Sept. 18
Gatewater Hotel~ Hallway
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!? RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANSOM!?" Gumshoe roared out in shock and outrage, causing many of the hotel residents to peek out of their rooms just to see what the commotion is about.
"Shh! Quiet, Detective! Not so loud!" Iris pleaded before sighing. "But yes...the ransom is complete acquittal for Matt Engarde."
"Wait, the deal is "complete acquittal" in exchange for Maya, you mean...?" Gumshoe asked, to which Iris nodded. "Then this means Matt Engarde is obviously the killer, pal! No doubt about it!"
"But he and Dahlia said that Mr. Engarde is innocent..."
"You really believe what two KIDNAPPERS tell you, pal!?" Gumshoe shouted, exasperated. "One of them being your PSYCHO TWIN SISTER!?"
"Er...you have a point there..." Iris said sheepishly. "If Mr. Engarde is innocent, why this kidnapping?"
"And on top of everything else, there's all this evidence we keep finding," Gumshoe added and noticed Iris' curious expression. "The guys with the eagle eyes are really lapping it up like they just caught a huge fish."
"O-oh..."
"But it's strange," Gumshoe admitted. "There's so much evidence that it feels like something's wrong."
Iris raised a brow. "Too much evidence? Is that even possible?" she paused to think for a moment. Dahlia and De Killer did say something about Engarde being 'set-up'...
"Anyway, looks like you won't be leaving here tonight, pal," Gumshoe said. "Just sit tight and cooperate with the investigation. Tomorrow you can start yours."
"T-thank you, Detective," Iris said humbly, bowing to the Detective. "I truly appreciate this..."
"We've also got to be careful about pushing the kidnapper the wrong way."
Iris nodded, but a worried expression was ever so visible on her face. I just hope that this will all turn out alright...
. . .
Sept. 18
?
"L-let me go!" Pearl cried out, struggling helpless and yelping in pain as Dahlia pulled her by her hair, dragging her to a door. As she continued to try to free herself, Dahlia growled as she opened the door.
"Shut up!" Dahlia shouted, cruelly shoving Pearl into a cold dark room, causing the poor girl to trip and fall. Pearl moaned in pain, feeling the stone floor bruise her knee. "Try to call for help, break anything, or so much as channel anyone, I'll make sure to be extra slow in stabbing you, GOT IT!?"
Pearl whimpered, too scared as she crawled away from her big sister's evil twin.
"Good! Now be a good girl...AND STAY PUT!" Dahlia screamed.
"No, wait, I'm AFRAID OF THE DARK-!" Pearl screamed but it fell on deaf ears as Dahlia slammed the door shut and locked it. After a few seconds, Dahlia pressed her ear against the door, smiling sadistically as she heard Pearl feebly banging on the door, crying and begging to be let out.
"Aren't you being a little too harsh on the poor girl?" De Killer asked, earning a glare from Dahlia. "It's not like she did anything to hurt you."
Dahlia scowled. "That brat channeled that coffee-chugging moron back from the dead and helped Iris in her case, which mind you, landed me in jail!" Dahlia said, taking step toward De Killer. "I'd say she hurt me just as much as my weakling sister did."
"Whatever suits your purposes," De Killer said with a shrug. "However, please do remember we need alive rather than dead. I get that want to make her and your twin suffer but do so after we complete our job. Besides, our employer did say he'd double our pay should the trial go as planned. So, please..."
He then placed his hand over Dahlia's shoulder. With a tight grip, Dahlia squirmed as she felt a twinge of fear at the coldest and sternest glare he made. "Do keep that in mind before you do anything to that girl."
Dahlia froze, unable to retort or say anything like the cold ruthless killer in front of her kept glaring...and then he smiled.
"Alright then!" he clapped his hands together, his demeanor completely changing. "Please do go to the dining room. I've prepared a lovely turkey dinner and we both need it to muster up the strength for our work tomorrow. Please, do go now."
Seeing that he won't leave until she does, Dahlia sighed and turned to walk to the dinner table. De Killer followed behind her, making sure she wouldn't target their hostage again.
"I'll get that girl again...!" Dahlia vowed underneath her breath. "By the time this is all over, you and your brat will scream for mercy, Rissy...!"
. . .
