"Did you know that arguments over money or property are one of the top common motives for murder in Japan?"

Those were the words Shinichi brought up to the other members, as Ranran and Genzo are in the lavish living room of the deceased victim, Peggy Punchard, or at least known by her legal name as Eunice Hammerstein, who was discovered to be dead below the marble looking staircase, while her heels allegedly snap as she was heading down.

The two of them are waiting for Primrose, supermodel/temporary secretary of the comedian, a.k.a Ranran's enemy in Edgewood to come to the living room for interrogation, after having recently wrapped up the previous one with Peggy's daughter, Aurelia.

Emiko glanced at Shinichi, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Ah, the classic motive of money and property. It's like a never-ending saga in the world of crime. People will go to great lengths to get their hands on someone else's fortune."

Junko chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Greed can be a powerful motivator. We've seen it time and time again."

"Anyway, about the earlier interrogation, do you all think Aurelia, Peggy's daughter did it?"Takuma elbowed Shinichi, "I mean the way she behaved when she saw her Okaasan on the floor, she was like struggling to not smile while going '"Oh, for goodness' sake! Did she have to stain the floor with her blood!?" The athlete did his impression of her when she spotted her mother's corpse on the floor two hours ago.

"You are not wrong, though...." Michio isn't completely agreeing with this theory, "Then what about that man we saw earlier in that 'clown' looking suit when Primrose was driving the van into the residence? He was running away and didn't seem to belong to this mansion according to Primrose. To me, that felt very suspicious."

"Right?" Even Ran agreed, crossing her arms, "Miss Primrose say he isn't one of the staff here! So what would he be doing around the residence? And Peggy wasn't expecting any guests according to her!"

Shinichi didn't answer. Then the kids watch Primrose finally enter the living room, "Ok, state your full name." Ranran, the child detective who is there to translate for Sergeant Genzo, began while the man next to her took notes.

"I am Primrose Everly, a supermodel, as well as for the time being, Miss Peggy's secretary till she finds a replacement.," she answered.

Sergeant Genzo narrowed his eyes, studying Primrose's expression for any signs of deception.

Telling the words Ranran needed to relay, she began the interview by asking, "May I know how long have been a supermodel?"

"2 years, about to be 3."

"Why are you now taking the work of a secretary for Miss Peggy, when you are now a supermodel?"

Primrose shifted uncomfortably, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice. "Well, you see, it's a bit complicated."Although I am at a point where I am earning enough to live comfortably, I felt like while I had contacted my agent to give me a break, I wanted to venture out doing other things before I go back to modelling."

Ranran raised an eyebrow, sensing there might be more to Primrose's explanation. "Other things? Like being a secretary for Miss Peggy?"

Primrose nodded a forced smile on her face. "Yes, exactly. It seemed like a unique opportunity, and I thought it would be a good experience to try something different. Plus, Miss Peggy insisted on having someone she trusted around."

Michio leaned over to Shinichi and whispered, "Do you think she's telling the truth? I mean it is clear cut she is seeing Peggy's son, Felix, no?"

"That is an assumption since we have no solid evidence, aside from having the footage of them coming out of the hotel together in the U.K. But I have to admit you are not completely in the wrong," Shinichi nodded, his eyes fixed on Primrose. "She definitely didn't come here to learn various tasks, that is for damn sure."

"How long have you been working for Miss Peggy?" Ranran relayed.

"A little over several months. After her long-time secretary had retired, I offered to take over."

"You mentioned 'offered', were you and Peggy close?"

Primrose hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. "Well, I wouldn't say we were particularly close, but we did have a good working relationship. I had worked with her on a few comedic skits in the past, so we knew each other. She asked me to guest star in those skits, so yeah. That is how we met."

"But there seem to be no videos of you and her appearing together on her official Youtube Channel," Ranran searched on her phone before showing it to Primrose, wanting to see her reaction.

As Ranran displayed the search results on her phone, Primrose didn't look surprised, "Well, those skits were more for private entertainment within our inner circle. We didn't want to mix them with her official content."

Ranran raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Private entertainment? Could you elaborate on that? And why would Peggy ask you to be a part of those skits?"

Primrose shifted uncomfortably, her voice trembling slightly. "It was just something we enjoyed doing together, you know? Peggy had a great sense of humour, and we would come up with these comedic skits for our own amusement. It was a way for her to unwind from her public persona."

