Secret Weapon

Inspector Shirai's sincere statement salvaged quite a bit of the situation, but...

"Very well. Let us thank Inspector Shirai for his remarks. Inspector Shirai's words were deeply sincere. I believe that over the years, Inspector Shirai has arrested many criminals. Allow me to sincerely say this as well: you have worked hard!

"However, we must understand that the advancement of the rule of law is also the advancement of the times. The stability of our nation and society rests precisely on the continual improvement of our legal system. There must be less and less room for deciding cases based on personal speculation.

"Without evidence, no one can be convicted of a crime. Otherwise, what we will face is the collapse of the rule of law and order!

"I personally believe that Inspector Shirai's thirty years in the police force have certainly made a positive contribution to society. But looking back over those thirty years, under Inspector Shirai's methods of investigation, how many people may have suffered wrongful convictions? If that person were you, you, you... or your friends and family, I'm afraid none of you would be willing to pay that price.

"Fortunately, our system is becoming ever more complete, and more and more progressive-minded police officers are willing to safeguard that progress..."

Komikado was not only a lawyer with clear logic, but also possessed the talent of an ancient Greek "demagogic politician"—or rather, an "orator-politician." He possessed both the powerful rationality of logic and the powerful emotional force of Incitement and Deception!

Shiraishi felt that if he could see Komikado's status panel, both [Logic Analysis] and [Incitement and Deception] would probably be SSR, or even higher.

A person like that, with an absolute "Victorious Mindset" as his core, truly could be called the "strongest lawyer."

Except...

By the end, Komikado had once again gestured toward Shiraishi, effectively pulling him out of the current "scandal."

That gradually made Shiraishi wonder—Was this guy somewhat biased toward sucking up to me? It couldn't be because he was afraid I'd retaliate against him, could it?

After Komikado's impassioned speech had swept away Shirai's earlier sincerity, he presented an "alibi" to the court. Shiraishi, hearing this, refocused his attention.

Before long, the Coffee Cart Clerk was called to the witness stand.

Under Komikado's questioning, the clerk this time firmly testified that during the two hours when the crime occurred, the only order had come from the defendant. He also claimed that he remembered the defendant's appearance, and that his earlier failure to testify had been the result of police suggestion!

But...

Shiraishi now carefully observed this witness, who had clearly put effort into his appearance!

Though his tone sounded extremely certain, details of his expression... especially the way he looked at Komikado, as well as the occasional glances he cast toward a mother and daughter in the gallery, basically confirmed Fujisato Seiko's earlier tentative conclusion.

Because he had only been asked about it several days after the incident, the clerk's own memory was vague...

Inspector Shirai could scare him into saying nothing at all, while Komikado could repeatedly reinforce the impression until he claimed to remember it clearly.

But...

He really doesn't seem to be lying. His memory is just very fuzzy... Shiraishi made his judgment.

Meanwhile, Yane Takefumi from the prosecution wore an exceedingly smug expression, making Shiraishi curl his lip in disdain.

After asking the clerk only a few simple questions, Prosecutor Yane impatiently called for the next witness!

Shiraishi frowned deeply—Yane, that idiot, must have considered that "cannon fodder" his trump card, so he had let the questioning of the clerk go far too easily...

There had been several questions that could have corroborated the testimony indirectly, yet Yane had not pursued them at all. Shiraishi had plenty of questions he wanted to ask as well... but as a mere observer, he had no right to question anyone!

Soon, Blogger Lady was called to the witness stand and gave her testimony—she stated with absolute certainty that on the afternoon of the crime, she had bought coffee from the coffee cart at Beika Park...

Komikado was caught completely off guard. Though, as a professional lawyer, he immediately began questioning her in hopes of finding grounds for doubt, the photos on her blog convinced everyone that Blogger Lady had not remembered incorrectly!

It was not irrefutable evidence, of course. If one insisted, it was still merely testimony; there was no timestamp on the photos, and the time of the blog post was also self-reported. But Blogger Lady herself had no connection to the case at all, so her testimony was clearly more persuasive than the suspect's vague alibi.

Seeing how definite Blogger Lady's testimony was, and that she had even made a blog post about it, the clerk did not dare say anything for the moment...

Komikado had been completely blindsided this round!

Yet just as Shiraishi had guessed, there was no verdict delivered in court because of it—the alibi had failed to stand, but the evidence of murder was likewise insufficient.

Further investigation would still be needed afterward!

Yane was already brimming with triumph, because...

Opportunities to crush Komikado so thoroughly did not come often. Usually, he was the one getting trounced!

Though victory had not yet been decided, Yane felt as if he could already pop the champagne.

At the next hearing, he only needed to proceed from the defendant's "fabricated alibi" and sweep forward with unstoppable momentum...

In contrast, Komikado left dejectedly this time, looking rather flustered and exasperated.

Shiraishi did not follow the crowd out. Instead, he headed for the witness waiting room, and afterward...

In the hallway, Shiraishi saw the clerk extend his hand, only for his estranged wife to brush it aside. His daughter rolled her eyes at him as well... while he stood there timidly, looking utterly pitiful.

Judging from his wife's expression, Shiraishi guessed...

The fundamental reason the two were living apart was that his wife despised how cowardly he was!

"Mr. Clerk," Shiraishi called out.

"Ah!" The clerk jumped in fright when he saw Shiraishi.

Luckily, the area was relatively secluded and there was no one else around. Otherwise, anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Shiraishi had done something to him.

Well, if someone built like Shiraishi came to buy coffee from him, he would probably be too scared even to take the money...

Seeing his reaction, the wife beside him rolled her eyes even more dramatically. However, her gaze toward Shiraishi was also somewhat hostile, and she stopped rather than continuing to leave.

"May I ask you something?" Shiraishi asked politely.

"I-I can... but... I..." The clerk was clearly starting to feel guilty.

"You can't remember clearly, right? That's all right. Just tell me your general impression... In your memory, what was the defendant wearing when he bought coffee?" Shiraishi guided him.

Seeing that he was still trembling, Shiraishi reassured him, "Just give me your first impression. This isn't compulsory questioning, and there's no legal liability. Go ahead and speak freely."

"I think... he wore a white short-sleeved shirt on the outside, open at the front. Underneath, he wore light-colored clothes too. Overall, he gave off a clean, refreshing impression... I think he was also wearing a light-colored hat... but I'm not sure!" The clerk gave his rough impression, while emphasizing that he absolutely did not dare take responsibility for it.

"Thank you." Shiraishi patted his shoulder, then looked at his estranged wife in the distance and smiled. "I won't ask anything more. Otherwise, your wife and daughter might think I'm bullying you and come over to stand up for you. Hahaha..."

"Huh?"

"Stand up for him? Are you a police officer? Hurry up and arrest this worthless piece of trash for giving false testimony..."

"I... Ryuuko..."