CH 3

I have gotten a bit drunk. Junko thought to herself as she reached the restroom and covered her eyes with a damp handkerchief. While the high-priced champagne was a treat, she was inclined to overindulge, perhaps out of a sense that it would be a waste if she didn’t enjoy the champagne now.

To the right of the front entrance was the restroom. Next to it was a stairway leading up to the second floor. On the left was the kitchen door with direct access to the dining room, and straight ahead from the entrance was the hall door.

When Junko returned to the hall, Tokizane was watching the radio clock on the wall.

“It’s 8:50 now. Assuming that the clock is accurate, I guess we’d better get started. Are you all ready?”

Several of them dropped their eyes to their wristwatch. Junko also looked at her TAG Heuer wristwatch and found that the time was precisely consistent, not a minute off.

Since it was a radio clock, surely it would be spot on. Although she wondered why he was so certain that the radio clock was accurate, she was more intrigued by what was to unfold.

“Thank you for your patience. I will now present to you some of the most exceptional pieces in the Mori Reiko Collection. These are rare pieces that even art exhibitions would infrequently display… Please, Sasaki.”

A surprised expression crossed Natsumi’s face, but she picked up something like a remote control and handed it to Tokizane.

“Reiko she… No, I mean, shouldn’t we wait for your wife?” Kumakura arched an eyebrow in suspicion.

“While you guys were waiting, she told me to let everyone take a look at her collection.”

Tokizane beamed, pointing the remote control at a cabinet on the wall on the west side.

Accompanied by the faint sound of a motor, the entire cabinet moved to the south, revealing a large hollow in the wall.

From there, a 70-centimeter-high display table slowly rose to the front.

A gasp of amazement can be heard.

Eight table clocks were arranged in a row on a red carpet, dazzling in the light.

“Everyone, please feel free to come closer and have a look.”

At Tokizane’s voice, everyone gathered in front of the display table.

Despite Junko’s limited knowledge of antique clocks and watches, she was immediately convinced that each of the pieces on display was a valuable cultural asset.

In front of each clock was a nameplate with a brief description. At the very front was [① Rhinoceros Clock]. With a bronze rhinoceros carrying a gold leaf clock on its back, the description indicated that it was the same type of clock like the one displayed at the Louvre Museum. Next was the bronze [② Camel Table Clock], which was entirely adorned with gold leaf. While [③ Métiers d’Arca] was a product of Vacheron Constantin using large crystal blocks, [④ Table Clock by Émile Gallé] was not a renowned glasswork, but a Rococo-style ceramic clock.

At the center was the [⑤ Myriad Year Clock], the only Japanese-style clock. The glass dome at the top drew a hint of robot-like quality from old sci-fi movies, despite the three-layered pedestal and dial being weighty and artisan-like.

The clocks from ⑥ to ⑧, which were the furthest away from the table, had the mystifying name, “Mystery Clock”. These three clocks garnered the bulk of the guests’ attention.

“Unbelievable! Are these all authentic?”

Even that Hikijii had been completely drained of his venomous nature.

“Well, I never thought a single individual could amass such a remarkable collection… Mori never shared a single word about it with me. Would you be interested in doing a feature article about these for my company’s magazine next time?”

Motojima’s voice was also abnormally low as if he was striving to maintain his emotion in check.

“I will pass the message on to her,” Tokizane casually said.

“Is a mystery clock really that extraordinary?” Junko asked, to which all of them exchanged a look of bewilderment.

“Well, if I can nu[i]… obtain this, my life will be at a level where I am free of regrets,” said Enomoto, who was also overwhelmed by the situation, his tongue unusually twitching.

…But, she wondered who would mistake the word “obtain[ii]” for “nushu”? If that was not the case, what did “nu” mean? What kind of verb begins with “Nu”?

“The inventor of the mystery clock is Robert Oudin, a watchmaker-turned-magician who is called the father of modern conjuring,” Tokizane elaborated with great gusto.

