The Case of the Angry Archivist

     Time: Day

     Finneus: The normal Neopian authorities can’t know I’ve lost the artefact or the Archives’ funding will be in dire straits, not to mention the future state of Altador-Neopia relations. I can’t bear to imagine it! So you see, it isn’t my faith in your abilities that brought me to gather you here. It’s desperation, plain and simple.

     Winston: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Speaking of which, why are you so confident the thing was even stolen? You did say it shattered.

     Finneus: The real artefact was a massive gem! Gems don’t shatter under display conditions!

     Winston: And why are you so sure it was ever real?

     Finneus: I thoroughly examined the artefact before it was ever moved out of the Geraptiku ruins. I stake my reputation as an archivist on every item that comes into our collection! (I guess Yurbles are all so disagreeable.)

     Winston: Fine, fine. Take us to the display then.

     The investigators follow the archivist into a darkened room. Before the archivist has even finished letting light back into the room, Detective Chicken struts into the center of the room which is littered with red crystals.

     Detective Chicken: -While scratching and pecking at the crystals.- Bah gack!

     Winston: What are you on about? -Grabs a crystal and sniffs it before popping it into his mouth.

     Finneus: What are you doing?!!

     Winston: Relax. It’s just sugar. I guess you were right, the thing was swapped for a cheap fake.

     Finneus: I know this debris isn’t an artefact! I didn’t hire you to tell me what I can clearly see for myself, I hired you to find my artefact!

     Detective Chicken: -Lifts head toward the yelling.- Bah?

     Winston: What do you have on your beak there, buddy? -Removes a piece of greyed foliage from Detective Chicken’s beak.- Was this thing supposed to have passed through the Haunted Woods?

     Finneus: Of course! The only safe route from Mystery Island to Altador is up through mainland Neopia. I wouldn’t risk a find of this caliber with the Lutari. But the artefact was sealed in a protective shipping capsule to prevent contamination which was perfectly intact upon arrival. Otherwise I never would have paid those ruffians a single point!

     Winston: Well, clearly it didn’t stay sealed. -Picks up one of the larger shards and examines it. Wait, is this glitter…there’s only one place in Neopia where you would find glitter and gloomy trees side by side…the switch out must have happened in the woods between Faerieland and the Haunted Woods! I’ll bet the trail picks up there.

     Finneus: The shipping manifest states the artefact was in that area between 12pm and 1:30pm NST. The funny business could only have happened during that small window of time. Well, what are you waiting for?! Go on! Get out of my archive and do your job!

     -Winston shrugs and gestures to Detective Chicken with his head. Detective Chicken struts out the door behind Winston with unparalleled sass.-

     Finneus: (What a strange, tail-less Pteri. I should have gotten a sketch for the archives.)

     Scene: Outside the Altadorian Archives.

     Time: Later that day.

     Winston: I suppose it was nice of our employer to give us this list of likely suspects, but one good deed can’t make up for how rude he was. These profiles have alibis and everything, but we should probably do a bit of our own questioning anyway. Let’s see, where should we start?

     Suspect #1: Lady Branscilla (Shadow Usul)

     Lady Branscilla, though rumored to be originally from Neopia Central, has lived in Neovia for as long as she has had the option. She surrounds herself with symbols of the occult and was among the top bidders for Hubrid Nox’s castle after his death. She has not been seen in bright lighting in anyone’s memory, speaks in a low tone at all times, and rarely (if ever) laughs.

     Current records indicate she prefers to operate alone save one servant, her mute Blumaroo valet, Nils. Statements report he is always near her, though he is never seen until she calls him. She has not been convicted of any crime to date, though she is a suspect in several mysterious thefts from estate sales. Despite being found more than once in possession of stolen goods, she has successfully claimed she purchased it in ignorance after the theft took place each time.

     Day of the Incident:

     6a-7a - Breakfast in her rooms (Confirmed by Nils)

     7a-8a - Answering correspondence in her office (Nils)

     8a-10a - Shopping in the High Street (Nils and a few shopkeepers remember seeing her)

     10a-11a - Tea at The Crumpetmonger (Nils and Crumpetmonger)

     11a-12:30p - Reviewing consignment items with Alabaster Chesterdrawers (Nils and Chesterdrawers)

     12:30p-1:30p - Lunch at home (Nils)

     1:30p-2p - Walking in her garden (Nils)

     2p-5p - Receiving visitors in her home (Nils, Baffington, Tippens, and Prigpants)

     5p-8p - Dining with Swolthy and Prigpants (Nils, Swolthy, and Prigpants)

     8p-10p - Reading in her study (Nils)

     Suspect #2: Junior (Baby Skeith)

     Junior’s country estate lies between Brightvale and Meridell. The house and grounds are full of servants of every kind; Junior does as little for himself as possible. Luxury goods fill his halls, expensive sculptures and rare plants fill his gardens. He shouts when he wants something and dominates every meeting he is in.

     No cases of theft have been tied to him; he generally seems to acquire his goods using his seemingly limitless wealth. The source of this wealth is suspect and unknown. He meets with many of the wealthiest people of Neopia regularly and with his personal financial team at least daily. The team is headed by Norman, a Mynci from Brightvale.

