TURNABOUT HIGHSCHOOL, Part 3
by BrDPirateMan
Genre: Crime / Mystery / Parody / Cross-over
Eri claimed she saw Neku commit the foul deed of murdering Ms Konishi. However, Edgeworth managed to expose her lies. Despite his efforts, the real killer remained a mystery. With no real leads, everyone is back to square one...
March 14, 4:16 pm
Seiko High School
Staff Room
Edgeworth: Team B is busy dusting around for fingerprints... Maybe they'll get to Luminol later...
Mina: *ACHOO!* The powder they're using is flying everywhere! It's really, ah- *ACHOO!*
Edgeworth: Yes... Mina, mind that you don't sneeze on anything. Everything in this staff room must be preserved carefully. You don't want to spoil any potential evidence.
Mina: That's so- *ACHOO!* -easy for you to- *ACHOO!* -say! How about I blow my nose on your adult-sized bib? !
Edgeworth: *recoils* It's a cravat! And no, you are NOT using any of my clothes to sate your runny nose!
Mina: Cravat, shmavat, it's a bib. *evil grin* It's a little something you use to catch food scraps as you eat so they don't stain your shirt. Hee hee, Edgey, you're such a big baby!
Edgeworth: *recoils* Mina! This is- *sigh* Never mind. Let us be quick about our investigation.
Forensics: Sir! Mr Edgeworth, sir!
Edgeworth: Hmm?
Forensics: We found this on Eri after we arrested her, sir! Detective Kitaniji trusts you enough to take a look at it!
Mina: Eri's cell phone?
Edgeworth: Have you looked at its contents yet?
Forensics: Not yet, sir. Everyone is so busy, that we simply don't have time. Detective Kitaniji said that since you were able to show that Eri was lying in her testimony, he figured that maybe this will help you!
Edgeworth: Um...thanks.
Mina: But what can we find from something like this? It's just a normal-looking cell phone...
Edgeworth: ...with lots of abnormal-looking straps and knick-knacks hanging from it.
Mina: Did that detective say to look through its contents? But... I don't feel comfortable prying into people's private stuff... Huh? Wow! Eri takes pictures of all the clothes she designs, and keeps them in her phone? Cool! And hey, there are more pictures of her at a... slumber party? ? ? I bet she bought that bra from "Lacy Temptations"! Haha! Let's see what else she has!
Edgeworth: *recoils* (So much for respect for others' privacy... and just exactly WHAT kind of photos does Eri take of herself anyway? !)
Mina: Ooh... Let's take a quick peek at her inbox. I'm sure she has some... delicious secrets.
Edgeworth: You know, we can look at it later. We still have an investi-
Mina: Wh-What's this? Edgey, look at this message that was received today. It's from... "Hubby"?
Edgeworth: "Hubby"? Is that a euphemism for... her boyfriend's name?
Mina: "My dear Eri, are you free today? I want to see you; I'm so lonely. :( My place. I'll be in my cubicle all the way from 11 am to 1 pm. Don't worry it's Saturday, there's no one in the staff room. See you there." That's what it says. But who is "Hubby"?
LOGIC FRAGMENT - "Hubby"
Eri has been corresponding via text message with someone whom she calls "Hubby".
Edgeworth: Interesting... Whoever wrote this specifically mentioned the staff room as the meeting place.
Mina: You mean this staff room?
Edgeworth: Most probably. Eri is a student of this school. So the only staff room I can think of that she'll go to is this one.
Mina: Do you think "Hubby" is a student here?
Edgeworth: No. The message said, "I'll be in my cubicle." This implies that the sender is a teacher. After all, the only place where you can find cubicles is the staff room.
Mina: A teacher?
Edgeworth: Shocking, but yes, it's a teacher.
Mina: But don't you think by cubicle, "Hubby" meant... a toilet cubicle? That'll be pretty disgusting for a meeting spot, but it's perfectly plausible, right?
Edgeworth: No again. Have you forgotten? The sender wrote that "there's no one in the staff room." Meaning that he was referring to a staff room cubicle.
Mina: Oh yeah! Edgey, you're so sharp!
Edgeworth: But we have no idea who this "Hubby" is, or whether his message has any significance to this case whatsoever. However, any evidence is welcome.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Eri's cell phone.
