Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Uzo, the legendary murderer, returns and hangs President Oda from the Five-Story Pagoda.
• Police investigate the murder, struggling to explain how the body reached the top of the Tower.
• The body is finally retrieved, and an investigation report is compiled.

Character Developments

• Inspector Megure becomes increasingly weary and disbelieving of the supernatural events.
• Jiang Xia remains calm and observant, climbing the Tower to examine the scene.
• Chianti and Korn, the Snipers, are revealed to have cleaned the crime scene, avoiding detection.

Significant Themes

• The supernatural and its influence on reality.
• The consequences of reckless wishes and desires.
• The struggle between belief and disbelief in the face of extraordinary events.

Character Interactions

• Chianti and Korn work together, expressing their disbelief at Uzo's actions.
• Inspector Megure interacts with Jiang Xia, handing over the investigation report.
• President Oda's death affects various characters, including Tatsumi Seimaru, Hashimoto Maya, and Curacao, who reflect on their own actions and words.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Korn reflects on Uzo's cunning and manipulative tactics, realizing the danger of people who leave no room for error.
• At the Five-Story Pagoda, police investigate the death of President Oda, finding no obvious cause of death or signs of struggle. The victim's valuables, including a large sum of cash and a diamond tie pin, are missing.
• Manager Kajimura, an employee of President Oda, arrives at the scene and reveals that the company is facing financial troubles and being sued by a temple.
• The temple's staff are questioned. The Abbot claims to have been chanting scriptures all night, while his son, Harumi, was sleeping. The Sweeping Monk, Okabe, had not yet arrived at the temple.

Character Developments

• Korn: Realizes the severity of Uzo's schemes and the ruthlessness of those who do not tolerate mistakes.
• Inspector Megure: Struggles with the case's complexities and suspects foul play, despite initial thoughts of suicide.
• Jiang Xia: Observes the scene and notices the victim's missing valuables, suggesting robbery as a possible motive.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and cunning (Uzo's tactics, Manager Kajimura's revelation about President Oda's financial situation)
• The fine line between truth and deception (Abbot Tankai's claim of divine punishment, the temple staff's alibis)
• The consequences of one's actions (Korn's reflection on the severity of Uzo's schemes)

Character Interactions

• Korn's internal monologue reveals his thoughts on Uzo's manipulative tactics and the danger of leaving no room for error.
• Inspector Megure and Jiang Xia work together to gather information and clues at the crime scene.
• The temple staff interact with Inspector Megure and Jiang Xia, providing alibis and revealing potential motives and conflicts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A man is found dead at the top of a tower in a temple, with a noose around his neck.
• Inspector Megure investigates the scene and interviews the temple manager, who found the body but didn't immediately call the police.
• Jiang Xia, an undercover agent, arrives with his assistant Hashimoto Maya and begins investigating.
• Jiang Xia finds a diamond tie pin near a tree, suggesting the crime scene might be there.
• The police later find the tie pin and thank Jiang Xia's assistant for the clue.

Character Developments

• Inspector Megure: Struggles to communicate with the temple's abbot and suspects the temple manager due to his delayed report.
• Jiang Xia: Shows expertise in investigation, trying to recruit Curacao as a subordinate.
• Hashimoto Maya: Struggles to meet Jiang Xia's expectations as an assistant, feeling dejected but relieved when Jiang Xia doesn't expect too much from him.
• Curacao: Avoids involvement in the case, feeling uncomfortable with Jiang Xia's attention and wishing Bourbon were there.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between traditional values and modern commercialism, represented by the temple manager's actions.
• The tension between police and private detectives, as seen in Inspector Megure's interactions with Jiang Xia.

