Zero’s Truth: Forensic Medical Examiner Matsumoto Maou
(Matsumoto Mao) You killed my mother?
(Kosugi Sadao) Your mother was a goddess. I have no reason to kill a goddess.
(Kosugi) I was sentenced for killing 3 men.
Dr. Indene.
Where were you 8 years ago?
Why did you lie to Mao-kun 8 years ago?
(Kosugi) You perverted that kid!
(Indene) Kosugi Sadao killed three persons.
He killed them on account of you?
(Kosugi) Indene Kyoko is a liar. Don't trust that woman.
(Indene) What's the link between her and that inmate?
(Indene) You know more than you let on?
(Yashiki Ichiro) Tell me about that inmate on death-row.
You met Kosugi 178 times in Tokyo Detention Center…
What do you do that for?
I was the first to interrogate Kosugi.
In August 8 years ago…
Kosugi Sadao came to the Police Department to surrender.
(Yashiki) He said: I'm a killer.
You're a professor in a famous university?
Why did you kill?
Well…
Don't try to fool the police.
I don't know the name.
I didn't come here to answer questions…
Then why?
I want to die.
An intellectual without much sense.
They don't give the death penalty so easily.
But if I told you I killed 3 men?
3 men?
Mamiya Manabu, 1991.
Maruyama Kyosuke, 2000.
Asao Ryuta, 2006.
He admitted to killing those 3.
But the motive of the murders…
He had no connection, never spoke with them.
But we had no suspect, and Kosugi knew details about the murders.
And about the place and circumstances.
While there was no eyewitness.
We also found the 3 weapons at his place.
(Presiding judge) This is my sentence.
The defendant will be punished by death.
Kosugi listened to the trial in silence…
He also refused a lawyer.
(Yashiki) This case made the headlines "University Professor serial killer".
He posed as a gratuitous murderer acting for fun.
But Kosugi, I'm sure, had a solid motive.
I'm sure he was linked somehow to his victims.
Whatever Kosugi achieved with those 3 murders remains a mystery.
We found neither purpose nor relationship.
The case was closed eight years ago.
I have no interest in Kosugi.
So why do you go visit him?
You're… related to Kosugi?
Tell me the truth.
There's nothing we can change but…
I want to know about my mother.
Your mother?
My mother was a student with Professor Kosugi.
It seems she worked in the lab with him at the Faculty of Science and Technology.
You're Kosugi's daughter?
I do not know. Kosugi denied it.
My mother gave me up at birth.
16 year later…
My mother suddenly wished to reconnect with me.
At that time I was in the United States…
To check her DNA…
I made a temporary stay in Japan.
But……
But the day we were supposed to meet.
My mother died.
(Mao) At the age 16…
The first time I saw my mother, was as a corpse.
That was August 12, 2006.
That was 1 week before Kosugi killed Asao Ryuta.
She fell from the roof of the General Hospital…
And died instantly from the fall.
Cause of death: fracture of the cervical spine.
Is it a murder or a suicide or an accident?
The the post-mortem report could not establish it.
They didn't find…
(Siren of a fire truck).
Good morning. (Iwamatsu Masahiko) Good morning.
Unidentified man.
Burned body discovered in a building on fire.
(Tomita Hajime) There has been 3 arsons in Toshima the same day.
There's been only one death, the other arsons were minor.
There's just one person we can't find from that burnt building…
Suzumoto Kentaro, 36, his blood type matches that of this body.
You mean this man was surprised in his sleep?
I'm starting.
I decide when it starts.
I'm starting. -Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh…
I'll do that, you're just an assistant.
Reply! -Yes.
Tsk!
Apart from the burning, there are no traumas.
One spot is not burnt.
Pink color from Postmortem lividity.
That Pink color means he died of carbon monoxide asphyxiation?
That's right.
You're bothering us.
Sorry. -I'm opening the airway.
Music.
Almost no soot in the aiareway.
Huh? -He didn't inhale soot.
