Let me be blunt. I believe backdoor transactions took place.

We have a whistleblower letter from Hinode supporting that to be the case as well.

You really don't know who sent the letter?

There's no need to report to the HQ tomorrow.

Does he have grudge against the police?

I can understand his feelings

Wait!

They found red beer at a restaurant.

What?

This time, it's Mainichi Beer.

LADY JOKER

LADY JOKER
Episode 6

Boss, I just heard from police.

Yashiro got hit by a car, and is at a hospital.

This time, Mainichi Beer is the target of sabotage.

- Is it Lady Joker again?
- Yes

They said the letter was signed by "Lady Joker" using the same type face.

The letter read, "We've also given your company the red beer"

Next time, we're using sodium cyanide.

Sodium cyanide

8:30PM this evening, red beer was once again found at a restaurant in Oomori

This time, the target was was Mainichi Beer's Mainichi Standard 500ml bottle.

- The foreign substance was determined to be...
- Hello

- This was Mr. Go's doing, right?
- Yes, most likely.

Yakuzka probably forced him into it.

What are you going to do?

I'll have to have a talk with him.

Give me some time.

[We've also given your company the red beer
Next time, we're using sodium cyanide.
Lady Joker]

It's Maincihi Beer's president Mr. Hikita.

Put him through please.

Hello, this is Shiroyama

Mr. Shiroyama

We're the target this time.

We're in a tough situation

I understand.

I just wanted to ask you a few questions.

Ask anything you'd like.

The police is saying the motive behind isn't clear.

They could be motivated by revenge, money, or both.

Is that what they told you too?

Yes that is correct.

I see.

Has there been any contact from Lady Joker ever since?

No, not since then.

Mr. Shiroyama,

We don't have the same level of resources as you do to deal with this kind of situation.

But I hope you can lend us support for an expedient resolution to this case.

We will do the best we can.

Tell us whatever you need.

Thank you

- Bye
- Bye

We Mainichi will not cave into the perpetrator's coward act

I promise to you all...
Mainichi Beer President Hikita

we will fight tooth and nail to defend our product, so that you can safely drink them.
Mainichi Beer President Hikita

He is rather blantant, isn't he.

Like, Mainichi Beer is taking the high road, rather than doing a backdoor deal like Hinode.

So the customer didn't notice the beer was red until he poured it.

Yes

Can you elaborate more on what happened?

Sure

Are you Yashiro's coworker?

Yes...

I'm his friend. How is he doing?

He has a head trauma, so it's difficult to say at this point.

- Good morning
- Good morning

- Mr. Sakata from Democratic Liberal Party just called.

He would like to meet you.

Mr. Shiroyama, the reason I wanted to see you today,

is because Mr. Tamaru appears to be in a tough situation

Can you please sign off on the vacation house purchase?

I would like you to buy it for 4 billion yen.

By the way,

do you know that police got a hold of the document that divulge the relationship between Hinode and Okada Association?

Yes

Mr. Tamaru feels completely betrayed.

I assume the document was sent by a whistleblower at your company, correct?

Well, whatever the case,

the fact that there's a whistleblower at Hinode means that your days as a president is numbered.

While you were working at the special investigation unit,

did you hear anything about Okada Association or Tamaru Zenso?

Police received a document from an anonymous source about...

elicit relationship between Hinode Beer and Tamaru Zenso.

Do you have more details on the document and its source?

I just know what I heard from the section 1 chief.

It was 6-page document printed on A4 paper.

It contained detail information on Tamaru's extortion on Hinode Beer over the years.

And what is police doing about this?

They only seemed interested in identifying the anonymous sender.

This is all I know and I have no intention of assisting you prosecutors any further.

I understand.

Actually, we also got a similar letter.

And it mentioned how police also got a copy of the same document.

but when I asked the head of the police central office, he denied receiving such document.

So the central office is lying, huh

Yeah

Things are going to get busy.

It's not looking good.

Our prosecutor office is being indecisive about how much to get involved,

because the case has politicans involved.

That's no worse than us police refusing to even talk a suspect due to insufficient evidence.

So it looks like Tamaru Zenso asked Sakata from DLP for a favor.

It means Tamaru is probably in a tight financial situation.

Sakata also seems to know about our whistleblower situation.

I see.

Well about that...

I hired an outside investigator.

Let me get to the point.

The whistleblower was Mr. Kurata.

That's what I thought too

And this is between you and me...

Your sister Haruko knew that Mr. Kurata was the whisteblower.

How did she know?

I guess you are not aware of it but,

your sister and Mr. Kurata have a very close relationship.

I'm sorry, it'll be over soon.

It's been going on for over 20 years.

- You're here, uncle
- Hi there.

What brings you here today?

I wanted to talk to your Mom.

You look well. I'm relieved.

I've decided to take your advice,

and plan on having more positive outlook.

I see.

He had known about it

Know what?

My husband.

About me and Mr. Kurata

Even though he never said anything,

he had known about our relationship for a long time.

I tried ending it with Kurata without success.

