Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Tracing the past

That was on March 16 five years ago. The next day, March 17, the newspapers carried such news. At around 6:30 am on the 17th, in the courtyard of the "Matsubara Villa" in Matsubara, Setagaya District, the administrator Yamashita (56 years old) found a dead young woman in daily clothes, and he immediately reported to the police.According to police investigation, the deceased was Keiko Yasuda, a female staff member who lived in Room 602 of the apartment.Ms. Keiko is a female employee working in K Trading Company.According to colleagues, she was pessimistic and depressed due to the breakdown of her marriage. On the night of the 16th, she couldn't think about it and jumped from the balcony of Room 602.

Does what happened five years ago have anything to do with the current case? Although Totsukawa and Kamei were not sure of such a conclusion, they decided to conduct an investigation. The two came to the Songyuan Police Station and found the Noda detective who was in charge of the incident to understand the situation. "I think it must be a suicide, please look at the materials at that time." Noda opened the dossier at that time, and said while looking at it. "why?" "At that time, she had a marriage contract with Yamano Michiko from the same trading company, but later this person fell in love with Hoshino Ichiro's only daughter Hoshino Masako. Because she couldn't bear such a blow to her spirit, she tragically committed suicide! "

"Is there no clue at all about his killing?" Totsukawa asked. Noda looked at Totsukawa in surprise and asked: "What, he killed?!" "That's right! Can't it be considered that she was pushed down from the balcony on the sixth floor?" "There's no motive! Yamano Daogong abandoned this girl..." "Has room 602 been inspected?" Kamei asked from the side. "Of course I checked! The room is tidy, and the door is still locked." "Is there a suicide note?" "No." "Where's the key to the room?"

"There is one in her schoolbag, and another in the desk drawer. According to the administrator, there are two keys in total." "Maybe someone will make another one!" Totsukawa seemed to be speaking to himself, but also to Detective Noda. It's too easy to get a key. "Have you learned anything from Yamano Michiko?" "We met once to understand the situation. He is a very straightforward person, saying that he should not betray Keiko, and he shed tears in pain at that time." "Does he have an 'alibi'?" "Judging from the circumstances of Keiko Yasuda's death, the time of death was between 10:00 and 11:00 on March 16th. We believed it was suicide at the time, but for the sake of caution, we also investigated Yamano Michiko's 'absence'." Proof at the scene'. At the time of the incident, Yamano Misao was drinking with his younger brother to congratulate his younger brother for joining N Electric Company, and then returned to his apartment together. This is his own testimony, and his younger brother also said the same. Because It is true that Michihiro Yamano, Michiko Yamano’s younger brother, joined the company that day, so we believe it to be true.”

Noda replied. "But the witness is the suspect's own brother!" Kamei said. "If it's a homicide, of course we can't believe it easily, but considering that it's a suicide case, so we believe his brother's testimony. And it's certain that the two of them drank at a bar in Shinjuku until 10 o'clock. Yes, the clerk also proved it." "Kamei, I think that might be the motive here." Totsukawa looked at Kamei and said. Did Michiko Yamano kill Keiko Yasuda? Could it be that the "alibi" was created at that time, and five years later the case became a handle, triggering the motive of the elder brother killing the younger brother to silence him?

After breaking up with Detective Noda, Totsukawa and Kamei continued to discuss the matter. Both of them felt a little bit excited, because they finally found a little light. "I think it is very likely that Ah Gong killed his former lover Keiko Yasuda." On the way back, Kamei said to Totsukawa. "It's not uncommon for her to hand over a key to Ah Gong because of the relationship." "Yeah, he might have copied one secretly. On the night of March 16 five years ago, he pushed Keiko Yasuda off the balcony, put the key in a drawer, and locked the door with the key that was provided later. , and fled the scene."

Kamei said to Totsukawa. "So he made an 'alibi'?" "right!" "But it is too difficult to obtain evidence. Keiko Yasuda, the most important person, died five years ago and has been treated as a suicide. The younger brother Ahong who may have been used to create an 'alibi' is also dead." "Then what shall we do?" Kamei asked. "Evidence must be found no matter how difficult it is! If it succeeds, Hojo will be saved." Totsukawa said firmly. "First, clear up the clues around Keiko Yasuda. If we find that she is not the kind of suicidal person, we will take a big step forward!"

Kamei said. "Let Nishimoto-kun and the others do it." Totsukawa made up his mind. "it is good!" "I'll see Hoshino Gong again, no, it's Mountain Dao Gong!" When Totsukawa said this, Kamei laughed: "Declare war on him?" "Don't get too excited. But first, let me tell him that we know a lot, and shake his confidence first." Totsukawa said in a firm tone. Totsukawa visited Isao Hoshino again.At that time, he was in the president's office of "Star Hall No. 4" in Ginza. "I think it's all right!"

