Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 417 How can they be the same!

In the director's office on Monday morning...

"So... Director, isn't this a bit too fast?" Yu Amagi asked tentatively.

Indeed, it’s too fast!

An hour ago, Narcissistic and Amagi went to Kanda to question her about finding her daughter's painting in the abandoned warehouse.

An hour later, the two were already in the director's office...

Judging from Kanda's reaction at the time, they were prepared for "complaints," but they didn't expect it to happen so quickly!
Narcissistic and Ama-no-Ki are both veteran police officers, especially those who used to work at the General Headquarters. In their memory, the police system's response time to complaints was not this fast.

This indirectly confirms the two people's previous guess that "the Kanda family should have police officers." But now it seems that it's not just "having police officers," but practically "having a police background"!
“Idiots! Responding to public complaints promptly is what we should be doing, right? Besides... ultimately, it was the two of you who swaggered into someone’s company and questioned them without any case being filed, which is why you got the complaint, right?” Shiraishi had already finished listening to their report.

Shiraishi was utterly speechless at this kind of trouble-making behavior...

Indeed, this matter does sound a bit odd, but... it's odd yet not illegal!
Most importantly, isn't Kanda Hinata alright now?

If they hadn't conducted the investigation during their break, Shiraishi would definitely have spoken to Section Chief Munakata about the underutilization of the Criminal Investigation Division's detectives...

Upon hearing the director's reprimand, the two immediately stood at attention.

“If you’re on vacation, you should act like you’re on vacation. Honestly… You haven’t even seen a trace of the case, and you’re already visiting other companies. What are you thinking? Now, even Department Head Odagiri is calling me… You two shouldn’t be resting. You should reflect on where you went wrong!” After saying this, Shiraishi waved his hand and told them to get lost.

After leaving the chief's office, the two men tacitly pretended to be dejected as they left the police station, but their expressions immediately changed once they were outside.

"The fact that a call reached the director so quickly is definitely not something a small foreign trade company could do..."

"Well, I just looked into it briefly. Actually, that company wasn't doing very well. It was almost bankrupt a while ago."

Narcissism and Amagi also chimed in at this moment.

Although the director reprimanded them, he also said—don't rest, reflect on "where you went wrong".

What else could be wrong?
The mistake was conducting an on-site investigation without any prior case; in short, the mistake was "there was no prior case"!
To reflect on this, we naturally need to dig out the case behind it...

“Senior Narcissist, I’m going to the main hall to find some documents, you…” Tian Shu said at this moment.

"The main store? I'll go with you! I used to be a detective in the First Investigation Division, so I still have some influence at the main store!" the narcissist said boastfully.

……

The two then went to the Metropolitan Police Department and visited the officer they knew from the personnel department who was working at his desk...

"You're a detective in the First Investigation Division... no, you're not even a detective in the First Investigation Division anymore, you're a detective in a local police station, what do you need personnel files for?"

The personnel department staff naturally rejected the narcissistic request.

"We're also investigating a case, what kind of attitude is this?" the narcissist said angrily—when he was still a top investigator, they didn't have this attitude.

Seeing this, Amagi pulled away from his narcissism and then said to the personnel officer who was rolling his eyes and sitting at his desk, "We're all colleagues, and... our chief and your minister are very familiar with each other, so please do me a favor!" He then put his hands together in a pleading gesture.

The officer, who was bent over his desk, was either moved by Amagi's attitude or reminded of Chief Shiraishi, his superior's superior's superior, and Chief Tanaka... before looking around and saying, "Look for whatever you're looking for here. Don't take it out, and don't touch anything you shouldn't touch!"

He then left the archives room, clearly unwilling to take responsibility.

The narcissist on the side grimaced – he never imagined that he, a former top searcher, would end up having less influence than a former custodian at the lost and found!

So, Narcissism found it even harder to leave, and he and Amagi started searching together.

Although there was no computer and everything was just paper files, the two of them were used to it, and they made a discovery around 8 p.m.

“Found him! This must be the person… Kensaku Kawaguchi, daughter Fumiko Kawaguchi, son-in-law Shino Kanda… This must be Mrs. Kanda’s father.” The narcissist said, pointing to a line in the retired police officer’s file.

