Flashback…
"But SAH! Just on that one particular day, I was looking forward to celebrating my wedding anniversary. Mrs Beate puts up with a lot being married to a bobby like me. I wanted to show my dear wife how much I care!" Roly said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"..." Roly said.
"This is the warrant card that Constable Beate offered to lend to me earlier." Ryunosuke said, holding up the Warrant Card. "Inside, among the rules for patrolling policemen, it says... ...'When a crime is discovered on his beat, a policeman must assist with initial investigations and help detectives.'"
"Ah ha!" The Judge said.
"Constable Beate... ...is that or is that not the reason why you moved the whole scene of the crime that day?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... Yes... Everything you said... It's all right…" Roly said, letting out a sigh.
"... So that's it... It was all to do with the boundary of your beat." Van Zieks said.
"Oh!" Patricia said, worried.
"Exactly. To summarise... ...the incident actually occurred on Constable Beate's beat." Ryunosuke said.
"Good gracious! Constable! Do you realise the gravity of what you have done?" The Judge asked.
"... It...was the first time since I became a copper... ...that I'd ever cursed God. 'Stay close to me, Pat! The criminal could still be lurking somewhere!'" Roly said.
Flashback…
"As we ran over to the scene, I had every intention of doing my duty as a police officer.
'We've got to report this to the station as quickly as possible!'" Roly said, as a voiceover. "...But then it dawned on me. I realised where we were. Where the victim was lying. And what that meant for me. 'When a crime is discovered on his beat, a policeman must assist with initial investigations and help detectives.'"
"Makes sense." I said, as a voiceover. "Helping the detectives."
"Why here? Why did this have to happen here? And why tonight of all nights?! ...Why...? It's a copper's job to guard the scene of the crime, so... ...I told Pat she'd have to go to the nearest police box and fetch whoever was on duty there. It was then, when I opened my mouth to speak... It just...came out. I couldn't believe the words that were coming out of my own mouth! 'This is the next beat to mine, Pat. So you'll have to go… …the police box that covers it. Turn right along Meerschaum Street, and then... ... ..... ...' ... ...I'm...I'm... I'm sorry... I'm...so sorry…" Roly said, as a voiceover.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"Oh, Constable…" Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"I...I just wanted... Just that one night... To take my Patricia out for dinner." Roly said.
"Oh Roly…" Patricia said, letting out a lot of tears.
"Just that one night. ..."
"You knew that if the incident was on your beat, your evening of celebration would be ruined. And so you decided...to move the entire crime scene outside your jurisdiction. Just across the street, to the east pavement of Briar Road... which falls under the neighbouring beat's care." Van Zieks said.
"... You see, I... I thought ...Well, I was sure the victim was dead, you see." Roly said.
"I beg your pardon?" The Judge asked.
"Oh, of course he did! Otherwise my Roly would never have left the poor woman on the freezing cold pavement!" Patricia said, angrily.
"... Ah, I see your meaning now."
"... But God got me back for my sins, didn't He? That's why... That's why I missed the rose I bought for Pat." Roly said.
"Oh no, Roly! That was all my fault! I should never have dropped it in such a dark place... I'm so sorry, Roly!" Patricia said, worried.
"..."
"... And can you tell us, Constable... ...how many books did you move from the one side of the road to the other in total?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Hm? Oh! ...Um... Four, it was. Yes, sah. ...Definitely...four." Roly said.
"Three of them dropped by Mr Natsume, and the fourth... ...being the one that fell from the window upstairs in the Garrideb household, of course." Susato said.
"But...what made you place that book in the victim's hand? When all the others were scattered haphazardly around, I mean." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh, well, sah... That's because that's how I found it." Roly said.
"'How you found it'? What do you mean?" Van Zieks asked.
"When we first ran over to the scene... ...the victim was already holding the book. So...when I moved everything, I made sure it was still in her hand."
"You're sure it was this book - 'The Lion's Pride' - that the victim was holding?" Ryunosuke asked, holding up the Fourth Book.
"Oh yes, sah. No doubt about it...sah…" Roly said.
"Okay." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Hm...interesting…'
The fourth book's information has been updated in the Court Record.
"... I thought it was an open-and-shut case at the time, you see. There were only the two people at the scene. And Pat and me both saw it happen. However which way you looked at it, it had to be the fellow who ran off who'd done it...I thought. I couldn't see the harm, really. I didn't think moving it all over the road would make a jot of difference. I... I suppose this is it for me now. I've had it…" Roly said, frowning.
"..." Van Zieks said. "My Lord…"
"Yes, Lord van Zieks?" The Judge asked.
"I believe...that concludes the cross-examination of the witnesses." Van Zieks said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Constable...you may withdraw."
"Yes, SAH!" Roly said, angrily.
"Um, Mr Prosecutor, sir... ...what will become of my Roly? What will happen to him?" Patricia asked.
"... For now, you are free to go home. The police will contact you in due course." Van Zieks said.
"Please...don't punish my husband! This, this was all my fault! It's because I'm always moaning at him for coming home late!"
"Leave it now, Pat. ...Let's go home. I'm...tired…" Roly said, letting out a sigh.
"...Alright then, my love." Patricia said.
"One last thing, Constable…" Van Zieks said.
"Sah?!" Roly exclaimed.
"Let this be a lesson to you. In a criminal investigation, every detail matters, however insignificant it may seem to you."
"Yes...sah…"
"Carve that lesson in your mind. And never again make the mistake of tampering with the scene of a crime."
"Ah?! N-Never again, sah? You, you mean to say...?"
"Leave. Now. This trial is not yet over." Van Zieks said.
"Uh...um... SAAAH!" Roly said, leaving the witness stand with Patricia.
