Last chapter featuring Ladybug's deductions!
"We all were invited for the 'Hero Appreciation Event' here and I guess we all arrived here around 7pm," Ladybug said, "After the speeches and introduction, we were scattered and went here and there. However, the important point to note, is that at exactly 7:45pm, Nadja and her crew stopped recording and went ahead to an empty corner, Nadja herself told me that."
In the distant Nadja who was recording Ladybug admitted to that very point.
"What does this have to do with Célia's death?" the Chief Inspector asked.
"It has everything to do with her death. There was only one CCTV installed as the Mayor said earlier which only captured the centre of the hall and a small portion of the drink table, the other cameras were off and Nadja's team were not recording anything, this gave our killer the opportunity to kill Célia," Ladybug explained.
"Ladybug, I now believe that Chat Noir is innocent but then if the drink wasn't poisoned then how did Célia die?" Wickmayer inquired.
"Now, while Nadja and her crew were walking towards the corner, a small row took place just near the drink table but unfortunately the camera didn't capture the action at that part of the drink table," Ladybug looked at the mentioned place.
"You, Mr. Wickmayer accidentally bumped into Célia. She then reprimanded you before she went to the centre of the hall," Ladybug tilted her head towards Wickmayer.
"At about 8 o'clock, Célia called out to me whilst she was taking her selenium capsules, which she said was a treatment for her asthma. She also mentioned that it was recommended by Mr. Wickmayer."
"Yes, I did recommend them," Wickmayer agreed.
"While I was interrogating Ms Johana, she reminded that is was 1:40am and that I have less than an hour. In doing so, my attention was directed to her watch and that made me realise that when I was with Célia earlier it was 8 o'clock. I saw the time on Célia's watch while she was taking her capsules. The time of death was reported as 8:30pm," Ladybug recalled.
"Excuse me Ladybug but what's this got to do with how she died?" An infuriating Raymond questioned.
"You see the poison was not in the drink but it was in Célia's selenium capsules. The killer had emptied the selenium powder from Célia's capsules and had filled it with ricin powder and then inserted the gelatine cover, that way nobody would have ever recognised, not even Célia herself!"
Ladybug paused as she saw that everyone was shocked to hear this new bit of information.
"This had already been done before the killer came to the event and was planned beforehand. The killer then inserted the ricin loaded capsules into a similar packet and then switched it with her packet. I found a packet of selenium capsules in the trash bin which was near the sofa in the lounge. I told the Chief Inspector that he should request an examination of the capsule packet which I found in the trash bin and compare it with the packet which was in Célia's purse," Ladybug finished.
"That's what you asked the Inspector to do before you..." Chat Noir was starting to get all of the pieces to this puzzle.
"Yes and my men in the forensic and toxicology department have just given me a call. It looks like you were right Ladybug. The remaining selenium capsules in Célia's purse were filled with ricin powder, whereas the ones you found in the trash bin were filled with ordinary selenium powder," the Chief Inspector said, putting his phone back in his pocket.
Everyone in the hall stood shocked. Chat Noir looked at Ladybug with newfound admiration.
"The police then reported that Célia had been killed at 8:30pm. Since capsules take about thirty minutes to dissolve in the body, it all made sense, she took them at 8 o'clock and she started choking at around 8:30 pm," Ladybug continued.
"Then after seeing the footage, Chat Noir was falsely accused. But I knew for a fact that Chat Noir could never do this. He is my partner and I trust him," Ladybug gave him a smile.
Chat Noir looked at her fondly as she went on.
"How so very touching! Ladybug, what's your trust in Chat Noir, got to do with the murder?" Johana's voice was dripping with sarcasm.
Ladybug smiled as she continued, "I interrogated a number of people this night. Now let's come to the suspicious behaviour of Johana and Raymond which was observed by Yuri and Zoé."
