Forensic Labs

10:00 a.m. September 7


"Ema?!"

Ema could hear the yell for her immediate attention echo once more in the hallway, blaring off the empty gray and white walls. The investigator scampered as quick as she could to see the ticking time bomb on her boss's face, her foot signalling the ticking by the tapping of her foot.

"Investigator Skye, please, I need you to focus. I don't have time to repeat myself." Dr. Toss managed to simmer down slightly. Her facial transformation went from volcanic to spring breeze. Some curls in her hair even dissipated. "This is going to be your first classified case…" she concluded quickly, "I just realized it. How does that make you feel?"

'Many things Dr. Toss… Above all... terrified!' Ema squealed, "Great ma'am! I'm ready. I've been affiliated with an investigation by the chief one time before he was chief prosecutor."

The smirk on her boss's light face widened, "you've never been through one with me before…" Dr. Toss laughed. "This is going to get messy."

Toss spun on her flat black heels and continued to walk down the hall of the familiar walls of the labs. The only audible noises were the steps of their shoes and Toss's discussion. "Investigator Skye, this is a major investigation and I won't lie…" She stopped. Ema braked, almost knocking into the doctor by how close she was. The swift turn met Ema with a serious expression, "This is probably one of my biggest investigations yet…"

Ema was excited but partially petrified, "this is your biggest case?!"

"Yes and I hope to see it through with you." Toss smiled. "First I need to figure out what happened in the labs and gather my things before we head off to the prosecutor's office. I only have a short time frame, so let us be brief. The longer this goes on, the harder it is to gain a lead and a connection. Then the case gets as cold as the body." The doctor headed towards a much larger office door, metallic grey doors, accompanied by a keypad security lock.

'Oh wow!' Ema thought in amazement. 'This is Dr. Toss's office! I am going… into Toss's office! The office of Toss!'

Dr. Toss jabbed in the key, twisted the knob and pressed several buttons on the keypad before entering. "You can come in Ema."

Ema didn't have to be told twice. Ema felt her toes walk on euphoric autopilot as she entered the enormous office of the poobah. Two metal desks, on each end of the room, each with highly state of the art computers. There was an examination table and enough organized files behind glasses cabinets with data to fill half a public library. It smelled so much fresher and ventilated in comparison with the rest of the building. There was not one spot in the place, disinfected to perfection. Ema giddily waltzed around as Dr. Toss rummaged through a recently removed thick binder. Ema inwardly screamed, 'this is a forensic investigator's dream! I can only imagine her lab!'

"Enjoying your field trip?" Toss joked nonchalantly, never removing her eyes from the binder as she flipped through more pages, thick with plastic holding evidence. The thin green tinted layers of hair dropped to Toss's shoulders. The pale pinkish orange shirt was tied at the lape with a short evergreen tie tucked tightly under her bosom where the single button of her lab coat clung The lab coat divided and remained stagnant, allowing her gray pants to be visible. Ema answered with a violent and exciting nod.

"Screw it…" Toss threw her hands in the air before closing the binder over and picked up the five inch object. "I'll just bring the whole thing. She'd probably tell me to come back here and retrieve it anyway…" Toss cuffed the thick binder under her arm.

"Sorry, Ema… My outburst was uncalled for but necessary." Toss conceded as she headed towards the door, turning the lights of her office off. "Come on."

Ema, answered with another happy nod, still had teetering jitters run up and down her legs. Her hands were shaking with excitement. The doctor quickly locked the door and the chase continued down the corridors, Ema steadily following. "For the past two years I have been on this case." They turned a corner, Ema listened attentively. "If you are to be on this case, you must think fast and hearty. Okay?"

"Yes, Dr. Toss!" Ema almost saluted, trying to keep up. Ema peered upward, the familiar signs with bold white letters read above her 'security'. Dr. Toss didn't appear too happy, by the way she had that killer instinct in her eyes, whoever was the targeted one to be fired was part of security. Their fluttering lab coats made it up to the double door security with the guards present on each side. Ema could see the flash of fear awaken in their eyes as the grim reaper approached. "Open the door," she commanded.

"One of you," her finger strafed from left to right to each one of the guards, "come in here, one of you, keep on guard, and I mean it. We had a recent intrusion and that makes me look really bad."

"Yes, ma'am!" One guard saluted, reluctantly following orders, another stilled and turned away from the closing doors. "I take my work very seriously, Detective Skye…" Ema could feel the fiery stare despite how calm it was, "it brings the true criminals in."

