Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 563 Internal Investigation and Public Security

The scene of Shiraishi being personally escorted out of the Cabinet Information Research Office by Director Amano and the company's president was witnessed by many people, which sparked a lot of "gossip" - such as "Shiraishi Kuro wants to investigate the Cabinet Information Research Office", "Shiraishi Kuro wants to investigate the Cabinet", "Shiraishi Kuro wants to investigate the Prime Minister", and so on.

Although this story did not spread as widely as Bai Shi's other deeds, it was concentrated in various government departments in Xiaguan.

……

However, when he left the "internal transfer" program, Shiraishi was actually somewhat disappointed.

When it was confirmed that the file really came from the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, Shiraishi thought that he would definitely be able to find out the list of people who could take the file...

Although the fingerprints belonged to Miko, Shiraishi didn't have too much suspicion about her—after all, the real thief wouldn't leave fingerprints, since it was meant to be handed over to an assassin.

Furthermore, the reason why Yako's fingerprints would be on it is quite reasonable—this material was created by Yako herself!

Who knew that the management of the "internal investigation" files was so lax, and there were no surveillance or access control records? If we really use "being able to take it away" as the basis, the entire "internal investigation" is a suspect.

Shiraishi can't really be that arrogant, leading the police from the Beika Police Station to storm into Kasumigaseki and arresting everyone from the Cabinet Intelligence and Investigation Office for investigation... If Shiraishi is really that powerful, why doesn't he just take over the unfinished business of Commander Yoon next door?

However, it wasn't entirely without results; at least Shiraishi learned about the other four people whose information was also lost, and...

After sitting down, Shiraishi didn't drive away immediately. Instead, he called Kazami and immediately said, "Inspector Kazami! How do you public security officers do things?"

Kazami: ...

When did we police officers become subject to reprimands from the Metropolitan Police Department... no, from the local police station?
"I...I'm sorry." Kazami immediately backed down.

Kazami didn't need Shiraishi to remind him; he immediately knew what Shiraishi was talking about.

“That guy’s informant, three of them are already dead, and another one died in my jurisdiction… Do you have any leads?” Shiraishi asked imperiously.

Kazami paused for a moment. Shiraishi had initially thought that these police officers were still hiding things from him, but just as Shiraishi was about to explode, Kazami asked in a low voice, "What informant?"

Shiraishi:……

"You guys...really? You didn't know about the transaction with the US embassy?" Shiraishi was speechless.

"The US embassy traded intelligence?" Kazami's tone didn't sound fake.

Shiraishi:……

Immediately, Bai Shi realized some of the dirty tricks involved—it seemed that the relationship between "internal transfer" and "public security" was not good!
It was indeed the police who had been investigating Yaro. If the list of these informants was leaked from Yaro, then the police would naturally have firsthand information.

However, the problem is that Yaro is very alert and decisive. After discovering that he was being investigated, his first reaction was to return to his country. When he found that his way back home was also blocked, he immediately sought refuge at the US embassy...

Old Mi naturally didn't give the Eastern Island Nation any face and took Yaro away directly, but he gave them a way out by handing over the information about the "informant" that Yaro had entrusted to them.

but……

Old Mi contacted the cabinet of the Eastern Island country, not the public security bureau. After that, this information was only given to the cabinet intelligence and research office, and not to the public security bureau at all!

Shiraishi originally thought that since the head of the "internal investigation" department was a former minister of public security, the two sides should have a very close cooperation...

“Old Mi’s side previously provided information on seven people, which was confessed by Yaro, an informant in Dongdu…” Shiraishi said directly at this moment.

Since the "internal investigation" side didn't mention it being confidential, it proves that this matter isn't classified at all!
If it were truly classified information, the management wouldn't be so lax—three out of seven are dead, and they still don't know their files are missing…

Shiraishi then told Kazami about the three people who had died.

Seeing that Shiraishi had stopped, Kazami quickly asked, "And then? Aren't there still four people?"

"Isn't that Chief Amano your former department head? Why isn't he sharing information with you, even about something as low-secret as this, which was brought up by your Public Security Bureau's investigation?" Shiraishi retorted.

Kazami realized that Shiraishi was trying to extract information from him, so he gave an awkward smile and said, "There must be some misunderstanding..."

