Chapter 17 The final chapter

Some years after the case was solved, on a warm sunny day in winter, at Ukai Detective Agency, Ukai and Azumi met again with the client of this case.The client was wearing the light blue suit she wore when she first visited the detective agency, which meant that she came here today as Sakiko Zentsuji.Zhu Mei immediately made her a cup of Japanese tea. The three sat opposite each other across a small table.After chatting happily for a while, Ukai asked a question. "By the way, even though it's just a trivial matter now, I would like to ask Madam a question, which is the mobile phone. On the night of the incident, I called Madam's mobile phone three times, but none of them got through. Why did that happen?"

"Ah, that's it. Then, the reason is the movie." "Movie?" "Yes. That night, I, Liuhei and Sakura, enjoyed the movie I made when I was a student. I remember that it started at one o'clock in the morning, and I turned off my phone at that time. Turning off the phone while watching a movie is something I have planted for many years. Habit. In fact, I should not turn off the phone that night, because I don’t know when Mr. Detective will call urgently. But I was a little drunk at the time, so I accidentally turned off the phone according to the usual habit.” "So, after the movie ended, you didn't turn it on?"

"Yes. I didn't turn it on again until I left the villa at dawn." "So that's it, that's what it is." Yukai nodded sharply, clarifying the doubts in his heart. "Then, on the other hand..." Zhu Mei asked this time. "Miss Sakiko, haven't you ever thought of calling Mr. Ukai on your cell phone? For example, when you found Genjiro's body, you should want to contact Mr. Ukai to confirm Haruhiko's condition, right?" "Yes, Ms. Zhumei, of course. At that time, I also wanted to contact immediately, so I took out Mr. Ugai's business card from my wallet. But the business card only had the firm's telephone and fax numbers, and no mobile phone number was printed. I was too reckless. It is determined that the business card will print the mobile phone number."

"Is that right?" Ukai heard Zhu Mei's inquiry, and took out a business card from his business card holder and handed it to her. "It is true that my business card does not have a mobile phone number printed on it." Ukai faced the client again. "In other words, Madam doesn't know my mobile phone number, and I can't contact you even if I want to. I know Madam's mobile phone number, but Madam turned off the phone. Later, I didn't find your client until we met directly at the bottom of the slope. nearby." "Yes. Because of my rashness, I am really sorry for causing more confusion to the two of you." After she finished speaking, she bowed her head and slowly took out the checkbook from her bag. "It's not right to say compensation, but I will do my best for the compensation part."

She tore off a check with many "0s" written on it, and handed it to the detective with words of thanks.When the detective was about to grab the check and accept it, it seemed that he suddenly recalled the essence of a "proud man" and suddenly stopped. "Wait a minute, ma'am, this is too much." "Oh, why?" The detective got up silently and stood by the window, as if reading the lines written on the window glass, speaking modest words. "Actually, I've been reflecting on myself. I'm not showing my talents in this case. Madam ordered me to keep an eye on Haruhiko at all times. If I faithfully carry out Madam's commission, I might be able to stop Haruhiko when he is about to kill Quan Teng Genjiro. But Haruhiko's abnormality The behavior stimulated my curiosity, and I couldn't help but concentrate on digging the hole, which caused Haruhiko to move freely, resulting in that kind of end... This is all caused by my incompetence."

"My God, you are so strict with yourself! You are worthy of being a detective." Mrs. Sakiko praised the detective behind her.Ukai's shoulders trembled slightly as if he was very happy, while Zhu Mei watched with a mentality that did not dare to accept the advice.Really, obviously greedy by nature, but only at this time, a poor detective who likes to be handsome and face-saving is such a headache. "Then, Miss Sakiko." Zhu Mei threw down the detective who was brewing a sentimental atmosphere by the window, and only she herself faced the client. "Since he said so, let me accept the check."

