Case Files of Secret Society holoX (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 5: The end of my first case

"Eh? You're telling us to leave Mr. Ryoku alone?" a samurai asked.

"Yeah. I can conclude that Mr. Ryoku is not involved in this case", I answered.

"Then did you find the real link between the victims?" another samurai asked.

"I have a lead but I'm not yet sure. Once I am confident, I'll inform you guys. For now, let's just leave Mr. Ryoku alone."

"That works for us. Mr. Ryoku didn't want to be interviewed and we're having a hard time convincing him. Please inform us when you are sure about your lead", the first samurai said.

"Will do."

We left the office and the samurais returned to their garrison. However, I hid in a corner and observed the office. The first step of my plan was to remove the samurai regiment from this place in order to let Mr. Ryoku move freely.

Hours passed and it was already evening. Mr. Ryoku stepped out of the office and walked to an alley. If he walked out without any bodyguards, then I was correct.

"If you don't want to die tonight, you have to listen to me", I told him after catching up.

Mr. Ryoku looked surprised when he saw me. He was carrying a large bag.

"W-What are you talking about? I'm just out on a stroll", he lied.

"Oh yeah? A politician like you sneaking out in the evening without any bodyguards while carrying a suspiciously large bag is normal? Don't go or you'll die. After all, the serial killer contacted you, right?"

"Serial killer? What are you saying?"

I then told him what happened twenty years ago and my deductions about this case. His face paled after I finished talking.

"W-Who are you?" he asked.

"Rihito Sakasaki, a detective", I said.

He gulped down when he learned my profession.

"You must be an idiot if you think you can solve this with money. The serial killer probably told you to bring a large sum of money to a certain place. He is blackmailing you to follow because if you don't, he'll release the truth to the public and your career as a politician is over", I explained.

"He said if I don't give him money, he'll tell the media what we did. I can't afford that", he replied.

"Which is completely idiotic. The criminal already killed four people. Do you think this will be resolved with money? If all he wanted was money, then he didn't have to kill. He could just blackmail all of you and drain your cash."

"T-That's true."

"Is your career more important than your life? I'm guessing that even if we capture him or if he loses his life, he already prepared things to release the truth to the public. That's why you can't rely on the samurai regiment or bring your bodyguards. You're trying to convince him to keep the secret, which is impossible given that the killer wants your life."

"What should I do then?"

"Tell me where the meeting spot is. I'll talk to him."

###

I arrived at one of the warehouses in Miyako. The door was already open and when I peeked inside, I saw a red-haired man.

"So... you've come, murderer", the man said and turned around.

However, he looked surprised when he saw me.

"Sorry. Mr. Ryoku is still chilling in his office", I said.