In Detective Conan: Intercepting Miwako Sato at the Start

Page 131

Based on existing evidence, the police have confirmed that the murderer of Yuko Kobayashi was Shinji Kawashima, and the instigator was Takuya Kishimoto. The motive was to silence her and prevent the exposure of the criminal evidence of the Mishima Group that Yuko Kobayashi possessed, especially the secrets involving a murder case and the "triangular meeting".

Yoki Sakai was indicted on a lesser charge.

The next morning, a ray of sunlight shone through the window into the office of the Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigation Division.

Yuki Takada leaned back in his chair, his left arm in a sling, while his right hand flipped through the case file of Takuya Kishimoto.

Although the doctor advised him to go home and rest, he knew he couldn't just relax and recover.

"Inspector Takada, are you still thinking about that case?" Miwako Sato walked in carrying two cups of coffee and placed one of them in front of Yuki Takada.

Yuuki Takada nodded slightly, took the coffee, and took a sip.

"I feel there's something more to what Kishimoto Takuya said before he jumped into the sea. I think there's something wrong with what he said... If there were really only ordinary documents in the box, why would he say that?"

Miwako Sato sat down opposite her. "The bomb disposal team confirmed that the box had no hidden compartments, and all the documents have been declassified. They are all records of financial transactions between the Mishima Group and politicians. Although important, it is far from being something that doesn't belong to this world."

“An empty memory card slot.” Yuuki Takada said thoughtfully, then added, “If there was a memory card in the box before, where is it now?”

“I’m certain that Kishimoto Takuya didn’t have anything in his hands when he jumped into the sea,” Sato Miwako recalled the events of that night. “After I fired the shot, there was indeed a trace of blood on the surface of the sea, but it was quickly washed away by the waves.”

Yuuki Takada put down his coffee and laboriously flipped through the evidence photos with one hand.

"The maritime search team did not find the body, but they cannot rule out the possibility that it was swept away by the ocean current. The problem is, if Kishimoto Takuya is really dead, then that memory card will be lost forever."

“Or, it might not have been in the box at all,” Miwako Sato continued. “Forensic investigators examined the inside of the box and found signs that the memory card slot had been frequently inserted and removed recently. Taku Kishimoto may have removed the card a long time ago.”

Yuuki Takada suddenly straightened up, accidentally aggravating his injury and wincing in pain.

"Is it possible that Kishimoto Takuya never intended to leave with that box? He had already moved the truly important things away?"

There was a knock on the office door, and the young police officer Takeda poked his head in: "Officer Takada, Ryunosuke Mishima's former lawyer is here. He says he has some important information to report."

Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato exchanged a glance.

Since Ryunosuke Mishima was arrested by the police, the stock price of his Mishima Group has plummeted, and many subsidiaries have been seized. The timing of the reappearance of this former chief lawyer is somewhat delicate.

"Tell him to go to the second interrogation room. We'll be there right away," Yuuki Takada said softly.

Inside the second interrogation room, a middle-aged man in a suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses sat upright.

A fine briefcase sat in front of him, his hands clasped on the table, his posture impeccable.

"I am Yoshio Suzuki, the former chief legal counsel of the Mishima Group." He stood up and bowed, his movements meticulous.

Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato then came in and sat down opposite him.

"I heard you have information about the whereabouts of Mr. Ryunosuke Mishima?" Miwako Sato asked directly.

Yoshio Suzuki took a document out of his briefcase. "First of all, I must state that Mr. Ryunosuke Mishima has absolutely no connection with Takuya Kishimoto's personal actions. Moreover, the Mishima Group has always abided by the law and actively cooperated with the investigation."

Yuki Takada snorted coldly, "We have sufficient evidence to prove that Ryunosuke Mishima, under the direction of Ryuichi Mishima, personally approved multiple illegal transactions and is even suspected of instructing his subordinates to destroy evidence in multiple murder cases."

Yoshio Suzuki remained unfazed and said coldly, "Those accusations are based on false information provided by Takuya Kishimoto."