Ranran glanced at Sergeant Genzo, who had been silently observing the interrogation. She relayed Primrose's answers to him, and he nodded, indicating that she should continue.

While the interrogation is ongoing, Shinichi had to ask the other members who knew Peggy well, "Neh guys, has Peggy ever done collaborations, especially comedic skits with models?"

Shinichi's question caught the attention of the others in the room. Emiko furrowed her brows, trying to recall any information that might be relevant. "I don't remember Peggy mentioning any collaborations with models specifically. She was primarily known for her comedy skits and her work as a comedian. But collaborations in the entertainment industry are not uncommon, so it's possible."

"Yes, although comedy was her main focus, she did explore different avenues. Collaborating with models might not be out of the realm of possibility." Junko nodded in agreement.

"I've watched some of Peggy's skits, and I don't recall seeing any models in them. But she did have guest appearances from various celebrities and entertainers who used to be models. Does this count?"Takuma chimed in, scratching his head.

"Peggy had a wide network of connections in the entertainment industry. It wouldn't surprise me if she had collaborated with models at some point, even if it wasn't uploaded. Cause I know a lot of Youtubers who would do that," Michio joined the conversation.

"Why?" Ran asked.

"It may not be what she expected, the content," Michio adds, "And editing high-quality content like her videos takes months before it is uploaded, to get millions of views in revenue. Sometimes if one doesn't feel good that the content is good enough, it just ended up getting shelved. So it ain't surprising why some of those videos don't appear till months later."

As the interrogation continued, "Did you arrive before or after Miss Peggy decided to retire in Japan from the U.K.?"

Genzo's question caught Primrose off guard, and she took a moment to compose herself before responding. "I arrived in Japan after Miss Peggy had already retired from her career in the U.K. a year ago. She wanted a change of pace and decided to settle down here."

"Then did you become a secretary before or after Aurelia moved back in with her mother, not long after Aurelia divorced?" asked Ranran.

"About a month after."

"Ok, and considering you have worked with Miss Peggy for over a year....how is her relationship like with Aurelia?"

"Well...about that..." Primrose ground to a halt. "I mean, I honestly ain't sure how should I put this."

"Yes?" prompted the policeman.

There was the scrape of chair legs as the model moved closer to the two, and the other members of Tantei Association had to strain to catch her next words. "You are aware of 'that incident', right? Regarding...Peggy's 10th husband committing suicide?"

As Primrose mentioned the incident, a hush fell over the room. The members of the Tantei Association exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Ranran leaned in, her voice soft but insistent. "Yes, what about it?"

"Well, as everyone is aware, Peggy felt bad for causing the chain of events that lead to his death, she started out this retail therapy thing with Aurelia. Which did good years ago, since at that time, Aurelia who was still in middle school didn't want to get out of the house when her dad passed away," Primrose took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking. "Strictly between ourselves, the cost of living had been rising in Japan, and Peggy's expenses were no exception."

"Eh!?"

"I mean let's be frank: As much as Peggy didn't have to pay alimony to 25 of her ex-husbands, it wasn't without a price since she had to hire lawyers, the fees ain't cheap. And her financial situation wasn't as stable as it used to be, since she is a retiree. If she didn't put a stop to Aurelia's spending, money was going to be an issue."

"What about Aurelia's claims about re-selling those branded bags and stuff for triple the price?" Ranran pointed out.

"It wasn't a reliable or sustainable source of income. The market for such goods can be unpredictable, and it wasn't a long-term solution to her mother's financial concerns."

"And did Peggy not put a stop to her daughter's shopping habits?"

"Not that she didn't try, they'd argued about it, but Aurelia seemed quite unable to stop herself. As a result, not long ago, Peggy recently had me shut down the accounts she had at several stores. That way, Aurelia isn't able to get whatever she feels like it.

"But when Shinichi and I saw her enter the mansion, Aurelia was carrying all those shopping bags," Ranran recalled.

"Aurelia at times is sly when it comes to getting the luxury goods she wants," Primrose sighed, her expression filled with frustration. "I believe she resorted to secret purchases, possibly hiding them from Peggy. After all, Peggy sometimes tends to leave one of her credit cards in this mansion in her bedroom. Always seem to end up getting the cards to fall into her hands. Even with the door locked."