"Well, quite a startling revelation, I must say. Whoever thought of a third party transplanting the entire scene of a crime like that!" The Judge said, terrified.
"Indeed, My Lord. Nevertheless, there are some immutable facts here. Principally... ...that the accused, Mr Soseki Natsume, is the only person who could possibly have committed this crime." Van Zieks said.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "No! I disagree. Now that we know the true scene of the incident...there is someone else. Another person who could be responsible for the knife in the victim's back!"
"Forgive me for being presumptuous... ...but I believe the prosecution is probably well aware of this possibility already." Susato said.
"Lord van Zieks knows things too well." I said, sadly. "For the current version of the truth."
"Lord van Zieks! Is this true?" The Judge asked.
"... Very well. Name the person if you will. And if further investigation is warranted... ...the prosecution has no objection to the trial continuing." Van Zieks said.
"You will name this 'other person' who could have perpetrated the crime!" The Judge yelled.
"Joan Garrideb." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting Joan Garrideb's profile. "The defence would once again like to request the cross-examination of a new witness, My Lord!"
"Once again?" The Judge asked.
"My assistant made the same request earlier. In order to finally reveal the truth about this case... ...it's imperative that we cross-examine juror number four...Mrs Joan Garrideb!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Me? Me?! Oh dearie me!" Juror No. 4 cried.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "That request has already been denied!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But the situation is very different now! Mrs Garrideb, answer me this…"
"What do you want now, you little toad?!" Juror No. 4 exclaimed.
"At the time of the incident, you were engaged in a violent argument with your husband, Mr John Garrideb. In the course of the argument, a minor house fire was ignited... ...and to clear the smoke from the room, your husband opened a window that looks out over Briar Road." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, what of it?!"
"You threw this book at your husband, when he was cornered with his back against the window. Upon striking the pane of the open top-hinged casement window, the book plummeted directly down... ...finding its way... ...to what we now know to be the true scene of the incident."
"Yes, and as I said, what of it?"
"During the argument, you were beside yourself with rage. As such, you threw not just books, but anything you could lay your hands on."
"..."
"So...let me ask you one more time, Mrs Garrideb…" Ryunosuke said, holding up the jackknife. "This knife - the one removed from the victim's back... Have you really never laid eyes on it before?"
"Ah... ... ... ...I don't recall it." Juror No. 4 said, sadly.
"Seriously...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Am I supposed to remember everything I picked up and threw at my husband? And anyway, the man over there in all that regalia said members of the jury needn't testify, didn't he?"
"...Conveniently, yes."
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "No! I have no recollection of saying that at all...juror number four."
"Oh!" Juror No. 4 said, terrified.
"Make no mistake... You jurors are not special in any way. You are not immune to the judicial process. If you know something about this knife, madam...let the truth come out." Van Zieks said.
"But! But that's just a common-or-garden knife! It could have come from anywhere. We have several like that at home. If, if one went missing... ...how would you expect me to know?!"
"What's that?" Juror No. 3 asked.
"Are you joking?" Juror No. 5 asked.
"What are you saying, please, Mrs Garrideb?" The Judge asked.
"Now you listen to me!" Juror No. 4 said, angrily. "I, I refuse to believe all this nonsense! I couldn't bear the thought that I'd injured someone. Do you hear? I couldn't bear it!"
"Oh, the poor woman…" Susato said, frowning.
"So...yes! I want evidence! I want to see hard evidence if you're going to insist on this being my fault! You're going to have to prove to me that I threw that knife if that's what you think. Come along now! Chop chop! ...Do your worst!" Juror No. 4 yelled.
"Um, well…" Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"Well, Mr Naruhodo?" Susato asked.
"If, if I had evidence like that, believe me, I would have thrown it at her already!"
"Then take the stand, juror!" Van Zieks yelled.
"Oh!" Juror No. 4 said, terrified.
"The prosecution does not object to the defence's request to cross-examine this woman."
"She's a pain in the ass." I said, looking down at the ground. "Reminds me of a case from Elements of Justice. The one involving Turning Page and Fair Devotion. It was a good one, albeit heartbreaking."
"Thank you, Lord van Zieks." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"I... I'm going to have to testify?" Juror No. 4 asked.
"Juror number four... ...as I'm sure you will appreciate, having observed it with your own eyes today... ...witness testimony can lead to the most extraordinary truths being unearthed. Truths of which the witnesses themselves may not even have been aware." The Judge said.
"Oh dearie me…"
"So I demand your full and unadulterated testimony, Mrs Garrideb. And mark my words: In this court of law today...we shall extract the truth! Do you concur, Counsels?"
"Certainly, My Lord." Van Zieks said.
"Oh! Um... ...That's what I'm hoping for, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'This is such a strange feeling... For the first time since arriving in this country, it actually feels real. I'm here, in the Old Bailey...and I'm a lawyer!'
"Time for the endgame of this trial." I said, looking down at the floor.
Joan Garrideb walked down from the jurors' stand towards the witness stand.
"Witness, state your name and occupation." Van Zieks said.
"Oh...ah... Yes, my name is Joan Garrideb... ...and I'm...um...well... I'm a juror...and suchlike." Joan said.
"Oof." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It sounds like even she doesn't know if she's a housewife or a maid or what any more…'
"The court has decided your testimony is required in order to clarify matters in this case. ...Do you understand, madam?" The Judge asked.
"...Yes! ...My Lord!" Joan said, worried.
"You will tell the court everything that took place in your household on the evening in question. And I warn you... Do not attempt to hide the truth." Van Zieks said.
"Oh... Oh dearie me…"
"...Chin up, Joanie. Nothing to worry about now." Garrideb said, walking up to the witness stand.
