"So you're this Gray Tank everything's been talking about huh?“ Detective Rarity inquired.
"Yep.“
"And you're a deliveryman, isn't that right?“
"Uh huh.“
"A man of little words huh? Well I don't mind it myself, ya get me darling?“ Rarity spoke with a batting of eyelashes.
"Nope.“
Rarity frowned, charms weren't likely to go far with someone like this. The green stallion with the envelope cutie mark must have had the greatest poker face this side of Las Pegasus.
"Very well, let's get to brass tax if you insist. Yesterday, you were under orders to deliver some new books for the library, right?“
"Right.“
"Do you deliver books for Amethyst regularly?“
"Fortnight.“
"Every two weeks huh? So how far have you gone into the library?“
"I place some for her.“
"In the bookshelves? How about the... lower levels, say the restricted section for example.“
"Nope.“
"Certain?“
"Only the princesses are allowed in, to my knowledge.“
"Hm, so you know that much. So tell me, on the day in question, which parts of the libary did you explore?“
"Reception; Amethyst said to.“
"Okay, lastly, see any suspicious people?“
"Nope.“
After Gray was let go, Rarity stress sighed.
"When are we gonna find our first lead, Luna? This is not going how I expected.“
"This is indeed quite an issue. He had nothing of value to say.“
"Actually,“ Twilight said. "Toward the end, when he said he had nothing to add, something felt off. Spike, write me a reminder to look into-“
"You let him go Darling, to get some rest remember?“
"Oh yeah, I hope he's getting some good rest at the castle. Oh Luna, how long will my home be blocked off?“
"I'm sorry, I'm not certain on that, it would be a query for my Sister.“
"Speaking of Sister, wouldn't Cadence be able to help us?“
"She has important diplomatic duties in Griffonstone, I'm afraid she may yet be busy for a while; I will only call her back if this escalates.“
"Was there anyone else at the festival to talk to?“
"Love Joyful was reportedly there, but we are trying to locate her as we do not contain her residence in our records. We have ponies on duty for finding her; Twilight, would you kindly locate Starlight Glimmer please?“
"Of course, she should be staying at the Hoof Inn.“
"When is she set to move in with you Twilight?“
"In two days, but with this incident, it's hard to say for sure. Okay, I'll check on Glimmer, but I'm not gonna be too harsh, okay? She's only recently reformed and I don't want it to seem like we're straight back to judging her.“
"I suppose there is no helping it: very well.“
Twilight spread her wings and took to the sky. The Hoof Inn was in Canterlot and she knew it would be a short journey.
"Well, maybe I should check up on Spike after I see Glimmer, see how he's doing. I'll make my visit quick as can be.“
Having talked to the receptionist, Twilight knocked and then came in immediately.
Starlight was sat at a table with playing cards sprewed across it, the other seats hosting various objects such as a balloon, a rock and a golden cane with Twilight's face on it.
"No Mr Squiggles,“ Starlight said to the green balloon "You can't say ask for any 9's if you don't have a 9. that's not how Go Fish works.“ She was so engrossed with her mono-directional conversation she did not hear Twilight's arrival. "Oh Twilight, how are you? I'm just uh... cleaning up,“ she lied, shoving the other 'players' away. "How did all these get here? Haha, definitely wasn't practicing friendship or something like that heh.“
"WIth rocks?“
"Well, we have to start somewhere I guess. I haven't got to really learn how to talk to people without manipulating them into doing what you want after all. I've been reading a good book on it.“
"Well I'm glad to see you make an effort Starlight, but yeah you will definitely need some real friendship lessons too.“
"Why are you here anyway Twilight? Am I ready to move in?“
"Oh right, sorry sorry, yes I'm here on important business. I have some questions please Starlight, it's to help solve a strange case of theft at Canterlot.“
"Oh, you don't think it was me do you? I wouldn't do that... anymore.“
"No no, there's no way you're suspected, it's just asking around for information, but just to make sure, where were you yesterday at about 17:00?“
"i was teaching my uh... friendship partners about Go Fish, but I guess someone didn't get the message huh, Jerry?“ she pointed judgingly at the balloon.
"Sure. So er, you were here. Have you seen any suspicious ponies around lately?“
"Can't say I have, but remember until recently I've pretty ran a closed society for a long time, so there'd be loads of ponies I would not have met. I don't know how is and isn't typically up to no good.“
"Fair point. Just for confirmation, do you have an alibi for everything?“
"Well there's a record at the inn for when I have checked in and out, so that can be checked of course.“
"You do remember we can teleport, right?.“
"By that stretch, you can't have an alibi either Twilight, but doubt it could be you.“
"That's true, well I trust you Starlight. You've already shown so much improvement and it's clear you've been-"“Twilight looks around the room at Starlight's 'friends'. "you've been busy anyway.“ She smiled and left the inn.
"Well, that was another dud, I suppose I had better get back to Princess Luna and report.“
She made it over pretty quickly to Luna, who was finishing up questioning with Detective Rarity.
"So Rarity, how is the inve-“
"Oh Twilight dear, it's been a disZAAAster, we've not made any more progress.“
"Well we still have a few leads to chase Rarity, you never know-“
"Oh you're right, but who else were there?“
"Well I checked on Starlight and she seems to not be involved. She was *ahem* talking with friends when I got there.“
"Oh wow, she already made some new friends. I'm so happy for her!“
"Luna, who did we have yet to talk with?“
"Well if you must know... Love Joyful has not been found yet, Discord is on our list being an entity of chaos and easily capable, Sunset Shimmer is under heavy suspicion because Spike reported she came and left yesterday, and if I may be honest Twilight, please do not take this the wrong way.“
"I promise Luna.“
"You are under suspicion, but you are not our main suspect.“
"Oh well, I er- I understand, we have to be careful, right?“ Twilight smiled.
"But I'm afraid the more pressing matter is Spike; you see-“
"Spike? Oh dear, I forgot to visit him.“
Twilight flew out the door, shortly returning.
"Wait, Spike is being suspected too?“ she grimaced.
"I'm afraid so Twilight, please be a little wary. I don't know why, but Celestia seemed most suspicious by his actions.“
"Spikey wikey would never!“ Rarity interjected. "He's just a boy, why would he even do that?“
"I don't know, but please believe my sister.“
"But you won't believe in Spike?“ Twilight replied angrily, forgetting whom she was addressing. "I need to check on Spike.“
She instantly teleported to Spike's room.
"Spike I need to tal-“
The room was empty.
Rainbow Dash (Her evidence was planted?)
Gray Tank Little to offer, never made it past Reception, backed up by AmethystAmethyst Maresbury Seems emotionally incapable and tricked herself
Love Joyful
DiscordStarlight Glimmer Far from bulletproof, but seemed busy and had nothing to add.
Twilight SparkleLibrary staff No suspicious or helpful people
Sunset Shimmer(?)
Spike (Most suspicious)
Changeling (A changeling seems to be almost certainly involved) What is the motive?