Chapter 2 (f)

<-prev

We are in front of the building that we were told to go to. This is the place where the do-it-yourself club members perform their activities. This is their workshop, or as Oda called it: this is the "lab".

I can hear strange noises coming from inside, noises of people working with hammers, electric drills and other metal tools. A pungent smell of paint, solvents and other strange chemicals tingles my nostrils.

I open the door wide, without knocking, causing everyone inside to freeze on the spot and to turn their heads toward me.

Erika: "Excuse me for intruding, is this the do-it-yourself club?"

The question is certainly absolutely pointless, the answer is self-evident once you look at the surroundings, but it is a way to start a conversation like any other.

One of the students, probably the president, leaves his station and approaches me. He seems to be a bit distrustful and confused.

Club President: "Yes, this is the do-it-yourself club, can I help you with something?"

Satsukawa: "I'm Keiji Satsukawa from the criminal investigation section, we'd like to make you a few questions."

Erika: "And I'm Erika Furudo, the great detective, pleased to meet you."

Club President: "P-pleased to meet you..."

Erika: "This is a pretty interesting place. Mind if I take a look around?"

Club President: "Uh... sure, there isn't any problem..."

I start moving slowly around the room checking the various tools and the hardware scattered around.

The club members seem to be intimidated by my presence and only pretend to get back to their works. All except one. There is one among them that barely stopped when I made my irruption, and now she doesn't even give signs that she is aware of my presence.

Erika: "I'm positively surprised, this place is very well equipped, looks like a true professional workshop."

Club President: "I'm... very proud of this place. The school provides some basic funds, but we also make money out of our work. We offer repair services to the families living in this ward, and everything that we gain is spent on tools and materials for the club. In a few years it became like this."

Erika: "This must be a pretty popular club."

Club President: "Well... sort of..."

Erika: "No point in being modest. Anyway, I don't seem to see Meito Oda among you."

Club President: "Ah... I see... Well, Oda didn't really came to the club since that day..."

Erika: "What can you tell me about him?"

Club President: "Uh, Oda? Well, he's one of our most talented members, that's for sure. He's very dedicated."

Erika: "I see... hmmm, and what would this tool be exactly?"

Club President: "It's an electrical separator connector."

Erika: "Regarding Oda, what else can you tell me about him?"

Club President: "Hmmm... it's not like we're really friends or anything."

Erika: "I never assumed so."

Club President: "Well... he's a bit grumpy... you know, the kind of guy who always seems to be in his bad day. He he..."

Erika: "He doesn't socialize much with the other members?"

Club President: "Uh, Oda? It's not like he's really introverted, I think... But he's pretty serious when he works and he's a bit... unapproachable. Some of us think he's a bit scary, he's quite a big guy and we heard he gets in fights frequently."

Erika: "Scary?"

Club President: "Ah, I don't mean that in a bad way... maybe just a bit..."

Erika: "What's this?"

Club President: "That's a nibbler."

Erika: "You haven't met Oda at all on the day of the crime?"

Club President: "No, he didn't come here. I heard he's been punished."

Erika: "You didn't see him fighting with Baba?"

Club President: "Ah, no, I wasn't there. It looks that half the school was though, I heard the stories..."

Erika: "What the rumors are?"

Club President: "The only rumors I heard is that Baba was up to no good as usual, and that he's been confronted by Azuma from the female basket club. All the girls in my class were talking about her..."

Erika: "And how did Oda enter in the picture?"

Club President: "I'm not sure... I only heard that he and Baba got in a scuffle soon after that."

Interesting.

Erika: "So you don't know why Oda attacked Baba?"

Club President: "I don't really care, it's not like it matters. Those two are always at each other's throat."

Erika: "Oh, what's this interesting instrument?"

Club President: "That's a micrometer."

Erika: "Do you really need something like this?"

Club President: "No... but it's cool to have it..."

Erika: "I see. Then you and Oda never talked that much?"

Club President: "Well no, not really. We talk a lot about club stuff. This isn't just a place where we work, this is a place where we learn. Everyone has something to teach to and learn from others. Naturally the new members must be followed closely in the beginning. But even they after a while can develop interesting ideas on how to perform certain works."

Erika: "I suppose that Oda, being one of your most dedicated members, has a lot to teach."

