The Noble Detective (貴族探偵)

26 March 2016, 2 AM.

That night, the CEO of electronic appliances company Tokura Electrics, Tokura Kenichi,

passed away in the study of his home in Sagamihara.

The cause of death is blood loss.

According to the police, Tokura Kenichi took some sleeping pills,

then committed suicide by slashing his right wrist.

The room was locked from the inside,

so no one else could've gone in or out.

The keys were found in Tokura Kenichi's breast pocket,

and in a bag inside the room.

Only these 2 keys had been made for the study.

Because both of them were found inside the room,

it had been a perfectly locked room.

That CEO Tokura committed suicide...

When I heard about it,

I couldn't believe it so I hurriedly went to the location.

- Kiriko-san. - Shoutsu-san.

Thank you for contacting me.

It was truly unexpected...

Kiriko-san.

You came all the way here...

Your husband had helped me a lot in the past.

Please, come in.

The other people in the house were his son Tadahito,

his daughter Eriko,

and then his secretary, Hatate Masako.

Actually, this morning,

we were supposed to meet CEO Misawa from Misawa Products

at a reception at a nearby golf course,

so Hatate-kun and I stayed overnight here.

Can you show me the room where CEO Tokura died?

Ah, I'm sorry.

I just can't believe that President Tokura killed himself.

I wanted to confirm it with my own eyes.

Good posture, good posture.

I'm gonna get an address, don't distract me.

"Address"?

Excuse me. Can we go inside?

You can't.

The lady here would like to see the inside, just for a bit.

You can't. Need to get permission from the higher-ups.

Can't you do something, Mr. Policeman?

So persistent!

We have to keep the crime scene secure, you know--

I can't go in?

- I'll show you around! - Hana-san?

This way!

This way, please.

I'm the one responsible for the crime scene, Kanagawa Prefecture Police's Jinnan Station's

Ebinuma-gyoenmae's police box, assistant inspector Hanagata Raiyuu.

Must be tough to secure the crime scene.

Not at all.

But why is a beautiful lady like you

deliberately visiting a suicide scene? Eh?

What are you doing?

Actually she is a detective who has often worked with the CEO in the past.

Ah, a detective!

But usually detectives only investigate adultery cases or lost pet cases, right?

Excuse me.

It's rare for them to come to this kind of crime scene.

Hey, what are you doing?

I heard that the study's key was found in the body's breast pocket

and the other one was inside a bag.

Ah! Um... This bag.

- Hanagata-san. - Yes, I'm Hanagata.

There are 3 things I want you to check for me.

Of course.

First, please think about what the liquid substance on the floor is.

Second, among the items collected from the scene, there should be a string.

I would like to know what's on it.

Third, please check if there is a small hole on above CEO Tokura's breast pocket.

Why?

This is a locked room that's been deliberately created by someone.

Oi, oi, oi. Wait a minute.

If I'm wrong...

I will treat you to a delicious wine.

Wine with you?

What's more, if this is simply not a suicide

and actually a murder, I will give you all the credit.

Could be your big chance for a promotion!

There are people watching.

You saw, didn't you? You heard, right? You're a witness!

Then, I'll go and check.

- Hey, Take. I'll leave the rest to you. - Hana-san? Hana-san?!

Ah, sorry!

- Shoutsu-san. - Yes?

What was CEO Tokura's time of death?

The police said it was around 1 AM last night.

Around 1...

- I'm sorry to disturb you. - Who are you?

- I'm the maid Tanaka. - Maid?

My master awaits.

- Since when was this here? - What's this?

Please.

It seems it is exactly as his lordship expected.

Is it really?

Well? My intuition was correct, right, Yamamoto? Satou?

Remarkable, my lord.

Hey, what are you all doing?

I heard from Misawa that there was a mysterious suicide here.

It sounded interesting so I came to investigate, and sure enough!

"Interesting"? Someone died!

So?

By "Misawa", you mean... you're acquainted with President Misawa?

I am, but he's just someone I summoned to attend Spiegel's birthday party.

