Chapter 57: I Used to Believe in Science (Fourth Update!)

Just as the high-level executives at Fuji TV were congratulating one another, looking as if the court were filled with righteous men, the representatives from Japan Dentsu and Hakuhodo were also clicking their tongues in wonder as they watched the viewership ratings skyrocket.

"Incredible, Kameyama." The president of Japan Dentsu, Takashima Tatsuyoshi, couldn't help but praise: "These ratings have surpassed the Kohaku. Whose idea was this live broadcast? It's truly remarkable; the situation was a disaster, yet they've turned it into a success for Fuji TV."

"It seems this guy is still qualified to continue sitting in the position of station manager." A Managing Director from the Dentsu board of directors also couldn't help but nod: "Regardless of whose idea it was, his decisiveness as a president is quite good."

"Now it just depends on whether the Metropolitan Police Department can close the case quickly. The person has already been found, so the ratings should hold for a while longer. If they can find the murderer on the scene, they might be able to push even further; it might even reach 50%." President Takashima of Dentsu wore a strange smile: "If they can reach that, I will support Kameyama for another term."

"We support it too!"

Meanwhile, at Sakuradamon in Chiyoda Ward, the Metropolitan Police Department.

The large screen was broadcasting the Fuji TV live feed. The subordinates had already brought in bedding to prepare for the high-level officials to rest, but seeing that the time had come, even the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department, Watanabe Eiji, was sweating profusely and had to go wash up and change his clothes.

And it was right at this moment of changing clothes that the person was found!

Hearing this news, Watanabe Eiji couldn't help but punch the air fiercely, but his excitement didn't last long. When he saw the scene on the live broadcast of Uesugi Muneyuki and Shirakawa Mai chatting happily, a joy of harvest hung on the corners of his mouth, and then he calmly ordered: "Now, immediately, contact Tokyo Medical and Dental University!"

"Immediately supplement the cooperation agreement between this headquarters and the Medical and Dental University. We must ensure from a formal procedure that Uesugi Muneyuki's participation in the investigation and autopsy is officially invited by this headquarters. Do not give the District Public Prosecutors Office any opportunity!"

"Yes!"

The subordinates immediately contacted the Tokyo Medical and Dental University overnight, and only then did Watanabe Eiji let out a long sigh of relief and slowly sit down in his seat.

Now, he was sitting firmly.

…………

In front of the cameras, the Fuji TV production bureau had set up the scene.

The entire television station worked overtime, using a 2D model to temporarily reconstruct the crime scene, and then invited a female anchor to imitate the situation of Hironaka Mariko, with Uesugi Muneyuki himself providing the explanation, while the national actress Shirakawa Mai served as the temporary anchor.

The golden boy and jade girl were thus singing in harmony before the cameras, in front of ten million pairs of eyes in the Kanto region.

The ratings climbed step by step; if not for the fear of bad influence, Fuji TV would have already popped the champagne.

"What does my junior think is the reason for it being a homicide?" Shirakawa Mai looked at the teleprompter and asked Uesugi Muneyuki, glowing with radiance: "From the situation discovered in the wall, the cause of death for Ms. Hironaka was death by hanging and asphyxiation, right?"

Every question from Fuji TV had to be reviewed by the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Correct." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded.

He faced the female anchor lying on the table and explained to everyone on the spot the difference between death by hanging and being strangled.

Regarding the difference between these two types of death, it has already been mentioned in the previous text, so it will not be repeated here.

Subsequently, Uesugi Muneyuki spoke about the relationship between incontinence during asphyxiation in women, the degree of bodily decay, and the environment.

"Therefore, it can be confirmed that the time of Ms. Hironaka's death should have been Friday night, no later than the early morning. We can also know from the residue in her mouth that she died after a meal."

Uesugi Muneyuki gestured, using the simplest colloquial language and descriptions that ordinary people could understand for the live broadcast.

"Then, regarding the suspect, what judgment does my junior have?" Shirakawa Mai continued to ask.

"Without a doubt, this was a crime committed by an acquaintance. The murderer must have known Ms. Hironaka; otherwise, it would be impossible for Ms. Hironaka to have followed an acquaintance into such a complex environment as the Fuji TV basement while intentionally avoiding surveillance."

"Secondly, this acquaintance must be an employee within Fuji TV and be particularly familiar with the interior of Fuji TV. Because if the murderer were not familiar with the environment inside the station, they could not have known there was a secret door here to hide the body in the wall, nor could they have avoided surveillance after committing the crime."

Uesugi Muneyuki spoke eloquently to the camera: "This matter can only have been done by an internal employee of Fuji TV."

The Fuji TV side turned dark in the face upon hearing this news and immediately held up a teleprompter.

"The reason for it being a homicide is not clear enough."