"In fact, those things were not Mr. Ryunosuke Mishima's original intention, but rather illegal activities carried out by Takuya Kishimoto at the behest of Ryuichi Mishima, and an internal investigation has been launched."

Sato Miwako narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "So you're saying that all of Kishimoto Takuya's actions were without Mishima Ryunosuke's permission? Are you kidding us?"

Chapter 166 Attorney Suzuki

"On the contrary, officers."

Yoshio Suzuki adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses calm to the point of being indifferent. "I'm here to offer you assistance."

"After all, we don't yet know Ryunosuke Mishima's exact location, and we are also victims."

“During the period when Ryunosuke Mishima was missing, Takuya Kishimoto undermined some of Mishima’s power within the Mishima Group and used the ‘Triangle Society’ as a peripheral organization to carry out illegal activities.”

"Oh?" Takada Yuuki tapped the table lightly with the fingers of his uninjured right hand, his tone laced with sarcasm: "So you mean the Mishima Group wants to have nothing to do with those two directors?"

"Then, who will protect the rights of those victims who were previously harmed by the Mishima Group?"

Suzuki Yoshio seemed oblivious to the sarcasm in Takada Yuki's words, and calmly replied, "That is precisely one of the purposes of my trip."

"This is a good solution offered by the Mishima Group. Considering the current chaotic situation, we have decided to temporarily provide a solution to those whose rights were previously harmed by the Mishima Group. At the same time, the current head of the Mishima Group has entrusted me to hand over some documents to the police."

Yoshio Suzuki then took out an ordinary brown paper document bag from his briefcase, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it in front of Yuki Takada.

"What is this?" Sato Miwako asked warily, not touching it immediately.

"These are some of the locations where we currently speculate that Kishimoto Taku might also be hiding, as well as the clues we have about his recent contact with an international smuggling group called 'Ghost Ship'."

Yoshio Suzuki calmly stated, "The person in charge hopes that the police can apprehend this traitor who has tarnished the reputation of the Mishima Group as soon as possible."

Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato exchanged a glance, both seeing the doubt in each other's eyes.

This "gift" came too suddenly and too perfectly.

This is more like sacrificing a pawn to save the king, or... using someone else to do the dirty work.

“Why should we believe the authenticity of this information?” Yuki Takada stared at Yoshio Suzuki. “Perhaps this is just bait to lead us in the wrong direction.”

Yoshio Suzuki bowed slightly: "Believe it or not, Inspector Takada. I was just fulfilling my request."

"In addition, I can provide an unconfirmed report—when Kishimoto Takuya jumped into the sea, he may have been carrying something more important than the documents in that suitcase."

"It is said to be a specially made, high-capacity micro memory card containing the core members of the 'Triangle Society,' the flow of funds, and some secrets... enough to ruin the reputations of many people."

“Memory card…” Yuki Takada murmured. Sure enough, the empty card slot was not a coincidence.

"That's all I have to say." Suzuki Yoshio stood up, bowed again, and said coldly, "If the police have any further questions that require verification, they can contact me through official channels. Farewell."

Watching Suzuki Yoshikazu's departing figure, Sato Miwako immediately picked up the file folder and carefully opened it.

Inside were several printed sheets of paper listing some addresses, one of which, an abandoned shipyard near Tokyo Bay, was highlighted.

There is also some basic information about the "ghost ship" group, mentioning that they are skilled in maritime smuggling and trafficking.

"Inspector Takada, how credible do you think it is?" Sato Miwako asked.

"Half and half."

Yuuki Takada frowned, enduring the pain in his arm as he pondered, "Although, it's currently unclear what the person in charge behind the Mishima Group is up to."

"But one thing is certain: he definitely wants our police to get rid of Kishimoto Takuya, his subordinate who knows too many of his secrets and is now out of control."

“But these locations may not be fake; he needs to see ‘results’.”

"The key is that memory card... If Kishimoto Takuya really didn't die, he would definitely try to send the card away, or use it as a life-saving token or a bargaining chip."

"Immediately investigate these locations, with a focus on that abandoned shipyard!"

Having clarified his thoughts, Yuki Takada instructed, "At the same time, closely monitor all ports and docks that may have come into contact with the 'Ghost Ship' group."

