(Jared's POV)
17th April, 12:41 p.m.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"Ah, Gina. How are you holding up?" Ryunosuke asked.
"..." Gina said.
"You're being a tsundere." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I'm starting to feel quite warmly towards her frequent cold shoulders now.'
"Ginny! Are you alright? Why aren't you saying anything?" Iris asked.
"... Wot's the point, eh? Why go to all this trouble an' fight so 'ard...for the likes o' me?" Gina asked.
"What?"
"Well you saw it! That picture."
"What picture?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Ah, you mean this?" Iris asked, taking out the printed photograph. "The photograph taken by Hurley's Red-Handed Recorder."
"Also known as a security camera." I said, happily.
"Yeah, that. Well, I didn't think it would have captured a scene like this, that's for sure!"
"It's 'opeless. Anyone who sees that's gonna think I did it, ain't they?" Gina asked.
"Well...I won't pretend it wasn't a bit of a shock when the prosecution first presented it to the court." Ryunosuke said.
"Surely you've gotta 'ave yer doubts about me now. Ya can't still think I'm innocent."
"... Of course I can." Ryunosuke said, smiling.
"Hmph..." Gina said, scoffing.
"Ginny...why don't you talk to us? Tell us what really happened that night." Iris said, sadly.
"Eh?"
"Runo's cleverly managed to piece together a lot of new information, but still... ...we'd really like to hear it from you."
"... Alright then. It was after we'd 'ad that dinner together at your place, right, Iris? Then we all 'ad a chat up in your office, didn't we?"
"Yes, I remember." Ryunosuke said.
"After that, I just couldn't get to sleep. So I slipped out an' went down the street to the two-to-one. To Windibank's place. ...I 'ad to know." Gina said.
"If Iris's story was there or not? 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'."
"I dunno wot it's about or nuffin'... ...but if you ask me, there's somefin' in it that Holmes and Jared don't like. Somefin' wot 'hey don't want people readin'. So that's why 'hey lied to Iris about stickin' it in lug wiv Windibank for safekeepin'. At least, that's wot I thought at the time."
"So you broke into Windibank's?"
"I just 'ad to know if it was there or not. I mean, I 'ad no idea all o' that was gonna kick off, did I? I struck the lock and snuck inside. It was dark as you like in there. So I gave the oil lamp on the counter a bit o' wick. And that's when…" Gina said.
Flashback…
"What d'you think you're doing?!" Windibank exclaimed.
"AAAAAAGH!" Gina cried.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"I nearly died, I did! And the next thing I knew... ...I'd grabbed the gun off the counter and was wavin' it in the air like...I dunno wot."
Flashback…
"Ah...you're the girl who was in here this afternoon. I didn't think pickpockets went in for armed robbery." Windibank said, looking at Gina.
"The, the mantelscript... 'Ave you got it 'ere? Did Holmes and Jared leave a load o' papers wiv you? A story." Gina said, holding Windibank's gun.
"I beg your pardon?"
"'The Hound o' the...' somefin'-or-other. If it's 'ere, I wanna see it!"
"I'm sorry, young lady... ...but I'd sooner die than relinquish an article belonging to one of my customers."
"I don't want it! Wot would I do wiv it anyway? I just...wanna see it's 'ere, that's all."
"Oh, you want to see it, do you?" Windibank asked.
"I wanna know if Holmes and Jared really pawned it 'ere or not. Please! Just let me see it an' I'll go." Gina said.
"... Oh, very well then. But for pity's sake, stop waving my gun around, would you?"
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"So then the old cove unlocked the storeroom door, and we both went inside. And it was there alright. The mantelscript. Holmes weren't lyin' after all." Gina said.
"You did all that just to check for me, Ginny?" Iris asked.
"...Anyway, then there was a bit of a kick-up out in the main bit o' the shop."
"The Skulkin brothers arriving on the scene, yes." Ryunosuke said.
Flashback…
"Wot was that noise? Someone's breakin' in!" Gina said, worried.
"Dear me, is there some burglars' convention here tonight that I don't know about?" Windibank asked.
"...I think I forgot to shut the door be'ind me. Sorry."
"I'd better go and take care of it. Could I possibly have my gun back?"
"Oh, well I'll come wiv ya and-" Gina said, clutching Windibank's gun.
"Now don't be foolish, young girl. You must stay right here. Don't leave this room under any circumstances." Windibank said.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"An' wiv that, 'e took the gun out of me 'ands and walked back out into the shop. I 'ung back in the storeroom like 'e said, strainin' me ears in the dark to 'ear wot was goin' on. It sounded like they got into a bit of a scrap. I started to think I should 'elp, see. So I was just about to go out the storeroom myself, when…" Gina said, looking at us.
*BANG!*
"Gunshots." I said, letting out a sigh.
*BANG!*
"I 'eard a couple o' shots go off. Two, I think. Almost at the same time. And then there 'e was, right at me feet. Lyin' face down on the floor! I was right next to the storeroom door, so I slammed it shut an' locked it quick as ya like." Gina said.
"Because you thought whoever had shot Mr Windibank might come for you?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Yeah. So I went to grab the old cove's gun. I figured I'd put up a fight at least. But when I got a better look at 'im, I knew... ...Windibank was a goner. I felt funny in me 'ead all of a sudden. Kind of dizzy. And after that...I don't remember nuffin'."
"That must be when you passed out, Gina."
"... If...if I 'adn't done wot I done... ...the old cove might still be alive!"
"Did you tell the police everything you just told us?"