"Oh! I didn't know you were here, John!" Joan said, at a loss for words.
"Wasn't only you in the room that day, old thing, was it? Rather think I ought to testify as well, don't you?"
"But...but what about your knee, dear?"
"Don't you worry about that. Hardly notice it! I'm not the sort of chap to leave a comrade to face disciplinary action alone."
"Oh, John…"
"I presume you are Mr John Garrideb?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, sir! Former second lieutenant of the third regiment of the 4th Northumberland Fusiliers. Sir! Seen my fair share of action and now living the quiet life, as it were." Garrideb said.
"...The quiet life? Were you not engaged in an incendiary battle with your spouse on the day in question?" Van Zieks asked.
"Ah...well...yes... Ahem! Quite."
"I believe this may represent a first in the proud history of the British court. Calling a juror to the witness stand is unprecedented. However, the court will hear your testimony now, juror number four, and that of your husband. You will recount clearly and concisely the events in your home at the time of the incident in question." The Judge said.
"Sir! At once!" Garrideb said, angrily.
Witness Testimony
- The Battle of Garrideb -
"Yes, on the day you're referring to, the wife and I did have a bit of a skirmish. Can't recall the reason now. Knocked a candlestick over and set fire to the carpet! Soon had it out, though, and got the window open." Garrideb said.
"Meanwhile...I was picking up whatever I could find to throw at him." Joan said.
"Plenty of knives around our place. Can't say I'd notice if one or two went missing, I'm afraid.
If that bally thing in the victim's back really was one of ours, you'll have a job proving it, I think."
"Hmmm... It sounds as though it was quite the battlefield in your household that evening." The Judge said.
"Although an entirely one-sided assault, it seems." Van Zieks said.
"The enemy caught us on the hop, sir. Had no choice but to dig in and take defensive measures. To be honest, if the enemy had kept shelling us for another minute, we'd have been toast. 'Course, a veteran such as myself... ...is only too aware that on every battlefield, you're just a gnat's whisker from death at any moment." Garrideb said.
"...Are we still talking about a marital quarrel here?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Well... ...I must say I'm dubious that this testimony will shed any light on the origins of this jackknife." The Judge said.
"In combat, one's focus narrows such that surroundings are barely noticed. These witnesses may not be able to offer anything more than they have testified already. This may be a dead end." Van Zieks said.
"It could be a dead end. But they could have the answer to the truth." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Van Zieks may well be right.'
"Well, whatever the chances... ...we only have this last cross-examination to uncover the truth, Mr Naruhodo." Susato said.
"Yes...I'm afraid so." Ryunosuke said, sadly
"Very well, Counsel. Begin your cross-examination!" The Judge yelled.
Cross-Examination
- The Battle of Garrideb -
"Yes, on the day you're referring to, the wife and I did have a bit of a skirmish. Can't recall the reason now." Garrideb said. "Knocked a candlestick over and set fire to the carpet! Soon had it out, though, and got the window open."
"Meanwhile...I was picking up whatever I could find to throw at him." Joan said.
"Let's take a look at this first." I said, walking over to the pipe, picking it up, and showing it to Ryunosuke and Susato. "Hmm."
I also picked up the Jackknife in passing with my other hand.
"Oh...something just twinkled inside the chamber of the pipe there." Ryunosuke said, seeing the metal inside the chamber of the pipe.
"Yes, I saw it. Something's stuck in there, I think." Susato said.
"Let's turn it over and give it a shake... Wh...What's this?" Ryunosuke asked, grabbing the pipe from me, turning it over, and shaking it, for something to fall out of it.
"It's a tiny fragment of metal! It...looks like the tip of a blade or something." Susato said, her eyes widening.
"The tip of a blade?" Ryunosuke asked, and he thought this to himself. 'Surely...it couldn't be...?'
The fragment of metal has been entered into the Court Record.
"It could be." I said, handing Ryunosuke the jackknife on its blade side. "Here you go."
"Oh, look here, Mr Naruhodo, Jared, just at the tip... A small piece of the blade appears to be missing." Susato said, looking down at the blade of the jackknife.
'Wait...part of it's missing?' Ryunosuke asked, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "I could be wrong, but I've just got a feeling... You remember this?"
"Ah! That's... That's the tiny fragment of metal that we found inside Mr Garrideb's pipe!" Susato chirped.
"Yes, and just maybe... ..." Ryunosuke said, placing the fragment of metal towards the blade part of the jackknife.
"Oh my! It's a perfect fit!"
"Yup." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Somehow, I just knew it.'
"Let's take a look at the knife again." I said, looking anywhere on the jackknife.
"This is the tiny piece of metal we found in the chamber of Mr Garrideb's pipe. And what a stroke of luck that it's a perfect fit with the broken tip of the jackknife!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"It's extraordinary, isn't it? And fills me with a sense of awe. It's surely proof that miracles really can happen." Susato said, smiling.
"Miracles are as real as magic." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Yes, a more miraculous proof I couldn't ask for…'
"Plenty of knives around our place. Can't say I'd notice if one or two went missing, I'm afraid." Garrideb said. "If that bally thing in the victim's back really was one of ours, you'll have a job proving it, I think."
"Here you go." I said, picking up the fragment of metal and handing it to Ryunosuke. "That's the proof he wants."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Fragment of Metal. "Mr Garrideb. Could I ask you to take a good look at this, please?"
"... You can ask, but I can't see a bally thing." Garrideb said, scoffing.
"You can't?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Used to call me 'Deadeye 'Deb' back in the regiment of course. ...But that was some time ago now. Even when I'm trying to enjoy a large-print book by the fire these days... ...I struggle to tell a 'b' from a 'd' and a 'p' from a 'q', to be honest."
