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Raiji Harmony asked Deshya Oveja to meet him at Linda Park this Wednesday, September 07, a park just south of the school that's only a five-minute walk away. The girl in the fox sweater happily accepted, and that very day she went to the park straight after school. Raiji had warned her in advance that he would arrive a few minutes late to chat with his family and a friend. As Deshya waits patiently for him on a park bench, a small sliver of light from the forest that runs alongside the park, separated by large metal bars, catches her eye when she sees it out of the corner of her eye. She runs over to check what it is, but what she sees there shocks her.
A murder.
The culprit is dressed in a long black jacket, but he turns to Deshya who quickly runs off, grabbing her phone. She writes a message, but on the way she gets hit on the back of the head and falls to the ground, unconscious, her phone still on. The person who knocked Deshya unconscious takes it in his hands and observes her before recognizing the girl he has just assaulted: the daughter of Gatito Oveja, a popular police inspector in Tetazo, as well as a girl who is no stranger to the town's inhabitants. Taking this into account, the culprit smiles and a few minutes later calls Gatito on Deshya's phone and asks for a total of 300,000 euros in cash, although instructions are not yet given on his part: he'll call back in a few minutes to explain what needs to be done. For his part, having arrived at Linda Park just seconds before Gatito receives the call, Raiji arrives as planned to meet Deshya, but doesn't see her.
After waiting a while, he decides to check his messages for one from Deshya. When he looks at what he's received from her, he frowns in puzzlement and incomprehension. The short message Deshya had sent him a few minutes earlier…
- ‘Killer Gl...?’” wonders Raiji, thinking out loud.
He scratches his hair, trying to figure out what it means. He hesitates to send her a message, but prefers to put his phone away, turn it off and keep waiting: he thinks there's a good chance she didn't send him that message on purpose.
- Come to Linda Park, right now!" shouts Gatito in his phone.
He gets into his car and turns it on. Korone jumps in behind him and he turns to her.
- Korone?!
- I want to help find Deshya!" she replies, closing the car door.
- But—
- I don't want to stay at home on my own…
Gatito clenches his hands on the steering wheel, but having no time to think about it any longer, he closes the door in turn and orders Korone to fasten his seatbelt. She accepts and complies directly, a serious look on her face. Gatito turns on the radio, which is currently playing 'Sweet Child O' Mine', and backs up with the car to find himself on the road to his street. He's called Sammy, who claims to be on his way to the park, and has only one thing on his mind: finding his daughter. What's more, he's already called his banker and the chief of police. Now they must find Deshya before anything bad happens to her.
CHAPTER 32
⎾The Fox-Eared Eye Witness Kidnapping Case ; Suspects and Alibis⏌
- Maybe I should send her a message…
Raiji taps his own chest with his forefinger, looking sadly at the phone in his other hand. Deshya still hasn't arrived even though it's 1.20pm, which is starting to worry him. Has she simply given up on seeing him, or is she late for some unexplained reason? He even imagines that she's met a friend on the way and simply decided to follow and chat with him, forgetting about her appointment with Raiji. The latter sighs and hesitates to send Deshya a message to find out the truth. If she doesn't want to see him after all, he'd prefer her to be honest with him…
- Yet Deshya seemed happy to meet me... Plus, she sent me a strange message... Killer Gl? Why did she send me this…?
He doesn't understand the meaning of these two words at all, but he doesn't think about it any further: he's just disappointed that Deshya isn't coming. He sighs and decides that if she's not here in five minutes, he'll send her a message to find out what's going on. He's wanted to talk to her and meet her for so long, especially since he sees Amora as his best friend and she herself is Deshya's best friend, and vice versa. He was so happy when Deshya agreed to get to know him, so now that she's leaving him in the lurch... He sighs again and stares at the ground.
- Maybe I'm not good enough...?
He's about to listen to some music when he hears the sound o f an approaching car. He looks up and admires the vehicle as it suddenly brakes and stops on the opposite side of the street. A red-haired man gets out and then a little girl with snow-white hair. Raiji watches them from his bench, his phone still in his hands. He notices that they are both running towards the park. The man grabs his phone and answers someone, while the little girl stops in front of the boy.
- Are you Raiji?" she asks.
- H-Huh? Do we know each other?
She shakes her head.
- Deshya told me she had to meet you here today.
Raiji stares at the little girl in surprise. She offers him a very serious look, her violet eyes staring into Raiji's green ones.
- That's me, but you're...?
- My name is Korone! I wanted to ask you, have you seen Deshya?
- No, she hasn't arrived yet…
- …
Korone slowly bows her head. At the same moment, two new cars arrive on the street, attracting the attention of the two children. Gatito returns to their side and heads towards the vehicles. Raiji rises from the bench and squints.
- What's going on here...?" he thinks aloud.
