Chapter 104: The Real Culprit

The wide and soft gray squirrel scarf is about six to seven centimeters in width.

With such width, it basically covers the entire neck, providing protection against the cold during winter.

However, it would be quite difficult for an item like this to strangle someone.

It is commonly known in physics that pressure is the force exerted per unit area.

The smaller the area, the greater the pressure. If one wants to increase the pressure, they need to reduce the contact area or increase the weight.

Given that Mrs. Matsushita's weight remained relatively constant, the force applied would also remain constant. Therefore, with a smaller contact area, the pressure generated would be greater.

Strangulation and hanging suicide mainly occur because the rope compresses the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, resulting in cerebral ischemia.

The smaller the contact area, the greater the pressure. If the rope has no issues and does not break midway, it would naturally cause more severe damage.

In simple terms, this scarf is too wide. While it is possible to strangle someone with it, it would be extremely difficult.

Moreover, it would be nearly impossible to create two wide, approximately three-centimeter strangulation marks on the victim's neck.

In other words, Mrs. Matsushita most likely used the scarf and mask to temporarily subdue Mrs. Sannatori, causing her to go into shock.

However, it is highly unlikely that the cause of death was strangulation.

After explaining this, Mrs. Matsushita tearfully expressed her gratitude and bid farewell to the two investigators, preparing to turn herself in.

Although the charge of murder had been resolved due to the unexpected turn of events, the fact that she caused Mrs. Sannatori to go into shock could not be ignored.

Of course, the specific judgment would no longer be within Detective Senichi's purview. That would be the battlefield of the court and lawyers, unrelated to him as a criminal investigator.

With a slightly depressed yet slightly relieved Officer Takagi by his side, Detective Senichi proceeded to the next destination.

He understood Officer Takagi's mood well enough. After spending several days investigating the case and following various leads, they had finally identified the suspect. However, in the end, the confessed culprit turned out not to be the real perpetrator.

There was nothing more frustrating than this turn of events. Fortunately, Detective Senichi had gained some insights.

After sorting out the events and unraveling the mysteries, all the previous fog had dissipated.

...

Visiting Mrs. Katori's house again, the sky had already darkened slightly.

Upon opening the door and seeing Detective Senichi and his companion once again, Mrs. Katori couldn't help but express her helplessness, "Um... Do you have any more business here?"

"Well, this time, we have something to discuss regarding your son," Detective Senichi said politely with a smile.

At times like this, one mustn't appear too anxious. Repeated visits would naturally cause annoyance, so it was important to maintain politeness.

After a friendly exchange with the two children, they successfully acquired something they needed and returned to the Sannatori family's residence when night had fallen.

"Please come in."

Sannatori Shuji welcomed the two once again into the cluttered room. He was wearing casual home clothes and appeared a bit disheveled, lacking energy. "Um... Do you have something else to discuss this time?"

"Mr. Sannatori, you're a railroad enthusiast, right?" Detective Senichi didn't answer his question directly and instead asked an unrelated question casually.

"Yes, you can tell from the collection of items over there," Sannatori Shuji replied, somewhat surprised by the question, nodding and pointing to the exhibition wall filled with railroad-related objects.

"Well, can you take a look at this?" Officer Takagi placed a rectangular plaque on the coffee table, unwrapped the newspaper covering it, and revealed the plaque. "Mr. Shuji, this should belong to you, right?"

"Ah! Ah..."

Seeing the plaque on the table, Sannatori Shuji's expression suddenly changed. Looking at the plaque, excitement appeared on his face. "Where was this found?"

"It was found at your wife's friend's house," Officer Takagi smiled and picked up the plaque. "It's quite heavy, this thing."

While speaking, he walked towards the display board on the side and inserted the plaque into the rectangular imprint in the middle of the four hooks on the left side.

It fit perfectly, exactly as it should be. It seemed that the plaque was originally placed here.

"This thing was found at your wife's friend's house," explained Detective Senichi. "I heard it was bought from your wife."

"And it cost 300 yen," Officer Takagi added. "And your wife agreed to it."

"300 yen?!"

Upon hearing Officer Takagi's words, Sannatori Shuji's voice became sharp, and he looked angry.

"You can't be joking! This is an extremely valuable genuine item! If it were to be auctioned, it would easily fetch over one million!"

No wonder he was so angry. One million yen was roughly equivalent to Detective Senichi's entire hometown's annual income.

And 300 yen was just about 20 dollars, a vast difference. It was like being a spendthrift.

"So, you killed her because of this?"

In the face of Sannatori Shuji's anger, Detective Senichi suddenly spoke up, taking a step closer, his eyes sharp like blades, and his body towering over him, causing Sannatori Shuji to unconsciously step back.

"I never expected... it will be like this..." Sannatori Shuji scratched his head, looking frantic, and shouted angrily, "You suspect me just because of this?"

"Yes, that's right. That's why we suspect you." Faced with Sannatori Shuji's anger, Detective Senichi remained calm, still smiling as he looked at him.

"But my wife was already dead before I came home from work!" Sannatori Shuji pointed angrily at the sofa.

"That was only a temporary shock," Detective Senichi spoke up. "You must be aware of that, right?"

"No! She was already dead!" Sannatori Shuji pointed to the sofa next to him, his voice filled with excitement.

"Is that so?" Detective Senichi remained indifferent, took two steps towards the sofa, and said, "Sannitori Sanae, who regained consciousness, already told you about being choked by Mrs. Matsushita, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Sannatori Shuji denied, "I don't know what you're saying!"

"Killing your wife by strangling her, then going back to work at the company as if nothing happened, and timing your return home to act as the first discoverer. Isn't that right?"

Detective Senichi looked calmly at him, his confident expression making Sannatori Shuji even more furious. He looked at Detective Senichi with cold eyes and said,

"You're talking nonsense! If you want to prove it, then show me the evidence!"