Kogoro and horse bettors Susumu Nakamura, Chihiro Ougi, Masao Shinohara gather in Satsuki Mishima's bar, one with no leg room and with a crack in the rusty wall. Everyone then leaves the bar around the same time to attend to personal matters. Kogoro takes a smoking break, Nakamura goes to buy cigarettes, Ougi to the public restroom, Shinohara to the ATM. When they regroup, they find Satsuki slouching over the counter on a swivel chair. Shinohara tries to wake her up, only to find a knife in her chest. Kogoro assumes that during the break, someone had a fight with Satsuki who was behind the counter, and stabbed her in the front. The evidence left on the scene does not support it.

Kogoro is asked to be a star in an educational television program. Once there, he is introduced to guest stars and studio members. Noburo Kimijima, the leading figure of Enka, has his priceless vase stolen during rehearsal. They deduce the culprit is still inside the studio room.