2

"The deceased's clothing exhibits significant wrinkling, consistent with being dragged. He was wearing a loose long-sleeved garment. No fingerprints were found." Due to the persistent blowing snow and fog throughout the night, most of the traces at the scene had vanished, completely overwritten by the footprints of six police officers. "The deceased died by hanging. The body was suspended about thirty to forty centimeters above the ground, with nothing nearby that could have served as a foothold," reported one officer.

The body was discovered outside the front gate, beneath an overhang of a second-story room where two iron hooks had been installed. The rope was secured to these hooks. Beyond the initial description, there was one critical anomaly: the knot was a medieval Western-style hangman's knot, designed to tighten progressively as the body drops. However, there were two ligature marks on the neck—one high, one low. The moment a person hangs, instinctive struggling is inevitable, especially with a hemp rope. This is almost certainly a homicide; notify the authorities in Asahikawa.

10:15 AM

Inoue Yo arrived at the scene, though the forensic examiner had preceded him. "Inspector Inoue, you're finally here. Cause of death: carotid artery constriction leading to cerebral hypoxia and oxygen deprivation. However, there is one key point: the deceased was struck on the back of the head with a blunt object before being hanged." Inoue nodded slightly; as anticipated, the snow and fog had obliterated the evidence. "Time of death was around 2:00 AM. The clothing wrinkles confirm the body was moved post-mortem, but due to the weather, it's impossible to determine if a struggle occurred." Having finished his report, the forensic examiner supervised the removal of the body from the noose. After receiving the briefing from the Nayoro Police Department, Inoue Yo sank into deep thought.

First, since the victim was knocked unconscious with a blunt instrument, where would the killer have discarded it? There is a high probability it is inside this house. Since we don't know what it was specifically, it could literally be anything, even a frying pan. If it is a common household item, the family should be investigated first. If not, we must look into conflicts with others. Then again, who knows what the killer was thinking during the act? Regardless, they needed to search the house; the full details from the Nayoro team would arrive soon.

"Knock, knock." The door opened within seconds, revealing an elderly woman—likely expecting the police, given their presence outside. Inoue produced his badge. "Hello, may we come in to continue our conversation?" The old woman nodded and stepped aside in the genkan. "Shall we take off our shoes?" She shook her head and sat down on the sofa. The warm air inside immediately relaxed Inoue and his accompanying officers.

Inoue surveyed the interior—classic Japanese wooden architecture. "Madam, would it be alright if we took a quick look at the kitchen?" The old woman nodded.

The kitchen, located just off the entrance, appeared unremarkable. "Madam, how old are you?"

"About sixty-nine." If she used a blunt weapon to knock someone out, then dragged the body outside and hoisted it onto the hook... that would be nearly impossible for someone her age. As he spoke, Inoue exited the kitchen, his eyes catching a small smudge on the wall near the genkan—some kind of stain, faint and easy to miss. "Does anyone else live here with you?"

"No, just my husband and I."

After filling in a few more gaps, Inoue sat on the sofa and began the formal interview.