"'Course I did! But they didn't believe a word of it, did they? All they said was, if I kept tellin' lies, it'd make things even worse for me. ..." Gina said.
"It'll be alright, Ginny, don't worry. Just stay strong a little longer. Runo's about to put the real culprit through the mill!" Iris chirped.
"... That cove wot was there in the afternoon? That Eggert Benedict… I still remember 'ow 'e looked at me. Like I was nuffin'. 'E...'e was there that night."
"We don't know his real name yet... ...but I'm convinced that he's involved somehow." Ryunosuke said.
"He definitely is." I said, looking down at the floor. "Can't remember it right now. Sorry."
"..." Gina said.
"Anyway, thank you for telling us what happened, Gina. I appreciate your honesty." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"You wot?"
"You can leave it all in Runo's capable hands now, Ginny!" Iris cheered.
"... Mr Narra-'Oddo…" Gina said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Yes?" Ryunosuke asked.
"...'Ow come you trust me? I don't get it."
"..."
"I mean, 'ave you forgotten wot 'appened 'ere before? Come on, it was only two months ago. Me and McGilded...we told you a whole pack o' lies. An' you got the bogtrotter off wiv 'em! Even though 'e was a killer!"
"... No, I could never forget that."
"Oh…"
'I did what I thought was best at the time. And Jared had to maintain the timeline since he told me what happened was a still point in time. It became a fixed point in time. But the pain of that error of judgement doesn't get any easier to bear.' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, then he spoke aloud. "Still, don't forget that I also made you a promise. I told you that I'd be on your side to the bitter end, no matter what."
"But wot if I'm lyin'?! You could be workin' to get another killer off the 'ook for all you know!" Gina yelled.
"... I was once in your position, Gina. I was the accused in a trial." Ryunosuke said.
"You were?"
"Before I left Japan. I was accused of murder. And strange as it might sound, the circumstances of the crime were pretty damning. I was sure that no one would believe it wasn't me who'd done it."
"Oh, Runo…" Iris said, letting out a lot of tears.
"But there was one person, besides Jared, who stood up for me. Who believed in me, and was prepared to defend me. My best friend." Ryunosuke said.
Flashback…
"Ryunosuke, no one believes in you more than we do. Leave this to us. All you need to do is put your faith in us, and we'll do the rest!" Kazuma said, angrily.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"I was so happy, I cried. But even then... ...somewhere inside me, I couldn't help thinking: 'Surely they don't really believe in me. Not completely.'" Ryunosuke said.
"...!" Gina said, at a loss for words.
"But...I was wrong." Ryunosuke said, smiling. "As soon as my trial began, it was obvious... ...that they had an absolute, unwavering belief in me. And in turn, I developed an absolute, unwavering belief in them. Since then, I came to realise... ...if you want someone to believe in you, you have to believe in the other person first."
"Wot are you sayin'...?"
"I promise you, Gina, that no matter what happens, I'll keep believing in you. So you don't need to worry. I won't let you down."
"... Even though I'm a diver? ...And a no-good liar?" Gina asked.
"... You're not like McGilded. I know that." Ryunosuke said.
"Eh?"
"That's right! You're our friend, Ginny!" Iris said, excitedly.
"Gina, I trust you as I do with Shirai Kuroko." I said, happily. "She's a Judgement officer. That's basically like a hero."
"I-Iris! J-Jared!" Gina said, looking between Iris and I.
"We know you better than you think. And we've come to the conclusion that you're someone we can trust." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes!" Iris cooed.
"That's really all we need to know."
"Exactly!"
"Um...Mr Narra-'Oddo, I, um... I…" Gina said, letting out a lot of tears. "*Sniffle, sniffle*"
"Defendant Gina Lestrade and her legal representative! Court proceedings are about to resume. Please head into the courtroom immediately!" The bailiff said, angrily.
"Yes, of course! Thank you." Ryunosuke said.
"Gina, there's no need to worry." I said, looking down at the floor. "You'll be fine. Promise."
"I'd been both a defendant and a defending lawyer in my time. So I knew only too well... ...just how hard it was to put all your faith in another. And I also knew... ...just how hard it was to bear the burden of another putting all their faith in you." Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'This is it at last. The final chapter. The final battle. Wish me luck, Susato-san... And I hope you're watching over me too...partner!'
17th April, 1:41 p.m.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"I hereby call this court to order as we resume the trial of Miss Gina Lestrade. Lord van Zieks, have you successfully subpoenaed the witness?" The Judge asked.
"The subpoena was delivered to the communication station where the man works immediately, My Lord. However, the heavy rain has delayed the arrival of his carriage, it would seem." Van Zieks said.
"Hm, I see. Then let us turn our attention to Inspector Gregson's precis of the case heard by the court this morning. The glaring omission of the third bullet in your report is a serious blunder, Inspector."
"Yes, um, I can only apologise, My Lord." Gregson said.
"And although the defence's chemical analysis of the blood at the scene makes for a compelling argument... ...I cannot permit such untried methods to be used as evidence in my courtroom." The Judge said.
"Hmph! It's a big mistake to cross Hurley and me. A very big mistake!" Iris said, scoffing.
"My Lord! The subpoenaed witness has just arrived in the building." The bailiff said, entering the room.
"Thank you, Officer. Show him to the stand without delay." The Judge said.
"Eggs benedict. That's the name of a breakfast." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Mr Eggert Benedict... I didn't expect to be crossing paths with him again so soon. And certainly not like this.'
