Page 101 of Sixty Meters Under

He said it with such desperation that it caught Ryosuke off guard. It certainly wasn’t professional for a detective, he noticed.

Although still unwilling, Ryosuke sighed. “Okay.”

Lennart kept his eyes on him while Ryosuke spoke, “We were both dead drunk. S-Scarlett got very pushy and became aggressive in her attempts. She wanted to kiss me even though I did my best to push her away from me.” Ryosuke decided not to mention that she reached for his crotch as well. “Since she didn’t stop, I searched for the nearest object and hit her in the head. Everything happened so fast. I didn’t even realize what I had done at the moment.”

Lennart’s face darkened. “Fortunately, that was not the reason she died.”

Ryosuke’s eyes went wide. “What?”

“We have discovered that Scarlett was actually poisoned.”

“You should have told me this right away,” Ryosuke said, thinking he could have avoided telling Lennart the details.

Lennart shrugged his shoulders. “I’m telling you now.”

Ryosuke frowned and looked away, irritated. A small smirk formed on Lennart’s lips, but it disappeared quickly, and his face looked serious and unreadable once more.

Ryosuke’s cheeks reddened when Lennart took a step closer, and spoke, “You’re still not off the list of suspects.”

“That’s logical.”

“You should have told me everything, not try to take your own life,” Lennart added.

“It’s not easy to wake up and realize you ended someone’s life,” Ryosuke said with a shaky voice. He remembered all that bothered him, and along with it were the feelings he held for his investigator. “I would still prefer it if I succeeded in ending my own life.”

“You should seek help. Psychologists are here to help everybody who feels down.”

“I know. But it is my decision.” Ryosuke still avoided looking Lennart in the eye.

“You still want to do it?”

Ryosuke swallowed hard.

“I… I…”

“You need to see a psychologist. As soon as possible.”

Ryosuke remained quiet and stared at the wall.

“I don’t want you to hurt yourself again,” Lennart added and left the room.

These last words echoed in Ryosuke’s mind, making him wonder about the meaning behind them.

→

Seeing Ryosuke’s face, Lennart realized he had slipped, said too much. He was frustrated by Ryosuke’s stubbornness, so he lost his cool for a moment. He wanted to be able to help Ryosuke somehow, but his hands were tied. It would be stupid, illogical and unprofessional on his part if he pressed further; he had to keep his feelings to himself.

He decided it was time to go before he said something more inappropriate or embarrassing. But, on his way he got a crazy urge to go back. To sit on the edge of the bed, take Ryosuke’s hand in his and tell him everything. Instead he clenched his fists and continued walking toward the door.

Once out Lennart noticed a nurse down the hall. “Excuse me!”

The woman stopped and turned. Lennart strode to her and said, “I need to ask for a favor.”

She gave him a small smile. “Yes? What can I do for you?”

“Would you be able to check on Mr. Kato more often?”

“Yes. Of course.”