Previously, on the sign outside Kanda's house, the names "Shino" and "Fumiko" were also written in small characters.

It seems that Mrs. Kanda's original surname was "Kawaguchi"...

Amagi looked over at that moment and exclaimed in surprise when he saw the officer's rank: "As expected, he's a high-ranking officer... no wonder his house is so big."

The text above states that when Kensaku Kawaguchi retired, his police rank was Superintendent General and his position was Chief of the Yamanashi Prefectural Headquarters.

Apart from Tokyo, the police chiefs in Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyoto, and six other major prefectures are called "Inspector General of Police" (警督监). The police chiefs in other prefectures are called "Superintendent General of Police" (警督长), such as the police chief of Aomori Prefecture who was killed earlier.

This is undoubtedly a high-ranking police officer...

However, after hearing his words, the narcissist fell silent.

This made Tian Shu a little embarrassed—wasn't speaking ill of the boss at this time a way to get closer to colleagues? Why are you so silent? I've never seen you this serious before!

"No wonder? Is this normal?" the narcissist asked in a strange tone.

"Huh? That's normal... Don't these police superintendents all have good positions waiting for them after they retire?" Amagi didn't know what he was wondering about.

“My dad was the head of the headquarters in Fukushima before he retired… My house is in Saitama, and I still have 29 years left on the mortgage,” the narcissist said helplessly.

Tian Shu: ...

Tian Shu was speechless. He really didn't know before that the narcissist was a second-generation police officer, and that his father had such a high police rank!

Indeed, his narcissism, from his personality to his current treatment, including his previous career path, doesn't resemble that of a second-generation rich kid...

Even during his time at Souyi, he was a true top-tier star, relying on his abilities, and was later relegated to a lower rank.

Therefore, his family background was not known to anyone in the Beika Police Station. Only Deputy Chief Shiraishi and Deputy Chief Heikawa knew about it after reviewing the internal personnel information. However, since Superintendent Kogure did not give his son any special treatment, Shiraishi and Heikawa only "knew" about it.

"Where will your father work after retirement?" Tian Shu asked, trying to ease the tension.

"My dad hasn't worked since he retired, but he's been writing novels... saying they're meant to expose and satirize the darkness within the police force, and he told me not to interfere." The narcissist admitted he hadn't read any of his dad's books.

Tian Shu: ...

Why is it that, even though they are both children of police superintendents and regional police chiefs, one lives in a large villa in Tokyo while the other has to take out a 30-year mortgage in Saitama?
The answer is right there in the riddle itself! At this moment, Amagi revealed the second page of Kawaguchi Kensaku's file: "Look, after Mr. Kawaguchi retired, he became the president of the Capital Security Company... This is a popular destination for retired and retired police officers, and a designated civilian partner for the police department!"

Well, his dad retired and went to a subsidiary company of the Metropolitan Police Department to continue "police-community cooperation," while your dad went to write novels criticizing corruption among the Metropolitan Police Department's top officials... How can those be the same?

"Sounds like... more reliable than royalties," the narcissist said with a smirk.

Tian Shu: ...

Is this comparable?

Narcissistic, Amagi: !!!

Narcissistic and Amagi were chatting casually at first, but then they suddenly seemed to realize something at the same time...

Seeing each other's expressions, the two spoke at the same time.

"That chieftain's prince!"

"Luxury car parade!"

The two were talking about the same thing—the classic car exhibition that almost went wrong this Monday.

The narcissist then took out his phone and searched, and then discovered from some obscure news articles...

The civilian security cooperation for that event was provided by this Capital Security Company!

"Could it be that Kohinata was indeed kidnapped before..." Narcissistic looked at Amagi but didn't say the word "kidnapped".

However, it is true that the two of them had always had this suspicion in their hearts!
If the kidnapping occurred while Kanda Hinata was painting, preventing him from delivering the painting to his mother in time, or even leaving him at the kidnapping location, then the discovery of the painting in the abandoned factory and Mrs. Kanda's evasive statements would all be explained.

Especially when leaving, Amagi took a special look at the room in the factory where he had found the painting—the door had a brand new lock and chain, and it didn't look like it hadn't been used in the last few years.

