"Tanglepaw. I need to speak to you."
Tanglepaw glanced up. Fallenstar was looming over the tiny black she-cat. He quickly sheathed and unsheathed his claws. He seemed nervous. But why?
"It's about Brokenshadow."
Oh.
Tanglepaw followed Fallenstar into his large den, was less-than-surprised to see Dawnpaw, Frozenleaf, and Falconflight. Whispersecrets and her brother, Quietwind - two large, muscular cats - were standing in front of the entrance so no one would escape.
"What's this about Brokenshadow?" Tanglepaw asked quietly.
Fallenstar blinked. "All four of you...are suspected of killing Brokenshadow."
All four of the suspected cats quickly stood to their paws.
"Tanglepaw, we suspect you may have killed Brokenshadow because you were mad at him for preventing you from becoming a warrior. After all, you weren't happy about it."
Of course Fallenstar got straight to the point. Tanglepaw grunted. She hadn't been happy about it, so she couldn't deny it. But then, who wouldn't have been upset?
"Dawnpaw, we've had anonymous tips that you had a...history with Brokenshadow. We all know you were obsessed with him after a while...maybe even obsessed enough to kill the one you loved?" Fallenstar turned to Frozenleaf. "We know your life dream was to become a queen. But Brokenshadow didn't want that. Maybe you got blinded by anger?" He then glanced at Falconflight. "Do I even have to say anything to you?"
"You are on trial. You are not to leave until you prove your innocence," Quietwind snapped.
"But I'm on border patrol!" Dawnpaw whined. "What am I supposed to - "
"Silence!" hissed Whispersecrets. "You may be innocent until proven guilty, but we can't risk having a murderer running loose in camp."
"Who's to say that it was someone from here? Why not another Clan?" Tanglepaw chided.
Fallenstar glared at her. "I was awake. I was watching the entrance of the camp. I don't think anybody could have sneaked in while I was watching. It had to be someone either in or close to the warriors den. And, the apprentice's den is close to the warriors den, while Frozenleaf and Falconflight were in there themselves. There was no one else who was really close to Brokenshadow, so - "
"Then how do you know it wasn't just someone who was jealous?"
Fallenstar stared at Tanglepaw as she said that. She didn't even flinch. "We can't go around accusing cats just for being in this Clan."
"Really?" she growled, "Because that's just what you're doing to us."
"Okay, then. Give us an alibi. Were you in camp or out for a late-night hunt at the time?"
"A late-night hunt?" Tanglepaw rolled her bright green eyes. "Really, Fallenstar? After a battle? Just because I'm an apprentice doesn't mean I'm stupid."
"Respect your leader," snapped Quietwind.
Tanglepaw sighed. "All right. I was asleep in the apprentice's den. There wasn't much else to do, was there?"
Fallenstar ignored the sassy apprentice. "Dawnpaw? Do you have an alibi?"
She shook her head slowly.
"Well. Frozenleaf?"
"I do, actually. I was out hunting."
Fallenstar crinkled his nose. "Oh, really?"
Frozenleaf leered at him. "Yes, really." Everyone remained silent.
Whispersecrets broke the silence. "Falconflight?"
"No, I was in the camp at the time."
Fallenstar snorted. "You're all telling the truth about where you were at the time, I'm sure. But the murder? One of you has got to be lying."
Oh, Fallenstar. If only he'd known how right he was.