A/N: Hey all! I'm back with a new chapter! I'm glad everyone enjoyed the last chapter and Clay's part in the case! Clay's going to be in the back seat now, so Trucy will return to the front and center.

Well, here we go with this chapter!

Chapter 16: All But Dead

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I entered the office of the Wright Anything Agency. I had been jumpy the entire bike ride home, worried about suddenly being jumped by a Kitaki or something.

"Welcome home, Polly!" Trucy chirped from where she was sitting on the couch. I looked up at her and smiled slightly.

"Hey Truce."

"How was the trial?" she asked. I groaned, flopping down on the couch next to her. "It was a train wreck. I was lucky to make it out of there alive…" I groaned.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," she chided. "I bet Clay had a blast!" I looked up at her with a deadpanned expression on my face.

"Everyone is too obsessed with panties to bother with the real case. Speaking of which," I pulled out her magic panties, which she took with a smile. "I found the thief. He's our star witness, and an old classmate of mine and Clay's."

"Really!?" Trucy gasped. "Did you make him pay for what he did?"

"I would have if we weren't in court," I reminded her. "Though considering Big Wins Kitaki knows Stickler stole his wife's panties…" I shuddered at the thought of what the gang would do to the stupid college student.

"Oh. True."

"You'll probably have a lot more people in the audience tonight though, for your show," I said, gently pushing her hat down over her eyes. "Stickler basically advertised your Magic Panties trick."

"Hey!" she pouted, fixing her hat, before realizing what I said. A huge grin spread across her face, and she bounced on the balls of her feet, her hands behind her back. "That's great! I can't wait!"

"Hello…?" a soft voice suddenly called from the entrance to the office. We both turned to find Alita Tiala.

"Ah! Ms. Tiala!" Trucy said by way of greeting.

"Thank you for today," Alita said. "The trial… went well."

"Right… no problem," I said, unsure of if she was serious or sarcastic.

"Do you think Wocky will be okay?" the woman asked worriedly.

Well, he's not guilty… yet, I thought, unsure of how to answer. My thoughts must have shown on my face though.

"Please, you have to help him! We're supposed to get married next month…" Alita pleaded.

"Oh, congratulations!" I said, unsure of how else to respond.

"Please, let me know if there's anything I can do to help!" the woman offered. I nodded, glancing around the office. I knew I needed to investigate more, but I figured maybe there might be something in the office to help. My eyes landed on the bookshelf.

Some magic books are mixed with the law books here. I've read all of them multiple times… but I don't think anything there will help with this case. Such… an odd case, I thought, wondering around the office. I smiled slightly at the potted plant as I past it.

"Hey Charley," I said softly. Dad's had this for years…

I stopped and looked at all of the magic props, knowing nothing there would help. However, there were a lot of other things mixed in with the props. My eyes were drawn to the old, sepia-tone photograph of Zak Gramarye that hung above the Magic Split box, and I turned away with disgust.

I don't think anything here will help. I should talk to Alita some more, I thought, walking over to the woman again.

"Are you sure about marrying into the Kitaki family?" I asked her.

"I'm fine with it. And I love Wocky with all my heart," Alita replied. I rubbed my wrist, just under the bracelet.

"Aw, that's so sweet!" Trucy cooed.

"So it doesn't bother you that you'll be, erm… married to the mob?" I asked.

"I don't think so… my parents are against it, of course," Alita replied.

I feel like that's something you should know, not think…

"Say! Where did you and Wocky first meet, anyway?" Trucy asked.

Good question… Ms. Tiala doesn't look like the type to have gangster connections…

"Oh… we met at my old job, actually," Trucy said.

Doesn't Wocky have to be working there to for it to be considered that? I thought, though Alita didn't answer. Hmm… She's not very forthcoming with information about herself, is she?

"So, did you know that the boss is trying to get out of the 'business'?" Alita suddenly said.

"R-really?" I gasped. Mr. Kitaki wants to quit being a gangster!?

"He's trying to transfer his assets into a normal company. He only announced it recently, out of the blue… I hear there's quite a lot of confusion in the ranks…" she mused.

That… probably explains the apron… "I can't imagine Wocky going along with that…" I said. Alita giggled.

"He's highly motivated, isn't he?" she sighed.

"Um, that's not the word I would have used…" I muttered.

"He said, 'I'll be the next Big Boss, and keep the Family alive.' I think he's at that age when boys want to make a mark on the world," Alita sighed happily.

That's not the way I would have put it…

"His father moves in a lot of circles… He's really focused on profits. The Kitaki Family's been making a killing recently!" the woman continued. I slumped forward slightly, my spikes drooping into my eyes.

Again, not the way I would have put it…

"But Wocky says it's not about the money. They have the gangster tradition to uphold," Alita concluded.

"Ooh, a generation gap!" Trucy gasped. "They've even got the ever classic 'what about the family business' thing going!"

"Usually, it's the father worried about tradition," I reminded her, before looking at Alita. "Speaking of Wocky, though, can I ask you a question about him? I understand he was operated on by the victim, Dr. Meraktis," I started.

"Apparently, yes," Alita sighed. "It sounded horrible. Wocky has always been fond of fighting, I'm afraid…" she sighed.

"I'm not sure it qualifies as 'fighting' when pistols are involved," I said softly, remembering how that gun felt in my hand when I confronted Grandfather. "Although, Prosecutor Gavin was saying his life might be in danger, wasn't he?" I added, looking up at her. Alita's head snapped up, her eyes growing wide with fear.

"N-no, that' can't be right!" she gasped, before shaking her head. "I'm sure he was just trying to scare us…"

"Hm…" I mused. I'd like to know a little more about this 'operation.' Maybe it's time to pay the Meraktis Clinic a visit…

"I should be getting home now," Alita sighed, before looking at me, her eyes full of hope and trust. "Wocky's in your hands, Mr. Wright."

"R-r-right!" I stammered, suddenly feeling crushed under the pressure she just heaped on me with that look and a few words. "L-l-l-leave it to me!"

"Apollo, I think you're only making her more nervous," Trucy hissed, elbowing me. I scowled at her.

"Sorry! I'm new at this, okay?" I snapped back. Alita giggled again, reclaiming our attention.

"It's alright," she said as she headed towards the door. "I believe in you."

Once she left, I looked at Trucy again, suddenly remembering something.

"Weren't you spending the day with Dad? Why were you here?" I asked. She smiled.

"Daddy sent me here once he thought the trial day was over. He thought you might need your assistant!" she said with a wink.

"Ah. Alright then. Come on, it's time to investigate," I said, leading her out. "Thanks for sending Clay, by the way. He really saved my butt once or twice," I admitted. Trucy grinned, bumping the brim of her hat with her fist.

"No problemo, bro!" she said brightly, following me.

My first stop was the scene of Dad's accident. We had to pass it to get anywhere else anyway, since we couldn't cut through the park.

"And that's basically what happened," I finished, finally done explaining the trial to Trucy.

"Whoa…"

"Whoa is right," I replied, before noticing the trash can. I walked over to it. "This is where we found the car mirror," I said, reminding Trucy, who nodded enthusiastically. "Come to think of it, wasn't there something else in here? Something near the bottom…" I looked, in, carefully digging through the trash, until I found my prize. "Look at these," I said, pulling out the slippers that had paint on them. "There's paint. That means… these must have ended up in here after Dad's accident. Maybe they're connected?" I suggested, looking at Trucy, who nodded. I smiled, standing up straight. "Let's pick them up."

"Hey, the bottom is covered with paint!" Trucy suddenly pointed out. I flipped them over to see that she was right! Yellow paint overed the bottom, though there was one perfect shape…

"What's this weird shape here?" I asked. Trucy studied it closer.

"It looks like a leaf was stuck to the bottom when the wearer stepped in some yellow paint," Trucy mused.

"So the outline was left when the leaf was removed," I mused, gently feeling the paint.

It was still wet.

"Ack! I got paint on my hand!" I complained, before noticing Trucy still studying the slippers. I reached over inconspicuously, attempted to wipe it on her cape.

She suddenly looked up.

"Apollo!" she snapped, making me drop the slippers again. "I saw you try to wipe her hand on my cape!" She reached over, hitting my shoulder.

"Ow, stop! You made me drop valuable evidence!" I complained, stooping down to pick the slippers up. That's when I noticed something on the inside of one. I looked at it closer.

"I wonder… could this be a print?" I asked, showing Trucy for a second opinion.

"Why would there be a finger…" she started, trailing off as she looked at it. "Oh, you mean a toe print! Good call, Polly!" she said brightly.