The Metropolitan Police Department side also nodded after seeing this. They felt that Uesugi Muneyuki's judgment was still rash. He had stated a bunch of reasons, but why couldn't Ms. Hironaka Mariko have committed suicide? Especially with this kind of death by hanging, no matter how you look at it, it looks like suicide, right?

If it were handled as a suicide, the matter would become very simple.

Everyone was already exhausted tonight, and the elites of Investigation Division 1 also wanted to close the case quickly. Only those special police officers from the special unit still wanted to witness the beautiful face of the goddess senior up close.

"It is not suicide." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head calmly: "There is a method that can create the illusion of death by hanging."

"Back-Carrying Jizo!"

At this moment, in the crowd, Watanabe Minami and Okada Keibu quickly pushed through the crowd and arrived at the scene.

"Made it!" Seeing Uesugi Muneyuki just starting his demonstration, Watanabe Minami called out happily, like a little girl chasing a star: "Next, we just need to watch him demonstrate."

"Do you have that much confidence in him?" Okada Keibu looked around curiously.

"You'll see when you watch." Watanabe Minami pressed her index finger to her lips.

"Back-Carrying Jizo?" Shirakawa Mai faced the camera: "I don't quite understand. Junior, can you explain it?"

"Of course." Uesugi Muneyuki began his performance.

"In the Edo Period, funerals were an important part of the culture. Skilled craftsmen would carve a statue of the Jizo Bodhisattva, and the villagers would gather and line up, solemnly inviting the Jizo Bodhisattva statue to the entrance of the village as if it were a holiday."

"In order to move the heavy statue, the young people in the village would generally use a rope to tie the chin of the stone statue and carry the Jizo back-to-back. In this way, the Jizo Bodhisattva on the young person's back would look like someone hanging, hence the name Back-Carrying Jizo."

Uesugi Muneyuki demonstrated on the female anchor, using a towel back-to-back: "This method of killing makes people look like they committed suicide, but in reality, it is a homicide."

"Oh oh oh oh oh!"

Not to mention the audience in front of the TV, even the members of the Metropolitan Police Department's Investigation Division 1 on the scene rarely knew that one could actually kill like this?!

How does this guy know so much?

There was a great sound of admiration all around.

The reason why death by hanging could still be a homicide was thus clearly explained.

However, Shirakawa Mai did not seem surprised by this answer. She still maintained a questioning expression: "Junior has stated the method, but you cannot avoid the question! Junior! This is only the method of homicide; it is not evidence to conclude that it is a homicide!"

"Without evidence, you still cannot prove that it is a homicide!"

"You want evidence, right? I'll find it for you right now." Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Uesugi Muneyuki calmly curled the corners of his mouth: "Police Inspector Megure, everyone at the Metropolitan Police Department, can you trust me once?"

"We have always trusted you, Uesugi-kun." Police Inspector Megure nodded as a matter of course.

"Then follow me."

Uesugi Muneyuki signaled for everyone to follow him.

So he and Senior Mai were in the front, with the Fuji TV cameras behind, and a mighty crowd of hundreds followed closely behind Uesugi Muneyuki, walking through the dim corridor on the second basement floor.

He seemed to be looking for something, sniffing with his nose.

Are you really a corpse-finding dog?

Police Inspector Megure, following behind him, complained to himself once again.

However, it only took a dozen minutes or so for Uesugi Muneyuki to make a discovery.

He led the group into a storage room piled high with construction debris and set props, found a trace of blood on the floor, and then pointed at the ceiling: "If you trust me, smash the ceiling open!"

This was too easy for the Special Squad; after obtaining permission from Fuji TV, the special police officers easily smashed open the storage room ceiling with their tools.

Two items fell from the ceiling.

A blue Fuji TV staff uniform stained with blood, and a missing high-heeled shoe.

Under the eyes of everyone, the crowd was dumbfounded, and the entire scene was as quiet as a chicken.

President Kameyama swore that this was the widest his mouth had ever been opened in his entire life.

Even Minami Watanabe and Okada Keibu, who had rushed to the scene temporarily, were stunned, let alone Megure, who had handled the entire matter.

This works too?!

Having worked all day, Police Inspector Megure looked at the fallen Fuji TV staff uniform and the high-heeled shoe, rubbing his eyes vigorously; he thought he was hallucinating.

After rubbing them hard several times, Police Inspector Megure finally confirmed that this was real.

I once believed in science.

Everyone present, including the young man carrying the camera, subconsciously thought this in their hearts.

We once believed in science.

Over ten million people in the Kanto region thought the same.

"This is the evidence. Therefore, the perpetrator's profile is: at least 35 years old, has a history of living in the countryside, is physically strong and powerful, has worked at Fuji TV for a long time cleaning up debris, knew Ms. Hironaka before she died, wore this staff uniform before committing the crime, and is an internal employee who knows the underground structure of Fuji TV and is familiar with the surrounding environment."

