A/N: The second investigation begins this chapter! And a particular new character makes their debut here. If you think you know what's going on, there's always a new fact to shine a different light on everything. Enjoy, my fair readers!

February 24, 2029

O'Conner and Law Offices

1:00 p.m.

Hugh and Juniper decided to regroup at their office after the trial. While Miss Moon was safe for the time being, there were too many mysteries in the case for Hugh's comfort.

"So where do you think we should start, Juniper?" Hugh said.

"Well, you more or less proved in court that someone could be framing Miss Moon," Juniper said thoughtfully. "So that's the first lead we need to pursue."

"There's also the question of motive. The true culprit had a reason to put on such a grand performance with Mr. Scene's body," Hugh said, adjusting his glasses.

"So then where should we go first in our investigation?" Juniper asked.

"We should talk to Miss Moon and Mr. Strong again. And a revisit to the crime scene, since we have a better idea of what we're looking for," Hugh said. Hugh briefly looked at the attorney's badge pinned on his lapel. "Personally, I'd like to talk to my client first."

"Then let's go to the detention center. There must be a lot going through Miss Moon's mind after everything that was exposed with court," Juniper said, holding one of her hands up to her chest.

*
February 24, 2029

Detention Center, Visitor's room

1:30 p.m.

As Miss Moon was brought into the visitor's room, Hugh noticed that the makeup around her eyes were smudged. As soon as Starlight spotted Hugh, however, she once again straightened her back, and put on a confident mask.

"You don't have to do that, Miss Moon. As your attorneys, we hope that you can be honest with us," Hugh said as he sat across from her.

At Hugh's words, Miss Moon's shoulders slumped, her expression downcast. "I am still having a hard time believing what happened during the trial earlier. To think that Mr. Strong truly believed I was the murderer."

"No, it was just the opposite, Miss Moon. Mr. Strong believed you were innocent. That's why he forced himself to pretend that you were guilty," Hugh said. "It was probably all he could do. I… know exactly how he feels. I was in a situation like that once."

Hugh could feel Juniper looking at him after he spoke those words, and after a minute Juniper turned back to Miss Moon and said, "We know that you're innocent, Miss Moon, and we proved in court that someone could be framing you. So do you have any idea who could have done something like this?"

Miss Moon cupped her face with one of her hands. "To be honest, I do not want to suspect any of my crewmates. But if there's anyone that does not like me, it would be Director Shine."

"Director Shine? What makes you suspect her?" Hugh asked, leaning in close to make sure he caught every word. "Didn't she cast you in the first place?"

"No, there is a separate casting director that gave me the leading part in this movie," Miss Moon explained. "Director Shine is a big-shot director from Hollywood that Global Studios tapped once the filming started."

"And did you ever get the feeling that Director Shine didn't like you?"Hugh thought back to Director Shine's brief appearance during court earlier. The way she appeared to give the video of Miss Moon stabbing Mr. Scene did make Hugh suspicious.

"Director Shine has never spoken an ill word of me, but…" Miss Moon paused, fiddling with her pearl necklace. "I mentioned previously that Mr. Scene was respectful of my acting capabilities. Well, in contrast, I always got feeling that Director Shine looked down on me."

That wasn't exactly something that Hugh could take to court, but now Hugh felt like he had a lead in this case. "Is there anything else you might remember about the day of the crime, Miss Moon?"

"There is one thing. During the video of the rehearsal, did you notice that before I stabbed Mr. Scene, I stomped my right foot forward?" Miss Moon asked.

"Now that you mention it, you did do something like that. Was there something odd about it?" Hugh asked.

"I followed the movements exactly as the script asked me to. And on the day of the murder, when I took that final step, I felt something strange under my foot," Miss Moon explained. "I don't know if that means anything, but…"

"Believe me, every little bit of information helps," Hugh said in a reassuring voice. "I will investigate the crime scene again, and keep what you said in mind."

The rehearsal was a set up- that much was clear. The real question was how Hugh could expose the mastermind behind this murderous production.

February 24, 2029

Global Studios filming lot

2:15 p.m.

As Hugh and Juniper entered the filming set, they both noticed someone near the cliffside set. It was an older woman that neither of them had seen here before. The woman had light-brown hair that fell down to her shoulders in waves, bright, light brown eyes with crow's feet under them, and a soft face.

The woman was dressed in a long neck red blouse, a red bell-shaped skirt, and wore simple brown heels. As Hugh approached the woman, he was starting to get the feeling that he recognized her from somewhere.