"I bet we can analyze it just like a regular print," I said with a grin, pulling out the fingerprint powder Ema had lent us yesterday. Following her instructions, I carefully lifted a print from the slipper.

"Hey, it worked!" I said excitedly. "That looks like… a big toe, maybe?" I asked.

"Wow, I feel like the case is solved already!" Trucy said brightly.

"What's next?" I asked. "We have to match the print, right?" I pulled out the file Ema had given me.

"Right!" Trucy said, looking over my shoulder. "Let's match it!"

We looked through the file for a few moments, until Trucy seemed to realize something. "Wait… the detective girl didn't give us a list of toe prints, Polly," she said.

"Oh… good point," I muttered, feeling foolish.

"Maybe we should ask her?" Trucy suggested. "Get some 'expert' advice?"

I laughed, looking at the park. "Sure. She's probably at the scene of the crime again," I said, leading the way in.

"Look, Polly! The tarps are still here!" Trucy said. I smiled.

"Yeah, they were apparently put here to preserve the crime scene," I said, looking around. I noticed the knife next.

Remembering what Stickler said today in the trial… Wocky was very likely pointing that at the victim like he wanted to kill him…. Which is the problem… I thought with a soft sigh.

"So I guess we now know it was Mr. Stickler who hid Little Plum's bloomers here, huh?" Trucy asked.

"That's right, Trucy. And what a web of lies grew from that one little act," I said, shaking my head at the thought.

"I can picture it now!" Trucy said brightly. "You brandishing those bloomers on high, and shouting… 'Objection!'" she said brightly. I blushed, wondering if that's what it was really like. I wrapped at arm around her.

"Here's what I want you to do, Trucy," I said. She looked up at me brightly, waiting. "Take that thought… gently lock it way deep in your heart," I started, pointing at her chest, "and never speak of it."

Trucy just laughed, ducking out from under my arm. I sighed, shaking my head and looking around. "It doesn't look like Ema's here though," I sighed. Trucy nodded.

"Okay! We'll just come back then!" she said, taking my arm and dragging me out. We made our way towards the detention center. Hopefully, this time, I'd be able to actually talk to my client!

"Hmm… Looks like Wocky's out for questioning…" Trucy mused. I groaned.

"I really need to talk to him." I sighed. "I guess we'll come back later…"

"Excuse me," the guard said as I stood. I looked back at him.

"Yes?"

"The other suspect is all through with questioning, sir," he said.

"The other… Ah! You mean the panty-snatcher!?" Trucy gasped. I scowled.

"Wesley Stickler…" So they arrested him, too? "Alright. Let's have a little chat with Mr. Stickler…" I said, sitting again. I hope I don't regret this…

"He is a valuable witness!" Trucy said, seeming to read my thoughts.

He is a bit 'precious,' I'll give him that, I thought scathingly as a guard lead the college student in. He sat, not looking at us.

"Please, keep this brief, if you would. I'm quite busy. I need to finish this paper…" he looked up. "Nyurk! I-it's you!" he cried.

"Mr. Stickler," I said cooly. "We'd like to have a few words with you."

"V-very well," he muttered, playing with the corner of his book. "As long as they're few…"

Nothing would make me happier, believe me… I thought. "Mr. Stickler. On the night of the murder, you stole—"

"Wait!" Stickler gasped, cutting me off. "I can't help but feel that I'm being misunderstood."

"…How, exactly?" I demanded.

"Yes, that night, I obtained a pair of panties, it's true. However! It was my burning curiosity that drove me to do it! Nothing more!" Stickler explained. I sighed, rolling my eyes.

"You wanted to know the trick to my panties, right?" Trucy asked.

"Y-you're here, too!?" Stickler gasped, almost sounding like he was in heaven. I scowled at him, while Trucy gave him a quizzical look.

"Oh, Great Trucy! Teach me!" the desperate man pleaded.

"Eh!?" Trucy gasped, suddenly latching on to my arm.

"I must know the secret of your panties! My very existence hangs in the balance! Please, make me your apprentice!"

Trucy's hands tightened. I could tell she was scared of him.

I suddenly stood, towering over the sitting man. He lurched back in his seat, forgetting about the glass between us.

"You come near my sister, and I will end you," I growled.

"I-I-I…"

I narrowed my eyes dangerously.

"Alright, alright!" he cried. I nodded, sitting once more and taking a deep breath. Trucy latched onto my arm again.

"Now, back to the reason we're here. Could you relate what you saw the night of the murder to us one more time?" I asked.

"…Why not," he sighed. "Though it hardly differs from the testimony I gave in court. The defendant was there in the park that night, of this I'm quite certain. He was pointing a pistol… or something like that at the victim! That's when I shouted 'stop, you two! Let's resolve this like gentlemen!' …and the next moment, a shot was fired," he explained.

"And this is all true?" I demanded. "Really?"

"My panties are gone," the man sighed. "My innermost heart revealed. What further reason could I possibly have to lie?"

I waited for a moment, but my bracelet didn't react. I can't think of anything he'd want to hide more than panty-snatching…

"It sounds like Wock was at the scene of the crime, after all…" Trucy sighed.

"How I wish it weren't so…" I added, before looking at the guard. "We're done with Mr. Stickler. I was hoping to meet with my client?"

"Wocky Kitaki's just finished questioning. I'll bring him out," the guard said, leading Stickler out.

"Great! Finally!" Trucy said brightly, just as the guard led Wocky in.

"Yo, 'sup, my little imposter!" he said, looking at Trucy.

"Eeek!" she squeaked. "Wh-what did you call me?"

"Dizzam! You're not Alita? Yo, who are you?" he demanded.

"My sister," I said.

"'My little imposter' sure is a strange nickname…" Trucy said thoughtfully.

"It's a clink thang. You wouldn't understand," he said, shaking his head. "D-did I say 'imposter?' I meant 'poster'… like 'poster girl,' 'aight?"

"If you're going to drop that part, why not drop 'poster' and just call her 'girl?'" Trucy asked.

"ause she's so much more than that, G. She's like… she's like an angel. A fallen angel," he sighed. I nearly gagged at how sweet that was, even if it really surprised me. "So. What can I do you for?"

"…You don't look so chipper today, Wocky," Trucy said softly.

"Worried about you, um, heart condition, maybe?" I asked, unsure of how to put it.

"M-man… I ain't trying to hear that!" he snapped, perhaps thinking back to Gavin's words. "A man fights to protect what's valuable to him, you know what I'm saying?" He sighed, looking away. "I miss my fallen angel!" He looked back at me again. "Hey, you go get Alita for me. You're my lawyer, aren't you?" he demanded.

Lawyer, not gopher, I thought, before deciding to finally, fully, talk to him.

"So, I hear you're to be married next month?" I asked.

"Straight up!" Wocky said brightly. "We poured the nuptial 40 out on the stoop! Alita! Oh, snapplecakes! She soooo foine!" he… swooned?

I think he's smitten with her in his own weird way… I thought, trying not to laugh.

"I was wondering, how did you two meet? I asked Alita, but she was… very vague," Trucy asked.

"Huh? Well, man, if she wouldn't tell you… I'd best hold my tongue, you feel me?" the gangster said.

"Wha-?" Trucy asked.

"Man, what's past is past. She knows that. When I'm with Alita… I feel like there's things worth protecting out there. You feel me? And my Alita, she's down with that all the way," he explained. I pressed my finger against my forehead thoughtfully.

Hmm, so both of them are mum about their past…

Trucy decided then would be a good time to switch tracks. "Do you think you could tell us what happened with you and Pal Meraktis?" she asked.

"…There's something you should know," Wocky started seriously. "We Kitakis are having what you might call a feud with the Rivales Family. So, 'bout six months back… I go into Rivales turf, packing a knife, right?"

"And… you were shot?" Trucy asked.

"Coldest think I've ever seen. One shot, to the heart, but my homies weren't too late. It's a miracle that I lived. It's already considered one of the seven wonders of the Kitaki Family, you know that?" he said with a smirk.

"So, you were taken to the Meraktis Clinic then?" I asked.

"You shoulda seen their faces when they wheeled me in. You can't just let the Boss's son die, you know?" Wocky said with a chuckle.

I'd hate to have been in that doctor's shoes… Mr. Kitakis' scary enough when he's not angry… I thought with a shudder.

"But the bullet that hit you… it was never removed?" Trucy asked.

And it's still threatening his life… I thought solemnly.

"That doctor…" Wocky scowled deeply, his body tensing in anger. "He did it on purpose! The Rivales paid him off, I'm sure of it!" he snapped.

