Breathlessly [Odie, Open]

[greek101]

The big otter shifted his weight and cane to his right side, and moved his shoulder around to loosen the muscles. "Aye," he grunted.

Odysseus sighed. He didn't mean to put anyone down, and he was sure that Lachlan knew that. However, creatures that don't know how to handle a case properly will often do more damage then good. They also may know information that is useful, but they will either not share the information or will share information that isn't true. Odie was glad that Lachlan was not like that, very glad.

"Sae we know it's def'nitely not the husband," he confirmed, returning his cane to his left paw,

"Precisely!" Odie replied.

"but it'll take more'n some print measurements t'convince this lot."

Odie looked back down at crime scene. Yes, the boggy ground was rather kneaded up by their paw prints. Grinning, Odie scanned over the crowd with his golden eyes he observed the creatures. "Oh, I know how to deal with a crowd like this. Once we have all the information, we'll show them what they want."

What this crowd would need is a near-life reenactment. He had done it before. It was rather fun on his part. And with this crowd, who looked like they would be stunned by any fast movement, it was going to be perfect!

He yawned, and looked back at Odie sleepily. "Ah dunno. Lukes like we're pretty much done fur now. We've covered the scene, an' Ah'm no good without sleep. How 'bout. . ."-- he let out a massive yawn --". . . we jus' go an' innerview the 'ermit tomorrow morn? 'e's not likely tae furget anythin' for a good twenty-four hours. Then we can talk tae the beasts 'at knew the hedge'ogs."

Odysseus nodded. Lachlan was tired. That much was more than obvious, but he was also was right. If this murderer was who Odie thought he was, then there would be no trail anyways. Plus, the sooner they got the they got the witness statements, the better. After long periods of time, facts begin to fuzz and become less clear. On the other paw, giving the witnesses a good night sleep most often helps.

"Aye," Odie replied. "Dat sounds good. We can head back to the "feastin' area" and ye can get some sleep. I'll see if the husband hasn't destroyed all of the evidence he has and make sure that our witnesses don't leave during the night, the I'll join ye."

Walking over to the rope, Odie ducked under the rope and continued into the crowd in one smooth motion. The creatures gathered around him all question him at once. Odysseus held up a paw like he had done this a million times and everybeast fell silent. "My friend and I are in the process of catching the murderer, and no we will not be sharing any information at this time. If you believe you know anything about the murder, we will be talking to every beast in the morning. Now, you four."

Odie pointed to four strong able bodied creatures (one otter, two mice, and a squirrel) and lowered his voice to a more respectable and sobering tone. "if you would like to find a stretcher, the body is ready to be moved and prepared for what ever the family wishes.Just please be careful about stepping on too many foot prints. We wish to leave the rope up until further notice. Thank you for allowing us to examine the scene. We promise to find the killer as quick as possible."

And with that Odie tipped his hat to the crowd and turned back Lachlan. "Coming?" He said with a slight grin.

______________________________________________


The sun had just risen over the horizon and the sky was a musty orange. The whole forest of Mossflower was bathed in a muggy fog. Odysseus didn't care. In fact, he may have enjoyed it. The muggy feeling and orange light, plus the fact that it was early morning warded off most creatures and Odie needed a quiet moment to think.

Odysseus stood in front of one of the tables left in the little clearing after the party. On the table was an assortment of objects, including a medium sized map, his journal, multiple charcoal sticks, and a steaming cup of tea.

He hadn't slept well last night. His mind kept swirling with information. He may have dozed for a few minutes, but nothing lengthly. Eventually Odie couldn't take it anymore and went back to his work.

All of the witnesses had stayed close, which was good, but the husband had changed his clothes and showered. WHY? WHY? WHY? They always did that! Odie snarled. It was just like the other ones....

Odie's ears twitched, someone was out in the fog. Sighing and picking up his tea, Odie spoke as he took a sip. "Ye know, sneaking up on creatures ain't polite."

[Shor]

((Hope you don't mind me switching things around. I had to make this thread fit in with Mirrors.))

"Aye, dat sounds good. We can head back to the "feastin' area" and ye can get some sleep. I'll see if the husband hasn't destroyed all of the evidence he has and make sure that our witnesses don't leave during the night, the I'll join ye."

Lachlan glanced at a footprint. Feasting area? Sure, it would be great to start on the case as soon as he awakened, but Lachie had been looking forward to sleeping in an actual bed for months. Selfish or not, he was rather set on spending the night at the abbey. on the other paw, beasts would be curious about his absence, particularly Lachina. He at least needed to explain his reasons for disappearing, as he would be doing quite a bit of that in the near future. It was also imperative that he devise a story that would keep the wrong questions out of the way. He still didn't want to let anybeast at the abbey know of his being a seer. For once, he wanted to just be "the big sea otter" -- not "the big seer guy who can help you find your misplaced belongings."

Lachlan looked up to see Odie speaking in a low tone of voice to an otter, squirrel, and pair of mice. The eyes of all four focused on the body, which hinted that they were to whisk it away. . . Whisk was a funny word. . .

Odie tipped his hat to the crowd as everybeast began to depart from the scene. The investigator returned his attention to Lachie. "Coming?" he asked with a slight grin.

