo. Since the schedule for tomorrow is completely open, I'm starting to think it might be good to directly ask how the technical response capability for the number of years passed for DNA appraisal has evolved at the NRIPS (National Research Institute of Police Science)."
He switched the topic.
"Ah, there's that way too..."
Yoshimura nodded without digging further, perhaps out of a subordinate's consideration for the topic being diverted.
"If the deduction is correct, since Onodera was not an adoptee but a cousin directly related by blood to Kuwano, the mitochondrial DNA of the bloodstains on the scrap and Kuwano's blood seal should match, and the mitochondrial DNA should also match between Kuwano and Oshima. If the appraisal level has evolved significantly, it might have become possible to scientifically investigate whether the speculation about the scrap is correct."
"If that becomes clear, it'll be a huge success, but as a problem before that, isn't there a possibility that you won't be taken seriously if you just go there suddenly? If that part can be cleared."
After finishing listening, Yoshimura pointed out the problem with the proposal.
"The aforementioned SIL researcher is originally someone on secondment from the NRIPS, so I can just have him put in a word."
"Is that going to be okay? For a Team Leader, that's quite haphazard..."
"I'll accept that criticism, but it can't be helped since the schedule suddenly changed, right?"
This time, he only said that to Yoshimura's thorny words, tilted his medium mug back, and even let out a burp.
"Then I'll ask right away if it's possible."
After taking a breath, Nishida took out his mobile phone and began to contact the Hokkaido Prefectural Police SIL staff member named Kashima, whom he had become acquainted with. Since the conversation had ended, Yoshimura had begun to concentrate on his omurice again.
"Hello, is this Kashima-san? This is Nishida from the Atsubetsu Station, who was in your care before?"
He spoke in a hesitant voice, partly because he was inside a restaurant.
"Ah, oh, Team Leader Nishida? It's been a long time."
Kashima called him by his title from his time at the Atsubetsu Station, but since it was a pain to correct him every time, he continued the conversation as it was.
"Do you have a moment?"
"Yes, I was just about to leave work, so it's fine. But please keep it not too long."
He said with a light polite laugh.
"Then I won't hesitate. It's sudden and I'm sorry, but you were supposed to be on secondment from the NRIPS in Tokyo, right?"
"That's right. I'm dispatched from the NRIPS to the Hokkaido Prefectural Police SIL."
Kashima answered in a suspicious tone.
"So, for a case I'm currently handling, I'm thinking about whether I can perform DNA appraisal on mitochondria in blood from nearly fifty years ago... Before, you said 'it's impossible,' didn't you?"
"Hmm, did I say that? However, of course, I specialize in DNA appraisal of biological samples in general, but unfortunately, as it stands, I don't grasp the cutting-edge fields. So if you take that as a definitive statement, it might be a bit of a problem."
"Actually, I called you now thinking of having you introduce an acquaintance at the NRIPS, but if that's the case, does it mean there are cutting-edge researchers at the NRIPS after all?"
"Ah, is that so... In that case, you should definitely ask them. Of course they're there."
Kashima honestly affirmed Nishida's choice, but if he thought about it, if Kashima hadn't mentioned grasping cutting-edge fields, it would have been like not trusting Kashima from the start and telling him to introduce the NRIPS, and Nishida was aware that it was quite a rude phone call.
"If that's the case, my senior is at the NRIPS, so shall I introduce him? Should I tell him to call you, Nishida-san?"
"No, actually, I'm in Tokyo right now for an investigation. So I'd appreciate it if you could let me meet him and talk directly? Of course, I'll do the coordination by phone."
"Yes, yes, you're in Tokyo... I understand. Then I'll introduce a senior researcher named Ishida. I'll explain the situation briefly to him and tell him to call your mobile, Nishida-san. You two can handle the details."
"No, really, I'm sorry. It helps. Thank you."
"Well, if it helps the investigation. So how long are you in Tokyo?"
"Until tomorrow..."
Before he could finish, Kashima asked as if surprised,
"Until tomorrow!?"
"Yeah, for now. Is it bad?"
