socalfunplaces Page 123
Page 123
"You wanted to see me?" Yuuki Takada closed the door.
Matsumoto Kiyonaga slowly turned around, his single eye sharp as an eagle's: "There was unusual activity at Yokohama Port last night. Customs seized a batch of smuggled weapons, but before it was reported, the records were deleted or altered by someone with higher authority."
Yuuki Takada looked surprised: "Is that so? Do you need my assistance in the investigation?"
“No need.” Matsumoto Kiyonaga walked up to him, his voice low. “I’m just reminding you to be careful lately. The Ministry of Public Security seems to be secretly investigating some…sensitive matters that involve organizations.”
"Thank you for reminding me." Yuuki Takada bowed slightly. "I will be careful."
Just as he was about to leave, Matsumoto Kiyonaga suddenly asked again, "By the way, did you know about the serious prison break that happened at the Metropolitan Police Department yesterday?"
"The prison break incident?" Takada Yuuki turned slightly, his expression innocent, his eyes empty and blank. "Section Chief Matsumoto, are you talking about?"
Matsumoto Kiyonaga stared at him for a few seconds, his single remaining eye so sharp it seemed to pierce through one's heart.
The air in the office seemed to freeze, with only the faint sounds of the city noise coming from outside the window.
Finally, Section Chief Matsumoto Kiyoshi paused for a moment before speaking: "A few days ago, while you were resting, a group of thugs raided the Metropolitan Police Department, targeting a key suspect in the underground temporary detention area."
"The enemy acted swiftly and planned meticulously; our men... were unable to stop them."
Yuuki Takada frowned at just the right moment, his tone carrying concern and a hint of professional wariness: "Such a thing happened? Which case are you a suspect in? What are the losses?"
His slightly forward-leaning posture and focused gaze perfectly illustrated the reaction a police officer should have upon hearing shocking news.
“I think you know this person too. He is one of the main culprits you arrested when you captured the Mishima family, Ryunosuke Mishima.”
"He may have key evidence pointing to other accomplices, or even a larger group."
Matsumoto Kiyonaga sat back in his large office chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk. "Strangely, this matter has been suppressed by the higher-ups, and the news has been tightly controlled."
“Even within our own ranks, not many people know the details. It seems that other departments received advance notice, but…” Matsumoto Kiyonaga sighed softly, not continuing, but giving Takada a meaningful look.
“I understand.” Yuuki Takada nodded thoughtfully. “I will keep an eye out for any related rumors and unusual movements. I will report to you immediately if I discover anything.”
“Okay, go ahead. Remember, be careful.” Matsumoto Kiyonaga waved his hand and turned his gaze back to the city skyline outside the window.
Yuuki Takada respectfully left the section chief's office and gently closed the door behind him.
A bold idea suddenly popped into Yuki Takada's mind.
Based on what Section Chief Matsumoto just said, and considering their previous encounter at Odaiba Seaside Park, could it be that their attack on him was a ruse, and their real intention was to rescue Ryunosuke Mishima from prison?
Therefore, it seems that the remaining forces of the Mishima family are simply not capable of doing something so outrageous.
The only possibility is that someone is helping them from behind, supporting them in welcoming back their Chairman Mishima, Ryunosuke Mishima.
And who are the people behind them?
Currently, there is absolutely no information available.
In the instant he turned around, the perfectly measured confusion and seriousness on his face receded like the tide, leaving only a deep, calm stillness.
He walked steadily to the tea room, made himself a cup of black coffee, and the rich, bitter aroma filled his nostrils.
Just as he was holding his coffee cup, preparing to return to his seat, his encrypted phone in his pocket vibrated very slightly.
The vibration pattern is specific and represents the highest priority information.
He walked into the empty printing room without changing his expression, and quickly checked the information under the cover of the noise of the printers.
The information comes from an untraceable source and is concise and to the point:
[Cleanup complete. Traces now point overseas. I've instructed Inspector Kazami to drop your file and begin the investigation.]
