image [https://i.imgur.com/pP9y4tH.jpg]

----------------------------------------

During the party organized by 'Colin Furas' and 'Mona Furas', a wealthy couple who live on the borders of Tetazo, a murder is committed: that of 'Georges Hedown', the owner of a rather popular chain of candy stores. Also at the party are 'Deshya Oveja', her family and 'Korone', currently under the false surname 'Daiski'. The murder was committed while they were watching the short 20-minute film sharing the couple's past moments, as well as some photos and videos of their friends. The room was plunged into darkness, with only the projector projecting the film to be seen: even the curtains were closed, not letting the moon's rays into the room.

Unfortunately, tragedy ensued: the sound of shattering glass echoed through the room, followed by a man's frightened scream, and then the shattering sound of the glass breaking again. The victim lies on his stomach on the floor, a bullet having penetrated his back and pierced part of his heart. He died instantly. Outside, after the lights have come back on and the seven people who fled the premises in fear have been caught by 'Dash Tarway', a muscular male police receptionist, as well as a fan of 'Mariah Sukeni', an extravagant new police detective in Tetazo, Gatito finds the source of the broken window: a broken brick, thrown from inside. The pieces of the window prove that it was thrown from the room, while the first time the glass was broken was because of the bullet that came from outside. The grass and bushes are trampled: someone was standing in front of the window and left. Moments later, the silenced pistol is found outside, close to the walls of the house. Gatito calls the station to search the area: they must find the criminal.

Still inside, Mariah and Deshya must find the culprit behind the brick-throwing: what's the purpose behind it? Who could have done such a thing? With these questions in mind, they interview four suspects, all four from the seven people who fled when the crime was committed, as well as the four of them with different rucksacks on their backs.

The first suspect is 'Manny Furas', son of the family organizing the party. He was standing next to 'Sally Corem', a friend of his, right behind the culprit. His bag is modern, with built-in baffles, as well as pockets on all sides, making it even more spacious than you'd expect. Its contents are the next: the charger for his laptop, a laptop computer, a charger for it, a USB key mouse and a bag of candy. Nothing else. Also, he liked Georges, so he has no motive for the crime.

The second suspect is 'Sally Corem', the only young woman of the four. She was standing next to Manny and didn't know the victim, but like her friend, she was standing behind him. Her backpack is a school satchel stained inside with the following contents: a filled pencil case, canvas and pencils, as well as paintbrushes. Also a half-eaten snack, one she took while the movie was on. Nothing else.

The third suspect was an older man in his thirties, by the name of 'Antoine Darrain'. He's a very good friend of Georges, and was standing right next to him. He even fled to catch up with the other young people who ran out of the room, wanting to know who had dared to kill his friend. His bag is smaller than the others, and contains only his old camera and some film. Holes caused by old age can be seen here and there.

And the fourth and final suspect is 'Rei Polley', a young man who lives with his grandparents. He was very close to Manny and Sally and is an acquaintance of the victim, but someone he also liked. His bag is quite similar to Manny's, with built-in baffles. Some areas can be opened from the outside, allowing small holes in the bag, but the holes are small and can't even let a pen tray through. For its contents: his course materials, a half-filled pen tray, a crushed snack, an eaten sandwich bag and a bottle of water.

None of the four seems to have a motive for killing Georges, so the reason behind the brick-throwing remains unknown. Meanwhile, Pera and Korone are both outside: the little girl needs to get some fresh air, too oppressed by a guest who seems to have his or her gaze fixed on her. Korone doesn't know who it might be, but she has her own idea of who it might be. However, if that's the case, then…

- I'm afraid…

Korone looks at the ground. She and Pera haven't spoken since they arrived outside. It's a chilly day, but the temperature is just right for staying outside. Pera admires the starry sky: it's not every day she gets to see the stars. Unlike the inside, where the crime took place, the outside is calm and quiet. Not a sound. Occasionally, the sound of a car or an animal can be heard in the darkness of the landscape. The woman wonders if her daughter has found any clues to the crime, but Korone's head is empty: she can't think of anything special and is trying to calm herself down. The terrifying gaze she felt on her until now is gone, but she can't seem to slow her heartbeat. So she keeps her hand in Pera's, wondering about the one who could be the cause of that oppressive feeling in her chest. Korone raises her head in turn, but she's not looking up at the sky: she's simply looking at what's in front of her. Trees on the horizon, the large parking lot where numerous cars wait for their masters without knowing what's going on inside. The soft night breeze blows through the little girl's tied-back hair, her big, tired purple eyes.