Cartier had created about a hundred distinct mystery clocks, all of which were unparalleled in their aesthetics. The first mystery clock produced by Cartier was in 1912, [⑥ Model A], with its simple, box-shaped form and refined elegance. The base was composed of white agate, while the dial was made of quartz and the needles were fashioned of platinum and diamonds.”

When Junko drew closer and viewed the three clocks, she was struck by their beauty.

Not only [Model A] but also [⑦Chimera] and [⑧ Panthère] proved to be in the realm of the highest level of art craftsmanship. Furthermore, these works were not merely beautiful.

“As you can see, the needles are installed in the center of the crystal dial, and there is no indication of movement around them. So how is it possible to make the time tick? This is what distinguishes the Mystery Clock as a mystery.”

Indeed, how could the needle operate in such a way?

“Enomoto, do you grasp the trick?”

“After all, the actual product is right in front of your eyes. This is much easier than the locked room trick,” Enomoto remarked conspiratorially.

“Putting aside the difficulty of the puzzle, you have to admire the fact that someone has actually transformed an ingenious idea―  and turned it into such a beautiful work of art.”

Despite her brainstorming, Junko could not fathom the mechanism.

“Are these three clocks working now?” 

In response to Junko’s question, Tokizane shook his head.

“Unfortunately, the only one that can be operated at this time is [Model A] but it has been put to a stop because of the strain it was imposing on the mechanism.”

Speaking of which, all of the clocks were indicating the hour at 10:09. As in most of the advertisement photos of watches, the positioning of the long and short hands was probably the most beautiful time to view it.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen. Actually, this is where the real fun begins,” Tokizane continued with a beaming smile.

“Please guess the sequence in which the eight clocks’ prices are listed. One of you will earn a fantastic prize as an early Christmas present should you get it right. While the reward is not as striking as the other eight clocks, it is a stunning table clock that might be the focal point of an art exhibition. If it is auctioned off, there is no doubt that it will garner a very high price.”

Natsumi’s mouth dropped open while she stared at Tokizane as if she hadn’t been briefed on the subject beforehand.

“How would the winners be chosen if there are multiple accurate answers?” Kawai licked his lips as he inquired. He was suddenly fired up.

“They’ll be determined by drawing lots in such instance, but this is a very challenging puzzle. I doubt that more than two people will get it right,” Tokizane confidently answered. “Therefore, I wanted everyone to experience these eight masterpieces through all of your five senses. The idea is to allow you to view the works from a close distance, not through glass, and to touch them with your hands.”

“Tokizane. That is not…” 

Tokizane dismissed Natsumi with a wave of his hand just as she was ready to say something.

“It’s fine, I got permission,” Tokizane said as he walked over to the display table. “However, please do not take any pictures. Reiko has already given me explicit instructions on this point. I would like to ask you all to preserve this soul-stirring beauty in your minds and hearts as a dream for the evening.”

Tokizane opened a drawer in the display table and retrieved a large jewelry tray and a pair of white gloves.

“Also, please take off your rings, cufflinks, and wristwatches, because if the clocks get damaged, there’s no way to recover them. Please leave them with me… I will give you all a pair of gloves.”

After receiving the white gloves from Tokizane, Natsumi distributed them to everyone. Apparently, he had prepared sufficient gloves for the number of people. In the meantime, Tokizane collected their wristwatches.

“I think that this one won’t be damaged since it is entirely made of resin.” 

When Enomoto pointed at the G-Shock and asked, Tokizane said it was just in case, and insisted that he take it off. After placing the watches and rings on a tray, he put them in the drawer of the display table and locked it.

Why is it necessary to be so stringent? Junko’s faint doubts were once more overshadowed by the thrill in her heart. Sorting through the eight clocks in price order ought to be no cakewalk, but the mystery clocks probably ranked in the top three. As long as she does well, she may have a decent chance of getting it right.

Tokizane whispered something in Natsumi’s ear. Natsumi nodded tentatively. Perhaps he was reminding her to be on the alert to prevent theft or accidents from taking place.