Contains a message from "Hubby", which reads: "My dear Eri, are you free today? I want to see you; I'm so lonely. :( My place. I'll be in my cubicle all the way from 11 am to 1 pm. Don't worry it's Saturday, there's no one in the staff room. See you there."]
Edgeworth: Now, shall we begin?
BEGIN INVESTIGATION
Edgeworth: Let's take a look around Mr Minamimoto's cubicle. I'm sure there must be something we can use as ammo against him.
Mina: I've only been in here a few times.
Edgeworth: Is that so?
Mina: Yup. Seeing all these... I don't know, junk sculptures... Did he make these himself? ! I know he's got this penchant for arts and crafts, but... a model T-Rex made entirely from scrap metal and screws... Bleh, tacky.
Edgeworth: Y-Yes, they do look terrible... Unique, but terrible. They have a certain... je ne sais quoi about them. Th-That might be the best way to describe them.
On a shelf were some books, all mathematical, of course.
Edgeworth: Mr Minamimoto likes mathematics a lot, doesn't he?
Mina: Oh, he doesn't just like math, he eats math, he breathes math... he practically lives in it.
Edgeworth: These books on his shelf all look terribly complex to me. "Integration and Differentiation Explained"... "Loci and Beyond"... "Infinity 101"... Wh-What's this? "A Number to Remember"...
Mina: Hey! Lemme see that! That looks like a romance novel! Haha! So Mr Minamimoto reads these things in his spare time!... Huh? It's just a biography of a mathematician...
Edgeworth: What would you expect from a man who uses the word "zetta" as an adverb?
Mina: *sigh* Figures...
An opened box caught Mina's eye.
Mina: I wonder what Mr Minamimoto keeps in here. WHOA! These are... pins? !
Edgeworth: Looks like our resident math freak has an interest in not just math and trash, but also pin badges...
Mina: I didn't know Mr Minamimoto plays Tin Pin! Holy! These are limited edition pins! Lucky Star... Lady Luck... Red Skull... These are the ones that all those Tin Pin enthusiasts are talking about!
Edgeworth: Tin Pin... I take that it's that new game that's sweeping across the nation like wildfire?
Mina: Yeah. I'm playing it too! One day, I'll become so good, that I can participate in the Tin Pin Grand Slam-Off! But... All the pins I've been using so far are pretty underpowered, so... Ah! I know!
Edgeworth: What is it?
Mina: Edgey! Playing Tin Pin in school is a crime! We... We have to confiscate his pins!
Edgeworth: You just want them for yourself.
Mina: *sweats* N-No! I swear! This... This is a direct breach of the school's rules! Let me just take them away and...
Edgeworth: *stern* Mina! Hands off! Regardless of whether he broke the rules or not, this place is still under investigation. Don't touch anything!
Mina: *grumble grumble* Killjoy. *grumble grumble*
Mina eyed the wastepaper basket with some interest.
Edgeworth: It's Sho's dustbin. Just some shreds of paper and crumpled notes, I guess...
Mina: Wh-What's this shiny thing inside?
Edgeworth: What?
Mina: Ow! My finger!
Edgeworth: What's wrong, Mina?
Mina: I cut my finger! Rrgh... It hurts!
Edgeworth: Be more careful next time you look through people's trash- Wait. You cut your finger?
Mina: Isn't it obvious? !
Edgeworth: There must be something in this bin that is sharp... But what could such an object be doing in here? Let me see...
Edgeworth removed the excess trash carefully...
Edgeworth: What's this? Glass shards?
Mina: They're broken and in pieces. What're they doing here? Edgey, do you think this might be important?
Edgeworth: Mina, every clue, no matter how small, is important.
Mina: You handle it. I'm not cutting my fingers to shreds.
Edgeworth: (Well, thanks for being so helpful.) Hmmm... These shards look thinner than usual. They don't look like the type of glass that is used for showcases or cabinets.
Mina: And the shards are quite small too.
Edgeworth: It's just an educated guess, but I believe this glass looks like it comes from a pair of spectacles.
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Glass shards in office
Some thin glass fragments were found in Mr Minamimoto's office. I think they're part of a pair of glasses, but whose?
