When she was younger, Ranran was heavily immersed in the world of video games and television.

In a way, Ranran's childhood shrouded in darkness, unfolded within the confines of her dimly lit room. As the adults in her family were consumed by their work, their absence left a void that was filled by the cold glow of digital screens.

At the tender age of one, Ranran found solace in the captivating allure of video games and television, a world where pixels replaced human touch and fictional narratives supplanted genuine connection.

Because all of the adults in her family are always out for work, the digital screens became her constant companions, captivating her young mind with their colourful and mesmerizing allure. When she was around 1, that was her day-to-day routine, she would sit alone in his dimly lit room, lost in virtual realms and fictional narratives that consumed her every waking moment.

The flickering screens became her surrogate parents, their radiant glow casting eerie shadows across her solitude. With every passing day, the lines between reality and virtuality blurred for Ranran, as the colourful landscapes and scripted adventures of her digital companions became the only world she truly knew. The outside world, filled with the warmth of human interaction and the joy of nature's embrace, faded into a distant memory.

At first, no one took notice.

But then, her parents realized this was becoming a problem when Ranran turned 3.

After that episode of her intentionally failing the school interview to enrol as a student in the prestigious Edgewood Academy just to play video games at home, by miracle, the principal was impressed by her acting as an 'Autistic child' manages to secure the spot there, they suspected the problem was big, because the teachers noted this particular habit of Ranran.

Whenever she wandered the halls of Edgewood Academy, most of her peers her age are busy engaging in meaningful interactions and expanding their horizons, but Ranran sought solace in the cold embrace of the computer lab. There, in the flickering glow of the monitors, she delved deeper into the digital abyss, forsaking her education and any chance of genuine connection.

The form teacher had noticed Ranran's continuous obsession with her phone during class hours. It was becoming a distraction not only for Ranran but also for her classmates. Concerned about her well-being and academic progress, the teacher decided to confiscate the device temporarily, hoping it would help Ranran break free from her digital dependency.

Instead, what happened next shocked them. She bit the teacher by the wrists.

The classroom fell into stunned silence as Ranran's teeth sank into the teacher's wrist. The sharp pain jolted the teacher, who quickly pulled back and let out a cry of surprise. The other students gasped in disbelief, their eyes wide with shock and fear.

Ranran then blankly stare at the teacher before taking the smartphone, then continued to play video games on her confiscated device, as if nothing had happened. The teacher, still recovering from the shock, called for assistance and the school nurse arrived promptly. Ranran's parents were called and they rushed to the school, their worry and concern etched on their faces.

As they gathered in the principal's office, the principal, the teacher, and Ranran's parents discussed the incident. It was evident that Ranran's obsession with video games and screens had escalated to a dangerous level. They recognized the need for immediate intervention to address her digital dependency and the underlying issues that fueled it.

The principal suggested enrolling Ranran in counselling sessions to address the emotional and psychological impact of her excessive screen time. It was clear that Ranran's attachment to the digital world had replaced her ability to form meaningful connections and cope with the challenges of the real world.

But Edgewood Academy doesn't have your stereotypical prodigy of one kind, and as they are soon about to learn, so was attempting to rehabilitate Ranran.

Because Ranran had a rather High IQ and was superiorly cunning, the traditional approaches to rehabilitation and counselling proved ineffective. She easily manipulated the counselling sessions, pretending to be cooperative while secretly devising plans to maintain her digital addiction. Her parents and the school administration were at a loss for how to help her break free from the grips of her virtual world.

Well, that was until 'The Boy' took matters into his own hands.

.....................................................................

"Where are we going?!" The little red lip 3-year-old groaned at the dirty blonde-haired little boy, whose age is no more than the age of 7 pulling her by the hand as she was forced to follow where he leads her to.

"We are going somewhere, away from video gaming."

"Like where?"

"You will see, Ranran, you will see."

