Wrongful Conviction 5
"How is Mr. Masaki?!" The 49-year-old Kuwata Tsubasa has all the characteristics of someone who has been in prison for a long time. He has a shaved head, slightly rigid behavior habits, and a tired and confused look. Ishii Kazuki has seen the photos in the archives, but even he couldn't immediately connect the ruffian young man with the hunched middle-aged man inside. He waved his hand to stop the actions of the prison guard who was watching on the side - Kuwata Tsubasa was so excited about the news that he pulled his handcuffs and made them rattle.
"He is out of danger for now," Ishii Kazuki observed Kuwata Tsubasa's expression, trying to find the anxiety caused by the loss of his comrades and the upcoming sixth appeal. As expected, Kuwata Tsubasa heaved a sigh of relief and then collapsed in the chair. "But he can only stay awake for a few hours a day now. The doctor said that he needs to be hospitalized for observation for a period of time."
"...Thank you for telling me," Kuwata Tsubasa forced a polite smile, "This...Inspector Ishii? You're a stranger here. How many years have you been a police officer?"
"It's been seven years," Ishii Kazuki sometimes felt as if a lifetime had passed. "What are Mr. Kuwata's plans now?" He returned to the point. If he got sentimental, it would be endless. "About the sixth appeal."
Kuwata Tsubasa glanced at the police officer facing him. Nineteen years in prison had forced him to learn calmness and patience, and to be able to regain his fighting spirit after facing shattered hopes time and time again. "You want to help me," the prisoner said with certainty, "and you have confidence. What happened again?"
"We have new evidence," Ishii Kazuki clasped his hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and his brown eyes were full of seriousness. He did not use the torture techniques he usually used on the criminals, but assured Kuwata Tsubasa word by word, "Evidence that can prove the malfeasance of the prosecutors and the police."
Sang Tianyi's lips moved silently twice. His eyes were slack and his palms were rough. Due to excessive mental stress, his physical condition was also greatly affected. Arthritis kept him awake at night, and he could only suppress his wailing with a pillow.
But there were still two tiny flames in his already somewhat cloudy eyes.
"...I know nothing," Kuwata Tsubasa closed his eyes and repeated his most truthful testimony, which was also the first one he denounced as false. "I did enter the apartment, but I was helping to deliver goods. The goods were delivered to the deceased's neighbor. No one answered the door when I knocked. I dropped off the goods and left. I didn't see anyone during that time."
"I didn't kill anyone."
"I know," Ishii Kazuki nodded. He took out a few documents from his bag and spread them out on the table so that Kuwata Tsubasa could see them clearly. "This is what Mr. Masaki suggested. The person who will take over his defense for you is Eri Kisaki. She is known as the queen of the legal world and has a 100% winning rate. She will come to see you soon. You can contact her first and then decide whether to go through the formalities..."
Ishii Kazuki briefly explained the situation, and Kuwata Tsubasa did not seem to have much resistance and listened obediently to the arrangements. The prison guard reminded them in due time that the meeting time was almost up.
"Oh, by the way," Ishii Kazuki asked without giving any advice before leaving, as if on a whim, "Why did Mr. Kuwata believe me so quickly? Based on your experience, it's normal for you to be wary of the police."
Kuwata Tsubasa gave a bitter smile, "Indeed," he did not deny it, "For a long time in the past, the only person I could trust was Mr. Masaki. To me, the police were just arrogant bastards who wanted to save face, but ah..." He sighed deeply, "I have been here for nineteen years, and Inspector Ishii has only been here for nineteen years."
"You are still young, unlike them."
"Besides," Ishii Kazuki lowered his eyes and listened quietly to the words of this man who had spent a long time buried in misfortunes, "He believes in you, and so do I."
Sang Tianyi raised his head slightly, his gaze seemed to pass through the cage, like a flying butterfly. On the hospital bed, the old man with a breathing tube trembled slightly. The butterfly shook its wings and landed on the fingertips of the old friend whom he had not seen for a long time.
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