6. No accident nor unaccountable intuition must...

It's about time you woke up. You missed lunch entirely, you know that?

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This is the beach, obviously! You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you, so I carried you here.

I've never seen anyone sleep so soundly under a beach umbrella before... Must be nice.

I don't know. I'd say Mr. Aaron and Dr. Hawthorne are giving Fujimaru a good run for their money. They're both napping after that big lunch.

Anyway, you might've missed lunch, but I kept some leftover sandwiches for you if you'd like.

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Relax? Well, yeah, there's that, but it's also a good way to stay safe. Nowhere to hide, so you can see a threat coming from a mile away.

And on top of that, this warm weather pretty much ensures that people dress lightly, which makes it real easy to tell if they're carrying a weapon.

Of course, you could still probably hide a tiny, poison-tipped needle.

Then again, I didn't count on those two being the only ones to change into swimsuits. Guess everyone else is still keeping their guard up...

If you ask me, they're just letting their guard down way too easily...

Come on and join us, Juliet! The water's great!

Hey, just how old do you think I am? It's been ages since I just splashed around like that.

Oh, is that so?

Because it looks to me like you're just embarrassed to wear a swimsuit in front of Fujimaru.

Oh, shut up and leave me alone!

I know I'M not about to let the sun damage my skin. I'll just stay under this umbrella and enjoy a nice little nap myself.

You're going to take a nap? Even though someone might be trying to kill us?

Don't worry, you'll be fine with me here. I'll keep the whole family safe.

That's true. I guess we'll be all right with you here, Daddy.

(Snicker) You never were much help, were you, Daddy?

Harriet! Just because it's true doesn't mean you have to say it.

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You think? I know we're technically twins, but we're actually fraternal. I don't see much resemblance myself.

Personalitywise, I think she takes after Mother. They're both really free-spirited... I'm honestly kind of jealous.

And you get your serious side from me.

Sure, Daddy. Let's just leave it at that.

Aren't you going to go for a swim, Laurie? I got you a bathing suit and everything.

That's okay. It's more fun playing with Cain.

Hehehehe. Hey Laurie, I found some crabs over theeere.

Crabs! Be right there.

...All right. Just be careful. I'll be right here if you need me.

Now that I think of it, did you ever ask Dorothy about her alibi, Fujimaru?

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Um... Dorothy? Please don't take this the wrong way. You see, we've been asking everyone this...

What were you doing last night?

Me? I put Laurie to bed around ten. I fell asleep beside her shortly after and we didn't wake up till morning.

Ask Laurie if you like, but I don't think she'll have much to say, since she fell asleep before me...

Got it. Thank you.

You're quite welcome.

Teehee, what a lovely day. I had no idea the beach was so much fun! I think I'll go for a swim myself.

Dorothy's sure in a good mood, isn't she?

Of course. She's the second wife.

With Morris missing, and Chris dead, Laurie is all set to inherit control of the Goldie family.

Which means her own position in the family is all but secured, since she's Laurie's mother.

I see. That makes sense.

She certainly looked like she was at a loss for words when Aaron revealed that Chris was his son.

Wait. You're not saying Dorothy killed Chris, are you, Daddy?

No, I'm not saying that. It just seems to be a good motive is all.

Um...

Aah!

I'm sorry. Did I scare you?

No no, you just startled me a bit. Is there something I can do for you, Dorothy?

Have you seen Laurie anywhere? I think she ran off when I wasn't looking...

Come to think of it, I don't see Cain anywhere either. I wonder where they've gotten to.

Oh, I hope they weren't so fascinated with crabs that they got caught in an undertow...

I'll help you look for them. I'm worried about Cain, too.

That would be great. Thank you, Juliet.

I'll come along too. It'll be safer that way.

It's okay, Daddy. We're not going to go that far, and we can always call for help if something happens.

You stay here and keep an eye on everyone else.

...All right.

...I finally have you all to myself.

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Oh, don't worry about that. Nobody's watching, and it's not like I'm going to cook you up and eat you.

I've been wondering ever since you came along with us... What exactly are you to Juliet?

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Still singing that song, are you? There's no need to try and hide your true feelings now.

Even if Morris does show up again, I am pretty sure their engagement is off the table.

Honestly, they're all SO stubborn. Especially Juliet.

For all the fuss she made about saying she would marry him because she's the eldest, I don't think she ever actually meant it.

Still, that's what makes Juliet so special. She's earnest, responsible, and sensitive all at once.

That's why I want her to be happy. As long as she truly loves her partner, it doesn't matter WHAT sort of family they're from or what their gender is.

Mmm, but...if you're interested, I'd be happy to "entertain" you myself.

Aaaaaah!

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Hmph, and just as things were heating up... Juliet always did have impeccably bad timing.

All right, go on then. You should at least get there first and show her what you're made of, right?

Fujimaru!

Th-there's a dead body over there...

Those clothes... I think it's...

Why did you guys scream like that? Did something happen?

Where were you, Laurie? You had me so worried...

Did you find a big crab or something? Did ya? Did ya? Hehehehe!

Okay, that's far enough. Trust me, you don't want to get too close. Between the blonde hair and that outfit, I'd lay odds that's Morris's body.