Hoshino said to Totsukawa in an arrogant tone. "This time it's another matter, I'm here to ask a few questions." "Anything else?" Isao Hoshino asked very maturely. "A thing that happened five years ago. Five years ago, a girl named Yasuda Keiko died on March 16 five years ago. You know this person very well, right?" Totsukawa said. Isao Hoshino's expression suddenly changed, but rather than showing a shaken look, it might be better to say that his face was full of anger. "So that's why!" Hoshino nodded and continued, "The police are so despicable!"

"mean?" "Isn't it?! You are so stubborn to protect your subordinates, and even threaten me with the misfortune that I don't want to touch. What is it? Let me ask you, what does Keiko Yasuda's death have to do with this case?" He glared at Totsukawa angrily. "Is it really all right?" "Where does it matter?! It was my younger brother who was killed this time. What does it have to do with the dead Keiko Yasuda! Keiko Yasuda is my past lover!" "I know that." "Then why did you bring this up today?" Isao Hoshino asked.

"Because I doubt the conclusion of that case five years ago!" "Doubt? Five years have passed!" "Yes. Keiko Yasuda was treated as suicide five years ago. But I have to reconsider whether this is suicide or homicide!" Totsukawa also said without showing any weakness. "Nonsense! She committed suicide! For this reason, I still feel guilty in my heart. It was my fault that caused her to go on this path. Until today, I feel sad when I think about it." "Why did you abandon her and marry Hoshino Masako?" Totsukawa knew that the other party hated this question, but he brought it up anyway. Sure enough, Isao Hoshino's expression was ugly. "I've already forgotten!" He seemed to be speaking insincerely. "But a girl died! Yes, this case was treated as a suicide five years ago, but from my sense of responsibility, I must re-investigate this case!" Totsukawa seemed to see through the other party's panic, and continued speaking unwaveringly. "Why do you do this? It's all out of revenge on me. I want to sue you!" Hoshino shouted loudly. "The reason is simple, because there are several doubts in this case that are related to the case five years ago. Go and sue!" "What doubt?" "Then it's not suicide, it's homicide!" "This is unbelievable, the door of the room is locked!" "Don't you remember it clearly?" Totsukawa said sarcastically. Isao Hoshino knew that he had made a mistake, and his face became even uglier. "I'm the person involved, so of course I remember these things! After I heard the news of her death, I was also surprised. I thought about whether it was suicide or homicide, and I wondered if a thief went in to steal things and killed Ms. Yasuda. I was also affected by it." Investigate. But, as I said, she has the key, the door is locked, and the room is not messy at all. The policeman in charge of the case also said it was a suicide. Did the policeman get it wrong too? " "Maybe!" "Isn't this a disgrace to the police?" "Even so, we have to act on the basis of facts!" Totsukawa said firmly. "But what does it matter if a girl who died five years ago committed suicide? I'd like to hear the reasons for reopening that case." Isao Hoshino said tentatively. "That's exactly what I want to tell you when I come to see you. If the conclusion of that case is wrong and it was homicide instead of suicide, then you have a motive to participate in this murder case!" "I can understand that, but it has nothing to do with me." "You mean you have an 'alibi'?" "Yes, when Yasuda Keiko died, I was drinking with my brother. Everyone knows this fact, and the criminal police of the Matsubara Police Station also know it." "That's because your younger brother joined N Electric Company. Did you drink together when celebrating him?" "right." "But didn't you stay until 10 o'clock in the evening? The problem is after 10 o'clock. Maybe you rushed to Keiko Yasuda's apartment immediately after breaking up with your brother. Because the time of death is between 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock in the evening, during this time you Totally in time." As soon as Totsukawa said, Isao Hoshino's face turned red. "You can't take advantage of this. My brother and I did leave the bar at 10 o'clock, but we went back to my place and drank again until dawn. My brother can attest to that!" "Perhaps the younger brother can perjure himself for the sake of the older brother?" "Is there any evidence? Is there any evidence of his perjury?" "No. Your brother is dead, and it is only fitting for you." "Our conversation was not speculative, can you go back?" Hoshino glared at Totsukawa angrily. Totsukawa stood up, but he took another look at Isao Hoshino: "I will go back today, but I will come again. At that time, I am not here to collect evidence, but to formally talk to you about the truth of what happened five years ago, because that case will definitely become a homicide case and be re-characterized of." As he said to Kamei, this was a declaration of war on Isao Hoshino. But he didn't know if Isao Hoshino panicked about this. Perhaps he was still thinking that since Keiko Yasuda was dead and his younger brother was dead anyway, the police would have no way to deal with him. But maybe he was a little shaken. Because he's angry, angry, angry, and that's the