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.
So they ran into each other...
That bag...
The CEO gave it to me before...
Ah, I'm sorry.
Are you insinuating something?
What?
- Deliberately showing that to me? - What are you talking about?
Please use it all you want.
I won't use mine anymore.
Can you please stop doing this?
Do you know how much I've been holding it in?
Hatate-kun!
I was forced to abandon the children, and you even took my place at the office.
Even though you came after me!
Are you that jealous?
- Hatate-kun! - S-stop!
- Please calm down. - What happened?
I'm sorry. It's nothing.
The same bag for the wife and the mistress.
That must've been quite a fight, right?
Hm? Surprisingly, you like this kind of drama, huh?
Please pardon me.
So, the bag inside the locked room with the key in it. Whose bag was it?
It was Mitsue-san who has the key to the study.
But during the argument, they exchanged bags by mistake.
- Exchanged? - Yes.
- How did your bag end up in the study? - That's...
It wasn't the right situation to return it to Mitsue-san directly.
I had no choice but to ask the CEO...
Come in.
Excuse me.
Please return this to Mitsue-san.
It's not mine.
Masako... about what happened...
Please don't call me that anymore.
We have an important meeting tomorrow. Please rest early.
Excuse me.
Who found the body?
I did.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Can you call my husband here?
Yes.
I went to the study to find him but...
there was no reply, and the door was locked.
Mr. Tokura?
I didn't have a choice but to peek in from the transom window...
- Mr. Tokura! - Hatate-kun, what's wrong?
The CEO is---!
Mr. Tokura!
How did you get inside?
Shoutsu-san broke the lock so we could go in.
When you were inside the room,
did anyone touch the CEO's breast pocket or the bag?
It was apparent that he was dead
so we thought it was best not to touch anything
and we all waited in the living room for the police to come.
Please.
Hey, hey, Satou.
Please tell us the trick so the lady understands.
With all due respect, my lord,
for a magician to reveal the secret to his own wonderful illlusion is to take away the thrill.
That is true.
After all, magic is a real battle between your imagination and perception, right?
Then, allow me to say...
No tricks or secrets.
- Are you going to deceive me too? - Of course not.
It's a magician's prerogative to think he's more superior than others.
Again, you jest.
You sound like you're having fun.
Oh, Miss Female Detective.
As you can see, I'm spending a magical time with Mitsue-san.
Why don't you join us?
Thank you, but no.
But solving the trick behind a magical illusion
makes you feel as warm as discovering the hidden feelings of a maiden, right?
Mitsue-san, can I turn on the air conditioner?
- Yes. - Yamamoto.
Yes.
Mitsue-sama, the temperature has been set at 30C. Would you mind if I lower it?
Please lower it.
Excuse me.
Kitami-sama, Suzuki-san the secretary called.
She has found the answers to your 3 questions.
Please tell me.
I'm being presumptious, but I've organized the information here.
Amazing! What is this?
I'm being too forward.
Ah, no, no, no! It's very helpful. Please explain it to me.
Yes.
First, the liquid on the floor is an alkaline detergent.
Secondly, as you had predicted, there was a string found in the crime scene.
The location is along the wall in front of the air conditioner.
And thirdly, on Tokura Kenichi-sama's breast pocket,
there was a small hole.
That's the end of magic hour.
Can you gather everyone together?
I know who the killer is.
Then, shall we look at how skillfull you are?
I have high expectations of you, Miss Famous Detective.
Wonderful.
Well then, would you tell us your deductions?
Thank you for gathering here.
This case, whom everyone thought was a suicide,
is a murder as I had expected.
The biggest mystery in this case is the locked room.
But that locked room can be easily created.
Last night, the killer brought the chocolates that were
laced with sleeping medication to the study.
The killer let CEO Tokura ate it.
And then, when he fell asleep, the killer slashed his wrist.
After making it look like he took the sleeping pill himself,
the killer strung a thread above his breast pocket with a needle.
Both of the ends of the thread were placed outside the room through the transom window.
The killer took the key inside the room and went outside.
And then the killer locked the door from outside.
This key was then put on the thread running through the transom window,
to be returned inside using a ropeway-like system.
Once the key reached the pocket, if you let go one of the the string,
the key would slide into the pocket.
And then, the killer could pull the string out, leaving the key behind.
This is how the killer created the locked room.
But since the thread came out of the shirt, the other end was dangling.
It got snagged on the sculpture near the wall, and broke.
The killer panicked.
Because the fallen string was the part the killer had touched with her mouth while threading it through the needle.
If DNA analysis is done,
It would be an indisputable proof on who the killer is.
But the keys were both in the room, so she couldn't enter.
That's when the killer gave up trying to retrieve the string, and focused on erasing evidence.
- What she used was the water gun. - Eh? Why that?
The killer put an alkaline detergent into the water gun.
