Chapter 915

The killer is not someone known to Yamada Rinka. The killer used the identity of the 'Cat's Investigation Team'. He only needed to show up and say 'I'm here to check on the cat,' and the Yamada family would open the door, let him in, without suspicion, without resistance, without calling the police. Then he would have enough time to do whatever he wanted. And the only people who could follow Souda Sosuke, be familiar with his schedule, understand his physical characteristics, and have the physical strength and medical knowledge to handle a corpse are the teammates or staff of the Seibu Lions.

Uesugi Muneyuki shouted loudly: "If he's from the Seibu Lions, then those four kids... their chances are slim."

"He dumped Yamada Rinka's corpse beside the Comprehensive Sports Park to divert everyone's investigation, and if he has no connection to those four kids, then there's absolutely no need to keep them alive!"

Okada Masayoshi closed his notebook: "You mean the four kids might have already been dealt with?"

"Not might. If I were the killer, I wouldn't keep four living kids around me—they're liabilities. Corpses are easier to handle than living people. Kids are small, easier to move and hide than adults." Uesugi Muneyuki said in a deep voice.

"How to deal with them? Kobe City has already conducted a city-wide search, all crematoriums' incineration must match names, and there are blockades at the port..." Okada Masayoshi still didn't believe it: "And what about the motive?"

"Motive......" Uesugi Muneyuki fell silent for a moment.

The motive in the inner world is the best motive.

But he can't say it now.

But it doesn't matter. Once I catch the person and have ironclad evidence of the crime, will the police care what your motive is?

Uesugi Muneyuki took out his phone and dialed Kashiwagi Jin's number. The phone rang once and connected: "Kashiwagi, new theory. The killer is an insider of the Seibu Lions. Has physical strength, medical knowledge, can grasp Souda Sosuke's movements, can mimic his physique. Motive could be money, could be hatred, could also be related to that animal rescue organization. The four kids are very likely already dealt with."

He told all his theories to Lao Ren.

Kashiwagi Jin also immediately reacted, thinking: "Although the motive is still unclear, for now this is already the most likely conclusion. If so, I'll go investigate the Seibu Lions side."

"Now there's another problem, the corpses of the four kids......" Uesugi Muneyuki hesitated for a moment: "Do you think they're alive or dead?" "Life or death unknown, that means dead! If I were the killer, how could I possibly keep them?" Lao Ren thought for a moment, then suddenly said: "Wait, you just said, extreme animal protection organization, right?"

"Yes, the killer is definitely related to the extreme animal protection organization, that thing called 'Cat's Wall Outside Investigation Corps'......" Uesugi Muneyuki said: "When you investigate, pay attention to that."

"I don't mean that. My meaning is, animal rescue organizations often handle cat and dog corpses, they have channels, tools, experience. If the killer is from that organization, he can mix the kids' corpses with those of pets that died of illness or euthanasia, dispose of them, and raise no suspicion." Kashiwagi Jin said over the phone.

"!!!" Uesugi Muneyuki was stunned.

Exactly!

Lao Ren, you found the blind spot!!!

You really are useful, very useful!

Having you come to Kansai this time was truly the right call!

Nailed it, all nailed it!

Uesugi Muneyuki only felt all his blood rushing to his head!

If Lao Ren were here at the scene right now, he would definitely give Lao Ren a hot kiss, and even shove his tongue in!

Don't worry, Lao Ren, I will heavily reward Ming Sha Jie, together with your share!

"Good! Very good! You handle checking the Seibu Lions' staff and players, especially those who have had contact with the 'Cat's Investigation Team'. Check among them if anyone knows medicine, if anyone has had dealings with the animal protection organization!"

Uesugi Muneyuki immediately said to Kashiwagi Jin.

"Leave it to me." Kashiwagi Jin hung up the phone.

Uesugi Muneyuki put his phone back in his pocket, the sky outside the window had already begun to darken.

The outline of Mount Rokko in the twilight became more and more blurred, like an ink painting being soaked in water: "The killer left an adult woman's corpse outside to draw everyone's attention, just to make the kids disappear more thoroughly."

Okada Masayoshi still didn't fully understand, he thought for a moment and said: "But, the crematoriums in Kansai require matching names to process corpses, you can't just burn them!"

