Chapter 10 Section 4

The moment she heard the news that Oda Yasunari had been killed, Saitoha Ryuko's slender eyes immediately opened wide, and her expression became stiff.Then slowly lowered his eyes and shook his head. "Why... did this happen?" He muttered. "Dance drama rehearsal—that is, he was killed in the middle of the rehearsal. Although the specific circumstances are unknown, most of them were killed by poison. And he was stabbed by a poisoned needle, just like Princess Aurora. .” Fui explained.The deputy would often use this bumbling expression. "Who did it?" "Don't know yet, that's why I came here, I thought you might know something. How, think of anything?"

Fu Jing asked, her chest was heaving up and down, as if adjusting her breathing, and then replied, "Not at all." "Ok……" Fu Jing tapped on the table with the tip of the ballpoint pen, while watching Ye Liuzi's expression, as if he was pondering the truth of her words based on his own experience.And Ye Liuzi seemed to have gotten used to this situation, with no expression on his face, and he remained silent.Kaga, who was standing obliquely behind them, kept staring with bated breath. This is in the interrogation room of the Shakujii Police Station.Fu Jing proposed to meet Saito Ye Ryuko, so he went with Kaga.The Shikaijing Police Station also feels that this incident has some connection with the Oda murder case.

Ye Liuzi is not as haggard as she has been in detention for a week.Although a little thinner, his complexion is not bad.She didn't wear any makeup, but simply tied her long hair back, revealing her beautiful face from before. "The person you killed was called Toshiyuki Kazama, you don't know him at all?" "Yes, I have never heard of this person." "It is said that you passed out after killing Kazama, and then Oda and Shizuko Takayanagi rushed back?" "yes." "What was Oda's reaction when he saw Kazama?" "reaction?"

"Does it feel like you know him?" Ye Liuzi thought about it for a while, and finally shook her head. "No, it didn't feel like that, I remember him saying right away 'who is this man?'." "Who is this man..." After Tomii asked a few more questions, the criminal policeman from Shakujii Police Station who was listening beside Kaga nodded frequently.Then the criminal policeman took Ye Liuzi away, and Fujing and Kaga went to the criminal office. Fu Jing reported to the chief of the criminal section, and the fat section chief brought him a chair and told him to sit down, and asked, "How is it, what do you think?"

"It's hard to say anything. From my feeling, she really doesn't know anything about Oda's death." "Really?" The head of the criminal section looked unhappy.His purpose is actually to use this case to investigate the previous case. Perhaps aware of this, Fu Jing asked him how he planned to deal with Saito Ye Ryuko in the future. "I want to spend enough time in detention to investigate Kazama first, and of course I also look forward to the situation in New York." He said that because searchers were sent over there this morning. These investigators came from the National Police Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department's Search Section 1, and the Shakujii Police Station.

Kaga and Tomii returned to the search headquarters in Shibuya just in time for Oda's autopsy report to come out.The cause of death was indeed acute nicotine poisoning, which was indeed injected into the body from a wound on his back.The appraisal report also showed that the stain on the clothes was nicotine concentrate. "Have you deduced the method of the poisonous needle?" Tomii sat on the stool closest to the blackboard and said.The appraiser in black-rimmed glasses stood up and picked up the chalk beside the blackboard. "According to the results of the autopsy, the wound on the back does not seem to be as deep as imagined, the needle only penetrated 3 mm, and then we made the following assumptions and inferences."

He drew a picture on the blackboard, shaped like an oval capsule sandwiched between two round boards.One of the boards has a short pin protruding from the middle. "The capsule is pre-filled with poison, and the needle tip is connected to the capsule. Once an external force is applied to the needle, the capsule will be crushed by the two plates, and the poison inside will be injected through the needle tip." All the investigators present agreed with his explanation. Although this method is simple, it is very effective. "How small does this have to be?" Tomii asked. "Well, judging from the amount of poison, the thickness after crushing is about one centimeter."

Fu Jing gestured the size with his fingers, and muttered: "It should be easy to do with this size." "What might be found from poison and injection needles?" Ota said. "Well, how is the investigation in this regard?" Fu Jing said to the appraiser. "From the point of view of the wound, the diameter of the injection needle should be about 0.5 millimeters. It can be used for general medical purposes, and similar things are usually carried in the insect collection kit. I think the concentrated solution of nicotine should be cigarettes soaked in water. later made."

"Do you mean anyone can do it? In this way, the focus of the search can only be on injection needles." "And the whereabouts of Oda's jacket." To Ota's suggestion, Tomii nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, did you find anything?" "According to the words of several ballerinas, Oda's coat was left to dry at the end of the hallway in the lounge from the beginning of the general rehearsal to the end of the second act. And he put on the coat in the second act. A break behind the scenes. It is said that he sent an actress to bring it to him. If there is any trick, it should be during this time."

"Well, I really want to figure out everyone's actions during this time." This factor was added to the subject. The next report will be made by investigators who investigate Oda's relationship.Judging from the conclusion, his normal communication range is extremely narrow, except for the members of the Gaoliu Ballet and people related to dance dramas, he has almost no contact with anyone else.Although he is also a ballet teacher, he only leads the advanced class, and the students in this advanced class are also related to the performance.In short, all the people who interacted with him were present during the general rehearsal.

