"Well then…" Bartholomew scratched his head. "Let's see what I can recall.
Witness testimony
The crazy journalist
Randy Flash…he really is a crazy bunch.
He first arrived at the town after that whole alien craze began.
He kept shouting he would get the scoop and make a name for himself.
He didn't seem right in the head. That's why I tried to avoid him.
I only saw him running around town or into the desert.
That's all. I don't think I can tell you anything more.
…
"Hmm. So you haven't see him do anything strange?"
"No. Sure, he is the definition of strange, but nothing…genuinely concerning."
"I see."
"What do you think, sir?" asked Gumshoe.
"I believe Mr. Bartholomew is telling the truth. However, I noticed something…sensual."
"What's that?" asked Kay.
"When he mentioned that Flash first arrived in town after the alien madness began…I noticed Mr. Lazarus…reacted."
"Reacted?"
"Not verbally. His right hand moved a bit. He seemed…tense. It's almost like he disagreed with what Mr. Bartholomew said."
"Uh…and what does that mean?"
"On it's own…nothing. But then again…I've been taught that even such minor details can be important. Maybe he knows something more."
"So what will you do?"
"I will just press Mr .Bartholomew for more details. And if Mr. Lazarus reacts again…maybe I will find an opening to make a move!"
"Your methods are a bit unconventional." said Marshall. "But I would be one to give it a try. After all, you can't call the taco overstuffed until you try it."
"Okay then." said Edgeworth. "Let's see what there is to find here."
Cross-examination
Randy Flash…he really is a crazy bunch.
He first arrived at the town after that whole alien craze began.
Hold it: "Are you sure he arrived then?"
"Of course. What do you mean?"
"So...you never saw him before that?"
"No. I don't think he even arrived here before we saw the UFO. Why do you ask?"
"N…no reason. Just to be sure." Edgeworth looked at Lazarus. He noticed his hand kept shaking nervously. "He is definitely acting strangely. But it's too early to do anything. I'll see if there is anything making him react like that."
He kept shouting he would get the scoop and make a name for himself.
He didn't seem right in the head. That's why I tried to avoid him.
I only saw him running around town or into the desert.
Hold it: "You saw him go into the desert?"
"Yeah. That's what made me sure he was crazy. You can't go into the desert unprepared like that. You won't survive. You need, food, water, a hat, a lot if things!"
"And he didn't have anything?"
"No. Only those cameras of his. He had that stupid bush hat on his head, but that was filled with holes. It didn't protect him. Why would he keep going into the desert while being so monumentally unaware of the dangers? As to how he survived…I have no idea."
"There it is again!" said Edgeworth, not missing Lazarus' reaction. "Now it is time to confront him."
Objection.
"Mr. Lazarus."
"Me? I…I didn't say anything."
"No. But you were acting strangely."
"What does that mean?" asked Bartholomew.
"When you mentioned Mr. Flash first arrived here after the alien craze, his hand was shaking, as if that statement didn't sit right with him. And the same happened just now, when you asked why he kept going into the desert. Mr. Lazarus, you seem to disagree with those statements. Do you know something we don't? The words "Mr. Flash" and "Desert" seem to mean something to you."
"I…"
"Lazarus, if you know something you must say it." said Bartholomew. "You saw it. You can trust these people."
"I know. I just…wasn't sure. I didn't want to say anything that might be wrong."
"What is it? Tell us." said Kay. "It's better than nothing."
"Yeah, pal. It could be important."
"Okay. I'm not sure, though. I think…I did see that man, Flash, before we saw the spaceship."
"What?! When?!"
"On the morning before. If you recall Bartholomew, you were busy with some errands and couldn't come."
"Yes, I remember."
"So I decided to take a walk around town. When I did, I saw a man drive a jeep into the desert. I caught a glimpse of his face. It was very brief, but I think…he did look like Flash."
"Are you sure?"
"No, I'm not. I didn't even know him then. So, when he arrived at the town after the news spread, I thought he looked familiar. I wasn't sure at first. But little by little, I started realizing it."
"Hmm. If he was here before he learnt about the aliens, that creates a problem." said Edgeworth.
"Why would he come here if he hadn't heard about the aliens?" asked Kay.
"Why do prospectors head West?" asked Marshall. "It seems there is more to talk about with that cowpoke."
"Indeed." said Edgeworth. "But first…there is something else I need to find out."
"What's that, sir?" asked Gumshoe.