He was dead when the fire burned him.
Huh?
How can an inspector be so dense?
He dies of carbon monoxide inhalation.
Then the fire reached his room.
I examine the blood. -Why?
For carbon monoxide concentration.
No need. We know he died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Hosaka-san. -Yes.
Check his blood type, quickly. -Yes.
I'll hurry.
I check the lungs.
who's the surgeon here?
I'm telling you to wait for orders!
Listen to people!
(Nakayama Mitsunori) Kiyoshi, Good luck. -We know why he died.
No need to spend extra time.
Just for your fun.
The organs could reveal something. -He died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
There's no point in further cutting that body.
Dr. Iwamatsu do you agree? -What?
Dr. Nakayama am I right?
Since you're a surgeon your opinion should suffice.
Please Dr. Indene, say something.
Can't you decide?
You're bothering everyone…
Take organ samples while you're at it.
I take out the liver.
Hopeless…
(Door opening) There, there… Dr. Indene.
He went to the toilet.
A little beep.
What?
Yeah?
What's with this girl?
What's with this team?
What's with me?
(Hosaka) Thank you so much.
Carbon monoxide hemoglobin saturation, 80%.
(Iwamatsu) We knew what it was, why did you need the lab?
Lab test cost to the tax payers.
You all turn into 'chief's.
Kiyoshi is long in the toilet.
Where do we go for lunch?
(Nakayama) I'd like the pig bowl at Tonton-tei. (Iwamatsu) How about cold noodles?
Chief likes greasy food…
Cold noodles won't satisfy him.
(Nakayama) You okay Dr. Iwamatsu?
Take a break too Matsumoto.
Hosaka-san too. Yes.
You too. -(Tomita) What?
There's a hole in the stomach.
Huh?
Gastric acid has melted the membrane, the content has leaked.
What does that mean? -Autophagy.
Autophagy? What does that mean? -Autophagy.
Autophagy?
This person didn't die in the fire.
Music.
I checked with his parents in Fukui the teeth record confirms the identity.
The burned body is definitely Suzumoto Kentaro.
It's terrible for the parents.
He died of carbon monoxide poisoning yet…
It's not concerned to the arson in the building.
Uh? -(Nakayama) Why?
Destruction of organs was already quite advanced.
What do you mean by that?
While the person is alive the mucosa of the stomach is protected…
From the attack of gastric acid.
There's a balance between attack and defense.
At death the protective function is no longer performed.
Gastric acids melt the mucosa.
This is called autophagy.
However, when the body is burnt the mucosa hardens…
Autophagy stops.
Had Suzumoto died in the fire from carbon monoxide poisoning…
The fire would have burnt the body…
Too soon for the autophagy to occur.
The autophagy was so advanced that at least…
3 hours had elapsed since Suzumoto's death…
And then the fire occurred.
Considering carbon monoxide caused death…
What's the difference?
Just change the estimated time of death, and we close the file.
We haven't determined yet if it was murder, suicide or accidental death.
Why did the poisoning occur before the fire?
The police will do that. How many times do I have to remind you?
Since we took the organ samples our mission stops here.
[Hits the table].
What Matsumoto is doing, you take from here and do your police job.
Sure. -Tsk!
Well.
Music.
(Sigh).
Why did he die of carbon monoxide poisoning 3h before the arson?
I'll search now.
Why are you so obstinate?
Murder, suicide or accident.
Not knowing is unbearable.
Unbearable?
Unknown carbon monoxide poisoning…
Unknown fall to death…
Leaving it unsolved is unacceptable.
Music.
Kiyoshi was the surgeon, who does Matsumoto think she is?
Where's Kiyoshi? -He doesn't pick up his phone.
He's been manhandled between Indene and Matsumoto this morning.
He was hurt. (Hosaka) But he came back.
As if nothing had happened.
If he's back as if nothing had happened…
Please don't scold him. -Alright.
Ms. Akiyama. (Akiyama) Yesss.
Please call Miss Kume from the lab, we need her help.