"Oh, he does. Dearie me, it's rather wearing being asked about every other letter in every other word." Joan said, frowning.
"...You must 'de' very 'dusy'." Ryunosuke said.
"What is that? A tiny scrap of metal?" Van Zieks asked.
"Yes. Almost certainly from the tip of a blade. And what may appear at first to be just a tiny scrap...is in fact a crucial piece of evidence!"
"... Interesting. And where did the defence come by this evidence?"
"It was lodged in the chamber of Mr Garrideb's pipe."
"My pipe, you say? By Jove, I wonder how that got there." Garrideb said.
"And what precisely does this fragment of metal signify, Counsel? Are you suggesting that it is in some way related to the matter of the stabbing on Briar Road?" The Judge asked.
"... I am!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"What?" Van Zieks asked.
"When put together with another piece of evidence already in the Court Record... ...I believe this tiny fragment of metal will unravel the whole truth of this case, My Lord."
"Hm, you appear rather confident in that extraordinary statement, Counsel. Very well then, present the pertinent evidence to the court! What evidence, when paired with this fragment of metal, allegedly reveals the truth of this entire case?" The Judge asked.
"Here." I said, handing Ryunosuke the Jackknife.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Jackknife. "This is the knife that was found in the victim's back. If you look closely, you will see that there is a small piece at the tip of the blade that is missing."
"A common issue with the inferior blades sold at unsavoury street markets. Criminals who use them regularly leave the tips lodged in their victims' bones." Van Zieks said.
"And what of this particular knife?" The Judge asked.
"No doubt its tip has suffered a similar fate, now languishing somewhere near the spine of the victim."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "No! That's not the case."
"...!" Van Zieks said, at a loss for words.
"The tip of this particular knife's blade... ...is the very fragment of metal we discovered in the chamber of Mr Garrideb's pipe!"
"Ah!" Garrideb said.
"Argh...!" Van Zieks yelled, grabbing the fragment of metal and the jackknife.
"Good grief! Lord van Zieks?" The Judge asked.
"I, I don't believe it! The knife from the crime scene and this fragment of metal... ...are a perfect match!" Van Zieks said, placing the fragment of metal from the pipe next to the jackknife.
"Good... GOOD GOLLY GOSH!!! Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! Is, is this...some sort of Eastern sorcery?"
"... This is no magic, My Lord. This...is a miracle."
"A miracle?"
"Thank you, Madoka Kaname." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'So van Zieks has figured it out, has he?'
"Counsel! Explain this extraordinary coincidence at once!" The Judge said, angrily.
"Yes, My Lord! The crucial point we have to ask ourselves here... ...is when did the fragment of metal find its way inside Mr Garrideb's pipe?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Something that was clarified for us in the most recent witness testimony." Susato said.
Flashback…
"Had this thing in my hand as usual at the time of the onslaught. Knocked it clean out with one of her 'soft' projectiles, she did! Yes... It would never have been sent flying unless it was hit by something pretty solid." Garrideb said.
"Which makes a lot of sense when you think about it." I said, as a voiceover.
"Oh...dearie...me…" Garrideb said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"During the argument between these two that occurred just as the victim was on the pavement below... ...Mrs Garrideb flung this knife at her husband. However... ...the knife missed Mr Garrideb, instead striking the pipe in his hand at the time." Ryunosuke said.
"Which caused the tip to break off... Of course." Van Zieks said, his eyes widening.
"Good Lord!" The Judge cried.
"Yes. And that is when the tiny tip of the blade... ...found its way inside Mr Garrideb's pipe!" Ryunosuke said.
"The...the chances of that are a million to one!" Garrideb said.
"And yet there's no other credible explanation for how the tip of the blade ended up in your pipe. Then, after losing its tip, the knife ricocheted off the pipe and flew out of the open window."
"Ah…"
"In short! This knife, which fell from the window of the Garridebs' house... ...is the very same knife that struck the victim in the middle of the back on the street below!"
"Oh gosh! Oh dear! Oh…" Joan said, breaking down. "...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "...A full-bodied theory, I'll give you that."
"...!" Ryunosuke said, in awe.
"A complex bouquet of seemingly trivial points, plausibly arranged to create an almost passable vintage. Allow me to toast my learned friend's characteristically Nipponese approach to bottling his argument." Van Zieks said.
"Sorry?"
"But after all, it is just a theory. The bottle, I fear, is corked. Because you see... ...it's spoilt by an insurmountable inconsistency!"
"An insurmountable... ...WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??!!!"
"Lord van Zieks! Explain yourself! What is this inconsistency you claim to have identified?" The Judge asked.
"An inconsistency of the simplest nature, My Lord. The victim was found with the knife planted in the middle of her back." Van Zieks said.
"...Yes, in her- Ah!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"That's right! You silly little man!" Joan said, angrily.
"Now, Joan old thing... What are you getting so excited about?" Garrideb asked.
"Let us consider the basic facts of the case once more. The victim was walking along the pavement before being stabbed in the back and falling to the ground. If the knife that struck her had fallen from above... ...there's no possible way it could have planted itself into the victim's back!" Van Zieks yelled.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!" Ryunosuke said, breaking down.
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar!" The Judge said.
"Quite right! You see! That's exactly right! If the knife had fallen on her from above... ...it would have struck her on the top of her head!" Joan said.
"Well...um... ..." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"He's lost for words, look…"
"I knew it... I never liked his theory in the first place."
"I don't know, though... What really did happen?"
"Hmmm... It would appear the defence has made rather a spectacular blunder." The Judge said.
"If a theory has even one inconsistency...it cannot stand. Your theory, my learned friend...is history!" Van Zieks said.
