Chapter 8 Chapter VII

Just after New Year's Day, a difficult case occurred within the jurisdiction of the Azabu North Police Station to which Nakaoka belongs. On the streets of Nishi Azabu, a woman was stabbed not far from her home.According to the reports of witnesses, the police deployed control nearby and quickly arrested a young man.The woman was unharmed and soon regained consciousness. The murderer had a previous relationship with the victim, and after being dumped, he harbored resentment and waited for an opportunity to commit the crime. The problem is that the victim woman reported to the Azabu North Police Station two months ago, saying that her mail had been peeped.After breaking up with the man, she moved twice.Similar things happened in the previous residence. Not long after the voyeuristic incident, the man came uninvited.She believes the man may have tracked down the apartment where she lived and then confirmed her room number by email.

At that time, it was a police officer in charge of the stalker incident from the Life Safety Section who responded to the incident.The police department contacted the man again to confirm the facts.But the man only admitted that he peeked at the emails of the previous residence, but he didn't know the woman's current address, let alone follow her.Seeing that his attitude didn't look like a lie, the police finally came to the conclusion that this time it was just the woman's delusional victimization, so they didn't take countermeasures. Then something went wrong.The man lied, but the police department failed to see through.There is nothing to be done about criticizing the police for their blindness.

On the morning of the second day when heavy snow fell in Tokyo, Nakaoka and others accepted the director's instruction: "If ordinary people come to ask for help, no matter how insignificant the matter may seem, don't jump to conclusions, please use all means to investigate .There is only one way to restore the credibility of the police!" "That police officer is so pitiful, I heard he was transferred away." Said the junior next to Nakaoka. "yes?" "Because stalker countermeasures are now the main business of the life safety department, just like DV (domestic violence). Losing credibility will cost you a lot. However, you are lucky. What if the victim dies?" ? It’s not surprising that the survivors want to sue us.”

"makes sense." "Well, even if the lawsuit is won, the bereaved family will not be happy." The junior's words stimulated a matter that has been swirling in Nakaoka's heart since these days. The accident at Chikuma Onsen.What would the old lady of Shuicheng think of that accident? After thinking about it, he finally picked up his cell phone and made a call.The old lady in Shuicheng didn't have a mobile phone, but there was still a landline in the room. But the call failed, and the message "The number you dialed is an empty number" came, which surprised Nakaoka.He had sent a message to this number before, and he must have dialed correctly.However, he still found the letter and dialed the number on the letter again.

The result is still the same.The phone still doesn't work. He found the number of the old people's home and called it.This time someone answered the phone immediately. Nakaoka only reported his name and said he wanted to talk to Mrs. Shuicheng. "Madame Shuicheng? Ah..." The elderly woman was a little confused. "What happened?" "Uh, actually, it's like this." The other party paused for a moment, "Mrs. Shuicheng has passed away. A week ago." Walk into the main entrance of the Home for the Elderly, and on the left is the counter of the management office.A woman with a round face stood up to greet her, and Nakaoka walked over and gave her name.

"Ah, that's the one just now." She nodded.The name tag on the chest said "Komori", and it was the person who answered the phone. "Can you show me the way, please?" Hearing Nakaoka's question, she whispered "OK" and walked out from the counter.Nakaoka asked her to lead the way to the room of the old lady in Shuicheng. "However, I really didn't expect it." Nakaoka said while walking side by side in the corridor with Komori, "She actually committed suicide." "Yes. I have been working here for a long time, and I have seen a few old people who died on the floor of the room, but this is the first time for something like this."

"Hanging yourself?" Well, Komori nodded. "It would be too bad to die like that." Nakaoka heard on the phone that she was there when the body was found.He also knew how miserable the hanged corpse was.Komori may be thinking, if only he didn't see it. The room is clean and spacious, as if the old lady in Shuicheng is still alive.Next to it is the corridor with the sink, and in front of it is the living room.In addition, furniture such as beds are placed. Komori pushed open the huge sliding door, and in front of him was the bathroom, which seemed to be a toilet and bathroom.

"There are sensors here." She pointed to the ceiling of the bathroom. "When people pass by here, they will leave records in the monitoring of the management office. If you haven't gone out, and you haven't left a record for more than ten hours , there may be an accident, we will send someone over to check." "That's how Mrs. Shuicheng was discovered." She nodded and went to the closet, opened the folding door, and put her hand on the top of the closet. "Here she tied a knot and hanged herself." "I see……" The Shuicheng old lady is very small and must be very light in weight, so it is very possible to do so.

