After becoming a detective, Duanmu Huai handled a few cases, but this commission was quite unexpected for him. Unlike other cases that require only one or two people to solve, this ti three detectives ca from the Detective Association, and the tropolitan Police Departnt also sent three police officers to work together.
Needless to say, at first glance, this situation seed quite formidable.
As for the reason, Duanmu Huai had already heard from Yuko Shionji on the way. In short, March City in area B was found to have a significant number of missing person cases, exceeding the average rate, which caught the attention of the tropolitan Police Departnt.
Of course, in a dium to large city, there are always quite a few missing persons every year. Missing person cases are different from major cris like murder. To be honest, if not solved promptly, they typically beco cold cases later. After all, police resources are limited. Instead of wasting resources on a missing person’s case with few leads, it makes more sense to focus on solving a theft case. Therefore, in this world, missing person cases are generally handled by detectives—since detectives are often idle anyway.
However, every city has a threshold; if the number doesn’t exceed this threshold, it’s within the normal range; going beyond it is abnormal. This abnormality led to the case being exposed—a mother of a missing person wanted to find her child, but the police had no progress and detectives couldn’t find any clues. Perhaps missing her child too much, she developed a persecution complex, believing the police and detectives were brushing her off, so she sought out a journalist to expose the story.
The journalist investigated and found—surprisingly, the cumulative number of missing persons in March City for the year was comparable to a large city like Tokyo!
How could this be overlooked?
A journalist looking for a big story sent it out without hesitation.
After all, the inactivity of the police and detectives and the involvent of conspiracy theories were sure to catch fire!
In fact, the news really did beco a sensation, leaving the tropolitan Police Departnt and the Detective Association scrambling.
The report not only described the situation in March City, but even speculated on a massive human trafficking network within March City, suggesting that the missing people were abducted and sold off. The police, it claid, were inactive because the local police had ties with this trafficking network, protecting them!
The journalist’s report turned into a big story, and the tropolitan Police Departnt couldn’t sit back and watch, quickly sending people to investigate.
This originally should have been an internal matter for the tropolitan Police Departnt, unrelated to the Detective Association. However, upon investigating, the Detective Association found—oh boy, many detectives in March City were also missing!
I’m here to watch the fun, not to beco a part of it!
Since detectives were involved, naturally they couldn’t just let the tropolitan Police handle it. Ultimately, both sides agreed to form a joint investigation team and took the Shinkansen to March City to investigate thoroughly.
The tropolitan Police Departnt sent an old officer of about fifty, along with two young officers. The Detective Association also sent three, including Duanmu Huai. One was a female high school student, known as the Idol Detective. The other was a chubby man dubbed the Gourt Detective.
As for Duanmu Huai...well, those in the know, know.
The two sides exchanged information on the way, and then arrived at March City.
This is a dium-sized city, neither too big nor too small, surrounded by mountains, making it appear quite secluded.
After identifying themselves, the group went to the March City Police Station and t with the Chief of Police.
"Ah, welco everyone to March City."
Faced with the people in front of him, the Chief of the March City Police Station appeared very enthusiastic, standing up from behind his desk with a cheerful smile to greet them.
"I didn’t expect you all to co to such a remote place, really unexpected."
"Let’s not dwell on small talk, Chief."
As the representative of the tropolitan Police Departnt, the old officer spoke first. He stepped forward and took out so docunts.
"We represent the tropolitan Police Departnt and the Detective Association, here for a joint investigation. We hope you can cooperate with us."
"Of course, we will certainly cooperate."
The Chief responded warmly to the old officer, appearing very open and ready to provide all information.
"Very well, then we’d like to et with that investigative journalist, is that possible?"
"Well......"
The Chief appeared a bit difficult when faced with the old officer’s request.
"I’m afraid that’s not possible......"
"Why not?"
"Because a few days ago, the investigative journalist drove off a cliff while drunk and died."
"What?"
Everyone was taken aback by the Chief’s answer.
"Dead? Where’s the body?"
"The body has already been cremated......"
"So quickly?"
The old officer gazed steadily at the Chief, a glint of coldness in his eyes.
"He just died a few days ago, isn’t it illogical to cremate so quickly?"
"That was the family’s request. Due to the fall from the cliff, his body was already mutilated beyond recognition...... So, we had no choice but to cremate promptly......"
