Several Inspectors explained their impressions of cases where victims had died under suspicious circumstances, including some powerful figures from conglomerates and political authorities.
There were quite a number of cases with problematic deaths, scattered across various regions, making them difficult to connect.
Moreover, some cases had not been treated as cold cases but were hastily closed.
Of course, the Inspectors who raised their hands categorized all cases without clear culprits as cold cases.
"It seems that some matters are indeed connected to Shirohato Pharmaceutical."
First, there were many cold cases, and now it was revealed that Shirohato Pharmaceutical frequently used special drugs to assassinate targets as part of drug experiments.
Some things might not have seemed related at first, but once a suspect emerged, it became highly probable that many cold cases were closely linked to this suspect.
Superintendent General Hakuba also had experience in this area.
Although it was only suspicion for now, if they investigated in this direction, they would be able to uncover some clues and evidence.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Matsumoto returned once again, this time holding a disk in his hand.
"Superintendent General Hakuba, the frontline investigators found a disk in the laboratory of Shirohato Pharmaceutical, suspected to be left behind by the mastermind of this incident."
Matsumoto revealed the side of the disk with writing on it.
It clearly stated: A gift for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Hakuba raised an eyebrow. It was now clear that Shirohato Pharmaceutical had been used as a pawn.
"Play it."
Matsumoto nodded slightly and displayed the contents of the disk.
There were many files inside.
Several of them were particularly noteworthy.
"APTX4869 Material Ratio", "Drug Usage List", and "APTX Special Experiment Records".
All of them were related to Shirohato Pharmaceutical's drug research.
Hakuba frowned.
"Inspector Matsumoto, open the Drug Usage List."
"Yes."
Matsumoto quickly opened the file.
A list appeared on the large screen, with photos on the left, names in the middle, and the time of drug use on the far right.
It displayed a series of names, followed by detailed personal identification information.
Hakuba slowly exhaled. Looking at the list, he shook his head.
"It seems we won't need to conduct a very complex investigation. By following this drug usage list, we should be able to uncover the full extent of what Shirohato Pharmaceutical has been doing behind the scenes."
"Superintendent Toshiro Odagiri, you will take over this data."
Hakuba glanced at Toshiro, who immediately understood and nodded.
"Yes."
Then, Hakuba summarized the discussion.
"Afterward, send that list to all the Inspectors. Next, you will need to confirm the identity and case details of everyone on it."
"In one week, I need a detailed report."
"Commissioner Moroboshi, regarding the issue of personnel reduction in this unit, I will leave the matter to you."
Moroboshi, whose name was called, nodded slightly.
"Then, today's meeting is adjourned."
"Superintendent Toshiro, once you've handled these matters, come to my office."
The meeting of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's high command concluded here.
Toshiro returned to his office and extracted the data from the disk to review it.
"Indeed."
His expression instantly became grave.
"Shirohato Pharmaceutical is actually a base for that organization."
"Looking at it this way, this incident was most likely aimed at that organization. Otherwise, such data wouldn't have been left behind."
Toshiro looked at "APTX4869 Material Ratio."
He was not a professional in this field and did not understand the ratios, but the number of listed materials was enormous, and the long string of chemical names gave him a headache.
"This is…!?"
Upon seeing "APTX Special Experiment Records" further down, Toshiro nearly jumped from his seat.
The internal file was a video, a full record of the experiment.
The footage focused on a white mouse.
When a tube of medicine was injected into its body, the mouse clearly showed signs of shrinking.
A string of text records detailed the specific situation.
"Through the drug, cells were induced to self-destruct, thereby regressing the adult mouse to its infant stage."
This video and text record sent chills down Toshiro's spine.
"Through the drug, it transformed from an adult stage to an infant stage."
A phrase popped into his mind.
"Rejuvenation."
This experiment practically revealed the purpose of the drug research.
The phenomenon of adult mice turning infantile meant that the same could potentially happen to humans.
"That's why so many drug experiments were conducted, just to confirm whether the drug would induce signs of rejuvenation."
"The reason people died is because most cannot withstand the self-destructive cellular breakdown caused by the drug. If this drug promotes cell suicide, then it wouldn't directly cause toxic reactions. It is a trigger for cellular destruction, not a toxin targeting proteins."
"The purpose of that organization has finally been confirmed, with clear evidence."
Toshiro could imagine that once this part of the data was exposed, that organization would attract even greater attention.
The existence of this drug would change many dynamics.
If it were successfully developed and had the same effect on humans, it would definitely become an object of contention among nations.
Toshiro looked at the data on the screen with a complicated expression.
"This is both a great gift and a hot potato."
"That organization must already know what happened at Shirohato Pharmaceutical. They will even know that the Police obtained this data from the laboratory."
Toshiro lowered his head, his expression dark and conflicted.
He realized even more clearly that the mastermind had used the Police, deliberately pushing them into direct opposition with that organization.
"So, is Officer Miwako's informant problematic?"
(To be continued.)
***
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