Read Online Malice by Keigo Higashino - Free Book Online Page B

being a teacher.
    My only insight comes from something he told me once:
    â€œThe relationship between teacher and student is based on illusion. The teacher is under the illusion that he is teaching something, and the student is under the illusion that he is being taught. What’s important is that this shared illusion makes both teacher and student happy. Nothing good is gained by facing the truth, after all. All we’re doing is playing at education.”
    One wonders what could have happened to make him think such a thing.

 
    3
    RESOLUTION
    OSAMU NONOGUCHI’S ACCOUNT
    Â 
    Detective Kaga has given me special permission to complete the following account before I leave the room I currently occupy. Why I asked to be allowed to do so is, I’m sure, incomprehensible to him. I doubt he’d understand even if I told him that it was a writer’s basic instinct to want to finish a piece he’d started, even if it was begun under false pretenses.
    Yet I believe that my experiences over the past hour or so are worthy of recording. This, too, I credit to writer’s instinct—though what I write is the story of my ruination.
    *   *   *
    Detective Kaga arrived today, April 21, at precisely ten in the morning. The instant the bell rang, I had a feeling that it was him, a premonition soon confirmed when I looked through the peephole. Still, I made an effort to conceal my agitation as I welcomed him in.
    â€œSorry to drop in so suddenly,” he said in his customary calm tone. “There was something I wanted to discuss.”
    â€œWhat is that?” I asked, inviting him in.
    I showed him to the sofa and offered him tea. He said not to bother, but I made it anyway.
    â€œSo what’s this about?” I said, placing the teacup in front of him. I noticed that my hand was trembling. I glanced up to see Detective Kaga looking at my hand.
    He didn’t touch his tea. “Actually,” he said, staring straight at me, “I’ve come to say something extremely difficult.”
    â€œYes?” I was desperately trying to remain calm, when in fact my heart was racing so fast, I thought I might pass out at any moment.
    â€œI’m going to have to ask you to let me search your apartment.”
    I tried a look of astonishment, then let it fade into what I hoped was a natural-looking smile. I’m not sure whether the performance worked. To Kaga, I’m afraid it probably just looked like a grimace.
    â€œWhat’s this about? You’re not going to find anything here.”
    â€œI wish that were true, but I’m afraid I will.”
    â€œWait a second. Let me get this straight: You think I killed Hidaka? And you think you’re going to find evidence of that here?”
    Detective Kaga gave a short nod. “Essentially, yes.”
    â€œWell, this is a surprise,” I lied. I shook my head and attempted a little sigh. This performance was already straining the limits of my abilities. “I’m not sure what to say, this is so unexpected. That is, unless you’re joking? But … you’re not, are you.”
    â€œNo, I’m afraid I’m quite serious. As much as it pains me to have to say that to a former colleague, I have a duty to uncover the truth, wherever it may lie.”
    â€œI understand your job, and I know that any reasonable suspicion, even if it involves a good friend or close relative, has to be investigated. But, to be honest, I’m surprised and more than a little bewildered. It’s all so sudden.”
    â€œI’ve brought a warrant.”
    â€œA search warrant? I’m sure you have. But before you start waving it around, maybe you can tell me why it’s come to this? I mean—”
    â€œWhy I suspect you?”
    â€œYes, I guess that’s it. Or do you normally just start rooting through someone’s stuff without so much as a word of explanation?”
    â€œSometimes, if