Korone doesn't answer his question and walks calmly towards the cars in turn. Raiji decides to follow her, since she seems to know Deshya. Her beautiful white hair attracts his attention, so he observes it as he walks alongside her. From both cars, men and women from the police get out, and Korone recognizes two of them, one being the detective who was at Deshya's side during the murder of her adoptive parents, Sammy, and the woman being the one who analyzed the two corpses, Annie. The latter is chatting with Gatito, but on noticing the snowy-haired little girl, she stops and stoops down.
- Oh, Korone! How are you?" asks the woman.
- All's well! How about you?
- I'm okay, too. What are you doing here?
Sammy nods after chatting with Gatito and calls two policemen before running to Linda Park. Gatito turns to Annie and Korone, but his attention is directly redirected to the black-haired boy.
- Who are you?" asks Gatito. Would you be…
- My name is Raiji Harmony. I need to see Deshya today, here…
Gatito tucks both hands into his trouser pockets and Annie stands up after stroking Korone's hair.
- Have you run into my daughter, by any chance?" asks Gatito.
- I was waiting for her, but I didn't see her... What exactly is going on...?
He's confused to see the police arrive in the park like this. Annie is called by a woman in uniform, who shakes her hand high in the sky. Gatito watches her from a distance before thinking. Korone and Raiji stare at him intently, distracting the man who finally lets out a grunt.
- Rah, I have to see what's going on over there, I'll explain right after. You two can follow me.
Gatito starts running towards the woman who is called Annie, followed by Raiji and Korone. The boy turns his gaze to the little girl.
- I hope Deshya is well...?
- She should do well.
- S-Should...?
Korone's answer didn't exactly reassure Raiji. He swallows loudly and continues to run behind the red haired policeman. At last they reach the policewoman, who points to the forest just behind the metal bars.
- Go and see over there!" she said.
- All right.
Gatito nods and runs towards the forest, where several policemen are. Raiji is still confused and his heart is racing. He wants to know what's really going on... Why does his father seem so worried? They arrive at the bars and there—
- What the—?!!
Raiji stepped back, eyes wide open. In front of him, in the darkness of the forest, a motionless body lies in the arms of one of the policemen.
- De-Deshya?!
Raiji takes another step back, but Gatito suddenly turns and shouts at the boy.
- She's not my daughter!
- A-Ah?
Raiji blinks and the policeman bites his thumb.
- On the other hand, what does it mean...?" wonders the red-haired man.
- Inspector!
Sammy walks around the bars back into the park and stops right in front of the policeman.
- Annie will check the cause of death and we'll look for the girl's identity, but her body is still quite warm and not yet in the rigor mortis stage.
- Is she dead?
Sammy sadly replies that this is the case. Gatito squints, but before he can say anything, Korone speaks up.
- Is it possible that Deshya was kidnapped because she saw the criminal?
They all turn to her. Korone watches Gatito with serious eyes, standing right next to Raiji.
- Ah... Wait, kidnapped?!
Raiji opens his eyes wide and screams. Sammy looks at Gatito with surprise and the inspector scratches his hair.
- Raaah, that's annoying... I'll explain everything, but find out the girl's identity," he orders.
He tucks his hands into his trouser pockets before gesturing with his head for Raiji to follow. Korone watches them go, but she's not going to listen to their conversation: she passes between the two metal bars and goes to observe the girl's body.
- Ko-Korone?!" shouts Sammy.
He tries to catch her, but she's faster. She slips between two policemen and looks at the girl's body. She's bleeding from the back of her head, staining her long, beautiful blond hair. Her expression is rather calm and her mouth is still open. It's clear that she died from the blow to the back of the head, but Korone understands that it's best to check whether this is the real reason or just a cover-up. The little girl wants to analyze the corpse a little more, but a policewoman grabs her by the collar and lifts her off the ground.
- You can't be here..." she said.
- Sooowwyyyyyyy..." replies Korone with beaten-dog eyes.
The policewoman forces her back to the park and Korone touches her chin.
- Deshya must have seen the murder while she was waiting for Raiji... She was abducted by the criminal precisely because she knows who did it. If that's the case, it's highly likely that Deshya will be killed, even after paying the ransom..." she thinks.
This greatly worried the little girl, who stopped in front of the man chatting with the boy. Gatito explained the situation to Raiji, about the call he had received and the ransom demand of 300,000 euros. The teenager feels bad for having started to believe that Deshya had simply abandoned him, when in reality she had arrived here straight from school. He feels like punching himself in the face for his stupidity, but remains calm and touches the phone in his pocket.
- So, this message…
Raiji takes out his cell phone and looks at him wide eyed. Korone questions him with his eyes, the same reaction as the police inspector next to him. The boy thought that what he had received from Deshya was simply a mistake, but now he understands that the reality behind those two words is totally different.
- I see... So…
He turns on his phone and returns to his messages application before gritting his teeth.
- This message…
- What are you talking about...?
Raiji turns his gaze to the policeman.
- If it's like the little girl said and she was kidnapped because she saw the murder and most likely the criminal, then the message she sent me makes sense," he says.
- Any message?
- That's why the criminal managed to call from Deshya's phone, because she sent a message to Raiji!" thinks Korone.