Inside the cell, Pearl wept, curling herself into a fetal position as she lied in the cold, dark stone walls of the cellar she was in.
Big Sis...Mystic Maya...someone, anyone...please save me...!
. . .
Sept. 19
Detention Center
"So...all you have to do is give Matt Engarde a non-guilty verdict and Dahlia and this killer guy will let Pearl go?" Maya asked Iris as they walked to the visitor's area.
"That's what De Killer said," Iris said. "I know it's unlikely, but what choice do we have, Mystic Maya? What bothers me is that I might have to defend a guilty client for once..."
"How are you even sure if he's guilty? Maybe they just roped him into this mess as they did you," Maya suggested. She knew it was an unlikely chance, but she wanted to give Iris some comfort at least.
The poor woman couldn't sleep last night, too caught up by Pearl's kidnapping. Bags formed underneath Iris' eyes and she didn't even bathe or eat today. Maya was worried too, but it was nothing compared to what Iris was going through.
"Trust your gut when other senses fail. That's one of sirs rules," Iris said with a growl. "With what happened to Pearl, I can't trust Mr. Engarde for a second. I need to just get this over with as fast as I can so I can get my sister back."
"But you're not going to do it acting like this!" Maya said, stepping between Iris and the door to the visitor's room. "Look, I know what's going on with you right now! I feel the same way, but you can't march into this room and start acting like this to your defendant!"
"There's a high chance of him being responsible for my sister's kidnapping, Ms. Fey!" Iris hissed at Maya, feeling a sting to her chest upon hearing Iris call her that way. "What do you suggest I act like, huh!? Give him a warm welcome and thank him for kidnapping Pearl!?"
"No! No, I'm just saying give him the benefit of the doubt," Maya said. "You know, give him a chance to prove his innocence and maybe cooperate with him so he can help too. And if you're still unsure, maybe you can use the Magatama on him to see whether he's lying or not?"
Iris paused to think it over and after a while, sighed. "I'm sorry for snapping at you like that, Mystic Maya. You're right, it's just with Pearl...if..." tears began to stream from her face. Iris sniffled. "I...I don't know what I'll do if...if..."
Maya quickly wrapped her hands around Iris, pulling her into a warm hug. "Hey, it's okay, it's okay. I'm here for you," she stayed silent for a minute to let Iris cry. After that, she let pushed Iris slightly and placed her hands on her shoulders. "What you're feeling right now is normal, but Pearl needs you to be strong. For her sake, you have to be strong, Iris."
Iris sniffled, wiping away her last tear. "You're right...I have to do this...for Pearl's sake."
Now fuelled with determination, Iris stepped forward and opened the door to the visitor's room, stepping inside to cone face to face with her latest client.
Iris blinked upon staring at him. Matt Engarde was a relatively handsome young man, somewhere in his mid 20's or early 30's for the most part. He had chocolate brown hair that covered the right side of his face. He wore a flashy red and white synthetic suit with rolled-up sleeves and a large collar around his neck. Underneath that suit was a black shirt and on his hands were brown fingerless gloves. What was the most interesting feature he had wrist-mounted smartphones that looked like watches.
Noticing Iris, Engarde stared at with a neutral expression, making him very hard for the lawyer to read.
Iris cleared her throat and sat down. "G-Good morning. How are you today?"
"..." Engarde stayed silent, just staring blankly at Iris.
"I know this situation might be a little tough for you..." Iris added.
"..."
"Um... we're..."
"Oh, sorry dude," Engarde suddenly spoke, getting Iris' attention, "but I already signed up."
"E-Excuse me?" Iris asked.
"I already have life insurance. I signed up a long time ago cause my job is, you know..."
Iris' face turned red, flustered. "...Oh! No no no... We're not insurance salespeople!"
"Really...?" Engarde asked before thinking for a moment. "Dude, I really don't need that right now either."
"W-what do you mean...?"
"Fire extinguishers. I mean, this building isn't my house, so..."
"... No no no... We're not here to sell you fire extinguishers either! I'm a lawyer. My name is Iris Hawthorne."
Engarde perked up. "A lawyer...? Hold on a sec. I'm gonna ask my manager, OK?" he didn't bother to wait for Iris to answer as he began to dial a number at one of his wrist-mounted phone watches.