"Raymond and Johana were planning to ruin the night for Célia by making her the laughing stock of the press, however, she died even before their plan was executed. Ms Johana even said that there was a possibility that Célia already knew about this plan. She did, which was why she stared at Johana while she was talking to Chat Noir. However, neither Chat Noir nor Johana noticed this. It was Ms. Audrey who noticed this," Ladybug said. "However, Johana intended on doing something a little more drastic, didn't you Johana?"
"You know, I have been wondering for a while why Johana was insisting that Chat Noir is the murderer" said Ladybug as she walked up to Johana, "Wasn't it because you feared that Célia told something about you to Chat Noir while they were chatting earlier. You were planning to ruin Célia's career, weren't you?"
"How did you..." Johana panicked.
"I guessed, I don't have the evidence for that bit and I'm not sure what exactly it is that you were planning but perhaps you thought that by shifting the blame onto Chat Noir, no one would discovered your true intentions. Honestly, I'm quite disgusted at you Johana, you willingly made an innocent person a scapegoat just to avoid humiliation." Ladybug glared at Johana as she panicked.
"Don't worry Johana, I have no interest in what you were planning, my focus is solely on presenting the facts of this case." Ladybug stated as she continued walking towards to the center of the room, "Queen Bee noticed that Gabriel was walking in the direction of Chat Noir and Célia, however it was merely because he wanted to talk to me. On that note, I must thank Mr. Agreste as had it not been for his recollection on where everyone was positioned, I would have never been able to figure out who the killer is," Ladybug, bowed her head toward the man.
"My pleasure Ladybug," Gabriel welcomed.
"Who is it then?" Audrey asked.
"It could be anyone here as Mr. Wickmayer himself said that everyone here hated Célia. Everyone has a motive as far as my knowledge goes" Ladybug told them.
"A lot of people hated her, not only us, it was only her sidekick fans who supported her," Yuri said, in rebuking tone.
"Raymond, don't you have something to say?" Ladybug interrogated.
"You did say that Gabriel Agreste was most likely to be the killer...that it was merely out of jealousy..."
"Yes, so what? Look Ladybug, it's high time you tell us who the culprit is, maybe you've got no clue and you are toying with us" Raymond sounded agitated.
Chat Noir looked panicked. He was worried by the fact that Ladybug probably didn't know who the killer was. But as he looked at her and saw her smile, that very smile that she had on her face whenever she had figured what to do with her lucky charm, his confidence recovered.
"I have one last question for you Mr Wickmayer. Is it true that you recommended the selenium capsules to Célia around four to five years ago?" Ladybug asked.
"Yes and she has been ordering them from the same clinic for the past four to five years," Wickmayer added.
"Yes, thank you.."
"After the killer switched the capsule packet. He or she went to the lounge and threw the original packet into the trash bin. Mr Agreste, would you mind displaying your excellent memory and tell us where everyone was just before Célia died," Ladybug requested.
"Very well, Ladybug. Chat Noir was standing and talking to Célia, I was walking towards the direction of Chat Noir and Célia, to talk to you. As for the others, Yuri was walking towards the vase, Audrey was with the Mayor just near the reception opposite to Chat Noir and Célia, Wickmayer was standing somewhere near the drink table, and Johana had finished talking to you and then she joined Raymond in a conversation and Nadja and her team were near entrance. In the centre of the hall near the vase, Chat Noir and Célia were standing and after minutes, Célia...",Gabriel Agreste finished.
"There that gives you the answer as to who the killer is," Ladybug pointed out.
"Ladybug, for god's sake, it's nearly 3am, we don't have all the time in world…" Audrey complained.
"I was thinking you'd have realised," Ladybug looked at the confused audience with her charming smile.
"No? Okay, I'm giving the killer a last chance at redemption, surrender yourself to the police", said Ladybug.
"Do you or do you not know who the killer is?" the Mayor addressed Ladybug as no one spoke.
Ladybug let out a sigh and went towards Yuri, "Mr. Martin, maybe its time you confessed," she finished as everyone stared at him wide opened.
"What?" Audrey was as confused as ever as everyone had now diverted their attention to Yuri Martin.
"Ladybug, surely you are mistaken. I did hate Célia but I never killed her," Yuri defended himself.