It seemed that Juniper recognized the woman too, judging by the way her eyes were widening. "Mrs. Newman? Is that you?"

The woman turned towards them, and as soon as she spotted Juniper, a smile spread on her face. "Junie! It's been far too long!" The woman exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Now I recognize her. This is Diana Newman, Robin's mother. Juniper and I met her, along with Robin's father, back when we first met Robin. For the most part, she's a housewife, but she does have a part time job as well.

"And you're here too, Mr. O'Conner," Mrs. Newman said, her smile fading as she turned towards him. "Then are the two of you here to investigate a case?"

"You are correct. But what are you doing here, Mrs. Newman?" Hugh asked curiously.

"Global Studios contacted me because to consult them on accuracies in the script for this movie," Mrs. Newman explained. "But after the murder, it looks like I'll be dismissed from this job. I'm only here because the managers of the studio called me to discuss my fee."

"That's a shame, Mrs. Newman," Juniper said, pulling the brim of her hat over her eyes.

Seeing Mrs. Newman here, Hugh remembered how Robin appeared just as suddenly yesterday. Which in turn made Hugh remember what Robin said about her absence.

"We met with Robin yesterday. And she told us that up until recently, you were all in Khura'in," Hugh said.

"Oh, right!" Juniper exclaimed. "But I called Apollo the other day, and he said he never once saw Robin in Khura'in. As Robin's friends, we're naturally worried about her."

Mrs. Newman sighed, a troubled look on her face. "I should have known this would brought up. I'm afraid this is my fault. I had Mr. Justice promise to never speak about our stay in Khura'in."

"You did? But why?" Juniper asked, putting her hands up to her mouth in shock.

"Because there is a pursuer that is after my family," Mrs. Newman said, her eyes turning serious. "I fled with my family to Khura'in to stay safe, but I had to keep that a secret. When my daughter happened to run into Mr. Justice, he promised to keep it a secret as well."

Those words sent chills down Hugh's spine. Mrs. Newman's words did explain why Robin vanished so suddenly, and why Apollo lied to Juniper. However, this raised many more questions.

"Mrs. Newman, can you tell me anything at all about this pursuer?" Hugh asked urgently.

"I can't. There's a reason I had to pull such a sudden disappearance," Mrs. Newman said. "In fact, I am risking a lot just returning to this country."

"So then what made you return to this country?" Juniper asked.

"A friend of mine is in urgent need. After I settle matters here, I am headed straight towards their house," Mrs. Newman said. The older woman bowed politely. "I will get out of your way now."

Mrs. Newman left from the crime scene, and once she was gone Hugh focused his attention back onto the crime scene. Ema Skye was already crouched down on the set, focusing on the outline of the body.

"Hello, Detective Skye," Hugh said as he approached Ema. "I hope our conversation wasn't too distracting."

"Huh? What conversation?" Ema asked, looking up at them. "I was so focused on my work I didn't even hear you two enter."

Ema must have been really focused, then, because she didn't even mention Mrs. Newman being in the room.

That suited Hugh fine, because it meant they could cut straight to discussing the case. "We decided to investigate the crime scene again in case we missed something last time. I assume you're here for the same reason."

"As a matter of fact, after you proved in court that the victim's body could have been propped up by the set, I ran a simulation," Ema said, standing up straight. "And your theory was correct. So now I'm investigating this movie set for any other details."

"So Mr. Scene's body really was propped up by the protrusions on the cliffside set," Hugh muttered to himself. Hugh debated to himself if wanted to share what Miss Moon told him.

In the end, Hugh decided that since Ema had been cooperating so far, Hugh would cooperate with her too. "Then we might have some information with you. According to Miss Moon, she stepped on something unusual during the rehearsal on the day of the murder."

"Wait, why are we telling me this, Mr. O'Conner?" Ema asked, looking suspiciously at Hugh. "We are technically enemies."

"Heh. I plan to win my client's innocence by fair and honest means," Hugh said, with is usual smug smirk. "So I don't think there's a reason we need to hide information from each other."

"Ugh, do you have to sound so arrogant when you say that? But fine, I'll check it out. Where exactly did Miss Moon step?" With Hugh's guidance, Ema walked on the movie set, stopping right next to a painted rock. Carefully, Ema stepped on the painted rock with her heel.

Then from the wall of the cliffside set, a knife suddenly sprang out. Juniper jumped back, letting out a scream, while Ema's eyes widened at the sight of the knife.

"...Mr. O Conner, could you come over here and step on this switch? I need to retrieve that knife," Ema said calmly.