"Thank you for complying with the court's subpoena at such short notice, sir." The Judge said.
"But of course, My Lord. As an upstanding member of London society, it is my pleasure to oblige." Graydon said, walking up to the witness stand.
"Now, kindly state your name and occupation for the record."
"Ashley Graydon, communications officer."
"Mr Graydon and I both work at London's central communication station." Juror No. 5 said.
"Now perhaps somebody would kindly explain what all this is about?" Graydon asked.
"You were apprised of the situation by the court officer on your way here, I presume." Van Zieks said.
"Yes, I was. Something to do with a murder that took place at a pawnbroker's on Baker Street. And some nonsense about me having been there on the night in question."
"That is the accusation, indeed."
"This really is beyond a joke, you know."
"Very well. Without further delay, the court will hear your testimony now, Mr Graydon. You will respond to the accusation made against you under oath." The Judge said.
"Gladly, My Lord. Gladly." Graydon said.
Witness Testimony
- The Accusation -
"Naturally, I have occasion to make use of pawnbroking services from time to time. But are you seriously suggesting I colluded with these thugs to break into the place on the night of the murder? ...I have no intention of admitting to such an outrageous accusation. Even if certain parties here present claim that my blood was found at the scene. Some scaramouch detective's homebrewed tincture can hardly be taken as serious evidence." Graydon said.
"So...you deny the accusation completely, do you?" The Judge asked.
"I must say, I am dismayed. For the highest court in the land to be swayed by this self-professed detective's toy…"
"It was the will of the jury. And our great British justice system demands that the jury's will is upheld." Van Zieks said.
"Then it would seem we have the misfortune of a most inept assembly of jurors today." Graydon said.
"...! By golly!" Juror No. 1 cried.
"How long am I expected to be detained here?" Graydon asked, looking at the Judge.
"If, following the defence's cross-examination, your involvement in this matter has not been established... ...you will be free to leave immediately." The Judge said.
"Good. Then I shall be away in time for afternoon tea. Some small consolation at least."
"Let us not hold up Mr Graydon any longer than necessary, Counsel. Proceed with the cross-examination."
"So...we meet again, Mr Eggert Benedict. Or is it Mr Graydon?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... My apologies. You are...?" Graydon asked.
"Ryunosuke Naruhodo, defence lawyer. We have met."
"If you say so. Ashley Graydon. Enchanté. So…"
"Agh!" Ryunosuke said, annoyed.
"...I trust we can conclude this quickly." Graydon said.
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'But I'm NOT holding your flashy hat while we do.'
Cross-Examination
- The Accusation -
"Naturally, I have occasion to make use of pawnbroking services from time to time. But are you seriously suggesting I colluded with these thugs to break into the place on the night of the murder? ...I have no intention of admitting to such an outrageous accusation. Even if certain parties here present claim that my blood was found at the scene." Graydon said.
"Press for more information here." I said, happily.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Blood was found at the scene of the crime. There's no question of that. Mr Holmes's chemical analysis has positively identified the substance as such."
"But I am not the only human to have blood running through my veins, am I? How can you be sure that the blood is mine? It could equally be the blood of one of these two miscreants." Graydon said.
"Every individual's blood has a slightly different composition, it seems. Mr Holmes's chemical is able to differentiate different blood samples by-" Ryunosuke said, smirking.
"Spare me the science lesson! ...Who is this Holmes character anyway?"
"Oh. I, I assumed all Londoners would know the name. He's a grea- Well, a renowned detective."
"So, even you are unable to bring yourself to say 'great detective'." Van Zieks said.
"A great detective, you say? Tsk! Now we're in the realm of fairy tales, are we? The counsel for the defence thinks a British courtroom is an appropriate place for fairy tales, does he?" Graydon asked.
"Ryunosuke, Nash Skulkin wants to say something." I said, looking at Nash Skulkin.
"'Scuse me!" Ryunosuke said, looking at Nash Skulkin. "Do you have something to say about that, Mr Skulkin?"
"Eh? Wot? Me?" Ringo asked.
"...No, the Mr Skulkin next to you." Ryunosuke said.
"Right, I've had it up to here with this! How many times have I gotta tell you?" Gregson asked.
"Yes, I know. You're not 'Big Bruv Sulky'. Mr Nash Skulkin!"
"Eh? Cor blimey, guvnor! You wot?!" Nash exclaimed.
"Is it not the case that when Mr Graydon just spoke, a thought went through your mind? Would you care to share that thought with the court?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Eh? Me thoughts? I dun 'ave none o' them! It must've been 'im!"
"You wot?!" Ringo exclaimed.
"Mr Nash Skulkin! ...Answer the question, please. What went through your mind when Mr Graydon just spoke?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Nuffin'! Honest, guv! Nuffin'! I, I woz just thinkin'... ...if 'e waves 'is arm around like that much more, it'll open up the wound again, that's all!" Nash yelled.
"What wound?"
"Where 'e took the bullet, o' course! It woz only two days ago. It ain't gonna be 'ealed up yet! So I woz, um... Well, ya know... I woz worryin' for 'im, and... ... Oh, 'ell's bells!"
"Mr Graydon! Did you hear that?"
"What?" Graydon asked.
"Your comrade is worried about you, it seems. ...On account of your injured arm." Ryunosuke said.
"... My Lord."
"Yes, Mr Graydon?" The Judge asked.
"I have no idea what these two wretches are talking about. Certainly, I shouldn't be expected to answer anything in relation to their mindless insinuations." Graydon said, looking at the Skulkin brothers.
