Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 111: Two-sided attack
"The Senate?" Shiraishi was also confused at this moment - what day was it today? Both the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Senate.

Before Bai Shi could say anything, he heard footsteps and hurried conversation outside.

"Congressman Shirai, the director is still working with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry..."

"It's okay! I can meet you together."

……

Just then, this "Congressman Shirai" came in very rudely, and... after hearing the voice, Shiraishi realized that this "Congressman Shirai" was a young woman.

Originally, because of "Senator" and "Shirai", a surname that caused trouble for himself, Shiraishi imagined a middle-aged man's face.

But the person who came in was actually a woman who looked to be around 30 years old and was dressed in a professional suit.

The members of the Senate are elected by local councillors, and local councillors are also elected, so it is not surprising that there are young women. Shiraishi saw two days ago that the candidate for the governor of Touto was showing off his "cleavage" to canvass votes...

Seeing Congressman Shirai coming in, Shiraishi and Okamoto also stood up to greet him.

"Director Shiraishi, right?" Shirai could confirm his identity by looking at his body shape.

"Mr. Shirai? Hello," Shiraishi said, extending his hand.

However, Shirai ignored the hand that Shiraishi extended and said arrogantly: "I want to file a complaint against the police officers in your police station..."

"Hello!" Bai Shi raised his outstretched hand again and raised his voice a few notches, while deliberately staring at her eyes in a more condescending manner.

Shirai's heart skipped a beat under the shock of Shiraishi. Not only was his original momentum taken away, but in panic, he instinctively shook hands with him. After realizing his gaffe, he quickly withdrew his hand.

"I want to complain about the police officers in your department..." Although Shirai's momentum was taken away and his voice tone dropped by three points, he still insisted on "complaining."

"I see. What are you complaining about?" Bai Shi asked directly.

"I'm complaining that the police officers in your department...interfered with the normal operation of [For W] and summoned Ms. Haseoka, who was a close friend of the victim, without any evidence!" Shirai said angrily.

"Summons?" Shiraishi confirmed - but he didn't believe it at all, after all, Kunikida was still here!
I guess either there is preliminary evidence or they are voluntarily cooperating with the investigation…

At the same time, Shiraishi was even more puzzled. Did Councillor Shirai also come because of this case?
And Shiraishi also sighed in his heart that the police officers in the Criminal Division were becoming more and more efficient, as they brought so many "monsters" to him in just one weekend!
"We are cooperating with the investigation voluntarily and can leave at any time. Councillor Shirai probably misunderstood." Yuanwei immediately explained.

She had just learned that Councillor Shirai was coming, so she went to the Criminal Division to find out.

"In short... Ms. Sakurayama of [For W] was murdered because [For W]'s just actions offended some people and companies in society. Isn't it too strange to focus on [For W]'s internal investigation at this time?" Shirai said indignantly.

Shiraishi's conclusion was obviously unprofessional and rude, but Shiraishi just said at this time: "Member Shiraishi did misunderstand. As far as I know, Ms. Haseoka was the first discoverer. In any homicide case, the first discoverer will be investigated, especially if he or she knew the deceased... This is also to prove his or her innocence and exclude the possibility of murder."

Well, what Shiraishi said was very emotionally intelligent, but... the implication of his words was that the investigation should continue.

"But instead of picking on Representative Haseoka, why not investigate the workplace sexual harassment that Secretary Sakurayama is currently investigating?" Shirai said, looking at Okamoto provocatively.

Upon hearing this, Okamoto immediately said, "What Councillor Shirai said is not right... Speaking of which, I heard that the crime scene was at Ms. Sakurayama's house, and the representative of the organization had a spare key, right?"

"you……"

Shirai was about to say something, but at this moment, someone knocked on the door again.

Several people in the room looked over and saw that the visitor was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing glasses and looking very elite, but also... a little greasy.

Originally, Shirai was unhappy about being interrupted, but after seeing who was coming, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Sorry, sorry, Director Shiraishi. I'm Nohara Shota, the secretary of Congressman Shirai." Nohara's name was the exact opposite of his greasy middle-aged appearance. As he spoke, he handed Shiraishi his business card with both hands, being much more polite than the congressman himself.

"Section Chief Okamoto, long time no see... My last proposal was made thanks to your keen observation..." Nohara was also polite when he saw Okamoto.

Seeing this, Okamoto calmed down and said to Shiraishi: "Director Shiraishi, in short... I hope your department can treat this case with... caution in the way it is investigated."

"Don't worry, Section Chief Okamoto. We are very cautious in dealing with all homicide cases." Shiraishi said as he shook hands with him and said goodbye.

