For them, keeping their own positions was far more important than finding out the truth.
However, upon being asked this question, even Inspector Megure and his group of police officers nodded solemnly.
Those who know him say that Officer Sato is well-liked, but those who don't might think that Officer Sato is already dead.
"So, is it possible that these officers handled some cases when they were all in the Fourth Department, and the criminals are retaliating against them?"
With no evidence at hand and the police unwilling to properly explain the case, Toyama Yoru had no choice but to take a roundabout approach to get closer to the truth.
"Moreover, since it was a shooting, the perpetrator was probably a repeat offender or someone with money and power who had access to guns."
It was just a very ordinary discussion about the matter at hand, but the expressions on the faces of the police officers suddenly turned quite grim.
“Mr. Toyama,” Inspector Shiratori said, seemingly suppressing his anger, “isn’t such speculation a bit irresponsible?”
"If it's retaliation because of a case, and they have the connections to get their hands on guns, you might as well just say it was a crime committed by an insider in the police force!"
"Two of our colleagues have already been murdered, and Officer Sato is still in the hospital, his life hanging in the balance..."
"At a time like this, can you please stop being sarcastic and interfering with our work?"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, and finally slammed his hand on the table as if he was about to stand up in anger, but he managed to hold back.
But the other officers around him, such as Takagi and Chiba, had already stood up and were glaring at him angrily.
"Yes, how could you possibly understand how we feel!"
"Even if you're a detective, can you please stop with the mystery-solving show at a time like this?"
"No, no, you're wrong. He's a 'famous detective,' you know. He makes deductions without any evidence, and still has plenty of people who buy into it..."
"We police officers are the ones who suffer the most. If we arrest people without evidence, we'll be cursed to death!"
"..."
Unbeknownst to them, the discussion about the case had turned into a collective attack on the detective by the police, coupled with complaints that had been accumulating for who knows how long.
Yoruichi Toyama was left completely bewildered by the spray.
However, it's not that it's incomprehensible.
Police officers do indeed have their share of difficulties, especially when dealing with detectives who rely solely on their words to uncover the truth of a case; it's a truly bitter and resentful situation for them.
To be fair, police officers have a much bigger job than detectives.
Yoruichi Toyama, who is also a police officer herself, resonates with this point.
However, the complaints of this group of people seemed somewhat unfounded.
It's as if they're deliberately escalating the conflict to avoid some real issue.
Thinking of what Hakuba Saguru had told her at the detective agency, and the brief meeting with Department Head Odagiri, Toyama Yoruichi seemed to have realized something.
Therefore, he wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled.
“Inspector Akechi,” he said, this time with genuine sarcasm, “I’ve noticed that you officers really have a deep affection for your colleagues!”
Mingzhi, who had been quietly watching this farce, finally pushed up his glasses and his gaze flashed behind the lenses.
“Yes!” he said. “Officer Sato is a very outstanding woman, so it’s understandable that everyone is particularly worried about her.”
He seemed to emphasize the word "woman" particularly, which made Inspector Shiratori and Officer Takagi blush a little, as they noticed his unease.
“However, if concern for colleagues goes beyond reason, it might affect the subsequent investigation, right?” Hakuba Saguru interjected with a half-smile.
"Chief Inspector Akechi, I have some concerns about the efficiency of your investigation headquarters."
Ah, this...
Despite being the youngest person present and having no experience as a criminal investigator, no one dared to ignore what this boy said.
Everyone knows he's the son of the White Horse Superintendent General of Police, and there's a very high chance he'll also work in the police system in the future.
Inspector Megure is alright; by the time he comes in, I might already be retired.
People like Shiratori, Takagi, and Chiba, who could easily work for another twenty or thirty years, will probably have to witness his meteoric rise to power.
Of course, he might not even live to see that day, as his father might just crush him into oblivion.
Who could stand this?!
The office, which served as the temporary investigation headquarters, suddenly fell silent.
He paused deliberately for a moment, then Mingzhi chuckled softly.
"Bai Ma, now that you mention it, I'm starting to worry too."
What "white horse classmate"? That's "white horse prince," okay?
The silent group of police officers were internally grumbling.
Please don't call him like you usually call your high school detective Kindaichi!
However, "White Horse" himself had no objection, but stared at Mingzhi with great interest.
"I had thought that with such an important colleague and partner seriously injured and hospitalized, the officers in the Third Department might not be able to focus on their work."
"I certainly can't criticize such a noble sense of camaraderie."
"So I have drafted a report and would like to ask the section chief and department head Odagiri for approval to make some minor personnel changes."
Wait a minute, no! ...
What is he saying? ...
To the astonishment of the police officers, Mingzhi produced a piece of paper with only a few lines of text on it.
Hakuba Saguru curiously took it and looked at the short list with Toyama Yoruichi:
General Affairs Department, Detention Management Section 1, Patrol Manager, Takagi Kohei.
Department of Transportation, General Transportation Affairs Section, Inspector General, Jun Nanjo.
And, Kobayashi Ryutaro, patrolman at the Arii Park in Fudoyama City.
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