Chapter 25: The Accident of a Romance Novel
Chapter 25: The Accident of a Romance Novel
They found a neighbor aunt who was said to have seen Imura Tokuji coming out of her house on the day of his disappearance.
"In the early morning of that day, he came out with a huge suitcase. I thought he was going to travel somewhere."
As she spoke, the aunt gestured with her hands to indicate the size of the suitcase.
"Then, Mr. Imura, was there anything different from usual?"
The aunt laughed and said, "It was so dark, and his skin was dark to begin with, so it was hard to tell."
Conan was a little confused: "If that's the case, then why do you know that it was him who came out of the house at that time?"
"I certainly thought he was her man when he came out of her room."
It sounds like it makes some sense.
"Do you remember the time?"
"March 3, Monday. I was on my way to early morning prayers that day, so I remember it clearly."
Then, Qinghai Chuantang and Conan went to the human resources office and found Imura Tokuji’s partner: Motoyama Shenqi.
"Mr. Motoyama, how long have you been working together?"
"About fifteen years."
As he spoke, Benshan magically brought teacups to the two of them.
"Oh, uncle, there are so many trophies on your desk." Conan showed a surprised look, "and there is a glove hanging on the hook."
"What are you talking about?" Benshan Shenqi punched the air a few times, looking very powerful. "I used to practice boxing for a while, but unfortunately I was too busy with work and had to put this hobby aside."
"Mr. Benshan, do you remember the last time you saw each other?"
"The night before he disappeared, around 9 o'clock, I saw him returning home."
The two came to a library again. It was said that Imura Tokuji would come there to borrow books every Saturday.
The librarian here also had some impression of him, after all, it was too regular. Moreover, he was one of the people who knew about Imura Tokuji's disappearance.
"How did you know about Mr. Imura's disappearance?"
"Because there were books that were not returned by the due date, so I called them one by one to ask." After saying this, he sighed: "When I called him, his wife cried so hard that I didn't even dare to ask about returning the books."
"Then do you remember what kind of books Mr. Imura usually borrows?"
"A romance novel, maybe."
After leaving the library, Qing Hai Chuantang became more and more puzzled and couldn't help saying, "He must be having an extramarital affair."
Conan was so frightened by these words that he staggered and almost fell to the ground.
He turned around with a speechless expression, and there seemed to be a hint of doubt on his face: "Are you really a profiler? Just because you often come to borrow romance novels, you think there is an affair? That's a bit too arbitrary."
"It is because I am a profiler that I think so. A 43-year-old man is no longer old enough to read romance novels. Although it is not ruled out that some people like it, such examples are very rare. His wife and daughter are by his side. He is more concerned about family and responsibilities, and socializing with friends, rather than yearning for sweet romance like when he was still in school. The most important point is that we did not find any books in the warehouse at that time."
"That does make sense. But more importantly, even though it's been seven years, everyone still remembers it clearly, as if it happened yesterday."
Therefore, this is by no means a simple missing case.
Qinghai Chuantang was not surprised.
"Of course it's not a simple missing person case. According to Officer Kawanishi, the case was treated as a murder case. But no matter how hard they searched, they couldn't find the body, so they put the case on hold."
Kawanishi Kigui was the person in charge of the case at that time.
Seven years ago, he was still in the Metropolitan Police Department, but was demoted due to a mistake at work. Later, he returned to the Metropolitan Police Department with his outstanding performance.
"According to Officer Kawanishi, the disappearance occurred on Sunday, March 2011, 3. The report was filed on March 20 by Mr. Imura's daughter."
"Wait!" Conan interrupted her, "Didn't the neighbor say before that the day of disappearance was March 3st? Why did Officer Kawanishi say it was March 21th? And he waited a few days before telling his daughter. It seems a little strange no matter how you look at it."
"Ms. Rinka told him. Maybe he accidentally got the date mixed up. That's not a suspicious point."
He said this deliberately, as if taking revenge on the other person.
Of course, she is not a person who acts on impulse. "The time interval may be the time used to deal with the body. After all, it was too dark at the time, and we cannot guarantee that it was Mr. Imura himself. In addition, the neighbors said that the other party was pulling a particularly large suitcase, which was probably used to carry the body."
"By the way, Officer Kawanishi also told me something. She said that Motoyama's wife, Ms. Momoyo, might know something. She and Mr. Imura were in the same church, and Mr. Imura and his friends often went to the restaurant she opened for dinner. The name of the restaurant was 'Kinoshita Raku', and it was just a few blocks away."