So in the end,

it was me and Kurata who pushed him over the edge.

Stop it, Haruko.

You can't think that way.

Even Yoshiko is trying her best to overcome her sorrow and move on.

You should do the same.

Stop using Lady Joker name.

I don't want to get sucked into your stupid plan.

It's too late.

What do you mean it's too late.

Don't worry. There's no way we'll get caught.

Things can unravel at any time.

Just walk away. You already have enough money.

I want to, but I can't!

I'll make sure you guys won't get hurt.

Mainichi will fight on

Mr. Kurata is here

Let him in please

Resignation

I was the one who sent the whistleblower letter.

But I did not disclose anything critical.

Based on the police reaction so far, it's clear that they don't intend to pursue this case.

The reason is...

retiring police commissioner Oura and DLP's Sakata are in the same voting district.

So for the next Lower House election,

Oura will run for a district, and Sakata for its sub-district.

What compelled you to become a whistleblower?

As someone who has been put in charge of dealing with Okada Association,

I feel personally responsible for failing to control Tamaru Zenso.

He even violated the terms of our contract for which we paid 1 billion yen,

and continues to extort money..

So I have personal vandetta against them.

That's very unlike of you to take things personally.

I desperately wanted to expose Okada Association.

You have nothing to worry.

I can promise you that,

only I will face criminal prosecution.

I will talk to the prosecutors under that condition only.

Have you already spoken to them?

I cannot answer that.

How long have you been thinking about this?

Ever since I caused Sugihara's death.

It makes no sense for you to take responsibility for his death.

I'm not doing this to punish myself.

Regardless, I won't let you shoulder the entire responsibility this way,

and shoulder the crimimal prosecution by yourself.

Mr. Kurata, this company needs you.

My mind is already set.

I won't change my mind.

Please reconsider.

Mr. Shiroyama

Have you given thought to your second life?

Second life?

Your plan after leaving this company.

Even if I'm convicted, I'll probably get a suspended sentence.

I plan on moving to Setonaikai.

Setonaikai?

I bought a small property on an island there 10 years ago.

I'm thinking of growing lemon.

At my own pace.

I'm exhausted.

Yashiro,

Are you awake?

- I'll get the doctor
- Nozaki

I have a favor to ask.

I took a peak inside.

I don't know what it's about,

but I know it looks dangerous.

It's a big scoop.

I have not shown it to anyone at work yet.

Yashiro,

This is why you're being targeted.

You are going to risk your life for a scoop?

I know it's dangerous.

But a colleague whom I brought into this case, has gone missing.

I can't back out now.

About the whistleblower document...

it's unlikely that the police will charge Hinode Beer with any wrongdoing based on the document.

Mr. Kurata said the same.

Police commissioner Oura plans on running for the lower house election,

so they won't bring a charge that can implicate Mr. Sakata.

You are correct.

But district's prosecutor's office may feel different.

Even if the prosecutor's office decides to pursue the case,

we can ask Mr. Sakata to put a stop to it.

In exchange, we can buy a vacation house for 3 billion yen.

I'm sure there are many ways to avoid prosecution.

What do you think we should do with Mr. Kurata?

If we want to keep him at Hinode,

we need to promote him as a president or chairman.

In fact, I think we should forgive him for blowing thewhisle, overlook his whistleblowering,

What do you think about that idea?

Mr. Shirai, you always come up with decisive solutions.

It would be nice if Mr. Kurata actually accepts that offer.

But I doubt he will.

Anyway, please do your best to convince him.

Ok

By the way,

you haven't said anything about your own plan.

I am...

I am going to take responsibility for paying off Lady Joker 2 billion yen, and resign from my position.

I should be held accountable for this quarter's poor performance.

I don't plan on staying at Hinode.

Handa did it?

Last November, Handa and Takahashi questioned a dentist named Hatano Hiroyuki,

for charges regarding defamation and obstruction of business.

Hatano was the person who sent the audio CD to Hinode Beer.

And he killed himself shortly after.

- Are you aware of that?
- Yes

Handa was part of the special investigation team until the day before he went to see Mr. Hatano.

Why was he excluded from the team?

That's because...

You've been roaming outside your area, and completely neglecting your duty

There's no excuse for your behavior

I'm sorry!

Do you think it's possible that Handa came to hold a grudge against you and the senior management

after being excluded from the investigation team?

That, I don't know.

Is Handa really the perpetrator?

I can't believe it...

You can't believe it?

Mr. Miyoshi,

You've known Handa since the time he joined the force, right?

That's almost 20 years.

Moreover, you've been his direct supervisor for the past 3 years.

You should know him better than anybody else.

Please think hard.

Was there anything suspicious about his behavior in the past year?

However small it was, please think about it.

Good morning

We need more people here.

Report back to work.

What's going on?

We found beer with sodium cyanide.

Hello

Mr. Monoi, watch the news on TV!

At 9 this morning,

police investigating an obstruction of business case,

and Mainichi Beer, each held emergency press conference.

A note was found this morning,

at an employee of Mainichi Beer, informing of cyanide-laced beer in circulation.

