Chapter 5 Chapter 4 The Dead

The next morning, fishing boats gathered in Jinpu Bay.The fishing boats that were usually towed to land due to lack of manpower and reduced catches also went to sea for work due to the lifting of the ban on shrimp. Shrimp fishing is carried out by two fishing boats, using nets to catch the bottom part. The beach, which is usually silent except for the noise of the factory, is now full of noise due to the cheers of fishermen and the sound of the engines of the fishing boats. During the chaos last night, Zhong Yuan received a few punches on the back of his head and was still in pain, but he was unwilling to resent these fishermen.He knew that they were so impulsive and resorted to violence not so much because of their hatred of people like Zhong Yuan and Ji Chuan, but more because of their fear of the sharp drop in the price of Qian shrimp.

"How will the riot yesterday affect future public nuisance investigations?" After breakfast, Nakahara asked Itami and Kusakabe questions. Kyoko also came back from Nanura very late last night, and is still sleeping in her own room. "Yesterday, we learned a few points," Itami said slowly while thinking: "First, the conclusion of the Fuyuki investigation team is most likely the kind of optimism we are afraid of that completely ignores reality. Therefore, we are We have to confront them. Second, the fishermen’s antipathy towards us is unexpectedly strong. To be correct, they are basically afraid of being considered as polluted. I think this is our worst enemy.”

"And you?" Take a look at Kusakabe in Nakahara.Kusakabe turned his eyes to the sea and said: "I'm a journalist, and I want to look at it from the eyes of residents. I won't be partial to the Fuyuki Investigation Team, and I won't be biased toward you, either." "It's about public nuisance, and you can still say such beautiful words!" "Of course I know that." Just as Kusakabe nodded and wanted to continue, there was a sudden noise from the beach. Someone was shouting, but what was being shouted was indistinct. Three people poked their heads out of the window and looked towards the beach.

The fishing boats on the bay seemed a little unusual in appearance. They were supposed to be working in pairs, but at this time there were four or five boats gathered in the center of the bay, and the fishermen on board were shouting something to the beach. "It seems that something happened." Kusakabe muttered to himself, grabbed the camera and rushed out. "The reporter is different after all, he moves so fast." Itami said with a smile. Among the fishing boats gathered in a pile, one sailed towards the coast with a high-pitched engine sound.Zhong Yuan watched carefully for a long time, but still couldn't see what happened.

From the direction of the city hall, a policeman rushed over on his bicycle. Then, the helicopter of the Fuyuki investigation team also flew over, flying around the beach at low altitude, and it was clear that something had happened!And it's clearly related to the Fuyuki Investigation Team. "Go and have a look." Nakahara urges Itami.Going out in the corridor, he almost bumped into the sleepy Kyoko.Kyoko asked in surprise: "What happened early in the morning?" "Go back to sleep." Nakahara said with a smile, and rushed to the beach with Itami Kuai. There was already a group of people gathered on the beach.Kusakabe was among them, and his camera was aimed at the fishing village.

Nakahara and Itami arrived and asked from behind Kusakabe: "What's up?" "It seems to have found a drowned person." Kusakabe still prepared the scene and answered in a firm tone. Another policeman arrived and began to clear the crowd.The rope quickly formed a half circle, and Nakahara and Itami were also driven out of the circle. The fishing boat docked, and a body wrapped in canvas was carried to the beach.Kusakabe used the privilege of a reporter to pass through the rope and get close to the corpse. The ambulance from the municipal hospital arrived, and the wrapped corpse was taken away in a blink of an eye.Zhong Yuan stood on tiptoe to watch, but he still couldn't see who the deceased was.

Kusakabe came back out of the rope circle.Zhong Yuan asked. "I was shocked." Kusakabe looked excitedly, looked at Nakahara and Itami and said, "It's Professor Fuyuki." "Fuyuki!" Itami moaned almost suffocated. Zhong Yuan was also stunned, but he didn't know how to speak for a while, so he just kept silent. The helicopter hovering overhead disappeared at some point.Presumably, the members of the investigation team were also in a mess at this moment, and rushed to the city hospital. "how could be?" Zhong Yuan muttered to himself.Thinking frantically in his mind: What kind of impact will this matter have on the pollution investigation and the lawsuit he filed?

"Although the situation is still unknown, the most ironic thing is that Fuyuki's body was completely polluted by seawater." Kusakabe said this to Nakahara.After a pause, I added another sentence: "The wet clothes are full of oil stains. Yesterday he publicly announced that Jinpu Sea is not polluted. Alas." After Kusakabe finished speaking, he went to the city hospital by himself to investigate the cause of death. Nakahara and Itami returned to the hotel, and Kyoko waited there with shining eyes. "I heard that Captain Fuyuki passed away?" Zhong Yuan nodded, and she asked again:

"Who killed it?" Kyoko had already regarded this incident as a murder case, both Nakahara and Itami couldn't help but wry smiles. Kusakabe went there for a long time, but he never returned to the hotel. Central Plains gradually felt uneasy.If Kyoko's guess is unfortunate, then what happened to Fuyuki's death? Around noon, Kusakabe came back and explained to everyone that he had run past the hospital, the police station, and the tourist hotel where the investigation team stayed. "It's still a murder case, isn't it?" Kyoko asked impatiently.Kusakabe replied with a helpless smile:

"The gentlemen of the investigative team believe that he went for a walk on the pier last night and accidentally slipped and fell." "Walking?" Nakahara turned his head and said, "Did Professor Fuyuki have this habit in the past?" "It is said that he likes to walk alone." "But it's still cold at night on the pier. Did anyone see him walking?" "not yet." "Where's his daughter Ayako?" "I saw you in the hospital. I wanted to ask her a lot of questions, but after she confirmed that it was her father, she immediately went back to the hotel. I hoped to hear some advice from my relatives and tracked him down immediately, but she didn't see anyone. .”

