Chapter 26

Chapter 26, "Slash", is the ninth chapter of arc 2 of Exit/Corners.

Synopsis
Having found a shattered portrait frame in the washroom right next to Beth's corpse, Ink deduces that she was, in fact, assassinated by one of the other Contestants, and shepherds them to the recently unlocked bar in the Blue wing.

Ink opts to investigate the murder case in lieu of solving the next puzzle. After exhaustive examination of alibis, motivation and opportunity, the discussion ultimately devolves into a merry-go-round of accusations. Rae raises suspicion upon Aether's ample timeframe in which she'd be able to retrieve the murder weapon and kill Beth with minimal risk of being found out; Aether casts doubt on Tiana's claim of remaining entirely alongside Sean by the Black wing area; lastly, Tiana exposes Rae's criminal history consisting of committing a series of arsons around Bellbridge (one of which inadvertently nearly claimed Liza's life) in the recent past.

Still missing irrefutable evidence, Ink (with Liza's assistance) eventually emerges with a tentative method of unmasking the culprit: a questionnaire written by each of the three suspects individually. Shedding light into Tiana's knowledge of "Exit/Corners"'s true name, he uncovers her involvement in Beth's death. Tiana evades capture and subdues Aether, taking her hostage and escaping the others with the help of Sent.