After hearing Keryo Ikari's question, Kumi Motokawa finally understood. The prosecutor had come to the hospital because of the incident involving the two nurses who had suffered mental breakdowns some time ago.
The two nurses had lost their minds without ever leaving the hospital, so every doctor, nurse, and even patient in the hospital had naturally become a suspect.
Kumi Motokawa was naturally no exception. Moreover, although she had not been on duty that night, she had remained alone in her office until one in the morning because she had paperwork to complete.
Since she had been working overtime alone, Kumi Motokawa had no alibi whatsoever. On the day the nurses' mental breakdowns were first discovered, the police had questioned her for a very long time because of that.
"On the day the nurses' mental breakdowns were discovered, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department immediately came to the hospital and brought the situation under control. Since I had been working overtime alone in my office the previous night, I had no alibi.
"Because of that, I was questioned for a long time and answered many questions.
"I don't know much about the judicial system, but as a prosecutor from the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office, shouldn't you be able to approach the Metropolitan Police Department directly and cooperate with them if you want information about the case?
"I already answered everything clearly when the police questioned me. If you want to know more, you can simply examine their records from that time."
Kumi Motokawa spoke coldly. They could have simply consulted the existing files, yet they had chosen to disturb her on her day off. It would have been strange if she had shown them a pleasant expression.
In the past, Kumi Motokawa had not cared much about her days off. Since she had been alone, the most she did on a day off was sleep late at home and watch television dramas. If she rested for too long, she might even become bored.
Therefore, whether she was working overtime or spending a day off, Kumi Motokawa had never felt much difference. Even when a heavy workload consumed her day off, she did not feel particularly dissatisfied. At most, she would complain inwardly that her day off that week had been ruined.
But now, after submitting a marriage registration with Tetsunosuke Isshiki, becoming his wife, and becoming Iroha Isshiki's new mother, Kumi Motokawa had begun valuing her days off immensely because they gave her more time to spend with her husband and daughter.
Naturally, she also felt extremely displeased whenever her day off was disturbed.
On the way there, Kumi Motokawa had even begun wondering whether she should resign from the hospital.
"Although the Metropolitan Police Department was unwilling to hand over the files from that day voluntarily, we obtained them immediately and made several copies. Had another incident not occurred afterward, you truly would not have become a suspect again, Dr. Motokawa."
"Another incident?" Kumi Motokawa frowned slightly, uncertain what Keryo Ikari meant.
Faced with Kumi Motokawa's question, Keryo Ikari did not answer immediately. Instead, she turned toward Deputy Director Kaida and slowly said:
"Deputy Director Kaida, thank you for your cooperation. I now require a private room where Dr. Motokawa and I can speak alone without being disturbed."
"Oh, of course. That won't be a problem. However, if this matter has little to do with Dr. Motokawa, I hope you won't take up too much of her time, Prosecutor Ikari.
"After all, today is still Dr. Motokawa's day off. As deputy director, I already feel terribly apologetic for disturbing her rest and calling her back to the hospital.
"Speaking of which, since the wife of Deputy Prosecutor General Ezaki lives in Chiba with their child most of the time, his son came to Chiba Municipal Hospital for treatment recently after experiencing some stomach discomfort. Fortunately, his condition wasn't serious, and he was discharged several days ago. I wonder whether you know Deputy Prosecutor General Ezaki, Prosecutor Ikari? Although his son has already been discharged, as a doctor, I still can't help worrying about a child suffering from stomach trouble. When you have time..."
"Deputy Director Kaida."
Keryo Ikari understood why Kaida had chosen that moment to mention Deputy Prosecutor General Ezaki and interrupted her coldly:
"The Deputy Prosecutor General Ezaki you mentioned is indeed the deputy prosecutor general of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office. However... although he assists the prosecutor general, that does not mean he possesses complete authority over the prosecutors' office, nor does it mean every prosecutor will defer to him. Take the Special Investigation Department I belong to, for example. You should know perfectly well what sort of people our department targets."
"Oh my, you've misunderstood me. I wasn't implying anything. As a doctor, I was merely expressing concern for Deputy Prosecutor General Ezaki's esteemed son."
