"What…what did you say?" asked Franziska.
"I said the blow to the head was not fatal. The actual cause of death was strangulation."
"What…what do you mean?" asked Kay.
"I mean he was struck, didn't die and was strangled afterwards. Am I not saying it correctly?"
"How could this be?" asked Edgeworth. "The victim…was alive after Ms. Flintson struck him?!"
"I…what is going on?" asked Flintson. "Did I…not kill him?"
"Yes! Angela, I told you!" said Bush. "I told you I never believed you would take another man's life. It was all just a big misunderstanding!"
"Aha! The plot thickens." said Hotshot, who seemed entirely unfazed.
"Why are you acting so normally, Mr. Hotshot?" asked Edgeworth. "Did you already know this?"
"No, I did not. But I knew something was bound to happen. Mr. Flintson is not a killer. I believe that fervently with all my heart. And for a good reason, as you can see."
"Thank God!" said Levertington. "My star is innocent!"
"Star? You know anyone from up there, sir?" asked Oliver.
"This is the fifth time I've used the word star in front of you." said Levertington ."It's also the fifth time you have asked that same stupid question and the fifth time I have refused to justify it with a response. Just be quiet!"
"Don't celebrate yet, Mr. Levertington." said Franziska. "You star is not entirely off the hook. She did attempt to kill him!"
"Without premeditation." said Hotshot. "If she had killed him, it would be involuntary manslaughter at best. And since, as we heard, she didn't, so much for that charge. Mr. Tory could have sued her for assault, but…I don't think he'll be doing that."
"Grr!" said Franziska and scowled at him.
"Be quiet, all of you!" said Edgeworth, who was getting annoyed "In case it slipped you minds, we still have a murder case to solve!"
"But…what do we do now?" asked Kay.
"It's simple." said Edgeworth. "We continue investigating the case."
"Investigate more? Are you out of your mind, Miles Edgeworth?!" asked Franziska. "You are seriously backing out of your own logic?!"
"I'm not backing out of anything." said Edgeworth. "I'm just adapting my case to changing circumstances. Ms. Flintson did strike Mr. Tory. However, he wasn't killed then. That means there are more loose ends. And as long as there are, we cannot end the investigation."
"But…what more is there to do?! We have seen all the evidence and spoken to all witnesses!"
"Not all of them yet." said Edgeworth.
"But fist of all, lets all move to the waiters' room over there. After all, that's where our case needs to focus."
They all left the dressing room and went to the waiters' room
"Now, Ms. Flintson, tell us exactly what happened. All the details. Maybe we can piece together what happened.
"Okay. If it will help you."
…
Flintson was in her dressing room, getting ready for her show. Suddenly the door opened."
"Who is it?"
"Me." it was Mark Terry Tory.
"Why did you burst into my dressing room, Mark? You really need to learn to knock."
"We need to talk. Come outside."
Flintson was confused. She got up and walked outside.
"Why am I here again?"
"I think you know. I know what you are hiding."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. I have the letters!"
"W…where did you…you searched my dressing room?!"
"I did. I knew you were up to no good. The others may have believed your story, but I am no dummy. I just needed proof."
"You…scoundrel! You won't get away with this."
"I already have. Once they see this, you know what's coming to you. You are outta here!"
"And you'll be the one to take my place, won't you?"
"Of course. I am more deserving. Unlike you, I never leave loose ends untied."
"Neither do I. Those letters…hand them over!"
"Hey…what are you… No…nooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
She struggled with him for the letters.
"Let them go!"
"Never! The truth will get out…you can't stop me!"
"You…you have left me no choice!"
She struck him with her perfume bottle. He fell down. She grabbed the letters and threw them in the fireplace
"All loose ends have been taken care of now, darling!"
She turned to him. She was surprised to see him lie still.
"Hey, what are you doing? Why aren't you getting up? Come on, stop playing possum! I can forgive you if you apologize nicely!"
She got near to him. He still didn't move.
"Oh my God! No…no you aren't…you can't be…no! What have I done?!"
…
"That's all. After that, I ran in my dressing room and called Malcom. I begged him to come and help me. And he did.
"Yes. I could tell she needed me." said Malcom. "I could hear it in her voice. That's why I helped her. I still couldn't believe it, though. Even as I saw his body, I never believed she would take a life. And, as you can see, I was right."
"That's the truth." said Flintson. "Do you need a cross-examination?"