“Kishimoto Takuya was injured. He needs medical help and a way to leave Japan. He won’t stay at sea for long.”

The police operation was launched once again, with a net spread across the country.

The raid on the abandoned shipyard was fruitless; only traces of homeless people and some discarded debris were found, and Kishimoto Takuya was not discovered.

The same applies to several other locations.

The clues provided by Yoshio Suzuki seemed to be nothing more than a smokescreen.

However, the surveillance of the "ghost ship" group yielded an unexpected discovery.

Information shared by Interpol indicates that the group has indeed been active in the area surrounding Tokyo Bay recently, with an old cargo ship named "Umi-Kage" loitering in the vicinity and acting suspiciously.

On the other hand, the technical department conducted an in-depth analysis of the documents decrypted from the silver briefcase and discovered some records of financial transactions.

The names of several prominent figures in the political and financial spheres seem to partially confirm the deep infiltration of the "triangular meeting."

But the core member list and key evidence were clearly on that missing memory card.

Two days later, in the evening, Yuki Takada was still studying maps in his office, trying to find clues about Kishimoto Taku's possible landing points and routes of action.

His arm was still sore, and his face was pale from lack of rest.

Sato Miwako walked in with a report in hand, a hint of excitement on her face: "Inspector Takada, we've made a major discovery!"

We found an abandoned emergency medical kit on a remote coastline about three kilometers from where Takuya Kishimoto jumped into the sea. Inside were used bandages and disinfectant.

Preliminary tests showed that the bloodstains on the bandage matched Takuya Kishimoto's DNA!

Yuuki Takada's spirits lifted: "He wasn't dead after all! He made it ashore!"

“Yes.” Sato Miwako pointed to the location on the map. “It’s a remote place with almost no surveillance. But he was shot and got into the sea, so he needs medicine and food. He definitely needs help.”

“Help…” Takada Yuki pondered for a moment, “A cautious person like Kishimoto Takuya wouldn’t easily trust others.”

“He must have a pre-arranged, extremely secretive safe house or contact person. The fact that it wasn’t on the list provided by Yoshio Suzuki suggests that even the Mishima Group might not know Kishimoto Takuya’s trump card.”

Just then, Yuki Takada's phone rang; it was an unknown number.

He hesitated for a moment before answering the phone.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then a processed, synthesized voice came through, its gender indistinguishable: "Officer Takada, do you want to know where the memory card is?"

Chapter 167 Watching the Video

Yuki Takada was startled and immediately gestured to Miwako Sato, instructing her to notify the technical department to track the signal.

"Who are you?"

"Never mind who I am," the electronic voice said coldly. "The memory card isn't on Kishimoto Takuya. He hid it somewhere, somewhere he thought was the safest place. He wanted to use the card to buy his freedom, but he was too naive. Neither the 'Triangle' nor the 'Ghost Ship' will let him leave alive."

"Where is it stuck?" Yuki Takada asked in a deep voice.

“I can give you a hint: recall every word that Kishimoto Takuya said before he jumped into the sea. ‘Some things do not belong to this world.’ He was not just referring to those documents, but also to the contents of that card. And the place where it was stored also ‘does not belong to this world.’”

After he finished speaking, the phone was immediately hung up.

"How is it?" Sato Miwako asked anxiously.

"The signal source is a VoIP call, which cannot be traced," the technical department quickly reported.

Yuuki Takada frowned, repeatedly pondering the phrase: "'Not belonging to this world'... The contents of the memory card don't belong to this world? The storage location doesn't belong to this world either? What does that mean? Religion? Philosophy? Or some kind of metaphor?"

He suddenly looked up: "Sato, immediately retrieve all the surveillance footage from the pier and surrounding areas, from the moment Kishimoto Takuya appeared until before and after he jumped into the sea, watch it frame by frame! He may have hidden the card nearby before he jumped into the sea!"

Police conducted another thorough search of the pier and surrounding area, even using underwater detection equipment, but found nothing.

That mysterious phone call seemed to hold a new mystery.