Character Interactions

• Inspector Megure and the Temple Manager: Megure suspects the manager due to his delayed report and the manager's connection to the deceased.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya: Jiang Xia tries to mentor Maya, but Maya feels inadequate and relieved when Jiang Xia doesn't expect too much.
• Jiang Xia and Curacao: Jiang Xia tries to recruit Curacao as a subordinate, but she declines due to her fear of corpses and desire to avoid cases.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Inspector Megure realizes the victim couldn't have committed suicide as initially thought due to the height and lack of traces on the railing.
• Abbot Tankai mocks the police for trying to solve a divine punishment, but his smugness fades when Jiang Xia accuses Manager Kajimura of murder.
• Jiang Xia reveals the murder method: the killer used a complex rope system involving a well, a steel bar, and a noose to hang the victim from the Five-Story Pagoda's rooftop.

Character Developments

• Inspector Megure: Realizes the suicide theory is flawed and becomes more determined to solve the case.
• Abbot Tankai: Initially confident and smug, he becomes flustered and defensive when Jiang Xia accuses Kajimura.
• Manager Kajimura: Becomes nervous and evasive when accused, hinting at his possible involvement.
• Jiang Xia: Demonstrates exceptional observational and deductive skills, solving the murder method quickly and accurately.

Significant Themes

• Divine punishment vs. human investigation: Abbot Tankai believes the murder was divine punishment, while Jiang Xia and the police use human wisdom to solve the case.
• Appearances vs. reality: The murder scene initially appears to be a suicide, but Jiang Xia reveals the true method and intent behind it.

Character Interactions

• Inspector Megure and the junior officer: Megure scolds the officer for not noticing the crucial detail about the railing earlier.
• Abbot Tankai and Jiang Xia: Tankai initially mocks Jiang Xia's attempts to solve the case but becomes flustered when Jiang Xia accuses Kajimura.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya: Jiang Xia credits Maya for helping him find clues, but Maya remains expressionless and uncomfortable with the attention.
• Jiang Xia and Manager Kajimura: Jiang Xia accuses Kajimura of murder, leading to Kajimura's nervous and evasive behavior.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Xia deduces that the victim was hoisted up using a rope, causing friction marks on the railing and eaves.
• Sato Miwako suggests the possibility of an accomplice, but Jiang Xia presents a method for one person to perform the crime.
• Manager Kajimura is identified as the prime suspect due to his knowledge of the temple's layout and his presence at the crime scene.
• Jiang Xia reveals that Kajimura's claim of being away on business is false, as he learned about a recent dispute between the victim and the temple from the monks.
• Kajimura insists on physical evidence, and Jiang Xia responds that they have plenty, including Kajimura's purchase records, marks on the steel, lawn footsteps, and a cash-filled wallet with the victim's fingerprints.

Character Developments

• Jiang Xia demonstrates his deductive skills and patience in solving the case.
• Sato Miwako shows suspicion and critical thinking but can be easily distracted.
• Manager Kajimura displays desperation and attempts to hide his involvement in the crime.
• Abbot Tankai reveals that he mentioned the legal dispute with the victim to Kajimura.

Significant Themes

• The importance of evidence in solving a case.
• The danger of underestimating people based on appearance.
• The power of deduction and observation in unraveling a mystery.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia and Sato Miwako work together to solve the case, with Jiang Xia guiding Sato's thoughts.
• Kajimura interacts with the other suspects, trying to shift suspicion away from himself.
• Abbot Tankai inadvertently provides crucial information that incriminates Kajimura.
• Curacao silently critiques Kajimura's strategy and pities the other suspects for their lack of awareness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Manager Kajimura is exposed as the murderer of the victim, Grandet, due to a cigar receipt found in his wallet.
• Kajimura confesses to killing Grandet after becoming enraged by Grandet's plan to make him take the blame for their tax evasion scheme.
• Inspector Megure and Jiang Xia wrap up the case, deciding to involve the Second Investigation Division due to the economic crime aspect.
• The group returns to the hotel, where Tatsumi Seimaru encounters his third uncle, Tatsumi Sohei.

Character Developments

• Manager Kajimura: Revealed as the murderer, driven by anger and a desire to avoid taking the blame for tax evasion.
• Inspector Megure: Initially suspicious of the three people at the temple, later realizes the murderer is the victim's confidant.
• Jiang Xia: Proves to be a skilled detective, solving the case and displaying professionalism.
• Tatsumi Seimaru: Struggles with fatigue after the murder case and encounters his third uncle, Tatsumi Sohei, who ignores him and approaches Jiang Xia instead.

