Kings Gambit

Kings Gambit - Part 4

What kind of situation have I found myself in? This originally started as a battle between Jasper and me. We knew that the other was guilty. It's only suitable for this trial to end with one of us being the culprit... But Leo... It just occurred to me that he's the true Mastermind, a truth hidden beneath Jasper's lies and manipulation. He's been twisting the trial, moving the pieces on the chessboard in his favor. Now Jasper and I have to team up and disprove his lies. What a mess...

"Okay, Mastermind, what must we do to prove that Mr. Detective and I didn't work together?" Jasper started the debate with a question.

"Are you referring to me?" Leo grumbled.

"You're the mastermind, right?" Jasper winked, and Leo sighed.

"I don't think you can prove it, rat," Leo replied.

"How about you, Mr. Detective?" Jasper placed his hands behind his head as he faced me.

"If I am reading into the theory correctly, you assume that Jasper and I planned this murder to take each other out. If Jasper wins, then I die. And if I win, Jasper dies. You're saying there is enough incentive in that fact alone to motivate us to work together." I looked at Leo, who was staring back with fierce eyes, "That being said, you think Jasper used his lie of being the mastermind to put me in the position to accept the offer since I can only win by killing the mastermind." I scratched my head, "I have to say that the logic makes sense, if not far-fetched. The evidence to back it up is there, but it could also be explained by having Matt and the culprit work together. A third person wouldn't be needed," I continued.

"So all you have is that Mr. Detective and I hate each other. All other evidence doesn't prove or disprove the theory." Jasper added with a cheeky smile.

"Now hold on, I find the fact that only the two of you not having alibi's account for something," Leo replied.

"Like what? You're assuming that it means we worked together when it was just the culprit and Matt." I shot back.

"The other was used as vote bait, a fall guy in the murder scheme." Jasper's eyes shifted to a yellow and grey color.

"If that's the case, why are you so opposed to the theory? We still don't know exactly who the culprit is between you. Why argue against it?" Leo squinted his eyes.

"Because whoever doesn't is the culprit. Do you think we want to work together?" Jasper snickered.

"The rat's right. I'm arguing against it because it's wrong. He has to because his plan crumbles if he doesn't." I spat.

"Says the person who's acting innocent," Jasper spat back with crimson red eyes.

"This is so confusing..." Claire placed her hands over her ears.

"The rat and I are holding to our original accounts, is what we're saying. Leo's explanation is just wrong," I scratched my neck.

"I don't see how it's any less believable than your accounts. It's on equal weighting." Leo snapped back, "Also, what about your evidence claim Hank? What the hell is it if it wasn't just some ruse to win with Jasper?" Leo pushed further.

"As I've said, I don't know yet." I clicked my tongue.

"Yeah? Then what about the timing? In both Jasper's and your accounts, the timing from shots one to two makes no sense. Jasper said you wanted him dead, so waiting for the second shot doesn't make sense. And you said that Jasper forced you to shoot, so why did you shoot again right after?" Leo argued against us, "The only logical explanation is that you orchestrated it. That would also explain why you saved Jasper from the bullet wound."