Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven Missing

Xiaoshan Yaozi stared at Totsukawa with very nervous eyes. Seeing her nervousness, Totsukawa said to her: "I think he should be prevented from doing that anyway." "Then what should I say? I don't think my words will do much good." "No, it won't. You should have a strong influence on the Hoshino couple." "Then how do I do it?" Yaozi still looked at Shijinchuan in bewilderment. "You said you haven't seen Mrs. Hoshino?" "yes." "Any phone calls or letters or anything?" "nor." "Then make a call."

Totsukawa looked at Yaozi and said. "What are you doing?" "Let Masako Hoshino know of your existence. Of course, you can also write a letter, but there is no time." After Shijinchuan finished speaking, Yaozi tilted his head and asked: "What will happen if Madam finds out that Hoshino-san wants to marry me?" "Did you know? Now she is willing to be killed by Hoshino!" "real?!" Yaozi was very surprised. "The reason... You can think of many, many, but you must save her right now! If she develops a sense of distrust towards her husband, maybe she will escape from him."

"What will happen when she escapes?" Yaozi still asked. "If she escapes from that house, she will be saved! Then, if she proves that Hoshino is a murderer, we can arrest him." Totsukawa said. "I still don't believe that he will kill his wife?" Yaozi shook her head slightly again. "That's for sure. Before the 23rd of this month, Hoshino will definitely kill his wife." "If you don't have love, just get a divorce! Why do you want to do this..." Yaozi still didn't understand. "It's impossible for him."

"I don't need his property." "His wife seized the evidence of Hoshino's murder. For fear of being accused, Hoshino will never divorce his wife. The only way is to kill someone." "Hasn't the power of the police arrested him yet?" "Unfortunately, there is no evidence yet. The only witness...that is, his wife, refused to testify, and if she dies, there is no other way." Totsukawa said frankly. Yaozi is seriously thinking about it.She seemed to believe Totsukawa's words a little bit. She was thinking about how to tell Mrs. Hoshino.

"Can I refuse to cooperate with the police?" Yaozi asked. "Of course, that's your freedom." "But if I refuse, you will be very embarrassed." "Yes, but we cannot force you to do so." "Let me think about it again!" Yaozi said. No way, Totsukawa and Kamei had to go back to the search headquarters first. "Will that woman help us?" Kamei asked anxiously. "No. We don't know her at all!" "She's an actress. From this point of view, she may not want to be involved in this case." Kamei said. "Then what to do?"

"She's a beauty, but she's not that famous yet. We can tell her that if she helps the police, she'll become famous as soon as public opinion spreads. Maybe she'll be interested when she hears this." Kamei had an idea. "I think this is a good way. We have the ability to influence news and public opinion. She should know this. If she doesn't cooperate with the police, her future can also be ruined." "I think so too." Kamei became excited. "Therefore, if you can't do it with sincerity, then you have to do it this way." Totsukawa said.

After a while, they called Xiaoshan Yaozi, and it was not Xiaoshan who answered the phone, but her performance agent named Yidao. Kamei told him that he was asked to come because of something. After a while, a forty-two or three-year-old man wearing a pair of glasses drove up. He handed over a business card. His full name was Ujiro Mishima. "I was surprised when I heard about it from Miss Xiaoshan." He cut to the chase and said. "I told her to keep this matter secret and not talk nonsense." As soon as Totsukawa said, Mishima said "I'm really sorry" in embarrassment, bowed his head and saluted.

"Okay, what exactly does she want to do? Let's discuss it." Totsukawa said. "What did she say to you?" Kamei asked sternly. "I know she's dating a young industrialist, but it's the first time I've heard the name." "Didn't she tell you that the man was a murderer?" "She told me that the police said he was a murderer." "yes." "But the papers didn't say that." Mishima said that it seemed that he had read the newspaper article. Totsukawa said with a wry smile: "Of course the other party will deny it."

"But the problem is that Xiaoshan is also involved. This is a very important period for her. I am her manager and I am responsible for her reputation. If her name is in the newspaper, it will be troublesome. Assist The police is the responsibility of every citizen, but if she is blamed for this, then her career as an actress will be completely ruined!" "It's not that serious, we promise not to reveal her name." Totsukawa said affirmatively to Mishima. "It really won't hurt Miss Xiaoshan's reputation?" Mishima asked again urgingly. "Of course not!"