Significant Themes

• Greed and the corrupting influence of money (Grandet's love for money, Kajimura's tax evasion involvement).
• Betrayal and trust (Kajimura's betrayal of Grandet, Grandet's plan to make Kajimura take the blame).
• Power dynamics and family politics (Tatsumi Seimaru's relationship with his third uncle, Tatsumi Sohei).

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia and Inspector Megure: Work together to solve the case, with Jiang Xia taking the lead in deducing Kajimura's guilt.
• Kajimura and Grandet: Their relationship is strained due to their tax evasion scheme and Grandet's plan to make Kajimura take the blame.
• Tatsumi Seimaru and Tatsumi Sohei: Their interaction is tense, with Tatsumi Sohei ignoring Tatsumi Seimaru and approaching Jiang Xia instead, highlighting their strained relationship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Tatsumi Sohei, a senior lawyer, meets Jiang Xia and invites him to discuss a commission, effectively hijacking Jiang Xia's time from his current client, Mrs. Tatsumi.
• Jiang Xia, along with Hashimoto Maya, follows Tatsumi Sohei to his hotel suite office.
• Tatsumi Sohei orders coffee and seems to be stalling for time, making Hashimoto Maya suspicious about the true purpose of the meeting.

Character Developments

• Tatsumi Sohei: Initially portrayed as rude and indifferent, he shows politeness and warmth towards Jiang Xia, indicating a respect for his legal prowess. However, his true intentions remain unclear.
• Hashimoto Maya: He feels overwhelmed and anxious about his new role under Uzo, wishing for a simpler life. He begins to suspect Tatsumi Sohei's true intentions.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Deception: Tatsumi Sohei's behavior suggests he may be hiding something, manipulating the situation to suit his needs.
• Work-Life Balance: Hashimoto Maya's internal monologue highlights the strain of his new job, contrasting with his desire for a normal life.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia and Tatsumi Sohei: Their interaction shows mutual respect for each other's legal expertise, but Tatsumi Sohei's dominance in the conversation hints at an imbalance of power.
• Hashimoto Maya and Jiang Xia: Jiang Xia's casual pat on Hashimoto Maya's shoulder suggests a level of familiarity and trust, while Hashimoto Maya's reluctance to get involved in the commission shows his discomfort with his new role.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hashimoto Maya receives a call from Lawyer Tatsumi's wife, who is supposedly alive but may be dead due to a script Hashimoto Maya imagines.
• The wife asks Hashimoto Maya to pass a message to her husband, Lawyer Tatsumi.
• Lawyer Tatsumi returns and takes the call, later asking Hashimoto Maya if his wife said anything strange.
• Lawyer Tatsumi hires Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya to catch his wife cheating.

Character Developments

• Hashimoto Maya: Shows quick thinking and imagination, suspecting a murder case while answering the phone. He also demonstrates acting skills to maintain his cover.
• Lawyer Tatsumi: Seems to be hiding something about his wife. He hires the detectives to investigate her infidelity, suggesting marital issues.

Significant Themes

• Trust and deception: The chapter explores themes of trust and deception, both between spouses (Lawyer Tatsumi and his wife) and between the detectives and their clients (Lawyer Tatsumi).
• Appearances vs. reality: The call from Lawyer Tatsumi's wife blurs the line between life and death, challenging Hashimoto Maya's perception of reality.

Character Interactions

• Hashimoto Maya and Lawyer Tatsumi: Their interaction is tense, with Hashimoto Maya suspecting Lawyer Tatsumi of wrongdoing and Lawyer Tatsumi being secretive about his wife.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya: Jiang Xia expresses concern for Hashimoto Maya's well-being, offering to involve him in more cases to help him become a better detective. However, Hashimoto Maya is not enthusiastic about this offer.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lawyer Tatsumi hires Jiang Xia's detective agency to investigate his wife, Kazumi, suspected of infidelity.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya meet with Lawyer Tatsumi, who is hesitant and unclear about his objectives.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya encounter Mrs. Tatsumi and Tatsumi Seimaru, and they all have lunch together.
• Jiang Xia persuades Curacao to join them for lunch, expressing concern for her safety.

