"All deserve to die"
That came as a surprising shock to the two boys, was Agatha so angry with the world?
"Um, did Agatha hate everybody?" Kai asked innocently, unfortunately for him, James had no idea how to answer such a question. Noel looked at his clueless friend, "Probably, or not. It may not have been her"
"You also suspect she was killed?' James questioned this time; he had this sort of joy expression when he asked.
Noel nodded his head, "not completely though, after all I don't really know Agatha"
James nodded in understanding, he knew Agatha was not the kind of person to kill herself but then again, being her uncle doesn't necessarily mean he knows her completely.
"Hmm…was there anyone that didn't seem to like her?" Kai asked, his right palm supporting his chin with the right elbow standing on his knee.
James thought for a second, he was very close to Agatha like a second father, but he can't really say he knew about her relationship with people except…
"Her ex-fiancé" He voiced out, that was the only person he could think of that openly hated the girl. "Count Pierre, it was well known he detested Agatha, something 'bout her being lesser than him"
"How exactly did he show his hatred? Was he violent?" Noel asked, the gears in his started, could it have been the count? But what reason would he have too?
"He-" James was 'rudely' interrupted by a statement made by the one and only Kai
"Pierre? That sounds French, aren't you guys British? You look British"
Noel pressed his lips into a thin line to prevent all the insults he wished to say from coming out as he stared at Kai, his lips twitched slightly the more he stared, the stupid question kept replaying his head and James, he had absolutely no idea what to say.
"What?" Ken looked at the two confused, why wasn't any of them answering him, Noel placed his hand on Kai's head and harshly ruffled his blond curls, "no more questions from you"
"Ah! My hair!" Kai exclaimed. James watched their little interaction quietly; after about five seconds he took it as his que to continue.
"Count Pierre wasn't really violent per say, he more of verbal and a womanizer" James thin fingers tapped on the head of his cane.
"Was there anything that could have made him want to kill Agatha" Noel asked, he needed to list down his suspects and their motives, the quicker they solve this murder, the faster they can get back,
But what would happen if they didn't solve it? There was no time limit, it has been a while since he heard the robot's voice.
"Not sure. All he's ever really done talk down and cheat on Agatha, the girl never fought back"
"Mm that doesn't really count as a motive to kill. Did he say anything provocative?"
"can't really say so, I wasn't really involved in Agatha's life; but I care for her dearly" James was truly at a lost, he felt like Agatha's death will forever remain a mystery.
"Why don't we go to the scene of the crime; like in those mystery movies" Kai suggested
"Movies?" James was utterly confused, what was a movie? Was it some kind of delicacy?
Noel shook his head; he didn't want to be explain the concept of movies especially now that it probably hasn't even been invented. "Could you take us to where Agatha died?"
"It's do-able, luckily Agatha's mother refused to have that place cleaned, and the police investigation didn't really change anything" James stroked his chin as he thought about it.
"Police investigation? Is it possible to get her autopsy report?" Noel asked, he wanted to solve this murder as fast as possible…but did they really have to?
"Doubt it. The police are some stubborn bastards, don't think they'll willingly give out autopsy reports"
"What about her actual body?" Kai inquired but his mind seemed lost but neither James nor Noel noticed that detail.
"No, already cremated" James regretfully answered, nothing seemed to be working but where there's a will; there's a way.
"It seems its already evening, let's call it a day gent. Where do you reside in?" James concluded after he took a quick look at his silver pocket watch.
"Um…yeah…we don't really have a place to stay in" Noel awkwardly admitted, it was sort of embarrassing but it's not like he could explain how they got there.
"Oh! I see, well you two can stay here if you'd like" James graciously offered,
"Really? Thanks so much James" Kai thanked him; it was a nice gesture cause if it was him; he wouldn't give his house to complete strangers free of charge.
"No need for thanks, but there is only one bed in this house"
"Don't worry, we'll manage. We are very grateful to you James" Noel gave his own thanks.
"It is but a small offer. I should take my leave now, goodnight you too" James stood up, tipped his hat as he bid farewell to the duo.
After James left, Noel and Kai went to search for this one bed, the bedroom was behind the door to the left, the bed in question was quite large; probably king sized.
"Dibs on the bed" Kai stated quickly, Noel paused for a second to digest Kai's sentence.
"…you can't just call dibs like that" Noel reproached; sounding like a strict mother scolding her naughty son.
"I can and I just did."
"Kai, there isn't even a couch for me to sleep on; we just have to share the bed" Noel proposed, it wasn't unreasonable seeing as he obviously couldn't sleep on the floor or the sofas in the living room.
"No! I don't want to share; I called dibs first" Kai pouted with a slight glare directed towards Noel.
"don't be difficult Kai, you can choose which side you want to sleep on, I'll go check if there's a bathroom" Noel coaxed the childish twenty-year-old man in front of him.