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'We were so close... I could see the truth... I was so sure we were on the right track... But now the way has been blocked completely...by just one, simple inconsistency!'
"'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth'." I said, happily.
"Or in other words…" Susato said, smiling. "...we simply need to eliminate that one inconsistency, and the theory will stand!"
"...Miss Susato! Jared!" Ryunosuke said, looking between Susato and I.
"You mustn't worry, Mr Naruhodo. You were just caught off guard, that's all. And your mind went blank. But if the path you were on is indeed correct, then a way will present itself. The key to this is in the Court Record, I'm sure. All the information you need is there!" Susato said, excitedly.
"...!"
"It seems you have nothing to say, my Nipponese friend. Well, your silence speaks volumes. A tacit acceptance that your theory...is fatally flawed." Van Zieks said.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose, and he thought this to himself. 'This inconsistency doesn't mean I was on the wrong track... It means that I need to sharpen my mind and dig deeper for the truth! It's a test!' He then spoke aloud. "Yes! If the knife fell on the victim from above, there's no way that it could have hit her in the middle of her back... ...under normal circumstances, that is."
"What are you implying?" Van Zieks asked.
"Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"There is a piece of evidence in the Court Record that can explain this inconsistency. That can explain how the knife that fell from above could have pierced the victim's back. We already have the answer." Ryunosuke said, smugly.
"Goodness!"
"Utter...utter madness!" Garrideb said, scoffing.
"Surely this must be the last time... Counsel, present the evidence of which you speak!" The Judge said, angrily.
'This is the last inconsistency... The final piece in the puzzle. If I can successfully make sense of this...the truth will be laid bare at last!' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "The evidence that explains how the falling knife became lodged in the victim's back is…"
"This." I said, handing Ryunosuke the Fourth Book.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Fourth Book. "This - the fourth book found at the scene... This is the final piece of evidence the defence will present!"
"The burnt book?" Van Zieks asked.
"Is that not Mr Garrideb's book?" The Judge asked.
"It is." I said, handing Ryunosuke Crime Scene Photograph #2.
"Yes. And to understand its significance, we have to consider how it came to be at the scene in the first place. This photographic print clearly shows the book in question... ...and the victim holding it in her hand." Ryunosuke said, holding up Crime Scene Photograph #2.
"But as we all now know... ...it was the police constable that put the book between her fingers like that." Van Zieks said.
"Quite so. As part of his wholesale transplanting of the crime scene to the opposite side of the road." The Judge said.
"That's true. However... ...as part of his testimony, Constable Beate made an extremely enlightening statement on that point." Ryunosuke said.
Flashback…
"But...what made you place that book in the victim's hand?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh, well, sah... That's because that's how I found it. When we first ran over to the scene... ...the victim was already holding the book. So...when I moved everything, I made sure it was still in her hand." Roly said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"In other words, the victim had already picked the book up of her own volition. And clearly, that must have been before she suffered the knife wound." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, I should say so! After being attacked with a knife, I don't imagine she'd have been doing much of anything." The Judge said.
"So the question becomes...why did the victim have that book in her hand?"
"By...by jingo! I...think I'm beginning to see what may have happened now." Garrideb said, his eyes widening.
"Oh dearie me…" Joan said, sadly.
"... We know that the book fell from the top floor of the Garrideb household onto the pavement below. At precisely the moment that the victim was walking past." Van Zieks said.
"Yes, at exactly that moment. The young woman was walking along the street in the light fog... ...when all of a sudden, a book fell right in front of her." Ryunosuke said.
"...The book I threw…" Joan said, in awe.
"Yes, Mrs Garrideb. And what do you think the woman did? What would you do, if you were walking along and suddenly a book landed in front of you on the pavement?"
"Well, I... I really can't imagine it... But...I suppose... ...she might have reached down…" Joan said, frowning. "...and picked the book up."
"Yes! That is exactly what the woman in fact did. She picked up the book!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Oh... Oh heavens!"
"And when the woman reached down to pick the fallen book up... ...what position would her back have been in? That's right. Facing the sky, completely and utterly defenceless. Then, in the very next moment, while the woman was still bent over picking up the book... ...the next object fell from the room above - the jackknife - straight into the middle of her back. And at that same time... ...walking by chance directly behind Miss Green... ...was the defendant, Mr Soseki Natsume."
"Well I never!" The Judge yelled.
"It appeared to Mr Natsume... ...that the woman simply collapsed on the floor. In the dark and the fog, he didn't see the knife falling on her from above." Ryunosuke said.
"Ah!" Joan said.
"...And from the other direction... ...the constable and his wife saw no one but the victim and her apparent attacker." Van Zieks said.
"So there never was a 'real culprit' to run from the scene in the first place…" The Judge said.
"No. This was nothing more than a series of unlikely events that culminated in an unfortunate accident. And THAT is the real truth behind this case! Well...Mr and Mrs Garrideb?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Garrideb and Joan.
"..." Joan said. "The very first time you showed me that knife, I... I had my suspicions. I wondered if perhaps it might have been something like that."
"There there, old bean…" Garrideb said, hugging Joan.
"Poor Mrs Garrideb…" Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"It really is sad, isn't it?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"I agree."
"...Of course I never meant for anything of the sort to happen, but... ...it was all my fault...wasn't it?" Joan asked.
"..." Garrideb said.
"I take full responsibility. I let my anger get the better of me. ...I threw that book. ...And I threw the knife as well."
"..." The Judge said.
"John, dear…" Joan said, looking at Garrideb.
"It's alright. I know." Garrideb said.
"I'm... I'm ever so sorry. Truly..." Joan said, letting out a lot of tears. "I'M SORRIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Joan broke down in tears and she passed out. Several minutes passed and the hospital staff took her away. John Garrideb left with his wife, as a result.
