Chapter 94 - Name and Reality 17 {Combined 32/33} (69-70, 71-72: Visiting the Suehiro Laboratory at Ryogoku University)
Just as Nishida finished eating his parfait, a phone call came from Suehiro at the perfect timing. No, to be precise, he didn't introduce himself as Suehiro, but from the flow so far, he should be convinced that it was Suehiro. He was said to be a university professor, but he rattled on at Nishida, his 'first meeting' partner, with the fast speech typical of a science expert.
"Hello. I heard the story from Researcher Ishida. So, if you can only stay in Tokyo until tomorrow, 1:00 PM would be convenient for me, is that okay?"
Since he was the one asking, it couldn't be helped, but Nishida was a little taken aback by the fact that he didn't even introduce himself and pushed his own convenience. However, he wasn't a child, so he had no choice but to accommodate the other person.
"Yes, that's fine with us. So, what should I do?"
"Please stop by the office of the Faculty of Bioscience at the university and ask there, 'Where is the Suehiro Laboratory?' They'll explain it properly. I'll also mention it to them just in case."
"The university is in Ryogoku, right?"
"Eh? No, that's you..."
Suehiro became a little displeased after saying that.
"Ryogoku University sold off its old campus during the bubble era and is now in Tachikawa. Didn't you know?"
He spoke to Nishida in a clearly confrontational tone. He might have thought it was outrageous not to know the location of the university of the person he was requesting help from.
"Ah, is that so. I'm very sorry about that. In that case, the Chuo Line? How long would it take by taxi from Tachikawa Station?"
When he asked while apologizing like that,
"Taxi? There's a bus, a bus! But if you're unfamiliar, a taxi might be better... It'll take about ten minutes."
He explained to Nishida in a much calmer tone at the end.
"Understood. Then I will visit you at 1:00 PM tomorrow."
"Then I'll see you then. I'll be waiting."
Looking at Nishida's expression after finishing the conversation, Yoshimura said,
"Even though you weren't talking for a long time, you have a very tired face."
"A little..."
Nishida felt hesitant to talk about the details, so he dodged it with that much.
"For now, we'll meet Professor Suehiro at 1:00 PM tomorrow. And where?"
"Apparently the university laboratory is in Tachikawa."
"Tachikawa... That's quite far."
"It's not that far."
Even though he said that, Nishida, who had no sense of the area, didn't really understand the specific distance.
"Is that so? By the way, it's an evening flight tomorrow, but if things go wrong, it looks like we'll have to stay overnight."
Since Yoshimura confirmed this,
"I wonder. But from Tachikawa to Haneda, it might be tough even with an evening flight depending on how much time it takes."
He conveyed.
"Staying another night in Tokyo would be nice too. If it's the Chuo Line, I can stop by the Charmant in Shinjuku. But Onga-san probably won't look too happy."
Yoshimura was gauging his superior's reaction, but Nishida also felt that Team Leader Onga might not feel good about it.
Before noon the next day, June 11, Nishida and the others headed to Suehiro's laboratory on the JR Chuo Line. This day was hotter than the previous day, and the weather was such that it would exceed 30 degrees after noon. Nishida and Yoshimura silently endured the high temperature and high humidity peculiar to the rainy season in Honshu, which they were not used to, and after getting off the taxi, they were walking through the campus to the Faculty of Bioscience building.
At 12:50 PM, they showed their IDs at the office almost as scheduled, and the office lady said,
"Ah, are you the detectives? I've heard from Suehiro-san. It's the room on the right as you face the fifth floor from that elevator. There's a sign that says Suehiro Laboratory, so you'll know it right away."
She told them.
After a light thanks, they got into the elevator and got off on the fifth floor, and immediately a very large sign, or rather a nameplate, that said Suehiro Laboratory jumped into their field of vision.
They immediately knocked on the door and opened it,
"Excuse me, I'm Nishida from the Hokkaido Prefectural Police, we had an appointment."
When he raised his voice,
"Professor! The detectives are here!"
A man who looked like a student, who was reading some kind of book at a desk by the door, also shouted.
"Ah, they're here? Then, Aso-kun, could you get them some coffee? I can't take my hands off this for a moment."
He heard the familiar fast-paced words from the back, out of sight. Hearing that, the student, probably named Aso, said,
"Understood."