As the tall guard approached the petite woman, her finger directed towards the controls for the terminals of the security footage. "My protege has just informed me a masked man came in here and stole two pieces of key evidence for my investigation…"

"Yes, ma'am…" the heavily armed man confirmed unsurely, "someone came and pumped the ventilation system with a somniferous agent into the ventilation of most of the labs…" He almost winced, "We couldn't respond immediately because had to wait for the gas to clear up."

"Were procedures on gas removal complied? MSDS? The substances could've caused anything than a simple KO." She stated.

"No ma'am, the substance was benign… what examiners confirmed." Ema could see the sweat beginning to drip down the guards face.

"At least something went right in here…" Dr. Toss's eyes squinted unpleasantly. A glance exchanged towards Ema's direction, "Ema, where were you when this occurred?"

Ema's words were rapidfire, "I was in my office when this happened, Dr. Toss. When I just had the sample analyzed, I read through briefly to learn that the sample couldn't be something that was formed by the human body, though its nature was biochemically made."

Ema could see the doctor's face shift from aggravation to worry. She continued, "the geeks were continuing to do tests while I headed to my office. There I was attacked by this masked man!"

"The masked man," Dr. Toss's fingers lead to her the spaces where her hair did not touch the edge of her face, thinking. "... And this was the same man who stole the evidence, I presume."

"Yes…" Ema dug into her bag filled with her vials and forensic kit. "I drew a small sketch…" The investigator handed it carefully, but skeptically to the older investigator, "It's not the best art skill… but it's what I remembered."

Dr. Toss held the paper in her grip tightly, her eyes scanned the figure up and down. Ema winced, almost preparing for her mentor to give her a deathly glare that puts the chief prosecutor's look like a smile. 'Oh no… she'll probably take it as some sort of joke!'

After a while, Toss seemed to tense up gradually as the seconds became a minute. Her chest heaved at an ant's pace, almost keying for some sort of initiative. "Ema…" her tone slow, "you said this man attacked you…?"

The dreaded vibe was almost desperate from her boss's lips to her ears. She was almost to terrified to speak. "Yes…?"

The dark pale green tinted eyes stared deep into hers before frantically digging into her pockets, revealing white gloves. "Are you feeling fine?" The doctor uttered as she speedily threw her fingers into the plastic deposits. "Do you feel anything!?"

"I am fi-..." Ema was cut off when the doctor examined her, thoroughly. The doctor lifted Ema's face hard with her hands. The gloved fingers opened an eyelid as she removed a small examining flashlight from her coat pocket. Ema could feel the blaring light bother her eyes, the pupil and inner muscles strained. "Ema look right. No, my right. Forget it! Now look left…" her voice serious, "Now look up… down…"

Ema tried to remain still as best she could as her eyes moved on command, but the urgency of her boss's examination freaked her out. Dr. Toss relinquished the stressed eyelid and moved onto the other with the same demands as the first eyeball. When it seemed that she finished, Dr. Toss moved to her mouth. "Ema. Open up."

"Dr. Toss? Why?" Ema questioned concerned.

"Ema! I'm serious, just do as I say!" Ema's jaw collapsed as the fiery glare returned. She felt the doctor's thumb hold her chin down with her thumb and stuck another two into her mouth. Ema winced at the tingly feeling and taste of rubber. She felt the doctor diligently examine it. She pushed her tongue to the side, checked her gums, the insides of her cheeks, her teeth and the roof of her mouth. The flesh of her tongue pulled down, Ema tried her best not to gag when the doctor tickled the skin holding the tonsils in place. The relief of the digits removed from her mouth was gratifying but the terror of unanswered questions still plagued her mind. Dr. Toss was quick and sharp like a blade, removing the gloves and disposing them in the biohazard container nearby before returning back to the troubled investigator. "Ema… now your chin, up," she pointed to the roof.

Ema darted her face to the ceiling further feelin the clasp of the same digits checking her neck. She swiveled and swirled her neck along with Toss's inspecting fingers. The digits tickled softly, but she knew recoiling would only get her mentor upset. "Ema, remove your coat."

Before she could question again, Ema put down her bag and removed the long white cloth and set them aside on the security desk. Personally, Ema felt slightly exposed without the coat on, the cool ventilated air stole the warmth from her skin. It felt weird, especially in the work environment. She stood awkwardly there stuck in a T pose. The doctor checked most areas of exposed skin, "did he touch anything?" She questioned as she patted around Ema's body, "did he bite you anywhere?"

