Conan: The Spring of Meguro 2
Chapter 2: Investigation Arrangements
2025-01-21
Chapter 2.2: Investigation Arrangements
When was the last time a high-ranking executive with a codename died? Let me think… The last high-ranking executive to die was…Scotch Whisky.
At the time, Scotch Whisky was suspected of being a mole planted by a spy agency, and was then executed by another high-ranking executive.
Who executed Scotch Whisky?
Oh, it was Rye Whisky, Akari Shuichi. (Note: Akari Shuichi is a character in a different series; this is a reference for the reader familiar with that series.) Never mind. Rye Whisky was confirmed to be an FBI mole, so the accusations against Scotch Whisky need to be reconsidered.
Reconsidered is the operative word, because Scotch Whisky is dead. A dead man isn’t worth wasting the organization’s resources on.
The matter eventually came to nothing.
Lin Longma wasn’t high enough in the ranks back when Scotch died; it didn’t affect him.
But this time, Lin Longma definitely can’t escape; he’ll be right in the eye of the hurricane.
“Tequila was blown up, leaving no remains. It happened right after he spoke to me on the phone.”
Gin withdrew his gaze from the one-way mirror. Lin Longma could see the bewildered state of Doi; Gin could see it too.
Gin knew that Tequila’s death probably had little to do with Lin Longma’s intelligence network, but Tequila’s cause of death needed investigating.
“Lin Longma, find out how Tequila died. I want to know who dares to kill someone from the organization.”
Gin’s murderous aura was palpable, like Master Huang whose horse had been killed. (This is a reference to a common trope in Chinese storytelling, suggesting intense anger and a desire for revenge).
Lin Longma didn’t refuse Gin’s order. Strictly speaking, all executives with codenames in the organization were high-ranking.
Someone like Lin Longma, who didn’t have a codename but had his own base and many subordinates, was mid-level management, a pillar of the organization.
“Understood, I’ll arrange for someone to investigate. By the way, can I take Doi with me?”
“Yes.”
Gin went to a microphone, flipped the switch, and spoke into it: “Release him.”
The two in the interrogation room clearly heard Gin’s words, one surprised, the other unsurprised.
After arranging for Doi’s release, Gin turned to Lin Longma: “Put other tasks aside for now; this investigation needs to be swift.”
“I understand.”
Lin Longma turned and walked towards the door. Doi and his subordinate were already waiting outside.
“Brother Longma.” Seeing Lin Longma, Doi realized his elder brother had come to rescue him at the first sign of trouble; he was deeply moved.
“Let’s go, we’ll talk later.”
Lin Longma nodded to Vodka, then led the way out. A car was already waiting at the door.
Doi diligently rushed to the back door and opened it for Lin Longma, then got in on the other side.
Lin Longma’s subordinate got into the passenger seat as usual; the driver gently pressed the accelerator, heading towards their base.
“How was the interrogation room at Gin’s place?” Lin Longma carefully observed Doi, confirming he wasn’t injured before looking away.
“To be honest, it wasn’t good, Brother Longma. I’m still completely confused. Gin’s men brought me to the interrogation room and asked all sorts of irrelevant questions; I still don’t know what they actually wanted to ask.”
“Tequila is dead.”
Lin Longma leaned back in his seat, eyes closed, repeating Gin’s words exactly.
Doi’s reaction mirrored Lin Longma’s.
Doi sat up straight, turning towards Lin Longma in shock: “What?! Tequila is dead?!”
“How is that possible? I remember Tequila’s mission was a simple transaction, wasn’t it? I compiled and analyzed the intelligence on the Manpuku Paradise Game Company myself. This is impossible!”
Then Doi understood why Gin’s men had arrested him. A simple task resulted in the death of a high-ranking executive, making Doi, who provided intelligence support for the mission, the prime suspect.
“Brother Longma, this…” Doi was in despair, a victim of a completely unwarranted disaster. It was fortunate that Lin Longma was protective of his subordinates; otherwise, according to Gin’s usual behavior, he would have already taken action against Doi.
“Jin Tian, find out if Tequila had any grievances with anyone after arriving in Tokyo. Also, see if anyone in the organization had a conflict with Tequila.”
Jin Tian, the passenger, picked up his phone and started making calls. After several calls, he half-turned to Lin Longma:
“Boss, Tequila came from Osaka and didn’t have a good relationship with the high-ranking executives in Tokyo. But if there was anyone he disliked the most, it would be Gin.”
“Tch,” Lin Longma had heard whispers about the bad blood between Tequila and Gin. Tequila had more seniority and years of experience; socially speaking, he was Gin’s senior.
But Gin never respected seniority, especially since his rank was higher than Tequila’s. The two often bickered, and avoided each other unless absolutely necessary.
If Tequila was dead, Gin should be happy.
“Let’s leave Gin for now,” Lin Longma quickly made a decision. “There’s so much piling up in Tokyo now; with Tequila’s death, all the tasks are heaped on Gin. Gin doesn’t have much patience, but he wouldn’t be that hasty.”
“Also, investigate that Manpuku Paradise Game Company. Tequila went to their launch event, right?”
“It was Manpuku Paradise Game Company’s launch event,” Doi explained. “Today was the launch of their new game, supposedly based on a Famous Detective’s licensed intellectual property; a mystery game. Tequila’s trading partner was someone from Manpuku Paradise Game Company. Should we investigate that trading partner too, Brother Longma?”
“Yes, investigate and find out what happened at the launch event.”
“Understood, Brother Longma.”
After Doi agreed, he also began contacting people to investigate the game launch event.
When Lin Longma returned to the base, the intelligence reports came in.
First, Jin Tian’s report: Tequila had probably been warned by Gin after arriving in Tokyo. Apart from missions, he was quite low-key.
At most, he’d gamble in underground casinos, lose, and smash things up, or cause trouble in bars after getting drunk.
Every time, Tequila used his size, fighting skills, and weapons to get away with it.
The files suggested that many people had reason to kill Tequila, but none would use so many explosives.
Being blown to pieces…this killing method hints at revenge; a great vendetta. Not unless it was something like killing a father or stealing a wife would someone go to such lengths to reduce a person to ashes.
Next, Doi’s report.
(To be continued)
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