"Thank you." said Edgeworth. "I have no more questions for you. At present, at least. Mr. Bush, when did you arrive?"
"Ten minutes later." said Malcom. "I was in the middle of a job. If I abandoned it and ran straight here, it would have seemed suspicious. Otherwise, I would have done it without a second thought."
"Where was the body?"
Flintson pointed at the boxes.
"I hid it behind there. I didn't want anyone to just walk in and see it."
"It's true." said Malcom. "That's where it was when I arrived."
"And was he dead at the time?"
"Yes. I remember checking his pulse. He was definitely dead!"
"I see. Thank you both."
"This…this is insanity." said Franziska. "What are you dragging is all into, Miles Edgeworth?" asked Franziska.
"it's simple." said Edgeworth. "Ms. Flintson struck him. That's much is true. However, the autopsy clearly stated he survived that. He was killed by strangulation.
"Maybe she's lying!" said Franziska.
"She has no reason to. She had already confessed. She would have been arrested if the autopsy hadn't arrived right on time."
"urrggggg!"
"So, where does that lead us?" asked Edgeworth.
"She…didn't…kill him…"admitted Franziska, begrudgingly. "Angel Flintson is innocent!"
"Well then…" said Edgeworth. "Back to square one it is."
"But…we have run out of suspects!" said Franziska. "Who could it have been?"
"Let's think it through. Ms. Flintson knocked Mr. Tory out and thought he was dead. She remained in her dressing room until Mr. Bush arrived. He took ten minutes to do so. And he was sure the victim was dead by the time he arrived."
"So…what are you getting at, sir?" asked Gumshoe.
"Let me ask you all a question: between the time Mr. Flintson left Mr. Tory unconscious in here…and the moment Mr. Bush arrived here, ten minutes passed. During that time…who was watching this room?"
"Um…" said Gumshoe.
"Well…" said Franziska.
"Uh…." Said Kay.
"Somebody we don't know?" asked Oliver.
"No one!" said Edgeworth. "There you have it! The killer came in in the intervening time!"
"How did he come in?" asked Franziska. "And why? And who was it?"
"I don't know that yet. We have the main concept, but are incredibly lacking on the details!"
"In that case…" said Kay. "there is one solution for when you have the greater picture, but need the details."
"You mean that thing again, don't you?" said Edgeworth.
"Indeed. You know very well that it can help us!"
"Indeed" said Edgeworth.
"Miles Edgeworth…" said Franziska. "You know very well how I feel about basing your entire case on this thing!"
"I am not basing the case on it. I am merely using it as a method of finding other evidence. You know it has worked before."
"Very well then. Go ahead, Kay Faraday."
"Yes! I love this part!" said Gumshoe.
"Detective, take it easy." said Edgeworth.
"Sorry, sir."
"W…what are you all planning?" asked Malcom.
"Relax. It's harmless." said Kay. "Just be ready. It can be pretty shocking for people who have never seen it before."
"I am ready for it." said Flintson. "If it can end this nightmare, let it be done. No matter how unorthodox."
"Very well then." said Kay. "We need the moment after Ms. Flintson left, correct?"
"Indeed. And we need the killer. He probably came in through there. And he should be holding a rope…after all, the victim was strangled. A rope is the most likely weapon right now. And we can always change it."
"Got it" Kay input all the date into little thief. "Now then…let's see what we can find."
She pressed a few buttons. And soon, the whole room was covered in green. There was a silhouette holding a rope standing near the entrance. The victim was lying behind the boxes. Levertington and Oliver were scared out of their socks.
"Sweet mother of Pearl!" exclaimed Levertington. "What the hullaballoo is going on here?!"
"I knew it! I shouldn't have eaten those rotten clams!" said Oliver.
Only Hotshot seemed unfazed.
"Relax. This is part of the investigation." said Edgeworth. "We can get useful results from this."
"Indeed" said Hotshot. "A bunch of speculation and non-existent evidence. Brilliant!"
"Harrold!" said Levertington. "You…you know about this?!"
"Yes, I do. I've studied the court records of some of Mr. Edgeworth's cases."
"You have?"
"Yes. One of them was your case at the embassy. And given that gizmo's importance there…it was mentioned. So, I know just what you think you can accomplish. And let me tell you, you are wasting your time. This will prove nothing."
"Don't judge something you haven't see for yourself!" said Kay. "Sit back and watch the powers of a modern-day Robin Hood unravel this case."
