“Did anything happen while this man was there?”
“No, nothing happened. He didn’t cause any trouble. But, as I told you, since he was a total stranger who appeared in the area, I thought it might have some bearing on your inquiry, so I just wanted to mention it.”
“Thank you very much. Was there anything that the man did to attract the attention of the villagers?”
“It’s a very small matter, but we can’t deny that something like that did occur,” the chief inspector of the Iwaki station continued. “This may be perfectly normal, but in a country area without any excitement, this man’s behavior did attract the attention of the villagers. It’s hard to explain in detail over the telephone…”
It seemed that the chief inspector was suggesting that someone be sent to that area to continue the investigation.
“Thank you so much. We may be sending someone from here to investigate. If we do, please cooperate with him.”
“Yes, certainly.”
That was the end of the telephone conversation. Chief Kurozaki lit a cigarette and stared at the ceiling as he exhaled. Then he put his elbows on his desk and thought for a while.
An investigation meeting was called.
“Is everyone here?” the chief asked the men assembled in the room. “Contrary to our initial expectation, this case is causing us enormous trouble. At this point, we have no knowledge of the movements of the victim. The man he was talking to at the Torys bar is the prime suspect, but we have nothing on him either. The only hope we have is the name Kameda.” The chief wearily drank some tea. Taking a breath, he continued, “According to the phone report I just received from Iwaki station, there was a man wandering around the Kameda area about two days before our inquiry reached them, meaning a week ago. We couldn’t get details over the telephone, but I think this Kameda is a very important lead at this point. The telephone call indicated that it would be beneficial if we sent one of our men to that area. What do you think?”
All of those in attendance agreed. The investigation was currently at a standstill. They were willing to grasp at straws. It was decided that someone should be sent to Kameda.
“Imanishi,” the chief said, “you were the one who found the place name. It’ll mean more work, but will you go?”
The meeting room tables were arranged in a U shape. From about the center of one side, Imanishi nodded his head.
“Good. And I’d like someone else to go along. Yoshimura?” the chief said, looking in the other direction.
At the back, a young man stood up.
“I’ll do as you ask,” replied the young detective, Yoshimura Hiroshi.
TWO Kameda
Imanishi Eitaro returned home at about six o’clock that evening.
“You’re home awfully early,” his wife greeted him with surprise.
“I’m not early. I have to go on a business trip. I’m leaving tonight, right away.”
Imanishi flipped off his shoes and walked into the sitting room.
“Where are you going?”
“To the northeast, near Akita,” was all he said. Yoshiko was close-mouthed, but there was no guarantee that she might not let something slip out about her husband’s whereabouts. Imanishi was very cautious.
“What time is your train?”
“It leaves Ueno Station at nine p.m.”
“Does this mean that you’ve discovered who the murderer is?” she asked.
“Nothing like that. We haven’t even found a suspect.”
“Then is it a stakeout?”
“No, it’s not.” Imanishi became slightly irritated.
“I’m glad, then,” Yoshiko said.
“What are you glad about?”
“I’d be worried if you were going on a stakeout or if you were picking up a suspect. If it’s just an investigation, it’s not dangerous, so I feel relieved,” she answered.
Actually, Imanishi himself felt at ease about this trip. All he had to do was to go to the Kameda area and make some inquiries. But if he didn’t come up with results, he would lose face at investigation headquarters.
“Who will be going with you?”
Detectives never traveled alone. They were always paired up with a partner.
“I’ll be going with Yoshimura,” Imanishi answered.
“Oh, Yoshimura-
“No. We’re getting on the train separately.”
Imanishi reached Ueno Station at 8:40 p.m. The limited express train bound for Akita was already at the platform. Imanishi took a stealthy glance around. He didn’t see anyone who looked like a newspaper reporter. He continued to be cautious, going to the kiosk on the platform to buy a pack of cigarettes rather than entering the train right away. Yoshimura was nowhere to be seen. He smoked one of the cigarettes from the pack he had bought.
He felt a tap on his shoulder. “Hey, Imanishi-
Imanishi turned around in surprise. Yamashita, a reporter, was smiling at him.
“Where are you going so late at night?”
“I have a bit of business in Niigata,” Imanishi answered.
“Niigata?”
It might have been his imagination, but to Imanishi it looked as though Yamashita’s eyes glittered.
“Did something happen in Niigata?”
“No, nothing.”
“That’s strange. You’re busy with that railroad yard murder, aren’t you? For you to be going off to Niigata sounds fishy to me.”
“There’s nothing fishy about it,” Imanishi retorted, acting annoyed. “My wife’s family lives in Niigata. Her father died, so I’m on my way there. I just got the telegram.”
“Oh, really? My sympathies,” Yamashita said. “But I don’t see your wife anywhere.”
Imanishi recovered his composure. “The telegram came about noon. So my wife went on ahead. I’m on my way now because I had some things to do first.”
“What are you doing wandering around a place like this?” Imanishi asked Yamashita in return.
“I’m here to meet someone arriving from Niigata.”
“Well, that’s nice of you,” Imanishi said. He waved good-bye and started walking slowly down the platform.
When Imanishi finally turned around, he could no longer see the newspaper reporter. He breathed a sigh of relief. Still taking precautions, he hid in the crowd and then jumped on the last car of the train. It was nearly full. Imanishi entered the second car. It was also packed. He moved to the next car, and spied Yoshimura who was saving a seat for him with his suitcase.
“Did you get caught by a reporter?” Imanishi asked.
“No, I was all right.”
When the train’s departure bell rang Imanishi breathed another sigh of relief.
“Have you ever been to the Tohoku region?” he asked.
“No, never.”
“It’s the first time for me, too. Say, Yoshimura, wouldn’t you like to take a relaxing trip with your family? We always take these trips for work, with no pleasure involved.”
“Unlike you, I don’t have a wife.” Yoshimura laughed. “I think it’s more fun to travel alone. Any kind of trip is fine with me.”
