Cross-Examination
- Refuting the Accusation -
"We were the only two people up on that roof deck, dead or alive! ...I can swear to that!" Fairplay said.
"If anything had happened where we were sitting, don't you think one or the other of us would have noticed?" Furst asked.
"In any case, neither of us know the first thing about the victim. We had no reason to kill the man!"
"The skylight was shut the entire time, I tell you! We couldn't possibly have opened it!"
"Ask for more information here." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Are you quite certain about that? That the skylight was shut the entire time?"
"I'm going to lose my block with you in a minute!" Fairplay said.
"He's going to lose his rag with you in a minute! That's what he said!" Furst yelled.
"Take a look for yourself! Go on! ...You see? It's shut fast now, just like it was on the night!" Fairplay said, scoffing.
"So it is. Of course...a fella the size of Mr Mason could likely break right through it, still an' all." McGilded said.
"What?"
"Just looking at the size of the ting, you understand."
"Argh! Now you hold on there a minute, sir! The size of the 'ting' means nothing! Not on its own! Let's consider the bigger picture here, shall we?"
"Seriously?" I asked, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Let's stop biting our cane, shall we?'
"Um... I, I was riding the omnibus on another occasion, when, um... Well, I broke wind. Loudly. I, I shocked myself with it, as it happens." Furst said.
"... This...is an unexpected confession, Mr Furst." The Judge said.
"Oh! I, I just mean to say... Well the point is, I tried to open the skylight, you see. But - just my luck - I couldn't make it budge. The stench was terrible... Everyone was looking daggers at me, sir. I went as red as rouge, I did!"
"... Are you expecting me to sentence you?"
"Oh! No, sir! The, the point is... The skylight can't be opened! I tried and tried when I was inside that cabin of shame!"
"Hm... The skylight doesn't open, you say?" Ryunosuke asked.
"So that proves it! We couldn't have kicked the victim down into the cabin below, I tell you! Neither of us could!" Furst said, worried.
"...Nobody mentioned anything about kicking anyone."
"Like I said! These details are little nuggets at best. It's the mother lode we should be looking for!" Fairplay said, terrified.
"That doesn't sound right." I said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "...But we know now that the skylight does in fact open. And what's more, the catch that secures it is found on the roof deck side."
"This is getting flaming onkus!" Fairplay said, angrily.
"This is getting absurd, he said! Completely absurd!" Furst yelled.
"That's right! Neither of us even knew the skylight had a catch! If we didn't know, we couldn't have opened it! And if we didn't open it, we couldn't have kicked the fellow down!"
"...Please, where is this idea about kicking the victim through the skylight coming from?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Whoever designed these carriages anyway? Fancy not being able to open the skylight from the inside! What about breaking wind? Didn't they think about that? There's no point having a skylight if it can't spare you embarrassment, is there?" Furst asked.
"Haah…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'We're really getting off topic here…'
"...If you actually have a point, pray, do enlighten the rest of us." Van Zieks said.
"Ah! I... Oh, I'll tell you what my point is!" Fairplay said, excitedly.
"Let's look at the omnibus one more time." I said, walking towards the omnibus, and inside to look at the skylight. "It's unlatched."
"You're right. So the skylight was fastened shut before." Ryunosuke said.
"But now the catch has been undone, we should be able to open it…" Susato said, opening the door to see a bloodstain on the ledge. "Yes...it does open very wide, doesn't it? Wide enough to kick someone like you through, certainly, Mr Naruhodo."
"Why someone like me?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... Ah!" Susato said, speechless.
"Son of a bitch!" I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Wh-What is it?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Look! Just here! Look at this!" Susato cried.
"That's... Without question…"
"It's blood!"
"Blood…" I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Why would there be a bloodstain there?'
"Surely... ...it can't be unrelated to the case, can it?" Susato asked.
"..." Ryunosuke said.
The details of the omnibus have been updated in the Court Record.
"Let's get out of here." I said, exiting the omnibus with Ryunosuke and Susato.
"If you're so sure the victim fell through the skylight, where's your proof?" Fairplay asked.
"Press here."
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Hm...proof…"
"That's right! I demand to hear it!" Fairplay yelled.
"We came here to say what we saw, I tell you! Not for this!" Furst said, angrily.
"But you call us both shicers! Brand us as criminals!"
"You call us liars! That's what he means! And accuse us of doing it!"