The note was signed by Lady Joker.

According to the perpetrator's letter, sodium cyanide was put into...

20 bottles of Mainichi Standard 500ml...

distributed amongst bars and supermarkets in the 23 districts.

The cyanide laced bottles have white "x" marked at the bottom.

Please investigate all the bars and supermarkets in the district.

Yes sir!

Sodium cynanide laced beer was found at a Chinese restaurant in Chioyda.

It was found in Mainichi's Standard Beer 500ml bottle.

Hello

Did you see the news?

Yeah, this is too much.

- Is Yo-chan there?
- Yeah he is.

Yo-chan

Hello?

Send a mail out to media outlets again.

Use the same type-face as before.

Write this down.

Ok

"We have nothing to do with Mainichi Beer."

"We don't do indiscriminate killing."

"Lady Joker"

- Got it?
- Yeah

Section 1 chief wanted me to ask you something.

What is it?

Shiroyama Kyosuke made contacts with the prepertrator using cellphone.

I have no doubt the perpetrator's REAL demand,

was communicated via cellphone, rather than those letters.

If that's the case, then Mr. Shiroyama probably recorded those phone conversations.

Am I right?

You are actually correct.

Mr. Shiroyama did record the conversations.

And you've known about this?

When Tamaru visited on October 26,

I saw a phone and a recorder in Shiroyama's desk drawer.

Why didn't you report such important finding?

Because I opened the drawer without permission.

If we were going to sink that low,

we might as well wiretapped the office from the beginning.

Are you sure it's the perpetrator's recording?

I'm certain you'll find Handa Shuhei's voice on it.

Are you going to bring him in for questioning based on that?

That's quite possible.

I'll be looking forward to it.

You've uncovered so much!

It's all thanks to Sano.

Is it enough to indict them?

I need some time.

Thank you.

How is the police investigation going?

A security camera captured the car involved in my kidnapping,

but it turned out to be a stolen vehicle.

Probably organized gang.

I doubt they'll be caught

Any progress on Mr. Sano's case?

His familiy claims their apartment was broken into by someone,

but there was no physical evidence left behind,

and even though they filed for a missing-person report,

they can't link Sano to this case.

Not sure how much they can do.

If anything happens to Mr. Sano, it will be fault.

I should've been more careful when I was being followed.

Mr. Sano fell victim to my carelessness.

Mr. Yashiro

I will not let this evidence go to waste.

Even for Mr. Sano's sake.

You probably are aware what is going on out there in Tokyo.

Yes

It's possible that the perpetrator targeting Mainichi Beer,

is a different group than the Hinode Beer case one.

However,

I'm certain that there is some overlapping members between the Lady Joker and this new copycat.

Hence, we need to determine everybody that was part of the original Lady Joker.

That's why we are here today.

Please have a listen to this invoice one more time.

Here it goes.

I've already submitted the document.

Tell them to look for it.

Before you return borrowed umbrella,

you should dry it and fold it.

Isn't it true that this is the person you talked to?

I do not recall.

Let me make a proposition.

Think this over. And please call me by 6 this afternoon.

We NEED the recording of your calls with the perpetrator.

If you wish, you can even edit the tape the way you see fit.

All we need is enough recording to forensically identiy the voice.

We will also leave it out of the official report.

I can promise you that this will not get out to the public.

We can edit as we see fit. Also, it will not be included in the official report?

In my opnion, that's nonsense.

Should the voice recording lead to an arrest of Lady Joker, we are going to be put in a bad situation.

On the other hand, Mainichi Beer will come out as a victor for resisting the sabotage attempts.

We should wait and see.

But there could be another sabotage attempt.

We should make it our priority to prevent further cyanide sabotage.

I understand where you are coming from.

This isn't just Hinode's problem.

If someone actually dies from this,

the impact to the beer industry will be catastrophic.

Before something irrversible happens, we need to take action.

I will take full responsibility.

Then make sure you get a written promise that they won't divulge the voice recording case to the public.

You've made a difficult decision.

I will send our written promise to your office by 8am tomorrow.

Thank you.

I didn't know you bet on horse races?

I know a guy who saw you at a race track.

What were you doing there?

Betting on horse race.

It's best not to get involved.

I know it's tough to have been excluded from the special investigation unit.

Mr. Goda!

What are you doing?

It's happening.

What are you talking about?

I heard from a friend at the special investigation unit.

Hinode agreed to submit the voice recording.

And now they're going to bring him in for questioning.

You've known Handa since the time he joined the force, right?

You should know him better than anybody else.

Network of Elicit Trades

This is good, but not good enough to publish in a national newspaper.

Special prosecutor team is building a case.

Do you really think they can indict them?

We're talking about Sakata Yasukazu!

Sano won't be able to rest in peace.

We don't know if he is really dead.

Do you think Sano is still alive?

I heard Kanzaki is bringing in a suspect for questioning.

What?

It sounds like one of the perpetrators is a cop.

Returned home.

Hello,

This is Handa.

Have you heard?

Heard what?