"Where's the suicide note?" "Yes." Komori motioned for a small table with his hand, "Just put it on there." "Have you read it?" "Hmm...it just says 'No Love in Life'." Nakaoka felt a sudden sinking in his stomach. "What did the police say? Something suspicious..." She shook her head slightly. "The police said it should be a suicide. There is a suicide note, and the motive of suicide can be roughly guessed. Mr. Police, do you know her son..." "I know." "Ms. Shuicheng has been hit hard and has been depressed. Everyone is very worried, fearing that her body will collapse like this, but they didn't expect that she would commit suicide. We were careless."

"Did Mrs. Shuicheng say anything about her son's death?" Hearing Nakaoka's question, Komori looked like he had eaten Coptis chinensis, as if hesitating whether to say what he thought of or not. "Anything is fine. There will be no records, so please speak frankly." Komori took a deep breath and stared straight at Nakaoka. "She said her son was murdered. Apart from me, several employees also heard from her." Nakaoka's heart beat violently. "I told her that it was impossible. The newspapers also said it was an accident. But Mrs. Shuicheng didn't seem to accept it. She said, fortunately, I had discussed it with the police, but I was still caught by that woman."

"That woman?" "of course--" While Nakaoka was asking, there was a voice at the door.Komori looked over there, the expression on his face stiffened. "Ah...you worked hard." Footsteps were heard in the corridor, and a woman entered the room.She was wearing a black dress with a gray fur coat in her hands.Probably not yet thirty years old, she is a gentle beauty with light make-up and a coquettish appearance.Nakaoka immediately understood that she was the "daughter-in-law" that the old lady in Shuicheng called her.I heard from the old lady that her name is Qian Zuodu. I didn't hear the sound of opening and closing the door. When did she come? "This is?" She looked at Nakaoka with a pair of phoenix eyes. "Ah, uh..." Komori hesitated, not knowing what to do. Nakaoka quickly took out his business card. "I'm from the Azabu North Police Station of the National Metropolitan Police Department. My name is Nakaoka. May I ask, are you Mr. Mizushiro Yoshiro's wife?" The woman took the business card, glanced at it, and returned it to him without putting it in her bag.Don't want to take the police card? "Yeah, but what are you policemen doing here?" Nakaoka took back his business card and put it back in his pocket. "Mrs. Shuicheng once came to talk to me before her death." "Talk? Talk about what?" "Sorry. Although she has passed away, we still have an obligation to keep it a secret." Mizushiro Chisato nodded her high nose bridge up and down. "Really? Then there's no way. I don't ask." "Uh, is there anything I can do to help? There is still work over there..." Komori looked at Nakaoka inquiringly. "Okay, thank you very much. I'm going back soon, too." Then I'll go first, Komori said, and walked out of the room as if fleeing. Nakaoka's gaze shifted to Chisazu. "What are you here today?" She hung the fur coat on the hanger and turned her head. "Is this an interrogation?" "No way." Nakaoka waved his hand, "Just asking. You don't have to answer." Chisazu's expression softened a little. "I don't want to hide it. I'm here to deal with the items in this room. The contract stipulates that after the occupant dies, the room must be vacated within a certain period of time." "I see. Madam Shuicheng once said that she paid sixteen years' rent when she moved in. Then, what should I do if I haven't lived for sixteen years?" "Of course the rest will be returned in full. What?" "It's nothing, I just think that it should be a lot of money. Ah, I didn't ask properly. Please forget it. I sincerely hope that your condolences will change." Nakaoka put his hands on his sides, With a deep bow, "I also deeply regret what happened to your husband." He said, and bowed deeply again. Chisato's face was as expressionless as Noh's, and he just said "Thank you for your concern" in a flat tone. Nakaoka walked to the balcony and looked down at the Tama River through the window. "The view is really good. The room is spacious and the supporting services are perfect. Mrs. Shuicheng must be living happily every day." "Well, maybe." Qian Zuodu looked at him coldly, "I never dreamed that such a thing would happen. The power of nature is really scary. Mr. Police Officer, it is better to be careful when you go to the hot spring area. " "I will." Nakaoka nodded, turning his gaze to a small Buddhist altar next to him.The old man on the portrait is probably Mrs. Shuicheng's husband.In front of the portrait is a dried chestnut steamed bun. Mr. Police Officer, Qian Zuo called out. "Is there anything else you need? I'm going to start packing." "Do you pack it yourself?" "I've got someone here. What's the matter?" "No, it's nothing. Then, I'll go first." Nakaoka glanced at the Buddhist altar again.Before long, those will also be packed up. Putting on his shoes and putting his hand on the doorknob, Qian Zuodu called out again from behind: "Mr. Police Officer." Nakaoka looked back. "Please make sure to investigate until you are satisfied." Qian Zuodu had a fearless smile on the corner of his mouth, his eyes were calm, "If the police's investigation has not yielded any results, people will definitely gossiping." Nakaoka is sure she heard the conversation between himself and Komori. "Well, I'll do my best." Chizuru smiled confidently and nodded slightly.