(Jared's POV)
20th February, 9:23 a.m.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"Back in the good old courtroom." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Well, I never expected this. Who'd have thought we'd be back here again so soon?'
"We are on a study tour of Great Britain...with the intention of learning the country's legal practices. In order to research the latest court procedures here, we need as much court experience as possible." Susato said.
"Well, yes, I suppose that's true, but... ...for the person in the dock, it may well be his or her one and only time in court. And it could be life-changing. In which case, treating it as 'research' may seem a little... crass." Ryunosuke said.
"...Oh, when you put it like that... You're quite right."
"Good morning!" Soseki said, entering the room.
"Ah, Mr Natsume. Good morning." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh dear, are you alright? Your eyes are terribly bloodshot." Susato said, sadly.
"It looks like you didn't get any sleep." I said, looking down at the floor.
"'The early bird catches the worm,' as they say here in Britain." Soseki said.
"Yes, I've heard that expression." Ryunosuke said.
"But I really don't want to catch a worm. SO I TRIED DESPERATELY NOT TO WAKE UP EARLY! BUT I WAS SO WORRIED, I COULDN'T CATCH A WINK! ...And now I'm absolutely exhausted as a result."
"Talk about taking things literally." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Do all literary people take things so...literally?'
"Thank you for putting your faith in us today, Mr Natsume." Susato said.
"... I, I WISH I HAD NINE LIVES! MY WHOLE FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE! I'M… Too Terrified To Tremble!" Soseki said, terrified.
"Wow." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Really? Because I can feel tremors in the floor.'
"I can't do this! I can't take it! Although...Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire…" Soseki said.
"Um...yes?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I caught a glimpse of the public gallery as I walked by the courtroom. It looked like the opening night of the opera, there were so many people. I had no idea my case was such a notorious affair here in London."
"Oh. Um…" Ryunosuke said, thinking this to himself. 'Neither did I.' He then spoke aloud. "Do you know why that might be, Miss Susato, Jared?"
"I'm sorry, Mr Naruhodo, but I have no idea." Susato said, frowning.
"Spoilers." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So that all-knowing look on your face is just coincidence then, is it?'
"DON'T HIDE THE TRUTH FROM ME! ...It's...it's... ...it's because of the Reaper, isn't it?" Soseki asked.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, thinking this to himself. 'Lord van Zieks?!' He then spoke aloud. "Is, is that right, Miss Susato, Jared?"
"Yup. He's the prosecutor." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"...I purchased as many different newspapers as I could find this morning, and yes... ...Lord van Zieks is on the front page of every one." Susato said.
"I, I knew it!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"Sometime after the prosecutor was dubbed 'The Reaper of the Bailey'... ...he stopped appearing in court, it seems. It's been several years now, in fact, until the day before yesterday."
"Yes, Inspector Gregson told us something similar, didn't he?" Ryunosuke asked.
Flashback…
"The trial two days ago marked Lord van Zieks's return to the courtroom after a very long hiatus." Gregson said.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"Magnus McGilded's trial." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'The trial of Magnus McGilded... Ugh, what a harrowing experience that was.'
"I believe that appearance made even greater waves here in the capital than today's." Susato said.
"But we wouldn't have realised, of course, having only just arrived in the country." Ryunosuke said.
"'Why is the Reaper back in the Bailey so soon, for what appears to be a mundane murder?' That's the question the papers are asking. And they are all speculating various answers."
"'Mundane'? MUNDANE?! It's the most significant saga of the century to some of us!" Soseki said, angrily.
"Oh dear! I meant no offence, Mr Natsume! But...that is how the papers are describing it." Susato said.
"Well, lest we also forget the fact that it could spark an international incident. Obviously, the reappearance of this infamous prosecutor has caught people's attention. But there's another blatant similarity with the trial of two days ago."
"Yes, I agree."
"Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire... It's you!"
"Me...?" Ryunosuke asked, and he thought this to himself. 'Well, I suppose that's true.'
"Both times, it is you who stands against this legendary prosecutor. It, it can only mean...THAT YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH THE REAPER!" Soseki yelled.
"Please! I don't rub shoulders with...with...death-bringers!" Ryunosuke cried.
"I'm afraid that there's really only one other explanation. It can only be another example, Mr Naruhodo, of your uncommon bad luck." Susato said.
"Talk about your standard protagonist." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Thanks for that.'
"Oh, this is just my luck! Why must I be represented by a man with such frail fortune? By the LEAST LUCKY LAWYER ALIVE!" Soseki said, worried.
"... Well, let's not forget... ...that it was you, Mr Natsume, who asked me to represent you." Ryunosuke said.