"Official ones won't work. Pet crematoriums can. Those institutions specialized in handling pet corpses don't need to register the deceased's name, as long as you pay, they'll handle it. He can mix the kids' corpses with animal corpses, send them in, burn them, leaving no trace." Uesugi Muneyuki interjected: "City-wide search. All pet crematoriums, animal disposal points, animal protection organization warehouses and strongholds, all to be checked!" Uesugi Muneyuki turned around, his gaze falling on Okada Masayoshi's face: "The focus is that organization's stronghold. The Kobe branch wasn't found. Osaka this side must have their warehouse or processing center. The kids might be there, or might have been there."

"Immediately notify Hyogo Prefecture Police Headquarters and Osaka Prefecture Police Headquarters, we need their help!"

"Eirina, notify Minami and them, the current investigation direction is completely changed!"

"Yes!" Eirina immediately stood up.

"As for Okada, you stay here for now." Uesugi Muneyuki glanced at Okada Masayoshi: "When our people arrive in Osaka, you'll take charge of command. Miss Shosuke, please do us a favor—if you can recall that organization's any address, contact method, or related persons in Osaka, please tell Okada."

"Okay......" Shosuke Menou hesitated and nodded, she is a respectable person, really doesn't want to show her face in this kind of thing, but now things have blown up this big, she also wants to do something, and incidentally clear her name from this organization.

As a noble young lady, she may be kind-hearted, but she's also not ignorant of those things.

Sacred Separator!

When Uesugi Muneyuki stepped out of the Shosuke family's main gate, his phone was already pressed to his ear.

The call connected to the duty room of Hyogo Prefecture Police Headquarters, the other end's voice hoarse from continuous overtime, having lost all patience: "I am Superintendent Uesugi Muneyuki of the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Mission Division."

"I need Hyogo Prefecture Police and Osaka Prefecture Police to cooperate in a city-wide search of all pet crematoriums, animal disposal points, and all strongholds of the 'Cat's Investigation Team' in Osaka and Kobe. Clear leads point to these locations, the four kids might be there. The sooner the better!" The other end fell silent for a moment, then came the sound of paper turning.

"No need to go through all that trouble, Uesugi-san." The voice on the phone, Hyogo Prefecture Police said with a hint of a smile: "Mr. Uesugi, we understand your...... enthusiasm. But currently we are fully focused on interrogating Souda Sosuke and Eto Miyabi. Souda Sosuke has already admitted to part of the facts, Eto Miyabi is undergoing her final psychological breakthrough. Your deduction that 'the killer is an insider of the Seibu Lions' currently has no supporting evidence. With Hyogo Prefecture Police's current manpower and time, we cannot simultaneously handle a city-wide search and interrogation."

"Eh?!" Uesugi Muneyuki was stunned.

"What did Souda Sosuke admit to? Did he admit to murder?"

"He admitted to having an affair with Yamada Rinka, admitted to borrowing money from her that day, admitted to coming back, as for the killing, it's almost done." The duty room's voice lowered: "As for Eto, she has already admitted to hiring a private detective to tail, the evidence chain is already complete, Superintendent Uesugi, we thank you for your contribution, but given the current situation......"

"You...... used torture to extract a confession?" Uesugi Muneyuki said subconsciously.

"No way!" The officer on the phone immediately reacted like a cat stepped on its tail, somewhat guilty and somewhat angry: "Please don't make wild guesses!"

These Kansai turtle grandsons, they definitely used torture to extract a confession!

Uesugi Muneyuki gritted his teeth, thinking: You damn dog bastards, just wait till I bring armored vehicles over from Kanto, I'll send you all flying to heaven! Damn it, must be fast!

Must find evidence before Souda Sosuke completely breaks down!

Torture to extract confession, fatigue tactic, not letting them sleep for dozens of hours, not letting them drink water, not letting them use the toilet, wearing down two ordinary people to the brink of mental collapse, then waiting for them to say anything that can be taken as a 'confession'.

Then this case will mysteriously close!

Must be fast!!!

Souda, you must hold on, grit your teeth!!!

Eirina stepped on the accelerator, speeding all the way toward Kobe.

Prepare, welcome, final, showdown!

This time, life or death at high speed!