Chapter 456

PS: This chapter is 4500 words, making up for yesterday's missing second update—I finished the first update and fell asleep at my desk, sorry.

Relying on Kashiwagi Misa's connections, Uesugi Muneyuki successfully learned the scene details from Kashiwagi Jin.

In short, the scene situation is very unfavorable for Okada Masayoshi.

After confirmation with the nightclub owner and inquiries with several related parties, it was confirmed that Okada Miki had a long-term improper affair with Koizumi Ryosuke, lasting at least one year, and very likely they had been involved since two years ago.

Furthermore, Okada Miki may very well have had lovers besides Koizumi Ryosuke, but currently only this one is substantiated.

Only Koizumi Ryosuke and Okada Masayoshi's fingerprints were on the fruit knife murder weapon, with no third-party DNA or fingerprints.

Only Koizumi Ryosuke's skin flakes and hair were found under Miki's fingernails, with no other person's skin flakes or DNA.

No blunt instrument murder weapon was found at the scene, so it cannot be determined what Okada Masayoshi used to strike the lover from behind the head.

The bloodstains, hair, etc., extracted from the scene, upon testing, all belonged to the two deceased and Okada Masayoshi.

In Kashiwagi Jin's view, Okada Masayoshi's "motive to kill" is extremely sufficient: damaged heroic image (wife's infidelity exposed), anger at being cuckolded, collapse under public opinion pressure.

At the same time, his escape behavior is interpreted as the strongest "confession" performance.

This is already sufficient to convict Okada Masayoshi.

"However, regarding the time of the crime, there are indeed some doubts." Kashiwagi Jin said over the phone: "The crime time was very short."

"How...... how to say?" Kashiwagi Misa asked softly, she appeared very nervous.

Kashiwagi Jin simply stated the issue regarding Okada's crime time.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department's investigation timeline:

9:42, Okada Masayoshi got off a nearby taxi.

9:48, the upstairs exam candidate heard fighting and arguing noises downstairs, finding it annoying.

9:50, the exam candidate called the police, nearby koban has a police record.

9:55, Okada Masayoshi's silhouette was captured at the apartment entrance.

10:00, Mitada-san next door discovered Okada Masayoshi standing stern-faced in the hallway.

10:05, police arrived downstairs at the apartment building.

10:07, Okada Masayoshi fled.

"The crime time was too short, so I lean toward two possibilities: first, Okada got off the taxi and, through other means, evaded surveillance, entered the apartment to commit the crime, then again evaded surveillance to exit, entering at 9:55 through the front door to create an alibi."

"Or, it's possible the earlier fight and argument was between Okada Miki and Koizumi Ryosuke erupting in argument, or perhaps... sexual activity on the spot led to it, and Okada entered slightly later, discovered the situation at home, and in a rage killed his wife and lover, but he didn't have time to handle the scene before fleeing."

"Mitada-san cannot confirm whether Okada was coming home or leaving, she only saw him standing there with a stern expression."

Kashiwagi Jin said confidently: "These two timeframes are relatively consistent; currently we are trying to have males with similar build and age reenact this situation, normal males can barely manage to reserve three to four minutes of crime time."

"Completing the entire crime process in three to four minutes is sufficient for a police officer!"

"Oh, oh I see...... hard work...... Ren......" Kashiwagi Misa's voice broke: "Still...... still anything else?"

"?" Kashiwagi Jin said a long string, result Kashiwagi Misa was still panting, thinking how could she be this busy: "Misa, are you alright?"

"No, no problem, just ran too fast, slightly twisted my ankle......" Kashiwagi Misa said somewhat embarrassedly: "Been seen by people, a bit embarrassing...... uh, oh, oh, right, could you send me the scene photos to look at?"

"Okay...... but does personnel affairs need this much stuff?" Kashiwagi Jin thought his wife seemed to have a very deep relationship with Miki.

"Need, need...... oh oh oh~"

Kashiwagi Jin didn't think much, he immediately sent the scene photos to Kashiwagi Misa.

After a while, Kashiwagi Misa sent back a message.

It was a flower bouquet!

Okada Masayoshi dropped flowers at the entrance!

When Okada Masayoshi got off the taxi, was he carrying that bouquet of flowers? But when he appeared in surveillance, he already had flowers, so Kashiwagi Misa believes the flowers were definitely bought by Okada Masayoshi on the way, and we need to investigate nearby flower shops and their surveillance!

Surveillance might have other time points.

Exactly! Kashiwagi Jin thought how I missed this detail!

As a orthodox police officer, Kashiwagi Jin really dislikes looking at surveillance, but this doesn't mean he thinks surveillance evidence is unreliable, he just habitually feels full surveillance search is too troublesome.

Misa, you found the blind spot!

As expected of my wife Kashiwagi Jin, simply as formidable as me!

……………………

At the same time, Financial Services Agency Commissioner's office.