"...As it stands at the moment…" McGilded said.
"...!" Fairplay said, at a loss for words.
"...there's no hard evidence that incriminates yeselves, now is there? I believe we're in much the same position as one another here."
"Hm? ...AAARRRGH!"
"This is bad." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...If I don't crack this case soon, he'll crack his teeth.'
"Hm...I wonder if these two men really were involved in some way…" Susato said, sadly.
"I couldn't say. I mean, I don't really know anything about them, do I?" Ryunosuke asked, as he thought this to himself. 'Although by the same token... ...I don't really know anything about Mr McGilded, either. It's so hard to know what to believe here.'
"I think... ...we should try to remember that it's evidence alone that can truly determine the outcome of a trial."
"Evidence…"
"No one can argue against decisive evidence. Including the members of the jury."
"So you're saying that what we need now... ...is to find a conclusive piece of evidence!"
"Yes, Mr Naruhodo. Precisely!"
"What we saw on the ledge." I said, happily. "The bloodstain."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, presenting the Omnibus. "...On the night in question, the victim was fatally stabbed in the stomach. And immediately afterwards...the victim's body was pushed through the skylight into the cabin below. Those are the facts. And the irrefutable proof... ...remains clearly visible in the omnibus that stands before us today in this very courtroom!"
"What?! ...That's...that's utter humbug! Argh! You can't possibly have any evidence!" Fairplay cried.
"No, you can't! I, I mean...we didn't do it, I tell you! It's impossible!" Furst said, worried.
"Irrefutable proof? Here, in this courtroom?" Van Zieks asked.
"Counsel…" The Judge said.
"My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"I believe everyone would appreciate a little clarification here, hm? Where exactly within the omnibus is this evidence to which you allude? You will point out what it is that proves the victim fell from the roof deck through the skylight!"
"Got it!" Ryunosuke chirped, presenting the bloodstain on the ledge.
"By Jupiter! Is, is that... ...BLOOD?!"
"Argh!" Fairplay said, annoyed.
"This bloodstain proves two things: Firstly, when the incident occurred, the skylight of the omnibus was open." Ryunosuke said, smugly.
"What?!"
"And secondly... ...the victim was already bleeding when he fell through the opening."
"Oh my!" Furst said, terrified.
"And so it follows... ...that Mr McGilded, who was inside the enclosed cabin himself at the time... ...cannot possibly be guilty of this crime!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Nnn…" Fairplay said, starting to break down.
"Nnnnnn…" Furst said, starting to break down.
"NNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Fairplay and Furst said, breaking down.
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Orrrdaaar!" The Judge yelled.
"Hold it." Fairplay said, doing the Hold it pose. "But! But, but! But, but, but!!! But the blood could have sprayed up there when the fellow was stabbed inside the cabin!"
"And only found its way to that one particular spot on the skylight? Sure, an' that would be very convenient!" McGilded said.
"Ah…"
"And let's keep it in mind that the skylight catch can only be unfastened from the roof deck. I meself wouldn't have been able to open it now, would I?"
"But! But, but! But, but, but!!! There's no way to know for certain, is there? If the gent really fell through the skylight, I mean." Furst said, sadly.
"...Why don't ye have a good look at the floor of the cabin between the two seats, Mr Furst? ...'Tis all too plain, if ye see. There's the aftermath that shows the poor fella dropped from a fair height right there, so it is." McGilded said.
"What? No!" Fairplay said, worried.
"But, but it can't be! It's, it's all… ...LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIES!" Furst cried.
"Hold it." Juror No. 1 said, doing the Hold it pose. "My fellow jury members! I think we can all agree that this is clear proof of the defendant's innocence, can't we?"
"I believe we can, yes, sir. It's clear to me now where the filthy rubbish can be found in this courtroom." Juror No. 2 said.
"So...they thought they could pull the wool over my eyes, did they?" Juror No. 3 asked.
"..." Juror No. 4 said.
"I won't tolerate any of the guild's carriages being sullied with blood! I won't tolerate it!" Juror No. 5 said.
"Oh, I always knew that nice gentleman who gave us that delightful park couldn't have done such a thing." Juror No. 6 said.
"On three then, everyone! One...two… ...three…" Juror No. 1 said.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "A...chilling performance, Mr McGilded."
