Dumb cop, liar cop (Oumota)

Case of the Drowned Man 2

Kokichi was really annoyed with the new recruit. He was really the biggest airhead he ever met. It was also unfortunate that for a total dumbass, the cop was totally handsome.

Wait, what? Kokichi shook the absurd thought out of his head. Kaito was now talking to the maid, who is all stoic and serious. The newbie was not even focusing on interrogating her, but rather spewing soft words about how sorry he is that she had to see the body. 

Apparently, the maid, Kirumi Tojo, had been working at this apartment complex for years. She and Ryouma were acquaintances.

"Don't worry, Miss Kirumi!" Kaito proclaimed loudly, "I'll solve this case definitely. We'll definitely figure out the truth and give you peace of mind!"

Idiot, you're probably speaking to the murderer...

Kokichi put on a blank face as he reexamined the bathroom. He secretly felt a little relieved that the new recruits are sort of dumb. It makes them less suspicious... But he couldn't be sure. He had so much planned, he couldn't give away any clues. Trust no one, Amami had told him.

"Uh... Detective Kokichi?" Kokichi looked up to see the emo kid with a black baseball cap.

"Oh. You're here. I guess Kaede chewed me out for leaving you behind and gave you my location?"

"Yes," Shuichi said, "The captain told me to not be so nervous around you, and that half of everything you say has good intentions."

"Nehehe, she said that about me? Maybe that's her lie." Kokichi said, grinning. Kaede always treated him like a kid. He bet she was going to scold him once they were done today again.

"A-anyway, how is the case progressing?"

"Well, the crime scene has been cleared," Kokichi said, "Though there is still somewhere in this complex we should check. But maybe that's a lie~"

The shy detective narrowed his eyes, surprising Kokichi. This new cop seemed to be actually thinking about what he is saying, analyzing the situation. Interesting...

"You mean to check the cameras in the hallways, right? Apartments like these usually are equipped with surveillance."

Kokichi gave a small chuckle to hide his surprise, "So you do have some experience! Not boring at all."

...

Kaito was having a good chat with Kirumi. The maid was extremely polite and nice. She wore a long dress and offered to bring tea to the other officers for refreshment. She wore a pair of dark-colored gloves that were always neatly folded in her lap. She was ever patient and waiting.

"You are amazing, Miss Kirumi. Being a maid must be a tiresome job. Why do you enjoy it so much?"

"My purpose is to serve others. As a maid, I will do my best to be useful for everyone."

"I get what you mean. That's why I chose my job too," Kaito said. Kirumi smiled like mona lisa for a split second before returning to her stony expression.

"I respect your diligence very much."

"I'm sorry to bother you with this," Kaito said, "But I still need to ask you some questions for my job."

"I'll answer whatever I am able to," Kirumi nods.

"Where were you last night?"

"Last night I took a day off of work. I had to help take care of a sick relative; my boss can confirm my story."

"Did you notice anything strange when discovering the body?"

"Nothing comes to mind."

"Why did you go to Ryouma's apartment this morning?"

"I routinely clean his room every morning. Mr. Ryouma usually leaves his room early in the morning, so it is more efficient for me to come during then."

"That's all," Kaito said. There wasn't any need to ask more questions. Kirumi is obviously not the killer. "Nice meeting you, Miss Kirumi."

"Likewise," Kirumi bowed. While she was leaving, Kaito spotted a slight tear in her left glove, leaving a small hole. She probably got it while cleaning, he thought. Man, being a maid was tough...

...

"..."

"This was unexpected," Kokichi said cheerfully.

The security room was empty. Whoever was supposed to be watching the room was either taking an unearned break or in the bathroom. Someone had used that time to enter the security room and take the tapes on the surveillance cameras.

"Whoever took the tapes, they're probably the culprit we're looking for," Shuichi said, "They knew that the tapes would reveal their identity, so they stole the surveillance footage. No fingerprints... they were probably wearing gloves."

"Ohhh no! What a terrible loss!"

"I-i guess we need to look elsewhere for evidence, then," Shuichi said.

"Hehe, are you really a detective? Don't give up so easily." Kokichi said, "The culprit still left an important clue for us..."

Kokichi pointed towards the knob on the machines. On it rested a small piece of fabric that seemed to belong to a dark-colored glove.

...

Kaito was shocked to find Kirumi in the interrogation room at the police station. He immediately turned to Kokichi angrily. "Why in the world did you bring Miss Kirumi here? I already questioned her."

"Obviously because she is the main suspect, of course," Kokichi said. 

"That's total bullsh*t!" 

"Kaito, please," Shuichi said, "We have sound reason to believe Kirumi to be responsible for killing Ryouma Hoshi--"

"Whatever the reason is, it's wrong! You don't know Kirumi! She wouldn't plan someone's murder."

"Oh?" Kokichi's eyes glinted, "And you think you know more than me after just talking to her for thirty minutes?"

"Time doesn't matter! I have complete faith in her."

"Why you have to be such an idiot--"

"STOP!" Shuichi said, suddenly raising his voice, "What is with you two? You have only met for half a day and you argue like an old couple."

Both Kokichi and Kaito was surprised by the quiet detective's sudden outburst, and halfheartedly murmured apologies.

"Good," Shuichi said, speaking like a referee, "We'll all go interrogate her together. After we decided whether or not she's the culprit, then you two and fight all you want."