"Very well then, child. Give me your best shot! Surprise me!"
"Very well." said kay. "Mr. Edgeworth, this is your part."
"Let me see." he wandered around, looking at the stimulation carefully.
"Hmm. The killer came in through the door before Mr. Bush arrived. He had a rope with him, implying it was premeditated."
"Maybe Mr. Tory woke up at that very moment?" asked Gumshoe. "And before he had a chance to recover from the dizziness, he strangled him?"
"Possibly. But that creates a rather big problem."
"What's that, sir?"
"How did he know the victim would be here? And at that exact time? How did he plan it so he would kill him and escape before Mr. Bush arrived?"
"Maybe he could predict the future." said Oliver.
"Or maybe he was…that good!" said Gumshoe.
"Or maybe both of you are wrong!" said Kay. "He clearly was spying on this place. Maybe there are cameras in here!"
"No, there are not!" said Levertington. "We value our waiters' privacy. They are allowed to do whatever they want. There are no camera watching them here."
"Hmmm. So the killer had no way of knowing what was going on in here." said Edgeworth. "So, how did he know the victim was here?"
"Um…I insist on future-prediction." said Oliver."
"And I insist on him being that good." said Gumshoe.
"And I insist that you both stop with the ridiculous theories!" said Edgeworth. "The answer is simple! He didn't! The crime was not premediated!"
"It…it wasn't?!" asked Kay.
"But that means…" said Franziska.
"That there is a mistake in this recreation. The killer had no rope or other weapon in his hands. He came in here empty-handed."
"So…the murder was spontaneous?" asked Franziska.
"Indeed. Kay, if you would…"
"Got it."
Kay updated the recreation. Now it showed the killer empty handed. Kay also put on a rope on the table."
"Maybe he took it from there." she said.
"Good point, Kay." said Edgeworth.
"And, once again, unsustainable! " said Hotshot. "There is no proof any rope was ever in here at all!"
"Actually…that does make sense." said Levertington.
"What do you mean, pal?" asked Gumshoe.
"You see, there was an accident here. See that painting on the wall?"
"Yes?"
"The nail holding it got wrapped and it fell down. I asked Mark to bring some rope so we could hang it again."
"When was that?"
"Just earlier today. I think he brought it when he arrive for his night shift."
"So, the rope had not been here recently." Said Franziska.
"That excludes the possibility of premeditation." said Edgeworth. "After the killer came in here…something happened that led to the death of Mr. Tory."
"But…wasn't he out cold?" asked Gumshoe.
"Maybe not. Maybe he came to just before the killer arrived. Or even while he was in here."
"You know, I'm noticing another problem." said Franziska.
"What's that, sir?" asked Gumshoe.
"The killer would have to pin the victim on the floor to strangle him, correct?"
"Indeed. It is quite hard to strangle a person while they're standing up" said Edgeworth.
"If that's the case…" she said. "…then how did he get to him? There was this bunch of boxes between them."
"Maybe he moved them." said Kay. "Hey wait. All the boxes in the recreation are perfectly aligned."
"But they aren't in real life." said Edgeworth.
"Right. Another mistake. Give me a minute."
Kay updated the simulation. This time, some boxes on the side near the door were moved.
"That's it!" said Edgeworth. "He moved the boxes, got to him and strangled him."
"Most logical scenario." said Franziska. "Still doesn't help us much."
"Wait a minute…" said Malcom.
"What's wrong, Mr. Bush?" asked Edgeworth.
"This…this isn't right."
"What do you mean, pal?" asked Gumshoe.
"When I arrived, Mark's head…it was facing towards the pile of moving boxes."
"What?!" shouted Edgeworth.
"It's true! That's how I left him!" said Flintson.
"But…the body is in the opposite position here." said Kay. "Maybe…"
"Eureka!" exclaimed Edgeworth. "That's what happened!"
"What do you mean, sir?" asked Gumshoe
"The victim body, as it is right now, makes perfect sense. The killer came in, they fought, he strangled him and left his body like this."
"Yes, that's what it looks like!" said Kay.
"But…if what Ms. Flintson and Mr. Bush are saying is true…the body's position is wrong! He should be on the other side!"
"But…Miles Edgeworth!" said Franziska. "This means the killer came from behind the victim!"
"Why not?" asked Gumshoe. "He had the element of surprise, makes perfect sense to me!"
