Chapter 12 Chapter Eleven

The sky was clear and the air in Tokyo was crystal clear.However, not all of the country has such good weather.In this season, it is mostly snowing in the North Country.The water vapor rising from the surface of the sea in Japan is cooled by the cold current from the mainland, turns into snowflakes, and falls. Qing Jiang stood by the window of the research room, staring blankly at the sky.No, not in a daze.In a certain corner of his mind, he was thinking about what Nakaoka had said to him four days ago. The incident at Chikuma Onsen was neither a suicide nor an accident—he hinted.That is, murder.Moreover, he suspected that the victim's wife had something to do with it.

Nonsense.When he first heard this, he thought.It can be concluded that there is no such possibility at all. But as time went on, he found it seemed rash to accuse him of the absurdity of this line of thinking. Because it is outdoors, a large amount of hydrogen sulfide must be produced-but when you think about it, that is not the case.If you use the method Nakaoka said to put the victim into a coma first, then just put a plastic bag on his head.Hydrogen sulfide is then produced in plastic bags.Since the key is concentration, only a very small amount of gas is needed to kill a person.After confirming that the victim is dead, seal the hydrogen sulfide-producing liquid in a plastic bag and transfer it to another location for disposal.Of course, this series of operations requires wearing a gas mask, but there is no need for protective clothing.

The reason why Qingjiang thinks this way is because the accident in Chixiong Hot Spring is so difficult to explain, which keeps him on his mind. Indeed, the area is an active area for hydrogen sulfide eruptions.But as Nakaoka said, it was an "unfortunate coincidence" that caused the accident, and he couldn't accept it anyway. There was another thing on my mind.He couldn't understand why the Shuicheng couple went to that place.It is said that they didn't notice that they went the wrong way, but they all got into that kind of beast path. Don't you think it's strange?It is also inexplicable to send the wife back to the hotel alone to get the camera battery.If Qing Jiang was the victim, at least he would accompany his wife back to the mountain entrance, right?

It makes sense if all this is thought of as the work of the lady. Having said that, such reasoning does not work.Nakaoka said that it is easy to fall asleep with sleeping pills, but can it make people fall asleep exactly there? It seems that I still think too much-every time his thinking will return to the original point. Someone from behind called out "teacher".He looked back in surprise, and it turned out to be Ossie Tetsuko with a serious face.Her glasses looked sparkly. "Why did you suddenly yell from behind? It scared me." "What's sudden? I've called you several times."

"Uh, did you? Excuse me. I didn't hear you." "It's not that you didn't hear, you don't have the heart to listen, right? I came to tell you about the exam, but you kept looking up at the sky." Tetsuko Ossie stared at him.Probably because she is too thin, there are far more wrinkles on her face than she should have at her age.The furrows between her brows were especially deep, which made her look like she was always angry. "That's not the case, I believe you." "That's why I can't submit it on my own initiative, can I? Although you may find it annoying, I still want you to take a look."

"Okay, okay, I know." Tetsuko Ossie's eyes fell on the document in his hand. "Represent all the atmospheric components of the earth in chemical formulas. Among them, which component has a greenhouse effect? ​​In addition, which component has the highest concentration?... Is it possible?" "Well, isn't this very good." Qing Jiang scratched his brows, "It's a very deceptive title. A stupid student will probably write CO2." Although CO2 is an important component of the global warming effect, it is far overwhelming in concentration by H2O, or water vapor.In fact, water vapor also has a greenhouse effect.

"Then, the next question. Use a thin tube with an inner diameter of 1.6 mm and a length of 50 mm to dip in toluene, and drop 0.15 grams into the diffusion test tube. Put the diffusion test tube in a constant temperature bath at 35 ° C, and set the expansion chamber of the diffusion test tube. put in 0.5—" Just as Tetsuko Ossie read this, the phone on the desk rang.She sighed and picked up the receiver. "Hello... yes, yes... eh?" She frowned, looking at Qing Jiang, "yes, he is... ok. Please wait a moment." What's up?Qing Jiang asked her in a low voice. Ossie Tetsuko covered the microphone with his hand, looking serious.

