Mako and Shiro shared a look of shock as the guard gave his report. Shortly afterwards the guard left the judges to their business. Mako couldn't believe what he had heard and Shiro felt a chill run down his spine.
"W-Why?" Mako asked as he held is head in is hands.
Shiro gave him a confused look as Mako pulled out another cigarette and took a drag. He seemed to be thinking of something, however, Shiro couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Envy wouldn't frame someone for a crime he committed. After all, it's against the rules of the sins." He whispered which confused Shiro, however, before he could ask Mako for details he got up and left the barn Shiro quickly followed after him.
"Shiro I need to ask you a favour."
"Sure.....what is it?"
"I need you to call in a three-day ruling on this investigation." Mako exclaimed while Shiro stopped in his tracks and stared in shock at his partner's words.
"The three-day ruling gives a judge three days to conduct an investigation and rule out all possible suspects. Not only that but we are supposed to find the real culprit or else the closet suspect will be given the death penalty." Mako explained while watching the crowd slowly die down.
"I understand the three-day rule, however, are you sure it's wise to do that?" Shiro asked as he looked back at the barn.
"After all, if we do this there is a chance that the real culprit would learn that were here?" He asked while Mako pulled out the envelope he got from Celestia.
"I understand that, however, we can let some kid suffer from somebody else's crime!" Mako shouted as he finished his cigarette and threw the stump away.
Shiro seemed reluctant at first because of fear that one of the sins might get away. However....
"Very well I'll call in a three-day ruling, however, You and I see conflicting views considering this case." Shiro explained as he and Mako squared off with each other.
"So I'll be investigating the murder while you investigate the murderer?" Mako summarized with a sigh.
Shiro nodded and walked off the farm. Mako watched as Shiro's figure shrank in the distance. Suddenly one of the guards from before ran up to him in a hurry.
"I'm sorry sir, but do you have a moment?" The guard asked while Mako nodded.
"We did an entire sweep of the orchard and we couldn't find anything out of the ordinary....except one thing." He explained which caught Mako's attention.
"One thing?"
"Yes sir! The only thing we found in the orchard was a wood carving knife." He explained before handing over the object in a small plastic bag.
"I see......where was this knife found and were there any fingerprints found on it?" Mako asked while observing the knife for any traces of blood.
"We found the knife plunged into a tree a few kilometers from the barn and we couldn't find any fingerprints on the knife or the tree." The guard explained while Mako put the knife into his pocket.
"Thank you, before you leave I have a few questions about the crime in question." Mako asked while making his way back to the barn.
As Mako opened the doors to the barn the guard stood in shock as he observed the grotesque sight.
"What exactly was the victim's name? And what was the estimated time of death?" Mako asked while glaring at the body.
"H-His name was Silver Locket and his estimated time of death was around 9:45 AM."
"And when exactly was the body found and who was the first person to find the body?"
The Guard felt a chill run down his spine the longer he stared at the body, however, he snapped out of his daze and realized the man had asked him a question.
"T-The body was found around 10:00 AM and the first one on the scene was...." He tried to explain before hesitating towards the end.
"Who was it?"
"The first one to see the victim was Mrs. Applejack, sir." He explained with a guilty look on his face.
Mako stared in shock. Suddenly he felt like this case just got a lot more grim.
"Why the suspicion on this suspect?"
The guard sighed before taking out a photo and handed it to him.
"We found her prized brown stetson hat on the scene of the crime right next to the victim." The guard explained while Mako tried to understand the evidence.
"A stetson hat? Isn't it possible that someone just bought a similar hat?" Mako asked while taking out a small flask.
"I'm sorry sir but that isn't possible. The hat that Mrs. Applejack wears is a custom made by her late father." He explained as Mako took a swig of his liquor.
"I see....thank you for your help. You're dismissed." Mako exclaimed while the guard took his leave.
"Let's see if I understand everything so far..... The suspect, in this case, is Mrs. Applejack because of her appearance at the scene of the crime around 10:00 AM, and her hat found next to the victim. The only key pieces of evidence against her is the hat at the moment, however, the knife might come in handy for later. For now, I think the next plan of action would be going to see Applejack in person." Mako summarized as he put his flask away.
Mako got up and closed the barn doors before walking off the farm. The guards had shortened significantly with only two or three guarding the barn. He slowly made his way back to town with the knowledge that this case had gone from an open and shut case...
"To a complete shit show."
"Are you sure this is necessary?" A decrypted voice asked over the phone
Shiro was currently on the phone with an unknown source. Shiro was making steps to start the three-day ruling rule with someone from the organization. However, the person he was talking with at the moment seemed....strange.
"Yes sir I understand the risks of this, however, we believe that it is necessary to find the sins." Shiro explained.
"Very well then, the three-day ruling is active. Now then about your other investigation." The voice exclaimed while Shiro grew a darker expression.
"Yes sir, I haven't noticed anything that would relate him to the sins.....at least, nothing that sticks to his profile." Shiro explained while he pulled a file out and observed the contents.
"I see, continue with your investigation....even if you must use force to do so." The voice explained before hanging up.
"Yes sir, I understand."
TO BE CONTINUED