Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Finding

Totsukawa and Kamei, who returned to Tokyo, searched for clues in various agencies and private detective agencies. From the very first call they made, they emphasized that this was a homicide-related case. As a result, they found out that a private detective agency in Ikebukuro had investigated Hojo Sanae. Totsukawa and Kamei went to the detective agency immediately. This detective agency is located on the second floor of a multi-family building located at the north exit of Ikebukuro. The president introduced a female detective who was in charge of understanding Hojo Sanae to Totsukawa and the others.

This was a 35-year-old woman named Hino Yuko. Hearing the voice, Totsukawa believed that she had indeed called several times. "This is the one who asked me to investigate." As she spoke, Hino Yuko handed Totsukawa a business card. It's Isao Hoshino.It was the elder brother of the deceased. "What happened when he came to entrust the investigation?" Totsukawa asked. "Very ordinary. He said that his younger brother fell in love with a girl he met by chance and wanted to get married. Since he has no parents, for the happiness of his younger brother, he commissioned a survey on this woman. He also took out I got a business card and said that I want to find out if this woman is really a policeman."

Yuko also showed Hojo Sanae's business card to Totsukawa and the others. "So, you called me?" Totsukawa asked Yuko. "That's right. Mr. Totsukawa is her direct supervisor, so I take the liberty of disturbing you." "Have you ever called someone else?" Kamei asked. "I did, and I learned about her character from Hojo Sanae's college classmates." "The results of it?" "I'm sorry, since I have a contract with the client in advance, I can only tell Isao Hoshino the content." "A murder case occurred on the 'Fuji' express train. A man named Michihiro Yamano was killed. Do you know about this?"

"I see, I saw it in the newspaper." "This man is Isao Hoshino's younger brother, the one who plans to marry Hojo Sanae, you know?" Kamei asked. Yuko frowned: "Is this the same one? I thought it was someone with the same name and surname!" "Have you met Michihiro Yamano himself?" "No, only pictures of him. I've never seen him in person because his brother wanted to keep it a secret from his brother." "Actually, that Hojo Sanae detective is a fake. Others don't know this, and they do look alike. The name she uses near Yamano Michihiro is Hojo Sanae."

Hearing what Totsukawa said, Yuko tilted her head and asked in confusion: "Why did that woman do this? She is very beautiful! The woman she is pretending to be must be very beautiful, too?" "Yes, she is a beauty." "I really don't understand why she uses someone else's name?" "We also want to solve this mystery." As soon as Kamei said, Yuko immediately thought about it and said: "Could it be that this woman has a criminal record and didn't want her lover to know, so she used her name based on the fact that she looks like Hojo Sanae?"

"Maybe." Totsukawa nodded in agreement. But Yizi immediately refuted his previous opinion: "But it will be discovered immediately?" "So we don't know what this imposter is up to." Totsukawa said. Totsukawa and Kamei came to Roppongi and met Isao Hoshino. It was a five-story luxury club called "Star Hall No. 3", and it was not different from other clubs. Kamei met Hoshino at the Shimonoseki Police Station. "I have nothing to say to the police." As soon as Hoshino Isao saw Kamei, his face was full of displeasure. Kamei first introduced Totsukawa to Hoshino.

"Is it you who commissioned the detective agency in Ikebukuro to investigate Sanae Hojo?" Totsukawa asked straight to the point as if confirming. "It's me. Is it not allowed?" Hoshino asked angrily. "What's the fire?" Kamei said something dissatisfied. "Get angry? Of course I'm going to get angry! It was the female police officer who killed my brother, but you haven't arrested her yet. I've heard that the police are also guarded by officials. I saw it today!" Hoshino cursed almost angrily. "It's different. Detective Hojo is not the murderer, because she doesn't know your brother and she has no motive for killing."

Totsukawa argued hard. "What are you talking about?! My brother was fascinated by that female police officer, and he went to Oita together. Wasn't he killed by that female police officer in the car?! Why do people who have nothing to do with each other sit on the same train? !" Hoshino's tone became more and more rude. "Before you get angry, take a look at this photo." Saying that, Totsukawa put Sanae Hojo and the photo of the imposter in front of Hoshino. "Please take a closer look. They look alike, but they are indeed two people." "The person on the right is our detective, Sanae, and the person on the left is an imposter. Your brother is in love with that impostor, and she uses the name Sanae Hojo."

"Then the one on the 'Fuji' train was also the impostor?" Hoshino asked. "No, the real Hojo Sanae is indeed on the train." "Isn't that strange? Isn't it contradictory to say that the man who killed my brother was a fake police officer, and that the man who was on the train with my brother when he was killed was a real police officer?" "That's the truth. Our Hojo Sanae boarded the 'Fuji' train just to find out who was pretending to be himself. Unfortunately, your brother was killed in the train." "This is sophistry!"