Because there was no evidence, the two of them never brought it up.

Even after discovering Kawaguchi Kensaku's identity, the two felt that the possibility of a "kidnapping" was much smaller—as high-ranking police officers, there was no reason not to call the police, especially since their granddaughter had already returned home safely...

It's one thing for ordinary people to worry about retaliation from kidnappers, but does this high-ranking retired police officer not know what the best course of action is?

but……

Looking at his current identity, the two had a new guess.

In a kidnapping case where no police report was filed and the hostage is unharmed, it's highly likely that the victim's family paid money to settle the matter.

If that were the case, Kensaku Kawaguchi wouldn't have remained silent, but...

If what was given at the time wasn't money, but security information about the attackers and their activities, Kawaguchi would have had ample reason to conceal the matter!

After all, this would mean a sharp drop in the security company's reputation, not to mention that he himself might end up in jail...

"The attackers must have been arrested by now, right?" the narcissist muttered to himself—he remembered that the attackers were arrested because their car had been stolen by the Chocolate Thief.

"Well, but I heard the interrogation hasn't been completed yet... In any case, the police department will probably take the blame in the end, right?" Amaki said knowingly.

Because it involves a prince—although he's not an heir at all, just a marginal tycoon—it's still an international matter, and the Metropolitan Police Department can't handle it; it has to be handled by a department within the National Police Agency.

Fortunately, although the auto show was a complete mess, there were no injuries or fatalities, and it's said that the prince was very satisfied with the compensation...

Well, it wasn't that the island nation offered any compensation, but rather that a certain detective personally borne the compensation!
"If this company really has a problem... it seems the police department won't be able to save face at all; in fact, it might make things worse." The narcissist grinned at this point.

It's just an admission of inadequacy.

If it is ultimately confirmed that the information was leaked by the Capital Security Company, it would be a blatant scandal!

Although it is theoretically just a private organization, it is easy to imagine that such an organization must have very deep ties with the police force.

"However, we still need to find out! After all, if President Kawaguchi was really coerced this time, even if there won't be a next time, the leak itself could be used as leverage. I just saw that this security company... provides civilian security services for many foreign dignitaries when they visit."

"If this kind of company becomes untrustworthy, it's like laying all the security measures for external affairs flat on top of the attackers!" Amaki said seriously.

Although the attackers were caught, only the perpetrators were apprehended; the entire organization wasn't destroyed...

If there really is a leak of security information, once it happens, it will happen again.

"Then let's ask the director... no, let's go and apologize to President Kawaguchi ourselves!" The narcissist hesitated for a moment, then decided not to trouble the director.

After all, if the matter were formally reported to the director, there would be no room for maneuver for the director, which would put Shiraishi in a dilemma.

It's not about hiding it from the boss, but about leaving the boss room to maneuver...

"Well, but before that, we might need a little assistance..." Tian Shu said, making a phone call to call for help.

An hour later, Narcissistic Amagi met Kuroki and Kanzaki at the entrance of the abandoned factory.

"You two really have it tough, taking time out of your holiday to go back and get scolded? Are you thinking of me again because you're going to get scolded for something?" Kuroki looked at the two of them speechlessly.

"Kuroki...really, don't worry, you two, we're willing to help!" Kanzaki still had the sunny and cheerful demeanor of a big boy.

"Don't worry, it's nothing really. It's just... we were wondering about that room before, and we hope Kanzaki-senpai can take a sample to secure some evidence." Amagi called the two of them over... but mainly he called Kanzaki over as well.

If a kidnapping had actually occurred there, there should have been traces left behind.

"No, no, no, Senior Amagi, please don't flatter me." Kanzaki repeatedly declined his address, after all, Amagi Yu was older than his brother.

"Oh, not at all, it's just that Kanzaki-senpai has been a detective for a long time!" Amagi teased.

"You two are disgusting... Get back to work! We've got it covered, we're just here to help with sampling, we don't know anything else," Kuroki said, rolling his eyes.

They directly sought help from Kuroki and Kanzaki. Narcissistic and Amagi didn't intend to keep it a secret from Shiraishi, but they didn't formally report it...

(End of this chapter)