Club President: "Well, sure... but he learns too."

Erika: "Who's the most skilled here?"

Club President: "Ah, that'd be me!"

Erika: "Honestly?"

Club President: "No... okay, if I really had to pick one... I'd say Andou..."

Erika: "Junko Andou?"

Club President: "Wha... yeah... you know her?"

She must have heard me calling her name, but she didn't react at all. What an interesting person.

Erika: "This doesn't seem to be the place where you'd expect to find a girl."

Club President: "Ha ha ha... indeed! But it's not like we have ban on women or something. In fact we're very proud of our Andou."

He gets a little closer and adds whispering.

Club President: "She's an oddball, but she's fine... I think..."

Erika: "Thank you, I think I'll have a little chat with her now, if you don't mind."

Club President: "Uh... oh! Yes... sure! Please..."

I leave this awkward guy to his own uncertainties and move closer to the real reason I came to this place. Even when I am barely two steps away from her, she keeps working on her project, seemingly without noticing me.

I seriously doubt she isn't aware of my presence, I guess it is more like she doesn't want to notice me. The club president warned me that she is a weirdo. I can tell at first glance that she really is. Something is very strange about this girl. To say it with a few words, she really seems to live on a different planet.

Erika: "Hello, Andou, my name is Erika Furudo, I'm investigating the case concerning the death of Hitomi Gotsuji. I'd like to have a few words with you."

I wait a few seconds for an answer, but I get none, not even a reaction. She is still focused on her work. This is a lot worse than I thought.

Erika: "You don't mind if I ask you a few questions, right?"

Nothing. There's no connection.

Erika: "Hellooo?"

Junko: "I heard you."

Well, at least I have confirmed that she can understand and speak my language. She isn't really bothering looking at me or stopping tinkering with her project. Come to think of it, what exactly is she working on? I decide to ask.

Erika: "That's quite an interesting thing you're doing, do you mind explaining what it is?"

Finally, she stops.

Junko: "It's an old stereo. I repaired it. I'm adding a remote control."

Erika: "Eeeh? You can do things like that?"

She nods.

At least now she is facing my general direction, I am not sure what exactly she is looking at though.

Erika: "Is working on electronics the only thing you can do?"

She shakes her head.

Junko: "I can do anything. Mechanical improvements too."

I can only see half of her face, a bang is covering the other half. Doesn't that hinder her?

Erika: "Nice tool belt, by the way."

Junko: "..."

What is she looking at?

Erika: "So you don't just limit yourself to repair stuff, you like to improve them."

She nods.

Erika: "What do you..."

I stop, and I finally realize. She is looking at Dlanor, straight into her eyes. This is amazing, did she just recognize a kindred soul in another equally silent character? Oh well, this could be pretty interesting. I guess I will let Dlanor handle her then. I don't need to say aloud what I think to my faithful companion, we can understand each others without words.

Dlanor: "Miss Andou, do you recognize what Miss Erika is holding in her hand?"

You are way too direct, Dlanor. Anyway at this point it doesn't matter, I bring what I am holding closer to Andou's face so she can see it clearly.

Junko: "... Screw."

Dlanor: "Miss Erika just took it from one of the boxes there."

Junko: "..."

Dlanor: "Is this the kind of screws you normally use for appliances?"

She shakes her head.

Junko: "Too big."

Dlanor: "What is this commonly used for?"

Junko: "Furniture. Carpentry."

Dlanor: "Is this the kind of screws you would use to fit a lock on a door?"

Junko: "..."

Erika: "Would you mind answering Dlanor's question, Andou? *giggle*"

She nods.

Dlanor: "Do you know how to do that kind of works too?"

She nods.

Dlanor: "Would you also be able to install a latch on a door, if asked?"

The room is now completely silent. Everyone is watching us, holding their breath.

Junko: "I can do it."

Dlanor: "Did you ever do that before?"

She nods.

Erika: "Where?"

Junko: "Home."

Not the answer I was expecting, but this is fun. Let us play a bit more with her.

Dlanor: "Do you know who Miss Maaya Teramoto is?"

She nods.

Dlanor: "Did she ever approach you?"

She nods again.

Dlanor: "What did she ask?"

Junko: "Talking. Occult."

Dlanor: "Are you and Miss Teramoto in good terms?"

She shrugs.