She was just wondering how the culprit managed to call from her phone, given that her phone is blocked by a long code. What's more, given Deshya's personality and intelligence, Korone is convinced that the password is a long and complicated one to find, if not impossible without getting into the girl's brain. If she sent a message to Raiji because she saw the murder, Korone would understand how the culprit managed to call Gatito from the phone. Raiji shows the inspector his, and Korone stands on her tiptoes to watch the message about the murder.
- Killer Gl...?" wonders Gatito.
- That's the message I received from him at 1:06pm, but I didn't see it until a few minutes later, as my phone was on silent and I didn't take it out until I was afraid I'd been raked over the coals by him…
- A rake... Is this a date to go out with Deshya?" questions Korone with big eyes.
Raiji looks down at the little girl and, blushing softly, shakes his hands.
- It's not that! Deshya is very cute, but I'm not interested in her in that way, I just wanted to become friends with her, since I think she's super cool.
- I don't want to sound annoying, but this isn't really the time to talk about all this…
Gatito taps his crossed arm with his index and middle fingers, staring at the two youngsters in front of him. Korone smiles apologetically and Raiji admires his phone.
- Killer Gl…
- She wrote quickly and suspected she wouldn't have all the time in the world to explain what she saw, so she gave us a clue about the criminal. One that has to do with… Luck? ‘GL’ as ‘Good Luck’?
While Korone ponders this, Sammy returns with new information. Raiji puts his phone away and concentrates on the two men in front of him. An elderly woman runs towards them and stops beside the detective. Korone looks up at her.
- We'll check for any poison in her body, but it's clear that she died from a fatal blow to the back of the head," she says.
- I see. Thank you, Annie.
- We also found a faint trace of blood a few yards from the corpse, in the park. Given that the grass appears to have been trampled several times and that someone was lying on it, it's very likely that this is where Deshya was attacked.
- I see.
Gatito asks Sammy if he's learned anything about the victim, and the detective nods, pulling out his notebook.
- The victim's name is 'Claire Dochamps' and she is a student at Tetazo high school. She is 18 years old and lives with both her parents a few minutes from the park, on the street going downhill. We haven't contacted them yet, but we found her phone and wallet next to her," he explains.
- In short, the murder was not committed because of theft?” Raiji asks.
Sammy approves and puts his notebook away.
- Nothing seems to have been stolen or touched. She was simply killed and left there, without even trying to hide her. The hammer was found a little further away, but no fingerprints were detected.
- So it's a homicide..." Korone thought as he looked out over the forest.
Whoever killed this girl most likely had gloves on and knew what he was doing. Raiji takes his phone in his hands again and, a few moments later, starts tapping on it, which attracts Gatito's attention.
- What are you doing?" asks the man.
- I'm writing to my mother to say that I may be a little later than expected," he admits.
- Huh...? Ah!
Gatito frowns in the boy's direction.
- You're not going to follow us, are you?
Raiji blinks and Korone smiles.
- Sounds like Deshya!
- Do all young people these days want to be detectives?" thinks Annie out loud.
Raiji puts his phone away and puffs out his cheeks.
- You'll excuse me, but I feel guilty!" he replies.
- Guilty?" asks Sammy.
- I'm the one who asked her to come here, and now she's been kidnapped by someone who wants 300,000 euros in ransom! If I hadn't asked her to come here, she'd be sitting at home, eating toast and watching TV.
Raiji grabs the headphones around his neck and pulls it over his ears before releasing a fiery, determined gaze.
- I'll help whether you like it or not! She trusts me enough to have sent me a message before she was kidnapped!!!
The tone of his voice resonates with everyone next to him. Korone admires him wide-eyed and open-mouthed, while Sammy and Annie break into smiles. Gatito is about to yell at him when the pointy-eared detective places his right hand on the man's left shoulder.
- Well, he can come if he likes. I don't blame him: I want to rescue Deshya as quickly as possible," he says.
- Sammy?
- He's right. You don't need me, but if I find out anything, I'll call you," says Annie.
- You too, Annie…
The lady giggles as she returns to the corpse's side, even though it's already being carried in a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance. Gatito turns and sighs, having to accept the truth.
- If you want..." drops the man. Sammy, let's go talk to the parents, maybe we'll get a lead there.
Sammy accepts, but before they can start moving, Gatito's phone plays its melody: someone is calling him. He jerks his cell phone out of his pocket and everyone turns to him. Korone jumps into the arms of the police inspector holding her and answers the call.
The one from Deshya's phone.
- Hello?
- Let me be very clear and quick. I want 300,000 euros in a bag with no microphone or anything but money in it, or I kill Deshya directly.
- There's no need to be aggressive like that.
- I just want to be understood.
- Where would you like us to deposit the money?
Korone's facial expression changes after the man's words. She'd have thought he'd be stalling for time and wouldn't accept the kidnapper's terms, especially as Deshya's chances of survival are very slim. So she assumes he has an ulterior motive or is lying about the ransom.
