Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 387 See Murano again!

Shiraishi searched until morning, but to no avail...

"The defendant's information is complete, but the family's information may not be... If it's not revenge after the defendant's release from prison, then it could be revenge from the family?" Bai Shi muttered to himself.

Although this method of solving cases based on motives is not very detective-like, ... Shiraishi is not a detective to begin with!

After breakfast, Shiraishi drove Ai to Munakata's apartment building and then went to the police station.

Upon arriving at the police station, Shiraishi first took a look at the criminal investigation department.

Well, there aren't many detectives around; they've all gone out to conduct interviews and investigations. Also...

Since Kunikida's transfer, the office, which had become increasingly dirty and even smelly, was now spotless!
Kunikida should really come back to visit more often...

Bai Shi sat down in his office at 7:50, and at 8:00 sharp, the office landline rang.

"Hmm? Checking up on me..." Shiraishi glanced at the caller ID and muttered to himself—it was the office number of the head of the criminal investigation department.

The phone rang less than a minute after I started my workday...

"Hello, this is Shiraishi," Shiraishi answered.

"Inspector Shiraishi, I am Odagiri..." Odagiri's tone was both calm and polite.

Shiraishi:……

Sure enough, Odagiri then said through gritted teeth, "Have you been having some trouble investigating the Tokyo High Court lately? Do you need the assistance of the Criminal Investigation Department?"

Odagiri was clearly being sarcastic...

"Old leader, you're too kind..." Bai Shi pretended not to understand.

"Don't give me that!" Odagiri snapped, "What are you trying to do now? Did you think the court would have to grovel before you, the dragon of the police force, just because you investigated Hasegawa before?"

"Hmm? When did this nickname come about?" Shiraishi asked curiously.

Sensing that Odagiri was about to explode, Shiraishi quickly turned back and said, "Ahem, Captain Odagiri, I understand what you're saying... I... I've already cursed that old bastard Munakata!"

It's obvious that the Tokyo High Court wouldn't pretend not to see the application to arrest the Chief Justice of the Tokyo High Court and simply dismiss it due to insufficient evidence.

but……

It's far from being a case of "not willing to give up easily"!
Otherwise, it shouldn't have been Odagiri who called Shiraishi.

If it were a formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police Department, it would be entirely Odagiri's place to make that call—their authority and responsibility are completely separate…

It's either Director White Horse calling or Yan Tu Haici calling, since the police station isn't under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Investigation Department!
The only reason Odagiri made this call was because "Odagiri is Shiraishi's former boss." In other words, this was not a normal complaint procedure, but rather an "informal complaint."

Shiraishi sounded anxious, but he wasn't anxious at all—as expected! Munakata's estimate was correct.

Instead of directly applying for an arrest warrant, the Tokyo High Court hesitated to act.

The evidence for applying for an arrest warrant was indeed insufficient, but just three minutes after the Beika Police Station sent the video of the coffee shop, it was immediately delivered to Judge Tomoaki Fukano's desk...

Even Tomoaki Fukano couldn't remain calm after seeing the video and immediately summoned Jun Sakurai.

Of course, this "lack of composure" does not mean that an "arrest warrant" will actually be approved.

Fukano Tomoaki rejected the Beika Agency's application, ordered Sakurai Jun to take leave, and complained to Odagiri about the matter.

Since it was just an "informal complaint," it was easier for Shiraishi to handle—when asked, he would simply say, "I have already criticized Munakata's radical behavior," "I will definitely make him pay more attention to the evidence," and "He is already writing a self-criticism."

In short, since it wasn't a formal complaint, Shiraishi didn't offer any formal response.

Odagiri kept scolding him...

It was already 8:30, and both the Minister of Criminal Investigation and Chief of the Beika Police Station were quite busy, so Odagiri finally stopped.

"Shiraishi, you've really grown up," Odagiri remarked suddenly, his tone relaxed.

"Thanks to your and Director Hakuba's guidance," Shiraishi said modestly.

Odagiri didn't elaborate further, only mentioning, "Tell Munakata that he's no longer an inspector!" before hanging up.

Odagiri knew perfectly well that Shiraishi's words were just empty words, but he pretended not to notice, after all...