"...!"
"Yes, it's true that I'm just a student, new to London, with little in the way of experience or skills...or luck. But I promise you this... ...I will fight your corner until the bitter end. And I will believe in you, Mr Natsume."
"Oh, benevolent Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire…"
"You're not alone here with us, Mr Natsume. Whatever happens, we will always be on your side!" Susato said, excitedly.
"We will give you the not guilty verdict." I said, happily. "I promise."
"Oh, benevolent Non-Locum Assistants Miss Mikotoba Esquiress and Mister Shay Esquire... ... I AM IN YOUR DEBT! FOREVER! I shall never forget this great kindness for as long as I live!" Soseki said, looking between Susato and I.
"Mr Natsume! Counsel for the Defence! The court session is about to begin. Kindly make your way into the courtroom at once!" The bailiff chirped.
"Alright then, Mr Natsume, it's time. Let's go." Ryunosuke said.
"Y-Y-Ye... Y-Y-Ye... YEEESSSSSS!!!" Soseki said, worried.
"Good luck, Ryunosuke." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This is it... My second appearance in a British courtroom. And my second trial against...the Reaper. I hope you're watching over me, Kazuma. Because this time, I won't let my faith waver. I'll believe in my client to the last. Just like you believed in me... ...I believe I can do this now! I'm ready for this fight!'
20th February, 10:00 a.m.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"In the name of Her Majesty the Queen, I hereby declare this court to be in session. I now call upon the counsels for the prosecution and defence to declare their willingness to proceed." The Judge said.
"The prosecution is fully prepared, My Lord." Van Zieks said.
"The defence...is ready, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said.
"... The Nipponese are a truly fascinating breed."
"Sorry, what?"
"Lord Stronghart has told me all about you. That you are a student who arrived in London but two days ago. A mere amateur."
"Do, do you have a point?!"
"Being a compatriot, you feel compelled to try to help the accused, I suppose. ...Typical Nipponese arrogance."
"...Forgive me, but I do not believe arrogance is an appropriate description." Susato said, sadly.
"Susato…" I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Susato-san…'
"After all, at our previous encounter, the defendant was found to be innocent." Susato said.
"...Very true. And a most fascinating - if dark - trial it was, too. The tragic conclusion came later, of course. Here's to the acquitted, and his unfortunate violent end." Van Zieks said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Thank you, Counsels. I see both sides are in fine fettle. Now, ladies and gentlemen of the jury... ...are you ready to carry out your duties here in court as impartial members of the public?" The Judge asked.
"You never know when you might be down on your luck. But I believe in fair play for everyone." Juror No. 1 said.
"Well I must warn you, I'm rather more ruthless than I appear." Juror No. 2 said.
"Oh well, not me. What you see is what you get. I'm a peace-loving fellow." Juror No. 3 said.
"I'm afraid to say, I think it's quite possible that moustached foreigner did the deed." Juror No. 4 said.
"Come on, what are we waiting for? No doubt he did it, anyway." Juror No. 5 said.
"Eh? Sorry? Didn't quite catch that." Juror No. 6 said.
"Very well, let us proceed. Your opening statement, if you please, Lord van Zieks." The Judge said.
"Very recently, Great Britain signed an alliance with a rising power in the Far East. The accused in the dock today is a student from that same land. A certain Mr Soseki Natsume. And while our country has extended this foreign student the warmest of welcomes... ...regrettably the kindness has not been returned. In fact, this student is accused of a most sinister act. Of plunging a knife into the back of an innocent woman who was doing nothing but walking down the street!" Van Zieks yelled.
"A knife crime?! I tell you from bitter experience, those are the worst! Bloody oath, they are!" Juror No. 1 said.
"Just look at that sallow complexion and short stature... He's, he's one of those dreadful 'Japanese'!" Juror No. 2 said.
"Come on, let's get this over with. With me now, everyone. One, two...three!" Juror No. 5 said.
"Eh? Sorry? Didn't quite catch that." Juror No. 6 said.
"Pray...forgive the discourtesy of smashing my hallowed chalice here in this great chamber. Allow me to call the first witness to the stand." Van Zieks said.
"Very well. Bailiff, lead the inspector in, please!" The Judge said, angrily.
Gregson entered the courtroom and he walked to the witness stand.
"Your name and occupation, please." Van Zieks said.
"Yes, sir. Tobias Gregson, Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard." Gregson said.
"Would you please summarise the events of the case for the court, Inspector?"
"The victim is thought to be a young woman in her twenties by the name of Olive Green."