- I want someone who isn't a member of the police to take the money to us. For example, the dark-haired boy next to you. He's perfect.
Gatito opens his eyes wide and yells at Sammy to look around for someone watching them. Korone squeezes Gatito's arm, turning his face in all directions. However—
- There's no point in looking for me. I saw you a few minutes ago, I'm not here anymore. If the boy is no longer with you, call him back or find another student from Tetazo's school," says the voice on the other side of the phone.
- We can't risk the life of a teenager without being convinced of his safety and that of the hostage.
- If I receive money, I have no reason to kill your daughter or the boy. I won't accept the bag with the bills if it's not from him.
Gatito turns to Raiji, who questions him with his eyes. The policeman holds out the phone and takes a deep breath.
- He wants you to take the bag with the money," explains the inspector.
- Me?
Raiji points at himself, surprised. Gatito nods and takes his phone away from his mouth.
- You don't have to accept.
The boy removes the headphones from his ears and stares at the man in front of him, his cell phone in his hand. He freezes, wondering what to answer. Noticing the boy's lack of response, Gatito brings the phone up to his ear again and continues his discussion with the person on the other side of the line.
- Can I have confirmation that Deshya is still alive?" he asks.
- She's still unconscious, but you must have received the picture, right?
- The picture?" wonders Korone.
- I've received it and that's why I'm willing to listen, but we can't risk a boy's life like this. Change—
- No, it's okay.
Raiji approaches Gatito and removes the phone from his hand before placing it next to his ear.
- Hey, I don't know who you little prick is, but I swear, if anything happens to Deshya—
- No need to be so violent, ahah!
The kidnapper's short laugh increases the anger Raiji feels. Korone asks Gatito which photo the other person was talking about.
- After the phone call, while you were putting on your shoes, I received a photo of Deshya tied up, which proved to me that the call wasn't a fake. Otherwise, I wouldn't have called Sammy and the other cops.
Korone had thought about it, but now she understands why he decided to take the threat seriously.
- Can we tell from the photo where Deshya is being held?" asks the little girl.
Unfortunately, Gatito shakes his head. Raiji clutches the phone in his right hand.
- So you agree to give me the money in person?" asks the person on the other end of the line.
- Yeah, I'll do that. Then I'll take Deshya back to her family and—
- You're boring me to death by talking so much. One more useless word and I'll punch her in the face.
- !!
Raiji wants to scream, but closes his eyes and regains his composure.
- ...sorry.
- That's more like it. You can tell the policeman next to you that you need to be at the Tetazo station by 2.20pm, using his phone. From there, I'll give the necessary instructions to receive the money. I'll make sure you're watched, so if you try any trickery, I'll refuse to give Deshya back and I'll kill her.
- Good.
- I'll call you back at 2:30pm. Be there with the money in a bag, Tetazo station.
The person on the other end of the line hangs up and Raiji hands the phone back to Gatito, explaining what has been said. The police inspector puts away his laptop and sighs angrily as he sets Korone down on the floor.
- Sammy, you go with Korone and Raiji, along with another policeman, to see Claire's family. For my part, I'll get some money and prepare everything for Raiji.
Before leaving, he turns his gaze to the boy with disheveled black hair.
- Are you sure about this? It's dangerous.
Raiji smiles broadly, but his eyes show a burning emotion inside him, far from amusement.
- As if I'd let Deshya be in danger any longer.
The answer satisfies Gatito, who thanks him and runs out of the park. Sammy looks at the two children in front of him and sighs.
- Why do I have to take you with me...?" he asks himself.
Raiji turns to him, hands behind his head.
- Leaving the little one alone would be silly, and maybe I can help?" he surmises.
- Yeah, but... Well, I don't have time to bitch about it. Excuse me, can you come with me to Claire's family home?
The dark-haired detective calls a passing policeman. He accepts without hesitation, and the four of them head for Claire Dochamps' residence.
- Why?!!
A man cries, supported by his wife who can't hold back her tears either. It's 13:37 and Claire Dochamps' parents have just learned the truth about their daughter. Korone is sitting on Raiji's lap, the latter between the two policemen. They watch the scene with sadness, feeling the pain of the man and woman who must come to terms with the death of their only daughter. It's a scene that breaks little Korone's heart, given that she must have experienced the opposite. She can't imagine how her adoptive parents would have reacted if she had been killed instead of them…
- We'll catch the criminal," promises Sammy.
It was the detective who had to confess everything directly to them, and with great difficulty. He would have preferred to find another way of telling them the bad news, but they don't have much time and need to find a lead on the criminal. If it's someone who hates Claire, then maybe her parents know something. If not, they'll probably never find the criminal if no one else witnessed the scene or Deshya's abduction. ‘Claire Dochamps’ mother dries her tears and looks up at Sammy.
- Why... Why would anyone want to kill our daughter...?" she asks with great pain.
- That's exactly what we're here to find out," admits the dark-haired detective.