"It's from the newspaper office. They say they have something to talk to you, teacher." "The newspaper? Where is it?" "The Hokuriku Morning Post." It was a local newspaper.An ominous premonition filled Qing Jiang's heart. "What's going on?" Tetsuko Ossie licked his lips. "A hydrogen sulfide poisoning accident occurred. In Tomate Onsen in L Prefecture." Waiting at the Tomate Onsen Station was a short woman, about fifty years old, with short hair and glasses.Seems like a nice mom.There was no one else on the platform, she should be the reporter named Uchikawa.

Qing Jiang was not the only one who walked out of the ticket gate, but the other party still noticed him and walked over quickly. "Are you Professor Qingjiang?" Yes, he replied.The other party bowed deeply. "Thank you for coming from such a far place. I am Uchikawa from Hokuriku Mainichi Shimbun." She presented her business card, and Qing Jiang handed her his own. "Where should I go first? You booked a hotel right? Do you want to check in first?" "No, I want to go to the scene first. It's almost time for the accident to happen." "Okay. The car is prepared for you outside, please follow me."

Walking out of the small station, there is a small traffic island in the snow.A taxi parked nearby drove over and stopped in front of the two of them.The text on the display board of the car changed to "chartered car". "Please." Uchikawa urged.Qing Jiang got into the car. Uchikawa also got in, and said to the driver: "Please drive along the route you just agreed." It seems that she also expected that Qingjiang would go to the scene first. "The newspaper said that the scene of the incident is not a prohibited area." Not long after the car started, Qing Jiang got to the point.

"That's right. I also asked the person in charge of the Tourism Promotion Division, and they didn't expect such a thing to happen at all." "Have they measured the concentration of hydrogen sulfide?" "It is said that regular inspections will be carried out. But they focus on the indoors where the gas is easy to remain, and they don't think much about the outdoors." "I see." Qing Jiang's gaze turned to the car window.There are white snow walls on both sides of the road.A few scattered families can be seen behind. Tomate Onsen was poisoned two days ago.A tourist from Tokyo was killed.Qing Jiang already knew about this in the phone call with Nei Chuan yesterday.Uchikawa, who came to interview the accident, knew Qingjiang from the report of Chixiong Hot Spring, so he called him. She wanted to know what Qingjiang thought about the cause of the accident.Qing Jiang replied "no comment".He has never been to Tomate Onsen, nor has he seen the scene, so he cannot comment. But Uchikawa did not give up easily.She said that she could send the photos of the scene to Qingjiang, and if she had the necessary data, she would try her best to get it.Her voice is that of an old lady, but her courage is that of a journalist. Qing Jiang said that it is impossible to make a judgment based on those things alone.He wasn't completely uninterested in accidents, though.In other words, he wanted to confirm it with his own eyes.So, he tentatively said: "If your company can afford the transportation expenses, I can go there by myself." He thought the other party would refuse.But Uchikawa said happily: "Oh, really?" Then, she said with great enthusiasm, then please come by all means, and I will be your guide. Qingjiang would be interested, of course, because he still has the matter of Chixiong Hot Spring in his mind.Analyzing the cause of the accident this time may also be helpful to propose a plan there. Moreover, it was a rare accident that happened twice in a row within two months - this was the first thing he thought of when he received the call from Uchikawa.He had a hunch that in the future, he would have to formulate a countermeasure against hydrogen sulfide-type hot spring areas all over Japan. The taxi proceeds along a narrow snow track.There is a Y intersection ahead, and the fork on the left has been closed.A police officer in a winter coat stood there. "Please stop," Uchikawa said.The driver pulled over the car on the side of the road. Uchikawa got out of the car and walked towards the police officer.She showed something like a business card or document and said something.The officer with the scarf around his neck glanced this way. Uchikawa is back. "It's been agreed. From here, can I ask you to walk?" "OK." Qingjiang got off the car and walked onto the snowy road with Neichuan.He had expected this to happen, so he wore snow boots.I