"M. Bartholomew, you said you saw flashing in the desert. Can you pinpoint where exactly it was coming from?"
"Well…not exactly. It was far away. But…it did seem to be near dead man's rock."
"D…dead man's rock?" asked kay. "But isn't that where…"
"That's where the body was found!" said Gumshoe.
"And where we lost sight of the UFO" said Edgeworth.
"It seems a rock has a secret around here." said Marshall. "Maybe there is a treasure we need to dig up."
"I agree." said Edgeworth. "We need to head over there now. Thank you for everything, both of you."
"Glad to help you."
"Always here if you need us."
"Come on, pardners. That treasure isn't gonna find itself." said Marshall.
…
About 15 minutes later, the four of them were at dead man's rock.
"So…this is where the body was found." said Kay. "It still feels unsettling."
"Tell me about it." said Gumshoe. "I feel like I can still see that terrible sight!"
"Let's focus." said Edgeworth. "We are here to find a possible hideout, some kind of place where a human, or a spaceship, could hide without being seen."
"The desert is the best secret keeper." said Marshall. "We'll have to dig deep into her heart to find them."
They all started looking around. There didn't seem to be anything. Edgeworth was getting worried.
"There is nothing here. Just normal ground. But then…how would the UFO disappear?"
He turned to the others, seeking some much needed reassurance.
"Have you found anything?"
"No, sir. Sorry."
"No luck, pardner."
"No. The terrain is as even as it gets."
Edgeworth began to second-guess himself.
"Could I have been…wrong? Could it be…that the place hiding the actual evidence to the murder is elsewhere? And I've given the murderer time to dispose of it with this pointless investigation?"
"There is no point." said Gumshoe. "There is nothing to be found here, sir."
"I know. And I'm sorry." said Edgeworth. "I was mistaken. I…"
"Don't be so rush to criticize yourself." said Marshall. "Listen to the man who can hear the desert's wild call."
"What?" asked Edgeworth.
Marshall pointed to a big rock quite a few steps away.
"What about it, pal? It's just a rock."
"No, it's not!" said Kay. "Look. There are marks around it. They indicate that…"
"…that It has been dragged around." said Marshall. "I don't think this rock is as steady as it seems."
He pushed the rock with all his strength. As he expected, he moved, revealing a small opening under it.
"How did I not see it earlier?" asked Kay. "A great thief such as myself…"
"Don't worry, bambina. It's hard to notice the desert's secrets if you are not used to listening to its distinct voice."
"So it seems there is a whole cave under here" said Edgeworth. "That would make for a quick getaway."
"But how would the UFO disappear so quickly?" asked Gumshoe. "How did it get under the rock?"
"Maybe the rock wasn't here then." said Edgeworth. "Don't forget, Mr. Flash had a head start. He arrived here before all of us. He would have had the time to sent the spaceship down there and then put the rock over it."
"But…how did he even built it?" asked Kay. "It seems really hard to create a whole spaceship."
"He didn't need to create a whole spaceship" said Marshall. "Even a ghost-town seems hopeful from too far away."
"What does that mean?" asked Kay.
"That we should stop asking questions and go down there." said Marshall. "That's where all the answers lie."
"He's right." said Edgeworth. "We need to investigate down there.
"I'll got first, sir!" said Gumshoe, "I'll need to make sure it's safe. if it is, I'll let you know."
"But Gummy! What if you get hurt?" asked Kay.
"Relax, Kay." said Gumshoe. "All will be okay."
"I…I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't. I promise, I will come back!" he said.
"Promise?"
"Yes. You know I'm a real man's man. If I give my word about something, it will happen."
"Okay. Good luck."
Gumshoe carefully began entering the cave. He looked down to make sure nothing was beneath him.
"What do you see?"
"Nothing. It is pitch-black. That's why I always carry this with me."
He pulled out a big flashlight.
"That's a big flashlight." said Marshall.
"Never go into the darkness without the light." said Gumshoe.
"Hey, that's a good saying." said Marshall. "I'll use that."
"Detective!" said Edgeworth. "Go down there before you two start exchanging notes over your sayings."
"Okay, okay."
He opened the flashlight and kept climbing down. They all listened, waiting to hear his voice. But nothing happened.
"Why isn't he replying?" asked Kay. "is he oaky?'
"Don't worry, bambina" said Marshall. "That sly dog is stronger than you realize. He will be fine."