"Hmmm…"
"We know that someone other than the victim was hit by a bullet at the scene of the crime two nights ago. And from the height of the bullet hole in the wall, that person was likely hit in the upper arm or thereabouts." Ryunosuke said.
"..." Graydon said.
"Perhaps you'd allow a court official to examine your arm, sir? The left arm that you're currently clasping with your right hand, as if in pain!"
"... No. ...I refuse."
"...!"
"You have shown no evidence whatsoever that links me to these common thieves. Accordingly, I am not obliged to permit any such invasion of my privacy! As I've already said, I'm completely uninvolved in all this. I've never had anything to do with the pawnbrokery where this fellow was killed whatsoever! I take offence at the insinuation that I was in any way involved!"
"Hm...you claim to have had nothing whatsoever to do with Mr Windibank's pawnbrokery?" The Judge asked.
"My Lord! The defence would like that last statement to be added to Mr Graydon's formal testimony." Ryunosuke said.
"Very well, Counsel. Continue with your testimony, My Graydon."
"..." Graydon said. "The bottom line is, I've never had anything to do with the pawnbroking establishment where the man was killed!"
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said.
"Argh! This is so unfair! That chemical test is based on solid science! Hurley, Jared, and I know what we're doing!" Iris said, worried.
"The trouble is, unless the technique can be independently verified... ...we'll never get beyond this man's flashy stick-waving." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"And Luminol won't be used in forensics for decades." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "Ema would be mad about this."
"Granted, it is a very colourful alchemy. Perhaps it would make a good souvenir for your uneducated friends back home in the East." Graydon said, scoffing.
"Ooo. Someone's angry." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Something riled him there. Just for a moment, Mr Graydon let his feathers get ruffled…'
"But a souvenir is all it's good for." Graydon said.
"Nash…" I said, as I looked back at Nash Skulkin. "I can't wait to get back to Remnant after this."
"Jared? What's wrong?" Iris asked, and she looked over at me.
"I want this trial to end." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's all he's going to say on the matter, is it?'
"What do you think, Runo?" Iris asked.
"I think he has no intention of telling us anything. He's well aware that the less he says, the less chance he has of giving himself away." Ryunosuke said.
"Hm... The complete opposite of Hurley, then. He seems to think that the more he says, the better. And Jared, you're in between Graydon and Hurley."
"Yup." I said, looking down on the ground. "I am."
"Well, at least I managed to prise a little more information from these witnesses' lips. All thanks to the Skulkin brothers…" Ryunosuke said, looking at the Skulkin brothers.
"Yes! They were the key to it after all!" Iris chirped.
"So he says he had nothing to do with Windibank's…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Well, we know that's not true.'
"Perhaps now would be a good time to have a proper look through the Court Record."
"Good idea. You never know what tiny scrap of information could become a valuable weapon…" Ryunosuke said.
"Some scaramouch detective's homebrewed tincture can hardly be taken as serious evidence. The bottom line is, I've never had anything to do with the pawnbroking establishment where the man was killed!" Graydon said, angrily.
"Press for more information here." I said, sadly.
"Hold it!" Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Never had anything to do with it? You forget that I was there, Mr Graydon! On the very afternoon of the incident!"
"...Obviously, I am not a complete stranger to the pawnbroker's. I'm currently on the lookout for an armchair to furnish my study." Graydon said.
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "No! You were there to redeem an article!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Now Gregson wants to say something." I said, looking over at Gregson.
"'Scuse me!" Ryunosuke said, looking at Tobias Gregson. "Do you have something to add, Inspector?"
"Eh? Come again, sunshine?" Gregson asked.
"You were there, too, in fact, weren't you, Inspector? That afternoon." Ryunosuke said.
"... Well yes, I do remember meetin' yourself in the pawnbroker's that afternoon. You, Jared, your young Japanese assistant, and the accused were all present, as I recall."
"And at that time, this witness, Mr Graydon, was trying to acquire a particular article…"
"Um...well now…" Gregson said, frowning.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"I'm afraid I don't remember too clearly."
"What?! But, but you must!"
"I'm not going to lie and pretend I remember somethin' that I don't."
"...!" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'What's going on here?'
"Gregsy showed us a picture before, didn't he? You know, from the cameras that Hurley installed in Windibank's." Iris said, happily.
"...Yes, of course." Ryunosuke said, his eyes widening.
"Indeed. And the gentleman pictured bears a striking resemblance to the witness, I must say." The Judge said.
"Exactly! Which proves that Mr Graydon was in the shop on the afternoon in question!"
"At no point have I denied that fact." Graydon said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, speechless.
"I merely entered the shop to peruse the articles on sale and have a word with the broker. Nothing more."
"..." Gregson said.
'This makes no sense. I understand why Mr Graydon might be trying to cover his tracks... ...but why would Gregson be trying to avoid giving testimony about what happened?' Ryunosuke asked, while he looked at Graydon. "Sorry?"
"You must be confusing me with somebody else. I wasn't there for any such purpose." Graydon said.
"But, but the redemption article!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"That won't get you anywhere, Runo." Iris said.
"It really wouldn't." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "It's similar to this thing used for Apple Pay. You use the last four digits to identify Apple Pay transactions made with a credit card. The number is unique to the device. And Apple Pay won't be introduced for over a hundred years. And credit cards won't be introduced for a several decades."
"Iris! Jared! ...What do you mean?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Iris and I.
