Turn the Page, Leave the Train

The Ticket Collector administered first aid to the Master of Disguise, still disguised as the Illusionist, but unconscious, and despite that, he was handcuffed. The Cowboy had just woken up and was sitting, nursing what appeared to be a headache. The Heiress's three henchmen surrounded her, providing protection. The Noble sat alone in a dark corner, and everyone on the train awaited the conclusion. Only the Vampire was missing. When Cowboy woke up, the woman had vanished.

"So, is it over?" the Heiress asked.

"Almost. There is still one person left to apprehend," announced the Illusionist.

"The Vampire," the Cowboy said frustrated. The Illusionist didn't want to contradict the man, but this was his moment.

"No, I don't know where she went, but there's someone else, the one who orchestrated all of this," he said as he drew the Devil card.

"Wasn't it the Old Mobster?" the Noble asked, exhausted.

"No, not on his own. The Devil deceives, and just as the Tower card emerged, representing an extra person, I believe there's another person pulling the strings here. After all, the story of the Cowboy versus the Vampire made no sense in the Old Mobster's plan. No, the other person was someone with resources, who pretended to be a vampire from the Cowboy's village all the way here. Someone who could pay for the poison, the equipment, and the services of the Master of Disguise, someone with money. Not only that, but someone who would benefit from it. In a world of conflicting stories, conflict is essential, and the Master of Disguise said something very interesting about good versus evil at one point. The only person who would benefit from this kind of fame is the same person whose train line is facing financial difficulties," he pointed dramatically at the person. "The Noble!"

The Cowboy was now on his feet, with handcuffs on his wrists, but the Noble stood up, protesting.

"How dare you? Do you have any proof of this? The Master of Disguise could have done this on his own!"

"Indeed, all I have is circumstantial. You were the one who literally brought the Vampire onto the train, had very convenient alibis for each crime, even asking for a random photo almost at the time of a murder. But, as I said, you're the only one who would benefit from this staged duel of good and evil. But you don't have to take my word as law. The Master of Disguise told me everything while I threatened to shoot him."

"That's impossible! He would never reveal everything," protested the Noble, and this was the Illusionist's checkmate.

“Indeed, he didn't speak, but what you thought was strange was not that he wouldn't tell the truth but rather that everything I said was a lie? You were very quick to incriminate yourself, and I'm sure the Master of Disguise will end up confessing everything to reduce his sentence in prison."

Without waiting any longer, the Cowboy arrested the man as the sun rose on the horizon.

He was relieved that it was over, even though there had been many losses along the way. It was then that the Train Conductor widened her eyes in alarm.

"I need to stop the train! We're almost there!"

She ran to her cabin while the people dispersed, now that everything was truly resolved. The Heiress approached the Illusionist before packing her things for the new story.

"Thank you for everything. I may be just the Heiress for now, but soon I'll inherit the entire mafia, and if there's one thing I've already learned, it's to repay your debts. If you ever need anything, just call."

Having a favor from the mafia boss was quite interesting, but it wasn't the reason he solved the crime. He bowed and kissed the Heiress's hand.

"Thank you very much for your kindness, but knowing that you're okay is reward enough. Maybe you can treat me to dinner in the future."

The Heiress smiled and now turned to one of her henchmen.

"And you, congratulations on your good work and the vacancy that's opened up. From now on, you'll be Henchman 2."

The man celebrated, while another one complained.

"Why him and not me? I was already ahead," said what the Illusionist assumed was Henchman number three.

"Your work left much to be desired. Now let's go; we have a lot to do."

The group departed, and now the only people left in the carriage with him were the two handcuffed individuals and the Cowboy.

"You shouldn't have executed the Criminal," said the Illusionist, not bothering about the man's reaction.

"You know he knew everything that was happening, right? He was blackmailing the Old Mobster and selling information to me in exchange for protection."

"And for that, he deserved to die?"

He saw something on the Cowboy's face that he didn't expect. No, it wasn't regret, but something close to it. Perhaps there was still hope for the man.

"As soon as the train stops, I'll take these two to the local authorities. I'll find a way to ensure they remain imprisoned forever."

"And what about the Vampire?"

The Cowboy looked at the Master of Disguise's body, now knowing he was the culprit behind it all. But he didn't feel the usual anger; he felt empty and lost.

"She may have a few days' head start. I'm busy with other things right now."

Before leaving, he asked for one more thing: the Cartomancer's deck. He wanted to keep it as a memento, and without protest, it was handed over. The Illusionist placed The Tower, The Devil, and The Star back into the deck and made it disappear into his top hat. There was nothing more for him to arrange, but the train was stopping, and he had decisions to make ahead.

As he headed to the baggage car, he felt something strange. A small bulge in his pocket, something he'd never had before.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a note, reading the beautifully written words.

"Dear Illusionist,

our journey together was quite fascinating; unfortunately, I had to leave early. I'm not very good at goodbyes, so here's this.

You're a very intriguing person, and I'd like to get to know you better. What do you say we arrange a meeting once all this Master of Disguise business is resolved, and my name is cleared?

Anyway, this is my goodbye for now. I hope our paths cross again.

Kisses, The Vampire"

And there was a lipstick kiss mark on the note in bright red. The Illusionist chuckled and tucked it back into his pocket, this time without causing any noticeable bulge.

When he realized he was in the baggage car, he found it strange; there was nothing there for him. The Old Mobster's belongings were with the Heiress, and the Criminal's things had been confiscated by the Cowboy. There were only two large violet suitcases left, and he had no doubt to whom they belonged.

He ran his hand over them. The Train Conductor would try to find someone to send the body and belongings. He was glad to have found her killer; perhaps now she could rest in peace. That's what he wanted to believe.

Then something caught his attention—a half-open zipper with the tip of a card sticking out, belonging to the same deck.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he pulled the letter. The Sun. He didn't need the book to interpret this one; he knew what it meant, and it wasn't about any crime but rather about his existential crises.

He left the train bathed in the light of a new story and smiled. Not the fake smile he used in his shallow shows, but a genuine smile. He now knew he could use his abilities beyond performing superficial acts and saw a world of possibilities ahead of him.