While still dark, Piers and Bunter secretly headed over to the Walsh Estate. Piers checked the area around the statue and the pond nearby. He found Larry Walsh's new gravestone there, but he also discovered two sets of footprints around the back of the pond close to the fence. Furtive movements.
Piers: Bunter, there's definitely been a struggle here by the water. Someone jumped the fence too ... and appears to have jumped back over.
Bunter: Any sign of a woman's prints?
Piers: Oh, yes. Not here by the statue though. They come up the far side of the pond by the fence as do the man's prints. But the woman's turn around and head off again quickly.
Piers: The woman either witnessed Walsh being killed, or came after the deed and just left him there without checking the body. Even in the fog, a murder or a body would have been hard to miss at that short distance.
Bunter: From what the ghost described, the woman came while he was still alive. He believes his daughter was there at the time of his death. Could have even startled the killer. But Walsh said she didn't help him.
Piers: She might have been afraid to help. Or maybe she wanted the old man dead herself.
Bunter: Either that, sir, or she didn't care to interfere in Emad's business.
Piers: Pretty cruel, with the victim her own father, what? You really believe your brother is our murderer?
Bunter: Well no, M'Lord, I don't. Not directly, anyway. I think he sent one of his goons to do the deed.
Piers: We'll check his alibi, of course, but I agree. Although, he's still culpable if what you say is true.
Bunter: We need to talk to those three Woeful Brethren Emad was seen with lately. Very cozy club.
Piers: Yes. ... While I tackle them, why don't you have a word with Bebhinn Faraz?
Bunter: Will do. Though if you will, sir, leave Antwon May to me. He and I understand one another, you see.
__________
Bebhinn refused to speak. Wouldn't say a word against her husband or admit to anything she might have seen.
Bebhinn: You are out of line, Marvin Bunter! How dare you speak to me like this. Accusing me of harming my father! Why, everyone knows it was an accident! My father slipped, hit his head ... drowned!
Bunter: Bebhinn, we both know that isn't what happened, now don't we?
Bunter: Your father came to me. He told me what happened the night he died. Lord Wimsel is not going to let this go. Not only because he believes in justice, but because he's protecting his family. We are willing to find other ways for ensuring justice. The entire truth will not go public. ... Do you understand what I'm saying?
Bebhinn: You ... Lord Wimsel won't go to the police with your, uh, suspicions?
Bunter (sighing): I can see there's a lot you don't know about your husband. The short answer is no. With Emad, something else must be done. Just think about what I've said. One way or another, His Lordship will follow through. And his word will not be questioned. Cooperate, and it will go better for you.
Having done all he could for the time being, Bunter left the Walsh home. He only hoped Bebhinn was smart enough to take his advice. His brother would be another matter. Emad had gone too far. Bunter had warned him.
As he turned to go, Bunter saw Bebhinn by her father's grave. She was crying. Was the grief genuine? Bunter wondered. He hadn't gotten any firm statement from his brother's wife. All he knew was that she'd been involved in Walsh's murder. Willingly or reluctantly.
Had Bebhinn wanted Emad to get rid of the old man for her? A possibility. But somehow, Bunter just couldn't bring himself to believe it. Bebhinn's quiet tears tugged at him.
__________
Meanwhile, Piers had gone over to talk to Archie Bloom and Tyron Nielson. It didn't take long for him to conclude these two were not involved in the crime.
Archie: Master Faraz promised us higher status in the lodge. He's been a strong leader. Of course, he does spend more time with Brother May. But that's fine with me. Keeps that hot-headed May out of my face.
Nielson had a little more going for him than Bloom. He was a Computer Whiz. But again, Piers doubted he knew anything about Walsh's death. The man was scared though. Piers asked a few questions.
Piers: Something seems to be bothering you about the new arrangements in the lodge.
Tyron: Not the lodge. I just, well, you probably won't believe this but I thought I saw Elder Walsh's ghost out on the road last night.
Tyron: Not sure, but something's weird about his death. I saw Master Faraz with Brother May the same night Walsh died. The talk got kind of heated. I didn't hear what was said, except May did yell out, "It's taken care of, I tell you!" Next thing, the High Elder's dead. Seemed odd, that's all.
Piers: You should have informed the authorities about this.
Tyron: Master Faraz would not have liked that! The man's a little scary sometimes, you know?
Piers: Leave things to me. I believe I can help you out here. You're in real trouble, Nielson. Trust me.
__________
Bunter soon arrived just as Antwon May himself drove up. Bunter began his own version of the interrogation process. May was not receptive.
Bunter: You killed Larry Walsh, May! And I'm going to make sure you pay for it!
Antwon: You're crazy! I had no reason to do Walsh in! It was an accident. Doctor said so!
Bunter: Someone saw you. Two people, in fact. Bebhinn Faraz ... that's Emad Faraz's wife, if you've forgotten. And oh, yah, Walsh himself saw you too. I've talked to them both.
Antwon: You're lying! Talking to ghosts. Crazy, I tell ya! You've always hated me. Just leave me alone!
Bunter didn't listen another second to May's ranting. It was time to knock some sense into the murderous bum.
Bunter: Start talking, May. Better you talk to me than to my brother, don't you think? Emad's not so nice as me!