Junko: "I don't believe. I told her."

Erika: "Ha ha ha! How did she take that?"

Junko: "... Not good."

Dlanor: "Did Miss Teramoto or one of her friends bother you?"

Junko: "..."

Dlanor: "Were you commissioned a work from Miss Teramoto or from any of her friends?"

Silence again. She is practically frozen on the spot, like a statue. It is very difficult to guess what is going on on her mind. We wait for her answer and after a few seconds she shakes her head.

Dlanor: "Did you ever work on the abandoned P.E. storage's door?"

She shakes her head.

Dlanor: "Were you the one that installed the latch on that door?"

Again, she silently denies it.

Dlanor: "Are you aware that the screws used to install that latch are identical to the one Miss Erika is holding in her hand?"

I wonder what Satsukawa is thinking at this moment. He didn't dare to say a thing for the whole time, but I can tell he wasn't really expecting this conversation.

Andou doesn't seem like she wants to answer or comment the last question.

Dlanor: "Are you aware of the method they used to open and close the latch from outside?"

She flinched! It was almost an imperceptible movement, but she flinched!

Oh, you didn't really expect that we would know that much, right, Andou?

Still, this girl is amazing. She isn't sweating, she isn't making any nervous movements, she is almost impossible to read. She isn't even alive, she is like a robot! But how much would I pay if I could just check how fast her little heart is beating at this very moment! What would I give, if I could tear that small chest open and see it with my own eyes!

Junko: "I don't know."

Erika: "A smart girl like you. How disappointing! *giggle* *giggle*"

Dlanor: "Did you know the victim? Did you know Miss Hitomi Gotsuji?"

She shakes her head.

Dlanor: "You must know Mister Oda. Did you never see him with the victim?"

Junko: "I've seen her. Never talked."

Erika: "What do you think about Oda? He's your senpai, right?"

Junko: "..."

I am getting tired of this girl, it is really a pain to make her talk. She is not worth my time anyway, I have already learned what I wanted.

Erika: "Let's go, Dlanor, we're done here."

Dlanor: "As you wish, Miss Erika."

Erika: "Ah, everyone, sorry for this interruption. You can feel free to return to your works, we'll be leaving now."

Satsukawa is strangely silent. It seems he is considering carefully everything that was said during the recent conversation. He just follows me without saying a word, I guess he is probably holding his questions until we are alone. But right when we are just about to leave, something reaches my ears and freezes me on the spot. It was barely perceptible, but I am sure I heard Andou's voice.

I turn around and I notice she is facing my general direction. She is not exactly looking at me, but I suppose that given her character that's the best she can do.

Erika: "Did you say something, Andou?"

Junko: "Liar."

Erika: "Uh?"

Junko: "Oda... is a liar."

I can't help but smile impishly. What kind of dirty story is there behind that affirmation? I want to know more, I want to know what kind of grudge this strange girl is holding against Oda. A liar, she said. It could have several different implications. Does that mean that Oda isn't telling the truth about something important? If so, everything that he told me could require an attentive reanalysis from my part. But unless he is a very good actor, I can't really see that guy willingly lying. Then there could be a completely different explanation, such as in the case he didn't even realize he lied. Didn't I know someone exactly like that? And hasn't he been called a liar... too? Uh...

Uh...

Why?

Uh...

Huh?

Satsukawa: "...Erika? Erika?!"

Erika: "Uh?"

Satsukawa: "What's wrong?"

Erika: "Is something the matter?"

Satsukawa: "You spaced out... and you became pale all of a sudden."

Erika: "I was just reflecting. Did I really space out?"

Andou is no longer facing me, she is back in her own world, completely isolated from everyone and everything else. She has no eyes but for her project now.

Satsukawa: "Hmmm, what do you want to do?"

I take another uncertain glance at Andou. Bah, I guess I have lost my chance at this point, but it is all right. She is not going anywhere.

Erika: "Let's go, Satsukawa-san, we have much to do still."

He shrugs and smiles at me.

Satsukawa: "As you wish... Erika."

next->

Chapter 2 (e)

<-prev

Satsukawa: "Ahem... that's why I say... it really isn't the investigators' fault if by some circumstances there aren't enough proofs to convict a criminal. And often it isn't because the criminal was particularly intelligent and cautious. When someone commits a crime there's always a series of random factors that can interfere with the plan, that's why it's usually not a very smart idea to kill someone. But sometimes someone just has the sheer luck to never encounter any of those random factors. No witnesses, no slip ups, no leads inadvertently left... and so on."