"No…" Ema stifled nervously, biting her lip. "Not that I know of."

Ema saw the two guards watching, her face tinge pink. "Could you guys at least turn around!?"

They both stilled before one swiftly turned on his heels, the other swiveled in his chair. Ema sighed in relief before Dr. Toss raised herself. The the weight of the older investigators hands cropped onto Ema's shoulders, an audible sigh of relief filled the air.

"Okay…" another heavy sigh. "You're good…"

Ema brought her head down, viewing the pale green tinted black hair in front of her. "Dr. Toss! Please tell me what's going on?!"

The same tresses of curly hair retreated backward, displaying a lightly anguished, but relieved expression, "I will, Ema… In good time. Not now. We have witnesses."

The gentle expression transferred to the guard on the computer, this time determined, "You!"

The guard in the chair jumped, pointing to himself. "Me?!"

"I should have you fired…!" Her finger pointed disapprovingly towards the guard on chair. The curls in her hair stood on end as she scalded him. "No one ever should come in here without proper authorization. Prosecutors and Investigators are the minimalist that are authorized to enter. An outsider has stolen evidence, and my student has been attacked…" She grumbled.

The doctor released Ema's shoulders, "When exactly did this man attack you?"

"Uhm…" Ema stuttered, the words falling apart, "two days ago, in the morning."

"Do your job!" Toss instructed, "get footage of this person, STAT!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The guard i blue swiveled so fast, he almost fell of his chair. The guard frantically tapped into the computer, rummaging through several files including footage and recordings of several rooms and halls throughout the labs. Ema placed her lab coat nervously back on as the guard mimicked the same on the computer. 'What the heck going on?! Why did she check me?!' Ema thought anxiously as she swallowed and held her neck softly by her fingers. Dr. Toss focused as the hours passed by on the day of Ema's attack. "Pay attention. What time was this guy in here, Ema?"

Ema peered at the gray footage of the halls, she specifically saw the hall heading towards her office. "I'm not sure. It was early in the morning, the same morning I was put on that case."

"Alright…the date is right September 5th… Fast forward the tapes." Both investigators paid attention to the gray footage. The time and speed daft, showing regular staff walking back and forth throughout the day. Nothing suspicious led up until just before a dark spectre walked by. "That's him!" Ema yelped. The black mask and white metallic beak strafed steadfast down the hall.

"This guy gives me the creeps…" Toss agreed. "Someone should tell him that the labs are no place for thievery or cosplay. But the bigger question is, how he did he get in…?" Her hands slammed on the desk, keeping her hovering over the furnishing. "The only authorized visitors are maintenance, prosecutors, or investigators. Play the footage back…" Toss pointed to the screen, "I need to see where he came from."

As the displayed numbers of day ticked backwards, time played in reverse. The black whisp trailed backwards. In previous cameras, the mask and hat was removed as the coat transferred black to white, "he wore a lab coat in here…" Toss grumbled. "We still can't see his face though!" It was true. He wore a surgical mask, bundled head to toe. The only visible piece of exposed flesh was his ears, holding the same mask above his snout. As the footage kept going backward, it became apparent how he entered so easily. As the man walked backward, a fork came into display where the camera got only a glimpse, as he retreated from where the other labs were located.

"That's where it happened…" Toss observed. As the footage continued to play backward, the fallen employees began to raise up from their imminent slumber. "They were completely oblivious!"

Ema could see Toss's knuckles turn white as the footage kept going on. As this masked perpetrator receded to the front halls another man with him came onto display. Dr. Toss raised her hand to stop the guard, "No… Hold on. Play it forward now."

A tall dark man, in a hat and vest. She couldn't see his face, heading towards the forensic labs, looking. The masked man followed behind him, distant. The man in front seemed to be searching, as the other prowled, waiting. As soon as this dark man in front unlocked the entrance to the forensics labs, the birdman darted swiftly and silently like an assassin. He tapped the man's left shoulder at the same fork. He slowly turned and looked over his shoulder, still holding the door wide enough for the birdman to sneak right underneath this dark man's nose. The man scanned the room for a bit, later playfully shrugging before entering the forensic labs.

"Are you freaking kidding me?!" Toss screamed. Her hair curled more angrily, almost to a fist.

