Perhaps having figured out the situation, the detective finally showed him some courtesy this time.
Jiang Xia's tone turned grave. "You're the 'Red-Bearded Santa Claus'?"
Hearing this, Sato Miwako was startled and leaned closer to listen in through the phone.
Red-Bearded Santa Claus sneered. "You can see the third-floor windows from where you are, right?"
Jiang Xia and Officer Sato turned to look. It was already late at night, and most of the guests who had come here were the traditional sort who enjoyed stage plays—they had long since gone to bed. The entire building was now almost completely dark.
Red-Bearded Santa Claus's voice continued. "Watch closely. The third act of the murder play is about to begin."
With that, he let out a string of chilling, unpleasant laughter.
Hearing that he was once again predicting a murder, Sato Miwako hurriedly took the phone from Jiang Xia, wanting to question him further. But the screen had already returned to its normal display—the other party had hung up.
Just then, Jiang Xia suddenly raised a hand and pointed toward the building.
Sato Miwako froze, then looked up. Her expression changed drastically.
In the building that had been completely dark, a window had lit up at some point—it was the Red Room on the third floor.
The red light was already exceptionally glaring, and with that room the only one illuminated, it stood out even more.
And on closer inspection, someone wearing a trench coat and a hat could be seen standing silently before the Red Room's window. Pressed close to the glass, the figure looked down at the courtyard, as though sneering at the police officers and detective below.
After watching for a few seconds, he turned and left.
Only after that figure vanished did Sato Miwako snap out of the