Disclaimer: I don't own it. Yet.
Notes: Yako's POV again. I felt it was important to hear everyone's testimony, and you know Neuro wouldn't listen to that. Try to guess who it was! The hints are very faint, so maybe you won't know (-_-;) Maybe I made them too faint. Anywayz, I don't know how long I'll be able to wait to post the next chapter, so maybe you won't get a chance to guess at all. You can always guess then read the answer. [Though don't bother with the how-leave that up to Neuro. Just the who and why.] Enjoy.
"Neuro!" I whined as he drug me across the plush carpet and onto tile floor. "I hadn't finished talking yet."
He ignored my protest.
"Call Akane and ask her to dig up some research on the Belcher's Sea Snake."
I hung up my cell phone as a wave of cold air hit me.
Shivering I fought to stand up. "Where are we Neuro?" "In the freezer." "Any particular reason?"
"What small pieces of meat. Are they expensive? Or so asks Sensai~."
Ah. Someone was here.
"Yes. Some are rare fish, others exotic meats, and we even have some crocodile meat here."
"Crocodile meat in a reptile zoo? Doesn't that seem hypocritical?" I couldn't help but wonder out loud.
The man's voice laughed. "Some may think so. But we get our meat from crocs that would be put down either way. Like killer crocs and such. It's why it's so expensive. I don't believe we've met by the way. I'm Juro Katsu, the owner of Scales. You must be the famous detective I've heard so much talk about."
I smiled. "News gets around fast. I heard you were good friends with Daisuki-san."
"Very. We had many things in common. Daisuki was the one who suggested the endangered species breeding program. He was a good guy."
"So you don't know who could have wanted him dead?"
"I do admit it's weird for him to be so careless around the animals, but everyone liked this guy. No one would want him dead. So you see, it's kinda hard for me to believe this is a murder. But if it is, I hope you get the guy who did it."
"I'll try my best." I could hear Neuro walking the length of the freezer behind me.
"If that's all, I would like to check on my employees. See how their holding up."
I opened my mouth to speak, but Neuro cut in. "Just one more thing. There seems to be two patches of smooth ice on the ground, near the back of the freezer. Do you know what may have caused that?"
There was a beat of silence.
"This is a freezer and you're asking me why there's ice on the ground?"
The owner seemed slightly exasperated. "Now if you'll excuse me."
I could practically hear Neuro smirk as he grabbed the top of my head. "One last person for you to talk to louse."
And he dragged me to the lab.
.
Hiro Nakamora turned to me before I could even get a word out.
"I heard you've been questioning the others. I suppose it's my turn huh?"
I smiled nervously. "Something like that."
"Ask away, but try to make it snappy. I have a lot of work to catch up on."
"Did you and Daisuki-san get along?"
"We got along ok. No big fights or anything."
I thought for a second. Something seemed different about how Nakamora-san was talking about Daisuki-san. Not sarcastic, but almost.
"How would you describe Daisuki-san?"
"Haven't you heard the same from everyone? He was a saint."
I could still hear that same tone. Here goes nothing.
"I don't think he was."
Nakamora-san was silent for a time.
"And what makes you think that?"
I had to tread lightly.
"I can't really prove it-it was just a feeling."
Nakamora-san seemed to consider this.
"Please be straight with me Nakamora-san. How would you describe Daisuki-san?"
…
"He was a cunning and conniving person. He wore the face of a saint, but had the heart of a fox. We were actually pretty good friends, which is the only reason I knew.
About a year ago he fell in love with the cook. Three months after that he told me he wanted to make his mask his true identity. Turns out the cook fell in love with the fake him. He loved her so much he wanted to make himself that way. Asked me to help him stay on the straight and narrow.
He had almost completely converted when the cook found out the truth. She didn't talk to him for two weeks. Finally after three months she fell in love with him again. Both sides this time. He proposed soon after. They were getting married in a year, and I was gonna be the best man.
When we found out he died, the cook wanted to keep up his good rep for him. No need to throw a bad light on him. He was a decent guy overall. And he really had a deep love for snakes too. I just can't believe he's dead-he definitely isn't the sort to die so easily. I'm sure this was murder detective. Find the creep will ya, I'd like to have a go at the murder myself. "
Wow. This guy talked a lot when you let him.
His story helped fit the puzzle together better though.
"Any ideas on who the murder could be?"
Nakamora-san thought for a second.
"Not really, but I do know something was up with Daisuki-san. And he'd had a lot of cash to throw around recently. He probably stole it or something of the like. Maybe the guy he jacked is the one who killed him."
I blinked. Nakamora-san just called the 'saint' a thief so easily.
"Thanks for telling me the truth. I'll do what I can."
"Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get back to my frogs."
.
"Any ideas Neuro?" I asked as I felt his coat sleeve brush my arm. I could hear Todoroki-san talking to Ishigaki-san in the background. I guess she had kept an eye on Neuro this whole time.
"One or two." He was cut off by the sound of my cell ringing.
Akane-chan.
I listened in to what she said to Neuro, and could practically see him drooling.
"This mystery is right at the tip of my tongue." I said in unison with him.
He stopped walking for a second and turned to me.
"The day you and your voracious stomach start eating mysteries is the day I kill you."
And he promptly walked away.
Note: If you really wanna try guessing, I suggest you read up a little on the Belcher's Sea Snake. Not alot of research would be needed mind you. I suggest this article:
.
Though I don't know if I'm allowed to post links. (¬_¬)
