Net King Whale Fall

Chapter 686 No oil or salt
Even the moment she learned their identities as police officers, Maki Hase felt a jolt of unease, already anticipating that it might be related to what happened three years ago.

But when she heard the name Ezaki Haeko again and saw her picture, Hase Maki's mind went blank for a moment.

The impact of the photo of Ezaki Hako was so strong that she forgot to question why there was a teenage girl and a child among the police officers.

Maki Hase took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. It's okay, it's okay, it's been a long time, nothing will happen.

“I remember, Yu Zi is my good friend. I also regret and am very sad about what happened three years ago, but you police have already asked me for details many times back then. I told you everything I knew, so why are you still looking for me?”

Maki Hase's mouth was dry from saying those words, and she couldn't help but pick up her water glass and drink some water.

Officer Matsuda sometimes really doesn't want to say it, but you shouldn't be so obvious about it, okay? Aren't you underestimating the eyesight of the police?

Inspector Matsuda straightened up slightly. "So, you know that Ezaki Hayao is dead?"

With a bang, the glass in Maki Hase's hand fell to the ground. The glass didn't break, but the water inside spilled all over her trouser leg, and the glass rolled around and tumbled.

It landed right next to Sanada Rin's feet, hitting the tip of her shoe. Shinichi Kudo bent down, picked it up, and placed it on the coffee table.

Before they arrived, they only thought that Maki Hase was the last person to see the victim and might know some inside information.

Judging from her current state, Maki Hase probably knows more than just a little bit of the inside story.

Maki Hase's face turned deathly pale, and her voice trembled, "You're dead, you're kidding me."

Officer Matsuda and A-Da stared at Hase Maki with blank expressions, their scrutiny impossible to ignore. Even Sanada Genichiro, standing to the side, remained silent with a stern face.

Maki Hase was covered in cold sweat, muttering to herself, "I don't know, I really don't know, I don't know anything."

"How could she die? How could she just die?"

Officer Matsuda kindly reminded him, "Have you been watching the news these past few days? You've probably heard at least a bit of what's on the front page of the social news."

Maki Hase, her breathing quickening, asked, "You mean, the woman in the news is Ezaki Hayao?"

She knew about the news. When she saw it, she just felt sorry for the woman, who was killed at such a young age. But it was too far removed from her own life, so it didn't feel real. She just treated it as news and didn't pay much attention to it.

I never would have guessed that the poor woman who was murdered was Ezaki Hako.

“It was clearly agreed that she was going to study abroad. It’s only been three years. Ezaki Yuko might still be studying in some country right now. You must have made a mistake. How could she be Ezaki Yuko?”

Officer Matsuda tapped the table with his hand. "Ms. Hase Maki, please calm down. Our police will not bother you until we have confirmed the situation."

Maki Hase clenched her hands tightly, her fingernails almost digging into her flesh, constantly scratching at her palms.

"Three years ago, Ezaki Yuko went on a trip with you. We also found out that you traveled together. I wonder if she said anything to you at the time?"

Maki Hase shook her head repeatedly, "No, why don't you believe me? I really don't know anything."

“We just wanted to relax after graduation and go out for a walk. She never talked to me about herself.”

“I have no idea why she didn’t go straight home but chose to disappear. I’ve explained it many times. We were friends at the time, but we also have our own privacy. It’s impossible to tell her everything.”

"If I had known, I would never have agreed to go on the trip with her no matter what."

"Back then?" Sanada Rei, who had been standing in the background the whole time, glanced at her upon hearing this. "Is this how this relationship is described?" Sanada Rei didn't just stand there idly. Hase Maki refused to confess honestly, and she herself clearly had problems, so Sanada Rei had no choice but to resort to some irregular methods and act first and ask questions later.

Sanada Rin swiped her phone screen with her thumb. When Hase Maki was twenty-four years old, that is, three years ago, she went to the hospital for an abortion.

According to Maki Hase, they were friends at the time, and Maki Hase also wanted to study abroad, which would not only improve her academic qualifications but also enhance her resume. She wanted to try anything that she could do.

However, Maki Hase ultimately chose to start working at the company directly, abandoning her plans for further studies.

The information was very detailed; they even knew which boys Maki Hase was close to at school, so they knew she didn't have a boyfriend.

If you don't have a partner, where did that child come from?

Was that overseas training institution some kind of pimping den? It wasn't that Sanada Rei was overthinking things, but the word "pregnancy" appeared far too frequently among the victims.

Officer Matsuda was not fooled by Maki Hase's innocent appearance. "You two have been traveling for almost a week, eating and staying together. You must have talked a lot."

"Could you please try to recall this carefully, Ms. Hase? We need it whether it's useful or not."

Maki Hase's expression was truly unpleasant. She opened her mouth, but finally said, "Too much time has passed. You all know it happened three years ago."

"How can a person remember things from so long ago? I really can't remember them."

"But I did give a statement to the police at the time, you can just look up the previous records."

Officer Matsuda remained expressionless, his fingertips twitching slightly. He portrayed himself as innocent and pitiful, but in reality, he was completely unmoved and didn't utter a single word.

Unfortunately, there is no evidence yet, so they cannot be taken directly back to the police station for questioning.

There was a moment of silence between them when Maki Hase suddenly stood up. "Excuse me, I'm not feeling well right now. I'd like to go to the restroom to wash my face."

Officer Matsuda nodded, and Maki Hase turned to leave, but was stopped.

Sanada Rin took a step forward, blocking Hase Maki's path. "Hello."

Maki Hase was now puzzled by the girl's presence. "And who are you?"

Sanada Rin said calmly, "Officer, I have a question for you."

Maki Hase looked her up and down. As the company's HR, she could tell at a glance that Sanada Rin was a student. She immediately retorted to the police officer Matsuda behind her, "Are you police officers starting to lie like this now? I've already told you everything I need to say. There's no need to find someone else to scam me."

Officer Matsuda frowned and stood up. "She's a police officer from our station. Do you have a problem with her?"

Sanada Rin didn't care about Hase Maki's attitude, her voice indifferent, "If you don't remember going out to play three years ago, then you should remember going to the hospital for an abortion three years ago."

Maki Hase stood frozen in place, feeling her body stiffen inch by inch, staring at Rei Sanada in disbelief.

"What, Ms. Hase Maki, are you saying that you've forgotten because it's been too long?"

Maki Hase exclaimed in shock, "Who are you? How do you know about this?"

Sanada Rei calmly replied, "I told you, it's the police."