"But the other party is the one who accused the police!" Mishima said. "If you're worried, forget it." Totsukawa said with a wry smile. Mishima quickly said: "No, that's not what it means. Miss Xiaoshan said she would assist the police." "That's what we'd like. In fact, we don't think Miss Hill will agree to marry a murderer." There is something in Kamei's words. "After this incident is resolved, is there any difficulty in stopping the marriage contract with the murderer?" Totsukawa asked. "It's... a bit."

"If that's the case, we should assist the police even more. Once Isao Hoshino's crimes are exposed, it is tantamount to saving Miss Xiaoshan!" Kamei added. "Indeed, indeed..." After Mishima finished speaking, he asked as if he had made up his mind: "So, specifically, what should Miss Xiaoshan do?" Totsukawa replied: "When Isao Hoshino is not at home, just ask her to call Madam." "What do you want her to say to Madam?" Mishima asked further. "Let's just say it straight. Said that Hoshino has told Ms. Xiaoshan to divorce his wife and marry her on her birthday. Ms. Xiaoshan is an actress, I think she will express this meaning well." "That's all?" "yes." "Then let me ask again, what if the other party doesn't say anything to Miss Xiaoshan?" Mishima said. "It doesn't matter. If the other party is timid, they will not say anything." Totsukawa said. Mishima went back.Whether he will do what Totsukawa and the others ordered is unclear. Because Mishima also had his worries. Another three hours later, this time it was Yaozi Xiaoshan who called Totsukawa directly. She said in a high-pitched voice: "I called Mrs. Hoshino!" It was obviously a tone of suppressed excitement. "Thank you so much. How did she react?" Totsukawa asked hastily. "She just listened to me in silence, but I think she was very upset." "Did you tell her that Hoshino promised to marry you after you divorced her?" "said." "So, is she mad?" "After I finished speaking, the lady didn't speak for a long time. I think she must be too angry to speak out! But then she asked me very calmly: 'Do you want to live with him?'" "Oh?" "I said I no longer wished so." Yaozi said. "Then what did she say?" "She murmured 'that's pathetic' in a low voice and hung up the phone." "She said 'poor'?" "yes." "Ask who?" "have no idea." When Yaozi said this, he asked again: "What should I do in the future? I won't be involved in this strange incident, right? I'm not worried, but my manager is still worried!" "It doesn't matter, the next step is up to us." Totsukawa said. Putting down the phone, Totsukawa said to Kamei. "What action will Masako Hoshino take?" "What action?" Kamei asked back as if he couldn't make up his mind. "I think in a fit of rage she was most likely to contact the police and tell the whole story." Totsukawa said. "Right, shall we go and see?" "Yes, go and see how she reacts." Totsukawa said. So the two of them got into the patrol car and went to Hoshino's house. It was already 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and Isao Hoshino might not have returned home. When they arrived at Hoshino's residence, Totsukawa and Kamei got out of the car, went to the door and rang the bell. No one answered. Totsukawa felt uneasy for a while. Could it be that Xiaoshan Yaozi's words angered her, and she really committed suicide? Totsukawa rang the doorbell a few more times, but still no one answered. "Kamei, it looks like we have to go in!" Totsukawa said to Kamei with a pale face. Kamei also showed an uneasy expression on his face, and silently opened the door and walked towards the house. The door was locked.They pulled on the door, but it didn't budge. So the two walked around to the back of the house. Kamei broke the lock of the back door with force, and the door opened. Totsukawa and Kamei entered the house. The hallway and living room on the first floor were lit, but Masako was not. Totsukawa ran to the second floor. He turned on the light and looked from room to room. "Nowhere!" Totsukawa said out of breath. "go out?" "It would be better if you just go out." Totsukawa was talking when he heard the roar of a car outside the door. "Get out!" Totsukawa said a little nervously to Kamei and walked out, but just bumped into Isao Hoshino who entered the room. Isao Hoshino's expression was terrifying. "What are you doing here?!" Isao Hoshino shouted loudly. "We came to see your wife, because she is not here, and we are going back." Totsukawa said. "Not here? Impossible!" Isao Hoshino rushed into the house through the door very nervously. Kamei watched him enter the house and said to Totsukawa: "He's so