HER LOVE ON THE FORCE and MY SWEET BODYGUARD
PARALLELS – STATE OF NATIONS
Chapter Two: Phantasm
Ah… Why use this Chapter Title…?
Phantasm, as one of the definitions given in the dictionary, is an apparition or a specter. For short, a ghost… It is also defined as a figment of one's imagination or an illusion.
The word Phantasm, for me, is the title best fitting for this second chapter. This chapter covers at great length how a 20-year-old murder case which has been buried as a murder/suicide and how a ghost of a seven-year-old boy now seeks justice for what happened to him and his family.
The word Phantasm in this chapter also refers to the "appearances" or "illusions" of trustworthiness, loyalty, and ethics displayed by political enemies. One of the hardest lessons learned is sometimes those who are closest to you could be the most dangerous enemy…and there are times that one finds out that hard truth much too late.
Just how does the 20-year-old murder case involving the death of an entire family tie up to possible events that affect Japan? How does it tie with what is currently happening to the heirs of Marukawa Shoten, Onodera Publishing, Usami Group, and Ishino Group (see Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi / Junjou Romantica crossover fic Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive?)
Readers don't have to read Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive? or this mini crossover fic. They both stand alone. However, for those who wish to know more then by all means, here are both of them for you to read!
Read and enjoy! Let me know what you think through your reviews!
Disclaimer for Major / Main Appearances
Her Love on the Force and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.
My Sweet Bodyguard and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.
Alexandra Emrys, Michael Ishino, AJ Ishino, Troy Tsuuri, Representative Okada, Uncle Gavin / Gavin Anson, Dylan Emrys, Ariadne Anson / Ariadne Emrys, Derek Anson, and other original characters are owned by PJ Zatken.
Disclaimer for Cameo Appearances
Metro PD: Close to You and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Director General Kyobashi Toru, Deputy Chief Nomura Tadanobu, Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi, Lieutenant Minase Tomomi, Doctor Himuro Masashi, Doctor Sakamaki, Seimei University, Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office)
Seimei University also appears in the Voltage, Inc. / Love 365 otome game Romance MD: Always On Call.
True Love, Sweet Lies and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Commissioner Namioka, Fuse Nozomu)
Kissed by the Baddest Bidder and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Ichinomiya Eisuke, Oh Soryu, Mitsunari Baba, Aihara Hikaru, Kishi Mamoru, Former Prime Minister Reisen, Former Prime Minister Sasaki, Hishikura Shuichi, Hishikura Shuichi's father / Hishikura Sojiro). In the otome series, Hishikura's father does not have a first name. I gave him the name Sojiro.
Masquerade Kiss and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Shido Kazuomi, Soejima Kei, Shiba Yuzuru, Zack Thompson)
Kings of Paradise and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Kozaki Taki, Sagara Yosuke, Randoh Shun, and Shirakami Kiyohito)
Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi, Junjou Romantica, and their awesome characters are owned by their wonderful author Shungiku Nakamura. (publishing companies Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan, company Usami Group, Onodera Akifumi, Usami Fuyuhiko, Mino Kanade)
Author's Notes
For those who are familiar with otome games, Love 365, and Voltage Inc. games, the female main character (MC) is part of the series' original characters. So how do the original characters (OCs) in my story figure out in this universe and fanfic?
The MC is the love interest of one of the playable characters in the otome games.
My OCs – well, in the Love 365 / Voltage Inc. / otome romance world, they are temporary characters for the fanfic…so in the otome universe they never romantically get the man no matter what the circumstances may be.
I have seen how many folks are avid fans of Voltage Inc. otome games / Love 365. I do not know as to how many of them are also avid authors and/or readers in fanfiction dot net.
Also, for those who are familiar with my work, I tend to do epics. This fic would not be an epic. It would be less than 10 chapters… Maybe five chapters the most...
Background for this Fanfiction
This crossover fic for Her Love on the Force / My Sweet Bodyguard fanfiction serves as a companion piece to the Junjou Romantica / Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi crossover fanfic Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive. The goal of this fic is to fill the little holes that would be there because the antagonist(s) and the problems he/she/they bring to our beloved JR / SH characters are complex.
Secondly, the people who are there to help our beloved JR / SH characters through this time have complex lives and equally complex connections.
I figured that the best way to show how intricate these relationships and connections are is through "companion piece" fanfics. First is so the focus for Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive would remain mostly with our JR / SH characters. Second, having "companion pieces" would give readers and "inside glimpse" of what was really happening behind the scenes so that there would not be any confusion when a character or characters from Her Love on the Force and / or My Sweet Bodyguard are mentioned or would make a cameo in Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive.