"Interesting," murmured Ranran thoughtfully. "And how had she seemed to you lately?"

"Miss Peggy? To be honest she'd been very tense. These last few weeks she seemed close to the edge: snapping for no reason, bursting into tears. And this morning she was..." Primrose groped for the right word. "You know, it was almost as if she was scared of something. Or someone."

"Any idea who?"

"I'm afraid not. She didn't confide in me. But I had the impression that it might have been an old flame of hers."

Ranran leaned closer to Primrose, her voice filled with curiosity. "An old flame? Do you have any idea who this person might be? Did Peggy mention anything about them? Or could it be one of her 25-no wait, 24 ex-husbands?"

"No, it ain't her ex-husband, because the address itself is from Japan, not in the U.K."

The mention of an old flame piqued Ranran's interest further. She exchanged glances with the other members of the Tantei Association, silently contemplating the possibilities. Ranran then continued her questioning, her voice filled with curiosity.

"Primrose, do you have any information about this person who might be Peggy's old flame? And how did you know it is definitely an old flame? Did Peggy mention anything about them? And how do you know that this old flame ain't one of her ex-husbands?"

The temp secretary hesitated for a moment, seemingly debating whether to share the information. Finally, she decided to speak up. "All of the ex-husbands she had married are either from the U.K. or other countries outside Japan. But this person, the old flame Peggy might have been afraid of, has a Japanese address. I overheard Peggy on the phone once, speaking in hushed tones and mentioning a name, Takashi. I couldn't catch the full conversation, but it seemed like they had a complicated history together, cause she told her lawyer to look for him discreetly. That they didn't want the press to know of his existence since they dated in the past."

"Eh!?"

"In fact, I think the letter came about a couple of months ago, but she didn't divulge the contents to me."

"But you are her temp secretary, are you not? Surely you did come across those letters, mainly fan mails."

"Ah no, those letters I didn't really have that much access to. It was sent directly to her personal address in her other mansion, not this mansion here. Peggy preferred to keep them private, and she handled them herself. I wasn't involved in that aspect of her life. Since I was her colleague, not her friend."

It seemed that Peggy had been hiding secrets, even from those close to her. Ranran nodded, processing the information.

"Is there anyone she is close to in general?" Genzo asked through the interpreter.

"Uh....yeah! Her eldest son, Felix!"

"The one who partied a lot?" Ranran blinked.

"Former party boy!" Primrose fired up at that while correcting the little girl, who is wondering what is going on in her head, "Anyway, those hay days were over back in his 20s. He phoned her regularly and they talked for hours. And that is about it."

"Wait, that's it?" Ranran is a bit taken aback by this revelation. "Her parents?"

"Deceased, so are her long-term friends in the entertainment industry, Peggy is after all in her 80's." Sensing Ranran is still in disbelief at that, Primrose had to explain to her, "Well, you see, Peggy lived a rather independent and private life. She didn't have many close relationships outside of her immediate family, let alone, the friends who died. It ain't surprising really that she even lost touch with most of her younger friends from the entertainment industry over the years. Peggy was quite selective about who she allowed into her inner circle."

"What about other staff members or employees in the mansion? Did Peggy have any long-standing employees or people she trusted?" Genzo asked, hoping to uncover more information.

"We used to have, but as I mentioned, due to the financial situation, especially with her daughter's extravagant spending, Peggy had to let go of some staff members. The current staff consists of a small team of housekeepers and security personnel, but they haven't been with Peggy for long. She hired them relatively recently."

Shinichi who was listening to all of this furrowed his brow, considering the limited connections Peggy seemed to have. It was clear that she led a somewhat isolated life, surrounded by a small circle of people who were either estranged or relatively new.

This is going to make their investigation more challenging, as there were fewer potential suspects or witnesses who could provide valuable information.

"But it's surprising," Genzo then instructed Ranran to relay those words, while Ranran pointed at Genzo while translating to Primrose, "He watched a lot of TV about Peggy Punchard, she is a very active person in the social scene. How is it that someone like her is living such a life? It's hard to believe."

"I know it might be hard to believe given Peggy's public image, but the reality is that she was quite private and selective about her personal life. While she may have appeared active in the social scene, it was mostly for professional reasons or special occasions. In her personal life, she preferred a more secluded and controlled environment. She.... had no one else. You know, in lots of ways she was a very lonely woman. I think....many stars are, I believe."

