Miwako Sato's Deduction / You Really Can't Compare to Them

Keizao's reaction was to carefully confirm his wife's death, and then inexplicably seem to breathe a sigh of relief.

Then, he suddenly started cleaning up the books that had fallen all over the place, and even tried to right the fallen bookshelf.

Seeing that this guy was trying to destroy the evidence at the scene, even though Jiang Hang still didn't know whether this guy was the murderer of his wife or how the other guy had done it, Jiang Hang simply pushed open the door and "just happened" to see Masuo Keizo lifting a bookshelf.

As expected of a bank branch manager, Masuo Keizo is undoubtedly a master at speaking to people in a way that suits them perfectly.

After Jiang Hang caught him in the act, without any premeditation, tears welled up in his eyes, and he put on a sorrowful expression.

"Can you help me? I just want to move the bookshelf that's pressing down on her."

His answer sounded perfectly normal. If it weren't for the tear in the corner of his eye that he had forced out, Jiang Hang might have actually thought the other person was a very emotional person.

Therefore, when faced with this situation, Jiang Hang simply looked at the other party with a serious expression. "These are all evidence from the scene. Before the police have finished their investigation, I hope that nothing here will be touched by anyone else."

After seeing what Masuo Keizo just done, Jiang Hang knew that he was definitely involved in this case, and that he might even be the mastermind behind it.

But in this situation, if Masuo Keizo is indeed the suspect, then what method did he use to murder his wife over the phone?

Was it a pre-arranged partnership, or some other special method?

While informing Takagi Wataru and the others to come down, Jiang Hang was thinking about the matter in his mind.

Chapter 306: Chapter 304: Miike Sato's reasoning

"The victim was Masuo Kayo, 42 years old. The murder weapon was a fruit knife stuck in her back. Apart from the overturned bookshelf, there were no signs of struggle at the scene, so it should have been a fatal stab wound."

At the crime scene, Miike Sato is recording the details of the case.

Takagi Wataru also looked at the deceased's body with a serious expression.

"There was some sweat on the victim's neck, which means that she was very likely exercising on an exercise bike when she was killed by the murderer."

Other police cars had arrived and began investigating and collecting evidence at the scene.

"Based on the time of death, the perpetrator must have committed the crime when the victim screamed while answering the phone." As she said this, Miike Sato stood to the side with a somber Masuo Keizo.

The man in his fifties collapsed to the ground, clutching his head. He nodded painfully to Miike Sato, indicating that he had indeed heard his wife's dying screams on the phone.

"If I had known this would happen, I should have gone home first and taken her directly to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department," Masuo Keizo said with some self-reproach.

Miike Sato comforted the other person, telling them not to be too sad, "We police will definitely catch the culprit who murdered your wife!"

After examining the body's condition, Takagi Wataru frowned slightly.

He looked around but found that Jiang Hang was nowhere to be found at the crime scene.

He originally intended to ask Jiang Hang if he had made any discoveries and to tell Jiang Hang about the strangeness of the scene. But he had just left the crime scene when he bumped into Ninzaburo Shiratori, who had just arrived.

"Inspector Shiratori, what brings you here?" Wataru Takagi asked Ninzaburo Shiratori with some curiosity.

"Since Inspector Megure is in charge of investigating that bank robbery case, I've been assigned to handle this one. How's your investigation going?"

"We haven't found any clues related to the murderer yet. We only found signs of damage on the window in the hallway. Our initial conclusion is that the murderer broke into the house through the window and killed the victim." Takagi Wataru briefly explained the situation to Ninzaburo Shiratori.

"Didn't the murderer leave any clues? Interesting." Ninzaburo Shiratori said softly, seeing that Takagi Wataru seemed to be searching for someone, and couldn't help but ask with some curiosity.

Are you looking for someone?

Wataru Takagi mentioned Jiang Hang, Ninzaburo Shiratori nodded.

Although he hasn't worked on many cases with Jiang Hang yet, Jiang Hang has helped the Investigation Division One so much, and the two have met and chatted.

"I was planning to congratulate Jiang Hang on becoming a consultant to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department today, but I was delayed by other cases. I didn't expect him to be here right now." Ninzaburo Shiratori said, but his gaze suddenly fell on Miike Sato was investigating at the scene.

