Dr. Frederick was sitting in his office, feeling more foolish, heinous and mistaken than he ever felt in his life.
"What have I done? What have I DONE?" he asked himself. "Why did I agree to that pirate? Let myself go insane? What shall become of us?"
Suddenly, his phone rang. When he answered it, there was Murphy's voice on the line.
"Doc? We've captured Lady Hatt. Now Johnny's ready to make his next move. We're very close now…but that's not the point. I called to warn you that the SPD are on their way to your office. But do not worry. I've sent reinforcements to cover you up. When Phelps and Gallagher show up, dispose of them…or else. We can't afford any more loose ends and close calls."
"Yes, Mr. Murphy," said Dr. Frederick before he hung up. After that, he stood up and pressed his head against the wall. But he would suddenly change his mind quite dramatically in just a matter of time that day…
Even though the Fat Controller was missing, some of the engines kept working away with what jobs they were given. They were still busy clearing away the debris from the fire at Brendam Docks. Among the engines tasked with helping out was Emily. She had just collected a load of debris from the docks to take to the Scrapyards.
As she made her way to the Scrapyards with her load, she recalled how she almost lost Thomas forever…and it made her sad all over again about losing Lawrence so suddenly after he met her again. It seemed so unfair…and it made her wonder even more if the engines' supposed conspiracy theory of all the tragedies being linked together was true…and perhaps her driver's death was also part of some grand scheme.
She eventually made her way to the Scrapyards and delivered her load of debris. As they were dealt with by Reg, she slowly huffed away and began to lose herself in thought again. Like the Fat Controller, she was overwhelmed with worry and thought as well.
"Losing Lawrence…almost losing Thomas…" she whispered. "It's not fair at all!" She almost began to cry when she suddenly heard a diesel horn. Emily stopped right where she was and listened intently. No sound was heard. She then closed her eyes for a moment or two…then suddenly, a familiar, slithering voice broke the silence.
"Hello, Emily…" Emily looked up…there was 'Arry, grinning right into her eyes. He suddenly reversed to the track beside Emily…when Bert suddenly ambushed her from behind. He pushed her swiftly down her line, with her whistling in alarm until he crashed her into an old shed. In that instant, her driver and fireman were knocked out from crashing forward upon impact.
"What is going on?!" cried Emily.
Bert oiled smoothly from behind and began pulling her out of the shed. "My apologies, miss," he snickered.
"Help!" Emily squealed. 'Arry grinned joyfully at their accomplishment…when suddenly, they heard a siren in the far distance.
"Ohh!" gasped 'Arry. "Bert! Get out of there! And bring the princess!" Bert began pulling Emily out of the shed as fast as he could. The sirens became louder…followed by Phelps' voice from the street.
"It has to be nearby!" he said. "Find that doctor's clinic!"
"Hurry, Bert!" urged 'Arry. Unfortunately for Emily, Phelps and Gallagher turned off and drove down another street before she could call for help again. 'Arry then buffered in front of her.
"Begging your pardon, Lady Long-Funnel," snickered 'Arry. "But Diesel 10 would like a word with you…" With that, Emily, dazed, confused and frightened all at once was being taken to the Dieselworks.
Meanwhile in Arlesburgh, Skiff and Captain Joe were preparing to give another tour of the harbour. Captain Joe had anchored Skiff down and his sail were opened…but hidden behind the small village, Diesel was spying on the Railboat, and waiting. On board Diesel…was Sailor John, disguised in blue overalls as a driver…waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
After a few more minutes, Captain Joe headed to the lighthouse, leaving Skiff alone. This was Sailor John's chance.
"Alright, Diesel…" he whispered. "Make your move…but don't ambush until I order you."
Diesel approached Skiff and a calm, casual manner, pretending not to notice the Railboat and admiring the ocean at the end of the pier. Skiff knew Diesel could be trouble, but didn't worry very much. He was anchored down and wouldn't move. Diesel continued to stare out to sea…while Sailor John looked back to see that his chance would come.
Eventually, there was no one else around. Sailor John silently exited Diesel's cab and ran over to the lighthouse. He went inside…just as Captain Joe was returning.
"What? Sailor John! You're-" But the pirate tackled Joe and knocked him out. He then checked outside again to see there was no one else around again. With his chance right there to take, he ran back to Skiff and removed his anchor, placing it back in his hull.
"Captain Joe?" said Skiff, not able to see who was behind him. "Are we ready?"
But Diesel suddenly reversed to Skiff's line and bumped into him. Sailor John climbed back into his cab and ushered his real driver to perform the next step. He got out and tied Skiff's chassis to Diesel's front coupling.
"Diesel, what are you playing at?!" demanded Skiff.
"Oh, Skiff," laughed Diesel. "We're taking you to see an old friend. You just keep quiet my way!" Skiff was then turned around, facing the ocean, and Diesel roughly shunted him into the buffers so hard, it knocked Skiff unconscious too.