As Junko turned her attention back to Enomoto, she was startled. His behavior seemed even more suspicious than before. Could it be that he was trying to seize this opportunity to steal it? Even if he were to stumble upon one of these items in full view of the public (which would be impossible in itself), it is highly unrealistic to assume that he would be able to abscond with it or conceal it somewhere else.

Nevertheless, it is difficult to discern what he is thinking. I have to keep an eye on him. This was a rare opportunity, and she wanted to concentrate on the price estimation, but she involuntarily clicked her tongue a little. As Natsumi’s eyes met hers in astonishment, she tried to pass it off with the highest degree of a smile she could muster.

Junko was able to objectively analyze the atmosphere of the situation, possibly due to her caution towards Enomoto. The guests seemed thoroughly enthralled by the game.

In particular, Kawai Masahiko’s eyes seemed to shift color as he stroked and rubbed the clock with the fingers inside his white glove. Is this because he may inherit the property? Or perhaps he was in financial constraints and desired the clock as a prize at any cost.

As for Motojima Koichi, he was constantly sighing and racking his brain. It seemed like he really hadn’t heard anything about this collection from Mori Reiko.

Kumakura Shogo glared at the [Rhinoceros Table Clock] as if he was leering at it with his eyes. He occasionally taps his fingertips as if palpating, which might have stemmed from his profession.

Hikijii’s hands were trembling in a way that was evident to anyone who saw him. For some reason, Junko did not feel any concern that over-excitement might be adverse to his heart but feared that he might knock over the clock with his fist.

Enomoto’s eyes, like those of a cat stalking its prey, were riveted on the three mysterious clocks.

He seemed to be especially obsessed with [Model A]. He would gaze at it from different angles, up and down, left and right, and then he would go behind the display table and peer through the quartz dials.

Before Junko was aware of it, she too was absorbed in the process of analyzing the eight clocks.

After all, the three mystery clocks were the most significant. Among them, [Model A] stood out for its beauty. The two leopards facing each other in [Panthère] were also breathtakingly resplendent with fine jewelry, and their opulence was second to none.

In any event, the first three places have been established. Then, which will occupy the fourth place, [Rhinoceros Table Clock] or [Métiers d’Arcas]? The unreadable [Myriad Year Clock] would probably fetch an astronomical price if it were to be considered a historical value. Well, given the condition of the piece, one has to suspect that it may be a replica.

Tokizane, who had been standing back and watching the guests, silently went out at that point. Junko couldn’t help but notice his footsteps because of his stealthy movement.

As Tokizane approached the garden terrace, he gingerly pulled open the curtains. The full moon could be spotted in the southern sky.

Subsequently, he opened the wooden sash and stepped out into the garden, propped up on what looked like a sandal. At that instant, Junko noticed that Tokizane was holding a satellite cell phone in his hand. It appeared that he was planning to call someone.

Tokizane closed the sash and pressed the satellite phone against his ear. After conversing with someone for a while, he opened the sash again and called out to someone inside.

“Motojima. President Shimizu is on the line. Please speak to him.”

It turned out that the person he was talking to was Shimizu Takashi, the president of Tobishima Bookstore.

Motojima’s face became blatantly aggravated. A salaryman who wanted to talk to the president even when on a trip would be as rare as a thief who picks up a wallet and delivers it to a police station. Not to mention the fact that he was now preoccupied with trying to evaluate the prices of the antique watches.

Even so, Motojima flashed a smile in an instant and strode over to Tokizane. After receiving the satellite phone, he repeatedly lowered his head while saying a few words. Although it was not a videophone and he could lie on his back with legs outstretched, it must have been a habit in his line of work.

When Junko looked back, the radio clock on the wall met her eyes.

It was 9:08 pm. Eighteen minutes had passed since the game of guessing the prices had begun.

While talking on the satellite cell phone, Motojima was nodding his head. Junko suddenly furrowed her brow at the sight of this.

She wondered what kind of output power the satellite cellular phone emitted. Considering that they were communicating with a satellite orbiting far above the Earth, the signal must be much more intense than ordinary cellular phones.

