Chapter 145 The Villain's Face

Mika Natori seemed a little nervous at this moment.

She glanced at the crime scene every now and then, and kept an eye on the police's movements, seemingly no different from any other timid yet curious onlooker.

but……

“Natori-senpai is very experienced in wilderness survival. Nishimoto-kun told me that last time a classmate was surrounded by several poisonous snakes in the mountains, it was Natori-senpai who rescued him.”

Akemi Miyano had told him some stories about Mika Natori, which gave him a better understanding of the members of this temporary group.

If things are really as Nishimoto said, then Natori Mika's behavior at this moment is somewhat strange.

[Anti-Fraud Guru #66: You seem very worried about the situation over there. Are you afraid the police won't be able to solve the case, or are you afraid they will be able to?]

[Anti-fraud expert #148: I don't understand, but if she really cared about the case, why didn't she pay more attention to the three suspects like Shinichi Kudo did?]

Indeed, her focus was solely on Paloma and the police.

[Anti-Fraud Guru #19: Perhaps he doesn't consider those three people suspects; perhaps the murderer is someone else?]

Oh? Does she know more inside information?

[Anti-Fraud Guru #26: Ah! I see, she's a detective too! She seems unrelated, but she's been secretly investigating since the incident, planning to make a stunning discovery at the final deduction!]

Well… judging from Natori Mika's current experience, she hasn't participated in the deduction of any cases at all. Even in this case, she didn't ask the police, so she probably doesn't even know some of the details.

The little alpaca didn't give up. It waved its short hooves and projected a table onto the screen.

[Anti-Fraud Guru #26: Jing, your side job is being a detective, but you've never solved a case.]

Zhu Fujingguang: ...

Don't mention this to me. Just thinking about it makes me want to beat up that Hagiwara guy.

[Anti-fraud expert #214: ...Actually, to some extent, what #26 said isn't entirely unreasonable.]

...?

Zhu Fujingguang and the other alpacas all turned to look at her.

[Anti-fraud expert #214: ...Why are you all looking at me like that? I haven't been infected with his idiot virus. I'm just saying that based on the behavioral patterns he mentioned, perhaps we can understand what stance Natori Mika is taking. Just as Kei and #19 guessed, perhaps she really does know some inside information.]

You mean... she knows who did it, but doesn't want to expose them?

[Anti-fraud expert #214: She definitely gave me that feeling; those three people who came here with Paloma might not actually be suspects.]

Morofushi Kagemitsu frowned and pondered deeply. His gaze lingered for a moment on Kudo Shinichi, who was also frowning at the same answer, before shifting to the policeman who was silently observing the surroundings.

Neither of them reacted in any particular way, and they silently looked away.

He didn't know me, but he had observed me.

Morofushi Kagemitsu already had some guesses.

This case is unsolvable.

[Anti-fraud expert #205: You think so too?]

For now, yes, but I need to find more clues to confirm my guess.

Anti-fraud officer, keep a close eye on Paloma's body for the next two days after it's brought back to the Metropolitan Police Department, especially the forensic lab.

[Anti-Fraud Guru #198: Do you think someone tampered with the corpse?]

We can ask Mika Natori about this. We can also talk to her father, Haruki Natori, while we're at it.

The next day, after reviewing the Metropolitan Police Department's internal video footage again, Morofushi Kagemitsu drove directly to Nanyang University, where the two red location dots on his phone were squeezed together.

Perfect timing, the father and daughter have met up now.

[Anti-fraud expert #205: That's good too. I can also trace the network connection to see if that hacker is still lurking at Nanyang University.]

"Knock knock".

Guided by the anti-fraud expert, Morofushi Kagemitsu successfully found Natori Haruki's office and knocked on the door politely, just like a normal visitor.

However, the door was not opened immediately, and there was no immediate response from inside, as if no one was there.

[Anti-fraud expert #66: There are people inside; the infrared sensor can see it clearly.]

“Professor Natori, I’ve come to visit you today to discuss cybersecurity and internet fraud.” Morofushi Kagemitsu casually began, then added a strong implication in the latter half of his sentence, “After all, these criminals are quite rampant these days, especially those who like to commit crimes in groups. If someone gets involved with them, they can’t escape even if they want to; they will be caught up with eventually.”

[Anti-Fraud Guru #26: ...Jing, this has gone beyond mere suggestion; it's now a threat.]

Of course I know that, but when faced with these two audacious individuals, perhaps only threats can bring them to their senses.

[Anti-fraud expert #26: Huh? You mean...]

Before the little alpaca could finish speaking, there was a commotion inside the office. A few seconds later, the door opened a crack.

As the gap widened, a familiar face appeared before Morofushi Kagemitsu's eyes.

