The Devotion of Suspect X - Keigo Higashino [116]
There was no turning back now. Nor was there any reason to stop the plan he’d set in motion. No matter how brilliant the deductions of that genius physicist might be, they had no hope of prevailing against an actual criminal’s confession in court.
I’ve won, he thought.
He heard a buzzer sound. It was the signal that indicated that there were visitors to the holding cell. The guard rose from his chair.
After a brief negotiation, someone entered the cell area. It was Kusanagi. He waited in front of the bars while the guard ordered Ishigami from his cell. The mathematician was searched, then handed over to Kusanagi. The detective didn’t say a word while all this was happening.
Outside the holding cell, Kusanagi turned to Ishigami and asked, “How are you feeling?”
Ishigami couldn’t tell whether it was the detective’s custom to be polite, or if this was part of some ploy.
“A little tired, to tell the truth. To be honest, I’d like to get through the legal proceedings as quickly as possible.”
“Don’t worry, this will be last time I’ll be taking you out for questioning. There’s someone here to see you.”
Ishigami frowned. Who could it be? Not Yasuko, he hoped.
Kusanagi led him to the interrogation room and opened the door. Manabu Yukawa sat inside. He stared at Ishigami, a pensive look on his face.
The final hurdle, Ishigami thought, bracing himself.
* * *
For a time, the two geniuses sat across the table from each other in silence. Kusanagi leaned against the wall, keeping an eye on them.
“You’re looking a little thin,” Yukawa said at last.
“Oh? I’ve been eating fine.”
“Good to hear. I wanted to ask you,” Yukawa licked his lips. “Aren’t you embarrassed at all to be labeled a stalker?”
“But I’m not a stalker,” Ishigami replied. “To the contrary, I’ve been protecting Yasuko Hanaoka, though not openly. I’ve told the police this several times already.”
“I know what you told them. And I know you continue to protect her even now.”
Ishigami looked displeased and glanced up toward Kusanagi. “How is this discussion going to help your investigation?”
Kusanagi said nothing.
“I told him what I know,” Yukawa said. “I told him what you really did, and who you really killed.”
“I’m sure you’re free to discuss your conjectures with whomever you wish.”
“I’ve also told her—Yasuko Hanaoka.”
The skin of Ishigami’s cheeks drew taut across his face. But he soon managed a thin smile. “Did she show some remorse, maybe? Was she thankful to me? From all I’ve heard, she’s been going on like I did nothing for her—like I never got rid of that thorn in her side.”
Kusanagi swallowed, watching Ishigami’s face twist as he played the role of spurned stalker to perfection. He hadn’t realized it was possible for anyone to devote himself so utterly to another. It was as impressive as it was terrifying.
“You seem to be suffering under the belief that as long as you don’t tell the truth it will never come to light, but you’re not entirely correct,” Yukawa said. “A man went missing on March 10. An innocent man, guilty of nothing. If we were to find out who he was, and find his family, we could do some DNA testing. Compare those results with the results from the body thought to be Shinji Togashi, and we’ll know the truth.”
“I’m not sure what you’re going on about,” Ishigami said, smiling. “But whoever this man you mentioned was, he probably didn’t have a family. And even if there was some other way of finding out who he was, it would take a staggering amount of time and effort to do so. By the time you’re done, I will already have been tried and convicted. Rest assured I’ll plead guilty. Once the verdict is announced, the case will be closed. The murder of Shinji Togashi will have been solved. The police’s hands will be tied. Or maybe—” He looked at Kusanagi. “Maybe you’ll listen to this guy’s story and change your mind about charging me.