After saying that, he suddenly stood up, put water into a beaker from a tap at a place like a sink, and started putting it on a gas stove.
"Hey, are you going to boil coffee with that!?"
Nishida and Yoshimura looked at each other as if to say that, but Aso said,
"Ah, please sit on those folding chairs over there. Sorry it's messy."
He told the two without any ill will.
The coffee served by Aso was a very good taste, with no room for complaint, except for the fact that it was made with water boiled in a beaker using an alcohol lamp.
"Yeah, this is delicious."
When Yoshimura unintentionally said that,
"I thought so. The beans, no, the powder... to be honest, it's quite expensive. The professor loves coffee and apparently worked part-time at a coffee shop when he was young. Through the connections of that shop, he gets the highest quality Blue Mountain beans ground, and on top of that, he gets them cheap, and we drink them. After all, good coffee is best enjoyed black!"
Aso explained with pride.
"Then don't boil the water in a beaker!"
Nishida wanted to retort, but he convinced himself with a conclusion full of prejudice that this must be what science types are like. Well, certainly, from the perspective of a science person, the aspect that it's not far from the truth cannot be denied... They continued that kind of interaction for about twenty minutes, but Suehiro did not show his true self at all.
After forty-five minutes had passed, and just as they were about to lose their patience, Suehiro finally appeared. Or rather, if Aso, who had served the coffee, hadn't said "Professor, are you finished?" to the man who came out, Nishida wouldn't even have noticed, as he was a small person with very little presence.
However, the reason Nishida didn't notice was not just because he was small, but also because he looked younger than expected and could only be seen as a graduate student. His age was unknown, but he must be at least in his late thirties. He looked like he was only in his mid-twenties.
"Sorry to disturb you."
When the two greeted him, he just nodded curtly and disappeared into the back again. However, this time he immediately reappeared after taking off his white coat.
"I'm sorry, I was assisting a student's experiment. So, um, which one is the person I talked to yesterday?"
Since he apologized honestly, Nishida was bewildered by the gap between his attitude so far, including the phone call, but looking at his expression, it wasn't that he apologized sincerely, it might have just meant a perfunctory greeting.
"So, where's the shiryou?"
He was hit with an incomprehensible word without a moment's delay, and Nishida and Yoshimura desperately tried to understand the meaning, but
"Shiryou?"
He had to ask again.
"Eh? Samples! Materials for testing! Didn't you bring them? Well, we can't even talk then!"
Hearing that, Suehiro did not hide his attitude of being appalled.
"I'm sorry, but what kind of thing are you calling a sample?"
Nishida also asked back in a somewhat confrontational tone.
"Of course, the samples you want me to investigate! Er, according to Ishida-san's story, it was a blood sample from about fifty years ago..."
"Ah, is that what you mean... I didn't think it would turn into that kind of talk right away, so I didn't bring them to Tokyo."
The meaning finally got through to the two, but Suehiro clicked his tongue when he heard Nishida's answer.
"What, you didn't bring them after all..."
"Does that mean you can start right away without confirming the information from here?"
When Yoshimura pressed him aggressively,
"From what I heard from Ishida-san yesterday, I thought for sure you were bringing them, and I was thinking of giving an answer after grasping the situation... In that case, I can't give an immediate answer, unfortunately. However, from what I've heard, it's an old bloodstain sample soaked into cloth and paper, right? With my method, even with a deteriorated sample from a little less than 100 years ago, I think I can extract it until a considerable part of the DNA can be identified with a 60 percent probability. If it can be extracted, I have 99 percent confidence in the result. Unfortunately, in the world of forensic appraisal, it's still said not to be at the court level."
He looked confident at the end.
"How much should we provide? Both are important as evidence materials, so especially for the paper, since it's the fingerprint part, I don't want to cut it out too much."
"I see. But Nishida-san, you don't have to worry too much about that. Let's see, I don't know since it's not in front of me, and I don't have detailed knowledge about forensics, but I think there's a part that won't be used for appraisal, so if you could cut out about a 1-millimeter square from there. That much should be fine, right?"
He had a confident attitude, and it seemed like it wouldn't be a problem for them either if it was that much.
"Um, there are two pieces of paper, would it be better to have both?"
Remembering that there were two deeds, he asked like that, but
"If each sample is a different blood, then of course you have to."
