“Huh, I guess. I just can’t imagine a man would put on lipsticks, face paint and wear a kimono just to commit a crime.” said Fushichin.
“Of course, they would. They are a criminal trying to execute their master plan. They would do anything to achieve their goals. I think that’s the angle we should start talking from.” said Galtomor.
“Well, if that’s the case, you’re definitely one of our suspects. You were all alone, playing on a playstarion. It’s kind of ridiculous that the loaner was in the other room without monitoring you. You’re the type to get mad and start trashing property when losing.” said Fushichin.
“I’m not! That’s complete bull!” yelled Galtomor.
“I thought of visiting the playstarion loaner but I thought the women’s hallway footage was enough to prove the men’s innocence so I didn’t ask for it.” said Hellen awkwardly.
“That won’t be necessary. I knew Fushibitch would whine about my lack of an alibi. So, I searched and realized I already had an alibi. Joey, you were at gallery A on August 5th, right?” said Galtomor.
“Yeah, I was” said Joey.
“According to the truth files, you were there from 17:30 to 19:00, yes?” asked Galtomor.
“Yeah.” said Joey.
“Then that proves my innocence. I was at the computer game room, you need to pass through gallery A in order to reach the exit and the women’s hallway.” said Galtomor.
“Hey, would you notice if Galtomor went past you? What were you doing at Gallery A?” asked Kyong.
“I was talking to my friends from high school. And I would notice. I didn’t lose myself that much into the conversation. I noticed when Salim went through Gallery A towards the entrance hall.” said Joey.
“Huh, so that does prove your innocence. Congrats Galtomor, now I can trust you!” said Fushichin.
“I would prefer it if you trusted me without all that bullshit!” said Galtomor.
“Tch, we’re detectives. Start acting like it. I doubt the world but only trust myself.” said Fushichin.
“Only trust yourself huh. That’s kind of…sad” said Hellen as she looked sorrowfully towards Fushichin.
Fushichin was taken aback by the look, shook his head and said “I don’t need your pity.”
“Okay, how about the others?” asked Salim.
“I was with Casey and Dimitri. We even went into the hot springs, Fushichin was there.” said Kyong proudly.
“What about you, mister Klancy, can you prove your alibi now?” asked Salim.
“Oh, me? Umm. I said I was at the police station during the killing, and if you know, the first floor was guarded tight.” said Klancy.
“What about August 5th?” asked Salim.
“I was watching a movie at the cinema from 18:00 to 19:40 as I have told you.” said Klancy.
“There is no proof of that.” said Fushichin.
“Actually there is.” said Manish.
“Huh, explain” muttered Hellen.
“I was at the dining hall talking to Hugo about tv shows, programming and science. Klancy came in from the front door and used the door behind us at around 18:00.” said Manish.
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
“Yes, I did pass through the dining hall to go to the cinema.” said Klancy.
“So, that proves that you were at the cinema. The only way to exit the cinema is to go to the dining hall, right? Well, I was there with Hugo.” said Manish.
“Why did you wait for that long to say that?!” yelled Galtomor.
“Sorry. When we talked last time, I had completely forgotten that my testimony was important to proving Klancy’s innocence. Plus, you didn’t even talk to me when you guys talked about everyone’s alibis yesterday.” said Manish.
“That proves Klancy’s innocence. Do we even have a suspect to accuse now?” asked Hellen.
“I-I don’t know.” said Fushichin with a frown.
“Did Nate say anything? When we interrogated Harjal, he didn’t say much. He tried arguing for his innocence. But after a while they became silent.” said Klancy.
“Probably thought it was best to use his right to be silent.” said Galtomor.
“Hmph, Nate also stayed quiet. The bastard wouldn’t say anything. But there is something strange about him.” said Kyong as he rubbed his chin.
“What?” asked Joey.
“He had a tattoo on his neck with a sun wearing a crown. Wonder if that relates to anything?” asked Kyong.
“Sun with a crown?! Wait, I remember!” yelled Hellen and searched for her truth file and showed them.
“I didn’t know it would come up. But I researched this previously. People who have been recruited by the church of Hinokaiser in adulthood sometimes get this tattoo to swear loyalty to the religion. The Church gives free food and shelter to those with this tattoo.” said Hellen.
“So, he was related to the Church of Hinokaiser. Strange, we also found someone related to the case who is also related to the Church. Amir is a preacher at the church of Hinokaiser and he claimed to have a relationship with Harjal in order to establish a fake alibi with him to save him from his crimes.” said Klancy.
“So, you’re trying to say the culprits are linked to one another by the church?” asked Hui Ying.
“Couldn’t it be a coincidence? Maybe Harjal begged the preacher to create a fake alibi with him and he obliged. Religious people can be naive sometimes” said Joey.
“I wouldn’t underestimate them like that if I were you. I think we’ve found the link between the two caught culprits and possibly the third culprit.” said Fushichin.
“Hmm. So, you think the third culprit is…him?” asked Hellen with nervousness.
“Yeah.” said Fushichin as he turned around to face Salim.
“Hey, Salim, I think you’re the culprit!” said Fushichin with a smirk.
“What?” gasped Salim and frowned.
“You’re the one who follows the religion of Hinokaiser. From the police members who were at the resort, you’re the one who is the most strongly associated with the Church of Hinokaiser!” said Fushichin as he pointed his finger towards Salim.
“I can vouch, none of our teammates follow that ridiculous shit.” said Kyong with snark.
“That’s ridiculous. You can’t just accuse someone of murder because they follow a religion. Besides, Layla and her family had nothing to do with the religion of Hinokaiser. The crime had no relation to religions, especially my religion! It is mere coincidence that the two culprits were related to the Church. And I certainly think Harjal’s relation to the Church is highly debatable.” said Salim with anger.
“That’s not true. There is every possibility that the Church wants Layla and her family to be silenced. I’ve done my research on Layla Matilda and she is one of the strongest candidates in the democratic party. She has a lot of followers on Btube and was very likely to be chosen as the president had she continued on her path. Without her, the democratic party’s chances of being elected are much lower.” said Hellen.
“Yeah, which is why it’s ridiculous to accuse only me for having a motive. Anyone could have a strong reason to murder her!” said Salim.
“No, not everyone! The Church has many reasons to dislike Layla as she strongly wanted every religious organization to pay taxes like regular businesses without being exempted. Aside from that Layla was very open about being an atheist. She often made fun of religions during her stream and videos. Her party wanted the subject of religious doctrine studies to be removed from elementary and middle schools as she deemed the subject to be unconstitutional, useless and was likely there to warp children’s world views from a young age.” said Hellen.
“That? so what? She is a goddamn streamer, she probably said so many shitty things to piss off almost everyone! I bet people here other than me also had a reason to kill her!” said Salim aggressively.
“Besides, Salim has an alibi, right?” said Joey.
“Yeah. It seemed solid to me” said Hui Ying.
“Alright, then let’s talk about that goddamn alibi. You said you had an alibi between 19 to 20 with that Darima guy. What is that guy’s full name?” asked Fushichin.
“Darima Lector.” said Salim.
“Search that guy’s name in the top info tech. I bet it’s one of his church goons” said Fushichin aggressively.
“You really want me to be the culprit that badly huh? If I’m not mistaken you had an alibi with people from a temple too! You’re just like me, you had a motive to kill Layla as well because your master and his temple would suffer under Layla’s rule” grunted Salim.