- I don't know…
- Is it possible for you to think about it? I'm sorry to ask you this when you've just lost your daughter, but we want to catch the culprit as soon as possible.
Sammy braces himself for angry remarks from both parents, but to his surprise, they both nod and calm their tears as best they can. The husband speaks first.
- Our darling... Claire was loved by just about everybody, so I don't think she really had any enemies... I can only think of three people. Right, honey?
His wife approves and turns her gaze to the detective in front of her.
- I don't know if they'd dare kill her, but they're the only ones who've really been mean to her..." she says.
- Who are you talking about?" urges Sammy.
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The bride and groom look at each other before the man responds.
- Our daughter's ex, the ex of that ex and the best friend of that guy.
- Our daughter's ex is called 'Jean Boketsu', Jean's ex is... 'Adam Evans' and Adam's best friend is called 'Tom Loston'.
- You remember their first names well..." remarks Raiji.
- Jean often came to the house and we knew Adam's parents, before they started to hate us after Jean left him for Claire," admits the father.
- Tom was a childhood friend of Claire's, but when Adam started hating and harassing Claire, he did the same. We've already had to talk to their parents about their behavior, but they've never done anything.
- Harassing, you say?
They nod at the same time.
- Jean suddenly left Adam to go out with Claire, which enraged Adam and his family. They targeted our daughter instead of Jean, since they adored her, and Tom followed his best friend and helped him harass Claire. Our daughter didn't care much and didn't let it... didn't let it affect her, but…
The woman tries to continue talking, but bursts into tears and hides her face behind her hands. Her husband strokes her back and finishes her sentence for her.
- Even though Claire didn't worry about them and was harassed less and less over time, they never stopped. The worst they did was push her into a puddle, but they sometimes sent serious messages to Claire. She simply ignored them and they stopped, but when they crossed paths, she had to flee quickly because she was afraid they would commit a bigger crime on her.
- Have you ever called the police about harassment?" asks the policewoman next to Sammy.
- Adam and Tom received a warning from the police, but nothing more.
- And why does Jean hate your daughter...?" asks Korone.
- Claire left him a few weeks ago because she didn't feel as comfortable with him as she used to. He plays video games a lot and sometimes leaves Claire out, so she had to leave him because she didn't feel the same love. He blames her because he thinks that if they'd talked more, he'd have changed, but he was hitting on a friend from his class while they were still a couple, so…
- In short, it's a piece of shit," thinks Raiji.
- I don't think... anyone would have wanted... to hurt Claire, otherwise..." whines the woman.
- I see. Thank you. We'll look into it. May we have your telephone number so we can contact you if we find the culprit? You can also contact me if you think of anything else.
- Of course…
The man spells out his number and Korone jumps off Raiji's thighs. She starts walking around the living room and the policewoman stands up in turn, followed by Raiji.
- Nothing was stolen, and to take Claire into the woods, it had to be someone who knew her. However, would she really have followed her ex, who hates her, her ex's ex, who also hates her, or even Adam's best man, who is stalking her with Adam?" wonders Raiji.
Sammy gets up, thanks both parents and promises again that they'll catch the criminal. He decides not to mention Deshya's kidnapping and leaves with the two children and the policewoman. Now he has to find out where the three young men who hate Claire live and verify their alibis... As he leaves the house, talking to the policewoman, his phone rings and he answers it directly.
- Hello, Inspector?
- I'm glad you answered quickly. Can you send me Raiji now? The preparations are ready," asks Gatito.
- Of course you can.
Sammy calls Raiji and explains that he has to get to Gatito right away. The boy agrees, and after he learns where he has to go, he starts running. However, Korone calls him and he stops in mid-stride.
- Yes?
Korone runs to him and beckons him down so she can whisper something in his ear. He listens and squints before standing up, a look of surprise on his young face.
- I can do that, but…
- Just drop it off at the station, under one of the benches on the track you're going to!
- ...okay…
Raiji accepts before running off again. The policewoman approaches the little girl with Sammy and asks her what she discussed with the boy. Korone turns and smiles broadly.
- Nothing special, I just don't want him to do anything stupid!" she replies.
- I see... I'm going to look for the house of the three, will you come with us, Korone?" Sammy asks him.
- Nyes!
Korone turned and watched Raiji disappear into the next street. If he can do what she asked, then…
- …
- We've arrived.
It's now 1.50pm and they're standing in front of the house of the first suspect: Claire Dochamps' ex boyfriend, 'Jean Boketsu'. Sammy asks the policewoman to wait outside just in case, and she agrees. The detective approaches the door of the one storey building and presses the small bell. Korone looks at the carpet beneath his feet, but his attention is quickly drawn to the young man who opens the door for them. His black hair is rather short and his dark brown eyes give him a somewhat aggressive look. In front of them are rectangular glasses that fit him oddly well.
- Yes? Who are you two?
Sammy pulls out his police detective badge and the young man squints.
- Huh?
- Could you quickly answer a few questions?
- I guess I have no choice..." he replies.
