Order Only

[alt_pomona]

Goodness. I just saw the morning's Prophet. Poppy, Sirius, Frank, have you seen it?

For those who haven't, it's a brief little piece saying that the body of Facinorous Stint was found yesterday on Marloes Sands (near Marloes). Nothing like details, mind you.

It seems quite impossible, really. And yet. I assume it's true enough, because why. No, never mind, in this world, there are all sort of reasons for false information.

Do any of you know anything further?

Comments

[alt_bill]

My word.

I've just checked with one of my sources, and I can confirm that yes, a body was found there. Well, no great loss to anyone, I'm sure, and I presume it was probably Stint, unless MLE has some burning need to dispose of someone else and transfigured the corpse to look like him. I will keep on working to confirm.

Only who did it? The paper doesn't say anything about anyone being picked up for questioning.

[alt_pomona]

I suppose - well. I suppose it's possible he fell off a cliff on his own. Isn't it? Only.

I'm not sure I like to think about the other.

[alt_sirius]

Don't look at me, Pomona. I didn't see him while I was following Poppy.

Course, he's the type with loads of people who'd like to see him dead.

Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_bill]

I'm presuming we can believe you about this.

But...I hate to ask this, but what about Frank? Or even Poppy? Frank's not been himself lately, and Stint was really threatening Poppy.

I don't doubt the bastard deserved it, although I'm not gonna say that sort of thing in front of Terry Boot. But give me a hint if I have to figure out how to pull anyone's chestnuts out of the fire if there's any risk they're going to get pulled into a murder investigation.

Re: Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_sirius]

Bill, I can't speak for Frank but I think we ran Stint off fairly thoroughly without resorting to murder.

And I don't want to say it in front of everyone, either, but there were times when I wasn't right there watching Poppy every second. Like when I broke off to follow what I thought (no, I was sure) was Stint's scent.

So it's unlikely but it's possible that he returned and confronted her alone.

But then she'd have had to Apparate with him to dispose of the body and I just can't see our Poppy doing something like that. Can you?

I mean to say, it could have happened but you'd have to work hard to convince me of it.

Re: Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_bill]

Right. No, I can't see it either. Besides, she does take that bit about 'First do no harm' pretty seriously.

Although if it were self-defence, I suppose she might. But I would think, in that case, she would have told you.

That leaves Frank as an outside possibility at best, and I suppose he's safe enough at Moddey Dhoo, if worst comes to worst.

Anyway, I get the impression there were plenty of other people who had their wands out for him. Not a popular man, our Stint.

[alt_lupin]

Poppy, how much time were you off by yourself?

Not that I'm making any accusations, but his antipathy for you was well-known. If someone ELSE makes any accusations, can we readily establish an alibi for you?

[alt_poppy]

Oh. From mid-day Thursday until mid-day yesterday.

Sirius was with me, but I can hardly claim him as a witness to my activities. There was another member of the course half a mile from me, but we never saw one another in that time.

Do you think I'll need an alibi?

When is he meant to have died?

[alt_lupin]

I'm not sure. Either about whether you're likely to need an alibi, or what time he's meant to have died.

Bill, do you know if they're treating this as a probable murder or a probable accident?

[alt_frank]

colour me unsurprised.

first I've heard of it, though.

[alt_poppy]

Died, has he?

Frank told me I ought to read this. And, well. I can't say I'm sorry. Or surprised someone would do him in if they'd a chance to.

Of course, the way he was drinking the last we saw him, he could well have gone up those cliffs and toppled off.