The First Investigation of Rookie Career Police Officer Akechi - Chapter 36
Chapter 36 : What’s inside the cargo bed.
The three of them gasped when they saw the black motorcycle loaded at the back of the truck’s cargo bed. The man took out a Styrofoam box from the loading platform, closed the loading platform door, and entered the Aijien store.
Nakamura, with a surprised expression, alternated between looking at Akechi and Kobayashi as she spoke.
“I only saw it for a moment, but it was the same type of motorcycle that hit Vice Director Nagayama.”
Kobayashi and Akechi nodded in agreement. Kobayashi muttered.
“Possibility, just possibility…”[1]
“I understand now! It was a truck.”
Akechi suddenly shouted, taking everyone by surprise. Kobayashi and Nakamura, taken aback, turned their attention towards Akechi.
“After hitting Vice Director Nagayama at Oji, the black motorcycle moved to Akabane, left a tire mark on Yoshida-san’s neck, and fled somewhere. Even though it must have traveled a significant distance, it wasn’t captured on any security cameras or the like. It’s as if it vanished…”
Akechi’s sparkling eyes shone even brighter. Because he was in a school uniform, he appeared even more innocent than usual.
“…In the first place, it wasn’t even moving. It was being transported on a truck through an area without any surveillance cameras!”
“Natchy! Use your smartphone to take a full shot of that truck, including the license plate. Also, call our station and Oujikita Station’s traffic investigation division.”
“Roger !”
Without wasting any time, Nakamura started taking action.
†?†?†
“…. Yeah, yes, I understood. Please take care of it.”
After hanging up the phone with those words, Nakamura sighed and began to speak to Kobayashi and Akechi.
“There’s good news, bad news, and worse news. Which one do you want to hear first?”
“Good news first.”
While sipping on coffee, Kobayashi replied without hesitation, and Nakamura nodded.
“Both our station and Oji Kita Station are going to search for any matching trucks in the surveillance camera data around the crime scene. Additionally, our station will confirm the number of this truck.”
“How about the bad news ?”
“Just now, there was a significant traffic accident on Kitamoto Street involving multiple cars, and both station’s traffic divisions are currently dealing with it. Consequently, image and license plate checks will need to be postponed until tomorrow.”
“And what’s the worst news?”
“They’re asking us to monitor this truck until a replacement from our station arrives. The replacement personnel are expected to arrive around 9 a.m. tomorrow, but it might be delayed depending on the situation with the Kitamoto Street accident.”
“At least an all-nighter is guaranteed… Well, it’s a common thing in the police. And it’s better that there’s three people here. Let’s do our best.”
With those words, Kobayashi stuffed the remaining sandwich into his mouth.
†?†?†
It was past 8 p.m. After taking turns to go to the restroom, the three of them passed the time with occasional small talk. Suddenly, Akechi noticed the ring on Kobayashi’s left ring finger and asked him about it.
“Thinking about it again, police work is quite a tough job, isn’t it? Are your family members worried, Kobayashi-san?”
Kobayashi, still facing the front, crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back in the driver’s seat as he responded.
“…Yeah, they’re probably worried, but they also understand the nature of this job. Over the past few years, my wife and son have not had a single complaint.”
“I see, that’s wonderful to have a supportive and understanding family.”
Akechi said that and took a sip of strawberry milk. As Nakamura was about to say something, Kobayashi suddenly sat up in the driver’s seat and exclaimed.
“H-hey, isn’t that Haruki?”
A familiar-looking tall man in a suit with thin hair came to the front of Aijien’s shop.
“Can you believe he’s coming on the first day of the stakeout… Is this also something common in the police?”
Akechi asked, and Kobayashi provided an answer.
“I’d like to say that, but it’s the first time I’ve seen so many things happen on the first day.”
Kobayashi laughed. After confirming that Haruki had entered the store, Kobayashi turned around and spoke to Akechi and Nakamura.
“This is our chance. Let’s divide into two groups. Akechi and I will enter the store, and Natchi, you can continue monitoring the truck. Natchy, do you need a bathroom break?”
“I went to the convenience store earlier, so I’m fine. If it gets really bad, I’ll call one of our off-duty colleagues!” Nakamura answered with a smile.
“Thanks. Well, I don’t expect anything to happen, but in case of an emergency situation inside the store, contact either the station’s traffic division or the detective division, or reach out to Inspector Namiko Hazue from the headquarters’ Public Security Department and act according to their instructions. The decision is up to you.”
Just like that, Kobayashi gave Inspector Namiko Hazue’s phone number to Nakamura.
“Roger ! Good luck.”
Dressed in a One Piece costume, Nakamura saluted, and her untied hair swayed slightly.
1. They’re using ‘???????????????’(Hyottoshitara, Hyottosuruzo). This expression conveys the idea that something you never thought would happen has become a reality. Usually, this sentence is associated with positive outcomes and surprises, but they can occasionally be used in a more cautious or negative sense.?
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Translated by : Cutae30