He lets them pass and Korone thanks him with a jump. He watches her with astonished eyes, but since the detective next to her doesn't retort, he just shrugs and closes the door behind him. The three of them head for the living room, where Jean's two parents are admiring the television, on which a baseball game is being broadcast live. They turn to see that their son has returned and then stand up to see the man who has just arrived.
- Who are you...?" asks the father.
- Detective Sammy, I work for the Tetazo Police Department.
The woman stands up and frowns, shocked.
- The police...?
- I'm only here to ask your son a few questions," he confesses.
Both parents turn their gaze to Jean, but he shakes his head and shrugs again. Sammy sits down on one of the chairs and Korone follows suit.
- I promise to be quick. Are you Jean Boketsu, Claire Dochamps' ex-boyfriend?
Jean sighs and sits down.
- If this is about the threats I sent by message, I've already apologized. I won't let my anger get the better of me.
- Threats...?" wondered Korone.
- Ah, I'm not here for that..." admits Sammy, scratching his cheek.
He takes out his detective notebook and a pen he always keeps with him. He presses it and the mine comes into view.
- May I know where you were between 1pm and 1:10pm?" he asks.
- He was here!
Before Jean can reply, her mother yells at the detective. The detective turns to her.
- He was in his room, playing video games! He still had his headset on, but I could hear him tapping away on his keyboard. He even answered me when I told him we'd be eating soon!" explains the woman.
- Have you seen him in his room...?" asks Sammy.
She shakes her head, but it's Jean who answers this time.
- She couldn't have, since I always lock my room. I deserve my privacy, I don't want my mother to open the door at the wrong moment…
Seeing that there's a little girl next to the detective, he decides not to say any more, as he doesn't want her to hear such a thing. Korone raises his head and stares at Jean.
- What were you playing?" she asks.
- I was playing On Top of The Hill, an online game. If you want, you can look at my history or ask my buddies who I played with, you'll see that I was online," replies Jean.
- Did you wiiiin?
- Huh? Does it matter?
- I want to knooooow…
- Hey, Korone…
Sammy asks him to keep a low profile, but Korone insists. Jean sighs and smirks.
- Of course we won. 13 - 7. You can check anytime.
- I don't need this verification. Are you sure your son was in his room?" he asks, addressing the man's parents.
- I didn't see her directly in his room, since it's locked, but he was on his computer, I'm sure of it! What's more, his door was locked and he answered while I was standing at the door, so I'm sure of myself.
- What did he say?" questions Korone.
- I told him we'd be eating soon and he said, 'I'll finish my game and be right over!' I'm sure it was his voice.
- When did he come down?
- When...? He came for lunch around 1:20, but seeing that the matches of his game are quite long, it's not anormal. What are you implying?
- Are you sure he didn't come through the front door or-
- Huh? No, I saw him coming out of his room!
This time, it's the father who answers. What's more, he talks to Sammy aggressively, losing his patience. Jean sighs and taps the table.
- Why all these questions?" he asks.
- You see…
- That's because we think you went to the park around 1:05pm!
Korone answers for Sammy with a smile. Everyone looks at her differently and the detective asks her to be quiet. Jean starts laughing, which attracts Sammy's attention. He gets up from the chair and shakes his head with a petty smile.
- I couldn't have been there! From here to the park, it takes like 10 minutes by car. I could never have been at the park.
Korone squints and Sammy rubs the little girl's head, apologizing for her behavior. Jean crosses his arms, staring at the two in front of him.
- I may have a driver's license and could even have used my scooter, but I could never have gone to Linda Park and come back if I was in my room playing. My buddies can prove my alibi. What happened in the park?
Sammy gets up and puts his notebook away after writing in it, replying that it's nothing important. He apologizes for the inconvenience and wears Korone, wishing them a good day. The three family members look at each other in incomprehension and Sammy puffs out his cheeks as he leaves the house.
- Korone... Don't do that again.
- Sorry, but we don't have time, do we?
- Yes, but... Ah…
He sighs, bowing his head, and drops Korone off in the street. The policewoman returns and asks them what they've learned.
- He couldn't have committed the crime, as he was in his room playing an online game. I could check his alibi with his online friends, but there's no guarantee they wouldn't lie for him…
- I know the game he's playing!" Korone told them.
- Ah?
The two policemen turned to her and she agrees.
- When I was still at mama and papa’s, I'd sometimes watch people playing it on the computer. If you go to the game's official website, you can see all the games played. If he's actually played a game, you can see it on the site. If not, he's lying.
- Really? Oh, I see. If need be, I'll go and check the veracity of his alibi. In any case, if his parents aren't lying, which I doubt very much, then he couldn't have done it…
Korone agrees with him, but on the other hand... She decides not to say anything and follows the two policemen to visit the next suspect.
- Yes ?
Sammy and Korone stand in front of a group of friends, all five of them around a table at a WacDonald's. It was Adam's parents who explained to the detective that their son was still at the fast-food restaurant with his friends. Luckily for him, the WacDonald's is just a 1- minute walk from his house, which in turn is quite close to Jean's, where he's from.