- …

She wants to talk, but doesn't know what to say to the woman next to her. The silence bothers her, but at the same time it comforts her. So she prefers to keep quiet and enjoy the calm.

- But... who? And why would that person be here?

A question she'd like to know the answer to... yet wishes to remain ignorant, because she's afraid of learning the truth.

CHAPTER 41

⎾Pure Snow * The Invisible Gunshot Murder Case ; Lurking Shadow⏌

- Nothing strange was found on the brick, so…

Mariah clicks her tongue: if a certain stain had been on one of the pieces of brick, or even a special trace, perhaps it would have given them a clue to the contents of the bag containing the object that broke the glass from the inside. What's more, none of the four suspects will admit to what they did. In short, they still have no leads. Annie crosses her arms.

- Nothing was found anywhere, even on the gun," she admits. Whoever committed the crime paid attention to detail.

- What's more, the four suspects had no gloves on. Unless they threw them away when they fled, they could never have held a gun without leaving the slightest fingerprint…

Mariah scratches her hair.

- So the criminal really does come from outside, raaah!

Dash blinks and asks her if she really thought the murderer could have been inside. Deshya answers for the woman.

- There's a certain detail that's strange, if the criminal comes from the outside.

She explains quickly, and Dash squints as he looks back at the broken window, from where the now-open drapes move serenely in the night breeze. Annie touches her chin.

- It's true that it's strange..." she thinks aloud.

- That's why I thought whoever threw the brick was the culprit, but I guess they are just an accomplice..." speaks Mariah.

The three policemen and the 'detective' girl think, but they can't understand the mystery of the brick. Deshya looks back at the four suspects, wondering who could have kept the brick with them. Besides, if one of them had such a thing in his bag, then they must have been planning to use it all along.

- It's unthinkable to think that he wanted to use it in the dark to kill Georges, then throw it out the window, but that Georges was killed first, which enraged the person who then threw the brick in frustration, right?

It's the only thing Deshya can think of, but it's a theory she finds too... 'fictitious'.

- So... why?

For their part, Korone and Pera continue to observe the landscape in front of them. Silence reigns between them, but after a few minutes without a word, the red-haired woman finally says:

- Are you feeling better?

Korone turns her head slowly towards Pera, but doesn't answer directly. Finally, she nods. Pera smiles.

- I'm glad. Aren't you cold?

- Not too much…

- If you need, we can go home or I can get a sweater.

Korone refuses: she doesn't want to go back to that party. Although all the guests are upstairs, she's convinced that if she goes back, she'll feel that terrifying stare or horrible pressure all over again. However, having to be frightened like that is unbearable for her mentally: knowing that she doesn't even dare enter the house simply because of it makes her feel pitiful. She's well aware that she's still young and that even without taking this into consideration, she feels in danger, but she wants to be stronger. She dared to push Deshya onto the bus to save her when she was the target. She dared to save Deshya by grabbing the gun and shooting the kidnapper. So why is she so scared this time that she won't go back to the villa?

- It's a beautiful night, isn't it?

Korone snaps out of her thoughts and turns his face to Pera. Pera points to the dark but starry sky. The little girl raises her head and opens her eyes wide.

A real sparkling picture. White sparks breaking the infinite darkness of space. A scene that is almost unknown to Korone, because observing the night is unusual for her. Her eyes reflect the stars and the night itself. She can't move her gaze from such beauty. Korone is not the type to admire such a painting in the sky, even during the day... and now she regrets it. Pera smiles beside her.

- It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asks, staring into the night with her brown eyes.

- Yes..." Korone answers briefly.

- When I'm feeling down, I like to let my imagination take me to the stars. I wonder what's out there, which stars are still alive and which have disappeared, but whose light we can still see.

Pera raises a hand to the sky with an even bigger smile.

- After all, some stars are still visible in our sky, but they are currently dead.

Korone knows the reason for such a phenomenon: it's simply because light takes time to get from one place to another, so stars so far away, even when they die, their lights continue to be visible for years and ages. Korone smiles back, but says nothing yet. Pera lowers her hand and speaks again.

