Chapter 13 Chapter 13 The Counter-evidence of Silence

If Nagai is not the same, there is no other object.On the page that was cut off, only the quartet, the Nagai couple, and OKATIMENTAI from Kyoto had a total of eight people who wrote a message.If the problem was with the couple in Kyoto, there would be no trace at all.It can only be returned to Yamahara in the group of four. "Try Nagai as the target. Assuming he is a prisoner, think about how my brother-in-law found him? In other words, it needs to be worthy of the name of imagining and thinking hard." Yuko suggested. "Okay." Although Shicun nodded, he couldn't think of any solution after searching.

"The first thing I can think of is to ask the hotel, but the hotel only keeps the accommodation records within three years, so it is impossible to ask anything." "Besides the police, the residence records are generally not shown to outsiders." "If the relationship with the front office is good, do you think he will secretly tell us?" "Even if he is familiar with the front desk, he can't say anything without the preserved records." "Oh, I'm such a fool." Yuko stuck out her tongue. Shicun looked up at the sky. "What's wrong?"

"A page was cut out of the guest book. But these eight people shouldn't be the only guests who wrote messages in the guest book on the day of these people's stay?" "You mean..." Yuko didn't seem to understand Shicun's meaning. "It just so happened that this page was used by the hotel for publicity and included in the brochure, but I think there are probably comments written by guests who stayed on the same day on other pages." "I understand!" Yuko tapped his knee. "You mean that on the other pages that haven't been cut off, there may be messages from guests staying on the same day or related identification clues?"

"Yes, if guests who stay on the same day get along well, they will exchange addresses and exchange business cards." "This method is feasible. Hurry up and ask the restaurant." As a result of asking Toda of the Kanzanji Hotel, I learned that there were three groups of six guests staying on the same day who left a message in the guest book.They are a newlywed couple in Tokyo, three female college students in Osaka and a single guest with the initials SS.Their messages are all those familiar travel impressions, but the newlyweds in Tokyo left their addresses and names. They are Hayase Ichiro and Yumiko, who live in XX Fengtama Apartment in Fengtama Kamiji, Nerima District.Secun, they feel that the disconnected thread has been connected again.

I really can't say whether the Hayase couple is still living in the residence eight years ago.But if Qingyuan can find Nagai and the others, I believe it can only rely on this clue. The next day, Shicun and Yuko go to Hayase's house to visit. I looked for it based on the area where it belonged, and found that it was a residential street near Nerima Station.Newly built apartments and residential buildings line up in disorder.It seemed to belong to the Banqiao District in the past, because the road was built first, so a lot of functional buildings that kill the scenery were developed along the road.According to the map, what I found was a three-story medium-sized simple apartment, which is very economical and practical as a new residence for newlyweds.And because of this, residents move out and move in alternately.

But the Hayase couple has been living in the "new house" eight years ago.After pressing the doorbell with the nameplate on it, a woman's voice came from the intercom, asking "Who is it?" after a while.Behind her the clamor of children could be heard. "That's right, we came here rashly because we wanted to ask you something. Are you the home of Mr. Ichiro Hayase and Mrs. Yumiko who went to Kanzanji Onsen for their wedding trip eight years ago?" Yuko asked first. "Yes, you are..." A voice full of doubts came from the room.Anyone would be surprised to suddenly mention the honeymoon trip eight years ago.

"It's very presumptuous to come to visit suddenly. Actually, I want to ask you about Mr. Nagai Motohiro from Suginami Ward that you may have seen at Kanzanji Temple at that time." "Nagai... ah" There was an obvious response in the tone of the housewife, and the door opened.A face of a housewife in her thirties leaked through the crack of the door.She is probably Hayase Yumiko. "Is it about Mr. Nagai again?" Hayase asked suddenly through the crack of the door. "Again, you mean did anyone else ask the same thing?" "Yes. It's probably around the end of April. Be quiet." She said to the noisy children in the house.