"I didn't think that is possible," The other 6 kids who were observing the interrogation taking place between Genzo, Ranran and Primrose from afar were shaken by this revelation, as 10-year-old Junko was in disbelief, "I mean, she is so people friendly! It's hard to imagine."

"Actually it is common," Shinichi corrected the secretary of Tantei Association, "My Okaasan for example had a very active social life when she too was a silver screen actress. She used to have a vibrant social life and was often seen at parties and events. Although she retired upon marrying my Tousan to raise me, and she had it way better than Peggy in terms of having her own close friends, and remain to have close connections with the acting community, you would not see any famous figure drop by my house at all."

"Why?" Takuma can't help but ask, "Are they not friends with your Okaasan?"

"It's difficult to explain," The 6-year-old detective boy struggled to put it into words, "It's like....the boys back in the American Football club you had, Takuma. You all talked about football all the time, right? But as soon as the club time end, do you hang out with them to go to the mall? Or watch a movie or that sort?"

Takuma's mouth froze at that.

"Exactly what it is," Shinichi then turned to the others, "That is how it was for Okaasan. Her relationships with her colleagues and acquaintances in the entertainment industry were primarily professional. They shared a common interest or passion for their work, but outside of that context, their connections might not have extended to personal friendships or socializing. It is the same with me and the other members back in the soccer club, or the way you guys had with whatever friendships you all had."

For once, there was silence from the group.

"People's lives and priorities can change, and maintaining close personal relationships requires time and effort, which might not always be feasible for public figures or those with demanding careers." Shinichi thought of it deeply. "Friendship when it comes to being personal....that is a difficult thing to manage."

"Then.....Kudo, is our ties in Tantei Association strictly professional or...."

But Michio never got the reply he seeks, as Ranran asked Primrose the same question they had previously asked Aurelia. "Did you see anyone when you left to go and pick up the children and Ohta Bunko? Anyone who shouldn't be here?"

"Not when I left. But when we got back there was a man – a stranger. Ah yes!" The secretary remembered, "An intruder! He was running towards the gates. As a matter of fact," Primrose then pointed at Ranran to Genzo, "She too saw him as well with the other children. I can't imagine how he got in."

"Eh!?" Genzo whipped his head to her, "Is this true, Ranran?"

"Yeah, I did," Ranran admitted, "He was dressed like a clown while fleeing, Shinichi and the others saw it too while we were in the van."

Genzo's eyes widened as he processed Ranran's words. A clown-like figure running away from the mansion was certainly an unexpected and intriguing detail. He turned to Michio, who had been listening attentively not far from where they were doing the interrogation with the others.

"Michio, did you see this clown-like person as well?"

"Yes, I saw him too. It was just a glimpse as we were in the van, but I remember the distinct outfit. It caught my attention."

"But honestly, he didn't look like a clown, without the big ball red nose and stuff," Shinichi admits.

"What did he look like?" Ranran presses Primrose for answers.

"Well, it was some stripe with red and white in it?" Primrose gave a sketchy description and then apologized. "I'm sorry, I was driving – I only had a brief glance at him. The children are the ones you had to ask."

"I'll do that, Miss Primrose. In the meantime, do you know anything about Miss Peggy's will? Any idea who gets most of her millions?"

"Her eldest son Felix and youngest daughter Aurelia. It is her two children after all that we are talking about."

"Nothing left for you?"

"No way! I just started working for a few months!" Primrose gave an embarrassed cough. "Plus, I ain't her kid, but her colleague, Sergeant. And now, since she is dead, I'm out of a job and probably gonna have to wait several months before I resume my supermodel duties."

"Alright, then let's talk about Felix," Ranran pressed on. "Tell me more about her eldest son, Felix. What do you know about him?"

"What I know about him, huh.....?" Primrose frowned, "I roughly knew that he used to party a lot in his 20s, till he sobered up and checked himself into rehab. Then became some sort of eco-warrior, I think. He's in South America helping to save the rainforest."

"I am pretty sure you knew a lot more about him than you think, right?" The child detective girl calls her out before displaying the results of a video taken by a paparazzi around a week ago, in the U.K. where Primrose is photographed leaving a luxurious hotel with Felix. "Mind explaining this?"

Primrose's eyes widened in surprise as she saw the photo displayed by Ranran. She took a moment to collect herself before responding.