"It's like the Apple Pay thing Jared was talking about. I assume it was for anonymity. Mr Windibank never wrote the names of his customers on his redemption tickets. So you can't prove the ticket was his." Iris said.
"Ah!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Of course... She's right.'
"I'm afraid... ...you're going to need to produce some irrefutable evidence here. Otherwise he'll never admit to being there."
"Hm...irrefutable evidence…"
"Could this help?" I asked, taking out the Music Box Disk out of my sling bag and handing it to Ryunosuke.
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Music Box Disk. "Have you ever seen this disk before, Mr Graydon?"
"... Why? Is it supposed to mean something?" Graydon asked.
"This disk was, until the day of his murder, in pawn in Mr Windibank's shop. It was redeemed by the defendant, Miss Gina Lestrade that afternoon. However... ...somebody mysteriously appeared to try to take it from her. And that somebody was you, of course. Wasn't it, Mr Graydon?" Ryunosuke asked.
"As I have reiterated numerous times now...you are mistaken. That was not me. I've never seen that disk before in my life."
"It may have escaped your notice, but there is a small smear of blood on the disk."
"Ah yes. Resulting from an abrasion of the thumb, perhaps?" The Judge asked.
"That's right. The surface of the disk is covered in hundreds of tiny metal bumps. In the skirmish to acquire the disk, the thumb of the person who tried to take it suffered minor lacerations." Ryunosuke said.
"...!" Graydon said.
"So! While the disk bears the remnants of that skirmish in the form of this smear of blood... ...the thumb of the person in question must bear the remnants also. In the form of a scratch!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Good gracious! Indeed it must!" The Judge cried.
"Mr Graydon!"
"...!" Graydon said, at a loss for words.
"You refused to allow a court officer to examine your arm before. Are you now going to refuse to allow us to examine your thumb? Because I have no doubt that it bears a small scratch consistent with the smear of blood on this disk!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"...! ... Well well... ...it would seem I underestimated you."
"What, what is the meaning of this?" The Judge asked.
"So you admit it now? You admit you have a scratch on your thumb from when you attempted to take the disk from the defendant?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Ordaaar! Orrrdaaar! ...Well, Mr Graydon?" The Judge asked.
"...It would appear there has been something of a misunderstanding here. I did not attempt to take the disk, as you put it. No, quite the reverse." Graydon said.
"What are you trying to say?" Ryunosuke asked.
"It's really quite simple, you see. The disk was mine from the outset. Is there some crime in taking an item that you own out of pawn?"
"What?!"
"It would seem, Mr Graydon... ...that in this piece of evidence, my learned friend has established a link between yourself and the incident. Accordingly...you will tell the court everything you know about this disk now." Van Zieks said.
"...As you wish. Though I'm quite sure it has nothing whatsoever to do with the pawnbroker's murder." Graydon said.
Witness Testimony
- The Disk -
"There's a note on the disk saying, 'For McGilded', but the item belongs to me. The redemption ticket was stolen from me by the accused - that filthy gutterling - on the day in question. I proceeded at once to the shop in order to explain my situation and redeem my article. In the end, of course, the disk was taken by the police. In other words...I had absolutely no reason to break into the shop later that same night." Graydon said.
"Did I hear you correctly, sir? 'McGilded', you say? The famous London philanthropist? Who perished in this very courtroom two months ago after being acquitted of a distinctly messy murder?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, My Lord. The one and the same."
"Good Lord! Mr Graydon! Are you saying that Mr McGilded and yourself were acquainted?"
"... Yes. That's correct."
"Ordaaar! ...Well. I certainly didn't expect to hear that name uttered here in my courtroom again."
"Liar." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'According to what Gina told us, this disk was placed in pawn on that fateful night two months ago. McGilded himself gave instructions to deposit it at Windibank's.'
"It's funny that Mr Graydon here is claiming the disk belongs to him then, isn't it?" Ryunosuke asked.
"You're right, Jared. In all likelihood, he's lying." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'So he appeared that afternoon at Windibank's in order to get his hands on McGilded's disk for some reason…'
"Counsel, you will commence your cross-examination, please." The Judge said.
Cross-Examination
- The Disk -
"There's a note on the disk saying, 'For McGilded', but the item belongs to me. The redemption ticket was stolen from me by the accused - that filthy gutterling - on the day in question. I proceeded at once to the shop in order to explain my situation and redeem my article. In the end, of course, the disk was taken by the police." Graydon said.
"Press for information here." I said, happily.
"Hold it!" Ryunosuke yelled, doing the Hold it pose. "Yes, it was taken by Inspector Gregson here, wasn't it?"
"That's right. This was the very man. Apparently the police are collecting anything that has a connection to Mr McGilded. As evidence. That's what the inspector said, at least, as he seized my disk. And thanks to the skirmish with that wastrel, I snagged the end of my thumb at the same time." Graydon said.
"Gregson wants to say something." I said, looking over at Gregson.
"'Scuse me!" Ryunosuke said, looking at Tobias Gregson. "Is something wrong, Inspector?"
"Erm, well, erm... What d'you mean?" Gregson asked.
"The last remark Mr Graydon made in his testimony seemed to trouble you in some way." Ryunosuke said.
"Eh? No. No it didn't. It's nothin'. Leave it alone."
"Let me ask you this, Inspector: Why is Scotland Yard gathering Mr McGilded's possessions?"
"I can't tell you somethin' like that, sunshine!" Gregson said, angrily.
"What is it, Inspector? Investigative secrets?" Van Zieks asked.
"Yes. Exactly. You should know all about that!"