"That's right, leave it to you." Zhu Mei took the check from Mrs. Sakiko.The amount written on it was enough to pay the office's rent for several months.At the moment when Zhu Mei thought she was really lucky, Ukai reached out from the side and clamped the check with two fingers. "Oh, what's the matter with your finger? I'm not responsible for the broken check." "You want to regard my struggle this time as 'doing nothing'?" "Don't worry, I'll pay you an hourly wage anyway." "Am I a work-study student?"

"Is this due to your 'incompetence'? If you have any complaints, wait until you pay all the rent you owe. Oh?" ​​Zhu Mei stopped fighting for checks with Yukai for the time being, and looked at the entrance of the office. "Miss Sakiko, are you leaving?" Sakiko put on a beige coat in front of the entrance door. "Yes, I have another place to go next." "Ma'am, I'm sorry I couldn't treat you well." Ukai scratched his head guiltily. "Miss Sakiko, you are always welcome to visit." "Okay." After Mrs. Sakiko responded happily, she showed a somewhat complicated expression. "However, this should be the last time I will appear in front of the two of you as Zentsuji Sakiko. Because I will return to Izumi Sakiko."

"That's it..." The two turned their heads to look at each other.She bowed her head deeply, and said her last greeting as Sakiko Zentsuji. "Then, take care, both of you." In the reception room at the corner of the Kuzuigawa Police Station, the Sunagawa Police Department and Shiki Detective met with their former colleagues again.Wearing plain black trousers, she seems to have returned to the era when she was active as a detective.In other words, she came here today as Sakiko Izumi.She told her that she had just finished her work at the Ukai Detective Agency, explaining that she would no longer be Sakiko Zentsuji from now on.

"Well, in this way, there will be no one with the surname Shantongsi anymore." The Sunagawa police department sighed with a lot of emotion.Instead, Sakiko Izumi showed a free and easy expression. "Not just the surname, but the old mansion is also decided to be demolished. After Ms. Toyama Mariko finds a job, she should rent a house and live alone. The Zentsuji family will disappear both in name and in reality." "Anyway, the demolition of that mansion is inevitable for the incident that happened in that mansion." The Shachuan police department nodded frequently with hands folded. "I don't know whether it's luck or misfortune. Even if four people died in this case, no one should be arrested. From the perspective of the police, they would feel that the case could not be completely concluded and they would be dissatisfied. However, it seems that the Shantong Temple family has disappeared since then. The most suitable way to end this case. Even if it took three full years to end."