flustered!" "Anyway, he hasn't lost his temper with us yet!" Totsukawa shrank his neck and laughed. At this moment, Isao Hoshino suddenly rushed out of the house again, and shouted at Totsukawa: "What happened to my wife?!" "It's okay, we're here, she's not here, that's all!" "Is the servant not here?" "Perhaps out with madam?" "Will not!!" Hoshino shouted loudly. Totsukawa smiled wryly and said: "Perhaps Madam just went out for a while. What's the fuss about it? Will be back soon." "My wife is sick and she can't go anywhere!" "This is strange. Last time we came to persuade her to be hospitalized for examination, didn't you say that she was not sick and there was no need to go?" Totsukawa said sarcastically. Isao Hoshino's face turned red all of a sudden, showing a look of anger from embarrassment: "What have you done to my wife? If I knew that it was you who caused her to run away from home, I would never forgive you!" "I don't understand, why are you so angry? Madame will be back soon! Maybe go shopping!" Totsukawa said calmly on purpose. "nonsense!!" Hoshino Isao said loudly, and quickly got into the car and drove away. Definitely going to Masako. "It's so strange!" Kamei stared blankly at the passing car and said. "He's in a hurry too!" Totsukawa said. The two returned to the car. "We have to find Masako too!" Kamei said in a firm tone. "You're right! I'm most worried about her suicide, and this is the most likely possibility. Is Hoshino also worried about this?" After Totsukawa finished speaking, Kamei nodded first, and then said: "But, if Masako committed suicide, wouldn't she just fall into the hands of Isao Hoshino? He was the one who asked her to take arsenic to kill her!" "It would be easier if she just committed suicide. Maybe she would write a suicide note with the whole truth of the incident before she died. This is what Hoshino is afraid of!" "right!" "So, Isao Hoshino wants Masako to die under his control." "If Isao Hoshino finds him this time, he will definitely be imprisoned at home." "Or take it abroad and kill her there. If the two of them want to go abroad, they must stop it!" "Maybe for us, this is the last chance!" Kamei said nervously. So, Totsukawa turned on the walkie-talkie, and immediately ordered Nishimoto and his party to find Masako's whereabouts, while monitoring Isao Hoshino's car and his own movements. The two returned to search headquarters. All the criminal police went out urgently and searched for places where Hoshino Masako might have gone. On the other hand, the patrol cars in the city were also ordered to pay attention to Isao Hoshino's car and report it immediately after discovering it. But neither target was ever found. The criminal police found Masako's relatives, friends and college classmates. They also contacted the Kanagawa police, where Hakone belongs, to learn about the situation. But Masako was still nowhere to be found. However, Isao Hoshino's car was finally discovered. It was found in Hakone, maybe he also guessed that Masako came to the villa. "Maybe she's back in Tokyo?" Totsukawa said. "No, in that case we shall have news from her friends." "Isao Hoshino is competing with us!" Totsukawa said. Sure enough, in the middle of the night, Isao Hoshino returned to Tokyo. He also searched house after house among Masako's friends and college classmates. It was 2 o'clock in the morning, and Masako still hadn't been seen. Totsukawa looked out of the dark window and fell into deep thought. "She didn't go to a friend's house." Kamei said to Totsukawa's back. "Let's think about it in her mood." Totsukawa sat down in his seat again and said to Kamei. "What would that look like?" "She drank the poison given by her husband, but said nothing to anyone, waiting for him to kill herself. Such a person would not go to relatives and friends, because if she wanted to escape, she would not have allowed her husband to harm her long ago .” Totsukawa said. "Yes! Her despair is getting deeper and deeper, and maybe she didn't want to tell her friends from the beginning." "What will happen then?" "She committed suicide!" "I'm worried about that too! I'm afraid she's dead right now! And no one has reported finding the body of the unknown woman." "I don't think she will commit suicide all at once. She will think about it quietly by herself." Kamei said. Totsukawa nodded: "Yes, I think so too. Then, the most peaceful place is a hot spring in the countryside." "But such hot springs are all over the country, isn't it too difficult to find her?" Kamei shook his head. "Generally speaking, you should go to the hot spring she went to for