"Since Director Shiraishi still has a big case to deal with, we will not bother him any longer... Secretary-General Minobe has always been optimistic about Director Shiraishi's performance and hopes that you will keep up the good work." Secretary Nohara was much more thoughtful in his words than Councilman Shirai himself, but even though he was looking up at Shiraishi at this time, he naturally put himself in a higher position in the conversation.

Shiraishi was still unable to react for a moment - where did Secretary-General Minobe come from? The Secretary-General of [For W]? Do I need her to look after me?

"Goodbye, both of you... I am also optimistic about Secretary-General Minobe's career." Shiraishi said that he also supports the development of public welfare.

Nohara:? ? ?
Nohara almost couldn't hold it back for a moment. He looked at Shiraishi strangely, then left with Shiraishi.

Although Councillor Shirai looked at Nohara with dissatisfaction, he did not refute anything. It seemed that the relationship between him and his secretary was not like that of an ordinary politician. Before leaving, he just said, "Director Shiraishi...just be careful!"

……

After the two left, Yuanwei also said with a strange look on his face: "Director, do you know... Councillor Shirai?"

What Maruo wanted to ask more was, "Do you know Secretary-General Minobe?", but he changed his mind when the words came to his lips.

"Is it famous?" Bai Shi really didn't care.

"Well! Shirai Akiko is also very famous among the congressmen. She used to be a TV anchor and later went into politics. She is very popular among ordinary people, especially housewives." Yuanwei introduced.

"Anchor...tsk tsk." Bai Shi curled his lips - another vote-pulling machine.

"And it is said that she was supported by Minobe, the secretary-general of the Democratic Party..." Yuanwei reminded Shiraishi indirectly.

The "Secretary-General Minobe" mentioned by the original secretary is not the secretary-general of a public welfare organization, but the secretary-general of the Democratic Party, that is, the No. 2 in the party after the "President". As for the President of the Democratic Party, he is the current Prime Minister.

"Development Democratic Party... Oh, that old guy on TV with the corners of his mouth drooping a little, right?" Shiraishi also remembered it at this time.

It turns out that he is the Secretary-General of the DPP...

Because this kind of person is usually too far away from Bai Shi, Bai Shi didn't think of him at the first time.

"There is also a rumor that... Secretary-General Minobe is planning to nominate Congressman Shirai to be the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism." Yuanwei was whispering gossip at this time, also to remind the director to pay attention.

"Minister? Tsk, you're really trying hard for your approval rating..." Shiraishi sneered and shook his head when he heard that.

The "Secretary of State" of each province is basically appointed by the Prime Minister from among the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The pinnacle of civil service is the "Deputy Minister" or "Vice Minister", and generally the work is done by the "Deputy Minister".

As the Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, Minobe has a great influence on the Prime Minister, and in theory he could recommend Congressman Shirai to the Prime Minister to be the Minister of State.

But... Bai Shi still felt helpless to complain about this!
It would be fine if she was just a "member of parliament" elected by the people, but for the sake of support, they actually pushed a female anchor who only has "popularity" but no "brains" into the ranks of ministers of state... They really try hard!

In this way, Shiraishi could understand why Shirai and her secretary seemed to have a weird relationship - obviously Shirai was just a vase, or just a "mainstream vote-grabbing machine", and one could not really expect her to do anything. The real "brain" was her secretary Nohara Shota.

Considering Nohara Shota's attitude just now, Shiraishi could understand...

Shirai Akiko came to the Beika Police Station to speak up for [For W], but Nohara didn't know about it in advance, so he rushed over and took her away. This matter has nothing to do with Secretary-General Minobe.

If it was handled by a regular police station, Shirai would use his power and Nohara would not stop him, but...

If Shiraishi is here, it is obviously not an "ordinary police station"!

Now is a critical period when Shirai is about to be appointed as the "Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism", and she cannot add tarnish to her position because of her own willfulness.

As for Shiraishi Kuro himself, Nohara has a completely "keep his distance" attitude - the previous "Minister of Justice", although he was from the same faction as Secretary-General Minobe, later he had ambiguous relationships with other factions. Secretary-General Minobe had long wanted to get rid of him, otherwise Shiraishi might not have succeeded. In this regard, Nohara has no camp hostility towards him.

If necessary, Nohara would certainly not take a director of Mika seriously, but... in Nohara's view, things like "Councilman Shirai's own willfulness" are completely unimportant. Why would he provoke a "madman" for this?
……

Shiraishi didn't expect that a seemingly ordinary homicide case would involve so many "weirdos", so... a case discussion meeting was held immediately in the afternoon!
Bai Shi will bear the external pressure, but he must be aware of it...

----

Dongdong: Shirai Akiko, Nohara Shota, Minobe Keiji, their prototypes are from "Hagane Naoki 2", but now we are not following the storyline of "Hagane Naoki 2", this time they are just brought out for a cameo appearance.

(End of this chapter)