Chapter 180
Because the victim was an actor, before getting on the cable car, there had been many fans around him—some taking photos, others directly recording with video cameras. In the absence of surveillance, these were all important materials. Hagiwara Kenji had originally planned to go find people later to ask if anyone's recordings could be borrowed so they could examine the details.
Although he had been observing from the side at the time, human memory could be biased, and having video footage might provide evidence while being more convenient.
He hadn't expected that before he even came down the mountain, Little Shinryu had already investigated this important intelligence and told him.
If the person who got on the cable car wasn't the victim, then how did the victim appear on the cable car?
There were only two possibilities: either he was already up there from the beginning, or he got on the cable car midway—
Countless details pieced together possibilities in Hagiwara Kenji's mind.
What he needed next was just to search for evidence to prove his hypothesis.
Unfortunately, the detectives from Yamagata Prefecture weren't very willing to let Hagiwara Kenji interfere with their case, and their cooperation was somewhat lacking.
Having detectives solve cases before police was certainly painful for them, but having detectives from other jurisdictions solve their cases was even more unacceptable.
Fortunately, competition aside, they shared the same goal of wanting to solve the case and find the culprit. It was just that Hagiwara Kenji couldn't command the local police and could only work through the detective in charge, making efficiency somewhat low.
Compared to the police who only acted when commanded, the two free middle schoolers were much more efficient—checking recordings, watching the actor's previous films and behind-the-scenes footage, keeping very busy.
Finally, all questions were resolved. Hattori Heiji immediately rushed to the police's temporary office, while Kudo Shinichi also got the phone number of the detective in charge of this case.
Almost simultaneously, one in front of the police and one over the phone, they explained the method of this case.
"So the culprit is the stunt actor Mitsumata-san! Because the victim didn't want to expose that his skiing skills were average, he had Mitsumata-san wear a hat, wig, and goggles to impersonate him, skiing and showing off in front of fans. Then carrying a bag containing the victim, he brought the victim to mid-air and killed him... Because the victim was skin and bones, weighing less than 60 pounds, it was very easy for Mitsumata..."
After Hattori Heiji finished his lengthy explanation, he found the atmosphere unusually silent.
"...Uh, did I say something wrong?"
"Nothing wrong," Mitsumata said expressionlessly. "It's just that before you came, the police had just finished explaining, and everyone had already been shocked."
Hattori Heiji: "..."
Kudo Shinichi on the other end of the phone: "..."
Hagiwara Kenji smiled and smoothed things over: "You also helped though. For instance, you discovered the mechanism for faking gunshots and such—all very useful... On our side, mainly the director already knew the method, so he came to assist police in solving the case."
During his investigation, Hagiwara Kenji had keenly noticed something wrong with the director's attitude—not the nervousness after killing someone, but the hesitation about whether to speak up.
So Hagiwara Kenji relied on his speaking skills and affinity, along with the clues he had already gathered, to extract information. This broke through the director's psychological defenses, and he told police all about the murder method he suspected the male actor used four years ago.
Knowing the murder method from four years ago made this case much easier to handle. Other evidence aside, Mitsumata was still wearing the clothes he wore when impersonating the male actor on the cable car—he'd just put on an outer coat. So when his method was exposed, he didn't argue much and directly admitted he was taking revenge for the victim from four years ago.
Because the male actor was worried that the stunt actor from four years ago might write memoirs after being unable to make money, spreading gossip about him, he killed that person. Mitsumata couldn't forgive such scum. Since he'd been discovered, he could only go to prison.
Because Mitsumata was very cooperative, during the conversation, the police hadn't had time to handcuff him yet, so Hattori Heiji didn't notice anything wrong.
After hearing about the shortcut the police took, Hattori Heiji looked at the director speechlessly: "Since you already knew what was going on, why didn't you tell the police earlier? Did you have to wait for another person to die before speaking up?"
The director was also very sad: "I had no evidence. I was just speculating. Making this movie was also hoping that guy would see the script and have a change of heart to turn himself in. I didn't expect..."
Hattori Heiji felt this director had seriously affected his deductive experience this time, but since he was helping police solve the case, he couldn't say anything.
Moreover, Hattori Heiji felt that he had figured out some details only with his father's reminder, while the middle schooler on the other side who didn't come and only explained over the phone should have done it by himself, so that middle schooler was stronger than him.
No matter how you looked at it, this case could be solved with or without him, so he felt somewhat listless.
On the way down the mountain, Hattori Heiji received a call from Usuha Izuki.
"I heard you already solved the case. Congratulations." Usuha Izuki smiled. "How do you feel?"
Hattori Heiji was still a bit emotional: "I lost."
"Eh? You're admitting defeat so readily?"
"My old man gave me hints. Otherwise I wouldn't have figured out what was up with that bag full of snow..."
Usuha Izuki immediately said: "The kid on the other side also had his father's hints! When I called him just now, he said he lost to you!"
"...Hah? That guy also had help?"
Hattori Heiji's originally downcast mood immediately recovered. He was a little happy but also a little suspicious: "Really? Are you comforting me?"
Usuha Izuki asked back: "Do you think I have the kind of personality that comforts people?"
Hattori Heiji said sincerely: "No, I think you're better suited to kicking people when they're down."
"...You're really honest."
"So this time was actually a tie, right?" Hattori Heiji said cheerfully. "No winner."
Usuha Izuki was cold and ruthless: "Of course the police won. If you two went to get the director to tell the truth, the director would definitely trust police more than you. Being able to extract intelligence from others is also an important skill."
"...That police thing doesn't count! I'm talking about me and that other guy!"
Usuha Izuki said with anguish: "You can't even beat the police—what kind of detective are you!"
Hattori Heiji: "??? Isn't your standard a bit high... I'm still just a middle schooler... I just want to know whose level is higher between me and that other middle schooler..."
Usuha Izuki thought about it: "I think he's a little stronger than you."
Hattori Heiji, who actually wanted to hear "tie": "...Hah? Wait, why is he stronger than me? Isn't this obviously a tie?"
But the phone had already hung up.
Hattori Heiji felt like his mindset had been messed with.
Although he had previously accepted that the other side was stronger than him, this guy had explained everything, making him feel a tie was more reasonable, then finally told him the other side was still a little stronger without explaining why... What the hell!
Was this frustration education? To keep him from getting too cocky? Could it be that guy used the same approach when talking to the other person?
Or was there really something he hadn't done well enough that this guy happened to see?
Hattori Heiji repeatedly reviewed his actions today, trying to find flaws to ensure the same problem wouldn't happen again next time.
Sigh, although self-reflection and caution were also essential qualities for being a detective, not giving a reference answer was too frustrating...
He wondered if the other side received the same treatment.
Although their actions happened to be staggered during the investigation, if the other person also planned to become a detective, they would meet sooner or later.
When they discussed today's case then, it would be a precious memory... A detective the same age? He really looked forward to the day they'd formally meet...
Since Hagiwara Kenji wasn't a police officer from Yamagata Prefecture, and the case was already solved, there was no need to stay longer, lest it seem like he was trying to steal credit.
He called his partner who wasn't present but always provided useful intelligence.
"Mm, things are resolved here. I'll come down the mountain soon. Thanks to the problem you discovered, it helped me successfully pry open the director's mouth... Eh? What did you say?"
"...That bomber was released after serving his sentence?"