"Oh? And what would ye be referrin' to there now, Lord van Zieks?" McGilded asked.
"... A bloodstain on the frame of the skylight? Such 'evidence'...is null and void!"
"What? Why?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"For one extremely simple reason... ...that smear of blood...never existed!" Van Zieks said, angrily.
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "What...are you talking about? It's there for all to see! And it's clearly blood."
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "I personally attended Scotland Yard's investigation of the omnibus. The officers involved went over the carriage with a fine-tooth comb."
"...!"
"So I can state with absolute surety... ...no such smear of blood existed in the carriage! At least, not until this trial began."
"But…"
"Are, are you suggesting, Lord van Zieks...that this stain of blood was…" The Judge said, sadly.
"Fabricated, My Lord? Yes. And while this court has been in session." Van Zieks said.
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Heh...what a palaver... I must say I didn't expect such crude reasonin' from a prosecutor of your standin', Lord van Zieks." McGilded said, smirking.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"But I'm Magnus McGilded, a fella known all over the capital for his fine contributions to public life. I don't take kindly to slander. And I'll fight it to the bitter end. Even if it's rollin' off the tongue of the Reaper of the Bailey."
"Mr McGilded... ...I realise that this is your first appearance in court as the accused. However... ...I am well aware of your involvement behind the scenes in a great many affairs of dubious nature."
"..."
"You're very adept when it comes to avoiding getting your own hands dirty. And each time it happens that a case you're involved in is investigated, you 'adapt' the facts."
"Adapt the facts? What does that even mean?" Ryunosuke asked.
"When you wield a fortune the size of Mr McGilded's, however ill-gotten it may be, nothing is impossible. Tampering with evidence, manipulating the scene of a crime, bribing witnesses... I toast your ability to concoct the most convenient of stories, sir." Van Zieks said, looking at Van Zieks.
"Tut tut, Lord van Zieks. This will not do, to be sure. Will it now, Counsel?" McGilded asked.
"Hm? ...Oh! No!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"I tink it's fair to say...this does all sound like a rather far-fetched excuse by a desperate man. The blood on the skylight didn't exist, ye say?"
"At least it didn't involve a magician conjuring up fabricated evidence." I said, sadly.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"But...if youse will all cast yer minds back... ...is it not true that the omnibus there has been in the courtroom the entire time? How could anyone possibly have put a smear of blood in it without the world and his wife seeing? Isn't that right now, Counsel?" McGilded asked.
"..." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'It's true... The omnibus has been in full view the entire time that court has been in session.'
"My learned friend…" Van Zieks said.
"...!"
"Here's to hearing your opinion on this matter. ...In your own words."
"... As you wish. Could someone have tampered with the omnibus during this trial? If you're asking me, I think…"
"It could have been possible, Ryunosuke." I said, smiling.
'As a defence lawyer...it's my job to advocate for the defendant as best as I can. But still... ...I feel as though there's something even more important at stake here...!' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "There is no evidence to suggest that the defendant did as my learned friend suggests. However... ...in terms of having the opportunity to carry out the alleged tampering...there is one possibility."
"Oh!" Susato said, her eyes widening.
"Good gracious! Explain yourself, Counsel!" The Judge said, angrily.
"Yes, there is. It seems my learned Nipponese friend has no intention of running from this deceit." Van Zieks said.
"Deceit?"
"I'm sure everyone still remembers clearly... ...the recess that we were forced to take. As a result of the smoke grenade fired by the witness currently in the stand, Miss Gina Lestrade." Ryunosuke said.
Flashback…
*BANG!*
"What is going on?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Be careful, Mr Naruhodo, Jared! Cover your faces!" Susato cried, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Bailiff! Don't let the accused escape! Secure the omnibus!" Van Zieks said, worried.
"I hereby call an emergency recess! Bailiff! Ensure the defendant is in custody, and clear the courtroom!" The Judge said, angrily.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"The courtroom was filled with smoke, and everyone was thrown into confusion. All of us were made to leave this chamber. In that brief interval...under the veil of smoke and in all the chaos... ...it could have been possible to steal inside the omnibus!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"...Are you WISE?! What are ye tryin' to pull, ye...ye rotten, feckless gouger!" McGilded said, angrily.
"F-Feckless...gouger?"
"Yer supposed to be defendin' me! 'Tis a wicked plot! 'Tis a plot to undermine me, so it is!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Whatever you think this is, it changes nothing. The facts...are the same."
