Chapter 35 Section 35

It was past five o'clock in the evening, but the temperature still didn't drop at all.Although the light reflected from the road was no longer so dazzling, the asphalt road, which had been baked all day during the day, still exuded heat. Nishiguchi came to Higashi Glass Town together with Nonogaki, the inspector general of the prefectural police headquarters.The purpose of the two trips was to find the restaurant where Tsukahara went to have lunch on the day of the incident.Judging from the autopsy report, there were still undigested noodles in Tsukahara's stomach.That night, there was no pasta in the dinner provided by "Green Rock Village", and, from the perspective of digestion, it is estimated that he probably ate those noodles at noon.

Right now, although Tsukahara's actions that day have not been ascertained yet, he must have been to Higashi Glass Town before he went to the public hall.From the time point of view, it is very likely that he had lunch in Higashi Glass Town. After detailed component analysis, the police found that there were certain characteristics in the pasta.In addition to wheat flour and salt, powders of seaweed, wakame, and kombu are mixed into the pasta.This is one of Glassura's famous snacks - "Seaweed Udon". Before setting off, the two had already contacted by phone. There were three shops serving this kind of "seaweed udon" in Dongli Town, each of which was a small restaurant.After going to the first house, the two returned empty-handed.Right now, they are heading towards the second home.Although the distance is not too far, it is not necessary to drive there, but if you walk there, it is too hot to make you sweat profusely.Moreover, before coming here, the two also participated in the search of warehouses and garages around Glasspool.This is to find places where carbon monoxide is produced.Of course, the action is ultimately fruitless.During the search, Nishiguchi received a call from his superior ordering him to find the restaurant where Tsukahara had lunch that day.In short, he was asked to lead the way to the search section 1 of the county police headquarters.

The second store is located on the side of a road that runs through the hillside of a small hill.The outside sells local products, and the inside is a small restaurant.There are several benches on the opposite side of the road. Sitting on the benches, you can overlook the sea in front of you. There are no customers in the store, only a middle-aged woman guarding the door.Nishiguchi greeted the woman and showed her Tsukahara's photo. "Well, this person has been to our place." The other party's answer was crisp. As soon as he heard the other party's answer, the face of the inspector of the county police headquarters changed.He pushed open the west entrance, and started to ask the other party questions like a cannonball.How does this person make people feel?Did he call anyone at the time?Is he waiting for someone?How is he feeling?The middle-aged woman looked confused and couldn't answer a single question.After all, there were other customers in the store at that time, so the middle-aged women didn't pay special attention.That being said, there is some truth to it.

"So, what do you remember about him?" Judging from the tone of his voice, it seemed that Nonogaki had already planned to give up. "Well. After eating, he sat on the bench in front of the store for a while." "Sitting on the bench for a while? After that?" "It was nothing after that. After sitting for a while, he left. I guess he must have gone to the station." "When did it happen?" "I can't remember clearly, it was around one o'clock." While listening to the conversation between the two, Nishiguchi began to think.Tsukahara took a taxi from the East Glass Station to the Glass Pool Community Hall at around 1:30 that day.In this way, he should have visited Marin Hills first, then had dinner at this restaurant, and then returned to the station.

After saying thanks, the two left the small restaurant.Nonogaki smacked his tongue loudly. "There is no gain. It is only found out that he ate a bowl of 'seaweed udon noodles' at noon." "What should we do next? Do you want to ask around?" Ok.Nonogaki pondered for a while with a difficult face, and said: "From the point of view of time, the victim should have gone directly to the station after leaving here. I guess there is no news about it." He took out the cell phone.It seemed that he was going to ask Isobe for his opinion. While Nonogaki was on the phone, Nishiguchi stood next to the bench that Tsukahara used to sit on, and looked around.In front, there are dilapidated roofs of several families.There are thick green trees inlaid in the gaps between several houses.Xikou was born and raised in Glasspool, so he has been here more than once before.The whole town feels like it hasn't changed in decades.The natural environment is indeed maintained well, but relatively, there is almost no development in the streets and towns.Xikou himself didn't understand whether this was a good thing or not.

There is a road more than ten meters away from the west entrance.A man is standing on the side of the road facing the sea.When the man put up his jacket with the other shoulder, Nishiguchi saw his profile.Where did this person seem to be seen?Xikou was startled. "Xikou." Nonogaki leaned over to Xiguchi and said, "I'll go back to the search headquarters in a while. Our section chief has something to discuss with me. What should you do?" Judging from his tone, the content of the discussion seems to have nothing to do with the boy in the police station in front of him.