"Well, t-that was a coincidence," she admitted, a tinge of embarrassment colouring her cheeks. "I happened to be at that hotel, and he recognized me from my modelling days. We had a brief conversation, but it was nothing more than that. I assure you, there's nothing romantic or significant between us. Felix is passionate about environmental causes, and I happened to support the same charity event he was attending at that same hotel."

Ranran raised an eyebrow, studying Primrose's reaction carefully. She wasn't entirely convinced by the secretary's explanation, but she decided to let it go for now.

Cause she knows when Primrose is lying.

And how did she know this? Cause Primrose had this habit of twirling a strand of hair whenever she was nervous or lying. Ranran had picked up on this behavior during their days in Edgwood, where the then 3-year-old Ranran would notice Primrose twirling her hair slightly as she gave her explanation to the school's principal about the rat having been discovered in her love rival's desks. As well as that 'Baby Project' incident when Primrose was confronted on intentionally slandering Aaron by his parents.

"Then this question regarding us..." Ranran pointed to the members of Tantei Association, before staring Primrose in the eye, "Genzo asked why are we called here?"

"For the anime project of course," The woman scoffed, "You are all brought here to consult about how do you all want each of your characters to be presented before the anime is made to feature about your adventures in real life."

Then, much to everyone's surprise, when Genzo instructed Ranran to translate his message about inquiring more about the anime project, Ranran worded things differently. "Why would Peggy Punchard, a comedian who barely posted any interest towards Anime on her social media accounts for over 80 plus years, would want to simply produce an anime made about our adventures? Not to mention, all of our cases we are involved in are dark in nature."

"Excuse me?!"

"She is a comedian, and she is probably the last person that I would think is qualified to do a project about our real lives." Ranran confronted, "This is also a woman who had been involved in the entertainment scene for over 8 decades plus, did you think she would simply invite kids like us to seek consultation? Also, I want to know a specific thing: What role does she have in that anime project? Producer? Scriptwriter? Or what? You are a secretary, right? It shouldn't be that difficult for you to answer."

"Oh... Well..." For the first time, Primrose stumbled over her answer.

Again, she paused for a moment, clearly caught off guard by Ranran's question. She seemed flustered as she tried to come up with a response. Even Shinichi and the others were stunned that she was having problems answering this question.

"Well, I... I can understand your concerns," Primrose stammered. "But you see, Peggy...wanted to try something different. When she....read the stories about all of your adventures in the paper, she found it fascinating. She wanted to bring those stories to life through an anime as a way to honour your achievements and entertain a wider audience."

"Ooi, what is Ranran doing?" Takuma who knew a bit of basic English a little better than the others can't help but notice, "That ain't what Genzo said."

"Is that really the case?" Ranran crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow sceptically. "I find it hard to believe that Peggy, with her extensive experience in the entertainment industry, would simply decide to produce an anime based on our real lives without any ulterior motive. As much as she did live in Japan throughout her entire childhood, I don't think in any of the interviews featured online, in newspapers or magazines ever once mentioned she would want to do Anime one day, let alone, was ever involved in one. So she ain't qualified, and yet wants to do a project about us?"

By this point, Shinichi and the others could see the young woman shift uncomfortably and avoid making direct eye contact. "Look, I'm just relaying what Peggy mentioned to me. She had a passion for storytelling and saw potential in your adventures. She wanted to try something different, to break away from her own comedic image. I can't say for sure, but that's what she told me."

The founder wasn't fully convinced, but she decided to let the matter rest for now.

After the interview ended, the other children started to wonder why that particular question had ruffled Primrose's calm, efficient manner so badly.

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

Now 6-year-old Kudo Ranran used to live in an affluent and lavish neighbourhood growing up.

In a neighbourhood filled with families that were bestowed with titles of nobility and royalties alike, it ain't surprising why everytime she walks herself from her home to school and back since the age of 3, she always comes across so many mansions, as each mansion seemed more extravagant and luxurious than the last, with beautifully manicured gardens, tall gates, and fancy cars parked in the driveways.

When it came to the interior, it was just as opulent. The houses boasted grand entrances with chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, marble floors, and intricate architectural details. The living rooms were adorned with elegant furniture, expensive artwork, and large fireplaces that added a cosy touch to the luxurious setting.