"It can't be blamed on others." Kyoko whispered sympathetically.Kusakabe added: "But when she saw her father's body, she didn't shed a single tear." Nakahara thought of Fuyuki Ayako's face full of reason.Although it was just a quick glance, he thought it was understandable for Kusakabe to say that she wasn't crying.He thought tears might not be suitable for a girl like her. "What do the police think?" Zhong Yuan triggered his interest in becoming a lawyer and asked this question.Kusakabe lit a cigarette and said: "At present, it seems to be inclined to the view of accident, but the possibility of homicide is not ruled out, so it may be delivered for autopsy." "It must have been killed, it can't be wrong." Kyoko repeated her opinion solemnly.Kusakabe looked at her with interest and said: "Why do you think it was murder?" "There is no particular reason, but the investigation team has twins, opposing each other, and so sharp. Isn't this atmosphere likely to lead to a murder: I think the entire Jinpu City is also split into two. Infected People with asthma and high school students are against public nuisance, while people on the corporate side and fishermen do not recognize public nuisance, and there is a strong emotional confrontation between the two sides. In addition, there is also a Suzuki Shinkichi whose lover committed suicide. So I think there is a murder case air, very clearly." As Kyoko spoke, she looked at the three of them as if seeking approval. Zhongyuan felt that Jingzi's views were not all hustle and bustle and irresponsible. The current Jinpu City did contain a dangerous atmosphere. The enterprise side is desperately trying, and the fishermen are also betting on tomorrow's life.The asthmatic is suffering, and Umezu Yuka has committed suicide. The fate of these many people can be said to be in the hands of the two investigation teams.Then, so suddenly, the head of one of the investigation teams died.Under such circumstances, it would be more natural to regard Fuyuki's death as homicide. Nakahara glanced at Kusakabe and said: "According to your journalistic eyes, what do you think, murder?" "Well. If it is a mistake, the timing is too coincidental. At present, I can only say this sentence, nothing else." Before the death of Professor Fuyuki was determined to be an accident or homicide, it began to have a subtle impact on people. All the fishing boats that went out to sea to catch prawns stopped working and returned to the port when the sun was still high.On the one hand, it was because there were very few shrimps to be found, and on the other hand, it was believed that the lack of shrimps was due to the drowning.They all care about omens. There are also various rumors among people on the street.The first Tsubaki said: Professor Fuyuki was drunk, fell down and drowned.There were even eyewitnesses who saw him walking on the pier in a drunken mess.Kusakabe went to investigate, and it turned out that there were no witnesses at all.In fact, Professor Fuyuki is a teetotaler. Of course there are also rumors that Professor Fuyuki was murdered.However, in this rumor, what Zhongyuan felt interested in was that the murderer was not Suzuki Shinkichi, but Yoshikawa.This also means that the duel between Professor Fuyuki and Yoshikawa in the civic hall left a strong impression on people.At that time, Itami also stood up and protested to Fuyuki, but No one mentioned Itami's name, probably because Itami was not a well-known figure.In addition, Yoshikawa is a teacher in a local high school, and this status is also a factor that makes him suspicious.The murder case of a local high school teacher can easily become a rumor material. These are all baseless claims, but Zhongyuan also feels some ominous signs.Because when the police confirmed that it was a homicide, Yoshikawa must be the first thing they suspected. After nightfall, Kusakabe, who went out to inquire about the results of the autopsy, came back from the hospital looking very excited. "As expected, the result of the autopsy was that he fell into the water after his death. That is to say, Professor Fuyuki was thrown into the sea after being killed. It was murder." Although the news brought back by Kusakabe was not unexpected, the Central Plains still suffered a lot.As a result, Yoshikawa is hard to get rid of the crime in the eyes of the police. Kusakabe didn't notice Nakahara's worries, so he said excitedly: "Tomorrow, a large number of reporters will arrive." He said loudly, and went downstairs to call the head office in Tokyo. Nakahara and Itami looked at each other. "I'm afraid the police can't ignore the rumors in the street." The Central Plains became heavy.Itami nodded, but Kyoko said from the side: "How could such a serious teacher kill someone?" Unable to bear the resentment, Zhong Yuan agreed with a wry smile, and said: "My concern is the repercussions of him being considered involved. If it is not cleared up immediately, it will be detrimental to our investigation, and it will be difficult to maintain our credibility." "I completely agree with this point." Itami