bought this pair of boots when I went to investigate the Akakuma Hot Spring accident, but I didn't expect that they would be used elsewhere. The path crosses the slope of the mountain, and through the gaps between the snow-covered trees, several buildings on the lower right can be seen.He asked Uchikawa and learned that it was the hot spring street. "Turn right from the fork just now, and you will reach the hot spring street." "So, where does this road lead to?" "From March to November, you can walk to the other side of the mountain. But now it's blocked by heavy snow." "So, going all the way is a dead end, right?" "No, there is a fork in the road ahead. If you go to the side that is not prohibited, you can reach the hot spring street. In some places, it is faster to walk from here." There are several figures ahead.After the two approached, a man in a helmet standing at the front turned his face: "Is it a reporter?" "Yes, I contacted you this morning." The man nods. "Oh, I heard." "What's the situation now?" "How should I put it... Anyway, nothing has changed." "That's a concentration meter." Qing Jiang looked at the meter in the man's hand, "What's the reading?" "It's almost 0..." The man replied with some surprise. "Ah, this is Professor Qing Jiang from Taipeng University. I wanted to ask him to investigate the accident, so I brought him here." Uchikawa explained. The man put away his puzzled look, nodded ambiguously and said, "Then please." It seems that there is no need to take out the business card.Qing Jiang looked around and asked, "Where is the scene?" "It's right in front." Uchikawa said, she confirmed to the man, "Can I ask the professor to take a look?" "Yes, yes, but only up to the entrance." "Okay. Mr. Qingjiang, let's go." "What does entrance mean?" "You will know when you go." After walking a few steps, I saw a few people working on the right side of the road.Probably setting up a no-entry sign.There is a path down the side entrance. "This is a sightseeing trail." Uchikawa said, "From here, you can go down to the hot spring street. It's a shortcut." "Hey... how far is it to the hot spring town?" "About a kilometer." "It's quite long." Qing Jiang looked into the depths of the path.The road was covered with snow and it seemed difficult to walk. "Did the victim go down this road?" "Yes. Go forward another three hundred meters, and he will collapse there." Uchikawa took out the tablet from his backpack and started to operate it skillfully.She showed Qing Jiang the screen: "This is the scene." On the screen is a path hidden in the woods.Uchikawa swiped his finger across the screen and showed Qing Jiang a few photos.These photos are similar, so that people can get a general idea of ​​the situation.The snow track with a width of two or three meters turned a gentle bend. Due to the snow, the surrounding ground was nearly one meter higher than the road.A red bench stood alone, its legs buried deep in the snow. "Someone came from the other side of the road and found him lying next to the bench. It was a local person who passed by here several times a week. If the person hadn't passed by, the body might have been found even later." "what do you mean?" "This tourist trail is mainly used in summer and red leaf season. In this season, almost no one walks here. It is also difficult to walk in ordinary shoes. Therefore, it is not clear why the victim should Walking into this road? Let alone alone." "Are you sure the victim walked in from this side?" "I'm sure. Because it just snowed, there are still footprints on the ground." "Footprints..." The picture of footprints on the snow appeared in Qing Jiang's mind.At this time, a strange idea broke into my mind. "Excuse me for asking one more question, are the footprints of one person?" "what?" "I just wanted to ask if anyone else was on the trail that day." Oh, Uchikawa nodded. "Fortunately no one else appears to have entered. No other footprints." "That's it." Uchikawa probably thought that Qingjiang asked this because he considered that if someone else entered, the number of victims would increase.But when he asked about the number of footprints, he wanted to confirm a completely different possibility: Did someone bring the victim here, and somehow let him inhale hydrogen sulfide, poisoning him to death?It was after listening to Nakaoka's reasoning that he had this weird idea.Still, he was relieved to hear that there were no other footprints.Then you don't have to think about those weird things. "What do you think?" Uchikawa asked for his opinion. "From the photos at the