Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 356, 350. The "Key" to Leaving the Organization?
Gong Man was speechless for a moment, unsure whether to offer comfort or not.

Offer some comfort, since this matter has little to do with Lin Longma; but what if we don't offer comfort? He personally made the trip because of this.

As for whether Mamiya Mitsuru questioned the veracity of Hayashi Ryoma's statement, to be honest, he didn't question it at all.

The main reason is simply because this whole thing sounds so ridiculous.

As we all know, living in the real world, many things that seem logical may actually be figments of our imagination or fabrications.

Some things that sound absurd and impossible actually exist.

Because what Ryoma said was so outrageous, Mamiya Mitsuru didn't doubt it. Such an absurd story didn't sound like it was made up!
How could a normal person come up with such a crazy plot?

Mamiya Mitsuru thought and thought but still couldn't figure it out, so he simply changed the subject: "Okay, tell me the scientist's name or surname."

I asked the housekeeper to check.

After passing through the courtyard, Mamiya Mitsuru did not lead Hayashi Ryoma into the castle, but instead circled around in front of the castle's main gate.

The group circled the castle and arrived at a locked but "burnt" tower nearby.

"This is the tower where the fire occurred. It has been locked up since the fire."

In fact, the Mamiya family originally planned to demolish and rebuild the place, but because of the fire, the Mamiya family did not have as many guests afterward.

Since the permanent population was not as large as before, whether or not the tower was rebuilt would not cause any problems, so the matter was put on hold.

"If I remember correctly, after the fire four years ago, apart from the fire brigade and criminal police who investigated the cause of the fire, no one has been able to go in here since."

The lock has never been opened again.

Mamiya Mitsuru said to Hayashi Ryoma, "Although I don't know how Chairman Hayashi intends to investigate, I can have the butler unlock this lock if needed."

"Okay, then I'll trouble you." Lin Longma nodded slightly without any formality.

Isn't this what they came to this remote mountain forest for?
Faced with this opportunity, Lin Longma naturally had no reason to refuse.

Soon after, the butler arrived at the entrance of the tower with a set of keys, but his expression seemed hesitant to speak.

“Master, I think there might be some misunderstanding here?” The butler approached Mamiya Mitsuru with the keys, seemingly asking for his permission, but actually had something else to say.

"What misunderstanding?" Mamiya Mitsuru took the keys and asked calmly.

"The gentleman that Chairman Lin inquired about was indeed a good friend of Master Zhenzhao, but he has never visited the Jian Gong family since Master Zhenzhao passed away."

That gentleman was also not present in the fire four years ago.

"Is that so? I understand." Mamiya nodded, then put on a smile again and said to Ryoma Hayashi, "If Chairman Hayashi doesn't mind, then I'll unlock it?"

"Please, Mr. Mamiya."

The research cadre died in Bieta, and Lin Longma had to see the scene no matter what.

However, with the tower burned to this state, whatever the research cadre brought with him, it's likely nothing will remain.

Once the chain lock was opened, security personnel naturally came forward to help open the door.

The long-unopened door creaked and groaned, stirring up thick dust as the tower, sealed off for four years, finally saw the sunlight again.

Although a fire had occurred, after investigations by both the fire department and the criminal investigation team, the scene was preserved as much as possible to maintain its original condition.

But it was no longer the same scene as before. Lin Longma did not personally step into the tower; naturally, other members of the security department conducted a survey of the entire tower on his behalf.

Ryoma Hayashi and Mitsuru Mamiya observed everyone's actions.

The on-site investigation lasted for more than an hour, and the security personnel, having found nothing, returned to the entrance.

"President, we didn't find anything inside."

It's right that nothing was found. Even if something was found, it should have been the fire department and the criminal investigation team that made the discovery.

Just as Lin Longma thought so, he suddenly made eye contact with one of the members of the security department.

Hmm? So there was some gain after all?

Since the security personnel didn't say anything, it must be because of the presence of Mitsuru Mamiya.

So Ryoma said to Mamiya Mitsuru, "It seems those investigators were just unlucky. Since we didn't find anything, I should head home."

"Mr. Mamiya, I'm so sorry to have bothered you this time!"

Ryoma apologized and thanked Mamiya Mitsuru, then called for his men to prepare to leave the Mamiya residence.

"Please wait, Chairman Lin!" Seeing that Lin Ryoma was determined to leave, Mamiya Mitsuru suddenly called out to him as he was about to depart.

"Mr. Mamiya?"

"President Lin, since we have met today, it proves that we are destined to meet. Please rest in the castle for a while. Also, I have some questions to ask you."

"Hmm? In that case." Lin Longma thought for a moment, then smiled and agreed.

"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey."

A group of security personnel escorted Ryoma Hayashi and Mitsuru Mamiya into the castle and into the castle's reception room.

In the reception room, only Shiraishi and the deputy director of the chairman's office came in with him. Some of the others went back to their cars, some seemed to be visiting the castle, and two or three people stood guard outside the reception room.

Their main purpose in accompanying him this time was to protect Lin Longma's safety. As long as Lin Longma did not return to the stronghold, he would remain under protection.

"President Lin, perhaps it is a bit presumptuous of me, but I have something I would like to tell you."

Look at Mitsuru Mamiya. It's not a matter of "whether I should say something or not." He directly tells you that what he's saying might be a bit presumptuous, but you have to listen.

"Mr. Mamiya, please speak freely!"

"The scientist that Chairman Lin is investigating is indeed a close friend of the late Zhenzhao, but we have not been in contact since Zhenzhao passed away."

Lin Longma immediately understood what Mamiya Mitsuru wanted to say and asked, "When was it, Mr. Teisho?"

"It's been a long time; he's been dead for six years."

Lin Longma's hand, which was holding the teacup, suddenly stopped!
Six years. Mamiya Sadayoshi has been dead for six years, and they haven't had any contact since. Doesn't that mean...?
The research department cadre was not even in the fire four years ago!

He's not dead!

Lin Longma suddenly realized something. If the research cadre did not attend the Mamiya family's banquet at all, then why was his itinerary written like this?

If he didn't die in the fire, why didn't he return to the organization?
Everything seemed as if he had really died in the fire—had this person simply vanished from the organization?
Coincidence? Accident? Or deliberate?!
Lin Longma suddenly realized that something interesting might be happening within this organization. Was this how he was trying to leave?

That's a brilliant method, a brilliant idea!
Since living means being unable to leave the organization, why not just die?
(End of this chapter)