- But then again, I avoid enjoying the starry sky with Deshya, because she's very knowledgeable about space and sometimes she answers questions I've been wondering about, but wanted to know the answer to myself," she quips.

This makes Korone laugh. Although she's only known Deshya for a few days, she's not surprised. Korone gently moves her feet and lets her legs dangle under the bench where they're both sitting. Pera looks back at the city just behind them.

- Still, my darling is meeting with all kinds of businesses, for the time being," says the woman.

Korone thinks so too: Deshya seems to stumble across murders every day — or almost every day. Last weekend, she was able to rest, if you don't count the poker game that mentally tired her. Then, on Tuesday of this week, nothing happened. Same thing for Thursday. Korone is impressed and shocked to see her investigating so many murders.

- If this keeps up, everyone at Tetazo will be dead by the end of this year, hehe..." Korone jokes inwardly

Pera rests her head between her palms.

- Even if she has a psychologist to make sure she doesn't lose her mind, I hope she takes care of herself..." sighs Deshya's mother.

- Deshyshy is strong, physically and mentally! She's going to be fine!" says Korone confidently.

Pera turns her head towards her and lets out a small smile.

- You're probably right!" she said.

- Yiss!

They both start laughing softly, in the softness of the night.

Back inside the house, Deshya spins in circles in the great hall. Mariah and Dash have gone outside, while Gatito and Annie question the four suspects again, as well as Colin and Mona Furas to see if they remember a certain detail. Deshya's fox tail drags across the floor as she ponders the investigation. There must be a clue to the reason for the brick-throwing, but she doesn't know what it is. Nothing was found in the bags of the four suspects, and even if they had all fled the room when frightened by the murder committed in front of them, it would have been complicated to throw anything away in or around the house without being found by the police

- So... I've got a headache thinking about it, I'm fed up…

Deshya sighs and stops walking. She looks back at the four suspects who are talking with Gatito and Annie.

- If one of them threw the brick for a good reason, like trying to stop the culprit, then they'd have no reason to hide it. Either way, it's certain to be for another reason, since that means whoever threw it had it on him from the start of the party, even before…

What's more, it was confirmed by Colin Furas and two of his guards that the brick had not been there before. In short, it is indeed the reason for the window's destruction — at least, the second time around.

- The first time was because the bullet went through the window and into Georges' back, killing him instantly. However, even if everything suggests that whoever fired the gun came from outside…

The detail that bothers Deshya and Mariah remains a problem. She can't forget it, especially since it changes the way she sees the murder. Besides, as Mariah says…

- …

Deshya crosses her arms.

Meanwhile, Korone quietly admires the starry sky. As she watches the twinkling lights of the canopy, she can't help remembering her two adoptive parents. The ones who were killed — no, murdered — on the bus on their way home. From now on, she'll never be able to experience a Friday like that with those who adopted her and raised her in their home with such love. They who showed her so much affection when she wasn't even their real daughter. She could never forget them, even with time. Even with age. Even when she's adopted by a new family. Korone squints, stopping to smile.

- They should never have died... It’s my fault…

Korone knows: if she hadn't been who she really is, they'd never have been killed. If they hadn't adopted her, if they'd stayed away from her, then they wouldn't have suffered such a fate. She had believed that she could have stayed with them without thinking about her unknown past, that she could have been a normal 8- year-old girl. A simple child. However, this was not what life seemed to want. The reality was quite different. Korone looked down at her two hands and sighed softly, so faintly that Pera couldn't hear her. Thinking about her two adoptive parents made her sad. Knowing that they died because they decided, out of the kindness of their hearts, to keep her by their side, even to adopt her... They who prepared many dishes simply to please Korone, who gave her the best of themselves, showed several beautiful places, and bought toys to please her. Their cozy, pleasant home, their adorable, family-like mood. All this is lost. It can't be recovered. She can't find her adoptive parents. She can only be a girl with bleached hair and unnatural eyes.

An 8-year-old girl whose intelligence is too developed for her age.

An abnormality.

If Korone had been just a little girl, then they wouldn't have had to die. She doesn't regret having been able to live by their side, even for such a short time, but she does regret that they crossed her path. Given their goodness, they should never have suffered such a death, such a fate from nowhere. Only Korone should have died that day. They had done nothing. They knew nothing. Korone herself knows nothing, but she knows she's not just an 8-year-old girl. She wants to know the whole truth about herself, but that's not possible without her memory. Korone bows her head even further.

