The Fifth Chapter:
The Thinking Machine
* * * 12 April --- 16:00 * * *
Freud once said "the strength of the taboo against homicide is the measure of its attraction". Just as Adam yearned to learn the taste of the forbidden fruit, the curse of curiosity often propelled humans to venture into forbidden territories. In this case, it was the realm of murder. What curbed some and promoted others to kill were the circumstances, the levels of self-control, the beliefs, and deterrence, generated by the legal system. Although most of the passengers on board section 15 had either killed or witnessed gruesome slayings in the past, the thought of being so close to a cunning and diligent murderer could still bring about agitation. The atmosphere became tenser as minutes and hours passed without a sign of the return of Togashi. Finally, as the old grandfather clock in the dining cart struck 4 times, Captain Kuuya appeared, wearing a melancholic expression on his now weather beaten countenance.
"Dear guests, I am sorry that I have to announce this terrible piece of news. The main communication system in the train was tampered and destroyed soon after Mr. Togashi logged off. In the last 240 minutes, we have tried to repair it but our efforts were in vain and I must now declare that until we arrive at Yu Yu land, we are completely isolated from the external world. Consequently, the official investigation will be postponed until our arrival at our destination. In the meantime, I urge each of you to take extra precaution of your own safety. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the staff on board. Thank you for your attention."
"Captain, why do you have to investigate at all? It's obvious that the murderer is this Koenma and his subordinates. They were the only ones who have the motive to kill my brother!" Mai said with rage and focused her fierce eyes on the white face of Koenma. The latter though remained calm and silent. It was Yusuke who replied with anger, "Bitch, what the heck are you talking about? We didn't kill your brother!"
"You didn't? Then who else would. You were the only ones with the motive anyway." Mai fought back bravely.
"Miss Mai, Mr. Yuusuke, please calm down." Captain Kuuya requested politely. Mai took a deep breath and tried to calm herself but she would not remove her fearsome glance from Koenma and Yuusuke's faces. "Now, Miss Mai, can you please elaborate a little on what you just said? Why would you think Mr. Koenma and his companions are the murderers?"
"Well, you see Captain, my brother was imprisoned for a long time because the rulers of the Spiritual World were afraid that my brother's immense powers would pose a threat to their sovereignty. We were about to give up hope after a series of doomed rescued trials, when the memory seal on my brother suddenly weakened. We seized this opportunity to get our brother out of the Spiritual World and we boarded this train to escape but somehow those people from the Spiritual World managed to track us down. Knowing we could not fight on the Moonlight Express, they poisoned my brother end of story. The case was clear and simple. So, captain, please arrest though murderers!"
"Oh my gosh, Mr. Koenma, was what Miss Mai saying true?"
"Yes and No, Captain" Koenma replied with tranquility and authority. His usual appearance might be a child but his handling of the current crisis indicated that he lived much longer than he looked. "It was true that we boarded this train in pursuit of the escaped convict, Mr. Ryo. However, we did not poison Mr. Ryo."
"Since when would a murderer admit to a crime?" Mai shouted with fury.
"Sorry to disturb you," Gon raised his hand and said courteously, "but I think it is too early to say Mr. Koenma is the murderer because there is no evidence indicating that he gave Mr. Ryo the poison."
"Besides," Killua said after taking a sip from his strawberry milkshake, "how do we know that Koenma is the only one who has the motive to kill this Ryo guy. You are his sister, it's also likely that for some reason you want to get rid of him and so pretend to bring him onto this train and poison him."
"What! You little brat, what are you saying!" Mai was absolutely furious and ready to blast off like the nuclear bomb in Yokoshima.
"Please clam down, Miss Mai" Captain Kuuya literally begged her this time while wiping sweat that began to collect on his forehead. The waiter, Takeshi who had not spoken a word, suddenly said, "I also think it is too early jump to conclusions at this stage but Captain, I think it will help if we have a brief chat with each of the passengers".
"Takeshi, but we are not detectives!"