"I beg your pardon, Inspector? 'Thought to be'?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, havin' been stabbed in the back by her attacker's knife, the victim fell unconscious. That was three days ago now. And she's been comatose ever since." Gregson said.
"What?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed, and he thought this to himself. 'So they don't even know who she is for sure?'
"Hm, comatose... I see. But her life is not in danger?" The Judge asked.
"Fortunately for the Eastern student, the charge will not be murder. Pray, elaborate on the details, Inspector." Van Zieks said.
"Sir. If I could ask everyone to look at this street map... As I mentioned, the incident took place three days ago. ...At around five in the afternoon. It happened on the pavement running alongside Briar Road, a wide thoroughfare for horse-drawn vehicles. It had not long since stopped snowin' as the victim - Miss Green - was walkin' down the street. Out of the blue, she was approached from behind by the accused and stabbed in the back. Luckily, the young lady's life was spared, and she's currently bein' treated in one of the city's hospitals. But bein' unconscious as she is, we've been unable to take a statement from her, of course. This is the case file with everything we know about the victim so far." Gregson said.
"Thank you, Inspector. The court will accept the documents as evidence, if you please." The Judge said.
The case file has been entered into the Court Record.
"What of the weapon that was used?" Van Zieks asked.
"Sir. I have that here. It was removed from the victim's back." Gregson said.
"Oof. That's gotta hurt." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Ouch. That big thing is starting to make me scared to walk down the street now…'
"With a heavy blade like that, almost anybody would have been able to stab the poor woman." Susato said.
"Yup." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Even the scragged-looking Soseki-san, I suppose…'
"Hm... A common-or-garden jackknife, I would say. Rather nondescript. Thank you, Inspector. The court accepts the blade as evidence." The Judge said.
The jackknife has been entered into the Court Record.
"Now then...what do we know of the motive? Money or valuables, I presume?" The Judge asked.
"Let's take a look at the jackknife." I said, walking over to the jackknife, picking it up and looking at the blade, then at the tip of the blade. "It looks a bit important."
"Oh, look here, Mr Naruhodo, Jared, just at the tip... A small piece of the blade appears to be missing." Susato said.
"You're right! Well spotted, Miss Susato!" Ryunosuke said.
"I wonder what could have happened to it."
"Yes. ...You, you don't think... ...it could still be lodged in the victim, do you?"
"Oh dear! I do hope not. That sounds terribly painful."
I walked back to the main table with the jackknife and placed it down.
"From what we can tell by looking at the woman's possessions, it seems like she's a poor student herself. Hard to imagine she would have had anythin' much worth pinchin', My Lord." Gregson said.
"I see. Well, in that case, are we looking at some deep-seated resentment toward the victim?" The Judge asked.
"...I'm afraid I couldn't say. Apart from visitin' secondhand bookshops, the defendant, Mr Natsume, doesn't appear to get out much. At this moment in time, we haven't been able to establish any sort of connection between him and the victim."
"Yes." Ryunosuke said, raising his hand. "If theft and grievance had been ruled out as the motive... ...what reason could Mr Natsume possibly have had for stabbing the young woman? Yet you arrested the man in spite of that...in a totally unjustified and heavy-handed way!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "...Pray forgive the discourtesy of flinging a freshly uncorked bottle into the public gallery... ...but your words have soured its hallowed bouquet. For it is you, my learned friend, who is being heavy-handed here."
"What?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Scotland Yard does not arrest people without good cause. That should be beyond question. Inspector Gregson, the prosecution calls for your formal testimony. Explain to the court precisely why the constabulary came to arrest the Nipponese student." Van Zieks said.
"Yes, sir!" Gregson said.
Witness Testimony
- Mr Natsume's Arrest -
"As I said, it was five o'clock in the afternoon when the incident occurred. And there was an unusually light fog. Visibility was reasonably good, and there was no one else about but the victim and the accused. Out of the blue, the victim was stabbed from behind and subsequently collapsed on the pavement. The accused ran off, scatterin' his belongings all over the floor. Those bein' a number of old books he'd just bought. He was on his way home from a bookshop, it seems. It was just a matter of workin' out who the books belonged to, and we found the bloke to arrest him." Gregson said.
"Old books, you say?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, My Lord. I have a photograph here of the scene of the crime, taken immediately after the incident." Gregson said.
"Ah yes, I can clearly see the books to which you are referring. I will take that photographic print as evidence, please, Inspector."
The crime scene photograph has been entered into the Court Record.
"You Nipponese are a spineless breed. Too cowardly to admit defeat. Denying everything despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary." Van Zieks said.
"Well...I…" Ryunosuke said.
"Forgive me, Lord van Zieks, but the defendant is not denying 'everything', as you put it." Susato said.