Erika: "But as long as the culprit is still alive, you can question him, and if you know your job you'll be able to spot his contradictions and ultimately incriminate him."

Satsukawa: "That's only if you actually have a lead as to who the culprit might be. And in some rare cases, there are persons that just won't spill the beans no matter what."

And again, I cannot debate that because of that damn incident.

Erika: "But then, if you find someone so clever and stubborn to defeat any attempt from the investigators to make him confess, wouldn't that be a very exceptional person?"

Satsukawa: "Well, I suppose you're right on that. But it's still different from how mystery novels depict the would-be perfect criminals. They're usually banking everything on a perfect execution of the crime itself, but they're not really good at keeping their mouths shut. Often they're as stupid as to incriminate themselves by blurting out particulars of the crime they're not supposed to know. And what's most ridiculous is that they confess their crimes even when a good attorney could easily destroy the flimsy proofs that the detective used against them. Deny everything, deny even the undeniable, that's how a true criminal would act."

Erika: "That's really not fun at all..."

Rokudou: "Satsukawa-san, you seem to have your own peculiar theories about criminology. That was really interesting."

Satsukawa: "Yeah, I've always been fascinated by crime, murders in particular. I decided to become a police officer with the precise intent to join the criminal investigation section."

Rokudou: "And here you are. You're an accomplished man."

Satsukawa: "I believe I am, I'm exactly where I wanted to be."

Erika: "You still have a long way if they made you babysit me, assistant inspector."

Rokudou: "Hu hu hu."

Satsukawa: "That's going to change soon. I still have a long career ahead of me."

Erika: "Then treasure this rare opportunity you've been given to witness a true detective at work. You might learn a lot of useful tricks that will help you in your... career. Albeit with the limited brainpower you possess it's probably useless for you."

Satsukawa: "Believe it or not, that's what I intend to do. But it's not my plan to emulate you and your methods. I just want to learn whatever I can from you, and then use it in my own way."

Erika: "Quite a commendable attitude you have. Then let the teacher test the pupil's skills."

Satsukawa: "Again?"

Erika: "What are your thoughts regarding what I've found in the victim's room?"

Satsukawa: "Well, that was a valuable lesson. That taught me the importance of knowing the value of products that are commercialized, and the importance of knowledge in general. I suppose that what makes a great detective isn't just logic, perception and intelligence, but also a wide understanding of the world in all of its facets."

Erika: "Certainly, that goes without saying, but that isn't quite what I asked. I want to know what you deduced from the elements that emerged. In other words: what can you say regarding the inexplicable purchases that the victim made before her death? I gave you enough time to reflect about that, or was your mind too much occupied with the shed's trick?"

Satsukawa: "Well, I did try to reflect about that issue too... but I think it's early to draw conclusions. Anyway that's certainly a matter that's worth being investigated."

Erika: "What's the point in holding down your thoughts? Let them flow freely, you can check whether they're wrong or right later. It's a common mistake for the average man to be restrained by baseless preconceptions. that's what the good mystery writers often exploit. Don't be afraid to consider even the most improbable scenario, as long as it isn't outright impossible there's absolutely nothing wrong with that."

Satsukawa: "And what's outright impossible?"

Erika: "Magic, demons, witches, mind powers, implausible futuristic technologies. That sort of things."

Satsukawa: "I wonder if it's really all right to treat a real murder case as if it's a classic mystery novel..."

Erika: "You mean that those things are more likely to be true in the real world?"

Satsukawa: "I mean that there's more that I'd consider outright impossible in the real world."

Erika: "Like what?"

Satsukawa: "Villain-like characters, for example. People committing crimes for implausible reasons."

Erika: "You have a detective-like character just in front of you, do you really believe that's impossible for a Moriarty to exist?"

Satsukawa: "Good point... but still, that's very unlikely."

Erika: "Yeah, whatever you say. I suppose Shoukou Asahara is a nice guy then."

Satsukawa: "Now... you've just mentioned one of the worst cases the MPD had to deal with... But there's no point in going from one extreme to another."