The otter sighed deeply, hoping to keep enough oxygen in his blood before he lapsed into a mini-coma. "Ach, Ah woold, mate, but there's bus'ness tae take care of o'er at th'abbey tomorrow morn," he explained, not fully certain if he could actually feel his footpaws at this moment. "Ah 'ope ye unnerstan'," he said, offering an apologetic half-smile.

---

Sighing and picking up his tea, Odie spoke as he took a sip. "Ye know, sneaking up on creatures ain't polite."

The creature stepped into view, holding its paws up innocently. It was a rather ordinary-looking mouse whose expression conveyed curiosity at the otter's presence. "Sorry, I guess. I'm just passin' through," he explained, smiling warmly. Lowering one paw, he left the other up in greeting. "What, may I ask, is yore name, sir?" He seemed to strain to utter that last word as he stopped a good six feet from the detective.

[greek101]

((That's cool, and sorry about this taking so long. I got really busy.. ))

"Ach, Ah woold, mate, but there's bus'ness tae take care of o'er at th'abbey tomorrow morn," he explained, not fully certain if he could actually feel his footpaws at this moment. "Ah 'ope ye unnerstan'," he said, offering an apologetic half-smile.

Odysseus's golden eyes studied Lachlan for a moment. Lachlan was being truthful, and by the looks of it. A good sleep in a nice bed was probably the best thing for him right now anyways. So, Odie nodded with a smile. "O' course my friend, ye can head back to the Abbey. I'll be here when you get back!" And with that, Odie bowed gallantly and walked on, disappearing into the dark woods.

___________________________________________________


Odysseus looked over the rim of his tea cup. A fairly average sized mouse with brown fur stepped out of the fog. In fact, he seemed, too average. Keeping that in mind, Odie listened carefully as the mouse brought his paws up and began to speak.

"Sorry, I guess. I'm just passin' through," he explained, smiling warmly. Lowering one paw, he left the other up in greeting. "What, may I ask, is yore name, sir?" He seemed to strain to utter that last word as he stopped a good six feet from the detective.

Odie noticed the mouse's difference in tone and noted that as well. This mouse was getting more and more suspicious. Not only was he struggling to be polite, but wandering around at this time in the morning? Right after a murder? And having a perfect profile for the murderer? This was too good to be true. But of course, when you say that. it probably is.

So deciding to keep the mouse on edge, Odysseus grinned and lowered his tea. "I, my good fellow, am Nohbody. Would you mind if I asked your name and where you are going this fine morn'?"

[Shor]

The mouse watched the tall otter's paw as it lowered its tea. "I, my good fellow, am Nobody. Would you mind if I asked your name and where you are going this fine morn'?"

His brow furrowed. The otter refused to give his name, which was suspicious in itself. But perhaps he was just uncomfortable giving away such information to an unfamiliar mouse. But then, why would the otter ask of his name if he refused to disclose his own? And the question concerning the other's destination? Obviously, this otter was suspicious of him, and that was simply no fun at this stage.

Squinting one eye in reluctant compliance, the mouse relented. "Uh, sure. It's Hurthson. . . Bragg, Hurthson," he specified. "I'm actually just headed 'ome -- after last night's, er. . . incident,"-- he hesitated to say "murder," as anybeast uncomfortable with the situation would--"it just felt a bit too unsafe to walk all that way at night." He fidgeted a bit, which expressed discomfort. "I live alone," he added to clarify, afraid that this otter might suspect him even more for leaving out details. "Uh. . . Who are you again?" It was Bragg's turn to be suspicious.

[greek101]

Odysseus's ears twitched, what looked like casually, but really, Odie was deep in thought. When he gave the mouse his pusyedem, the mouse wasn't pleased. In fact, he furrowed his brow. Odie knew the fake name wouldn't go over well, but if he could pull it off, it worked wonders when the time came. So Odie did nothing, as if Nohbody was his original name and that was normal.

"Uh, sure. It's Hurthson. . . Bragg, Hurthson," he specified.

Casually bringing his paw down, Odie picked up a pen and wrote the name down and began quickly sketching the mouse before him. He wanted to get everything down now, not that he doubted his amazing memory, but when you have the subject in front of you, there is now way you can go wrong. However, Odie's eyes never left Bragg, except for the casual look down at his paper. It appeared like he was paying attention.

"I'm actually just headed 'ome -- after last night's, er. . . incident,"

Odie noticed that Bragg did not use the term Murder or Killing. He used the term "incident". Like, like he was hesitant. But why was he hesitant? Was it because it made him nauseous? He thought the term was impolite? Or was it because he thought nothing of the murder?

What ever the answer was, the mouse knew of the murder. THAT was the key. Just how much did Bragg know about the case?...

"it just felt a bit too unsafe to walk all that way at night." He fidgeted a bit, which expressed discomfort.

Noticing the fidgeting and noting it, Odie continued to study the mouse. Why did he not want to walk home? Was he afraid of the dark? Or afraid of the dark? Or was he not wanting to be caught?......

"I live alone," he added to clarify, afraid that this otter might suspect him even more for leaving out details. "Uh. . . Who are you again?"

Lives alone... Odie wrote down and carefully put his charcoal stick on the table top. Curious. He lived alone. That was an important key. Bragg had no one to keep tabs on him. He could do what he wished. No restraints.....