"......Then, can we et with the missing person’s mother, can that be arranged?"
"That’s not an issue, but I must forewarn you, perhaps out of desperation to find her child, her emotions are very unstable, and she’s currently receiving treatnt at Aomori ntal Hospital......"
"........."
Although the director appeared very respectful, the faces of everyone present had turned much gloomier. After all, those who could join the united investigation team weren’t fools; they clearly understood what this police director was up to.
He was demonstrating to them!
The investigation team hadn’t arrived yet, and the two people exposing the city’s shady dealings—one dead, the other insane—who would believe this was re coincidence!
Wow, this city really is lawless!
"So, can we conduct our investigation here?"
"Of course, I’ve instructed my subordinates accordingly, feel free to investigate, and if there’s anything we can assist with, just ask!"
Hearing the director’s response, the old policeman didn’t say much, just nodded silently, then turned and left with the others. When they exited the police station, the old policeman’s face was already ashen—this blatant, almost undisguised attitude was simply a threat!
But no matter what, the investigation must go on.
"Now it seems we’re unlikely to receive help from the police station."
Sitting down at a nearby family restaurant, the old policeman spoke up.
"At the mont, we can only conduct the investigation ourselves... What are your plans?"
"Hmm..."
The Gourt Detective stroked his handlebar moustache in response to the old policeman’s question.
"I plan to contact so familiar detectives in this city to gather information and understand the situation."
"I’ll visit the ntal hospital."
Duanmu Huai gave his decision, because, in the world of Cthulhu, such places are treasure troves; whether good or bad, you’ll definitely find sothing.
"I’ll investigate the missing person’s situation on the street; the current information is incomplete, perhaps I can get more clues from the students."
The Idol Detective Girl also gave her response.
"I understand."
Hearing the trio’s answers, the old policeman nodded as well.
"We’ll return to the police station and have them organize the missing person files again—there’s no way we can’t find anything!"
Everyone here is professional; after decisions were made, they imdiately dispersed, each attending to their tasks. Duanmu Huai then drove to the ntal hospital located in the suburbs of March City, intending to et the woman confined there.
anwhile, Yuko Shionji tily provided the information she had gathered.
"Yamada Yoshiko, 43 years old, housewife, admitted to Aomori ntal Hospital three days ago due to violent tendencies, attacking others without cause... The procedures are all very normal, handled very smoothly, no problems whatsoever."
"Having no problems is the biggest problem, otherwise, why rush to put people into a ntal hospital?"
Listening to Yuko Shionji’s introduction over the phone, Duanmu Huai snorted coldly.
"I want to see what tricks this Light of the Universe is playing this ti!"
As he spoke, the gates of Aomori ntal Hospital were already close; Duanmu Huai parked the car, then opened the door and stepped out, heading towards the ntal hospital—but he’d barely walked a few steps when he saw three or four well-trained n coming over with riot forks, blocking Duanmu Huai’s path.
"Stop right there, who are you? What are you doing here?"
The leading security guard held a riot fork, staring with wide eyes, trying hard to appear fierce to Duanmu Huai, but unfortunately, in Duanmu Huai’s eyes, their riot forks were just like plastic paper. It wouldn’t be easy for Duanmu Huai to get into such a place before, but now the situation is different.
"I’m a detective!"
While speaking, Duanmu Huai took out his detective license.
"This ti I’ve co to the ntal hospital for an investigation, so you’d better behave!"
"De- detective?"
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, those security guards froze, exchanged glances, then quickly, one of them turned and left. After a mont, that security guard returned with a doctor in a white coat.
"You’re a detective?"
Looking at Duanmu Huai in front of him, the glasses-wearing doctor first took out a velvet cloth to wipe his glasses, then stared at Duanmu Huai’s detective license, comparing the photo with the actual person.
"What are you doing here?"
"I’ve co to see Ms. Yamada Yoshiko, since she’s currently confined here, I insist on eting her for a detailed discussion."
"Yamada Yoshiko, hmm... that lady."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s request, the doctor thought for a mont, then nodded as if suddenly realizing.
"I understand, our hospital has the obligation to assist with investigations. However... I think you might not get much out of her."
"What do you an?"
Duanmu Huai’s face darkened, staring at the doctor in front of him, who simply chuckled.
"You just need to see her yourself, then you’ll know.
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