"But it's not possible!"
"What?!"
"If Mr. Tory was awake at that time, there is no chance he didn't hear him. He would turned to face and the signs of a struggle would have been much more evident!"
"It seems he didn't fight back much!" said Franziska. "He had a possible concussion after all."
"That means…the boxes are also wrong!" said Edgeworth. "Kay, can you make it like the boxes on the side near the table are wrong?"
"Really?"
"Here's what I think happened: the killer came in here. Not to kill the victim. He didn't know that he was here. He walked over to the table.
"Why the table?" asked Franziska.
"Maybe he needed to take something.
"Yes, look!" said Kay. "There is a toolbox on it! Maybe he needed some tools!"
"Maybe." said Edgeworth. "Anyway, while he was there, maybe he started talking to himself!"
"Why would he do that?"
"People do that very often. Especially if they have something to hide and have to get it out of their system."
"It's true" said Kay. "I've found myself monologuing about my thefts very often."
"What thefts?" asked Levertington, who was standing nearby.
"No, nothing. Don't think about it." said Edgeworth. "Well, maybe Mr. Troy woke up at that exact time, and heard something he wasn't supposed to know."
"You mean a dark secret?" asked Kay. "Is that why he was killed?"
"Well, it's clear he wasn't above blackmail. Maybe the killer feared he would do to him what he did to Ms. Flintson and silenced him for good!"
"That makes perfect sense!" said Franziska. "He run over there, moving the boxes in the process, tackled him, strangled him with an impromptu weapon he grabbed from the table, possibly a rope…and strangled him to death!"
"You knew…" interrupted Hotshot. "I've been listening to you for a long time…and I have to say, I am unimpressed."
"And why is that?" asked Kay.
"Because, to my total lack of shock, you little experiment failed to surprise me. Nothing conclusive. Just "Could haves" and "maybes." Those aren't worth jack!"
"Wrong, Mr. Hotshot!" said Edgeworth. "This recreation very clearly demonstrated something."
"And what is that?"
"That the murder took place over there. If we search more closely, we can find more evidence."
"On it!" said Gumshoe. He ran over there and searched. And eventually, he emerged victorious.
"As usual, Mr. Edgeworth was correct!"
Franziska whipped him
"Stop wasting time, scruffy! Did found something?"
"Youch! Yes, I found…this."
He showed them a small warped nail. It had a small amount of blood on it.
"Blood!" said Kay.
"Yes." said Edgeworth.
"Wait a darn minute!" said Levertington. "I recognize this!"
"You do?"
"Yes. That's the nail that was holding the painting. The one I told you about."
"Yes." said Edgeworth. '"It does look warped. I doubt it could hold a painting. And this blood on it…"
"You are not going to suggest somebody murdered the victim with this nail, are you?" said Hotshot.
"Of course not! It's not possible!" said Edgeworth. "But what is possible is the victim, while being chocked to death, grabbed this and used it to wound the killer."
"A nail?"
"It was the only thing available to him."
"And it seems he managed to land a strong blow." said Franziska. "The killer dropped blood. In other words, he DNA has been left behind. That will be useful."
"Not if you have nothing to compare it to." said Hotshot. "You are basically accusing a blue silhouette.
"We will find the killer, Mr. Hotshot." said Edgeworth. "As long as we can trace their movements."
"What do you mean?"
"The killer would have been in a state of panic. He never intended to take a life. And yet he did. After that, he wouldn't have risked going through the main hall."
"That's true!" said Franziska. "The body was sure to be found sooner or later. And when it was…somebody might remember seeing him leave the room alone. And then people would start asking some very unnerving questions."
"He had to find a way that would get him out of here without being seen." said Edgeworth. "And he had the perfect way!"
He pointed to the ladder leading to the attic.
"Through the…attic?" asked Levertington.
"Yes. He climbed the ladder, crossed the attic, went through the window and went down the fire escape! That's how it happened!"
"Now…ask yourself this:" said Franziska "What's more likely? That he came through the door and left though the attic? Or that he came through the attic in the first place and left back through there?"
"But he would have seen the body that way." said Hotshot. "He was higher than the boxes."
"Maybe he wasn't looking in that direction." said Kay.
"Or maybe he was too distracted by something else." said Edgeworth. "In either way, the possibility is still there."
"But…that attic hasn't been used in a long time!" said Levertington.