'Now we know how this masked perpetrator got in. I can't believe how fast it was! That man didn't even notice the shadow glide right under him!' Ema wrought.

"I'm going to kill him when I see him!" She stammered, "Give me a copy of the footage!"

"Who is that?" Ema asked as she touched the screen with where the darkman was located. "I've never seen him before."

"The fool who has been stalking me for these past two weeks with that stupid grin on his face!" She huffed angrily. "Some prosecutor! He set me back! As soon as I talk to Miles Edgeworth, I'm going to give this guy a piece of my mind!"

'A prosecutor…?' Ema eyed the screen, 'he must be new… Edgeworth has been in desperate hands for new prosecutors. It's been empty after laying off many others with dirty tactics.'

"Footage. Now." Her eyes growing more aggravated by the second. The guard whimpered, "it's going to take a while for the copy to be done, ma'am…"

The investigator dragged her hands across her scalp before sighing, "tell me when it's done. In the meantime, Ema…" Ema could see she was on the spot again. "Yes, Dr. Toss."

"Follow me. I'll debrief you of small details while the tape develops." Toss waved her hand before exiting the room. As she held open the door for Ema to exit, she peered back at the guard, "Come back out here! I want this guard protected at all costs. I already lost two pieces of evidence. This is my last resort to finding them..."

The man marched out and stood right by the door, still like a soldier. Everything was happening way too fast for Ema, she barely had time to think. "Ema. Show me to your office. We'll discuss there."

Ema nodded and led her mentor back to her office. As the door clicked and locked back in place, she turned to see her mentor. It was beyond deadly serious. "Investigator Skye, I have been on this case for a little over two years now… You can sit down if you want. It might take a bit. Just running you on a small background of this investigation," she advised. As she sat on the chair, she made herself comfortable, but respectful.

Dr. Toss placed the thick binder down on Ema's desk to alleviate her arms. "This binder has all the evidence I have gathered for that time." Ema finally got a good look at the book. It was actually five inches thick. "Back in the year 2026, something happened. An incident known as HC-3." Toss leaned over, adding an ominous vibe in the air.

"HC-3 Incident?" Ema questioned. 'I've never heard of this incident…'

"In March of 2026, a doctor was arrested on for the murder of a patient." Toss backed up and paced around the desk. "Of course, a trial took place for the doctor. The defendant had a lawyer and tried to play a plea on the basis of medical malpractice. Under the plea of medical malpractice, the doctor may or may not serve a few months in prison as well as compensation for any family and the hospital or clinic will undergo investigation of whether this doctor would still work under them. The defendant did not find this plea quite fondly and denied the lawyer's sudden plea, stating that the plea was not true. That no medical malpractice had occurred. The doctor wanted full acquittal of their charges and denied any medical malpractice. Perhaps this doctor was trying to deny the mistake and mishap they had caused." Toss paused.

Ema listened attentively to her boss's words. "The lawyer tried to continue with his client's wishes; however, due to complications between both arguments, the defendant was declared guilty." Toss stopped and turned to Ema. "During the defendant's time in prison, the lawyer even tried to console with their client on a retrial on the basis of malpractice so the trial can go swiftly and sentence be shortened. A retrial can be done by the next month. The defendant did not react kindly." Toss paced once more, "the defendant went completely ballistic and insane, attacking their own lawyer!"

"The defendant attacked their own lawyer!?" Ema yelled in disbelief.

"Yes… this person even injured him. It was something you'd see in an insane asylum…" The doctor gave Ema another pause before continuing, "It took a whole team to separate the feud. The defendant was eventually put into solitary confinement. The staff believed the defendant was too dangerous and deranged to have with other inmates. It was until one day, they escaped from prison…"

"This person is on the loose!?" Ema yelped.

Dr. Toss shook her head. "It was kept quiet from the public because it would cause widespread pandemonium. Plus there was other cases people were more focused on during the time for the media to scrape." She stated nonchalantly. "What made me enter the case was the strange things she wrote in journals before the murder and after, scratched either on her bed or on the wall…"

"What was it?" Ema whispered.

"It was strange depictions of changing the world, but in sick manner. She had a fascination with her work. Obsessed over it for years. It concentrated much on the mind, body and…" Toss stood silent before twitching, "... the occult..."

"You're talking about magic and demons and all that stuff?" Ema furrowed her brow.