"Now that the case is all over, I take my leave." Izumi Sakiko got up quickly, and Detective Shiki desperately wanted to keep her. "Senior, please stop, it's okay to sit down a little longer, right?" "That's not okay, I'm going somewhere." "Then I'll take you there." "Don't force it, is this period very busy?" Sakiko Izumi patted the junior on the shoulder, bowing his head solemnly to say goodbye to the former chief. "You have taken care of all aspects, and I hope you will be more active in the future." Sakiko Izumi left the reception room alone.As she walked along the corridor of Kuzuigawa Police Station to the gate, Detective Shiki chased her from behind. "I'll take you to the parking lot." This is an excuse, Shiki's real purpose is to ask about something.He spoke as he walked out the gate of the police station. "Actually, when I was interrogating the people involved in this case, I heard a wonderful rumor about Sakiko Zentsuji. But it doesn't seem to be directly related to the case, and it's not convenient to mention it in front of the person involved." "Oh, I still have doubts?" "Yes, to be honest..." Shiki moved forward slowly, speaking at a volume only she could hear. "Mariko Toyama claims that Sakiko Zentsuji, the senior, had an affair with a young man. Is this just a misunderstanding?" "Oh, Mariko said something like that. Humph, that's how it is, I understand. The young man Mariko is talking about should be Hero Gondo." "Sure enough. Then seniors and heroes..." "Hey, wait, don't jump to conclusions. After all, it's your fault." "Why is it my fault?" "I also explained before that the first time I met the hero was at the small steel ball shop, and then I went to the cafe. It is the same as what I explained last time. But when he wants to explain in detail, because of this kind of content, I think It should not be discussed in a coffee shop, after all, walls have ears. So I asked the hero to find a place where only two people can talk about things together." "A place where only two people can live together? Uh... Could it be that it can't be?" "Yes, it's a hotel." "You went in?" "Well, I went in. It must have been Mariko Toyama who witnessed this scene. In other words, the hero was holding the Kelly bag as evidence. In the eyes of Mariko who didn't know, the hero might be the little boy who helped me carry the bag. Huh , Zhimu, why do you look like you're about to cry?" "Seniors and heroes... enter the hotel..." "Isn't that okay? In the end, you were the one who first suggested using the hotel to discuss things, right? I'm just taking your opinion. Besides, heroes don't cringe like 'someone somewhere'." "Who is that 'someone somewhere' you speak of!" said someone somewhere. "Wait a minute, it's not important. So what did you two do at the hotel?" "That's right, we're discussing the exchange of killing people." "That's the only way? Really? But you guys are lonely men and widows, right? That's the only way? No, it's definitely more than that!" "Hmm... Hearing you ask me that, I feel like I've done something else." "Senior...!" Zhimu screamed. "It's okay to lie, please deny it!" "Anyway, it doesn't matter, right? It has nothing to do with you." "Senior and I really have nothing to do with each other, but..." "Don't make people think! Hey, don't mention this, Shiki." Izumi Sakiko's expression suddenly became serious, and he ordered him in the sharp tone of the criminal police era. "Go over without changing your face." The two were about to arrive at the parking lot.The BMW parked inside is Sakiko Izumi's favorite car.A man in a black coat stood next to the car, smoking a cigarette as if nothing had happened.This is a deja vu scene, the last time it was a Mercedes-Benz. "I understand." Shiki also continued to face forward. "Look at the corner of the front room." The two passed the parking lot with an air of "I didn't see anything" around them, hid at the corner of the building, and immediately paid attention to the movement of the parking lot.The man in the coat threw away the cigarette he had just lit, and quickly took out the small crowbar hidden in his coat.The moment he raised the crowbar towards the window of the BMW passenger seat, a criminal policeman and a former criminal policeman rushed out. The outcome is instantly known.The sudden appearance of two people caused the man to panic greatly, and the crowbar he swung was feebly bounced off the window glass.Shiki snatched the man's crowbar, and Sakiko Izumi hit the opponent's right ankle with a magnificent sweep of his legs with the skill of a gymnast.This precise kick made the man in the coat scream and fall down. "As expected of a senior, the sword is not old. Do you want to come back to be a criminal police officer?" Zhimu said, grabbing the collar of the fallen man. "This guy...huh?" This face seemed familiar.Although I don't think it's such a coincidence, it must be true. "Senior, this guy is the same person at that time! It was the car thief who injured Senior's right foot and escaped on a snowy night three years ago. Huh, Senior...Senior?" Shiki looked around, but didn't see Sakiko Izumi.Looking into the car inadvertently, she was already sitting in the driver's seat and