The Reason We Fight

Chapter 35. The Culprit

Day 3: One dead

Kakume was breaking her fast with Heinrich in the courtyard. She had found some apples, hard cheese, and dry bread in the pantry. He was complaining about the quality of the food, finding it preposterous that their host would leave them without finer delicacies.

"There might be more food in the kitchens, I didn't check", she said distractedly. Her gaze fixed on the iron fence. She presumed that it could be climbed, in theory. However, its thick vertical bars offered minimal foothold, making ascent challenging. Towering at over 10 meters, rusty barbs crowned the top. She had a feeling it was electrified, too.

"Are you listening to me?", Heinrich asked, outraged. She had failed to notice that he was rambling.

"Waru", he articulated slowly. "I want you to tell her what a great guy I am".

"I barely know you", she responded, dismissive.

Heinrich didn't seem to care, no matter what excuse she came up with. "What of it? That should just make it easier, then. Off you go".

Kakume was glad to be dismissed. She went to the castle library to think things over. Nine Bolt was dead, and some thought that it was a murder. Kane despised Gelther, but probably thinks him too incompetent to kill the man. Gelther though, might think that Kane is responsible. In fact, many of them saw him act strangely with the body yesterday. Sting is off-putting in general, and many might naturally be suspicious of him. As for Waru, nobody would think that she could kill someone all by herself, but might be led to believe that she would control another to do the deed, someone like Heinrich. Hurna made a show of being friendly with everyone, but that in itself could be used to her advantage as well. What of me? Does anyone suspect me? Someone had seen me with Kurapika yesterday. The fact that we concealed our acquaintance to the group might be seen as a red flag. Who should I target next? How can I direct suspicions away from me and Kurapika? What a nightmare...

But wait. She was seen leaving the courtyard by Hurna, who had eaten there too. It's likely that she heard her conversation with Heinrich, too, and knows that she was dismissed to give space for Waru to come in. I can use this, she thought. She cannot go back to the courtyard until she kills him.

Kakume went looking for Waru to transmit Heinrich's message. She found her in the lounge and did so. As the young girl walked towards the courtyard, Kakume climbed to the guard tower. From her vantage point, she sniped Heinrich right between his brows. Waru arrived just as his body slumped on the ground.

-

Her scream reverberated through the entire castle. A murder of crows went flying from one of the courtyard's trees. Kurapika ran towards the sound, fearing for the worst. Hurna and Gelther soon joined him, and finally, Sting, Kane and Shuri. They made a circle around Heinrich's corpse. Shuri crouched and turned him over. "Shot", she said, though everyone could tell. They all knew there was a murderer in their midst, now, there was no longer any doubt. Kurapika contemplated the situation. If the group finds out that I have a gun with me, it's likely they will suspect me... Hurna Gotu knows. Will she keep quiet about it?

"Kane is the only one here with a gun...", Gelther began.

Kane approached him, dangerously "You better not be saying what I'm thinking".

"Wait." Kurapika said, before giving Hurna the opportunity to slip a word. "He might not be the only one. Look at the bars on this fence. They have enough space between them to slide a gun through. It's full of shrubbery on the other side. The murder weapon might be hiding under one of these bushes."

Gelther stared at him in disbelief. "What are you saying? That Waru did it?" He scoffed. "She wouldn't hurt a fly". Kurapika narrowed his eyes. He seems awfully protective of her. I do wonder what that's all about.