When Bro Squints, Life or Death Is Uncertain

Juzo Megure turned around to greet the old man, then introduced him to everyone. "This is Mr. Dejima, the first eyewitness at the scene of this incident."

Mr. Dejima wore an orange jacket over a white shirt. Though he appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, he looked remarkably alert and energetic.

Fujino sized Mr. Dejima up before asking, "Besides the license plate number and model, did you see anything else?"

"For instance, what the driver looked like."

The old man named Dejima looked at Fujino and immediately recognized who he was.

After thinking briefly, he said, "I didn't see them very clearly, but I did make out their general outlines. The driver was a young man, and there was a young woman in the passenger seat."

"Are you certain?"

Fujino's gaze sharpened, and his tone grew more serious. "Please try to recall their appearances carefully. For example, if you saw them again, would you recognize them?"

"Yes, I'm certain."

Mr. Dejima spoke solemnly.

"Also, before that child died, he asked me to pass a message on to his mother."

"I'm doing well here, so don't worry. I'll definitely come home during summer vacation..."

As he spoke, he bowed slightly, almost pleadingly. "Detective Fujino, please make sure you catch that criminal."

"I will."

Fujino gave a slight bow in reply.

Watching the two of them, Juzo Megure quietly grumbled to himself.

Shouldn't people normally ask us police officers to handle this sort of thing?

Why did he go straight to Fujino?

Could it be that he doesn't trust the police?

Still, despite his grumbling, he did not feel embarrassed.

All he could say was that he had gotten used to it.

The police still had their reputation, and the public would cooperate during investigations, but when all was said