“If the murderer is among the classmates, whatever they’ve done, it must’ve been at least ten years ago, according to what Ozawa said. Why get revenge now?”
Teruo ran a thumb over the stubble on his chin. “Something triggered the killer at the reunion. Maybe a former classmate brought back bad memories. The wire is most likely tied to those memories, possibly represents whatever horrible deed they’ve done in the past.” He put on gloves then pulled covers over his shoes. “Call the team at the TMPD. Tell them to check the list of students sent by the high school and contact them.”
While Shinji was busy on the phone, Teruo carefully circled the coffee table and stopped at Ishida’s feet. His gaze fell on Ishida’s wrists and then on his mouth, where thin, bruised lines were visible.
“Those are rope and gag marks,” Teruo said when Shinji joined him. “He’d been tied up and gagged.”
“What changed the MO?” Shinji asked, putting only one glove on his uninjured hand.
“Perhaps Ishida posed a bigger threat? Found out about the killings? And yet, it would’ve been easier to just kill him on the spot. Why tie him up?”
Shinji took a few pictures with his phone. “To demonstrate something? To show Ishida how the others were murdered and he could do nothing? He did work in homicide even if not for long. I guess it would bring satisfaction to the killer.”
“Yeah, could be,” Teruo agreed. “There’s no sign of forced entry, of struggle or any broken objects that could point to a fight. Ishida trusted this person enough to let them enter the apartment.”
Footsteps reverberated behind them and the team of forensic techs, and other officers arrived. Teruo and Shinji stepped out of the technicians’ way so they could take pictures and sweep the apartment for evidence.
Suzuki arrived shortly after, her interns trailing behind her. Kojima had a large bag over her shoulder and exchanged a few words with Suzuki. Taniguchi’s face was as white as a sheet, and he remained in the doorway for a few more seconds looking like he was going to hurl over them all. Teruo was grateful he hadn’t been around during the double homicide case. He doubted Taniguchi could’ve stomached that one.
“Hey,” Suzuki greeted, approaching him.
“Good to see you,” Teruo said. “Was thinking of paying you a visit today, but I got sidetracked.”
“I can see that.” Suzuki peeked at the victim. “Uh… wait. Isn’t that… Ishida?”
Pressing his lips in a tight line, Teruo nodded.
“Oh my god. I am so sorry. This means Ishida…”
“Yeah, he’s connected to the other two.”
She glanced over her shoulder at the officers busy with the crime scene then spoke in a low voice, “We need to talk. I got info you’ll want to hear.” She turned to Kojima. “Start without me when they finish taking pictures.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kojima replied.
“And keep an eye on Taniguchi,” Suzuki added.
“Yes, ma’am…” Kojima mumbled.
Suzuki made her way out of the living room, Teruo and Shinji following behind. She patted Taniguchi’s shoulder as she passed by him. “Go over there and look alive. There’s a crime scene waiting.”
Before Taniguchi had a chance to reply, she walked out of the apartment and stopped in the corridor, further from all the officers. Teruo already suspected what she had for him.
“The autopsies are done,” Suzuki said, confirming what Teruo thought. “The full reports will take at least a week or two, maybe more, but I’ll give you the unofficial report.”
“Oh,” Shinji said in understanding.
Suzuki’s lips quirked, then she continued, “The chemical agent was a mild sedative. Enough to keep them unconscious for a while, but not fully sedated. The wire broke through to their larynx. That’s what killed Ozawa and Yamato.”
“Yamato?” Teruo asked.
“Your jogger’s name is Yamato Daichi,” Suzuki explained and Teruo quickly grabbed his phone to tap the details when he noticed Shinji wasn’t doing his usual scribbling in his notebook. “He’s twenty-eight,” Suzuki continued, “and we identified him through a very old police report dating eleven years back when he got in trouble at school.”
“Interesting.” Teruo exchanged a look with Shinji. Ozawa had made a reference to being cruel during her high school days too. “What was the police called for?”
“Bullying,” Suzuki said. “I’ll send you the report.”
“I guess both of them were cruel,” Shinji said.