"Is that person Kiyohara from Daily News? Round face, disheveled hair, sparse teeth..." "I forgot the name, but that's how it looks. Why are you asking about that time now?" Yuko and Shimura looked at each other.Finally got back on the right track. "Actually, I am Kiyohara's wife and sister. I really want to see Nagai." "Then why don't you just ask your brother-in-law? Doesn't it take so much trouble?" She looked very surprised. "Have you told your brother-in-law Mr. Nagai's address?" "told." "My brother-in-law is dead, so I can't find out from him."

"Dead..." She didn't seem to have seen the message. "He passed away due to a sudden accident. As a last resort, I have to trouble you again." Since she doesn't know the relationship between the Hayase couple and the Nagai couple, it seems better not to tell her if she doesn't know. "That's right. A person with such a healthy mental state... the fate of a person is really unpredictable. If this is the case, then you can do it as many times as you want." She didn't seem to realize how ridiculous her words were and that she was somewhat unkind to the family members of the deceased. Faux pas, just plain sympathy there.

The children inside were noisy again. "When I was at Kanzanji, I met Nagai and his wife because they helped each other take pictures. Since then, we have exchanged New Year's cards every year. I have their New Year's card for this year. If they haven't moved after this, they should live there. Please wait one time." She went back to the house and wrote the Nagai couple's address on a piece of paper.Because Qingyuan had already asked about it, he quickly found it from the address book. Got the address of Nagai Motohiro.By "shifting the way of thinking," Nagai became a target.It seems that Qingyuan also targeted him.