"Mr. Asakawa, I didn't expect it to be you." Mika Natori said in a low voice.

Morofushi Kagemitsu smiled, took a small step forward, and said, "Did you think it would be Hirota Masami?"

Mika Natori moved her lips, but ultimately said nothing and took a step back.

Morofushi Kagemitsu entered the room, quickly looked around, and then looked at Natori Haruki sitting at the desk.

Perhaps because the room was heated, he was only wearing a thin black shirt and looked at him warily.

“Professor Natori, there’s no need for this.” Morofushi Kagemitsu walked to the window, opened it, and seemed to be leisurely looking at the scenery outside. “Since you know I’m here with ill intentions, why bother with these useless little tricks?”

Haruki Natori remained somewhat defiant, saying, "I don't understand what you mean. My time is precious, and if you don't have anything else..."

He didn't finish his sentence because he saw through the reflection of the computer screen that a red dot was aimed at his forehead.

Mika Natori saw it more clearly. She tried to steady her trembling hands and turned off the air conditioner that was blowing warm air.

A baby alpaca popped out of the air conditioner.

[Anti-fraud expert #198: The gas is dissipating rather slowly. You should stand by the window, otherwise you'll have to open another window.]

An alpaca floated up from outside the window.

[Anti-fraud expert #148: It was just a simple infrared beam, yet it stunned them both. It seems they have quite a few secrets weighing on their minds; they might even have had a gun to their heads.]

“Professor Natori, what did you just say? I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you.” Morofushi Kagemitsu turned slightly to the side and said.

“…I mean,” Natori Haruki said, his fingers trembling as he pushed up his glasses, trying to hide the red dots on his body, “I mean, I’m very interested in the topic you brought up.”

Morofushi Kagemitsu nodded in satisfaction and said, "I see. So it seems that the invitation you sent a few days ago wasn't something you deliberately turned down?"

"Ah...ah, my assistant usually organizes these things. That kid is always careless, so he probably just passed it on to me without noticing." Natori Haruki didn't actually remember what the invitation was; he just subconsciously passed the task to his assistant.

"I see. I thought you were afraid of being exposed for academic fraud, which is why you didn't dare to show your face." Zhu Fujingguang leaned against the window and casually revealed the secret of this seemingly refined professor.

The fact that had so easily destroyed his reputation caused Natori Haruki to visibly pause, before relaxing to appear less guilty and saying, "If it's about this, then..."

"It's a waste of your talent to focus your energy on academic fraud," Morofushi Kagemitsu interrupted him, not letting him continue. "If you're going to do something, do something a real fraudster would do."

Haruki Natori was taken aback when the person who held leverage over him said those words. After a few seconds of hesitation, he tentatively asked, "You mean...?"

"Come work for my research institute and do your job to secure more funding for my projects." Morofushi Kagemitsu looked at the Natori father and daughter, who were secretly relieved, and gave them a gentle smile. "As for the compensation... I can cover up Paloma for you."

"Smack!"

Haruki Natori accidentally knocked over a cup, and Mika Natori panicked and tried to reach for the air conditioner remote again, but she froze when she met the man's cold gaze.

Morofushi Hiromitsu continued, "Paloma should have contacted you after leaving the Metropolitan Police Department, but she didn't come back on time. Have you thought about why?"

"What...what did you do to her?" Natori Mika bit her lip and finally asked the question.

"Isn't your partner investigating?" Zhu Fujingguang was obviously referring to the hacker. "However, this time you've encountered the police, so it will probably be difficult to break through."

“Public security... Ah!” Mika Natori remembered the police officers who were at the scene yesterday. “Sure enough, there were Public Security officers among those yesterday.”

Morofushi Kagemitsu did not answer the question, only saying, "What is there to worry about? It's better for her to fall into the hands of the police than the organization."

This was the first time he had mentioned the organization.

“…You’re part of the organization.” Natori Haruki finally spoke, having calmed down. “You already knew about our gang and Paloma faking their deaths, but you didn’t tell anyone. Why?”

Morofushi Kagemitsu replied casually, "I mentioned before that I need you to do things for me." Then, he pointed to the computer on the table and said, "Of course, if you're willing to reveal the little guy hiding behind this, I can do even more."

The office fell silent.

A bead of sweat trickled down Natori Haruki's forehead as he said, "I can help you, but we need Paloma; she's not safe in the hands of the Public Security Bureau."

Zhu Fujingguang's eyes flashed, and he raised his chin, saying, "I can talk to the organization about it. She's safe with the police for now. As for how long she'll be safe, that depends on your performance."

The Natori father and daughter seemed slightly relieved, but Morofushi Kagemitsu's heart sank.