The proof approaches its end. Based on the clues presented. Hoshizono finally makes his accusation.
The proof approaches its end.
Based on the clues presented.
Hoshizono finally makes his accusation.
“Now, we have six clues to the culprit's identity: 'positional relationship', 'choice of weapon', 'alibi', 'psychological element', 'physical characteristics', and 'action'.”
Hoshizono's deep voice echoed off the walls of the dining room. No one dared speak over him. Only the sound of the wind raging outside threatened to cover his voice.
“Based on these six clues, we can identify the culprit. First off, 'action'.”
Hoshizono opened his hand wide and stuck out a thumb.
“The culprit took the 'action' of tying the thread to ensure that Miss Yumi and Miss Mikiko wouldn't have alibis, but we can also turn that around. By emphasizing that the alarm didn't go off, they prevented them from having an alibi. So, conversely, if they hadn't done so, there was a risk that they would have developed an alibi. So ask yourself: what if one of them was the culprit? If one of them was the culprit, and the other was awoken by a noise they made, it would be immediately obvious that the culprit wasn't there. In that case, all they could do was hope that their partner didn't wake up at all. Whether what woke them up was the kettle or not wouldn't have mattered. There would have been no point to the trick. If their partner woke up while they were committing the crime, they couldn't have just said 'oh, I was in the bathroom'. They might have been able to get away for the time, but as soon as the crime was discovered in the morning, that would be it. All or nothing – that was the level of the problem. The insurance of the thread wouldn't matter in the slightest. If one of the two was the culprit, it would be in their interest to ignore the thread and just get back as quickly and quietly as possible. The base assumption of the 'action' would be wrong: retying the thread wouldn't have gotten them an alibi. The 'action' only makes sense if taken by someone else. Therefore, this clue proves that neither Yumi nor Mikiko can be the culprit. Therefore, we can remove them from the list of suspects.”
Yumi put a hand over her mouth as Mikiko visibly deflated with her sigh of relief.
“Next, let us consider the 'positional relationship' we discussed at the top. With this condition, Kazuo, Miss Yumi, and Miss Mikiko, who were in the administration building, and those staying in the lodges on the right are the suspects. Those staying in the lodges on the left, who wouldn't have used the front door, can be removed from the suspect list. That would be the two of you. Therefore, we can exclude Mr. Sagashima and Miss Asako from further suspicion.”
Sagashima didn't react much, but it was clear that Asako had just let go of a lot of tension. When Kazuo saw that, he felt like his own body had grown lighter.
“Next, the 'choice of weapon'. The criminal didn't know about the contents of the storage room across from the staff room. Before dinner last night, after learning on the news that the town beneath us was being ravaged by a blizzard, Ms. Kusabuki said that her stove was running low on fuel. Mr. Zaino told her where they stored the fuel: that very room. She refused Mr. Zaino's offer and went to get it herself. Miss Asako, you went with her. After the incident, Kazuo and I confirmed that there was actually a can of gasoline there. If either of them were the culprit, they would have known that there were plenty of things to be used as weapons in that room. You couldn't have missed them all. That was several hours before the crime. Therefore, we can exclude Ms. Kusabuki and Miss Asako.”
Akane blew a puff of smoke towards the ceiling. It spread out in a gentle arc like a victory firework.
“Well, Miss Asako has been proven innocent twice over now, but I specified again for the sake of accuracy. My apologies. Now, on to the 'alibi'. Of course, anyone with an alibi can't be the culprit. The culprit was the one who was in Mr. Iwagishi's lodge when Kazuo passed by. Therefore, Kazuo himself can be dismissed as a suspect. And there is no way I could have passed him when he was on his way to my lodge. Kazuo went directly from the left path, under the eaves of the administration building, and to my lodge. There were no footprints in the snowy field between the paths, so I can't have passed him, unless someone here thinks I possess the power of teleportation. Therefore, the 'alibi' clue proves the innocence of Kazuo and myself.”
Suddenly, Kazuo and Asako's eyes met. Asako had looked up in confusion. Kazuo also thought something was wrong with what Hoshizono had just said, but nobody else had any reaction, and he was allowed to continue on.
“Next, there is the 'psychological element'. Those who completely deny UFOs and crop circles cannot be the culprit. Ms. Kusabuki has a long history of writing essays denying the existence of UFOs, as well as ghosts and other supernatural phenomenon. At dinner on the first day, Miss Mikiko mentioned having read one of them. It was just coincidence that on the day Mr. Iwagishi was killed there was snow deep enough to dig a crop circle in. It's hard to imagine Ms. Kusabuki pretended to be a skeptic to the point of writing essays on the subject just to give herself such a weak defense for a weak disturbance. I've also been a long-time UFO skeptic. If anyone here has read my books, they'll know that already.”
Kazuo remembered the book he'd read on the Seibu Express line on the way there. That was indeed what had been written.
“Therefore, the 'psychological element' allows Ms. Kusabuki and myself to be removed from the list.”
Hoshizono still sounded calm.
“Finally, there are the 'physical characteristics'. The criminal tied the thread. However, there are people here who can't do such delicate work. Mr. Sagashima burned his hand on the morning of the second day. And Miss Yumi's nails are too long for work involving her hands. At dinner on the first day, Miss Mikiko showed me a lovely set of fake nails, but Yumi's nails, which are even longer, are real.”
Yumi spread her arms, giving them a good look at her abnormally long Thai folk dancer nails.
“With those, it's unlikely you'd be able to tie such a tiny knot without it getting stuck in your nails. They aren't suitable for such delicate work. That's the reason you didn't help with the cooking, and I hear you couldn't even open your beers on your own. Therefore, we can once again exclude Mr. Sagashima and Miss Yumi.”
Hoshizono raised his Greek statue face.
“That is the end of my argument. I have listed everyone whose innocence can be proven based on these conditions.”
Then, he looked at the faces of all those around the table.
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