Erika: "In the end it doesn't really matter, who cares if people are good or bad? That's not for a detective to judge that. All that we need to determine is whodunit, howdunit and whydunit."

Satsukawa: "And yet again that's mystery novel terminology..."

Erika: "Now we're facing the mystery of Hitomi Gotsuji and her costly purchases. Howdunit?"

Satsukawa: "There are several hypotheses we can make. In the first place we don't know if she actually purchased those items herself. They might be gifts from someone she knew."

Erika: "It's possible, but I believe you concluded that it was improbable she had a secret boyfriend, right? And I can't really see who else would be willing to pay for all that stuff."

Satsukawa: "Yes, you have a point. Unless we're dealing with an extremely paranoid individual that wouldn't even use the victim's phone to contact her, I think that's not an option."

Erika: "Let's put this crazy scenario aside for now and let's assume there isn't any paranoid secret boyfriend."

Satsukawa: "Then it'd be indeed unlikely that those are gifts, and even if they were, it would be quite suspicious."

Erika: "Go on."

Satsukawa: "I crosschecked the various witnesses' depositions. I think it's safe to conclude that the victim didn't have a part time job. Unless it was something with a completely random schedule and that could let her gain a huge amount of money in few hours each time."

Erika: "Yes, that's a very good reasoning so far. Sooo... where does that lead us?"

Satsukawa: "I guess that what you're thinking is that the victim was involved in some illegal activity."

Erika: "Which would provide interesting possibilities for the motive behind our murder case, wouldn't it?"

Satsukawa: "I can't deny that it would explain many things... but we have no clue as to which illegal activity she'd be involved with. Anyway there's still a chance that she won the money, or that she found it."

Erika: "That much money? What kind of magnate happened to lose his wallet while roaming on this awesome side of Tokyo?"

Satsukawa: "You're the one who asked me to say whatever crossed my mind."

Erika: "Of course, where would be the fun then?"

Satsukawa: "... Whatever..."

Erika: "As for winning money, is there actually any evidence that Gotsuji was a gambler?"

Satsukawa: "None, but then again we don't have any that she was a criminal either."

Erika: "Well, that's different. It's only natural that a criminal would keep his shady life a secret from anyone. But it's rare for a gambler to keep the secret, or rather to manage to keep it secret."

Satsukawa: "Maybe she wasn't really a frequent gambler, but she still got lucky at the lottery."

Erika: "Can't you check if she actually won anything?"

Satsukawa: "I suppose I could ask the team to investigate that, but we cannot check the underground gambling sites, and we know there are a few in this area."

Erika: "Now it'd be fun if she was involved with the Yakuza, but I think that's against the rules of a proper mystery novel, right?"

Dlanor: "I have nothing against that."

Erika: "Ah, that's right, that's one of the twenty rules of your friend."

Satsukawa: "You lost me again... but yet again I must express how little comfortable I am with treating a real case as if it was a mystery novel."

Erika: "Yeah, yeah... no need to remind me that every time. At any rate I suppose that she might have acquired that much money, if she stole it from some criminal organization."

Satsukawa: "I suppose so, but I don't really think Yakuza would kill a kid so easily. Those families that survived to this day are not stupid, they know the risks involved with murdering people. And they definitely wouldn't do that in a school using such a conspicuous system."

Erika: "I agree. Then the other option is that she was involved in a small gang, a juvenile one."

Satsukawa: "Maybe our cultists are involved in some shady business. If that's the case Gotsuji might have been part of their group and she was punished after they found out that she was embezzling more than her due."

Erika: "Hitomi Gotsuji fell upon the wrath of Pazuzu. I suppose that fits, it's an interesting scenario."

Satsukawa: "However we have no reason to think she was particularly involved with their occult rituals."

Erika: "That doesn't mean much. The occult fluff might be just a cover and the real members are probably those who believe that the least."

Satsukawa: "I think you should really talk with this Teramoto girl."

Erika: "No, not yet. If I understand correctly she's a tough one. I prefer to meet her when I'm properly prepared to crush that hard carapace of hers."

Satsukawa: "I see..."

Erika: "So, what else can you think about? Don't tell me you're done already."

Satsukawa: "Well... I don't really know what other explanation could there be..."

