Chapter 12 : The shadow of Public Security

“It seems like the Security Division has Mr. Yoshida’s smartphone”

While Kobayashi and Akechi were organizing files in the document storage room, Nakamura returned from inquiring with the Traffic Investigation Division and immediately shared the information. Kobayashi inquired further.

“Security Division? Which department is that?”

“It seems to be the Public Security Division. So, I inquired through the Traffic Investigation Division if they could temporarily release Mr. Yoshida’s smartphone to the Public Security Division, but they kept insisting on checking with the main headquarters. It’s frustrating,” 

“It’s possible they’ll brush it aside like that.  But honestly, why is Public Security getting involved in this?”

“It seems even the Traffic Investigation Division is unsure about it. Public Security apparently showed up right after the incident and took the smartphone. Then there was a lot of confusion, and they said it was accidentally left out of the evidence list,”

“It’s all quite unsettling. For now, please tell the Traffic Investigation Division to add it to the evidence list later,”

“Is there any connection to Mr. Yoshida’s workplace?”

Akechi inquired as he organized the documents into a file. Kobayashi replied.

“Defense Ministry, huh? It’s a possibility. Well, Public Security is incredibly secretive, so even if we ask, they probably won’t tell us. By the way, what was Mr. Yoshida’s job title? It’s so long I’ve forgotten.”

Akechi flipped through the file.

“hmm, he was a member of the Facility Technology Section in the Defense Ministry’s Equipment Planning Bureau.”

“That’s not an easy one to remember. What kind of work was he involved in?” 

“It seems that the Facility Technology Section is involved in creating standards and conducting research for the design of Self-Defense Force facilities nationwide.” Akechi answered while searching on his smartphone.

“Designing secret bases and then getting erased by foreign government spies, perhaps?” Nakamura asked Kobayashi with a serious expression. Kobayashi responded with a smile.

“Indeed, that sounds like something out of a movie. But if Public Security is involved, there might be some dangerous organization or individual connected to this. We need to be cautious,” 

“Is it still difficult to receive information from the Public Security Division? It would be more efficient if we could.” Akechi asked Kobayashi, putting away the smartphone in his pocket. Kobayashi answers with a sigh.

“It’s complicated. Conversely, we could find ourselves being asked for information without reciprocation, and they could even tell us to withdraw from this incident.”

“is that so…” Akechi slumped his shoulders.

“Well, if Public Security doesn’t meddle, we can continue without paying them much attention. The smartphone matter might agitate Public Security, so perhaps we should temporarily give up on it ?”

With that, Kobayashi placed both hands on his head and leaned back against the backrest of the pipe chair.

†　†　†

“At last, the coordination with the Ministry of Defense is complete!  They said they can make time tomorrow.”

Nakamura, who had been coordinating with the Ministry of Defense on her desk phone, returned to the document storage room. She reported to Kobayashi and Akechi while making a peace sign with her right hand.

“Oh, you managed to schedule the appointment. Thank you!”

Kobayashi congratulated Nakamura, and as Nakamura skipped over, she sat in the pipe chair opposite to Kobayashi but next to Akechi. Nakamura gave Akechi a high-five, to which Akechi hastily responded. While watching them with a smile, Kobayashi spoke to the two.

“Well then, who was it that we were supposed to talk to tomorrow?”

Akechi answered while looking at his notes. “Yes, it’s Takayuki Takayanagi and Daisuke Kadono. They were said to have been drinking with Yoshida-san on the day of the incident. Both of them are Yoshida-san’s subordinates, and they belong to the Protective Facilities Division.”

“They’re what Yoshida-san’s wife referred to as ‘close colleagues,’ right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. If we can talk to these two, we might learn about any work-related issues Yoshida-san had and get insights into what happened on the day of the incident. Additionally, we might uncover hints related to what Yoshida-san mentioned on the phone, such as ‘BC’ and ‘while I’m here.'”

“Exactly. Alright, let’s put in our best effort tomorrow!”

“Yes !”

“Roger !”

Upon hearing Kobayashi’s encouragement, Akechi and Nakamura chimed in.

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Translated by : Cutae30