"Oh, since it's a misunderstanding, then have your superiors contact Chief Amano," Shiraishi said with a stern face.

Kazami: ...

Kazami understood that Shiraishi was not easy to deal with, so he gritted his teeth and told the truth.

Indeed, if high-ranking officials from the Public Security Bureau were to intervene and negotiate with the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, it's unlikely that such a matter, which even Shiraishi knew about and was easily leaked, would have a very low level of secrecy.

The problem is, if information can be obtained from Baishi, yet the higher-ups have to bow down to the "internal transfer," will the leaders be satisfied?

"Actually... I also heard that Chief Amano was too extreme in some things, so he was not suitable to stay in the public security position." Kazami told Shiraishi some information vaguely, forcing himself to speak.

"Extreme? In your police force, you're considered too extreme?" Bai Shi asked in surprise.

Kazami: ...

Kazami remained silent in the face of Shiraishi's somewhat offensive description.

After that, Shiraishi stopped keeping him in suspense and told Kazami about the other four people, emphasizing, "Remember, be careful when providing protection, and let me know immediately if anything happens."

Shiraishi's matter-of-fact tone made Kazami feel a little uncomfortable, but...

"Yes," Kazami replied helplessly.

Bai Shi knew that the police would definitely track down and protect the other four people in hopes of catching the murderer.

Whether the cover-up was orchestrated by Maoist forces or by the Raven Legion, it was the duty of the public security bureau…

As for whether they can be arrested in advance on charges such as espionage, treason, or leaking secrets?

It's difficult...

If it were truly possible to do this, the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office would have done so already.

The definition of "crime of leaking secrets" in the Eastern Island Country is very strict. In this case, the only recourse is to apply the "Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets". However, the "Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets" is not sufficient to convict these people. It must be fully proven that they leaked "secrets".

Whether it's the police or internal investigations, although they have many "privileges" that exceed the provisions of the law, this strict determination of "leaks" is a matter of political inclination. This is now the mainstream ideology in the political circles of the Eastern Island country. The little privileges of the police and internal investigations are insignificant in the face of a greater "correctness"...

And these seven informants... Apart from the member of parliament and the Self-Defense Forces, the other five could not be considered "leaks" in terms of their identities—the information they possessed would not be considered "classified" at all!
Just like now, the police have the audacity to "fish" for them, and can even disregard their safety, waiting for the criminals to actually commit a crime before taking action, in order to secure evidence... as long as they don't get caught with any incriminating evidence.

But they couldn't be arrested immediately...

After hanging up with Kazami, Shiraishi dialed Akasaka's number.

"Hello, it's me," Shiraishi said directly.

"Director, what guidance do you have?" Akasaka asked in a low voice.

Although Akasaka is now the head of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Toriya Police Station, he still addresses Shiraishi as "Chief".

Shiraishi could tell from Akasaka's voice that he was out on a field mission. Clearly, even as a section chief, Akasaka was quite busy. So he asked, "Are you aware of Wakashima Hirofumi's case?"

That's right. Of the three who have died, Hirofumi Wakashima, an employee of a pharmaceutical company, died in Toriyama Town—he was stabbed to death, and the news only came out this morning.

“I’m right here… Is there a problem with this case?” Akasaka asked quickly.

"Did anyone go to the main store?" Shiraishi didn't answer immediately.

"Inspector Danhara from the Fourth Division is here, but they're basically investigating separately from us," Akasaka whispered, guessing that there were Fourth Division officers nearby.

"Danbara from the Fourth Department..." Shiraishi certainly knew him—he had also collaborated with the Beika Police Department during the resurrected cannibal case and the obsessive-compulsive architect bombing case.

Indeed, this department head is quite tough in his methods and not very popular.

"That's perfect. Don't alarm Danyuan yet. This murder case is not simple. It was discovered by the Public Security Bureau and the Internal Investigation Department. You don't need to bother investigating the motive or finding the enemy... Just focus on the scene!"
"Moreover, this murder case is also related to another murder case in Mihua. If you find anything, please notify me immediately."

Shiraishi didn't go into too much detail about Akasaka.

After all, no matter how low the level of secrecy is, it's still something you have to tell the police...

