Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 437, Section 431: Reiko Kujo's Return
“Mr. Robert Taylor was ambushed by gunmen in the early hours of the morning on the streets of Beika Town. By the time the doctor arrived, it was too late to save him, and he was pronounced dead.”

After Kazami Yuya finished speaking, he and Kujo Reiko observed Hayashi Ryoma's reaction.

Lin Longma's eyes widened instinctively: "Beihu Town? How could it be Beihu Town?"

When we returned to Tokyo yesterday, we specifically asked Mr. Taylor, didn't he say he had business to attend to in Tottori Prefecture?

"Chairman Lin, regarding Mr. Taylor's statement that he has other matters to attend to in Tottori Prefecture, are you sure?" Reiko Kujo pressed.

“Hmm,” Lin Longma pondered for a moment before continuing, “Although Mr. Taylor didn’t say what he had to do, I can guess something.”

Mr. Taylor harbored considerable hostility towards the rest of the Takeda family, and his claim of having business to attend to was likely just a pretext.

He probably just wanted to see what would happen to the rest of the Takeda family?

Lin Longma shared his guess, which sounded quite reasonable.

Lin Longma and Taylor are not related, so it's quite remarkable that he could guess this. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau and the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office's overnight analysis also leans towards this possibility.

This left everyone puzzled as to why Robert Taylor returned to Beika Town so quickly.

If you want to see what happens to the Takeda clan, you'd have to stay in Tottori Prefecture for at least a few days, right?

Why are you rushing back to Tokyo?

Throughout the interrogation, Ryoma Hayashi was only curious about Taylor's return to Beika Town, but he didn't show much emotion about Taylor being ambushed.

It's just like nothing special?
"Thank you very much for your cooperation, Chairman Lin. Please accept this business card. If you have any leads, please feel free to contact me anytime."

Reiko Kujo maintained her polite attitude towards Ryoma Hayashi and then handed him her business card.

Reiko Kujo's business card is very simple: Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, Prosecutor Reiko Kujo.

There is also Reiko Kujo's contact information.

After Ryoma Hayashi accepted Reiko Kujo's business card, Yuya Kazami also handed over his own business card.

“Me too. Please feel free to contact me if you remember anything.” Kazami Yuya’s business card reads: “Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Public Security Division, Kazami Yuya.”

"Okay, don't worry, I'll contact you if there's any new information." Lin Longma gladly accepted the business cards they handed him.

Afterwards, Inspector Megure and his two companions said goodbye, and Ryoma Kaneda escorted them out of the company building.

The three got into the car, and after driving for a while, Kazami Yuya spoke first: "That Chairman Hayashi is a bit strange."

"How so?" Inspector Megure instinctively became the straight man.

The driver in the car was from the Ministry of Public Security, and Reiko Kujo was a prosecutor from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.

Inspector Megure's role as the straight man was perfectly fitting.

And to be honest, Inspector Megure didn't find anything suspicious about Ryoma Hayashi; his responses were all quite normal.

Kazami Yuya continued, "Chairman Hayashi didn't seem surprised when we mentioned Robert Taylor's death."

"He was only surprised that Robert Taylor returned to Beika at that time. He wasn't surprised that he was shot."

"Doesn't this prove that Chairman Lin knows at least some inside information?"

Sometimes, being a public security police officer is a lot like being a detective; you can't let go of any suspicious points or places.

For them, all the doubts deserved a thorough investigation.

Especially these kinds of "unsolved mysteries".

On the other hand, Reiko Kujo denied Yuya Kazami's guess.

"No, Chairman Lin's reaction was actually quite normal."

"Ok?"

Reiko Kujo pointed a finger out the window: "Is Chairman Hayashi's company in Beika Town?"

Moreover, he had a very good relationship with the famous detective Kogoro Mouri, and even Kogoro Mouri's daughter and Heiji Hattori of Osaka Prefecture had received his help.

This means that a murder case that would be rare for ordinary people is commonplace for Chairman Lin.

“It would be rather strange if he showed too much surprise at the killing of Robert Taylor.”

Upon hearing Reiko Kujo's analysis, Inspector Megure immediately realized that this was indeed what he subconsciously believed.

This isn't an attempt to save face; it's simply telling the truth.

Lin Longma could become acquainted with Inspector Megure through official business, which means he had to see him every few days.

In his opinion, Lin Longma really shouldn't be making a fuss about the murder case—you get used to things after seeing them a lot.