Hoshino said angrily. "What is sophistry?" Kamei protested to Hoshino. Hoshino suddenly turned his head to Kamei and said: "Of course it's a sophistry! Your purpose is to save your own people regardless of the facts, so you will make up a fake story. Right? Then you announce that person is the real murderer, Hojo Sanae can escape the law. This is a common method!" "Can you calm down a little bit?!" Totsukawa said to Hoshino. "My brother was killed, can I still calm down?!" "I want you to take a closer look at the photos. These two photos look similar, but there are subtle differences. I think different people can always be distinguished."

Totsukawa tried his best to persuade, but Hoshino waved his hand in boredom: "What if it's someone else?" "Then there is evidence of Hojo Sanae's impostor! This photo was found in your brother's room!" "I don't believe it! Don't the police do something afterward?" "What does it mean?!" "Because I've heard that's what the police do. It's not an ordinary case where a female police officer kills her lover. Anyone would think that, in order not to discredit the police, don't you create a disguise?" The scene? Won't you make up a lie of some 'fake person'? Isn't it easy for you to do something, including this kind of photo." Hoshino looked at Totsukawa contemptuously, then at Kamei. "What do you mean by that?" Kamei asked. "You should understand this! You can use technical means to take a photo of Hojo Criminal Police. You can say that the woman in the photo is the real murderer, right?" "This photo was found in your brother's room!" Totsukawa said angrily but calmly. "Is there any evidence?" "It was discovered during a search of your brother's room." Kamei repeated it loudly, but Hoshino pouted and said: "Maybe you put it in my brother's room, and then said you found it in the room. This is also the usual method of the police!" "No, it's on your brother's desk, in a picture frame. It was found by the Nishimoto detective. Your brother has always regarded this woman as Hojo Sanae!" Totsukawa said while holding back his anger. Hoshino looked at Totsukawa sarcastically and asked: "If you're telling the truth, this photo should have my brother's fingerprints on it, shouldn't it? Because my brother will always pick it up and look at it. How? Are there any of his fingerprints?" "Looking up." "I hope to investigate seriously. Don't lie anymore, I want a real report!" Hoshino shouted loudly. Totsukawa and Kamei left Hoshino's club. It was nearly 11 o'clock in the evening, but the area was full of young people hanging out. "Too lawless!" Kamei looked at these mischievous young people and said something. But Totsukawa just walked silently as if he didn't see anything. Two people came to the patrol car. "what to do?" Kamei asked Totsukawa. "photo." "That fake photo?" "Maybe Michihiro Yamano's fingerprints can't be found in the photo?" "Do you really believe that guy Hoshino?" Kamei asked. "About this matter, he is right. In this case, Hojo Sanae has fallen into someone's trap." "I think so." "I think the murderer planned it very carefully. The murderer did not put the photo there accidentally. He had a purpose, and if there is no fingerprint of Michihiro Yamano on the photo after his processing, then it is impossible to tell. This is But a very skilled veteran did it." Totsukawa said. Sure enough, Totsukawa's fears were confirmed. After scientific identification of that photo, there were no fingerprints on the photo, and of course there were no fingerprints of Michihiro Yamano. "It seems that the prosecution of Hojo-kun is only a matter of time." Totsukawa said in a heavy tone. It seems that there is no way to refute Hoshino's accusation that the police officers fabricated a non-existent so-called Hojo Sanae's double in order to help their colleagues. "But, Police Department, the existence of the woman in this photo must be a fact!" Kamei said to Totsukawa after pinning the picture on the blackboard with a thumbtack. "I know this too. If there is no such person, who will Yamano Michihiro pursue? But we can't find any evidence so far!" "I said don't be discouraged!" Kamei said. "It's impossible not to be discouraged! Will the murderer show this woman who will expose herself?" "Did you kill her?" Kamei's complexion was a little pale. "Hojo Sanae has fallen into the trap. From this point of view, there is no need for that impostor to exist. Of course, the danger has not been ruled out, so I think she has either been killed or hidden in the It's a place no one else can find out quickly." Totsukawa said confidently. "A place that can't be found quickly?" "For example, in foreign countries, we can't catch up there quickly. If she is really abroad, then we will not be able to find her in China anyway." "Then what? Do you want her picture to be published in the newspaper?" Kamei had an idea. "Tell me more specifically." "Just say that a woman needs to be found because of a certain incident. If anyone knows her whereabouts, please notify the police immediately. If it is an important reference person related to the murder case, I think the news media will give great assistance." Kamei said confidently. "But the newspapers said that it was a female police officer who killed Michihiro Yamano!" "I know that. But it's not an exaggeration to say we're looking for a woman!" Kamei insisted. Two opinions also emerged in