"Hmm... I don't grasp the other person's schedule, so I can't say... I understand. I'll try calling him right now. If I can't get in touch with him, I'll call you back, but if I do, I'll have Senior Ishida call you. Well then."
With that, the call was cut.
"How was it?"
Yoshimura, who had finished his omurice, immediately asked.
"When I said I could only be in Tokyo until tomorrow, he seemed flustered. Either way, it seems he'll introduce me."
"I see. Then congratulations."
He was completely indifferent while sipping his beer.
In the meantime, about ten minutes later, the mobile phone he had set to vibrate squirmed in his pocket.
"Hello?"
"Um, is this Nishida-san? This is Ishida."
The one who called was Ishida. It seemed they had gotten in touch.
"Ah, hello. You received a contact from Kashima-san, didn't you?"
"Yes. I was introduced by Kashima-kun. I hear you want to ask about DNA appraisal of deteriorated blood samples?"
"Yes, that's right. I was thinking of asking whether appraisal of bloodstains attached to cloth or paper from about fifty years ago is possible."
"I see... And you can only be in Tokyo until tomorrow?"
"Unfortunately..."
"What should I do?"
Ishida fell silent and seemed to be hesitating considerably, but after a while he opened his mouth.
"Then for now, can you come to the NRIPS tomorrow? Let's see... around 11:00 AM tomorrow. I'll tell the reception from here. Do you know the location of the NRIPS?"
"Um, it's in Tokyo, right?"
"Hahaha, I'm sorry... No, it's in Chiba Prefecture."
Nishida's eyes widened at the unexpected answer given with a laugh, but he felt a little dissatisfied, thinking that if Kashima had known, he should have told him. Perhaps sensing Nishida's silence,
"No, even if it's Chiba, it's in Kashiwa City, so it's not that far from Tokyo. Let's see, get off at Kashiwa Station on the Joban Line, and from there you can just take a taxi and you won't get lost. In a few years, something called the Tsukuba Express (Author's Note: Opened in August 2005) is scheduled to be built, and with that, it'll be somewhat closer to the station."
He explained.
I see, even if it's Chiba Prefecture, if it's Kashiwa, it's not that far from Tokyo. Kashima probably figured it wasn't worth pointing out.
While Nishida was thinking about that,
"No, wait..."
Ishida muttered.
"No, as I thought, it's also a pity to have you come all the way to Kashiwa... It seems better for me to introduce someone directly now... Nishida-san, I'm sorry, but regarding the DNA appraisal of old biological samples, in Japan, I think Professor Suehiro, who belongs to the Faculty of Bioscience at Ryogoku University, is the researcher at the true cutting edge. Of course we are also at the cutting edge, but because of the nature of our organization, we can't get involved head-on unless we can guarantee accuracy. In that respect, Suehiro-san is a civilian, so he can be quite aggressive about those areas as well. If you're requesting a story at a level where evidentiary capacity in court is already recognized, it's highly likely to end with 'impossible,' but if not, isn't it worth checking there? Anyway, basically at that level of the story, our research still has a low degree of certainty, so we don't really want to put it out as a 'result.' So I thought I'd leave it to Suehiro-san, but it would just be a waste of your time to have you come all the way to Kashiwa and then introduce him."
"I see. We also welcome that because it saves time. We aren't requesting a level of evidence to be presented in court at present, so that's not a problem either."
Nishida frankly accepted Ishida's proposal.
"I thought so. I understand. It's delicate since it's until tomorrow, but I'll try checking now. That person will probably be in his laboratory. I'll call you back."
Since Nishida had finished the conversation again, Yoshimura spoke to him.
"Is it decided?"
"No, not yet. This time he's going to introduce a university professor named Suehiro."
"Ha? Is it what you call being passed around..."
After saying that, Yoshimura pressed the button on the table to call the waitress and began to order a sherbet for dessert.
"What, are you still eating?"
When Nishida lightly rebuked him,
"How about you too, Team Leader? It won't come back for a while anyway, right?"
He even started saying that.
"What a guy as always... Then I guess I'll order a fruit parfait..."
He spoke in a bitter tone, but since he didn't dislike sweets, Nishida inwardly thanked him for giving him the opportunity.