EQMM 2008-05 by Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine

Author:Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine [Magazine, Ellery Queen’s Mystery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: detective
Publisher: Dell Magazines
Published: 2008-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

10

The two-story house was small for a single-family dwelling.

With no hesitation he rang the doorbell. Three times... four times... five times...

“Who’s there at this hour?”

He heard the voice first as — Owada burst out the door.

“Superintendent?... What is it that you want of me? And at this hour!”

Kaise apologized for his rudeness and said, “I found out who stole the IDs.”

— Owada’s large eyes opened wider. He tried to say something in response, but his lips only trembled a bit and no words came forth.

Kaise’s conviction was confirmed. It is this man after all.

He was led into the living room.

There was a framed photograph of — Owada’s three sons. One worked for an apparel manufacturer. Another was a hair stylist. The third was a video-game software designer. Kaise had heard this from Tomoyo. It appeared that the occupations chosen by the sons were witness to a long history of family discord. A negative role model. No doubt — Owada had been the “Army Sergeant” at home as well.

“Thank you for waiting.” —Owada appeared, neatly dressed. He had regained his composure, but he couldn’t hide his stiff expression.

They sat formally facing each other.

“Inspector, who is the perpetrator?” —Owada started off, in the tense atmosphere.

Kaise spoke slowly, “I don’t have a name.”

“What do you mean? You just said you knew...”

“I had a telephone call from the culprit. Anonymously.”

“Yes?” The muscles of — Owada’s face slackened. “But why did you come here?”

“Because it is related to you.”

“To me?”

“Yes.” As he gauged — Owada’s response, Kaise continued to read the script he had in his mind. “The culprit didn’t give his name. But he did state his motive. He was full of hatred toward you. If he stole the IDs, it would cause hardship for you as the one in charge of the storage. He said that is why he did it.”

— Owada sank into silence. He probed Kaise’s eyes.

Kaise gave force to his words. “But he has become afraid. He wants to return the documents. That is what he said. However...” his voice became even firmer, “he tore up your ID. So he can only return twenty-nine of them.”

“...”

Listen to me carefully, Kaise thought, as he continued in a prayerful way. “I told the culprit to make certain he returns them by noon tomorrow to a place where a police officer can find them.”

— Owada nodded. Or Kaise had this illusion.

“That is all. I ask that you keep this matter a secret. I don’t intend to report this to my superiors.”

“You’re not reporting it?”

“No. If it causes a commotion and the culprit is scared off from returning the IDs, all this will be futile. As long as the IDs are returned, the rest doesn’t matter. That is the way I feel.”

Their gazes locked onto each other.

It’s all set, Kaise thought. He believed it.

As — Owada saw Kaise out, he took a breath and said with deep emotion, “Your father was a fine man, but you’ve become a fine police officer just like him.”

Kaise couldn’t fathom — Owada’s intent.

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