Is he even allowed to have those here? Iris pondered as he made his call.
"Wow, who knew the Nickel Samurai was a strange person, huh?" Maya said with a chuckle.
Strange doesn't even properly describe it, Iris thought snarkily. After a few minutes of watching Engarde talk to his manager, he hung up from his call and then turned to Iris.
"Sorry about that. You're just in time," he said, causing Iris to raise a brow. "You're a lawyer dude, right? My manager's looking for a good one right now, so how about it?"
"I-Iris, this is our chance!" Maya said, to which Iris nodded.'
"Alright, Mr. Engarde, I'd like to represent you in court as your lawyer," Iris began. "However, I'd like to ask you some questions if it's alright?"
"Um, that's OK, but dude, my autobiography's coming out soon, so..." Engarde paused to think in a ditzy expression that reminded Iris of Ini. "If I say stuff without the publisher's approval, then I'm gonna be in real hot water...Hold on a sec. I'm gonna ask my publisher, OK?"
Iris and Maya sighed in exasperation as Engarde began to make another call.
"Is he going to do this all day...?" Maya whispered to Iris' shoulder.
"I hope not..." Iris whispered back, grimacing.
"Sorry about that," Engarde said after finishing his second call. "Like I thought, the publisher said it'd be real bad if I said anything, dude."
Do you even have a mind of your own!? Iris snapped internally at the actor before letting out a sigh. "I will be frank with you, Mr. Engarde. You are accused of murdering a colleague of yours. I am aware you have a very promising acting career, but that will not matter if you are declared guilty, especially if the Judge declares you guilty. That's real bad if not worse for you, so please let me ask."
Engarde blinked and frowned. "Wow, dude, you're pretty intense. A-alright I guess," he shrugged. "What do you want to ask?"
Iris didn't waste time and presented the press conference ticket to Engarde.
"What's that?" he asked.
"It's a ticket for the press conference," Iris answered. "You were going to give one after winning the Grand Prix, right?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Yes," Iris nodded. "While you were in costume no less."
Engarde tilted his head. "Um, I never heard anything like that, dude. I only heard about the stage show. I always leave that kind of stuff to my manager."
Iris raised a brow. He didn't know? That's odd...
She then took out the radio transceiver from her bag and presented it to Engard, who looked at it curiously.
"Iris, are you sure it's a good idea to tell him...?" Maya whispered.
"I'm not, but I figured I could at least show it to him..." she responded before turning back to Engarde.
"A radio transceiver?" he questioned as he studied the device. "Hey, it looks like a real nice one too."
"I got it as a present from someone," Iris explained. "They used it to instruct me to take your case."
Engarde gasped. "Dude, that's terrible! Don't let some disembodied voice boss you around!"
This coming from a man with a cell phone on his wrist... Iris thought grumpily before going back to the matter at hand. "You happen to be aware of someone named De Killer?"
Engarde's eyes widened as his blank expression suddenly turned into one of shock. "D-De Killer?!"
"Yes," Iris said gravely. "I will be honest, Mr. Engarde, I would rather not take this case. But for some reason, he and another person want me to defend you in court. So please, I beg you to accept me as your lawyer! If you don't, they...they...!"
Iris was on the verge of tears, too horrified by the idea to even finish the sentence.
"Alright, I'll do it," Engarde said, causing Iris and Maya to perk up.
"Huh?" they both asked.
"I'll do it, dude," he said, flashing a smile. "I'll accept your term. I'll let you represent me in court."
Maya couldn't contain her excitement. "Yes!" she cheered, jumping for joy. "We did it, Iris! We did it!"
"Hold on," Iris said. "That was sudden. And curiously, you accepted me so quickly when I brought up De Killer."
Engarde scoffed. "Like, dude, if you think I'm working with that creep, you're wrong. That dude's nothing but a stalker who's been this creepy ultra fan that's been stalking me for weeks now..."
Iris raised her brow, not buying Engarde's explanation at all. Still, he doesn't look happy at this arrangement like I am. That's something I suppose...
"If you want to clear some stuff up, dude, just ask me anything you want," Engarde offered. "I'll help out as much as I can..."
"Alright, the first question," Iris paused to take a breath. "To elaborate on basic information, you're Matt Engarde the famous movie star, correct?"