"Excellent work, Diesel," Sailor John chuckled. "Now, take him back to the Dieselworks. We have everything and everyone we need now…I just need Diesel 10 for something else to do…"
In the Steamworks, Thomas had most of the soot cleaned off, and his burnt spots were about to be painted over. But his buffers still had not arrived. For the past few hours, he had been wondering what had happened since the Kathryn Heist. After he nearly got killed at Brendam Docks with the munitions and fuel, he was strongly convinced that Emma was right.
But he was also wondering about Emily. After she was heartbroken again by Lawrence's death, Thomas prayed she was alright and that another tragic disaster would not befall her or any friends of hers. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a sudden voice.
"Ohh…where am I?" Thomas, Victor and Kevin all looked. Ryan had awoken at last after his crash in Calles Cavern. He was still dazed and confused after such a severe accident. As such, he didn't know where he was, until he saw Thomas and Victor.
"T…Thomas? Victor?" he said as he regained his senses. "Is that you?"
"Yes, it's us," said Thomas.
"What happened to me?" asked Ryan.
"Oh, we heard what happened, Ryan," said Victor. "Diesel 10 chased you all the way to Calles Cavern, then you were hurled all the way in!"
"Hmm…yes, that's right," said Ryan.
"But before that, do you remember anything before you were chased? Do you know what led up to it?" asked Thomas.
Ryan looked at Thomas with urgency and fear. Now was his chance to expose Sailor John and Diesel 10 as he warned them of.
"I was hoping to tell you this if I wasn't chased down, Thomas," said Ryan. "I was working in Arlesburgh…when I heard Sailor John's voice again. I snuck up to hear what was going on…and I saw Diesel 10 working with him. They were discussing a plan to use the military's munitions to blow up Brendam Docks…"
"I thought so!" exclaimed Thomas. "They certainly succeeded with that! Maybe that's why I was there…to be set up and blown to death!"
"But it gets worse…for you, that is, Thomas," said Ryan. "I heard them talking of a plan to capture Emily…and use her to draw you in, so Sailor John could finally lay revenge on you. After that, they spotted me and chased me down…"
Thomas listened to Ryan's words and grew very scared. It seemed clear as to why she hadn't returned to see him that day. She was indeed being targeted by Sailor John, just to use her as a weakspot to pay Thomas back after getting him arrested. He knew Emily to have unsafe situations before…but he never imagined she'd be used as a means to lure him into a trap…but it didn't matter to him. Thomas would not give up by doing nothing, even if he didn't have buffers.
"Victor, let me leave! I'm going after Emily!" he demanded.
"But Thomas, you're not fit to leave without buffers," corrected Victor.
"To Hell with my buffers!" huffed Thomas. "I can still function and huff along! I need to protect Emily before she's caught!"
"That's exactly what Sailor John wants you to do!" panicked Ryan. "Then he'll get you! Stay here!"
"I know Sailor John wants me," said Thomas. "But THAT is the point! Emily's life and safety are much more important to me than my own! I am finding her and bringing her back!" With that, Thomas turned round on the Steamworks turntable and stormed out, not taking any notice of Victor and Ryan's pleas. And so, Thomas set out to find Emily…and face Sailor John again.
Meanwhile, Phelps and Gallagher finally stopped by the doctor's clinic, right on Knapford High Road.
"This is it, Shay," said Phelps. "The first half of what we've been working for. Take a look around."
Suddenly, multiple gunshots split the air. Murphy's reinforcements for the doctor had already arrived beforehand and were firing from all directions at both men. Phelps and Gallagher ducked under the car's doors and windshield for cover. Then while the gunmen reloaded, Phelps and Gallagher exited the car and began firing back.
"Watch it, Dan! You've got two men just to your left!" cried Gallagher.
"Right on it, Shay!" Phelps replied as he opened fire on the moment then made a run through more gunfire and firing back wherever he could. Gallagher barely missed being shot a few times, but in the end, both men emerged victorious and managed to kill all the gunmen.
"Now…which floor is it?" Phelps said as he checked the charts outside the door. "Here! Dr. Frederick, Room 210, Fifth Floor. Reload your gun!"
And both men burst inside and scrambled upstairs to the fifth floor, then down the hallway, all the way to room 210.
Dr. Frederick had heard the gunfire outside and just opened his window in an attempt to escape, when a bullet suddenly shot right to his left and blew a hole in the wall.
"Hands in the air, Frederick!" shouted Phelps' voice. Dr. Frederick turned around to see both detectives had caught him.
"Shay, keep this mad doctor still while I investigate further," said Phelps. He walked slowly through the office, looking for anything suspicious. His eyes glittered intently as he scanned the room…until he stopped short at looking in the rubbish bin. There, perched on top of all the other rubbish and lightly spotted with blood…was the crystal ball that knocked out the Fat Controller.
