Diana woke up the next day with a text message awaiting her from Argil. Yawning, she scratched Mossie’s chin and checked the message:

     “Nabbed him this morning, about to skip town. Sending Mulligan to pick you up, plainclothes.”

     Slipping off her sweatpants, Diana changed into her usual clothes and grabbed Mossie’s leash, leading him out of the apartment. She saw Mulligan waiting for her in the parking lot, leaning against his station wagon. He was wearing a white button-up and black pants to compliment his short brown hair and dark skin. His glowing green eyes focused in on Diana across the lot and he waved her over, stepping into the driver’s seat.

     Diana let Mossie into the backseat and took the passenger seat herself, Mulligan was a much better driver than Argil and Diana was at the department in no time. Argil welcomed her at the door, patting Mossie’s head as the two entered.

     “We’ve got him in the interrogation room right now, we gave him a once over already, but I thought you’d like to ask your own questions.” Argil explained, handing her a manilla folder, “He’s got an alibi for the murder, claims he was in Lumin Heights at the time.”

     “Have you checked it out?”

     “We’ve sent for the security footage but haven’t gotten it yet. They’re draggin’ their feet; we might need a warrant for it.”

     “Has he explained why he helped forge our hitman’s papers for the Confectionary?”

     “Amancio claims the hitman had some sort of dirt on him he was using to blackmail ‘im, but can’t provide any evidence.”

     “We’ll see how well that holds up. Look after Mossie for me.” Diana hands the leash over to Argil and steps into the interrogation room.

     The man handcuffed to the table was a weaselly, wiry little man with short blonde hair and a scar under his left eye. His eyes darted around as Diana sat across from him.

     “What do you want, eh?”

     “My name is DN-144, Diana. I’m a detective investigating the Chambers case.”

     “I already told them officers all I know, got it?”

     “I’d like to review with you, if you don’t mind.”

     “Sure, sure, whatever.”

     “Where were you at nine PM on the fourth?”

     “I was gambling at the Lumin, didn’t make much.” He scoffed, “That old hag should have the place covered in security cameras, one of them must have picked me up.”

     “We’ll verify your alibi if possible.” Diana assured him, “Did you know Atticus Chambers?”

     “Never met the man, personally.”

     “You’re sure you’ve never met Mr. Chambers before?”

     “Not once in my life.”

     “Do you know Ethan Miller?”

     “Yeah, I’m a fan of his music.” Dirk told her, “Big fan, shame he got wrapped up in all this.”

     “You don’t believe he did it?”

     “I know he didn’t do it.”

     “Oh?”

     “Oh indeed. He didn’t do it, no way. I don’t believe it.”

     “Do you have any evidence to prove this?”

     “Not a scrap.”

     “Well… thank you for your time, Mr. Amancio.” Diana nodded, standing up, “I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Lieutenant Argil.”

     “My pleasure.”

     “That’s all?” Argil asked, meeting Diana in the hallway.

     “You were plenty thorough enough interrogating this guy, he doesn’t have enough of a connection to the case to make him a prime suspect.” Diana shrugged, “No motive, seemingly no relation to the victim, no reason to frame Mr. Miller…”

     “I see where you’re comin’ from.” Argil sighed, “But I think he’s our best suspect. Criminal history, related to the hitman who went after you for investigating the case, maybe he thought he could get money out of it or somethin’.”

     “You take your path and I’ll take mine.” Diana tapped her head, “Keep me informed?”

     “Long as you do the same. Mulligan’ll take you wherever you need to go.”

     “Thank you kindly, Argil.” Diana took Mossie again and left the department, getting back into the station wagon and driving across town, back to Lumin Heights.

     “Got any ideas?” Mulligan asked, somewhat disinterestedly.

     “Oh, I’ve got a million theories by now, and we’re going to be testing a few today.” Diana led him across the plaza and up the elevator, “But first, I need to know exactly who Ms. Williams was meeting with right after me.”

     “Why?”

     “Oh, call it a gut feeling.” Diana stepped up to the door and knocked. It swung open after a second, Williams was at her desk, dressed much more modestly than previously, “Miss Williams! I hope you don’t mind my calling on you unannounced.”

     “I’ve only got a few minutes free, detective, make this quick.” Williams snapped.

     “Oh, sure, I’ve just got a question or two for you.” Diana nodded, “Well, you see, we’ve got a new suspect who claims they were at this resort as their alibi, and we need your security footage to confirm.”

     “Of course, why have the police not called for it?”

     “They have, ma’am. Apparently, someone’s dragging their feet.”

     “Well, I’ll find out who that is and have them fired immediately. The footage will be in the police’s hand by tomorrow, you have my word of that.”

     “I have to say, I didn’t expect you to be so forthcoming.”

     “I have nothing against the police, in fact I’d like to help in any way I could. If it’s the security footage they need, it’s the security footage they’ll have.”

     “Excellent, in that case I have one more question for you. Who were you meeting with just after me?”

     “Oh, well… why do you need to know that?”

     “I’m not quite sure yet, ma’am, I think I’ll know that when I find out.”

     “If you must know, I was meeting with Mr. Darius Cash. We’re coming to terms on a business agreement, and he wanted to meet in person.”

     “Thank you, ma’am. I’ll get our of your hair now.”