Look for witnesses? There were no witnesses. Find fake witnesses? They would have had to be near the scene of the crime at the right time. I had no idea if the system had a lie detector it could use on the witnesses.
There must have been nuances I didn’t know about. Detective work couldn’t be that simple. But they definitely needed concrete evidence, since this justice system punished the guilty with dismemberment.
“There are no murderers here!” I repeated loudly, with a smile. “But I’m sure whoever killed Johnny and whatstheirnames did us all a big favor.”
“Mother condemns murder!” The lead detective said curtly. There was outright disapproval and disgust in his voice.
Of course this neat, tidy halfling thought I was disgusting — me, a filthy, vicious goblin.
“I’m asking you, Eleven, and you, Ninety-One. Did you commit the aforementioned triple murder? Mother is watching!”
This was no murder investigation — it was an inquisition! What did he expect me to do? Fall tearfully to my knees and confess everything? And that last part about Mother watching... I wouldn’t be surprised if he pulled out a hot poker.
“You got your answer. There are no murderers here. Leave in peace, halfling!” I repeated, more harshly this time.
“Justice will prevail. Even in this world.” He said triumphantly as he left.
I wasn’t going to make it easy for him:
“Hey! Head Clown! Where did you get that jacket? What’d it cost?”
I didn’t get an answer, just a quick, sharp glance from the bodyguard. I met his eyes just as sharply, and the trio walked away. They hadn’t made it ten steps when their leader (I was already sick of him) turned around and proclaimed confidently:
“You can’t hide the truth forever!”
At that, Yorka stood up and burst out:
“Get lost! We told you, there are no murderers here! What part of that don’t you understand? Or maybe you’re the murderers, trying to shift the blame onto us?”
She was furious, finally laying bare her long-suppressed emotions. None of the three halflings dared to argue with her flame-spitting tongue. They had enough of a brain between them to understand it was useless, so they left in silence. Yorka plopped back down on the bench and snorted angrily. I should have given her a pat on the shoulder, but I was too busy watching my old friends — Tiger and Buxa — pass by. My eyes followed them automatically. They caught me staring, slowed down for a second, then hurried to hide in one of the spines. Looked like they had heard the news, too.
I turned to Yorka and suggested:
“Let’s hit the capsules a little early tonight.”
“Good idea!” She agreed. “I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
“We have to be up at one in the morning.”
“Are you kidding? No? You’re serious? One in the morning? Hmm…”
I waited patiently, watching her thinking over the events of the day and slowly but steadily coming to a conclusion. It took her three minutes, after which she said firmly:
“We get up at one o’clock. That gives us a huge advantage — no griefers, no crowded hallways or job sites. We get our jobs done, and maybe even get a party job.”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “Whatever way you look at it, getting up early is the best way. We’ll get a few hours of sleep after lunch if we’re really exhausted.”
“Ten-four, goblin. Hey, Elb…”
“What?”
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“This place…” I looked around the hall filled with zombies, goblins, orcs and a few small groups of halflings. “This is the Outskirts. What is there for us here? Tomorrow will be our last day in this place.”
“Are you serious?”
“Well, it’s my last day here, that’s for sure — barring something unpredictable. You can decide for yourself. Anyway, what do you have to lose by leaving?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Fine! I won’t ask you where we’re going — I don’t like bad news before bedtime. Don’t forget to take your painkillers and medicine. I’m gonna get some water and go to bed.”
“Wait for me. We’ll find two empty capsules close to each other.”
“We just have to make sure we wake up by one.”
“I’ll wake you up,” I promised with the malicious grin of a true goblin. “Abandon all hope of getting a good night’s sleep.”
“No rest for a goblin…”
“No rest, indeed.”
* * *
Balance: 11 sol.
I had skipped dinner and water in the evening to save a few sol, and I didn’t have to get my shots for a while still. But the system took rent for my slightly defective set of limbs, and I had spent three sol on personal hygiene.
Current time: 01:05.
Yorka crouched by her empty capsule, yawning and taking small sips from the bottle. I didn’t bother her — I wasn’t thirsty. I was busy working out my left arm, bending the elbow back and forth, slowly and carefully, inch by inch. I smiled contentedly. It was much easier to bend now, and I didn’t get the sensation of glass being ground up inside. The painkiller they had given me before I went to bed had also kicked in. It was surprisingly strong, but even despite that, I could tell my elbow was getting much better.