I need to hear more about the night of the murder, that much is clear… I thought, digging though my evidence. I finally pulled out two pieces.

"About these weapons… the pistol and the knife," I began.

"They belong to the Family. I snuck 'em out that night," Wocky said off-handedly. My bracelet tightened ever so slightly, but I didn't see anything, so I decided to ignore it.

"So, the 'killer' Mr. Stickler says he saw that night was…"

"I guess it was me. I was there, after all," Wocky said with a shrug.

"Gak!" I gasped. We're finished…

"Um… Yo, Wocky! Do you think you could tell us exactly what happened that night?" Trucy asked.

"Heh… you don't beat around the bush, do you?" Wocky said with a grin. "I like your style, shorty."

"So… did you do it?" I asked.

"…I dunno," Wocky answered, sounding truthful.

"Eh?" I asked.

"The day of that check-up, when I found out about the bullet by my heart… I… borrowed a gun from the Family's stash. Figured I'd give that doctor a taste of his own bad medicine…" Wocky started, looking down.

Uh-oh… I don't like where this is going…

"But… you were carrying a knife, weren't you?" Trucy asked hopefully.

"Oh, that? Yeah, well, never can be too careful, I say," he said. "So I'm on my way to the clinic, right? When I run into him in the park… and he's dragging this noodle stand behind him!"

"Wait, you didn't put him up to that? Trucy asked. "Like, you know, in the movies? 'If you value your life, you'll brinf the stand…'"

Wocky stared at her for a moment. "Shorty, you're more wacked than I am. And that's saying something," he said. I couldn't help but snicker at that.

"…But I was serious!" Trucy replied. I shook my head.

"Excuse her, she watches too many movies," I said. Wocky nodded, looking back at me.

"The thing is, I don't remember what happened next all too well," he said.

"You don't remember?" I asked, my heart sinking in the general direction of the floor.

"But, the way I see it, if there wasn't anyone else there that night… then I guess it probably was me who did him in, you know what I'm saying?" Wocky finished. I thought that over. While his thoughts made a certain amount of sense… something just didn't add up…

I just couldn't place my finger on it…

"Alright, thank you. We'll be back, okay?" I said.

"Sure, sure, whatever. Yo, make sure you bring my fallen angel, got it?" he called after us as we left. I shook my head at that as the two of us made out way and to the mansion.

Yipes! She's back! I thought, noticing the wife of the gang boss, sweeping boredly at the paint.

"Hey. You two. Over here!" she snapped, noticing my and Trucy.

"U-uh, us?" I asked.

"Yo, Little Plum! Wassup!?" Trucy said, strutting over to the woman. I groaned, following.

All this gangsterese is a negative influence on Trucy…

"I heard you retrieved my bloomers!" Plum said, studying the two of us.

"W-well, I was j-just doing…" I stammered.

"Bah!" she snapped, and I noticed a glint of metal suddenly appearing in the handle of her broom. "A man speaks clearly, and takes credit where it's due! You caught the thief, didn't you?"

"Uh, y-yes! Sorry! I caught him!" I quickly said, eyes wide. I noticed a malicious smirk on Trucy's face.

"You're cute when you're nervous, Polly!"

"I'll deal with you later," I said with my best older brother threatening voice.

"But enough about bloomers! What about my son, Wocky!?" she demanded.

"W-Wocky? Er, well, he's, um…"

"Clearly!" she snapped again.

"Y-yes, ma'am!" I cried. This is why I was kind of hoping we could avoid coming back here…

"He's really everything you'd expect in a Boss's son!" Trucy said brightly. "'I'm going to be a gangster, dude!'"

"The life does have an appear for that age… particularly for boys," Plum sighed. Trucy looked up at me suspiciously, and it took me a moment to realize that a) I was a boy, and b) I was only a few years older than Wocky.

"What!?" I demanded. "Don't look at me like that!"

"Wocky was shot in a turf war about half a year ago," Plum sighed softly, returning the conversation to the main point.

"Yes… we heard the story from Wocky," I admitted.

"…But he didn't tell you the whole story. You know, even if he had a pistol then, he couldn't have shot anyone," Plum said.

"What…?" Trucy gasped, giving voice to my surprise.

"He acts like he's 'hard,' but he couldn't shoot someone to save his life. I should know… I'm his mom," she said, her voice still soft. I nodded thoughtfully.

Her words do have a certain weight to them…

"Hopefully, when this is all taken care of… he and the Boss can sort out their differences," Plum said.

"The Boss… you mean Wocky's father?" Trucy asked.

"They didn't seem to be on the best terms, did they…?" I mused.

"The Boss may act tough, but that boy means the world to him," Plum sighed.

"But Wocky seems, well… it seems he's against his father's position," I said, remembering how Alita mentioned the Boss wanting to get out of the business, and Wocky's opinion of that.

"Ah. It's to be expected," the woman said, shaking her head. "We're in a bit of a transition now. Trying to cut our ties to the shadier side of the street and do more on the up-and-up. Wocky isn't too enthusiastic about the change, it's true," she explained.

"But why the change?" Trucy asked suddenly. "Is the gangster thing just not paying the bills?"

Oh, I'm sure it is… I thought, while Plum laughed.

"It pays," she said, before growing a little more serious, shaking her head. "But we need a lot of money right now. Clean money, that is."

"I see," I said, crossing my arms thoughtfully. Hmm… something must be up…

"He'll see things the way the Boss sees 'em… someday," Plum added with a sigh. I smiled slightly, before deciding to return to the case at hand.

"So, about the gun…" I started.

"It's true. One of our pistols is missing," Plum confirmed.

"So the murder weapon was from this mansion," Trucy said.

"We kind of figured, given the difficulty of obtaining a gun these days," I said.

"None of the rank and file have access. Only the Boss, myself, and…" she trailed off, before gasping softly. "Wocky could have taken it."

"I see," I said.

"I'm sure the cops will continue tromping all over the mansion because of this case," Plum said, shaking her head. "Maybe this is a sign that it's time for a change!" she laughed.

She doesn't seem too concerned, at least… I thought.

"So, about Alita…" Trucy started.

"Yeah. Wocky's fiancée," Plum said.

"They're getting married next month, correct?" I asked.

"I suppose. She's been staying over lately," Plum replied with a shrug, looking away.

"You don't look too happy about that, Little Plum," Trucy commented. Plum's head whipped around to look at us.

"How'd you guess?" she demanded.

Even I could tell that! I thought. "Could you tell us more about her?" I asked.

"…Wocky brought her home one day. Says he wants to tie the knot," she explained.

"I can see why!" Trucy said brightly. "She's so pretty!"

"Oh, she's pretty enough. But, you know…" Plum started ominously. We looked at her curiously. "Nah, it's probably just me being suspicious. Stay in this business too long… and you start to only see darkness in people. You get a nose for it. A nose for people… a nose for trouble."

Hmm… I wonder what the problem is? I thought.

"It's like a gangsters-only version of 'female intuition!'" Trucy said brightly. I shook my head at her, talking to Plum a little more about various pieces of evidence (why in the world would I want to keep her bloomers as a souvenir!?), before deciding to head to the clinic.

Mr. Eldoon stood in front of his house, a sour look on his face. Trucy spotted him before he spotted us.

"Hey, it's Mr. Eldoon!" she said brightly, before waving one arm wildly about. "Oh Mr. Eldoooooon!" she called. The man looked up before trudging over to us, crossing his arms with a glare.

"…Hmph."

"What's wrong?" Trucy asked, suddenly put off.

"…So, you found my stand. That's why I'm here. To thank you," he said, not sounding too thankful.

"Ah," both Trucy and I said at the same time.

"But now it's a crime scene and they won't let me have it back!" the man suddenly exploded. "That's also why I'm here. I got no other place to go…"

"Ah… I see…" I said softly, frankly feeling sorry for the man.

"How can a noodle stand be a crime scene, that's what I don't get, Trucy-doll!" he sighed. "Even in death he's after my neck, I tell ya! Bah! Can't even cook an honest noodle…"

"'He'…?" I asked, confused.

"'Even in death'… you mean the victim, Dr. Meraktis?" Trucy asked.

"I tell ya. It's enough to drive a man to make his soup even saltier…" Mr. Eldoon grumbled.

Remind me to never eat his noodles when he's in a bad mood… I thought. After all, even a little more salt would ruin the perfect balance he's got going…

Once it seemed Mr. Eldoon was done his rant, Trucy and I looked over at the clinic.

"Well, we've got to check out this clinic, that's for sure," Trucy started.

"Yeah, but what about the guard?" I reminded her. She grinned up at me.

