Chapter Three: Honestly, Scotland Yard Is Better

Thanks to the relentless criminal efforts of the citizens, Morlay greatly admired the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's response time. However, thanks to the activity of detectives, Morlay found the police department's actual competence somewhat less than impressive.

The First Investigation Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is responsible for all types of criminal cases within Tokyo. Yet, in recent years, their reputation has steadily declined. The prominence of detectives has only served to highlight the department's incompetence; the media has even hailed a high school detective as the "Savior of the Japanese Police," which is nothing short of a disgrace.

The hurriedly arriving officers first cordoned off the perimeter of the crime scene and ushered the gawking crowd back into the banquet hall. Several others, donning gloves, busied themselves within the scene, searching for any potential clues.

Most of the trench-coat-clad officers had dispersed to question the guests about any irregularities during the time of the murder. What made Morlay rub his temples in frustration, however, was Inspector Megure, who followed Shinichi Kudo around, calling him "Kudo-kun" at every turn while the boy conducted his investigation.

They are both island nations, both drive on the left, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police is just as incompetent as Scotland Yard. Even this stout inspector in the brown trench coat sports a dull face remarkably similar to Lestrade—it’s hard to argue that this isn't a tribute to British tradition.

"If Shinichi Kudo is the Sherlock of the Heisei era, then this guy is the Lestrade of Tokyo," Morlay muttered to himself, watching Inspector Megure disappear into the stairwell behind Kudo.

"Sorry, what did you just say?" The officer questioning Morlay looked up.

"Oh, um, nothing. You are..."

"Takagi, Detective Sergeant of the First Investigation Division."

"Ah, Officer Takagi." Morlay tucked one hand into his pocket, his gaze fixed on the direction where Kudo and the Inspector had vanished. "Shinichi Kudo isn't a policeman, is he? Is it appropriate to let him enter the crime scene? Besides, the 'Savior of the Japanese Police'... does no one in your ranks have an issue with that?"

"Ahahaha..." Wataru Takagi, as a member of the Tokyo police, felt somewhat awkward, but he tried his best to explain: "Kudo-kun is indeed very talented as a detective... Sometimes the police do need his assistance, but it is certainly not because we are unable to solve the cases."

"It's just that if he is present, the case is undoubtedly solved faster. For the safety of the citizens of Tokyo, and to catch the culprit as quickly as possible, sacrificing a little bit of reputation is nothing in my view. Besides, Kudo-kun is truly brilliant."

The Stanley Hopkins of Tokyo.

Wataru Takagi glanced left and right, and upon realizing no one was paying attention, he leaned in and whispered, "Though there are indeed people within the department who can't stand him, saying he's meddlesome and such."

He immediately resumed a business-like tone. "Ahem, Mr. Morlay, that is to say, you were chatting with Kudo-kun when the murder occurred, providing you with an alibi. We will verify this with Kudo-kun later. Did you notice anything unusual in the banquet hall?"

"Regrettably, no. I was preoccupied with Sherlock at the time."

"Uh... the detective stories?"

"No, the one from the Heisei era."

"Ahem," Takagi choked slightly. "Then the questioning ends here for now. Thank you for your cooperation. However, you cannot leave just yet; please understand."

"It's fine. Is the wine in the banquet hall still drinkable?"

Although phrased as a question, Morlay clearly had no intention of waiting for an answer. Taking a sip of a fresh glass of wine, he smiled. "I am quite interested in that Heisei Sherlock; even if you didn't ask me to stay, I would have remained here regardless."

"Very well, I shall return to work. Please wait for the investigation results inside the venue."

Morlay nodded, and Takagi turned to leave.

Wait obediently in the banquet hall? What a joke.

Morlay set down his glass and walked straight toward the stairwell.

The officer guarding the entrance blocked his path. "Sir, please do not approach the crime scene..."

"I am Kudo-kun's assistant. I just remembered some important clues from the time of the murder. Please, let me through."

A silver-gray glint flashed in Morlay's eyes. He cast a suggestion spell he had used upon entering. The officer felt a momentary daze. "Oh? Ah, yes... I see. Please, go ahead..."

The officers upstairs didn't think much of it when they saw someone coming up. If there were an issue, the guards downstairs would have stopped them; there was no need for them to worry about it.

Thus, Morlay made it to the upper floor.

"I wonder how far our Mr. Holmes has investigated?" He hummed a cheerful tune.

"Poor mental fortitude. That nervous look—the scent of the killer is too strong."

"Sitting in a wheelchair with a cast despite having no injuries, yet failing to control his muscle tension—his entire leg is straining. His acting is sub-par."

"Slipping out during the banquet to commit murder? Amateur. Though the method has a bit of creativity. Overall, I'd give it a 30."