The little red-lipped 3-year-old, Ranran, reluctantly followed the dirty blonde-haired little boy, whom she referred to as 'The Boy,' as he pulled her hand through the bustling streets. The sound of laughter and cheerful music grew louder as they approached a vibrant carnival in full swing.

The sight before Ranran's eyes was a breathtaking spectacle. The carnival was alive with colorful lights, swirling rides, and the enticing aroma of popcorn and cotton candy. The atmosphere was filled with an energy she had never experienced before. Excited children ran around, their joyful screams mixing with the lively tunes playing from the various attractions.

Ranran's hesitation began to fade away as she watched the carousel horses going up and down, the Ferris wheel spinning gracefully in the night sky, and people enjoying games of skill and chance. The Boy's eyes shone with excitement as he led her from one attraction to another, eager to show her the wonders of the carnival.

They climbed aboard the Ferris wheel, and as they reached the top, Ranran looked out at the sprawling fairgrounds below. The sight was magical. Lights twinkled like stars, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air. For a brief moment, the allure of the digital world faded away, replaced by the joy of being present at that moment.

The Boy then guided Ranran to the games section. He won her a stuffed bear at the ring toss, and they celebrated their victory with cotton candy that melted in their mouths, leaving traces of sweetness on their lips. Ranran laughed and giggled, her eyes sparkling with delight, as she experienced the simple pleasures of the carnival.

As they wandered through the crowd, Ranran's eyes caught sight of an unusual booth as she stood, with children and adults alike sitting outside, waiting for something to happen. Seeing the red and white stripes, the intelligent girl can only conclude what it was, 'Punch and Judy'.

And that is something Ranran had no interest in.

Because Ranran is unusually intelligent for her age, whenever she watches Sesame Street, she found the repetitive and simplistic stories that are intended to encourage children to be obedient and good to be dull and uninspiring. She preferred more intellectually stimulating content, even at her young age. And as she watched a lot of puppet-related shows, she find them more and more disappointing, so she stop watching altogether.

As her eyes fell upon the booth, she tugged at The Boy's hand, attempting to steer him away.

"What is wrong, Ranran?"

"I don't want to watch Punch and Judy. It's boring," Ranran pleaded, hoping to persuade him to explore another part of the carnival.

The Boy turned to her, his eyes filled with determination. "Ranran, trust me. This isn't just any Punch and Judy show. It's a special one," he said with a mischievous smile.

Reluctantly, Ranran decided to trust The Boy's judgment and followed him to the booth. They found a spot among the audience, seated on a small wooden bench. Ranran crossed her arms, preparing for a boring and predictable performance.

As the show began, however, Ranran's scepticism transformed into curiosity. The puppeteer skillfully brought the characters to life, infusing the traditional Punch and Judy tale with wit, humour, and unexpected plot twists. About Punch, a scumbag jester loved by everyone, and Judy, his long-suffering wife. The dialogue was clever, filled with clever wordplay and subtle references that appealed to Ranran's intelligent mind.

At that moment, she remembered the smell of chips, salt and vinegar 'The Boy' had bought for them to eat as they watched. As well as murderous scenes, in which Punch ended up forcing the baby into the toilet bowl since it wouldn't stop crying while he is babysitting as his wife went out on an errand. Enraged, he toss the baby like a football, and the baby bounce down the steps of the stairs unharmed.

Ranran's eyes widened as the scene unfolded before her. The shocking twist broke the monotony of traditional puppet shows, and she couldn't help but be captivated by the unexpected dark humour and unconventional storyline. It was a stark contrast to the predictable narratives she had grown tired of. Every time Punch strikes someone, there is always that ding sound emitting from the bell, intensifying the laughter of the audience.

Then there was the following scene, whereby Punch was waiting for a friend with the string of sausage around his neck, but then the crocodile attempted to snatch it. Yet, in the process of doing so, it somehow ended up strangling Punch as he tried to tug the string of sausages away from the crocodile.

And whenever Punch whacks any other puppet character with the large stick, he would end up saying this signature catchphrase "That's the way to do it!".

