Case NOT Closed

Next, Sanae began to recount every detail she witnessed during the murder case to Kensuke.

In fact, what she said was quite similar to what Masayoshi Sakaguchi had mentioned earlier in the morning. However, in the legal context, what a witness says and what a party involved says are entirely different concepts. To ensure that there are no mistakes in the case, Kensuke needed to confirm every detail that both sides were aware of.

“…I received a call from Sakaguchi-san, and Takeshi went up the stairs with the speakerphone on, so the big dog crouched on the second floor could hear. At that time, I was eating pizza, and after a while, I heard a scream, and I saw Takeshi being pounced on by the dog and falling onto the steps. Then Takeshi died like that.”

Kensuke, sitting across from her, uncapped his pen and took notes in a small notebook while verifying the information Sanae provided.

“So, did you hear the specific contents of the conversation on the phone from Sakaguchi-san?”

“As for that, didn’t the police say that the suspect said, ‘John, how are you (元気か)’ and ‘How are you (元気か), John’?”

“No, the suspect’s confession alone cannot fully prove anything. Sanae-san, what I want to confirm is whether you heard it and what you heard.”

Kensuke reached out to correct her statement.

“Um… I did hear something.”

Sanae thought for a moment, then shook her head in a confused manner.

“But because it was a bit chaotic at the time, I can’t remember exactly what I heard.”

“I see…”

Kensuke spun the pen with his fingertips, a faint smile playing on his lips.

There was some good news: He could now confirm that the testimony given by this girl did not constitute “direct evidence.”

What is direct evidence?

To put it simply, you can think of the entire situation of a murder case as a blank sheet of paper. The testimony of a witness continuously blackens that sheet of paper. The more they testify, the more they claim to have seen, and the more the sheet of paper turns black. Only when the entire sheet is completely blackened can their testimony be considered “direct evidence.”

Now, this girl saying she can’t remember what the phone was saying means that a part of the truth of the case has been excluded. So, what she says is merely “circumstantial evidence.”

This is how the law works; even the slightest difference can make everything completely different.

However, even if it’s circumstantial evidence, it’s still not foolproof. Kensuke had to ensure there were no loose ends.

With a smile, Kensuke stood up and slowly paced from across to Sanae.

“Sanae-san, do you know,”

Kensuke bent slightly and whispered softly in Sanae’s ear.

“The human brain is an incredible thing. We often think we haven’t heard or remembered something, but in reality, those memories are hibernating deep within our minds, arranged like books on a shelf. When triggered by something, like a sense of justice, these representative memory books awaken and fly off the shelf one by one…”

A gentle warmth brushed against the young woman’s ear, making her earlobe tingle. Even Sanae, who had led a chaotic private life and been with countless men, couldn’t help but feel her ears flush and her heart race slightly at this moment.

“Oh, Mr. Lawyer!”

Sanae instinctively reached out her hands, wanting to embrace the handsome young man who had approached her.

However, Kensuke took a quick step back, evading the embrace of the young college student.

It was only then that Sanae realized her actions and coughed politely before sitting up straight.

“Mr. Lawyer, my memory suddenly opened up, and I think I remember what I heard back then!”

The young college student thought for a moment, her expression seemingly lost in thought, before her attitude became resolute and affirmative.

“Moreover, the contents of the phone call weren’t what the police said, like ‘How are you (元気か), John?’ It was a different, common greeting!”

“Very good.” Kensuke smiled slightly. “Are you sure this is how you remember it? There’s nothing false in your memory?”

“Of course, I’m very sure. I heard it just like this!” Sanae spoke as if she were a champion of justice. “Your words helped me see the light, and that’s why I remembered it. The suspect is absolutely innocent, and I’m willing to speak up for him!”

“Oh, you’re such a kind girl. The heavens will surely be moved by your actions.”

Kensuke nodded approvingly and raised his wine glass with a smile.

The matter with the witness had been resolved.

Only twenty days left until the trial.

After dinner, Sanae, holding the fee that Kensuke had given her at the beginning of their meeting, bid him farewell with gratitude and left the restaurant in high spirits.

Kensuke was also planning to leave.

At that moment, he suddenly felt his gaze shift.

The sensitivity of a lawyer immediately prompted him to turn around.

There, he saw a small boy dressed in blue children’s clothing, wearing a bowtie and glasses, crouching under a nearby table, looking rather furtive.

“Oh, it’s you, little friend,” Kensuke narrowed his eyes. “Have you been following me all this time? Since when?”

“Oh, I just happened to be passing by!” Conan could only play it cool and chuckle.

In reality, he had found an excuse to leave the Detective Boys right after Kensuke left Masayoshi Sakaguchi’s house and had been following him ever since. Kensuke’s words and actions had piqued his curiosity, and after careful consideration, he decided to keep an eye on him.

Unexpectedly, he had directly witnessed this scene of Kensuke meeting with the witness.

“Kid, has anyone ever told you that you have the talent of a ninja? How about trying to become one?” Kensuke walked up to Conan, crouched down with a smile, and patted his head. “Little friend, it’s getting late, and your mom will worry. You should go home now!”

Conan remained silent.

“Kensuke-san, what you’re doing is a crime,” he said seriously.

“Oh? Tell me, what crime am I committing?” Kensuke smiled and looked at him.

“Your actions are not recognized by the law!” Conan affirmed. “I overheard your conversation with that college girl just now!”

“Well, your name is Conan, right?”

Kensuke suddenly leaned in, bringing his face close to Conan’s, causing him to take a step back.

“I have a question for you. Do you really understand the law?”

Before Conan could respond to his word, Kensuke continued on.

“How can you be so sure that my actions won’t be recognized by the law? Didn’t you hear clearly the conversation between me and her just now? She admitted with her own mouth that this is her memory without any falsehood, and I didn’t force her to do anything. She simply wants to speak up for an innocent person. What’s wrong with that?”

Conan’s hand in his pocket tightened.

Inside of it was a recording pen that had captured the conversation between Kensuke and the girl just moments ago.

“Well, let me guess,” Kensuke rested his chin on his hand and looked at Conan with a mischievous smile. “You recorded my conversation with that girl just now, didn’t you?”