Kaida smiled faintly. Having dealt with politicians for years, she could maintain perfect control over her expression even after the meaning behind her words had been exposed.
"If concern is truly all it is, Deputy Director Kaida, then you may express it using whatever method you excel at most."
After saying that, Keryo Ikari seemingly dismissed Kaida from her attention and turned to Kumi Motokawa.
"Dr. Motokawa, I apologize for taking up more of your time. I do not want any outsiders overhearing our next conversation. Would you be willing to accompany me to the prosecutors' office? Of course, there is no need to be nervous. I merely wish to ask you about the situation. I only suggested the prosecutors' office because I do not currently know of a suitable place for us to speak. There is absolutely no other intention behind it."
"In that case, there is no need to go to the prosecutors' office. Why don't we use my office here at the hospital? I'm only an ordinary citizen. I don't want to visit the prosecutors' office over such a minor matter," Kumi Motokawa said.
"That will also suffice. In that case, I apologize for the intrusion." Keryo Ikari nodded, accepting Kumi Motokawa's proposal.
Keryo Ikari and Kumi Motokawa left the deputy director's office together. Kaida observed every courtesy, behaving as though she had not been embarrassed by Keryo moments earlier as she escorted Keryo Ikari all the way to the elevator.
After parting from Kaida and entering the elevator, Keryo Ikari exhaled and said meaningfully:
"Dr. Motokawa, your hospital's deputy director feels less like a doctor or hospital administrator and more like a politician."
"Deputy Director Kaida truly does want to become a politician."
"Heh."
Keryo Ikari smiled faintly.
"Politicians and statesmen could be described as frequent guests in the Special Investigation Department's interrogation rooms. If someone like her can become a politician, then... Japan is truly beyond saving."
Once the elevator reached the appropriate floor, Kumi Motokawa led Keryo Ikari to her office.
After closing the door, Keryo Ikari set down her pure-black briefcase, put on a pair of white gloves, and said to Kumi Motokawa:
"Dr. Motokawa, my apologies, but please wait a moment. Since our forthcoming conversation must remain confidential, I need to confirm that your office contains no listening devices, cameras, or similar equipment. Don't worry. It will be over quickly, and I won't disturb your patients' files."
"Very well." Kumi Motokawa nodded, understanding Keryo's caution.
After all, Keryo Ikari's appearance meant the incident involving the nurses' mental breakdowns had already attracted the attention of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office. Generally speaking, even murder cases were usually handled by the Metropolitan Police Department. Cases involving more complex circumstances would be handled by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.
Logically speaking, the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office had no reason to become involved in this matter whatsoever. Since it had intervened regardless, the nurses' mental breakdowns were evidently only the surface. The true reason the case had alarmed the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office was that the hidden currents behind the incident had already entangled far too many powerful factions.
Keryo Ikari quickly finished examining the office. After confirming that there were no listening devices or cameras, she sat down and said to Kumi Motokawa:
"According to the files we obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department, the two nurses who suffered mental breakdowns appear to have been transferred to Ishiyama Psychiatric Hospital, an institution affiliated with the department.
"Before coming here, I visited the hospital and met those two nurses. Unfortunately, their mental states were simply too poor. Forget answering questions, even their most basic senses seem to be gradually deteriorating with each passing day. It is difficult to imagine that only a month ago, those two women were still angels in white...
"Seeing their miserable condition was truly tragic. The thought that another young woman is about to become just like them makes the matter feel even more disturbing."
"Another young woman? What do you mean by that?" Kumi Motokawa asked in confusion.
Keryo Ikari removed several photographs from her pure-black briefcase and laid them out on the desk one by one. Pointing to the first photograph, she asked:
"Do you recognize the girl in this photograph?"
Kumi Motokawa looked at the photograph Keryo Ikari had indicated, then abruptly widened her eyes.
"Anrin?! Did something happen to her? Why do you have her photograph?"
"Before we discuss that, could you tell me how you know Anrin?"