Toss nodded, "the patient she was working with was very inept on the occult and history. Specifically those of the Fey clan."

"The spirit channelers?" Ema spoke worriedly. 'Like Maya Fey…'

"The defendant killed the patient who studied the occult? Why would they do that?" Ema stifled curiously.

"Yes and yes. Why she killed the patient? I'm not too sure. Perhaps she found out something or the patient did. What made her dangerous was what she could do. She had an M.D. and a PhD. So she was very knowledgeable and resourceful. Her notorious work mostly dealt with Genetic Medicine. Mix that all together with insanity, and we have something very dangerous bound to happen." As she spoke, Toss's eyes grew wider. Ema could see the partial fear in them. "I know it's a far stretch, but it was only confirmed until two weeks ago and I think we caught up to her..."

"That sounds really bad…" Ema spoke. "How did you catch up to her?"

"You're telling me…" Toss puffed. "A prosecutor I am working with received a call about a small disturbance on a village, they said they believed they saw a familiar person nearby…" She stopped, "I'll tell you more when we get to the prosecutor's office…" The heat suddenly coming back on her face, "and that's when I can tell the other off!"

The investigator saw her mentor shaking her head. "It's sad really. I once knew this person…"

"You knew the defendant?!" Ema stood stunned.

Dr. Toss seemed disappointed, "Yes. They were more like the Dr. Kafka of Los Angeles."

"Dr. Kafka?" Ema thought. 'She's not talking about what I think she is, is she? I didn't know Dr. Toss was into sci fi movies.'

"The comics or that really bad film?" Ema asked, unsure and generally.

"...the film I guess…" Dr. Toss actually halted to think. "This person plays their music while they worked in their lab. Took care and said a lot of words that said, I am here to help you. When melted down it just means they're throwing hogwash and running an experiment. Then they name each one, uniquely. Just stick 'Social' to it and it doesn't sound all bad." Dr. Toss stopped. "Her work ethics were very… questionable."

"How did you meet this person?" Ema asked, curiously and attentively.

"Remember, Ema. I used to work at a clinic at pathology way before I met you." Toss informed. "This person worked with patients. Many types. They liked diversity. The more unique, the better. I didn't like it when they talked to me. They acted all subtle when they put their hand on their chest like that and ensnared me for answers or questions. Sometimes I used to be concerned of their ethics but they simply pushed me away. That was long ago..."

The doctor turned to the door daftly, "that tape better be ready soon. The longer this person is out there… the more dangerous this becomes. I wanted to see if any of these cases were linked to one another… but, that seems like a far stretch now." She sighed angrily and defeated. "I can understand in a way, that you might not want to be on this case, but I need you Ema…"

The investigator felt her heart leap. "You've become crucial part of my investigation now. It will be perilous, but you've been under my stead for almost three years now. I think you can do it!"

'No way! Dr. Toss must be between a rock and a hard place to need my help! But… there is one thing…'

"Dr. Toss, I wanted to know why you checked me earlier in the office." Ema asked nervously. There were very few times she heard Toss frantic. Hearing it up close and personal meant the worst was yet to come.

"It's only right that I tell you. But I cannot release that info unless you are certain to be involved with this case," Dr. Toss asserted.

Ema froze over. Her boss needed help, yet, having the possibility of facing the masked menace again would just continue Ema's nightmare. Her boss checked the inside of her mouth. Why? Why would she do that? Ema tried to unscramble the thoughts plaguing her mind. Was it related to this thing I saw? When Dr. Toss saw this picture, she flipped! How is this related to Dr. Toss's investigation?! This doctor she spoke of worked with genetic medicine… does that freak of nature have to do with this?! She asked if I was bitten or touched… but I wasn't, at least… I don't think so. What if he did?! Would I have the same…! The same mouth?! Ema shivered and shook. The chill running throughout her body was petrifying.

I can't! No! Not if that is a possible risk! But stuff like that only exists in scifi movies! This can't be real! There's no way!

"Ema…" the investigator peered her desperate beady eyes to her boss. She was serious. "I completely understand if you don't want to get involved. It's scary, I know, but I think you can do this." Toss rose. "Plus I'm here!"

That only caused Ema's eyes to quirk up. "We have to deal with this. It's not only your life in jeopardy, Ema."

'I love my job, but this is beyond the job description…'

"I'll give you a moment to think. I'm going to head over to security again to see if the tape is ready." Toss pointed before heading to Ema's office door, "I'll be back when I am ready, but don't overthink it either."

