Misty was the culprit, Zipp was sure of it.
It was the only logical explanation. She was the only stranger who had entered the Brighthouse between the journal's last sighting and it going missing. Her behavior had been super suspicious. Zipp had even caught her trying to make her getaway this morning. Feather fledge, she should have checked Misty's bag there and then. Now Zipp was stuck trying to hunt the unicorn down before she fled the city.
Zipp had taken to the skies for a better view. She'd gotten a glimpse of Misty at one point, but the unicorn had disappeared by the time Zipp reached the place she'd been. Misty must be sticking to places with obscured sky views, maybe going through buildings, as she snuck around. And she was sneaking, almost no one had seen her and earth ponies would remember passing by a unicorn in Maretime Bay.
Frustrated, Zipp let out a groan, plopping down on a nearby cloud. Finding Misty would be easier if anypony else was helping. Why weren't the others suspicious of Misty? It was so obvious! Yeah, Zipp didn't understand Misty's motive, but they shouldn't need to know the motive. Misty was so obviously guilty.
As she watched the ponies below her, a flash of familiar color made Zipp raise her head. Hitch. Hitch was a sheriff. He was in charge of law and order in this city. He'd have dealt with situations like this before. He'd be logical, right? And he was very familiar with the city and held a lot of sway with the ponies here. Help from him would be huge.
"Hitch!" Zipp called out, diving down to land beside him. The stallion startled, dropping half the papers he'd been holding.
"Oh, Zipp," Hitch gasped, then let out a short breath. "It's just you. You can't just shoot down out of nowhere like that, you'll scare ponies out of their skins." His critter entourage scurried to gather his fallen papers and return them to him. "Thanks critters."
"Ah, sorry," Zipp apologized, abashed. She really hadn't needed to descend so fast. Even pegasus still got surprised by sudden landings.
"I've been collecting the surveys," Hitch told her, nodding to the papers he was carrying. "Haven't started to go over them yet, but I've got a good feeling about it."
"That's great, Hitch," Zipp said, giving the top page a cursory glance. She was curious about the results, but the Misty issue was more pressing. "I can help you with that later, but for now, I need your help. Sunny had her dad's journal stolen by that unicorn who slept over at the Brighthouse last night."
"What?!" Hitch gasped. "Really?! Why wouldn't Sunny tell me that?" He pulled out his phone, probably checking for messages from Sunny. "When did this happen?"
"Well, Sunny thinks she actually just misplaced it," Zipp admitted. "But that explanation just doesn't add up. The book just happens to disappear when Misty, who was very shady the whole time, even tried to sneak away when we were all asleep, shows up? Not a coincidence. And now she's running from me."
"Thievery is a serious offense," Hitch said gravely. "Misty is Izzy's friend, right? You really think she'd do that?" To Zipp's relief, Hitch didn't sound disbelieving, he just wanted evidence. That was good. Very good. Finally an ally.
"She isn't really Izzy's friend," Zipp corrected. "Izzy literally met her yesterday. Didn't even know her last name." Izzy was way too trusting for her own good. "We know nothing about her. We don't even know why she came to Maretime Bay to begin with."
"And the book is the only thing missing?" Hitch checked.
"Um," Zipp hesitated, considering the question. "Yes. We searched the whole Brighthouse looking for it, so we would have noticed if something else was missing."
"Hm, it's an odd thing to steal," Hitch mused. "And with the sleepover being so spontaneous, it couldn't have been a pre-planned scheme. Do you have any evidence besides her suspicious behavior?"
"There were hoofprints leading from the Brighthouse to a bush which showed signs of somepony having been in it," Zipp reported, thrilled to have somepony taking her seriously. "Somepony snuck out of the Brighthouse to hide in the bush. Pipp kinda trampled the prints and spilled her wing glitter around while I was investigating, so I don't have a perfect picture of the path, but who other than Misty would be sneaking out of the Brighthouse. She was probably about to make a run for it when I flew out. And Misty is the only stranger to enter the Brighthouse before the book went missing. It can't be anypony else." Zipp was 100% confident about this.
"Her unusual behavior could just be her being nervous about being around the other tribes," Hitch hypothesized, stuffing his surveys into his satchel. "But you are right that she is the prime suspect. It's at least enough to justify questioning. I'll help you find her." He paused for a moment, thinking. "Just- don't tell ponies you think she stole something, just say you're looking for her. A lot of ponies are already on edge about unicorns being in Maretime Bay at all, we don't want rumors of unicorn thieves going around. Especially if Misty is innocent."
Zipp nodded. "Fair, fair, makes sense. I'll keep it on the low." Hm, Hitch had never met Misty, he didn't know what she looked like. A picture might help jog other ponies' memories too. "I don't have photos of her. Pipp will have some though." Pipp had been on her phone quite a lot last night, though it had been less than usual.
"No need," Hitch waved off. "Blue and pink unicorn mare with a curly mane and a butterfly cutie mark? Just saying she's a unicorn in Maretime Bay would be enough, I have the details I need."