said: "If he is arrested, the company will definitely take advantage of it and say: 'Of course the investigation team including the murder suspects cannot be trusted.' In this way, the fishermen They will roll their eyes at us, and the fishermen, who already have bad intentions towards us, will become even more vicious." When Itami said this, it seemed that he suddenly realized that Yoshikawa hadn't been dealt with by the police, so he smiled wryly to himself, and Nakahara couldn't help but smile too, but the smile subsided immediately.How can we laugh if this evolution continues? Kusakabe came back from the phone call and said: "Tomorrow, photographers will come. People from other newspapers will also come. Jinpu, a little-known little place, will suddenly become famous all over the world." Kusakabe was still very excited.Zhongyuan felt a little uncomfortable and said: "Professor Fuyuki didn't drown, so what was the cause of death?" "I didn't say it wasn't drowning." "But..." Zhong Yuan widened his eyes in surprise and said, "Didn't you say that you were thrown into the sea after being killed?" "Yes." "Then how could it be drowning?" "That's what's interesting. It's disrespectful to say so, but something is wrong. The autopsy revealed salt water in the lungs. The doctor thought it was obvious drowning." "Then..." "Don't worry, that's the funniest part. It's the salt water in the lungs that cleans." "Clean salt water?" "Yes. For example, like tap water and salt. If you drowned from the pier, the water in your lungs must be the dirty seawater of Jinpo Bay, right?" "..." "You know why I keep saying it's funny. Yesterday, Professor Fuyuki clearly announced that the sea of ​​Nimpo was not polluted. However, his death was judged as homicide because the sea of ​​Nimpo Bay was polluted. It's an exaggeration , this is the irony of fate." "So, the murderer first soaked salt water in some kind of device, then pressed Fuyuki's face down, and threw him into the sea after he died." "That's how the police seem to judge." "What about the time of death?" "Between ten and eleven last night." "I hope Brother Yoshikawa has an alibi." Zhong Yuan whispered and looked at his watch.It's time to get off work from school.Zhongyuan wanted to see Yoshikawa to confirm his absence, otherwise he was really worried.Kusakabe expressed willingness to go with him. The two left the hotel and hurried along the road to the grocery store where Yoshikawa rented a house.It was only a little after nine o'clock, and the streets were very lively.But this kind of excitement seems to be different from usual. When I came to the grocery store, I saw a lot of people gathered in front of the store.Zhong Yuan immediately felt his chest jumping up. Cut through the crowd, went into the store and asked the proprietress: "Where's Mr. Yoshikawa?" The proprietress said excitedly: "It's terrible. The police just came and took him away." "Policemen?!" Kusakabe screamed from the side.The proprietress nodded abruptly and said: "Ms. Yoshikawa seems to be the murderer!" Hearing that tone, it seemed that Yoshikawa had already been convicted.A large group of people outside also seem to agree with this statement.Zhongyuan found out that his premonition was misfortune.Even if his injustice can be proved later, people's trust in his identity will inevitably fade away at the time of his arrest.And this kind of situation may also hurt people other than Yoshikawa, such as the trust in Tatebayashi and the students, and they are all making selfless contributions to all residents. Nakahara and Kusakabe looked at each other.In order to reduce the damage, they must release Yoshikawa a moment earlier. The two walked to the police station. The police station near the Civic Hall already has the police station of the county police station there. Nakahara and Kusakabe respectively reminded the lawyers and journalists of their identity and entered the police station.It was a middle-aged criminal policeman who came out to deal with him. To Zhongyuan's request to meet Yoshikawa, he replied coldly: "It is currently being interrogated and cannot receive guests." Zhongyuan felt the air in the bureau tense.According to the police, this incident may not be just a homicide.Every criminal policeman seemed to be stiff, with cold eyes projecting on Zhongyuan and the others from time to time. "Excuse me, what is the reason for the arrest?" Zhongyuan asked a criminal policeman in front of him. "Suspected of murder." The voice was still cold. "Where's the evidence? Since we're arresting people, there must be evidence." "Of course. We don't make arrests without evidence." The middle-aged criminal policeman was very calm.This made Zhongyuan deeply believe that Yoshikawa was wronged, but he still felt uneasy. "Can you please tell me what kind of evidence it is? I am the client's lawyer, and I hope you can answer me." "Yes. Although Yoshikawa himself denied it, a staff member of Jinpu Hotel saw him enter the victim's room at ten o'clock last night." "That doesn't mean Yoshikawa is the suspect. Professor