Nagai and his wife live in XX, Nakamachi Ichino, Setagaya District. "What should I do?" Although I got Nagai's address from Yuko Hayase, I haven't figured out what to do in the future.The reasoning from the conversion assumptions has come this far.But Kiyohara's footprints prove that this seems to be more than reasoning.His footprints are signposts telling those who come after him in the right direction. Kiyohara became a dead body floating on Cape Irago after learning of Nagai's address.The last person he saw before his death was probably Nagai. "First of all, let's confirm whether Nagai still lives at the address on this year's New Year's card. It's not too late to think about how to act later." Yuko Hayase seemed to have little understanding of Nagai's occupation and social status.They just helped each other take pictures at Guanshan Temple and exchanged addresses so that they could post photos in the future. Originally, I wanted photos, but the children were noisy, and it was embarrassing to ask people to find photos from so long ago. The two walked directly towards Nagai's residence.It was a high-end residential area near Doli Valley.Although the scale is small and the water is full of detergent foam, the entire residential area takes on the shape of a valley under the shade of lush greenery.In a city far away from nature, it is also an extremely rare natural scene, like an oasis in the city.The Nagai house is an imposing mansion with its back against the Tooli Valley.The courtyard is spacious, with lush trees inside, and the main house is hidden in a greenery.The courtyard is naturally connected with the slope of the valley, absorbing the blessings of nature to the maximum. The wall of Dagu stone piled up and full of green spikes gives people a sense of repelling people for thousands of miles.The iron gate on the side is full of coercion, and one always feels that there seems to be a ferocious hound inside, eager to pounce.The two of them fully felt the master's majesty in front of the door. At this time, a young man delivering goods from a dry cleaner happened to pass by. Yuko smiled at him and said, "We are from XX Real Estate. We want to sell villas here. I wonder what Mr. Nagai does?" The young man in the laundry was stunned by Yuko's smile. "Mr. Nagai, you are the president of NAGAI." "NAGAI?" "Why don't you know? It is a very popular clothing brand now. It can be said to be the top brand of men's clothing." The lad at the dry cleaners stuck out his chest with honor.Both Yuko and Shimura know this brand. NAGAI started from an apartment in Daikanyama with a few employees eight years ago. The adventurous new products that have been launched continuously fit the feelings of young people, and it has become a rapidly growing clothing manufacturer.Unexpectedly, Nagai turned out to be the president of NAGAI. "The shirt I'm wearing is from Nagai." The young man boasted, pointing to his pink half-sleeved shirt.He didn't seem to doubt that the villa salesman was ignorant of such a famous customer.This is probably also the effect of Yuko's smiling offensive. The unexpected identity made the two nervous. "What do you think?" Yuko observed Shicun's expression. "There seems to be a problem." "Me too. That house feels very bad. It seems that nature has been bought with money. There are also barbed wire on the fence. What is this called? Anti-thief? Such a house cannot be lived in by ordinary people. .” "That's called a wall spur. It really doesn't feel good. But the richer and the more prestigious the person, the more afraid of losing it." "In this respect, we are quite relaxed." Yuko said harshly. "Will you be angry if I say I don't want to lose you?" Secun decided to give it a try. "Huh? Do you want me?" Se-mura encounters a fierce counterattack. "It's too bad. I don't have such a thick skin. I've said it several times that meeting you is my greatest achievement. I don't want to lose this achievement." "I'm sorry. It's also a gain for me. I don't want to lose either." Yuko's expression became more serious. "Really?" "Really." There was something enigmatic in Yuko's eyes that is unique to mature women.Semura lacks the further courage needed to solve the mystery. Shi Cun quietly investigated Nagai Jihong's side.He's a figure in the entrepreneurial saga now, a story (whitewashed, of course) that's been hyped up. The so-called APPAREL means clothing and clothes.If you call clothes etc. Apparel, somehow it seems to have an extra layer of fashion. After the word was introduced from the United States in the Showa 1940s, men's clothing, women's clothing, sportswear, underwear, etc. were all called APPAREL. In the past, big manufacturers monopolized the market share in the ready-to-wear industry, but as the market matures, consumers' preferences become more personalized.They have become more concerned with the feel of clothing than volume. With the development of this trend, the products of big brands can no longer be sold, and they are replaced by personalized designs and original brands created by designers.In line with this development trend, Nagai has continuously launched bold and new plans that capture the consumption psychology of young people. Starting from an apartment in Daikanyama, he has developed a small workshop into an annual turnover of tens of billions of yen in the blink of an eye. The large enterprises have become representatives of emerging forces.And in the near future, the turnover will be comparable to that of established garment manufacturers. The driving force for all this, in any case, should be attributed to Nagai's sensitive response to young people's sensibility.Supporting him behind him is his wife Mamiko who, as a designer, first integrated Japanese traditional elements into fashion. As the perfect partner, they are always one step