The Evidence

The Torn Note

Clutched in Alan's paw — a fragment of parchment. The visible words read:

"...seventeen syllables is not enough to contain..."

The rest has been torn away. Who writes in seventeen syllables?

The Acorn Collection

Alan's famous acorn stash was scattered across the conservatory floor. But three acorns were missing from his ledger — the ones labeled:

• "R&A — haiku exchange, private"
• "R&A — poetry night confessions"
• "R&A — the wanting ones"

Someone took their secrets back.

The Raspberry Stain

A small smear of raspberry jam on the velvet curtain. The kitchens confirm: only one guest requested raspberry tarts that evening.

"Rice and Red" — but which one was eating the tarts?

The Footprints

Small footprints in the spilled champagne. The gait analysis suggests someone who "works on their feet" and was "bloody knackered."

The prints lead toward the music room, then double back.

Lord Wyvvy's Account

"I found him! Poor Alan. He was always such a good listener. I saw someone slip behind the curtain earlier — small, tired-looking, muttering something about syllable counts."

Lord Alex's Observation

"I noticed Alan had been nervous all evening. He kept patting his ledger and glancing toward one particular guest. Someone he'd recently... documented."

Lord Vex's Analysis

"Context matters. Alan had poetry night confessions from everyone. But only one pair's secrets were about wanting something they couldn't have. That's the dangerous kind."

The Haiku

Found crumpled near the body, in handwriting that matches no formal document but has been seen in late-night Discord messages:

Secrets kept in shells
One squirrel knew too much, too well
Silence bought with blood

Seventeen syllables. 5-7-5. A signature in form.