Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 514 Reversal
No gunpowder reaction test was conducted on site. After all, under those circumstances, it would be difficult for anyone to doubt Kuroki, and no one could have predicted that such a thing would happen later.

Now that two days have passed, the smoke reaction is no longer of any value.
After all, the gunpowder reaction is not that difficult to remove. Let alone two days, you can just go back and wash your body and clothes!
but……

During the investigation, Shiraishi discovered that the gas mask Kuroki was wearing had been taken away as evidence because he had been shot.

In this way, the gunpowder reaction on the gas mask is effective!
So Shiraishi immediately contacted the senior Inugari and asked him to conduct the test, and specifically asked him to make sure that the test results were included in the test report.

In this way, the results of the expert evaluation will be preserved as evidence.

No matter how much they search afterward, they can't get around this matter—if Shiraishi didn't know, that would be one thing, but now that Shiraishi knows, how can anyone ignore this evidence?

“The filter… Indeed, this makes the charge against Detective Kuroki for firing his gun less convincing.” Munakata nodded, seemingly relieved.

If it were just the surface of the gas mask, it could be said that the interval was too long and the nitrates had fallen off, but now the filter element is being tested!
The purpose of this thing is adsorption. If there is no gunpowder reaction on it, then the evidence contradicts the conclusion that "Kuroki shot him".

At this moment, Bai Shi stood up and said, "You guys continue to write your self-criticisms and see if there's anything else you can do to make a self-criticism. After all, the head office has an arrest warrant and has taken the person away, so it's definitely not a wrongful conviction. Think carefully about what other mistakes you've made, and I'll go to the head office to make a self-criticism in person!"

After saying that, Shiraishi perked up and, instead of attending the meeting, prepared to change his clothes and go "stroll" around the Metropolitan Police Department.

There were previous results of rifling analysis, but Shiraishi avoided going to the testing center, lest he be questioned and rendered speechless.

However, now that Shiraishi also has physical evidence, the situation has reversed.

……

June 26th, Monday, before the end of the workday...

Shiraishi arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department and, as always, squeezed through the security gate sideways. He then smiled kindly at the officer holding the security scanner high and scanning his collar.

"Look, it's Shiraishi Kuro!"

"Huh? Why did he come here on his own initiative? Wasn't the inspector supposed to be investigating him?"

"Your information is outdated. It seems the forensic department just discovered something—evidence favorable to the Mikasa Police Department..."

"Advantageous? I heard that this time it's Vice Director Moroboshi who wants to get rid of him. What use is advantageous evidence?"

"That's not how it works. Shiraishi Kuro isn't someone to be trifled with either. Who would dare ignore his evidence..."

Police officers coming and going at the Metropolitan Police Department saw this scene; some whispered gossips, while others pretended not to see it and turned away.

After Shiraishi entered, he didn't linger and headed straight for the General Affairs Department.

After stepping into the elevator, Shiraishi had already composed himself. His previously friendly smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression and a barely suppressed anger.

The police officers in the elevator moved to the edge, leaving the middle space for Shiraishi.

Seeing Shiraishi go down to the General Affairs Department floor, everyone in the elevator breathed a sigh of relief and started gossiping—of course, going out to watch the excitement was out of the question.

In theory, inspectors belong to the General Affairs Department and the Personnel Section.

Shiraishi walked straight to the minister's office, ignoring the police officers who tried to stop him, and knocked on the door.

"Inspector Shiraishi, you've been incredibly rude. The chief..."

"Alright, let him in," came the voice of Department Head Tanaka.

Shiraishi didn't stand on ceremony and pushed the door open, immediately saying in a heated tone, "Chief Tanaka! Your people have gone too far! With clearly questionable evidence, they directly applied for an arrest warrant for their own people? Do they think their colleagues in the local police station are thieves?"

"Sit down and have some tea," Tanaka said calmly.

Seeing this, Shiraishi sat down on the guest sofa. Tanaka also came down from behind the chief's desk and came to the guest seat. He calmly said, "It's not that serious. As a detective in a local police station, you and your colleagues in the Beika Police Station have arrested quite a few officers from the headquarters and other police stations, haven't you?"

As he spoke, Tanaka poured tea for Shiraishi.

“How can that be the same? We only make arrests when the evidence is conclusive!” Shiraishi emphasized.

"I heard that the inspector also applied for an arrest warrant first, right? And you don't need to tell me these things, I can't control the inspector's side." Tanaka chatted casually with Shiraishi.

Tanaka also understood that although Shiraishi came over with a fierce demeanor, it was just for show.