scene, the area is surrounded by trees and snow. If hydrogen sulfide is produced nearby, it is likely to accumulate. Has there been a similar accident before?" "I also asked the locals about this matter, but it didn't happen. On this tourist trail, even the smell of sulfur has never appeared." "Not even a smell? That's weird." "That's why I want to use your wisdom, teacher." Uchikawa raised his face and stared at Qingjiang.That way seems to say: You are an expert, how can you rack your brains like us laymen? "Is there any material that can understand the detailed topography of the surrounding area? I also want to know the distribution of springs. Next, it is necessary to confirm the positional relationship between the site and the hot spring street. Because the hydrogen sulfide gas emitted by the hotel bath may come with the wind. Oh, by the way, I also need the weather of the day. If there are wind speed, wind direction and other data, it can be used as a reference." Qingjiang tentatively said everything that came to his mind. "Okay. It should be ready before dark, and I will take it to the hotel where you are staying." Uchikawa said, took out his notebook, and started writing. Qing Jiang walked around, then took a taxi to Wenquan Street. "The person who died was a man. How old is he?" Qing Jiang asked in the car. "It seems to be..." Uchikawa flipped through the notebook just now, "Thirty-nine years old." "So young. I thought that since I was staying alone at a hot spring hotel, it should be an older person." "There are all kinds of people. Besides, he doesn't seem to be staying in a hotel." "Eh, is it?" "I've checked all the hotels, and none of them have received his reservation. Maybe he wandered aimlessly while traveling alone." "Aimless..." Qing Jiang looked behind, "How do I get to that tourist trail? If I come out from the station, I should take a taxi, right?" "Naturally, he didn't look like he was driving." "I took a taxi and didn't go to the hot spring street, but went to that tourist trail? Mr. Driver, are there many people doing this?" "No way, I've never driven such a passenger." The driver thought for a while, "In this season, the only people who will go there should be locals." "Then, why did the victim go there?" Qingjiang asked Neichuan. "This..." She fell into deep thought. "What about the bereaved family?" "The family has not yet been contacted." "Oh, so. So, where are the remains now?" "It should be at the university hospital in the county. After it was transferred for autopsy, it was left there. The family members couldn't be contacted, and the police were also troubled. I heard that they were looking for someone who could claim the body." "Does he live alone... It seems that it can only be related to work. What does he do?" "Uh..." Uchikawa became vague, "I'm not sure. Judging from the business card I carry with me, it seems to be an actor or something." "Ah, are you acting?" This was an unexpected answer. "But I haven't heard of his stage name. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be very popular. I think he probably has a side job." "By the way, what's his stage name?" Uchikawa looked at the notebook again, and then told him that the man's stage name was Nasuno Goro.It is indeed a name that I have neither heard nor seen.His real name is Goro Morimoto. Qing Jiang took out his mobile phone and searched.As a result, there were a few, but they were all old news. There were still photos on the Internet, so he showed Neichuan a look. "Is it this person?" "Well, yes. I've looked into it too, and I've never seen one." It was an old photo.The face is serious, but it does not lose the chicness of an artist. "I don't watch TV dramas much either. To me, actors are like people from another world." Qing Jiang said, putting the phone back in his pocket.At this time, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: people from another world, people from the film industry——recently, he seemed to have such an impression on someone. He finally remembered.That's what Police Officer Nakaoka said.Yoshiro Mizushiro, who died in Akakuma Onsen, was a filmmaker. In just two months, figures in the film and television industry have died one after another.And they all inhaled hydrogen sulfide in the hot spring area.Is this really just a coincidence? Qing Jiang thought for a while, then shook his head slightly.It must be by chance.The film and television industry is another world, maybe bigger than I imagined.It may not be so incredible that people belonging to that world encountered similar accidents. The taxi