"Thanks Hitch," Zipp said gratefully.
"No need for thanks," Hitch assured. "This type of thing is a sheriff's job. And we're friends, all you had to do was ask. When and where was the last sighting of Misty?"
"I caught a glimpse of her on Conch St. half an hour ago," Zipp told him. "But she vanished before I got to her."
"Hm, alright," Hitch nodded, calculating out the map in his head. "In that case, I'll start searching from Murek going eastward, you look from Auger and head westward. Call me if you find anything."
"Roger that," Zipp saluted. She was only vaguely familiar with the city's street names, but she recognized both of those.
Hitch trotted off and Zipp was about to take off when Pipp came skipping up to her. Zipp blinked once, a little surprised to see her here. Had she changed her mind? Did she believe her now?
"Hey, Zipp," Pipp greeted cheerfully. "How's the investigation?"
"It would be going better if you'd help me," Zipp pointed out, a spark of annoyance flaring up.
"I have been helping," Pipp insisted. "I've been looking for the journal this whole time. I'm just not good at this investigation stuff like you. So, how's it going, any leads?" She sounded oddly eager.
"Oh, I already know who it is," Zipp grinned. "I just have to find her."
Pipp looked puzzled for some reason. Maybe she was taken aback by how quickly Zipp had solved the case. "Oh, um, really?" her little sister asked. "Whooo is it then?"
"Oh come on Pipp," Zipp shook her head. "It's obviously Misty."
Pipp's eyes went huge. "Wha- Misty?!" Yes, Misty. Why was that so hard to grasp? "Um, I don't know about-" Pipp shifted on her hooves nervously. "-you haven't accused her yet, have you?"
"No, she keeps running away from me," Zipp huffed.
"And you don't suspect- anypony else?" Pipp asked. "I think you might of missed some clues."
Zipp rolled her eyes. "I didn't miss any clues. Everything points to her, it's so obvious."
Pipp glanced around and, after confirming nopony else was nearby, leaned in towards Zip and whispered, "Zipp, and you can be totally honest about this, I'm your sister. Do you suspect her because she's a unicorn?"
It took a few seconds for Zipp to even process what Pipp was asking. Then she recoiled, lip curling. "What, no! It has literally zero to do with her being a unicorn. Why would you even think that?" The mere suggestion was insulting. "You know I've never had a problem with the other tribes." Once she and Comet Chaser had found that old station and realized the tribes had once been friends, any animosity she'd carried for the other tribes (which had already been very little) evaporated. She'd been more curious about the other tribes than anything.
"I know that," Pipp agreed. "I just- I really don't think the culprit is Misty. So I'm not sure why you'd think that. And she's already shy- if you barge in and start accusing her-"
"Ugh," Zipp interrupted, throwing her head back. She'd already been frustrated with Pipp but the discrimination accusation was the final straw. "Forget it. You're no help." Zipp flapped into the air. "Now excuse me, I have a thief to catch."
After hours of searching, Zipp was losing hope. She'd spotted Misty a few more times from a distance but always lost her in the end. It had been a while since she'd seen her now. Misty had probably fled Maretime Bay entirely. They'd never be able to find her in unicorn territory. That book had valuable information and had a lot of sentimental value to Sunny. Zipp also wanted to know why Misty had stolen it, the unanswered question was going to drive Zipp insane.
But then, as she was flying over a park, she spotted her. The unicorn seemed to be taking a shortcut through the park. There was no way Zipp would lose her now.
Zipp grinned smugly. Gotcha.
"Misty!" Zipp shouted as she landed directly in front of her. The unicorn gasped, leaping backwards, eyes wide. "I know everything!" She jabbed a hoof at Misty. "You stole the journal!"
"Wha-what?" Misty stammered, frozen at the realization that she'd been caught.
"Ever since the sleepover I had a weird feeling about you," Zipp ranted. "The probing questions, not knowing anything about Bridlewood, the sneaking around, but I ignored my instincts and gave you the benefit of the doubt until now." She really had. She had a very analytical mind, it wasn't easy for her to just ignore things but she had. And even though she and Misty weren't friends, not really, Zipp still felt a little betrayed. Zipp began to stalk forward, sending Misty scurrying back. "All the galloping and shadiness today solidified it. Now you better tell me where you've got Sunny's book hidden!" Misty's back hit the wall. Nowhere to run.
"B-book?" Misty stammered, fear in her eyes. "I- w-what book?"
"Don't play dumb," Zipp ordered, "I-"
"Stop!" Pipp came out of nowhere, jumping between Zipp and the cowering Misty.
"Pipp, what are you doing?" Zipp demanded. "I've got the journal thief right here." She gestured to Misty.
"It's me!" Pipp declared loudly. "I'm the journal thief!"
Zipp's brain shorted out for a couple seconds. "What?!"