Engarde smiled. "Yep! Man, I thank my lucky stars that people know my name."
"Well, you're quite the hero, and you're in the national spotlight," Iris pointed out.
Engarde nodded. "Ah, it's really great to be the Nickel Samurai. Dude, lately, I just keep on getting more and more popular.
The Nickel Samurai is very popular among high schoolers and secretaries right now, Iris thought before blushing red. And I do see the appeal after watching a few episodes myself for this case. I guess Mr. Engarde has a way of catching the eyes of women...
"Do you know my motto? Refreshing like a spring breeze," he said with a wave hand gesture to his face, which sported a gentle yet cocky grin. "That's what I am.
He then frowned and let out a tired sigh. "That's why this kind of scandal is disastrous, dude. I mean, even if I get out of here tomorrow, it's still gonna look bad."
Everyone loves a good scandal... Iris thought solemnly, remembering Viola's turmoil from her previous case. "Alright, next question. Can you tell me about your activities last night?"
"After I got the award, I took a break and went back to my room," Engarde said. "I had that post-ceremony stage show to do. So I was in my Nickel Samurai costume."
"And you were alone the entire time?" Maya asked.
Engarde shrugged. "My manager was running around being busy, so yeah."
"Because of the press conference, the one you were supposed to have after the show?" Iris added.
"I told you, dude. I have no idea about any press conference, alright?" Matt said, crossing his arms.
That's strange... I thought the Nickel Samurai was going to confess something, Iris thought, rubbing her chin.
"Anyway, when I was leaving my room, that's when I noticed it was kinda noisy," Matt continued. "And that's when the detective in the green coat showed up. He searched me... and then, out of the blue, the dude arrested me."
"And Mr. Corrida was already dead at that time?" Iris asked.
"Yeah, that's what I gathered anyway from my manager."
With the way he's always talking about his manager, it's as if she runs his life, Iris thought, mentally taking note to talk to this manager later. "About you and Mr. Corrida, what sort of-"
"That's got nothing to do with anything, dude," Engarde interrupted. "Man, with that face of his, you can't even tell he's the same age as me. And he wanted to try making a Jammin' Ninja movie, even though we all know it'd fail."
"The Nickel Samurai still won in the end, right?" Maya asked.
Engarde smiled. "Yeah. I took the Grand Prix by storm. So why would I, the winner, have any reason to kill the guy anyway? Dude, you'd think it'd be the other way around, you know?"
"About that...why exactly are you suspected to be the killer?" Iris asked.
Engarde thought for a second, then sighed. "My body search went badly, I guess. They found a button from the Jammin' Ninja's costume."
"A button?" Iris repeated.
"I don't get it either," Engarde sighed, scratching his head. "It was caught in the pleats of my samurai pants, or hakama."
Maya perked up at that. "Aah!"
"Dude, I really think someone planted it there though," Engarde insisted. "I'm serious."
I wonder if that's what really happened..? Iris wondered. She then turned to Maya as if to ask her approval. Maya nodded.
"Alright, allow me to ask you this question first," Iris said before gripping her Magatama. "Did you kill Juan Corrida?"
Engarde looked confused, reaching for his phone watch.
"Put those phones down, Mr. Engarde, you need to answer this yourself," Iris said firmly. "Did you kill Juan Corrida?"
Engarde paused for a moment, Iris gripping her Magatama tightly as she anticipated the answer.
Engarde sighed. "Alright. Just so we're clear, dude, I didn't kill anyone, and that includes Juan Corrida, OK?"
Iris expected a familiar set of chains and Psyche-Locks to appear but instead, nothing happened. Iris couldn't help but look shocked at this.
"Well, Iris?" Maya asked.
"Nothing," Iris answered quietly. "Not a chain or lock in sight."
"Which means..." Maya smiled. "I think it is alright to trust him."
Iris sighed in relief. Yeah, it does appear that way. Well, at least I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing my client is innocent.
"Um... The trial's tomorrow, right?" Engarde asked, smiling nervously. "I'm counting on you, dude."
"Don't worry," Iris said, flashing her own confident smile. "We'll make sure to bring the truth to light."
And with that, Iris and Maya bid Engarde farewell and headed back to the Gatewater Hotel to investigate the current case.
. . .
