Edgeworth was driving his car. Gumshoe and Kay were inside with him. It was 21:30 PM. However, there were still a lot of people driving and walking around.
"Wow! The city sure looks lively at this time of night!" said Kay.
"It always is!" said Gumshoe. "This is when all the bad boys get out."
"Bad boys?"
"This is a different city at night, Kay." said Gumshoe. "There are a lot of scumbags around here. And the night is their kingdom. Take it from me. I've seen a lot of things in my career."
Edgeworth looked at Kay. She didn't notice, but he had a worried look on his face.
"Kay is so young. She is technically an adult, and has matured a lot, but…bringing her along to such a place…"
He was concerned, but didn't want to show it.
"Kay, are you…are you sure you should be coming along? I mean…it's getting late and you…"
Kay realized what he was actually getting at.
"You don't need to worry about me, Mr. Edgeworth. I can take care of myself. And besides, we'll be together the whole time."
"Yes, but…"
"We are in this together. Partners in crime-solving. And friends too! I can't let you handle it alone. We have a mission."
"A mission?" asked Gumshoe.
"Kris Strings wasn't alone. He was just a pawn. And we are going for the king. But they already got rid of that pawn. It was worth sacrificing to save their king. In order to get to him, we have to strike higher. Find a knight or a rook. Perhaps even a queen."
"Speaking in chess metaphors…I guess she's learnt something from me." thought Edgeworth.
He parked it outside what looked like a very fancy nightclub. They all got out.
"Is this it, sir?" asked Gumshoe.
"Definitely. Labanter club. This was the place mentioned on the note we found on Strings. And the agreed time is half an hour from now."
"You really think they'll go ahead with it. I mean, he is dead and…"
"They definitely wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste. Those organizations never let a chance for more money be lost. Maybe they send a replacement. And even if they didn't, it's still worth investigating. What can happen?"
"Alright."
They walked towards the club. At the entrance, there was one man in a waiter's outfit. He was wearing a scarf over his mouth and nose. Edgeworth observed it. It was yellow and had the insignia of an eagle on it.
"Hello." he said in a hoarse voice. He then coughed a couple times.
"Um…hello. We would like to enter." said Edgeworth.
"Are you in the mood for a night of emotions and thrills? Then you're in the right place because we are going to rock your world tonight. Because we are the Labanter club. And that's what we do!" The man tried to say all that with excitement and emphasis. Which clearly wasn't making things any easier for his throat, as indicated by the myriad of coughing that followed it.
"Um…are you alright, pal?" asked Gumshoe.
"Yeah, yeah. Sorry about that. It's getting chilly and I caught a nasty cold."
"Yup. It's getting pretty chilly this time of year." said Kay.
"Anyway, I am Mark Terry Tory. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too." said Edgeworth. "Have you been working here for long?"
"Nah, just a couple of months. I recently got fired from my previous job. I had to keep the income coming, so I got a job here."
"And you like it?"
"Sure. It is pretty relaxing, I meet a lot of nice people and, of course I get to see our splendid shows for free. Naturally, it is only temporary, but I'm not complaining."
"Are you the doorman here?" asked Gumshoe.
"No, no. I am a waiter. I just stand by a door a few minutes very night. Not that I'm obliged to. I just like making contact with the clients when they come here. Helps me to get to know them. Socializing, you know."
"Okay." said Edgeworth.
"But I will be going back inside now. It's getting colder and I need to stay warm. Otherwise, I won't even be able to say hello to anyone.
"Understandable. In that case, we will come with you." said Edgeworth.
"Please, do come in."
He opened the door and they followed him inside. The place was indeed very beautiful, filled with lights on the walls and the ceiling. There was a huge chandelier hanging from it, decorated with all kinds of jewels. The tables were placed everywhere in front of the stage. The stage was the most magnificent part. It had artificial lights and spotlights everywhere. There was a microphone in a middle. Above the stage was a sign that said the club name. "Labanter." Tory escorted them to an empty table near the front of the stage. They sat down.
"it's really nice here." said Edgeworth.
"That's the understatement of the year, Mr. Edgeworth!" said Kay. "This place is amazing! I've never seen something so mesmerizing!"
"I wish I had the money to come here." grumped Gumshoe.
"Excuse me, now, but I must be going" said Tory.
"Yes. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Tory."
"No problem."
He then walked away.
"What a nice guy." said Kay. "This place doesn't feel so threatening."
"Don't let yourself be fooled, Kay." said Edgeworth. "This place seems indeed safe. Too safe to actually be so. Remember, Kris Strings was supposed to come here for a meeting. Probably with his gang of drug dealers. Mr. Tory might be innocent but that doesn't mean there is not a seedy underside to this place. Don't be too eager to make judgments."