Erika: "You were doing good. Something with a completely random schedule and that could let her gain a huge amount of money in few hours each time. That's what you said, right?"

Satsukawa: "Something else other than illegal activities?"

Erika: "Yes, sort of. Except it doesn't really need to be a huge amount, just a lot of money."

Satsukawa: "You don't mean..."

Erika: "Yes, I mean exactly that!"

Satsukawa: "That's a bit..."

Erika: "What's wrong, Satsukawa-san? Don't tell me you never heard of enjo kousai before. She was almost eighteen years old. What else girls of her age do when they want to buy a Louis Mutton bag?"

Satsukawa: "Well... certainly... it makes sense... if it was just compensated dating..."

Erika: "Oh please... am I really supposed to buy that? That's just an euphemism for prostitution. Of course they'd never admit that, seeing as how it's illegal. By the way, Satsukawa-san, you never told me if the victim was a virgin. I'm sure our unscrupulous coroner checked that."

Satsukawa: "Ahem... she wasn't."

Erika: "See?"

Satsukawa: "She had several boyfriends, that's really not that strange for a girl of her age. Anyway, we would've noticed if she received calls and messages from strange phone numbers."

Erika: "What if she used internet for that? Do you really think she'd give her personal phone number to her clients?"

Satsukawa: "Good point, I'll tell the geeks at the headquarter to check if they can find something regarding that."

Erika: "I wish I could check that hard disk myself."

Satsukawa: "I think that might be arranged, if you're fine with a copy."

Erika: "I'd be very grateful for that."

Satsukawa: "I'll see what I can do."

Erika: "There's a another explanation as to how Gotsuji might have acquired that much money."

Satsukawa: "Another one?"

Erika: "You're completely clueless, aren't you?"

Satsukawa: "You don't mind telling me, right?"

Erika: "Sigh... you aren't even trying! Oh well, I guess I'll tell you then."

Rokudou: "If it's milady's last hypothesis, that's probably her favorite."

Satsukawa: "So in other words so far we've been discussing about what she thinks are the less likely possibilities?"

Erika: "Silence! That's not true at all! I just left the best for last, but that doesn't mean it's the most probable."

Satsukawa: "Huh?"

Rokudou: "It means that's what she likes it the best for her own reasons."

Erika: "Okay silence now, seriously! The last hypothesis is..."

I make a dramatic pause. A great detective should always pay attention to details such as pacing and theatrics. That's the essence behind a detective's declarations. Substance is what's most important, but form is what makes the difference. It's not just pure aesthetic, it's also a powerful psychological weapon against the guilty minds. You won't scare anyone with clumsy words and a submissive attitude.

Erika: "Blackmail!"

Satsukawa: "Blackmail?"

Rokudou: "I see..."

Erika: "In other words the victim was blackmailing someone. That would explain where did she get that money from and why that someone wanted her to die. If you connect the dots it's really simple. If she was blackmailing someone, it's only natural that she wanted to meet that person in secrecy to receive her payments. And that's only natural that the blackmailed would hate her and that he'd decide to solve the problem... radically. It'd be a real classic, not really original, but that's a whydunit that always works. Of course that means that someone has something to hide and that the victim somehow learned that secret. Given all these reasons I believe our next step should be to inquire into the private lives of everyone that was involved with the victim and look for any shady secrets they may hide."

A perfect execution. My exposition was flawless and no one can really confute its plausibility.

I see that Satsukawa is evaluating my words carefully. He is probably thinking that it is indeed a sound theory and that it is decidedly the right lead to follow. After all bending people's will to mine through my rhetorical skills is one of my many qualities.

Satsukawa: "You aren't saying this just because you really want to nose about in people's private lives, right?"

Rokudou: "Hu hu hu hu!"

Erika: "Satsukawa-san! I'm offended!"

Why did he become smart all of a sudden?!

Satsukawa: "Well, if someone is hiding something, it's probably not a good thing. I don't mind helping you in exposing their felonies, even if it isn't related to the case."

Erika: "Like I said, it is related to the case!"

Satsukawa: "Okay. At any rate I think we've discussed enough. When are we going to collect even more evidences and testimonies? I supposes there's still a lot of students you want to talk with."

Erika: "No point in going there when they're still busy with their lessons."

Satsukawa: "Then, what's the plan?"