Sept. 19
Gatewater Hotel~ Hotel Lobby
"YOU!" Oldbag exclaimed, causing Iris and Maya to jump. "What do you think you're doing!? You can't come in here without permission!"
Iris grumbled in annoyance. She did not want to deal with Oldbag again. "We did get permission, Oldbag. We got it from Mr. Engarde since we're representing him in court."
"Hmph!" Oldbag crossed her arms, glaring at Iris and Maya with contempt. "I heard poor Juan was killed. Is that true!? It's a bad rerun is what this is. Another 'Hero of Justice' doing the most evil of deeds."
"Ms. Viola was framed the last time," Iris pointed out. "The same could be said for-"
'll have you know that I was a huge fan of Juan's! Why, oh why, do all the stars I'm interested in drop one by one like flies!? It's always been that way! Ever since I was a little girl in elementary school-!"
"Oldbag, we have NO time for this!" Iris snapped, earning the old woman's surprised look. "I need to ask you about the murder and what happened."
"Hmph! Don't push me, girl!" Oldbag retorted. "But if it makes you go away faster, just get on with it and ask me already!"
"Gladly!" Iris hissed. She took a minute to compose her. "Let's just make this quick. Is there anything you know about the victim of this case?"
"You know, there are only a few stars that I could ever love..." Oldbag then stared up, clutching her chest. "And only recently did I finally find a star that makes this heart go badump again..."
Iris visible gagged. "What!?"
"I ask you, why does every star I cheer for always ends up kicking the bucket?"
Iris didn't answer, looking confused. "Umm..."
"I'd watch your words!" Oldbag shouted. "No one's going to get away with saying anything bad about my Juan!"
"But I haven't said anything," Iris said.
"Well, I don't believe a word that woman says anyway!"
"What woman?" Iris asked.
"That irritating, ditz with the red hair and tacky dress. I mean, what is that manner of speaking supposed to be? And why does she never stop? Honestly, women these days. They're all getting dumber and vainer-"
"Wait, are you talking about Ini?" Iris pressed, earning a "Harumph!" from Oldbag.
"So you two do know each other!" Oldbag shouted, jabbing her bony finger at Iris. "Figures! Troublemakers like you always stick together!"
Iris. "I guess that's serviceable...do you know what happened around the time of the murder?"
"Ah, I don't know anything about that," Oldbag answered. "I was here getting ready."
"Getting ready?" Maya repeated. "For what?"
"The show, of course!" Oldbag hissed. "...Well, and the press conference afterward. Anyway, I don't know anything about the murder.
"Ah, I see..." Iris sighed in disappointment.
"... But."
Iris stared at Oldbag curiously.
"But if you're talking about what I saw, that's different," Oldbag said with a smug grin on her face. "I saw it very clearly! I saw the most important moment of the night!"
"What!?" Iris and Maya shouted in unison. Suddenly, Iris felt a warm aura emanating from her Magatama, causing a familiar set of chains to appear, with four Psyche-Locks keeping them in place.
Iris gawked at the sight of the four Psyche Locks. "Most important...please, tell me what you mean?"
"Oh, so now you treat me with respect, you disrespectful child," Oldbag sneered. "When you speak to your elders, you should always be polite. Really, kids today."
"Please tell me!" Iris pleaded. "What did you see!?"
"The murder last night was gruesome, wasn't it? But then, what murder isn't?" Oldbag flashed a condescending grin that Iris just wanted to punch. "If you want to hear more, then show your respect and bring this lady a present! Does...Juan Corrida's autograph sound good?"
"B-but there's no we can get that!" Maya protested.
"M-Ms. Oldbag, please...m-my sister's life is on the line-" Iris tried to say, but Oldbag ignored her, drowning out her words with the irritating rattling sound of the laser gun she held.
'rata-tat-tat-tat-tat...'
Iris growled. "You know what?! Fine! I'll go get you your stupid present, you crotchety old hag!"
Oldbag gasped. "Crotchety!? Why you no good-" she was then cut off when Iris grabbed her by the collar of her suit. Oldbag felt her old heart race as she came face to face with Iris' signature demonic glare.
"I'm going get that present of yours and give it to you!" Iris declared with a frustrated growl. "But if you don't give me what I need even after I give you that autograph, my sister's death is going your hands! Got it!?"