"The same goes for you, Mr. Edgeworth."
"What do you mean?"
"We don't actually know Mr. Strings' date here had anything to do with drugs. Maybe it was something compete unrelated."
"She has a point." said Gumshoe. "I mean, there was no mention of anything suspicious in that note."
"I'll admit it is possible this place has indeed nothing to do with Strings' other life. But it is our only lead so far. We must explore it!"
"In that case…" said Kay. "let's both reserve our judgments for after the whole truth is out."
"Deal."
"It's a shame Sebastian didn't come along." said Kay, a sign of sadness in her voice. "I mean, it was his case too. Sort of."
"You know full well why he couldn't." said Edgeworth.
"I know. I just…I still can't believe it! It wasn't his fault! He should stop self-flagellating!"
"Just try to come in his place for a minute." said Edgeworth. "It was his case, in a way. He assisted in the apprehension of the murderer. And the murderer was killed before he even made it to the police station. Imagine the guilt he must feel. I've felt it. I know the pain of letting a suspect die before the whole truth is out. It is terrible! Sebastian…it was his first time. He is not taking it very well.
"He just needs time, sir." said Gumshoe. "How long will he keep blaming himself?"
"Anyone deals with pain in different ways, detective. And Sebastian…pain is something he is used to. But not this kind of pain. The pain of someone dying…and feeling there is no one to blame but yourself. There are people who, in desperation, have done drastic things. I hope Sebastian won't be one of them."
"You…you don't mean… "said Kay. "He wouldn't…"
"We need to support him, sir!" said Gumshoe. "He needs us now! More than ever!"
"I know. But…he won't let us! You saw it this afternoon! He is trying to distance us. He doesn't feel worthy of our help."
"But that's stupid!" said Kay. "Doesn't he know we care about him?! That I….I…"
"Kay, I assure you Sebastian is not thinking clearly right now. Just give him time. He knows how much we all care for him. Especially you. Just give him time."
Edgeworth tried to be calm, but even he had been taken aback by Sebastian decision. It was just a few hours ago. He had visited them at his office.
…
"To what do we owe your presence here?" asked Edgeworth.
"I have taken a decision. And…I wanted you to know about it."
"We are listening."
"I am…taking a leave of absence."
"What?!" Edgeworth jumped from his chair.
"You…you can't be serious, pal!" said Gumshoe.
"Why, Sebastian?!"
"I have to. After everything that happened…I need time to think."
"But Sebastian…it's not your fault!" said Kay.
"I just need to take a step back! To…reevaluate my situation. Maybe…I am not cut out for the prosecutor's path."
"Don't even say that!" said Edgeworth. "You are a great prosecutor!"
"No. You are a great prosecutor." said Sebastian. " I am just a rookie. I have neither your experience nor your expertise. And my inexperience is to blame for this. A man is dead! He will never stand trial! His victim will never be vindicated, even after death. And worst of all, possibly our only witness that could lead us to the whole gang is dead. We are out of leads."
"Maybe not."
"What do you mean?"
"We found a not on Mr. Strings' body. He had a date at a place, possibly with one of his accomplices. We are going to check it out tonight."
"Yes! And you can come with us!" said Gumshoe.
"Yes! Don't blame yourself! There is nothing you could have done!" said Kay. "There is nothing anybody could have done. No one saw it coming."
"In a way, I am to blame as well." said Edgeworth. "I am more experienced and yet I let it happen. But I refuse to back down. This failure is only making me more eager to push forward. To keep trying. With Strings' help or not, I'll get them! All of them! No matter what I have to do!"
Sebastian looked at Edgeworth. He seemed impressed. But his expression soon reverted to that of the guilt-ridden man.
"Then do that. I believe you have what it takes to solve this. But you don't want me anywhere near it."
"Sebastian…"
"I could just mess up again. Excuse me, but…I really need to think. I really need to pick up the pieces. To try to fix this."
"Okay." said Edgeworth, who understood his situation. "We will be waiting for you. Good luck."
"You too."
…
Kay put her hands over her face.
"I think she's getting sleepy." said Gumshoe.
"Or maybe she's trying to cover her tears." thought Edgeworth.
Right then, a man showed up on the stage. He said:
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. We are pleased to have you all here. Now then, it is time to start off this magical night. And what better way to start it…than a performance from our star, Ms. Angela Flintson!"
He left the scene as a sea of applause rose from the audience.
"Wow! This Ms. Flintson must be a real star around here." said Gumshoe.
"Let's see if she deserves all that praise." said Edgeworth.
A woman walked on the stage. She was wearing a long, blue dress! She had long blonde hair and a nice diamond necklace.
"Wow! She is gorgeous!" said Kay.
