Ascended

All of the solution was in a puddle on the floor.

Someone had broken all the barrels. Not just the solution, but all of them. The whole room smelled like alcohol and I understood why Gili didn’t want fire down here. All it would take was one spark and the whole building would go up.

The room itself was rather cool. It was underground in what appeared to be a natural cave based on the walls. I had a feeling that there were a lot of caves like this in the town that were being utilized for rooms.

There were a few books on the floor and it looked like someone had taken a hammer to everything, not just the barrels of liquor.

“What do you make of this?” Master James looked up at me.

I’d stopped halfway down the steps and was looking around from there. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to step into the glass and other mess that was down there.

“Someone was trying to destroy all of his research.” I decided I had to go into the puddle because there was something I wanted to see.

“Winey said he was basically only making drinks with the crystals, but…” I began picking through the wreckage, “I don’t see any crystals here.”

“Interesting…” Master James picked up one of the books and tried to thumb through it, but the pages were destroyed, the alcohol had removed too much of the ink. “What does that tell you?”

“He was killed so quickly that he couldn’t put up a fight.” I looked around. “Whoever killed him wanted to destroy the research.”

“Easy answers.” Master James leaned against one of the walls. “Tell me, why kill Winey, destroy all the solution, and take the crystals, but…” He motioned around, “Not set it on fire when it would be so easy to burn all the evidence?”

I shrugged.

Master James shook his head, “You really should learn more about people. Think about it this way, if you just killed Winey, then came down here to destroy all the research, and grab all the crystals, how long would that take you?”

I started playing out the events in my head. “Ten minutes?”

“You can’t keep the crystal, so you have to dispose of them, which takes…” He shrugged, “Let’s say five minutes, probably more. But now you’re free to get to the wall where everyone can see you for that display you put on earlier.” He eyed me. “Who is going to remember everyone who showed up a little late?”

I shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“There’s a few, but who would remember someone running away from a fire or showing up to the fire late?” Master James tapped the wall twice.

“Which means whoever killed Winey thought about that, so..?” I wasn’t sure what that meant.

“It means that we aren’t dealing with someone who panicked and killed Winey on impulse. This was someone who could think clearly after they did it. Which means we’re dealing with someone who very likely has killed before.” He pushed off of the wall and headed towards me.

I swallowed. I’d just dealt with killers in the last town. “Are all humans like this?”

“Like what?” Master James stopped right in front of me.

I stood up, “Killing each other.”

Master James sighed, “Unfortunately, that’s very common.” He nodded at the stairs. “Let’s head back up and see what Gili thinks.”

“Did ya find anything?” Gili tapped her foot.

“Nothing illuminating.” Master James extinguished the lights coming out of his hands. He turned to Helru, “Whoever killed Winey had to be close to him. Someone he trusted. Was he close to people?”

The town leader swallowed, “Winey was kind of a recluse, obsessed with his research. He rarely tended the bar, that’s why he had assistants.” She looked at the pair sitting at the table.

“So how many people were that close to him?” Master James surveyed the room.

“Probably just the Council at the moment.” Helru nodded at the pair, “And his assistants.”

“I’ll need to speak with the leaders of the town.” He nodded at the two assistants. “Those two as well.”

“We can use the Meeting Hall.” Helru began wringing her hands together. “It won’t take long to get everyone together… Gili?”

“I’m goin…” The old Guard headed out the door.

“Splendid.” Master James nodded at the door. “Once everyone leaves, I’ll seal this place in case I need to come back during my investigation.”

It looked like Helru was about to say something, but Master James shook his head.

“A cure for Zombies is a matter that the Bokor take very seriously. I’m afraid that We’ll be staying until we find who did this and why.”

The old woman nodded somberly, then looked at the two Assistants. “Let’s go.”