Uesugi Muneyuki smiled and said: "This scope is already small enough, Police Inspector Megure."

"It is time for your Metropolitan Police Department to take the stage."

I once truly believed in science.

Everyone present sighed again.

To be able to deduce the characteristics of the murderer just from a cause of death—truly worthy of being a descendant of the Peerage!

"Immediately report what Uesugi-kun said to the Special Investigation Headquarters!" Police Inspector Megure arranged it immediately: "President Kameyama, we need your Fuji TV employee roster!"

"Okay..." President Kameyama's heart, which had just settled, rose again, and he glared angrily at Uesugi Muneyuki.

This kid, couldn't he just rule it a suicide? Why is there so much trouble!

Truly an unlikable guy.

However, it is also truly impossible to hate him.

————I am the divider line of being unable to hate————

After providing clear clues and a suspect profile, the Metropolitan Police Department finally allowed the deceased's family to see the female anchor's body.

Hironaka Mariko's father and mother both arrived, looking at their daughter who was lying on the rack, her face blue, emitting the stench of a corpse, and having been dead for a long time.

The father silently lowered his head, clenching his fists tightly, enduring it with all his might.

"Mariko?" Mrs. Hironaka could not be so restrained; she looked at her dead daughter in disbelief, reached out her hand, but touched a face that was completely cold and even slightly dissolved on the surface: "Mariko? Mariko!"

Her expression was like laughing and crying at the same time: "Mariko! Wake up, Mom is here to see you! Mariko! Mariko, ahhh!"

Crying was soon heard in the room.

"Please accept my condolences." Several police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department lowered their heads and put their hands together.

"Condolences? Condolences! Didn't I report it long ago? Didn't I ask you to find her long ago? Why were you so late, so late to come, why? Sob, sob, sob, sob~" Mrs. Hironaka neurotically grabbed the suit of one of the detectives, tearing at his collar.

"…………" The detective from Investigation Division 1 remained silent.

After a while, Hironaka Mariko's fiancé, Shimakawa Ren, also arrived; because of Uesugi Muneyuki's judgment, he was temporarily cleared of suspicion.

However, the fiancé, who was prepared to hold a wedding tomorrow, had no sad expression on his face; he was just silent, with a slightly regretful look on his face, unaware that all of this was seen by Kashiwagi Jin, the Star Inspector of the Third Division of Investigation Division 1.

"I still think he did it!" Kashiwagi Jin said viciously to Division Chief Mikasa: "Division Chief!"

"Well, although it is normal to suspect the fiancé first in such cases, we should still follow Uesugi-kun's judgment for now..." Division Chief Mikasa brushed it off.

"Tsk, what does a mere Forensic Pathologist know?" The Star Inspector looked disdainful: "Only those with the worst medical skills, who don't study hard, and have no morals go into forensics! They aren't even from the University of Tokyo Medical Department..."

"You, say less!" Division Chief Mikasa couldn't help but say: "Shimakawa's lawyer said they are going to complain about you for making random arrests."

"It's useless." Kashiwagi Jin didn't care about this at all; as a Career Track officer, he had read all the laws and regulations, the procedure was absolutely legal, and it was impossible for a lawyer to find any problems: "I am ready at any time."

Before he could say more, the local branch police officers who were watching the surveillance finally made a discovery!

"Division Chief! Division Chief!"

"Look at this!"

The surveillance video was projected onto the big screen.

A middle-aged man wearing a blue staff uniform, aged about 40, caught everyone's eyes.

The Metropolitan Police Department discovered that on the day of the estimated time of death, this middle-aged man passed by the monitored area on the first floor of the Fuji TV building as many as 5 times in just a few hours, and once he specifically sat on the stairs in front of the building to smoke, looking preoccupied.

At the same time, during his comings and goings, the blue staff uniform on his body was changed into a simple yellow work uniform and a cleaning apron.

In the surveillance camera, one could faintly see a dark red mark on his shoulder, a bit like a bloodstain, but it could also be a stain.

"This person is a major suspect!"

The Metropolitan Police Department immediately retrieved the Fuji TV employee roster and finally found this suspicious middle-aged man on the roster of dispatched employees.

"Fukushima Sozaburo! 39 years old, from Tochigi Prefecture, Dispatched Employee, tall and strong, has a history of living in the countryside, works in set design and cleaning at the station, is familiar with the underground structure of Fuji TV, was active at Fuji TV that day, and someone once saw him having a conversation with Ms. Hironaka Mariko!"

After the Special Investigation Headquarters retrieved this person's information, they recalled Uesugi Muneyuki's description during the live broadcast just now.

Com~plete~ly~ con~sis~tent!

We once truly believed in science!

This is the fourth update, the fifth update might be later, after 12 o'clock.

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(End of chapter)