His phone call was also a perfunctory gesture—to put it nicely, it was more symbolic than practical.

The court president came to him to complain about Odagiri, so he went to "criticize" Shiraishi, and Shiraishi also "criticized" Munakata. It wouldn't be appropriate to say anything more... Why don't you just file a complaint?

What Bai Shi said at the end was indeed his true feelings.

Although the "Director" position is not a good path for promotion, and could even be considered a semi-idle path, it is the first time that Shiraishi has held a proper leadership position—his previous position as Section Chief was still a front-line command role.

After a period of experience, Shiraishi has come to understand more and more why Hakuma "sold" himself before.

If it were Hakuma who led the investigation into who the dog was, the situation would have already spiraled out of control.

On the contrary, criticizing Shiraishi while secretly indulging him is the real soft approach...

Of course, regarding Inukai's matter, because Inukai got impatient and the investigation had dragged on for too long, the pressure had exceeded the limit that Director Hakuba could withstand, so the investigation was eventually halted.

Shiraishi was just too bold; he single-handedly dragged out all the evidence of Inukai's crimes...

Now Shiraishi is following suit, creating a search area for the criminal investigation department.

Shiraishi even suspected that Director Hakuba was intentionally giving him pointers...

Hakuba wanted Kunikida and Munakata to become detectives again because he didn't want their talents to go to waste and hoped they could make more contributions.

However, the reason they were transferred to the Mihua Department...

Shiraishi felt that besides the "coincidence," there was also an element of "arrangement"—Kunikida, who was "the most disciplined," was transferred to be the section chief because they were worried that Shiraishi would still be so reckless in a leadership position, so they found someone to keep an eye on him; Munakata, who was "unscrupulous" and "intolerant of any wrongdoing," was transferred to be the section chief to train Shiraishi to use his subordinates...

While it can't be said that they are all "experience packs," and they are indeed highly anticipated, Shiraishi believes that Director Hakuba's actions also have an element of cultivating him.

Of course, Shiraishi reciprocated in kind—he always thinks of Hakuba Saguru when there's something good going on!
Starting with the "motive" is a common practice for the police, and since they can't get in now, "Sakurai Jun," the only obvious breakthrough point, is the biggest target.

Although Munakata was ruthless, he wasn't reckless. He would apply to the court for the arrest of judges and conduct separate investigations, but he was powerless against those who "legally refused to cooperate." However, Suzuki Atsushi…

Or rather, Hakuba Saguru was still tentatively trying to contact Sakurai, hoping to get clues from him.

Suzuki Atsushi didn't return to the police station until the afternoon.

Shiraishi had already told the Criminal Investigation Division to have Suzuki Atsushi come to his office as soon as he returned!

"Missing?" Shiraishi frowned upon hearing Suzuki's report.

"It's not exactly missing... He's been in contact with the outside world, but he hasn't been answering our calls, and we don't know where he is either," Suzuki said sheepishly.

Jun Sakurai is already on vacation...

"Have you checked the road surveillance footage?" Shiraishi asked directly.

"Bai... cough cough, I deduced from the luggage he brought that he should have gone in the direction of Okutama, probably to a vacation villa somewhere in Okutama Town or Nishitama Town..." Suzuki said.

Suzuki knew that the chief definitely knew it was Hakuba Saguru who was doing all this, but...

Hakuba Saguru had also reminded him that he should pretend that Chief Shiraishi really didn't know, which was called tacit understanding!
"A holiday villa deep in the mountains and forests..." Shiraishi shook his head as he spoke—he understood that this must be a place similar to a "safe house".

After all, judges are always resented, especially those in charge of criminal cases, regardless of their competence. It's understandable that they would prepare a way out for themselves.

"What about his family?" Shiraishi pressed.

“Judge Sakurai is not married and has no very close relatives or friends.” Suzuki shook his head.

In the previous case, Judge Hasegawa found a breakthrough by dealing with his wife, but it seems that this approach won't work with Sakurai.

"Alright, continue the visits... gather information on the families of the defendants as soon as possible." Bai Shi began to rely on his ample manpower to conduct "intelligence enumeration."