"No harm in asking!" she said brightly, before skipping over to the man. "Um, excuse me!" she said brightly. The officer turned and spotted us.

"Hey, it's you two from yesterday!" he said.

That's the same officer that was standing out by the park yesterday! What does he do, nothing but guard duty? I thought in shock.

"Your business is over in the park, isn't it? The clinic's off limits. It's not involved," he said.

Not involved my foot, I thought.

"B-but…!" Trucy tried.

"What part of 'off limits' do you not understand? The officer demanded. "Show me proof that the clinic is connected to the incident in the park, or beat it," he snapped.

No harm in asking… no gain either. No point to sticking around here, I guess… I thought, wrapping an arm around Trucy and leading her back to Mr. Eldoon. He was still sulking, but I thought it might be best to get some more information out of him.

"So… the stand," I began. Those seemed to be the magic words.

"That stand… for generations, it's served up the very best noodles us Eldoons could make. A tradition of noodles and salty broth." He shook his head. "It's more than a stand, it's history, I tell you."

Watch what you say, or it might become true… I thought idly.

"That's a great story, Mr. Eldoon! A single stand, passed down from generation to generation!" Trucy sighed with happiness.

"'Course, to be honest… I didn't plan on doing it," Mr. Eldoon added.

"That's right. You said something about that. About you 'rebelling' against your pops, was it?" Trucy asked.

"Good memory, Trucy-doll. Aye, I was a go-getter back in my day, like Polly-boy here… until my friend next door butted in. In the end, I was left with nothing but this dusty old stand to earn my fortune," the man explained. I hummed thoughtfully, pressing my finger against my forehead.

"Mr. Eldoon, I don't mean to pry…" I began, with every intention to pry. "But what exactly did you do before you became a chef?"

"Bah!" the old man spat, looking away in disgust. "Let old noodles lie, that's what I say," he grumbled.

I'm starting to get an idea of what he did, anyway, I thought, glancing in the direction of the clinic.

"He stole my dreams and left me with nothin' but noodles. And now I don't even have that!" Eldoon snapped.

"Mr. Eldoon, if I might ask… what exactly happened between you and the Meraktis Clinic?" I asked, pressing this point. I wanted to know if my theory was correct.

"Eh? Eh!?" Mr. Eldoon seemed surprised at my forwardness.

"I couldn't help but sense enmity there…" I added.

"Enmity?" the noodle vendor demanded. "I hate 'em! Er. Hated," he corrected himself. "Him actin' like he smells like roses when he's rollin' in mud!"

"Excuse me?" I asked in confusion.

"He's the only doctor at that clinic, you know. Pretty impressive, eh?" Eldoon rolled his eyes. "I'll tell you the secret to his success… the mob!"

"You mean… the Kitaki Family?" I asked, remembering what we learned earlier from Wocky.

"They're always having one of them 'turf wars' or whatnot. Always an injury or two that needs fixing. Meraktis saw a chance for some business." He shook his head in disgust. "So he started giving the Kitaki Family a good deal…"

"A deal…?" I asked.

"Every fifth operation for free!" Eldoon exploded, throwing his hands into the air in exasperation. "He stole the idea from my pops! One free bowl of noodles a week, he used to say."

"Can a doctor just decide to do that?" Trucy asked in confusion. "What about the insurance companies…?"

Are the Kitaki's insured? Or.. were they? Probably are now, considering the Boss is trying to get out of the game…

"Oh, no doubt it's illegal," Eldoon agreed. "But, it got him in good with the Family. Pretty soon he was getting all the business in town. Leavin' me here, in the dark! Up t'my neck in soupy noodles!"

I leaned close to Trucy. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" I hissed. She grinned with a nod.

"Yep. Can't hurt to ask, bro!" she hissed back. I nodded, stood, and took a deep breath.

"Mr. Eldoon…" I started. He didn't look up from his sulking, so I decided to just dive into it. "Or should I say 'Dr. Eldoon'…" His head snapped up, before he let out a soft, humorless chuckle.

"Figured it out, Polly-boy? That's right, I was a doctor. A surgeon… until the year before last," he admitted.

"So Mr. Meraktis was your rival?" Trucy asked. Eldoon looked down with a scowl, his crossed arms tightening.

"…You like those onions they put in the soup broth?" he asked. I was totally thrown off balance, especially since I knew he didn't put onions in his soup.

"Um, yeah, kind of," I admitted.

"You take a spoon, you drink some broth... Those onions will find their way in there," Eldoon started. "For people who like 'em, why that's just fine. For people who hate 'em..." he shook his head with a scowl. "I hate onions. Hate 'em! Always sneaking in from the side, gettin' in the way of a good tastin' spoonful. Well, that's what he was. An onion! Onion-boy, that's what I called 'im," he explained.

That explains why he doesn't put onions in his soup… I mused thoughtfully. "So… you weren't exactly friends," I concluded.

"Hah! Me 'n Pal Meraktis… ever since pre-school we were getting in each other's face. No matter what I did, sure enough, he'd come followin' along. Then he'd do it better than me. Just blow right past without so much as a 'howdy,'" he said bitterly.

"…I see," I said.

"That's right! I was a surgeon long before he was, you know," the man said, before grumbling, "then that no-good onion-boy comes along…"

"Well, Trucy," I said, crossing my arms and looking over at my sister. "Looks like we found ourselves a new suspect," I joked. Trucy reached over, pinching my arm hard.

"Don't say that!" she snapped.

"Ow! It was a joke!" I argued, rubbing my arm.

"Thanks to him," Eldoon continued as though we hadn't said anything. "I was forced to trade in my scalpel for a ladle!" He suddenly looked up, as though just remembering we were still there. "Sorry, Polly-boy. Didn't mean to weigh you down with an old man's ramblings."

"No, it's fine," I said with a smile.

"By way of apology… you ever get yourself in a spot of trouble, you drop by," he said with a nod. I was confused though.

"Huh?"

"You're investigating Meraktis, aren't you?" Eldoon asked.

"Yes…?" I said uncertainty.

"Well, you want to know about a doctor, you ask a doctor. That's all I'm sayin'," he said, shaking his head. "You just think of me if you need something, Trucy-doll," he said, looking at my sister. "Your bro seems a little thick headed today."

"Hey!" I complained.

"Right!" Trucy said with a giggle. "Thanks, Mr. Eldoon!"

Hmph. I am not thick headed, I thought acidly. Though… I guess the time spent listening to him complain wasn't entirely wasted… And… I was the one who asked…

"Hey, maybe your detective girlfriend is back at the park. Let's go!" Trucy said, wiggling an eyebrow at me, before grabbing my wrist and dragging me away.

"Trucy!" I yelled, blushing. "She's not my girlfriend!"

"Yet!" Trucy sang, and I groaned.

When we reached the entrance, it was blocked by a huge crowd of people. Trucy decided to point it out.

"Probably people trying to get a glimpse of the crime scene," I said, not really listening to the babble. I was trying to figure out how to get in to the park, to where Ema hopefully was.

"But… why are those girls screaming?" Trucy asked, tugging on my sleeve and finally getting my attention. I looked first at her, then the girls in the crowd. "I think I just heard one say 'Omigod, it's him!'" she added.

"That impression… was way too good," I said, looking around. Wait, that motorcycle… I thought, spotting a purple bike with and stylized G or 6 on the side.

"Ah! If it isn't Herr Forehead," that annoying voice suddenly said as the blond swept out of the crowd and over to us.

"Prosecutor Gavin," I replied coldly. The man grinned, playing with his bangs.

"Some fans found me on my way out… Just my luck," he sighed. The girls screamed again.

"Thus the screams…" I said, motioning to them.

"New album just game out, you know," the man said before grinning and grabbing my wrist.

"Hey!"

"Try waving to them," he said, lifting my hand and forcing me to wave. "They love it."

The girls went more into a frenzy, cheering for us. I think I even heard someone call me cute. Gavin laughed at that.

"They're so excited, it doesn't matter who waves to them, see?" the man said.

Yeah, I know about fan mentality, I thought, pulling my wrist away from his grasp, thinking back to my performing days.

"Um, so you were here investigating?" Trucy asked brightly, probably sensing my discomfort.

"And I was on my way home… when my hog gave up the ghost," Gavin sighed, shaking his head.

"Your hog…?" I asked in confusion.

"My motorcycle won't start. A clogged exhaust pipe…" he admitted, playing with his bangs once more.

"Too bad!" Trucy said, studying the bike. "It looks like such a nice bike, too. Hard to believe that it could break just from that!" she said.