Spiegel?

To summon someone like President Misawa...

Who are you?

Well... Those who know me call me...

"Kizoku Tantei".

Wow!

- Ah! - Well, well.

If it isn't the beautiful Miss Famous Detective.

- Do you know each other? - Yes.

We've met a few times at various parties.

It's an honor to be able to meet you on a case.

- Case? - What are you talking about?

- Dad killed himself! - No.

- This is clearly murder. - Kiriko-san.

Unfortunately, I think CEO Tokura

was killed by someone.

What proof do you have to make such a claim?!

I don't have a definite proof.

But I owe it to CEO Tokura.

I can't let this case end like this.

Will you please allow me to investigate the truth behind his death?

This is a problem, right?

Having 2 detectives working on 1 case.

I don't mind at all.

I have always wanted to have a match with you.

If you don't mind? When it comes to my hobbies, I'm not a man who takes it easy on my opponent.

Please don't worry. Because I will find out the truth first.

It's been a while since I feel this thrilled!

Kitami Kiriko was working the same case as Kizoku Tantei right before she died.

I wonder if her death has anything to do with Kizoku Tantei.

This is... Kitami Kiriko's final case file.

Excuse me.

I came from the suicide case at Nishihara 2-chome.

Where should I go?

I'm from the 1st Department, nothing to do with suicide. Ask someone else.

Oh! From the 1st Department! I'm so sorry.

But 1st Department... I'm so envious.

I've been requesting to transfer there for a long time,

but my request hasn't been approved.

Even though I'm an excellent sharp-shooter.

- Because we don't carry guns! - But in dramas...

It's not like in dramas!

- Hey, Tsunemi. - Oh, Chief. Good afternoon.

Collect the investigation data on the suicide of a man named Tokura Kenichi.

- Right now! - Eh?

I have been investigating this case myself!

- Eh, what do you mean? - It's an order from the 1st Department Head.

The 1st Department Head?

Quickly get all the info for this person.

Some powerful person made the higher-ups do it. Don't ask questions.

I'm the secretary Suzuki. Thank you for helping.

Secretary...?

Can you tell me what you were doing last night at 1 AM and where?

I was with Eriko.

We went to see a late night movie with a mutual friend.

And you, Shoutsu-san?

I came here last night, but the presentation materials had to be changed suddenly,

so during that time, I was back in the office for a while to work.

What about Mitsue-san and Masako-san?

I was tired so I went to bed at 11.

I had to get up early, so I was asleep in the guest bedroom before 12.

There were only 2 people without alibis, the wife Mitsue-san and the secretary Masako-san.

Excuse me. Can I have a moment?

If my father was killed, then Mitsue-san did it.

Excuse me, but why do you accuse your mother, Mitsue-san?

She's... not our mother.

My father remarried. She's not related by blood to us.

Since our mother died 15 years ago,

my father was dating his secretary, Hatate Masako-san, for a long time.

She was like a wife to him.

Whenever Dad was too busy with work,

Masako-san would come to the house to look after Eriko and I.

Just like a real mother.

It would be nice if Dad would marry Masako-san for real.

That was what we always thought.

But that Mitsue woman came in between them.

They met at a Ginza club and got married half a year later, you know?

I'm Hikaru.

Are you a CEO?

Even though Masako-san had been supporting Dad for 15 years.

My wife Mitsue will be working as my secretary from now on.

I'm still inexperienced, so I ask for your favor.

That woman must've planned to kill Dad from the beginning,

so she could take everything from his money to his company.

What a complicated situation. Kitami-sama, did you know about this?

Yes, the CEO had consulted me before he got married.

I had dinner with him and Mitsue-san a few times.

Why didn't you oppose it?!

Yes! He was marrying that evil woman!

Dad should've married Masako-san!

Actually, yesterday, there was trouble between Mitsue-san and Hatate-kun.

Trouble?

Yesterday evening, I arrived here together with Hatate-kun.

I'm sorry we arrived late.

The CEO and Mitsue-san just came back, as well.