Edgeworth: (Hmmm? Somehow, I feel there's a connection to be found. Let's see...)
LOGIC CONNECTION:
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Victim's glasses already broken?
We couldn't find all the shards to fully reconstruct the victim's glasses. Where are those shards?
AND
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Glass shards in office
Some thin glass fragments were found in Mr Minamimoto's office. I think they're part of a pair of glasses, but whose?
Edgeworth: Like we said earlier, these pieces of glass are thinner than usual. Now what is its true nature?
Mina: I don't think it came from a window, because I don't see any broken windows.
Edgeworth: Plus, window glass is much thicker. But when you think about it... Ms Konishi's glasses were devoid of any glass.
Mina: So you're saying that the shards here come from her glasses?
Edgeworth: I think so.
Mina: Well, we wouldn't know until we start piecing 'em together! Let's get cracking! Um... But, you do it, Edgey. I don't like handling broken glass.
Edgeworth: Mmph... Right. Let's solve this jigsaw once and for all, shall we?
...
Mina: You're right, Edgey! They do form a pair of lenses!
Edgeworth: These are about the same size as the frame of Ms Konishi's glasses. I think it's obvious where they came from.
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Glass shards
Thin pieces of glass found in the dustbin in Mr Minamimoto's staff room cubicle. They fit perfectly into the frame of Ms Konishi's broken glasses.]
Edgeworth: We've stumbled upon a very important piece of evidence.
Mina: Yeah... That's one more nail for the killer's coffin!
On the floor Edgeworth noticed a set of small circles arranged in a big rectangle, one circle at each corner. Two of the circles were close to the wall, while the other two were about two feet away.
Edgeworth: Hmmm... Look at this, Mina. Notice anything?
Mina: The circles are almost the same colour as the floor, only slightly darker. Your point being?
Edgeworth: Something used to stand in this spot, in the middle of the circles. A cabinet, for example, would be a good guess.
Mina: Um... I don't get it...
Edgeworth: A cabinet or set of portable drawers stands on four feet, right? The feet used to stand on these very circles. Over time, dust settled on the floor surrounding them. Which is why they are darker in colour than the rest of the floor!
Mina: I see. So whatever was here before... has been moved to another spot!
Edgeworth: Precisely.
Mina: Come to think of it, there used to be a cabinet right here. And it's... that one!
Mina pointed at a tall cabinet which was standing beside the door. Upon inspecting the legs, Edgeworth discovered that they were indeed circular.
Edgeworth: None of the other cabinets have circular feet. This has to be the one that was moved. Now this raises a question: why was it moved?
Mina: And maybe more alarming is the fact that so many Post-Its are stuck to it everywhere, and they all have math formulas written on them!
Sho: Why not? It's my cabinet after all.
Mina: Eeek!
Edgeworth: ? ! Oh, it's you, Mr Minamimoto.
Sho: I calculated that there would be two rats sniffing about in my place. I know you're part of the investigative team... somewhat... but, touching the possessions of a genius without his permission...is blasphemy! Blasphemy on the laws of mathematics and the universe! ! !
Mina: Keee! We're sorry! W-We didn't mean any harm!
Sho: This wouldn't bode well for you, dear Mina. Heh, curiosity killed the hectopascal, as they say.
Edgeworth: (Hecto...what?) Mr Minamimoto, I'd like to apologise for my earlier outburst.
Sho: Eh, it's cool. Geniuses like me aren't the least disturbed by zetta trifling little accusations.
Edgeworth: ...
Mina: Mr Minamimoto, wh-what are you doing here?
Sho: No zetta reason. Well, maybe I'm just curious to see what these factoring 000's are doing.
Edgeworth: You mean the forensics team.
Sho: Yeah, either way they ain't worth all the numbers in pi.
Edgeworth: *stern* They're helping to solve the mystery behind this murder! Don't say they're worth nothing!
Mina: Edgey!
Edgeworth: Mmph... Sorry, I got carried away again...
Sho: Heh.
Edgeworth: (This is going to be a long shot, but...) Is there anything you can share with us about this case?
Sho: And why should I tell you? Isn't this case all about zetta top-secret stuff?
Edgeworth: But you're not a prime suspect. If you don't mind, maybe you could fill us in on any important bits of information?