As a result, my Disclaimer and Author's Notes on every chapter for Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive and each "companion piece" would properly mention and give credit to the fandoms and characters that appear in it.
These "companion piece" fanfics are experiments. I will do my best to do justice to the fandoms that I do, just as I have always done all these years. Come and enjoy this ride with me, and let me know what you think!
Best regards,
PJ Zatken
LOCATION: Private Jet
FINAL DESTINATION: Japan
PRELIMINARY DESTINATION: Phuket Island, Thailand
TIMELINE: Hours before meeting with Shido Kazuomi, Soejima Kei, and Shiba Yuzuru
Alexandra Emrys' Point of View
I see Captain Katsuragi from SP go towards the door and disappear for a while. Minutes later, everyone around the table reverently stands up to greet the newcomer who is also an integral part of this meeting.
The newcomer's presence at this stage of the meeting only means one thing – whatever NPA, through its various law enforcement arms, has found is more than significant enough for the newcomer to want to hear what I have to say himself.
And for this gesture, I am honored, humbled, and grateful… I have my reasons to feel this way, as we speak. If one world leader was not able to be saved, then let all of us who are now here in this room work together to save another world leader for the greater good.
"Thank you, everyone… Please take your seats…" the newcomer graciously tells all those present in the room. He then sits at the head of the conference table, with Commissioner General Namioka to his left and Director General Kyobashi to his right.
To Namioka's left sit Superintendent Momota Ren, Chief Namba Jin, Captain Ishigami Hideki, Captain Kaga Hyogo, and Lieutenant Kiyosumi Eiji.
At the other side of the table, to Kyobashi's right, sit Deputy Chief Nomura, Captain Katsuragi Daichi, Captain Ichiyanagi Subaru, Doctor Himuro Masashi, Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi, and Lieutenant Minase Totomi.
The newcomer, Prime Minister Hiraizumi, gives me a warm, gracious smile. "Em… It's so nice to see you."
"Good afternoon, Prime Minister," I tell the newcomer with the warmest, most authentic smile that I can muster given that my body is beginning to feel fatigued once more. "Yes, it's been a while…and not the best of circumstances. It was during Prime Minister Brown's state funeral."
Even though I am not physically in the conference room, I can see and feel as to how everyone has fallen grim from hearing my conversation with the Prime Minister. After all, Prime Minister Elizabeth Brown's death sent shockwaves across the world and is still considered as a great loss to Britain, the county's allies, and the world…
Most especially to Japan and Hiraizumi… He lost a great ally, a good friend, and much more when Brown was assassinated.
Hiraizumi tells me, "When you arrive in Japan, please drop by the residence for a visit. We haven't seen each other for a while. I also received encrypted communication from the Queen, which is another reason why I'm here to hear everything with my own ears."
I nod. I know exactly what Hiraizumi means…
"Commissioner General Namioka, it's your meeting… Everyone…just pretend that I'm not here and conduct your discussion just as you'd normally would," Hiraizumi advises Namioka in a friendly and respectful manner.
Everyone nods, indicating agreement to Hiraizumi's proposal.
Commissioner General Namioka nods and says to mark the official beginning of our video conference meeting, "Thank you, Prime Minister… Thanks for joining us for today's briefing, Em. Everyone, as you know, Em continues to serve alongside us at the NPA as well as Interpol. She also serves as a consultant for the SIS and is an ambassador of goodwill for the Queen of England. Due to matters involving national and global security, we expect your discretion. There's a reason why three main branches of Japan's law enforcement and the Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office are here. Em, lead us through, please…"
"Thank you, Sir…" I pause, looking at the faces that I see via the video camera as if I am feeling out the room and then report to everyone, "Two weeks ago, I sent preliminary data to the NPA. Along with the data came three recommendations from me. First is to tighten security for Prime Minister Hiraizumi. Second is to tighten security around the Prime Minister's daughter. Third is to provide security detail for identified individuals affiliated with Marukawa Shoten, Onodera Publishing, Usami Group, and Ishino Group. Because of your combined efforts, two children remain safe. As much as I'm sad that Mino Kanade was stabbed, the number of injured persons was kept at a minimum."
With a serious tinge in his tone, Kyobashi asks me, "You gave us viable information to justify security measures and preliminary investigations. Were you able to dig up more in two weeks' time?"
"Yes, Director General… Based on my finding, the danger's not over yet. In fact, it's just beginning. Everyone, let's take five minutes to browse through the data I've sent out two hours ago before we begin. Give me a sign once everyone's ready to continue."
Seeing heads bow down to review the data, I take this time to drink water from my reusable bottle. I can see that Hiraizumi is speed-reading through the data…probably because this is the first time that he has ever laid eyes on it.