"Yeah; yeah, whatever" The pouting man eventually conceded after all it wasn't his bed.
"Sure. I'm going to look for the bathroom now" Noel stated before promptly leaving the bedroom.
*
The following day, Noel and Kai were awakened by James knocking on the bedroom door; "Noel. Kai, are you awake?'
"Oh, you two seem to have just woken up" James stated the obvious.
"Yeah…I'll go have a bath first" Noel spoke, it sort of was an escape from this awkward moment.
"Ah, I brought the both of you some clothing, I hope they fit; didn't really know your size"
"Thanks man" Kai said tighten the bed sheet round his body.
After both had their bath and thankfully James brought a toothbrush for them, had they had breakfast yet? No but, did that matter right now.
James led them to an average looking home a few minutes away from the pub, the outside was plain except for the elegant looking garden on the front porch. Getting inside Noel and Kai took note of the interior; it seemed the theme for the inside was beige. James took the inside a room near the wooden staircase.
The room looked like the average young lady's bedroom apart from the blood splatters on the floor and the inscription on the wall written in blood.
"All deserve to die" reads the inscription.
Noel looked round the room for anything, anything that could help them solve the case, Kai noticed his friend's action and decided to join in.
They looked on top of the bed, below the bed, in the drawers, in the closets even the bathroom but, they were left unfruitful.
James took notice of their tired state, "you two should rest for now, you haven't eaten right? I'm sure Agatha's mother made some food"
Quite timely Kai's stomach made an audible grumbling noise, A laugh spilt out of Noel's mouth, his mouth hidden behind his hands.
"it's not funny, I'm just hungry" Kai whined in response to Noel's laughter, looking like a bullied child.
"Not laughing" Noel denied immediately, removing his hands from his mouth, he tried to keep a straight face to defend his blatant lie.
James, who seemed to have sneaked out of the room, came in with a tray full of breakfast for two; two plates filled with three pancakes stacked and bacon on the side
Kai's eyes sparkled seeing the food in James hands. He sat on the bed and stretched out his hands towards James or more specifically the tray of food.
James helplessly placed the tray on Kai's lap, Noel sat beside his blonde friend on the bed; they ate in a comforting silence.
"Why do you trust us so much to solve this murder" Breaking the silence, Noel asked this question for James
"…I actually don't but, there is really nothing to lose from this" James answered, his eyes wandered to Kai who was patting his now full stomach.
Kai's eyes drifted around the room, bored and restless.
"This place is a bust," he muttered. "There's nothing here."
He turned toward the old wooden drawer and crouched down, fingers trailing underneath. Dust, cobwebs. Then—his hand brushed something.
He flinched, then grabbed it.
"Found something," he called.
Noel was by his side instantly. James, slower, leaned forward. Kai held up a small, dust-covered photo.
One look—and James went pale.
"Oh God…" he whispered.
He stumbled back, hand over his mouth, then turned and rushed out of the room. The sound of him retching echoed faintly down the hallway.
Noel stared at the photo. Black and white. A woman. Naked. Sprawled on the floor. Limbs twisted. Dark blotches on her body—blood? Bruises? Her legs were spread. Her eyes were open.
Too open.
"...Noel," Kai whispered. "This is seriously messed up."
Noel turned the photo over. A neat cursive line on the back read:
"My beautiful bride – Agatha Price."
"So, it's her," Kai said, voice low.
He didn't sound sarcastic. He sounded shaken.
Noel stared at the handwriting.
"Think the Count did this?" Kai asked.
Noel didn't answer immediately. Something about it didn't feel right.
James returned, face pale, lips tight. He looked like he'd just lost a piece of himself.
Noel handed him the photo.
"Is this the Count's handwriting?"
James studied it with trembling fingers. He shook his head slowly.
"No. Similar... but the Count's is more decorative. This is cleaner. Military, maybe."
"Military?" Noel echoed.
James nodded. "Soldiers used phrases like that when writing to their wives."
"Was the Count ever in the army?" Kai asked. He didn't look hopeful.
James let out a tired scoff. "Pierre couldn't carry a sword if it came with instructions."
"Then maybe another suitor?" Noel pressed.
James hesitated. "Agatha's mother might know. She's in the living room."
Following James, Noel and Kai found themselves in a beige themed living room, an elderly woman was sweeping the floors while humming a sound.
"Lady Katherine, would you happen to know if any of Agatha's suitor was in the army" James asked, Katherine stopped her action and looked sternly at him.
"I know this is a sensitive issue but please Katherine, these two gentlemen want to help" James pleaded, he gestured to the two behind him when he said gentlemen, Noel gave a quick head nod as a greeting while Ken did a peace sign
"…There was one who came to ask for Agatha's hand, but her father refused, and the man never came again" She eventually said, she continued her sweeping as a way of ending this discussion.
"Please Katherine, we need a name" James begged
"The man called himself, John Smith", Letting out a lethargic sigh; Katherine answers