"We aren't but we can learn to be. I started downloading the dummy guide that Mr. Takashi was talking about the moment he mentioned it. I think I shall be able to push the investigation a little forward with the help of that book. Besides, knowing Mr. Takashi, it would be good if we have something to report as soon as we arrive since he would not want to bother himself with every single minute detail."
Captain Kuuya stared at the reliable face of Takeshi and let out a sigh, "maybe that's a good idea. I'll count on you then, Takeshi."
"Yes, Captain, please leave it to me. I will try my best". Then, he turned to the guests and said, "Dear guests, sorry to keep you waiting. You can all return to your room now. When your name is called though, please come to the dining cart for a brief chat with me. It is not an official interrogation but I just would like to get a few details of why you are on board this train and what you were doing last night. If that is alright with all of you," Takeshi quickly surveyed the faces of the guests. Apparently none was pleased but all of them seemed to think that was better than sitting, waiting, and doing nothing.
"In this case, I shall begin with the passenger in 1501. Mr. Kuroro, could you please stay?" Kuroro remained in his chair with his eyes closed. He attentively listened to the hurriedly departing footsteps of the passengers. When the dining cart became deadly silent again, he opened his eyes. Takeshi was already seated right opposite him. He slowly opened his eyes and said, "You mind if I have a coffee while we talk?"
"I will bring it for you." Takeshi rose but Kaori, who was still in the dining cart, halted him. "I will fetch the coffee." She said and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Mr. Kuroro, I don't want to keep you for long so I'll make it clean and fast. First, could you please tell me why you were on board this train?"
Kuroro did not say anything, he just stared at Takeshi with his cold and calculative eyes as if he was trying to read the latter's mind. Takeshi felt a chill in his spine as he looked at the face of Kuroro. That expressionless but dangerous face and the cross on the forehead, although invisible, seemed to be emitting an evil aura.
"For business", Kuroro finally said when Kaori reappeared with his coffee, a few packets of sugar, and a tiny jar of milk.
"What kind of business?"
"A secret" Kuroro said while sipping his black coffee. Kaori let out a sigh of disappointment at hearing the reply. Takeshi seemed to notice the burning curiosity inside Kaori and invited her to take a seat, which Kaori happily complied. Kuroro smiled and said, "Just kidding. I am sure you will find out sooner or later so it's better if you hear my version of the story. The truth is, I have business with Mr. Ryo and the transaction will take place on this train, at the banquet tonight. The substance of the transaction I can't reveal but I can tell you that my friends and I have absolutely no reason to kill Mr. Ryo."
"Why?" Kaori asked.
"Simply because we still haven't had the chance to finish the transaction with Mr. Ryo. I spent a fortune to get myself and my friends on board this luxurious train and we are not stupid enough to kill off our business partner before getting what we want. Makes sense?"
"Most certainly. Seems like we can move on to the next question, do you know anything about Elkuzine?"
"No, I don't know much about medicine as I'm not a doctor".
"Would any of your friends know about it?"
"I don't know as I am not a psychic and I can't read what's in my friends' minds."
"Okay, then why don't we move onto my last question: What were you doing last night?"
"I was in my room."
"By yourself?"
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"
"Not really, could anyone verify that?"
"Your computer system can. Doesn't it log the number of times I enter and exit my room?"
"Yes, it does but look, the murderer is a computer expert who can easily hack into the system and disable the medical scan as well as disconnect us from the outer world. We cannot trust our computer anymore."
"Then, you just have my words to trust."
"I see, thank you very much Mr. Kuroro. That is all for the moment but I hope you will cooperate with us should we have further inquiries."
"Naturally, I also want to know who killed Mr. Ryo and interrupted our plans. By the way, Miss Kaori," Kuroro smiled attractively as he scribbled a name and number on the napkin, "the coffee is excellent. In case you are tired of working on the Moonlight Express, give my pal a call. I am sure he can provide you with the funds you need in case you wish to open a coffee store. After all, I am sick and tired of the many Starsucks in Meteorite Street."
Kuroro then rose and left the room, leaving behind the blushing Kaori whose face turned pink like a Fuji apple, and the quiet Takeshi who was pondering like the thinking machine.
Who will be next?
