"DIE!" Dahlia roared out as she charged at Iris, the latter just now noticing the bloody knife she was holding.

FLASH!

Iris could only look on in terror as Dahlia raised the blade high to stab her, but Morgan managed to step in and restrain the murderous twin sister.

"The hell are you doing, you old hag!?" Dahlia shouted angrily, struggling to break free from Morgan's grip. "She's seen it! She's gotta die like her boss!"

"Enough of this!" Morgan grunted, pulling Dahlia back. "You two, leave this room now! I shall perform the Spirit Sever-!"

Before Morgan could say anything further, Dahlia headbutted the old woman, causing her to stumble back. With the opportunity, Dahlia pushed Morgan aside and headed straight for Iris, tackling her to the ground. Ini could only press herself against the wall, frozen in terror from what was happening.

Iris was quaking in fear as her demented twin, possessing her sweet cousin Maya, stared down at her with murderous eyes and a crooked grin.

"...time to die, Rissy..." Dahlia sang in a disturbingly cheerful tune, playfully waving the knife around her face. Iris could only whimper in terror as Dahlia gently pressed the bladed tip against her cheek, creating a small cut on it. Iris' conscious shouted at her, telling her to fight back, to free herself from Dahlia's actions, to do anything that can get her out of her horrible situation.

But she couldn't...she was just too terrified, seeing the dark twin from her past back to haunt her...

"Be happy, Rissy..." Dahlia whispered before raising her knife high. "You'll get to see your boyfriend again!"

Iris could only let out a small whimper, her eyes wide and her pupils the size of pinpricks as Dahlia was about to plunge the knife into her chest...only for Ini, who had broken free from her frozen terror, to kick Dahlia in her face, knocking her onto the floor and causing her to drop the knife.

"Iris!" Ini shouted, swiftly picking Iris back to her feet.

Iris couldn't respond, her breath heavy and her eyes focused on Dahlia's lying body before turning her attention to Diego's dead body. Either out of denial or hope that her mentor could still be saved, Iris tried to rush to his body, only for Dahlia to stand up again once again.

She snarled and glared at Iris with one eye, the second one she covered with her hand due to Ini's kick. Iris couldn't help but notice...small cracks on the part of the face her twin was covering?

"DIE!" Dahlia roared out, charging at Iris. Fortunately, Morgan stood in the sinister twin's way and pinned her to the wall.

"You two, go and inform the police!" Morgan shouted at Iris and Ini. "I'll hold her down and free Mystic Maya from her control!"

"No, I won't!" Iris shouted. "Not without Sir!"

"He's dead, Iris! You will be too if you stay!"

"But-!"

"GO NOW, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Morgan exclaimed, almost losing her grip on Dahlia.

Iris refused. She had to stay. She had to help Sir, just like how he helped her! She-

"Iris, we gotta go now!" Ini shouted, suddenly grabbing Iris by the arm and dragging her out of the Channeling Chamber. Iris protested as her best friend dragged her out to safety, but as she stared back at Diego's body, she only felt sorrow...

I'm so sorry, Sir...

. . .

June 19

Kurain Village

"Like, thanks..." Ini said to the policeman on the phone before ending the call and approaching Iris, who was sitting down at a staircase of the Fey Manor's entrance. "I called the cops already. They're, like, on their way..."

Iris nodded solemnly in response, which made Ini frown. The rookie lawyer was a mess. Her smooth and neat kimono was messy, likely from her scuffle with Maya-or rather, the spirit Maya had channeled-and her eyes were soulless and mournful. Ini couldn't blame her as that was exactly what she had felt when Mimi died.

Ini sat down next to the grieving Iris, unsure of what to say.

"G-god, that was, like, a real spiritual occurrence..." Ini said. "Right, eh?"

Iris didn't respond, glumly looking down at the dirt.

Ini sighed. "Sorry, I...just thought I could, like, lighten you up and all...I'm sorry you lost Mr. Armando like that...he was a good man..."

"One of the best..." Iris replied, tearing up a bit. "Why did it have to be him...?"

