So you've arrived...
Lupin III.
I could hardly dawdle after being summoned, Countess.
So how about you put that scary thing away?
I need you to do something for me.
Your reward will be this ring.
You've shown up here time and time again, trying to get your hands on it.
And every time...
Well, shoot. You even held on to the pics to rub my nose in it.
But isn't this ring a Maunbassant family heirloom?
Not to mention, a memento of your beloved?
Three years ago, my husband, Philippe, was shot and killed by an unknown assailant in Paris.
I heard the police got nowhere with their inquiries, and it ended up as a cold case.
Which is why I've continued investigating the matter privately.
And now, I'm on the verge of discovering his killer.
I've whittled it down to three suspects, but it's still unclear which one of them did it.
Your guests will be arriving shortly, ma'am.
I see.
I've invited the three of them here.
I want you to figure out which one is my husband's killer.
Aw, come on. You gotta be kidding me.
Introducing Detective Jim Barnett III
Count Philippe de Maunbassant.
The man who, in one generation, built the security systems industry in France.
No one could deny his brilliance,
and there were rumors that his business was set to go global...
But three years ago, while out jogging in a park in Paris,
someone took out a gun and shot him.
The world-famous sommelier, Frederik Autorett.
Renowned for his collection of gemstones,
he'd apparently been trying to pressure the count into selling him his emerald.
The count's nephew, Allan Dubois.
His father had a business that went to the wall,
and after the count refused to help, he committed suicide.
His family fell apart as a result.
Allan supposedly held a grudge against the count over what happened.
These days, he's a successful investor.
Pierre Schmidt.
Used to run a company that developed security systems tech,
but it was bought out by the count, and he was let go.
His subsequent business ventures didn't get off the ground,
so he currently ekes out a meager living as a computer repairman.
You think the killer is one of these three men?
I'm sure of it.
The cops aren't totally useless.
They must have checked 'em out, right?
Yes, indeed. And all three had alibis.
That rather tied their hands, I suppose.
Which is why I've set a trap.
The killer apparently tried to prize my husband's ring from his finger.
But before he could get it, he panicked and fled, because a crowd was gathering.
I've used a newly-developed chemical to isolate the DNA on the emerald.
Really?!
No, I made it up.
It's a lie?
But the killer will panic and try to cover his tracks.
That's when I'd like you to apprehend him, Lupin.
Good grief. I've got myself mixed up in a real headache of a situation this time.
After showing everyone to their rooms,
tell them to assemble in the dining hall in an hour.
Very good, ma'am.
The balcony's on the brink of collapse,
so I've made sure the doors leading to it are all locked.
It seems I'm not the only one who has grown fragile with age.
This is actually a pretty bold scheme.
The killer might try and come after you, y'know?
I wouldn't worry.
This is NZ Face.
The world's first commercial facial recognition system.
If anyone who isn't authorized tries to enter the castle, an alarm will sound.
Does that include me?
You're in the system.
There's also a metal detector by the front door.
Weapons are, of course, not allowed in here.
One question, though. Why me?
Creating a system you couldn't circumvent was my husband's dream.
He kept a scrapbook of clippings to record every time you made the news.
At some point, he genuinely became a fan of yours.
Which is why I believed you'd be the right man for the job.
Well? Is that a satisfying answer?
Now... let's begin.
I'm terribly sorry for making you wait.
You called me here out of the blue. What's all this about?
Not to mention, you haven't provided us with a meal, or even a glass of wine...
I beg your forgiveness.
Marie is the only one of my help present today, so I'm a little shorthanded.
Oh, is that so?
Wait, does that mean there's no food?
More importantly, I wanted to show you all this.
You remember what happened three years ago, I trust?
I figured as much.
The three of us are all suspects in the count's murder.
I'm getting outta here.
You're running away?
Th-That's not what I...
Your business got bought out, and now, you're just some two-bit repairman.
I can only imagine how much that must piss you off.
I was drinking in my usual bar at the time.
One of the regulars confirmed it.
Anyway, weren't you the one who was after the count's emerald?
I was partying at a hotel!
I have an alibi, too!
A hotel that was five minutes' walk from the scene of the crime...
And you were found in the wine cellar all by yourself, weren't you?