the search headquarters. Opponents have two reasons. First, will the reporters cooperate with the police? Second, if the reporters try their best to cooperate, the murderer is bound to be alarmed, so will he kill the impostor? Kamei retorted: "About the first point, if the reporters can help you, you won't know if you don't try; the second point, if we don't publish it, he will know that we are trying our best to find this woman, and if he wants to kill her, he will kill her long ago. gone." Since it was at the end of the mountain, Minister Mikami had no choice but to make a decision and decided to give it a try. As a result, the Metropolitan Police Department immediately held a press conference. Many copies of the photo of the imposter were also distributed to the reporters present at the meeting. "This woman is an important suspect in a major case, but her name and address are unknown. Therefore, we ask all newspapers to cooperate in finding this person. If anyone knows this woman, please contact the police as soon as possible. .” After Mikami vaguely stated these circumstances, he asked the reporters to help the police find this person.But the very sensitive reporter immediately noticed that the woman he was looking for was related to the murder case on the "Fuji" train. "We want to know the truth of the matter." "What are the plans of the police?" "Let's make us help the police and it will attract criticism." The voices of accusation and questioning from the group of reporters were aimed directly at Minister San Shang. Mikami blushed in embarrassment, looked around the reporters and said: "Well, let me be frank! Our purpose is to find clues related to the case on the 'Fuji' train. Everyone knows that a criminal policeman from our department has been suspected of the murder on the train." "However, she doesn't have her real name, because it hasn't been confirmed yet!" "Yes, so we are very grateful for your sense of responsibility. I want to explain that the woman in this photo looks very much like the Hojo detective of our department. But it is definitely not her, but an impostor!" "Is there any evidence?" one of the reporters asked. "Evidence? Detective Hojo himself denied that it was her." Mikami was a little annoyed. "Based on this alone, I'm afraid it can't be called evidence? Is there any stronger evidence? For example, there is a scar on a certain part of the face, or a mole or something?" "We looked for it, but there were no such distinguishing features. Detective Hojo has a mole above his right eye, but the woman in this picture has it too. I think it might be painted on." "Is she really a fake?" A reporter exhorted again. "She is indeed a fake. I hope everyone can publish the picture of the servant girl in the newspaper." "Will you use us to create such a non-existent impostor?" "If it is like what you said, I would like to take full responsibility." Mikami said decisively. He thinks that things have reached this point and they have no choice but to persevere to the end. The reporters saw that Minister Sanshang, who is always more serious than less, was so serious, and his attitude changed quickly. "Please post the photos, everyone." "sure!" When a reporter said this, the rest of the people also agreed. Photos of the imposter were immediately published in major newspapers and weekly magazines, but the response was minimal. Almost all newspapers and periodicals wrote like this: This person is an important suspect in the "Fuji" train murder case. If anyone knows his whereabouts, please contact the police, etc. But many people are skeptical about this, many people are afraid of being used by the police, so they are not very active. "There is only one way." Kamei said to Totsukawa. "But not many readers can notice such a small piece of news?" "I'm interested in how the killer reacted to the news." Kamei said. "Will the murderer pay attention to this news?" Totsukawa asked. "The murderer set a trap for Sanae Hojo, and he killed Michihiro Yamano. What will happen? Of course he will pay attention to the news in this regard every day. I guess he wants to know whether the detective Hojo will be treated as a murderer and be killed." Arrest and prosecution. Since he dare not call the police to ask directly, he will pay close attention to newspaper and TV reports, and will pay attention to every detail without omission.” "Is this your opinion?" Totsukawa asked with a smile. "Yes." Kamei nodded affirmatively, "I think the minister made this decision in consideration of the support of the people." "I also think the murderer will see the message. However, I'm afraid we'll never find the woman again." "I'm feeling it too." "Then did you also have this factor in your original opinion?" "Of course, but I think the murderer will not simply kill the woman, but will use some means to make her 'disappear'." Kamei said. "why?" "In this incident, the murderer made Hojo Criminal Police into a trap, and his goal was achieved. What he worried about next was that the counterfeit woman would be discovered. Of course, he was afraid of being discovered alive first, but even if the body was found after death, from the appearance Look, the truth will come out, and the series of methods he used will be in vain." "Maybe the murderer will disfigure him or take the method of mutilating his body?" Totsukawa asked. "Of course the murderer may adopt