Tokyo Year Zero by David Peace Read Free Book Online Page A

returned to Chief Inspector Kanehara. Now Chief Kita nods at me and I begin my report; I repeat the timetable of the discovery and reporting of the first body; I detail the state and environment of the first body on our arrival; I recount my initial interview with the lumberjack; I defer then to Adachi who reports the timetable involving the photographer and the ambulance –
    ‘My initial deduction upon seeing the body was that a murder had been committed. Therefore, I ordered Inspector Minami and his men to conduct a thorough search of the immediate area surrounding the body. It was during the course of this search that Inspector Minami himself discovered the second body, which was approximately ten metres from the site of the first body.’
    ‘Detective Inspector Minami, please…’
    ‘As Chief Inspector Adachi has said, the second body was approximately ten metres from the site of the first body. The second body was badly decomposed and largely skeletal, but it appears to be the body of a young woman. However, unlike the first body, it was not naked but wearing a white half-sleeved chemise, a yellow and dark-blue striped pinafore dress, pink socks and white canvas shoes with red rubber soles. Initial inspection and experience would suggest that death occurred between three and four weeks ago but of course that will be precisely determined by the autopsy. It is clear though that the two women did not die at the same time.’
    ‘Do you believe these deaths are connected?’ asks Chief Kita.
    ‘Until the results of the autopsy are known, the location andsex of the two bodies remain the only connecting factors,’ I reply. ‘Despite their proximity, the nature of the vegetation meant that the site of one body was not visible from the other. As you are all aware, there was what would seem to be a piece of material tied round the neck of the first body, leading us to assume that death was a result of murder. On preliminary examination of the second body, no such material was found, nor were there any other obvious signs of a murder having occurred. As we know, in the last year a number of bodies have been found in the environs of Shiba Park. However, before today’s discovery, only one of these has proved to be murder. The other deaths were as a result of either suicide or disease.’
    Chief Kita nods. Chief Kita says, ‘Chief Inspector?’
    Adachi nods, reluctantly. ‘I agree with Inspector Minami.’
    ‘Then we’ll handle the two cases separately,’ says the chief. ‘Until we have the results from the autopsies which will be…?’
    ‘The day after tomorrow,’ says Adachi.
    ‘From Keiō or Tokyo?’
    ‘From Keiō…’
    ‘By?’
    ‘Dr. Nakadate.’
    Kanehara and Kai pretend not to look up from their notes. Kanehara and Kai pretend not to look from me to Adachi to Chief Kita. Kanehara and Kai pretend not to see our exchange of glances –
    I don’t want to remember. I don’t want to remember
…
    ‘It can’t be helped,’ says the chief. ‘Let’s proceed…’
    Now comes the structure of the investigation. The delegation of responsibility. The division of labour
…
    ‘Inspector Kai and Room #1 will open the investigation into the first body. Inspector Kai and Room #1 will set up their Investigation Headquarters at the Atago police station. Inspector Kai will report to Chief Inspector Kanehara.’
    Inspector Kai bows. Inspector Kai shouts, ‘I understand! Thank you! I will not let you down!’
    Chief Inspector Kanehara bows. Kanehara shouts, ‘Thank you! I will not let you down!’
    ‘Inspector Minami and Room #2 will investigate the second body found at Shiba Park…’
    I bow too hastily; there must be a hint of relief, a glimpse of respite in my action, because Chief Kita’s tone is harsh now –
    ‘Inspector Minami and Room #2 will conduct the investigation as a murder inquiry. Inspector Minami and Room #2 will also set up their Investigation Headquarters at Atago police station until further