It ain't surprising to her that after living there for over 2 years, she was exposed to a variety of them that seemed to have their own unique style and personality. Some were designed in a classic and traditional manner, with ornate decorations and antique furniture.  Others embraced a more modern and contemporary aesthetic, featuring sleek lines and minimalist decor. Some mansions boasted stunning views, with large windows that showcased the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

So it was a huge shock, that as soon as Ranran set foot in Peggy's lounge, it felt the theme was odd rather than stylish. 

It was difficult to take in the unconventional design of Peggy's lounge, deviating from the opulence and elegance she had grown accustomed to in her affluent neighbourhood. The combination of yellowish stone flooring, blue-tiled pond, and red-and-white striped curtains created an eclectic and somewhat mismatched atmosphere.

Then Ranran started to wonder about the significance of this unique design. Could it hold any clues or provide insights into Peggy's personality or interests? Or was it simply a matter of personal preference and eccentric taste?

She decided to make a mental note of the lounge's distinctive features, as it might prove relevant to their investigation later on. Ranran understood that even seemingly insignificant details could sometimes hold hidden meanings or provide valuable clues.

"Whoever renovated this part of the lounge, should be fired." Shinichi felt his head hurting

Ranran couldn't help but agree with Shinichi's sentiment. Since he too came from a privileged background, he too felt like his eyes were literally bleeding, as his sight fell on the lounge.

The unconventional design of Peggy's lounge did seem out of place and lacked the elegance and sophistication typically associated with luxurious mansions. It was clear that whoever was responsible for the renovation had a different vision or perhaps didn't fully understand Peggy's taste.

"Shinichi! Don't be rude, alright?" Mouri Ran chided at the insensitive words of the child detective, her hands on her hips, "She has only been dead for 4 hours, already you are criticizing one's taste in renovating their own home!"

"But Mouri, don't you find that this lounge is weird?" Takuma backed Shinichi and Ranran's words.

Mouri Ran sighed and looked around the lounge, taking in the unconventional design. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke in a more understanding tone.

"Well, I had hung out with Sonoko in the multiple mansions her parents had owned, definitely different from what we're used to seeing in luxurious mansions, that's for sure," Mouri Ran admitted. "But still, it ain't kind."

Even so, as Ranran and Shinichi read Ran's expression while saying those words, the girl sounded as though she was doubting herself as well upon setting the sight upon the lounge.

And Emiko, Tantei Association's sketch artist, had a rather intrigued expression as she observed the unique design of Peggy's lounge. She seemed to be deep in thought, analyzing the colours, patterns, and overall layout of the space.

"Actually, this design reminds me of something," Emiko mused aloud, capturing the attention of the others. "Punch and Judy."

"Punch and Judy?" Shinichi repeated, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What's that?"

"A traditional puppet show that originated in England," Ranran who was raised in the U.K. for four years before moving here with a glimmer of nostalgia in her eyes. It features the characters of Punch, a mischievous and often violent jester, and Judy, his long-suffering wife. The performances are known for their slapstick comedy and chaotic plotlines. It was quite popular there, especially during summer festivals and fairs."

Emiko nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The design elements in this lounge, with the red-and-white striped curtains and the eclectic mix of colours, remind me of the vibrant and energetic aesthetic often associated with Punch and Judy shows. It's possible that Peggy was a fan of these performances or had some connection to them."

"You know, now that you mentioned it....." It suddenly dawned on Ranran, "Her stage surname, was the name 'Punchard'. And her eldest son's name, 'Felix', I know of a puppeteer by the name of Geoff Felix who is in charge of most of the 'Punch and Juddy puppet show'. I am wondering if that is the reason why that man we saw the other day who dressed up like a 'clown' ain't really a clown?"

The realization struck Shinichi's like a bolt of lightning. The connection between Peggy's stage surname, "Punchard," and the design elements resembling a Punch and Judy show seemed too significant to be a mere coincidence. She couldn't help but wonder if there was a deeper meaning behind it or if it held some clue related to Peggy's life or the circumstances surrounding her death.

Ranran's observation caught the attention of everyone in the room. "But does the victim Peggy do puppet skits?" Mouri Ran can't help but wonder, "Ain't she just a mere comedian?"

"Not really, in her earlier years, I do remember her doing puppeteering." Junko suddenly remembers, then elbowed Michio, "Do you remember that time when we were still in kindergarten, Michio? I used to drop by at your place to watch those skits."