Of course, since the garden terrace and the hall where Motojima was chatting were separated by a sash, it was unlikely that this would affect them, but there was no way that Hikijii would remain silent when he witnessed this.

As he turned around, Hikijii had just set his sights on the garden terrace.

He should have seen Motojima was using a satellite cell phone. Junko watched with bated breath, expecting him to burst into a fit of rage at any moment.

However, contrary to Junko’s expectations, Hikijii did not exhibit any reaction. He shifted his gaze to his hand, and while stroking and rubbing the [Camel Table Clock] with his quivering hand, he kept racking his brain and mumbling something. He apparently possessed sly adaptability to the prevailing situation and was not concerned about the cell phone signal at the moment.

Of course, it would be preferable if no problems arose, but the feeling of betrayal infuriated her. She wondered how he would respond if she walked up to him and turned on her phone right now. However, she lacked the courage to actually do it. Since the signal was out of range, it wouldn’t make any sense.

Motojima returned to the hall at a rapid speed, as if he were racing, after returning the satellite phone in a timely manner. As expected, he wanted to get back into the game as soon as possible.

At one point, Tokizane kept up the conversation, but then walked away and disappeared from sight.

When she wondered where he had gone, Sasaki Natsumi cleared her throat and said, “Then, I’m going to switch the lighting. Please look at the halogen footlights. By changing the lighting, you should be able to perceive the masterpieces in a different light.”

With a press of the remote control switch, the ceiling cove’s indirect lights dimmed and the room became pitch black except for the red embers left by the fireplace. From somewhere, a faint electronic beeping sound could be heard. The footlights on the display table were illuminated in a matter of seconds.

Everyone let out a sigh of admiration.

Eight small yet highly luminous halogen lighting dazzled the eight display clocks in the planetarium-like darkness. Among them, the beauty of [Model A] and [Panthère] was beyond description. Simply beholding them was like being lured into another world.

“I guess this is in the first place after all…” Kawai whispered as if he was overcome with emotion.

There can be no doubt about it. Junko nodded in agreement. This was a masterpiece created by human hands.

Even Enomoto could understand why he wanted to “nu-shu” it.

Everyone was utterly spellbound by the eight masterpieces while also being driven by avarice that they had completely lost track of time.

When Junko felt the presence of someone in the garden, she lifted her eyes.

It seemed that Tokizane had returned. Through the sliding glass window, Tokizane can still be seen communicating on the satellite cellular phone. As soon as Tokizane finished his call, he opened the sash and entered the hall.

“Well, how is everyone doing? Have you drawn to a conclusion?” Tokizane asked pleasantly.

“Well, I more or less figured it out… But who knows whether it is correct?”

As Kawai folded his arms, he shook his head faintly. He seemed to be under the strain of unbounded uncertainty.

“Anyway, this one is not so easy to solve, right? Maybe there is a special trick to it?”

Kumakura’s tone was 50 percent more tenacious.

Notwithstanding, all of them must be on the same page this time. Tokizane had mentioned that if anyone got the answer right, it would be only one person. If that were the case, at least one of the clocks would have been unexpectedly cheap or expensive. In other words, this was a trick question.

“Oh well. It’s fair to assume you don’t trust me, but I’m not playing tricks. If you can see with an unprejudiced mind, you should be able to find the right answer… So, can you turn the lights back on?”

Under Tokizane’s instruction, Natsumi operated the remote control. Roughly the same time as the halogen lamps were turned off, the white light of the LED indirect lighting enveloped the guests and snapped them back to reality.

“It is now 9:39,” Tokizane said, looking at the radio clock on the wall.

“So far, 49 minutes have elapsed since the game began at 8:50 p.m. I can imagine that it must have been quite a struggle for you all, but given the fact that everyone was able to observe it so attentively, it will now be up to your discerning eyes to evaluate the ranking.”

Tokizane’s tone of voice sounded somewhat exuberant.