Smiling he calm smile, his searching golden eyes locking with Bragg's icy blue ones, Odysseus replied once again. "I'm Nohbody! Yes, I know a rather odd name to be sure, but my mother always did have a sense of humor!" He chuckled and put his paw to his mouth like he was whispering. " At least you didn't meet my brother! His name is Sumbody!"

Motioning to the chair across from him, and pulling up the chair beside him with his rudder, Odie invited Bragg to sit down. "If you have a moment, Mr. Hurthson, I would love to speak with you. This whole "incident" as you put it has me baffled, and I would love to know what you would share with me, as you seem to know a bit about it..."

All of what Odie said was a lie. Well, no, that was a lie too. Odysseus wanted to know what Bragg knew, but he wasn't baffled. Not in the slightest.

In fact, Odysseus may have just found a new lead.....

[Shor]

It was all about the character. If one could convince himself that he was a harmless, unassuming, somewhat ignorant mouse, one could effectively "become" that mouse for any amount of time. Bragg was well aware of the roles he must play in a life such as his, and this one was, by far, the simplest. He was a completely unhelpful, dull, somewhat paranoid witness.

"I'm Nohbody! Yes, I know a rather odd name to be sure, but my mother always did have a sense of humor!" He chuckled and put his paw to his mouth like he was whispering. " At least you didn't meet my brother! His name is Sumbody!"

Bragg forced a small laugh with a halfhearted smile. He was still a bit unhappy with this otter, but perhaps his name truly was "Nohbody." Bragg had to remind himself that this couldn't have been true, for why would the younger otter have called him "Odie" last night?

Motioning to the chair across from him, and pulling up the chair beside him with his rudder, Odie invited Bragg to sit down.

Bragg nodded and seated himself in the chair.

"If you have a moment, Mr. Hurthson, I would love to speak with you. This whole "incident" as you put it has me baffled, and I would love to know what you would share with me, as you seem to know a bit about it..."

Twiddle paws, slouch a bit, avoid eye contact. "No more'n you, 'm shore,"-- slur words as though nervous, implement head-voice, repeat certain words and phrases --"But shore. See, after I 'eard about the. . . y'know"-- saying "murder" or "death" felt like bad luck --"the'ncident, I hurried t'see wot ever'beast was talkin' about. Well, it was actually just my friend who told me. He was stayin' at my house that day to help wi'the harvest an' whatnot. Anyways, he wen' out after we were done, and I thought t'take a nap, but then there comes a racket from outside. He was outside poundin' on my window 'cause 'e 'eard there's a murder. So 'e takes me t'the place where we think Rullo's killed 'is wife. Anyways, I saw ye there, snoopin' about an' whatnot, an' I couldn't hear what you an' the big otter was-- were talking about, but I heared from Shide's missus that you found somethin' in the footprints. But afore I could try'n' figure out what it was, you came out an' said somethin' like you won't tell us anything about whatcha sawl. After that, I left with Bror -- he's my friend I mention' -- anyways, I left an' stayed at his 'ouse because"-- he stretched his paws out wide--"I don' know if Rullo's still out there, an' if I find 'im, he might wanna kill me, so I stayed at Bror's house. Now, I'm here 'cause there's still a lot of work to do at 'ome, and I don't have time t'just sit around." Eyes locked on Odie's, he leaned forward and rested his forearms on his lap. This was his way of indicating that his story had come to an end and of stressing the last point.

Bragg was no amateur.

[greek101]

The mouse chuckled at Odysseus's joke and smiled a bit, but Odie could tell it was only half-hearted. Did the mouse know more than he was letting on? Or did he just not believe that Nohbody was Odie's name?

What ever the mouse believed, he at least sat down across from Odie. Odysseus might be able to get some information out of this Bragg.

Sitting down in the chair he pulled up with his rudder, Odie adjusted his hat and began writing. Appears nervous. Slouching. Twiddling thumbs. Avoiding Eye contact.Odysseus underlined that last one twice. Whether Bragg was telling the truth or not, the fact he didn't keep eye contact was a big clue.

Odie watched Bragg carefully as he spoke, eyes never leaving him, yet his writing paw flew across his notebook.

"No more'n you, 'm shore,"-- slur words as though nervous, implement head-voice, repeat certain words and phrases --"But shore. See, after I 'eard about the. . . y'know"-- saying "murder" or "death" felt like bad luck --"the'ncident, I hurried t'see wot ever'beast was talkin' about. "

Bragg still wouldn't say death, or murder. Why? And of course. Heard about the incident and ran over to see what was wrong. Everyone always did.

"Well, it was actually just my friend who told me. He was stayin' at my house that day to help wi'the harvest an' whatnot. "

Wait a minute. Bragg said he lived alone. Why would he have a crop so big that he would need an extra help?

"Anyways, he wen' out after we were done, and I thought t'take a nap, but then there comes a racket from outside. He was outside poundin' on my window 'cause 'e 'eard there's a murder. So 'e takes me t'the place where we think Rullo's killed 'is wife."

So Bragg knew Rullo or did his friend? Either way, this seemingly hermit-like mouse who seemed anti-social, knew quite abit...

"Anyways, I saw ye there, snoopin' about an' whatnot, an' I couldn't hear what you an' the big otter was-- were talking about, but I heared from Shide's missus that you found somethin' in the footprints. But afore I could try'n' figure out what it was, you came out an' said somethin' like you won't tell us anything about whatcha sawl."

