Teruo ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated, though resigned. “Doesn’t feel like that to me, but fine. All right, let’s brainstorm. Our perp is a former classmate, who’s got powers like yours, knew the victims well enough to lure them into a false sense of security before injecting them with a sedative and wrapping the wire. This fucking wire has been a problem from the beginning.”
“Yeah,” Shinji said. “My guess is that the criminal used thereiryokuto wrap it so precise and tight enough to break through to their larynx—at least for the first three victims. Didn’t have time to do that to Miura.”
“There’s one issue which I don’t understand. When you used the energy at Ishida’s apartment on Saturday, nothing in its path moved. There was a slight breeze, but nothing so strong as to manipulate a solid object. So how come this person can use it to wrap the wire?”
Shinji gave him a little smile both impressed and worried at Teruo’s observational skills even while under the touch of death’s pressure.
“It’s because thereiryokuis adjustable,” Shinji explained. “I was careful not to move stuff around like a poltergeist. It’s a skill some have, some don’t.”
“Then you’re certain the perpetrator used the energy on the wire.”
“Yes,” Shinji said. “And not just on the wire, but is actively using it to keep the ghosts hostage. I admit, I’m astonished. Hiding spirits and also hiding themselves from my eyes and senses right now is very taxing. The perpetrator—whoever they are—must be one hell of areiryokuuser.”
Footsteps heading in their direction interrupted them. Kojima approached, her gaze set on Shinji and a big smile stretching on her face.
“We’re finished,” she announced. “We’re taking the victim to the medical center now for the autopsy.” She gave Shinji a once-over. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Bit ill,” Shinji said.
Kojima shivered and shook her head. “There must be something in the air. I hope I won’t catch it too.”
“Get to the point,” Teruo snapped. “Is there anything useful to report or are you here for chit-chat?”
“Yes, sir,” she muttered. “The laceration on the head is deep enough to kill, whereas the wire barely broke skin this time. There are no needle marks, so we’re quite certain it was the horse statue that killed Miura Eisuke.”
“Already figured that one on my own,” Teruo said. “Give me something useful.”
“Well, we’ve also found skin residue beneath his fingernails, so we might be able to ID the perpetrator.”
“Who’s on duty now with Suzuki gone?”
“Could be any of the other senior medical examiners. I’ll find out once I get back.”
“Tell whoever it is to move their damn ass and finish the autopsy fast, otherwise I’ll show up at the medical center again. And, trust me, youdon’t wantthat.”
Her eyes widening, Kojima bowed giving a weak “yes, sir”, then scrambled to join Taniguchi, the forensic team and the other officers who were leaving the victim’s house. Shinji slid his hand underneath Teruo’s suit and pinched his lower back in a silent request for him to stop annoying people. Teruo clicked his tongue, waving him off.
As the officers passed by, Teruo went to ask them a few more questions, while Shinji remained in his spot, resting against the wooden fence. He studied them, their faces and body language, in an attempt to figure out if one of these people truly was responsible.
Two officers, along with Taniguchi, were rather sweaty. But sweat wasn’t enough of a reason to pin them as the criminal; they could’ve simply been exhausted. Taniguchi seemed ill all the time and Shinji wondered if he was just as sensitive as Teruo to supernatural phenomena. He’d complained about it at the medical center and Suzuki was quick to dismiss him. Or, perhaps Teruo was right and Taniguchi really hated seeing bodies.
He was now less convinced it was Kojima. She looked too perky for someone who allegedly used a high amount ofreiryoku. Maybe the reaction to her touch had been because of all the energy engulfing the medical center. Or maybe she was a greatreiryokuuser and tricked them. Shinji let out a frustrated sigh.
As the forensic team and the officers left, the energy’s pressure started to slowly diminish. Shinji pushed himself away from the fence, rushing inside the house and toward the bedroom. Only the supervising officer remained behind.
“Something wrong?” Teruo asked when he reached Shinji.
“I’m waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
Shinji gestured for him to be patient and entered the bedroom. “Excuse me,” Shinji spoke to the officer, “would it be possible to let me and the chief take another look around? We won’t be long.”
“Certainly.” The supervising officer bowed and left Shinji and Teruo alone.
The energy inside the room was getting thinner by the second until nothing remained. Nothing besides the very obvious ghost of the fourth victim: Miura Eisuke.
The ghost stood in the middle of the room, where his dead body had been minutes earlier. He seemed disoriented, staring blankly ahead, and his white, immaterial frame unmoving. Shinji could barely believe it. The damn spirit had been right next to him this entire time, covered by the cloak of spiritual energy.