With a flick of his thumb, Yuki Takada permanently deleted the message.
He picked up his coffee and took a sip; the bitter liquid slid down his throat, bringing a sense of clarity.
Yuya Kazami of the Ministry of Public Security...
He silently repeated the name in his heart.
As expected of Bourbon's subordinate, their actions are so swift. They've already tracked me down so quickly. Luckily, I warned Bourbon yesterday, otherwise, if they had revealed the truth, Yuuki Takada's undercover career in the Metropolitan Police Department would have been over.
The organization used higher-level authority to cover up what happened at Yokohama Pier last night. Matsumoto Kiyonaga's information sources are more well-connected than we thought, which is something we need to be careful about.
He returned to the office area and found Kazami Yuya standing next to his desk, talking quietly with Sato Miwako.
Kazami Yuya's expression remained as cold and hard as ever, but the suppressed anxiety deep in his eyes did not completely escape Takada Yuki's notice.
“Inspector Takada.” Kazami Yuya saw him, immediately ended his conversation with Sato, turned around and greeted him, “I have something I’d like to ask you.”
"Officer Kazami, please speak." Yuuki Takada placed his coffee cup on the table, his smile gentle and sincere.
"It's about yesterday afternoon..." Kazami Yuya's gaze was fixed on him. "Someone saw you near Shibuya Ward, around 5 or 6 pm. Can you tell me why you went there?"
"Shibuya?" Yuuki Takada raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, then gave a slightly helpless smile.
"Ah, you mean yesterday. I went there to send a souvenir to an old friend who was transferred abroad. That guy has always been fond of the sake models that are unique to this area."
In a natural tone, Yuuki Takada even teased about his friend's anecdote, "It's a small cross-border logistics shop called 'Akahoshi.' Do I need to provide the receipt, Officer Kazami?"
Chapter 152 introduces a new case.
Seeing that Takada Yuki's attitude was too frank and his reasons were reasonable.
Kazami Yuya scrutinized him, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of his words.
A few seconds later, Kazami nodded slightly: "No need, it was just a routine inquiry. Sorry to bother you."
After saying that, he turned and walked away quickly, his back view conveying an unmistakable sense of urgency.
Sato Miwako looked in the direction Kazami Yuya had left, leaned closer to Takada Yuki, and whispered, "Inspector Kazami's aura was really scary today, like he was investigating some extremely dangerous guy."
"That's how it is working at the Ministry of Public Security, isn't it? The pressure is immense."
Yuuki Takada smiled, picked up the coffee cup again, and felt the warmth emanating from the porcelain cup on his fingertips.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kazami Yuya walk into the Ministry of Public Security office, and the frosted glass door once again blocked the view between the inside and outside.
Just as the office was gradually returning to its usual hustle and bustle, a rapid telephone ring cut through the air like a sharp blade.
A young detective near the door quickly grabbed the receiver.
"Hello, First Investigation Division... Yes! Understood! The location is Beikacho 4-chome... the back alley of the 'Sakura-tei' restaurant? The deceased is... the restaurant manager? The name is... Ishikawa... Ishikawa Tomohisa? Understood, we'll move out immediately!"
The name "Sakura-tei" made many people in the office look up.
It was a traditional Japanese restaurant that was quite famous in Beikacho and even throughout Tokyo, known for its high prices and the fact that it required reservations months in advance for its kaiseki cuisine.
Its manager died in the back alley of the restaurant?
The instructions were issued swiftly.
The other key members of the class were dealing with another serial theft case.
This sudden murder case fell on the shoulders of Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato.
"Takada, Sato, thank you for making this trip!" Section Chief Matsumoto Kiyoshi's voice came from the inner office.
"Yes!" the two replied in unison, immediately putting down their work. Yuuki Takada quickly grabbed his coat and car keys and strode towards the parking lot outside.
The police car sounded its siren, but not at the highest level, as it weaved through the afternoon traffic.