Approximately five minutes later, once I see everyone's head lift up and look back at the screen, I resume my report by saying, "Former Prime Ministers Koyama, Sasaki, and Reisen might have been forced out of office due to corrupt practices, but their allies still have a stronghold in the government. Other countries including Britain view the multiple changes in leadership as weakness and instability in the Japanese government. The world's perception changed for the better once Prime Minister Hiraizumi came out of retirement for the second time and resumed his leadership."
I cannot help but pause for a minute as I think about what Eiji and I have uncovered in France at the last mass gassing site. Once I gathered my thoughts together, I continue, "I hand this discussion over to Eiji, our resident subject-matter-expert on Zeus."
After I see Eiji nod towards me, he then says, "Upon Prime Minister Hiraizumi's return, there has been disturbing movement in Britain and Europe. Two groups are under the global watch list. The first is Zeus. The second group is Almagest. Until the recent year-and-a-half, Zeus carried out terrorist attacks and tried to harm not just Prime Minister Hiraizumi but also his daughter who was based in London during that time. To date, there have been three terrorist incidents – two in British soil, the third in Paris. The mass gassings used sarin with traces of ricin. Since Zeus' downfall, I told SIS that I believe Zeus isn't dead…that it's just waiting for the best moment to strike. The higher-ups at SIS believed that Zeus is done. Recently, SIS asked the NPA if I can consult for them. The clues left behind in each incident site hinted that Zeus is reviving. Although it looked like Zeus was the culprit, something felt off. Since Em is the subject-matter-expert on Almagest and is also familiar with Zeus' inner workings, I reached out to her for a second opinion. She confirmed that these incidents were done by Almagest, not Zeus."
Eiji pauses, leaving the room silent for a while…
Once I felt that the time is right, I clarify, "Simply calling Almagest a cult or terrorist group ruins any agency's ability to effectively strategize on how to deal with it. Its reach is far and deep. The types of crimes it engages in are varied. Its methods are diverse yet calculated and dangerous. Almagest has been in every agency's radar but is not considered as great of a threat as Zeus. I see this as Almagest's way to camouflage how dangerous it truly is. During the past two weeks, I analyzed data and evidence collected from the mass gassings. Patterns show Almagest's prints on each crime scene. At the same time range of these mass incidents, there were random single-victim incidents. Nine of them happened in British soil. The rest happened all across Europe. The attacks – 27 in all – are clear copies of Zeus' modus operandi since most of the victims are of Japanese descent. The only difference is that these victims all died from ricin poisoning."
I purposefully gaze at Hiraizumi, the sense of urgency and need to prove my point pressing me to do so. "Analysis from various medical, forensic, and autopsy reports indicate that Almagest is definitely experimenting. All the mass gassing incidents indicated a fine-tuning of the sarin-ricin cocktail. It's also fine-tuning the delivery of ricin in single-victim attacks. The last three single-victim attacks showed that the formulation was more volatile than the previous ones. These last three victims had similar height, weight, pre-existing medical conditions, and body composite as Prime Minister Hiraizumi. All three incidents resulted in death, each subsequent one quicker than the previous one."
I see that nearly everyone becomes perturbed over what was just said, with some sitting back uncomfortably against their respective chairs. Hiraizumi looks the most disturbed. He does not show fear. His face and body language show that he is having trouble grasping the full magnitude of the news.
"Another analysis that I ran was a composite of each single-victim incident against prominent global-scale movers and shakers in the financial, religious, and political sectors. The likely matches for each composite have a common ground. Each matching composite came up with a candidate who is either a global influencer or a bridge in at least one sector if not two or more. Seven likely matches were singled out. I also ran the same analysis for figures in the underworld. Two likely matches came up. For short, nine men are being targeted. First is Prime Minister Hiraizumi. Second is British Ambassador Soejima Kei. There are Onodera Akifumi and Usami Fuyuhiko from Onodera Shuppan and Usami Group respectively. The fifth one is Shiba Yuzuru, CEO and chief inventor for SHIBA. Sixth one is Shido Kazuomi – owner of Raven Resorts Group and third richest person in the world. Seventh one is Ichinomiya Eisuke, CEO of Ichinomiya Group and owner of the Tres Spades hotel chain worldwide. Eight is Zack Thompson, a global entrepreneur and hotelier who appears on the blacklist as affiliated with the Mexican cartel. Last, but not the least, is Oh Soryu…leader of the organized crime group Ice Dragons which has branches worldwide."