Through the transom window, she aimed the water gun at the string to destroy any protein.
She removed any proof that would implicate her.
How would the killer know she could remove evidence that way?
Well, the killer thought it would've been better than not doing anything.
Actually, there were traces of alkaline detergent on the floor left behind.
But when we came in, there wasn't anything on the floor.
Because the killer removed it.
She used the air conditioner's remote control from the living room.
The air conditioner in the living room was the same model as the study's.
So she used that remote control to turn on the heater mode in the locked room.
With a high temperature of 30C.
She probably would've also set an off timer,
and directed the wind power to high until early morning.
And then, when the liquid evaporated, the string became light-weight and was blown towards the wall.
This is how the locked room was done without leaving any evidence behind.
But because of the heater mode, the chocolates melted a little.
If it weren't for this small inconsistency,
I would've believed it to be a suicide too.
I see. Now we know the secret to the locked room.
But who is the killer?
The time of death is around 1 AM.
The only ones without alibis are Mitsue-san and Masako-san.
The one who killed CEO Tokura must be one of them.
If we analyzed the lipstick stain on the string thoroughly,
we should find out who the killer is.
Shoutsu-san, please call the police.
Ah... yes.
Wait.
My husband killed himself. It was suicide.
Isn't that enough?
- Mitsue-san. - I knew it.
You did it!
Tokura Electronics is a company my husband risked everything to build.
The CEO committing suicide would have created a negative impact on the company.
But if the CEO was killed by someone close to him,
it would be a scandal we couldn't recover from.
Tokura will crumble.
You gotta be kidding!
You've killed Dad, and now...!!
If the company is gone,
Tadahito-san and Eriko-san would be left with nothing.
Please.
Tokura Kenichi killed himself.
Can we let this matter end with that?
Please!
Someone like you---!!!
A beautiful flower should bloom to face the sun, Mitsue-san.
Begging in front of a woman should only be done by a man.
You... She is a murderer!
No. Mitsue-san did not admit any wrongdoing.
She merely said that she wanted her husband's death to be declared a suicide, right?
Please sit down.
What is happening?
Are you saying the killer is someone else?
Yes. I will reveal who it is now, and I will save Mitsue-san.
- Yamamoto, tell them. - Yes.
Please wait.
You're not going to make deductions?
He is that sort of detective.
I'm glad you understand.
Continue, Yamamoto.
Yes, my lord.
In this case, the CEO of Tokura Electronics, Tokura Kenichi-sama was murdered--
Yamamoto. Yamamoto!
Yes.
Everyone already knows the situation.
Start from the conclusion.
Then, if I may state the conclusion. The real killer is...
Hatate Masako-sama.
Wait... What are you saying, all of a sudden?
Masako-san couldn't have done it!
Then allow me to explain it easily.
- Satou-san, the video. - Yes.
When did...?
Kitami-sama's deductions were mostly right.
Just like Kitami-sama has deduced, the killer, Masako-sama,
used the chocolates laced with sleeping drug to make Tokura Kenichi-sama asleep.
Tanaka-san?
Ah...
I'm being too forward.
After Tokura Kenichi-sama fell asleep,
she killed him by slashing his wrist.
What is this?
You're playing Masako-san?
After killing Tokura-sama, Masako-sama
created the locked room using the key ropeway.
Midway, the thread snapped.
And then, in order to remove the evidence linking herself,
just like Kitami-sama's deduction,
she wet the thread with alkaline detergent using the water gun.
And then she removed the traces of that using heated air.
With this, it would be seen as a suicide.
Feeling secure, Masako-sama returned to her own room.
That's when she realized...
She had accidentally exchanged bags with Mitsue-san.
In her original plan, if the fake suicide was found out,
the suspect would have been Mitsue-sama who had the spare key.
But that spare key was now with her.
There was a possibility she would be a suspect.
- Tanaka. - Yes, my lord.
- You ate too many chocolates. - I will be careful next time.
- Yamamoto. - Yes.
How many times do I have to tell you? You're too much in a hurry.
I will do better next time.
Please continue?
- Yamamoto, continue. - Yes.
This is when Masako-sama changed her plans.
Masako-sama returned to the study and used the spare key to enter.
She put Mitsue-sama's bag on the table near the door.
Coincidentally, at this point,
she saw the string on the floor, and became greedy.
Inside the bag, there was Mitsue-sama's lipstick.
If she applied that to the thread on the floor,
there would be a higher chance of Mitsue-sama being suspected.
Masako-sama cut a new piece of string and applied Mitsue-sama's lipstick to it.
She exchanged it with the cut string.
Then she locked the door.
This time, she returned the key to the bag using the ropeway system.
This way, both keys were in the room, and the perfect locked room was created.
On top of that, Mitsue-sama would be easily suspected.
All of that is just your own imagination, right?