When the knife popped out of the cliffside set, Hugh almost had a heart attack. So to see Ema take this all in stride spoke to her experience at many different crime scenes.

Hugh walked over to Ema, stepping to where she was stepping- and found that indeed, the painted stone was some sort of switch.

So it wasn't just the rehearsal itself. This entire movie set was one giant trap!

Cliffside set updated in Court Record.

Once Hugh was stepping on the switch, Ema walked over to the where the knife was sticking out of the set. Putting on a pair of plastic gloves, Ema carefully removed the knife, studying it carefully before placing it into an evidence bag.

"This knife is covered in blood. It's probably the victim's, but I can't say for sure until I run the appropriate tests on it," Ema said. "There's also something else I noticed about this knife, but I need to compare it to the murder weapon first."

Second knife added to the Court Record.

"It looks this knife was attached to some kind of spring mechanism," Ema continued, looking into the hole where the knife used to be. "Probably meant to trigger the moment Miss Moon stepped on the switch where that rock was painted."

"Then this is decisive proof that Miss Moon was framed!" Juniper exclaimed.

Ema shook her head. "I wouldn't be getting ahead of myself if I were you. This new evidence does change the facts of this case, but I wouldn't be surprised if Prosecutor Newman could still successfully argue that Miss Moon did it."

Right, Robin's job is to argue that Miss Moon is the culprit. I need to talk to her about this later.

"Detective Skye, do you have the same thoughts about where this knife was placed that I do?" Hugh asked, adjusting his glasses.

"...I will definitely be getting a warrant to inspect this movie set more closely," Ema said. "But before that, it's probably for the best that we don't touch it anymore. You can go investigate somewhere else in the meantime."

Hugh definitely wanted to question Director Shine, if he could find her. And it was possible that since he was also at the rehearsal, Icarus Iscariot also had new information. "So what areas of this studio do we have permission to enter?"

Ema was about leave herself, but hearing Hugh's words, she said, "The defendant's dressing room is unlocked. I believe that the director's office is also open. But I don't believe you're allowed anywhere else."

"So where do you think we should go, Juniper?" Hugh asked Juniper.

"I think we should get permission before we go into Miss Moon's room. And we do have questions for Director Shine, so we should see if she's in her office," Juniper said.

"Director Shine's office it is."

February 24, 2029

Director Shine's office

2:30 p.m.

As Hugh and Juniper entered the office, their eyes were immediately drawn to the large, lustrous wooden desk, which was covered in trophies and plaques. The walls of the office were covered in newspapers, all detailing the release of a high profile movie.

Sitting at the desk was Director Shine herself, who was currently talking on her cell phone. "Yes, yes, I realize that there is an ongoing investigation. But the rest of my actors are innocent. I'd like to hold auditions as soon as possible, so we can-"

It was then that Director Shine finally noticed that Hugh and Juniper were in the room. "I have guests. I'll talk to you later." After hanging up, Director Shine said, "Welcome, welcome. When I see the two of you…"

Suddenly, Director Shine took out a clapperboard, snapping it close briskly. "I've got it! You, sir, are the dark but misunderstood loner."

"I'm sorry?" Hugh asked, rearing back.

"And you, young lady, are the innocent little sister to the misunderstood loner. Your naive outlook will bring much relief to a weary audience, but also be responsible for much tragedy," Director Shine continued as if she hadn't heard Hugh.

"Excuse me?" Juniper asked, her face turning red.

"Yes, those are the perfect characters for you two. Now I just need to find the right script," Director Shine said, now digging through her desk.

"No, no, we aren't actors!" Hugh shouted once he recovered. "We're Miss Moon's attorneys. We'd like to ask you some questions."

"Ah yes, I did remember seeing you at the trial earlier," Director Shine said, standing up. "My apologies. I've been in the line of business for so long I can't help but try to cast everyone I meet."

That's odd. Didn't Miss Moon mention this movie had a separate casting director?

"If you don't mind my asking, what were you talking about earlier?" Hugh asked, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"Working out some issues related to my job. It's very technical, so I don't want bore you with it," Director Shine said. "But please, feel free to ask away about the murder."

Hugh didn't buy Director Shine's answer, but also knew she wouldn't say anymore. Deciding to move on, Hugh asked, "Could you tell me everything you did on the day of the crime?"

"There is no issue with that. I entered this studio at eight in the morning, and headed to this office to make preparations for the rehearsal," Director Shine said. "When Miss Moon and Mr. Scene arrived on set, I took my position behind the camera. But I did not expect for Miss Moon to stab Mr. Scene like she did."

