Chapter Three: Elementary

Kirby and Dedede managed to get to Keeby's house in record time, most likely because they were chased by a swarm of Bronto Burts who thought they wanted to play tag. As soon as they arrived, the little yellow puffball greeted them with a hug.

"I'm so glad that you're here!" He cheered. "I heard about what had happened. Are you alright, Kirbs?"

"Nothing too serious. " Kirby assured him. "Now, I suppose you know why I'm here? Er… why we're here?" He glanced back at Dedede, who rolled his eyes.

"For my special camera," Keeby nodded. "Elementary! Now, come inside, and I'll go fetch it."

He bounded off inside, and Kirby and Dedede followed. Once inside the main room, Kirby's detective brain got to work and started examining the nearby shelves.

A couple of books, a candle, ceramic figures, a chisel and hammer… Wait, what?!

"A chisel and hammer?" He asked aloud, walking up to the shelf in curiosity. "What are those for?"

"Elementary, my dear." Keeby smiled, bringing over the camera. "Those belong to Kaby. He's getting his degree as a proffessor in archaeology soon."

"Oh." Kirby nodded. "Alright."

He took the camera from Keeby, looking it over in interest. And also…

"Um… how does it work?"

"Elementary! Let me show you…"

While Keeby was instructing Kirby about that, Dedede had a look around himself. He wandered into the kitchen, having a look around. Above the bench there was a rack with multiple frying pans hanging off it. Having a closer look, Dedede noticed that they were all inscribed with a different marking on the back, each very small. There was a heart shape, an eye, the Meta Knights' sign, a paintbrush, a diamond shaped crystal, like a crystal shard, and the last one was a star.

On the bench there laid a piece of paper with the markings drawn onto it multiple times. Dedede noticed that there was also one more marking, one that wasn't on any of the frying pans.

A cog.

Dedede blinked. He recognised that marking. Magolor had some on the back of his kitchen utensils in his Lor Starcutter. Maybe Keeby inscribed them for a hobby?

"Interesting… should I tell Kirby?"

He shrugged and took the piece of paper, folding it into his pocket.

"For safe keeping." He told himself. "Not like Keeby will need it anyway."

He went back to the two. Kirby was taking a photo, and jumped up and down happily when he succeeded. Keeby clapped.

"You're a natural, Kirbs!" He smiled.

Kirby nodded. "Thanks! … Now, Keeby…?"

"Yeah?"

I must ask, why do you keep saying elementary? You sound like…"

"Sherlock Holmes?" Keeby smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I've been reading the series. I've gotten really into it."

"Ha!" Kirby laughed. "I should've known. Elementary, huh?"

"Exactly, my dear Watson!" Keeby chuckled. "Now, you'd better be going, huh? Have fun figuring out who your attempted murderer was! Er… is!"

"Will do." Kirby said, tipping his fedora. He went on his way, with Dedede following close behind, although he wasn't as cheery.

"There's something suspicious about him." He mumbled. "I just can't put my tongue on it…"

"I believe the term is finger, Dedede." Kirby corrected. "And there is nothing suspicious about Keebs. He is the same old, same old we always knew."

"If you say so, detective." Dedede muttered. "If you says so…"

…

Back at Keeby's house, the puffball had grabbed Kaby's archaeologist equipment and was carrying them to his room.

"I better put these away." He muttered to himself. "Don't want them to get damaged…"

With that said, he wrapped them up in a cloth and shoved them in a drawer before walking off to the kitchen.

"There," He smiled, pleased. "Now nobody will know…"