"Ach, it's my fault," the man sighed. "I think I was using the wrong oil. Cars, motorbikes, they're all the same," he mused. "Clog the exhaust, and they won't run. Ah, machines." He looked at me. "Tell me you share my angst, Herr Forehead!" he pleaded. I crossed my arms.

"I ride a bicycle, actually," I said. The man looked a little put off.

"Ah. Heh. In any event, I'm off to the shop to get her fixed. The detective in charge of the scene isn't fond of me, in any case," he admitted with a shrug.

"The detective… you mean Detective Skye?" I asked, my voice a little less cold then before.

"Ja. She's in a foul mood, too. Be gentle," he said, before waving with a grin. "Auf Wiedersehen, baby!" he called, walking his bike away. The fan girls squealed, following after him at a distance.

I sighed. "And the forecast for the park today… Gloomy Skyes," I joked. Trucy giggled.

"Well, nothing to do but head on in!" she said brightly, pushing me forehead. "Besides, maybe seeing your face will make her feel better!"

"TRUCY!" I yelled as she giggled more, keeping her hands planted firmly on my back as she drove me forward. I grumbled angrily until we reached the scene.

"Huh? Does something about this scene look different to you?" I asked Trucy, who finally stopped pushing me. She looked around.

"The blue tarps are gone!" she suddenly gasped. "Maybe that's it?"

"Yeah, I think you're right," I said, looking around. I suddenly spotted what I was looking for. "Look over there," I pointed out. Ema was crouched next to the trashcan.

"Your future girlfriend," Trucy said.

"She's not my—!"

"She seems to be apologizing reverently… to the trash can," Trucy concluded. I looked back over to her and saw that Trucy was right.

"She's… under a lot of stress. The investigation's probably not going so well," I commented. Without warning, Ema was suddenly in front of us.

"Hey, you there!" she snapped. "If you're going to talk about someone behind their back, do it more quietly, please!"

Omigod, she didn't hear the girlfriend thing, did she!? I thought. "Oh, um, D-Detective Skye. H-hello," I stammered, though I was trying to act smooth. She just looked at me with a tiny smile.

"You seem as gloomy as ever," Trucy suddenly pipped up. Ema looked over at her, and the clouds seemed to close over her face once more.

"This is miserable! Miserable!" she exclaimed. "I just got a new kit, and I can't get the stuff to work. And everyone's all smiles for that glimmerous fop!" she ranted.

"Glimmerous…" Does she mean Prosecutor Gavin?" Trucy asked.

"Probably," I said. "And she's not too far off the mark… Though I think it's supposed to be 'glamorous'…"

"When he walks his shiny chains catch the sun and glimmer in my eyes!" Ema snapped, grabbing a handful of Snackroos from her bag. "It's distracting!" she shoved the handful in her mouth, munching on them loudly.

Speaking of distracting…

Ema suddenly sighed. "I guess I just have to accept the fact that I lack talent," she said sadly.

"That's not true!" I said. Both Ema and Trucy looked at me in surprise, before Ema scowled.

"I can't even figure out my new kit," she argued.

"Well, that's the issue. It's new," I reasoned. Plus, with the glimmerous fop and his fan club here, I'm sure it was hard to concentrate. But it was you yesterday who showed us how to do the fingerprint analysis," I reminded her. She looked at me for a moment before smiling.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she said. I grinned at her, glad to see her smile. Trucy decided to but in then.

"Where's the forensic team?"

"Hm? Oh, not here yet," Ema said. But I bought this new kit through mail order," she admitted with a grin. "And I'm going to test it here before the forensic team arrives!"

Uh… are you sure that's okay…?

"So, what exactly were you doing, squatting down on the ground like that?" I asked. "Does it have to do with that new kit of yours?"

"Ooh! You want to know?" Ema asked, her eyes lighting up just like they did over the fingerprints. "Do you? Well, I splurged on this new toy!" she said.

That's right. Mail order… I thought.

"What is it?" Trucy asked, looking in the box. "I see a roller… and glue?"

"This is a footprint analysis kit!" Ema said proudly.

"Footprint?" I asked.

"It was raining on the night of the murder, which means that footprints were left," Ema explained.

"Oh, does that have anything to do with those blue tarps" Trucy asked.

"Right. The ground was muddy, so I had to protect it as it was that night," the detective said. "Ever wanted to know exactly where someone was standing? Like your panty-snatching student witness, for instance?" she asked. I rolled my eyes at the thought of Stickler.

"Ah-ha! So with that kit…!" Trucy gasped.

"Right!" Ema said brightly. She then looked at me with a gleam in her eyes. "Want to try this stuff out?"

"Huh? Are you sure?" I asked in surprise. "I mean, we're sort of on opposing teams and all…"

"Oh, pshaw!" Ema said, waving my words aside. "You're friends!" A warm feeling filled my chest. "And… to tell the truth, I'm not so good at doing this. Guess I'm a little clumsy," she admitted. "I could use your help."

"Ooh!" Trucy gasped. "We're good at stuff like this! We used to make magic bunnies out of paper mache!"

"Trucy!" I gasped as Ema giggled, looking over at me. I could feel some heat in my cheeks. I shook my head. "I'll give it a go!"

"That's the spirit!" Ema said brightly. "Right, allow me to explain! Ahem, one moment…" she muttered, diving into the kit box. She pulled out a paper and began to read.

"She's reading the instructions for her kit…" Trucy said softly.

Great. We get to learn together… I thought with a soft sigh.

"First, we have to pick the footprint, or in this case, shoe print we want to analyze!" she began, showing me a diagram of the scene. "I've taken the liberty of marking all the shoe prints in the park. Well, which shoe print should we start with...?" The three of us studied the map for a moment before she pointed to the prints marked with a K. "If we're going to verify the defendant's account, here's the place to start! Shoe prints, prepare to be examined!" She turned quickly to the prints, leaving Trucy and I to follow.

"Ooh! This is so exciting!" Trucy said brightly. Ema smiled.

"Right, here goes! First… 'pour the plaster into the print until it's full,'" she read. She nodded and pulled out a beaker full of thick, white goo. She handed it to me. "Here. You try it," she said with a smile. I nodded, studying the print for a moment, before carefully pouring the plaster in. It slowly spread out in the print until it was completely full.

"Not bad," Ema said, studying it. "You're handier with that than you look.

"Er… thanks?" I said, not sure if that was a complement or not.

"On to the next step!" she suddenly said, whipping the paper back up to read it. Um… 'dry the plaster until it turns white,'" she said, before nodding, handing a wireless hair dryer over to me. "Have at it!" she said. I nodded, switching the device on and carefully holding it over the plaster, moving it around to make sure it dries evenly. Ema nodded once it was entirely white.

"Looks like it's hardened nicely," she said before carefully pulling it out. "Let's take a look! Hmm… yes, that's a good one!" she said, showing it to both Trucy and me. "Next, the ink! Trucy, get the roller and ink pad!"

"Yes, ma'am!" she said, doing so. Ema had her put ink on the plaster print, before carefully pressing it onto a piece of paper.

"Right, now the moment you've all been waiting for!" Ema said with a smile. "Let's see if we get a match." She pulled out a file, and the three of us poured over it, comparing shoe prints, until I spotted the match. I pointed it out.

"So the shoe prints belong to Wocky Kitaki after all…" I sighed.

"He was in the park on the night of the crime!" Ema said with a nod.

"Wow! I can almost see the science at work!" Trucy gasped. Ema grinned brightly.

"Don't you love it!?" she asked, before sighing happily. "Nothing feels better…"

She's really into this. It's kind of cute—Wait, what!? Where'd that come from!?

"Just let me know if you want to do some more. I'll be here, solving the case… with science!" Ema said with grin. I smiled with a nod of confirmation.

Well, that certainly brightened her mood…

"How about another go?" I asked. Her face lit up even more, and we worked together to analyze the next set of foot prints next to the trashcan. They confirmed that Stickler stood there.

Finally we turned our attention to the single print next to the stand. We went through the process once more, but this time was different once we pressed the print on the paper.

"…Huh. That's a funny shoe print. Is that even a shoe?" Trucy asked as the three of us studied it.

"It is strange. So smooth," Ema mused.

"Except for the part with the leaf," I pointed out, wondering why I was suddenly getting a nagging sense of déjà vu.

"I can say without even looking that this print doesn't match any print on our list," Ema said. I nodded.

Hmm… a mystery print… I thought, pressing my finger against my forehead. I felt on the verge of some kind of breakthrough. I just had to figure it out.

"This print is far too smooth to be from a regular shoe," Ema said, still studying the paper.

