"Since you're getting married, don't go looking for that homicidal maniac. Seeing him will only ruin the festive mood."
"Exactly. A police officer firing like that—he's no better than a thug."
"He always looked refined and gentle. I never thought he'd be so hot-tempered."
"Even if thieves are detestable, you don't just open fire."
Clearly, they were furious about Officer Shiratori shooting and killing someone. Every face was filled with intense disgust.
Eri Kisaki listened quietly. Her brows slowly drew together as she gave Heiji's hand a slight squeeze.
Heiji shot her a helpless look, then cleared his throat.
"Ms. Masako—everyone here says Officer Shiratori killed someone. How are you so sure? Did any of you actually see him fire with your own eyes?"
The women, who had been talking over one another, fell silent at once and exchanged looks.
"Well… when I saw him pull out a gun and point it at the thief, I was terrified. I didn't dare keep watching."
"Me too."
"Same here. I've never even seen a gun before. What if it went off and hit me? Of course I didn't keep watching."
"We were all scared. No one dared to keep watching."
"But we're sure that not long after, Shiratori Ninzaburo fired."
Masako and the others insisted, speaking with absolute certainty.
Heiji frowned.
"So you're saying none of you actually saw Officer Shiratori fire the shot with your own eyes?"
"It had to be him who fired!"
Heiji looked toward one of them.
"Ma'am, may I ask your name?"
"My name is Ryuichi Yamami."
"Ms. Yamami," Heiji said, "why are you so certain it was Officer Shiratori who fired?"
"Wait—Mr. Heiji, why are you asking so many detailed questions?"
The older woman—older even than Masako—stared at Heiji, suspicion showing in her eyes.
In an instant, everyone's gaze sharpened as it settled on the two of them.
Eri didn't speak. She simply stayed close to Heiji, as if relying on him.
Right now, one voice was enough. Two people speaking too much would only create openings.
Heiji shrugged casually.
"Because I don't believe Officer Shiratori would kill someone."
"Even if he didn't fire the shot, what's the point of all these questions?" the older woman pressed. "Can you help him?"
"Because I'm a detective," Heiji said firmly. "And I want to see justice done for Officer Shiratori."
The entire group went quiet.
Not only were the women stunned—Eri Kisaki was momentarily taken aback as well.
[What is Heiji doing? Why would he tell them his identity? If he does that, they won't keep talking honestly.]
Eri sighed inwardly.
"Detective?" Masako repeated, frowning.
"Yes." Heiji nodded solemnly. "We came intending to invite Officer Shiratori, but after hearing this, I can't pretend I didn't. Even if he truly did kill someone, I still want the truth. That's a detective's principle—and a friend's responsibility."
The women's expressions gradually shifted.
"Fine," the older woman said, nodding. "Then we'll cooperate."
"Mr. Heiji," Yamami said, "didn't you ask why I'm so sure Shiratori Ninzaburo fired? I'll tell you. My home is directly opposite the apartment where he lives. The gunshot came from that direction—very clearly."
Heiji immediately followed up.
"So, Ms. Yamami, you didn't actually see Officer Shiratori shoot and kill anyone with your own eyes either?"
Yamami froze, then shook her head.
"I didn't."
"But Mr. Heiji," the older woman cut in, "if it wasn't Shiratori Ninzaburo who fired, then could there have been someone else there at the time?"
"That's why I need everyone's cooperation," Heiji said politely.
"How do you want us to cooperate?" the older woman asked, frowning. "If it takes too long, we can't help. Most of us are homemakers—we have husbands and children to take care of."
"Just one minute," Heiji said. "Eri—please give each lady a slip of paper and a pen. I'd like everyone to summarize what you saw and what you heard that night in a single sentence."
Eri froze for a beat, then quickly pulled a stack of sticky notes and several pens from her small shoulder bag.
"Eri keeps these in her bag so it's easier for me to investigate," Heiji added, noticing the women's doubtful looks.
"I'm doing my best to be a good assistant to Heiji," Eri said with a gentle smile.
The women exchanged looks, then silently accepted the pens and began writing.
Soon, everyone finished.
Heiji took the notes and read through them. His eyes lit up immediately.
"Ma'am… Ms. Masako… everyone—thank you for your cooperation."
"Haha, we only wrote down what happened," Masako said. "But Mr. Heiji, you'd better focus on your wedding. Casework like this isn't something you should be doing when you're about to get married."
"Alright, we should head back too. Wishing you happiness."
"Wishing you happiness."
The women dispersed quickly.
"I should go too."
"Yes—thank you, Ms. Masako."
Masako went back inside the building.
Heiji let out a small breath of relief.
"You recorded everything, right?"
Eri smiled, holding up the recorder in her hand as she exhaled too.
"I did. That group was not easy to handle."
She was quietly pleased. If she hadn't improvised the "couple" act, women with personalities like that would never have cooperated so smoothly.
"So, Ms. Kisaki," Heiji said casually, "you owe me a meal."
"I'll make it up to you next time."
Eri was in a noticeably better mood. With the recording and the handwritten statements, their leverage in court had increased substantially.
"Where to?" Heiji asked.
"The crime scene."
Eri immediately strode after him.
Nearby, Ran was already gone—there was no sign of her.
Officer Shiratori's apartment was not far away.
Heiji stood where Shiratori had supposedly been standing, lifted his head, and scanned the surrounding buildings.
"Heiji," Eri asked, frowning slightly, "what are you looking for?"
"I'm figuring out where the real shooter fired from."
Heiji glanced at Shiratori's balcony, then began to move—slowly.
First to the left, then to the right, then gradually backward…
Eri stood off to the side and watched without interrupting.
Heiji finally stopped and turned to look at a building behind him.
"Ms. Kisaki—this should be where the shooter fired from."
Eri frowned.
"If there really was another shooter, wouldn't choosing this building be too risky? A newer apartment complex like this usually has surveillance cameras. With cameras, the risk of exposure skyrockets."
"Maybe," Heiji said, eyes narrowing, "that person isn't afraid of exposure at all."
A sharp glint passed through his gaze as he headed toward the entrance.
Eri thought for a moment, then hurried after him.
Mix truth with lies—only then can you fool everyone.