"What are you doing, Miss Susato?"
"Do go on…" The Judge said.
"Mr Natsume has admitted to playing some part in the incident. Isn't that right, Mr Naruhodo, Jared?" Susato asked.
"Yup." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Well, now you mention it... ...when we visited him in the prison yesterday, he did tell us what had all happened.'
Flashback…
"As I was walking along that accursed pavement, I could make out the sole silhouette of another ahead of me. A woman, wearing a green overcoat, she was. And just as I went to overtake her... ...she suddenly let out a little scream, and collapsed onto the cold, hard slabs of stone at my feet! I was terrified! I had to get away from there! So I ran! As fast as my legs would carry me back to my accursed lodgings!" Soseki said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"Hmph, a green overcoat?" Juror No. 1 asked.
"Well that's exactly what the woman in that print is wearing!" Juror No. 3 said.
"Oh my! A photographic print in full colour! What will the world come up with next?" Juror No. 4 asked.
"The defendant has done nothing more than admit he fled the scene of a terrifying incident! That does NOT mean that he's guilty of the heinous crime of stabbing the woman in the back!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"There was nobody else there at the time. Just the two of them: the victim...and the accused. In other words, there is nobody else who could possibly have stabbed the woman. A fact...that the accused concedes!" Van Zieks yelled.
"Ugh…"
"Hm, it seems this cross-examination could prove to be pivotal, Counsel. Proceed, please." The Judge said.
"Yes, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'Nothing for it... I have to use this cross-examination to turn the tables here. It's our only chance!'
Cross-Examination
- Mr Natsume's Arrest -
"As I said, it was five o'clock in the afternoon when the incident occurred. And there was an unusually light fog. Visibility was reasonably good, and there was no one else about but the victim and the accused. Out of the blue, the victim was stabbed from behind and subsequently collapsed on the pavement. The accused ran off, scatterin' his belongings all over the floor. Those bein' a number of old books he'd just bought. He was on his way home from a bookshop, it seems." Gregson said.
"Press for more information here." I said, happily.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "The defendant apparently visits a secondhand bookshop on a daily basis."
"Yes, so I understand. A shop full of old English literature." Gregson said.
"I commend the accused on the lofty subject matter of his scholarly attention." Van Zieks said.
"The bloke's room was stacked floor to ceilin' with those musty old books."
"Can you tell us more about the bookshop in question, please, Inspector?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Well, if I must. I'll have to ask you to look at the street map again, I'm afraid. The closest secondhand bookshop to the accused's lodgings is this place here. Bourbon Books. A little place on the corner of Briar Road and Meerschaum Street. As it happens, the accused is currently livin' in lodgings on the other side of Briar Road at the opposite end. Which means it doesn't take a genius to work out the route he would've taken home. Somethin' like this." Gregson said.
The local map's information has been updated in the Court Record.
"Yes, I concur with your conclusion, Inspector. The defendant would certainly have passed the scene of the crime on his way home from that particular shop." The Judge said.
"Mr Naruhodo... ...I think that what the inspector just told us could turn out to be of vital importance." Susato said, sadly.
"Yes, I agree." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'The most important point that the inspector just made being…'
"It could be the bookshop's name." I said, smiling. "It needs to be added to the testimony."
"Inspector Gregson, may I ask you a favour?" Ryunosuke asked.
"...What?" Gregson asked.
"Would you kindly add the name of the bookshop to your formal testimony, please? I believe it may be of vital importance."
"'May be'?"
"Oh, well, you know... I mean, yes! It could be a very important clue!"
"Very well. Not that I can see it being of any great significance... ...but please revise your testimony accordingly, Inspector." The Judge said.
"Yes sir, My Lord. Whatever you say." Gregson said.
"Wow." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Could the man BE any more sardonic?'
"He was on his way home from Bourbon Books, a secondhand bookshop he apparently patronises." Gregson said.
"Here you go." I said, passing Ryunosuke the Secondhand Book Receipt.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Secondhand Book Receipt. "Um...if, if I could just stop you there, Inspector Gregson…"
"What is it, sunshine? I'm a busy man, you know!" Gregson said, angrily.
"This is a receipt that we found in Mr Natsume's room. It was issued on the day of the incident, and details the purchase of three secondhand books."
"And you found that in the accused's room, did you?"
"Yes, but the point is not where the receipt was found, but the name of the shop printed on it."
"...Go on." Van Zieks said.
"This receipt was issued from a bookshop called...Yore Books." Ryunosuke said.
"Yore Books? Y-o-r-e, I presume…" The Judge said.
