Non-challenge: A Policeman's Tale (Day 22)
Title: A Policeman's Tale (Day 22)
Author: ytak
Word count: 1140
Rating (chapter): K+ (PG)
Rating (whole story): T (PG-13)
Day 22
Takagi walked to the number four observation room that overlooked the interview room for suspects and witnesses. He looked over the file containing the Uchida death. A few minutes earlier, he was summoned to the interview room. According the message, there was a man in there that had information regarding the murder.
Takagi took the time to go to the observation room to get a good look at the man. He was fairly nondescript. His clothing was cared for but not new and he looked like he had a passing acquaintance with grooming. But his posture seemed to indicate that there was a weight on his shoulders. He looked run down and tired. He sat still at the table, staring blankly down at its surface. He threw one glance at the door to the room before turning his gaze back to the table. He kept up this for a few minutes.
Chiba spoke up, startling Takagi who had not heard him come in, “All he's given so far is his name and that he knows something about the death a couple of nights back. And since there was only one death a couple of nights ago, he's all yours.”
Takagi frowned at Chiba whom, in his opinion, was way too happy about the interview being his job. “What's his name?”
“Asai Takeo-san,” Chiba said with a shrug. “You going to let him stew a little longer? He doesn't look like he's doing too well right now.”
Takagi shook his head, “No, I just wanted to know who I would be dealing with.” A moment later, he left the observation room and walked around to the door of the interview room. He knocked to let the man know he was coming in before opening the door. “I apologize for the wait-,” he began but was interrupted.
“I didn't mean to,” the man said, completely crestfallen as he looked at the table. “It just kind of happened. I wanted a favor and he said he didn't do favors unless it was a loan. But I really needed a favor.”
Takagi blinked and sat down across from the man. “Excuse me, Asai-san, but could you start from the beginning?”
“Uchida-san, well, I knew he lent money to people. I was hoping that he'd help me out. I needed someone to co-sign some papers. I don't have no family left and not many friends. No people to turn to. I could not afford to have sign a contract by myself. But Uchida-san had a good rep which counts for more than a lot of things. I thought he'd be willing to co-sign.” He paused a moment, “I know I should probably have somebody like a lawyer around but I gotta come clean now. I can't wait any longer.”
Takagi stared at them man a moment. The verbal torrent, and unquestioned for, confession railroaded him a moment. “We can get a lawyer in here now, if you wish.” Asai looked up enough to meet Takagi's eyes, “It might be the best if you did.”
Asai shrugged, “Doesn't really matter anymore. I just wanted to get that off my chest before I killed myself.”
Takagi shot right up and moved around the table. He could see that Asai held something in one hand. It looked like a shard of glass. How is he holding it without cutting his hand? passed through Takagi's mind before he moved to disarm Asai. He could hear the door to the room crash open as Chiba burst in to help Takagi.
"Stop!" Takagi yelled, causing the struggling man to freeze briefly. Chiba wrestled the glass knife from his hands at that moment before he began to thrash around again.
The two officers could hear him saying, "I have to atone with my life. Let me end it now."
Their eyes met briefly, a flash of sympathy passed between them. The man was truly repentant for what he had done, even if it had taken a few days to fess up to his crime. But it was not their place to let him kill himself now that he was in interrogation. Even if they were not at fault, they would still be held responsible for the man's death.
After what seemed like an eternity, a couple more officers showed up to help Takagi and Chiba with the man. He had ceased to struggle and simply stared blankly off into space. He was picked up and taken to lock-up.
Takagi caught one of the officers before he walked off with the prisoner, "He's suicidal. Keep anything that he might use to kill himself out of the cell." He nodded to Chiba who was bagging the now broken glass knife, "He just tried to kill himself. I think he will try again."
The other officer nodded and jogged to catch up with the group that was walking off with their prisoner.
Takagi and Chiba both jump when Megure burst into the room (despite the door still being open), "What happened here?!" he demanded.
They winced at the volume of his voice. “He- I mean Asai-san confessed to killing Uchida. Then he tried to kill himself,” Takagi said.
Chiba held up the bag he had collected the glass knife in. “He tried to kill himself with this. It's glass, so, unless he had been patted down going through security, it was easy to get through.”
Megure took the bag and looked at it. Takagi finally got a good look at the knife. It was crudely made with edges rather jagged and the base of it had been wrapped with a rag to create a handle of sorts. Takagi winced a little, It looks like it would have broken off while he would be...urp, cutting. Talk about a bloody mess.
Takagi shook his head, “He went off so fast. He came right out with his confession and then tried to kill himself.”
“He's right, Inspector,” Chiba added, “I barely got the recording equipment up and running before he started. He didn't attack Takagi-kun or myself at all. He just struggled to kill himself.”
Takagi blinked. He swore that he just heard the inspector groan. And he did hear him mutter, “Not more paperwork.”
He looked at Takagi and Chiba, “Okay, I want you to get a quick report made up. The superintendent is going to want a report about this. Have it on my desk in an hour.”
Megure walked off shaking his head. Takagi and Chiba stared for a moment. “Is something wrong with the inspector?” Takagi asked.
Chiba shrugged, “Not sure. I think he just needs a vacation.”
Takagi nodded. “Guess we had better gets those reports in order. I don't want to have to deliver it in person.”
“No kidding,” agreed Chiba, empathically.