I am still thankful that Kozaki Taki, Sagara Yosuke, Randoh Shun, and Shirakami Kiyohito do not appear on the target list. I purposefully ran analysis on all those I know and hold dear to weed out who are being targeted, with the goal of giving that loved one as much warning and protection as possible. Even though none of them appear as targets, I will continue making specific stops to say hi and much more for them – not just these four specific brother figures who collectively earned the moniker "Kings of Paradiso" but also the others from the auction as well as law enforcement.
After a long period of silence, Chief Momota inquires, "How certain are you that the nine individuals named are being truly targeted?"
"There is at least 75 percent probability for the six composite comparisons. This includes Soejima, Onodera, Thompson, Usami, Prime Minister Hiraizumi, and Oh. The composite comparison goes as deep as an array of pre-existing medical conditions as well as bi-racial and composite matching between the victim and the candidate. The rest of the remaining composite comparisons have at least 65 percent probability since the three composites, which include Ichinomiya, Shido, and Shiba don't have pre-existing medical conditions although there is racial and composite matching."
Katsuragi, while browsing through the data in front of him, comments, "Em… Doctor Himuro... This experimentation and targeting sounds like a step down from DNA-specific poisoning. Your thoughts…?"
Doctor Himuro offers his expert opinion by saying, "The composite matching is still far away from DNA-specific poisoning, especially since DNA samples from the targets such as blood or hair are not available. Without DNA samples, composite matching raises the probability of success. In this scenario, the perpetrator has controlled conditions to go by. This helps in properly formulating any poison or antidote, or how the victim would react once the poison is introduced in the body."
I look down for a minute, raking my fingers through my hair since I feel the fatigue and tension creeping back throughout my body. I let out a quiet sigh before I add, "There's another piece to Almagest's plan. Even without Almagest's involvement, this person and his cronies pose as the closest threat to you, Prime Minister."
Ishigami murmurs, "Representative Okada…."
I nod, along with the word, "Correct…."
Hiraizumi lets out a sigh. "So did anyone find anything about Okada?"
Kaga leans forward, resting his elbows on the mahogany desk. He explains in a calm yet serious voice, "We conducted surveillance on Okada and his sons. The youngest son seems harmless. Can't say much about Okada and his eldest son… What you have here matches with what we've seen on the field."
There is silence in the room once more, with all of them nodding in agreement with Kaga…
Ishigami adds to Kaga's thoughts by saying, "PSD and MPD also compared intel. Okada does have strong ties with Koyama, Reisen, and Sasaki. There are also trails of communication and money between each of these four to various shell companies overseas tracing back from many years ago. They may all belong from the same political party, but surveillance linked all four of them to certain Cabinet members – a good amount of them are not even their political party affiliates."
"Do some of them belong to the same political party as the Prime Minister?" I inquire, although maybe it is not worth inquiring.
"Yes, they do," is Ishigami's reply, which elicited little to no surprise from anyone.
I cannot help but scoff and shake my head. I tightly close my eyes, my mind still doing its best to accept the magnitude of what all of us have dug up. I quietly let out another sigh. I feel a tightness in my chest as fear takes root inside me.
"Em…" Namioka says to me as everyone falls quiet. He pauses for a while as he probably is trying to take in all that he has heard thus far. "I know that you also serve as an ambassador of goodwill for the Queen while you're out there in the field…so you have some political insight in all of this. British and Japanese relations have been strained since Trent came to power. What's your take on this affair regarding Okada? What do you think is his game?"
Here it is… How candid should I be, especially since the Prime Minister himself is here?
There was tightness as well as a weight on my chest due to the sadness that set in the core of my being. "With all due respect, Commissioner General, I'll answer the question bearing in mind that both Britain and Japan are my home. I'll answer the question not just as a citizen, but also as a public safety analyst with Japanese and British political perspective."
I gather my thoughts and then continue, "What foiled Almagest's plans was that Koyama, Sasaki, and then Reisen were removed from office before it could carry out anything. Unlike the three, Okada's good in keeping appearances that he's politically neutral. He's in a good position to carry out something politically bigger. I suspect that he – through Derek Anson and Almagest – is working to become the next Prime Minister of Japan. Almagest, through Trent and other public leaders like Trent, sets the stage overseas. Okada and his cronies have been setting things up in Japan. The easiest way for Okada is to become Deputy Prime Minister – a seat that you, Prime Minister, are heavily considering on appointing very soon. Am I right?"
"Yes, I am…" is Hiraizumi's thoughtful reply.
Kyobashi interjects, "So Okada's trying to gain sympathy and support from the Prime Minister's supporters in case something does happen... He is rather popular. I'll even call him a favorite by the people – right below the Prime Minister, but on equal footing with Minister Hishikura."