"...!" McGilded said, at a loss for words.
"After this courtroom was evacuated earlier as a result of the smoke grenade... ...a number of inconsistencies materialised in relation to the omnibus."
"Inconsistencies? Such as...?" The Judge asked.
"To start with, the storage compartment underneath the rear passenger seat. When the police investigated the omnibus, this compartment was full of the driver's items. Secondly, we have the smear of blood on the edge of the skylight. As I have said, that was not present at the start of the trial this morning." Van Zieks said.
"Hmmm... Unfortunately, Lord van Zieks... ...no one is able to corroborate your claims."
"That is true." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's true... When the omnibus was first wheeled out, both the storage compartment and the skylight were shut.'
"Accordingly, I'm afraid to say...we cannot establish with any certainty... ...if this evidence is the result of tampering or not." The Judge said.
"...Indeed, My Lord. No doubt there was not a single person who saw fit to verify such things." Van Zieks said.
"What do you think?" Susato asked.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"About the omnibus... Is there anything else unusual about the omnibus?"
"Yeah." I said, happily. "What do you think, Ryunosuke?"
"My Lord…" Ryunosuke said.
"Yes, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"There is one further inconsistency. A mark that surely could not have been present at the start of the trial."
"What?!"
"What in the devil's name are you goin' to say now?! If, if you dare to betray me, ye little maggot...ye'd better start watchin' yer back!" McGilded said, worried.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Silence, McGilded! The court awaits the defence's clarification."
"Grrr…"
"I just want this trial to end already." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This trial keeps swinging one way and then the other. I have no idea what's the truth and what's deception... What am I supposed to believe here?'
"I shall have to ask you to elaborate, Counsel. Where exactly is this alleged mark that you claim appeared at some point during the trial?" The Judge asked.
"It could be the bloodstain on the floor." I said, smiling.
"Got it!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the bloodstain on the floor. "If we consider that the victim fell through the skylight onto the floor of the cabin... ...you would certainly expect to find signs of blood where he landed. But as far as I recall... ...the bloodstain on the cabin floor was not there when the omnibus was first brought into the courtroom."
"Good Lord! Yes...I do believe you're correct, Counsel." The Judge said, sadly.
"... ...Well said. Although as advocate for the defence, one might say that was a very careless slip of the tongue." Van Zieks said, frowning.
"I believe that bloodstain on the floor is a decisive piece of evidence. But if the question is whether that evidence is genuine, or whether it was unlawfully fabricated by someone... ...I feel compelled to admit that there's at least a possibility...that the evidence is fake!" Ryunosuke chirped.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGH!" McGilded said, breaking down. "This trial...is over."
"Mr McGilded...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I've done everytin' I possibly can to cooperate with the court, but... ...'tis all over now."
"But! But you're the defendant!"
"'Tis over, I tell ye!"
"...!"
"Memory...recollection...what people tink they saw... 'Tis all a nonsense! Facts are what counts! And the fact is, that bloodstain is there! Now!"
"Ah! Well…"
"And over the course of this desperate trial, long and extremely drawn-out as it has been... ...that good-for-nuttin' Reaper of the Bailey has failed to present any decisive evidence at all!"
"...!" Van Zieks said, speechless.
"...I'm scandalised, so I am. I'd thought better of Lord van Zieks. Well? My Lord?" McGilded asked.
"... ...I must concur with the defendant. The unaffirmed recollections of an individual cannot stand as evidence. At this moment in time, the particular bloodstain in question is very much in existence. And in the absence of any credible method by which to prove its alleged previous non-existence... ...I regret to say that it would be improper for this trial to continue." The Judge said.
"Your, Your Lordship can't be serious." Ryunosuke said.
"Lord van Zieks, what is your position?" The Judge asked.
"... The prosecution, My Lord... ...has no further witnesses or evidence to present." Van Zieks said.
"Very well. In that case, as I believe we have explored every possible avenue in this matter... ...I shall proceed to my adjudication. As a formality, I am of course obliged to confirm with the defence first…"
"..." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'What formality?'
"As things stand at the moment, it would seem... ...that Mr McGilded will be found not guilty." Susato said, sadly.
"...Yes…"
"Which would mean...we've won."