Akasaka is just an ordinary police inspector; telling him too much detail would be counterproductive.

Moreover, the tasks he needs to do don't require him to know too much inside information; in short, it's just a matter of "observing the scene more."

When Akasaka heard that the matter was also related to the "public security" and even the "internal investigation," he became equally vigilant. He didn't ask any more questions, but simply patted his chest and said that he would definitely dig out all the clues at the scene.

After hanging up with Akasaka, Shiraishi drove back to the Beika Police Station. As for the murder case of Professor Kusaka, it was at the Ikebukuro Police Station. Shiraishi didn't know anyone there and couldn't communicate with them, so he just kept an eye on things and didn't do anything else.

The same situation applies to the Mihana Office as well.

After returning to the Beika Police Station, Shiraishi had a private conversation with Munakata. After that, the focus of the investigation into Kenji Ogura's case was completely shifted from interviewing people around him to investigating the situation at the scene!
After all, judging from the current situation, Kenji Ogura's death was very likely the work of a professional assassin, with the motive being to silence him in connection with espionage...

At this point, trying to find out if he has any enemies would be futile.

Even if it's "an enemy deliberately diverting attention," it doesn't make sense—what kind of enemy would steal information from an internal investigation archive just to divert attention?

but……

After Zongfang informed the detectives, Yuan had a different opinion!
"Chief, Section Chief, we've made some discoveries... we may be getting close to finding the motive!" Yamada couldn't help but say.

Shiraishi told Munakata about the theft of the internal investigation files, but did not explain it to the other detectives.

Upon hearing Yamada's words, Munakata chuckled and asked, "Oh? What have you discovered?"

In Munakata's view, Gen and Yamada had definitely gone in the wrong direction.

Unexpectedly...

"Although at first we thought that Kenji Ogura's social circle was relatively simple and he didn't have any particular enemies, but... this afternoon, we discovered Ogura's mistress. From her, we learned that Ogura has unexplained wealth, and..."

"On one occasion, she also saw Ogura sitting in the park with a man who looked like a foreigner, pretending not to know him. Afterwards, the foreigner took his briefcase, while Ogura took a brown paper bag left behind by the man."

"Therefore, we suspect that this Kenji Ogura is likely involved in espionage activities with foreign countries. If so, his death may also be related to this!" Yamada said confidently.

If it weren't for Yuan's absolute empathy, he might not have been able to extract so many clues!

Shiraishi, Munakata:...

Before Shiraishi and Munakata could say anything, the narcissist chimed in, "By the way, I heard there's been some trouble at the embassy lately. Some foreign spy has taken refuge at the US embassy... Could it be related to this? I'll ask my friend to sound him out and see if we can confirm his identity. Then we can show him a photo to the witnesses to verify it."

Well, if we can find out that the defector is Yaro, then we can search for a picture online and compare it with the victim's mistress, and maybe we can actually find out.

Shiraishi, Munakata:...

That's what happens when your subordinates are too capable.

Shiraishi and Munakata wanted to avoid the topic, but who knew...

If they don't stop them, the detectives at the Mikasa Police Station will uncover the "espionage" themselves.

Of course, this was only because Daisuke Kobe wasn't on the investigation team for this case, and Munakata hadn't disclosed the classified files; otherwise, everyone would have already guessed in this direction.

Then Baishi gently tapped the table to signal for quiet. After everyone looked over, Baishi said, "Very good. It seems that even without other factors, you can solve the case... However, the matter of the spy leak will now be handled by the Internal Investigation Department and the Public Security Bureau!"

Although Shiraishi didn't explain in too much detail, he did mention two other related murder cases, especially the other "four targets"—one of whom lived in Beika Town!
Upon hearing the chief's words, the detectives finally realized what was happening...

The clues that Gen and Yamada discovered were not wrong, but... in fact, the chief had already confirmed it.

However, this is not helpful for solving the case, nor is it something that the Mikasa Police Department should be concerned with. What we need to pay attention to now is the identity of the "murderer" himself!

As for who instigated it and why... those questions can be answered by the internal investigation and the public security bureau.

Therefore, the Mikasa Police Department's current search focus has shifted to two things: "investigating and interviewing on-site clues" and "tracking and protecting the next target"...

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(End of this chapter)