The same applies to murder cases.

“Is that so? That makes a lot of sense!” Kazami Yuya wasn’t exactly the type to readily agree with anything.

But both Reiko Kujo and Inspector Megure were more familiar with Beika Town than he, a public security police officer.

Since neither of them felt that Chairman Lin had any problems, then perhaps there really wasn't anything wrong.

However, Kazami Yuya still planned to contact his direct superior, Furuya Rei, after parting ways with them.

Rei Furuya, also known as Tooru Amuro or Bourbon, is the head of "Team Zero" in the Security Planning Division of the Security Bureau of the National Police Agency.

What makes this organization special is that Rei Furuya, as the person in charge, can directly order the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau to do things.

Kazami Yuya, a public security police officer from the Metropolitan Police Department, is also a direct subordinate of Furuya Rei.

Yu Kazami also trusted his superior, Mr. Furuya. When faced with difficulties, he was more willing to listen to his superior's opinions and instructions.

Silence fell over the car for a moment.

Reiko Kujo didn't finish her sentence because she also sensed that Ryoma Hayashi's words contained unfinished business.

This is also the main reason why she took the initiative to leave her business card with Lin Longma.

There were indeed more people in Lin Longma's office just now, both relevant and unrelated people.

As the president of the association, Lin Longma naturally wouldn't say it so bluntly. So she presented a business card as an opportunity for the two to talk again.

If Lin Longma is interested.
"Buzz. Buzz."

Shortly after Reiko Kujo returned to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, an unfamiliar number called her cell phone.

"Moshi moshi, this is Reiko Kujo." Reiko Kujo glanced at the number and answered the phone.

"Prosecutor Kujo, this is Ryoma Hayashi. Are you available now?" Ryoma Hayashi asked in his usual unhurried tone.

"Of course, I'm at the prosecutor's office right now."

"Well, I suddenly remembered some information about Mr. Taylor, I don't know if you'll find it useful."

"I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you, Prosecutor Kujo."

Upon hearing this, Reiko Kujo thought to herself, "Just as I expected."

"No, it's not trouble at all. Shall I go to your office now?"

"Okay, see you there." After hanging up the phone, Reiko Kujo picked up her car keys, went to the parking lot, and drove to Isshin Consulting for the second time.

Less than an hour later, Reiko Kujo reappeared in Ryoma Hayashi's office.

"President Lin."

"Prosecutor Kujo, please have a seat." Unlike before when there were quite a few people in the office, now there were only Lin Longma and Kujo Reiko in the office.

Reiko Kujo got straight to the point: "Regarding the case of Robert Taylor's murder, Chairman Hayashi, do you have any new information?"

Lin Longma didn't beat around the bush and said to Kujo Reiko, "A while ago, a man named Negishi Akio died in the Takeda family."

He was Shinichi Takeda's partner, and this man's death is very likely related to Mr. Taylor.

Lin Longma's words were full of speculation, and his vocabulary was vague and ambiguous.

It sounds like gossip.

But Reiko Kujo knew very well that what Ryoma Hayashi said was very likely true. The man named Akio Negishi was very likely killed by Robert Taylor.

As for why Lin Longma was so "uncertain," it was because of her identity.

Knowing some inside information, he told the prosecutor that if it came in handy, it would be a merit.

However, if you were to confidently declare a murder case to the prosecutor, you would be suspected of withholding information.

Let alone a chairman like Lin Longma, even an ordinary person would be willing to cause trouble for themselves.
Reiko Kujo is not some rigid champion of justice. As a supporter of outcome-based justice, she doesn't mind using some inappropriate methods when pursuing the truth.

She can naturally tolerate some less-than-compliant behaviors.

Not to mention that Lin Longma is offering her help; she's already being kind enough, so what else is there to be picky about?
Reiko Kujo quickly jotted down the information in her notebook, then looked expectantly at Ryoma Hayashi: "Is there anything else, Chairman Hayashi?"

"Naturally there is."

Lin Longma looked solemn, then opened the drawer, took out some gold coins, placed them on the table, and slowly pushed them to Kujo Reiko.

"These are... gold coins?" Reiko Kujo was somewhat surprised to see the gold coins on the table.

She didn't think this was a "bribe" that Lin Longma was planning to give her.

The main reason is that Lin Longma has not committed any crime, so there is no need for him to bribe the prosecutor.

