Chapter 5: Police Tape
The following morning, the class was heading down to breakfast. Chloe was moaning about the noise from yesterday's akuma attack, Nathaniel was making jokes to lighten the mood, and Marinette was talking to Adrien.
"I hope there'll be some nice baked goods," said Adrien.
"Mmm, I sure hope so too," agreed Marinette. "It may not be mum and dad-level good, but I'm looking forward to - what on Earth is that?"
The dining room was cordoned, by police tape. Holidaymakers had been sent to the lobby, where they were being served hot food.
"What's going on?" Marc asked a receptionist.
"The night watchman had been killed on duty last night. It seems that he had been stabbed with an ornament," said the receptionist grimly.
"A murder? I've got to post something about this on the LadyBlog," said Alya fervently.
"Alya," said Marinette reproachfully, "now isn't the time. It might not be respectful."
Alya looked a little dampened, but agreed. The class gathered around a coffee table for breakfast.
"Wow, poor guy," said Luka. "He comes in to do his job, but gets murdered."
"You're telling me," said Mylene's boyfriend, Ivan. "Hopefully the killer will get jail time."
"I witnessed a murder once," said Lila weakly. "I saw my mum's friend get shot by a police officer. It was absolutely traumatic!"
Everyone immediately flocked to comfort Lila.
"Poor you! This must be a dreadful reminder!" said Sabrina. "But don't worry - my dad's a policeman. He'll help find the killer - and he won't kill anyone!"
"Yeah, don't worry about it, Lila," said Kim. "Everything will be A-OK - just you wait!"
"Thanks, guys," said Lila. "You're all so sweet and sympathetic!"
That night, a policeman came in to talk to the class.
"Now, children," he said, "I've come to talk to you about something I myself can't believe. I thought my eyes were deceiving me, but they weren't."
"What's the problem, Officer?" asked Max.
"We've discovered who the killer is - kind of," said the officer. "And as much as I hate to say this - I'm afraid it was one of you."
And so begins the mystery. Stay tuned for Chapter 6.