NOVEL NEXT Chapter 109 - Final Act
The stage crew is done with the setup, the sprites are in position, everything is ready. The actors are in place and I get the go ahead from Juliette. Time to start this show.
The light illuminating the stage serves as a signal for the audience, and the chatter immediately quiets. Eyes move forward and the focus of the entire room falls upon the curtain that is still drawn.
“With new insight gained from magical assistance, the Investigator chose to privately confront the suspects. In the interest of subtlety in this investigation, they received a note which said to meet in the gardens, where the incident first took place.”
The curtain lifts, to reveal an identical garden scene to the very first scene. The sprites are knocking it out of the park with the ambience again. The flowers gently sway in the breeze as the Father and the Lady enter the scene, looking around curiously.
“I wonder who that note was from. What could they want from us? Could it be the Murderer?” the Lady whispers towards her companion nervously.
“If you truly thought that, you would have been unlikely to come out here, wouldn’t you?” the Investigators voice cuts in harshly, causing both of them to flinch, while they walk on stage and come to a stop in front of them them.
“We couldn’t exactly not come, since the note threatened us with releasing false evidence painting us as the murderers.” the Father states calmly. “Are you behind this? Was it just an excuse to meet us without observation?”
“Correct. You see, Father, I have, with some help, discovered the identities of the Countess killers. But before proceeding with the investigation, I wanted to talk with them.” the Investigator replies.
“Curious. And why is that, if you don’t mind me asking?” the Father asks, calmly. He puts a steadying hand on the shoulder of his companion, who appears visibly unsettled.
“Because my sources also hinted at their motivations, and I would like to, no, I need to know more. Why does the inquisition need to resort to assassination?” the Investigator queries.
“That… How?” the Father looks at the Investigator incredulously. “I am not going to deny it at this point, but how did you learn of this?”
The Investigator looks contemplative for a second, before answering. “In the interest of honesty, I shall reveal my source. But I am going to need you to provide me with some answers in return. This is a delicate situation, and I don't want it to end with someone innocent suffering in the end.”
The two murderers look at each other before nodding back.
“Great. Well, I know because my assistant investigators used a magic item to question your mirror images.”
“Huh. That sounds like it wouldn’t hold up in court.” the Lady says.
“It sure wouldn’t.” the Investigator chuckles, “But with the information gained that way, it was quite simple to find actual evidence. Evidence I am loath to use. If what I heard about a devil cult is true, we can figure out another way, I am sure.”
“No, that is not necessary.” the Father says, quietly. “The Government will want their pound of flesh, and we are prepared to give it to them. I wouldn’t want anyone else to take the fall. But it is kind of you to offer to look for alternatives.” He sighs a bit before continuing. “But, since you already know, could you leave her out of this? One of us should be enough.”
“You are willing to give yourself up?” the Investigator asks.
“To bring an end to this investigation, yes. Will that work?”
“I am sure it will.”