“Who are you and how do you know the victim?”
Ho ho ho, My name's Bear Daddy, but you can call me B. I'm the current Executive Officer of Front Companies, Ltd, an international logistics operation. Ferdi and I go way back, all the way to some business meetings we had when I was what, 20-ish. We've been thick as thieves ever since and it's a darn darn shame to see the old boy go out like this, Who could possibly have done something like this? He was always so jovial and friendly.
“That's what we're trying to work out, Mr Daddy.
So what do you know about the other suspects?”
The other guys? I know a little bit. Turnip's the old chap's son - and he's always skeeved me off , y'know - like he's polite enough, but never seemed quite settled with where he is in the world. Polly though, she's lovely - she's been his partner for a year or so, and we've seen each other from time to time, and I've never had too much to say against her. I'm not too sure about Bitey and Eevil, though - I can't say I've met them too often. Oh, sure, we've had plenty of conversations at various meetings between our various companies, but nothing personal; nearly got involved in a lawsuit once with Bitey's old Laundering International. Bullied them off of it though - we settled out of court when they realised that they had no chance against the united might of Front Companies, Ltd! Serves 'em right for nicking our ideas, to be honest.
“What were you doing at the time of the murder?”
At the time of the murder, I was just relaxing at this party with the rest of the folks - catching up on old times, having a few drinks, that sort of thing. I sat and had a nice chat with Polly, and I was trying to reminisce with Turnip about him growing up - I've known him since he was only *this* big, and it's impressive to see the young man that she's grown into. I know Bitey was busy with that argument they had with Ferdi, but I didn't know that they were capable of this sort of thing! I'd assumed it was something about cards or something along those lines, though I wish I'd paid more attention now, I can tell you that!
“Did you leave the room at all between 19:30 and 20:30 on Tuesday 7th February?"
No, I largely just stayed where I was, though I know both Bitey and Ferdi went separate directions to cool off after their argument. Of course, I didn't pay much attention to where they went off to, naturally- their relationship had always been a bit like that, with tension under the surface, always threatening to boil over. This was the worst they'd had it for a little while, though; but I figured, what with Bitey and Polly's history, that this was just the first chance they'd had to hash it out for a little bit - these things happen all the time, and normally, they'd just come back, right as rain, after a few minutes, and laugh it out over a pint of mediocre beer and a game of cards. I didn't realise that this would be the last time at all. I didn’t really notice anyone else leaving, although I know someone went out to get ice cream towards the end of the night, that machine’s awful loud: you could probably hear it from King’s Manor if you wanted to! But I don’t think that would give you enough time to go out and do any murders - we were all back here when the body was found.