The Book of Vengeance: A Mystery Novella chapter 3
By: Kelly M. Maraglia
Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan except for the items I have bought and I do
Not really wish death upon anyone, it is merely for the story's sake.
*picture doors reopening*
"That's ridiculous! I didn't kill her! Just because I said that doesn't mean I did anything to her!" Keelia pleaded, backing away from the crowd of coworkers advancing on her.
"You would use 'Trip & Trip Some More' to kill her. You hated that book!" Marianne pointed out.
"I never thought you could be that violent! I've never even seen you angry." Brendan said with fear evident in his voice.
The other employees just shook their heads in disgust while Conan, unconvinced of this convenient testimony noticed something interesting about the witness and one of the employees. James had various little cuts on his fingers. He cringed as the police officers touched them while uncuffing him. He also had his jacket zippered all the way up, despite the higher heat in the store.
'That's it! I've figured it out!' He thought and hurriedly shot his tranquilizer gun at Detective Mori, who slumped against the cash register. Conan hid behind the cash wrap, adjusted his bowtie and began to explain in Mori's voice.
"Stop that! She is innocent! I know who killed Stacey the manager! It was you, James Rocktown Morrisey!"
"But Detective Mori, he's the witness!" One of the police officers questioned.
"Exactly, besides without my testimony you have no proof at all." James replied with an arrogant tone.
"Then where did all those paper cuts on your fingers come from? I bet if you compare it to the blood on the edge of the book in the manager's mouth, it would match. Also, isn't it a bit warm in here to still have your jacket zippered up? Now that your hands are free, why don't you open it for us?" Conan, in Mori's voice, pointed out.
Dick stepped forward and unzipped James' jacket. His shirt had blood all over it.
"I fell down. I need to get to a hospital. Besides, how could I have closed the gate? I don't have keys." James, despite a bit of nerves, kept his haughty air.
"Simple, with an accomplice who knew how to work the store's gate and Tessie's missing keys with the panda keychain," Conan surmised.
"So, in pure Clue fashion, we all empty our pockets and whoever has the keys with the panda keychain is the accomplice?" Keelia suggested.
"Yes exactly," Conan agreed.
Everyone opened their pockets one by one. Keelia was clean as was everyone else until it came down to Charles. He sighed, chuckled a bit and lifted the little panda keychain and keys from his coat pocket. Then he quickly snatched Keelia in front of him and pointed a gun at her head. At this point, Detective Mori regained consciousness.
End chapter 3 to be concluded…