To be continued
The Thinking Machine
* * * 12 April --- 16:00 * * *
Freud once said "the strength of the taboo against homicide is the measure of its attraction". Just as Adam yearned to learn the taste of the forbidden fruit, the curse of curiosity often propelled humans to venture into forbidden territories. In this case, it was the realm of murder. What curbed some and promoted others to kill were the circumstances, the levels of self-control, the beliefs, and deterrence, generated by the legal system. Although most of the passengers on board section 15 had either killed or witnessed gruesome slayings in the past, the thought of being so close to a cunning and diligent murderer could still bring about agitation. The atmosphere became tenser as minutes and hours passed without a sign of the return of Togashi. Finally, as the old grandfather clock in the dining cart struck 4 times, Captain Kuuya appeared, wearing a melancholic expression on his now weather beaten countenance.
"Dear guests, I am sorry that I have to announce this terrible piece of news. The main communication system in the train was tampered and destroyed soon after Mr. Togashi logged off. In the last 240 minutes, we have tried to repair it but our efforts were in vain and I must now declare that until we arrive at Yu Yu land, we are completely isolated from the external world. Consequently, the official investigation will be postponed until our arrival at our destination. In the meantime, I urge each of you to take extra precaution of your own safety. If you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the staff on board. Thank you for your attention."
"Captain, why do you have to investigate at all? It's obvious that the murderer is this Koenma and his subordinates. They were the only ones who have the motive to kill my brother!" Mai said with rage and focused her fierce eyes on the white face of Koenma. The latter though remained calm and silent. It was Yusuke who replied with anger, "Bitch, what the heck are you talking about? We didn't kill your brother!"
"You didn't? Then who else would. You were the only ones with the motive anyway." Mai fought back bravely.
"Miss Mai, Mr. Yuusuke, please calm down." Captain Kuuya requested politely. Mai took a deep breath and tried to calm herself but she would not remove her fearsome glance from Koenma and Yuusuke's faces. "Now, Miss Mai, can you please elaborate a little on what you just said? Why would you think Mr. Koenma and his companions are the murderers?"
"Well, you see Captain, my brother was imprisoned for a long time because the rulers of the Spiritual World were afraid that my brother's immense powers would pose a threat to their sovereignty. We were about to give up hope after a series of doomed rescued trials, when the memory seal on my brother suddenly weakened. We seized this opportunity to get our brother out of the Spiritual World and we boarded this train to escape but somehow those people from the Spiritual World managed to track us down. Knowing we could not fight on the Moonlight Express, they poisoned my brother end of story. The case was clear and simple. So, captain, please arrest though murderers!"
"Oh my gosh, Mr. Koenma, was what Miss Mai saying true?"
"Yes and No, Captain" Koenma replied with tranquility and authority. His usual appearance might be a child but his handling of the current crisis indicated that he lived much longer than he looked. "It was true that we boarded this train in pursuit of the escaped convict, Mr. Ryo. However, we did not poison Mr. Ryo."
"Since when would a murderer admit to a crime?" Mai shouted with fury.
"Sorry to disturb you," Gon raised his hand and said courteously, "but I think it is too early to say Mr. Koenma is the murderer because there is no evidence indicating that he gave Mr. Ryo the poison."
"Besides," Killua said after taking a sip from his strawberry milkshake, "how do we know that Koenma is the only one who has the motive to kill this Ryo guy. You are his sister, it's also likely that for some reason you want to get rid of him and so pretend to bring him onto this train and poison him."
"What! You little brat, what are you saying!" Mai was absolutely furious and ready to blast off like the nuclear bomb in Yokoshima.
"Please clam down, Miss Mai" Captain Kuuya literally begged her this time while wiping sweat that began to collect on his forehead. The waiter, Takeshi who had not spoken a word, suddenly said, "I also think it is too early jump to conclusions at this stage but Captain, I think it will help if we have a brief chat with each of the passengers".
"Takeshi, but we are not detectives!"
"We aren't but we can learn to be. I started downloading the dummy guide that Mr. Takashi was talking about the moment he mentioned it. I think I shall be able to push the investigation a little forward with the help of that book. Besides, knowing Mr. Takashi, it would be good if we have something to report as soon as we arrive since he would not want to bother himself with every single minute detail."
