Chapter 696: Chapter 439: Bathing Together
Fushimi Roku summed up the investigation information from the police and the mob in his mind.
Currently, it can be confirmed that the two deceased were killed in Otaru and Sapporo City, respectively. Both were stabbed to death in an alley, and there were witnesses who pointed to Kujo Hikari.
This is quite puzzling.
According to Fushimi Roku’s speculation—he doesn’t bother with reasoning, usually just guesses based on experience—Kujo Hikari should have killed at least and at most only one person. After all, the death locations for both were in unfamiliar alleys. In these unsettled times, two pretty women have no reason to venture into alleys.
This would mean that the killer knew the victims well, possibly even luring them into the alleys for the kill.
Adding the eyewitness accusations, Kujo Hikari is the prime suspect.
But here’s the problem; he couldn’t be in two places killing two people at the same time.
Fushimi Roku vaguely realized the true purpose behind Kujo Mutsumi asking him to investigate the murders.
If Kujo Hikari killed a mistress, Kujo Mutsumi would probably cover it up as if nothing happened; if it were the wife, he’d need to give an explanation to the in-laws, most likely punishing his son... Whatever choice is made, knowing the truth is essential to make a decision.
If investigated internally by the Kujo Family, fairness and justice would be hard to achieve; if entirely handed over to outsiders, family shame might be exposed, and they could get caught by others.
It seems, after pondering, only Fushimi Roku and Minamoto Tamako are suitable for the investigation.
One is a not-so-close granddaughter, and the other is a grandson-in-law, related by blood but not by emotion.
Fushimi Roku came back to himself, looked at Minamoto Tamako, and asked back, "What are you so smug about? Did you solve the case?"
Minamoto Tamako was about to say, ’Of course I can solve it,’ but then realized this must be a trap and quickly changed her tone, saying, "I, I’m not smug at all, whether the case is solved or not, it’s none of my business, I’m just here to hear some gossip, that’s all."
Fushimi Roku gave her a sidelong glance. Her intelligence seemed to have bounced back today, perhaps from working all day, regaining some composure.
He scooped crab roe and crab paste into the bowl, mixed it with rice while stirring, and said, "So we’re going to continue the ’Rumor Deduction’ today?"
"Sure, sure," Minamoto Tamako also picked up her chopsticks, grabbing a piece of crab meat: "Did you hear any rumors today?"
Fushimi Roku feigned doubt: "I did hear some, but not as definite as yours... By the way, where did you hear such definite rumors? Is there really anyone discussing this stuff on the street?"
Minamoto Tamako felt guilty, lifting her bowl to hide her little face with the porcelain, pretending to bury herself in eating: "Of course there is, you’re not a local of Hokkaido, not knowing the local customs is perfectly normal."
Then, she hurriedly changed the subject: "Quickly, tell me, what rumors did you hear today?"
Fushimi Roku shrugged, used a wooden spoon to scoop a sloppy bite of mixed rice, and while eating, mumbled, "I heard that neither of the deceased bought a hit nor did the suspect’s husband, and there’s probably no accomplice..."
"Eh? How are you so sure?" Minamoto Tamako persistently asked.
Fushimi Roku felt annoyed, playing deaf and dumb for half the day, pretending to be an idiot was one thing, but coming up with excuses when being undermined like this? Is the nightly rumor deduction game still going to be played or not?
"The fish sellers at Otaru Pier are mob-related; they’re familiar with the area, and there aren’t many people, just a question away to know if anyone made money or fled recently." Fushimi Roku asked back, "Where did you hear it from?"
"Ah, uh, well, I..." Minamoto Tamako lowered her head again.
Fushimi Roku sneered secretly, not pursuing further, a slight nudge was enough: "What do you think? Without accomplices and the victims not hiring hits, how did the suspect commit the crime at two places simultaneously?"
Minamoto Tamako sighed in relief and instinctively wanted to raise her small hand to support her chin, but suddenly remembered something, paused her action, returned to her room to find a small prop purchased today, unwrapped it right in front of Fushimi Roku.
Fushimi Roku smacked his lips as he ate the mixed rice, like a mukbang host, his mouth full of sticky stuff. He glanced up and saw Minamoto Tamako holding a pipe she somehow got, placing it at her mouth, pretending to puff it, supporting the bowl with her small hand, her eyes unfocused with a deep and serious gaze.
"...What are you doing?" Fushimi Roku licked the rice grain from the side of his mouth.
Minamoto Tamako glanced at him, feeling a mix of pity and anger for his lack of progress. As a member of the deduction squad, licking rice grains with a tongue, such shabbiness, and no style, how could it ever highlight the team captain’s wisdom and greatness?
The subordinates are the face of the leader, after all!
As her loyal assistant, she felt it necessary for Fushimi Roku to spruce up a bit, pulling out a rectangular box from her room, handing it to Fushimi Roku: "Open it and see, it’s a little gift from me."
"Oh, thoughtful now."
Fushimi Roku was quite pleased, reaching out to take it, asking while tearing it open: "Why so sudden, aren’t we in the middle of playing Rumor Deduction..."
He ripped the packaging open in a matter of seconds, opened the box to find a cane inside.
"What’s this about?" Fushimi Roku grabbed the end of the cane, swinging it like a sword, and asked, "Am I supposed to use this to knock your head?"
"What an idiot!"
Minamoto Tamako snatched it over, demonstrating its correct usage.
She sat on a chair, propped the cane in front, rested her hands on top of it, leaned forward slightly, posing like a thinker, using the cane head and palms to cover half of her face, revealing a deeply thoughtful and serious expression.