{ ✦ } Several items were found missing from THE TRAGEDY's quarters. Did you take anything that belonged to them? Did you see them in possession of anyone else?
Milo processes the list, foot tapping.
"I don't know anything about most of these."
A truth. He had never placed much interest into Vincent's private affects. His eyebrows furrow, trying to recall any of them.
"The last place I saw the watch was…on Vincent, I believe; so if it wasn't there at his death, that may be a good place to start."
A likely assumption. He didn't know it to be true, but he wouldn't be surprised if it was. A small hesitation elapses, the pause stretching for more than a few seconds.
"…the vial, I found. It was lying on a table in the museum—but I don't know who placed it there. I didn't even know it was Vince's."
All true, mostly. This early in the game, it was better to build up a rapport with honesty than it was to try and turn the tables on the masters' heads.
"And I took it, yes. I've been trying to decipher the symbol on the front. No luck as of right now, but…I could always let you know if I find anything."
The offer hangs from his lips, bouncing off a half-raised shoulder. When the other woman betrays her answer, eyes darting to his hands, his pockets—he has to resist the urge to smile.
"Ah…it's not on me, I'm afraid. Apologies."
TRUTH.
AFTER THAT NIGHT . . .
torn from the pages of a journal entry of one Milo Foss.
– vial: found within the scales of Lady Justice.
– depositor: unknown.
– liquid: clear, green tinge, viscous. tends to "ooze" in drips and drops.
– unable to test prior to interrogation; was moved away from equipment soon after. tests have not gotten far.
– research: symbol on outside. appears to be alchemical in origin, though the exact definition remains elusive. clearly obscure. further research is required.
– final results: inconclusive.
— mentions of NICOLAI ARLAY-SINCLAIR [ @honeyedking ], SARAI ODENA [ @eternaladagio ], and THE TRAGEDY.
{ ✦ } Where did you last see [ THE TRAGEDY ]? Or when did you last hear of [ THE TRAGEDY ]?
Milo takes a deep breath, fingers interlacing tightly as he places his hands in his lap; ever the picture of poise, covering up the raging maelstrom of emotion inside. Just like he's learned his whole life.
"I talked to Vincent the evening before his death; likely just a handful of hours prior. I asked him if he would be joining me to study that night."
A wry smile plays at his lips as he thought back to that day, one of the ones that only occurred around close friends. One of his last interactions with Vincent. At least it had been a good one.
"He just smiled, shook his head; told me he had other matters to attend to that night. He was never quite as stuck in his books as I was. Am."
"I thought nothing of it. I bid him farewell; figured I would see him the following day."
Near-imperceptible, a muscle in his jaw twitches. If only so much hadn't gone left unsaid between them. Perhaps he would have less regrets. Less...pains.
"...but I didn't."
{ ✦ } Where were you at time of death of [ THE TRAGEDY ]? And what were you doing?
"I was doing my usual: ...studying."
He gives the dark-haired woman a somewhat apologetic glance, though when he speaks, there's a hint of amusement to his tone.
"Sorry, I'm not all that interesting. That night was psychology research...ironically. Spent the entire night in the library reviewing the cortico-striatal-thalamic loop in preparation to discuss how it interacts with Tourette's syndrome. Fascinating stuff, really."
His eyes shift back to his interrogator from where they'd roamed towards the bookshelves, skimming what little bit of the spines he could read. Older volumes had more wear-and-tear to the lettering, making it nigh impossible to make them out. Didn't stop him from trying, though. All knowledge was worth having. Milo offers the woman a half-smile, one that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"...but you don't particularly care about that, do you? So for both your sake and mine, let's move on. You'd rather not get a lecture on Tourette's, and I'd truly rather not think about my dissertation at the moment. So what's next?"
{ ✦ } Who can attest to your alibi?
"In the library, I was alone. However..."
Milo shifts his weight slightly, crossing his arms. He casts his eyes upwards, thinking back to the night of his friend's demise. After a moment, he nods, and his gaze settles back on the woman.
"Nicolai Arlay-Sinclair. I messaged him the night of Vincent's death, and mentioned I would be in the library all night. I thought he might join me."
His lips twitch, settling ever-so-slightly into a frown. Showing about as much emotion as he ever did, merely a ripple in his icy façade. But whether it was concern or suspicion was practically unintelligible.
"...it seems he never made it out to meet me."
Shaking his head, as if to clear his thoughts, Milo returns his gaze to the interrogator. He gives another half-shrug, a finishing signal, leaving little room for expansion on his following point.
"Sarai Odena can also attest."
{ ✦ } The SOCIETY requires your verdict on [ THE TRAGEDY ]'s demise: Was it the calculated hand of murder? The cruel whim of accident? Or the final, desperate act of self-annihilation?
There it is again, the faintest twitch of the muscle near his jawline. He stills, gaze dropping to the table for a moment. After a few beats of silence, Milo nods.
"A knife is too personal a choice of weapon for an accident, and I doubt someone interested in a quick exit would have slit their throat. It's not exactly a common choice."
He glances back at the woman, a hint of that firm tone from the end of his statement returning.
— contents of a suitcase belonging to one Milo Foss.
one large, brown, leather suitcase.
The leather shows wear-and-tear on the handle, as well as it starting to peel around the corners. It is clearly well-used, and likely hasn't been replaced for over a decade.
one smartphone. [CONFISCATED]
A black Android phone, likely a Samsung Galaxy S21 or so. Not old, not new. Just average.
one pair of black earphones.
Slim across the crown, wide enough to fully cover ones ears at the base. Foldable; no cord found. Likely connect via Bluetooth.
one hair pick.
Simple; exactly what it sounds like. Prongs are blunt enough to not be an issue.
one book.
Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. Various pages and passages are highlighted and underlined in pen and faded red highlighter. Nothing abnormal.
one brown leather wallet.
Also likely old. Probably bought around the same time as the suitcase. Also worn. Front pocket bulges slightly; likely from excess of cards. Back pockets seem completely unused.
one small, wooden-handled whittling knife + one block of wood.
Comes in leather sheath; blade is small. Block of plywood.
one leather journal + one ballpoint pen.
Journal is empty; unused. Pen seems full. Both look new; recently purchased.
two textbooks (mathematics + psychology).
Both heavy, both thick. Only a crazy person would be carrying both of those in one suitcase.
one blue folder + a handful of pre-sharpened pencils.
Filled with papers; all seem to be research materials.