Suehiro spoke in a tone as if he were mocking Nishida.
"No, since the fingerprints are the same on both, I think they're blood seals from the same person, but just in case."
"Hmm... Then as you like. Then, please list what you want investigated and what you want to know on this. I've heard from Ishida-san, but I have to confirm since I wasn't hearing it directly from the person himself."
Prompted by Suehiro, Nishida began to write on the paper he was handed.
○ Investigation Target Samples
1) Blood soaked into paper, 2 items (both presumed to be the same person)
2) Blood soaked into cloth
3) Saliva
○ Desired Investigation Content
Whether the mitochondrial DNA contained in the blood from 1 to 3 matches
When Nishida finished writing and handed the paper to Suehiro, Suehiro glanced at it and
"Eh? Are you saying you want to investigate the mtDNA in the bloodstains?"
He made a bewildered face.
"mtDNA?"
Nishida didn't lose, no, he didn't have that intention at all, but he similarly made a bewildered expression.
"In other words, it's the mitochondrial DNA. Is that all you need?"
"What do you mean by 'is that all'?"
Not understanding the intent of the statement, Nishida asked back again.
"I thought for sure the story was about whether the human DNA itself in the blood matched, but is the mitochondria in the blood enough... From what I heard from Ishida-san, it was about the DNA of the bloodstains... In that case, I haven't seen the actual items, but considering the number of years passed, you'll find a match with about a 95 percent probability... What, it was a mitochondrial appraisal... If it's just a story about mtDNA, that's something that can be done at the NRIPS level, so Ishida-san must have been mistaken too."
Suehiro was muttering with an expression that clearly said "I failed," but Nishida reacted quickly.
"No, if the normal DNA itself can be investigated, we'd rather have you investigate it by all means!"
"Is that so? Well, that's fine then."
Suehiro reluctantly agreed while pouting.
However, from Suehiro's story, Nishida realized that his intent had been incorrectly conveyed to Suehiro in the game of telephone between Kashima and Ishida. However, that misunderstanding was a blessing in disguise because it led to Suehiro, who might be able to investigate the DNA of the owner of the bloodstains themselves.
"By the way, it's definitely human blood, right? I don't have to do the appraisal for that part? Ah, well, it won't take much effort to appraise it anyway..."
Suehiro settled the matter on his own after asking.
"It's definitely human blood. That's been confirmed in our investigation."
Perhaps unable to bear seeing his superior being led at Suehiro's pace, Yoshimura cut in a bit irritably.
"I see. Then I understand about that... So the actual samples... Yes, that's right, when can you send them to me?"
"I'll send them at least the day after tomorrow. Since it's from Kitami, please allow for probably three days."
When Nishida said that,
"Three days later? Kitami is... I'm not fond of geography."
He hesitated.
"It's the east side of Hokkaido."
Convinced that it was no use being detailed, Nishida used a simple way of speaking.
"Ah, is that so. Then it might take three days... I don't know the situation of the samples, but regarding mtDNA, I think it'll almost certainly be fine. Regarding the human DNA of the bloodstains, I can't make a light promise, but I think it'll mostly be okay. Anyway, if there's any problem, I'll call you. It's fine to use the (mobile phone) number I called yesterday, right?"
"Please use that."
"The results will come out in about ten days. Ah, that's only if they can be appraised, though. Please bear with it taking a little longer than a normal appraisal."
"Will they come out that fast?"
"If they can be done. Only if they can be done. Well, you can have expectations."
Suehiro glared and emphasized the "if" to Nishida.
"Then, Aso-kun, tell these two the address here. Well then, I'm going back to the experiment, so this is it."
After a light bow, he stood up from the folding chair and quickly disappeared into the back.
As if he had timed it, Aso whispered to the two,
"He's that kind of person, but he doesn't mean any harm. His technique is definitely top-class in Japan, even if he looks like that. After graduating from the University of Tokyo, he was an assistant professor (at the time; currently an associate professor) at 30, and at 34, he moved from the University of Tokyo to our university and became a professor. It's an amazing pace. He's truly a genius."
Certainly, a genius must be a genius. And after getting the paper with the address and the laboratory's phone number from Aso, the two left the laboratory.
"He was quite an eccentric fellow."