He frowned, walked past Takagi Wataru, and went to Miike Sato's side.

"I remember Sato, your injuries haven't fully healed yet, so how did you end up at the crime scene? Didn't anyone stop you?"

Upon hearing Ninzaburo Shiratori's words, Takagi Wataru's expression behind him became somewhat subtle.

There were two reasons for his subtle expression. First, he hadn't stopped Miike Sato back then, and he figured he'd get a lecture from Inspector Megure after the case was over.

The second reason is because of the friendly tone in which Hyakki Ninzaburo speaks.

He had heard before about Ninzaburo Shiratori's ambiguous attitude towards Miike Sato.

The thought that such a wealthy young man, who was also a professional elite who had passed the national civil service exam, might become his rival in love made Takagi Wataru's heart pound.

However, he remembered that he was still at work and quickly shifted his attention back to his work. But he couldn't help but keep his eyes on Miike Sato, wanting to know what her attitude was towards Ninzaburo Shiratori.

As for Miike Sato, she waved her hand dismissively. "I told you long ago that there's nothing wrong with my health. The doctor said there's nothing to worry about, but you just never believed me."

"Besides, even if my injuries haven't fully healed, I'm already here. Why bother talking about this? Let's focus on finding clues at the scene."

Holding her notebook, Miike Sato spoke about the case before Ninzaburo Shiratori could say anything else, "I suspect this case may have been committed by the robbers from that bank robbery, because the victim contacted us last night, saying she remembered some things about the robbers and arranged to come to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department this afternoon to explain."

"Moreover, the victim was on the phone when she was attacked, and it happened to be Mr. Masuo Keizo calling from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. If it were just a regular burglary, and the burglar heard that the other party was about to leave, he would not have had the intention to kill the victim at that moment."

"Only those robbers would be worried that the victim would reveal things about them over the phone, so they would kill her before she contacted the police."

Miike Sato briefly explained Masuo Keizo's identity to Ninzaburo Shiratori, suggesting that the two cases could be discussed together.

Miike Sato pointed to the bookcase lying next to Masuo Kayo: "We've checked this bookcase. Its shelves were removed beforehand, and there's enough space inside for a person to hide."

"Furthermore, the bookshelf was covered with a dark curtain, making it difficult to detect even if someone was hiding there. Perhaps the perpetrator hid there beforehand, and after hearing the victim talking to the police, rushed out, killed the victim, and fled the scene. The bookshelf was probably knocked over by the murderer at that moment."

"Your analysis makes a lot of sense. There's a high probability that these two cases are related. I'll contact Inspector Megure now and see if they have any information about the robbers." After listening to Miike Sato's analysis, Ninzaburo Hyakutori nodded and decided to contact Inspector Megure first to ask about the situation.

He then gave instructions to the other officers. "Go check the nearby surveillance footage and also ask the local residents if they saw any suspicious people in the past few days."

Watching the teamwork between Miike Sato and Ninzaburo Shiratori, Takagi Wataru sighed inwardly.

To be honest, the two of them are quite a good match. At least compared to Ninzaburo Shiratori, he himself doesn't have much confidence.

It was at this moment that he saw Jiang Hang coming down from upstairs carrying something.

He quickly put aside his other thoughts and walked towards Jiang Hang, asking him what Jiang Hang thought about the case.

Chapter 307: Chapter 305: You really can't compare to them.

"This case is being handled by Officer Shiratori, right? Your love rival?" Jiang Hang said to Takagi Wataru as soon as he came down the stairs.

With his Eagle Eye, he had already seen Ninzaburo Shiratori coming over, and he even saw the tension that had just appeared on Takagi Wataru's face.

Upon hearing Jiang Hang's question, Takagi Wataru's expression immediately turned flustered.

"Jiang Hang, don't talk nonsense. Sato is just my colleague and friend, and I don't consider Inspector Shiratori a rival in love."

Jiang Hang nodded at Takagi Wataru's insincerity. "To be fair, he is indeed an elite in the professional group. He is a police inspector in his early twenties, and he will at least become a superintendent in the future. Moreover, the Shiratori family is a famous family. In this respect, Wataru Takagi, you really can't compare with him."