With a click from the door, the doctor walked out. From her chair, she could see the lab coat of her mentor growing smaller and smaller as the distance grew. When she finally made a turn, she was gone. Ema didn't realize the death grip she was giving the arm of her chair, sweat weakening her grip. The room felt compact and small the heavier she breathed. The lids of her eyes squinted at her desk, papers blown away slightly from the gust of wind that Toss's large binder made. The chair rolled back as she pulled away from the offending desk. 'He could come back… That sample of evidence he desired and the threat he told me if I futher get involved… I don't want to see that again! Those teeth… that weird… tongue or stinger! I don't know!' She could only imagine the possible pain for the incoming fate she would put herself into. Her fingers cradled her face, feeling the strands of brown strafing from the sides. 'And Toss checking me…! What could this mean?! Is there some kind of side effect if he had done anything to me? Would I have some sort of disease?' She whimpered. 'He could eat me in a second!'

'I want to help Dr. Toss! I do! I don't know how she's dealing with that! Then again… Toss is hardcore. ...I really shouldn't…'

Knock Knock

The investigator jumped so hard and quickly, she'd thought she'd break a wheel from her chair. Her nerves cooled down when she realized it was just Klavier again. "Don't do that! Can't you see I'm having a moment!"

"I'm sorry, Herr Skye." His voice muffled behind the frame, "May I come in?"

'He's being polite… wow.' Ema thought despite the near death shock he just stunned her with. "Sure…"

Before she could remove herself from the seat to open the door, the prosecutor already had himself covered. "Would you like me to lock the door for you?" He asked meekly.

'Alright… this is getting weird…' She thought once more. 'He's being a bit too nice…'

"That's fine." She answered. She saw him approaching her as he let go other the doorknob, his smile still there, but faint.

"I heard der Ärztin saying something about someone being fired. I hope it wasn't you, ja?" He snapped smugly.

"Who? Dr. Toss?" She questioned. "No. No. It wasn't me she was directing that to. Why do you ask?"

"The curiosity of mine was just wondering. A good gossip is good for the crowd." He quirked.

'There's that pompous attitude.' She quipped. 'He's okay.'

"You shake more than a fan so I figured perhaps it was you." He added.

"I see your concern, but no. It wasn't me." Ema deadpanned.

"I was afraid I might have not seen you again. Certainly the courtroom would not be the same without you…" Klavier spoke.

'Did this pompous ex-rockstar actually say something nice…?!'

"... or me." He finished.

'...And there's always a catch.'

"How are you faring? Did der Ärztin grind you for the missing evidence?" Klavier asked.

"No. Not much anyway. It wasn't my fault so she's being a bit more lenient. She's heading down to security to get some surveillance footage of this man who took it."

"I heard you like investigating, Herr Skye. So there's an investigation in an investigation." He snapped his fingers. "You need to go deeper."

"This isn't Inception. But if this were all a dream… I would really love to wake up now!' Ema bursted.

"What I mean is, you should look deeper into this masked fellow of yours. Continue with this investigation." Klavier advised.

'Fellow…? Not even close!'

"And get turned into gelatin?" Ema yelled. "I think I'd like to keep all my organs, thank you!"

"Is that not part of the job? Not the part of become a gelatinous treat, now that you mention it, but to find the truth?" He leaned over, "perhaps you can use all those fancy vials in that bag to help."

"I always have my forensic kit with me, regardless. I use it as much as I want to my leisure," Ema stated proudly. "This is something entirely different, though. There's much more at stake here besides my own safety."

"All the more reason to search deeper, Herr Skye." He giggled. "This person could go after more people. It's not just you on the line."

'For probably the scarcest of times, he's actually right… People are missing, some kidnapped. Maggey… poor Maggey. At least this masked man left me alone… Maggey was under the mercy of this person's captivity. I could only imagine what she had gone through… It's not only me… What happens if Dr. Toss gets captured too?! I wouldn't forgive myself! She taught me practically everything I know! Then no one would be there to stop this guy! I remember when I was failing those exams, she gave me tips and guess what? I passed!'

'I'm no hero… What am I saying? I'll probably just get in the way… or worse. Why am I so scared?!' Ema yelled at herself. 'I became an investigator to solve crimes and bring criminals to justice! I've seen an alleyway drenched in blood for goodness sakes, and still went to work! I've done this line of work several time already! Sure, I wasn't expecting to see a scene of The Shining down in a narrow brick corridor, but I still did my job! I just…' Ema shivered. 'But this… is entirely different…! Whatever… whoever! That was made in here so easily… I know it's wrong to let this go. I hate to admit it, but I'm-!'