Bragg knew about the scene, and he knew that Lachlan was there. However, he did not mention Lachlan's name. Then why would he be suspicious of Odie's name? Of course, anybody would think Nohbody is odd, but still. And he personally didn't know any details per say, why did Odie's gut seem uneasy?...

"After that, I left with Bror -- he's my friend I mention' -- anyways, I left an' stayed at his 'ouse because"-- he stretched his paws out wide--"I don' know if Rullo's still out there, an' if I find 'im, he might wanna kill me, so I stayed at Bror's house."

Alright, so Bror was his friend. Odie made a mental note to check up on all the creatures Bragg motioned. Odie just felt uncertain about this mouse. It happened on every case. There was always one suspect that gave him a harsh gut feeling. If they were the murderer or not, a whole different story.

And also, Rullo was at his home, with guards. Anybeast who knew anything about the murder knew that. So why would heave to stay at Bror's house? And if he could make it to the crime scene in time from his house in the time in which everyone was finding out what was going on, why would he not be able to make it home?

"Now, I'm here 'cause there's still a lot of work to do at 'ome, and I don't have time t'just sit around." Eyes locked on Odie's, he leaned forward and rested his forearms on his lap. This was his way of indicating that his story had come to an end and of stressing the last point.

Odie nodded. "Of course ye do. And no worries, you'll get back to work soon." Odie put down his charcoal stick and picked up a quill. He then pulled out the map that was on the table. On the map was a detailed map of Mossflower woods and multiple markings of different colors and shapes.

"Could you mark out where ye live and where your friend Bror lives? Just so we know so if we need to, we can contact you." Handing the quill to Bragg, his golden eyes intense and piercing, Odie focused on keeping his expression from not betraying his suspicion.

[Shor]

((Sorry it took so long. School and college are killing me right now, but the roads are slick, so school's canceled for today. And for the first time in two and a half months, I got to sleep in! ;D))

Odie nodded. "Of course ye do. And no worries, you'll get back to work soon." Odie put down his charcoal stick and picked up a quill. He then pulled out the map that was on the table. On the map was a detailed map of Mossflower woods and multiple markings of different colors and shapes.

Still in character, Bragg looked over the elaborately labeled map, glancing up suspiciously at Odie, as though to say, "What the heck is all this?"

"Could you mark out where ye live and where your friend Bror lives? Just so we know so if we need to, we can contact you." Handing the quill to Bragg, his golden eyes intense and piercing, Odie focused on keeping his expression from not betraying his suspicion.

Bragg slipped for just a moment, and made solid eye contact with Odysseus. That was a new one. Bragg hadn't seen quite that expression on anybeast's face before, and he wondered to himself what the otter was thinking.

Having accepted the quill, Bragg slowly dropped his gaze to the map. He knew precisely where his home was, but this character of his would not be bright enough to pinpoint the exact location very quickly, let alone care enough to take much care in marking the position. So, he marked with a simple dot a location on the map, a mile or two northeast of the crime scene and half a mile southeast of his home. A forgivable error. "Rrri's somewh're 'round there. . ." he mumbled, expression indicating strained brain activity.

Finally, he shrugged, dropped the quill, and rose to his footpaws. "I can leave now, sir?" he asked. " 'Cos I've got t'get home soon. . ." Bragg gestured with his thumb.

[greek101]

((No problem Shor, I've been rather busy too of late. ))

Odysseus watched as when Bragg looked up at him, he made complete eye contact for the first time. When he did, Odie could tell, something dropped. His attitude changed. Bragg's eyes concentrated, like, like he was almost trying to read Odie's mind. Keeping his glare the same, he waited.

Bragg took the quill from Odie and slowly dropped his gaze and began looking at the map. Odie watched Bragg's eyes as he did so. Bragg scanned the map, but focused on a certain area.

"Rrri's somewh're 'round there. . ."

Bragg marked a dot on the map and set down the quill, standing up.

"I can leave now, sir?" he asked. " 'Cos I've got t'get home soon. . ." Bragg gestured with his thumb.

Odysseus picked up the quill and made a large circle, about a 2 mile radius around the dot and rolled up the map. He just couldn't be sure that this mouse was telling the truth. Not only had Bragg's words been contradictory, but that bit of eye contact... It made the fur on Odie's rudder itch. He didn't like it, not one bit.

"Yes, you may, but if you could stay in Mossflower till we all have this sorted out, that would be much appreciated." Odie said as he stood up as well. "It was good to talk with you sir." Odie stuck out his paw, his eyes however, not sharing the politeness of his words. They were still piercing, searching, not trusting the creature before him.

[Shor]

"Yes, you may, but if you could stay in Mossflower till we all have this sorted out, that would be much appreciated." Odie said as he stood up as well. "It was good to talk with you sir." Odie stuck out his paw, his eyes however, not sharing the politeness of his words. They were still piercing, searching, not trusting the creature before him.

Bragg lowered an eyebrow. Where else would he go? He lived in Mossflower... This otter must have been terribly suspicious. But rather than drag this encounter out, he chose to accept the pawshake. He glanced at the otter's eyes for a moment. Yes, definitely suspicious.