"Yeah, but…"
"Hey, pals, can you hear me?" Gumshoe voice echoed through the cave.
"Gummy! Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm great! There is nothing down here. You can come. But one at a time."
Marshall climbed in first.
"It can't be worse than the coyotes."
Kay followed him.
"If Gummy can do it, so can I!" she said. "I'm a great thief."
Edgeworth was the only one who seemed reluctant.
"Is this really safe? I don't know." he thought. "But if it is for the sake of investigation…
"Mr. Edgeworth!" Kay voice resonated. "Are you coming? Or are you too much of a chicken?"
Edgeworth didn't like that. That was the push he needed to make up his mind.
"Ah, I'm going to regret this."
He reached the bottom soon enough. The other three were waiting for him,
"Finally you made it!" said Marshall." I never figured you'd been scared of the dark."
"I've got no problem with the dark." said Edgeworth. "But precarious, underground caves, that could collapse at any moment…that's a different story."
"You need to be more optimistic!" said kay. "Not everything has to go terribly wrong because you're around."
"Me?"
"Remember what we said?" asked Gumshoe. "Bad things happened when you are around."
"Yeah, it follows you around."
"That's not true!"
"You certainly seem like a magnet for trouble." said Marshall. "Let's hope your bad luck won't follow us down here." He and Gumshoe started walking forwards, followed by Kay.
"Hey, hey wait!" said Edgeworth and followed them. "Your accusation is ludicrous. I refuse to be held accountable for every little thing that has…hey, are you listening? I'm talking to you!"
They kept walking. The path was very narrow and they had to walk behind one another. The walls felt like they were closing in on them. That in particular made Edgeworth all the more uncomfortable. But he refused to say I out loud, not wanting to be made fun of again. Eventually, they reached a small opening on the wall. There as light coming for inside.
"Hey, we reached somewhere!" said Gumshoe. "We were right! There is evidence here!"
"I knew it!" said Kay. "Oh, it feels so good!"
"This is a great feeling." said Marshall. "Greater than the feeling of finding a gold strike."
"So, will we go inside?" asked Kay.
"Not all of us." said Edgeworth. "Three are enough. One should stay and be a lookout."
"Lookout?"
"To keep an eye around. Make sure nothing is wrong."
"Not a bad idea." said Marshall. "I will do it."
He stayed there, while the other three went inside the next room. And what they saw was bigger than anything they expected.
"What is this?" asked Kay.
The room in front of them was big. It was mostly just a cave, but it had a big table at the center. On it, it had a bunch of tools, including tools for welding, blueprints and even a small spaceship.
"So…this is…"
"Yes, detective." said Edgeworth. "It seems this is the UFO everyone saw. Nothing more than a cheap imitation. I assume the flashing Mr. Bartholomew saw was Mr. Flash using this welding tools."
"So it was a hoax!" said Kay.
"Yes. Look at these blueprints.
"Wow! They are very detailed!" said gumshoe, "The one who made this really knew what they were doing."
"It seems our prankster found this cave and turned it into his private workshop. He built that spaceship here and probably also made a remote to control its movements."
"But why?"
"That will have to be seen. For now all that matters is we have the evidence of a very elaborate setup."
Meanwhile, Marshall was standing outside. He was looking around at the cave.
"This place…it's ain't that bad." he thought. "It is really nice. People would have to come down here and explore it. After the case has been put to rest, maybe we could organize tours down here. Why not? We could get more tourists over here."
Marshall was so distracted that he didn't noticed a person sneaking up behind him. That person picked up a rock and hit him on the head, knocking him out. They then took his gun and peek through the entrance. They saw Edgeworth, Gumshoe and Kay standing over the table.
"This is very crucial." said kay. "Do we take all this?"
"No." said Edgeworth. "If we just take it from here, people could believe we made it ourselves to cover "the truth." The authorities will have to come and collect this."
"But the one who made it could come here and destroy it."
"That's why Kay and I will stay here to guard it. Detective, go get Marshall and together go bring reinforcements.
"Got it, sir!"
Gumshoe turned to leave. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out. Gumshoe filched and fell down in pain.
"Gummy! Are you alright?" asked Kay.
"yeah, I'm okay. He got my leg. But I can't walk!"
"Where is sheriff Marshall?" asked Edgeworth. "Marshall!"
Suddnely, they heard noise from behind them. They turned and saw the spaceship and the whole table were immersed in flames.