started the engine.She opened the driver's window, backed up slowly and spoke to Shiki. "I'm sorry, someone is waiting for me. That man is handed over to you. That guy must have had a lot of criminal records in the past three years, so check it out carefully. Anyway, all the accounts from three years ago will be cancelled, and I can go out without any worries. Traveling." "Hey, travel? Senior, where are you going?" Sakiko Izumi didn't answer, let the engine idle for a while, then waved slightly from the car window and said "Let's go!".This way of parting fits her personality very well.Sakiko Izumi's BMW left at high speed with the sound of friction from the rear wheels, as if to eliminate the aftermath of the farewell just now. On Platform 3 of Kuzuigawa Station, Ryuhei and Sakura saw the actress again. As usual, the actress wore a red dress, a fur-collared coat, and appeared on the stage carrying a big suitcase, completely in the style of Ayako Mizuki. She finished her work at the Ukai Detective Agency, said goodbye to the former chief and younger generation at the Kuizichuan Police Station, and now proudly showed off the deeds of subduing the car thief by herself just now. "But I'm so surprised. You suddenly said that you would travel for a while and asked us to come to the station platform to watch you off." "Had the notice been given earlier, a more formal farewell party could have been prepared." "Sorry, Sakura, I'm not good at dealing with that kind of situation." "I understand." Sakura showed a worried look. "So where exactly are you going?" "Don't worry, although I'm going to travel for a while, it's not going abroad, it's nearby." Ayako Mizuki did not mention the specific location, and continued to explain to the two of them. "There is a master who always directs B-level movies and I have worked with him. After the director knew that I came back alone, he called me immediately. He said that there was a role that was very suitable for me, and asked me if I would like to challenge it after a long absence. But as usual, it's a B-movie horror-comedy." "Oh my god, is it true? In this case, the actress Ayako Mizuki is coming back after a long absence, right?" Sakura and You Rong said happily. "That's the way it is. But my ultimate goal is always to become a film director Ayako Mizuki. The comeback of actress Ayako Mizuki is just a prologue. Anyway, please look forward to it." After Liuping heard about her ambition, he recalled one thing he wanted to confirm. "So, we watched Miss Ayako's movie on the night of the incident, right?" "Should I say 'honoured appreciation'?" "Yes, it's an honor to watch Ayako-san's movie. So there is no mystery in that movie, right?" "Huh?" Ayako Mizuki asked Sakura in surprise. "Mystery? What do you mean?" "Master Tomura once seriously suspected that Miss Ayako was the murderer." "Think I killed Genjiro? Absurd, how can I kill him?" "Yes, that's what I said at the time. But according to Tomura-sama's reasoning, it's fine to use some kind of trick." Liuping waved his hands in a panic and denied. "No, no, of course I'm not serious, just stating this possibility." "No, you were quite serious at the time, and even I was persuaded by you." "That's not the case!" "Oh, that's it..." Ayako Mizuki grinned and stared at the two of them. "But I don't understand. What kind of trick can I use to kill Genjiro? I just listen to Ryuhei's reasoning...no." Ayako Mizuki suddenly stopped talking and looked at the end of the platform with sharp eyes.The tram she was going to ride was appearing from the far side of the track.She shook her head regretfully. "It seems that I don't have time to listen to your reasoning. I can't help it. I will think about it myself during the trip." The express tram with three carriages came into the station, and the announcement announced that it would stop for three minutes.Liuping and Sakura help Ayako carry her luggage to the seat and get off the bus.Caizi waved cheerfully at the other side of the car window, but suddenly, as if remembering something, she opened the car window and waved to Liuping. "What's wrong? Forgot something?" "Yes, I forgot one important thing. My car was just parked in the parking lot in front of the station, and I forgot to dispose of it." "Hey hey hey! It's too late to say such things now, right?" "I can't help it." Caizi handed a key to Liuping. "Here are the car keys. I will leave them to you for safekeeping before I come back. You can use them as you like. Do you know which car I have?" "B, BMW... right?" "Yes. However, I have one condition." Caizi grabbed Liuping's shoulder and pulled her over, whispering quickly in his ear. "Take Sakura for a ride!" The bell announcing the departure rang as if waiting for Ayako to finish speaking. "Ryuhei, please!" "I know, I know." Liuping picked up the key for safekeeping and nodded in response. "Sakura, take care!" "Okay, I wish Miss Ayako the best of luck." Sakura's eyes seemed a little moist. Ayako Mizuki showed a gorgeous smile and waved lightly to the two of them. After the bell rang, the tram slid away from the platform. Ryuhei and Sakura have been standing on the platform, watching the tram slowly leave. (End of the book)