Thus ended Odie's first and last peaceful encounter with Bragg Hurthson.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lachie hobbled quickly. He knew he was running late, but having met Tampa earlier that day. . . Well, he was simply and sincerely distracted. Then, as he was traveling to meet Odie, he ran into a rather boring and uninteresting mouse. Nevertheless, he had agreed to meet up with the detective in the morning, and it was presently afternoon.

Odysseus, the gator in a vest, came into view as Lachlan came upon the table-filled clearing. "Odie!" he called, waving his free paw. "Sorry Ah'm late," he apologized, "Ah overslept, an'. . . Aye. . ." He decided to tell only half the truth. He felt a bit embarrassed to reveal anything about having met Tampa, which was odd, for he had never been one to refrain from bragging thoroughly about his girlfriends or potential girlfriends. But then, Tam was different.

"Sae, er, wot hae ye found today?" he asked. Certainly, Odie hadn't sat around doing nothing. That simply wouldn't make sense. This was Odie, after all.

---

((... Eh. *shrugs*))

[greek101]

Odie studied Bragg as he shook paws with the mouse. He had raised an eyebrow, but shook paws none the less. As Odie felt his larger paw engulf the other's, Bragg locked eyes with him for one brief flicker once more. Odysseus could tell, this Bragg dislike Odie as much as Odie disliked him.

And with that Mr. Bragg Hurthson walked off. Odie watched as the mouse left, glaring into the back of the mouse's head until he could see him no longer. Odie had a gut feeling, that he would meet up with Mr. Hurthson again...wethier it was for good or bad intentions...they would meet...one way or another...

Odie slowly sat back down and turned his attention back to his work. He studied the sketch he had drawn of Bragg as he took a sip of his tea, then pulling a face...Blergh! it had gone cold while Odysseus had been talking...Pooring it out on the ground beside him Odie picked up a charcoal stick and began writing....

Oh when Lachlan returned would he have quite the story to tell....

____________________________________________________

It was about mid afternoon when Odie finally got some time alone again. After the meeting with Mr. Hurthson in the early morning, the rest of Odysseus's day was full with bystanders coming up to him telling him everything they thought they knew about the murder, of which only 1/8 of it was relevant and 2/3s of that 1/8 were all the same facts.

Where was that Lachlan? Odie thought to himself as he lay with his back on the table amoung his things. Tilting his hat to block his eyes from the sun, Odie relaxed and let the rays of sunlight dance across his already sun-kissed fur. He did agree to meet in morn', but it was now past noon! Oh what did it matter. Lachlan will show up when he shows up.

Odysseus was about to doze in a light nap when his sharp ears caught the sounds of a creature coming through the trees near by at a fast, warbled pace, as if they were limping....

"Odie!"

He sighed. Of course. Now he would show up!

Sitting up from what would have been a lovely nap, Odie tilted his hat to see Lachlan hobble through the clearing waving a paw.

Sorry Ah'm late," he apologized, "Ah overslept, an'. . . Aye. . ."

"Got caught up in things that wouldn't be relevant to me?.." Odie finished off Lachlan's thought. He really didn't care what Lachlan had been doing. He was telling the truth when he said he had overslept. Odysseus could see that. He could also see that the other thing that held Lachlan back was not harmful, simply awkward to talk about to a creature you had only met the other day.

"Sae, er, wot hae ye found today?" he asked.

Odysseus hopped down from the table top with ease as Lachlan posed his question.

"I have found many things my friend. Most of it non-relevant, but there was some that gave me a bad feeling." He pulled up to benches for them to sit on. "You should sit down."

Sitting down, Odysseus began explaining his morning. "I have been interviewing witnesses all morn'. Most of it was things that we collected last night or about the hedgehogs' personal lives, which was rather dull if you ask me. No reason to give motive to the husband unless you gave the reason the wife complained too much."

"The interesting part however came very early this morn', just after sun rise. I was out here, looking over the facts we had collected when this mate showed up." Odie picked up his journal and showed the sketch to Lachlan. " Called himself Bragg Hurthson. As soon as I saw this mouse, I had an odd gut feelin'. He just seemed too normal. I don't get gut feelin's very often so I told him I was called 'Nohbody', just to keep things interesting. He didn't seem to like it but never confronted me on having another."

Pointing at the next few pages in the book, Odysseus continued. " I asked him what he knew about the murder, and I kept finding inconsistencies with his story as he spoke. Like here, when he mentioned he needed a friend to help him harvest his crops. If he lived alone like he said, why would he need a crop so large that he could not harvest it himself? He was an able bodied mouse, he could have done it himself! The only other reason to have that much I would think is if he was trading it, but there is no trading posts around. Anyways, he had other inconsistencies as well, I underlined them, here.." He indicated. "...and there.."

" I haven't had a chance to confirm this story with Mr. Hurthson's friend Bror yet. Infact, I haven't seen him at all yet. Before Mr. Hurthson left, I asked him to put his house location on this map..." Odie rolled open the map that was scattered with other colored dots in the Mossflower and Eastern area. He pointed to the dot Bragg had made and the circle around it. "I circled it to indicate that it was an approximate location. I don't really think that his house is there."

"There was one last thing that threw me off about this character." Odie said as he stared off in the direction that Bragg had left. "The only time this mouse ever made complete and total eye contact with me was right before he marked that dot... it was odd. He had never done that and when he did, it was as if his eyes cleared up, like...he knew more than he had ever let on...."

