Officer Yamamura wore a look of I knew it, before asking speechlessly, "So, what kind of message did you guys help him pass, and to whom?"
"We were just passing a message to someone staying at the same hotel as us," Ran explained. "This person is from the Winter Momiji production team..."
"Winter Momiji?!" Officer Yamamura gasped, an excited look washing over him. "I know, I know! Isn't that the romance drama currently re-airing on the Gunma Prefecture cable television?!"
Noticing the rather strange looks the others were casting his way, Officer Yamamura gave a light cough and explained, "Actually, my grandma back in the countryside really loves this TV show too, and she recommended it to me. Then I started watching the reruns and eventually became a fan of this drama as well. I lock myself in front of the TV every week from nine to ten on weeknights!"
"Today is Saturday, and I even set the VCR at home!"
"I want to go home and watch it so badly..."
The mere thought that he had to come deal with a murder case right before getting off work—and might not even get to watch his television show—sent a wave of deep grievance surging through Officer Yamamura.
Still, if he wrapped up the murder case a bit earlier, he could probably head back sooner to watch his show, right?
Thinking this to himself, Officer Yamamura offered a sharp cough and got serious. "Ahem, in that case, what on earth did the people from that production crew want you guys to pass along?"
"How on earth do you manage to get someone killed just by passing a message?"
The group fell utterly speechless at the Gunma cop's outlandish theory.
What do you mean, passed a message right into someone getting killed?