Okada Masahide was reviewing an urgent document on bank reform, the secretary rushed in pushing the door, even forgetting to knock, face showing unprecedented panic.

"Commissioner! Out... out big trouble! Metropolitan Police Department sent emergency news! Young Master Masayoshi... he... he..."

Okada Masahide furrowed his brows, displeased putting down the document: "What to panic! What happened to Masayoshi? Condition worsened?"

He thought it was news from the hospital side.

"No... no!" the secretary's voice trembled, almost incoherent: "It's... it's Lady Miki... and... and a man... dead in the apartment! Young Master Masayoshi... he... he covered in blood... fled from the scene! Metropolitan Police Department... Metropolitan Police Department says he's the number one suspect! Now conducting citywide manhunt!"

"What?!"

Okada Masahide violently stood up from the wide leather chair, the large motion knocked over the purple clay teacup on the table, scalding tea water splashed onto the expensive rosewood tabletop, making a sizzling sound, like the thunder exploding in his mind right now. That face of Mount Tai collapsing before without changing color, for the first time showed violent, nearly losing composure trembling! Hawk-like sharp eyes instantly replaced by immense shock, incredibility, and a kind of bottomless panic.

Son... killed someone? Killed wife? Also killed a lover? Fled?!

His carefully planned public opinion storm to remove the "stain" daughter-in-law's ruthless means, at this moment turned into the most cruel boomerang, not only truly "removed" Miki, but also pushed the only son into eternal damnation!

"News... confirmed?" Okada Masahide's voice sank terrifyingly, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

"Absolutely certain! Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters already entered highest emergency state! Wanted order... probably will be issued soon!" secretary drenched in cold sweat.

Okada Masahide waved his hand, the secretary like granted pardon, immediately bowed and retreated, gently closing the door.

Office interior dead silent, only Okada Masahide's heavy breathing and the dripping sound of tea water on the table.

After a few seconds of silence, he violently turned, grabbed the red dedicated line phone on the table, directly dialed Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji's private number. The phone was almost immediately connected.

"Watanabe Director!" Okada Masahide's voice returned to its usual cold hardness, but listening closely, one can discern the strained tension beneath the forced suppression.

"I just received the news! About my son, Okada Masayoshi… a tragedy has occurred at home! Please tell me, what exactly is the situation now?! Is he… is he really the murderer?!" The final question, laden with the pressure of a superior, could not conceal a hint of urgent inquiry.

On the other end of the phone, Watanabe Eiji's voice was filled with unprecedented pressure and caution: "Director Okada… I am deeply sorry to disturb you at this time. Currently… the situation is indeed extremely serious. In the apartment of your son, Detective Okada Masayoshi, the body of Mrs. Okada Miki and a male victim were discovered. Preliminary examination shows… Detective Okada was at the scene at the time, and his person was stained with a large amount of bloodstains. He… when the police arrived, he attacked the officers and forcibly escaped…"

Watanabe Eiji paused, choosing his words carefully, his tone extremely restrained: "Based on the… preliminary evidence we have gathered and his behavioral performance, Detective Okada… has been listed as a major suspect in this case. The Metropolitan Police Department has activated the highest-level response mechanism, mobilizing all resources to track his whereabouts and thoroughly investigate this case."

"Major suspect…" Okada Masahide repeated these words, his tone icy and piercing, "In other words, the evidence points to him? He committed murder? Killed his wife? And also killed a… wild man?" Each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Director… at this stage… all evidence and the logical chain strongly point toward Detective Okada. But the investigation is still in its most tense initial phase, and we are mobilizing all our strength to clarify every detail." Watanabe Eiji answered without leaving a loophole, stating the facts while leaving room for maneuver, not daring in the slightest to anger this high-ranking father: "Please trust that the Metropolitan Police Department will enforce the law impartially and uncover the truth!"

"Impartial enforcement of the law…" Okada Masahide let out a cold snort, in which one could not tell whether it was anger or something else, "Director Watanabe, I called not as a father seeking mercy or questioning your judgment!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with an undeniable resolve and a kind of near-ruthless severance:

"I, Okada Masahide, am first and foremost the Commissioner of the Financial Services Agency! Only then am I a father! If Okada Masayoshi has truly committed such heinous, outrageous crimes that provoke the wrath of both man and god, then he is no longer my son! He is a criminal of the state! A disgrace to the police force! And more so, a scion of shame to the Okada family!"

He drew a deep breath, each word falling like an ice pick:

"I hereby formally declare: the Metropolitan Police Department need not hesitate because of my position! Act according to law and regulation! Issue the wanted notice, issue the wanted notice! Make the arrest, make the arrest! If necessary, to stop him from continuing to endanger society, to uphold the dignity of the law, I permit you… in extreme circumstances, to use all necessary means, including lethal force! Please be sure to convey this clearly to the frontline officers—I, Okada Masahide, have no son who is a murderer! Do you understand?!"