Ranran couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the scene. It was as if the puppeteer had tapped into her sense of dark humour and appreciation for unconventional storytelling. The traditional Punch and Judy show had been transformed into a captivating performance that resonated with her intellect and sense of adventure. She laughed and gasped along with the rest of the audience, thoroughly entertained by the unexpected turns and dark humour that permeated the performance.

After the show, Ranran had to ask 'The Boy', "This show is way better than the idiot Sesame Street. Why is it this version of 'Punch of Judy' never appeared on tv?!"

"Censorship, Ranran," The Boy explained, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "But the original, unfiltered version of the show is still performed in select places, like this carnival."

Ranran's eyes widened with newfound understanding, and as they left the booth, Ranran's mind buzzed with thoughts. "Well, then that is such a waste."

"Yes, it is a waste, but it would be more of a waste if you keep fixating on the TV and Smartphone all day, Ranran."

Ranran nodded thoughtfully, realizing the truth in The Boy's words. Even so, "The real world is full of pain even if I stop."

The Boy stopped walking and turned to face Ranran, his eyes filled with empathy. "But not knowing the pain.....would ultimately make you a fool who knows nothing, like Punch's wife, Judy."

Ranran pondered The Boy's words, his compassion is evident in his eyes. She knew deep down that her obsession with the digital world had shielded her from the realities of life, but facing pain and challenges seemed daunting. "Ranran."

"Hmph?"

"That's the way to do it!"

Ranran blinked in surprise, her lips curving into a small smile. The Boy's playful imitation of Punch's catchphrase broke through the seriousness of the moment, lightening the atmosphere. She couldn't help but chuckle, appreciating the unexpected reference.

.......................................................

That's right.

'That's the way to do it', is a catchphrase from Punch and Judy.

Suddenly, she felt the blood drain from her face, and then it seemed to rush back in a sudden gush that made her dizzy and pale. It was a phase she had long forgotten, that ties back to the two murders that have taken place in this mansion.

Ranran looked at Shinichi, then towards the other kids, she revealed in all seriousness, "Punch and Judy, the killer is doing it all based on that theme!"

Ranran's revelation sent a shiver down the spine of everyone present. The connection she made between the catchphrase and the murders added a chilling layer of intrigue to the already mysterious circumstances surrounding the mansion. "Ranran, what are you talking about?" Junko was the first to ask.

"Where is Sergeant Genzo?" Ranran is frantically searching for him.

"Hah!? He is busy with the other cops." Michio pointed out.

"I figure out the killer's motto," The atmosphere in the room became tense as the realization sunk in, then she turned to Michio  to instruct, "Call Sergeant Genzo, call him to the guest house luxury lounge, right now!"

Ranran's urgent tone and the gravity of her words compelled Michio to act swiftly. He grabbed his phone and dialled Sergeant Genzo's number, hoping he would be able to reach him quickly. The tension in the room continued to build as everyone awaited Genzo's arrival.

Meanwhile, Ranran's mind raced, connecting the dots between the catchphrase and the murders. She recalled the details of the previous crimes—the victims found with strange marks on their bodies, the eerie silence surrounding the mansion, and the air of mystery that permeated the entire estate. It was as if the killer was recreating a twisted version of the Punch and Judy story, using it as inspiration for their heinous acts.

As the minutes ticked by, Ranran's anxiety grew. She couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out, and it was crucial to bring Sergeant Genzo into the picture. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Michio's voice broke the tension.

"I got through to Sergeant Genzo. He's on his way to the luxury lounge. He seemed surprised by the urgency of the situation," Michio announced, relief evident in his voice.

Just as Michio finished speaking, the door swung open, revealing Sergeant Genzo. He entered the room with a mix of curiosity and concern on his face. "What's this all about, Ranran? Why did you need me here so urgently?"

"Punch and Judy," Ranran said breathlessly. "It's all to do with the Punch and Judy show."