"Yes, My Lord. So Mr Natsume did indeed purchase a number of books at a secondhand bookshop that day. However! The bookshop in question...was not Bourbon Books!"
"Eh? What?" Gregson asked.
"Inspector! Do you know of this other bookshop?" The Judge asked.
"Y-Yes sir! Yore Books is another secondhand bookshop not far from Bourbon Books. It's just that... Well, it's such a small place, I, I didn't think the accused would have known about it."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But in fact that IS the bookshop which the defendant visited on the day in question. And this receipt proves it!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Yes...for what difference it makes. Wherever the man purchased his musty tomes, it makes no difference in the final analysis."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "I disagree! I, I mean...after all, um…"
"I have the street map here, if that might be of help?" Susato asked.
"Oh, um... Yes! Thank you! Have a look at this, please…" Ryunosuke said, looking down at the map. "If the defendant had been returning from Bourbon Books... ...then yes, he would almost certainly have passed the place where Miss Green was attacked. However! If we take into account the fact that he was actually at another bookshop - Yore Books... ...it may very well turn out that he wouldn't have passed that location at all!"
"...! Could that be true?" Juror No. 1 asked.
"My my, it rather depends on where this other bookshop is, but I do declare it may be a possibility…" Juror No. 2 said.
"Is that right, Mr Lawyer, sir? What you just said?" Juror No. 3 asked.
"Absolutely! It absolutely could be right!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Inspector Gregson! Where is this Yore Books establishment?" The Judge asked.
"Well, um, obviously we looked into that. It turns out that Yore Books... ...is just here on the next corner of Meerschaum Street goin' east." Gregson said.
The local map's information has been updated in the Court Record.
"And there you have it! As you can clearly see now…" Ryunosuke said, and his eyes widened. "... ...Oh."
"...My learned Nipponese friend is obviously in training to be a clown, the way he regales us with such witticisms. To your future career in the circus." Van Zieks said, holding up his wine glass.
"Grrr...you put that glass down now, or I'll put it down for you!" Susato yelled.
"I, erm...didn't think I needed to spell it out, but here we go. If the accused was comin' home from Yore Books instead of Bourbon Books... ...there's no doubt he still would have passed the place where the victim was stabbed." Gregson said.
"Yes, thank you, Inspector." The Judge said.
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said.
"Allow me to reiterate for my learned, if somewhat slow, Nipponese friend... Wherever the man purchased his musty tomes, it makes no difference in the final analysis." Van Zieks said.
"AAAAAAGH!!!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"As I suspected! You can't fool me! And I don't suggest you try!" Juror No. 4 said.
"What did I say, eh? I've had enough of this now!" Juror No. 5 said.
"Beg your pardon? Terribly sorry, but would you mind repeating that?" Juror No. 6 asked.
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! We mustn't give up!" Susato cried.
"What, what do you mean?" Ryunosuke asked.
"If the prosecution's assertion is correct... ...the members of the jury may very well decide that Mr Natsume is guilty!"
"If Soseki Natsume is found guilty, it will cause a paradox." I said, looking down at the floor. "His writing is considered the standard for Japanese in the future."
"Ah!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'They're absolutely right!'
"We must think! We must consider the assertion just put forward by the prosecution very, very carefully!" Susato said, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
'They claim Soseki-san must have passed the location of the incident on his way home from Yore Books, but…' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before he said this aloud. "Jared, what should I do?"
"Raise an objection." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "That's all you can do."
"The assertion just made by the prosecution...is fundamentally flawed!" Ryunosuke said.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"Explain yourself, Counsel!" The Judge said.
"Erm, yes, My Lord! You, you can see what I mean on this map! When returning from Yore Books to his lodgings... ...Mr Natsume could have followed the route suggested by the prosecution. However... ...that isn't the only conceivable route to take between the two places. If the defendant used these streets...look what happens! He arrives back at his lodgings without passing the location where the victim was attacked!" Ryunosuke said.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Talking back to a clown is a fool's errand, of course. However, I feel compelled to point out that... ...that route is what is commonly referred to as the long way round."
"Ah."
"On a cold winter's night, why would any man choose to take a longer route home?" Van Zieks asked.
"Well, um...erm…"
"The answer is extremely simple: He wouldn't. In other words... ...the accused took the obvious route back to his lodgings, and is the obvious perpetrator of this crime!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But...but...BUT! Ah-ha, yes! I've got it! Obviously, we must ask the man himself! Ask Mr Natsume which route he took home!"
"I have already informed the court of the accused's response to such questioning. He claims he has 'no recollection'." Van Zieks said.
"Haah…" Ryunosuke said.
