Upside Down 26 Chapter 24: Interrogation

[Wednesday 1:00 pm, Tokyo Central Police Station]

"Lt. Aoki, Akiyama Kentaro has arrived. Would you like to have him escorted to your office or do you plan to meet him at reception?"

"Have him escorted to... Which interrogation room is open at the moment Tessa?"

"Rooms 2, 3, 7 and 12 are currently not in use."

"Reserve room 3 for me and have him escorted there. Please make sure all the recorders are running and I would like you to observe as usual please."

"Interrogation room 3 has been reserved. I sent word for Mr. Akiyama to be escorted there. I'm happy to help in any capacity I can Lt. Aoki."

"Thank you Tessa. Please let me know when it's 1:30."

"Of course Lt. Aoki."

[Interrogation Room 3 1:40 pm]

Standing outside the room Akiyama is in, I watch him in the monitor as I have been for the last ten minutes. It's obvious he is nervous, agitated, restless and angry. He sits down for a few seconds then stands back up to pace, so far he has done this eight times since I have been observing him. The other four in the room, who I a.s.sume are his attorneys, are seated, looking bored.

According the readout displayed on the screen by Tessa, Akiyama's blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels are high. Much higher than could be easily accounted for by him being called in by me. I ostensibly told him it was a simple follow up on our previous investigation, which it is, but there is more to this now. Well, I suppose I have let him stew enough, he's clearly off balance, so let's get this started.

Opening the door, I step inside and close it behind me. Smiling pleasantly, I look at Akiyama. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. Mr. Akiyama. I appreciate your taking time out of your day to come talk to me. I apologize for being late, I was unavoidably detained."

"Hmph! I'm a busy man Mr. Aoki! What do you want with me anyway?!" Akiyama snaps out at me with a sour expression.

"It's Lt. Aoki and I suggest you mind your tone with me Mr. Akiyama. I'm not one of your employees that you can push around."

Two of the men smile when I say that. Apparently, he isn't very well liked, even by his attorneys. Hmm… Well, it's not all that surprising considering his personality.

"This shouldn't take too long Mr. Akiyama, why don't you take a seat and we can get started." I tell him, gesturing to the seat across from me.

"I'll stand, thank you." One of his attorney's taps his arm and points at the seat, which Akiyama then sits down in.

"Mr. Akiyama, I am required to inform you this is an Article 208 section 35 investigation. As such, I must ask, are these gentlemen your attorneys?"

All four of the attorneys instantly become alert when I tell Akiyama this.

"They are. What does article whatever mean?"

"Good. That makes this easier then since you have representation present. Article 208 section 35 deals with the crime of a.s.sault against fertile women, Mr. Akiyama."

"What?! I haven't touched a fertile woman!"

Tessa's screen flashes red for a moment and she displays 0%, which tells me he is lying in no uncertain terms.

"Before you say anything further Mr. Akiyama. I must tell you that our AI will be monitoring this interview. I have credible evidence in my possession that you have in fact done so and as of this moment you are being detained for investigation Mr. Akiyama."

Akiyama turns pale as I explain to him what is going on. I look at the attorneys with him.

"Gentlemen, what is going to be said here falls under the auspices of the National Security Act. If you do not wish to be involved in the matter any further, now would be the time for you to leave. Be advised, if you choose to stay and you reveal anything said here to anyone, you will be arrested and charged with Treason. I don't believe I need to tell you what happens when you are convicted of that."

The four of them look at each other. A few moments later three of them stand and leave the room.

"I take it you intend to represent Mr. Akiyama?"

"I do, I'm Hayashi Junichi. Mr. Akiyama would never commit such a crime."

"I demand to see your so-called evidence!"

"All in due time Mr. Akiyama. For right now, I need you to answer my questions."

"You don't have to do that Mr. Akiyama."

"You're right he doesn't. However, if, as he says, he did nothing wrong, then he should have no problem answering a few questions. What do you say Mr. Akiyama?"

"Ask away Lt. Aoki, I can't guarantee you an answer though." Akiyama says with a smirk.

"Fair enough, Mr. Akiyama. In August 2051 do you remember going to Daiki and Ai Ito's residence?"

"What? Of course I've been to their home many times, but I can't say I remember going to their home at the time."

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 20% on the screen. Hmm… Well, I imagine he told the truth when he said he had been there many times, but I think Tessa is indicating he is lying about not remembering going there during at that time.

"Hmm… Okay, let me ask it this way. Do you remember going to their residence to tell them to work longer hours and stay over at the lab more often?"

"Yes, I did go to their home once to ask them to do that."

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 70% on the screen.

"Did you get into an argument with them at the time?"

"We may have had a discussion but I don't remember an argument."

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 0% on the screen.

"You don't remember demanding that they work longer hours and stay over at the lab?"

"I asked them to do so, I never demanded it."

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 0% on the screen.

"So you never picked their child up, choked them or told the Ito's you would kill them to get them to work more?"

"What?! Who do you take me for Lt. Aoki? Do I look like a thug?"

"Please answer the question Mr. Akiyama."

"I've never done such a thing!"

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 0% on the screen. She also displays his stress level, heart heart, and blood pressure. They had been steadily climbing, but they suddenly spiked when I asked him that question.

"You never threatened to kill them and their child?"

"I have never threatened anyone's life!"

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 0% on the screen.

"You never touched their child in any way?"

"Of course not!"

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 0% on the screen. Okay, I'm satisfied. I could continue to ask him questions to confirm it, but I'm certain it won't change anything. I absolutely positive he's done this.

"Mr. Akiyama, at this time I'm placing you under arrest for a.s.sault on a Fertile Female. Due to the fact this is a death penalty offense, you will not be allowed to post bail. Tessa, please have some officers come to escort Mr. Akiyama to a cell."

"Certainly, Lt. Aoki."

"Who am I supposed to have a.s.saulted?!"

"Mr. Hayashi, I will remind you again to never speak of anything said in here. Do you understand?"

"Of course Lt. Aoki."

"Mr. Akiyama, you a.s.saulted Sora Kobayashi when she was six and also threatened her life and her parents lives. I will be reopening the investigation into their deaths at this time too."

"The Ito's child is a boy! So how does that mean I a.s.saulted a fertile female?!"

Tessa's display flashes and she puts up 0% on the screen. I look at him with a small smile.

"Mr. Akiyama, I believe you need to get your vision checked. I've met with Sora and she doesn't look like any boy I have ever seen. She's a very sweet little girl. Regardless, your escort is here. I do hope you enjoy your stay with us Mr. Akiyama. Have a nice day."

I stand up and walk past the three officers waiting in the doorway.

"Tessa, please remind me to call Eiji to tell him Akiyama has been arrested before I leave for the day."

"Certainly, Lt. Aoki."