All kinds of stuff drifts in on the ocean currents around here. From the look of him, he must have been floating out at sea for a while.

I couldn't stop you ladies from getting a peek, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna let anyone else see this.

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...Look, I didn't want to have to say this, but...

...when fish come across a dead body, where do you think they start eating it?

I'll give you a hint: the parts that are the softest and easiest to bite off.

I-I don't know. Where?

The eyes and lips.

Without those, it's pretty much impossible to identify the victim. Still wanna take a look for yourself?

No, that's okay. I'll take your word for it.

Oh, Morris... (Sniff)...

I'm sorry to ask, but would you all mind going back to the mansion together? Oh, and would you also wake Dr. Hawthorne up and send him here?

Of course. Come on, Fujimaru.

I believe the cause of death was drowning. But the body also had some rather ugly bruises.

My guess is that he was pushed into the ocean from somewhere high up. Is there anywhere on this island that might have been done?

There's a cliff at the northern edge of the island. If that's where he was pushed in, it'd explain how he washed up with the tide.

...Given the body's hair color, build, and other physical features, it was indeed most likely Morris.

But with so...little of his face to confirm identity, I can't be certain.

That means Morris could have just gotten some other dead body and done it up to look like himself...

Hmm. If so, then we should still be on our guard.

...That's enough.

Honey?

Morris had no idea we were coming here though. Besides, where could he possibly have gotten a look-alike corpse, anyway?

I...

The last shred of hope I was clinging to is gone. My son, Morris Goldie, is dead.

With Chris gone as well, the only one left to succeed me is Laurie.

Adamska, I've talked it over with my wife... What do you say to an engagement between my Laurie and your Cain?

Engagement? Are you serious?

...I was hoping you'd say that, Aaron. That sounds like an excellent idea to me.

Slow down! Laurie's still just a child, and there's no way Cain can take over for the family...

Don't be so old-fashioned. We wouldn't have them get married right this instant. The important thing is that we promise to have them marry in the future.

You're the Violet family's eldest daughter. You should know as well as any of us what will happen if our alliance falls through.

Not to mention that if all we bring back is news that Morris died, there will be rumors that the Violet family assassinated him, leading to all-out war.

This is the only option we have to avoid such a catastrophe.

I... I guess, but...

What about the children? Don't they get a say in this?

I don't mind marrying Cain.

You say that now, but you're still so little...

We can reconsider what to do about the engagement once Laurie has come of age.

I'm fine with that. I don't really get what's going on, but I'm fine with that!

I'm glad to see you understand. ...If only you had a better head on your shoulders.

All right then, we'll say that Morris died in an unfortunate accident.

Please, don't let my son's death be in vain.

Speaking only for myself, I don't want to see Chris's death be for nothing either.

So long as we all agree to keep the truth secret, I am willing to go with this version of events.

Then it's settled.

Indeed. Yesterday's bitter enemy is today's dependable friend. I'm glad to count you among mine.

...

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...I couldn't even taste it. I'm not sick or anything, I'm just...

Ah, it's you two. Excellent timing. I was just searching for a fresh bottle to uncork. Care to join?

You're completely smashed already... Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Do I seem drunk to you? I'm actually at a loss because I can't seem to get drunk.

...Oh, by the way, I haven't taken you to bed before, have I?

Ugh! You're just as gross as Morris was!

My apologies. I've been with so many women, it's impossible to keep track of them all. I must've confused you with one of my myriad one-night stands.

I was born with a condition that makes it difficult for me to have children, you see. That gave me an excuse to spread my seed quite a bit when I was still a young man.

If all you want to do is brag about your conquests, I'll be leaving.

Oh, yes, sorry about that. But I did settle down after Laurie was born.

I came to understand how reprehensible my behavior was.

...Even if you feel bad about it now, that certainly doesn't change what you did.

Yes, you're right. Perhaps losing both Morris and Chris in such quick succession is the punishment I deserve...

I-I didn't mean it that way...

Thank you, Juliet... I no longer feel like drinking. I think I'll just go ahead and turn in for the night.

...Hey, Fujimaru? Why don't we go get some night air?

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Hey, yeah. It's so bright it's almost dazzling.

You know, Fujimaru... I'm really glad you're here with me.

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It's not about that. That's just hindsight.

I've been so anxious ever since this arranged marriage came up, but too scared to do anything about it...

But having you here, and seeing you get sad or angry on my behalf, has made me feel so much better.

Besides, you stayed with me after all my other friends left. That's meant so much to me...

Even if I had ended up married to Morris, I think I could have handled it, just knowing that you were there for me.

The engagement may be over now, but I'm still so grateful to you, for everything. Thank you, Fujimaru.

Hey... Can I tell you something else?

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Huh? What's wrong?

Fujimaru? Fujimaru...?

Ah good, it seems you're still alive. So, what happened this time?

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Hmm, I see... So you conked out just when you and Juliet were having a moment.

Of course, it also sounds like you and Eva were rather having a moment of your own before circumstances intervened, eh?

Romantic moments on the beach... Was that your way of getting ready for summer, Senpai?