"That's right. As I said, the bloke seems to spend his time outside wanderin' aimlessly from A to B. That day was no exception. He says he doesn't remember where he was or which route he took home." Gregson said.
"... I don't... I DON'T BELIEVE THIIIS!!!"
"...I thank you, my learned friend. And suggest that we do not waste any more of the court's time by wandering aimlessly around this subject. Pray, what say you insightful jurors?" Van Zieks asked.
"But, but even if that is the case, the defence still-" Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Hold it." Juror No. 1 said, doing the Hold it pose. "I agree with Lord van Zieks! Wholeheartedly, and in every way!"
"What?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed, as he thought this to himself. 'I don't believe it! Does, does this mean...?'
"We members of the jury...are completely convinced now!"
"Very well, in that case I hereby call upon all members of the jury... ...to present your findings to the court!" The Judge yelled.
"Guilty!" Juror No. 1 said.
"Guilty!" Juror No. 2 said.
"Guilty!" Juror No. 3 said.
"Guilty!" Juror No. 4 said.
"Guilty!" Juror No. 5 said.
"Guilty!" Juror No. 6 said.
The scales at the back of the room leaned towards black of guilty, after the six jurors made their vote.
"It would appear the jury's leaning is unanimous." The Judge said.
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"To the insightful members of the jury. I applaud your brave resolve. You serve Queen and country admirably." Van Zieks said.
"Mr Naruhodo…" Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"Ryunosuke…" I said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'No...not yet... This isn't over yet! I still have one last chance to sway the opinion of the jury. I have to tip the balance of those scales the other way. I have to turn this around... ...somehow!'
"Hm, those are the eyes of quarry not yet willing to give up and die." Van Zieks said.
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"So I presume you intend to wield your rights again in this trial. Rights of the defence written into antiquated British law that should have been buried long ago."
"Call it antiquated if you will... ...but it's the defence's prerogative to carry out a summation examination if it so chooses!"
"Very well, Counsel... ...in accordance with the letter of the law, we shall proceed with a summation examination. Are the members of the jury ready, Mr Foreman?" The Judge asked.
"Of course we're ready! I'm all too familiar with that Nipponese whippersnapper and his onkus refusal to throw in his alley." Juror No 1 said, smirking.
"Very well then. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury... ...you will each explain on what grounds you have determined the defendant to be guilty!"
Judicial Findings
- The Jurors' Contentions -
"For pity's sake, that little Nipponese oddity already admitted it himself, didn't he?" Juror No 1 asked.
"If he said that a woman in green collapsed before his eyes, why it can only have been the victim!" Juror No. 2 said.
"The man wouldn't have gone around the houses on his way back from the bookshop. Not in winter!" Juror No. 3 said.
"So the poor woman was attacked from behind, was she? How dreadful!" Juror No. 4 said.
"I really don't care! Can't we just wrap this up now? I've got work to be doing!" Juror No. 5 said.
"Hm, Yore Books, yes... Nice shop, that. But Bourbon Books? ...Hmph, no, not worth a visit." Juror No. 6 said.
"Hmmm... With only minor exceptions, the reasons for finding the defendant guilty are all too clear." The Judge said.
"When the stabbing occurred, the only two people at the scene were the victim and the accused. And the accused himself... ...has admitted to seeing the victim in her green overcoat sink to the ground before his eyes." Van Zieks said.
"Furthermore, we have heard from the inspector that the defendant then fled the scene. I must say, I would have ample grounds to convict this man already."
"Oh dear, even the judge appears convinced of Mr Natsume's guilt now." Susato said, sadly.
"This is bad. This is really bad." I said, frowning. "Everyone thinks Soseki Natsume is guilty."
"Ugh, why did he have to run away like that? And how are we supposed to believe in some phantom attacker that nobody could see? This is impossible! How can I possibly make a case for the defence?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Mr Naruhodo! This is no time for grumbling! If we want to force the trial to continue-" Susato said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Yes, I know. I have to turn the tide. I must make the jurors change their minds. Well, four of them, at least."
"Exactly. We have no choice but to forge forward!"
"You have the floor, Counsel. Begin your summation examination." The Judge said.
"Yes, My Lord." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'I just need to keep this trial going somehow. Whatever it takes... Come on, Ryunosuke, you can do it!'
Jury Examination
- The Defence's Rebuttal -
"For pity's sake, that little Nipponese oddity already admitted it himself, didn't he?" Juror No. 1 asked.
"If he said that a woman in green collapsed before his eyes, why it can only have been the victim!" Juror No. 2 said.
"There's a flaw here." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "Those two statements clearly show a flaw in the jurors' reasoning!"