"I second Yuri," Raymond agreed with him.
"Do you really think this the time to fool around Mr. Martin, I have evidence to prove that it's you," Ladybug exhaled.
"How so?"
"Just before I was about to go for the autograph session outside, Yuri came to me and gave me advice, which was merely to make me aware of the fact that he was not near Célia just before she was about to choke. After he gave me his 'advice', he headed for the lounge, I recollect seeing him head for the lounge."
"While I was headed outside and everyone else was distracted, Yuri went to the lounge and threw the regular selenium packet into the trash bin as quickly as he could and then came walking towards the vase. Gabriel even said earlier that Yuri came walking to the vase, which was something I realised later. The staircases are quite far from the lounge and the centre of the hall was between the drink table and the lounge, the only quickest way for Yuri to leave the lounge was to head for the centre of the hall before anyone noticed. Nobody noticed," Ladybug explained.
"Ha! And just how does this make me the killer?" Yuri laughed.
"Weren't you listening, Mr. Martin? I mentioned that you threw the regular selenium packet in the trash bin; which means it most likely has your fingerprints. I even asked the Chief Inspector to get that examined. If it does, how are you going to explain yourself?" Ladybug finished as she observed the smiled on Yuri's face fade. He now clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
"If it is Yuri, Then what was his motive?", asked Chief Inspector.
"Perhaps Wickmayer can shed light onto it. Célia had fired Yuri when he used to work for her and the rest you know," Ladybug answered.
"But if Yuri is the killer, then how did he exchange the packet?", asked Zoé who had been highly invested in Ladybug's deduction.
"Elementary, my dear Zoé!" Ladybug replied, "It was only when Ms Johana recollected about Wickmayer bumping into Célia, did I start to suspect Yuri. He was the only person who was with Wickmayer when he bumped into Célia," the Superheroine continued,
"Yuri was figuring out a way to switch the packet and an opportunity arrived for him at around 7:45 pm, just after the speeches, when Célia was walking from the platform to the drink table. On her way, she bumped into Wickmayer who was with Yuri. The press were walking towards and were moving away at that time. Having people distracted at Célia's outburst coupled with Nadja and her team moving towards the entrance without recording anything, gave Yuri ample time to switch the packet in Célia's purse which had dropped in the process. When I was with Célia earlier, I noticed that her purse had only one compartment. That would have made it easy for Yuri to do what he had planned in less than a minute."
Ladybug paused before she went on. Maybe it was for the better that she should choose to ignore everyone's reactions.
"I also recollect Célia picking up her purse just before she called out to me which was just minutes after Yuri had switched the capsules. By then the media team was stationed at the entrance, since the cameras which were installed for that area were off, Yuri Martin was safe. At around 8 o'clock Célia took her capsules in my presence and in the next half an hour, she died from ricin poisoning," Ladybug finished.
"And..."Ladybug added, "I heard from Wickmayer that Yuri had worked for Célia four-five years ago and like Wickmayer mentioned earlier, Célia had begun to take those capsules around that time and she'd order them from the same clinic that Wickmayer had recommended. Yuri knew this, so he knew which packet and pills Célia would order and since he has been the head of several of the renowned rehabilitation organisations, he'd know all about poisons and their effect."
Everyone stood shocked as they looked at Yuri, half confused and half convinced. Chat Noir on the other hand continued to stare at Ladybug in awe and surprise.
Finally breaking his silence and his cool demeanor, Yuri spoke, "She treated me as if I was nothing, I was verbally abused while working with her. The salary she gave me that time wasn't enough to support me and my mother. My father was sick. I explained my situation to Célia and even asked her for an advance but she refused. Soon after I was fired, I was bankrupt and couldn't afford to take him to the doctor, his condition worsened and six months later...he died."
"I didn't care if Célia fired me, I was more than happy to leave and to stop working for that pathetic, greedy, snobbish woman. Hah! Well now she's dead from ricin poisoning and I don't care in the least, she deserved what she got," Yuri had a maniac touch in his words.
