What Honda Kumaji said was true. He was sitting behind Akagi Takeo, and trying to pour cyanide into the glass from behind without being discovered was indeed impossible.
However, is it really like that?
Heiji lowered his head, thoughtful. This case had four major points of doubt.
First: if cyanide had been poured into the glass of water, some water would have splashed around the glass. But it is clear that the table is clean, and there is no sign it was wiped down.
Second: why does the collar of the deceased's shirt have a wet stain, and why is the almond smell much stronger there than in the glass?
Third: what does that needle mark on the deceased's neck mean, and what is its connection to the case?
Fourth: what was the content of the paper the deceased was reading? Has it already been destroyed?
Connecting all these doubts, it was clear that the case was much more complex than it appeared at first glance.
"Damn, these Level C cases are not easy at all."
The interrogation was over. Although Heiji had a theory, the clues he had found weren't enough to confirm it.
"Hey, detective, you'd better solve the case quickly. The next station is my destination, and I have an interview at the North Pole Ice Sculpture Company. Don't ruin it for me," said Engo Masanami, annoyed.
"Yes, I also have to go to work," added Honda Kumaji.
"Are you also getting off at Beika Station? We are too!" said Kazuha, happily.
Ice sculpture arts?
Ice?
Ice!!!!!
Heiji had a sudden revelation, and a sharp gleam crossed his eyes.
"Mr. Engo, are you into ice sculpture?"
"That's right. Not just me, Honda and the deceased Akagi also worked in it. In fact, we had been working together for three years. If it weren't for that damn Akagi... maybe I wouldn't have left the South Pole Ice Sculpture Arts," said Engo Masanami.
Heiji nodded, approached the deceased's body, and lifted the collar of his shirt again. "Kazuha, give me your mirror."
Kazuha took a small mirror out of her purse and handed it to him.
He placed the mirror inside the collar of the shirt, and slowly, the surface of the mirror began to fog up with a fine layer of vapor.
Just as he thought.
A confident smile appeared at the corner of Heiji's lips. So, this was the method used for the murder. This way, it was truly stealthy and imperceptible, without even leaving fingerprints.
What a coincidence. In his past life as a machinist, he had also used a similar method to kill a business tycoon without leaving a trace. He didn't expect someone to try to boast of their skills right in front of him.
If this method was used, then that object must be in their possession.
"Heiji, what are you doing?" asked Kazuha, curious.
"Solving the case."
A confident smile formed on Heiji's lips. If this was the technique, then the killer was him. However, he still needed one final confirmation.
"Wow, there's a fingerprint on the glass," Heiji said suddenly, feigning surprise as he stared at the glass.
"What?"
The three of them jolted and looked at the glass. Indeed, there was a barely visible fingerprint that would go unnoticed if one didn't pay attention.
"Could it be Akagi's fingerprint?" whispered Katsu Nanako.
"I've already compared it. It's not the deceased's fingerprint. To confirm, come closer and compare yours as well," said Heiji with a half-smile.
"Damn it! I didn't kill him! Why should I listen to you?" snorted Engo Masanami.
"Are you sure you don't want to obey?" Heiji's eyes glowed with a cold light that scared Engo Masanami, making him recall the scene before getting on the train.
"Hmph, since I didn't kill him, I have nothing to fear."
He was still playing tough.
"Then, please, place your hand over the glass without touching it, following the shape of the fingerprint. Remember, do not touch it, otherwise, if you destroy the evidence, I'll consider you the culprit," said Heiji seriously.
"Ugh, what a nuisance."
Engo Masanami extended his hand and held it above the glass. Heiji slightly tilted his head and imperceptibly inhaled the smell.
"It's not."
"Hmph, of course not. I'm innocent, how could I...?"
Suddenly, Engo Masanami fell silent and stepped aside.
Heiji withdrew his cold gaze and looked at Katsu Nanako and Honda Kumaji.
"I'll go first," said Honda Kumaji, approaching confidently and repeating the same steps.
"This smell..."
Heiji raised an eyebrow. The culprit was already evident.
"Well, it seems it's not my fingerprint," Honda Kumaji said, laughing loudly.
"Then... I'll go," said Katsu Nanako, approaching and making the gesture to compare the fingerprint.
"No need. I already know who the killer is," said Heiji, hands in his pockets, full of confidence.
"Ah, it wasn't me, it wasn't me! I can compare the fingerprint!"
Katsu Nanako turned pale with fear, thinking that Heiji was referring to her.
"So, it was you who killed him. It seems you still hated him a lot, even though Akagi deserved it," said Engo Masanami, enjoying the misfortune of others.
"I didn't do it, I didn't do it!" sobbed Katsu Nanako.
"Then I'll call the police right away," said Honda Kumaji, pulling out his phone to dial.
"Of course, we need to call the police. However, the person they're going to arrest isn't Miss Nanako, but you, Mr. Honda Kumaji."
"What?"
Everyone in the train car was stunned, staring at Heiji in utter disbelief.
"What... what kind of joke is this? I was sitting back to back with Akagi, with two seats in between us. And most importantly, if I had wanted to poison his glass, I would have been discovered instantly. Also, the fingerprint on the glass isn't mine, that proves I'm not the killer!" Honda Kumaji defended himself hastily.
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