ahead and aware of the "demands of young people". In Nagai's experience, there was one incident that caught Shicun's attention in particular. A few years before Nagai's debut, he had a period of business cooperation with Kokura Shoji, who wanted to enter the fashion industry. At that time, the market share of the fashion industry was 8 trillion yen, and it was expected to reach 10 trillion yen.Xiaokang Commercial also hopes to get a share.But for Kokura Shoji, the ready-to-wear world is completely uncharted territory.Therefore, it set its sights on NAGAI, which can sensitively grasp the feelings of young people and develop rapidly.On the other hand, Nagai also needs Xiaocang's reputation and sales channels.Both thought it would be profitable, so they cooperated. But the relationship broke down after more than a year.The specific situation inside has not been disclosed, and it is said that it is because both parties feel that they have not got what they want. "The fact that Nagai has worked with Kokura for a while cannot be ignored." "During that time, he may have had contact with Yamahara or Takasaka." "I think there must be contact." "Is it possible that Nagai has something to do with Yamahara's illegal activities?" "It is possible that illegal activities existed during the cooperation period, and they may have colluded, but whether or not they participated in illegal activities, the fact that Nagai had contact with them cannot be ignored." "What should I do? Confront Nagai?" "How to confront? It's all our speculation." "If my brother-in-law was killed by Nagai, it must be the result of confronting him." "He must have caught Nagai's deadly thing." "But it seems that there is nothing wrong with staying with a group of four at the Kanzanji Hotel before." "There must be something that is very unfavorable to the prisoner, so it was cut off." "I can't think of any other reason now." "The disadvantage for the prisoner is probably that he can be found by leaving a message." "that's right." "I began to suspect that the fourth companion, Yamahara, was a prisoner, and then by changing my way of thinking, I wondered whether it would be someone other than the four." "Other than the group of four, the only ones whose identities can be found are Nagai and his wife." "Right now, Nagai is the most suspicious." "Your brother-in-law also checked him, which proves it." "Who is the most suspicious murderer?" Yuko's tone implied a certain meaning. "Of course it should be the criminal who killed your brother-in-law." Shimura wondered why Yuko would ask this question. "Only this?" "You mean..." Semura suddenly understood.He realized that he had forgotten a big thing. "Look at you, forget about it. I just chase after my brother-in-law and only think of him. If my brother-in-law confronts Nagai, of course it is because of other things." "Kill Kosaka Masako..." "That's right. Brother-in-law suspects that Kosaka Shinya's suicide is related to Kosaka Masako's murder. Brother-in-law must have evidence that Nagai killed Kosaka Masako." "The evidence for the murder of Masako Takasaka. What kind of evidence is it?" "You stayed with her until she was killed? Don't you think there's anything wrong?" "I never thought she would be killed." These things have been thoroughly questioned by the police. "The prisoner came with you. It was six o'clock when you left the room, and the food delivery staff found the body after eight o'clock that night, which means that the prisoner came during this time. How does the prisoner know what you are?" When did you leave?" "Wait nearby, or the prisoner calls to make sure there is no one there." "It's dangerous to be around. And easy to attract attention." "Is that a phone call?" "It's dangerous if you're still around. There's no phone like that." "She only made one call to reserve a seat, and none of the calls came back. Or was she called?" "In this case, it must be nearby." "Maybe in the same hotel too." "That's the real danger. The residents on the day of the incident were all questioned closely by the police." "But it's in the vicinity, for sure." "That's right. There are several restaurants nearby. And I remember reading in some fashion magazines that Nagai's office is in the P Hotel nearby. If you are waiting there, after receiving the call, walk It's too late to go." "Oh? Is this method used? But these alone, it seems that Nagai will not be able to submit to the confrontation." "When did you meet her?" "It's really embarrassing to say." "It's time like this, there's nothing to hide." "Around eleven o'clock in the morning." "And stay together until six o'clock in the evening?" Yuko stared blankly. "Sorry." "There's no need for an apology. What would happen if she called the prisoner after that?" "Certainly not a sexual thing. Possibly blackmailed, perhaps to send money." "What kind of nerve is it to call the blackmailer into the room after the indulgence?" "It doesn't have to be called. In addition, because they have the handle of the other party, it is possible that they wantonly bullied the other party. The prisoner may also be a woman." "Isn't the prisoner Nagai?" "Maybe it was done by a woman instructed by Nagai. Isn't the person who went to Kanzan Temple to ask to see the message is a female college student?" "Is it necessary to find such a person around Nagai?" "There are no such people around as legendary heroes in the ready-to-wear industry." "That's right. There must be as many as there are. Now the fashion industry is the most popular career for female college students." "Amateur detectives can't get in." "Hey, now that I think about it, Masako Takasaka's dining companion." "Tomoko Yamahara?" "Although she herself denies it, judging from various circumstances, it is undoubtedly her." "The waiter in IN THE MOOD saw the photo and said it was