"Maybe if you thought a bit more calmly Yuri, you wouldn't have done this. Your father wouldn't have wanted you to do this, he would probably be more proud for your services in the rehabilitation organisations," Ladybug sounded sorry.
"Why Yuri? Why would you?" Wickmayer said as Yuri was being handcuffed by the police.
"You could have told me about this, I'm sure we would have been able to figure out something", Wickmayer finished.
"I never believed you to be capable of this," Johana seemed at a loss for words.
"Neither did I," Gabriel shook his head.
"You could have done better Yuri," the Mayor sympathized.
"Whatever, now that this chaos is cleared up, I can go home," said Raymond as he got up.
"Chat Noir, please forgive me, I doubted you", said the Chief Inspector.
"We are sorry too", said Wickmayer while Johana, Audrey and Raymond retained their nonchalant silence.
"My apologies", said the Mayor.
"Me too," Zoé said softly.
"It's alright, I'm just glad that the truth won", said Chat Noir as he looked at Ladybug.
It was not long after everyone left except Gabriel Agreste and the heroes. Chat Noir went up to Ladybug and lead her to the empty corner while Gabriel continued to stand near the reception.
"M'Lady, I'm pawsitive, you'd make a fine detective," Chat winked.
"Oh, so the pun master is back," Ladybug grinned.
"Yes, thanks to you," Chat thanked as he kissed Ladybug softly on the forehead and looked at her with the utmost love. "I don't how to thank you, you saved my life," Chat Noir said seriously with a deep mature voice that took her by surprise as he stared into her bluebell eyes intensely.
"It's okay", Ladybug's tone was a bit nervous as she started blushing. Chat Noir took her hand in his clawed one and began to give soft kisses to her knuckles.
"Until next time, M'Lady," Chat Noir waved.
"You're going?" Ladybug questioned as she continued to blush.
"Yes, I can't wait for our patrol tomorrow," Chat Noir smiled.
"See you then Chat Noir," Ladybug said as Chat Noir left.
"Good night, Fa.. I mean Mr Agreste," Chat Noir said to Gabriel Agreste as he walked past him.
Gabriel who had been watching them sighed in relief and smiled a little. He had known that Ladybug would prove Chat Noir's innocence. It was one of the rare moments where Gabriel found himself wanting to praise his nemesis.
"Ladybug, that was a brilliant deduction," Gabriel praised as he walked up to her.
"Thank you Mr. Agreste, I don't think I could have done it if, it had not been for your help," Ladybug told him.
Help? Hawk Moth helping Ladybug? Gabriel had didn't want things to be complicated so he had told Ladybug exactly what he remembered. He never knew that it would give her a clue.
"I'm glad you found out," Gabriel replied quickly.
"Well then Mr Agreste, I shall be leaving now," Ladybug bid him a farewell.
Gabriel nodded slightly as Ladybug walked out. The moment she left, Gabriel dialled Gorilla's cell phone number and ordered him to pick him up. As Gabriel put his cell back into his coat compartment, he felt something. Gabriel removed the object from his coat.
It was the tape-recorder!
Gabriel then remembered his sole purpose to coming to the event in the first place. He was supposed to record Ladybug's voice! He had been so caught up in how Ladybug was going to prove Chat Noir's innocence that he completely forgot to record her voice. Just a while ago, Ladybug had spoken at length! Gabriel Agreste clenched his fist as he realised the number of opportunities that he had missed! He checked his watch, it was 4am.
Today was definitely going to be a busy day, NOT for Gabriel Agreste...but for Hawk Moth!
I hope you all liked the fan fiction. This was my first try with the murder genre :D
I was kind of inspired by the miraculous episode, "RogerCop" and "CopyCat". In 'RogerCop', Marinette was accused by Chloe for stealing her bracelet, though she didn't do it. And CopyCat was the episode that gave me an idea to write about Chat Noir being framed with a more mature theme. In CopyCat, Chat Noir was accused of stealing, when it was actually an imposter. No one believed him, except for Ladybug, that gave me the idea for this fanfic.
Please review : )