"Magnus McGilded, who died so...unexpectedly after his trial two months ago. A man renowned throughout the capital for his great contributions to public life. Yet he had a dark side, too…"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Where are you goin' with this, van Zieks?" Gregson asked.
"I suppose the police are dealing with the aftermath of his nefarious activities, are they?" Van Zieks asked.
"...That's enough! Coppers like me have duties to carry out that we're not at liberty to talk about. That's all you need to know."
"Duties conferred by Lord Stronghart, I presume. The Lord Chief Justice appears to have great faith in you, Inspector."
"... The bottom line is, if you wanna get more out of me... ...you're gonna need Lord Stronghart's pawprint first!" Gregson said, terrified.
"..." Van Zieks said, speechless.
"You don't want to piss off Lord Stronghart, do you? Especially if it involves 'you know what'." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'What's all this about? It's like there's something going on between Jared, Gregson, and Lord van Zieks here…'
"Well, it would appear that the inspector has revealed all he is at liberty to reveal. Mr Graydon, let us return to your testimony." The Judge said.
"Gladly, My Lord." Graydon said. "In other words...I had absolutely no reason to break into the shop later that same night."
"Liar, liar, pants on fire." I said, taking out the Pawnbroker's Ticket that was in the box out of my sling bag and handing it to Ryunosuke. "Here you go."
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Pawnbroker's Ticket that was inside the box. "This disk was deposited at Windibank's on Magnus McGilded's instructions. You knew that, and you went there with the intention of obtaining it for yourself."
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Conjecture again. And in any case, the disk was taken into custody by the police that afternoon. The witness had no reason to visit the pawnbrokery again that night!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "Sorry, my learned friend...but that's not true."
"What?" Van Zieks asked.
"Mr McGilded had another article in pawn at Windibank's... ...as this second pawnbroker's ticket proves!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Ah!" Graydon said, worried.
"There were two articles belonging to Mr McGilded in Windibank's pawnbrokery. And the reason you broke into the shop that night was to recover the second one... ...together with your two accomplices, the Skulkin brothers!"
"Agh!"
"Hmmm... This is the second ticket, is it?" The Judge asked.
"What had the man deposited?" Van Zieks asked.
"The article description reads, 'one small box'." Ryunosuke said, looking down at the second ticket.
"A rather vague description, it seems to me." The Judge said.
"Are you suggesting that I broke into the pawnbrokery with these...clowns in order to steal some trinket box?" Graydon asked.
"I believe there are adequate grounds to suspect that you did." Ryunosuke said, smugly.
"This is absurd! Why on earth would I do such a thing? Once the article had been forfeited, I could simply walk into the shop and purchase it. There would be absolutely no need for me to resort to theft!"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'That's a good point.'
"Hm, indeed. The witness makes a solid argument." The Judge said.
"So that means that for some reason... ...this Graydon fellow needed the small box that very night, does it?" Iris asked.
"Yeah. It does." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "It's time to put an end to this nonsense, My Lord."
"Could you be a little less cryptic, Lord van Zieks?" The Judge asked.
"I do hate to ruin my learned friend's argument, but the truth is quite incontrovertible. On the night in question, no small box was taken from Windibank's pawnbrokery. And rest assured, the prosecution can prove it."
"What?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Good gracious!" The Judge cried.
"Inspector, show the photographic prints to the court, if you please." Van Zieks said.
"Yes, sir!" Gregson said, excitedly.
"Photos? What photos?" I asked, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'What prints?'
"These prints were taken from one of the detective's security cameras." Gregson said, taking out the photographic prints and walking over to Van Zieks and handing them to him.
"Ah, Hurley's Red-Handed Recorders again!" Iris said, angrily.
"As previously explained using this plan of the shop layout... ...the victim's establishment was furnished with automatic cameras in two locations. One was set to capture the counter where Mr Windibank received his customers... ...and the other was set to capture the shelves on which articles were placed for sale once forfeited." Van Zieks said.
"Accordin' to the information on this ticket... ...McGilded's small box had been forfeited already. Two days before the incident, at 9 p.m. on 13th April to be precise. Which means it would have been on the shelves of forfeited items in the shop front. Now, what I have here is a print taken by one of the cameras about two hours before the incident. That's at 11 p.m. on 15th April." Gregson said.
"Hm, the victim certainly had a very full shop, it would appear." The Judge said.
"And then here we have another print... This one was taken about two hours after the incident."
"I see. So we have two pictures to compare. Though I must say that placing them side by side leaves me cold. Dear me, that's starting to make my head ache."
"Obviously, at Scotland Yard we considered theft as one possible motive in this case. We explored the possibility that something had been taken in addition to the victim's life."
"So your men have already compared these two prints thoroughly, Inspector?"
"Yes, sir! We counted every single item in each of these two photographic prints. And the Yard's conclusion is that exactly the same number are present in both!"
"Hmmm…"
"In other words, nothing was taken from the pawnbrokery on the night in question. And my learned friend's assertion is nothing more than a hopeful fantasy!" Van Zieks yelled.
"AAAAAAAAARGH!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I don't believe it! If I could have just shown that he'd stolen McGilded's pawned box... ...I might have been able to break him down at last.'
"You know what, Runo, Jared... ...I've been thinking. I wonder if these two photographs really are exactly the same." Iris said, looking down at copies of the photographic prints.
"Honestly. Same. It's like binoculars." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "They may look the same in theory."
