The Case of the Plateau Auberge Serial Murders Pt. 1

**The Case of the Plateau Auberge Serial Murders Pt. 1** is the 38th chapter of the *Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective* manga.

## Summary

Ron and Toto look at a letter from 17 years ago that came into Ron's mailbox, addressed to the manager of Maison du Kamonohashi, but without specifying a name. Toto confirms that the postmark is from 17 years ago and the writing on the envelope is really faded. Toto notes that the manager could not have been Ron, and asks if Ron already opened the letter. Ron says he did, and that it is an invitation to an auberge, a restaurant with an inn attached. They also sent along a menu as a greeting. Toto notes that it is all super-fancy food. Ron adds that it all looks original with French cuisine as a base.

Toto asks who was the manager of the apartment 17 years ago. Ron says that his maternal grandmother owned the property, and his grandfather was the manager. When his grandfather died, Ron's mother managed it for a few years. When Ron was expelled from Blue, his mother gave him the keys.

Toto notes that this is the first time he heard Ron talk about his mother. Ron adds that his mother is a bit of an oddball, and she is currently making 50 trips around the world. Toto notes that he can see how she is Ron's mom, and asks if she loves brown sugar as well. Ron says of course not. Toto then asks if she loves deduction and solving mysteries. Ron says that as far as he knows, she is not interested; they have some things in common, but also a lot of differences. For example, his mother never gets angry. Toto recalls how Ron was pretty furious at the university (during the research lab murder investigation), despite already taking the medications. Ron says he was disappointed in himself for acting that way. A detective who solves cases based on emotions is the worst kind.

Toto recalls that Ron said he did not have a dad. Ron says he died of an illness before he was born. Toto immediately condoles, but Ron tells him not to worry. He was raised by his mom, and he could not even imagine having a father.

But more importantly, he cheerfully tells Toto that they should get ready. The date of the invitation is today, and they have to go. Toto immediately tells Ron not to be silly, the invitation is 17 years ago and invalid. They do not even know if the restaurant is still in business. But Ron removes something from the envelope, and shows Toto a gem. Ron says they have to return it, as it looks quite valuable. Ron says it is an emerald.

Toto says that they contact the restaurant before they go, but Ron tells him not to say such uncouth things. He does not think for a second that the invitation from 17 years ago was just delivered today by mistake. Ron declares they are going on an adventure to solve that mystery! He then goes of singing kamo-kamo, as Toto supposes there is no stopping Ron now.

The two head off via cable car to a mountainous area that Toto says is like a hidden wilderness, as if they are flying above the forest. Toto asks what an auberge is, and another passenger answers that it is a restaurant where one can stay the night.

A man in a suit greets them, saying he is staying there for work, but he is a little nervous since it is his first time. He is glad he found someone else heading there. Ron notes that the man's luggage is pretty light, and if he is from the area. The man says he is from America, but he is based in a Tokyo hotel. Ron notes that the man's Japanese is great. The man, Tiger Dan, says he is a lawyer who travels all around the world, and offers his calling card as he tells them to let him know if they are ever in trouble. Ron takes the card and says that the man's office in the middle of New York, and is impressed. In turn, Ron brings out his business card, as he brings out a bottle of brown sugar syrup along with a card dangling on a string giving his name. Tiger Dan says Ron is kidding, the business card is so shoddy! ["Objection! (Igi ari!) Business card o-za-na-ri (ordinary)!"], Toto muses that the man rhymed in a foreign language, and that he is sharp.

Tiger Dan says he is glad to have a proper conversation with them, unlike with the English gardener, another passenger, Lenny Gardner. They happened to be travelling together since the train, so he tried talking to him, but he is very unfriendly. Ron asks where Gardner got those flowers. Tiger Dan says that Gardner said he brought it from his own garden. That was all he was able to get from him after talking for 30 minutes.

They all eventually arrive at Auberge Reunion. Toto is immediately impressed, that it is like a stylish hotel. They are welcomed by chef Shusuke Sakai. He also apologizes that they are short-staffed so he has to run things by himself, and is unable to give them a warmer welcome. Ron asks if he was the one who sent the invitation. Sakai looks at it and confirms the menu they are having today. But he is just a hired chef, so he has nothing to do with the invitations. He then gives the room key to Toto, as Ron asks who is the owner. Sakai says he has never met him, that he is just an employee. As he leaves, Sakai tells them to come to the dining room at 6 o'clock.

Toto comments that the mystery is just getting more complicated, as another person asks what mystery and greets with a Ciao. She introduces herself as Mia Costa, a high school student from Italy. Toto asks if she was also invited, and she says she was, by her aunt who lives in Japan. Toto notes that Mia's Japanese is great. Mia says it is because of her aunt's influence, that she loves Japanese culture, and studied the language on her own. Mia asks what is the mystery, and Ron presents the invitation. Mia comments that it is romantic, as Ron also presents the gemstone, which Mia knows to be an emerald. Mia raises her necklace with a similar emerald, saying it is an heirloom from her mother. Ron says it is a strange coincidence, but guesses it is the best way to start off the adventure to solve this mystery. Mia also notes that a mystery-solving adventure sounds fun.