Character Developments

• Lawyer Tatsumi: Struggles with his suspicions about his wife's infidelity, wanting to preserve their marriage but also needing confirmation.
• Jiang Xia: Demonstrates empathy and understanding, showing concern for Curacao's well-being.
• Hashimoto Maya: Grows more comfortable working under Uzo, showing increased confidence and boldness.
• Curacao: Initially reluctant to get involved, she eventually joins the group, hinting at a secret plan.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion in relationships (Lawyer Tatsumi's marriage)
• Unity and teamwork (Jiang Xia's efforts to keep the group together)
• Hidden agendas and secrets (Curacao's unknown plan)

Character Interactions

• Lawyer Tatsumi and Jiang Xia: Lawyer Tatsumi is hesitant and unclear about his objectives, while Jiang Xia patiently navigates the conversation.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya: They work together, with Hashimoto Maya expressing his thoughts and concerns to Jiang Xia.
• Jiang Xia and Curacao: Jiang Xia shows concern for Curacao's well-being, trying to keep her involved and safe.
• Curacao and Hashimoto Maya: They exchange brief, pointed remarks, hinting at their respective loyalties and plans.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Xia encounters a woman, Furukawa Etsuko, who's upset about a detective bailing on her.
• Mrs. Tatsumi recognizes Etsuko and learns she needs a detective to find her mother's attacker.
• Jiang Xia is hired for the case, and they arrange to meet at Etsuko's mother's house in the evening.

Character Developments

• Curacao understands Hashimoto Maya's isolation due to his harsh work environment.
• Jiang Xia shows his professionalism and capability, impressing Mrs. Tatsumi and Etsuko.
• Etsuko is portrayed as busy and somewhat scatterbrained.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and reliability is highlighted through Etsuko's experience with the unreliable detective.
• The idea of appearances versus reality is shown when Etsuko mistakes Jiang Xia for Mrs. Tatsumi's son.

Character Interactions

• Curacao and Mrs. Tatsumi bond over their shared experience of being misunderstood.
• Jiang Xia and Etsuko have a brief, professional interaction.
• Jiang Xia teases Curacao about her dark circles, showing a friendly dynamic between them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group heads to Furukawa Etsuko's mother's home to discuss Old Woman Furukawa's attack.
• They pass a mansion with the nameplate "Tatsumi," which piques Hashimoto Maya's interest.
• Upon arrival, they learn that Furukawa Etsuko and her brother Furukawa Koji are not home, and Old Woman Furukawa is resting upstairs.
• Furukawa Koji arrives, displaying arrogance and disrespect towards his sister and mother.
• Furukawa Etsuko returns home.

Character Developments

• Hashimoto Maya becomes increasingly wary and paranoid, suspecting conspiracies and schemes.
• Furukawa Koji is introduced as an arrogant, disrespectful young man with a disregard for his family's business and his sister's feelings.

Significant Themes

• Class and wealth disparity, as seen in the contrast between the Furukawa and Tatsumi families.
• Family dynamics and sibling rivalry, particularly between Furukawa Etsuko and Furukawa Koji.

Character Interactions

• Hashimoto Maya and Jiang Xia maintain their tense, wary relationship, with Maya trying to stay close to Jiang Xia for protection.
• Furukawa Koji's arrival causes tension, as he disrespects his sister and the maid, Azusa.
• The maid, Azusa, shows discomfort around Furukawa Koji, suggesting a history of poor treatment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Furukawa Etsuko returns home late, finding her brother Koji there despite their mother's ban.
• Siblings argue about their financial struggles and accusations of deceit.
• Maid reveals family secrets: Etsuko's company's financial troubles, Koji's gambling debts, and their mother's stinginess.
• Etsuko and the maid go upstairs to talk to their mother, but find her bedroom door locked. A gunshot is heard from inside.