"I don't have any more hints, Ryunosuke. I'm sorry." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...Is that really the right outcome here? Is it really alright for the trial to come to an end now, with all these unexplained inconsistencies?'
"Counsel for the Defence...your closing statement, please." The Judge said.
"... Yes, My Lord. The defence believes…" Ryunosuke said.
"The defendant is innocent." I said, looking down at the floor. "There is no winning side here except for the rich. That being McGilded. He wins here. Not us, not the Judge, and not Barok van Zieks."
"As Mr McGilded's legal representative... ..." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. '...I can't breathe... The air in here is stifling... But I'm this man's defence lawyer. There's only one thing I can say in this situation…' He then spoke aloud. "...I believe the defendant, Magnus McGilded...to be innocent of the allegations brought against him."
"Thank you, Counsel." The Judge said.
"..." McGilded said.
"...Here's to you, my Nipponese friend, and the most abject closing I have yet to hear in a court of law." Van Zieks said.
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar!" The Judge said, angrily.
"...Eh...heh...heh heh heh... Wah hah hah hah hah! Oh, 'twas a grand decision to appoint you as my lawyer, so it was! A grand decision!" McGilded cheered.
"..." Ryunosuke said, in awe.
"You've saved one of London's most...influential gentleman, fella! Ye should be proud of yeself!" McGilded said, throwing some coins at Ryunosuke. "Here, have this for your troubles!"
"Ah!"
"Your job here is done, fella. And some fine work ye've done, so ye have."
"Wh-What do you mean?"
"'Tis just as the Right Honourable gentleman so succinctly put it afore... The trial can't go on any more. And yer closing statement there was - how did he put it now? - nuttin' more than a formality. Wah hah hah hah hah!" McGilded said, laughing a lot.
"I, I really don't know what to make of all this." Juror No. 1 said.
"Was the evidence we've seen genuine? Or...was it fake?" Juror No. 5 asked.
"His Lordship would be fuming. Any unsightly rubbish should be disposed of promptly, as I said." Juror No. 2 said.
"..." Juror No. 4 said.
"The stinking rich are always guilty of something! You - Hyuurgh! mark my words!" Juror No. 3 yelled.
"I feel terribly ashamed that I ever doubted that lovely man who gave us the lovely park." Juror No. 6 said.
"... Now that proceedings have unfolded in this way... ...I am compelled to declare a premature end to this trial. Furthermore... ...the court must accept the defendant's plea." The Judge said.
"...I tank you kindly, My Lord." McGilded said, smugly.
"... I hereby pronounce the verdict of this court…"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But! But we still haven't determined if the bloodstain in the omnibus is genuine or not! We don't know if these witnesses are telling the truth or a pack of lies! We have no idea about the truth!"
"... Lord van Zieks…" The Judge said, looking at Van Zieks.
"...My Lord?" Van Zieks asked.
"The case made by the prosecution was flawed, plain and simple."
"..."
"If indeed the omnibus presented as evidence was tampered with... ...the prosecution is at fault for allowing such a disgraceful perversion of justice to take place."
"... My sincerest apologies, My Lord."
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But...wait! When we were evacuated from the courtroom, Lord van Zieks ordered the evidence to be secured!"
"I'm afraid the prosecution cannot shun responsibility in this matter." The Judge said, sadly.
"That's...so unfair!"
"The culpability of the defendant has not, at the present time, been established by this court. Consequently... ...the jury will not be required to proffer judgement."
"What?" Juror No. 1 asked.
"Well, Lord van Zieks...it's been a pleasure, so it has. And as for you, my dear fella...I couldn't have asked for a better defence! Wah hah hah hah hah!" McGilded said, laughing a lot.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, speechless.
"Do you mean to tell me this has all been a grand waste of time?" Juror No. 1 asked.
"'Tis the law of the land, my good man. If ye'd like to pursue this matter further, ye can always go ahead and try to change the law." McGilded said, smirking.
"... Magnus McGilded…" Van Zieks said, annoyed.
"Good grief! Ye've more to say to me, have ye?"
"Just one thing. ...A warning. This is far from over."
"Well, sometin' to be lookin' forward to then! Wah hah hah hah hah!" McGilded said, laughing.
"I hereby pronounce the defendant, Mr Magnus McGilded… Not Guilty." The Judge said.
"I can't believe it!"
"This is an outrage! They should have examined the evidence more!"
