Winning is everything: Conan

Next, Sanae Sugita told Keisuke everything she had witnessed on the day of the murder.

In fact, what she said was similar to what Masayoshi Sakaguchi had said that morning.

However, in legal terms, what a witness says and what a party says are two completely different concepts.

Moreover, to ensure the case proceeds smoothly, Keisuke Kumiko must confirm all the details known by both parties.

"…After receiving a call from Mr. Sakaguchi, Maehara went upstairs and put the phone on speaker so that the big dog crouching on the second floor could hear. I was eating pizza at the time, and soon after, I heard a scream and saw Maehara being pounced on from the second floor onto the stairs by the dog. Then Maehara just died like that."

Keisuke, who was sitting across from her, removed the cap from his pen, took notes in a small notebook, and confirmed the details Sugita Sanae had provided.

"Then, did you hear exactly what Mr. Sakaguchi said on the phone?"

"In relation to this, 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 own confession cannot completely prove anything. Miss Sugita, what I want to confirm is whether you heard it and what exactly you heard."

Keisuke extended his hand and corrected her words.

"Uh… I did hear it."

Sugita Sanae thought for a moment and then shook her head in confusion.

"But, since it was a bit chaotic at the time, I can't remember exactly what I heard."

"Oh, I see..."

Keisuke twirled his pen between his fingers, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

The good news is that he can now confirm that the girl's testimony is not considered direct evidence.

What is direct evidence?

To use an analogy, the entire context of a homicide can be seen as a blank sheet of paper.

A witness's testimony is like continuously filling that blank paper with black ink. The more it's filled, the more they have witnessed, until the entire white sheet becomes completely black.

As long as even a single spot of that blank paper remains unstained, even if it's a tiny part, the witness's testimony does not constitute "direct evidence."

Now, the girl says she doesn't remember what was said on the phone, which excludes part of the case's truth, meaning her statement is only "circumstantial evidence."

This is the law. If you change even a little, everything becomes different.

However, even if it's indirect evidence, it's still not entirely safe, and Keisuke must ensure it's airtight.

So, Keisuke stood up with a smile and slowly walked from the other side of the table toward Sugita Sanae.

"Did you know? Miss Sanae."

Keisuke Kumiko leaned in slightly and whispered softly into Sugita Sanae's ear.

"The human brain is an incredible thing. Things we believe we haven't heard or remembered actually hibernate deep in our minds, arranged on rows of shelves. When, for some reason—perhaps justice—those books representing memories awaken, they come flying off the shelves one by one..."

A light warm breath brushed against the university student's ear, making them tickle.

Even though Sanae Sugita led an extremely chaotic private life and had been with countless men to this day, at this moment, she couldn't help but feel her ears heat up and her heart flutter slightly.

"Oh! Mr. Lawyer!"

Sugita Sanae couldn't help but reach out, wanting to embrace the handsome young man in front of her.

However, Keisuke Kumiko quickly stepped back, avoiding the university student's hug.

Sugita Sanae finally realized what she was doing, coughed, and sat up straight again.

"Mr. Lawyer, my memory suddenly opened up, and I think I remember what I heard at that time."

The university student thought for a moment, her expression as if she was recalling something, then her attitude became firm and resolute.

"Furthermore, the phone conversation was not 'How are you, John?' as the police said, but another common greeting!"

"Very good." Keisuke smiled slightly. "Are you sure this is what you remember? There's nothing false about it?"

"Of course, I am very sure that's what I heard!" Sanae Sugita seemed to be speaking for the sake of justice. "Your words suddenly made me realize, and I truly remembered that the suspect is absolutely innocent, and I am willing to testify for him!"

"Oh, you are such a kind girl; the heavens will be moved by you."

Keisuke nodded in satisfaction and raised his glass with a smile.

The issue with the witness had been resolved, and everything was in place.

The trial was only twenty days away.

After dinner, Sugita Sanae took the service fee Keisuke had given her at their meeting, thanked him profusely, and left the restaurant happily.

Keisuke Kumiko was also about to leave.

At that moment, he suddenly felt his eye twitch.

The lawyer's keen senses made him turn around immediately.

He saw a small child dressed in blue children's clothes, a bow tie, and glasses, crouching under a table beside him.

"It's you, kid." Keisuke narrowed his eyes. "Have you been following me all this time? Since when?"

"Ah, I was just passing by!"

Caught red-handed, Conan had no choice but to play dumb and laugh.

In fact, ever since Keisuke left Sakaguchi Masayoshi's house, he had found an excuse to leave the Detective Boys and had been secretly following him.

Because he was concerned about what Keisuke had said and done, after thinking it over, he still felt uneasy and decided to follow him to see what was going on.

Unexpectedly, he saw him meeting with the witness.

"Oh, kid, you have a talent for being a ninja! Why don't you stop being a detective and switch careers?"

Keisuke approached Conan, squatted down with a smile, and ruffled his hair.

"Kid, it's really late; your mother must be worried. Go home quickly!"

…

…

"Mr. Kumiko, you are committing a crime."

Conan dropped his act and said in a serious tone.

"Oh? Tell me, what crime have I committed?" Keisuke Kumiko looked at him with a smile.

"Your actions are not recognized by the law!" Conan said firmly. "I just heard your conversation with that university student!"

"Well, Conan, right?"

Keisuke suddenly stepped in closer, his face approaching so much that Conan took a step back.

"I want to ask you, do you understand the law? How can you be sure my actions are not recognized by the law? Didn't you clearly hear the conversation we just had? She admitted herself that this was what she remembered and that there was no falsehood. I didn't force her to do anything. She simply wants to speak for an innocent person. What's wrong with that?"

…

Conan clenched his hands inside his pants pockets.

Inside was a recorder, capturing the conversation between Keisuke Kumiko and the girl.

"Well, let me guess. You're a smart kid..."

Keisuke held his chin and looked at Conan's pants pocket with a smile.

"You just recorded the conversation between that girl and me, didn't you?"

(End of Chapter)