I lean back against my chair, not removing my sight from the screen. For a moment, I think about Minister of Finance Hishikura Sojiro…father to Ambassador Hishikura Shuichi. At this time, Hiraizumi is selecting his Deputy Prime Minister. I am sure that Okada is aiming to get that position since the appointment can be considered by the public as an endorsement of succession from Hiraizumi. I become tight-lipped, admitting, "That's what I'm afraid of, Director General. I have my biased opinion regarding Okada and I have my reasons. Because of this, I made sure to vet my analysis multiple times. The more data I acquire in hopes to clear Okada, the more evidence I get that proves he's plotting something."
Katsuragi rests his chin on his now-interlaced fingers, thinking aloud, "Subaru's team and I will continue working together. I propose for us to focus on seven out of nine targets. Given their…profession, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Oh normally have bodyguards with them. We'll continue tightening security around the Prime Minister and his daughter. We'll also prepare for Ambassador Soejima's arrival."
Good… That takes care of keeping Zack and Soryu off their radar. There are already more than enough heated eyes pinned on them before this danger reared its ugly head. It also helps me stay as transparent as I can without compromising them. Nonetheless, Zack's suggestion and blessing to go ahead and disclose that he is a target shows transparency on my end. After all, that is what my analysis had revealed. Full disclosure of my analytical findings the way that I did, in itself, is the best way to protect Kazuomi, Zack, and anyone who I know, regard, and care about who belongs in the underworld.
However, I cannot be too careful. I cannot let my guard down around any one of them, as much as I trust them with my life. At the same time, I will lay down anything and everything for each one of them including my life just so that I can protect them. I know in my heart of hearts that they care for me just as much as I do for them. I am afraid, though, that they would most probably not understand the other half of me.
The people in the conference room share one thing: they see my other half - the one whose foot is planted firmly in the light.
What the same people do not see or know is the other half whose foot is in the shadows - the one that AJ shunned four years ago. It is that other half who sees honor among mobsters such as Oh Soryu, assassins such as Aihara Hikaru, and thieves such as Baba Mitsunari. It is that other side who does not pass judgment against those who wear the same mask as I do...men such as Ichinomiya Eisuke, Kisaki Ota, and Shido Kaozumi. It is also that dark side who embraces those who may see darkness but give light to those in need - even going so far as to upholding and respecting men such as Zack Thompson just as I would my own father. And yes, it is also that same shadowy side who regard gifted professionals who heed their calling and carry out what is just even if it the law frowns upon it...men such as Luke Foster and Kishi Mamoru. And yes... It is also that other half that would carry out anything to serve justice even if it sadly does not serve the law.
Light or dark, I see both sides equally. To me, all these men and women who both sides have met and I have embraced as my family will always have me. My loyalty lies with who is just and serve the greater good, regardless of whether they belong to the light or dark.
With my gaze fixed on Eiji, I then propose, "If it's all right with Eiji and everyone, I request that he and I serve as bodyguards for Ambassador Soejima. We can also serve as company for Mister Shido and Mister Shiba. Since they're normally together and I know them very well, Eiji and I can simultaneously keep an eye on them. As to Ichinomiya Eisuke, we're also friends. I can caution him in the general sense to be careful and consider having security around him. Shido, Shiba, and Ichinomiya would not like having conspicuous security around them. Their stocks will nosedive on that once word gets out, especially through the paparazzi."
"I keep forgetting… You've known the four of them from way back when," Namioka comments with a warm smile veiled in his tone.
"From my university days, Commissioner General…" I murmur, doing my best not to purse my lips or pout.
"Yes… When you were nine years old or younger…" adds Namioka in a quiet yet teasing fashion.
This is so not fair. I did talk to Namioka and Kyobashi about this. I pretty much told them about everything, including the disclosure that I will soon be making before this meeting ends. We just agreed to present it before everyone, out of consideration and respect as well as giving everyone a chance to provide feedback.
What makes it worse is that Hiraizumi has that knowing fatherly smile, too…the one who finds the conversation cute to say the least. Maybe nostalgia is hitting him as he thinks of what life could have been if he had been around while his daughter – the one he just met a few years ago – was growing up.
So downright embarrassing, Uncle Genji…
"You're really putting me in a spot here, Commissioner General…" I complain with a frown. I cannot hide my embarrassment, and all that I can do is to put my right hand on the nape of my neck.
I can see Namioka, Hiraizumi, Kyobashi, and Momota's respective smiles becoming more generous. I really want to do a full-blown frown at this point, thinking that just as fathers would with their daughters, each man will always see me as that little nine-year-old girl no matter if I turn old and gray. It is endearing, heartwarming, and pout-worthy at the same time.