That evening in the dining room, Sakai greets the assembled guests, and tells them to take their seats. The guest assemble at a large round table, which another guest, taxi driver Tom Sasaoka notes. Ron also notes the presence of a teddy bear seated at one of the chairs. The bear appears patched together with a white tuft of hair, an earring on the left ear, and wearing a suit.

An older woman, security company executive Karen Lily, says in English that this is a joke, right? She then continues in Japanese if he is telling them to eat with total strangers. Sakai says again that he is only an employee and just doing as he was instructed. Could they please direct their inquiries to the person who invited them?

Another man laughs, saying this sort of thing is the true pleasure of travel. The man, surgeon Bill Clark, says maybe they have some connection and invites them to share a table together, also that he is famished. Ron agrees with Dr. Clark, and the doctor wonders how he knew. Ron says that Clark's penlight fell out of his pocket in the bathroom earlier. Also, when he washed his hands, Clark rolled up his sleeves and carefully scrubbed up to his arms, and there were five other hints. Clark is impressed. Ron also says that Sasaoka is a taxi driver and Lily appears to be a manager, at least on the outside. It also seems, Ron says, that she came from abroad as well, but her Japanese is suberb. Lily says that her late spouse was Japanese, though she herself could not read or write the language. Clark adds that he loves studying languages and can speak about five different ones, and also knows Elvish. Tiger Dan adds that he might as well promote himself as well, to just call Tiger Dan's international law office.

The first course is brought out, an edible flower salad. Mia cheerfully looks at the salad. Ron adds 'a hint' of brown sugar for season, drenching the salad in syrup, as Toto asks if he calls that a hint. But Sasaoka and Lily are apprehensive.

The second course is a lobster soup. Sasaoka, Clark, and Tiger Dan all look at the dish with concern, obviously sweating, as Ron wonders.

The third course is fresh fish steamed with white wine and served with a foam garnish. Gardner is quaking, Lily is also obviously sweating, as Ron keeps wondering.

The fourth course is three kinds of roasted wild game. But on seeing this, Clark stares at the food in terror, forcefully puts his napkin on the table as he stands. He tells the guests he is exhausted from his long trip, and is heading back to his room and get some rest, that the food was truly delicious.

Sakai says with a huff that it is too bad, he wanted him to try the dessert, a cake made with chestnut mousse. Sasaoka sweats profusely, and says he does not care for sweets. Lily also says she is full and will pass, still sweating. Tiger Dan is the same, saying with a smile that he will just take some coffee.

Gardner stands, and says in English "If only I didn't drive my truck that day...I shouldn't have come to this place!" All the guests pause, as Toto asks what is up.

In their two-bed room Ron notes that the food was crazy delicious, but everyone had a lot of leftovers. Lying on the floor, Ron says that everyone besides Mia was acting strangely, it seemed like they were disturbed every time the food came out. Toto asks if he means only picky eaters were invited. Ron says that at this rate, Toto will be a master detective a hundred years from now, to which Toto exclaims that it's like Ghost Detective Totomaru. He also says maybe they can just ask everyone about it tomorrow. They turn out the lights to sleep.

The next morning, Sakai calls out loudly for Gardner, with Lily and Tiger Dan with him outside Gardner's door. Toto asks what is the matter as he and Ron approach. Tiger Dan says that it is the unpleasant gardener's room, but this morning he heard a weird noise from his room next door. Lily is also next door, and she heard a strange rupturing sound. Tiger Dan adds that they figured they would check in before breakfast. Last night's menu is taped to the door, and there has been no response when they call him. Sakai says they tried to open the door, but he does not have the key, saying he is just an employee.

Ron offers, but Lily says ahead that she can open it, adding that she thinks she can handle a lock like it. Toto says it's amazing, as Ron says with a grin that she can that sort of thing too? Lily asks what is his problem? She is the executive of a security company! She learned it a long time ago.

Lily picks the door lock, and manages to open the door. But as they enter the room, they find Gardner dead, surrounded by flowers from a nearby vase, with an ice pick lodged in his chest.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Ron Kamonohashi
* Totomaru Isshiki
* Tiger Dan
* Lenny Gardner
* Shusuke Sakai
* Mia Costa
* Tom Sasaoka
* Karen Lily
* Bill Clark

## Trivia

Tiger Dan saying "Igi ari!" (Objection!) is a reference from Ace Attorney.

Toto may be referencing Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective in saying he would be like Ghost Detective Totomaru.