Erika: "The plan, Satsukawa-san, is to take our time and find a nice place where we can have our lunch. I don't suppose that we can find high quality restaurants on this side of Tokyo, but there ought to be one of those characteristic family driven traditional eateries. I'm really in the mood for some hand made udon to eat with a pair of bamboo chopsticks. Aaah, did I ever tell you how much I love chopsticks? And after enjoying our meal in all tranquility and waiting for time to pass, we can go back to the Mitsugi institute and resume our investigations, while the students are busy with their club activities. Does this plan sound good enough to you? *giggle* *giggle*"

next->

Chapter 2 (d)

 <-prev

Erika: "Anyway, Satsukawa-san, I believe I've found something very interesting yesterday night."

Satsukawa: "Yesterday night? While you were in this hotel room?"

Erika: "Of course, where else?"

Satsukawa: "What's so interesting in this place?"

Erika: "I've been looking at the pictures in Gotsuji's photo albums, silly. Overall they helped me in acquiring a better understanding of the victim's personality and life, but there are three of them that piqued my curiosity."

I show the three pictures to Satsukawa. They all depict the victim with her friends in different situations. In one they are in a karaoke private room, in another they are inside a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. The last seems to be a prank shot taken while an unknowing Gotsuji was typing an e-mail with her phone.

Satsukawa examines them attentively, but as I expected he doesn't even understand what he is supposed to notice.

Satsukawa: "Well... hmmm, she seems to be enjoying herself..."

Erika: "Indeed, Satsukawa-san, I just wanted you to see how much the victim enjoyed that little life that remained to her! Or maybe you were supposed to say something smart for a change."

Satsukawa: "Okay... so there's something wrong with these? Hmmm..."

Erika: "What all these pictures have in common?"

Satsukawa: "Well... they're all taken by someone other than the victim... or they used a self-timer..."

Erika: "A little better, but still quite far from it."

Satsukawa: "Well, hmmm... she's with her friends... probably even in this picture where she's alone."

Erika: "Incredible observational skills indeed... Look, I'll give you a little help, that picture that you just mentioned is probably the best to start from as there aren't that many other particulars to notice."

Satsukawa: "She's using a phone... hmmm?"

It seems that he finally realized something and quickly checks the other two photos.

Satsukawa: "You can see Gotsuji's phone in all of them. Is that what I'm supposed to notice?"

Erika: "Now we're getting somewhere! Remember? You've found her phone at the crime scene. You showed me a picture of it, it's definitely the same."

Satsukawa: "Then this provides further confirmation that it was really the victim's phone... but we already knew that."

Erika: "There's something different, something that you can see in these three pictures, which is missing from the phone as you've found it."

Satsukawa: "Huh?"

Satsukawa examines the photos again. It's really funny to see him hopelessly trying so hard to find the particular that I noticed.

Satsukawa: "Wait... hmmm... hmmm... Wait, maybe I got it..."

Erika: "What did you get?"

Satsukawa: "I wish I could have that other picture with me to make a comparison..."

Erika: "Can't you remember the details of something you've seen? As an investigator you should have a better photographic memory."

Satsukawa: "Well... I'm not really sure, I never thought this was an important particular..."

Erika: "Everything is important, Satsukawa-san. Even the smallest particular might turn out to be something vital to solve the mystery."

Satsukawa: "Anyway I think it's this strange cell strap, isn't it?"

Dlanor: "That cell strap represents Doro Doro, an alien cat character from a kid's show."

Satsukawa: "So what you've noticed is that it's missing from the phone we've found, right?"

Erika: "Exactly! Isn't it strange?"

Satsukawa: "There might be several explanations for that... how is this supposed to be relevant to our case?"

Erika: "As I said... every particular might turn out to be relevant! This is something odd, and it'd be best to confirm how come that cell strap is no longer where it's supposed to be."

Satsukawa: "Maybe the victim got tired of it."

Erika: "She wouldn't have removed it before finding a replacement, don't you think?"

Satsukawa: "Depends... or maybe she simply lost it."

Erika: "A few days before she died?"

Satsukawa: "How do you know?"

Erika: "The pictures in the photo album were sorted in a chronological order as it's often the case. The one where she's in the ryokan is one of the most recently made. Remember what her father told us? Gotsuji went on a vacation with her friends during spring break, and there's no doubt that that's when this picture was taken."