The inspector system is nominally under the management of the General Affairs Department and the Personnel Department. In reality, the chief inspector is already a police superintendent, and his authority is relatively independent. What does the General Affairs Department have to do with the inspector investigating the people of the Mihua Department?
Shiraishi's visit to Tanaka was simply a warning to the Chief Inspector and the Deputy Director Moroboshi behind him: Shiraishi was coming to "argue".

This demonstrates both determination and avoids a direct confrontation, lest there be no room for maneuver.

After all, it's Shiraishi who's taking the hits now...

Shiraishi still didn't know what was going on with Kuroki's gun, but he didn't believe that Moroboshi Toshio had framed him!

To commit such a serious crime just to cause trouble for Shiraishi, Moroboshi Toshio is far too reckless. An unstable person cannot reach this position.

It must be some other force that caused Kuroki's current predicament, and after discovering this, Moroboshi Toshio decided to take advantage of the situation.

In this situation, it would be pointless for Shiraishi to clash with Moroboshi Toshio.

"Is the current chief inspector Shinichiro Fujiwara? What's going on with this guy?" Shiraishi's tone softened as he asked Tanaka while sipping his tea.

Previously in Aomori Prefecture, Shiraishi had met the chief inspector of the National Police Agency, Horiuchi Juro.

However, the investigation into Kuroki is now being handled by the Metropolitan Police Department's chief inspector. The two have different scopes of oversight. The National Police Agency's inspector can oversee all police officers nationwide, while the Metropolitan Police Department's inspector can only oversee officers within the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Chief Fujiwara is an inspector who came from the Second Investigation Division. He used to be the ace of the Second Investigation Division. Because of his outstanding achievements, he was transferred to the inspector system... By the way, he should be a graduate of the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo, class of '87, right?" Tanaka mentioned casually.

This shouldn't even need to be mentioned!

After all, they are already superintendents-general, and most of them, especially in the Metropolitan Police Department, are graduates of the University of Tokyo.

However, since Tanaka brought it up, Shiraishi also had an idea – Toshio Moroboshi was also from the class of '87!
Shiraishi immediately understood that Tanaka was implying to him that Fujiwara was one of Moroboshi's men.

There is usually fierce competition among those in the same cohort, since positions like Superintendent General of Police and Commissioner General of the National Police Agency are typically filled every year or two, and it's almost impossible for two officers to be promoted in the same cohort. Once the opportunity is gone, it's gone forever. However, Fujiwara, as the Chief Inspector, is clearly no longer on the promotion list, while Toshio Morohoshi still has a chance to compete for the position of Chief of Police Department, and thus, a future opportunity to rise to the top of the police force…

In this situation, it's not surprising that those who have already "fallen out" from their class will rely on those who are doing well.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently has two deputy commissioners: one is Deputy Commissioner Moroboshi, and the other is Deputy Commissioner Kinugasa. Both are cunning old foxes.

However, in terms of authority, Deputy Director Moroboshi is in charge of front-line departments, while Deputy Director Kinugasa is in charge of desk-based departments—the General Affairs Department. Logically, it should be Deputy Director Kinugasa who is in charge.

Tanaka is primarily one of Hakuba's men, and secondarily one of Kinugasa's men; he doesn't have much of a relationship with Moroboshi.

Therefore, he did have some reservations about the fact that, theoretically, the inspector of his department was actually one of Moroboshi's people.

After arriving at the Metropolitan Police Department, Shiraishi stayed in Tanaka's office, drinking tea and chatting with him for over an hour before leaving.

After that, Shiraishi still didn't go to see the inspector, but went directly to Director Hakuba's office.

Along the way, he naturally adjusted his demeanor back to one of "angry".

Upon entering Hakuba's office, Shiraishi immediately began to complain, "Director Hakuba! Is this acceptable? Is this acceptable? Can inspectors just arrest people arbitrarily? What are we, the local police officers, supposed to think? Anyone who doesn't know better would think that you, Director, don't consider us your own people..."

"Speak your mind, don't use any rhetoric," Bai Ma said without looking up as he signed the documents.

After signing, Bai Ma raised his head and looked at Bai Shi, saying, "You're really perceptive; you immediately thought of testing the gas mask's filter."

Shiraishi may appear to be incredibly well-developed, but it would be a big mistake to assume that he is simple-minded or careless because of that!

Anyone who has dealt with Shiraishi knows that he is very meticulous, not only in his observation skills but also in his logic.

"That's right, otherwise wouldn't it be wrong to frame our frontline police officers... Detective Kuroki was shot right here and is still injured, yet he was framed..." Shiraishi said confidently.