"It is a shoe print of some kind though, that's certain," Trucy said.

"Still, you have to wonder what it's doing here," Ema said.

"It's right next to the Eldoon's Noodles stand!" Trucy added. I continued to press my fifnger against my forehead, thinking over the evidence.

"It does make one wonder…" I suddenly felt Ema's eyes on me. "Hey, Apollo."

"Yes…?" I asked, looking up.

"Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?" she asked, before narrowing her eyes slightly. "…You wouldn't happen to have something in mind? Something that might have left this mystery shoe print?"

This mystery shoe print does remind me of something! I realized, before digging into my bag. "You know, I think I have our culprit right here…" I said, pulling out the slippers. "I think it's these slippers, actually."

"Slippers… what would slippers be doing out here?" Ema asked.

"Dunno. But look at the bottom! See?" I said, flipping them over.

"It's covered with paint! Except for…" she gasped.

"See, right here?" I asked, pointing to the leaf shape.

"Hey, that spot is shaped like a leaf!"

"What if a leaf was stuck on the bottom, and came of when the slipper stepped in paint?" I asked. "…Makes sense, doesn't it?"

"Wait, something's written on them… 'The Meraktis Clinic!'" Ema gasped again, looking up at me.

"Exactly! The victim's clinic," I said.

"Wait, that means… that someone from the clinic was involved?" Trucy asked, tipping her head to the side thoughtfully. Ema didn't answer, instead, she placed a Snackoo in her mouth, munching thoughtfully.

"Um, Detective Skye? We have a favor to ask!" Trucy said.

"Wh-what?" Ema asked, snapped out of thought. I knew where Trucy was going with this.

"Can you get us access into the Meraktis Clinic?" I asked.

"The police won't let us in! They say the murder and the clinic are not connected. And it's off limits until we prove they are!" Trucy explained. Ema nodded.

"I should be able to do something for you, yes," she said.

"Eh? Really?" I gasped.

"Well, you did my work for me here with the shoe prints," she admitted. "Seems like I should return the favor.

"Thank you, Detective Skye!" Trucy cheered. Ema shook her head slightly, writing something down on a paper before handing it to me.

"Here, show this to the police officer on duty," she said. I nodded, slipping it into my pocket.

"Thanks," I said with a small smile.

Right! Meraktis Clinic, here we come!

"One more thing! Ema said before we could leave.

"Wh-what?" I asked.

"The slippers… right there! I think I see a toe mark!" she gasped.

"Oh yeah!" I said, having totally forgetting the reason we first came here. "We managed to pull a print off of this," I said, showing her.

"Oh… there's one problem…" Ema said, deflating. "The police station doesn't keep a record of toe prints. So I can't tell you whose it is," she said. I nodded.

"Right. I guess that would be too much to hope for…

"But keep it. You never know," Ema said with a smile. "You might find something else that'll have a toe print."

I chuckled. "What are the chances?" I asked.

"You'd be surprised," Ema said with a smile as the two of us left.

"Ah, you two again. When, oh when will you learn," the officer guarding the clinic groaned, before taking in our faces. "Look at me however you want, you're not getting in today," he said, crossing his arms.

I smirked, reaching into my pocket.

"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you!" Trucy said, whipping her hat off and pulling the paper from inside. "Look what we have!" she said, presenting it to the man.

Sneaky little magician! I thought, before quickly checking the rest of my pockets too. Thankfully, everything else was where it was supposed to be.

"What's that? …Detective Skye!" he gasped. "Yesterday, it was Prosecutor Gavin, today it's Detective Skye." He narrowed his eyes dangerously at us. "Who are you two?" he demanded.

Great. Now he's suspicious again…

"Well, you got the order, I gotta let you in," he sighed, letting the matter drop. "Have fun," he said, stepping aside.

"Thanks, Mr. Officer!" Trucy said brightly, before looking up at me. "Let's hit it, Polly!"

We walked into the reception area, which was devoid of people.

"Huh, kind of an at-home sort of place, isn't it?" Trucy asked. I nodded.

"Yeah. But more importantly, this place has a connection to the murder in the park… I'm sure of it!" I declaired.

"The police guy out front wasn't so sure," Trucy reminded me. I ignored her, continuing my thought.

"Beyond it being where the victim lived, of course…" Looks like the police team's gone home for the day…

"There might be some clues lying around!" Trucy said. "Let's get cracking, Polly!" she said. I nodded, looking around. The first thing that caught my eye…

"Look at all these bowls…" Trucy gasped, spotting the teetering, towering pile of red ramen bowls off to the side. I walked over and picked one up, gasping at the inside.

"They're from Eldoon's Noodles! There's Mr. Salty!" I said.

"Then, I think we've figured something out," Trucy said softy.

"I think we have," I agreed.

"Mr. Eldoon must do take-out!" she suddenly said excitedly. I stared at her for a few minutes in silence, trying to figure out if she was serious or not.

Not exactly what I was thinking… I thought once I decided she had been serious. Trucy suddenly gasped again.

"All the bowls have been washed clean!" she reported.

"I think we've found our first clue, Trucy," I said, putting the bowl down and looking around some more.

"Hey, Polly! Look at this sign on the desk," Trucy said. I came over, curious. "'Please pay your bill: Remember, we're the ones holding the scalpel,'" she read.

"Wow," I shivered. "I'm sure glad Dad never sent us here…"

"Seriously!" Trucy added, turning away. "Hey, look! There's a single pair of sandals here…" she said. I looked over to see a pair of sandals that were made from a wedge and blue ribbons.

"Wait, but why would there be sandals here?" I asked in confusion. "Unless they belong to one of the patients…"

"Or maybe it's a visitor that's come to see Dr. Meraktis," Trucy added. I shook my head.

"You'd think they'd use his house entrance instead of the clinic entrance, in that case," I replied, before shaking my head. "And, it this patient or visitor isn't still here…" I added.

"Why'd they leave without their shoes?" Trucy asked. I nodded, carefully picking the shoes up.

"Right." Better take a closer look at these, just in case… I studied the shoes before gasping, spotting a big toe print. I quickly analyzed it.

"Ah-ha! Ema was right!" I said.

"Huh?" Trucy asked. I turned, showing her the print and how it matched the one we pulled off the slippers.

"She said we might be surprised at the chance of finding another print," I explained, before looking at the shoes again. "Now we just have to find the owner of these shoes," I explained. Trucy grinned.

"Then we'll know who else was at the crime scene!" she said.

"Exactly," I said. I looked around a little more before heading over to the office door.

"Look! This door says 'Doctor's Office'!" Trucy said brightly.

"Very good! You can read!" I teased, earning another pinch.

"Ow!"

THUMP

"Ah! Polly! That sound… it came from behind this door!" Trucy gasped, grabbing my arm.

Someone's in there! "L-let's check it out, Trucy!" I said, throwing the door open and rushing in.

When we entered, the office was empty, and the window was open. I ran over to it.

"A break-in!" I yelled. "They left through that window!" I put my foot on the sill, ready to propel myself through it, when Trucy grabbed my arm.

"Wait, Apollo! You're too late to catch them now!" Trucy said. I looked at her and nodded.

This is Stickler all over again, but more serious! "Well, we should tell the police!" I replied.

"Let's check the room out, first, Apollo! If we call the police now, we'll lose our chance," Trucy said. I hesitated before nodding.

"You're right," I said. But it feels wrong… even if Dad and Mystic Maya did this all the time…

"Well, one thing's for certain," Trucy said with a smile. "This clinic and our murder case are looking pretty related now!"

"Heh, yeah," I said, looking around.

"Look at that lamp. It's kind of an expensive-looking one, isn't it?" Trucy said, moving closer. "Hey… the bulb's broken."

"Broken?" I asked, barely glancing over. "Don't you mean burned-out?"

"No. Our cat burglar must have dropped it," she said. I looked over at the lamp again, surprised to see it standing in the middle of the floor. The bulb was indeed broken.

"If it was dropped, why is it standing up on the floor like that then?" I asked.

"Hey, look at the cord," Trucy gasped. I quickly looked to where she pointed.

Huh? There's a red splotch on a part of the cord… "You think that's… blood?" I asked as I moved closer, my voice hushed.

"It's a little bright for blood," Trucy pointed out. Once I was close enough, I saw what she was talking about. "Almost pinkish," she added.

"Something's definitely odd about this lamp, that's for sure," I said, taking both pictures on my phone and notes, adding them to my court record.

"So, who do you think broke in?" I asked as we looked around.

"Maybe it was just a burglar who happened to pick here?" Trucy suggested.