Morlay crossed the cordon nonchalantly, nodded at the forensics officer with a smile, and borrowed a pair of gloves. The officer was puzzled and hesitated for a moment, but handed over a spare pair anyway.

I take back what I said; the Tokyo police are worse than Scotland Yard.

"First of all, the culprit must have entered from the balcony," Morlay said, putting on the gloves and carefully examining the marks on the railing.

"There's a lawn below; I wonder if there are any clues there. Hey, did you find anything? Footprints or the like?" Morlay asked the officer downstairs loudly, only to receive a negative answer.

"No signs of hanging from above either... oh?"

On the outer wall to the upper right, there was a protruding eave. A patch where the dust had been scraped away was not obvious in the moonlight, but unfortunately, it did not escape Morlay's eyes.

"Did he come across the eaves? I didn't expect that old man to be so agile... Is it this room?"

Morlay arrived at a room at the far end of the right corridor. Unlike the crime scene, which was the center of attention, this room was deserted and lacked guards, allowing Morlay to enter easily.

"This is..."

Morlay approached the window. On the metal frame, a strand of yellow fuzz was very conspicuous.

"Hemp rope...? No way?"

Morlay leaned his upper body out of the window. Indeed, there was no obstruction between here and the opposite balcony; it was theoretically feasible to cross using a hemp rope. As for how he got across...

Morlay looked at the eave that could barely hold three-quarters of a foot and the outer wall where a layer of dust had been rubbed off, then recalled the build of the old man, Suha.

This old man has some martial arts skills. Let's make it a 40.

"I have a feasible method, but what about the murder weapon?" Morlay rubbed his chin, observing the room.

"Judging by his nervous demeanor, he's mostly a novice. Those other rooms are being searched, but this one hasn't been touched yet. So..."

Under the bed? No.
Behind the bookshelf? No.
Under the sofa? No.

Morlay cast his gaze toward the portrait on the wall. Could it be behind this?

Just then, footsteps could be heard in the corridor, and simultaneously, Shinichi Kudo's voice drew closer: "So, I surmise the killer must have come from this room... Mr. Morlay?"

Morlay turned around. The arrivals were none other than Sherlock Kudo and Lestrade Megure.

"Sir," Inspector Megure said sternly upon seeing an unrecognized person inside, "unauthorized personnel are not allowed at the crime scene. Please return to the banquet hall immediately. I hope you will cooperate..."

"To be able to trace it here in about fifteen minutes, I'm starting to acknowledge your title of Holmes, Kudo-kun."

This silver-haired foreigner knows Kudo-kun?

"Kudo-kun...?" Inspector Megure asked, puzzled.

"This is Mr. Morlay, a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast I happened to meet today, and one of the guests at tonight's banquet," Shinichi Kudo said, walking into the room with one hand in his pocket, looking around. "But I'm not entirely sure why Mr. Morlay is in this room. You said you traced it here—does that mean you have some insight into the details of this case? Does this mean..."

"You are the killer, or you already have the answer to this case?"

Morlay shook his head, nodded, and then shook his head again.

The two were bewildered.

Morlay sighed. "I am certainly not the killer. As for the answer—I have the process and the result, but I am missing a key piece of evidence. I wonder if I might have the pleasure of hearing your deduction first?"

Shinichi Kudo nodded and went to the window, motioning for Inspector Megure to come and look. "Inspector Megure, do you see this yellow fuzz? Based on the material, it should have been scraped off from a hemp rope. Now, look outside."

He leaned out the window to observe carefully before pulling back.

"The dust on this outer wall has been rubbed off at a height exactly corresponding to an adult male's back, while the dust above remains intact. The killer must have gone from the eaves to the crime scene, then returned to this room via the hemp rope. As for the killer, it should be Mr. Suha. Inspector Megure, have you received the results of the investigation I asked for?"

Inspector Megure nodded. "Indeed, his attending physician confirmed that his leg injury had healed months ago. Furthermore, he and the victim did have improper financial dealings."

Upon hearing this, Kudo smiled confidently.

"However, the problem now is..."

He turned around and was left speechless, seeing Morlay idly picking at his fingernails.

Feeling Shinichi Kudo's gaze, Morlay looked up, confused, then suddenly realized. "Oh, the murder weapon and the tools used by the killer, right?"

"The guests present didn't test positive for gunpowder residue, meaning the culprit at least has a tool to block the residue, most likely something like an overcoat given the convenience. We also need to find the handgun and the hemp rope he used. I've already checked the wardrobe, under the bed, and the bookshelf, but there is one more place..."

Morlay stood up and took down the portrait on the wall. Concealed behind the painting was a safe embedded in the wall.

Morlay observed it carefully, pressed on the casing, and said, "Hmm, I suspect it should be in here. Inspector Megure, could you please have Mr. Suha open this safe for us to inspect?"