Odysseus had subconsciously started scratching at his rudder as he spoke about the eye contact with Bragg. He only noticed what he was doing when a clump of fur came off in his paw. "Oh honey and scones." He muttered as he threw the clump away. "Stupid burns. Anyways....That was my morning...I'm sure your's was equally exciting..."

[Shor]

"Got caught up in things that wouldn't be relevant to me?.." Odie finished off Lachlan's thought.

Lachie blushed a bit, but he saw that Odie seemed to understand.

The tall otter hopped down from the table. "I have found many things my friend. Most of it non-relevant, but there was some that gave me a bad feeling." He pulled up to benches for them to sit on. "You should sit down."

Lachlan complied. Bad feelings? Always a good sign in a murder investigation. Made things interesting.

"I have been interviewing witnesses all morn'. Most of it was things that we collected last night or about the hedgehogs' personal lives, which was rather dull if you ask me."

As it always was...

"No reason to give motive to the husband unless you gave the reason the wife complained too much."

Lachie shrugged. He'd seen pettier murders.

"The interesting part..."

Oh, goodie.

"...however came very early this morn', just after sun rise..."

Lachie tilted his head slightly. Funny, Odie said "sunrise" as two words.

"...over the facts we had collected when this mate showed up." Odie picked up his journal and showed the sketch to Lachlan.

Lachie studied the picture for a moment, and something was terribly familiar about the subject. It wasn't until Odie began speaking again that it struck him. The big otter chuckled to himself quietly as he tried to listen to what Odie had to say.

"Called himself Bragg Hurthson. As soon as I saw this mouse, I had an odd gut feelin'. He just seemed too normal. I don't get gut feelin's very often so I told him I was called 'Nohbody', just to keep things interesting. He didn't seem to like it but never confronted me on having another."

Really? Nohbody? Why not Methuselah Honeysuckle? Ghee Buttersnaps? Burton Guster?

Pointing at the next few pages in the book, Odysseus continued. " I asked him what he knew about the murder, and I kept finding inconsistencies with his story as he spoke. Like here, when he mentioned he needed a friend to help him harvest his crops. If he lived alone like he said, why would he need a crop so large that he could not harvest it himself? He was an able bodied mouse, he could have done it himself! The only other reason to have that much I would think is if he was trading it, but there is no trading posts around. Anyways, he had other inconsistencies as well, I underlined them, here.." He indicated. "...and there.."

Still trying to contain his amusement, Lachie said not a word, simply nodding as he glanced at the underlined notes. Why was this so funny to him? Lachlan covered his face with a paw, laughing quietly to himself. Honestly, he missed most of whatever Odie said next. When he finally calmed a bit, he glanced back up, saw the circle on the map Odie was pointing to, and pieced together what he'd missed.

"There was one last thing that threw me off about this character." Odie said as he stared off in the direction that Bragg had left. "The only time this mouse ever made complete and total eye contact with me was right before he marked that dot... it was odd. He had never done that and when he did, it was as if his eyes cleared up, like...he knew more than he had ever let on...."

Lachlan noticed Odie had said "character," as though the mouse were playing a part in a drama or something. As for the eye contact, Lachie couldn't offer much to the thought, for emotions and such were his sister's specialty -- not his. To Lachlan, everyone looked suspicious.

Lachlan rested a large paw on his head and thought back to his encounter with Mr. Hurthson. The mouse had been carrying some furniture to somebeast's house when Lachlan found him. Bragg saw the otter and, startled, toppled over, furniture and all. Fortunately, Lachie's reflexes weren't too impaired, and the big otter managed to keep the mouse from being crushed under the load. Of course, Bragg would have been just fine without his help, but the mouse was nevertheless "fortunate" for the help. The two shared a good laugh about it afterward, and Lachlan, in a strange fit of generosity, helped the stranger carry the load to its destination not far down the road. Lachie was impressed with himself; lifting something that heavy with only one available paw wasn't particularly easy.
He and Bragg conversed along the way, discussing the details of the murder. Lachie liked Bragg -- he was just so friendly, albeit a touch arrogant.

Returning to reality, Lachlan took a deep breath. "All right. Here's wot I think. Ah'm sensin' Bragg is a good match of our murd'rer, but when I met 'im, earlier this morn -- long story -- he seemed a bit too happy to be a murderer. Ah mean, somethin' like that really does affect a beast, an' Ah expect our suspect'll feel rather guilty. Now, as fur the discrepancies,"-- he liked that word --"First, I've 'ad tae'elp a beast or two with their farmwork. Sometimes those elder beasts like tae pull the 'Ah'm so old an' feeble' card. Helps get the job done faster, y'know?" He chuckled. "Now, I noticed 'e didn't like to say the word 'murder' or anythin' else like it, which I figure ye marked too, but Ah think it's kinda normal. Beasts don't see murder very often, so when they do, it shakes 'em up a bit. Nobeast's likely tae use the word 'murder' if'n it makes 'em uncomfortable. They tend tae jus' stick it inna back o' their minds an' let their dreams take care o' the feelings. . ." He stopped for a moment to think. Bragg wasn't as bothered as most would be, or at least didn't show it. The murder scene was gruesome -- it was enough to drive anybeast a little mad. Whoever had committed it had to be experiencing remorse of some sort, and while Bragg fit much of the description, he was missing two important traits. "Guilt an' motive," Lachlan thought out loud. "If'n we can find a beast who acts guilty and has a motive, we'll 'ave our murderer."