Please chief, call her directly.
We are too busy at the moment, we're not lending you Kume.
It won't happen.
But I enjoy assisting autopsy.
No way!
Furthermore you're constantly stressed you'll get an ulcer.
That is so right.
I'll die here.
Everybody criticizes Dr. Izumisawa.
But I do like him.
My job at the municipal hospital was so cool.
My mother fell from the roof of the General Hospital…
and died instantly from the fall.
Nobody knows if it was murder, suicide or accident.
They said the fall was unexplained.
I don't know.
I'm the inspector who questioned you 8 years ago.
I don't know.
August 12, 2006…
A woman fell to her death from a roof.
Matsumoto Mao's mother.
Right before she died, she spoke with a man…
Doctor Asao Ryuta of the General Hospital.
He's the third person you killed.
At first I thought he had pushed her.
But at the time of her death…
Dr. Asao was at the nurse station.
He has a perfect alibi.
Nothing indicates if it was murder, suicide or accident.
I was also competent in the case.
And a week later you killed Asao Ryuta.
You wanted the police to believe it was random.
Why didn't you explain what happened?
You tried to obliterate the link between you, Matsumoto, her mother and Asao Ryuta.
But still 8 years later it's resurfacing.
What nonsense.
You had motive and plan to murder.
The life of all 3 men you took is linked to all of you…
My sentence my well be executed tomorrow.
So who cares anymore? -I do.
When Matsumoto Mao was given up for adoption.
Mamiya was killed.
Then in 15 years, Maruyama Kyosuke and Asao Ryuta.
What's the link with you, Matsumoto, her mother.
Are you Matsumoto's father?
Or Mamiya Manabu's father?
(Kosugi) So simple! People are not so easily linked in life.
There's something you want Matsumoto Mao to forgive you?
Before the sentence is executed, tell the truth.
Matsumoto Mao deserves the truth.
What would the truth be?
Mr. Yashiki.
The world doesn't hold any truth.
Mind and body are doomed to disappear.
Make up any story and that will be your truth.
You pushed her mother from that roof?
Believe that if you want.
Tell me the truth.
Your last assignment on earth.
Music.
(Hosaka) You're still at it?
It looks like a mummy now.
It didn't reveal much of its mystery.
Skin and muscles are burnt…
There's no more we can know from the organs.
He has no more story to tell.
The white sheet on the side… I cheat?
The sheet covers a clear skin.
Ah… the sheet!
It's not burnt on the side.
No trauma or exfoliation.
How did the carbon monoxide poisoning occur?
[Matsumoto Natsuko unknow cause of fall].
This is not acceptable.
(Cop) What are you doing?
Hey stop!
(Cop) Wait !
(Cop) Stop! Come down!
Music.
(Policeman) Quiet!
The 3 arsons in Toshima…
You're the author?
(Inspector) Why did you do it?
(Shibuya Masaki) Don't know. it just felt…
Suzumoto Kentaro died in the first building you set fire to.
Why?
Do you know Suzumoto?
I don't. the truth.
I don't know anyone in the building.
Music.
Mr. Yashiki, where were you all day?
The Toshima serial arsonist was arrested.
I don't think it's a simple arson.
There was just one victim.
But he didn't die in the fire, but before that.
How peculiar.
Murder or suicide, you bet?
I think, murder.
Dead from carbon monoxide poisoning 3h before…
Dr. Matsumoto doesn't notice.
Although it's a simple death in an arson, she's relentless…
That woman does everything excessively and relentlessly.
So you bet $500 it's murder? -Eh…?
How about $5? -Idiot, where's the thrill of betting $5.
I'm not betting.
The arsonist isn't linked to the victim anyway…
Two men can be linked with a woman in the middle. -A woman.
Have a clear look at it, there could be a woman.
I have a clear look for a woman.
Maybe a woman links them, you wanna bet? -Not betting.
Music.
(Sigh of indene).