No clues? No problem! Just sift through all the possible targets and you'll find out!
Just like the criminal investigation department still has a small portion of its resources busy with the "500 million heist"—back then, being able to identify three suspects was the result of "enumeration".

The key criteria for selecting suspects in the "500 Million Dollar Heist" were "special white paint" and "motorcycle licenses." Only three people met both criteria and had time to commit the crime in Dongdu.

Now Shiraishi also has screening criteria—"ultrasonic tools" and "related to Matsui and others"!
Of course, this method requires a lot of manpower. Not only do you need a lot of people, but you also need to do a thorough job of visiting people. Otherwise, if you miss even one person, everyone else may have worked in vain.

While working, Shiraishi would glance at any new intelligence that came his way...

The previous Inukai case dragged on for too long, and Hakuba couldn't protect Shiraishi. So Shiraishi has learned his lesson and no longer expects to train his subordinates in such cases; efficiency is his priority.

……

Just before leaving get off work, Shiraishi noticed a record that caught his attention!

Hikaru Murano, son of Keisuke Murano, who was sentenced to death six years ago...

Six years ago, I dropped out of Waseda University because of my father, and have been working in a factory ever since, but this factory...

"Plastic welding?" Shiraishi frowned, then dialed the criminal investigation office.

"Section Chief Munakata, I know you're about to leave work... Here's one last thing: immediately investigate information about Murano Hikaru, including the specific operations of the factory where he works, and whether anything strange has happened recently... If necessary, you can start monitoring him!" Shiraishi instructed.

After hanging up the phone, Shiraishi focused on reviewing the case file...

Sure enough, it was the case that Kunikida was in charge of back then!
Just now, Shiraishi felt that the surname "Murano" was familiar...

Six years ago, starting with Keisuke Murano's wife, Asuka Murano, four people were poisoned to death. Although Asuka Murano survived, she became a vegetable.

The police eventually identified Keisuke Murano as the suspect. However, there were actually two victims who had nothing to do with Murano and could only be identified as "attempting to interfere with the investigation."

If it were Kunikida now, he definitely wouldn't be so "rough".

Then Shiraishi reviewed the court transcript and discovered something Kunikida hadn't mentioned before...

The defendant also asserted his alibi in court—that he was at the shrine when the incident occurred. In Kunikida's subsequent assessment, although the alibi lacked evidence, it was highly likely to be true.

However, in court, this alibi was proven false...

The one who gave the false testimony was none other than the defendant's son, Murano Hikaru!
In Murano Hikaru's testimony, the defendant did not have the habit of going to shrines, so his alibi, which was already not very conclusive, was not accepted.

Upon seeing this, Shiraishi frowned.

Just then, the phone rang in Shiraishi's office...

"Hello, Section Chief Munakata hasn't left work yet?" Shiraishi asked directly after answering the call.

“I’m driving… But, Chief, the Criminal Investigation Division just discovered something that I think we should report immediately… Murano Hikaru’s mother, the first victim in the case, passed away last month.” Munakata said meaningfully.

Back then, Murano Asuka only became a vegetable, but...

Six years have passed, and Murano Asuka, who has remained unconscious, has ultimately failed to create a miracle.

This gives us a "reason"—a reason why the murderer is only now taking revenge!

Although it's still unknown how Shiraishi came to suspect Uemura Nomitsu, at least Munakata knows that there must be a reason why the chief specifically emphasized the need to investigate him...

"Immediately begin tracking and monitoring Murano Hikaru!" Shiraishi decisively ordered.

Even if it doesn't yet warrant a summons, we must first take him into custody...

“I just sent Kuroki to his house… but the factory said he’s on leave these past two days, and he did ’voluntarily work overtime’ a while ago,” Zongfang said pessimistically.

"Okay, I understand." After hanging up the phone, Shiraishi immediately called his former section chief.

This is no longer a problem with Judge Sakurai...

If there were indeed problems with the case back then, and the murderer was indeed Murano Hikaru, then he probably would have harbored murderous intent towards Kunikida as well!
beep - beep - beep -

Kunikida's phone went unanswered, a rare occurrence.

Shiraishi's face also darkened.

(End of this chapter)