The detective guarding the door didn't initially intend to engage with Reiko Kuroiwa. It was the kind of work that easily offended people, and they were used to it.
But he hadn't expected the person to be the victim's daughter.
The detective's expression changed, and he said kindly, "Is this young lady Village Chief Kuroiwa's daughter?"
"Hmph." Reiko Kuroiwa turned her head away, completely ignoring the detective.
So what if you're a detective? She thought. After knowing I'm the Village Chief's daughter, you still have to suck up to me.
The village chief in Japan was not just a title; it held real power, essentially making him a politician on a smaller scale.
If connections were right, he might even rise further, becoming a city councilor.
If he tried hard, he could even become a prefectural councilor.
And with a bit more fantasizing, he could become a national Diet member!
Whether others knew it or not, Reiko Kuroiwa genuinely thought this way.
She interpreted the detective's courtesy as flattering.
Reiko Kuroiwa, who was consumed by lust, still didn't realize that her village chief father had been sent to the afterlife while she was happily indulging last night.
The male detective guarding the door didn't get angry. Instead, he said pleasantly, "Then this young lady doesn't need to wait in line either. Come, this is specially prepared for you."
Before Reiko Kuroiwa could react, two detectives approached and forcibly escorted her toward a police car.
Reiko Kuroiwa tried to resist, but she was instantly subdued.
"What are you doing! Let go of me!"
"Settle down!" one detective warned, pulling out handcuffs. "You'd better cooperate. You are a strong suspect right now."
Unrelated people could leave after registering.
Tatsuji Kuroiwa died outside his house, and Reiko Kuroiwa, his daughter, claimed ignorance, so it was normal for the police to suspect her.
With Reiko Kuroiwa taken away, the rest of the restaurant instantly quieted down. No one dared to bring up Hoshimiya Yuu's trio cutting the line again.
If the Village Chief's daughter was taken away for expressing dissatisfaction, what hope did they have?
The three people inside must be very important…
Everyone in the restaurant secretly speculated.
Hoshimiya Yuu's trio was unaware of the commotion outside. They had just finished explaining the truth behind the murder of Kenzo Aso's family twelve years ago to Inspector Megure.
"So Kenzo Aso and the victims were childhood friends, and his entire family was actually murdered by these three…"
Inspector Megure didn't doubt Hoshimiya Yuu's words. The Kenzo Aso family incident was easy to verify.
Moreover, this context explained why the three Kuroiwa men were murdered.
It was clearly an act of revenge.
As for the former village chief, Kameta, who was involved, the group tacitly chose not to mention him.
The man had been dead for several years, so he certainly had nothing to do with the current incident. Mentioning him would be pointless.
"Someone must have wanted revenge for Kenzo Aso, which is why they killed these three."
Inspector Megure held the request letter, furrowing his thick, rounded eyebrows. "But why did the killer specifically call Uncle Mouri here to investigate?"
"Perhaps they wanted to expose the wicked deeds of the three Kuroiwa men to the public."
Hoshimiya Yuu subtly glanced at Asai Narumi. Seeing that she was relatively calm, he continued, "Actually, the killer overlooked one thing: exposing the drug trafficking by the three Kuroiwa men would also implicate Kenzo Aso."
"Hmm."
Juzo Megure nodded. "Kenzo Aso must have helped them transport drugs more than once by using his overseas trips. I just don't know why he suddenly refused."
"Perhaps he never intended to deal drugs in the first place, only wanting to help his friends, but the three Kuroiwa men became more and more excessive, so he refused," Asai Narumi suddenly spoke up.
Seeing everyone look at her, she smiled and waved her hand. "Of course, that's just my speculation."
As Kenzo Aso's daughter, Asai Narumi knew the real reason.
She was still young then, and Kenzo Aso and the others hadn't avoided her and her sister when discussing things.
This was also an important reason why the Kuroiwa men decided to wipe out the family.
Children might not understand when they're young, but what about when they grow up?
Kenzo Aso, a famous pianist, had no need to make money from drug trafficking.
But the other people on Tsukikage Island didn't have his talent. If they wanted to get rich, they had to find illegal means.
Out of a desire to help his childhood friends, Kenzo Aso got involved.
Of course, there was also a matter of Kenzo Aso saving face.
Just as he always claimed Asai Narumi was a boy, if he didn't help, Kenzo Aso would be criticized by the villagers.
Again, in Kenzo Aso's generation, the people of Tsukikage Island were all involved in drug trafficking.
Kenzo Aso was not only helping his friends get rich but also helping the entire island's villagers make money.
As someone who grew up on Tsukikage Island, Kenzo Aso couldn't refuse the villagers of the entire small island.
He just underestimated the depths of human malice.
After the people on the small island became wealthy, he expressed a desire to stop, but some people were still unsatisfied and wanted to continue, while others feared he might inform on them.
This ultimately led to the murder of his entire family.
Asai Narumi closed her eyes, unwilling to continue reminiscing.
She feared that if she kept thinking, she wouldn't be able to control her true emotions.
Asai Narumi's slight unusual behavior wasn't suspected. Inspector Megure nodded and said, "Yes, that's indeed possible."
"Oh, by the way, I haven't been introduced to this lady yet…"
"My apologies, I haven't introduced myself yet."
Asai Narumi quickly adjusted her mood and smiled. "My name is Narumi Asai, and I am the island's doctor."
Inspector Megure was surprised. "To become a doctor so young, Miss Asai is very impressive."
"No, no, Inspector Megure, you're too kind."
After exchanging a few pleasantries and briefly registering Asai Narumi's information, Juzo Megure stood up.
"Thank you very much, Hoshimiya, my boy. Following this letter might lead us to some clues."
Hoshimiya Yuu nodded, asking casually, "Inspector, how is the investigation at the crime scenes going?"
"Don't even mention it,"
Juzo Megure shook his round head, looking frustrated.
"There was a fire last night, and villagers were running everywhere. The crime scenes were completely ruined. There are absolutely no useful clues."
"There was a fire, too."
Hoshimiya Yuu looked surprised. "I was too tired from playing yesterday and didn't even notice."
"Hoshimiya, my boy, you have quite a good life. Youth is wonderful…"
Looking at Ran and the other girl, who were incredibly close to Hoshimiya Yuu, Inspector Megure suddenly smiled suggestively and said with a hint of envy, "Does Uncle Mouri know?"
"Uh…"
Hoshimiya Yuu instantly reacted, and Ran and Asai Narumi's pretty faces turned crimson.
He hadn't expected Inspector Megure, a high-ranking officer, to have such an improper side.
But then again, middle-aged men in Japan were generally lecherous.
However, didn't Inspector Megure have a young, beautiful wife at home?
Hoshimiya Yuu vaguely remembered her name was Midori Megure.
Midori Megure was more than a decade younger than Juzo Megure, in the prime of her life.
He wondered if Juzo Megure's current physique could satisfy her.
Judging by his envious look just now, probably not.