- Yes, like you…

Like Deshya.

A girl with fox ears and a fox tail. An intelligent girl with a friendly smile, a comforting voice, but not entirely 'human'. Korone didn't know if they were related, but she had hoped to find some kind of answer by staying by her side. However, it was in vain. Deshya remembers nothing of her past, given her amnesia. They might not be related, but Korone couldn't believe that theory so soon. When she noticed that Deshya is currently a real girl with fox-like attributes, she thought it was fate. That the luck of having found someone who may have a past very close to her own is outweighed by the misfortune of losing her adoptive parents. Yet no answer is found. She makes no progress. She still knows nothing.

- And I've really grown attached to her... Even to her parents who take such good care of me…

Korone can't deny their kindness. Deshya may be a more special girl than expected, especially when she saw her ‘lose her sanity’ during the poker game against Tessa, the girl she's in love with, but she's still thoughtful and sympathetic. Gatito is a man with a cold stare and a sometimes frightening tone, but a heart of gold beats in his chest: he just doesn't always show it. As for Pera, the woman standing silently beside him, she's worried about Korone and has taken her outside. She stays with her, looks after her, like her own daughter; when that's not even the case. Korone is only a transient girl who is kept by this family because she insisted on staying with Deshya. Admittedly, Korone has become quite attached to her on the bus, when she saw her intelligence and her desire to solve the case, but she wanted to go with hier because she really thinks they have a connection — that their pasts aren't so different.

But now Korone adores Deshya with all her heart. Just like his family.

While she misses her adoptive parents, continues to have nightmares about them and can't hide her sadness, she already feels an attachment to this family.

- And yet, soon, I'll have to leave... Join another foster family. A new family to whom I'll have to hide everything…

Korone suspects that Deshya must have suspicions about her, especially after she solved the case of her kidnapping, the death of Claire Dochamps and managed to shoot Adam's hand in the dark. Given Deshya's intelligence, it's unlikely that she won't start to doubt herself. Yet Korone has nothing to say about her own identity: she's just a young girl with very high intelligence, as well as some reflexes that seem inhuman. Korone doesn't know why her eyes are purple, she doesn't know whether her white hair is due to an experiment, a birth defect or prolonged stress, but she does know one thing:

Something happened when she was even younger. Maybe when she was 2. Maybe when she was 5.

Perhaps even at birth.

Korone wants to know the answers to her many questions, but that's easier said than done. She can pray to the Gods as much as she likes, but only they can answer her questions. She's just an abnormal human in this world... just like Deshya. Admittedly, unlike the teenager, she doesn't have a cute animal tail sprouting from her back, nor fluffy ears on her skull, but she possesses this abnormality too. It's for this very reason that she wonders if there isn't some kind of link between them.

- But how do you know?

Time. Korone suspects it's the only answer. Whether her memory or Deshya's unlocks, memories return or they find a clue to what happened in their past. However, while waiting is something Korone doesn't mind, another problem intervenes. One she hadn't thought of until she saw both her adoptive parents die in front of her, on a perfectly normal bus journey. Although she's willing to wait…

Some people seem to think otherwise.

She has absolutely no idea who the gunman is who killed Mathieu, the one who must have forced him to kill Korone and her two foster parents. She has no idea whether he's from a special organization or a small group, or something even bigger, even mysterious. Perhaps he was even acting alone, but that seems highly unlikely. Korone has no idea who killed him, but even if he had an eagle hood over his head, that doesn't mean he's related to Deshya, who wears a fox hood over her head. Admittedly, it's a big coincidence and Korone wants to believe in a link, but then the questions contradict and a headache is created. Even with her tenfold intelligence, even with her quick thinking and more knowledge than she should have in her 8-year-old brain, she can't figure out what's going on behind Deshya's fox ears, or behind her own identity. Korone has no idea how it's possible for a human girl to turn into a girl with fox-like attributes. This is genetic magic, but one that is not natural.

Because Deshya wasn't born with such attributes: someone or something has transformed it in this way.