"A flaw? What are you talking about, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"Well, juror number two? Juror number six?" Ryunosuke asked.
"My, whatever do you mean, sir?" Juror No. 2 asked.
"..." Juror No. 6 said.
"I think perhaps the old man didn't hear you." Susato said.
"Unbelievable. It's not like I was loud or anything... There is at least one fact of which we can be sure here. The bookshop receipt found in the defendant's room clearly indicates that on the day of the attack... ...he had been to Yore Books and purchased a number of secondhand titles. He then returned home on foot." Ryunosuke said.
"But the man says he has no recollection of his return journey." Juror No. 2 said.
"That's correct. But what he does remember is seeing someone appear in front of him on the way. Someone in a green overcoat, who suddenly collapsed on the pavement before his eyes."
"Yes, we are well aware of all this! The poor young woman who was stabbed, obviously."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "Can we really be sure of that, madam?"
"My! Whatever do you mean?" Juror No. 2 asked.
"I'm sure you heard juror number six's account of what happened to him that day? That same afternoon, there was somebody else apart from the victim... ...who was wearing a green overcoat and who fell over on the icy streets in the neighbourhood." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh my!"
"...!" Juror No. 1 said, at a loss for words.
"My goodness, you, you mean...?" Juror No. 3 asked.
"That's right. I'm referring of course... ...to hard-of-hearing juror number six!" Ryunosuke said, smugly.
"Are, are you really suggesting... ...that the person in the green overcoat whom the defendant saw collapse in front of his eyes... ...was the jolly old gentleman on the end of the bench here with me today?" Juror No. 2 asked.
"That is entirely possible, yes. After all, the old man... ...has a somewhat similar build to the victim."
"Well look at that!" Juror No. 5 said.
"My goodness me!" Juror No. 4 said.
"Hm? Sorry? You need a pee?" Juror No. 6 asked.
"And crucially! We know precisely where the old man in the green overcoat fell!" Ryunosuke chirped.
"On Calabash Road…" Juror No. 2 said, their eyes widening.
"Therefore, if the person who Mr Natsume saw collapsing in front of him was in fact juror number six... ...it means the defendant must have taken the long route back to his lodgings. And if that's true, then clearly... ...the crime scene on Briar Road where the woman was stabbed...was not on his way home!"
"Oooh my!"
"You idiot, old man! If you hadn't been so daft as to be roaming about there, we'd have boxed this off hours ago!" Juror No. 5 said.
"And really! What were you thinking, wearing such a befuddling coat?!" Juror No. 4 exclaimed.
"What did you say to me?! Is it a crime for the elderly to walk the streets these days, hm? Is it a crime to slip over on the ice? Is it a crime to keep up with the latest styles and wear a beautiful, green overcoat, is it?!" Juror No. 6 exclaimed.
"Hold it." Juror No. 2 said, doing the Hold it pose. "My Lord, I do hope it won't cause any inconvenience, but…"
"You'd like to change your leaning, I presume?" The Judge asked.
"I do declare that I would. I should like to call for a verdict of not guilty."
"...! Thank you!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"And I would too!" Juror No. 6 said, angrily.
"What?"
"Is it a crime to change your mind, is it? Well?!"
Juror No. 2 and Juror No. 6 vote innocent.
"Oh, well done, Mr Naruhodo! That was wonderful!" Susato cooed.
"It was." I said, happily. "You did amazing."
"Well, we've managed to change a couple of minds at least. It's strengthened our position somewhat." Ryunosuke said, smiling.
"Yes! And it will prompt the other members of the jury to reconsider their stance as well. They'll be asking themselves if their current leanings are really right or not. Now, if only... If we could just identify one more clue or discrepancy that would make them stop doubting Mr Natsume... ...we might be able to tip the balance completely!" Susato cheered.
"Yes, that's exactly what we've got to do!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Van Zieks is looking to bring this trial to an early conclusion. That's what we have to prevent, by whatever means we have at our disposal!'
"..." Van Zieks said.
"Thank you, Counsel. On with the summation examination, please!" The Judge yelled.
"Yes, My Lord." Ryunosuke said.
"You've changed two of the jurors' minds, Mr Naruhodo!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Yes, just two more to go."
"Deliver the finishing blow now! It's time to turn the tables here!"
"You got this, Ryunosuke." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Wish I knew how to do a Susato Takedown... I suppose words will have to suffice for now.'
"Well, that summation examination has concluded with a rather large shift in opinion. The ayes, two. The noes, four. So the noes have it. Not guilty, they say. Which means we no longer have a consensus among the members of the jury. The trial will continue!" The Judge said.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Could it seem churlish of me to drink from my hallowed chalice moments after raising an objection... ...only to crush it in disgust? ...Pray forgive the discourtesy."