When they got off the elevator to the first floor, Yoshimura immediately spoke to Nishida. However, he didn't seem to be particularly disgusted.
"Well, something like that."
"However, from that manner, it seems the mitochondrial appraisal will manage somehow. With this, it will become clear whether the three people have a matrilineal blood relationship. Well, it's already naturally inferred at this point, but... If possible, it would be even better if the DNA of the blood itself was known."
"If it's known, it's known, and it'll lead to more trouble."
Nishida gave a wry smile, but mysteries can only be solved one by one. Even if it's troublesome, if you skip the process, you can't reach the truth. Nishida also understood that well.
"By the way, we can make the final flight from now. Unfortunately."
When Yoshimura said that to Nishida while looking at his wristwatch,
"Yeah. The dream of playing for a night in Tokyo has been crushed."
He replied exaggeratedly.
"Regrettable!"
The two exchanged playful banter, but
"Even so, let's consider it a good thing that we didn't have to see Team Leader Onga's face looking like he wanted to complain!"
When Nishida concluded that, the strides of the two walking through the campus naturally widened.
"That's right, I have to say thanks to Kashima-san."
Nishida tried to take his mobile phone out of his breast pocket as if he had just thought of it, but
"If you're going to do it while walking, you can do it after we arrive at Haneda, right?"
He was told, and he put it back as it was.
On the next day, June 12, Nishida cut out and sent very small samples from each of the blood seals of Kuwano on the two deeds kept in forensics and the scrap he had received from the old man Koshiba. And he requested that the DNA analysis results of Oshima that were at the Hokkaido Prefectural Police SIL be sent as they were to Suehiro's laboratory.
Originally, he intended to send the samples themselves, but a SIL staff member advised him, "Since they've already been analyzed, it's quicker to send them as data," and he had done so. When he contacted Suehiro about it, he was told something to the effect of "Then tell me sooner," but since he had already predicted the other person's reaction, he just nodded appropriately as if it were water off a duck's back and pretended to apologize. However, Suehiro also conveyed to Nishida that if that were the case, the analysis results might be out a little sooner.
On the afternoon of June 14, Japan defeated Tunisia 2-0 in the World Cup group stage and entered the top 16 for the first time. Nishida and the others also watched the television regardless of their work and rejoiced at the victory with other investigators from the Division 1. But good things don't continue like that. On June 17, a report on the investigation came from Sudo.
○ 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
○ Todate Akira
Under Aoi-ikka, 2nd-tier organization, Sunpu Group (Shizuoka City), 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)"
○ 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
○ 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 was a contact saying that the investigation of Oshita from the list would be terminated. Immediately after Nishida's direct request, an investigator from the local Mejiro Station directly obtained a post-meal glass at a restaurant Oshita had stopped by, and when they had the DNA appraised, it did not match the DNA taken from the hair (the hair root) left in the getaway vehicle at all. The fact that Oshita, whose alibi was not clear and who was thought to be the most suspicious, had disappeared from the investigative line was a considerably shocking news for the investigative team.
After this report, Nishida sat in his chair for about thirty minutes and did not stand up. It was a situation where the path that had begun to open might be closed again.
Bad things continue in succession. On the morning of the next day, June 18, a contact came from Sudo saying that the Mito Station, like the Mejiro Station, had successfully obtained a DNA sample from Nakatani's glass at a bar he frequented, and when the DNA was appraised, it also didn't match. And Sudo told Nishida,
"In this situation, I want you to think that it's unlikely anyone will come out from the list we made."
In other words, they were facing a situation where they had to re-list or, in the worst case, reconsider the theory of being from Iwate based on 'Abe' itself. If that happened, they would have to be prepared for the case to go cold this time for sure.
Regarding Satake and Todate, since the probability of them being the perpetrators is considerably low from the situation, he intends to have DNA samples obtained just in case, but Sudo was already in giving-up mode, saying it was no use hurrying the local stations.
In the afternoon, there was the match between Japan and Turkey in the knockout stage, but Nishida was watching the match in a daze. Even the cheerful Yoshimura didn't seem to be able to get into it. On top of that, the match was a worst-case development of losing 1-0, and the corner of the dedicated team of Nishida and the others in the Investigation Division 1 of the Kitami Area Headquarters was wrapped in a considerably gloomy atmosphere.