Seeing Takagi Wataru's ashen face, Jiang Hang patted Takagi Wataru on the shoulder. "It's okay. Even though you can't compare to him in anything, I will still support you."

Takagi Wataru restrained himself from asking Jiang Hang how he could support him, and forced the conversation back to the case. "Jiang Hang, I have a feeling that there's something strange about this case."

He told Jiang Hang the deduction that Miike Sato had just made, which was that the bank robbers were afraid of being exposed, so they took the opportunity to sneak into this house, hide in the bookshelf, and kill Masuo Kayo after she Masuo Kayo that she was on good terms with the police.

"Sato's reasoning sounds reasonable, but there's something awkward about it... as if it's too deliberate."

Hearing Takagi Wataru's words, Jiang Hang raised an eyebrow. "Congratulations, your intuition was right this time. Everything at the crime scene was actually staged."

Takagi Wataru blinked slightly, then his expression changed, and even his voice lowered. "You know the identity of the murderer?"

Jiang Hang smiled and joked, "Do you need me to tell you the truth directly so you can save face in front of Sato?"

"Don't joke with me. If Sato finds out about this, I really won't have any chance at all." Takagi Wataru was quite principled on this matter, and he quickly waved his hand at Jiang Hang.

"Then good luck to you. Oh, and here, take this." Jiang Hang handed the not-so-thick photo album to Takagi Wataru.

Takagi Wataru took the photo album and opened it with some confusion. "A photo album? Is there something in here... Hmm, why are some of the people in the photos circled?"

Jiang Hang replied, "Go investigate these people who have been locked up; perhaps that will solve the bank robbery case."

Upon receiving this answer, Takagi Wataru's eyes widened. "What... this should be the Masuo family's photo album, right? You mean, Masuo Keizo's friend planned this bank robbery?"

"No wonder those robbers were so familiar with the bank's layout and the Masuo family's situation during the robbery... It's likely that Mrs. Masuo noticed some clues on the kidnappers and recognized them..."

"It's even possible that Mr. Masuo mentioned to his friends that they were going to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department this afternoon, and those people couldn't sit still, which is why they made their move today," he muttered to himself, but he still felt that something was wrong.

"No... If he is Mr. Masuo's friend, then there's no reason why Mrs. Masuo would recognize him while Mr. Masuo wouldn't... Could it be..." Takagi Wataru seemed to have thought of a bold possibility. He looked at Jiang Hang, still somewhat uncertain.

"Let's go, let's put a period to this case, which has a somewhat ironic truth, as soon as possible."

At the crime scene, Ninzaburo Shiratori confirmed once again that the murderer was not a thief, based on the fact that no valuables were missing from the house.

Seeing Takagi Wataru follow Jiang Hang in, Ninzaburo Shiratori greeted Jiang Hang and congratulated him on becoming a consultant to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

"We really owe you a lot for the Kyosuke Kazato case; otherwise, Sato might have been attacked again."

Jiang Hang waved his hand. "There's no need to talk about cases that have already passed. Officer Sato has already thanked me. Let's get back to this case."

He looked at Masuo Keizo, who was still slumped to the side, his eyes vacant.

"Mr. Masuo, could you tell me how you're feeling right now?"

In response to Jiang Hang's question, Miike Sato leaned close to Jiang Hang and whispered, "It's best to let Mr. Masuo have some peace and quiet right now. He must be feeling really bad."

"I just want to know what it feels like to kill your own wife. Mr. Masuo, the regret on your face right now is not an act, is it?"

The meaning revealed in Jiang Hang's words surprised almost everyone present, even Takagi Wataru, who had already guessed it, looked somewhat surprised.

"Jiang Hang, are you saying that Mr. Masuo is the murderer? How is that possible? Have you forgotten that Mr. Masuo was at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department when Mrs. Masuo was murdered?" Miike Sato immediately raised the key question in response to Jiang Hang's words.

She looked at Takagi Wataru: "Wataru Takagi, back then, you also had a few words with Mrs. Masuo, right? That alone proves that Mrs. Masuo's phone call wasn't a recording, right?"

Takagi Wataru nodded. He could confirm that the caller, Mrs. Masuo, was not recording the conversation, and the call logs on the phone found near the crime scene also proved this.