"Her mother was my professor at university. While I was studying there, I often encountered difficult questions, so I would visit my professor's home. She patiently taught me every time. She was the sort of person who lost all awareness of time once she immersed herself in teaching, so it was quite common for her lectures to continue until evening without her noticing. Since she was worried about a young woman returning to campus alone, she would call the dormitory supervisor and request permission for me to stay away overnight, then invite me to have dinner and sleep at her home.
"At the time, Anrin had only just entered the second grade of elementary school. She was a very intelligent girl. Whenever my professor explained medical cases to me, she would sit obediently nearby and listen. If she noticed that both our teacups were empty, she would carefully go and boil more water.
"Some time ago, Anrin, who had already graduated from university, came to Chiba to visit me. After learning that I had married, she became especially happy and said she wanted to give me a present."
"Anrin graduated from Tokushima University a year ago and then began working for an internet company. Since the company she works for is located in Nishitama City, she rented a place there after graduating. She normally returns home to spend time with her parents only during holidays when work is not busy. According to what her parents told us, Anrin is a very quiet and honest young woman."
Keryo Ikari spoke unhurriedly, yet it was precisely that tone that gave Kumi Motokawa an ominous feeling.
"Please tell me. What exactly happened to Anrin?"
Keryo Ikari pointed to the second photograph. It appeared to show the rooftop of a company building, with numerous drops of blood scattered across the floor.
"One week ago, the police in Nishitama City received an emergency call. The caller claimed to be a security guard at an internet company and said that, while making his rounds that morning, he discovered a naked woman covered in blood on the company's rooftop.
"When detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived, they discovered that the internet company had not yet opened for business. In other words, aside from the security guards, no one else was inside. However, after questioning the guards, they learned that none of them had made the call. Moreover, the rooftop was not included in their daily patrol route.
"The police ordered the guards to lead them to the rooftop. When they unlocked the rooftop door, they discovered a completely naked woman covered in blood standing at its exact center. Her body swayed as she emitted a horrifying laugh. When she turned around and looked at the officers with a grotesque smile, they all believed they were staring at a female ghost from hell.
"The next moment, the woman charged at the officers like a lunatic, screaming, 'The first one is about to appear! The first one is about to appear! The first one is about to appear!'
"Although the police quickly subdued her, the woman continued screaming, 'The first one is about to appear,' without pausing for even a moment."
"Th-The woman you said was covered in blood... Could she be—" Kumi Motokawa's voice trembled.
"Unfortunately, she was Anrin, the young woman you know. I came to see you because our investigation revealed that her mother was your university professor, while you happen to work as a surgeon at the hospital where the nurses suffered their mental breakdowns.
"At the same time, I discovered that your husband, Tetsunosuke Isshiki, had a former wife named Yuharu Isshiki, with whom he had a daughter named Iroha Isshiki.
"Yuharu Isshiki was also the culprit behind a serial murder case. That deranged woman even attempted to murder her husband and biological daughter.
"To put it bluntly, Dr. Motokawa, all three incidents are connected to you in some way. The reason you were able to reunite with Tetsunosuke Isshiki and develop a close relationship with him in such a short time was also largely due to Yuharu Isshiki's bizarre death and Tetsunosuke Isshiki being gravely wounded after Koshikawa stabbed him, resulting in his admission to Chiba Municipal Hospital.
"You were the chief surgeon during the operation that saved Tetsunosuke Isshiki's life, and you also volunteered to take responsibility for caring for him afterward.
"Dr. Motokawa, when all these coincidences are placed together, it becomes very easy to suspect you."
Kumi Motokawa was still struggling with disbelief and grief over Anrin's mental breakdown. After hearing Keryo Ikari's words, however, she raised her head and glared at the prosecutor angrily.
"You suspect that I'm the culprit?! You suspect that I made Yuharu Isshiki commit those serial murders, that I caused those two nurses to lose their minds, and that I used the same method to drive my revered professor's daughter insane as well?"
Keryo Ikari nodded and calmly held Kumi Motokawa's gaze.
"When prosecutors conduct an investigation, we pay close attention to coincidences of every kind. Many bizarre phenomena eventually become the key to uncovering the truth. At least based on the clues currently in our possession, Dr. Motokawa, you possess a motive and lack an alibi."
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