Sho: Alright, alright... I'm a nice guy, so...listen. Some Old Horses Can Always Hear Their Owners Approach.
Edgeworth: What?
Sho: If you need to solve a trigonometry question, always heed those nine words. Of course, if you really must, you can always say... Sine Opposite Hypotenuse, Cosine Adjacent Hypo-
Edgeworth: Which boils down to you have nothing to say to us.
Mina: Mr Minamimoto! Y-You can tell me! I'm your favourite student, right? ! *wink*
Sho: Your flirtatious tactics have zero effectiveness on me.
Mina: Aww...
Sho: Besides, I already have someone in my life.
Mina: Really? ! You have a girlfriend?
Sho: Heh. You could say that...
Mina: Wh-Who is she? ! Tell me! Please? ? ?
Edgeworth: Um... Mina, you're being too intrusive on his private matters...
Sho: Sorry, can't tell you. *tosses pen up and down in his hand* The equation of my secret romance will never be simultaneous with that of your unending curiosity.
Mina: Aww... again.
Edgeworth: (This guy is stalling our progress. And he probably suspects we're on to something. I have to be ultra-careful with this lion of a math teacher. One mistake and he'll gobble us up!)
Sho: Whoops! *drops pen* Ugh. Need to work on my dexterity... *stoops down to pick up pen*
Edgeworth: (...? !)
Sho: Anyway, where were we? Oh yeah, you better not be snooping around the test papers that I've marked, Mina, or you'll get a zetta zero... not that it matters. The marks for last Tuesday's pop quiz have already been finalised...
Mina: *worried* Huh? Wh-What's that last statement supposed to mean?
Edgeworth: (Mina is failing math, huh...)
Forensics: Sir! Mr Sho Minamimoto! You're wanted downstairs! Detective Kitaniji would like to have a word with you!
Sho: Huh? Hmph, alright, alright, wait for me. Psh... Hectopascals. Well, looks like our conversation will have to end here. Later, 000s.
Sho left the staff room to see Detective Kitaniji.
Mina: Whew! I can never get used to the guy.
Edgeworth: I don't think anyone can.
Mina: Seriously, why does he have to be so difficult? ! He's not much older than us, you know!
Edgeworth: Really? He does strike me as rather young.
Mina: He's 19 years old.
Edgeworth: *recoils* 19? ! He's not even twenty, and he's already a math teacher? ! I guess geniuses pop up in the strangest of places...
Mina: Yeah...
Edgeworth: (Incredible! Hmmm, come to think of it, I know of another prodigy of the exact same age as him. Yes... A certain whip-wielding prosecutor who likes to go ballistic with her whip. *shudder*)
Mina: Edgey? Did you shudder just now?
Edgeworth: Um, n-no, you're mistaken. By the way... Mr Minamimoto was wearing a pendant similar to Eri's.
Mina: Huh? Oh, that's right. I didn't notice it until he bent down to pick up his pen.
Edgeworth: A plus sign-shaped pendant... Black and pink. There's no mistaking that it's the exact same one as Eri's.
Mina: Wow, Edgey, I didn't know you're a jewellery expert! Maybe I should take you along on our shopping trips!
Edgeworth: Th-That would be unnecessary! (If Eri's pendant was unique like she claimed, then why is Mr Minamimoto wearing one like hers too?
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Two unique pendants?
Why does Sho Minamimoto wear the same "unique" pendant as Eri's?
Edgeworth: (Hmmm... Interesting.)
Mina: Maybe it's time to move onto something else...
Edgeworth: Wait. I want to figure out something about Eri first.
Mina: Wh-What's there to figure out? Oh! I know... You like her, don't you?
Edgeworth: N-No, why would I-
Mina: Ah, but it's so hard to fight the temptations of such a beautiful girl... One day, I'm going to be just like her... And then maybe I wouldn't be so luckless in love... *sigh*
Edgeworth: (Why must half of the conversations we have always end up going in a different direction?)
LOGIC CONNECTION:
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Eri's meeting
Eri's boyfriend gave her a pendant in the school compounds. Does this have any relation to anything?
AND
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Two unique pendants?
Why does Sho Minamimoto wear the same "unique" pendant as Eri's?