"Well, no, I'm not the journal thief," Pipp adjusted, "but-" and then Pipp pulled the journal, the supposedly missing and stolen journal out of her bag. "I've had it all day."
"You what?!" Zipp gasped, trying to make sense of the revelation. It didn't make sense. "How?! Why?!"
Pipp sighed, guilt flashing across her face. "I found it when we were looking for it this morning. Sunny really had misplaced it. I was going to tell you but then I saw how much you were enjoying detective-ing and I know you've been super stressed lately and I didn't want to ruin your fun."
"But- the hoofprints-" Zipp started to protest, grasping at her clues.
"Mine," Pipp told her. "They were mine. I even left my wing glitter as a clue, I thought it would lead you to me. I had no idea it would send you on a trail after Misty."
"But- why was she running away from me?" Zipp questioned. She- well, she'd clearly been partly wrong, but she couldn't have been this wrong.
In a quieter voice, Pipp answered. "Well, you weren't exactly the nicest pony to her last night."
And that was when it really hit her. Misty was innocent. Zipp's eyes slid over to Misty, who was literally shaking pressed up against the wall. She'd accused an innocent pony of doing something horrible. She'd been wrong.
Shame burned Zipp's skin. "So my whole investigation was for nothing? And I accused Misty of a bunch of terrible stuff she didn't do?" Her wings drooped against her body.
"Yeah, that one is totally my bad," Pipp acknowledged. "And I definitely owe her a big apology, but-" her sister smiled. "you finally got to be a real detective. Ah! That's gotta be worth something."
"Well, I did have fun, I guess," Zipp admitted. Then smirked. "So I guess I can forgive you for sending me on that wild goose chase all day. Even if I did miss a few obvious clues." How had she gotten it all so wrong?
"I can't believe you thought it was Misty," Pipp laughed. "She's so sweet, she could never."
Zipp's attention turned to Misty, who had started to inch away. She approached Misty, ears flat. "Misty, I'm so sorry. I never should have accused you of being a thief- or chased you around the city- or cornered you here. I guess I need some more practice with this whole detective thing huh?" She wouldn't blame Misty for being angry.
"It's okay," Misty told her, a little awkward but not mad. "I know how it is when you get really wrapped up in something." Wow, that was so cool of her to be so understanding. Zipp really had misjudged her. There was still something up with her, but everyone had their somethings. Misty wasn't a bad pony.
"I'm sorry too," Pipp added. "I really didn't mean for this to affect you in any way, Misty. I was just trying to let my sister have some fun."
"No, yeah, I get it," Misty nodded. "I think it's- sweet."
"There is one thing I would like to ask you though, Misty," Zipp said, tilting her head. "What are you doing here in Maretime Bay?" She didn't say it in an accusatory way, just curious. Knowing would help clear the last bit of doubt from Zipp's mind.
"Well-" Misty started.
"Misty, there you are!" a voice suddenly called out. All three of them turned to see a caramel and brown earth pony mare with a cake cutie mark rapidly trotting towards them. She was very put together and her strides brimmed with confidence.
"Sugar Spice?" Misty startled, mouth agape.
"I've been looking all over for you," the mare continued. "I've got good news."
Misty glanced between Sugar Spice and the pegasus sisters. "Oh, um, really?"
"I got the building!" Sugar Spice told her cheerfully. "The bakery will be opening even sooner than we thought."
"Oh," Misty said. "Wow. That was- fast. I feel like you- we, only just got here."
"I know, I know, I'm good," Sugar Spice waved off. Then she glanced at Zipp and Pipp. "These friends of yours Misty?"
"Oh, um-"
"Yes," Pipp answered for her. "I'm Pipp and this is my older sister, Zipp."
"Hi," Zipp greeted. Was this another of Misty's friends? She'd made an earth pony friend fast. Impressive.
"Wow, so nice to meet you," Sugar Spice smiled. "It's so cool to see pegasi and unicorns walking around in an earth pony city like this. So excited to see where all this leads. I'm Sugar Spice. I'm going to be opening up a bakery here in Maretime Bay."
"Aw, that's so nice," Pipp cheered. "A bakery sounds like a lot of fun. I've always wanted to open a salon myself."
"So Misty is your…?" Zipp checked. She was pretty sure she understood what was going on but wanted confirmation.
"Oh, Misty's going to be working at the bakery," Sugar Spice explained. "We met recently, and she was so sweet I knew I just had to have her."
A bit strange that she was so ready to hire a unicorn, but it felt rude to ask. This explained why Misty was here- she had a job. Such a simple explanation compared to some of the more- elaborate- theories Zipp had been making up.
"So, you're moving to Maretime Bay, Misty?" Pipp checked, pleased at the news.
"Oh, um," Misty glanced at Sugar Spice. "Y-yes I am."
"Guess we'll be seeing a lot more of you then Misty," Zipp noted, happy she'd have another chance to befriend the unicorn.
"Yeah, I guess you will."