THE HEADQUARTERS

“Where do you want to go?”

At the driver’s question, Ren answered, “To Police Headquarters.”

The driver scanned the passenger through his rearview mirror and then said, “Okay.”

They reached there in no time. Ren paid him and then got off. Afterward, he went straight to Police Headquarters.

The police officers noticed his new face, scanned him up and down, but did not say a word.

Kogami Ren looked around and then marched toward the office of the Police Chief. He approached the door and knocked.

The Police Chief was reading a file. When he heard the knock, he said, “Come in.”

Ren entered the room and directly said, “I’m here to investigate the death of Akira and her son, Hikaru."

The Police Chief finally lifted his head. “And you must be Detective Kogami Ren.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Ren said.

“It shouldn’t be anything special. Please take a seat.” After that, the Police Chief tried to read Ren. While doing so he said, “I’ve heard about you. The Commissioner has a high expectation of you.”

Kogami Ren sat and then leaned against the chair. “He exaggerated.”

The Police Chief didn’t buy it.

“I’m sure he didn’t. I read your profile. You usually go after serial killers. This time, it’s not a serial killer. Why do you want to investigate this case?”

Ren calmly replied, “His method of killing intrigued me.”

“Is that all? I have a feeling there is more to it.”

The Police Chief was a sharp person. Years of experience made him understand people just by looking at them.

When he read the profile of the detective named Kogami Ren, he knew this case could stir some attention.

“I only take cases that interest me.” Ren changed the topic, “How far your officers have gone? Did they find clues?”

“There aren’t many clues left to find the culprit. I’ll let you talk to the officer in charge of the case. He will fill you in on the details.”

After that, the Police Chief dialed a number and instructed, “There is a detective here to help you with the case. Come to my room.”

Soon, a police officer came. He was young; had a sturdy body. His eyes were sharp.

The Police Chief introduced them, “Detective, meet my newest recruit Detective Corporal Naoya Shirakawa. Naoya, this is Detective Kogami Ren I’ve told you about. Assist him to solve the case. I don’t want a killer to roam around my land freely.”

“Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s an honor to work with you,” Naoya reached out his hand.

“Likewise,” Ren shook hands with him.

After they exchanged greetings, Naoya brought Ren to his desk.

After Ren sat on the chair, Naoya gave him two files. He explained, “One has the detailed information about the victims and the other one contains the clues I’ve gathered.”

“Neat work,” Ren commented. He took the files and read the contents. Slowly, his eyebrows knitted.

Naoya noticed his expression and then said, “I know there isn’t much I found about the case. Most of the time, it’s easy to find the culprit but this time, it’s a bit different.

“The killer did this on a whim but left no trail on the crime scene. There were no fingerprints or anything that could help us identify him.

“Since we couldn’t find any clue, I tried to dig out the first victim’s past. She had quite a life before she moved to Takayama.”

Ren checked the information and realized that Naoya wasn’t wrong.

“She had too many boyfriends in college,” he commented.

Naoya described, “She was the most beautiful girl on the campus. Boys swarmed around here all the time. She used the opportunity to date as many boys as she could.”

“One of them could be the culprit,” Ren mentioned.

Naoya stated, “I’ve suspected them as well. That’s why I checked all of their tracks over a month. However, none of the ex-boyfriends came to Takayama in a month.”

“You have worked hard.” Ren admired him. “But I still think they should be checked properly. Do you have enough manpower to keep an eye on them?”

“Unfortunately, I can’t,” Noaya regrettably said. “I’m still a new recruit. If I can close the case, my job will be permanent.”

“Is it really? I didn’t know the police department had that kind of system.”

“We don’t. My family doesn’t like the fact I joined the police detective force. That’s why I promised my father that if I can’t close my first case, I will leave this force and become a sergeant.”

“Good luck to you then. Since you can’t send reinforcements, I will have to bother your Chief.” Ren closed the file.

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“More officers? My officers are already busy protecting the city. I’m afraid I can’t give you more than two officers, Detective,” the Police Chief said after hearing Ren’s request.

“Very well,” Ren curtly said.

He came out of the office and dialed a number.

After ringing twice, someone answered the call. “Ko-chan! I didn’t think you would call. What’s up?”

“Okita, I need a favor,” Ren said.

“Ay, ay, captain! Just shoot whatever you need,” the man named Okita replied.

Ren said, “I’ll send you some profiles. You have to check if they ever went to psychiatrists or if their doctors insisted they meet any specialist.”

“All right. When do you need them?”

“Two days enough for you?”

“Sure! I’m free anyway.”

“Good. I’ll send you the profiles by midnight.” After that, Ren hung up.

He grabbed the files Naoya gave him and went home.

The taxi stopped in front of the house. He got out and unlocked the gate.

He was about to step in when he heard bushes rustling near the house