Persistent as a mosquito…
(Akiyama) Oh? (Nakayama) What?
An email from Dr. Kodama.
E-mail? To you?
(Indene) Good morning. (Everyone) Good morning.
(Indene)What? -An E-mail from Kiyoshi…
"Good morning, I'm tired, I'll stay home today".
Please tell it to the chief. Regards ".
"Kodama Yoshihito".
He's not mailing to the chief, that's creepy?
Director Kodama's first name is Yoshihito.
Ms. Akiyama, could you visit him at noon?
It's my lunch break. -Leave him be.
He's not that sick. -You're right.
That would be a disaster if he resigns, I'm responsible.
Hey! Matsumoto-kun!
Yes. -Ehr…
No, better not.
The late Suzumoto had a girlfriend?
He was always complaining that he couldn't find one.
But there was a woman that came by from time to time.
That girl with the foot problem. -Yeah, she had a limp.
That woman had a limp?
(Shibuya Kumi) Thank you.
(Inspector) Mr. Tomita.
(Tomita) Who is this woman?
(Inspector) She's the wife of the arsonist Shibuya.
The wife of Shibuya?
I told her she couldn't see him here, she brought him some clothes.
Please see everything we have on her. -(Inspector) Sure.
We're done for today? -Let's go then.
(Nakayama) Good evening. -Good evening.
(Remote voices) Good evening.
You're still at it? Yes.
A little moderation?
There's still so much we don't know.
(Indene) People die every day…
We have several autopsies a day.
Suzumoto is just one of our responsibilities.
I'm performing routine autopsies too.
If you work overnight, it impacts tomorrow's work.
I don't think so.
[Locker: Susumoto Kentaro].
This is overconfidence.
Only you are not satisfied with the carbon monoxide poisoning conclusion…
It's only for your own satisfaction.
You unrelentingly cut bodies.
Dr. Kodama decides to stay home for his own satisfaction too.
You should reconsider your priorities.
With a cool head, please.
Music.
(Mobile phone).
What?
(Tomita) Shibuya's wife was classmate with Suzumoto.
They were thinking in junior high school in Fukui.
They're linked. -(Tomita) "Yes".
Serial arsons were staged.
Killing Suzumoto might be the motive.
I pay her a visit.
Hi, I'm with Tokyo Police Department.
What my husband did is inexcusable.
You visited Suzumoto Kentaro's workplace, right?
Suzumoto? -That's right.
That Suzumoto Kentaro you went to school with
I don't know that person.
Eh…?
Suzumoto Kentaro and you were in the same class in Fukui.
I don't remember a Suzumoto.
At 8 o'clock in the evening of August 25, what were you doing?
The night of August 25…
The plumber came to repair a pipe.
I opened later in the evening to give him time to work.
Please ask the employee.
How did it go?
Nothing.
The wife of the arsonist has an alibi.
When Suzumoto died she was with the plumber.
And at the time of the arson she was with customers.
I questioned the customers too.
Only the body of the victim can talk.
(Tomita) Is the body telling you something?
The sight of mummies used to upset your stomach.
Got used to it.
When burned the muscles and skin shrink…
They take the boxer posture.
Like that. -Right.
In that position the side is not exposed to fire.
Looking at the side…
There was nothing. -Dam.
So it's a dead-end.
The boxer posture…
Music.
Let's see the hand.
I open the closed hand.
Music.
This is yours, right?
No.
That's the way you want it?
Lay all the blame on your husband…
How about the truth?
Starting the yakitori restaurant with my husband we didn't have enough funds…
We borrowed $3,000 to my classmate Suzumoto.
We couldn't pay back.
(Kumi) I was paying him little by little each month.
Suzumoto said he wanted it all at once, or I should sleep with him.
As soon as the restaurant picks up we'll pay you back.
(Suzumoto Kentaro) Maybe she didn't tell you, but we were once lovers.
It's a lie ! -You pay those 3,000 back with your body.
(Shibuya) Even if we paid the 3,000 he wouldn't let go.