"Lord van Zieks...what news of Mrs Garrideb?" The Judge asked.
"She's been taken to the infirmary. It would appear that today's events had left her in an especially flustered state. However, I believe she will recover in due course. There is no cause for concern." Van Zieks said.
"Yes, unbeknownst to themselves, they caused what could easily have been a terrible tragedy. They shall have to prepare themselves for the consequences of their actions."
"There is some good news, however, My Lord. I have just had word from the hospital where the victim is being treated. Her condition is improving steadily, and the doctor believes she will regain consciousness soon."
"That's good." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It's strange, we've been talking about the victim all this time, but we've never once met her.'
"How wonderful! The woman is out of danger, it seems." Susato said, happily.
"Yes, that is good news." Ryunosuke said, smiling.
"So, Mr Soseki Natsume…" The Judge said, looking at Soseki.
"Ah...um... Yes!" Soseki said, worried.
"On behalf of my fellow countrymen, I would like to take this opportunity to beg your pardon, sir. You came from your distant Eastern homeland to study our great British culture... ...and have been repaid with immeasurable unkindness. Please accept our heartfelt apologies."
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"... No, it is me who should be begging your pardon." Soseki said.
"Oh no, Mr Natsume…" Ryunosuke said.
"That evening...when the young woman just collapsed on the pavement before my eyes... ...I, I jumped to the wrong conclusion again, in my confusion."
"What conclusion, sir?" The Judge asked.
"I was sure that the woman was dead." Soseki said.
"Yes, Constable Beate said the same thing, didn't he? He thought she had been killed, too." Susato said.
"...I suppose she must have looked completely lifeless." Ryunosuke said.
"... It's been about a year since I arrived in Great Britain now. But I still can't get used to life here. I, I can't relax. I'm sure there are evil spirits lurking in the fog... Like they're haunting me!" Soseki said, terrified.
"And the timeline is still intact. No paradox. Soseki Natsume is going back to Japan as scheduled." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Poor Soseki-san... His imagination really has got the better of him.'
"Yes, poor man…" Susato said.
"So when it happened... ...I thought the young woman had been taken by the fog spirits! I should never have dropped my books like that and run away. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED FOR HELP! FOR A DOCTOR! FOR THE POLICE! ... Instead, I've managed to create a rift in the relationship of trust between our two empires. And for that...I am truly sorry." Soseki said.
"..." The Judge said. "One could indeed say that some sort of mischievous spirit has been at work here, I think. One that created a chain of unfortunate mishaps. We were befooled by this spirit and led to false conclusions. But thanks to Lord van Zieks, and our young lawyer here from the East... ...that chain has now been broken, and the spirit exorcised. ...I heartily commend you both."
"Oh!" Ryunosuke said.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen of the jury…" The Judge said.
"Yes, My Lord!" Juror No. 1 said.
"In concluding this trial, I must ask one last time for your decisions regarding the defendant's culpability. Are you ready to present your findings to the court?"
"As the foreman of the jury, I can assure you we've reached a fair and just conclusion."
"I do declare the truth can be extremely cruel at times." Juror No. 2 said.
"Well, I didn't suspect the woman next to me, that's for sure!" Juror No. 3 said, excitedly.
"Sitting in for the old bean whilst she's out of action, you know. But I know what her decision would be." Garrideb said.
"Does this mean I'll finally be able to get out of here and start work? ...Well, it's about time!" Juror No. 5 cheered.
"I say, I'll have a corker of a story to tell the grandchildren when I get home, won't I?" Juror No. 6 asked.
"Very well, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I hereby demand your final decisions. Mr Foreman!" The Judge said.
"Not guilty!" Juror No. 1 said.
"Not guilty!" Juror No. 2 said.
"Not guilty!" Juror No. 3 said.
"Not guilty!" Juror No. 4 said.
"Not guilty!" Juror No. 5 said.
"Not guilty!" Juror No. 6 said.
Six balls of fire are launched into the gauntlet by the jury and the scales lean towards white, the white meaning not guilty.
"Very well. Mr Soseki Natsume... I hereby pronounce you… Not Guilty." The Judge said, looking at Soseki. "And finally, Mr Natsume…"
"Oh! Yes, Lord, sir?" Soseki asked.
"You are now a free man once more. It is my hope that you will continue to further your education in British culture. ...And may you never again be brought before me!" The Judge said.
"Oh, oh yes, sir. Of course! On my life...I SWEAR I'LL NEVER SET FOOT IN A COURTROOM AGAIN! I'm… Transported To Tears!" Soseki said, letting out a lot of tears.
"Thank you, Counsels. Court is adjourned!"
20th February, 3:17 p.m.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"Oh, Locum!" Soseki said, excitedly.
"... Wait. You, you mean me?" Ryunosuke asked.
"OF COURSE! Is there another locum here?"
"...Is there even one?"
"Compared to the original 'Locum Student Mr Naruhodo Esquire', your name has become rather short, hasn't it?" Susato asked.
"...What's wrong with using my actual name?" Ryunosuke asked.
"A lot." I said, happily.
"Oh, at last! I'm free! I'm free! Joyful, Joyous, Jubilant Jubilation! Heady Hearty Happiness, Hurrah!" Soseki yelled.
"Oh, I am pleased! Mr Natsume is delighted!" Susato cheered.
"He should be." I said, smiling. "He's declared innocent and the timeline remains intact. He was supposed to stay in London for a year. Since the voyage to the United Kingdom and Japan takes six months each."
"...Would it be so hard just to say that, then?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Locum, you did it! You saved me from the brink!" Soseki yelled.
"Well, what happened to the poor woman was in no way your fault, after all. I'm just glad everyone can see that now."