"Let me inquire around here a little more." Xikou said, "After all, I still have a few acquaintances here." "Really? After all, you are a local. Then, I will leave it to you here." Nonogaki stuffed the phone back into his arms, turned and walked away without even looking at Nishiguchi. After the prefectural police inspector disappeared from sight, Nishiguchi walked down the stairs next to him.The person I saw just now was still in place, and seemed to be thinking about something. "Hello." Xikou called out behind the other party.But the other party didn't seem to notice and didn't respond.

"Excuse me." This time, Xikou raised his voice slightly. The man frowned and turned his head slowly.That expression seemed to be asking who interrupted his thinking. "Uh, may I ask... Mr. Yukawa?" "It's me." The man stared at Xikou's face for a while, then blinked as if recalling something, "Are you the criminal policeman I saw in 'Green Rock Village' during the day yesterday?" "My name is Xikou." Yu Chuan nodded heavily, and pointed to the west exit. "And you are not an ordinary detective. You and Cheng Shi from 'Green Rock Village' are classmates. Right?"

"Yes, you're right. She told Mr. Yukawa about my situation?" "Speak roughly." Xiguchi couldn't help but start to guess, how did Chengshi mention himself to Yuchuan before?Just as Xikou was about to ask what Cheng Shi had said to him, Tang Chuan said, "Don't worry. She didn't tell me too much. She just said that her classmate is now a criminal police officer in the police station under her jurisdiction." , that's all." "Ah, is that so?" Nishiguchi couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, "I also heard that, Mr. Yuchuan, you have a friend in the Metropolitan Police Department."

"Well. Thanks to that, now they're pestering me all day asking this and that. Didn't I just happen to be staying in the same hotel as the victim?" "Well, how does the Metropolitan Police Department view this case? Have you heard what they said?" Tang Chuan shrugged and said with a wry smile, "I'm an ordinary person." "But your friend..." "You should also be very clear that the so-called criminal police are all a group of guys who only care about themselves. Whether they are friends or family members, they will take advantage of those who can be used, and they will not tell you anything about the search in the end. Well, but then again, I'd be annoyed if he pestered me all day with these things."

Hearing the non-stop talk of the other party, Xikou didn't know whether he should ignore these words or not.Even if the other party is a friend, they cannot disclose any information about the search.This is also the common sense of the police. "By the way, what are you doing?" Nishiguchi decided to change the subject. "It's nothing. Just staring blankly at the sea." "What are you doing here? It's far from Glasspool." "Well. After coming here, it's the first time I got a taxi. It took more than 20 minutes to get here by taxi." "Please answer my question. What are you doing here?" Nishiguchi asked again.At this time, it would be troublesome if the other party looked down upon him.Xikou worked up his strength and stared at Yuchuan. However, Yukawa did not respond to Nishiguchi.He took off his glasses, took out a mirror cloth from his pocket, and wiped the lenses. "Because I heard people say that the scenery here is very good. I saw it on the Internet, and said that the sea from Dongli is the most beautiful." After speaking, Yu Chuan put on his glasses again. "Which website did you see it on?" Xiguchi took out a manual and a ballpoint pen from his pocket, "Please tell me. I will check later." "The name of the website seems to be 'My Crystal Sea'. It is the website managed by Chengshi." "Uh..." The other party's answer was beyond Xiguchi's expectation, so much so that he even forgot to record it. "Can I call you 'Xikou Detective'?" Tang Chuan stared straight at Xikou, "Is she always like that? Seeing her like that, I feel that as long as it is to protect Glass Pu the sea, she would sacrifice everything." Even through the lens, Nishiguchi could feel Yu Chuan's sharp gaze. "When she first came here, it wasn't like this." Nishiguchi replied, "It was after summer that she became so active in environmental protection activities. But even so, her love for the sea was very strong before. Deep. When I was in school, I would often see her looking out to sea from the observation deck next to the school." "Really? Looking at the sea from the observatory." Judging from Yu Chuan's expression, he seemed to be thinking about something. "What? Shouldn't she guard the sea?" "That's not what I meant. Her ambitions are noble, and it's not easy to do." "Perhaps, Mr. Yu Chuan, you will feel that she is hindering you, but I support her. And I think there is nothing wrong with her doing so." After hearing Xikou's words, Tang Chuan nodded and smiled slightly: "Isn't that good? If you don't have any other questions, then I'll take my leave first." Watching Yu Chuan's figure fade away, Xikou realized that he seemed to have been tricked by him instead.Nishiguchi gave a dry cough and put away the manual and ballpoint pen.