"I am sorry!?" Genzo grew a bit perplexed at the little girl's excitement. "What is that? This Punch and Judy?"

"Punch and Judy is a traditional children's puppet show," Ranran began, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "It's a dark comedy, often filled with violence and absurdity. The puppet characters Punch and Judy have a tumultuous relationship, and Punch is known for his aggressive behaviour, often resorting to violence. I believe the killer is using this show as inspiration for their crimes, reenacting the themes of violence and chaos."Her chest was tight with excitement while summarizing all of this.

"A children's puppet show?!" Sergeant Genzo's eyes pool with disbelief.

"If you look back at the two deaths, there had some connections in one way or another," Ranran carried on regardless of his doubts, "There was this scene where Mr Punch, the scumbag husband that everyone loves was forced to babysit a baby while the wife went out. It kept crying, so to silence it, he chucks the baby in the toilet, as in shove the head down the toilet bowl. It didn't work, so he ended up tossing it down the stairs."

"So if we were to think of Peggy's death, it was similar, right?" It suddenly dawned on Shinichi, "Miss Peggy was discovered to have been drowning in a toilet bowl, then staged as if she had broken her neck."

"What about Peggy's daughter, Aurelia? She was found dead strangled with plastic sausages while her corpse was left in an inflatable crocodile at the pool in the guest house?" Emiko pointed out.

"There was this scene I remembered watching," Ranran figures, "I roughly couldn't remember the details, but I remembered watching Mr Punch waiting for a friend with a string of sausages around his neck, but then the crocodile came and tried to snatch it away from it. Somehow the sausages ended up roping Mr Punch's neck, strangling him along the way. Same way as to how Aurelia died."

Sergeant Genzo's face turned pale as Ranran recounted the disturbing scene from the Punch and Judy show, while Ran and Junko after hearing the chilling details couldn't help but doubt, "Wait a minute, how can this be a kids puppet show?! There is violence in there!? Junko challenged this.

"Exactly!" Even Ran was shocked, before confronting Ranran, "Do kids there watch violent cartoons in the U.K.!?"

"In the first place, Punch and Judy's shows have been a part of British culture for centuries, with a history of containing dark and violent elements. It's not uncommon for children's entertainment to have a touch of darkness in some cultures." Shinichi can't help but point out, then he adds, "Don't forget when Sherlock Holmes first came out, it was considered too intense and violent for some audiences, including children. But it still became a beloved and influential series."

By this point, upon hearing Shinichi's knowledge about British culture, Ran and Junko secretly concluded why a lot of things regarding Ranran's questionable personality are beginning to make sense: Violence has become a norm in their daily lives, even in cartoons and dramas, that Ranran had no hesitation resorting to violence without feeling bad about it.

As the group grappled with the unsettling connection between the Punch and Judy show and the murders, Sergeant Genzo's mind raced, trying to make sense of the information. "Is there anything else about the show that you remembered?"

"Well, does Mr Punch using a bat to beat up a police officer counts?" Ranran suggests.

Sergeant Genzo's eyes widened at Ranran's suggestion. "Why did he do that?" he replied, his voice tinged with concern, yet at the same time grew curious.

"Well, the cop found out about him beating up Judy when she confronted Punch about the attempted murder of their child twice in a row, so logically he tried to arrest him under charges of domestic abuse, but he ended up getting beaten up."

"Man, who knew even in the puppet world, the cops there are so incompetent, they ended up getting beaten up." Takuma clicked his lips.

"Takuma!" Emiko and the others hissed lowly at his words, but he ignored them.

"This is very disturbing," Sergeant Genzo gasped and clapped a hand to his mouth, then frowned at the little red lip detective, "And why wasn't that puppet show banned?"

"It was too funny," Ranran admits point blank.

"But he assaulted a cop, Ranran," Sergeant Genzo's tone was acid.

"It was still funny," Ranran shrugs without a care in the world.