proof. After returning to the search headquarters, Totsukawa analyzed the conversation with Isao Hoshino. Isao Hoshino responded. This time, when his younger brother died, he was completely relieved, but maybe the case five years ago had become his Achilles' heel? What will happen? Totsukawa decided to meet with Keiko Yasuda's family members with Kamei. If you want to prove whether Isao Hoshino was suspected five years ago, you must conduct a detailed investigation. Yasuda Keiko was born in Hiroshima, has relatives in Fukuyama, and her parents have long since passed away. She also has an older sister who is married and lives in Yokohama.Totsukawa and Kamei decided to meet her older sister. They took the express train from Tokyo and got off at Okura East Station.In front of the station is a commercial street. In order to attract more customers, almost all the buildings on this commercial street have been transformed into churches, forming a group of wonderful exotic atmospheres. Although the location is amazing, young people don't like it very much, so there are more elderly people on the street. Yasuda Keiko's older sister changed her surname to Kosai after she got married, and her name is Kosai Kazuko. She is 38 years old and has two children. The Xiangxi couple opened a snack bar called "Shenghai" on this commercial street. "It used to be called 'Cherry', but it was changed to this name because it didn't match the architectural style here." Her husband, Kosai, said to Totsukawa and the others with a smile, then turned and walked away.Maybe he thought he was here to prevent the policeman from talking to his wife. Totsukawa said to Kazuko: "I want to ask one thing you don't want to recall, it's about your sister Keiko." "Why did the police suddenly ask this question again after five years?" Hezi's face was full of puzzlement. "Miss Keiko's death, we think it may not be a suicide, but a homicide." "real?" Hezi then nodded and said: "At that time, I also thought that my sister would not commit suicide." "why?" Kamei asked. "My younger sister has a very strong personality. If she wants to commit suicide, she must explain things clearly, such as writing a suicide note." Hezi said. "Miss Keiko's fiancé, Isao Hoshino, said that she took this path because she and Hoshino's daughter got married, and she couldn't stand the blow." Totsukawa said to Kazuko. Hezi shook his head: "I don't know about it." "Why, didn't Lingmei say anything?" "Yes, she never told me anything, so I still think Yamano Michiko is a good person." "Then, after your sister died, haven't you heard about Hoshino Isao?" "Yes. I found out about my sister's death from Isao Hoshino. He came to me and tried to apologize." "But you didn't forgive him?" "Yes. I can understand if my sister leaves a suicide note or something." "But the reality is that Michiko Yamano married a rich man's daughter!" Kamei said bluntly. "Yes. I know that too." "So, what do you think about this matter?" Totsukawa asked. "I think Mr. Yamano Michiko must be climbing high!" Hezi said. "Why do you think so?" "That person is very smart and capable, and works in a first-class trading company, and he is handsome, why don't he sell himself for a higher price? My sister is gentle and kind, but she has no property, so in From his point of view, the one who matches him should be a rich girl, maybe so." "Then Michiko Yamano married a rich man's daughter, so Ms. Yasuda lost her faith in life and committed suicide. Don't you understand that?" "Yes, I don't think it's possible!" "why?" "My sister is a very strong girl. Maybe she will suffer setbacks and blows because of this, but she will never take the road of suicide." "So that's the case." "Also, she didn't say anything to me before she committed suicide, which is so weird, she used to say to me whatever she had." Hezi said. "But maybe because you're too embarrassed to say it?" "Mr. Yamano Michiko said the same thing. But my sister believes in me the most. She must explain such a big matter to me, because our parents have passed away long ago, and we are the only two sisters who depend on each other." "Then why didn't she tell you?" Kamei asked. Kazuko shook his head lightly: "This... I don't understand either, why didn't she tell me?" "Before your sister passed away, did you see her?" Totsukawa asked. "I saw it, it was three days ago." "What was she like then?" "I'm very happy! The work is going well, and things with Hoshino Isao are also very good. At that time, the police and Hoshino Isao said that he was engaged to Mr. Hoshino Ichiro's daughter at that time. I didn't believe it at all!" "The story of my sister was also published in the weekly magazine." "Oh?" "The headline in the weekly magazine was 'Marriage broke down with excellent employee, female employee committed suicide'." "What weekly magazine?" "What is it called Special News Weekly?" "Have you also come to interview you?" "yes." "Didn't you say back then that your sister would not commit suicide because of a love triangle?" "Isn't there a weekly magazine?" "It wasn't posted. It just said something like 'I was jealous of my fiancé marrying a rich man's daughter, which led to suicide' or something. There was also a picture of Mr. Yamanobe Isao crying!" This man is really insidious!Anyway, Totsukawa and Kamei hated Isao Hoshino emotionally