Finally, Kyobashi asked with a smile on his face, "So everyone, your thoughts? Does Em's proposal sound fine with you?"
Everyone, thankfully, gives a nod of approval. I do not sense hesitation or questions from anyone regarding the security plan for Eisuke, Kei, Kazuomi, and Yuzuru. That takes care of keeping them safe while giving them their privacy to continue their activities without the watchful eye of the police. Well, at least for Eisuke… Kazuomi is on the blacklist of agencies, while Kei and Yuzuru are always in the agencies' radars as persons of interest.
"Em… We'll iron out the details for Usami and Onodera's security, so that covers all the nine people on the target list," says Subaru who momentarily pauses as he mulls over a couple of details in his head. "Let us know if the two of them are okay with having security, or if they wish for a private one. If they wish a private one, we'll still watch them but at a distance."
"I'll talk to them. Thanks, Subaru."
At the table corner, a few feet away from the others, I see someone… I momentarily freeze….
A young boy…. He stands a few feet away, between Hiraizumi and Namioka…
"Nii-chan… Don't forget about me…" echoes that sweet, innocent voice inside my head. I know where that voice comes from. It is from the boy I met via chat just a few hours ago when I was talking to AJ and Asahina Kaoru from Marukawa Shoten.
"I won't forget, Hiro… No matter what happens, no matter what it takes to do it, I'll set things as right as I can. You have my word…" I reply to him inside my head as I stare at him via the laptop screen.
Hiro moves from where he stood, a sad smile escaping from his lips as he repeatedly nods. I feel that this is his way of acknowledging that he is placing his full trust that I will fulfill my promise to him.
What does not escape me is one peculiar detail – Kirisawa keeps staring at the same spot where Hiro now stands. I have known him since his police academy days. In all the years that I have known him, I have never recalled any moment where he showed sensitivity towards the supernatural.
Kirisawa, you are making me wonder about you Can you now see what I see, and if so, then how much? If you now that at least the same gift to see spirits such as Hiro, then what caused exactly made all of this possible for you?
This time, Nomura takes his turn by sharing, "You mentioned about Okada blackmailing your family as well as the heirs to Marukawa Shoten, Onodera Publishing, and Usami Group. Another lead you've asked us to follow is Okada's son and his involvement in drug and human trafficking. We gathered promising leads, starting with finding out more information about those masked men and the dark vans. Find them, and we'll find the ones responsible for stabbing Mino Kanade. We'll continue our investigations in secret. But Em, tell us – why is Okada so hell-bent on doing what he's doing to your families?"
"I can't think of any reason as to why he'd have a grudge. When I return to Japan, I'll talk to Dad and each of the four heads of the family. I don't want anyone's family to end up like the Miyamoto Family. One family's suffering is more than enough."
Namioka kindly gazes at me in his usual fatherly fashion. I can hear the warmth of his customary soft empathetic smile in his tone. "So you'll be taking point in the Miyamoto matter? Who do you choose to partner up with aside from Troy?"
I can see that Kirisawa's sights are straying towards the spot where I clearly see Hiro. And so I tell Namioka, "With everyone's permission, I'd like to partner up with Kirisawa."
"Sure," says Kirisawa without hesitation. "I'll assign two of my team members to work with you."
"You misunderstand. You can assign an additional person with you, but you need to be in that team." When I see Kirisawa stir from his seat while the others look at each other and then hone on the screen, I add, "You know why I'm asking to partner up with you, right, Kirisawa? You see Hiro too, don't you?"
Kaga inquires with a hint of guarded disbelief in his voice, "Hiro? Don't tell me…"
"Yes, Captain Kaga… I did say Hiro, as in Miyamoto Hiroshi…the little boy who died 20-plus years ago…"
I become tight-lipped when I hear Kaga click his tongue while Namioka and Kyobashi respectively smirk and shake their heads. I let out a sigh and allow a soft smile settle in my being before I continue, "Twenty-something years ago, Miyamoto Hiroshi and his family were found dead in the burned-down factory of Exquis Confectionaries. Hiroshi was half-Japanese and half-British. At the time, Exquis Confectionaries operated in Japan and in London. Exquis in London closed its doors soon after the family died and the Japanese branch was burned down to the ground."
Namba speaks up, doing his customary habit of quietly drumming fingers against his notepad while it rested on the mahogany desk, "It's supposed to be a closed case. Murder-suicide... According to reports, the Miyamoto patriarch was distraught over the business going bankrupt and so he strangled his wife and child. Then he set things up so that once he hung himself, the place would burn down. When we revisited the case file, things don't add up. Certain reports were missing."