"What are you talking about? The man's been cleared! He's innocent!"
"With the courtroom in pandemonium for the second time that day, the judge delivered his verdict. And my first ever trial in Great Britain came to an abrupt end... ...with the defendant being found not guilty - ostensibly a victory for us." Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.
18th February, 5:14 p.m.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber….
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"That certainly was a long trial." Susato said.
"It really was long." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Ah...yes, it was." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Mr Naruhodo, your first ever trial on foreign soil, and your first victory. It was a wonderful performance. My heartfelt congratulations." Susato said.
"And to you, Miss Susato, Jared. Thank you for your assistance. ... I, I suppose we should be happy." Ryunosuke said, looking between Susato and I.
"..." Susato said.
"I don't know how I should be happy after a trial like that." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"The trouble is, we're still completely in the dark about what actually happened." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, we didn't have enough time." Susato said.
"...But isn't it wrong? I mean, who was actually responsible for Mr Mason's death? We don't even know that!"
"'The sole aim of the defence is to obtain a verdict that exonerates the defendant.' You carried out your duty to perfection."
"...Aye, that you did!" McGilded cheered, entering the courtroom with Gina.
"Mr McGilded…" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Ah, and that girl is with him, too…'
"Well, it seems the stories are true."
"Oh? What stories?"
"About the six enormous fireworks they do be lettin' off when there's a verdict of not guilty. I'm sure youse must have seen them now. Spectacular, wouldn't ye say?"
"...Yes, definitely." Ryunosuke said.
"I'd heard it was a sight to behold, and to be sure it was! And I've you to tank...I suppose. For havin' an opportunity to see it. Wah hah hah hah hah!"
"Oh, I don't know about that. I'm not sure I really did anything."
"What on earth are ye sayin', fella? How did I walk out of there a free man then?"
"I don't think it was so much thanks to me as...down to your...planning."
"... Yer a straight-talkin' fella, aren't ye? I must say, ye had me astray in the head there once or twice. But yer young and headstrong! Wah hah hah hah! Ah, 'tis water under the bridge!"
"Congratulations, Mr McGilded, on having your name cleared." Susato said.
"Yeah. Congrats." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'But nothing's resolved…'
"There's only one ting that matters to me." McGilded said.
"Oh?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Aye... They've all seen that I didn't do that odious and absonant deed! 'Tis grand, is it not?"
"I...suppose it is."
"Now the fine fellas of Scotland Yard can take matters in hand and sort out any wee details. They'll see it for what it is! They'll get to the truth! I've absolute faith in them, so I have. After all... ...I do be providin' a good number of their wages with all the taxes I pay. Wah hah hah hah hah!"
"I want this case to end already. Come on, Iris." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'It's not that funny…'
"So then... ...as we agreed aforehand...one thousand guineas for yer troubles, fella." McGilded said, handing a bag of money to Ryunosuke.
"Oh, no no! I couldn't possibly accept that much!" Ryunosuke cried, handing the money back to McGilded.
"Ara, be whist! Yer a humble people are ye, you from the East? Well...if you insist. But have this, still an' all. Ye deserve a reward."
"Mr Magnus McGilded! Everything is ready, sir. If you'd like to follow me into the courtroom…" The bailiff said.
"Crap." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Into the courtroom?'
"What's this, Officer? 'Tis sooner than I was led to believe." McGilded said, his eyes widening.
"I hope it's not inconvenient, sir. There were some changes to the schedule." The bailiff said.
"Well, I must be makin' tracks now. 'Tis time for the inspection."
"Sorry? What inspection?" Ryunosuke asked.
"They're goin' to examine the omnibus again, so I'm told. I asked if I could be present for it meself." McGilded said.
"They're going to examine it again? Now?" Susato asked.
"Naturally, I'm under no obligation to take part in any more of this matter now. But as an upstandin' member of London society, I do be doin' me best to help where I can. 'Tis a gentleman's duty, so it is."
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"So then, fare thee well! 'Twas an absolute pleasure meetin' youse. I hope ye have a whale of a time while yer studyin' here in Great Britain!" McGilded said, entering the courtroom.
'And there he goes...a free man…' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. 'Oh!' He then spotted Gina, thinking this to himself. 'I forgot she was here, too.'
"...Don't move!" Gina yelled, holding up her grenade launcher.
