The Bench of the Dead

Detective Kanda Ryūichi is called to the “Dead Bench,” where a fresh reddish‑black stain and a bullet wound reveal the body of Akihō Koichi, a popular cabaret performer known for impersonating Jackie Ueno. As Kanda recovers two 22‑calibre casings and pieces together Koichi’s burned fan letters and tangled love affairs, agency head Komagome confirms Koichi’s employment and hints at a bitter dispute with his sister that may have motivated the killing. The investigation narrows on two alibis: flight‑attendant Otsuka Hiromi insists she was confined to a Hakata hotel that night, while freelance writer Maba Gōsaku claims he was driving in Chiba and meeting two intoxicated women. When forensic analysis shows the bench’s damage matches a specific type of ammunition, Kanda begins to suspect the alibis are fabricated and that the true motive may lie in the hidden rivalries of Koichi’s personal and professional circles. The case pivots on exposing which of the suspects can truly account for the bullet’s origin, forcing Kanda to confront a web of jealousy, family feud, and deception before the murderer can vanish.