He practically signed your father's death warrant. You've got no right to accuse me!
And people testified that they saw you at the scene.
I was in Sicily at the time.
The police have verified that it was a case of mistaken identity.
Why would someone with my fortune take such a stupid risk?
Not that a washed-up drunk like you would ever understand that.
What did you call me?!
There's no need for all these accusations.
I have conclusive evidence that will reveal the identity of my husband's killer.
The emerald itself will tell us everything.
Traces of the killer's identity were left behind on it.
Using a special chemical, I will isolate the DNA and—
Wh-What the...
A blackout?
What was that?!
It sounded like a gunshot!
Damn it all...
It's fine... Lupin...
Find the killer...
Don't tell me... Was this your intention all along?
The castle is now sealed off till dawn.
Use that time to find the killer...
Your reward is on the table.
The case will open automatically at dawn...
The case even you couldn't open...
Isabelle?!
Madam!
This is insane.
The drawbridge is up.
So we're trapped in this place?
I would ask you all to calm down.
The castle's in lockdown and will remain that way till dawn.
By order of the countess...
What?!
And who the hell are you?
I'm Lu—
No. Jim Barnett. A private eye hired by the countess.
First, I need to ask you all to let me body-search you.
What?
What did you say?
You're just some two-bit gumshoe!
I'm sure it goes without saying,
but including myself, there were only six people in the castle.
The countess has been murdered.
Which means someone in this room is the killer.
So question is, who killed the countess?
So much for that...
The tapes were removed.
Which means no security camera footage.
But the facial recognition system is still active.
So if anyone other than you, me, and our bloodthirsty trio was in here, it'd tell us...
Where are they, anyway?
Back in their rooms.
I've locked the door to the dining room, so no one can go in there.
I can't believe I didn't anticipate her doing something like this.
She looks so peaceful.
Mr. Barnett, she must really trust you.
Just give me time, Isabelle.
So the three of them were sat over there...
A blackout, a flash of light, and a gunshot.
The countess...
First, I need to find the weapon.
I searched all three of them, but no one had a gun on them.
So where's the murder weapon?
Excuse me, Mr. Barnett...
How was the killer able to shoot the countess in the dark?
Her wheelchair is electronic.
They must've used these lights to line up the shot.
That's...
I tidied up before everyone entered the dining room...
I would have noticed if there was this much pollen on the floor.
Did you close the curtains in the hallway?
No...
I only closed the curtains in the dining room.
You greeted all three, and showed them in, right?
Yes.
And they stayed in their rooms after that?
Frederik left his room.
Did he now?
I ran into him in the hallway near the stairs to the basement...
Can I help you?
I-I was hoping to take a look at your wine cellar...
I'm afraid I can't open the door without the countess's permission.
Fair enough. Well, some other time, then.
I see.
Then, you didn't see Allan or Pierre?
Actually, I did see Allan in his room.
When I was walking down the hallway, his door was ajar.
So you can confirm that he was in his room?
Yes. He was staring out of the window.
A bit like this.
And Pierre?
Mr. Pierre never left his room.
I see...
I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
Nah...
Of course! I've got it!
Marie, get everyone to come to the dining room.
Where's Pierre?
Who knows?
Yo!
Sorry, I dozed off for a bit.
Right, now that we're all here...
You've figured out who the killer is?
I know exactly who it is.
Sounds like fun.
I mean, they relieved us of all guns and knives when we entered the castle...
How could any of us have shot the countess?
A bullet had been fired from the countess's gun.
But that's nonsense.
When did you check the barrel of her gun before the shooting?
When I was in her room.
Well, when the two of you came in here, we were all sitting down already.
We couldn't have gone to her room to grab her gun.
And that's not all...
You searched each of us, but didn't find the murder weapon.
How do you explain that?
First, the culprit removed the tapes recording the security camera footage.
After that, he waited for the right time to cut the castle's power.
In the darkness, he used the light from her wheelchair to line up his shot and fire...
...killing the countess.
This is so stupid. No one could've managed all that.
Not anyone here, anyway.
You make a good point.
None of the people in this room could have carried out the murder.
But there's no one else in the castle.
I think this place has a facial recognition system that only lets in authorized people...
And if anyone else is detected, an alarm sounds.
