Open Case File · DAILY-SHADOW-RANK
Exposure
On the last sweltering night before the monsoon rains, Choi Pan-sul, auditor of the merchants' association, ate a few slices of sashimi at the communal prep station in Guhang's traditional fish market. Twenty-six minutes later he said his lips were numb. An hour and a half after that he could no longer pronounce his own name. The cause of death was tetrodotoxin—the poison that accumulates in a pufferfish's body—which stopped the muscles he used to breathe, leading to respiratory paralysis. He was moved while his eyes were still open, unable to speak, and died at dawn the next day. The morning before, the communal prep station's channel had been pushed to the very bottom of the market's online sales listings, and the uproar had not subsided by that night. For three months Choi had been cross-checking the pufferfish handling license roster against the prep station assignment sheet. Of the five people who remained in the prep station that night, who placed that plate in front of him is a question that must be asked of all five.
Scene
an operating communal prep station and online broadcast sales floor in a harbor city's traditional fish market · early summer, just before the rainy season
5 suspects
Kim Ok-buncooperative communal prep station weighing and assignment supervisorEarly fifties. Looks for the sheet first before answering questions. Voice is not loud and does not repeat herself. Uncomfortable with others reading her handwriting.
Park Hak-sucooperative broadcast sales hostEarly forties. Speaks quickly and finishes sentences. When asked about time, answers based on numbers stamped on screen; when talk of his share and commissions comes up, answers become shorter.
Jeong Gap-jumerchants' association vice president and shop ownerLate fifties. Loud voice, speaks of systems and customs first. When talk of his shop comes up, speech lengthens; when the other party backs down, immediately switches to a smiling face.
Lee Bong-sucommunal prep station night assistant and tank managerMid-thirties. Smiles first before answering questions. Answers blur when asked about time; suddenly becomes detailed when talk of water or tanks comes up.
Jo In-seopcommunal prep station handling technician and channel settlement managerLate forties. Hands move before words. When presented with numbers, looks for paper; when there is no paper to find, remains silent for a long time. Speaks briefly and categorically about his work.
Exhibits
Communal prep station assignment sheet and pufferfish handling license roster
Two sheets hanging side by side on the prep station wall. That night's line on the assignment sheet has two handwritten names, with '22:10 shift change' written before the second line. The third line of the license roster has a name written but the license column is blank.
Broadcast sales log and that night's replay
That night's broadcast started at 21:20 and ended at 22:10. The replay screen shows the host and one assistant, and midway through there is a scene where a plate enters from the bottom of the screen.
Rating calculation screen capture and review notification
A screenshot of the communal prep station channel's rating dropping to the very bottom. In the reason field is only one line: handling license verification request filed, under review.
Auditor's handwritten comparison ledger and slip found in shirt pocket
A ledger where three months of assignment sheets have been copied and broadcast log times have been transcribed side by side. Every mismatched line has a circle. What came with it is a single weighing slip that was folded in his shirt pocket that night, with two trembling lines written on the back.
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Field Guide
One question = one turn. Examine the clues, shake statements with confrontations, question everyone, then accuse — there is no undo.
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