"And you're right, Chief. There were so many anomalies in how the investigation was handled. It's not a murder-suicide. It's murder. MPD files regarding the case only contained autopsy reports for the boy. There were no autopsy records for the parents. Also missing are fire investigation reports to identify the cause of the fire. I'm still searching for those reports. If you put all three autopsy reports together, it's as clear as day that Mister Miyamoto was framed. His wife and child's murder were pinned on him, but he was the first one who died. Doctor Himuro…."
I then give the figurative floor to Doctor Himuro, which he and I agreed to do after our short phone call regarding the Miyamoto closed case. After all, his resourcefulness and hard work provide the foundation to pursue re-opening the case.
And so Doctor Himuro starts by explaining, "Doctor Sakamaki and I dug up the old records from archives. I revisited three autopsy reports and shared them with Em. These autopsy reports are for the father, mother, and son. Autopsy reports reflect that rigor mortis on the father's body showed that he died at least four hours before the mother died. Four hours is the earliest time that signs of death show in a corpse. There were also signs of livor mortis on the mother and father's bodies. This means that their bodies were moved and positioned the way that the firefighters found them. The strangulation wounds found in the mother's and father's necks were given after they died. The boy died hours later than the mother. His body didn't have any signs of livor mortis. He died of asphyxiation."
I hear Nomura ask Doctor Himuro, "Was the boy strangled first before the fire?"
"Yes, the boy was strangled before the fire but that was not the cause of death. The report showed bruising and wounds around the neck. He died, though, from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation."
"The parents…. If the father didn't strangle the mother to death, and he didn't die from hanging himself…then how did they die?" Kirisawa asks in a near-mumble.
Doctor Himuro replies, "Both parents died of ricin poisoning."
I cannot help but shake my head and have sadness sink in the marrow of my bones. My mind's eye can see Hiro perish all over again…his screams drowning by the blaze that laps his body and consumes his family, existence, lifeblood, and legacy.
As the vision repeats in my head, I make a vow. No matter what happens…no matter what lengths…I will never let Okada and his cronies do any harm to my family or any family without a fight.
"Em…?"
Now lost in my thoughts as the replaying vision becomes more vivid for me, I absentmindedly mumble, "Hiro's trapped in that factory while he sees his dead parents and everything around him is burning. All this time…."
"Em!" says the owner of that voice, this time making sure that she is louder than before.
When I finally snap out of my vision, I see everyone before me. There was concern in Tomomi's voice. "Are you all right?"
It takes a while for me to answer Tomomi's question. I feel sapped out. Nonetheless, my reply is while I touch my forehead and try to shake off the dizzy feeling, "I'm fine, Minase… Thank you for asking…."
I take in a deep breath. I still see Hiro, but I need to do my very best not to get distracted. "If the files in MPD are missing vital information and the Medical Examiner's archives under Doctor Himuro's watch remain intact, that means that someone from the force buried groundbreaking facts about the Miyamoto case. I wouldn't remove the possibility of corruption among the higher ranks. I also wouldn't remove the possibility that they're in the payroll of Reisen, Sakaki, Koyoma, or someone connected to Almagest."
"Sounds like the Amano matter all over again…" murmurs Kirisawa as he gives Nomura and Himuro meaningful gazes. "Remember how he had cronies commit murder for him and influenced a land development project through cronies – particularly the right-hand man of President Sakamaki, the murder victim?"
As his response to Kirisawa's comment, a grim-looking Nomura tightens up and then nods.
Himuro shakes his head, possibly reliving the disgust that coursed through his veins when the Amano matter first happened. "Six years of bureaucratic red tape and corruption, and two murdered men…son, and then father."
Kyobashi then states, "We'll look into the matter, as always. I'll have Nomura and Kirisawa's team look into that along with PSD."
"Agreed," said Namba, who then glances over to Kaga and Ishigami...the three men exchanging nods.
My gaze then travels from one person to another until it finally locks on Kirisawa. My eyes narrow as I see him having a curious expression while he stares at the same area where I now see Hiro. "Kirisawa…?"
This time, it is Nomura's turn to check on someone. I see him nudge Kirisawa. Once Kirisawa snaps out of his stupor, Nomura whispers in Kirisawa's ear for a second.
Kirisawa straightens up and takes a deep breath. After taking a drink of water from his glass, he responds, "My team was there on the scene with Mino Kanade. Second Unit will continue working with PSD in providing security detail. At the same time, we'll team up with Tomomi's team regarding the Okada's eldest son's activities."