- It's me, Adam Evans. Can I get you something?
A boy who recently came of age with a fashionable haircut. His chestnut hair is quite short, but still longer than Jean's. His dark blue eyes appear a little lighter than they really are, due to the sunlight. Around them are several tables where people are quietly eating their meals. Noticing that Sammy isn't responding directly, Korone again takes the initiative.
- Sayyyyy, were you all eating at 1pm here?
- Huh? Why do you want to know that?" asks one of the boys, red and black hair in a strange cut.
He bites into the burger and chews noisily, annoying one of his friends, who punches him on the shoulder. Adam looks at the man with astonished eyes, and the blond-haired man next to him replies to the little girl with a gentle smile.
- We all met here around 1pm, after school," he says.
- Except Adam showed up around... I don't know, what time was it, man?
- I arrived a little before 1:20pm," admits Adam.
- 15 minutes after the murder..." think Sammy and Korone.
Adam steals a French fry from one of his friends and dips it in ketchup, but before swallowing it in one go, he continues to talk to the little girl and the man beside her.
- But my buddy here called me around 1:10 pm and asked me what the hell I was doing, so I answered the phone and told him I was just finishing my chess game. My house isn't far from here, by the way.
- It's not the first time he's arrived late because he plays chess... All to lose to people who don't even have 1500 elo.
- Hey.
Adam's friends all start laughing and he bites into the fry with a bored, almost annoyed expression. Korone opens her mouth wide and asks if she can have a fry too. Adam readily accepts and gives her one of his. The granddaughter thanks him and chews happily while thinking.
- We're a little further from the park than Jean's house, so it would also take about 10 minutes to get there by car, as well as back... If he arrived 15 minutes late, with a shortcut or speed, maybe it's possible, but he couldn't have hidden the body…
She turns to Sammy, but notices that he's on the phone. Korone wonders if it was Gatito who called him again.
- Why did you want to know that, lil’ one?" asks one of Adam's friends.
- Because I saw this gentleman at a park and wanted to know if it was him!
They look at each other and Adam tilts his head.
- The park...? Linda Park, I presume?
She nods with a smile.
- Around what time?
- 1pm!
- I suppose I could have been there and back in time, but the shortest way from my house to the park is 21 minutes... Plus, I don't have my license or a car.
Korone and Sammy all react with shock. The detective explains that he no longer needs the verification and puts his phone away directly afterwards. He asks Adam if this is true and he nods.
- He still doesn't have his license, because he's an idiot!" laughs the red and black-haired man.
- One day, he'll get it, we believe in you!" says the blond.
- Guys…
Adam sighs and rests his head on his fist, tired of their behavior.
- If that's all it was, I guess you don't have to ask me anything anymore?
- I want to know something!
Korone raises his arms and stares Adam straight in the eye.
- You know Claire Dochamps, don't you?
Adam opens his eyes wide and grits his teeth. He slams his fist on the table and frowns.
- Why?!
Sammy asks him to calm down and observes his friends: they all seem to have a different opinion of Claire. The one with blond hair is calm, while the one with red and black hair is almost as upset as Adam. The little girl lowers her arms and gently waves a foot, as if embarrassed.
- Well, because I talked to her a few minutes ago.
- A few minutes...?
This seems to surprise Adam and Korone nods, jumping up and down.
- Nyeeees!! I love Claire!! We talked around 1:30pm!
Sammy admires the girl in amazement. Why is she lying? Adam grits his teeth and keeps his fist clenched.
- Yeah, I know her, but I'm not answering any more questions. Come on, out.
- Eeeh? But Claire—
- GO!!!
Adam slams his hand down on the table again, startling Korone. The customers in the WacDonald all turn towards the group of friends and the blond man at Adam's side grabs his arm, whispering for him to calm down. Adam pushes him away and clicks his tongue before turning his head to the right, about to shout at the granddaughter and the man again, but both are already exiting the building together. Adam stares at them from his seat, his friends asking him why he reacted the way he did.
- He was violent when you told him about Claire..." says Sammy thoughtfully.
- I lied, it's not right, but he doesn't seem like a nice guy…
Korone looks up at Sammy.
- What were you talking about on the phone?" she asks.
- I asked the policewoman following us if she could look for Adam's car, since if he'd killed Claire and kidnapped Deshya, he'd never have had time to drop them off somewhere and get here in time. So I figured if we checked the trunk of his car, we might find something if it was him. But if he doesn't have a car, I don't think he could have gotten here in time…
- Unless his friends are lying, right?
The policewoman drops these words as she walks back towards them, sweating from the run she's just completed. Sammy nods and Korone turns back to the building behind them.
- If you start here, you'll reach Adam's house a minute later on foot, and then Jean's house, another minute later…
Korone wants to think about it longer, but Sammy warns them that it's already 1:55 p.m.: in short, time is running out. So they rush to the third and final suspect: Tom Loston, Adam's best friend.