Korone wants to find answers about herself and Deshya, but whereas normally this would only be out of her own selfishness, she now wants to help Deshya. Perhaps she's getting attached too quickly, but Korone knows herself well. She knows very well that her heart is bigger than it looks. She clenches her fists and Pera leans towards her, asking if she's all right. Korone nods softly, but this doesn't convince the redheaded woman at all, who repeats her question. This time, Korone doesn't let a word out of her mouth. In fact, she's afraid.

Not for her own life, but for Deshya's. Gatito's. Pera's. This family who welcomed her without question. Who fed her, who spoke to her sincerely, who let her sleep where she wished for her own good, who thought about her, who cared about her,

who loves her.

That's precisely her fear. Korone doesn't want to get attached to them because that means she'll find it hard to part with them. She doesn't want to start seeing them as her family because she can't get rid of that sad view.

That of her former family, dying in front of her.

Her step-mother breathing her last without a word, her step-father screaming as he fails to understand that he is losing his life at this very moment. His eyes were opened without a soul; they left without even a goodbye. All because Korone is a girl who must be eliminated, though she doesn't know why. She was separated from her biological family, then lost her adoptive family... all because she's her.

Korone may be a mistake to eliminate.

So she doesn't want to get attached to Gatito. Nor to Pera. Nor to Deshya. Because then she'll want to stay with them. She won't want to part with them. She'll want to live with them. Let them be their parents, let her be… her…

- Mo…

She can't say it. Not because it's too complicated a word for her, but because it means she sees them as her new family. However, if that happens…

Then they too will be in danger.

Because those around Korone must be eliminated. She understood it on that bus, but she'd felt it before: that she shouldn't be here — or rather, out there. She doesn't know why she feels this way, but she knows what it is: her only trace of what she's been through. The only clue to who she really is. Now that this feeling is proving to be real, now that people are looking for her, staying with Deshya and her family is too dangerous. There's a good chance they'll get killed too, and this time Korone won't be able to do anything about it. Even with a close 'guard' like them, it won't change her fate: she'll have to die. Not of old age or disease, but of assassination. If she stays with them, makes friends, meets people, visits places, one day it will all disappear. Perhaps all the people who crossed her path will be exterminated. Korone holds her head. She can't think of them as family. She must suppress her feelings and not embark them on her dangerous journey. For their own safety. Because she's become attached to them.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

- Korone?

- Sorry, I think of too many things, I'm an idiot, hehe.

Korone apologizes with a smile that cannot be considered joyful. Pera watches her with her small eyes and shakes her hand. The little girl opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.

- I'm here, everything's going to be fine.

Pera smiles.

- Take all the time you need.

Korone remains motionless, her eyes riveted on the woman's face. She radiates golden kindness. She emits... goodness. This woman Korone can't quite understand, who is sometimes happy and energetic, sometimes tired and sad, staying in her room and out of sight for hours at a time. The way she acts is really that of... that of... that of…

- Are you all right?

The front door opens and the feminine voice of a teenage girl rings out. The guard asks her to identify herself, but the muscular man called Dash comes out at the same time and tells her she has the right to come in. He runs outside and grabs his phone, dialing the police. Korone and Pera watch him, but Deshya answers their inner question directly.

- It seems that a suspect has been identified, so he wants to confirm that they are the criminal in this case. However, I'm convinced that…

She wants to end her sentence with 'the criminal is inside', but seeing Korone's wet cheeks, Deshya shuts up and closes her mouth. She doesn't sit down beside her, but stands right next to them, just in front of a step that leads to the front door. Korone notices her expression and offers her a small smile.

- Everything's fine, we're just enjoying the night," she admits.

- The sky is beautiful, you know, darling!" says Pera before pointing to the sky.

Deshya looks up and admires the sparkling stars breaking the calm darkness of the night. Deshya smiles and nods.

- If only the party had gone on quietly…

When the murder was committed in the 'Beleza Verde' hotel, it was Deshya who went to the investigation, then she had no one to blame but herself. Here, the party had to stop because of the crime: it's not the same situation. She can't simply look away and carry on enjoying herself, knowing that a criminal is lurking nearby, whether they are really from the outside or a guest at the party. It's not just Deshya: her parents, Korone, all the guests, even the organizers. This party has always been festive and fun, but tonight, some of them will go home unable to sleep. Some are already traumatized, and in the hearts of many, fear has already set in. Fear of being next. Fear that it could happen to them at any moment. Deshya, under Bibi's guidance, calms her heart and mind by breathing softly, not letting her emotions set her on fire, but what she feels won't go away: whoever committed the crime, for whatever reason, has just terrified over two hundred people with their own selfishness. Even if Georges admits to being a criminal, a pedophile and a rapist, he should never have been killed in front of so many people, especially at a party like this.