"Scared?" Klavier interrupted her thoughts.

"What?" Ema angrily mumbled.

"You just shook now. Clouded mind." Klavier stated more than questioned.

"So what if I am?!" Ema yelled. "If only you knew what I went through…"

"You did tell me, detective…"

"But you don't believe me."

"I never said I didn't believe you."

"You never said you did." Ema answered back swiftly. "Listen, I have a lot to think about right now. You, being here, is a distraction."

"I can join you in your quest." Klavier quirked.

She peered up to see him still leaning over the desk. She shook her head. 'And only have Dr. Toss grind you down like a mortar and pestle as you follow me around giving background noises?'

"No thank you." Ema stated. "I haven't even agreed to join Dr. Toss's investigation, yet. She's not one to sport around with a lot of people around her. She likes her luggage light. Plus, I heard she already has a prosecutor on board."

"Herr Edgeworth has been short staff on prosecutors as of late. Like a rain clearing up debris, he has shortened down the prosecutor's office to but a handful. There's not many around to hear my tune in the office, but that just means more fans from the gallery for me." He smirked. "Has der Ärztin mentioned the name of this so called prosecutor?"

Ema placed her finger on her chin, "no, actually. She didn't mention a name…"

"I should look about with you in the prosecutor's office." He suggested.

"No, that's fine." Ema said quickly, "I don't think Dr. Toss is in the mood. She's definitely not happy now."

"For shame."

"I think you should leave, Gavin." Ema spoke.

"Why is that, Herr Skye?" Klavier flicked his platinum bangs back.

"Because, I don't want Dr. Toss to get anymore angrier than she already is." Ema deadpanned. 'Not only that, she even inadvertently hit where it hurts you too.'

"I see I am no longer needed. It was a good chat," Klavier threw his head up, the platinum thrown with it.

He seemed satisfied with her silence. The toned hand rested on the knob before twisting, "Good luck and be careful, Herr Skye."

As the door clicked closed, something felt odd to Ema. Then again, nothing should be odd anymore considering, she humored herself, that she has seen everything already this week. Yet, seeing the prosecutor leave was weird. It wasn't unpleasant nor was it annoyed, but it felt strange. As if something were removed from her office, yet she couldn't finger it. Despite it, the anxiety of knowing her boss will return soon was imminent. In that moment, she will want a yes or no reply from her.

'Is it better to be safe than sorry? Or do I found out what all this is about with Dr. Toss?'

"I have the tape." A voice broke Ema's entire train of thought. She saw her boss with her brows furrowed an extremely determine smile. "Now we just need to get this to the chief prosecutor. I'm going there myself. We're going to make a believer of the skeptical!"

Dr. Toss wiggled the evidence in her hand. "I haven't decided who to fire yet… It's definitely someone in security. Toss blinked several times, contemplating, "forget it, I'll just cut their pay."

'If she does that, they'll only afford ramen noodles.' Ema quipped. 'Why does that sound familiar?'

"This is a small lead." Toss held the evidence to her hip, "But with the evidence stolen, it'll be like a whole entire day with soup; nothing solid."

Ema attempted to mentally prepare herself for the ultimatum her mentor was about to throw at her. Her boss always had that serious expression in her tinted dark green eyes, and this day was no different. "Detective?"

Ema winced, 'here it comes…'

"Have you decided to join my investigation officially?"

'That's the million dollar question that I'm unsure I want to answer...'

"I know what you're probably thinking." Toss stated. Ema's tense grip on the strap of her bag diminished slightly. "The risks and outcomes of such an investigation. I don't blame you. I'm a bit worried myself. You don't have to partake in it. As my student, I also worry for your safety. But there will always be risks. I won't lie to you. And if you do choose not to take the case, I won't take it personally, but I will professionally. However, do not speak of this case to anyone. It would minimize risk of everyone here, including me and you, and prevent widespread panic."

'Wow… Dr. Toss…' Ema almost sniffled.

"So the choice is yours, Ema… Just try to keep your decision time under a minute… there's precious time wasting and things to do." Toss dryly responded.