Kinoshita Raku is hidden in the alley. If you don't look carefully, you might not even notice it. Because it is too hidden, it gives people the illusion that it doesn't really want to do business.
Momoyo Motoyama seemed to have just returned to the restaurant.
"Ms. Momoyo, when was the last time you saw the missing Mr. Imura?"
"I don't really remember."
She wiped the countertop quickly.
"Is that any different from usual?"
"It seems nothing."
Motoyo Motoyama hesitated when answering.
"Do you like reading novels?"
There are several books on the table next to it.
"Yes, a romance novel."
"So you often meet with Mr. Imura, right?"
"No." Motoyo Motoyama was stunned and stopped what she was doing. "Why do I meet him so often?"
After saying this, he resumed his movements.
The countertop, which had obviously been wiped several times, was still being wiped repeatedly, as if someone wanted to make it as bright as a mirror.
"But I heard that the two of them often go to church."
"We meet each other often in church. After all, we are in the same church, so it is unavoidable."
Before Motoyo Motoyama could finish her words, the door was opened.
Benshan Shenqi was standing at the door with an angry look on his face. "What are you doing? It was settled many years ago, why are you still harassing me?"
"I, I don't know anything."
As she spoke, Motoyo Motoyama walked out from the counter and pushed the two of them out, saying, "Let's go, let's go quickly."
After they left, the door of Kinoshita Raku's restaurant was closed.
The two did not go far, but hid at the corner.
Qinghai Chuantang took out his cell phone and prepared to make a call.
"What are you doing?"
Conan seemed to find this a little strange.
"Call the police. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has a team that specializes in dealing with domestic violence. Conan, don't you find anything strange?"
"Of course I've found the suspicious points, but Ms. Momoyo doesn't have any bruises on her body."
Conan became even more confused.
"That's called life experience, kid. Hello. Yes, I want to report it to the police."
For a long time, the issue of domestic violence has been a thorny issue. The reason given is simple and seems familiar: it is not convenient to intervene in other people's family affairs.
But now is different from the past, as the domestic violence problem has become more serious, this situation has gradually changed. In Tokyo, as long as the police receive a call, they will rush to the scene in the shortest possible time.
Domestic violence may develop into murder in the future. Whether it is oneself, children, family members, or colleagues, they may all be victims.
Momoyo Motoyama felt nervous, scared and panicked when she saw her husband. Obviously, this was not the first time.
"Miraculous Benshan, you are under arrest under the Spousal Violence Prevention Act and assault."
Even if they arrived sooner, I'm afraid he would already be on the way to the hospital by then.
There were many bruises on Motoyo Motoyama's mouth and arms, and there was blood at the corners of her mouth.
What a cruel attack.
"Article 15 of the Criminal Code states that 'anyone who injures another person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than 50 years or a fine of not more than yen.' But don't worry, I know a lawyer named 'Eri Kisaki' who will try to get you sentenced to more than ten years."
Benshan Shenqi was forced to kneel on the ground, his hands were twisted behind his back, and he kept shouting "Let go".
Of course she would let go.
Three minutes later, the police arrived and Benshan finally got what he wanted. But soon, he was handcuffed again.
What awaits him will be legal sanctions.
Afterwards, an ambulance arrived quickly and took Motoyo Motoyama to the hospital.
Seven years ago, in the same hospital, Motoyo Motoyama's excuse was: I accidentally fell.
The injury at that time was even more serious than it is now.
She had been to the hospital more than once, and even some doctors and nurses felt that she looked familiar.
The next day, Qing Hai Chuantang and Conan saw her again in the interrogation room.
She moved out of her home and is now living in a private shelter. She will find a new place to live with the help of the police.
"You should know what your husband did to Mr. Imura, right? A large amount of Mr. Imura's blood was detected on the clothes Mr. Motoyama was wearing at the time."
Motoyo Motoyama looked at him, then slowly lowered her head.
"During the course of work, I helped the injured Mr. Imura, so there was blood on my clothes. That's what you said at the time. Am I right?"
An obvious lie.
"Ms. Momoyo, can you please tell me the truth now?"
Motoyo Motoyama hesitated for a moment, the fear still lingering in her heart.
"My husband beat Mr. Imura." She looked up at the person sitting opposite her, her voice trembling a little: "I saw them coming out of the church together."
What happened next is self-evident.
"He is very suspicious of his wife. Whether it is a man or a woman, he becomes the object of his suspicion. It feels like crazy. Except for going to church on Sunday, I stay in restaurants or at home. I can't go anywhere else."
The restraint and suppression made her feel suffocated and even almost unable to breathe.
(End of this chapter)