drove into the hot spring street, and the roadside was full of hotels.It's not a holiday now, and the streets are not very lively, but you can still see old people who look like tourists from time to time. Ah, he couldn't help crying out.A familiar person came out from the hotel next door. "I'm sorry, please stop," he said to the driver. "What's wrong?" Uchikawa asked. "Ah, that..." Qing Jiang stared at that person while hesitating how to explain. Sure enough.It's that girl.The young girl who lived in the same hotel as herself in Chikuma Onsen.She was wrapped in the same hooded winter suit as she had been then, with a pink nylon cap. "What's wrong?" Uchikawa asked again, "Did you see anyone you know?" "Ah, no, it's not really acquaintance..." Qing Jiang's eyes followed the girl.She went into a hotel next door. "Uh, where is my hotel?" "It's right there." The driver pointed to the front, "Look, there. The place with the signboard." Qing Jiang carefully recognized the signboard, nodded, and looked at Neichuan. "I'll get off here, and I'll just walk over later by myself." "That's fine... Then, as soon as the materials are ready, I will contact you." "Okay. Please." The taxi drove Neichuan away, and Qingjiang watched the hotel where the girl walked into.does she live here She appears at the door.Originally walking with an unhappy face, he suddenly saw Qing Jiang and stopped in surprise.He seems to remember him too. Qing Jiang didn't know what to say in a hurry, so he said "Hello". "Hello." She also replied, her eyes still full of vigilance. "You, uh... have been to Chikuma Onsen, too. Uncle criticized you for trespassing on a forbidden area, right?" "Oh. You were... I remember seeing you somewhere." "I did." "Oh." She didn't seem to be interested, so she walked away. Qing Jiang chased after her and walked side by side with her. "What are you doing here?" "walk." "I'm not talking about this, I'm asking you what you plan to do here." "Can't I come to the hot spring?" "Why this hot spring? Do you know something happened?" She stopped, but did not look at Qingjiang. "You do know." She stared at him. "Why do you ask about this?" "Because I can't let go of it. People who appeared in Akakuma Onsen, where the hydrogen sulfide poisoning accident happened, came to this town where the same accident happened. I don't think it's a coincidence. It's natural to feel strange, right? ?” She proudly raised her well-shaped nose. "Then it's my turn to ask. Uncle who said this, why are you here? Uncle, you have also been to Chixiong Hot Spring, and you are here again. We are not the same." "I came here because I was commissioned to investigate the accident." She frowned: "Investigation?" "Well, I'm a university teacher." He handed over his business card. The girl in the nylon cap just glanced over and didn't answer. "Have you seen the accident scene here?" "I went nearby, but I only saw the photos of the scene." "Where is it? I only know that it is on the trail, where exactly is it?" This time it was Qing Jiang's turn to frown. "Are you also investigating the accident?" "If I say so, will you tell me?" "Why are you investigating this? You don't look like a scholar who studies volcanology and environmental chemistry." "Because I'm interested. Can't I?" "Why are you interested? This should not be a topic that young girls would care about." "That's my freedom, isn't it? Well, tell me where." "What will you do when you find out?" "This has nothing to do with you, uncle. Please, tell me." "As you said, on the trail." "I want to know the more specific location." She became anxious. Qing Jiang looked at her aggressive face, and she also stared at Qing Jiang without showing any weakness. "If you want someone to tell you something, it's polite to introduce yourself first, isn't it? Who are you?" She exhaled a white mist. "Okay. I don't ask." She held up a hand and walked away. Qing Jiang yelled at her back: "I live in the 'Suzuya Hotel' in front, if you change your mind, remember to contact me! I'll be back in Tokyo tomorrow afternoon!" She must have heard it.But the girl didn't stop, she didn't even raise her hand.Qing Jiang sighed and walked in the opposite direction. "Suzuya Ryokan" is a typical Japanese-style building, neat and elegant.While checking in, he suddenly remembered something. "Did a young girl come by today? Wearing a pink nylon cap." The male employee in glasses winked. "The hair is long..." "Yes, yes. The corners of the eyes hang up a little bit, a girl with a strong personality." The male employee nodded with a smile. "Yes, I've been