"Yeah, but there's a patrol car sitting out front. If I were a burglar, I'd come back the next day at least," I pointed out.

"I'd give it a month, myself," Trucy said thoughtfully. I shook my head at her.

Whoever broke in obviously needed to break in today…

"That burglar must have left in a hurry," Trucy commented thoughtfully. "Look at this mess. It's worse than Daddy's room!"

"That's true," I said with a laugh, coming over to look at the desk. "Even the cup on the desk here is lying on its side," I said, before noticing something. "Huh? The juice that spilled out of that cup… it's dry," I muttered.

"So, the messy one wasn't our burglar just now!" Trucy said. I nodded.

"Right. Someone knocked this cup over a while ago and left it," I deduced, before finally turning my attention to the elephant in the room.

"That safe…" I muttered.

"What a cute little safe!" Trucy said brightly. I moved closer, studying it.

"Hmm, looks like a four-digit lock," I said. Trucy gasped.

"Someone's already entered in two numbers, Polly! Seven… Nine… wait, do you think…" she trailed off as I quickly looked at her.

"That burglar just now was trying to open it!?" I asked, finishing her question. I wonder what's inside this safe…?

"Hmm… is there any way we can figure out the last two numbers?" Trucy questioned. I turned back to the safe, pressing my finger against my forehead thoughtfully.

"Well, we know the first two are seven and nine…" I said, staring at the little, glowing green numbers.

"Maybe there's something in the Court Record?" Trucy suggested. "Something that can help us figure out the last two numbers?"

Hmm… I wonder… I thought over everything we had, until something suddenly struck me.

"Well, I have an idea…"

"I knew it, Polly! What is it?" Trucy demanded.

Well… all we have to know is what buttons have been pressed. You don't have to be a magician to figure out this trick… "We can use this to find out what the next two numbers are!" I said, holding up our bottle of fingerprint powder. "After all, when you press the buttons, you'd have to touch them… with your finger, right?" I said.

"It would leave a print!" Trucy gasped.

"When you open a safe, you don't press any other buttons but the right ones, right? So, if we can find the buttons with fingerprints…"

"We'll have the safe code! Not bad, Polly!" Trucy said, hugging my arm. I laughed before starting to sprinkle the powder on the buttons, and blowing away the extra.

"Look! You can see the oily finger residues clearly," I said, before noticing something. "Look at seven and nine…"

"These are glove marks. The burglar must have been wearing gloves," Trucy noticed.

"Well, we might not be able to identify the burglar, but we can open this safe!" I said, looking at the two numbers left. I knew I had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it right. I just hoped it wasn't attached to an alarm.

Thankfully, I didn't have to find out. The door opened on the first try. I sighed in relief, before looking in.

Two things caught my eye. A mark in the back wall of the safe, and a file.

"This looks like a bullet hole!" I gasped, pointing to the mark.

"Hmm… you can still see the bullet sticking out of it," Trucy said.

"Why is it in the middle of a safe…?" I wondered, not paying too much attention to Trucy.

"Hey, the bullet came out!" she gasped. My head snapped up, and I secretly thanked god that she was wearing gloves. "The tip is all squished."

"Not surprising given that it was fired into a metal safe," I commented, looking at the bullet in Trucy's hand. This bullet's got a story behind it, that's for sure… I thought, pulling out an evidence baggy for it. While I secured it in my bag, Trucy opened the file.

"This looks like… a medical chart. There's an X-ray in here with it," she announced. I looked over her shoulder at it.

"An X-ray…? Hmm… I can't make heads or tails of it," I admitted. "And I can't read the chart either, it's all in medical-speak."

"But the names are easy enough to read," Trucy said. "Look, by 'Patient' it says… 'Wocky Kitaki'! So this is Wocky… our client's chart, huh?"

"Why would this one chart be here in his safe…?" I asked, taking the file. "Let's see, the physician's signature says 'Pal Meraktis'… Ah…"

"What is it, Apollo?" Trucy asked. I showed her the file, pointing to a third disturbingly familiar name.

"Look here where it says who filed the chart…"

"Let's see," Trucy mused, before gasping. "'Nurse Alita Tiala'!"

"Alita Tialita is Wock's fiancée!" I said. Trucy gave me an odd look.

"That's one 'ita' too many, Apololo!" she teased. I sighed, slumping slightly as my spikes drooped into my eyes.

"Never mind that, what's her name doing here!?" I demanded.

"How should I know?" Trucy replied. "Though… I guess it means she's on staff at this clinic?"

"Odd that she neglected to mention this before now…" I grumbled.

"I'm sure she had her reasons," Trucy said.

"So, Alita Tiala worked at the Meraktis Clinic… and she had access to Wocki Kitaky's medical chart!" I muttered.

"You got the 'I' and 'Y' wrong, Apollt Wrigho!" Trucy teased again.

"I'd be very interested to find out what this chart says," I said, ignoring her once more as I slid the file into my bag.

"Maybe we should go visit Wocky again," Trucy suggested. I nodded, leading the way back to the Detention Center.

"Don't cry angel, Daddy's back and Daddy's…" Wocky Kitaki opened his eyes as he sat, and cut off. "Oh. You again."

"Do you always have to announce your entrances like that?" I asked as Trucy giggled.

"Man, my old man, he… man! Now I'm all in a funk, and it's his fault," the boy growled.

One can only assume that his father tried to teach him a less. And failed, clearly… I thought.

"You two got your work cut out for you, straight up. Course, I don't care if they lock me up. I'm ready to go!" Wocky continued.

Some days, I wonder why I didn't just keep performing as a magician. I wonder if Dad had clients as difficult as Wocky.

Well, there WAS Larry Butz… I thought, remembering the transcript from Dad's very first case.

"So, you don't call if you're found guilty of murder!?" Trucy demanded.

"Hey, it's all experience, you feel me, shorty? Like a badge of honor," Wocky said with a cocky grin. He seemed to realize something, and his face fell. "They don't give the death pentalty, do they?"

"…You didn't really do it, did you?" Trucy asked.

"…Maybe I did, maybe I didn't," Wocky replied, not meeting either of our eyes.

If I've learned one thing today, it's that 'silence' speaks louder than words, I thought, shaking my head.

"So your dad was here?" I asked.

"Man, my old man is wack. Disappointing, that's what he is," Wocky growled.

"I heard he wants to leave the mob?" Trucy asked.

"Over my dead body!" Wocky snapped. "I spend my life, trying to keep it real, being an O.G. and never stepping down. Now my old man wants to go soft? Find, let him. Just leave me out of it," Wocky said dismissively, and I gave vent to an internal sigh. "The day I get out of the clink… That's the day Alita and I start the next generation of the Kitaki Family."

Please don't talk as though it's assumed you're going to jail… for my sake… I thought, before deciding to change the subject.

"Wocky, you don't happen to recognize these, do you?" I asked, pulling out the sandals.

"Hey! Sure I do! I was the one who bought 'em for her," the boy said brightly.

"For… Ms. Tiala?" Trucy asked.

"Yeah. A birthday present," Wocky said with a grin, playing with his bangs. "She's got mad little feet. Mad! So cute, man."

"So these sandals are hers…" Trucy said softly.

"Yeah… I kinda had a feeling," I admitted.

"What's up with the funky vibes?" Wocky asked, looking between the two of us. I just shook my head, making a note about the sandals. As I put my notebook back in my bag, my hand bumped into Wocky's medical file. That gave me an idea. I carefully pulled open the file, flipped it open, and showed him.

"Huh? What's that? Some kinda x-ray?" Wocky asked, before looking closer. "Wait…"

"That's right, Wocky," I said. "It's yours."

"Hey look, I don't smoke or nothing. I'll live long, right?" he asked.

"I don't think he gets it, Apollo," Trucy said. I nodded, pointing to the chart opposite of the x-ray. "Take a closer look. Here, in particular… where is says 'Nurse.' It's signed 'Alita Tiala,'" I said.

"Huh." Wocky sat back in his chair, looking at me over the file. "You lawyers do your homework."

"So, you met Ms. Tiala when you…" Trucy began.

"Yeah, I met her at the clinic. So?" Wocky asked.

"Could you tell us a bit about the circumstances of your meeting?" I asked.

"Fine, fine! I'll tell you how we met if you want to know that bad," he snapped. "When I was shot during that turf war, my homies hauled me off to the doc's."

"The Meraktis Clinic," Trucy said, remembering the story.

"That's where I met her. My fallen angel…" he sighed dreamily.

"You mean Alita Tiala?" I asked.