more and more.Moreover, this is not just a matter of playing with other people's feelings and climbing up to a rich man's daughter. "Have you ever considered that he would kill Lingmei?" Kamei asked directly. Kazuko's expression stiffened for a moment: "I thought about it!" "Then do you think that Lingmei was killed because she became an obstacle for the mountain masters to climb up to the rich man's daughter?" "no." Hezi replied. Kamei and Totsukawa looked at each other unexpectedly and asked: "Then what other motives would he have for killing Lingmei?" "My younger sister is very competitive. Even if she knows that her boyfriend is cheating on her, she won't cry and beg him, and she won't let him go. Then why would he kill her?" "But don't you think he killed Lingmei?" "yes." "Is there any other motive?" "I don't know about that. However, even if he killed my sister, the criminal police haven't been able to give any reason until today." Hezi said. Although Totsukawa felt that he had an unexpected harvest today, he did not dare to believe what Kazuko said. Regardless, a love triangle relationship leading to homicide is one of the most common motives. After Totsukawa and Kamei bid farewell to Kazuko, they immediately returned to Tokyo and went to the "Tekun Weekly". This weekly magazine is based in Kanda. They met the reporter who covered the story five years ago. This is a middle-aged reporter named Tamiya. "You two want to know what happened five years ago?" Tamiya glanced at Totsukawa and Kamei with probing eyes, and then said: "I remember it very well, because the girl who died was really pretty." "Why did you go to interview this matter?" Totsukawa asked. "Someone called! It is said that a top member of a well-known business company abandoned his fiancée, leading to a suicide case. That's the reason." "Is the caller a man or a woman?" "Male, but the voice seems a bit contrived." Tamiya replied. "How did you conduct the interview?" "Go to the police station to find out the situation first, because I have to ask if there is such a thing first." "And then you saw Shan Ye Dao Gong?" "Yes, it's the fiance of the girl who committed suicide. Of course I want to see him!" "and after?" "He's a very straightforward man. He admits that it's because of another woman that he's brought this girl down. He's so heavy, so guilty, that he's full of tears. If he's a bad guy, how can he be crying?" What? When I saw him like that, I felt very sympathetic." "Have you asked his new lover?" "I asked, she is also a very honest and dutiful girl!" "She thinks it's a man's right to choose?" Totsukawa asked. "Yes, and she is also a beauty, more attractive than the dead Miss Yasuda Keiko, and has property. For Ren Shu, an ambitious young man, property is more attractive than women." "Do you think Michiko Yamano is also an ambitious young man?" "yes." "Don't you think what he said was all lies?" Tamiya was taken aback by Totsukawa's question.He stared at Shijin and asked: "False? It's impossible, isn't it?" "Is the love triangle he said a lie?" "I haven't thought about it. He has a marriage contract with Ms. Yasuda. It is very possible that Ms. Yasuda resorted to suicide because her fiancé found another new love and couldn't accept the stimulation mentally. Yamano Michiko also reflected on himself repeatedly. I It was all written in the article at that time. Of course I used a pseudonym." "Did you find out later that he married the rich man's daughter?" Totsukawa asked. "I know, but there's nothing special about it. Ms. Yasuda Keiko died, and he recovered after experiencing such a blow, so he married a new lover!" "Have you interviewed Ms. Yasuda's sister?" "I've been there. After my article was published, I drew a lot of scolding, especially her sister, who didn't believe her sister committed suicide at all." "What do you think?" "I think it's blood ties at work. But anyway I think it's a common lovelorn-suicide tragedy. The police think so too." "Do you know who the man who called you is?" "I thought the call was very interesting at the time, but I didn't know who it was, but I could imagine what this man looked like." "Then tell me." "Miss Yasuda Keiko who died by suicide is a beauty. This man must be someone who is secretly obsessed with her. Because he is jealous of Michiko Yamano, he called, maybe he hopes to find out the truth of the matter, at least clear up the matter Big, use this to stigmatize Shan Ye Dao Gong, and let him be sanctioned by society." "What do you mean by 'social sanction'?" Kamei asked. "It's social pressure! Let him lose his face and ruin his reputation in the company." Tamiya said. "Then why didn't you think that it might be Yamano Michiko himself calling?" When Totsukawa asked, Tamiya yelled "Yes": "Why do you ask, does he stick his head in the circle?" "When public opinion was discussing whether Ms. Antian committed suicide or homicide, he wanted to lead this matter to the conclusion of suicide." Totsukawa said. "So, he cried bitterly to the reporters who interviewed him, is he acting?" "You don't think so?" "I don't see it. I went to the interview with the 'suicide' frame in mind, though." "Is it framed as 'Suicide due to broken relationship'?" "yes." "If he knew this and acted in front of you, you'd be an easy fool, wouldn't you?" Totsukawa asked Tamiya with a smile.