- Where was I around 1:05 pm?
The boy the same age as Adam stood on his front porch, his back against his open door. What surprised Korone when he arrived at his house, which lies between the homes of the other two suspects, was just how much Adam's family had to offer. His hair also resembles Adam's. Unlike Adam, his eyes are a much lighter, brighter green. His physique isn't the same either: he's much more muscular than Adam. Tom has his arms crossed and, on hearing the police detective's question, he smiles.
- I went to the gym around 1:12pm using my car," he replies. I'm sure I was seen over there. It's the room right next to here, not far from here down the street.
- And around 1.05pm?" repeats Sammy.
- I was here getting ready. I only stayed there for 45 minutes, as I didn't feel up to continuing, so I'll be going a bit more tomorrow. Unfortunately, my parents are both at work, so I don't have anyone who can verify my alibi. Maybe someone saw me leave with the car?
- I see... Thank you.
- Wait!
Sammy is about to leave when Korone claps his hands once and stares at Tom.
- Have you seen my big... Well, my friend?
- What friend?
- Her name is Deshya Oveja!
Tom squints before rubbing his chin.
- I've heard that name before... Isn't she the girl who always keeps her fox sweater on? Too weird, that chick.
She shakes her head with a sigh and Korone nods happily.
- Yes, it’s her! She sent me a message saying she'd run into you at the park!
- Huh?!
Tom uncrosses his arms and looks at the little girl with surprise. She keeps smiling and Sammy, right behind her, watches her intently.
- It’s not possible, I didn't go to the park!
- Are you sure?
- I couldn't be at the park, I was at the gym! You can go ask them! Don't waste your time!
- I must be mistaken, she mentioned a Tommy, not a Tom... It's not you, actually…
Korone bows his head, defeatist, and apologizes for the disturbance before turning on his heel and heading back to Sammy. Tom grits his teeth and slams the door behind him, growling. The detective and the little girl explain that they have to go to the gym to check Tom's alibi, and she explains that she's already heading for Tetazo station, since there's not much time left. They greet her together before Sammy looks down at Korone.
- You're just lying to all the suspects to get them to confess to something, aren't you?" he asks.
- Deshya would have done the same!
- Unfortunately, all three had rather strange reactions, so we can't base anything on them. What's more, we can't rely on a simple reaction.
- I understand.
Korone apologizes for her behavior, but Sammy doesn't hold it against her and hugs her before running off to the gym with her. The little girl looks ahead with a smile, but in the back of her mind she's thinking hard.
- We'll see what we learn there, but maybe... Maybe whoever killed Claire... Whoever took Deshya…
She has a certain scenario in mind, but she'll decide whether to believe it or not when they can verify Tom's words at the gym.
- Tom Loston? Yeah, he came in between 1:10 and 1:15 and said hello, but he got a call and stayed out for a few minutes before coming back in.
- Was it really him?" asks Sammy.
The shirtless muscular man says he's sure of it.
- After his call, he went into the gym and was wearing the same clothes as when I'd seen him outside. What's more, I recognize his physique.
- I see...
Sammy writes it all down in his notebook before sighing. The man scratches his hair.
- Is he still in a complicated situation?" he asks.
- Again?
- Yup. Tom harassed a girl I don't know, but apparently he got a police warning. Strangely enough, I'm not surprised, but I said next time I'd kick him out of the room. If he did anything…
- He's just a suspect, but his alibi sounds perfect, so I guess he didn't do it.
Korone gazes at the parking lot with piercing eyes.
- That's right. From here to the park, it would take at least 15 minutes by car. The room is a little lower than Adam's fast-food joint and not far from Jean's house, or Adam's or Tom's, for that matter. They may have crossed paths for a moment... but…
Korone is becoming convinced of her theory: she's almost 100% certain that the killer is that person. However, she still has no proof, and without it, Korone can do nothing. Sammy thanks the muscular man and returns to the little girl's side with a sigh.
- It looks like we're back to 0..." he says disappointedly. I guess it was someone else who killed Claire.
- Sayyyyyy, Sammy the nyanya.
- Sa-Sammy the nyanya?!
- Could we go back to one of them?
- She ignores me..." thinks Sammy, lowering his eyelids.
He crouches down in front of the little girl with the long white hair and questions her with his eyes.
- Where do you want to go?
- I think I have a lead!
- A lead?
- Yiss!!
Sammy blinks at her.
- What do you mean?
Korone shows his teeth to the detective and gives him a look that surprises the man.
- He said something strange. This young man," she admits.
- Huh?
Sammy thinks about it, but he can't see what she's talking about. Korone crosses her arms in turn, but almost maliciously.
- Will you help me prove that he's the killer?
- The—!!
Sammy opens his eyes wide and Korone nods.
- Sooooo?
If she can find what she thinks in this young man's house, then she'll be completely convinced of how this person has managed to create an alibi for himself.
- Let's go to his house and find the proof that he's the criminal.