Beikacho 4-chome isn't too far from the Metropolitan Police Department. About twenty minutes later, "Sakura-tei," with its elegant curtains and traditional wooden porch, came into view.
Police tape had been put up at the entrance of the restaurant, and several uniformed police officers were maintaining order and dispersing the curious onlookers.
The entrance to the back alley is on the side of the restaurant; it is a relatively narrow passageway for people and goods to enter and exit only.
At this moment, the forensic team's vehicle was parked to the side, and technicians in white overalls were busy going in and out.
Guided by the officer in charge at the scene, Inspector Takada and Miwako Sato bent down, crossed the police line, and entered the back alley.
The alley wasn't dirty or messy, but it lacked direct sunlight year-round, making it somewhat cool and damp. The air was filled with a faint smell of food scraps, garbage, and disinfectant, which contrasted sharply with the elegant Japanese-style incense in the front hall of "Sakura-tei".
The deceased was located in the middle of the back alley, near a large food waste recycling bin. He was a slightly overweight middle-aged man wearing a dark suit, lying face down on the ground.
His hair was neatly combed, and he wore an expensive watch on his wrist, which showed his status and position during his lifetime.
Forensic personnel were taking photos from various angles, with flashes occasionally illuminating the dimly lit corner.
Yuki Takada crouched down, put on white judicial gloves, and carefully examined the corpse.
The deceased had obvious impact injuries and bloodstains on the back of his head, but the initial assessment was that the injury was not fatal.
The fatal wound was on his neck, a deep and precise cut that almost severed his entire throat. The wound had clean edges and was bleeding profusely, staining the ground beneath him and his impeccably tailored suit red.
"The deceased, Tomohisa Ishikawa, 42 years old, was the manager of the 'Sakura-tei' Hotel. The preliminary assessment is that the time of death was between noon and 2 p.m. today."
The on-site forensic report stated: "The cause of death was hemorrhagic shock caused by the severing of the carotid artery with a sharp weapon. The injury to the back of the head was likely caused by impact to the ground or being struck by a hard object during the attack."
Miwako Sato frowned and looked around: "A head injury followed by a throat slit... Was it a sneak attack? Is this the primary crime scene?"
"Judging from the amount of bleeding and the pattern of the splatter, this is the primary crime scene."
Forensic investigators affirmed, "There were no obvious drag marks. The killer likely approached from behind, possibly striking the back of his head to throw him off balance or consciousness before quickly slitting his throat with a sharp blade."
Yuuki Takada shifted his gaze from the corpse and scanned the surrounding environment.
The ground was rough cement, with cigarette butts and debris scattered around.
His gaze lingered briefly on the deceased's right hand, where there seemed to be several slightly unnatural scratches, as if hastily made with some sharp object.
"Sato, look here." Yuki Takada pointed to that area, letting Miwako Sato examine it carefully.
The scratch was very shallow, mixed in with the blood and dust, and almost impossible to see.
But upon closer inspection, it is clearly a distorted, incomplete shape, like a circle, or more precisely, the character "口" (mouth), as if it was trying to write a character but didn't finish it.
"This is...the deceased wanted to leave a message about his death?" Sato Miwako perked up and immediately instructed the forensic team to take photos and collect evidence.
Yuki Takada didn't say anything, but silently kept this detail in mind.
He stood up and walked towards the back door.
The back door of the "Sakura-tei" Hotel is a heavy fire door, which was slightly ajar at the moment, with some fresh scratches on the handle on the inside.
"Where are the people from the restaurant?" Yuuki Takada asked the uniformed policeman next to him.
"They're all waiting inside. We've temporarily sealed off the kitchen area and asked all relevant staff to stay in the rest area and be on standby."
Yuki Takada and Miwako Sato exchanged a glance, pushed open the back door, and walked into the kitchen of "Sakura-tei".
Unlike the chaotic and gloomy back alley, the kitchen still showed signs of its busy operation.