"NO NO NO! NOT THAT! Lovely Loyal Locum Lawyer!"
"Um...yes?"
"... I mean, as I said before...I have just never got used to life here in Great Britain. Every time I look over my shoulder, I see foreigners. I see towering brick buildings. And from high-up windows, I see them looking down on me, laughing, 'Look at that little hunchback!'"
"Oh dear, I'm sure it's all in your head, Mr Natsume." Susato said, sadly.
"...But! Today! You, locum lawyer, gave my gloom the boot! You stood firm behind that baronial bench, before all those babbling British! You battled to the bitter end, laying bare the baffling truth! And when I beheld the blinding fireworks among the beams of the Bailey's roof, I bellowed: Behold the Best Barrister ever Born!" Soseki said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Well, that's very flattering. And we're very pleased for you." Ryunosuke said.
"This has given me a wonderful anecdote to recount to my old friends back in Japan."
"An, an anecdote?" Ryunosuke asked, while he thought this to himself. 'Is that what's to become of all my hard work?'
"Ah, there you are, my dear fellows!" Holmes said, entering the room. "I apologise for keeping you waiting. I rose late this morning."
"Oh, Mr Holmes! What a pleasure to see you!" Susato said, excitedly.
"I see I am here not a moment too soon. A disaster has been averted, I'm glad to say!" Holmes said.
"Oh!"
"The trial shall begin presently, Mr Naruhodo. And I wish you the very best of luck."
"...It's just finished." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"And we won too." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "Soseki Natsume has been declared innocent by the Judge and the jury."
"What?! No! Then my haste was in vain?" Holmes asked.
"Yup. It was. Sorry. At least you aren't a pink pony that overslept each trial."
"AAAAAARGH!!! It's...! It's...YOU! HERR LOCK Holmes!!!" Soseki said, looking at Holmes.
"Oh? Have we met, sir?" Holmes asked.
"Um, this is Mr Natsume. The man you had arrested, Mr Holmes." Susato said.
"Ah, I see. I failed to recognise you at first. Our previous encounters have taken place in the gloom. Either of your bleak lodgings or that prison cell. I simply couldn't place that curious face, in the light."
"Sherlock…" I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Charming.'
"This is all your fault...Herr Lock Holmes! You're the reason I had to go through this terrible ordeal! I'm...I'm going to give you...a piece of my mind!" Soseki yelled.
"My apologies, sir, but I assure you, I have placed you now. You're the fellow who abandoned that poor young lady and ran off, are you not?" Holmes asked.
"Ah."
"Had she been taken to hospital more urgently... ...I feel perhaps she would have regained consciousness by now."
"Oh."
"But it was unavoidable, I'm sure. We are but human, after all. Anyone would have been shaken by such an experience."
"... I...do feel very badly about how I behaved."
"Well, never mind. Now then, what was it that you wanted to say to me, sir?"
"... Nothing."
"Ah ha ha ha ha hah!" Holmes said, laughing a lot. "Priceless! Oh, I am sorry, really, but... ...that was quite priceless."
"Sherlock. That wasn't funny." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Poor Soseki-san…'
"Still, on the bright side, you've had an extremely entertaining experience without paying a penny! And, it would seem...you were not even found guilty." Holmes said, looking at Soseki.
"...But there is no bright side." Soseki said, sadly.
"Whatever do you mean, Mr Natsume?" Susato asked.
"Even after this, I'm... I'm still cursed! ...By the spirits. And... AND NOW BY THE REAPER!"
"Ah…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Lord van Zieks…'
"I haven't forgotten, you know! What facing that man in court means! Even if you're found not guilty...YOU'RE STILL DOOMED!!!" Soseki cried.
"Soseki was supposed to be in Japan until 1903." I said, looking down at the floor. "Encountering the Reaper caused a minor fluctuation in the timeline. He was supposed to leave London in December 1902 and return to Japan in January 1903."
"Jared, how do you know it's minor?" Susato asked.
"I just do. I would have known if the future changed." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "Soseki was going to leave Japan regardless of the Reaper or not. It's a fixed point in time. But him dying here in London would have caused a paradox."
"Oh. I see." Susato said, looking over at Soseki. "It, it will all be alright, Mr Natsume."
"Hm?" Soseki asked.
"If the Reaper appears trying to make trouble... ...I will protect you! Haiiiiii-YA!" Susato yelled, doing the Susato Takedown on Ryunosuke. "...With a perfectly executed Susato Takedown!"
"...Much as I like being turned on my head, a bit of warning might be nice next time, Miss Susato." Ryunosuke said, and I lifted him off the ground. "So, Mr Natsume...what do you intend to do now? You mentioned something about recounting your experiences to your friends back in Japan?"
"... Yes! I, I intend to return to my homeland soon." Soseki said, letting out a sigh.
"Oh!" Susato said, her eyes widening.
"It has already been a year since I arrived here in Great Britain. I've visited universities, libraries, bookshops... I've been honoured with the tutelage of professors... I've learnt so much about the wealth of literature here, and the city it has shaped. And I've come to realise that it is my calling to sail home and tell my fellow countrymen about it."
"That's very touching, Mr Natsume."
"So, you got to meet Priscilla and Eliza Leale then." I said, happily.
"I did." Soseki said, smiling. "They looked after me while I stayed in London."
"...Or, in perhaps less veiled terms... ...you wish to withdraw halfway around the world to escape the terror of the Reaper's curse?" Holmes asked.
"THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL! The more I learn of literature, the more this strange feeling claws at my insides. I feel compelled to return to my roots and attempt to pen a work of my own." Soseki said.
"Oh, I see." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'A work of literature by Soseki-san... Could be an interesting read.'
