Murder At The Rainy Mansion ~The Never Ending 100 Tales~

Chapter 10: The two rumors related to the Rainy Mansion

Ayano stared fixedly at the rooftop while listening to the conversation between Takato and Tanimoto quietly.

There was something that Tanimoto had been curious about, so he decided to ask frankly. “Hmm. I’m not sure if it’s okay for me to ask this question here in front of the mansion that is well known to be haunted. But if this mansion is really haunted, can’t you just ask the ghost about the incident so that we can solve this case easily?”

To those who had similar thought, the two rumors related to the Rainy Mansion certainly seemed contradictory.

Rumor #1: The Rainy Mansion was haunted.

Rumor #2: Criminal cases occurred at the Rainy Mansion could not be solved.

However, Takato refuted his argument easily. “How can you say it like that? A person who has just been killed will be confused. You can’t expect them to say anything useful. Besides, the ghost itself may have misunderstood who killed them. If you simply believe what the ghost says and arrest the suspect indiscriminately, you’re going to end up in big trouble, Detective-san.”

Ayano watched as Tanimoto being reprimanded by Takato who was younger than him. It made her felt that Takato was really suited to be a leader although he himself might not be aware about it. She thought it would really be for his own good to be the adopted son-in-law of Takamura family instead of staying as a member of Sudo family which had been having financial difficulties lately.

After Tanimoto left, Takato walked up to her. “Ayano. What are you doing? Why are you staring above in a daze?”

Ayano felt a bit weird for having a conversation with Takato like usual despite of their situation.

Ayano: “Nothing. I was watching the rooftop wondering why Uncle Yamamura’s ghost hasn’t appeared yet. If we can ask him directly then it would be easy to figure out who is the murderer.”

Takato: “Why are you talking like Tanimoto-san? You should know better that there is no guarantee a ghost would speak the truth. Besides, is this incident really a murder?”

Ayano: “I don’t know. But this thing happen right after the will was announced. Maybe Eiko-san is right. Perhaps someone wanted to get rid of Uncle Yamamura.”

Takato: “Well, he had become the adopted son-in-law of Yamamura family but still wanted to remain in this mansion. This kind of person, it’s not strange if he had incurred someone’s enmity. More importantly, you should stop saying things that would confuse that cute detective.”

Ayano: “Huh? Did I say such thing?”

Takato: “I heard you told him that this is a locked-room murder.”

Ayano: “I’m only saying that assuming that this is a murder. By the way Takato, why are you calling him cute? He’s a detective. I heard the minimum age for a detective is 30 years old.”

“What?! He’s over 30?” Takato was genuinely surprised and looked back at the direction where Tanimoto had left.

If the victim’s spirit was there, he most probably would wonder what these people were doing at his murder scene. Or maybe he wouldn’t even realize that he was dead and wonder who these people were talking about.

* * *

Tanimoto walked inside the Rainy Mansion while looking for the team from Mihara Police Station. After wandering around for a while, he regretted for not asking the resident about the team’s whereabout.

He had heard the team had borrowed a room somewhere for the investigation but the mansion was too large and there were too many rooms. Besides, he was scared. There was a creaking sound every time he stepped on the floor of the wide hallway leading from the entrance. He felt like there was a similar sound made by another person following his footsteps.

No, I must be imagining things. It’s an auditory hallucination, Tanimoto tried to convince himself. He stopped his foot and turned around. All that he could see was a dark hallway that was too far from the entrance or windows to receive any sunlight.

Straight ahead, there was a corridor leading to the annex on the south side. The corridor was well-lighted due to the daylight pouring from the courtyard. Tanimoto was relieved to see a bright place. Then, he saw a beautiful woman in a kimono coming from the other side.

What a beautiful person, he thought.

Most of the residents in this Rainy Mansion were good looking, but Tanimoto felt this person was especially beautiful.

She’s so beautiful, just like Ayano-san.

The woman noticed Tanimoto was staring at her so she smiled at him.

“Oh, excuse me. I’m Detective Tanimoto from the Prefectural Police Department. Would it be okay if I ask you some question?”

“Sure. But I just arrived so I don’t know anything,” the beautiful woman said with a smile.