"Indeed!" said Gumshoe. "She is the prettiest woman I've ever seen! I wonder if she's single…"
Edgeworth didn't say anything. However, deep inside, he couldn't deny that woman was very beautiful. But she also had a strange aura surrounding her. Something…mysterious. Something that, strangely, was as if it was from a different world.
She then started singing. Her voice was mesmerizing. It had a very appealing ring to it. As if it was calling everyone listening to it to follow it through the gates to heaven. Even Edgeworth, momentarily, felt the power of her voice calling for him. But he quickly regained control.
"Wow! If everyone around here is as benevolent as her…" said Gumshoe. "This place can't possibly be bad."
"Wait a minute…" said Edgeworth.
"What?!"
"The note we found on Strings…it said…"
"Meet the lady in blue!" said Kay.
"Could it be…" said Edgeworth.
"No, she can't be involved!" said Kay. "Look at her! I don't know why, but…I am getting the sense that she is the best person you could find."
Right then, the lady's gaze landed on them. She seemed momentarily shocked and even lost her voice for a second. She quickly got it back and kept singing. But she kept glancing over at Edgeworth's table with a funny look on her eyes. Eventually, her song was over. She quickly took a bow and left for backstage.
"She seemed to be in a hurry." thought Edgeworth. "Almost too much. And why did she react so strangely when she saw us?"
"Do you know her, sir?" asked Gumshoe. "She kept looking at you…"
"No, I don't recall…meeting her at all."
"Me neither." said Kay. " I mean, I would remember such a beautiful lady."
"What a strange night indeed." thought Edgeworth. "Maybe we should…"
However his thoughts were interrupted. With the corner of his eye, he caught a terrifying sight. The chandelier on the celling was swinging precariously, looked as if it was about to fall. And it did. In the few seconds before it hit the ground, Edgeworth tried to send out a warning.
"Get down!"
He grabbed Kay and dragged her under the table.
"Whoa! What are you…"
"Mr. Edgeworth, sir!"
The crashing sound scared everybody. They all hid under their tables and chairs.
"What in the world is going on?" wondered Edgeworth. "The chandelier…"
After the crashing sound had stopped, a voice was heard.
"Everybody out! Out now!"
As soon as they were sure it was safe, everyone got out and started running towards the exit. The shoved each other, trying to get out.
"Be Careful! You'll get hurt!" shouted Edgeworth. But to no avail.
"Let's get outta here too." said Kay and ran.
"Wait!" Edgeworth run after her.
"Mr. Edgeworth! Wait for me!"
…
They were all standing outside. The people were wandering around the entrance, waiting to see what was going on. Edgeworth had already called the police. Detective Gumshoe and all the officers were still inside.
"I wonder what's taking so long." said Kay. "I mean, it doesn't look very complicated to me."
"It is not simple, Kay." explained Edgeworth. "They must investigate what exactly caused that chandelier to fall. And depending on the answer, it could change the outcome of this case drastically. If It was an accident, we have a case of gross negligence and reckless endangerment against the club. If it was dropped intentionally…"
"Why would anyone do that?"
"I don't know. We need more time."
"Shouldn't we be in there, investigating?"
"Not yet. The situation could be as dangerous for us as for anyone else. We must wait to be called. The police needs to be sure the situation has been contained."
Right on cue, detective Gumshoe came out.
"Sir. It's safe."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. There is nothing else in danger of falling down and no apparent damage to the building's structure. We are waiting for you."
"Alright. But make sure no one will leave. They are all witnesses."
"Got it, sir."
Edgeworth and Kay walked inside. Gumshoe instructed a couple officers to keep an eye on the people and followed them.
Edgeworth observed the scene of the crime. The chandelier was lying on the floor. Most of its crystals and jewels had been shattered to pieces, while some of them were scattered around. The tables and chairs that were near that area had fallen down due to the impact.
"This is a considerable amount of damage." said Edgeworth. "Nevertheless, it is somewhat of a relief that nobody got hurt. This could be worse."
"It surely could be worse." said Gumshoe. "However…regarding the "nobody got hurt part"…I wouldn't put my hand in the fire for that one."
"What do you mean?"
Gumshoe pointed to something that had escaped Edgeworth's attention. On the floor, near the chandelier was one man lying on his back. He was wearing a waiter's outfit. His body was covered in glass.
"Who is he?"
"Not sure yet. We just found him underneath the chandelier. That's why I called you."
"Is he.."
"We checked. No pulse. He's dead."
To be continued
Author's note: Hey, guys. I usually don't leave author's notes, but this time I am making an exception. Because I have one simple request. Please review! More than a hundred people have read my story so far, but no one has reviewed. You don't need to write long, detailed reviews. Just even one sentence, something to let me know if you like it and if you have any suggestions. I need this, guys. Please help me out. I want to know if my work is making an impact. Please review!