Captain Kuuya stared at the reliable face of Takeshi and let out a sigh, "maybe that's a good idea. I'll count on you then, Takeshi."
"Yes, Captain, please leave it to me. I will try my best". Then, he turned to the guests and said, "Dear guests, sorry to keep you waiting. You can all return to your room now. When your name is called though, please come to the dining cart for a brief chat with me. It is not an official interrogation but I just would like to get a few details of why you are on board this train and what you were doing last night. If that is alright with all of you," Takeshi quickly surveyed the faces of the guests. Apparently none was pleased but all of them seemed to think that was better than sitting, waiting, and doing nothing.
"In this case, I shall begin with the passenger in 1501. Mr. Kuroro, could you please stay?" Kuroro remained in his chair with his eyes closed. He attentively listened to the hurriedly departing footsteps of the passengers. When the dining cart became deadly silent again, he opened his eyes. Takeshi was already seated right opposite him. He slowly opened his eyes and said, "You mind if I have a coffee while we talk?"
"I will bring it for you." Takeshi rose but Kaori, who was still in the dining cart, halted him. "I will fetch the coffee." She said and disappeared into the kitchen.
"Mr. Kuroro, I don't want to keep you for long so I'll make it clean and fast. First, could you please tell me why you were on board this train?"
Kuroro did not say anything, he just stared at Takeshi with his cold and calculative eyes as if he was trying to read the latter's mind. Takeshi felt a chill in his spine as he looked at the face of Kuroro. That expressionless but dangerous face and the cross on the forehead, although invisible, seemed to be emitting an evil aura.
"For business", Kuroro finally said when Kaori reappeared with his coffee, a few packets of sugar, and a tiny jar of milk.
"What kind of business?"
"A secret" Kuroro said while sipping his black coffee. Kaori let out a sigh of disappointment at hearing the reply. Takeshi seemed to notice the burning curiosity inside Kaori and invited her to take a seat, which Kaori happily complied. Kuroro smiled and said, "Just kidding. I am sure you will find out sooner or later so it's better if you hear my version of the story. The truth is, I have business with Mr. Ryo and the transaction will take place on this train, at the banquet tonight. The substance of the transaction I can't reveal but I can tell you that my friends and I have absolutely no reason to kill Mr. Ryo."
"Why?" Kaori asked.
"Simply because we still haven't had the chance to finish the transaction with Mr. Ryo. I spent a fortune to get myself and my friends on board this luxurious train and we are not stupid enough to kill off our business partner before getting what we want. Makes sense?"
"Most certainly. Seems like we can move on to the next question, do you know anything about Elkuzine?"
"No, I don't know much about medicine as I'm not a doctor".
"Would any of your friends know about it?"
"I don't know as I am not a psychic and I can't read what's in my friends' minds."
"Okay, then why don't we move onto my last question: What were you doing last night?"
"I was in my room."
"By yourself?"
"Yes. Is there a problem with that?"
"Not really, could anyone verify that?"
"Your computer system can. Doesn't it log the number of times I enter and exit my room?"
"Yes, it does but look, the murderer is a computer expert who can easily hack into the system and disable the medical scan as well as disconnect us from the outer world. We cannot trust our computer anymore."
"Then, you just have my words to trust."
"I see, thank you very much Mr. Kuroro. That is all for the moment but I hope you will cooperate with us should we have further inquiries."
"Naturally, I also want to know who killed Mr. Ryo and interrupted our plans. By the way, Miss Kaori," Kuroro smiled attractively as he scribbled a name and number on the napkin, "the coffee is excellent. In case you are tired of working on the Moonlight Express, give my pal a call. I am sure he can provide you with the funds you need in case you wish to open a coffee store. After all, I am sick and tired of the many Starsucks in Meteorite Street."
Kuroro then rose and left the room, leaving behind the blushing Kaori whose face turned pink like a Fuji apple, and the quiet Takeshi who was pondering like the thinking machine.
Who will be next?
To be continued