Since it wasn't a bribe, it must be related to Taylor.

Reiko Kujo picked up a gold coin and examined it closely. There were no special markings on the coin.

The pattern is on both the front and back.

The front side features a building, while the back side displays a raven emblem.

"These gold coins are Taylor's reward to me." Regardless of whose credit it was for wiping out the Takeda clan, Taylor's goal was achieved.

Now that the goal has been achieved, compensation must be paid.

This is just like a locksmith opening a door; no matter how fast the locksmith is, once they've opened the door, you have to pay the agreed-upon fee.

If you think it's too expensive, you should have the locksmith negotiate the price before they come.
Taylor was a straightforward person; he didn't hesitate at all when it came time to pay.

However, all these gold coins were now placed in front of Reiko Kujo.

"What are these gold coins?" There are only ten gold coins, and even if they are made of pure gold, their value is only so-so.

It's certainly not enough to compensate Lin Longma, the chairman.

This means that the gold coin has some other "added value".

Lin Longma didn't keep them in suspense: "According to Mr. Taylor, these gold coins are admission tickets to some special service at the Tokyo City Hotel."

When Kujo Reiko heard about "special services" from Hayashi Ryoma, she subconsciously pursed her lips.

She then realized that she must have been mistaken.

Lin Longma is such a senior member of the association; if he really needed some special service, he wouldn't need to do something so superfluous.

In a capitalist society, Lin Longma is the capital of capitalism. Even if his size can't compare to a large conglomerate, he still has the best conditions among ordinary people.

If you really want a woman, you don't need to go through all this trouble.

"So this special service is..."

"It usually represents a request or a commission, such as a piece of intelligence or some weapons."

Or perhaps some more complicated solutions?

Lin Longma did not give a definite answer: "These gold coins have been in my hands for less than 24 hours, and I have not yet explored how to use them."

All the accounts come from Mr. Taylor. If Prosecutor Nine is curious about the cause of Taylor's death, I think these gold coins are very likely one of the contributing factors.

As Ryoma Hayashi described, Reiko Kujo's expression grew increasingly serious.

When Lin Longma finished speaking, the word "assassin" popped into her mind!
What is the most direct and effective way to solve a problem?
Of course, it's about dealing with troublemakers. So, one gold coin can get a hitman service from the Tokyo City Hotel?
This place is actually an assassin's platform? How come she's never heard of it before?!

"That's about all I know about Mr. Taylor. I hope it helps you, Prosecutor Kujo."

After telling Reiko Kujo everything he knew, Ryoma Lin said sincerely.

"Thank you so much, Chairman Lin. You have been a great help to me!"
I still have some leads to investigate, so I won't stay any longer!

Reiko Kujo got up and took her leave with a swift and decisive motion.

The information Lin Longma provided, while not exactly shocking, was still a very significant clue.

She was in a hurry to investigate the Tokyo City Hotel and didn't exchange many pleasantries with Ryoma.

But she accepted Lin Longma's favor.

They didn't originally need to tell you so much, but now they're completely laying it all out.

This was a great favor, and Reiko Kujo kept it in mind.

It was Kaneda who saw Kujo Reiko off as well.

After seeing Kujo Reiko off, Kaneda returned to Hayashi Ryoma's office: "Big brother, are we just going to hand over Kir's base to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office for investigation like this?"
Will this affect us?

Lin Longma of the Yixin Society can do whatever he wants, but from the organization's perspective, Lin Longma is somewhat suspected of betraying his own side.

It's not even a suspicion, it's a fact.

"What impact could it have?" Lin Longma replied casually, "None of the conversations I just had with Prosecutor Kujo will be written down."

Those clues were uncovered by the nine prosecutors themselves. The fact that Kiel's hideout went wrong is simply due to her incompetence; how can you blame me?

"Besides, Prosecutor Kujo is a smart person, and dealing with smart people is the easiest thing to do."

Ryoma Hayashi mentioned Akio Negishi to indicate that while he was willing to help Reiko Kujo, he was unwilling to endorse her.

I've provided you with the intelligence; if you succeed, I'll keep it for myself. But if there's nothing to show for it, I won't take responsibility.

After all, I already said that this information was just hearsay, right?
This intelligence is highly likely to be useful and could allow Kujou Reiko to gain merit. Therefore, this is a significant favor to Kujou Reiko.

As for Tokyo City Hotel and Kiel, who cares?
(End of this chapter)