Character Developments

• Furukawa Etsuko: Struggles with her company's bankruptcy and her mother's disapproval. Attempts to maintain appearances despite her financial troubles.
• Furukawa Koji: Gambling addict, estranged from his mother due to his debts. Manipulative and disrespectful towards his sister and the maid.
• Machida Azusa (Maid): Owes money to the family due to damages she caused. Naive and talkative, she reveals family secrets unintentionally.

Significant Themes

• Family dynamics and dysfunction
• Money and debt as sources of conflict
• Appearances vs. reality
• The consequences of secrets and lies

Character Interactions

• Furukawa Etsuko & Furukawa Koji: Siblings with a strained relationship, each blaming the other for their financial struggles.
• Furukawa Etsuko & Machida Azusa: Etsuko treats the maid dismissively, while Azusa is submissive and eager to please.
• Furukawa Koji & Machida Azusa: Koji tries to manipulate the maid, offering to help her debts in exchange for her loyalty.
• Guests & Furukawa Family: The guests observe the family dynamics with curiosity and disdain, highlighting the contrast between their lives and the Furukawas' troubles.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A gunshot is heard in Furukawa Katsue's room.
• The family and guests rush upstairs to find Katsue dead from a gunshot wound.
• The police arrive and investigate, determining the killer entered through an open window and left the same way.
• Jiang Xia notices something odd about the gunshot.

Character Developments

• Jiang Xia demonstrates his physical prowess by easily kicking open the locked door.
• Hashimoto Maya struggles to hide his knowledge about guns when Jiang Xia questions him.

Significant Themes

• The theme of trust and betrayal is reinforced as the killer is likely someone Katsue knew.
• The theme of revenge is hinted at, as Katsue was attacked three days prior.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya's dynamic continues, with Jiang Xia subtly testing Hashimoto's knowledge.
• The Furukawa family members interact with each other, showing concern and fear for one another's safety.
• Jiang Xia and Sato Miwako communicate non-verbally, with Sato hinting at Jiang Xia to question Hashimoto.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Hashimoto Maya deduces that the victim knew her assailant well, as she approached the window instead of fleeing towards the door.
• The victim's son, daughter, and maid are questioned. The maid reveals that the victim was attacked three days prior and a detective was hired to investigate.
• The son, Furukawa Koji, is suspected due to his absence during the crime and his lack of alibi. However, he claims he was buying a gift for his mother and heard a strange noise before rushing back.
• Officer Takagi reports that the victim had a poor reputation among neighbors and that the maid had threatened her earlier in the day. The maid denies involvement, and the maid and Furukawa Etsuko corroborate each other's alibis.
• Furukawa Koji recalls seeing a bluish-white light in his mother's room before the gunshot.

Character Developments

• Hashimoto Maya demonstrates detective skills, impressing Jiang Xia and Inspector Megure.
• Furukawa Koji's alibi is weak, and he appears suspicious, but he denies involvement in the murder.
• The maid's initial threat towards the victim is revealed, but she maintains her innocence.

Significant Themes

• Trust and familiarity: The victim's trust in her assailant led to her demise.
• Appearances can be deceiving: Furukawa Koji's playboy lifestyle and the maid's initial threat do not necessarily make them guilty.
• The power dynamics between the victim and her servants: The victim's harsh treatment of her servants is revealed.

Character Interactions

• Hashimoto Maya and Jiang Xia: Maya's deductions impress Jiang Xia, showing a growing partnership.
• Furukawa Koji and Inspector Megure: Koji's lack of alibi and suspicious behavior make him a prime suspect in Megure's eyes.
• The maid and Furukawa Etsuko: The maid and Etsuko corroborate each other's alibis, ruling them out as suspects.
• Furukawa Koji and his siblings/maid: Koji's siblings and the maid suspect him, while he maintains his innocence.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Jiang Xia deduces the murderer's identity based on the timing of a gunshot heard on a TV show and the victim's ability to see the murderer before her death.
• The murderer, Furukawa Etsuko, used the gunshot from a detective show produced by her company to create an alibi.
• Jiang Xia outlines Etsuko's method: she switched on the TV with a remote control, manufactured the gunshot, and then switched it off again.