- He should never have died in the first place. Fuck.

Deshya clenches a fist, her heart racing. She tries to calm herself, but just thinking about it enrages her. She can't believe how common murder is, especially around her. Will she have to live like this for much longer? Is there nowhere she can go where death won't stink up the place? When they go on their school trip next month, will she come across another crime?

- Are you okay, Deshyshy?

Deshya hears Amora's nickname and turns to her, but it's actually Korone who has called her that. The fox dressed girl sighs with a smile and nods.

- I'm just pissed to see another murder where I'm standing," she confesses. Even though I'm really pissed off because the party's now ruined... Even after catching the criminal, I don't think many people are going to want to keep having fun.

- We'll see. Some people will probably want to think about something else and will lose themselves in drinking and dancing, I think," his mother surmises.

Korone listens silently as they discuss, sitting between the woman next to her and the girl standing to her left. Deshya stoops down to the little girl and observes her attentively.

- Did you cry, Korone?" she asks.

- A little, but it's... It's nothing.

Korone nods and lets out a big smile. Deshya is preoccupied with her as she continues to look at her, but she stands up and believes her. Deshya stretches and notices Dash coming back to her.

- It seems he's not the one we're looking for..." admits the muscular man.

He apologizes and goes to warn Mariah as she passes them. Korone blinks and questions Deshya with her eyes. The latter touches her dress and finally sighs.

- We're not getting anywhere... Don't you have any ideas, Korone?

The little girl points at herself and doesn't hide her surprise. Even the red-haired woman next to her is intrigued.

- Are you asking Korone?

- You never know," admits Deshya.

The little girl rubs her chin, but she doesn't know the details of the murder scene, so it's hard for her to come up with any theories. In order not to say anything stupid, she prefers to shrug her shoulders and confess that she has no idea who the criminal is, how they managed to escape, or the reality behind the brick that shattered the window. Deshya sighs and thanks her in any case before waving them off.

- When I find the criminal, I'll come back and see you!

She promises. She returns to the villa, leaving Korone and Pera alone on the bench. The little girl touches her left breast with her soft hand and smiles.

Deshya arrives at the main hall and notices that Dash chats with Mariah. The latter nods and asks the man something before turning her attention to the girl who has just returned.

- Ah, back again!" she said.

- Yes. Korone seems to be doing well, so it's okay.

- I see.

- Any leads at all?

Unfortunately, Mariah shakes her head and crosses her arms.

- Still nothing. Nothing has been found in the surrounding area, the guards are searching the house from top to bottom, but nothing has been found. If the culprit did indeed come from inside and is one of the suspects, it's highly likely that he flushed the gloves in the toilet and while they wer running away, but I think he would have been heard…

Mariah squints.

- However, Dash took a while to catch up with them, so it's possible…

- What's more, with the cries of fear coming from the room, we could never have heard the noise coming from the toilet.

It's Annie who's speaking, approaching them and taking off her scarf.

- Checking the sewers would take far too long and get us nowhere, anyway," admits Mariah.

Annie nods.

- I understand why you're convinced that the culprit comes from within, but there's something missing, then," she says.

Deshya and Mariah stare at her. They both know exactly what Annie is talking about. If a shot had been fired inside, even with a silencer, it should have been seen.

The shot.

In total darkness, it should have been observable. Even if everyone was paying attention to the film, it's unimaginable to think that no one would have seen it, even in the background. What's more, silent or not, the sound of a pistol in such a quiet setting would have been heard by the guests in the background, as well as a good many of the people inside the room.

- But if the culprit came from outside, not only could the shot not have been visible, but the sound of the gun would not have been heard, as the window was closed," Deshya thinks.

In short, it seems that everything points to the murderer really coming from within. However, three points remain to be resolved.

Firstly, and most importantly, the mystery of this brick that was launched from the inside. Secondly, how the criminal knew where to shoot. Third, explain what's missing from the drapes. If the crime was really committed from the outside, then something is really missing from the hangings. These mysteries mean that Mariah and Deshya can't rule out the possibility that the criminal is inside. That whoever threw the brick is the same person who shot the victim.