"She was scared of me at first, turns out. But you know what they say – the bad guy always gets the ladies," he said.

"Right…" I mumbled, glancing at Trucy. That better not be true for Trucy…

"She was done with that clinic anyhow. So I was like, I'll take you on, woman! Straight gangster style. Guess what she said?" Wocky challenged with a grin.

"What did she say?" Trucy asked.

"C'mon, give it some thought! She said it real quiet-like, on the down low, know what I'm saying? 'I'll leave… if you'll marry me,'" Wocky said.

"So… that was the proposal?" I asked.

"You know it!" Wocky said brightly. "An oath of love, right there in the hospital room. Just like that, the op was done, and we were outta there. See you later, bye!"

"Um, about that 'op'…" I began.

"Yeah," Wocky sighed, looking down and losing his grin. "Didn't go so well after all, did it? I know about the report. I know it's still in me."

"This health check-up was the Boss's idea, you said?" Trucy asked.

"Yeah. Can you imagine? What's the point of living healthy when you're a G, you know what I'm saying?" Wocky replied, looking up.

"But didn't you learn about the bullet at that check-up?" Trucy asked.

"Yeah… that's when I knew that doctor had to pay. Figured I could get that cap pulled after I got my revenge. And hey, I'm still living large now, aren't I?" Wocky said, adding the last bit with a grin. I shook my head slightly.

"Incidentally… had you ever had a health check-up before?" I asked.

"Naw, my old man suddenly gets this idea that we all gotta get check-ups! Guess he's getting old," Wocky said thoughtfully, before adding, "older, I mean."

I nodded. "Well, thank you for your time, Wocky. This is probably the last time we'll visit tonight. See you tomorrow, 'kay? Try to get some sleep," I said.

"You, whatever," the boy said, crossing his arms. I shrugged at Trucy, leading her out.

"One more stop," I said. "The we'll get dinner and visit Dad."

"Okay!" Trucy said brightly.

"Mr. Eldoon! We've been looking all over for you!" Trucy said, bouncing up to the man.

"What's the matter, Trucy-doll?" Eldoon asked.

"We need you to look at something we found," I said, pulling out the chart. "Nothing like expert advice."

Eldoon suddenly sniffled. I noticed his eyes looked a little glassy.

"Mr. Eldoon!" I gasped. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm just – sniffle – so happy! I just though my doctor days were gone for good…" he sniffled again, before wiping his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Mr. Eldoon…" I said softly. He shook his head, and held out his hand.

"Let's see it." I handed the chart over. "Hrm? A medical chart? Hey, you shouldn't go taking this from clin-!" his eyes had roamed over the file as he talked, and he suddenly cut off.

"Why the sudden silence, Mr. Eldoon?" Trucy asked.

"What…?" Mr. Eldoon gasped. "What's going on here!?" he demanded, looking up at me.

"That's what we want to know!" I said. "That chart belongs to my client."

"He's on trial… on suspicion of murder," Trucy added. Eldoon's eyes grew wide with worry.

"On trial! That's crazy! You can't put him on trial! He's ABD!"

"…ABD?" Trucy asked, voicing my question.

"'All but dead.' He's knocking on the Pearly Gates, and someone's about to answer," he answered. Trucy and I exchanged a worried look, before looking back at the noodle vender/surgeon.

"C-can you tell us why?" I asked. Eldoon took a deep breath, reaching up and pulling off his hat. To my surprise, his blond, noodle like hair came off with it, revealing black hair in a neat haircut. He stood up straight, one arm crossed over his chest, his other hand holding the chart. Even the look on his face was more serious.

"Well, permit me to speak as a surgeon. You listen up good now, son," he said.

No way… It's like he's a completely different person… I thought, pulling out my notebook just in case I needed to take notes.

"Well, according to this chart… this "Wocky Kitaki" feller's not doing so well," Eldoon started. "He's got a bullet right up side his heart!"

"That's right," I confirmed, already knowing that.

"Yeah, but this chart talks about post-op… in other words, the operation is already finished! But you can still see that bullet stuck in there," Eldoon said.

"Why would it still be in there after the operation to remove it?" I asked.

"Well, 'bout the only reason I can think of is, it was too tricky to operate on," Eldoon replied.

"What…?" Trucy gasped.

"That bullet's snug as a bug there next to the aorta, which is connected to the heart. Heck, that scrap of metal's just surrounded by blood vessels. Kind of a miracle. Two millimeters to either side and there'd be some serious bleeding going on in there. Not something yer average doc'd be eager to fiddle with," Eldoon explained, studying the chart again.

"Y-you mean…" Trucy started.

"It took a miracle to get that bullet stuck where it is. I'd take more than a miracle to take it out. It'd take a magician," he said, looking between the two of us. We glanced at each other.

"Um… I'm only up to making rabbits disappear. I haven't learned bullets yet," Trucy said.

"And I don't think the Kitakis would be too eager to give me a shot at it," I said.

"'Course with the heart pumping and lungs working… that bullet's on the move. I'd give him another half a year, tops," Eldoon said.

"B-but Wocky's operation was already a half-year ago!" I gasped.

"That's why I'm saying you're outta time!" Eldoon snapped. "This kid shouldn't be on trial! He should be on an operating table!"

I leaned against the wall of Eldoon's house.

Great… just great… I thought, before realizing something. When did I become emotionally invested in Wocky's wellbeing…? Is this… how Dad felt about most of his clients…?

"How could Dr. Meraktis do such a terrible thing?" Trucy demanded. "How could he just leave that bullet in there?"

"I got a pretty good idea of how he felt… an emergency operation… he's got the kid's chest open on the table. Then he finds the bullet… that's despair right there, Trucy-doll. Cold despair," Eldoon sighed.

"Despair…" Trucy murmured.

"'Bout the only thing he could do is sew the boy back up. He wasn't exactly in the situation to go admitting he couldn't take it out."

"The Kitakis…" Trucy breathed.

"You bet. This kid's their only son, I hear. So, he skips the operation, and Wocky's back on the street living his life. 'Course, it's only a matter of time before his heart hemorrhages and he drops cold," Eldoon continued.

"How awful…!" Trucy gasped.

"And which doctor would they take him to? Meraktis. He's got enough ties to them, he could probably cover up the truth of what happened."

"That's just horrible! He left Wocky to die!" I looked up, noticing tear starting to form in the corners of Trucy's eyes. Pushing off the wall, I walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"There's a darkness in this world, Trucy-doll," Eldoon said softly. "Waiting, hungry. Compared to it, these gangs' turf wars are like kid games. When you're up against real evil… well, it doesn't matter if you're weak or strong. It'll take you all the same."

That's way too true. I just wish Trucy didn't have to see it… I mused, thinking back to the darkness I've seen.

"You were a surgeon, right Mr. Eldoon!?" Trucy asked. "You could operate on Wocky, couldn't you!?" she pleaded.

"I wish…" Eldoon sighed.

"What?"

"I'm afraid there ain't nobody in the country that could. Maybe not even in the world…" Eldoon sighed.

"So… So Wocky…" Trucy gasped, tears pooling in her eyes.

"He's real lucky to be alive even now…" Eldoon said softly.

"No!" Trucy gasped.

Something suddenly struck me. I grabbed the cart from Eldoon and looked it over again, a glacier dropping into my stomach.

"There's one problem…" I said.

"Apollo?" Trucy asked, looking up at me, wiping at her eyes.

"This chart… Look at the 'Nurse' section… Alita Tiala," I said, my voice cold.

"That's right! This operation was how they met…" Trucy gasped.

"Yeah, the problem is, she knew. She knew about Wocky's condition, guaranteed," I said.

"Ah…" Trucy gasped softly.

"Why didn't she ever tell him?" I asked. Eldoon looked between the two of us, a knowing, and sad, expression on his face. I pressed my finger against my forehead.

It doesn't make sense… if she knew her patient was in serious danger… you'd think she'd want to get that second operation before getting engaged!

"What was she thinking, Apollo!?" Trucy cried.

What were you thinking, Alita Tiala?

A/N: Here we are!

I know you don't see much of Apollo doing his magician thing in this chapter. I didn't know where to put it.

On the other hand, Turnabout Serenade will have a lot of those moments, considering!

Two more things. I didn't, at all, change anything about that last conversation between Trucy and Eldoon. That being said, I've recently come to ship Trucy and Wocky (once Trucy hits 18), and that conversation only made that stronger.

Finally, when Apollo keeps messing up the names, I wonder if those were typos made, and the writers decided to go along with it by having Trucy tease him, rather than fix the mistakes. I believe they did, hehe.

The next chapter will come soon!