"Did no parents complain about this? That...it sounds....violent?" asked Sergeant Genzo incredulously. "Your parents let you watch it?"

"They did, but it was boring on TV. The actual version is funnier with the beating up part," Ranran said huffily.

"And let me ask, how old were you when you watched this? Along with this 'friend' of yours?"

"He was 7, I was 3."

"Damn...his parents must have messed up with his head pretty badly, to take you to watch such shows...." the policeman grunted, finding it oddly disturbing over Ranran's choice of friends while wondering where did her parents go wrong with her.

"Anyway, like what Ranran said, it makes sense. Does it not?" Shinichi interrupted, as he demanded crossly. "If what Ranran said is true, then it is perfectly logical to the murderer at any rate. But what we still don't know is why he's doing it. Also, the lounge too had significance, seeing that the theme fit Punch and Judy in terms of the colour."

"The lounge? You mean the same place yesterday whereby one of my men interrogated all of you about Miss Peggy's murder?" Sergeant Genzo suddenly recalled.

"Yes, that's the one," Emiko confirmed. "After I googled about it, I noticed the colour scheme they commonly use on that puppet fits the theme of the Punch and Judy show. The vibrant colours, the sense of luxury and indulgence— it all aligns with the dark and absurd nature of the puppet show."

"Alright, so even if that is truly the case, why would a killer be so hooked up over killing someone based on the theme of a child's play?!" Sergeant Genzo challenged this perspective.

"I don't know why, but if you think about it, even the man that fled the residence didn't dress up specifically like a clown." Shinichi brought this up, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "Now that I think back, he was probably dressed to match the theme of Punch and Judy as well."

"She must have done something that led the killer to decide to kill her and her daughter through the theme of Punch and Judy, maybe some sort of link with Miss Peggy – way back in her past, maybe. Perhaps something happened, an incident in connection to the theme. The killer couldn't let this go, so they did all of that, it was a way for the killer to send a message or leave a signature"

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as everyone absorbed the implications of Ranran's revelation. The once seemingly innocent and whimsical puppet show had taken on a much darker meaning in the context of the murders.

"A killer puppeteer, huh?" Sergeant Genzo said, his eyebrows raised sky-high with disbelief. "That's the craziest thing I ever heard. But....if that is the case, then we'll have to follow it."

.......................................

While Sergeant Genzo was busy sending dispatch of men around the neighbourhood in Shinraku Heights out for the manhunt over the mysterious man in the 'clown' costume, as he sent some of them to interview the neighbourhood residence, Ranran and the rest of the Tantei Association members gathered in the living room of the guest house for a meeting.

"Ok, so here is what we are going to do for the day," Ranran sighs before announcing their plans, "Two of us would be heavily doing research online about Peggy's pasts, and the rest of you would be heading around the neighbourhood to ask the questions prepared on the group chat, Shinichi, could you sent the list now to the rest of the members?"

Ranran turns to Shinichi, who nods in agreement.

Shinichi quickly takes out his phone and sends the list of questions to the Tantei Association members via the group chat. The message includes the list of questions they had prepared earlier, along with the addresses of the residents they need to interview. Each member receives the message and acknowledges it.

"After much discussion with Ranran, here is how it is going to be," Shinichi continues, "Michio and Emiko, both of you will be in charge of the online research. Try to gather as much information as possible about Peggy's past, and any potential connections or incidents that might be relevant. We need to dig deep and find any leads we can."

"Eh?! Why not me?" Takuma groaned, "I know Peggy the comedian well too!"

"So do I!" Junko groaned.

"To be fair, you and Junko are quick runners." Then Shinichi adds, "And Ranran and I did take a good look around the neighbourhood through Google map, it's pretty big for a rich neighbourhood for the wealthy and famous, our legs won't be able to carry us that far, unlike you who is physically the fittest out of everyone."

"Hey, I am physically fit too!" Ran reminded them.