Fuyuki was his teacher when he was in college, so there's nothing wrong with visiting his teacher." "However, he was fighting against the Fuyuki investigative team. There was also a farce at the Civic Hall yesterday. In this case, despite the teacher-student relationship, it is undeniable to see the opponents in the debate." "It's just status evidence. And it's status evidence without credibility." Zhong Yuan's words made the criminal police look displeased. "We didn't just arrest Yoshikawa for these reasons. There were others." "What else?" "We believe that the murderer threw the body from the pier. On the pier, around eleven o'clock last night, the police officers in the district saw Yoshikawa. The police confirmed that Yoshikawa staggered over from the pier. And he I had a face-to-face meeting with the police, and immediately walked away in a hurry.” "This is not conclusive evidence." Kusakabe, who had been silent all this time, inserted his mouth honestly and bluntly like a journalist.Then he said: "The policeman didn't say he saw Yoshikawa throwing the body down with his own eyes, did he?" "Not so." "And the murderer used salt water to pretend that the deceased fell into the water and died, didn't he?" "yes." "Salt water is not easy to find. At least salt and water are needed. So, the murderer took the salt and went to the hotel to kill people. Is this possible?" Kusakabe's words were so sharp that the criminal policeman smiled wryly. "We also don't think the murderer brought salt to the hotel." "Where did the salt come from?" "It was in the hotel, and the salt in the victim's room was used." "Why is there salt in the room?" "Last night, the victim ate dinner very late. The employee in the hotel said that the dinner was delivered to the room after nine o'clock. On the dining table, there is a small bottle filled with salt." "You mean, this salt was used for murder?" "That's right. The practitioner's testimony is as follows. I wanted to clear the dining table at about ten o'clock, but there happened to be guests in the room, so I didn't go in. The practitioner also confirmed that the visitor was Yoshikawa. The next morning, I went there again Look, the door is open, and the victim is gone. The supper is over, but the salt jar is empty, I don't know why." "However, it's not clear that Mr. Yoshikawa used that bottle of salt to kill people, right?" Zhong Yuan asked.The policeman smiled and said: "No no, it's possible." "How to say?" "I just said it. Yoshikawa was in the victim's room. There are witnesses for that. And the empty bottle has Yoshikawa's fingerprints, and we found it out." "Fingerprints..." Pain flashed across Zhong Yuan's face.If this is true, it is indeed not good for Yoshikawa.He couldn't help repeating again and again: "You mean fingerprints?" "It's very clear fingerprints. There are three. One is the victim's, the second is the hotel employee's, and the third is Yoshikawa. The employee has a complete alibi, and only Yoshikawa is left. This is the decisive evidence. .” "Let me meet him, please?" Zhongyuan begged again.He really hoped to see Yoshikawa a moment earlier and hear the truth directly.The policeman replied: "Yes, I will let you see him after the interrogation is over. But only you, Mr. Lawyer." After waiting for nearly an hour, Zhongyuan was allowed to meet Yoshikawa. Yoshikawa looked haggard.Usually not very lively, this moment seems to be even more embarrassing.In this way, I am afraid that it will make the police investigators have a bad impression, and Zhong Yuan is worried again. "It's incredible." Zhong Yuan moved his face closer and said, "Fortunately, I'm a lawyer. I believe I can help a little." "I'm OK." Yoshikawa smiled, but the usual openness and openness could not be seen in the smile.Zhongyuan offered a cigarette, and Yoshikawa waved his hand before saying: "Professor Fuyuki's death has nothing to do with me. I will see Mr. Tatebayashi tomorrow, please tell me, and ask him to rest assured and continue the investigation. Don't interrupt the pollution investigation because of this kind of thing." "I'll tell him, but I'm worried about you. They say you went to see Professor Fuyuki at the hotel last night. Is that true?" "it is true." "why?" "I want to ask Professor Fuyuki to change his mind. I couldn't understand the report at the Civic Hall yesterday. Mr. Fuyuki is very stubborn, but he is not a liar. He has a conscience. Such a person, why would he?" How about distorting the facts and saying things that are completely one-sided with the company? I want to hear the reason, and I also want to ask him to read our information." "What time did you arrive at the hotel?" "I don't remember clearly, it was almost ten o'clock." "What was Professor Fuyuki doing at that time?" "Dinner. He wanted me to eat and talk, so I interrupted." "Hmm... I touched the salt bottle at that time, didn't I?" "yes." "Was there a lot of salt then?" "Well, it's full." "How was your talk with Professor Fuyuki?" "We talked for about an hour. I was mainly talking. The teacher listened quietly. I could see that he