Just when things started looking up for Iris, fate decided to be cruel to the poor girl once again.

"Y-your cousin, Maya was it?" Ini asked. "She did this, right? She was the one who stabbed him..."

Iris gave a furious glare at Ini, but it wasn't for the ditzy girl. "No, Ini, it might seem that way, but it was that spirit...it was Dahlia..."

Iris couldn't help but curse Dahlia internally for taking Diego away. He had been the one to step up and defended her during one of the darkest moments of her life. He had been the one who taught her everything she knew on how to be a defense attorney...a chance to fulfill her sacred promise.

And what did fate decide to do? Kill off Diego, the man that saved her, at the hands of her own twin sister!

"Sir was the only one running Armando and Co. Law Offices..." Iris whispered. "What am I going to do now...?"

Ini thought for a bit and tried to answer, only to be cut off by Morgan's presence.

"Ah, Ms. Hawthorne," Morgan said, catching the attention of the two girls.

Iris immediately stood up and began frantically barraging her mother with questions. "Mother, how's Mystic Maya? Is she alright?! What about Sir?!"

Iris knew he was already dead, but part of her still denied it somewhat.

"Mystic Maya has returned to the world of the living," Morgan answered. "The Spirit Severing Technique was successful. The same couldn't be said for Mr. Armando, however..."

Iris' heart sank once more, but she knew she had to press on. That's what Diego would have wanted.

"Where's Mystic Maya now?" she asked. "I need to see her."

"She's still unconscious. I humbly request that you wait outside for her recovery," Morgan replied in the subtle condescending and manipulative tone that she constantly used on Iris during her childhood and that made the girl absolutely livid.

"This isn't the time, Mother," Iris protested. "Mystic Maya's my family and I won't-!"

"The police are here!" a voice exclaimed, surprising Iris, Morgan, and Ini. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting-wait, haven't I seen you before?!"

Everyone turned and saw several police officers, who were being led by a scruffy-looking man in a trench coat that Iris immediately recognized as the detective from her first case.

"And who are you supposed to be?" Morgan asked.

"I'm Detective Dick Gumshoe, ma'am!" the man answered. "I'm the detective who works on homicides down at the precinct."

"I take it you're the detective assigned to this case?" Morgan asked the detective, to which he nodded.

"That's right, ma'am! he shouted. "And now the boys and I going to check out the crime scene! All of you ladies have to stay put though because I need to question all of you later!"

"I shall take you to the crime scene," Morgan said. "Please follow me, Detective Gymshoe."

Gumshoe grinned. "Oh, you're too kind, ma'am! Thank you! And it's Gumshoe."

Morgan and the Detective then went to the crime scene, leaving Iris and Ini alone together.

"Huh..." Iris murmured, turning to Ini. "That was a very strange detective..."

"I dunno, Iris," Ini replied, lustfully eyeing at Gumshoe, licking her lips. "He looks totally hot..."

Iris stared at Ini with a raised brow. "He testified against you in court, Ini."

"Eh, nobody's perfect," Ini shrugged. "Still though, I can't help but, like, feel bad for your cousin. She killed your boss and is totally gonna get in so much trouble for it..."

Iris scowled. "I already told you, that wasn't Maya. That was Dahlia possessing her."

"Yeah, but are the police going to, like, believe that?"

Iris stared back at her best friend in surprise. She...she had a point. I didn't expect something like that to come from Ini of all people?

"D-did you notice anything that stuck out to you?" Iris asked. "During that scene?"

"You mean besides the possession and murder?"

"Yes."

"Oh, well um..." Ini thought for a bit. "...I don't remember that much really. I was just shocked by everything that, like, happened..."

Iris frowned. "Oh right...sorry..."

"Maybe those photos I took could help," Ini added, catching Iris' attention once more.

"What?" Iris asked with Ini suddenly having her own realization.

"I took two photos at that murder scene earlier!" Ini exclaimed.

"That's right! Ini, is it alright if I-?"

"What am I standing here for?" Ini interrupted. "I gotta show these to that stud Detective! Sorry, Iris, but I gotta go!"