"Ah yeah," Michio remembered, "Okaasan used to make me and Junko watch Peggy's earlier videos while she was running the shop. Back then she had trouble getting to do gigs as a comedian since she was still a newbie, so to make ends meet, she did the puppeteering."

Shinichi's mind raced with possibilities. Could Peggy's involvement with Punch and Judy shows have any connection to the mysterious clown-like figure they had seen fleeing from the mansion? Was there a deeper meaning to Peggy's stage surname, "Punchard," and the unconventional design of her lounge? The child detective realized that they needed to delve deeper into Peggy's past and her connections to the world of puppetry to uncover the truth.

"Junko, Michio, do you remember any specific details about Peggy's puppeteering performances?" Shinichi probed, "Any particular characters or themes she would incorporate into her shows?"

Junko and Michio exchanged glances, trying to recall their memories from their childhood. After a moment, Junko spoke up.

"I remember Peggy had a variety of puppets that she would bring to life," Junko said, her voice filled with nostalgia. "There was Punch, of course, and Judy. But she also had other characters like a crocodile, a policeman, and even a ghost. Her performances were lively and entertaining, and she had a way of captivating her audience, both children and adults."

Michio nodded in agreement. "I remember that crocodile puppet vividly. It was always up to mischief and causing chaos in the skits. Peggy had a talent for puppeteering and making the characters come alive. It was fascinating to watch."

Soon, Sergeant Genzo requested them to sit down and they did as they were told. 

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

Now under normal circumstances, Genzo is put in charge to do the interrogation of the 7 children. And aside from this legally, considering all of them were underage, they are required to be present with an adult.

But since Genzo knew them personally, one of the officers who were with him had to be appointed to conduct the interrogation. Which was ironic, since Ranran was able to do an interrogation while accompanying Genzo earlier to interrogate Primrose, whom Ranran knew in Edgewood Academy.

Still, Ranran being the cunning one had justified that neither of the officers knew how to converse in English, considering the suspects here are all from Britain so to speak, which is why it only seems fair that Ranran had to be present while translating for Sergeant Genzo. 

And since all of their parents are in the city, while they are hours away at the hillside, it only seems reasonable to get Ohta Bunko, the secretary of Muniko whom the children knew to be present with every single member.

Although it was unusual, considering Ohta used to be a suspect during Tantei Association's second major case 'The Illegitimate Extra', let alone, to be involved in such proceedings, the officers were left with not much choice.

As the interrogation begins, one child after another is called into question.

Of course, out of all of the members of Tantei Association, around 5-6 of them were not used to getting interrogated, and it was evident that unlike most police shows where they portray them to be kind and understanding, the atmosphere in the interrogation room was tense and intimidating. The officers asked direct and probing questions, trying to elicit information and uncover any potential involvement in Peggy Punchard's death. Even 6-year-old Shinichi had it rough, at least the previous interrogation back then during the events of the 'Blood on the Campground' case wasn't that pushy.

Then when it came to 6-year-old Kudo Ranran's turn, the officer in charge knew he was going to have a rough day. "So we meet again." The officer sighs.

"Ah yes, we meet again." Ranran chuckled before crossing her leg with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

When Ranran became The Fox, the majority of the police officers knew of her real-life identity, they are also aware of how crafty she can be, the moment she dug out every single officer's personal background in real life, especially their names, they knew this kid wasn't to be underestimated. "Do you remember when we last met?"

"During that incident that some heiress killed her fake illegitimate elder brother to reap out her Tousan's inheritance. You were not promoted back then." Ranran pointed out.

The officer's expression hardened, clearly not appreciating Ranran's reminder of their previous encounter. However, he maintained his professionalism and focused on the task at hand.

"Yes, I remember," the officer replied curtly. "But today we are here to discuss the death of Peggy Punchard. So let's get back to it," One of Genzo's men looked at his notebook to pinpoint Ranran's exact words. "You were with the six other children when you followed Miss Primrose and Miss Ohta, correct?" he asked, fastening his steely eyes on the girl.

Most kids, as far as these officers were aware would swallow nervously and nodded.

Not Ranran however, "That's correct."

"You also mentioned...."The officer pierced the child before him with a steady gaze. "This was a murder, not a simple accident. What made you certain, Miss Kudo?"