A Story in Yokohama -21【Yamashita area】
A Story in Yokohama【 Subtitled "Longing"】-21
Earlier in the day, J received a call.
“Twenty strange men in suits are walking around Yamashita area.”
“Find out who they are.”
“All right, sir. If they're gangsters, I'll have them picked up immediately.”
“Don't do anything rash.”
It was unthinkable for a gang of strangers to stroll through J's territory without permission.
“Which way are they going?”
“They're heading up Yamashita Street towards Yamate area.”
“Follow them, trying not to be spotted.”
“All right.”
“They turned at the Yokohama Doll Museum and half of them went into the government building. The rest are camped in front of a nearby condominium. They seem to be government officials. I'm sorry to bother you with this report.”
“Wait. Keep your eyes open.”
J immediately called Yuichi.
“It's an investigation. They're under your building.”
“What? I have to get away!”
“You can't do this. Calm down and get rid of anything that's dangerous.”
Suddenly J heard a voice outside saying: ‘You have a visitor.’
“Do you mind if we come in?”
A woman entered the room.
It was a strange woman.
“Who are you?”
“I'm from the criminal tax investigation division.”
“What?”
“I'm Hayashida.”
After the woman said her name, the two of them remained looking at each other in silence for a while.
(It’s a strange woman. She doesn't look away from me.)
“Did you know what I do and come alone?”
“I thought it would be easier for you to meet me than a man.”
“Aren't you afraid?”
“I don't think you're the kind of man who'd lay hands on a woman.”
“That's a lot of confidence. By the way, why are the tax agent coming to see me?”
“I'd like to ask you a few questions.”
“Is it voluntary or compulsory? Do you have a warrant?”
“I don't have a warrant. There' no tax evasion charges against you.”
“What makes you think I'll comply?”
“I'm sure you'll comply if I tell you what I need.”
“What's this about?”
“It's about Yuichi Murakami. I am the person in charge of the tax evasion case he was involved in. I'm here to ask you about your relationship with him.”
“Murakami is a tax accountant, how can a tax accountant evade taxes? I don't know what you came here to find out, but Murakami and I went to high school together. We've known each other for years, but our businesses are completely different.”
“I don't want to waste your time, so I'll tell you what I know. The 200 million yen that tax accountant Murakami borrowed from the bank against his shares in Milan Travel Agency has disappeared. A short time later, you received a deposit of 100 million yen in your account.”
“Is that what you want to hear?”
“Yes.”
“The money in my account is my business money. It has nothing to do with Murakami's money.”
“I was expecting that answer. By the way, shortly after we started today's investigation, a lawyer informed me that he would be involved in the case. I understand that he has also been in close contact with you.”
“To be honest, I was consulted by Murakami about a tax investigation he was involved in. Something seemed serious, so I recommended him to my lawyer.”
“Is that all?”
“That's all.”
“One more thing. Murakami has taken over Ono's office as tax accountant. Do you know what happened to the lawyer who was temporarily involved in the handover?”
“I think this Ono person gave up his firm by chance through the same lawyer. I don't know the details.”
“I understand. By the way, do you know why I'm here?”
“What?”
“I'm here to tell you something that interests me. Nothing more, nothing less, than what I have just told you.”
(She's a woman, but she's a strong woman. Yuichi may not get away with it.)
“If you're in charge of the investigation, why don't you ask Murakami directly instead of having this conversation with me?”
“I can always talk to Mr. Murakami. I wanted to meet you today, at the beginning of the investigation.”
“Why?”
“Because I have a feeling that your involvement with Mr. Murakami is at the root of this case.”
“That's a false idea”
“Well, maybe.”
“I don't intend to interfere with your investigation. Do what you want.”
Commentary
The National Tax Administration’s criminal tax division begins the investigation into Naomi's inheritance tax evasion.
The investigator in charge of the case, Yuki Hayashida, meets with J on the day the investigation is launched.