seemed to be in pain. So I didn't dare to ask the teacher to answer me, left the materials and left. That's it You have also read this pollution diary." "What time do you leave the hotel?" "I said we were there talking for about an hour, so it must have been eleven o'clock." "And then went straight home?" "yes." "But the district said that they saw you at the pier around 11:30." "I probably misread the person. I didn't arrive at the pier." Yoshikawa seemed to be very tired, and repeatedly asked Nakahara to tell Tatebayashi and Itami to continue the investigation, as if the public nuisance investigation bothered him more than his own affairs.This feeling is certainly understandable, but in fact his arrest is having a negative impact on the public nuisance investigation. After Zhong Yuan came out of the investigation room, the criminal police officer said sarcastically: "There's no way to help him, is there?" "No, I understand better that he was wronged." What Zhongyuan said is true and false.It is believed that Yoshikawa was wronged, and it is impossible for him to kill someone.However, at the same time, he had to admit that the situation was quite unfavorable to him. Yoshikawa and Professor Fuyuki have opposing opinions, and everyone who has been to the Civic Center knows this.This is the worst for him.In this way, it might not be easy to prove his innocence. "Mr. Yoshikawa said to send the information about the pollution investigation to the victim. Have you found those documents?" Zhongyuan explained the size of the public nuisance diary to the criminal police, and the criminal police shook his head indifferently and said: "There was no such thing in the victim's room. Yoshikawa lied from the beginning, so whatever information he said was probably a lie for his own benefit." Zhong Yuan left the police station. He was in a state of unease.What will happen to the investigation from tomorrow?Even if it can be proved that Yoshikawa has nothing to do with the murder, as long as his release is delayed by one day, all kinds of rumors will spread, making Zhongyuan and the others even more disadvantaged.And this will inevitably have a negative impact on Umezu Yuka's lawsuit. But, needless to say, despite the uneasiness in my heart, my fighting spirit was also burning. If you admit defeat now, then the hard work of those sincere high school classmates will be in vain, and Yuka Umezu, who committed suicide, will probably linger.For these people, Yoshikawa must be released as soon as possible. When he came near the hotel, Kusakabe, who had gone back to the hotel first, flashed out from under the streetlight.His face was slightly flushed and smelled of alcohol. "I went from house to house and went to the bar to have a look." Kusakabe and Nakahara walked side by side, breathing out the alcohol lightly and said. "What for?" "I want to hear the rumors on the street. Those words spread so fast, it's shocking. Most people have already heard that Professor Fuyuki was murdered, and also know that Yoshikawa is suspected of being arrested. And put this The news is now the food and drink." "Appetizers." "It's the story in the bar. It may be different from the rumors on the street, but it can be heard that no one sympathizes with Yoshikawa. Some have already regarded him as a murderer. There are also some fishermen and drinkers who are even worse. Everyone Shout out to kill Yoshikawa immediately. Akane shrimp is their biggest income, and Yoshikawa's speech sounds like they are killing them." Zhongyuan felt that Kusakabe's words just showed the difficulty of the case. The next morning, confirming Zhong Yuan's premonition, a strange leaflet was thrown into the hotel. It was overprinted in two colors, and a waiter delivered it to Zhong Yuan's room. It was mimeographed, and read in bold red letters: There is also a subtitle: "This is the so-called strange letter." After reading it, Kusakabe said with a smile. "I'm a lawyer from Zhongyuan." "Do I call myself a scholar Itami?" Nakahara and Itami also looked at each other and laughed. However, this is not something that can be dismissed with a smile.This strange letter must have been flying all over the sky.In their view, although it is full of malice and slander, calling them outsiders may resonate with the conservative local residents. "Who would do that?" Kusakabe looked left and right and looked at the leaflets for a long time, seeking the opinions of Nakahara and Itami. "An important person in this city, or a person from the enterprise, or the fishermen." Itami offered his opinion first. "Whoever it was, I guess it must have been written by the old gentlemen." Kyoko said.She thinks that many words are obviously not like the tone of young people, and the article itself is also old, lacking a sense of speed. "It can't be fishermen." Zhong Yuan said slowly: "Because they only have Qian Xia in their minds. I think 80% of them are conservatives in this city, otherwise they are people from the business side." "No matter what, we must get Yoshikawa out quickly, otherwise I don't know what kind of