Hey guys. REALLY sorry about the late chapter, but I've been dealing with some very personal things like work and now the loss of two grandparents (one from each side of the family). I promise to update more often, but until then...enjoy.

The doctor soon came back and everything was a blur, though I still got out of hospital on the same day. Things were starting to make sense, but I wasn't in the mood. I was tired, dispirited and I had only just got my breath back. What's more, it was getting late so nothing could be done until morning. All that could done now was to go to bed and sleep.
Maybe I should quit. That was my first thought. I don't care how close I am, I can't do without help.

The sight of home on Earth wasn't as welcoming as I had thought, but it made a change. Here I could put my feet up and not worry about too many things. I still had work to do, but now it was something to occupy my mind rather than something to dread. Right now I didn't care, even though the thought of Amy and Adri were beginning to haunt me, the idea that Sonic could, and most likely would, blame himself for what happened.
But why didn't I care? Why was I giving up when I...we were so close to the solution? The motive was the main problem, something that was eluding me.

I slept little that night.


The next morning was cloudy and rainy, only a few days after the hot weather we had been enduring. it looked like a good day to stay at home, in bed. It would have been if there wasn't a neatly printed note on my desk.

Mr Malcolm, it read, could you please come at once to my office in the council building. There is something you must know at once. Yours, Head Councillor Michaels.

Nothing else mattered at that point. This might be it, the end of all this mystery. I was still shaking with excitement at this prospect when I finally reached the council building. It took a while, but at least the weather was clear and fine with only a few clouds in the sky. The office was on the top floor and, even in the lift, it took a while to reach it.
Then I was standing in front of the door. I went to knock when it was flung open. Michaels looked like he hadn't slept or washed. His hair looked like a hedge and his clothes looked slightly crumpled, but his eyes were excited and his breathing was heavy.

"I have it. He just came in, threw down a vial of red powder and said 'I did it'. I didn't expect this but I've had him arrested and put into storage."
"Storage? Who?"
"Why, Johnson, our Head of Sciences and Research. The police aren't here yet with the secure transport. He's just down the hall," He waved his hand vaguely to the door, "We had to bound him to stop him escaping."

I nodded slowly, thinking all the time. I was trying to keep my emotions in check, but I was bursting with energy and was waiting to rush out and shout it to the world. The mystery was solved. If we pressed Johnson, we could find a cure and everything was sorted. And we would get paid, if only I could get the lads here. I was too busy thinking that I didn't think anything was suspicious.
I even smiled as Michaels went to his desk, opened a drawer and brought out a bottle of something with two glasses. He was smiling too as he opened the bottle and poured out two equal measures. A noise outside distracted me, but there was nothing when I looked round as Michaels brought the drink to me.

"It's a special beverage, Mr Malcolm. I hope you like it, it's for a special occasion such as this. Cheers."

Our glasses clinked quietly and as I was about to drink it, the door opened and someone walked casually in. The figure was tall and had almost white hair...

"Daniel?" I tried not to sound too didn't seem to notice as he smiled at us and came to join us. He looked down at the glasses we were holding.
"Holding a party are we?" He asked casually, taking my glass. "Hope you don't mind me joining in."

"Not at all." Michaels beamed, but his words seemed a little forced as he moved back to the bottle. As he did so, Daniel looked carefully at the glass he was holding, then looked at me and winked.
"All right Malcolm. Not too stressed I hope."

I was just glad he was back. "Where were you anyway?" I looked round. "Where...?"

"Davink? He's in the lobby waiting for us. We had some...business to attend to." He glanced at Michaels who was searching for another glass. Daniel wandered over to the bin and just dropped the glass in it. Michaels saw it quickly and stood calmly, like he was waiting for it. I was confused, but there was no time to wonder since Daniel turned to Michaels and drew something from his pocket.
It was a pair of handcuffs. Things had taken an almost frightening turn and it turned worse with Daniel's next words, in the cold way they were delivered.

"Head Councillor Michaels, I hereby arrest you for the attempted murder of Amy Rose and of Princess Adrianna. I also arrest you for the attempted murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. You're not obliged to say anything. Any last words?"


The silence seemed to last an eternity which gave me time to think and catch up. I must be dreaming was my first thought. Daniel was arresting Michaels! The very man who hired us! Surely this was all wrong, there must be a mistake. But why would Daniel lie?

Michaels took this all in and didn't move, his face remaining impassive and unreadable. Then he sighed and reached into a pocket in his trousers. His hand held a gun when it came out, a laser which we had seen in our fight against Eggman, and was pointed at Daniel who also didn't move. Only then did it seem to make sense in some way. Michaels spoke quietly,

"Well done, my friends. At least we can end it now. If you have a moment, I can confess it to you now." He turned the gun to me, then back to Daniel. "Yes" he continued, "Yes, I think you should hear. You can be my confidantes, my priests in the confessional booth."

He gestured to Daniel to move. Daniel shuffled a little so he was almost next to me. Michaels still held the gun at us. He didn't change his calm tone, didn't tremble while holding the gun like the villains did in cop dramas. His face was still impassive and my lasting impression was that he had waited for this moment. He was ready to do this. To confess, to tell the truth, then...whatever came next.

"Very well," Michaels went on. He was now in a reminiscing mood, "Shall we start at the beginning? It started just after your little victory..."