Edgeworth: Eri and Mr Minamimoto are wearing identical pendants. The question is why.
Mina: *sweats* Edgey, didn't you say earlier that the investigation is the most important thing to tackle now? I don't see how this has any importance at all.
Edgeworth: Oh, but it does. Mina, think back to what Eri said.
"Eri: The pendant's custom-made. There's no way you can buy it in a shop!"
Edgeworth: If the pendant she's wearing is unique like she claims, then how is it that Mr Minamimoto has the same pendant design as hers?
Mina: Hmm, you're right, Edgey. But wouldn't it make sense that Mr Minamimoto liked Eri's pendant so much, that he went and made one for himself as well?
Edgeworth: No. Eri said she received her pendant only today. For Mr Minamimoto to make a copy for himself, he would first need to see how her pendant looks like. Then he would need to go to the jewellery shop to have HIS pendant custom-made to look like Eri's. The construction of his pendant is not something that can be done in the space of a single day. *wags finger* And yet, Mr Minamimoto is wearing such a pendant today.
Mina: Ohhh! I see! But... what does it mean?
Edgeworth: It simply means a pair of pendants was created specially for Eri and Mr Minamimoto.
Mina: A pair?
Edgeworth: Yes. Eri and Mr Minamimoto... know each other very well. It was probably Mr Minamimoto who had the pendants made. Then he gave one to Eri.
Mina: Big deal, teachers can be friends too.
Edgeworth: Maybe it's not that simple... But seeing as they are quite close to each other, that makes Eri's part in this whole matter all the more important. I suspect that both of them may have something to do with this murder!
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Matching pendants
A pair of pendants. Eri is wearing one, while Sho Minamimoto is wearing the other.]
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Possible relationship?
How are Eri and Sho Minamimoto connected to each other?
Edgeworth: I think we have enough information to truly understand what is going on with Eri and Sho Minamimoto!
LOGIC CONNECTION:
LOGIC FRAGMENT - "Hubby"
Eri has been corresponding via text message with someone whom she calls "Hubby".
AND
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Possible relationship?
How are Eri and Sho Minamimoto connected to each other?
Edgeworth: Mina, wouldn't you agree with me that the person called "Hubby" who wrote the message on Eri's phone... is her boyfriend?
Mina: Yeah. Anyone who writes in such a lovey-dovey way certifies as a lover.
Edgeworth: The details in that text message suggest that the person she was going to meet today right here is her boyfriend. We have also determined that this person is a teacher. But the only male teacher in school today is Mr Minamimoto.
Mina: So then... um... WHAT THE? ! Edgey... You can't be serious!
Edgeworth: *taps the side of his head, smiling* Oh, but I am. I think you should be able to figure it out by now, Mina.
Mina: Are you saying that Eri's boyfriend is... Mr Minamimoto? ! ? !
Edgeworth: Correct.
Mina: Th-That's impossible...!
Edgeworth: Do you remember what Eri said earlier when you asked her about her pendant?
"Mina: So you had it made at some jewellery shop, huh?
Eri: Well, actually, my... my boyfriend gave it to me..."
Edgeworth: *smiles* It's embarrassing but fairly common practice for a couple to wear the same clothing or use the same things... all to prove to the world that they're going out and very much in love with each other.
Mina: Oh, you mean like how a guy and a girl would wear the same type of T-shirt in public?
Edgeworth: That's right. Eri was proud to show off her pendant, but if Mr Minamimoto did the same, it wouldn't be exactly good for them both.
Mina: What do you mean?
Edgeworth: He is a teacher. She is a student. If you saw them wearing the same thing - never mind if it's a pendant or a shirt - what would be the first thing that comes to mind?
Mina: Um, that they're dating? But I don't think it's allowed in this school...
Edgeworth: That's right, Mina. That's the answer!
Mina: Huh?
Edgeworth: Granted, teacher-student relationships are becoming more and more acceptable in today's society, but Japanese schools are known to be very strict. Such relationships are considered taboo and are not condoned; if found out, they can face disciplinary action.
Mina: I see! Yeah, I don't think the higher-ups in Seiko High would like it if they found out one of their teachers is going out with a student.