despicable rumors will spread." Itami said firmly. Zhongyuan felt that this remark was very pleasing to me, because the enemy may resort to tactics at any time. However, Zhongyuan was worried about more than that. It was Yoshikawa who asked him in the bureau. Yoshikawa strongly hoped that Tatebayashi and his classmates would continue to investigate.After these things happened, would they—especially the classmates, still be willing to do it? After breakfast, Zhongyuan went out to the street to have a look.What he was worried about came true.In front of the train station, about ten students were gathering together. All are familiar faces.That's right, the students who were busy with the investigation until yesterday. What they have in their hands is no longer carp banners and thermometers, but autograph books and megaphones instead, and they are shouting to passers-by: "Please help me to release Mr. Yoshikawa!" "Please sign the release petition!" There is a poster behind them, which reads: "Protest against the indiscriminate arrest of Mr. Yoshikawa!!" It's time to start class.It seems that they don't care about the class, or even the pollution investigation?Zhongyuan feels that this is too dangerous, because if this continues, it will only give the enemy a stronger handle. Zhongyuan walked towards them. "Isn't it bad for you and Mr. Yoshikawa that you do this kind of thing?" Two or three students turned their heads to look at Zhongyuan. Zhong Yuan noticed that their eyes were clearly different from yesterday.He felt more uneasy. They used the instruments and methods they made with their own hands to investigate public hazards, and they never got tired of it. At that time, they were all lively and full of youthful atmosphere.But at this moment, what appeared on their faces and eyes was dogmatic and angry. Central Plains has seen too many young faces like this.Armed with wooden sticks or gasoline bottles, this is the face of students who are constantly struggling.They don't think back and forth, allowing the hatred in their body cavity to rise and make them decadent. Of course, he didn't think that the students of Jinpu High School were already decadent, but if they gave up their hard work in public hazard investigation and blindly bet on Yoshikawa's release movement, then undoubtedly they would naturally fall into decadence. "It's none of your business." One of the students said in a stiff voice.Listening to that tone, it is clear that it has lost its original clarity and openness. At this time, the station master came out, told them that it was illegal to sign without permission, and asked them to leave. So a quarrel ensued. —Where is the danger... When Zhong Yuan thought about it and planned to intervene, a burly classmate pushed the station master hard.In fact, it wasn't intentional, it was just that the stationmaster wanted to tear up the poster, and the students wanted to stop him. The short stationmaster was pushed so easily and fell to the ground. "What are you doing!" The station master turned pale and shouted angrily.The students responded without showing any weakness: "Against repression!" This kind of rhetoric is also that kind of tune, it doesn't belong to them yesterday. "call police!" The station master got up and shouted to the station staff.Zhongyuan stepped forward to stop and said: "Please calm down, the station master, and call the police, the matter will only get worse and worse." "I am the person in charge of this site. If there is something illegal on the site, of course I must deal with it." Even the station master's tone was stiff and inflexible.If this continues, the conflict between the two sides will inevitably increase. The students advised: "Let's stop things here for now, how about another place?" The students were silent, and no one was willing to move. ——This is not easy. When Zhongyuan was about to give advice, Mr. Guanlin arrived on his bicycle.Tatebayashi quickly sensed the sinister atmosphere, jumped off the car, and said with a smile: "You guys are doing it." There was a touch of softness in the tone naturally, as expected of a teacher. One schoolgirl almost cried, saying: "Teacher, please help us too!" Guan Lin nodded and said, "I know, I know," before telling everyone: "But you might as well think about it carefully. Can Mr. Yoshikawa come out if you find someone to sign it here? You see, there are not many people signing it. And what is the current situation of Mr. Yoshikawa, do you know?" "It's because he was arrested without reason that we have to..." A boy desperately force Chen.Tatebayashi still nodded and said: "You don't know the actual situation, is it true? Then why don't we go to the police station to meet him? Then we can discuss what to do. How?" Guan Lin's words seemed to calm everyone's excitement quickly, and they looked at each other in blank dismay.Guan Lin turned his head to Zhong Yuan and said: "We went. I wonder if the police will let us see?" Zhongyuan first checked the movement of the students.It seems that they realized that the signature campaign may not be