He shook his head. They certainly couldn't interview everybeast in Mossflower. They needed a solid lead. After another moment of consideration, Lachlan nodded and voiced his thoughts. "It looks. . . It looks like a domestic dispute o' sorts -- I've run intae plenty o' those. The answer, Ah think, lies not in where the victim died, but where she lived." He grinned inwardly, rather proud of how intelligent he'd sounded. Outwardly, he sat up a little straighter and puffed out his chest a bit. He couldn't resist a little half-smile. "You been tae Rullo's house yet?"

---

((Who knew discussing murder could be so metaphorically anfractuous? ))

[greek101]

Lachlan blushed. Odie inwardly smiled. Lachlan was a good beast. What ever he had been doing wasn't anything harmful.

___________

Odysseus noticed that while he was talking and showing Lachlan what he had found, Lachlan kept laughing. Not out loud, to himself to be polite, but still. Odie wasn't really angry with Lachlan, more curious as to why he was laughing.....

__________

When Odie had finished, Lachlan studied the stuff Odie had given him and sat there thinking, his his paw on his head. A rather odd way to think, but Odysseus waited none the less. Eventually Lachlan took a deep breath and replied.

"All right. Here's wot I think. Ah'm sensin' Bragg is a good match of our murd'rer, but when I met 'im, earlier this morn -- long story -- he seemed a bit too happy to be a murderer."

Odie gave Lachlan a look. He had met him this morning!! What had Bragg said!?!? What did they do!?!? Questions flooded into Odysseus's mind as Lachlan continued..

Ah mean, somethin' like that really does affect a beast, an' Ah expect our suspect'll feel rather guilty.

Yes, that happens to most, but there are some....Odie thought to himself. He had met a few odd creatures....

"Now, as fur the discrepancies, First, I've 'ad tae'elp a beast or two with their farmwork. Sometimes those elder beasts like tae pull the 'Ah'm so old an' feeble' card. Helps get the job done faster, y'know?"

Odysseus rolled his eyes. Yes, had come across that a time or two, but Bragg didn't appear to be that old...

"Now, I noticed 'e didn't like to say the word 'murder' or anythin' else like it, which I figure ye marked too, but Ah think it's kinda normal. Beasts don't see murder very often, so when they do, it shakes 'em up a bit. Nobeast's likely tae use the word 'murder' if'n it makes 'em uncomfortable. They tend tae jus' stick it inna back o' their minds an' let their dreams take care o' the feelings. . ."

Odie nodded. In his line of bisness he came a cross murders all the time. The word carried a heavy reverence to it, but he did not fear it like most would, however Bragg, although he did not say it, did not mind talking about it. Odysseus's ears twitched as he thought. This Bragg still gave him a bad feeling....

"Guilt an' motive," Lachlan thought out loud. "If'n we can find a beast who acts guilty and has a motive, we'll 'ave our murderer."

"Yes." Odysseus replied. "However, in my time of working cases like these, there is the odd case that guilt and motive are not as they seem. Not saying that another creature may have done this, for that is still a liable outcome, but I have learned that guilt is displayed differently depending on the creature. For example, you blushed earlier when you tried to explain why you were late. I however, if in that position, may not blush as you did, but perhaps stammer or shuffle my foot paws. Some, although it is rare, don't display much guilt at all but are impervious to it's effects, save in their minds which they are not willing to share." Odysseus leaned back in his stool so his back was resting on the table as he relaxed. "Motive is also a tricky one, sometimes it is not as clear as it seems it is. There are often deeper motives, or even no motive at all, just the erg to do something that creature thinks is right or should be done."

"Anyways," Odie sat back up " I'm rambling."

"It looks. . . It looks like a domestic dispute o' sorts -- I've run intae plenty o' those. The answer, Ah think, lies not in where the victim died, but where she lived." He grinned inwardly, rather proud of how intelligent he'd sounded. Outwardly, he sat up a little straighter and puffed out his chest a bit. He couldn't resist a little half-smile. "You been tae Rullo's house yet?"

Odysseus nodded. "Yes, it does seem like one. We'll keep that in mind, but not single out on any one motive just yet. Jumping to conclusions is one of the worst things to do when you are on a case." He stood up. "No, I haven't had the chance with all these witnesses coming forward. I was planning on doing it this afternoon, which it is now."

Shoving his things into his pack and shouldering it he turned to Lachlan. "Shall we go now or would you rather do something else?"

[Shor]

Lachlan held his half-smile. He didn't see a need to answer, and within the moment, the sea otter was hobbling toward the hedgehog's house. He'd been there before, shortly before accusing Rullo of murder. Unfortunately, he had been wrong then. But this time, he would get it right. There was no room for mistakes in the investigation of murder.

The two traveled along a worn path that would be overlooked by anybeast not looking for it. As they continued, Lachie glanced at Odie and, as was the seer's custom, began to study the other a second time. Odie seemed precise and meticulous, though in a sort of peculiar way. The gator rather looked at everybeast with a facial twitch of suspicion -- not that this was a bad thing, but it could be safely assumed that Odie did not make too many friends at first glance. It also appeared that Odysseus was not a fan of conjecture, an aversion that, to Lachie, seemed unfortunate, for Lachlan himself strongly believed in the powers of instincts. To second guess would almost be a sin to him. Of course, Odie's opposition to conjecture didn't much bother Lachie. In fact, it was always good to have a rational beast around to correct Lachlan, who had a proclivity to jump to conclusions. Still, it was a pity Odie was not terribly open to shots in the dark. That was how mysteries were solved.