Antwon: Faraz threatened to cut off my ears if I didn't do it! Said he'd make me disappear too. Kill me, right? What choice did I have?
Bunter: You had a choice! You didn't have to become Faraz's assassin! You're going down for this, May. I promise you, one way or another. So, better wise up and cut the crap.
While Bunter stood guard over May, Piers walked over with the other two Brethren. The three Woefuls were a subdued trio. The next question was, what was to be done about all this? Piers could hand May over to the police, but what would happen when Emad got implicated? There would be hell to pay.
Piers thought the best thing would be for him to first talk to Emad himself. Bunter's tactics could stir up more trouble. His friend would do better straightening out these lackeys instead. Bunter was unhappy with the arrangement, but didn't think Emad would dare hurt Piers. The two Djinn were deadlocked.
Bunter: Ok, lads. Here's what we're going to do. We'll all head into the trailer now and have a little dinner. My treat. After that, I'll need to leave you alone for a time--so I can help clean up this mess. You three will watch TV, play cards. Just spend a quiet--very quiet--evening at home. Got it?
Bunter: Keep your mouths shut until you hear from me. And if anyone forgets my instructions here ... well, that would be bad, wouldn't it?
Piers: Bunter, there's definitely been a struggle here by the water. Someone jumped the fence too ... and appears to have jumped back over.
Bunter: Any sign of a woman's prints?
Piers: Oh, yes. Not here by the statue though. They come up the far side of the pond by the fence as do the man's prints. But the woman's turn around and head off again quickly.
Bunter: From what the ghost described, the woman came while he was still alive. He believes his daughter was there at the time of his death. Could have even startled the killer. But Walsh said she didn't help him.
Piers: She might have been afraid to help. Or maybe she wanted the old man dead herself.
Bunter: Either that, sir, or she didn't care to interfere in Emad's business.
Piers: Pretty cruel, with the victim her own father, what? You really believe your brother is our murderer?
Piers: We'll check his alibi, of course, but I agree. Although, he's still culpable if what you say is true.
Bunter: We need to talk to those three Woeful Brethren Emad was seen with lately. Very cozy club.
Piers: Yes. ... While I tackle them, why don't you have a word with Bebhinn Faraz?
Bunter: Will do. Though if you will, sir, leave Antwon May to me. He and I understand one another, you see.
Bebhinn refused to speak. Wouldn't say a word against her husband or admit to anything she might have seen.
Bebhinn: You are out of line, Marvin Bunter! How dare you speak to me like this. Accusing me of harming my father! Why, everyone knows it was an accident! My father slipped, hit his head ... drowned!
Bunter: Bebhinn, we both know that isn't what happened, now don't we?
Bebhinn: You ... Lord Wimsel won't go to the police with your, uh, suspicions?
Bunter (sighing): I can see there's a lot you don't know about your husband. The short answer is no. With Emad, something else must be done. Just think about what I've said. One way or another, His Lordship will follow through. And his word will not be questioned. Cooperate, and it will go better for you.
As he turned to go, Bunter saw Bebhinn by her father's grave. She was crying. Was the grief genuine? Bunter wondered. He hadn't gotten any firm statement from his brother's wife. All he knew was that she'd been involved in Walsh's murder. Willingly or reluctantly.
Meanwhile, Piers had gone over to talk to Archie Bloom and Tyron Nielson. It didn't take long for him to conclude these two were not involved in the crime.
Archie: Master Faraz promised us higher status in the lodge. He's been a strong leader. Of course, he does spend more time with Brother May. But that's fine with me. Keeps that hot-headed May out of my face.
Piers: Something seems to be bothering you about the new arrangements in the lodge.
Tyron: Not the lodge. I just, well, you probably won't believe this but I thought I saw Elder Walsh's ghost out on the road last night.
Piers: You should have informed the authorities about this.
Tyron: Master Faraz would not have liked that! The man's a little scary sometimes, you know?
Piers: Leave things to me. I believe I can help you out here. You're in real trouble, Nielson. Trust me.
Bunter soon arrived just as Antwon May himself drove up. Bunter began his own version of the interrogation process. May was not receptive.
Bunter: You killed Larry Walsh, May! And I'm going to make sure you pay for it!
Antwon: You're crazy! I had no reason to do Walsh in! It was an accident. Doctor said so!
Bunter: Someone saw you. Two people, in fact. Bebhinn Faraz ... that's Emad Faraz's wife, if you've forgotten. And oh, yah, Walsh himself saw you too. I've talked to them both.
Antwon: You're lying! Talking to ghosts. Crazy, I tell ya! You've always hated me. Just leave me alone!
Bunter: You had a choice! You didn't have to become Faraz's assassin! You're going down for this, May. I promise you, one way or another. So, better wise up and cut the crap.
Bunter: Ok, lads. Here's what we're going to do. We'll all head into the trailer now and have a little dinner. My treat. After that, I'll need to leave you alone for a time--so I can help clean up this mess. You three will watch TV, play cards. Just spend a quiet--very quiet--evening at home. Got it?
Bunter: Keep your mouths shut until you hear from me. And if anyone forgets my instructions here ... well, that would be bad, wouldn't it?