"Ini, wait!" Iris shouted, but Ini had already left. I should follow her and see those two photos, but knowing Ini and her guy craziness, she'd given it to that detective by now.

Without hesitation, Iris turned and headed for the Channeling won't hurt to try though...

. . .

June 19

Channeling Chamber

Stepping inside the Channel Chamber, Iris didn't see Ini anywhere and instead found several police officers investigating the scene.

I don't see Maya hear either, Iris thought as she was about to step into the scene.

"Hey!" a voice exclaimed dramatically. "You're not supposed to be here, pal!"

Iris jumped in fright and turned to see Gumshoe right behind her.

"D-detective, I'm sorry for intruding!" she said nervously, bowing politely to him. "I was just curious, is all."

"It's alright," he said politely, shining a friendly smile before exclaiming, "just don't touch anything alright, pal!?"

"O-of course," Iris took a step back, a little intimidated. "I just came to ask a few questions in regards to the crime scene. Is that alright?"

The detective calmed down a bit. "Oh, of course, I-wait, I'm the detective around here! Shouldn't I be asking YOU the questions, pal?!"

"I-I know that sir, it's just the victim was..." Iris frowned, tearing up a bit. "An old friend of mine..."

Gumshoe still looked at Iris with suspicion, but once he saw the genuine look of sadness the rookie lawyer had, he started to pity her. While she didn't know the girl much, he did know about Diego Armando and his attachment towards her.

He sighed. "Alright...asking me anything you want."

Iris perked up at that. "Thank you, Detective!"

"But there are some things I need to keep confidential, so I won't tell you everything!"

Iris nodded in understanding before thinking up any questions to ask. "So...my cousin Maya..."

The detective raised a brow. "The suspect is your cousin?"

Iris nodded, to which Gumshoe frowned. "I'm sorry, pal, but I can't spare you any details on her just yet."

"I see..." Iris whispered. "But can you at least tell me...Sir-I mean, the murder victim-he was stabbed to death, right?"

Gumshoe nodded. "Several times. It's a pretty rough way to go, pal..."

Iris paused for a moment, suppressing the bile that went up to her mouth at those words. "Alright, one final question. My friend Ini gave you two photos correct?"

"Sure did, pal! An interesting set of photos they were!"

"Oh, it's just...can I see them?"

"No. Like I said, confidential information!"

Iris frowned in disappointment at that but bowed respectfully to the detective. "I see. Thank you for your time."

"No problem, young miss," he said politely. "However, I have to question all of you now. For the upcoming trial."

"Not just yet, good sir," Morgan said, stepping into the Channeling Chamber. "Not all of the witnesses have been attended to. There's still one at the Side Room."

She then turned to Iris. "Can you be a dear and fetch her for us, if you please?"

Iris raised a brow and glared at her mother. "And just what makes you-"

Morgan gave the lawyer the stare that made Dahlia's evil spirit look tame by comparison. Frightened, Iris immediately went to the Side Room just to avoid that stare, just to find a girl sleeping on one of the futons. She had short black hair and wore a pair of red glasses and black sneakers, blue short jeans, a white tank top with the face of that disturbing Blue Badger mascot on it, and a black jacket with large blue lines on the sleeves. She was sleeping cozily, hugging a police officer's hat like a teddy bear.

Iris hesitated for a moment as it was impolite to disturb someone's rest after all. "Um...excuse me, miss?"

She didn't wake up. She took a step closer. "Miss? There's someone who wants to speak to you?"

Still no response. Kneeling, Iris placed her hand on the girl's shoulder and shook her lightly. "Miss, there's something you need to-"

Before Iris knew it, the girl suddenly woke up and pounced at her, pinning her to the floor and wrapping her arms around Iris' neck to strangle her. Iris could only gasp for breath and look on in terror as she stared back at the murderous intent shown in the girl's face. But after a moment of breathlessness and terror, the girl let go of Iris and stood aside, giving the lawyer a moment to gasp for breath.

The girl coughed a bit and chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry about that! I get a little jumpy sometimes."