"Of course you are, that is why you, Junko and Takuma will be the ones to do the neighbourhood interviews," Shinichi clarified. "We need people who can move quickly and cover more ground. Plus, Ranran will be coordinating and overseeing the overall investigation."

"But are we seriously going to walk all the way to that neighbourhood?!" Takuma's face fell at that thought, "You don't forget that Peggy's residence here is around the hillside, to get to the neighbourhood from here, we have to walk quite a distance."

"Not to mention, although I too admit I am stronger physically a bit than the others, I don't then I would be able to walk all the way and back!" Junko pushed her glasses with a frown.

"I agreed," Ran moaned.

"We ain't that stupid, that's why I had Miss Ohta convince Primrose to lend us her van to take you all there," Ranran sighed at their complaints, "I wouldn't be that stupid to simply let all of you three walk all the way to do so."

"Ah, that's a relief," Takuma sighed in relief. "Walking all the way would have been quite a challenge."

"Thank goodness for the van. It will save us a lot of time and energy." Junko nodded in agreement.

"Wait a minute, Ranran will be coordinating..." Ran then turned to Shinichi, "You are not joining Ranran?"

"No," Shinichi admitted, "I had to stay back with Michio and Emiko, since I was the only person who had got more than a passing glimpse of the intruder who broke into Miss Peggy's house, I am relying on Emiko heavily to sketch out the person based on my description. Also, I may need to contact someone who is familiar with the entertainment industry, anyone who knows Peggy best."

Ranran looked at Shinichi with a serious expression. "But did you really get a good look on his face? He ran quite fast when Primrose drove into the residence."

"I did get a good look at him, and believe me, anything that is out of place, I will know." Shinichi insists.

"I'll do my best, Shinichi. Just give me a detailed description, and I'll try to capture the person's appearance as accurately as possible." Emiko, who had been listening attentively, spoke up.

"Just out of curiosity, is Genzo aware of what we are about to do?" Junko can't help but ask, "Cause if we head over to the house door to door, and they see us children, I doubt they are going to take us seriously and think we are a bunch of nosy troublemakers who don't work for the cops."

"Don't worry about it," Michio reassured her, "I spoke to Genzo and he agreed to let all of us be involved only for this round because he is having his hands full attempting to locate the intruder, he is literally under manpower to interview one after the other. Also, he may not be coming back until several hours later, while some of the cops will remain here temporarily to guard the evidence."

"Why?" Takuma asked.

"Press conference," Shinichi answered, "Considering the intruder is still missing, Sergeant Genzo may need to rely on the public's help to locate and capture him."

Ranran nodded, satisfied with their plan. "Alright, then it's settled. Michio, Emiko, and Shinichi will stay here to work on the sketch and online research, while Junko, Takuma, and I will head to the neighbourhood for the interviews. Let's all stay focused and gather as much information as we can. Time is of the essence."

"So that's the way to do it, and let's go!" Takuma cheered.

With their roles and responsibilities assigned, the Tantei Association members prepared to carry out their tasks.

.......................................

In the lavish living room of the guest house, the atmosphere was tense for the past 2 hours, as Michio and Emiko focused on their respective tasks. Michio had the laptop he borrowed from one of the police officers open, diving into the depths of online databases, news archives, and social media platforms, searching for any information related to Peggy's past. He meticulously cross-referenced different sources, trying to piece together a comprehensive picture of her life before she became a famous comedian.

Meanwhile, Emiko sat at a nearby table with a sketchpad and a set of pencils. She listened intently as Shinichi described the intruder he had seen in Peggy's house, paying close attention to every detail he provided. Her hands moved swiftly across the sketchpad, translating Shinichi's words into lines and shapes that gradually formed the face of the mysterious intruder.

As she worked, Emiko's concentration was unwavering. She possessed a natural talent for capturing the essence of a person through her art. Her pencil strokes were precise and deliberate, capturing the unique features and expressions described by Shinichi. The sketch started to take shape, revealing the face of the intruder who had disturbed Peggy's peace.