effective, and shifted their interest to the police station. So he replied to Guanlin: "I believe it is possible. However, if it is such a large group of people, I am afraid it will be difficult. A teacher and a classmate, I believe the police will agree. It is also okay for me to accompany you." Of course, the students couldn't agree to send only one representative, so they quarreled again.So Guan Lin had to persuade him again, Zhong Yuan really admired Guan Lin's calm tone.He doesn't rush, he doesn't get angry, and he certainly doesn't compromise.In the end, the students couldn't hold him back, so they had to elect a representative, and the rest returned to school. Zhong Yuan took Guan Lin and a boy to the police station again. When I came yesterday, I didn't notice that there was already a sign hanging at the entrance of the police station, which said "Investigation Team Homicide Investigation Center".Guan Lin looked at it, but it was not a big deal, but the student's expression became even more rigid. The police were embarrassed by their request, because of course the lawyer could see it, but Guan Lin and the students did not follow the procedure. Zhongyuan called the director to the corner of the room and whispered: "If it is not allowed, the students of Jinpu High School may cause trouble." "Are you intimidating the police?" said the director half-jokingly.The Central Plains is serious. "Mr. Yoshikawa is very famous among his classmates. When such a teacher is arrested, they will of course get excited. Just now a group of students came out on the street, saying they wanted to protest the indiscriminate arrest. Teacher Guanlin managed to persuade him. Stopped, and promised to bring a student representative to the police station. If not, the students will definitely riot. Fifty, no, maybe a hundred, such a small street, there will be a riot .This is inappropriate." The director seemed deeply troubled, so he had to go in and discuss it with the director.Not long after, the news came: sure. Zhong Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.However, he still can't rest assured. The question is how Yoshikawa will persuade the students.Yoshikawa will definitely ask the students to continue investigating the pollution, and Tatebayashi undoubtedly brought the students for this. However, Nakahara deliberately did not meet Yoshikawa, and went back to the hotel by himself. The impact of the incident is already being felt in the hotel. As Kusakabe predicted, reporters from various newspapers flocked in large numbers, and the hotel was full. "Lawyer, I heard that the OB truck of the TV has also arrived." Kyoko said with shining eyes.Central Plains deeply felt complicated.It would not be a happy thing if Jinpo attracted widespread attention because of the murder, because the most important issue of public nuisance may be ignored. There is also a rumor that college students from college sports will also come in large numbers.The so-called "big move" seems to be an overstatement, because in fact, at noon, about ten college students arrived on the "Dragon Palace".There is no wooden stick in his hand, but he is wearing a steel helmet on his head. After this group of people arrived, the already unstable Jinpu Street added a chilling atmosphere. "Something's wrong." Itami shrugged his shoulders and said to Nakahara more than once. Itami also thought that under such circumstances, it was even more necessary to continue the plain pollution investigation, so he went to Nimpo High School alone.Soon he returned to the hotel with a tired face. "It didn't succeed in persuasion, did it?" Hearing Nakahara's question, Itami sighed slightly and said: "I can't help it. Hey." "Are the students so excited?" "Tuan Lin and I talked with tongues burning, but their sense of crisis was too strong, and they couldn't listen to it at all. After a plain investigation, they thought it was not urgent. In fact, it was the opposite, but they just refused. Listen. Not at all." Zhongyuan realized that asking the student representatives to meet Yoshikawa at the police station had the opposite effect.Originally hoped that Yoshikawa could persuade them, but these young students were already furious just seeing the scene of Yoshikawa's arrest. "What about that class? Are you taking it?" "No. The student union made a decision to strike, and the whole school gathered on the playground. The principal panicked and was really at a loss. What's worse is that three college students from Tokyo have been agitating. It is said that it is Jinpu High School I told my classmates not to listen to them, but the current college students are much smarter than me.” Itami smiled helplessly.I think these three college students must be the group who came on the Dragon Palace today. “真糟，他们越闹，对公害问题就越不利嘛。” 中原真有满肚子懊恼、伊丹点点头： “那是一定的，不但对公害问题不利，对吉川的立场也不利。万一他们这样就放弃公害调查，那么居民们会认为他们的调查只不过是一种玩儿。这样一来，三年来辛辛苦苦做下来的结果，全泡汤了。我敢说，那些资料，在专家眼里看来，也是绝对有价值的。” “这就是说，民众对冬木调查团也会更加信赖是不是？” “不错。冬木调查团已经做过中间报告了。其实，那种中间报告根本就是睁眼说瞎话，可是照目前情形下去，它会成了锦浦地方公害的实态。因为对抗的另一方，自己下台了。” “也许是一项败北。” “没错，是不折不扣的败北。” “那我的官司恐怕也只有一败涂地了。” 