Chapter 20 Section 18

Although I thought it was still a bit early, I drove from the headquarters at half past eleven at midnight. The meeting place designated by Azusa was at a western restaurant not far from the Toyo Branch Office. "Ah! Here, here." Azusa had arrived first, and was sitting by the window reading a newspaper.He was the same age as Mikami, both forty-six.Maybe it was because it was winter, the face that looked tough and dark when we met before, now looked haggard as if he was plagued by illness. "Sorry, I'm late." Mikami nodded slightly, and sat down on the chair opposite him.

"No, I arrived too early. Because there are always a lot of chores to be done at the branch office. Fortunately, I received a call from Mr. Mikami, allowing me to sneak out to get some air." Taking a closer look face to face, Azusa is still very energetic, and feels more easy-going than before. "I have known you for a long time, Mr. Mikami. I heard that when you were the class monitor of the second class, you once reported three officers who were dereliction of duty." "That was a long time ago." "You also stayed in a class, right?" "Yes, I spend about the same amount of time in class one and class two."

"What about the murder of little sister Xiangzi?" "I happened to be in the special criminal investigation unit of the first section." "Ah! When it comes to the special criminal investigation unit, it always makes people feel very powerful! Anyway, kidnapping is a very special case after all. When I was in Tokyo, I was often confused by such incidents." Azusa made use of her previous experience as a leading reporter in the Metropolitan Police Department to talk about some failures on the surface, but she was actually showing off her bravery in the past.Mikami never had a chance to say why he was here, until he and Azusa finished the curry rice and the after-dinner coffee was served, Azusa finally made it clear and asked:

"You must have come to me to ask us to withdraw our protest to the Minister!" Mikami put the coffee cup that was brought to his mouth back on the table.Azusa's question came so abruptly that he almost spilled his coffee. Mikami stretched out his hand to the front of his suit and shook it stiffly. "That's right, I'm here to ask you for this matter. Can you put it in my safekeeping to calm this turmoil?" "Well, I also think it seems too much to go directly to the head of the department, but you have to take into account the mood of those people at the scene, and the newspapers did stimulate the various newspapers, didn't they?"

"I admit this, but the person involved is a pregnant woman after all, so I have to take this into consideration." "I understand what you mean, but..." Azusa began to publish high-level remarks on the issue of anonymity. Although he said it with a look of reason, the content was basically the same as what the young reporters talked about.Mikami nodded in agreement and peeked at his watch.It was past one o'clock in the afternoon, and there were less than three hours left before the deadline for answering. "Mr. Azusa." Mikami insisted on bringing the conversation back to the point.

"You know the police so well, you must know how serious it is to protest against the minister. It's not that we can't accept protests, it's just that we should go through the secretarial department or the general affairs department first. That makes sense, doesn't it?" "Well, that's right!" There is something wrong!Mikami thought to himself.The editor-in-chief who was promoted from the social department put a lot of pressure on Akikawa.He guessed that the news that Suwa inquired was Akikawa's way to get people to buy him a drink.Because the man in front of him is neither stubborn nor extreme.Or... making Mikami feel like this is the ability of this reporter who once made a name for himself in Tokyo?

Mikami continued. "It's not that the issue of anonymity is not important. It's just that if the county police and the club tear each other up because of this incident, it won't be good for each other, right? So I want to use the power of Mr. Azusa here... Please!" Mikami paid special attention to the last sentence "Please". Azusa said thoughtfully: "I understand what you mean. Since you have come to me specifically, I will talk to Qiu Chuan. However, as I said just now, the mood of those people at the scene must also be taken into account, and there is no I know what Akikawa will think after hearing what I said... After all, this is tantamount to you bypassing him and talking to me directly."

Mikami nodded calmly.The heart is actually a little gloating.This time it was Qiu Chuan's turn to taste the humiliation of being reported by a leapfrog that he had also suffered. It feels like the real purpose of this trip is gone. "No matter what, I can't give you any guarantee, even if things change, don't blame me!" Azusa left a way out for herself, and stretched out her hand to the bill on the table. But the bill was held down by Mikami's hand. Azusa smiled and said: "It's absolutely impossible, how can I ask the police to treat you? If I can't meet your expectations, won't it become an annoying free-for-all?"

"Mr. Zi, please sit down." "what……?" --listen to me! Mikami gestured with his eyes, then lowered his voice and said: "Please tell Qiu Chuan to focus on chasing the bidding case." Azusa tilted her head slightly, staring at Mikami.The man who used to be the chief reporter of the Metropolitan Police Department had already sensed what Mikami was going to say next. But this information should exceed his expectations. "In the past few days, the executives of Bajiao Construction have been called in for arbitrary interviews. If it is soon, the arrest warrant will be issued in the next few days!"

Azusa stopped blinking, and the muscles on her face tensed and relaxed at times.Regardless of whether they are newcomers or veterans, all reporters have the same expression when they get the scoop. The customers who came to have lunch have almost dispersed.In the calm shop, Mikami was convinced that the deal had been established.