While Michio and Emiko were engrossed in their tasks, Shinichi monitored their progress and assisted whenever needed. He occasionally glanced at his phone, hoping to receive updates from Junko, Takuma, and Ranran regarding their progress with the interviews in the neighbourhood.

Honestly, Michio was honestly having a rough day, trawling the internet for information about the Punch and Judy show.  Honestly, Michio was honestly having a rough day, trawling the internet for information about the Punch and Judy show. As much as Peggy was a entertainer both he and Junko grew up watching, she was also after all a comedian of his mother's era.

If one is to dig up the past of a celebrity, one naturally goes straight to Wikipedia.

But this isn't enough for someone like Kudo Shinichi, who told him to dig deep and find something that not even the press would be aware of Peggy's past. Even though they are now in the era of the Internet, the Internet can still have its limitations when it comes to uncovering obscure or hidden information. Michio had to resort to more unconventional methods to dig deeper into Peggy's past. And the one thing he must have the link to is a connection about puppets, plus Punch and Judy.

Hundreds of sites and millions of photographs surfaced in the search engine, and as Michio examined each one it seemed to get more and more hopeless. The man Shinichi had witnessed was old. Even if he had once been linked with puppets he'd probably retired long ago.

While Michio is still surfing the net, meanwhile, while waiting for Emiko to finish the sketch, Shinichi is on the phone to dial the one person whom he knew is more familiar with the entertainment scene than anyone in the world.

Shinichi dialled a familiar number on his phone, waiting anxiously for the call to connect. After a few rings, the call was answered.

"Hello? Shin-chan?" a voice greeted me from the other end of the line.

"Ah, Okaasan," Shinichi replied, his voice filled with urgency. "It's Shinichi. I need your help with something."

Shinichi's mother, Yukiko Kudo, who was a renowned stage actress, detected the seriousness in her son's voice. "Shin-chan, what's wrong? You sound troubled. Is everything alright?"

Considering it is 3 pm right now, it should be 11 pm in Los Angeles, which means to Shinichi his mother should still be awake since she won't sleep till 12 am. Shinichi took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. "Okaasan, do you know of a British-Japanese comedian by the name of 'Peggy Punchard'?"

Yukiko Kudo paused for a moment, thinking back to her years in the entertainment industry. "Peggy Punchard? Yes, I remember her. She was quite popular in the comedy circuit back in the day. Why do you ask, Shin-chan?"

"Well, before I tell you any of this, don't tell the press a word."

His mother's voice turned serious. "Shin-chan, you know I would never leak any sensitive information to the press. You can trust me. Now, tell me what's going on."

With much reluctance, Shinichi drop the bomb, "Do you remember the anime project I texted you? The one that is supposed to be made based on our Tantei Association adventures?"

"Ah yes, but isn't that yesterday? That consultation from you and the others? Also, what does this have anything to do with Peggy?"

"Well....according to her secretary, Peggy was one of the secret investors who planned to produce that Anime. When we arrived....we found her dead. Apparently, someone shoved her head into the toilet bowl, then staged it as if she tripped and fell down the steps."

"EEEEEEHHH?!" There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line as Yukiko processed Shinichi's words. The news of Peggy's death and her involvement in the anime project hit her with unexpected force.

"And there is one more thing," Shinichi then dropped the next bombshell, "You know her daughter?"

"The one who had been freeloading her mother's money? What about her?"

"Well...Aurelia too is dead."

There was a gasp of shock from the other end of the line as Yukiko processed the devastating news. The weight of the situation hung heavily in the air, even through the phone call. "W-w-what...h-h-how did that-"

"She was found strangled with a chain of plastic sausages, on an inflatable crocodile at the indoor pool in the guest house. Ran and the others found her the moment Primrose, the temporary secretary/supermodel, allegedly saw the intruder having supposedly killed Aurelia before fleeing the scene."

Yukiko Kudo was speechless for a moment, then suddenly realize, "Wait, a chain of plastic sausages?!"