"We also asked the residents of the apartment where Oda lives, and they said that they had no relationship with him at all. They just greeted each other after they met, and they had the impression that he was a nice guy. People who lived near him didn't even know that he was a ballet teacher. .” "Then no woman has ever been in or out?" "Let's not talk about women, his neighbors say that no one seems to have been here." It's all "nothing", Tomii complained. Kaga and Ota came to the Ballet Affairs Bureau today to record statements.Like the dancers, no one said anything wrong with Oda.They also investigated Oda's economic situation and found nothing special.As a teacher of Gaoliu Ballet School, his salary will be paid to his account every month, but he has not had any advance payment so far. "Does Oda have no family?" Fui asked. "After that guy dies, someone has to get an inheritance or insurance money or something?" "Although he has insured life insurance, it is only guaranteed if he is injured and cannot continue to teach ballet." Kaga replied. "Then who would benefit from Oda's death?" Another searcher muttered to himself.No one answered, and everyone was silent. "What do you think of this clue?" Kaga spoke first. "Oda actually controls the Takayanagi Ballet Company. He is both a director and an action director. So even if his artistic talent is not recognized, no one dares to defy him. But after his death, this situation should change, right?" "Will there be someone to take his place?" Ota said. "Isn't this a motive?" said a criminal policeman.Several people nodded in agreement, while others still had a pensive expression. "I really don't understand, ballet world." Ota leaned forward towards Tomii, "These people have bet their lives for art, and in order to carry out their ideas, they can even do things like murder..." "I really gained a lot of insight into the ballet world." Fui smiled wryly. "Okay, Ota and Kaga will check along that line of thought." That night, Kaga walked out of the Shibuya Police Station and stopped by Oizumi Academy from Ikebukuro.The destination is not the ballet troupe, but the gathering place of the dancers, the bar called "NET BAR". After pushing the door and entering, there were 5 customers sitting in the store.There were four people sitting around the bar table, and one at the bar.Kaga ordered a glass of whiskey and sat at the bar counter as before. "Didn't the ballet party come tonight?" He asked, and the boss glanced at the corner of the bar, at the same time, the woman who was drinking over there looked up at Kaga. "Hello." The woman said, then bowed slightly and said, "I'm really sorry to trouble you this morning." The woman was Taeko Nakano, the female ballet coach, the woman who was by the side when Mio fell this morning. "Is it you, alone?" "Ok." "Can I ask you a little bit?" "That doesn't matter, just ask me and you won't get anything out of it." "No, it's not that serious." Kaga stood up from the stool and sat next to Taeko, and the boss put the wine glass in front of him.After Kaga picked it up and drank it down, he got to the point. After hearing what he said, "Oda's principle?" Taeko propped her head on her left hand, her eyes slanted slightly.Her nose bridge is very straight, and her appearance makes people think of Indian beauties at a glance.Judging from the wrinkles around the corners of the eyes, it seems that he should have entered middle age, but the skin does not show any slack.It must be because of regular exercise, Kaga thought. "I don't know if it's appropriate to use the expression 'principle', maybe it should be considered as a way to think about things. In short, I mean Oda as the benchmark for directors and action directors." Kaga thought about his words and said. "You asked such a profound question." Taeko frowned, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. "I also feel that the question is too deep. Before I said it, I didn't think it was that deep. Is it difficult to answer?" Taeko still held her chin, brandy flowed from her lips, and the nail polish was shocking red. "It's not so much difficult to answer, it's better to say that it's impossible to answer. To be honest, none of us can understand the scene in that person's mind. To be honest, music and images are perfectly combined in that person's mind One body, he wants to achieve the same effect on the body display, maybe it is the so-called conveying music with the eyes. Mr. Kaga, have you seen a movie called "Fantasia"?" "The Disney one?" "Yes, that movie is exactly like that. Although there is a certain degree of storytelling, the integration of audio and video must be the first priority. Oda likes that movie very much. He wants to use ballet to portray that kind of The world. All he needs is precise movement, and the dancers are just tools to fully implement his intentions to present the scene he wants." "But wouldn't they be dissatisfied then? I mean the dancers who want to express themselves." "That's not the case." As she spoke, Taeko drank the brandy in one gulp, put the glass towards the boss, and started talking, her words became negative. "Speaking of the harshness of Oda's requirements, it is very scary. Everyone tried their best to do what he said, and they didn't care about what they thought. And after this training, the effect is really wonderful. The music and body are perfect. Fusion, you will be fascinated immediately when you watch it. Although I don’t know what he is trying to express, it looks like a wonderful dance—this is Oda’s dance. So the actors all know that there will be such a wonderful effect, Not a single complaint." Before she knew it, the glass she had just put down was filled with brandy again, and she smiled as she lifted it to her lips. "It seems to be a very powerful person." Kaga revealed his true thoughts. "Really remarkable, however." Taeko tilted her neck, "He looks like an ordinary person on