"And what about Miss Susato and yourself, Mr Naruhodo?" Holmes asked.
"Sorry? What about us?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Will you return to Japan alongside your moustached compatriot?"
"Why would we?"
"A week has not yet passed since we arrived in London. And only now does it feel as though we have finally found our feet!" Susato cried.
"And...you are accommodated in a hotel at present, are you not?" Holmes asked.
"That's right. But we need to find lodgings before it bankrupts us." Ryunosuke said.
"I've calculated we can only afford another ten nights before our entire budget is exhausted." Susato said.
"Well then! You could take my lodgings." Soseki said, happily.
"Oh! ...The...windowless room?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Ah, but what it lacks in windows, it more than makes up for with a floor, a ceiling AND walls."
"...Great."
"And of course, I'd be happy to leave behind the accursed evil spirit!"
"Oh my! An evil spirit?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Oh yes. It tries to suffocate you while you sleep. It's, it's...an infallible wake-up call!" Soseki said, terrified.
"We'll...think about it, if that's alright." Ryunosuke said.
"Perhaps I can offer a more welcome alternative. Would you consider taking lodgings with me?" Holmes asked.
"Really?!" Susato exclaimed.
"Well, a vacancy has conveniently presented itself. ...Though it is up in the attic, I might add." Holmes said.
"Yeah. That's 221A Baker Street." I said, taking out a chocolate chip cookie to snack on it.
"Are you sure it isn't just a storage loft?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Nope. It isn't. In the future, it's Mrs. Hudson's flat."
"Jared's correct. It is Mrs. Hudson in this time period too. I spoke with Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, this very morning on the matter of price. And Iris is cleaning the room as we speak. You must come at once. ...I presume you have no luggage to speak of?" Holmes asked.
"Oh, this is simply wonderful! What an honour! To be invited to taking lodgings in the great detective's office...'s attic! I'm...I'm too overcome for words!" Susato cooed.
"I called dibs on Sherlock's basement ages ago. In this time period and the early 21st century. That's 221C Baker Street. It was also Sherlock's storage before I moved in there." I said, happily.
"You get his basement and I get his attic." Susato said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...So suggesting we look elsewhere is out then.'
"Then it's settled. Iris will prepare a welcome dinner this evening. And you must come too, Mr Natsume. I insist!" Holmes said, excitedly.
"I...I...I...don't know what to say! But thank you! And yes!" Soseki said, angrily.
"Wonderful! Then I'll go and complete the paperwork for your formal release, Mr Natsume! It shan't take long!" Susato said, running out of the room.
"And there goes Susato." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Somebody's happy.'
"...Locum. I, I knew that you wouldn't let me down. I'm truly delighted to have met you here in London." Soseki said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Likewise, Mr Natsume. It's been a privilege meeting you, too. It's a shame that we're going to have to say goodbye so soon." Ryunosuke said.
"Well...I've come to realise that I belong in Japan. But, Locum! We'll meet again one day."
"Yes, I'm sure." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'And hopefully by then, I'll be a successful lawyer.'
"Hopefully by then, I'll be a successful author."
"You will be." I said, looking down at the ground. "I promise."
"Well, my dear fellows, our carriage appears to have arrived. Shall we go, Mr Naruhodo, Jared?" Holmes asked, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Yeah. I am."
"Yes, Mr Holmes." Ryunosuke said.
"I've little doubt Mr Natsume will be released in time for dinner this evening." Holmes said.
"And so... ...with Soseki-san's innocence successfully established... ...we rode with Mr Holmes to what was to become our new home: 221B Baker Street." Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.
20th February, 4:41 pm.
The Attic Room…
"So this…" Ryunosuke said.
"...Is to be our new office, yes!" Susato chirped.
"Our office...? I rather like the sound of that."
"Me, too! It's simply wonderful, isn't it?" Susato asked.
"It is." I said, entering the room. "This is a nice office."
"Agreed." Susato said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I hope you can see this, Kazuma. It's only a small step... ...but I'd like to think we're getting a little closer to your dream now.'
"So, my dear fellows! Do you like the place?" Holmes asked, entering the room.
"Ah, Mr Holmes... Yes, thank you so much." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"It's a delightful room, Mr Holmes! I simply adore it!" Susato said, excitedly.
"Good, I'm pleased to hear it. Iris and I are delighted to welcome you." Holmes said.
"I hope everyone's hungry! It's nearly time for dinner. We'll eat as soon as Mr Natsume arrives. We have a lot to celebrate!" Iris said, entering the room.
"Iris, you must let me help you!" Susato said, looking at Iris.
"Alright then, Susie, you can be in charge of the salad."
"Splendid!" Susato said, leaving the room with Iris.
"So, Mr Naruhodo, how does it feel? To have your own office in the capital?" Holmes asked.
"It's very exciting, actually. I can't help wondering what adventures await us." Ryunosuke said.
"Ah ha ha ha ha hah!" Holmes said, laughing a lot. "Those were precisely my sentiments when I first established my office at these premises. ...Until I discovered the dark truth about the city of London, that is."
"Same here." I said, leaning against the wall.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Holmes and I.
"London is a glorious place, full of wonder, opportunity, prosperity and mirth. But the brightest of lights... ...casts the darkest of shadows." Holmes said.
"Shadows? What do you mean?"
"Spoilers." I said, sadly. "Can't say."
"Well, I believe you're well aware of the murkiness that lies behind London's facade already. So once again, Mr Naruhodo... ...welcome to London!" Homes said, excitedly.
"Of course, at the time... ...I had no idea of the significance of those words Mr Holmes so casually spoke. But it wasn't long before my turn came... ...to lift the facade and see the true depth of the murk that lay behind it." Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.