Rocky's POV

We were asked to head back home as Chase and the police began investigating the scene of the crime. We invited Sweetie to come along, who hesitated at first. But later on, she agreed to come. She needed time to grieve and heal after the tragic scene that happened.

I glanced at the empty seat as we were driving home in the Paw Patroller—Chase's seat. I wasn't used to going home and leaving one pup behind. But Chase had an important mission to do. An important mission that could change all of our lives forever.

"I still can't believe it. I wish this was all a dream," Marshall began.

"Yeah, I'm gonna miss her, dude..." Zuma added.

"We all will..." Rubble added.

Skye was sitting silently in her chair who seemed as if she wasn't concentrating on the conversation. I called her and asked if everything was okay.

"Skye? You okay?"

She didn't answer. Everyone turned their gaze at her as she stared at the floor unresponsively.

"Skye..."

She finally looked up at us, snapping herself from her thoughts.

"Oh, um... sorry, I was just a bit... distracted," she apologized.

"Are you okay, Skye?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I'm just... tired and..."

"We know... What happened was tough for all of us,"

"It's not just that..." Skye continued, "What if Chase or the police suspect us? What if they think we killed the princess?"

Ryder, who was sitting next to Robo-Dog, turned to us pups, hearing the anxious Cockapoo's voice.

"Skye? Pups? Listen... I... I can't guarantee they will not suspect us. But if we want to prove to them we're innocent, we're gonna have to help each other no matter what."

He was right. If we were gonna prove ourselves innocent, we're not going to do this alone. We're gonna have to work together.

Rubble's POV

Everyone, including me, agreed with Ryder. Sweetie was a bit hesitant to answer at first.

"Sweetie..." I called.

She turned her gaze on me.

"So, are you with us?"

Sweetie, who seemed like she didn't have any other choice.

"As if I had another choice, my owner's gone. Where else could I go?" she said.

"You don't have to join us if you don't want to," Zuma said, straightforwardly.

Rocky glared at him before saying a word.

"What!" Zuma exclaimed, noticing Rocky's death stare.

"Zuma, watch your words..." Rocky said.

"And your tone of voice," Skye added.

"Guys!" Marshall interrupted before the argument could get any bigger, "Can we just do this without starting a fight?"

"Sorry..." Zuma, Skye, and Rocky said in unison.

"Sorry about that Sweetie. Zuma meant to say... that it's not our choice if you want to help with us or not. It's up to you, and nobody's gonna force you to do it." Ryder clarified.

Sweetie thought about it for a moment while everyone remained silent, waiting for a response.

"Okay, I'll help you guys..."

"Really? You will? I-I mean, you are- you're coming with us?" I said, stuttering a bit while starting to blush.

"Y-Yeah..." Sweetie replied, awkwardly.

Before I could squeal and burst into excitement, Skye took over and replied.

"That's great, Sweetie!"

"Yeah, glad you could come with us..." Rocky added.

"Um, yeah... Thanks," Sweetie answered.

I was trying to hold back my excitement. I was so excited that Sweetie was finally coming with us. Marshall noticed me blushing.

"Rubble, what is it? You're blushing..."

"Huh? What, no I'm not..." I denied.

"Do you like Swee-"

"No... Of course not! Why would I?" I said before Marshall could finish his question.

"Okay, fine. Just asking..."

Chase's POV

I was talking to the police and sheriff all morning and afternoon. THe sheriff asked me who I think is suspicious and who I should question. But something was holding me back today.

"Chase, you alright?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and faced the sheriff who was talking to me.

"You seemed a bit bothered by my question. Everything okay?"

"Um, yeah. I'm fine, it's just..."

I let out a sigh.

"What is it?"

"I trust all the other pups. They're my friends. I mean, how can they do such an evil thing like killing the princess?"

"I know it's not easy to imagine your friends being a killer, Chase. But before you start crossing them off the list, you need to remember one thing."

"What's that?" I asked.

"That not everyone around you is telling the truth. Even your friends could be hiding something from you."

"I think you're right... But how do I know who to trust if they're all lying?"

"That's all up to you, pup. It's up to your judgment to see who's lying and who's not,"

I nodded in agreement. The sheriff tried to bring up another question.

"Has any of your friends ever acted suspiciously a few days before the murder? Like... as if they're hiding something from you."

The question got my attention immediately, making my ears perk up.

"Actually... yes."

Zuma's POV

That night, we were all getting ready for bed. Rubble brought a sleeping bag and pillow for Sweetie to sleep in with us.

The truth is... I didn't really mind a lot having Sweetie over with us for the next few days. But I don't trust her as much as I trust the rest of the pups. I mean, she's done a lot of trouble in the past. Of course, I can't imagine her killing her owner, but you never know, she could be involved for some reason. I should stop thinking about it or else I'm never falling asleep.

"Hey, Rocky... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What's up, Zuma?" Rocky answered.

"Do you trust Sweetie?"

Rocky paused silently after hearing that question. After thinking about it, he replied.

"Well, from what I'm seeing, I think I can trust her. Why'd you ask?"

"Because I don't know if I trust her. Don't be naive, Rocky. Don't forget the fact that she has caused so much trouble in Barkingburg."

"But I don't think she'll do something even darker like killing the princess. Yeah, she loves doing crazy stuff to be the queen or whatever, but I can't say she'll kill her owner just to take the crown. Look how miserable she is now!"

"Dude, you have a point. But still, I wanna be careful with Sweetie being around here with us," Zuma concluded.

"Alright, if that's what you think, I won't judge you..." Rocky answered.

Having one more thing to tell Rocky, I called him again.

"Hey, Rocky? Dude?"

"Yeah?"

"I wanna ask one more thing..."

"Okay, what is it?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course, I do. You're my friend, and friends trust each other, right?" Rocky responded.

I smiled while hearing my friend say those words. But the question I had in my mind was... Can I trust him?

"Rocky, you sure you have nothing to do with the princess's death, right?" I questioned directly.

Rocky's facial expression from earlier faded. He stared at me in silence while I started to regret the question I let out.

"Uh, sorry... Maybe I shouldn't have asked that. After all, this is not my job, it's-"

Rocky began to chuckle, laughing off the serious atmosphere.

"No, it's fine... And no, of course, I wouldn't do such a thing like that. Trust me!"

I began to chuckle as well, turning the serious conversation into a happier one.

"You know, what, dude? How about we get some sleep?" I giggled.

"Sure, it's late now too. I feel like I'm starting to get cranky."

"I've noticed that, dude!" I laughed.

We bid goodnight to each other before shutting our pup house doors.

"Good night, Rocky!"

"Night, Zuma... Sweet dreams!"

Sweet dreams. Yeah, right! As if I could have sweet dreams tonight after what just happened.

Hi again, Detectives!

I hope that was a decent amount of pieces of evidence for this chapter. You are free to comment down any evidence you find if you love writing down clues and stuff. After all, you're all now detectives!

"Become a creative-thinking detective! Ask probing questions. There is no such thing as a wasted question." - Elaine Dundon

That's it for now, and see you in the next chapter!Shout out to DetectiveJae_Ja!

- Detective Skye -