     Day of the Incident:

     8a-10a - Breakfast in the dining hall (Confirmed by servants)

     10a-12p - Meeting with his financial team (Norman)

     12p-1:30p - Lunch with Snargan (Snargan)

     2p-3p - Reviewing business items and completing correspondence (Servants)

     3p-5:30p - Meeting with Simon, Plushie Tycoon (Simon)

     5:30p-8p - Dinner in the dining hall (Servants)

     8p-10p - Meeting with Mr. Black (Mr.Black)

     Suspect #3: Moose "Muscles" Magnum (Mutant Kyrii)

     Muscles is a notorious criminal from Mystery Island. His permanent residence, if he has one, is unknown. He is frequently sighted at the Battledome or identified as part of a street brawl. He has very high energy and aggression and seems to live for excitement.

     He has multiple convictions for petty crimes and is a suspect in several unsolved theft and assault cases. Though more often working as an underling, there are rumors he has tried to run his own operations in the past. Muscles has worked with many members of the Neopian underworld, but none seem to be able to keep his pace for long, or possibly just cannot stand his company.

     Day of the Incident:

     10a - Woke up. Probably ate something (Confirmed by none)

     11a-2p - At the Battledome (Several witnesses saw him during that period)

     2p-6p - Bummed around, got in a street fight with someone (Ryshu broke it up, fight around 3:30)

     6p - Ate dinner, can’t remember where (None)

     7:30p-12:30a - Gambling (Uggsul, Sidney, and Chuffer Bob saw him during that period)

     Suspect #4: Kenny Keynes (Steampunk Gelert)

     Kenny has a deep love of gadgetry. Though his primary residence is in Moltara, he is frequently seen at the Virtupets Space Station. He gathers tools and technology both to complete his collection and aid him in acquiring more. Not an unpleasant fellow to be around, but difficult to engage in direct conversation if he is in the middle of working.

     His criminal record has a few minor breaking-and-entering charges, but without associated theft, and the incidents took place in his youth. Since then, though it is certain he has committed several major thefts and numerous minor thefts, he has never been caught. He works for others or alone, but is not known to have led any large criminal conspiracies. He lives with his wife, Luna (another Gelert).

     Day of the Incident:

     8a-9a - Breakfast with Luna (Confirmed by Luna)

     9a-10a - Modifying the washing machine to somehow dry clothes (Luna)

     10a-12p - Working on plans for his new shuttle to Virtupets (Luna)

     12p-1:30p - Lunch with Bibblebub (Bibblebub)

     1:30p-6p - At home with Luna and working on plans (Luna went out shopping from 2p-3p)

     6p-8p - Dinner at home with Rigney Birkin (Luna and Birkin)

     8p-11p - At the Arcanium doing research (Partially confirmed by Shopkeeper)

     Suspect #5: Ella Manner (Stealthy Buzz)

     Ella operates an on-call taxi service anywhere in Neopia, no questions asked. Her plane can hold up to 3 additional people and has a reasonably sized cargo hold which she allegedly opts to sleep in rather than maintain a permanent residence. She dresses in very practical gear and is brusque but jovial in manner.

     Never convicted, but commonly known to be a smuggler and a thief, Ella practically refers to her crimes herself, knowing nothing can be proven and no one would turn her in. Her taxi service is utilized by many important people doing things they would rather were kept private.

     Day of the Incident:

     5a-7a - Flew Anshu from and back to Shenkuu (Confirmed by Anshu)

     7a-8a - Ate breakfast in Shenkuu in her plane (None)

     8a-10a - Flew Lyvon Cibaire from and back to Altador (Cibaire)

     10a-12p - Flew private client from Altador to Roo Island (None)

     12p-1p - Lunch in her plane at Kiko Lake (Shopkeeper confirms she bought food)

     1p-4p - Flew Elvin to Faerieland and back (Elvin)

     4p-5p - Coffee at the Art Centre Coffee Shop (Nils)

     5p-7p - Flew private client from Roo Island to Altador (None)

     7p-8p - Dinner in her plane in Altador (Shopkeeper confirms she bought food)

     8p-11p - Flew Tarla from Terror Mountain to Tyrannia (Tarla)

     Suspect #6: Gilda Glenworth (Pastel Zafara)

     Gilda inherited her first fortune upon the mysterious death of her parents. Since then, she has been left a large legacy by several others, including two husbands. She exudes sweetness and often speaks in a sing-song voice, but those who have made her angry have been unable to coherently report her words or actions, only the terror they felt. She gathers wealth and likes pretty things, but power seems to be more of a driving force. Her estate lies just north of Faerieland.

     Gilda strongly prefers things go her way; she will first try to play nice, but if unsuccessful, will use whatever means necessary. She will bribe, blackmail, threaten, or worse. She hires additional skilled help when needed, but retains her two maids/assistants, Lettie and Lottie (twin Shoyrus), full-time.

     Day of the Incident:

     9a-10a - Breakfast on the balcony (Confirmed by Lettie)

     10a-11a - Dressing for the day (Alone, but Lettie saw her go in)

     11a-12p - Answering correspondence (Lottie)

     12p-1p - Meeting with Sir Korinesta (Lettie and Korinesta)

     1p-2:30p - Lunch in Faerie City (Lottie and Shopkeeper)

     2:30p-4p - Shopping in Faerie City (Lottie and some shopkeepers remember seeing her)

     4p-6p - Coffee and a book on her terrace (Lettie)

     6p-8p - Dressing for dinner (Lottie)

     8p-11p - Dinner party in Brightvale (Lettie and some attendees remember seeing her)

     Winston: What do you think, buddy?

     Detective Chicken: -Twists his head 270 degrees and blinks.-

     Winston: I agree, let’s just start with the beginning of the list, Lady Branscilla.

     To be continued…