Chapter 20 - Clearing the Suspicion

Akikawa Kyousuke's voice wasn't very loud.

However, this questioning tone caused a heavy tension among everyone present.

In criminal cases, it's normal to interrogate suspects with significant suspicion.

However, after being summarized by Akikawa Kyousuke, the involved party, what they did seemed like a deliberate attempt to be harsh and make things difficult.

It would be understandable if they had truly found some gaps or clues based on the detectives' reasoning.

The issue now was that, in the end, they couldn't explain the logic of Akikawa Kyousuke's behavior as the murderer in their "imagination."

It wasn't only Sera Masumi.

Including Conan, they realized they had never considered this aspect.

Akikawa Kyousuke was undoubtedly the number one suspect in this case.

Conan had worked backward from the perspective that Akikawa Kyousuke was the suspect.

Combined with the clues at the scene, he deduced Akikawa Kyousuke's modus operandi.

But they had ignored the consistency of Akikawa Kyousuke's behavior.

The act of the criminal wiping off fingerprints was essentially an attempt to hide the fact that he was the real murderer.

And since Akikawa Kyousuke had already decided to commit suicide, it was simply unnecessary to spend more time dealing with fingerprints.

"After all, how did he survive after overdosing on sleeping pills and taking no action?"

Conan was still trying to find gaps in Akikawa Kyousuke's words and once again to seek a logical explanation.

As a result, his usually brilliant mind had reached a dead end at this moment.

He found himself unable to think of a reasonable modus operandi.

"Right now, the most logical situation seems to be that there really was another criminal who committed the crime, as Akikawa Kyousuke said.

As for Akikawa Kyousuke, he was extremely lucky and survived after overdosing on sleeping pills."

Conan thought to himself.

Then he raised his eyes and looked at Sera Masumi.

He noticed that this tomboyish detective's delicate cheeks, who had returned from England, were now tinged with embarrassment.

Apparently, she too realized that she had misunderstood Akikawa Kyousuke.

As for detectives Miwako Sato and Wataru Takagi, they were both nervous about Akikawa Kyousuke's questioning.

They always handled cases with fairness and responsibility.

At that moment, Akikawa Kyousuke misinterpreted that he was just like Takuto Nakajima, who didn't hesitate to induce and force confessions for merit.

"No, no, no, Mr. Akikawa, you misunderstood. We just wanted to confirm the situation of the case."

"Yes, this is a necessary process for handling cases. After all, Mr. Akikawa is the primary suspect in this case. We must always confirm Mr. Akikawa's suspicions."

Miwako Sato and Wataru Takagi apologized profusely to Akikawa Kyousuke.

At that moment, Wataru Takagi's cell phone suddenly rang.

"It's from the forensic department."

Takagi said quietly, then stepped out to answer the call.

A few moments later.

Wataru Takagi returned to the room and quietly relayed what he heard from the forensic department to Miwako Sato and the two detectives.

"The forensic results are in. The cause of Akikawa Ryoko's death was excessive blood loss caused by a stabbing."

"It's not asphyxiation, it's excessive blood loss. Indeed, the throat wasn't attacked first."

Sera Masumi nodded slightly.

Both asphyxiation and massive blood loss can cause death in a short period, so Akikawa Ryoko's throat wasn't attacked too early on.

This is consistent with the initial judgment based on the strangulation marks.

"Another point is that the forensic doctor found that over 80% of the wounds on the deceased's body were slanted to the left side."

"Slanted to the left, which means the murderer used their right hand while attacking the deceased."

"Only then would the wound slant to the left for the deceased."

Conan instantly realized what this left-slanted wound meant.

"Most people don't hide their dominant hand when committing crimes, but what's the use of knowing the murderer's dominant hand is their right hand?"

Conan put his hand on his chin, thinking quietly.

"Hey, kid."

At that moment, Conan felt a tap on his shoulder.

He turned and saw that the embarrassment on Sera Masumi's face had intensified.

"What's up, Miss Sera?"

Conan was confused.

"You said the murderer's dominant hand is their right hand, right?"

"Yes, what's the matter?" There are too many right-handed people in this world.

Besides, this case is unlike the past; there would be three suspects to judge.

So even knowing the murderer's preferred hand has little significance.

"Then it definitely wasn't Akikawa who committed the crime."

"Eh? Why are you so sure, Miss Sera? Is this Akikawa left-handed?"

"No."

Sera Masumi said, gently raising her chin in the direction of Akikawa Kyousuke.

Conan looked over at Kyousuke Akikawa in the hospital bed.

Immediately upon seeing the cast on Akikawa Kyousuke's right arm,

he suddenly felt a "boom" sound in his head.

"That's right! His right hand was broken in yesterday's car accident!"

"So he definitely doesn't have the ability to commit murder!"

A strong sense of panic suddenly surged in Conan's heart.

Not only because

he realized that his absolutely confident reasoning today had gone wrong.

Or because

he now realized that Akikawa Kyousuke's identity had changed from suspect to victim.

A victim who lost the only family member he depended on to make a living and almost lost his own life.

But Akikawa Kyousuke was hurt again because of his pride and poor judgment.

Sera Masumi quietly shared her conclusion with Miwako Sato.

Miwako Sato's expression turned very embarrassed when she heard that Kyousuke Akikawa's right hand was broken, making it impossible for him to commit the crime.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Akikawa."

Miwako Sato, Masumi Sera, Conan, and Wataru Takagi quickly bowed deeply and apologized to Akikawa Kyousuke.

"It's true that we misjudged. Mr. Akikawa lacks the conditions to commit the crime."

"We will do our best to find the murderer who harmed Ms. Ryoko."

"..."

Akikawa Kyousuke looked silently at the four people bowing and apologizing to him.

After a moment, he slowly said:

"Well, I'm curious to ask."

"If I hadn't refuted what you just said, would you have arrested me as the murderer?"

"No! Of course not! The Metropolitan Police will only arrest someone with conclusive evidence."

Akikawa Kyousuke's words made the four people tremble, and Sato Miwako quickly explained.

As a detective with a strong sense of justice, Miwako Sato always handled cases fairly and impartially.

Being able to serve as a police officer in the first investigation division at such a young age is enough to demonstrate Miwako Sato's extraordinary abilities.

She was never afraid of gangsters or murderers.

But she feared her quality as a criminal police officer and image before others would be questioned.

But this time, because of the self-assurance of subordinate officers and overconfidence in the detectives,

the victim was hurt multiple times.

Sato Miwako sincerely apologized, anxious to restore the impression of the Metropolitan Police Department in Akikawa Kyousuke's mind.

However, she didn't see a look of trust on Akikawa Kyousuke's face.

Instead, she saw Akikawa Kyousuke hesitating to speak and avoiding her gaze before responding quietly:

"I want to rest."

Clearly, Akikawa Kyousuke didn't trust them at all.

And due to everything that happened today, he didn't even dare to express his true thoughts.

Miwako Sato wanted to explain that they wouldn't force a confession or expose anyone's innocence.

But she also understood that without any action,

it's really difficult to repair Akikawa Kyousuke's inner trust in the detectives with mere words.

"I'm sorry, please rest well."

Miwako Sato murmured disappointedly, then turned and left the room.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Akikawa."

Sera Masumi and the others also apologized once more to Akikawa Kyousuke and then slowly exited the room.

Akikawa Kyousuke didn't say anything during this time, always looking dejected.

Until the last person left the room,

the corners of his mouth, which had always been downturned, finally changed.

(End of Chapter)