"What...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"So, Counsel...in the light of the evidence put forward by the prosecution, what is your position? It seems that in fact, on the night in question, nothing was stolen from the victim's establishment. Do you accept the prosecution's assertion?" The Judge asked.
"Crap." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I don't know... Could there be some hidden discrepancy in these two photographic prints somewhere?'
"Yeah. There is a discrepancy. Point it out." I said, happily.
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'I wasn't sure at first, but…' He then spoke aloud. "There is a clear discrepancy between these two prints!"
"What?!" Van Zieks exclaimed.
"You must identify the location in question for the court, Counsel. Indicate the precise location of the discrepancy of which you speak." The Judge said.
"Over there." I said, pointing at the round box on the right photograph.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the round box on the right photograph. "Granted, these two prints are almost identical. However, there is one minor discrepancy between them."
"WHAT?!" Gregson exclaimed.
"When you view the two pictures stereoscopically... ...a single area stands out as being different: the location of this small box." Ryunosuke said.
"Let me... Wait…" Van Zieks said, looking down at the two photographs. "Un-Unbelievable!"
"By Jove, you're right! How extraordinary!" The Judge chirped.
"What this tells us is very simple! Mr McGilded's small box was indeed not stolen from Windibank's on the night in question. However, there can be no doubt... ...that somebody picked up this particular box and then returned it to its place on the shelves!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Are you suggesting that the small box originally deposited by Mr McGilded is in fact…"
"Yes! The very same small box I just identified in those photographic prints!"
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Mindless guesswork! What if it was?"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, speechless.
"So a box was moved on the shelf. Nothing was stolen. Which means quite simply...that nothing has changed." Van Zieks said.
"That, that may be true, but…" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'Alright, McGilded's box wasn't stolen then... ...but doesn't the fact that it was moved like that change things?'
"It could change everything." I said, smiling.
"You're right, Jared. I believe...this changes everything about the case." Ryunosuke said, smirking.
"How can that possibly be?" Van Zieks asked.
"The crucial point is the fact that what was moved was a small box. In other words, we have to consider what might have been inside that box."
"What are you suggesting?"
"..." Graydon said.
"I'm suggesting that we need to examine that box. As soon as possible! A vital piece of evidence is sitting on the shelves at Windibank's as we speak!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "That won't be necessary! Some little box belonging to a man who died two months ago can't possibly be relevant to this trial!"
"The court does not uphold your objection, Lord van Zieks. Bailiff! Arrange for an officer to go to Baker Street at once. Obtain the small box in question and bring it back here for further examination!" The Judge said, angrily.
My phone began ringing in my sling bag and I took it out of said bag. I looked down at it and saw that the caller ID was Sayaka Miki. I placed my phone near my ear.
"Sayaka. Not now." I said, my phone near my ear.
"Jared. How's the case going?" Sayaka asked, her voice coming out of my phone.
"We're waiting for the second box to arrive."
"So, you're on the case with 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'."
"Yeah. Iris and Gina have it rough."
"Wait till they find out about what happens in the second game."
"Don't remind me." I said, ending my call with Sayaka and placing my phone back into my sling bag. "Where were we?"
"In the middle of the trial." Iris said, happily.
"Right."
"We should have a report within half an hour. I think perhaps we should recess for a short while until the evidence is brought forth." The Judge said.
"To be hoodwinked by such a farce... Hmph. Disappointing." Van Zieks said, scoffing.
"I beg your pardon, Lord van Zieks?"
"This is nothing but a smoke screen. A Nipponese speciality, it would seem."
"What are you trying to say?" Ryunosuke asked.
"My learned friend has persisted with the same line of reasoning from the very beginning. That this witness's intent was to steal an article belonging to Mr McGilded from the pawnbrokery. Yet common sense tells us...that none of the articles have value enough to be worth stealing in the first place." Van Zieks said.
"Exactly! It would be beyond absurd to break into a place for the purpose of stealing such commonplace property." Graydon said.
"Hmmm…" The Judge said.
"If Your Lordship recalls, Mr McGilded perished two months ago, immediately after the conclusion of his trial. A trial in which he was found not guilty. A trial in which it was established he was the upstanding member of society his reputation implied, in fact. So I propose a toast. To my learned friend, and his most...insightful defence." Van Zieks said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, speechless.
"The articles this upstanding member of society pawned were entirely ordinary. A black overcoat that just happened to have a music box disk in one of its pockets. And a small box. I assure you, I wouldn't accept even if the man tried to make a gift of such things to me." Graydon said.
"You know, that does make rather a lot of sense."
"It's not as if it was gold or jewels, is it? Though goodness knows, Mr McGilded was rich enough!"
"But you can't deposit cash at a pawnbrokery. I'm quite certain of that."
"...The prosecution's argument is undeniably compelling." The Judge said.
"It is incumbent on the defence now to bolster its argument. To explain what possible significance these commonplace articles pawned by this fine citizen could have!" Van Zieks yelled.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Well, Counsel? Is your argument in fact demonstrable? Are you able to show proof that the disk or the box are in any tangible way related to this case?" The Judge asked.
"Well...erm... ..." Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Uh…" I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"What's the matter, Runo, Jared? We know that they're related, don't we? They're both vital pieces of evidence!" Iris said, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Yes, of course. The three of us know that. We know McGilded's true character. And we know the disk is significant, even if we don't know why. But if we explain all that to the court at this point... ...we'll have to acknowledge that McGilded's acquittal two months ago was a mistake. That the defence's argument was flawed. Based on false information." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh no!" Iris cried.