The world suddenly froze for the investigator. It was all in slow motion. She wanted to, yet she didn't. She was scared, but also determined. Waves of heat and ice flooded as her stomach did several somersaults. Ema wanted to get over her fear, yet staying in her office would accomplish nothing. Joining her boss could at least help and bring a possible end to this whole fiasco. She can see the impatience growing on her boss's face, but it was also sympathetic. It was the right thing to do.

"I'm taking your case, Dr. Toss!"

"That's a lot of energy! I should borrow some of that. I've been working non stop." Toss fiddled the tape in her hand before tucking it inside the large binder. "Let's head to the prosecutor's office."

"Alright!" Ema boasted, her newfound energy bringing a tiny shred of peace to mind.

"It's a short walk, but this thing gets heavy after awhile." Dr. Toss lifted the large item before exiting with her protoge. As they continued to walk down the corridor, the guards stilled again, fear saddled on their faces. "I'll deal with you two later. No one is to come in or out anymore who is NOT a prosecutor or investigator!"

"Yes, ma'am!" They nodded.

As Ema and her boss exited the Criminal Affairs Department, they entered the parking lot. Numerous squad cars, both SUVs and regular patrols huddled the front spaces. The venture led to the side building near the front where it was reserved specifically for high officials.

'Oh my goodness! Dr. Toss's car! I'm going to be... in Dr. Toss's car! The car of Toss!' Ema inwardly screamed. 'I bet it smells nice inside.'

Toss threw the thick binder on the hood before removing her keys. "I just realized something…" Toss glanced over to Ema, residing on the opposite end of the decent car giddily, not that Ema knew too much about them. "Not only you entered my office, but you're also getting in my car. Lucky twice in a row."

Before Ema could respond, she heard a sudden muffled click, indicating the silver car was now opened. It certainly was nice when she sat in. It was low to the ground, but not too much. Leathers seats and a beautiful dark dash with not even a spot of dust. Several cupholders, AC, GPS, a radio system, and a back camera accompanied it. "Let me just put this down…" She tucked the large booklet underneath the back seat. She sighed relieved before sitting back in the driver's seat. "Ready?"

Ema nodded hard, inaudibly excited.

"Good." Toss smirked, "time to see the good chief."


The ride was smooth and the motor barely made a sound. As they made it to the tall building called the Prosecutor's Office, she was minorly upset that the sweet ride ended so shortly. "Seriously…" Toss shook her head, disappointedly, as she reached for the binder in the back. "Even if the chief prosecutor did not believe in your description of this infamous thief, he should've still contacted the labs! I'm telling you," Toss wagged her finger disapprovingly, "once you get all high and mighty, you think you can get away with certain things."

She lifted the binder before kicking the silver door shut. Ema winced by the action. If she had the same nice car, she wouldn't even let anyone touch it. "Anyway, I contacted my other helper just now. They'll be here shortly."

As the doctor scuttled for her keys, she eyed Ema, "Hey, Ema, could you get my keys and lock my car?"

"Sure!" Ema dove into her mentor's lab pocket and latched onto the device upon the key. The lock button was large and obvious. "The big one, Ema. It's like IKEA furniture."

The hum from the car was a good response before she placed the keys back in her mentor's coat pocket. She really wanted to her her boss with the thick thing, but Ema knew she'd get her hand bitten off if she touched it, even if she is involved. As the two investigators walked in, they approached the front desk. The receptionist took notice, "Dr. To-"

"I know my name. Is the chief still in?" She cut off the woman, "I need to have a word with him."

Startled, the receptionist recuperated, "yes, but he is busy right now. He told me it was important."

"Not important enough, let's go, Ema." Toss went to the elevator.

"R-right!" Ema stuttered, seeing the appalled expression on the lady of the reception table.

The investigator pressed the button of where the chief prosecutor' office was located. As the doors began to close, she knew it would be a short trip. He wasn't exactly fond of being anywhere above the second of third floor for unspoken reasons. "You need to be assertive, Ema. I'm telling you, one sign of weakness, and there we go, you're going to be stepped on. I know how that used to feel."

The elevated sensation on their heads and feet came to a halt as the door divided. They both stopped.

"Oh no…" Toss said extendedly unamused. "It's you."

Ema saw the man currently blocking their way. A tall dark man with a wide toothy cheshire smile.

"Achoo!" He sneezed. "I knew there was a distinct smell of death and ash in the air… If it isn't my favourite medical examiner, the Undertaker…"