Page 72 of Sixty Meters Under

“That’s great news, Sarah! I’m glad that Santa managed to bring it for you.”

“Yay! Me too!” The girl hugged her new doll.

Lennart smiled and shifted his focus back on his plate. He was glad to see that at least the kids were happy on Christmas day.

?

It was almost 9:30, and Ryosuke was mentally preparing for another interrogation.

I will surely be questioned again. Why would he tell me to come otherwise?

He headed for the door when the time came.

“Good luck!” Ayame said when she saw him leave.

“Thanks. I’ll be back soon,” Ryosuke said without turning. He grabbed the handle and disappeared on the other side of the door. He was convinced that this new round of questioning wouldn’t take too long.

As he entered the investigating room, he saw Lennart already sitting at the table. He had the laptop open in front of him and he had some device attached to it. He seemed immersed in his thoughts, but when he noticed Ryosuke enter he looked up.

“Good morning, Mr. Kato.”

“Good morning, Mr. Landberg.”

Lennart pointed to the chair in front of him. “Please take a seat.”

Ryosuke pulled the chair out and joined Lennart at the table. He tried his best not to let his face or body betray how nervous he felt.

Lennart looked back at his laptop screen, and Ryosuke could hear him tapping the keyboard. “Today we’re here to compare your fingerprints,” Lennart added and looked up. “With the ones we found on the dispenser.”

Ryosuke nodded. “Okay.” A conscious decision, he’d avoid talking more than necessary.

“There’s a fingerprint reader.” Lennart pointed at the small device. “Please place your hand on the table and put your index finger on the screen.”

Ryosuke put his right hand on the table first because it was closer to the reader, and did as Lennart instructed. As his index finger touched the tiny surface, Lennart placed his own fingers on his and pressed a little.

Ryosuke was taken aback by this gesture. He looked at their joined fingers then back at the man. Lennart focused on the screen as if nothing had happened.

“Now roll your finger from one side to another.”

Ryosuke was about to do so, but Lennart assisted him with the task and guided his finger across the scanner.

What is he doing? Do I look incapable of doing it myself?Ryosuke thought, irritated, but at the same time he liked the feeling of Lennart’s fingers on his. He had to fight the blush threatening to form on his face.

“Now give me your middle finger,” Lennart said casually, his focus on the screen.

Ryosuke took a deep breath as he placed his middle finger on the scanner. Lennart continued to assist him as if it was a normal thing to do, but this time he pressed his finger harder. Ryosuke gasped in surprise.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to press that hard.”

Ryosuke looked at Lennart in disbelief but remained silent.

When they finished with his right hand they moved on to his left. Ryosuke sat patiently and waited until Lennart looked up at him once again.

“Mr. Kato, after comparing all the available prints I have come to a conclusion,” Lennart said, but trailed off.

“What conclusion?”

“The fingerprints found on the liquid soap dispenser match yours.”