"What is happening?" asked Kay.
Edgeworth tried to run towards the table, but kay pulled him back.
"No, Mr. Edgeworth. Don't go near that! You'll get hurt!"
"But...the evidence!"
"Don't worry about it! The evidence is more important! We have to get out of here before the smoke kills us!"
Edgeworth was reluctant.
"The evidence…if it gets destroyed…I…but there is nothing I can do. I have to leave."
Edgeworth and Kay helped Gumshoe get up and carried him all the way to the entrance. There, they found Marshall unconscious."
"Marshall! The one who shot me knocked him out!"
"Whoever it was, they bolted!" said Kay.
"We cannot carry both Gumshoe and Marshall out of here!" said Edgeworth. "We have to call for help."
He pulled out his cellphone. However, it didn't get signal. Instead, it started making some strange noises.
"What is…happening?" he asked.
"Maybe you can't get signal down here." said Gumshoe.
"But my phone is working just fine." said Kay.
"Then call for help!" said Edgeworth.
"Got it."
…
About half an hour later, the four friends had been rescued from the cave. A doctor had removed the bullet form Gumshoe's leg and tied his wounds, and was now putting a bandage on Marshall's head. Firefighters had gone down to put out the fire.
"I…I can't believe that happened, sir!" said Gumshoe. "I can't believe somebody would actually try to kill us!"
"We are dealing with a truly ruthless criminal here." said Edgeworth. "We have to find him before he gets to us again."
"I…I was so scared!" said Kay. "Gummy was shot…and the fire…and…" she was fighting to hold back her tears.
"Calm down, Kay." said Gumshoe. "It's okay. We are safe now. It's over."
Right then, Marshall walked towards them.
"Howdy, pardners. Everything okay?"
"We are okay, sheriff" said Edgeworth. "How are you?"
"I'm good. The slowpoke who hit me should know a blow to this old head ain't enough to take down Sheriff Marshall! Now I am even more determined to find him! He thought he could scare us!"
"But…the evidence was destroyed." said Edgeworth. "In the end, he accomplished what he wanted."
"Not completely." said Kay. She then pulled out some blueprints.
"W…what are those?" asked Gumshoe.
"The blueprints to the spaceship. I took them from the table. They were saved from the fire and are perfectly valid proof."
"But…we were together the whole time." said Edgeworth. "When did you…"
"There is still a lot you don't know about me, mr. Edgeworth.
"Wow! You are one rowdy bambina!" said Marshall. "So, what do we do now?"
"We need to finds who is behind all this!" said Edgeworth. "And I have a very good idea. But first, I need to figure out what is wrong with my cellphone."
"What's wrong with it, pardner?"
"When I tried to call form help earlier, it made some strange noises.
He tried using it, but the same thing happened again.
"See? It's doing again. Why?"
"Let me see."
Marshall took his phone and had a look at it.
"From what I see, it's working perfectly fine" said Marshall.
"I can see that." said Edgeworth. "It's not even making noises anymore. But why?"
"There must be something on you disrupting the signal."
"But what?"
"Will you let me search you? Maybe you've forgotten about an item you are carrying."
"No, by all means go ahead."
Marshall searched him. He couldn't find anything.
"Okay. It doesn't look li…"
He made a wrong move and accidentally knocked off his prosecutor's badge.
"Oops! Sorry, pardner."
"No problem. It's okay." said Edgeworth.
"One moment. Let me…"
"What?"
Marshall got back up he seemed upset.
"This is your prospector's badge, right?"
"Exactly."
Marshall showed him a small device. "This was stuck behind it."
"Th…that's…"
"What's that?" asked Kay.
"it's…a bug." said Gumshoe.
"A bug?" asked Edgeworth. "So…"
"This is what was disrupting your phone's signal." said Marshall. "Looks like you were being spied on, pardner.
"But…but when did anyone do this?" asked Gumshoe "Don't you always wear that, sir?"
"Yes, but…" said Edgeworth. "There was one moment when I wasn't."
"When was that?" asked Kay.
"Don't you remember? You were both there."
"Wait…" said Kay. "I think I remember. Your badge got knocked off."
"And the one who knocked it off gave it back to me." said Edgeworth.
"But…what if he planted the bug in those few moments?" asked Gumshoe.
"And who was that?" asked Marshall.
"The one man who needs to explain himself a lot!" said Edgeworth. "Mr. Randy Flash!"
To be continued