"L-Lord van Zieks...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"It seems I must retract my earlier remark."
"What do you mean?"
"I mistakenly credited these jurors with intelligence by describing them as 'insightful'. Yet we have just witnessed them falling for a cheap trick performed by an Eastern 'entertainer'."
"Eh?" Juror No. 5 asked.
"Whatever do you mean?" Juror No. 2 asked.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "I haven't tricked anyone! Everything I've said is the truth!"
"Indeed... Stalwart juror number five was undoubtedly repairing the road, as he claims. I believe you said it was 'a good two yards' of the pavement which you had excavated, sir?" Van Zieks asked.
"That's right. Took me the whole day and they paid me a measly tuppence for it!" Juror No. 5 chirped.
"Now, my learned Nipponese friend, tell me... ...do you have any notion of the distance that two yards represents?" Van Zieks asked.
"Ah! Um, well…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'If I'm honest, I don't have a clue, no…'
"Two yards is...a little less than two metres." Susato said, frowning.
"Basically 1.82 meters." I said, letting out a sigh.
"Less than two metres?" Ryunosuke asked, as he thought this to himself. 'That's...not much at all!'
"In other words, a distance readily vaulted by anyone of moderate vigour. ...Would you not agree, my stalwart friend?" Van Zieks asked.
"Eh? Me? Well, I can't say you're wrong, no." Juror No. 5 said.
"What?" Ryunosuke asked.
"And did you perchance erect a sign to prevent pedestrians from passing the site of your works?" Van Zieks asked.
"Eh? I wouldn't dream of it! What a waste of time! No coaches would have had a hope of passing anyway, and we just turn any gentlefolk back when they come. Kids just jump right over us all the time." Juror No. 5 said.
"...The accused is no gentleman, as far as I can see. I have little doubt, however, that he could spring over a two-yard trench in his meanderings around town."
"Ah!" Juror No. 3 said, in awe.
"Is that true? Is it?!" Juror No. 4 exclaimed.
"The incontrovertible truth is that the books just purchased by the accused were found at the scene. There can be no doubt that on his way back to his lodgings, Mr Natsume walked down Briar Road." Van Zieks said.
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'Crushed...in a single sentence…'
"And...old man…" Van Zieks said.
"C-Cold man?! ...You can talk!" Juror No. 6 cried.
"You say that around five o'clock on the day in question, you slipped and fell on Calabash Road. Pray, was there a suspicious-looking Nipponese behind you at the time?"
"Oh! I, I, um...can't say as I remember."
"You, you don't remember?" Ryunosuke asked.
"How about a wager, my learned friend? You say it was this old man that the accused saw. But I would lay a thousand to one...against you being able to prove it." Van Zieks said.
"AAAAAARGH!!!"
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Lord van Zieks, explain yourself!" The Judge said, angrily.
"...My Lord?" Van Zieks asked.
"If you had such a trenchant argument up your sleeve... ...why in the world did you not proffer it during the summation examination?"
"Hmph... I wanted to give this young foreign student the sightseeing experience he no doubt came for. I wanted him to see for himself how the opinion of the jury is so readily swayed."
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said, annoyed.
"But my hospitality has its limits. And they have been reached, I feel. So, my learned friend...today's sightseeing tour of London is now over." Van Zieks said.
"What, what are you talking about?"
"My Lord! The prosecution requests permission to call its next witnesses to the stand."
"Granted. Bailiff! Bring forth the witnesses!" The Judge yelled.
"Its...next witnesses?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Mr Naruhodo, do you not remember? We've been told on several occasions that there were eye witnesses to the incident." Susato said, sadly.
"Yes, I remember. One of them being a Scotland Yard policeman, no less."
"I'm afraid that's likely to be the prosecution's next witness."
"Yup." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Alright, no matter who van Zieks brings to the stand as his witnesses, and no matter what they say... ...I believe in Soseki-san! I know he's innocent! And I'll keep believing to the very end. Until this battle is over!'
I took out my iPhone 15 Pro Max and immediately called Sayaka.
"Hey, Sayaka." I said, placing my phone near my ear. "How are things going with you and the others?"
"They're going well." Sayaka said, her voice coming out of my phone's speaker. "When are you?"
"Victorian London or Meiji Era Japan."
"You're over a hundred years in the past? Wow."
"Yup. Talk to you later, Sayaka." I said, ending the call, placing my phone into my pocket, when I saw Roly and Patricia enter the courtroom. "So, didn't take long then."