September 21, 2024

Ryder's POV

I got up that morning to prepare the pups' breakfast. I knew Chase wasn't here so I guess I just have to wake up the pups myself. That was on my mind until I heard something outside. Something like... Chase? Using his megaphone?

"Wake up, pups! Breakfast's ready!" Chase called.

Or maybe I just need more sleep because I'm starting to hear things. I went outside and saw that what I heard was right. Chase was there. He came home last night.

"Chase?'

Chase turned his gaze at me and saw my surprised expression.

"Oh, h-hi Ryder... I... Sorry I didn't tell you, but... I came home last night."

"It's okay, Chase," I said, "I'm happy you came back. How did it go last night?"

"Uhm, it went okay. At least I think I know who was or wasn't awake that night."

"At least you're making some progress. That's what matters," I told him.

"Um, Ryder? Can I ask a favor?" Chase asked.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you watch Rubble for me for the next few days or so? Something tells me he's not telling everything." Chase said.

"Um, okay, Chase... I'll try," I answered.

Zuma's POV

I was having the best dream ever of giant waves, surfing, and dolphins leaping out of the surface. It all ended when I heard Chase's megaphone. I think that was the second time I heard it because the first time, I was busy surfing.

"Oh, um... Wait, Chase?" I said, rubbing my eyes to make sure I was not dreaming.

The rest of the pups woke up as well and were surprised to see Chase. Maybe this wasn't a dream at all.

"Chase, how did- what are you-"

"When did you come home?" Rocky asked, cutting off me.

"Just last night," Chase answered, "It's always better to sleep in your own room... eh, I mean, pup house, than anywhere else?

"Oh, yeah, that makes sense..." Marshall nodded.

"Tell that to the pup who's still snoring over there," Skye pointed at Rubble who was still wearing his sleeping mask, snoring.

"Heh heh," Chase chuckled and barked out of his megaphone again, "Rubble, if you don't get up now, Marshall's gonna eat your breakfast."

"He actually did that to me once," Marshall whispered.

"Wait, no! I'm up now! Breakfast, here I cooooooooome!" Rubble yelled and came running out of his pup house.

Realizing he hadn't taken off his sleeping mask yet, we all dodged out of the way as Rubble ran wildly and freely until he crashed into a bush.

CRASH!

"Oof!" he squealed.

"That... was one soft but also hard landing," I said.

"What did you say?" Marshall asked.

"Uh, nothing..."

"Why is it still nighttime?" Rubble called but realized he still has his sleeping mask on, "Oh, right... There, that's better."

"You okay, Rubble?" Chase asked.

"I'm okay. Wait, Chase? What-What are you doing here?" Rubble replied.

"I... I came home yesterday. I didn't feel like sleeping there anyway," Chase answered.

"Ohhh, I see... But are you going back there today?" Rubble asked.

"I'm afraid I have to. Gotta speed things up since I'm making very little progress."

"Don't worry, Chase. You're doing great!" Skye said.

"Thanks, Skye," he replied.

"So... Last one to the kitchen's a rotten pup treat!" Rubble yelled and ran to the kitchen.

"Hey, no fair! You didn't give a headstart," I argued.

Everyone else raced after Rubble toward the kitchen, giggling all at once.

Skye's POV

When we were all done with our breakfast, we played outside in the yard. I saw Chase wanted to join but he had to go and continue with investigating his case again.

"Hey, Chase..." I called.

"Oh, uh... Hi, Skye," he replied.

"Wanna play with us?" I invited.

"Um, I would love to, but I have to go and continue with the case again."

"You sure you have to go now? I mean... You don't wanna hang out with us for a bit before going?" I asked.

Chase couldn't help but agree to join.

"Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt to play with you guys for a bit."

"Yay, come on! Let's go," I tipped, running back towards the pups.

We had a lot of fun playing tag, tug of war, and so much more. After about 30 minutes of playing, Chase decided to go now. But as he was about to start his cruiser, he stopped when we all saw Katie coming in.

"Oh... Hi, Katie. Is everything alright?" I asked.

"I'm fine, but I saw something in the news this morning," Katie answered.

When Katie was about to tell her what she just heard, Ryder showed up right on time.

"Hey, Katie. What's up?"

"Ryder, is it true the Princess was killed and one of your pups could be the killer?"

"Shhh, Katie! What do you- Who told- Just be quiet about it, okay? You don't have to spread it to the entire town," Ryder said, telling Katie to keep down her voice.

"There's no way you can keep it. It's all over the news, go see for yourselves!" Katie replied.

We were all shocked when we heard that.

Chase's POV

I've heard enough already. Before Katie could finish, I bid goodbye to the other pups and drove back to the police station where I was helping with the case. When I finally arrived, the sheriff was waiting for me.

"Sorry, I'm late. Something came up at home and I couldn't leave right away," I said. I thought whatever gossip Katie just brought in was something.

"It's alright... I had to take over the first two questionings today since the two were getting bored. But I found nothing important," the Sheriff said.

"Who was that?"

"It's Sir Claw and the Duke of Flappington."

"Wait, them? I mean, um, what did they say?"

"Nothing much. But one thing's for sure, they weren't there that night. They were at their palace or whatever." the sheriff replied, "Anyway, the autopsy report hasn't come out yet, but we can at least investigate what we have so far like this knife."

I stared at the knife one more time, examining every single corner of it, from the blade to its handle. But the handle really got my attention.

"This sounds familiar..." I muttered.

"What did you find?"

"A carving... of someone's name?" I said, squinting my eyes on it.

"What does it say?"

I squinted my eyes and looked closer to make sure I would read it correctly and properly. When I finally figured out what really was written, I spoke up.

"The name is..." I said, pausing for a bit, "Mr. Porter?"

"Mr. Porter... Do you know him?" the Sheriff asked.

"Actually, I do..."

There was only one thing to do. I sent the police to bring Mr. Porter for questioning. I guess this investigation and case is really gonna spill all over Adventure Bay. First, Katie saw it on the news. Now, Mr. Porter is gonna get called in for questioning.

When Mr. Porter came in and took a seat in front of me, I began speaking. He hesitated at first but finally decided to open up.

"I remember that knife going missing a few days ago, but I don't know how it would end up all the way in a crime scene in Barkingburg."

"Do you remember when exactly you lost the knife?" I asked

"Uhm, probably four or five days ago..."

"What happened before the knife disappeared?"

"Well, I was unloading groceries," he answered.

"Okay, and?"

"I... I don't really remember much anymore. The cafe's been super busy these past few days I can't remember everything that happened."

"Hmmm... Did a pup show up there when you were unloading groceries that day?" I asked.

Mr. Porter thought about it for a while, trying to recall the events that happened that day. Finally, he remembered something.

"Oh, yes. I do! Rubble helped me unload my van that day. My van was full of groceries, that's why."

"And after that, you never saw this knife again?"

"Unfortunately, yes, I couldn't find the knife anymore..."

I fell silent after hearing his answer. I muttered a couple of questions to myself.

"Rubble... Did you steal this knife? Did you kill the Princess?"

Hi again, Detectives!

I apologize for the super late update. I kinda lost interest in writing this for a while, and plus, I've been really busy these past days and weeks. But I appreciate everyone's patience. And also, thanks for all the messages I've received. I'm so happy to be done with High School now. Time to start a new chapter in my life. Hopefully, I make it up to you all before I start college.

That's all for now, y'all. Stay tuned for the next chapter! Bye!

-Detective Skye-