The details of Thomas’s murder have gradually become clearer.

Thomas was a prudent businessman. His company, while maintaining minor loans for ties with banks, was financially stable and operating in the black. He prioritized safety, never skimping on the maintenance of airships, earning the respect of mechanics. Similarly, flight attendants and floor staff seemed satisfied, with no signs of grievances or mistreatment. This suggests that employees are unlikely suspects.

As for business partners, Thomas maintained solid relationships. No partnerships were terminated in the past five years, making it improbable that a trade partner held a grudge significant enough to commit murder.

Even competitors, despite harboring the usual rivalries, didn’t appear to hold murderous animosity toward the steady and ethical Thomas.

Finally, let’s examine family relations. Thomas’s wife passed away two years ago, leaving him childless. His father is deceased, leaving behind his mother, an estranged older brother, a younger brother, and a sister.

The estranged brother—referred to here as the "foolish brother"—was legally disowned, thus forfeiting any inheritance rights.

The younger brother is an engineer managing the maintenance crew. He is deeply involved in technical work and shows no interest in management or money. Reports suggest he and his wife are content with their current lifestyle.

The sister oversees the floor staff and is married to a man who runs a subcontracting business dependent on Thomas's company. It seems that her husband is somewhat subordinate to her.

Upon inspecting Thomas’s corpse via unofficial means, the precision of the murder became clear. Contrary to earlier reports, the wound wasn’t inflicted from the left shoulder to the right side; instead, it slashed upwards from the right side to the left shoulder. The skill displayed supports earlier claims about the murderer being highly trained.

The elderly mother has no motive to kill the son who managed her family's prosperity.

As for the foolish brother, he seems unaware of his lack of inheritance rights. While he could have hired someone to carry out the murder, the possibility remains speculative.

The sister, though strong-willed, wouldn’t go to the lengths of committing murder for control of the company, especially since she often expressed disdain for management responsibilities. Her husband, though financially strained, is an amateur in swordsmanship and lacks the means to hire someone for the job. Additionally, since siblings cannot inherit each other's wealth in this country, killing Thomas wouldn’t benefit him directly.

Could he plan to kill Thomas’s elderly mother next, thereby increasing his share of the inheritance? Perhaps, but the motive remains weak for now.

Let’s reconsider the motive beyond financial or managerial gain. Who stands to gain the most? The top suspect under this lens would be the lord of the land. With no heirs, Thomas’s fortune would legally transfer to the lord, granting control over the Samuel Airship Passenger Company.

"Pal, investigate the lord. I’ll look further into the foolish brother," I instructed.

"Understood. And when I return, I’ll reward you handsomely, my dear master," she said with a playful kiss on my cheek before vanishing from sight moments later.

I left the hotel and made my way to the foolish brother’s usual haunt: the front desk of the Samuel Airship Passenger Company.

Every day, he loiters here, causing trouble. Employees tolerate him because, despite his disownment, he remains a member of the founding family.

"Bring me some wine! Hurry up!" he barked.

Does he think this is a tavern? Truly a fool.

Just then, his sister approached and—wham!—a right hook to his face knocked him unconscious. The security team dragged him to the open lot near the airship docks and roughed him up a bit more.

"If I were her, I’d have cut his head off," Pal quipped later, tilting her head sweetly as she said something terrifying.

Back at the hotel, we shared our findings.

"Thomas’s younger brother, sister, and mother seem unrelated to the crime. The foolish brother is as clueless as ever—his sister knocked him out cold today."

"If I were her, I’d have slit his throat," Pal repeated nonchalantly.

"That aside, have you narrowed down the culprit?" she asked.

"More or less," I replied.

"As expected of my master! I’ll give you a special reward!"

"Save it for the room," I muttered, mindful of our surroundings.

"Everyone would be better off if we just killed them all," she suggested, her casual tone contrasting with the severity of her words.

While alarming, her protective instincts were clear. Sometimes, accepting her affection—even under the judgmental stares of onlookers—is the price of survival.