Character Developments

• Jiang Xia demonstrates his investigative skills and deductive reasoning.
• Furukawa Etsuko's true colors are revealed; she is the murderer.
• Officer Takagi and Detective Furukawa Koji are present but play minor roles.

Significant Themes

• Precision and Timing: The murderer's plan relied heavily on precise timing, which was achieved through Etsuko's use of an electronic watch and careful planning.
• Deception: Etsuko deceived everyone by creating a false alibi and manipulating the situation to her advantage.
• Investigative Skills: Jiang Xia's ability to piece together clues and solve the case highlights the theme of problem-solving and deduction.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia interacts with the ghosts he controls, using them to gather information and evidence.
• Jiang Xia works with Officer Takagi and Detective Furukawa Koji, providing them with his findings and helping to solve the case.
• Furukawa Etsuko interacts with her brother, Koji, who is initially unaware of her involvement in their mother's murder.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Furukawa Etsuko is interrogated about her fingerprints on the Remote Control.
• The maid reveals that she wiped the Remote Control earlier, contradicting Etsuko's claim.
• Etsuko's car is found with clothes containing gunpowder residue and a crumpled gun.
• Etsuko confesses to killing her mother for inheritance to save her struggling company.
• Another murder case occurs next door to Mrs. Furukawa's place, involving a lawyer who met with Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya.

Character Developments

• Furukawa Etsuko: Confesses to murder, revealing her motive and desperation.
• Jiang Xia: Continues to investigate cases, showing professionalism and dedication.
• Kazami Yuuya: Follows Jiang Xia's instructions, witnesses the second murder case, and struggles with his duties.
• Amuro Tooru: Oversees Kazami Yuuya's actions, receives news about another case, and prioritizes his schedule.

Significant Themes

• Greed and desperation leading to crime (Furukawa Etsuko).
• The consequences of one's actions (Etsuko's confession and arrest).
• The relentless pursuit of justice (Jiang Xia's investigation).

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia and Furukawa Etsuko: Interrogation and confession.
• Kazami Yuuya and Amuro Tooru: Communication about the ongoing cases and Kazami's duties.
• Furukawa Etsuko and the maid: Argument about the Remote Control's cleanliness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Amuro Tooru receives an email from Irish, suggesting they discuss something.
• Irish has been low-profile recently, but suddenly seems confident again.
• Amuro Tooru agrees to hear what Irish has to say but decides against meeting him.
• Irish discovers that his former confidant, Hashimoto Maya, has infiltrated Amuro's detective agency.
• Amuro Tooru realizes that Hashimoto Maya is actually working for Uzo, not Irish.

Character Developments

• Irish: Becomes more cautious and focused on investigating Uzo and Gin. Still believes Hashimoto Maya is his subordinate.
• Amuro Tooru: Maintains his undercover role, stalls Irish, and discovers Hashimoto Maya's true allegiance.
• Hashimoto Maya: Remains loyal to his duties, infiltrates Amuro's agency, and is unaware of Irish's ignorance about his transfer.

Significant Themes

• Trust and betrayal: Irish trusts Hashimoto Maya, but Maya is actually working for Uzo. Amuro Tooru manipulates Irish for his own purposes.
• Manipulation and deception: Both Amuro Tooru and Irish try to use others to achieve their goals.
• Information control: Irish is kept in the dark about Hashimoto Maya's transfer, highlighting the power of information in the Organization.

