Adventure In Action

MysteryThrillerin Prompt: Book Of Cobra

My name, it comes from the sixth animal of the Chinese Zodiac, The Snake.

For missions that involve hunting someone down, I truly embody the predator known as the King Cobra.

Disguised as a librarian. The guy I was tracking was a serial killer, they'd leave notes with book titles on their victims, and the books usually related and/or inspired the killer's method of murder.

This library was the closest to all the crime scenes. Either I had found the origin of their madness or I'm wasting time.

Woman: Hey, Conan?

My internal dialogue was interrupted by the second librarian, Barbara Quincy, a brown-haired little bookworm who had a very long fringe that made it hard to see her eyes.

She called out to me using my fake name. Conan Bradly.

Barbra: Have you ever read this book?

Barbra presented a book. She did this time from time.

Cobra: No.

Barbara: Then I'll leave it for you to read. It's really interesting!

Cobra: Kay...

As she explained in the synopsis, I got an opening to continue my internal monologue.

Like A king Cobra, I stalked my prey, which in this case was a suspicious man. Dirty hair, heavy clothing, with a bunch of crime novels near the crime section.

I made a note of every book that matched that of the ones written on the notes on the victims.

The suspicious man went out of view to what can be described as the back alley of the library.

I lost sight of him, but I knew where he was since he didn't come out from any of the possible exits.

Time flew while I watch others come and go from back there. But the suspicious man did not leave. Time to strike.

I left Barbara to hold the fort, while I slithered over to where the suspicious man should be and I find him sitting against the wall.

Slumped over with a hat covering his face, I instinctively sense something wrong.

Lifting his head I find a sticky note with "Death Overdue" written on it.

The "Recommender" struck again.

Cobra: God dammnit...

My number 1 suspect is dead. His skin was cold but rigor mortis has not yet gone into effect.

I know for a fact no one has yet left, but I do know at least once, everyone in the library has gone past here.

The killer was here. For a fact. I just needed to find out who before they leave.

If anyone leaves, I'll have to reveal myself.

Cobra: Here you go.

I put the hat back on him and take a stroll around the library to observe all four other readers.

The cause of death was some type of poison. There was a needle mark near his neck. There's probably some hint within the title however, I'm more of a movie buff than a bookworm. Did not have time to read and if I asked about that book and the killer heard, they'd know I'm on their tail.

Suspect 1 was Granny Suzu.

Don't know her real name, she just looked like a Suzu.

Found her knitting whilst reading a book on the table. Her long needles she used could be perfect for putting the poison in the neck.

But looking at her frail figure, she could not possibly have the strength to knock a grown man out and put him in that position without making a sound.

Perhaps he was already in that position? But I see little reason as to why he would let her near.

She's at the bottom of the list.

Next was a teenager. At best a college kid, diligently working on some paper.

Everything about him screams "serious student". He doesn't seem the type who reads for pleasure but for work.

Looks can be deceiving, and pens could hold needles with poison. But I just don't see it.

Third, on the list was a bookworm. Rivaled only by Barbara. The issue is, they're seven.

Too young.

It's not impossible. I've met kids who would kill for cake. But those are rare cases.

Maybe in several years, but not today.

Last but not least, is Barbara herself. She has the love of books. She's young, but fit enough to do the crime.

But I don't peg her as having the confidence to do so. Maybe?

Tch, How do I draw out the killer?

Perhaps a light to the face?

I gather all four suspects and brought them to the corpse.

Cobra: This man is dead.

Everyone:!?

Cobra: The killer known as the "Recommender" did it.

Cobra: And it might be one of you.

Barbara: How do you know?

Cobra: Because I was watching you all, come and go. So now tell me, what was he doing when you walked by?

They all gave the same answer, he was in the same position.

Cobra: Does anyone then know what "Death Overdue" is about?

Barbara: Oh! That one is basically about a librarian and a ghost solving a murder by poison.

Cobra: Ghost?

The killer was inspired by the books, they didn't exactly copy them. The words "ghost" and "poison" thus struck a cord in me.

I immediately re-examined the corpse along with its surroundings.

Limp but loose with a syringe in a cut-up book.

Cobra: Does anyone wanna watch me bring this man backpack the dead?

My instincts were right, it was him. This guy tried to fake his death.

Guess he expected me to call an ambulance, not overanalyze everyone else.

Oops.

As the cops came to handle the rest. Barbara was asking questions.

Barbara: How'd you figure it out by a small synopsis?

Cobra: He probably knew about me. And thought faking his death would solve things.

Cobra: It would have failed no matter what since he'd need an assistant to help get away.

Barbara: Does he have one?

Cobra: Heh...

I decide to borrow a book.

Cobra: Why would he hide the syringe then?

FIN.