Chapter Fourteen - Catching the Mouse
"We just have to find a way to make him confess." Said Daisypaw after the two she cats had snuck out of camp again. "And we ought to do it soon. Oh Hazelpaw! What if he does a runner?"
"He won't." Hazelpaw replied automatically, though she knew it was very possible.
Just then two younger apprentices came running up out of nowhere, almost colliding with the two detectives.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Shouted Daisypaw angrily.
"Oh Daisypaw!" Exclaimed a small light grey she cat, blinking her green eyes earnestly. "We're so sorry! We didn't mean it, honestly!"
"Please forgive us!" Begged another small blue eyed silver tabby she cat.
It was then that Hazelpaw recognised the two young apprentices. They were 1st Seasoner twins Glimmerpaw (light grey tabby) and Shimmerpaw (silver tabby).
These two positively adored Daisypaw, often offering to do stuff for her, giving her prey or other gifts and always begging her to teach them extra battle moves or take them hunting. In short they would do anything for her, especially now when they looked so horrified to have almost bumped into her.
Hazelpaw knew that was exactly what was going through the cream she cat's head when she said "Well really, you ought to be very ashamed, almost running into me like that; but..I will forgive you two if you do me little favour.
"Of course!" Exclaimed Glimmerpaw, green eyes shining with relief.
"What is it?" Asked Shimmerpaw, head tilted curiously.
"Well this afternoon I want you to find Mousestripe and follow him wherever he goes. Report back to me at camp about where he is as quick as you can. And if you do especially well, I'll give you a small hunting session in a couple of sun-ups."
The two she cats almost fainted with excitement. "Off you go then." Said Daisypaw with a flick of her tail and the she cats went into the forest squealing with delight.
"You will really take them hunting, won't you?" Asked Hazelpaw.
"I suppose." Daisypaw answered.
The grey she cat sighed.
I do feel rather bad for Daisypaw's little minions; she does use them so. But I also know it really is because it wouldn't take much for me to end up as silly as Shimmerpaw and Glimmerpaw.
…
By the time the two apprentices had returned from a border patrol led by Dovepool and Tigereye, the 1st seasoners had proudly returned with their news. Apparently they had spotted Mousestripe hunting near the twoleg Greenleaf place near the StormClan border.
The two she cats left right away. Daisypaw walked with a spring in her step, head held high and tail swinging proudly.
"I've been working things out," she said to Hazelpaw as the two walked close side by side, pelts brushing. "And it's quite clear to me now. The motive, of course, was the deputy position. Mousestripe wanted it and thought if he got Whistlesong out of the way, Ashstar would give it to him instead; which she did.
So Mousestripe lured Whistlesong onto the ledge of High Cliff, struck her and caused her to fall over the side. He might have still been on the cliff, but more probably was checking the body before you came in.
He hid as quickly as he could in the beech tree and hid the body when you left knowing you would get help. He then dragged the body to the abandoned badger set - he is very strong - before eventually disposing of it at the swamp area the next sun-up. And he's the hunting mentor, so obviously he caught the rabbit and faked Whistlesong's leaving."
Hazelpaw thought for a second, imagining skittish, mouse hearted Mousestripe coming up with a plan of pushing someone off High Cliff and executing it. Nervous, scared Mousestripe, who was afraid of the dark, dragging a body around.
It doesn't seem quite right. But the way Daisypaw lays it out like that….it fits. Maybe I am just being jealous of her.
At last they reached the twoleg Greenleaf place, as it was leaf fall it was currently unoccupied by the tall, weird creatures. However it was occupied by one large brown and grey tabby tom. Mousestripe was sitting on his haunches, head bowed and staring listlessly into a small puddle of water.
After giving Hazelpaw a nod, blue eyes sparkling with anticipation, Daisypaw burst through the trees triumphantly and called out:
"Mousestripe!"
The tom jumped and turned toward the apprentices as if someone was attacking him.
Hello everyone, we are now officially over half way through the story! Thank you to everyone who has been following Murder Most Unwarrior Like each week this far. And a big shout out to all who have commented, favourited and followed the story as well! Tune in this coming Mon/Sun to see what Mousestripe has to say for himself (I'm not sure if the detectives completely thought this meeting through – they're on their own, in an isolated place, with a would-be murderer – oh well). See ya then!
-Fastbreeze