Lachlan stepped gingerly over a dew-darkened tree root that protruded from the earth. Meanwhile, his thoughts switched to Bragg Hurthson. Lachie shook his head. It simply could not be that mouse. Bragg was far too friendly, far too good-natured, and a bit too lacking in the area of guilt -- Lachie actually rather liked him. But then, Lachie always was the one gentlebeast who could survive easily in a vermin camp. No. He could thrive. Barr had found Lachlan, on more than one occasion, entertaining a crowd of the most ruthless vermin by out-divining their seer (every vermin camp had one), implementing his upfront sense of humor, and simply being friendly. Lachie had even participated in some of their games, proving himself in strength contests, riddle-duels (which were both interesting and amusing), strategic war-games, and, once, gambling, which proved a mistake when his father learned what was going on. All in all, Lachie had found most of their company quite enjoyable. But, in the end, they were murderous vermin. Perhaps he was wrong about Bragg too. Perhaps his judgment of character wasn't reliable enough...

Lachlan glanced up as he trod over a mouse's footpaw, for the yelp from his right caught him by surprise. The mouse let out a curse or two, and Lachlan chuckled. "Oh, er, sorry."

"Y'sure about that?" the mouse managed to growl.

"Aye, sorry, wasn't lookin' where Ah was goin'." He shifted a bit, removing his cane from the other's footpaw. "Nice tae meet ye, Dabb," he added with a smile.

"Tsshhh, aye, right," replied Dabb as Lachlan continued past the other guards and into the house. The big otter was met with no questions or orders to halt as he wandered into Rullo's abode, for everybeast knew who he was. Lachlan was infamous, and that was the way he liked to keep it.

Rullo was not quite so receptive of the seer's audacity. The hedgehog leaped up and stormed to greet his visitors with a snarl. "What're ye doin' here?" The hatred was divided equally between the young otter who had first accused him of murder and the elder who had done no more than been involved in the investigation.

"Well, yore a sight."

Rullo glanced at the speaker, and seemed to recognize him for the first time. Rullo, standing an inch taller than Lachlan and several wider, seemed to be attempting to sear a hole through the otter's head with his eyes. Lachie flashed a smile at the hedgehog, who clenched his fist and yelled at both otters. "Get ourra my'ouse!" Yup. Spreadin' the love.

[greek101]

Odysseus did not have to wait long for Lachlan to make up his mind. In fact in moments he was hobbling along the small path toward Rullo's house. Keeping his pace reasonable, Odie soon caught up with him and walked along.

As Odie walked briskly along the path, but not too fast, not wanting to loose his companion. He knew that Lachlan was studding him again, but he put up with it and continued on, not saying anything about it. Lachlan wasn't someone to be worried about, or from Odysseus's stand point. He was a younger otter who had been through much, but used his mind to help him through. Sure Lachlan would fool around, but he can and will get serious when the time deems right.

But that was not the main thought in Odysseus's mind. The case took that top priority. Ducking under a branch which stuck out into the middle of the path, his mind reviewed all the facts and the ideas.

Fact: the hedgehog wife had been killed. Fact: lots of usable evidence found at crime scene. Idea: Husband may have done it? Fact: Husband was at the right place at the right time. Fact: Evidence does not point to Husband. Fact: Not many of the "witnesses" have helpful testimonies. Fact: Bragg Hurthson provided testimony. Idea: Bragg may have done it? Fact: Lachlan met Bragg and isn't sure.

Odysseus's brow furrowed as he thought. He needed more facts. Maybe Rullo's testimony would help. Testimonies are always hard to work with, but it may give Odie just the lead he needs.

The sound of a mouse crying out in pain brought Odysseus back to the present. Turning he looked over at Lachlan who had trodden on a mouse's paw.

"Oh, er, sorry."

"Y'sure about that?"

"Aye, sorry, wasn't lookin' where Ah was goin'.Nice tae meet ye, Dabb,"

"Tsshhh, aye, right,"

Odie raised his eyebrows, but did not comment. Following Lachlan, they approached Rullo's home. Lachlan waked right past the guard into the home. Odie however, nodded with his cap as he followed. "Aft'rnoon." The guards looked at him with minor curiosity, but did not question him. Obviously they thought he was with Lachlan, which he was.

Upon entering, Odie watched as Rullo stormed up to "meet them". Apparently he had not had a good night. Or it was just Lachlan.

Most likely the latter.

"What're ye doin' here?"

Before Odie could answer, Lachlan butted in with a "brilliant comment".

"Well, yore a sight."

"Get ourra my'ouse!"

Odie, who was about as tall as Rullo put his paw as best as he could (Rullo being a hedgehog and all, got to watch out for those spikes! ) and spoke calmly to Rullo. "Mister Rullo, if you could calm down please. Lachlan means you know harm, or under my watch he won't. I am Odysseus Stormracer, Private Investigator. I'm here to find out who killed your wife. All I want it to ask you a few questions, if you would be so kind in doing so. But before anything can be done, you must calm down.."