中原说着几乎想咬牙切齿一番。如果冬木调查团的中间报告获得认同，锦浦便没有公害，而因公害而自杀为理由打起来的官司，自然也不免败诉了。 在中原和伊丹双双落入暗淡的心情的当儿，跑新闻的日下部倒是斗志昂扬地在横街直闯着。 不光是日下部一个人，其他报社的记者，加上电视方面的，也都兴致勃勃地在采访。 在中原看来，这些记者们根本不像是在为追求真实而奔忙，对公害也似乎根本不感义愤。 很明显地，比起公害问题，他们对凶案更感兴趣。所以才会在凶案发生之后，一夜之间就往锦浦这地方拥挤过来。 中原担心他们的报导，会使公害的现实更加地隐蔽住。这真是不可思议的事。传播媒体的工作，应该是阐明事实真相才是。可是在锦浦，越是报导凶案，公害问题便会越发地被隐饰。说不定这样的报导方式，比断定没有公害更糟糕。 然而，不管中原如何力陈公害问题与凶案是不同的一回事，锦浦海水的污染依然没有改变，也没有人理睬。也有记者来向中原和伊丹采访，可是一旦中原他们开始说明锦浦的公害，记者们马上就兴趣索然。连好友日下部竟然也如此。他也对公害问题发展成凶案，比公害问题本身更关心。 其实，这一桩凶案，还不一定与公害有关。凶手也未必就是吉川其人。可是看来他们已经认定吉川是不满冬木的调查报告，愤激之余才行凶，并沿这条线展开采访的。“公害杀人凶案”，这样的标题确实是吸引人的。在这种情形下，公害问题已经引不起人们兴趣了。 这里的居民们也好像因凶案而闹成一团，不再对切身的公害有所关心了。 在这种情形里，傍晚时分在市民会馆里举行了冬木教授的奠礼。 这个消息是日下部带来的。He said: “主办单位是锦浦市公所和调查团，好像存心要把冬木教授造成悲剧英雄。就是说，冬木是为公害调查而殉职的。” 这应是新闻记者眼的见解，可是中原却觉得不能一笑置之。一个人的死，无疑是最上乘的宣传材料。事实上，冬木之死也确实给冬木调查团的中间报告添加了不少份量。 中原和伊丹、京子两人一块去看奠礼。他内心里有一份希冀，说不定能抓到发现真凶的线索。 到了礼堂，这才知道日下部的话一点也没错。 会馆前面排着无数的花环，一直排列道路两旁。大部分都是相关产业工业区的各厂送来的，也有渔会送的。 电视转播车停在会馆前，几个小孩好奇地窥望着车内。 也有县警察局的机动队，有二十个人吧。由于锦浦高中的同学之间有不稳的空气，加上来自东京的学运学生有十来个，市公所害怕起来，请求县警局派来的，但是到目前为止，还看不出学生们有拥到市民会馆的迹象。 奠礼在电视转播车的灯光照耀下开始。 司仪是香取昌一郎。他承担了一切公关事务，处理得有条不紊。 中原找了找冬木亚矢子的影子。 有了。她一身丧服，悄悄地缩在那儿。那冷澈而理智的面孔，似乎与黑衣裳十分相称。中原陡地想起了日下部的话：她见了父亲的遗体，也没有淌下一滴泪水。中原总觉得，以后她也不会哭吧。 安全工学的樋口教授代表调查团念吊词： 先生抵达锦浦之后，一心一意从事真实的探究。外面的杂音，不能扰乱先生的专心，依从学者的良知，尽力于科学的调查。前天在本会馆里举行中间报告，其所以有事实的重量，并进而普获居民全体的支持，实属理之所当然。然而，但求发生事端的另一部势力，被逼之余，竟尔诉诸暴力，加诸于先生身上。 先生逝矣。然而先生之死，正好证实了冬木调查团调查结果之确实…… 樋口教授的吊词还在继续着。中原又想起了日下部的话。他的推测，好像不全是属于新闻记者的想像。听，樋口教授确实有意把冬木教授塑造成英雄，以为调查正确的佐证。并且照目前这种气氛来看，他好像就要成功了。 “不妙啊。” 当中原这么低低地自语时，忽然传来沉沉的鸣动。 ——地震…… 中原禁不住看看四下。 整个礼堂也骚动起来了。香取昌一郎和本市要人们慌忙地想制止，可是一旦骚然起来的群众却不易遏止。樋口教授也在坛上愣住了。 外头有人在喊叫： “石油库爆炸了！” 人们被一激，立即街向大门。 中原和伊丹，京子也出到外面。 太阳石油的一所油库，正把红赤赤的火焰喷向漆黑的夜空。很快地，隔邻的油库也着了火，轰然一声，震动了大地。 人们也发出了喊叫声，是惊叫抑欢呼，一时也分辨不清楚。 “是有人纵了火吗？” 伊丹用坚定的嗓声说。 这话使得中原脸上血色倏然而退。他想到说不定是锦浦高中的学生们受了来自东京的大学生煽动，采取了这种不顾一切的行动。 人们往火光那边奔去。警察拚命地在阻止，但这些人已经成了赶热闹的群众，再也不会有一个听了。 消防车鸣着尖锐的汽笛声开到。这两辆是市里仅有的，在凶猛的火势前束手无策。 中原他们也挨近火焰。 空气热烘烘的。黑烟笼罩了周遭，油库群被遮住了。 中原在火烫里凝神细看。还好，看不到学生的影子。确实没有。刚才担心的事好象没有发生。他松了一口气，随之新的疑问也冒起来。 这不可能是自然失火。既然不是锦浦高中的学生干的，那会是什么人干了这种蠢事呢？ 油库-只只着火、爆炸、喷火。聚在周围的人们也随着火势扩大而一步步退后。 从沼津等城也有救火车开到，大家合力展开了一场拚死的救火作业。一连几个小时，轰轰然燃烧的火才渐渐地被控制住，这时已经近凌晨两点了。 中原守到最后。是自然失火呢，或者是有人纵火？如果是后者，那么纵火者又是谁？他好想知道。 中原终究盼到了结果。 火势变弱以后，警方开始细查现场。从第一个发火的油库残骸下，发现到一名年轻男子的烧焦尸首。 他们发出来是铃木晋吉，从尸首附近还找到了似乎是纵火时用的炸药碎片。 太阳石油的爆炸，给锦浦带来和冬木教授被害事件一样的冲击。 动机极明显。铃木深信爱人梅津由佳自杀，是因为企业公害，因此把炸药投向相关产业工业区里规模最大的企业——太阳石油。中原这么推测，警方也-样看法。报界可能也会以同样眼光来报导。 中原无法判断给木晋吉是不是打算让自己也一并烧死。说不定投掷了炸药后想逃生，因为爆炸得太快，结果没有能逃离。人既已死亡，当然无从证实。 中原想了两件事： 其一是这件事，会给公害调查及有关梅津山佳的官司带来怎样的影响。冷静一想便知，不可能是有利的。居民们的关心会越发地远离公害问题，在法庭上也可能对法官的自由心证产生不利影响。 其二是有点鞭尸味的事：杀害冬木教授的凶手，会不会是铃木晋吉？他对认定锦浦没有公害的冬木调查团怀恨，该是情理中的事，因而对冬木萌杀机，便也不算太意外。如果真是如此，那就可以使吉川获释。 天亮后，中原向日下部提了对铃木的猜测，日下部深感兴趣，马上跑去警局查证。可是不久就回来，猛摇头说： “铃木晋吉和冬木教授凶案无关。” "how to say?" “警察查了铃木晋吉在哪里弄到炸药，结果查明他是从沼津市的一家大楼建筑工程现场偷来的。他为了偷炸药，在工程现场做了三天的工。他们也证实冬木教授被杀那天，铃木晋吉确实在那边。他不可能做这个案子。” "Ok." 中原微微地点了一下头。铃木晋吉失踪的期间，原来是为了取得炸药而奔走的。为什么没想到这一点呢？ 都是因为未能察觉到一个才十八岁的少年渔夫，对企业居然会抱持这么激烈的忿懑之故。这都是由于自己仍然有着第三者的冷静吧。他一面反省，另一面也想到吉川说过的话：渔民们一旦觉醒，那时他们会成为反对公害的最强大的原动力。然而，什么时候锦浦的渔民们才会起来反抗脚公害污染呢？ 锦浦高中的学生受了油库爆炸的刺激，进入了全面罢课的行动。 下午，约有一百名男女学生，擎着标语牌在闹街上举行示威游行。牌子上写的是：“骗子调查团滚回去！”或者：“即时释放吉川老师！”来自东京的十个大学生排成两列，在中学生两旁护航般地行进。 他们只喊喊口号唱唱歌，不像有采取实际行动的迹象。但是，如果吉川未能及时获释，会干出怎样的行动，却是无人敢逆料的。只因他们都这么年轻，说不定会效法铃木晋吉，拿了炸药扔进太阳石油里。并且他们人数多，万一冲动起来，那就不好收拾了。 中原希望能够防止这种事态发生，否则这些日子以来的苦心，岂不是全部泡汤。 于是他决定再跑一趟警局。他觉得，除了让他们释放吉川以外，再没有其他更好的办法。 街路上到处都可以看到贴在墙上、电柱上的传单：“反对滥捕！”“公害企业滚开！”有些行人会看一眼，但他们脸上的反应是迟钝的。有的人还不屑地笑笑。在这种空气里，如果学生们真地闹起来，事情会被更突显出来的。 来自东京的新闻记者们，坐在本地租用的迷你车上来回着，电视转播车也在跑。商店街的老板、老板娘们站在店口。又不安又好奇地看守着。整个市街都好像失去了镇静。 家家户户都仍由在院子里竖着鲤鱼旗。中原曾经觉得那是颇令人愉悦的光景，可是这一刻看来，它们却那么有气无力。不为什么，只因它们不管在风里怎么招展，都毫无意义了。 往海湾上看过去，捞茜虾的渔船正大举出海作业。在这个地方，如今正常工作的，恐怕只有这些渔民吧。 烧毁炸烂的油库周边，仍然聚集着不少看热闹的群众。 中原边走边看，来到警局。 还是那位主任出来见他。中原开门见山地说： “吉川老师的拘留期限，不是过了吗？” 主任倒不否认。 "yes." “那为什么还不放人？” “因为已经决定起诉了。你那边也可以开始准备辩护了。” 话里明明有刺，中原有些愤然地： “光靠状况证据就要起诉？” “不，已经有真凭实据了。做案所使用的盐瓶有吉川的指纹、也有目击证人。他又没有不在场证明。” “目击证人就是在码头看到吉川老师的警官吗？” "yes." “但是，吉川老师说那天晚上并没有去过码头，是从大饭店直接回去住处的。不会是看错人吧？” “不会。在码头的，确实是吉川。除了管区警员之外，又有了另一个证人。是一名工人，在同一个时刻去夜钓，看到吉川从码头那边走回来。还有，房东太太也作证说，吉川回到家已经过十二点了。这是决定性的证据了。” 这位警官充满自信地说。中原心口一慌，难道吉川向他撒了谎吗？ “让我再见见吉川老师好吗？” 中原请求道。 吉川比昨天见面时更苍白，更疲乏。双眼布满血丝，该是彻夜未眠之故。 “今天，我想再次请问：是真的没有杀害冬木吧？” 刚才的一阵慌乱，使中原的口吻变得直率而严肃。 “当然，我没有杀人。”吉川的嗓音干燥着：“听说学生在闹罢课，得想法子制止才好。” 他竟然还在忧心学生的事。中原咋了一下舌尖说： “你自己的问题才严重啊。学校里的事，让馆林老师去烦好了，而且只要你能出去，学校里的问题自然可以解决。你没有瞒着我吧？” “瞒着你？” “你说那天晚上没有去过码头。可是警方说有两个目击证人。你真的没有去过吗？” "yes……" 吉川点点头，可是声音分明有气无力。中原越发地觉得慌乱了。 “你是去过的，对不对？” "..." “老实告诉我。如果不肯实话实说，想帮你也帮不了。那天晚上，你去过码头，是不是？” 吉川没有马上回答。双方沉沉地缄默了片刻，吉川这才决意似地“嗯”了一声，点点头。 中原叹了一口气说： “为什么去码头的？” "Is it necessary to say?" “希望你实话实说。” “我去等一个人。” “谁？冬木教授吗？” "No." 吉川摇摇头，脸上倏然泛红。 “原来如此。”中原再轻叹一口气说：“是和冬木亚矢子约好在那里见面的，对吗？” "yes." “她去了没有？” “没有。我等到十一点中，她没有来。” “然后回寓所去了。” "yes." “那时碰到管区警官和夜钓的工人？” "Probably." “为什么不向警方提和冬木小姐约见的事？” “说了又有什么用处呢？” 吉川自嘲地笑笑。 中原彷佛觉得窥见了吉川的另一面，心口为之一震。过去他眼里的吉川是朴实但却十分优秀的高中教师，而且还是献身公害调查的热血青年，是个可敬可佩的人物。这一刻，中原看到的却是为爱而苦恼的年轻人。中原觉得一抹喜悦涌现心头。 “只要请她作证，便可以解释在码头上的事了。” 吉川摇头说： “我不想把她卷入事件里头，而且码头上只有我一个人。因此，她为我作证，也没法证明我的清白。” “我懂你的意思。” 中原说罢想了想，这才定定地看着对方说： “我要去见见冬木亚矢子小姐。” "..." “请听好。我希望你释放，可不光是为了你自己。是为了本市，为了锦浦高中的同学们，也是为了因为公害气喘而自杀的梅津由佳小姐。所以即使你不喜欢，凡是可以利用的事，我都必需好好利用。” 中原好像做什么宣言一般地说。 吉川默然。 中原从警局出来后，走向冬木调查团诸人住宿的锦浦大饭店。 但是，他在大饭店柜台得到的消息是冬木亚矢子已经在几小时前回东京去了。 中原决定回返东京一趟。因为他必需见到她，证实吉川的说法，同时另外还有一件事，也需要在东京查证一下。