He was also a little confused at this moment. He originally thought that Jiang Hang wanted to say that all of this was done by Masuo Keizo's accomplices, but now it seems that the murderer in this case is Masuo Keizo alone.

Upon hearing Jiang Hang's words, Masuo Keizo's expression also changed drastically.

He wiped his forehead. "This... Mr. Consultant, I don't quite understand what you mean."

In response, Jiang Hang took out gloves, put them on, walked to the seemingly inconspicuous exercise bike next to the corpse, reached out and squeezed, and pulled out a thin thread, which was either a kite line or a fishing line, from the gap in the exercise bike's foot pedals.

Then, right in front of Masuo Keizo, he took down a small sign from the bookshelf that read "This Month's Fitness Goals," and hooked the knotted end of the thread onto the thumbtack that had been used to hang the sign.

After doing all this, Jiang Hang looked at Masuo Keizo, whose face had become even more unpleasant.

"I've already come this far. If you want to see more, I can continue until I've demonstrated all your techniques. Would you like to continue watching?"

Chapter 308: Chapter 306: The Ironic Reason for Murder

Seeing Jiang Hang's actions, Masuo Keizo's eyes became somewhat shocked, seemingly surprised that Jiang Hang had cracked his modus operandi in such a short time.

But seemingly convinced that he hadn't given anything away, he still didn't seem inclined to admit it. "What are you talking about? I don't know what you mean. Do you think I'm the murderer of my wife?"

Listening to Masuo Keizo's explanation, Miike Sato, who was standing to the side, clearly saw the hesitation on his face when Jiang Hang questioned him. Despite being a detective for so many years, she still couldn't help but have a ridiculous idea.

Just moments ago, she was thinking about how to calm down Masuo Keizo, who had lost his wife, but as Jiang Hang spoke, she couldn't help but have some doubts about the truth of the matter.

As Jiang Hang Masuo Keizo's original method of murder, Takagi Wataru, standing behind him, finally realizes what exactly is wrong that he has sensed since entering the crime scene.

The knife pierced Masuo Kayo's vital area from the back in a horizontal direction.

This is very unusual.

When an ordinary person holds a knife to attack someone, whether they are holding it upright or backward, they will generally hold the knife vertically in their hand. Even if the direction of the thrust is slightly off, it is absolutely impossible to attack by holding the knife horizontally like this.

At least after Takagi Wataru tried it himself, he felt that this way of holding the knife was really awkward.

"No wonder it's like this. Just tie the two ends of the thread to the foot pedal of the exercise bike and the bookshelf respectively, and then install the knife on the bookshelf. In this way, as long as Masuo uses the exercise bike to exercise, the thread will slowly be wound up. Once it reaches a certain point, the bookshelf will be pulled down, and then the knife will stab Masuo horizontally into her back."

Takagi Wataru rested his chin on his hand, analyzing the case.

"Moreover, once the bookcase falls over, due to the angle, the thread will easily detach from the thumbtack it was originally hanging on and get completely caught in the bearing. Even if the bookcase is found lying on top of the corpse, it would be difficult to think of this place."

"If that's the case, then even if the murder were committed elsewhere, the same method would be used to commit the crime," he said, his gaze fixed on Masuo Keizo, as if to suggest that his alibi was no longer valid.

But before Masuo Keizo could say anything else, Ninzaburo Shiratori was the first to raise doubts about this method.

He looked at Jiang Hang and Takagi Wataru: "This reasoning is very interesting, but there are two things we need to confirm first. One is that if the pedal suddenly becomes heavy, it should be easy for someone to notice. The second is how the knife was installed on the bookshelf without the victim noticing it?"

Ninzaburo Shiratori's question left Takagi Wataru somewhat speechless.

He frowned slightly, seemingly unable to come up with a reasonable explanation for the moment.

But when he saw Masuo Keizo to the side, covered in sweat, he seemed to remember something and immediately asked Masuo Keizo, "I remember when we first arrived here, Mr. Masuo, you told us to go to other places to investigate first, and you came here first, right?"

"In other words, it's possible that you tampered with the crime scene before we arrived."

Upon hearing Wataru Takagi's question, Masuo Keizo wiped his forehead and then quickly claimed his innocence.