Yes! Masako-san had realized she had the wrong bag earlier,
and she returned it to Dad, right?
That is a lie.
How can you be so sure?
If everything happened to Masako-sama's testimony, then the key inside the bag
would've already been in the study when the crime occurred.
That's right. I returned the bag to the study at 11 PM.
Then when the killer created the locked room,
why did she return the key to Tokura-sama's breast pocket?
Compared to the narrow opening of the pocket,
wouldn't it be way easier to create the locked room
by aiming the bag, which was closer and had a bigger opening?
Moreover, the string collected
had been cut on both ends on an acute angle with something sharp.
This is not a sign that it got snagged and snapped,
but an absolute proof that someone deliberately exchanged it with a new string.
Because of these, it was clear that the killer returned to the study
after creating the first locked room.
The only one who could do that is the person with the bag that had the key in it.
Which means...
The killer is Hatate Masako-sama.
You're the killer, right?
For 15 years...
I had given him everything.
Do you know how it feels to be easily put aside like that?
You...
If only you never appeared!!!!
Our apologies.
Eh?!
Mitsue-san...
Why?
Why didn't you say anything?
If you didn't do it, then just say so!
Can you call yourself the man who will inherit this family?
You should be more considerate of other people's feelings.
She lowered her head to protect the treasured company
and family of the man she loved.
What do you mean?
Even when you continued to be misunderstood by this family,
you kept supporting your husband and his company with all your might, right?
Now that your husband is dead,
you are determined to protect his family and company.
That's why you wanted it to be called a suicide.
Your strength...
I truly respect it from the bottom of my heart.
But, Mitsue-san...
When the person you loved most died...
it's all right to cry sincere tears.
For that, at least... your husband in heaven...
would definitely forgive you.
Mitsue-san.
Please use it.
- Yamamoto. - Yes.
Give Misawa my advice.
Tokura Electronics is quite an honorable company.
He should sign a deal with them whenever possible.
Yes, my lord.
Shoutsu-san.
Please call the police.
Yes.
And then...
Give the credit to that man.
Everyone! The killer has been caught by this man, Hanagata!
Well done, Hana-san!
Take!
- I'll definitely get promoted. - Definitely!
- Can I get one too? - No way!
What do you think?
What happened after that?
The press didn't catch wind of it.
And we entered into a deal with Misawa Products.
The company was successful again.
It's all thanks to Kiriko-san and that man who called himself Kizoku Tantei.
Was there any trouble between Kitami and Kizoku Tantei?
Trouble?
Kitami died immediately after this case.
I think Kitami's death
had something to do with Kizoku Tantei.
I didn't see any bad blood between them.
Ah, but after the case, the two of them were talking to one another.
- About? - I don't know exactly but...
they said it was to discuss work.
I lost. Completely.
Do you know what is the most offensive thing for a nobleman?
No...
Maybe someone seeing through your magic trick?
To be let off easy in a real battle.
What do you mean?
You paid attention to the string.
When you saw the blunt ends of the string,
you would've realized the killer was Masako-san.
But for some reason, you didn't name her.
I wonder why I would do such a thing...?
In order to connect Mitsue-san and the family, right?
You should've already known that Mitsue-san was someone with a true heart.
That's why, you knew if you delivered a half-baked deduction,
she would do her best to protect the family.
This way, you could show Mitsue-san's true self,
and dispel the family's misunderstandings about her.
And then, you thought that
I would name the real killer for you.
You even used me to play out your scenario.
What a baseless deduction!
I thought you don't do deductions?
I will do anything! Only if my opponent is someone as beautiful as you.
Then... I wonder if I can ask you something.
Anything. Fulfilling a woman's wish is the duty of every nobleman.
Do you know this name?
Did you hear?
Yes, my lord.
What do you think of her?
A very wise and fascinating person.
I think so, too.
What a pity.
That I won't be able to see her anymore.
Yes.
I'll let you take care of her.
Make sure she's dead.
Suzuki.
Yes, my lord.
Don't forget to make sure not to let the people closest to her realize it.
I will be careful.
Eeeeh?
So, Master, you lost to this Kizoku Tantei?
Yes, total loss, total loss. I lost looking like this.
I couldn't have faced CEO Tokura anymore.
My reputation's completely destroyed now.
You know how fast news will spread in society,
you have to be prepared too.
Eh? What?!
Hey, looks like there's an update.
You know, the app you always use.
Oh, you're right!
Hey, is it really that useful?
Yes, everyone uses it.
Hey, Giri.
Good evening. I ask for your favor from now on.
Same here, Giri.
Understood.
Wow, the voice is kinda different.
Amazing!
Eh? What's this?
Wow, there's this thing too!
What's this, what's this?
Giri, Masamune Koremasa.
Masamune Koremasa.
I can't answer that question.
Translator/timer: choklad (1992*4##111 fansub)