Character Interactions

• Amuro Tooru and Irish: They communicate over the phone, with Amuro Tooru stalling Irish and manipulating him for his own ends.
• Irish and Hashimoto Maya: Irish believes Maya is still his subordinate and is working for him, but Maya is actually working for Uzo.
• Amuro Tooru and Hashimoto Maya: Amuro Tooru is aware of Maya's true allegiance and uses this information to his advantage.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Detective Curacao and Jiang Xia are called to the Tatsumi Family mansion, adjacent to the Furukawa Family home, after Lawyer Tatsumi discovers his wife murdered in the bathtub.
• The police and the detectives investigate the crime scene, with Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya entering the house to examine the body.
• Jiang Xia confirms that the victim is Lawyer Tatsumi's wife, Tatsumi Kazumi, who had called Hashimoto Maya earlier in the day.
• Inspector Megure reveals that the cause of death was strangulation, and it was not suicide.

Character Developments

• Curacao struggles with her growing desensitization to police presence and her suspicion of Jiang Xia.
• Jiang Xia shows concern for his boss's absence and lack of motivation.
• Hashimoto Maya grapples with the realization that his prediction of deaths might be coming true and tries to suppress his thoughts.

Significant Themes

• Desensitization and adaptation to violence and death.
• The predictability and unpredictability of life and death.
• The burden of knowledge and the struggle to maintain normalcy.

Character Interactions

• Curacao and Jiang Xia have a tense interaction, with Curacao suspecting Jiang Xia of plotting against her.
• Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya work together, with Jiang Xia dragging Hashimoto Maya into the house to examine the body.
• Inspector Megure and Jiang Xia discuss the case, with Inspector Megure updating Jiang Xia on the victim's identity and cause of death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Mrs. Tatsumi is found dead in her bathtub.
• Jiang Xia discovers a staple on the bathtub rim, suggesting foul play.
• Lawyer Tatsumi admits to suspecting his wife's infidelity but denies involvement in her death.
• The estimated time of death is between 11:00 and 12:00 noon.
• Lawyer Tatsumi provides an alibi for the time of the commission discussion but could have killed his wife earlier.

Character Developments

• Jiang Xia: Demonstrates keen observational skills and deductive reasoning.
• Lawyer Tatsumi: Maintains composure and provides detailed accounts of his actions.
• Inspector Megure: Struggles with the case's complexities and workload.

Significant Themes

• Alibis and their reliability.
• The burden of proof in investigations.
• The potential for infidelity to lead to tragedy.

Character Interactions

• Jiang Xia and Inspector Megure: Work together to gather information and evidence.
• Lawyer Tatsumi and Inspector Megure: Engage in a tense exchange as Tatsumi defends himself against Megure's suspicions.
• Jiang Xia and Officer Takagi: Share information about the case, with Takagi providing the estimated time of death.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lawyer Tatsumi reveals that the phone call Hashimoto Maya received was indeed from his wife, Mrs. Tatsumi, providing him an alibi.
• Inspector Megure sends Officer Takagi to retrieve the recorded phone conversation as crucial evidence.
• Jiang Xia investigates the hotel, finding no useful clues but discovering a female lawyer, Curacao, who expresses disinterest in the case.
• A man, Hirose Shunzo, accuses Lawyer Tatsumi of murdering Mrs. Tatsumi and confronts him physically.

Character Developments

• Hashimoto Maya shows reluctance in providing information but eventually cooperates.
• Inspector Megure becomes uneasy about Lawyer Tatsumi's calm demeanor and complete alibi.
• Jiang Xia remains composed and professional, guiding the investigation.
• Curacao, the female lawyer, asserts her lack of interest in the case and her presence due to her employer's wishes.
• Hirose Shunzo, Mrs. Tatsumi's lover, is revealed to be volatile and accusatory.

Significant Themes

• The investigation's progression and the search for evidence.
• The dynamics between suspects, witnesses, and investigators.
• The potential motives and alibis of key individuals.

Character Interactions

• Hashimoto Maya and Lawyer Tatsumi: Maya reluctantly provides information about the phone call.
• Inspector Megure and Jiang Xia: Megure seeks Jiang Xia's guidance and assistance in the case.
• Jiang Xia and Curacao: Jiang Xia tries to engage Curacao's interest in the case, but she remains disinterested.
• Lawyer Tatsumi and Hirose Shunzo: Shunzo accuses Tatsumi of murder, leading to a physical altercation.