While Kirisawa shares his report, my sight never left him… I can see the classic tell-tale signs, but can it be? Can he really see Hiro just as plainly as Troy, AJ, and I can? If so, how and why…?
Nomura speaks, his tone taking a different bend as if he is trying to figure out something as well, "I remember Exquis from a long time ago. The chocolates don't exist anymore, right?"
"Yes," is Doctor Himuro's reply, his glasses now taken off at this time. "It's been gone for at least twenty years."
Namioka reminds me, "Em, you have enough information to warrant reopening the case. As usual, you'll need more tangible proof to make things stick. If you need anything from PSD, SP, MPD, or the Medical Examiner's Office then just reach out to anyone here. The same go with Kaga and Ishigami. Their entire teams are temporarily under Namba for this assignment."
I nod. "Understood, Sir…"
Subaru inquires, "Triple murder from a long time ago? How did you ever catch wind of it in the first place, Em?"
"I kept an eye on Okada all these years since my parents passed away."
That statement of mine sure earned a lot of frozen silence from everyone…
Geez… Good job, Emrys. Now you sound like an absolute bona fide stalker, especially after you just drop that bomb in a room full of law enforcement top brass and the Prime Minister of Japan. Just fucking great and now that I think about it, I sound so bloody creepy and clinically insane… I must be really tired…
But then again, am I not the one who gets assigned to the "black folder" cases just like the Miyamoto Family's murder and the destruction of Exquis Confectionaries…cases that have a heavy dose of weird and a generous dollop of anything that defies all logic as experienced by the five senses? Just when the hell have I ever been bashful or shirk from the fact that weird and supernatural are all normal to me?
Deciding that telling the full-blown truth will be best, I explain after I let out a sigh, "Okada tried to molest Ishino AJ when we were still kids. My parents were still alive at the time. It was during a party at Okada's home when he first got into public office. Okada drugged AJ and escorted him while he was in a daze. The two were at the second floor of his home. As luck would have it, AJ was spared that day. I interrupted Okada, and I took AJ back to Dad when I saw that he looked out of sorts. I was too young to know what was going on. When I started with the NPA 11 years ago, everything started to make sense. And the more that it made sense, the sicker I felt about what could have happened that day. I did quite a bit of digging over the years. Apparently, Okada has been molesting children all these years – particularly boys. There have been whispers that went on for decades about his proclivities. However, the more powerful he became over the years, the more fearful his victims became. Those who even thought about reporting Okada to the authorities have been silenced. Okada has cronies in the police and justice systems, so he gets word before any complaint sticks. I've identified some of these cronies, but again, more incriminating proof is needed to make everything stick. Unless, of course, someone decides to talk and that starts snowballing so that the others will talk. And if the talk is in the form of a confession from one or more of the cronies or Okada himself, the better."
Again, everyone falls quiet and so do I. Feeling that tightness in my chest, I quietly let out a sigh and straightened up. My eyes scan the table. I can tell that each person has been affected with what I just revealed to them. In efforts to end the awkwardness, I break the ice of silence and say, "These past two weeks, I found out something startling. Ownership change happened to the land where Exquis Japan once stood. The same happened to the land and building that used to house Exquis London. These transactions were done without any sale occurring between the Miyamoto Family and the new owners who still hold title to this day. Representatives of the new owners claimed that they loaned the family money to save the company from bankruptcy. The land and building in Japan and London were apparently put up as collateral. There were clauses to the loan agreement which said that the creditors would become the new owners of the land and building should the loan remain unpaid at the time of Exquis' proprietors' deaths or upon defaulting on the loan. As to proprietors, that would be Mister and Missus Miyamoto."
I can hear a frown in Doctor Himuro's voice when he comments, "Exquis being bankrupt…? That's hard to believe. Exquis had a steady stream of customers and special orders. There were lines out their door everyday as customers waited."
"I know, Doctor Himuro. Apparently, the London branch enjoyed the same popularity as well. I'm having trouble believing that Exquis or Miyamoto Family was bankrupt. More digging needs to be done to compare how authentic those loan agreements were. Accounting records for Exquis and Miyamoto Family personal accounts could've been fabricated as well."
Kirisawa sounds thoughtful. "I'll have two members of my team on it."
"Thanks, Kirisawa."
"Everyone…" Hiraizumi says with both apology and seriousness resonating in his calm tone, "May I have a word with Em in private, please? It will only be a few minutes, so please wait outside."
All the attendees look at each other and then stand up to grant Hiraizumi his request. As each person start leaving the room, Hiraizumi and I exchange meaningful gazes – with me trying to search for a reason why he now seeks a private audience with me.
End of Chapter Two