Satsukawa: "Okay... that's really recent then..."

Erika: "You just don't seem very excited about this finding..."

Satsukawa: "Actually no. Like I said, there's no indication that this is relevant to the case."

Erika: "But it might! It's usually because of particulars such as this that the culprit is incriminated in mystery novels."

Satsukawa: "But this is reality, not a mystery novel."

Erika: "But don't you understand how wonderful would it be if I were to catch the murderer using something like this? It'd be perfect and dramatic, a fitting element to use for my final declaration!"

Satsukawa: "I suppose it'd be really cool if you could find the cell strap in the culprit's pocket and somehow use it to prove he's guilty. But wouldn't that be a bit too convenient? I think that mystery novels really get ridiculous sometimes. They always show how the murderer conveniently betrays himself with some kind of slip up."

Erika: "There's always some kind of slip up involved, if there wasn't, it'd be a perfect crime."

Satsukawa: "The perfect crime is yet another myth of mystery novels. They make it look as if you need an exceptional man to murder someone and get away with it. In reality murder cases solved in the world range between 30% to 70%. That's quite a lot of 'perfect crimes', and that doesn't take in account those murders that are never found to begin with."

Erika: "In countries like Japan and Germany it's about 95%. I blame the laziness and incompetence of the other countries' police for such low rates."

Rokudou: "I think it's probably because they have a harsher judicial system. Japan is particular famous for that."

Erika: "Nonsense! They're just applying the law as they should rather than letting attorneys dominate the courtrooms as it happens in the United States."

Satsukawa: "There's still that 5%. There are around 600 intentional homicides committed in Japan every year. That means about 30 homicides remain unsolved year after year. And this is one of the countries with the highest solved cases rate and the lowest murder rate."

Erika: "That's what happens when you don't let a great detective like me investigate the crime."

Satsukawa: "My point is... unsolved crimes are not necessarily the result of exceptional criminal minds. Most of the times it's just a series of purely situational factors."

Erika: "I can agree as long as the situational factors you're talking about are related to the investigations' flaws."

Satsukawa: "So you're confident that there's absolutely no crime you wouldn't be able to solve?"

Erika: "..."

Rokudou: "Ahem... I believe that as milady is now that would be the case."

This is quite frustrating.

Satsukawa: "I know your trust in Erika's skills is nearly absolute, but..."

Why does that incident keep coming up?

Rokudou: "It's not just because of my personal ties with her, I assure you..."

Why does that still affect me?

Satsukawa: "But still, you need to realize sometimes you just don't have any lead to follow..."

I am Erika Furudo. I am the witch of truth.

Rokudou: "I think I agree with milady when she says that a crime without any clue that could lead to the culprit would be a perfect crime, and I don't believe a perfect crime exists."

Erika: "A crime where absolutely nothing is left."

Satsukawa: "Huh?"

Erika: "A crime where there isn't a crime scene to investigate. A crime where there isn't any corpse to examine. A crime where all the weapons were destroyed. A crime where there isn't any witness you can question..."

Satsukawa: "..."

Erika: "That is the worst possible situation for a detective."

Rokudou: "Milady..."

Erika: "But in the end even that can be solved. It's just that you won't have any way to verify that your reasonings are correct, and the stubborn goats will never recognize that what you've found is the truth, no matter how sound and logic your arguments are. It's the kind of scenario where idiocy will reign supreme and where everyone will just keep thinking whatever suits them the best. You won't be able to prove them wrong. You won't be able to rejoice from seeing their faces as they recognize their mistakes. You won't be able to bask in everyone's admiration as you state the one and only truth..."

Rokudou: "..."

Satsukawa: "..."

Erika: "Aaah! But I still know the truth! That's a fact that doesn't change. And that's what matters in the end, right?"

No... that's wrong. I'm just fooling myself. It doesn't really matter as long as I can't prove I'm right. I must show incontrovertible proof that my reasonings are correct. There mustn't be any doubt. Everyone must agree that I found the culprit... even the culprit must realize how pointless it is to deny the truth after my exposition of the facts and confess.

Only then I can truly find satisfaction. Only then I can truly say I have completed my job as a great detective. That's my raison d'être.

Without that... I am nothing.

Without that... I disappear...

next->