So… we needed to get rid of him.
(Kumi) I gave him a light sedative.
Suzumoto immediately fell asleep.
Music.
(Shibuya) Then I came…
I smoked Suzumoto out with briquettes.
(Shibuya) I came back a moment later.
I made sure he was dead, got rid of the briquettes.
(Shibuya)I set fire to the apartment.
No worries, you have the alibi of the customers.
But… -You get it?
(Tomita) So the 2 other arsons were staged?
You made it look like he'd died in the arson?
Music.
(Mobile phone).
Yes.
It's Tomita. The case is closed.
We mostly owe it to you Dr. Matsumoto.
(Sound of the door opening).
You finished your work?
Suzumoto was killed smoked out with Briquettes.
Briquettes or building fire may induce the same carbon monoxide poisoning.
But the truth behind both deaths is completely different.
Shame on the police who didn't find that.
I didn't solve it.
The truth always comes walking from the other side.
Simply I don't overlook it.
(Chime)
Chief sent you? -No.
We finished the autopsy of that burned body from 2 days ago.
This is the report.
You did it solo? -That's right.
You are something.
But you are the surgeon Dr. Kodama.
You're mocking me?
Suzumoto didn't die in the fire…
He was asphyxiated with briquettes.
No way.
The arson was used to conceal the murder.
That's the end of the report, excuse me.
Wait a minute! -You need anything else?
Why are you so strong?
Why are you so bare-faced?
Aren't you afraid of anyone? -Are you?
I'm normal.
I'm not strong, scared when I stand alone…
But because of that I'm a good team player.
That's normality.
Normality…
You don't think I'm normal?
You're not normal!
When the boss is crass or when you touch cold corpses you don't care.
I hate the boss I often vomit.
Touching cold corpses all day……
I long for the warm skin of a woman.
I'm normal.
I enjoy touching the warm kettle.
Kettle?
When I was in the foster home. -You lived there?
My mother gave me up at birth at the police station.
A paper written "Matsumoto Mao" was taped on me.
There were many kids in the home, but no friends of mine.
I never felt lonely.
At lunch time there was a large warm kettle on the table.
I used to enjoy touching it with both hands.
Maybe without being aware I felt lonely deep down.
Story of the kettle now Such also im Institute.
Why do you think?
Feeling lonely is the drive to come closer to friends.
I don't need friends.
You say so.
That's how it is.
I just broke my shaver that I so enjoyed for 10 years.
I like you unshaved. -Right.
I bought once that…
(Kodama) Good morning! -(Iwamatsu) That's…?
So we act as if nothing happened?
Maybe I should say something.
(Iwamatsu) But what if runs away again? -Better shut up.
Young people are getting more and more casual.
Hosaka, are you submitting an opinion?
It's the voice of the heart.
We agree, but nothing can be done.
It's our era.
(2 people) Our era.
(Sigh).
My sentence should be executed soon.
How do you know?
It used to be just you, but now more are visiting.
It means the truth is rapidly approaching.
The truth is approaching…
You feel it too, right?
The time has come for you to hear the truth.
The truth about my mother's death?
Yeah.
Before that… I have to tell you how the 3 men I killed…
Are linked to your mother.
What's that scary face?
There are things you need to tell me.
Maybe you have much to tell too.
You suddenly realized how scary Matsumoto Mao is?
Is she really scary?
Or in reality……
You are scary.
You may be right.
(Yashiki) Eight years ago…
Her mother plunged to her death from the roof of the Hospital.
This is the first time we met.
Good old time.
Who killed Matsumoto's mother?
You made the autopsy, you know.
I wrote in the report 8 years ago I don't remember.
Really? But last time you said:
Your memory of 8 years ago was fresh.
I did?
I don't know what Matsumoto Mao will do with you.
She's not gonna kill me.
She had moved to the States, but came back to Japan…
Found a position at the Medical Examiner's Office.
In order to expose your lie.
Eric Paroissien translation.