"But isn't the switch used to lower the chandelier there?" asked Kay.
"Yes."
"That means it's used at least once a month, pal!" said Gumshoe. "So, all people working here know about it."
"And besides…" said Edgeworth. "We found some unidentified fingerprints on the window. I think the killer was the one who left them there while making his escape."
"But….I can't believe it!" said Levertington. "That would mean…"
"Yes, Mr. Levertington." said Edgeworth. "I'm sorry, but it means one of your employees is the guilty party."
"No! My employees…I trusted them all with my life!"
"One of them wasn't worth it!" said Franziska.
"I knew it!" said Oliver. "When I saw his face…I knew he wasn't trustworthy!"
"Wait…who are you talking about?" asked Gumshoe.
"Yes! Who is it?" asked Kay.
"Um…find out who the killer is and I'll tell you."
Gumshoe and Kay facepalmed.
"Impressive." said Hotshot as he clapped his hands in a condescending way. "Truly a marvelous performance. However…you are still missing something."
"What is that?"
"You have the killer's weapon, the killer's escape route, possibly the killer's motive…but you still don't have the killer himself! Who is it?"
"I don't know that. Not yet."
"In that case, I'm afraid we cannot accept all your findings." said Hotshot.
"What?!"
"You weave an interesting tale. But it's not in the least bit believable. The thread that will neatly tie everything together in a nice little package, the killer, is still at large, and out of your reach."
"I'm afraid he is right." said Levertington, who started turning angry.
"Mr. Levertington!" said Edgeworth.
"Your work has impressed me, I admit. I haven't seen anything like this before. However, I don't want impressive fireworks. I want results! And your little show has contributed nothing in that regard. You are forcing my hand."
"Wait…what are you saying?" asked Edgeworth.
"I have some friends in the prosecutor's office. If I make a few calls...I can have a replacement prosecutor brought here. Someone who will bring actual results!"
"Wait…you can't do that!" said Franziska.
"I have no choice. You did discover a lot, but you have nothing to lead you to the true killer. And it's been long enough!"
"Wait…" said Kay. "Let's not make any rash thoughts!"
"Yeah, pal! We have worked so hard!" said Gumshoe. "We are so close! You can't stop us just before we cross the finish line!"
"This is not a game detective. Nor is it a race!" said Levertington. "This is the death of one of my best men and the reputation of my fine establishment's reputation is at stake. If you mess this up, I might as well be finished!"
"Mr. Levertington, I promise you results!" said Edgeworth. "We just need more time!"
"You already have. Your little green show was impressive…but yielded no tangible results. You must be mental if you think any court will take this seriously."
"I know. I just need more time. We will substantiate our theories with evidence!"
"Please! Just give us more time!" said Kay. "We can do this! Mr. Edgeworth never fails!"
Levertington thought about it.
"It would be wise to let them carry on, Mr. Levertington." said Hotshot.
"What?!"
"They have been very diligent so far. They have tried to address every loose thread."
"But Harold! Didn't you say…"
"I do admit I question their methods, but they is no doubt about their capabilities. They should be given one chance."
Edgeworth was shocked.
"Is that man…actually standing up for us? Why?"
"Fine!" said Levertington. "I will give you more time! But don't disappoint me!"
"We won't!" said Edgeworth. "Now then…Mr. Levertington, I suppose you will help us?"
"If it will solve this case, gladly. And forgive me if I sounded too harsh. I just want this disaster off my back."
"I understand." said Edgeworth. "Tell me, where does the fire escape in the attic lead to."
"It leads to…the open-air parking lot of our club."
"You have a parking lot?" asked Franziska. "I didn't see one."
"I know. It is in the back of the club. And it is meant for personnel only, so it's good you didn't actually park your own car there."
"Very well then." said Edgeworth. "If the killer did escape to that parking lot…the possibility exists that he left evidence there."
"I hope there is." said Levertington. "Remember, you only get one chance."
"Very well. Let's all get there. No time to lose!"
"What about them?" asked Gumshoe, pointing to Malcom and Flintson.
"Can we come?" asked Malcom. "We want to know the truth."
"Yes!" said Flintson. "I almost got arrested for Mark's death. If I didn't kill him, I want to know who did."
"Okay, you can come along" said Edgeworth. "But keep an eye on them, detective. They are not in the clear yet. They have their own crimes to answer for."
"Yes, sir!"
To be continued