Iris took a few more breaths. "It's...alright...I disturbed your sleep. I just came to inform you of something..."

The girl raised a brow. "Oh, so is it my turn now?"

"Your turn?" Iris asked.

"Y'know, for the channeling," the girl replied. "Isn't that what you're going to tell me? I thought it was considering your..."

She gestured to Iris' shrine maiden attire, causing the latter to blush a little.

"Oh, I'm sorry but I'm afraid there's some terrible news," Iris began to explain. "A murder had taken place!"

The girl cringed for a bit. "Yikes! So...that means no channeling session then?"

Iris stared at the girl in surprise. A murder just happened and she responded with that?

"Yes! And the police are investigating as we speak!"

"Oh, I see, well that just sucks," the girl sighed in disappointment before perking up at Iris. "Oh, I didn't introduce myself! "

She quickly put on her police hat and gave Iris a hearty salute. "Maggey Byrde! Reporting for duty!"

"Maggey Byrde?" Iris asked.

"Yep! That's me!" she answered with a cheeky, if not off-putting, grin. "Anything I can help you with?"

Iris stammered a bit. "W-well..."

"There you are," a voice chimed in. Iris and Maggey turned and saw Morgan approaching them. "You two had not shown up yet, so that made me expect the worst."

Everyone was silent for a moment, with Maggey giving Morgan a narrowed eye glare before she suddenly gave out an innocent smile. "Nothing to worry about, miss! We just had a little chat is all!"

Morgan glared at Maggey as well, and Iris couldn't help but feel confused. Did these two have a history?

"This girl here said someone wants to talk to me about the murder case, right?" Maggey said to Morgan. "Then what are we standing around here for? Let's go!"

Maggey and Morgan walked out of the Side Room and headed their way to the Channeling Chamber. Iris went to follow them but stopped when she noticed Pearl hiding in one of the bushes of the Fey Manor's garden.

"O-oh, hello," Iris said in a friendly tone; she didn't want to scare off the little girl. Pearl only stared nervously at her in response.

"M-Morgan must have told you about me, hasn't she?" Iris asked, but Pearl didn't answer. "Whatever she said, I'd just like to say, I won't hurt you. We are sisters, after all."

Those last five words suddenly piqued Pearl's interest. "S-sisters?"

Iris perked up at that. Oh, how she couldn't hold her excitement! "Yes, we're sisters! There's so much that we need to-"

"Ms. Hawthorne, come here this instant!" Morgan's voice called out from afar. "The detective wants to question us now!"

Iris rolled her eyes at that before turning to Pearl. "I'm sorry, but I have to go..."

Pearl frowned in disappointment, but Iris placed her hand on her shoulder and gave her a kind smile. "But I promise I'll come back to see you."

Iris stood up and quickly went to the Channeling Chamber. As she made her way there, Pearl was looking at her with a curious expression. Mother had told her to stay away from this girl. That she was dangerous and untrustworthy. But...she couldn't sense any of that in her, only the opposite. But the one thing that she told her...was it true?

Are we really sisters?

"Hey, sir!" Maggey shouted happily as she saluted Gumshoe. "Long time no see, huh?"

Gumshoe took a step back in shock. "M-Maggey!? You're here!?" he asked, his haw dropped.

"Yup!" she answered, popping the p. "Ready to tell you what I saw, sir! Ask me anything and I'll give you what you need!"

Gumshoe stayed silent, staring dumbly at Maggey until he shook his head to regain focus. "Right..."

The questioning lasted about the entire afternoon. Iris, Maggey, Morgan, and various other residents at the manor answered as honestly and quickly as they could, while Ini tried to flirt with Gumshoe while giving out her testimony. Iris couldn't help but feel nervous that her best friend would do that, but she also couldn't help but laugh at the good detective's obliviousness to Ini's advances.

"Alright, everyone!" Gumshoe exclaimed. "It appears we've got a lot of information we needed for today, but I'm afraid we need to continue this tomorrow!"

"Then I propose that everyone should sleep here for the night," Morgan said.

Iris shook her head. "No thank you, I'll just be heading back home."