Edgeworth: That was a rather roundabout way of proving that Eri and Mr Minamimoto are going out. I also suspect that the two of them are involved in the cover-up of this murder.
Mina: Really?
Edgeworth: Have you noticed how much he tried to defend Eri just before she was arrested? That only serves to reiterate the fact that they're collaborators in the same crime. Which makes Mr Minamimoto our prime suspect!
Mina: Hmmm, but we still don't have enough evidence to show he's the culprit...
Edgeworth: I know, so let's go back to where we were. Now that he's gone, let's do what we can.
Edgeworth and Mina turned their attention to Sho's huge filing cabinet.
Mina: So, about this filing cabinet...
Edgeworth: Yes, the question is: why was it moved from its original position?
Mina: Hey, how about if we move it?
Edgeworth: I don't think the policemen here would like it if we did that without their permission.
Mina: Heh heh... Leave it to me!
Forensics 1: La la la... Mary had some fingerprints, fingerprints, fingerprints... Mary had some fingerprints, and she went straight to jail...
Forensics 2: That is the worst song I've ever heard, man.
Forensics 1: Oh come on, can't I entertain myself a little? Fingerprinting is hard work!
Mina: Um, hey, guys... *wink*
Forensics 1 and 2: Yes, sir! What is it, sir?
Mina: WH- *angry* I'm not a guy! If you want to address me, you'll call me-
Forensics 1: "Ma'am"?
Mina: NO! "Your Highness"!
Forensics 2: Uh, yes, sir!
Mina: No! It's- Ah, never mind. -_-+
Edgeworth: *sigh* (Mina obviously doesn't know that regardless of gender, policemen call their superiors "sir". Wait, Mina isn't their boss, so...)
Mina: Anyway, could you help me out?
Forensics 1: What is it you need help with?
Mina: I kinda dropped something underneath a cabinet, but I can't reach it. Can you help move it out of the way?
Forensics 1: Um...
Mina: Pleeeeeease? *wink*
Forensics 1: Y-Yes, sir! No problem, sir!
Forensics 2: Anything for a lady in distress!
Edgeworth: (How chivalrous.)
The heavy cabinet was moved away with the help of the two policemen.
Forensics 1: Oof! It's so heavy!
Forensics 2: Ugh! Just a little more!
Forensics 1: Huh? There's nothing underneath.
Mina: Uh? Um... Well, maybe it was somewhere else...
Forensics 2: Do you need help with-
Mina: *sweats* Oh! It's okay for now! You can go now! Oh, and thanks... boys. *wink*
Forensics 1: The pleasure is mine!
Forensics 2: No, no, the pleasure is all mine!
Edgeworth: Y-You can get back to work now!
Forensics 1 and 2: Y-Yes sir!
Mina: Hee hee. What do you think, Edgey? Using my feminine charms like that?
Edgeworth: (In all truth, Mina is not bad-looking, but the way she winked like that just now was really creepy...)
Mina: Hey! Aren't you going to thank me? ! I helped move your stupid cabinet for you!
Edgeworth: *recoils* Whuh! O-Of course! Thanks, Mina! So... what have we here?
Mina: Um... There's nothing strange.
Edgeworth: Wait! There are a few specks of blood on the rug!
Mina: Y-You're right! Could this be the victim's blood? !
Edgeworth: So this was what the cabinet was hiding. It was dragged here to conceal this spot!
Mina: That makes Mr Minamimoto very suspicious! He must've moved this cabinet here!
Edgeworth: Yes, but... If the blood is only on the floor, why couldn't he have used, say, that set of drawers over there, which is much smaller and easier to move?
Mina: Hmmm... Yeah, why?
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Large filing cabinet
The large filing cabinet was moved from its usual place to the wall beside the door.
Edgeworth: Lab guy!
Forensics: Yes, sir!
Edgeworth: Please check for me whose blood is on the rug here.
Forensics: Not a problem, sir!
Edgeworth: And while you're at it, get someone else to perform a Luminol test on the area surrounding this spot!
Forensics: Yes, sir! This will take some time, so please sit back and relax!
While the first lab guy went to work determining the owner of the spilt blood, the second guy sprayed Luminol on the rug and a bit of the wall above it.
Mina: L-Look, Edgey! There's an ugly blue blotch appearing... like magic!