"Jesus H. Christ," Phelps exclaimed out loud as he fished the ball out of the bin. "Dr. Frederick! WHAT is your crystal ball doing in the rubbish bin, spotted with blood?!"
"I…uh…" began the doctor.
"Well!" snapped Phelps. "Let's see what other secrets you're hiding!" With that, he yanked the medical cabinet's door open, then stopped dead in his tracks.
"Bursting Boilers," he said. "What the HELL is this?!" Memories of the Black Caesar case flew back to Phelps as he hauled out one more big stash of morphine stolen from the S.S. Kathryn. He then threw it all on the floor and seized Dr. Frederick's collar.
"Explain yourself RIGHT NOW, Frederick!" Phelps roared.
Dr. Frederick had no hope of getting away. His guilt and shame overwhelmed him and he had to speak.
"Very well, sirs," he sighed. "I can see no way out…and I think it's time you know everything, ever since the Kathryn Heist."
"Is this anything to do with Seymour Murphy?" asked Gallagher.
"Yes…it is, sirs," said Dr. Frederick. "Seymour Murphy is the one who planned the Kathryn Heist in the first place! He found Sailor John shortly after his escape, and he offered him refuge in his home to hide and prepare his revenge on Thomas. He proposed to John to steal the weapons and morphine on the ship to use for his plan…then Murphy approached me and made me take a majority of the morphine, threatening to kill me if I didn't! I prescribed the morphine as medicine for my patients…then John and his men performed the explosion at Arlesburgh!"
Phelps and Gallagher remained silent as they listened to every word Frederick said. It was all becoming clear at last.
"When Emily's original driver, Lawrence Rider came to visit, Murphy had received word from Sir Topham about the matter. Murphy had always held a deep grudge against the Stirling Single class…and that included anyone involved with the class of engine. As such, he intended to kill Lawrence on the express with more of the morphine. He placed me on board and made it look like Kurt was the real killer, so he could escape! Sirs…your rumors are true! Sailor John and Murphy's men are the cause of all these tragic casualties on Sodor!"
"I don't believe this…" said Phelps.
"And one other thing, sirs…that crystal ball there…I used it to take out the Fat Controller when he came to see me in a very bad position of mind after everything that was happening since the Kathryn Heist! From there, he was taken away, then Lady Hatt was kidnapped by Murphy! Form there…I don't know what Sailor John intends to do to the two of them or what he'll do next!"
He paused while Phelps and Gallagher looked in astonishment at everything they had been told. Dr. Frederick spoke again, more sincerely.
"But right now…I am very grateful that you have come for me. A prison will be much better than living in insanity and grief! Everything that has been happening has driven me half insane already."
"Sir…" said Phelps. "Will you testify in court that Sailor John and Seymour Murphy are the culprits of the Kathryn Heist and the following events?"
"Yes sir," agreed Dr. Frederick.
"Very well," said Phelps. "You are under arrest. Come along now."
"I want to see NO ONE anymore!" said Dr. Frederick. "Not even my family or friends. I do not even want a solicitor! Just take me and throw me into a stone cell and NEVER let me out!"
"We will oblige. I promise," said Gallagher.
"One more thing, sirs!" Dr. Frederick pleaded. "Go to Murphy's house and search it out! You will find all the answers you need there! Stop those men…save Sodor…save its people and engines!"
With nothing else to say, the doctor turned around and willingly put his hands together to allow Phelps to cuff him and take him away. But just before Phelps could apply the first cuff, the doctor's grief reached its pinnacle. He suddenly tore away from Phelps and hurled himself out through the open window, falling all five stories…right onto the top of a car, crushing it and killing himself.
Gallagher and Phelps ran over to the open window and looked down. They could see Dr. Frederick's fall had crushed the car roof down and the windshield had shattered.
"Ooh…didn't see that coming," said Gallagher.
"This suicide may complicate things, Shay," said Phelps. "But there was a honorable sense of justice within that doctor. There seems to be honour among thieves."
"Duly noted, Dan," said Gallagher.
"Now, let's get to Murphy's house…and let's settle this. Let's settle this FOREVER." The two detectives then rushed out of the clinic, down the stairs and back to the car, hell-bent to find out the last details and bring justice to all the misdeeds Sodor had been affected by.
We're more than halfway done! So, Thomas is finally on the hunt and the detectives have gotten their major lead, and we're about to receive the backstory of Seymour Murphy - his reason for hating Emily and the Sterling Single class will finally be revealed in the next chapter. As for Dr. Frederick's suicide, that is another inspiration from *L.A. Noire*, with Frederick being based on Dr. Harold Stoneman from the Vice Desk case *The Naked City*, Frederick's suicide being identical to his characters inspiration, consumed by guilt and insanity. Either way folks, the next chapter is primarily the main reason why this story is M-rated, cause it's arguably the darkest chapter by far...which means it gonna be a damn good one! Until then, leave a review, and stay tuned!