- Excuse me?!

Mariah grits her teeth. Dash nods.

- I'm sure no one went to the bathroom while they were all running away," Dash repeats. Of the four suspects here, I can tell you who went where.

He turns to them and explains.

- As for Manny, he went upstairs with Rei, but one of the guards stopped them before they could do anything. When I asked them about it, Manny said he wanted to go to his room and lock himself in, and Rei just instinctively followed him. Sally fled outside, but I caught up with her before it was too late. As for Antoine, he followed Sally because she wasn't going upstairs. Dash crosses his arms.

- The other three were in the kitchen and one almost locked himself in the toilet, but I managed to stop him before that, just after preventing Antoine from getting too far away. The guards helped me catch Sally and another was upstairs watching the area, so he was able to stop Rei and Manny fairly quickly.

He sighs.

- However, nothing says that Manny or Rei managed to hide gloves or anything else upstairs.

- Sally or Antoine could just as easily have thrown the gun or hidden something outside..." Mariah thinks aloud.

- But how did they avoid getting powder on their clothes? It's unthinkable that they changed their clothes, isn't it?" says Deshya.

- Gatito has already verified this theory by looking at photos of the party and comparing their clothes then and the ones they have now. Nobody's changed," admits Annie.

Mariah smiles.

- Either way, they would have been quickly found and the culprit arrested by now. It's also possible that they just turned their clothes inside out when they fired, but we checked for gunpowder inside the clothes of all four suspects.

The four of them begin to think. Moments later, Dash shrugs.

- What's the worst that can happen? Is the criminal really isn't one of us all?" he suggests.

- So I want to know why it's missing from the hanging. Also, how do you aim in the dark...?

Mariah frowns.

- Wait, but even if the criminal is not one of the people here, this problem persists. How can…

The detective clenches a fist and turns suddenly to Annie.

- Annie, I need you to call whoever has the body right now. I want them to check the body in total darkness.

Annie blinks, but accepts directly. Mariah then turns to Deshya

- I don't know the purpose of the brick yet, but we have to think as if we were the culprit inside.

Deshya nods, although she doesn't yet understand Mariah's sudden excitement.

- I'll have to watch the night more often, hihi.

Korone admits as he gazes up at the sky, legs swinging one after the other. Pera nods and goes to speak when the front door opens. This time, it's not Deshya or Dash showing their heads, but—

- Oh, darling.

Gatito, the police inspector, and Pera's husband. He comes down a few steps to check on Korone and his wife.

- We're doing well, but I'm thinking of going home soon, as it's starting to get chilly," admits Pera. Korone is also feeling the cold.

The little girl nods and rubs her shoulders, smiling. Gatito sits down on one of the steps.

- It's true, with your clothes on too…

- The party got off to a good start, but it looks like Korone couldn't enjoy it very much..." says Pera sadly.

- I still had a lot of fun! It's just unlucky that there was a murder.

- If Deshya keeps getting into trouble, we won't be able to let her out..." sighs Gatito.

Pera gives her a pout, the same expression Korone has on his face.

- Moooh, not good!" said Korone.

- How do you treat your daughter?!" cries Pera.

Gatito blinks, but eventually laughs and apologizes, waving his hands, two dark eyes on him. They stop pouting and smile at each other, while Gatito admires the sky in turn.

- I'm still worried about her. It's a good thing Bibi agreed to look after her..." he says.

- It's true that even though our daughter is strong, she sometimes tends to express herself honestly…

Korone doesn't give her point of view on the subject, as she's only known Deshya a short while, but she understands what they mean. However, she was able to comfort Deshya when she cried after 'Byron Elrick' was almost killed in front of her. Korone admired a Deshya who dared to confide, who dared to let her heart speak rather than her mind.

- But it's true that I want to get to know... her…

Korone shakes her head, which intrigues the man and his wife.

- No, don't get attached! Don't get attached to them! You're going to have to leave soon anyway, so don't!" thinks Korone.

When she notices that she's moved her head unconsciously, she smiles as she looks at Gatito and confesses that she was just thinking about the murder, since Deshya asked her if she had any idea who did it. The man sighs, lowering his eyelids.