this method. But if the disfigured corpse is found, a thorough investigation, such as comparing fingerprints and tooth patterns, will soon find out who the deceased is." "Can't there be some way to destroy the body? Bury it in the ground, or sink it into the sea?" Totsukawa asked. Kamei nodded. "Of course, but I don't think it's that simple. It takes a lot of strength and time to bury a dead body in the ground or sink it into the sea. You can't kill her in the middle of the city, right? Bury it underground, It needs to be transported to the mountains by car; it is not a trivial matter to sink into the sea, because the corpse will float up after being thrown into the sea. " "So you think the murderer won't kill the woman?" Totsukawa asked. "No, I can't be that optimistic yet. If I were a murderer and I saw this kind of news published in the newspaper, I must get rid of this woman as soon as possible." "I think so too. And killing is not just murder. There are also people who kill without thinking about the method or consequences because of silence. They only think about the corpse after the fact." "Yes, I also think that the murderer will kill the woman sooner or later. It is a pity for her." "That is to say, to kill or not to kill, the murderer will follow the reports in the newspaper." "Yes. It is difficult to recognize an enemy who is not moving. The same is true for the murderer. He has been hiding and moving, so it is difficult for you to find him. If he moves, he will show his feet no matter what." Kamei said. "We have to wait for the murderer to act?" Totsukawa waited with an uneasy mood. Totsukawa and the others had no choice but to wait for the murderer to act. So far, no one knows who killed Michihiro Yamano. So, they decided to monitor all suspects. The first is his older brother Isao Hoshino.Although it seems that he has no motive to kill his brother, he is the closest person who has the conditions of direct interest. Totsukawa ordered Nishimoto and Kusaka to fully monitor Hoshino and his wife. The other people under surveillance are the boss of Michihiro Yamano's work unit and two or three colleagues. A day, two days had passed since the picture of the imposter appeared in the papers. But nothing happened. No, maybe a lot of new things happened, but these people under surveillance showed no suspicious signs. Isao Hoshino is still working energetically, and his wife also goes out to buy things in department stores every day as usual. The same goes for the corporate side of the deceased.There was nothing suspicious about his superiors and colleagues, either. The police did not get any clues or reports. Totsukawa and the others only received 3 calls, all asking how things were going. The deadline given by the Shimonoseki Police Station is approaching. If there is no new evidence, Hojo Sanae must be arrested on suspicion of murder. The Shirai Police Department of the Shimonoseki Bureau received a harsh phone call: "Recently, we have received all kinds of accusations, saying that our delay in not moving this time is due to the mutual protection of officials. The local procuratorate has also repeatedly asked why the suspect was not sent to the procuratorate." "But Detective Hojo is innocent!" Totsukawa tried his best to intercede. "This is your idea, but there is no evidence! If we let her go, it will definitely lead to distrust of the police in public opinion. Our news and public opinion here are already preparing to accuse the police on a large scale." Shirai said. "What accusation?" "Accuse the police of internal dereliction of duty, officials and officials protect each other, etc." "When will it start?" Totsukawa asked. "Two days. Therefore, if the arrest is not carried out after two days, there may be a big trouble." Shirai said in an irrefutable tone. "That is to say, the day after tomorrow?" "Yes. If the real murderer is no longer found, we will have to arrest Hojo Sanae!" Shirai emphasized again. Kamei was very angry after hearing this: "Don't he really know Hojo-kun is innocent?!" "We know, but the opinions of Xiaguan are not unreasonable." Totsukawa said. With only two days to go, the impostor woman must be found. Just like fighting against them, there have been no reports of unknown female corpses in the past few days, and there are surprisingly few calls. "The attempt to publish the news in the papers has failed!" Kamei said to Totsukawa in frustration. "It's too early to draw conclusions." Totsukawa said encouragingly. This afternoon, Totsukawa finally received a report that a female body was found in the apartment of Kogenji in Suginami District. "Because the deceased had the business card of the Totsugawa Police Department in his hand, he called you." A young police officer said on the phone. "What about the dead?" Totsukawa was so excited that he could hear his own heartbeat! This is so weird, to die with your own business card?Could it be the imposter? "Her name is Yuko Hino?" "Hino?!" "A female detective working for a private detective agency." Totsukawa let out an "ah" in surprise. It was the female detective who was requested by Isao Hoshino to investigate Hojo Sanae. At that time, for the convenience of contacting, Totsukawa gave her his business card. "Did he kill it?" Totsukawa asked anxiously. "Not sure. Maybe suicide." "I'll be right there!" Totsukawa quickly said something to the other party.