When an accident happened on stage, lowering the curtain to keep the audience from seeing more was the most basic response.
On one hand, it could conceal the mistake and salvage some of their reputation. On the other, when a murder case occurred, it could prevent the guests from panicking and running around, avoiding even greater chaos.
The actors on stage, all familiar with the script, had already realized that something had gone wrong. Their faces were extremely grim.
But the audience had no idea. They were still eagerly discussing this unexpected turn in the plot.
Jiang Xia stood up, his expression grave. "Let's go backstage and take a look."
The group quickly left the audience seats and jogged backstage.
After passing through the corridor and heading up to the stage, they found that the Hokkaido Police had moved even faster. They were already gathered around the female Troupe Leader, checking her condition.
Fumizuki Karen sat collapsed on the floor, unable to believe it. The other actors wore varying expressions—some terrified, some bewildered—but even more of them seemed strangely relieved, as though a burden had been lifted.
Under everyone's gaze, Fuwa Narumi straightened up from beside the female Troupe Leader.
The promising young Superintendent wiped her hands, her voice heavy. "She's dead."
Although he rarely dealt with the Hokkaido Police, it seemed that their procedures for handling murder cases were not much different from those in Tokyo.
If there was any difference, it was probably that no officer here took the initiative to hand Jiang Xia any information.
...But that was not much of a problem.
While a junior officer reported the situation to Superintendent Fuwa, Jiang Xia edged closer and listened in—there was a lot of text in the report, and the superintendent was busy directing the