- Is she even asking a little girl now? Is she that desperate?" he blurts out.

- Well, if she knows I was the one who single handedly solved her kidnapping and Claire's murder, I can understand..." she admits inwardly.

She admires Gatito and smiles.

- First Pera takes care of me, then Deshya comes to see how I'm feeling and then Gatito... They really…

She wants to finish her sentence, but she cuts herself off: she's getting attached. She keeps getting attached to them, but that's a bad thing. The more she clutches them, the harder it's going to be to separate from them. Becoming a member of their family would put them in danger and the chances of them accepting are too slim. Even if she has to sacrifice what she feels, she can't stay with them.

So she has to hide her feelings and stop thinking about such things. Even if all three of them are beautiful, interesting characters with hearts of gold, she has to think with her logic too. This makes her giggle.

- Deshya needs to let her heart speak a little more and I need to silence mine. Ironic, considering we may have come from the same past.

As she thinks this, from the parking lot, someone watches Korone with squinted eyes. Without a word…

They wait.

Deshya turns in circles, in the opposite direction to Mariah. Annie watches them from her chair, while the four suspects stare at them with lots of questions on their minds. Annie sighs.

- You're going to make me dizzyi…

- I feel like I'm on the right track!" admits Mariah.

She scratches her hair and bites her thumb. Annie smiles.

- Oh, you bite your thumb when you stress now? Aren't you the one who uses your own breasts as a stress ball?" teases Annie.

Deshya stops and watches them with an expression of... astonishment. Mariah points at Annie, frowning.

- I'm not doing it out of respect for the little one who's here with me!

- Yeah, yeah.

Annie shrugs and Mariah grunts. Deshya wants to laugh, but she's too focused on the murder.

- There must be a reason for throwing this brick... There must be a reason... Think, think, think!

She bites her thumb in turn, half-listening to Annie and Mariah talking amongst themselves.

- You now know that behind his back is what you thought, so you'll be able to find the truth of the matter, right~?" teases Annie again.

- It's easier said than done!" says Mariah. You should help us!

- I must admit I don't have a mind like yours, ahah....

- Even so!

Mariah puffs out her cheeks and brings her face close to Annie's. The old lady waves her hands.

- Come on, come on, don't make too much noise.

- I'm not overdoing it!

Mariah crosses her arms.

- If I made too much noise, I'm sure... Ah.

Mariah pauses in her sentence. Deshya opens her eyes wide and turns to the detective with a gaping mouth.

- Aaaaah!!!

Annie is startled and the four suspects rise from their seats. Deshya lets out a big smile.

- That's why the brick was launched!" she says.

- So the reason the culprit fled is precisely for that reason!!!

- Exactly! So, within four…

They both turn to the suspects and flash similar smiles.

- It has to be that person!

Korone admires Deshya and Mariah from the half-open door of the room.

- They seem to have understood... I must confess I still don't know who did it…

Korone shrugs.

- As long as they know.

- Korone, are you coming?

She turns to Pera, who takes her hand, and Korone nods with a smile. Gatito is still outside, Dash coming down the stairs ahead of them. He excuses himself and walks past them back into the room where the detectives are, along with the suspects, Mona and Colin Furas, including Annie. Pera opens the bathroom door.

- I'll wait for you in the next room, then, okay?

Korone nods and thanks her. They've gone inside because of the cold outside, but also because the little girl needs to go to the bathroom. So she goes and relieves herself, thinking about the murder: how can Deshya and Mariah have discovered the truth? Was there a particular detail that triggered their interest?

- All I have to do is ask them!

Korone comes out of the toilet after two minutes on the potty and hops happily down the corridor.

And at the same moment, someone comes from behind, grabbing Korone's mouth with one hand.

- !!!

Korone wants to scream, but her feet can't touch the ground and her mouth can't open. The person runs outside at full speed, right next to the guard. The guard looks at the person... but smiles.

For it was this guard who was with this person upstairs.

Or rather, the other person disguised himself as a guard to let the other pass outside.

- All this to kidnap a little girl? Why on earth?" wonders the fake guard.

Nevertheless, this person doesn't give it a second thought and shrugs before looking at the bush next door, where the real guard is sleeping peacefully, sound asleep. Korone flails violently in the person's arms, but there's nothing she can do.

And without even being able to scream for help, she disappears into the darkness of the night.