Oldbag couldn't answer, too paralyzed with fear as she kept staring into Iris's glare. Iris then let Oldbag go before storming off to continue her investigation.
Maya only stared in shock before snapping back to reality.
"I-I'm sorry," she bowed to Oldbag before turning to run to Iris. "I-Iris, please wait up!"
All this left Oldbag speechless, standing there as she pondered what Iris meant that her 'sister's blood would be on her hands...'
. . .
Sept. 19
Gatewater Hotel~ Hallway
"Iris, don't you think you went too far with Oldbag there?" Maya asked, but Iris ignored her, still marching toward Engarde's room. "Iris, didn't you remember what I told you last time?"
Iris ignored her again, both of them reaching the door to Engarde's room. Iris moved her hand to the door handle, but Maya moved in front of her, grabbing it before she could.
"Iris, listen to me!" Maya shouted.
"I'm sorry, Mystic Maya, but I can't!" Iris snapped. "My sister's life is on the line and I can't afford to be nice right now!"
"Pearl's family to me too!" Maya replied. "I get that you're worried, but you can't go around acting like this to everyone you meet!"
"I know, and I'm sorry, okay?!" Iris shouted. "Oldbag pushed me too far, and I'm not apologizing to that bitch for being petty at a situation like this! I know you're concerned about me too, Mystic Maya, but I need to go into that room and get something that can save my sister now. I don't care what I have to do right now, so please, move out of the way...or else, I'll make you move."
Maya paused, surprised by Iris's words. After a moment of thought, she relented and let the door go. "Iris, just so you know, no matter what happens...I'll help you through this, no matter what. Okay?"
Iris gazed into the pleading face of her dear cousin and sighed. "Much appreciated."
After that, Iris opened the door and both of them stepped inside. Entering the hotel room, they saw it was in a bit of a mess. Iris looked down and noticed the plates of eaten food, the only thing remaining were the bones from steaks and smudges of sauce. The weapon props of the Nickel Samurai laid around the room, a katana on the couch and the spear leaning on the wall. Finally, a red suitcase with three days worth of clothes inside was left open and laying on the floor, some of its contents strewn all over the floor.
"May I help you with something?" a voice asked, causing Iris and Maya to jump. Turning to the voice's direction, they saw a tall thin woman with long blonde hair and a stoic and cold expression on her face. She wore a blue sleeveless top with a grey belt that revealed her slim, lovely figure, as well as long pair of white pants. Her one hand was holding a small pink notebook, while the other adjusted her red glasses to observe Iris and Maya. "You're Mr. Engarde's lawyer, correct?"
Iris nodded. The woman's stoic expression did not waver.
"I gathered as much," she said. "I also looked for lawyers on my end, but to no avail. The trial is tomorrow, and Mr. Engarde's situation is looking rather grim. So you came here, one-stop in your mad dash, to find clues to build his case, correct?"
"Well, you're not totally right, but you're not totally off either," Iris said. "I take it you are Mr. Engarde's manager?"
"How observant of you," the woman complimented in an icy tone, stepping forward to extend her hand to Iris. "I am Adrian Andrews. I hate to waste time, so let's get down to business."
Court Record:
Evidence:
1. Iris' Attorney Badge
2. Magatama
3. The Nickel Samurai
4. Press Conference Ticket
5. Radio Transceiver
Profiles:
1. Pearl Fey
2. Maya Fey
3. Viola Cadaverini
4. Ini Miney
5. Wendy Oldbag
6. Dick Gumshoe
7. Dahlia Hawthorne
8. De Killer
9. Adrian Andrews
Author's Note: Hi guys, I'm sorry this chapter took so long. I've been having to deal with college exams and a lot of school work for the time being. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Now that I'm done with my midterms, I had time to work on this chapter. I'm thankful to have gotten the time to do so. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be, but hopefully, it won't be as bad as the time it took to finally get me to do this one. I hope you can understand.
I figured I'll have Iris act more emotional than Phoenix in this case given her little sister's life is on the line. Plus, Dahlia is in on this too, adding a lot more weight to the situation. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter, and please let me know you're thoughts on it through a review. That's all I want you guys to do because it helps me improve as a writer. Thank you so much and I hope you all have a good day.