Edgeworth: That's the shape the blood formed when it was spilt. There's some on the wall. In fact, it looks like a line... Maybe it's a trail of blood.
Mina: A trail? ! Th-Then it probably came from...
Edgeworth: Yes, further up the wall. Lab guy, please spray Luminol all over here.
Forensics: Yes, sir!
And when he did... a horrible sight awaited them...
Mina: EEEEK!
Forensics: S-Sir...
Edgeworth: It's as I suspected.
On the wall in front of them was a large patch of invisible blood, which glowed a livid blue under the harsh ultraviolet light.
Edgeworth: Blood dripped down the wall from this spot and down to the rug.
Mina: Mmmngh... How could... How could something like this happen...
Edgeworth: Murder is always ugly, Mina.
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Big patch of blood on wall
A lot of blood was cleaned off the wall. Some of it dripped down to the rug.
Forensics: Mr Edgeworth, sir! I have the results of the blood test that you wanted me to perform!
Edgeworth: What have you got?
Forensics: The blood on the rug belongs to the victim, Ms Konishi!
Edgeworth: *smiles* Thank you both, you've been a great help. And now, let's see what I can deduce by connecting the pieces together!
LOGIC CONNECTION:
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Large filing cabinet
The large filing cabinet was moved from its usual place to the wall beside the door.
AND
LOGIC FRAGMENT - Big patch of blood on wall
A lot of blood was cleaned off the wall. Some of it dripped down to the rug.
Edgeworth: The blood on the rug, which is the victim's blood, had trickled down the wall from this large spot of blood. We can safely say that all the blood found so far belongs to Ms Konishi.
Mina: Yeah. Poor Ms Konishi...
Edgeworth: The real crime scene is Mr Minamimoto's cubicle. That should be pretty obvious now.
Mina: I agree.
Edgeworth: The killer saw the mess that he created on the wall, and knew he had to clean it off, which he did. But it's impossible to clean bloodstains off of a rug unless you wash it, which in turn is impossible to do considering that it is firmly affixed to the floor.
Mina: So he moved his filing cabinet here to hide the bloody part of the rug...
Edgeworth: That's right. Now here's where things get a little bit more interesting.
Mina: Only you would call a gruesome scene like this interesting!
Edgeworth: A-Anyway, Mina! The killer is not a dumb person. He must know that blood shows up clearly in a Luminol test, so he specifically used a very tall cabinet to hide the wall.
Mina: The killer was afraid that the police would perform a Luminol test on that wall, huh?
Edgeworth: Correct. Which is why he had to conceal it. He killed two birds with one stone with that cabinet. Because both the rug and wall would be covered up!
Mina: I see!
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Large filing cabinet
Was moved from its usual spot. Found hugging the wall where wiped-down bloodstains were found. Was also hiding a piece of the rug underneath that had blood on it. It's so heavy it requires two people to carry.]
[EVIDENCE acquired.
Bloodstains
Enormous bloodstains wiped away from the wall in Sho Minamimoto's cubicle, but made visible again with Luminol.]
Mina: But if the police moved his cabinet and performed a Luminol test anyway, wouldn't he be... uh, screwed?
Edgeworth: He probably was well-aware of that fact. His strategy isn't foolproof, but at the very least, he'd stall them long enough to think of a valid excuse. So we have to be careful when cross-examining him.
Mina: Then... Mr Minamimoto... He must be the killer!
Edgeworth: My thoughts exactly.
Mina: I'll... I'll help you, Edgey! I'm gonna help you nail him! So let's cross-examine him together!
Edgeworth: *chuckles* I like your enthusiasm, Mina. I'm glad you agree with my line of thinking. Now let's wrap up our investigation and ask him some very tough questions...
Mina: Yeah! And if we beat him, I'm gonna demand that he give me a set of straight A's in Mathematics for the rest of the year!
Edgeworth: I don't think that's possible if he gets arrested...
Mina: Um... Then at the very least, I'll demand that he... hand over all those limited-edition pins that he has!
Edgeworth: Mina, isn't that blackmailing?
INVESTIGATION COMPLETE
Edgeworth: (There's no turning back... It's time to finish this. It's sink or swim!)
TO BE CONTINUED…