the first time." "right!" "Let's find out from her friends which hot springs Masako has been to." Totsukawa said excitedly. The Nishimoto detectives ran for another two hours, and returned to the search headquarters at dawn. Finally found out a place: Houshenghang Hot Spring. She had been there with a classmate in college.It was her first time to go to the hot spring, she was very happy, and said that she wanted to go again. Houshenghang Hot Spring is located in Hachimantai, the mountain is more than 1,000 meters high, and there is only one hotel nearby. "Kamei, let's go!" Totsukawa said to Kamei. I can't call to check. Firstly, Masako may use a pseudonym to stay in the house, and secondly, she may run away when she hears the news. Totsukawa ordered the Nishimoto detective to continue to monitor Isao Hoshino, while he and Kamei went to Houshengkake Onsen. They took the Shinkansen. After getting off at Morioka, they boarded the train bound for Tazawa again. They took the express train.When I got off at Tazawa, it was already 1:12 pm that day. The two immediately hailed a taxi and drove to Houshenghang Hot Spring. The car crossed the Tianze Lake Bridge and drove towards the village below the dam. When they arrived at Tamagawa Hot Spring, which is very close to Houshengke Hot Spring, they smelled a strong smell of sulfuric acid. There are many sulfur springs in this area. "So, there are no fish in the rivers in this area." The taxi driver introduced them. Because the river water contains a lot of sulfur, although a large amount of river water flows into Lake Tazawa, there are still no fish in the lake. Starting from Yuchuan Hot Spring, the car began to climb the mountain and it rained lightly halfway.The weather suddenly became very cold. "Is it still far?" Totsukawa asked the driver. "It's right on top of the hill." replied the driver. The closer you get to the top of the mountain, the more clearly you can see the snow in the shade of the rocks and tree trunks.The temperature dropped sharply, and a layer of fog formed on the airtight glass windows. After a while, we arrived at Houshenghang Hot Spring. Sure enough, there was only one hotel on the top of the mountain. You can see white smoke rising from the back of the hotel from time to time, probably the heat from the hot spring. "Has this woman been here? What's her name?" Totsukawa asked while showing her his police ID. When the waiter was looking at Masako's photo, the room attendant happened to come over, so she stopped her and asked: "Is it the one who lives in number 12?" This one seems to have been recruited from a nearby village, and she has a distinct local accent. "It's pretty similar!" "So, she came?" Totsukawa immediately asked. "Yes, it's the one who lives in Room 12. He arrived last night and took a taxi. He looks sick! He fell asleep when he got there, and he's still asleep now!" "No, I just got up and went for a walk." The waiter at the front desk corrected the room attendant's words as if he remembered. Totsukawa said to her: "Did she say anything?" "Say what?" "Like, who is she waiting for?" When Totsukawa asked, the waiter shook his head: "This is a quiet guest. She seems to have something on her mind, but when you ask her, she just smiles." "How long did she say she would stay?" "Looks like a week." "Have you ever taken a hot spring?" "She just said she wanted to wash." said the waiter. So Totsukawa and Kamei decided to live in the room closest to Room 12. At the same time, they told the two waiters to keep it secret and not let Masako know. The next day, Masako only went to the hot spring once, and then stayed in the house without doing anything. Totsukawa and the others didn't go anywhere, they just waited in the room and waited for an opportunity to act. Since there is no telephone in the hotel, you have to go to the public phone booth outside the hotel to make calls. Totsukawa found time to go to the phone booth outside the hotel and called Nishimoto in Tokyo. "How is Isao Hoshino?" he asked. "Still driving back and forth, looking very nervous." Nishimoto replied. "Has he found Masako's whereabouts?" "It looks like not yet." Nishimoto said to Totsukawa. Only then did Totsukawa return to the room with peace of mind. Kamei was walking up and down the room anxiously. "It was a little suspicious just now." Kamei said to Totsukawa. "What's wrong?" "The front desk said that Masako asked for letter paper, envelopes and ballpoint pens, and took them to the room." Kamei said. "Want to write?" Totsukawa was also very nervous. I'm afraid this is no ordinary letter. Most likely a suicide note!