here." "really." Just as he thought.When I saw her in a taxi, she came out of one hotel and went into another right next door.It should be investigating the hotels in the small town one by one. "Did she ask anything?" "I did. She showed me a picture of a young boy and asked me if he had been here recently. I didn't remember much, so I told her the truth." It's the same as when I was in Akakuma Onsen.She asked the same question to the lady who ran the hotel where the victim was staying. what the hell is it?What does it have to do with the accident? Qing Jiang walked into the guest room, changed into the prepared bathrobe, and went to the big bath to soak in the hot spring.The unique smell of hydrogen sulfide hot springs floats in the air.In the past, some guests were poisoned because they soaked for too long. Now that the hotel has obliged to install complete exhaust and ventilation equipment, there is no need to worry. It was snowing outside the window.Soaking in the hot springs and watching the snow scenery - if you tell Tetsuko Ossie, you will definitely be called a luxury, and she will stare blankly at you.Of course, he had no intention of telling her the truth. When he returned to the room, Uchikawa called and said that the materials were ready, so he brought them here.Qing Jiang agreed and put down the phone. Dinner started at seven o'clock in the evening. Before dinner, he and Nei Chuan met in the lobby.She handed over a large envelope, which contained a topographic map around the hot spring, a map marking the location of the spring, photos of the accident scene and its surroundings, the weather data of the day, and time-point records of hydrogen sulfide concentrations in various places today.Can find so many in a short period of time, Qing Jiang sincerely admires. "Thank you. I'll use this as a reference and think about it." "please." Uchikawa politely bowed his head in thanks and left. Qing Jiang went directly to the restaurant and returned to the room after eating.The quilt had already been made, so he stuffed the quilt back into the closet, moved the table to the center of the room, and spread out the materials brought by Uchikawa on the table. He first opened the topographic map and checked the wind direction of the day.Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and tends to move to low-lying areas where it can easily accumulate.But that could change if the wind is strong.Judging from the meteorological data, there was almost no wind that day. Then, the possibility of the hydrogen sulfide discharged from the hot spring street flowing with the wind to the surroundings of the site is very low.He also confirmed the location of the springs, each of which was far away from the scene. Qing Jiang crossed his arms and stared at the topographic map.There are no springs near the trail.However, where the volcanic gas will be ejected from is unknown.To put it to the extreme, it could be sprayed from anywhere.The ground is nothing more than soil and cannot completely block the gas.Maybe, at some point on the tour trail, there might be a massive puff of gas.So how do you find this point? It would be great if I could make a model, Qing Jiang thought.Make a model that faithfully reproduces the terrain around the site, put it in a tank, replace the hydrogen sulfide with a dye heavier than water, and watch how it spreads.As long as the retention conditions at the accident site are known, the eruption point of the gas may be deduced by analogy. However, this created another problem.Now the ground is covered with snow, can't the snow block the erupting gas? Qing Jiang wanted to have a glass of beer to change his mood, but just as he stretched out his hand to the phone, it rang.He picked up the phone and said "Hello". "Ah, I'm sorry to disturb you while you were resting. This is the front desk." A man's voice said.Probably the guy who checked in. "Is there a problem?" "Well, yes. I saw the lady you mentioned. She said she wanted to see Mr. Qing Jiang. Could you tell her your room number?" The man lowered his voice. "That lady... the one with the pink hat?" "yes." It's amazing.Although I told the hotel, I didn't expect that she would actually come. "Yes. Please let her come to my room." clear.The male employee hung up the phone after finishing speaking. Qing Jiang originally wore a wide-sleeved padded robe over his bathrobe, but now he hastily changed into a suit.He said that he was here to investigate, and it would be bad if she thought he was enjoying the hot spring. As soon as he rolled up his bathrobe and stuffed it into the closet, there was a knock on the door.Qing Jiang opened the door, and the girl stood outside with almost no expression on her face.She didn't wear a hat, probably put it in the pocket of the winter clothes. "Please come in." Qing Jiang said. The girl looked into the room: "Are you alone?" "Of course. Come in." She came in and took off her boots.As soon as he stepped onto the floor of the room, he quickly sat down at the table.It seems to have noticed the above information. "Ah, without an exchange, I can't show it to you." Qing Jiang hurriedly put away the materials. She glared at Qing Jiang, but her eyes softened. "I have something to ask you." "That's right. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. But before we get down to business, would you like to introduce yourself?" She took out a piece of paper from her pocket and said in a dry voice, "Exchange business cards." "Didn't you refuse to take it just now?" "I've changed my mind." "That's capricious." Qing Jiang handed her his business card.The exchanged paper had the words "Habara Madoka" written on it, and the phonetic pseudonym was also marked on it.Below is the mobile number. "Is this your real name?" She took out a card from her wallet and showed it to Qing Jiang."MADOKA UHARA" is indeed printed on the credit card, so it doesn't look like a fake. "OK, I know the name. However, this alone is not self-introduction. Self-introduction should say where you are and what you do. What do you do? Are you a student? So, which university is it?" Madoka Habara shook his head. "Not a student." "Then what is your occupation? Don't say you don't have a job. People who don't have a job can't pass the credit card review." "no job." "It's all said—" "That's the truth. The card is the father's family card." Qing Jiang clicked his tongue. "Then what is your father's occupation?" "doctor." "What's the name? Which hospital is it in?" Madoka Habara made a serious face. "When introducing myself, must I also introduce my father's situation?" Qing Jiang didn't expect her to refute, and was at a loss for words. Madoka Habara's expression softened slightly. "You asked me where and what I do, right? I can answer this for you. I'm looking for someone, and I've been to many, many places to find someone." "Looking for a young man?" She raised her eyebrows. "you know?" "I heard from the proprietress of Chikuma Onsen. And the front desk of this hotel. According to the proprietress, he seems to be your friend." She took out her mobile phone, operated it a few times quickly, and turned the screen to Qingjiang.On the screen is a smiling, thin young man in his twenties. "He is a very important friend of mine and I must find him." "What's going on? Has he disappeared?" "Well, it can be said so. So, I would like to ask you to help me." Madoka Habara looked at him seriously, and there was something rare that could be called emotion in his words.Qing Jiang felt that this should not be false. "How do you want me to help you? What do you want me to do?" Let's ask first. "The professor is investigating the accident, right? Then, we can enter the scene." Being called "professor" suddenly, Qing Jiang was a little confused. "on site……" "The scene of the accident. You've been there, haven't you?" "No, I didn't go in, I just walked to the entrance. Because it's forbidden to enter there." "However, since you are commissioned to investigate—" Qing Jiang raised his hand, stopped her words, and shook his head. "It's not the police, it's not the government, it's the newspaper that entrusts me. So, I don't get any privileges, and of course I can't enter forbidden areas." "...Oh." Madoka Habara showed a disappointed look. "If I could get in, what would you like to do?" "Of course I want you to take me in with you. You are a professor, so it's not unusual to bring a student or assistant." Qing Jiang looked at her small face. "Why? Your purpose is to find your missing friend, right? What does it have to do with the hydrogen sulfide accident?" Madoka Habara curled her lips and snorted. "Sorry, I can't tell you." "why?" "I've said it all, I can't tell you. Besides, it has nothing to do with you, professor. It has nothing to do with it at all." After Yuan Hua said this irritably, he pointed to the big envelope, "Show me that. " Qing Jiang held the envelope in his hand. "If you are willing to talk to me in detail, it is not impossible to show it to you." "It won't do you any good to hear it." "No, the satisfaction of curiosity is the greatest benefit." Madoka Habara sighed in annoyance, and looked up at the clock