Well, in that case...
If you'd turn your attention to the flowers.
You'll note that the rug underneath is covered in pollen.
Apparently, this wasn't the case before you gentlemen showed up.
What does that matter? It doesn't take much to make flowers spread their pollen!
You're right. Accidentally brushing past could have caused it.
But question is, who would've brushed past the flowers?
Considering the amount of pollen,
the person who did is bound to have some on his clothes.
But none of you had pollen on your clothing.
There's something else that's odd...
The curtains on this hallway window.
According to Marie, she only closed the curtains in the dining room,
and the rest were all still open.
So why are they closed?
Would you get to the point?! No one gives a damn about this nonsense with curtains and pollen!
You seem dead set on accusing one of us three as the killer,
but how about listening to my theory?
Let's hear it, then.
I don't know what kind of hotshot detective you're supposed to be,
but how could you forget the most suspicious person in the room?!
Yes, I mean you.
You could've slipped away without the detective noticing,
grabbed the countess's gun and stealthily put it back where you got it from.
The pollen and the curtain were both disturbed by you!
You did that to disrupt the investigation, and make it seem like one of us was the killer!
No... I would never kill the countess...
Probably hungry to get her hands on her fortune.
That's not true! She took me in when I had no family...
And in the darkness, you slipped behind us,
and shot the countess from across the table!
No! I didn't... I would never...
It's all right, Marie.
Take you gloves off and show them.
Do you need me to help you? Can you manage on your own?
Oh, uh, yes. If you would, Mr. Barnett.
See, this is why the countess chose you out of all her staff to work tonight.
I burnt my hands in an accident three days ago.
Marie!
I'm sorry.
She's not pulling any triggers in her state.
Now, for my theory.
Why was the hallway curtain drawn?
The lightning flashes posed a problem for the killer. So he shut the curtain.
But why the hallway curtain?
Plus, the door was closed the whole time.
The killer was worried a flash would light up the room at an inopportune moment.
The power outage...
Exactly. At that moment, we were in total darkness.
The door was opened?
No way...
But we were all sitting down. Who could've opened it?
There was a fourth guest.
But the castle's facial recognition system should've stopped anyone else getting in!
And yet, there was one person who was able to.
Isn't that right, Allan?
In your room, you stood in front of the window that opened out onto the balcony, yes?
What were you doing there?
There was a cabinet stopping that window from opening.
So why did you bother moving it?
W-Well...
One more thing...
Your car's tires made hard work of driving through the mud on the way in, right?
Makes me wonder whether you had something heavy in your trunk.
Wh-What are you talking about?
It's the same method you used to kill the count three years ago.
You haven't answered my question yet, either.
Why did you move the cabinet?
What difference does it make?!
I have an alibi!
Unfortunately for you, that alibi doesn't hold water anymore.
The countess sacrificed herself to pinpoint the killer.
And her plan worked perfectly.
No...
Bro!
Bro?!
Twins?
Bro!
Looks like the system isn't advanced enough to tell the difference between twins.
Then, what I saw...
Yeah. It wasn't his reflection in the glass.
It was the twins, facing each other.
Allan let his brother into the house after he got out of the trunk.
Our father was superstitious. He thought twins were bad luck.
So he put my brother up for adoption.
After my father killed himself, and I was left penniless...
I bumped into him again through sheer luck.
And you plotted revenge.
Mr. Barnett, I thought...
I can't imagine she'd wanna meet her hubby in the afterlife without this thing.
Mr. Barnett...
I've taken a shine to the name, though. Maybe I'll open a detective agency, someday.
And I might just need a trusty assistant, when the time comes.
Of course. I'd be glad to help!
What do you mean the hideout toilet is busted?
Well, whatever. Jigen, let me use yours.
Yours isn't working, either?!
Damn, what the heck am I supposed to do?!
I drank a skinful last night. I dunno if I can hold it...
No good! I'm gonna sprout a leak! This is bad! Here it comes!
Wait, Fujiko, why are you here?! And Old Man Zenigata, too?!
Uh, why are you here?! How'd you even know where we were?!
Next time: Fujiko's Souvenir.
Fujiko's Souvenir
Dammit! Why the hell isn't the toilet working?!