Even Junko checked the time and pondered if 49 minutes had elapsed. It felt as if it has flown by in the blink of an eye, but on the other hand, it also left her with a sense that it had been a lengthy and intense period.

“Is Reiko still working?” 

Natsumi affirmatively nodded when Tokimi asked.

“Can you go and check on her? From this point on, it’s finally time for the climax and we’re going to confirm the answers of the game.”

Natsumi’s expression grew startled yet again.

“Um, but she has mentioned that during work, nobody can disturb her.”

“It’s okay. Tonight is special.”

“But…” 

Natsumi couldn’t hide her consternation.

“Come on, we don’t want to keep our guests waiting, right? Don’t worry. I’ll take full responsibility.”

“I understand.” 

With a somewhat satisfied look on her face, Natsumi opened the door and walked out of the hall.

“Now! Let’s hear your answers now. On this ballot, please write the numbers from ① to ⑧ in the order you deem the prices to be the most expensive.”

Tokizane handed out a sheet of paper to each of the guests. Although the papers appeared to be ordinary notepapers, upon closer inspection, the signature of Tokizane Genki was stamped in vermilion on all of them.

“As for the rest, it goes without saying, but this is a write-in ballot, so please write your name down. Missing names will not disqualify you, but if there are multiple ballots without your name and one of them is correct, there may be a dispute over the awarding of the prize.”

What should I do? At the last minute, Junko was seriously contemplating her decision.

Should she stick to her original intention and select the three mystery clocks, [⑥ Model A], [⑧ Panthère], and [⑦ Chimera], as the top three? But she couldn’t figure out what to do after that. It might be safe to choose [① Rhinoceros Table Clock], [② Camel Table Clock], and [③ Métiers d’Arcas] in that order, but then the answers would bound to be the same as someone else’s. It will be necessary for the answer to be original or to be innovative somewhere. The [④ Table Clock by Émile Gallé] was ceramic, not the popular glass one, and the [⑤ Myriad Year Clock] seemed too pretentious to be the top choice…

Abruptly, a scream resounded from somewhere. It was a woman’s voice. Everybody raised their heads in shock.

“What was that?” Motojima asked Tokizane, leaning forward and scanning the area like a meerkat on the prowl for foreign intruders.

“Well, I wonder what that was.” Tokizane spread his hands out as if he had no clue what was going on.

The hall door was violently shoved open, and Natsumi dashed in, following the sound of footsteps rushing down the stairs.

“What’s going on?” Tokizane remarked as if to criticize her for her impertinence.

“Reiko… Reiko is!” Natsumi was so stunned that she covered her face with her hands.

“What happened to Reiko? Speak properly.”

“Let’s go! Is Mori in her study?”

Motojima, Kawai, and Kumakura bolted from the hall in that order. Junko immediately followed, but then she realized and looked at Enomoto. This man could not be left behind with the priceless artwork.

Once Enomoto’s eyes locked with Junko’s, he suddenly started running with light footsteps. Junko was right behind him and kept a watchful eye on him. When she glanced back at the top of the stairs, she found Hikijii in a wheelchair and Tokizane with Natsumi exiting the hall.

As Enomoto stormed up the stairs, he quickly caught up with them.

While Junko nearly lost control of her steps when her slipper slipped off, she managed to hold on to the handrail and avoid falling down.

Once upstairs, they found Motojima and the others paralyzed in front of the room at the end of the hall. They had left the door open.

She caught a glimpse of the inside of the room as she approached from behind. The study, which was probably more than 33.058 square meters, consisted of built-in bookcases, a sofa for resting, and a desk with a computer.  

Then, behind the desk, there was a person lying face down on the floor. 

Although she could not see her face, the deep crimson cocktail dress was recognizable.

It was the dress worn by Mori Reiko. 

T/N:

[i] The word “nu” is relevant to [ii]

[ii] Obtain in Japanese is “入手” (Nyūshu) while Nu is ぬ. For those who are curious, the synopsis already mentioned that Enomoto is a thief and steal in Japanese is 盗む (Nusumu)