her." "Then why does she still deny it? If she is not a prisoner, it doesn't matter even if she is a companion at the last supper." "Probably because I hate being suspected as a criminal." "Because of what is it suspected?" "Why? During the period when Changzi was killed, she canceled the date. One cannot but suspect that she already knew that Changzi was killed." "Did she really know first?" "But isn't the doubt about her clarified?" "It hasn't been fully clarified yet. Can you imagine that Tomoko Yamahara also went to Masako's room around 7 o'clock in the evening?" "What did you say?" "If Tomoko Yamahara is the prisoner, of course he should go to Masako Kosaka's room." "But what about the motive?" "There are many motives. Blackmailing with Kosaka Shinya's death or Yamabara's illegal activities... Also, even if you're not a criminal, you can go for other reasons. When I found out Masako was dead, I canceled the date considering my position. " "Did Tomoko Yamahara go to Masako's room right after Masako was killed?" "It's not outrageous to think so, is it?" "However, if Masako has been killed, he won't be able to enter the room." "I don't know if the door is really closed. If the prisoner escapes without closing the door in a panic, those who come later will be able to enter." "It means that Tomoko Yamahara might bump into the prisoner." "Even if you don't bump into it, if you enter the crime scene as soon as possible, you may pick up the things left by the prisoner." "But what does that have to do with your brother-in-law?" "Brother-in-law recognized Tomoko Yamahara's face from the photo taken by my sister. Didn't the people at Kanzanji Hotel say that he took out the photo? Then he found out the identity of Tomoko Yamahara based on the message that has not been cut off. Not KALIYOSI, YANBALU On this road, I found the school warehouse business from the clues of the Takasaka couple, and found Yamahara. Therefore, I came to the conclusion that Tomoko Yamahara, Masako’s dining companion, must have been to the crime scene, so I met with Tomoko Yamahara and asked her. Asked if it was her Masako Kosaka. Brother-in-law's reasoning is so thorough that Tomoko can't escape. I have to show evidence that I am not a criminal..." "If there is such evidence, why is it not shown to the police?" "The police hadn't come yet. Tomoko was shocked that her brother-in-law could find her. It would be very troublesome if her brother-in-law got it to the police. The evidence may not be something that can clearly show who the criminal is, but can only show the criminal. It’s something of someone else’s level. In order to get her brother-in-law to accept it, she had to produce counter-evidence.” "From Tomoko's point of view, it might be better to show it to Kiyohara than to the police." "That's right. I ran to the police rashly, as if I was asking for trouble. And what I said to my brother-in-law, even if something happened later, I can just say that I don't remember saying that. Besides, Tomoko Yamahara may not know the long story Well, maybe it’s just that there is a secret relationship between Nagai and Takasaka. My brother-in-law found out about Nagai from the documents that Tomoko showed him or gave him.” Shi Cun sorted out the reasoning of the two of them. (1) The dining companion is Tomoko Yamahara. (2) Tomoko knows that Kosaka Masako was killed. (3) Zhizi entered Masako's room after she was killed. (4) Tomoko therefore found Changko's body and the items left by the prisoners. (5) Kiyohara found Tomoko Yamahara from the message book, and deduced that her dining companion must be her.Through (2) it is speculated that Tomoko is a criminal. (6) In order to avoid police intervention, Zhizi showed the evidence that she was not a prisoner (information about the real prisoner) to Kiyohara. (7) It is unclear whether Tomoko knew about the existence of Nagai Motohiro. (8) If Zhizi is related to Nagai, why not tell him that he is a criminal (because (3)(4)(6) Zhizi can know)? (9) If Tomoko and Nagai do not know each other, it means that it is only the relationship between Kosaka Masako and Nagai. (10) Holding the information provided by Tomoko, Kiyohara confronted Nagai and disappeared. "Assuming that Nagai is the criminal, the only way my brother-in-law can get his criminal evidence is through Tomoko Yamahara." "If Tomoko Yamahara provides evidence to the contrary, then she is not a criminal, but maybe she also went to kill Masako." "That's right. Tomoko herself intended to kill Changko, so when her brother-in-law approached her, she was afraid of the police intervening. After Yamahara was arrested, Tomoko didn't reveal that she had presented counter-evidence to Kiyohara when she was investigated by the police. Strange." "Is Zhizi also blackmailed by Changzi?" "It's all possible. After all, Masako's husband committed suicide because of Tomoko's husband's illegal behavior." "In order to protect Shanyuan, did Zhizi go to kill Changzi?" "It's not clear why she went to Changzi's place, but it can be assumed that Zhizi found Masago's body around seven o'clock." "Before confronting Nagai, it seems necessary to meet Tomoko." "Will Tomoko meet us?" "It won't be easy to see us. Facing the police investigation, Tomoko once firmly denied that she was a dining companion, so she must avoid seeing people who would push herself into a disadvantageous situation." "How do you want to see her?" "First we told her we had something the police didn't have. The implication was counter-evidence from the brother-in-law. Then we said we didn't suspect her so she might meet us." "The fact that Zhizi gave the counter-evidence to her brother-in-law is like a double-edged sword to her. It not only shows that she is not a criminal, but also makes her have to admit that she has been to the scene." "Anyway, let's try."