Trigger Happy Equines

Crowbars

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P I N K G R A P H L O G O

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G R A P P L I N G H O O K

“IT CONNECTS!”

“We found traces of the rope on something else during our investigation – the crowbars. We inspected them carefully and, sure enough, fibrous strands were stuck all over each of them, the same fibers you’d expect to find on one of the MonoMart ropes.”

“That is strange,” Reph commented. “B-but what does it mean?”

“It means the killer, by tying the rope around the crowbars and gluing them together in a specific way, was able to forge a makeshift grappling hook, something that would allow them to hook onto the roof and climb up and down the side of the building without fear of falling. Now does the rope seem like a vital piece of evidence?”

“Urgh,” Dish Panner groaned. “Why didn’t you mention that before? Anyway, can we even be sure that plan would work? Could you really make a grappling hook that’d be secure enough to hold on to the roof?”

“Yes, I believe so,” Dopple answered. “I’ve been up to the roof multiple times now, and it’s not a sheer flat surface. There’s both a higher and lower section since the third floor doesn’t cover the same amount of floorspace, but regardless, the perimeter for each consists of a short wall that stands above the traversable surface, with the top slabs jutting outwards slightly. This means a grappling hook could feasibly hook over the edge of these slabs and give a reasonably safe hold. Reph? Copper? You know what I’m talking about, right?”

The two other pegasi nodded. “Yeah,” Copper said. “Now that I think about it, it seems obvious.”

“That doesn’t answer everything,” Reph said, frowning. “Where would the k-killer have made their ascent and descent? I’m assuming they set up the bomb in the early hours of the morning, but then what?”

“It could’ve been anywhere,” Maribelle said. “Our room windows are big enough to fit through if you open them fully, so they could’ve done so whether they were outside on the ground or in a room on the first or second floor. Assuming the grappling hook was pre-made, they could’ve hooked it into place and tested if it would work by pulling on it. We all know when the meeting times are in the rec room, so they could’ve lowered themselves near the window just before that time. The bomb went off a little past six, so the killer was probably there just before that.” She exhaled deeply. “This just goes to further prove that this was perpetrated by a unicorn.”

“Yeah,” I muttered. “It does seem that way.”

“I still don’t get it,” Button said. “Isn’t it weird how the crowbars were scattered outside but the rope that was wrapped around them ended up on the inside? It’s all kinds of crazy.”

“Even so,” I said, “we’ve figured out this much. The killer used a makeshift grappling hook, allowing them to manipulate the nail bomb from outside the building. They would’ve had line of sight and–”

“Hold on a second!” Inky yelled. “I ain’t convinced.”

“What? Why?” I asked. “It all fits together so far.”

“Nope,” Inky affirmed, shaking her head and smiling. “There’s something about your theory that doesn’t make sense. There’s all these rules about what magic unicorns can use and stuff, and it’s got me thinking, what you’re saying ain’t right.” She tipped an imaginary hat. “It’s elemental, my dear Greyscale!”

“Elementary,” Sanscript corrected.

“Elementary? You know, I was pretty mature when I was in elementary school,” Inky chimed wistfully. “I did my fair share of flirting with some of the local high school colts, and my hard work paid off in the end, I can tell you that!”

“I’m gonna be sick,” Elsie grumbled, holding a hoof over her mouth.

“Hey, I stuck by the rules and waited it out!” Inky retorted. “Well, except that one time. Okay, maybe four times, but I was nearly legal, and he doesn’t count anyway. What were we talking about? Oh yeah!” She stomped her hoof defiantly. “I got some problems with your grappling hook story, Greyscale! Let’s battle!”

I gulped, partly from the extreme embarrassment of Inky’s inappropriate comments, but also the prospect of being outwitted so soon after reaching my hypothesis. I had to be sure of my proclamations. I couldn’t back down! “Alright.”

“That’s the spirit! Oh, and Maribelle, you don’t need to pray. I think we’ll solve this case.”

Greyscale vs Ink Slinger

Truth Blades

Monobunny File #2

Broken Window

Broken Lock

State of The Body

Pieces of Metal and Glass

Crowbars

Inky: Alright, so a unicorn could’ve done most of this, but there’s a rule they’d have needed to break!

Greyscale: What do you mean? They’d have had line of sight and been clear from the blast.

Inky: I still think they were in the corridor or something instead.

Greyscale: But we have evidence that suggests otherwise.

Inky: You say that, but there’s a chance it was planted to trick us, so we thought they did something totally different!

Greyscale: That’s grasping at straws.

Inky: But aren’t unicorns banned from penetrating walls and stuff? And all except one of them is banned from penetrating something else…

Greyscale: How would this make them break any rules?

Inky: When we got to the rec room, the window was closed, with the handle turned all the way, right?

Greyscale: Was it? Would that make a difference?

Inky: Well, wouldn’t the window need to be open while they were waiting for Yoko? Then after they set off the nail bomb, there’s no way to close it up tight. That would’ve cut off their magical tentacles or whatever they’re called. And they can’t have just pushed it into place, you know. That wouldn’t shut it properly.

Greyscale: I suppose not, but–

Inky: And they couldn’t have done it after that, right? We were the first ones in the room, right after Yoko got killed. Seems to me it’s just not possible.

I understand your logic, Inky, but you’ve forgotten one minor detail.