This declaration of "disowning kin for righteousness" was icy to the bone, decisive as a hammer blow, and through the telephone line one could feel that suffocating chill and resolve.

Watanabe Eiji, on the other end of the phone, felt a pang in his heart, and quickly replied in a deep voice: "Yes! Director! Your instructions… we fully understand! The Metropolitan Police Department will surely exert our utmost effort!"

"Very good." Okada Masahide's voice returned to its icy calm: "Report any major developments directly to me." Having said that, without waiting for Watanabe's reply, he "clicked" and hung up the phone.

The busy tone of the disconnected phone echoed in the silent office. Okada Masahide gripped the microphone, his knuckles whitening from force, slightly trembling. He maintained that posture for a few seconds, as if drained of strength.

The next second, he threw the microphone back onto the desk phone like discarding a hot potato, his movement even carrying a hint of panic. He suddenly grabbed another encrypted blue dedicated line phone, his fingers, due to urgency, somewhat clumsily dialing a number rarely used—the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Higashi Kotaro.

The speed of the call connection was equally swift.

"Chairman Higashi! I am Okada Masahide!" Okada Masahide's voice had lost the icy hardness he had just shown toward Watanabe, replaced by an extreme effort to suppress, yet still audible anxiety and… pleading: "Emergency situation disturbing you, deeply sorry! But the situation is urgent, concerning my son Masayoshi… he has been drawn into an extremely serious case, listed by the Metropolitan Police Department as a major suspect!"

He spoke at extreme speed, summarizing the situation once, omitting all personal emotion, only emphasizing the gravity and complexity: "…The Metropolitan Police Department is under immense pressure, and the preliminary investigative direction seems extremely unfavorable to him. But I… I know my son! This matter is full of doubts! I implore you… please intervene!

Okada Masahide's voice carried an unprecedented weight and a barely perceptible sob: "I know this is against protocol, but I implore you… please mobilize Uesugi Muneyuki! Only him! Only that legendary forensic doctor of Tokyo University, Uesugi Muneyuki, personally examining the scene and the corpse, can possibly find that thread… perhaps existing truth amidst the thick fog!"

"This matter concerns my son's life and death, and even more… whether the Metropolitan Police Department and even the national judicial system will be swayed by overwhelming public opinion, possibly leading to an irrecoverable misjudgment! Please help!"

On the other end of the phone, Higashi Kotaro fell silent for a moment, clearly shaken by this sudden, staggering case involving the offspring of a high official. He replied in a deep voice: "Director Okada… I understand the situation, but you must know, Okada is the Chief of the Special Mission Unit, and the entire Special Mission Unit must avoid conflict of interest in this matter. Fortunately, Uesugi Muneyuki is not entirely a member of the Metropolitan Police Department and has also been promoted to Chief Medical Examiner of the Search Division, so… I will do my best to coordinate, ideally allowing Uesugi to examine the scene but have other forensic medicine professors sign off, merely for science and truth, which will not change due to anyone's status. Once Uesugi is mobilized, things cannot be undone…… So if it truly is your son who did this……"

"I understand! I only want the truth! No matter the result!" Okada Masahide immediately assured, his voice trembling with urgency: "Before the truth comes out, by all means do not mistakenly harm him, for this country he has almost given everything! His wounds have not yet healed!"

"I understand, the heroic deeds of your son are the honor of all our citizens, I will order the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Police Agency to under no circumstances permit firearms discharge, the rest, I will await your news." Higashi Kotaro spoke concisely and ended the call.

Setting down the blue encrypted phone, Okada Masahide, as if having exhausted all his strength, his tall frame slumped heavily and sank back into the wide leather chair, the expensive genuine leather seat emitting a muffled groan.

The office was deathly silent.

He leaned against the chairback, tilted his head to stare at the glaring ceiling light, his eyes hollow, having lost all sharpness and dignity.

That face, consistently hard as iron, was now covered by immense fatigue, bewilderment, and a deep, unfathomable… regret.

The public opinion storm he had meticulously planned was originally intended to eliminate that daughter-in-law he viewed as a blemish on the family.

He had anticipated the media frenzy, anticipated the public reaction, even anticipated Miki's collapse… but he alone had failed to anticipate that this blade, meant only to remove the blemish, would ultimately, in such a horrific manner, backfire onto his only son!

He had planned to "eliminate" the daughter-in-law!

…and indeed "eliminated" her!!!

But in the most bloody, irredeemable way.

And his son… that son upon whom he had placed great hopes, who, even if father and son were estranged, remained the Okada family's sole bloodline… now bears the heavenly crime of "killing wife and slaying husband," fleeing for his life, possibly even to be ended by the "lethal force" he himself had just authorized!

"Masayoshi… you…" Okada Masahide's dry lips moved silently, for the first time in an empty space, revealing a father's most primal fear and question:

"…Did you really… kill someone?"

"You were never like this before!"

"It's all the fault of that supermarket cashier, it's all her ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!!!!"

(Chapter End)