Murder on the Orient Express—its plot was long and intricate, with well-crafted characters and a brilliantly executed crime. Condensing such a masterful story into a 90-minute film was no easy task.
Fortunately, Edward had already completed the adaptation. To ensure quality, he had even consulted the mystery novelist Crane Grey, who had now joined the crew aboard the train.
"I'm just saying... hiding here to avoid your editor isn't really a valid plan, you know," Edward said as he looked at Crane. When he had approached the novelist for help adapting the script, the man had agreed immediately—but on one condition: he had to accompany the production crew during filming, and Edward was not allowed to reveal his whereabouts.
Now, hoping to avoid the awkwardness still lingering around Giovanni, Edward had decided to chat with Crane before calling everyone together for dinner.
"I have no other choice!" Crane replied bitterly. Though he was a fairly well-known mystery author, he had his own share of headaches. Chief among them: deadlines—the terrifying monsters of a writer's life.
His usually sweet and understanding editor would transform into a demon as deadlines approached. If he didn't submit his manuscript in time, she might even break into his home in the middle of the night to demand it.
Crane was at his breaking point.
With the next deadline fast approaching and no inspiration in sight, he had to run. So when he heard that Edward was preparing to film Sherlock Holmes Season 2, he immediately saw his escape route.
"You can't do this," Edward shook his head. "Besides, being on a train that doesn't stop, I keep feeling like someone might get murdered at any moment."
Crane's eyes lit up. "A murder, huh? You know, now that you mention it… a train that never stops, with windows too small for a person to escape through… narrow corridors… rooms that can't be opened from the outside once locked… All the elements for a perfect murder are here!"
He looked truly excited.
Edward narrowed his eyes and gave him a warning look. "You better not try anything on this train. I'm filming a detective series, not trying to solve an actual murder."
"Relax. Most murder mysteries are almost impossible to pull off in real life anyway," Crane waved it off. "I was just talking. Anyone who's written a detective story knows—it's extremely difficult to commit a crime like that in reality."
Edward nodded in agreement. After all, in real-world investigations, the first thing the police look at is the victim's social circle—especially those with grudges or financial disputes.
Most murder cases involve someone the victim knew: enemies, rivals, or someone with a motive. Around 90% of killers are caught because of their connection to the victim.
What really worries police are random killings—like someone suddenly deciding, "That vegetable vendor looked too pretty today. I think I'll kill her." In those cases, there's no obvious link to trace, and investigators have to rely on other methods entirely.
"I said it! I… you…!"
Suddenly, a muffled voice interrupted them. Edward and Crane fell silent.
It came from the room next door.
Amid the train's steady rumble, they could faintly hear a man and a woman arguing. But the details weren't clear.
Edward glanced sideways at Crane, unease flickering in his expression. Could this guy actually be a jinx? Surely there isn't really going to be a murder next door…?
He decided to check.
Although he was the director, Edward didn't personally handle the crew's lodging arrangements. Those were taken care of by the company's logistics team. Still, he had a way to find out.
Zoroark… Edward thought, then pulled out his phone and messaged Shizuka.
Her reply came quickly: the people staying next door to Crane were a young couple from the props department—Shin and Xue—who had started dating while working in the office.
As he read the message, Edward opened the door.
Right then, he heard an angry shout—definitely from the man, likely Shin.
"Enough!"
A heavy silence followed.
Edward and Crane exchanged a glance, then hurriedly knocked on the door. Edward's heart was racing. No way something actually happened, right?
The door opened quickly.
Shin stood there, face flushed red with anger, breathing heavily. When he saw Edward, his expression turned awkward.
Edward looked past him and saw Xue sitting on the bunk, sulking. She also turned when she noticed them at the door, and, seeing Edward, offered an embarrassed smile.
They both knew who he was—and now, their argument had been overheard by none other than the director himself.
"Cool it, both of you. We're all having dinner together later—make sure you come to the dining area" Edward said with a sigh of relief. Thank goodness nothing serious had happened.
If someone had actually died, the production would've been halted immediately, pending an investigation.
"Y-Yes, of course," Shin replied with an awkward laugh, scratching his head.
Edward and Crane returned to their cabin. Edward noted that Crane's room was the last in the train car, and apart from that couple, he had no other neighbors.
"Mmm… a crime of passion? That could be a solid premise…" Crane mused aloud, sitting on his bed and already spinning a new story in his mind.
Edward rolled his eyes. This guy is hopeless.
Still, he didn't say anything. Instead, he told Crane the time for dinner and left to continue preparations. After all, he still needed to get ready for the evening's meal—and for the arrival of a certain overly enthusiastic guest star…
The Champion of the Galar League:
Leon.
(End of Chapter)