Hugh carefully considered this account. At first glance, it sounded credible. After what Hugh learned in court, however, there were many suspicious spots in this story.

"About Mr. Scene arriving at the movie set. You weren't in court when it was discussed, but it's possible Mr. Scene was dead before the rehearsal started," Hugh said. "Did you notice anything strange?"

"Not particularly. Both Miss Moon and Mr. Scene were acting exactly as script outlined," Director Shine said. "Even Miss Moon's graceless movements were about what I expected."

This called to mind what Miss Moon said earlier about Director Shine looking down on her. Hugh made a note of this, but there was a more pressing matter to address. "It's interesting that you bring up the script. Apparently, it was changed a few days before the murder. Could you tell me why that is?"

For the first time, Hugh could notice beads of sweat forming on Director Shine's forehead, before she moved her hat downwards to cover it. "Script revisions happen all the time. In this case, I wanted to see if Mr. Scene's character worked better as a strong, silent type."

Juniper caught onto what Hugh was driving at. "So then did you talk at all to Mr. Scene before the rehearsal started?"

"I didn't. When I saw that Mr. Scene was already at the set, I assumed that he wanted to start the rehearsal as soon as possible, so I took my position too," Director Shine said. "Mr. Scene was as great of an actor as any that I've ever seen."

Which didn't fully answer Hugh's question. What Hugh did learn was that Director Shine definitely had experience answering questions without giving anything away.

"Do you have anymore questions? I'm expecting another call, so I can't entertain the two of you any longer," Director Shine said, snapping her clapperboard at them impatiently.

"That is all the questions we have for right now," Hugh said. That was only for right now, however. Hugh had a feeling that he would return with more questions after some more investigation.

February 24, 2029

Global Studio filming lot

2:40 p.m.

As Hugh and Juniper walked back to where the cliffside set was located, something caught their eye- Ema had widened the hole where the second knife used to be, and seemed to be digging around inside the set itself.

"Should we be interrupting Detective Skye in the middle of her work?" Juniper asked, clutching her hands together.

"We need to talk to her at some point. The more we learn about this rigged movie set, the more prepared we'll be for court tomorrow," Hugh said.

"I'm just about done with my investigation," Ema said, pulling her head out from the movie set before turning to face Hugh and Juniper. "And I've uncovered quite a few interesting facts."

Ema pointed to the hole in the movie set. "First of all, it looks like my suspicions were correct. The knife that was hidden in this movie set seems to be rigged to stab Mr. Scene exactly where he was already stabbed once when you step on the switch."

"But what would be the point of that?" Juniper asked. "If Mr. Scene was already dead when he was propped up on this movie set, then stabbing him again wouldn't do anything."

"Beats me. The killer must have had a reason to go to all this trouble, but I can't even begin to guess why," Ema said, munching on Snackoos. "Especially when you consider what I found inside the set itself."

Ema dug around inside her carrier bag, taking out an evidence bag. Inside the evidence bag was a single bluebell flower.

"Oh! That flower!" Hugh exclaimed in surprise.

"Wait, you know something about this?" Ema asked, clapping one of her hands to her cheek.

"During our investigation yesterday, we learned that Mr. Scene bought a bouquet of bluebell flowers for Miss Moon, allegedly to give to her if she managed to do a scene in one take," Hugh explained. "But I never found the bouquet. However, the fact that you found a bluebell flower in the set would imply Mr. Scene brought the bouquet with him on the day of the murder."

"You don't say. You realize this is bad for your case," Ema said with a serious expression.

"What do you mean, Detective Skye?" Juniper asked.

"Prosecutor Newman is fully aware that Mr. Scene bought that bouquet of flowers for the defendant," Ema said. "So in court tomorrow, she will probably argue that this flower proves that Mr. Scene and Miss Moon met on the day of the murder."

"That is true. But I feel like there is more to this flower than meets the eye," Hugh said, adjusting his glasses. "One thing's for sure- there's a reason this flower ended up here."

Bluebell Flowers updated in the Court Record.

"So then are you thinking about returning to the flower shop to ask more about this bouquet, Hugh?" Juniper asked.

"For starters. We also need to find and question Mr. Strong, and then get Miss Moon's permission to investigate her dressing room. And we still haven't seen Mr. Iscariot," Hugh said. "Our investigation is nowhere near over!"

To be be continued.

A/N: The final pieces of the puzzle are still out of reach. Yet, perhaps you can see a faint outline of what's really going on here. Either way, the case is finally reaching it's climax. See you next time! Please review.