the outside, just like a kind-hearted uncle. He also takes good care of the actors, especially the ones I like." "Favourite?" Kaga put the cup back and looked at her puzzled. "Don't get it wrong." Taeko said, "For Oda, since dancers are parts for making ballet works, he will definitely choose the one that fits his own image. That's what I mean by liking. " "It's really nerve-wracking to ask too much. So what would an ideal dancer be like for Oda?" "There is no requirement for the heart, the key is the appearance." "What type?" "You have to be thin first." Taeko said casually, "And it's very thorough, the thinner the lines, the better." "Does he like skinny ones?" "It's not so much that he likes it, it's better to say that he firmly believes that it is a symbol of physical exercise. A woman's naturally plump body is just a sign of laziness to him. Only a light body can be exercised, which is what he most admires theory." From Taeko's tone, one can clearly feel the accusation against Oda. "Then people with a traditional female figure are going to suffer." "Those people may be difficult for him to like." Taeko took out a cigarette from the pouch on the side, lit it with a silver lighter, and smoked with relish.Then she turned to Kaga and supported her head. "There's also the 'Oda Standard'." "standard?" "Yes, the shape of the feet, the slenderness of the body, and the shape of the face all have this standard. Specifically, it is the type like Akiko. Her dancing skills are first-rate, and her figure is the closest to his standard. Then Oda The comment about her is that she would be perfect if she was a little thinner." Akiko's appearance appeared in Kaga's mind, and he felt that her body was already very slender in his memory. "She is very thin and beautiful." "As a woman," Nakano Taeko said, "but as a dancer, Oda thinks it's not enough. The ideal state is to be as thin as a skeleton." ah?Kaga sighed. "Then you have to lose weight." "This is common sense." Taeko's expression became a little serious, "Almost all the actors are on a diet, especially those children who want to attract Oda's attention. They are no different from a hunger strike. As far as I know, he didn't force it so much, but the dancers knew in their hearts, What kind of posture he wants, it is still very dangerous to think about it. Because no one has set a clear standard for the actors, they don't know how to reduce it." "It's definitely not a normal state. If you keep doing this, I think there will definitely be bad effects." "Of course, I don't really want to talk about that—" Taeko Nakano took a few puffs of cigarettes in a row, staring at the halo of smoke she exhaled.It looks like organizing language. "Well, it should be said that there are natural symptoms." She said. "Malnutrition?" Kaga asked, and Taeko nodded. "And menstrual irregularities, poor recovery from fatigue, increased injuries -- to that extent." "But you still have to get Oda's approval, isn't that the case?" Taeko put the cigarette case and lighter back into her bag and said, "That's all for now." "Whose approval do we need this time?" Kaga asked, "Now that Oda is gone, someone must take his place." Unexpectedly, Taeko held the high bridge of her nose and pressed the corners of her eyes, a faint smile appeared on her mouth. "It is true that someone will succeed him in the two positions of director and action director, but as the helm of the big ship of Gaoliu Ballet Company, no one may succeed." "You have the potential to become the helm." "Me? Are you kidding me?" As she spoke, she stubbed out the cigarette butt in the ashtray, stood up, and there was still half of the brandy in the glass. "Then I shall take my leave." "Excuse me, please tell me one more thing." When Taeko passed behind Kaga and was about to go back, he turned to stop her, and she turned her head and rested her elbow on the bar, "What's the matter?" "Her business." Kaga said. "Does that happen to her often?" Although Taeko didn't quite understand at once, she looked into Kaga's eyes and seemed to remember, ah, she nodded as she spoke, "You mean Weixu?" "Because I am very concerned about the diet you just mentioned." "So this is ah." Taeko looked down slightly, blinked and looked at him again. "It's the first time for her like today, but there have been two times before when she suddenly stood still during training. She said she felt dizzy when she stood up. But as far as I know, she didn't go on a random diet." "...That's right." Kaga breathed a sigh of relief after hearing her words.Taeko, who had been staring at him, noticed this keenly, and peeked at his expression mischievously. "Kaga, do you like that child?" He turned his gaze away, but immediately returned to Taeko. "She is a very cute girl." Kaga made it clear. "I've seen her play 'Black Swan', and to be honest my eyes and my heart were drawn to it." Taeko smiled, the corners of her eyes became more wrinkled.It was the most beautiful look she had made tonight. "I'll tell her." "I told her about the black swan." "What about saying she's cute?" "That was only said here." "It's a pity, you obviously wanted to say that to her." Taeko made an exaggerated look of frustration, then returned to a serious expression and said, "She is a very special girl." "From her usual appearance, it seems that she doesn't fit the role of 'Black Swan' Odette. If you want to talk about the reason, it's because Odette dressed up as the 'White Swan' Princess to win the prince's favor. Bad character. That’s why I often think that the child Weixu must have a very strong side inside.” The image of Weixu appeared in Kaga's mind, and the image of the black swan she played and the image of Princess Florina she played a few days ago merged in his mind. "Maybe so," he said. "I can assure you." As she said that, Taeko winked at the boss, put her bag on her shoulder and left.After watching her go, Kaga ordered another glass of whiskey.