"Sumire Sindo? Got it. Give me the address."
Ending the call succinctly, Gin lifted his chin, signaling Vodka to change course.
"Hachioji City?" Glancing at the message that had popped up on his phone, Vodka did a quick calculation and shook his head. "Even taking the fastest exit, it'll be hard to get there before the cops. We probably won't have time to interrogate her or take her away."
"Interrogate her? There's no need." Gin lit a cigarette and calmly stated the facts as he watched the traffic continue to stream through the night. "Kill her, then wait there."
According to Irish, Sumire Sindo had been emotional and forceful when she contacted the police. Coupled with her request for police protection, the killer likely knew full well that she had discovered his identity.
Whether or not she was truly his next target, the killer should come after her to do something, if only for self-preservation.
As long as Sumire Sindo was still home when they arrived, all they had to do was wait by the tree stump for the rabbit to come.
"So, we're just ignoring the cops?" Vodka nodded. He had no doubts about Gin's decision, but still sought confirmation.
The case had made no progress, and the police were already at their wits' end. It was hard to say how they would react to this new lead.
"No need to worry about those cops. Before they get definite information on Sumire Sindo, they won't deploy much manpower." Believing himself well acquainted with the police's methods, Gin took out his phone and dialed another number.
"Hello. It's me."
"Knock, knock, knock—"
Hearing the noise at the door, Sumire Sindo, who was sitting in the middle of the living room with a carving knife clutched in her hand, jolted