Bai Ma shook his head and said, "It's too early to say we're framing someone."

Seeing that Shiraishi was about to retort, Hakuba interrupted him first, saying, "The evidence from the bullet hole identification has not been overturned, and it conflicts with the evidence from the gunpowder smoke reaction, so it can only be said that it is in doubt..."

"Of course, further investigation is needed. We also hope that your Mihua Police Department can cooperate sincerely with the headquarters to clarify the case as soon as possible. The current confusing situation is very unfavorable to the police!"

As Bai Ma spoke, he handed a stack of documents to Bai Shi.

The current situation is indeed putting the Metropolitan Police Department in a very difficult position...

The fact that a police officer shot and killed a suspect who fled without retaliating, and then lied about it afterwards, already touched a nerve.

Even if Moroboshi wanted to take the opportunity to give Shiraishi a warning, he only dared to have Kuroki quickly admit to "accidental killing" and "lying out of fear," striving to resolve the matter quickly and decisively. He dared not steer the matter toward "intentional silencing and cover-up," otherwise Moroboshi would also face pressure from the entire police force.

But after a day, Kuroki not only completely denied it, but Shiraishi also caused a new problem!

They actually asked the forensic department to produce a forensic report that contradicted the rifling evidence...

If this physical evidence is not confirmed, or if no one pursues it relentlessly, it can be "ignored," and no testing or report can be conducted, or it can be rejected.

But now that Shiraishi is backing him up, and the report has already been released, no matter how strong the rifling evidence on the other side is, it is foreseeable that Shiraishi will stick to it no matter what!

Once things get into a tug-of-war, the issue could spill over, and nobody wants it to escalate to such a point.

If it weren't for strong evidence like "rifling analysis," even if it were just a rough assessment like before, the Metropolitan Police Department's top brass would immediately conclude that "it wasn't Kuroki who fired the shot" and that "the killer used the same model of handgun."

The problem is that the "rifling identification" has already been confirmed, and it was done using an electron microscope and with measurements down to one-thousandth of a millimeter...

This situation is now beyond explanation!

To deny that Kuroki fired the shot indirectly proves that there were problems with the identification process or that the evidence was switched; in short, it's an internal problem within the police force.

This has left the Metropolitan Police Department's top brass in a real bind...

While Shiraishi was having tea with Tanaka, Hakuba and other "relevant leaders" such as Moroboshi, Kinugasa, Fujiwara, and Odagiri were still in a meeting.

Kinugasa took the opportunity to criticize Moroboshi and Fujiwara—why were they so hasty? Why didn't they consult Shiraishi Kurokawa first? Did they have ulterior motives?
Moroboshi and Fujiwara, of course, would not admit it, only saying that they were following the rules, that the evidence was conclusive with only minor flaws, and that they couldn't have notified their director beforehand if the motive was unclear...

After a series of exchanges, the situation reversed, and he became a hot potato in the hands of Moroboshi and Fujiwara.

In the end, Bai Ma acted as a peacemaker—now is not the time to argue, the important thing is to find out the truth about this matter as soon as possible and give everyone an explanation!
Moroboshi and Fujiwara were also caught off guard, and instead of getting their hands on Shiraishi, they were hit by Hakuba instead.

Shiraishi then took the official document handed to him by Hakuba and saw the case manager listed on it...

"Ninomiya? The First Investigation Division is in charge of investigating the case?" Shiraishi frowned deeply.

"Otherwise what? Should we ask the police inspector to investigate? Is it that interesting?" Hakuba retorted.

Shiraishi also understood that the reason the case was not of a high rank was to handle it discreetly.

After all, no matter how you look at it, there's probably a mole within the Metropolitan Police Department!

Director White Horse certainly didn't want the police department to get involved.

Similarly, the inspector of the Metropolitan Police Department, because of his "careless work" and being targeted by Shiraishi, could not take the lead. Otherwise... Shiraishi would not have spent so long drinking tea with Tanaka!
Therefore, Hakuba simply downgraded the case to the First Investigation Division—treating it as a criminal case and nominally ignoring the "mole" issue.

even……

Hakuba didn't use his own trusted subordinate, the newly appointed section chief Matsumoto Kiyonaga, but instead appointed Ninomiya to take charge of the matter.

Ninomiya was also one of Moroboshi's people, but he failed to compete for the position of section chief. Moreover, he had disobeyed orders in connection with the "inspector's suicide case," so he was likely to be sidelined.

Director Hakuba has now appointed Ninomiya to handle the case, and there is no objection from any side...

(End of this chapter)