Take Responsibility.

[andexecutioner]

And like last week, after a given amount of time the corridor at the northwestern end of the foyer opens up; it's quiet when it happens, and vaguely unsettling like Juri's first appearance here – it wasn't open, and then it inexplicably was, and even if you were investigating in the foyer you probably couldn't say when it happened. As before, that podium circle stands in the middle of the courtroom at the end of that claustrophobic little hallway; there's no mistaking that there are fewer of you than there were last week. Mallick and Nephenee have joined those with podiums draped in black, their framed, greyed-out profile portraits observing the proceedings that are about to unfold here. Juri is nowhere to be seen, but the feeling that you're being watched is still undeniable; he'll wait until you've all found your spots to address you. "Steadfast is dead. Maybe someone's trying to take me up on the incentive; maybe someone was just feeling opportunistic. Who knows? It's not really important now; what matters is seeing if they manage to carry out the terms of Rule Seven. It's your job to hold them responsible. Good luck." Twenty-seven Competitors remain. Let's see how many are still standing by the end of the day.

Comments

[glaciates]

Then what was the head injury for?

[myfedorarocks]

Perhaps it was an attempt to hide the real cause of death?

[glaciates]

Rideaux said there weren't any signs of strangulation. You got any other suggestions?

[myfedorarocks]

....Unfortunately, no.

[fortunatedetective]

If I may...

Does anyone know how far away was the thread from the entrance of the foyer?

[It's a sudden idea, but one doesn't get anywhere by not daring to go ahead with it. After all, what if the thread was set in order to trip any potential victim?]>/small>

[rainofterror]

It was over by where all the chairs are, near the clock.

[However...far away from the entrance that is. I presume not right up on it, at least, because that would be a stupid place to put a seating area.]

[fortunatedetective]

Hmmmm...then my most recent thought is rather unlikely. I had thought the culprit may have set thread on the entrance, near the floor, to trip the victim and catch them by surprise. It doesn't sound very likely if it was in the seating area, though.

[hentopan]

How the hell is a normal piece of thread supposed to trip anyone?

[fortunatedetective]

It can be done by extending a thread from side to side of the doorway, making it as taut as possible. While the chances of working aren't guaranteed, if done high enough it can make a passerby lose their balance.

[glaciates]

...Yeah, but it's normal thread. It's not strong enough for that.

[hentopan]

Thanks Izzy. [ Because a normal string? No chance in hell it won't break.]

[glaciates]

Isaac.

[SOMEDAY!!! SOMEDAY YOU WILL STOP CALLING HIM BY THAT DUMB CUTESY NICKNAME!!]

[hentopan]

[ Grin!!

Never.]

[notaccurate]

Mmm, no, I don't think so.

I think the murderer's plan, whatever it was, backfired somehow. The fact that the room was torn apart in the fight shows that the fight went on for a while, and I am certain that nobody would want that to happen. It's too easy to leave behind evidence unintentionally. No, the murderer probably tried to kill Nephenee in some other way, but it didn't work. The head injury was a last resort.

[innocentloveholic]

I'm pretty sure a big blow to the head with a ton of blood on and around it is pretty "cause of deathy," but sure!

[ ...you probably deserved a little sass, uh ]

What do you think the real cause would beee if not for the head trauma, Unconventional?