"But the police aren't done investigating," Maggey chimed in, being uncomfortable close to Iris. "Shouldn't you stay just to help with the case?"

Iris went silent for a while. She had a point, it would help more if she stayed, but to remain with Morgan in the place where Diego died...it was just too much.

"I'm sorry, but I can't," Iris said solemnly. "I just...can't-"

"C'mon, what if you have info that could turn things around?" Maggey interrupted, giving Iris a serious look. "You have to stay!"

Iris stepped back, intimidated by Maggey. "I-"

"It's alright," Gumshoe said. "I already got enough information out of her. She can go."

Iris sighed in relief. Thank goodness...

"You can't be serious!" Maggey objected, stomping her foot. "From what I heard, she saw the crime herself! Doesn't that make her too valuable to leave!?"

"Oh, I am serious, Maggey. She's already been through enough," he replied before turning to Iris and saluting her. "Have a safe night, Ms. Hawthorne!"

Iris smiled warmly and bowed to the good detective. "Likewise."

. . .

June 20, 7:30 AM

Armando and Co. Law Offices

"Good morning, Sir-oh, right..." Iris muttered sadly as she stepped inside and wandered around in what had been Diego's law firm. It felt strange, being the only one here. With Diego, it had a warm, inviting presence that oozed out the charm, charisma and the alluring scent of coffee. Without him, it felt...empty.

"Sir..." Iris whispered, holding back tears. "I can't imagine Maya taking this well either..."

Iris' eyes suddenly widened, slapping herself on the forehead. I completely forgot about Mystic Maya! Oh, what kind of cousin am I...I have to see her!

Iris turned to the door, but before leaving, she noticed a newspaper resting on Diego's desk. Reading it, it said:

MASSIVE FIRE AT PRISON!

Known criminal Dahlia Hawthorne killed in the flames

Iris frowned, upset that the paper was there. Considering yesterday's events, Iris couldn't help but wonder why her mentor tried to summon Dahlia.

. . .

June 20

Detention Center

"I-Iris..." Maya whispered hoarsely. Iris observed Maya for a bit and frowned. The poor channeler's hair was messy and her clothes were ragged. Additionally, with her eyes bloodshot and bagged, Iris could tell Maya had stayed up crying all night. "I-I'm so sorry..."

"You did nothing wrong, Mystic Maya," Iris reassured.

"Did I?! I-I finally get to see you and Diego again a-and I...I-I killed him, Iris!" Iris wailed out, tears storming out of her eyes.

"No, you didn't!" Iris shouted. "The person who murdered him was Dahlia, not you!"

"It doesn't matter...it might as well be me," Maya sniffled, wiping away her tears. "I was too weak and...I-I couldn't control Dahlia's spirit, so..."

Iris pressed her hand against the glass and gave Maya a reassuring look. "It wasn't you, Mystic Maya. It's okay..."

"W-why are you so nice to me...?" Maya asked. "I murdered him..."

"You didn't, Mystic Maya," Iris repeated. "Tell me exactly what happened in that chamber."

Maya hesitated for a bit before explaining. "It went on exactly as it was supposed to. Everything was set and it all went according to plan until I...blacked out and lost control...I don't remember anything, except for...a dream..."

Iris raised a brow. "A dream?"

Maya nodded. "It was a pleasant one too. It had a familiar scent."

"Maya, you can't have dreams when you channel a spirit."

Maya's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"When I was a child, Mother told me when you channel a spirit, you're incapable of doing anything else until the spirit is severed from you," Iris explained. "That includes dreaming."

"Then...that means...!" Maya shouted, standing up from her seat.

"You couldn't have channeled Dahlia..." Iris finished as she stared at Maya in realization. "You've been framed!"

Court Record:

Evidence:

1. Iris' Attorney Badge

2. Magatama

3. Newspaper about Dahlia

Profiles:

1. Diego Armando

2. Maya Fey

3. Pearl Fey

4. Ini Miney

5. Dahlia Hawthorne

6. Morgan Fey

7. Detective Gumshoe

8. "Maggey Byrde"