"Yeah, even I was shocked when I received the photos," Shinichi nodded, even though his mother couldn't see him. "Anyway, we have reason to suspect that both the comedian and her daughter's death were staged to fit the theme of Punch and Judy, and I was wondering if you might know whether Peggy had anything to do with puppeteering."

Yukiko Kudo listened intently to Shinichi's explanation, her mind racing to process the shocking news. The connection between Peggy's death, Aurelia's death, and the theme of Punch and Judy was both disturbing and intriguing.

"Jesus! Who in their sick mind would use plastic sausages to strangle someone!? And as for that woman Peggy....to think that her last view would be in a toilet bowl of all places!" Shinichi could hear his mom continue to ramble, before Yukiko's memory suddenly jogged.

"Now that you mention it, I do recall hearing rumours about Peggy's fascination with puppets," she responded thoughtfully. "During her early years in the comedy scene, she often incorporated puppetry into her acts. It was said to be one of her unique quirks that made her performances stand out."

"Yes, we know that one. But did....anything bad happen when she was puppeteering? Enough for the killer to....pick such....questionable theme."

"Anything, huh....." His mother could be heard humming, "You know, I don't know if this is true, but it was brought up multiple times in the functions I had attended."Yukiko's voice held a hint of uncertainty as she continued, "When Peggy was engaged to one of her husbands, this one is an A-list actor, she and her future-mother-in-law were genuinely at odds with each other. And Peggy's ex-manager back in Japan is the one who told me all of this."

Shinichi's interest was piqued by his mother's mention of Peggy's first husband and the conflict with her future mother-in-law. "Tell me more, Okaasan. What was the nature of their conflict?"

Yukiko took a deep breath, recollecting the details. "From what I heard, Peggy's first husband came from a prominent family in the entertainment industry. His mother, a well-known actress herself, had high expectations for her son's wife."

"In...what way?" Shinichi was surprised to hear this, "Ain't she being a highly paid comedian enough?"

"Oh no, that wasn't the major problem," Yukiko denies over the phone, before dropping her own bombshell, "The problem is...she lied about not having married anyone before him."

"Ah, are you referring to one of the 25 husbands she had divorced? Well, that would be stupid. The press documented every single divorce. There is no way of hiding it."

"No, I mean the 26th husband no one knows about. The one Peggy married before marrying her supposed 1st out of the 25 husbands she would divorce eventually."

Shinichi's eyebrows furrowed as he processed his mother's revelation. "Eh?!"

"Before she became famous, she used to do comedic gigs with puppets around the time when she was 18. Money was a bit tight at that time, so she used to go with her friends to this affordable restaurant, which is how she met her first actual husband who was working part-time there at that time." Yukiko recalled, "They got married young, and both sides of their parents disapproved, which they didn't mind at first. But then when Peggy's career as a comedian was flourishing, it require her to be on the road most of the time, so it ended up putting a huge strain on their marriage before she ultimately divorced him."

The apprentice's face fell at the revelation he was hearing through the phone, "When Peggy got engaged at that time to this husband, it was officially her 'first husband' to the entertainment virile. But his mother dug around and found out about this, confronted Peggy upfront over her lies, then she admitted it was because she wanted a fresh start and didn't want to recall about her past."

"And did she buy it?"

"Obviously not, accused her as an opportunist for ditching her first husband to marry her son, just for a boost in her career. And honestly, it has been on everyone's tongue when word got around, but the actor ended up standing by Peggy's side at that time, although he knew that Peggy was a divorcee."

"Then why did they divorce then?"

"Well, one day, this was a year into the marriage, and they got into an argument. To let out some steam, he and Peggy's manager at that time had a drunk session, and then the poor husband rambled that she kept comparing him to her ex. That's when Peggy's manager let slipped about what led to the divorce of her first marriage to her first ex-husband: she picked her career over him."

Suddenly, that revelation was enough to perk further interest in the secret marriage Peggy has hidden from the world.