on the wall.Qing Jiang followed suit, and the hour hand pointed to half past nine. "Do you have a photo?" She asked suddenly. "photo?" "Pictures of the scene. The ones with benches. Red benches." "how?" Madoka Habara didn't answer, got up and left.Qing Jiang hurried to catch up and grabbed her arm. "etc!" "It hurts! Let go!" Qing Jiang let go. "what you up to?" She rubbed her arm. "I have no obligation to answer you." "Do you want to go to the scene?" She was silent.Qing Jiang was convinced that she was right, she wanted to visit the trail and look for that red bench.He must have checked the time and thought that it was so late that no one should be there. "No, it's not allowed to enter there, and even though it's a tourist trail, it's dangerous to walk at night." "None of your business. Do you want to tell the police?" "I have no such plan..." "Thanks." Madoka Habara said as he began to put on his boots.Qingjiang is in a hurry, he can't let her go like this.On the one hand, he was worried about her safety, on the other hand, he had a strong feeling that if she just left like this, he might not be able to see her again in the future.And his intensely inflated curiosity will never have a chance to be satisfied. "Etc., etc!" She had put on her boots and turned around in surprise. "Okay, I'll show you the information. Although I really want to know the details, I'd better bear with it today. So, come back." But Madoka Habara flatly refused. "I've got my boots on, bye." He said, putting his hand on the doorknob. "Wait, wait a minute!" Qing Jiang pressed the door. She frowned. "what happened again?" "Go... I'll go too. You are dangerous as a young girl. If you refuse, I will call the police. How?" Madoka Habara showed an expression mixed with confusion and hesitation, but at least he wasn't unhappy. For Qing Jiang, this is thankful. Finally, she moved her lips. "Hurry up and get ready." There is also a sign erected at the entrance of the tourist trail on Hot Spring Street, which says a big "No Passing" and is blocked with a rope. Qing Jiang took a photo of the trail with a flashlight and murmured, "This is going to be difficult." "What's wrong?" Madoka Habara asked. "Isn't it snowing all the time? There is also snow on the road. If we step on it like this, our footprints will be clearly left." "So what, who knows whose footprints belong to?" "However, someone has gone in, and it may cause a commotion." "It's fine." Madoka Habara walked up without hesitation, and his boots left clear marks on the snow.Although Qing Jiang was still worried, he had no choice but to follow. There is no wind, and there is silence on the tour trail, with only the sound of two people stepping on the snow in my ears, and only the trees covered in silver in my eyes.The surroundings were completely white, and the light of the flashlight shone farther than expected.The snow scene at night is like a dream. "It's really far enough." After walking for about twenty minutes, Qing Jiang said. "Yes. But, the dead also walked this way, right?" “不，被害者好像是从另一头走过来的。当时刚刚下过一场雪，雪地上只留下了被害者的足迹。” “另一头？要怎么过去？有公交车吗？” “没有吧。只能是出租车，但是我坐的那辆出租车的司机觉得很奇怪，说不会有客人在那种地方下车。” 和羽原圆华谈论的时候，青江自己心中也涌起了疑问。被害者为什么要这么做？从另一头走上游览步道，是不是有什么含义？ 而更让他在意的，还是羽原圆华的朋友。他和硫化氢事故到底有什么关系？ 他的脑海中瞬间出现了一个念头：是这位朋友制造了事故。这就能说明她为什么要到发生事故的地方来了。可是——青江本身的知识又马上否定了这个想法。这是做不到的，这不是人为可以引发的事故。虽然赤熊温泉的那次，或许可以像中冈警官说的那样蛮干，但这次却是不可能的。被害者是孤身一人，脚印也只有一个人的。又不是本格推理小说，不会有什么不在雪地上留下脚印的移动方法。 正想着，羽原圆华用自己的手电筒往前照着，说了声：“是那个吧？”青江也向前望去，没看见类似长椅的物体。“在哪儿？”他问。 “那里，看。”她加快了脚步。青江跟了上去。 道路转了个弯，路边有个方方的雪堆。羽原圆华在雪堆前停下脚步，用戴着手套的手把雪扫去。雪下是长椅的椅面，靠背和扶手也露了出来。 “真的是啊。积了这么厚的雪，亏你认得出来。” 如果换成自己，肯定就错过了。青江想。 “这算什么。状态我已经想象出来了。”说着，羽原圆华用手电筒向四周照了几照，最后将光柱射向上方的斜面。 “你在做什么？”青江问。 “嗯……我在想，气体是从哪里流动过来的。” “应该是从上面吧。硫化氢比空气重，如果是夏天的话，就算有气体从地面喷出来，也会扩散掉的。” “因为地热产生了上升气流，对吧？” 青江看着回答得十分干脆的羽原圆华。 “你知道得真清楚。没错。与此相反，冬天地面很冷，在没有风的日子里，空气几乎静止不动。所以气体只会一路向低处流动，积存在低洼处。” 她闷闷不乐地低声道：“所以选中了这个季节啊。” “选中？什么意思？” “没什么。”她皱起眉，隔着帽子抓了抓头，“对了，教授，你知道被害者的情况吗？” "what's the situation?" “什么情况都行。住址啦，名字啦，职业啦，什么的。” “哦，名字和职业我问过的，是个不出名的演员。” “演员？”羽原圆华的眼睛闪闪发光，“名字是？” “呃，好像是那须野五郎。” 她把这名字反复念叨了几遍，又问：“还有吗？” “我知道的只有这些。还有，警方在为找不到领遗体的人而为难呢。” 哦，她应了一声，表情明显阴沉下来。 “为什么要问被害者的事啊？和你失踪的朋友有什么关联吗？” 她冷冷地看了青江一眼。“你说过要忍耐的。” "Uh……" “'虽然很想知道详情，不过今天还是忍一忍吧'。这话是假的吗？” "No, it's not fake." “那就别问。”羽原圆华转过身，说了声“回去吧”，抬脚就走。 两人默默地原路返回。青江脑海中疑窦丛生，却没办法问出来。一方面是有了不问的约定，另一方面，羽原圆华的背影所散发出的气势，也让他无法开口。 “明天一早，看到这些脚印，大概会乱一阵子呢。” 羽原圆华答道：“没事的，马上就要下雪了。” 青江抬头望天，几点星光闪烁。“星星出来了呢。” “用不了多久的。”她一口咬定，“零点过后不久，就会下雪。” "how do you know?" 她没有回答，开始向温泉街走去。 两人在“铃屋旅馆”门口分开。青江本想把她送到所住的旅馆，却被断然拒绝。青江怕她怀疑自己别有用心，就没再坚持。 回到房间里，换上浴衣，重新捧起资料。因为去过了现场，能更加容易地把握住一个个数值的含义。但青江心里记挂着羽原圆华，很难集中精力思考。 茫然地望向窗外，雪已经下了起来。青江看看钟：零点过五分。