'...Whereas I want to say, 'Get a move on!' She really does take forever to load that thing…' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "Miss Lestrade...would you mind putting that thing down?"
"... ...Yer a grown-up…"
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"And I 'ate all grown-ups. ..."
"Ah! There you are! Naughty, naughty, running off like that!" Iris said, entering the defendant's chamber.
"Hey. It's nice to see you, Iris" I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Is this some kind of picnic? Who's this little girl now?'
"And taking that with you as well! I was looking forward to the trial run of my experimental smoke grenade launcher!" Iris said, taking out a larger grenade launcher.
"...Hah!" Gina said, worried.
"Oh! Do you want to play? You won't beat me!"
"Grrr…"
"It's nice to see you, Jared." Iris said, looking over at me. "I'll give you your own smoke grenade launcher later. Might give you two. Promise."
"Thank you, Iris." I said, walking over to Iris. "I'm going to stick with these two for a while longer. Call me later after you're done with Gina."
"Okay."
"Um, excuse me, but...who are you?" Ryunosuke asked, looking at Iris.
"Oh, good day to you! I'm...well, the inventor, I suppose, of that machine." Iris said, happily.
"The inventor?"
"Well, normal smoke grenades are so dull, don't you agree? And it isn't as explosive as Nitro-9. White, white and more white. If you have to be shrouded in smoke, it could at least be a pretty colour, I thought to myself!"
"...Do we have to be shrouded in smoke, though? At all?"
"I just took my eyes off it for a moment whilst I was changing onto a different omnibus, and she pinched it! Luckily, I fitted it with a telegraphic beacon."
"That's smart. Putting a tracker." I said, happily.
"A tele-whatsit what?" Ryunosuke asked, and he thought this to himself. 'I have no idea what this girl is talking about.'
"Anyway! You're coming with me now! Back to my laboratory!" Iris said, looking at Gina.
"Wot? ...Wot for?" Gina asked.
"To apologise of course, silly! To my technician."
"Wot? You mean, say sorry?"
"You must say sorry when you've done something wrong. Surely an adult has told you that before?"
"An adult? Hmph! I don't listen to no adults!" Gina yelled.
"Come along then, follow me." Iris said, smiling.
"... Fine, 'ave it your way."
"Oh good! You see, I knew you'd want to do the right thing in the end!"
"That's Gina for you." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. '...I'm fairly sure that what she wants is not to get shot by that massive gun of yours!'
"We'll be leaving now then. Talk to you later, Jared! Bye-bye! I'm so sorry for all the fuss!" Iris said, leaving the courtroom with Gina.
"Iris." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'She was a lively one…'
"Well...do you think perhaps we ought to be on our way now, too?" Susato asked.
"Yes, you're right. But... ...where to?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Oh!"
"We haven't had time to find a place to stay. No sooner had we arrived in London than we had to rush here. All our travelling cases are still with the bailiff."
"Hmmm... I was originally planning to spend today in search of lodgings." Susato said, sadly.
"But at this late hour in the day, I'm afraid we may be out of luck." Ryunosuke said.
"... Don't worry, though! I have a plan! If the worst comes to the worst, I've heard of a lovely park where we could spend the night!"
"Please tell me you're not thinking of McGilded Park."
"I know it may be a little chilly at this time of year, but... our youthfulness will see us through!"
"I'm...not so sure about that. I think a midwinter London night will freeze a young person solid just as easily as an elderly one."
"...Oh dear. That doesn't sound agreeable."
"I'm heading off somewhere. Wanna sleep with some friends" I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Now I'm starting to regret turning Mr McGilded down. That one thousand guineas would have paid for a lovely warm room...or mansion.'
"And so... ...the trial to determine my worthiness for the study tour was over by the end of our first day in London. However, as we were soon to learn... ...there were more trying times ahead. Just as the Reaper of the Bailey had warned... ...the case was far from over." Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.
(Open POV)
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"What's going on?" Man 1 asked.
"Get the fire brigade!" Man 2 said, terrified.
"Water! Bring water, quick!"
"What the... How did this happen?" The inspector asked.
"I dunno, sir! By the time I got 'ere, it was already engulfed…" The bailiff said, frowning.
"No one was supposed to be allowed in here before we started investigatin'! No...oh good God! There's, there's someone in there!"
"Ooh...this...this can't be…" The Judge said, letting out a sigh.