No, this was nothing like that. Remember, this is not Mr. Fujimaru's story.

Oh. Right...

At any rate, it seems these latest developments played out how we expected.

I concur. Although... A full moon, eh...

H-huh? Why is that interesting?

I'm afraid that will have to wait, Ms. Kyrielight. First, I need to ask Mr. Fujimaru something.

Did you notice or feel anything odd before you passed out?

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I see... It was most likely a sleeping pill or paralyzing agent, then, not a lethal poison.

I believe we can rule out Juliet as a suspect in this case. She would have no need to feign concern about you while you two were alone, after all.

...Quite the opposite, in fact. That would be the time for her to show her true colors.

Have you no heart, man? Surely we can take Juliet's feelings at face value.

I only mean that I would not consider someone's sex as a factor in determining whether they can be trusted. I must say, though, that I never thought to see the day when a criminal extols the virtue of trust...

Um... I still don't understand why Senpai was targeted.

Was it also just a spur-of-the-moment decision?

I expect it is a natural consequence of the investigation.

The two families may have finalized their alliance by betrothing their children, but having the killer's identity remain a mystery is sure to create tensions.

More importantly, the killer will not want to live in constant fear of discovery, so a scapegoat would solve both of those issues nicely. As an outsider, Fujimaru is the obvious choice.

In which case, the killer may mean to kill Fujimaru and frame him for their own crimes.

Professor! How could you even say that? That's horrible!

Please don't be angry with me. I am merely offering a possibility.

I'm inclined to agree with the professor in this instance.

If there's any consolation to be had, it's that our culprit won't be attempting anything sufficiently violent that it might easily be seen as foul play.

They would need to falsify a note and make his murder appear to be a suicide, or the whole endeavor would be quite pointless.

For example, they could strangle him to death and then cover it up by making it seem as though he hanged himself...but an autopsy would spoil that bit of trickery.

Then again, if the culprit were the one performing the autopsy, then such a cover-up would be quite easy. Don't you agree, Professor?

You do understand that Dr. Hawthorne and I are quite separate people, yes?

Having said that, I hope you will not hold it against ME if he does turn out to be the killer...

Senpai...?

Well now, it seems he's finally reached the point where he simply falls asleep without any premonitory signs whatsoever.

Of course, if Fujimaru is still falling asleep, that must mean the person he's inhabiting is still alive.

At least we can be happy about that. Wouldn't you agree, Detective?

...

Are you awake now? Thank goodness. I was just about to go get Dr. Hawthorne.

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Uh-huh. I'm completely exhausted. I don't even know how I did it. I bet I'm going to be really sore tomorrow.

I thought about leaving you on the beach to call for help, but I couldn't leave you out there at the mercy of the wolves, or the killer...

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I guess so... Then...would you walk me to my room?

I still have no idea about what's really going on in this case...

...but as Senpai's support team, we need to figure out some way to help him crack it...

My apologies, but there is something I need to take care of immediately. Do hold down the fort while I am gone, will you?

Huh? Holmes?

I fear I truly don't have time to explain right now. Feel free to direct any questions to the professor.

Hmm. The full moon, eh?

Quite so, Professor.

All right, tell me, Professor. What was Holmes talking about?

Hmm, I must admit that SOLVING plots is not really my forte. I am more in the business of creating them.

And my own strong preference makes me disinclined to explain what that crackpot may be thinking...

...but for you, young Mash, I suppose an exception can be made.

Holmes and I are both working with the same information this time, so all I needed to do in this case was fit those pieces of the puzzle together.

We would naturally both arrive at the same conclusion, unless he were delirious with fever or the like.

Then, you know where Holmes went, Professor?

You both mentioned the full moon... He's not planning to GO there, is he?

No, Mash, don't be silly. Though I imagine Holmes might find the notion amusing.

I'll explain about the moon in due time. Unfortunately, Fujimaru was only awake for a short while this time, so we were unable to warn him.

...That's true. There was something I wanted Senpai to look into as well.

Oh? And what might that be?

Well, nobody's come out and said it, but...

...it sounded to me like Ann might be Chris's mother.

Yes, that certainly seems likely. One could tell as much from her behavior.

I imagine Aaron must have entrusted Chris to his mother after refusing to take him in himself.

...So then, Ann lost her son, too.

We have to solve this case quickly, before anyone else dies. Is there anything else, Professor?

There is indeed: Chris's dying message. Though there may not be much point in bringing it up now.

At any rate, assuming this message was indeed meant to point to the killer, we cannot assume he would simply write the killer's name.

A defining attribute of the killer would more than suffice. Personally, I believe he meant to write "mom."

"Mom"? But how would that point to the culprit?

It may not be a complete message, but it's also only three letters, making it much easier than writing out a full name.

Though it's unfortunate Chris evidently failed to finish writing even that, giving the false impression that it was actually "mor."

"Mom"... Wait a moment. If Chris was talking about his OWN mom...

...does that mean Ann is out to kill Senpai right now...!?

Well, good night, Fujimaru.

Excuse me, Fujimaru. Could I have a word with you?

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Don't worry... This will only take a moment.