"Yup. Which is why revealing spoilers would put Gina at even more of a risk." I said, letting out a sigh.
"And that would mean... ...admitting that Gina committed perjury." Ryunosuke said.
"But Ginny…" Iris said, as she is letting out a lot of tears.
"Yeah." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Could it be that van Zieks knows? Is that why he's doing this now? Because he anticipated everything?'
"But maybe... ...this could be a great opportunity for us." Iris said.
"Sorry? What do you mean, Iris?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Well, what is it that you always say, Runo? 'Sooner or later, the truth comes out. Every time!'"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Alright, the exact significance of the things that McGilded deposited with Mr Windibank... ...is something that only Gina can explain to the court. But if I put her on the stand to testify about that... ...it could critically damage our chances of winning this case. What's the right thing to do here?'
"I'm sorry Gina. We need to have her testify." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Fair point." Ryunosuke said, looking over at the Judge. "My Lord, the defence would like to make a proposal."
"Oh? What proposal, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"While the court awaits the arrival of Mr McGilded's small box... ...I would like to call the defendant, Miss Gina Lestrade, to the witness stand." Ryunosuke said.
"The defendant? To what end?"
"It's to do with the various articles deposited at Windibank's by Mr McGilded, My Lord. Miss Lestrade has information relating to them. I believe it would be beneficial for the court to hear what she has to say. It will prove the significance of the articles in question once and for all!"
"Well well...things are becoming interesting. I presume you've considered the implications of the testimony you're proposing? In particular, the impact it will have on the accused's standing...and indeed your own." Van Zieks said.
"... I have." Ryunosuke said.
"Lord van Zieks? Would you care to explain that last remark?" The Judge asked.
"The prosecution accepts the defence's proposal. I move to interrupt the cross-examination of the current witness and hear from the accused herself!" Van Zieks said, angrily.
"... Very well, if you have no objection. So, the court will now hear the testimony of the defendant, Miss Gina Lestrade. You witnesses currently in the stand may step down until further notice." The Judge said.
"Then I shall bid you good day." Graydon said.
"Wait. You, sir, shall remain in the stand while Miss Lestrade testifies." Van Zieks said.
"... As you wish."
"I'm sorry, Gina. I'm so sorry." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Alright then, Gina, it's time... I know this will be hard, but please! Put your faith in me here!'
"Good luck, Runo…" Iris said, frowning.
My iPhone 16 Pro Max began ringing and I took it out of my sling bag. I looked down at the caller ID and saw that it was Maya Fey.
"Hey. Jared. Did you miss me?" Maya asked, her voice coming out of my phone.
"Maya?" I asked, placing my phone near my ear. "Why are you calling me in the middle of a trial? First Sayaka. Now you?"
"You told me to call you. Guess the blue box got the timing right."
"The TARDIS rerouted the call. Of course she did." I said, looking up to see Gina walk up to the witness stand. "Gina's up there, Maya. Got to go."
"Talk to you later." Maya said, and I ended the call on my iPhone 16 Pro Max.
I placed my phone back inside my sling bag.
"..." Gina said.
"The articles that Mr McGilded had deposited in Windibank's pawnbrokery... ...are intimately related with the omnibus case, the trial of which was heard in this courtroom two months ago." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes... And I remember this young lady being brought before me in that trial as well." The Judge said.
"That's right, My Lord. Her testimony helped to establish the innocence of the defendant, Mr McGilded."
"..." Gina said.
"The omnibus case was...intriguing, to say the least. And now here we all are again. The same players in that trial facing each other once more. A twist of fate perhaps...my Nipponese friend." Van Zieks said.
"... Allow me to recap the events of two months ago. An old brickmaker was stabbed to death in an omnibus running along London's winter streets. Apart from the victim, there was only one other person in the carriage: Mr McGilded. Naturally, he was the prime suspect for the murder. But as the trial progressed, another possibility emerged. That the murder in fact took place above the defendant's head on the roof deck... ...with the body then being dropped through the skylight into the carriage below. It was Miss Lestrade whose testimony brought that possibility to light. At the time of the incident, Miss Lestrade was concealed under a seat in the carriage... ...hoping to pick the pockets of unsuspecting passengers. Then, immediately after the trial, having being acquitted of the murder... ...Mr McGilded died in this very courtroom, in the most extraordinary of circumstances." Ryunosuke said.
"A mystery that remains unsolved even now, two months on. As indeed does the omnibus murder itself."
"Be that as it may... ...I recall neither the disk nor this 'small box' being mentioned in the course of those proceedings." The Judge said.
"Miss Lestrade…" Ryunosuke said, looking at Gina.
"..." Gina said.
"Would you tell the court now, please? What really happened in the omnibus two months ago, I mean."
"... I dunno wot ya mean. I already said all of wot I know!"
"And what about everything you told us yesterday from inside your prison cell?"
"...!"
"Please, Miss Lestrade. This is extremely important."
"B-But…"
"Remember, little girl... ...if it transpires that you wilfully withheld information in the trial two months ago... ...the Home Office will seek to prosecute you for perjury." Van Zieks said.
"...!" Gina said, at a loss for words.
"And naturally, you will lose all credibility as a witness. Although, let's face facts... ...you have little credibility to lose."
"..."
"Ginny, don't listen to him! Please! You have to trust Runo now!" Iris cried.
"Iris is right, Gina." I said, happily. "Van Zieks is trying to piss you off! Ryunosuke will prove your innocence. Promise."
"I-Iris...? J-Jared?" Gina asked, looking between Iris and I.
"We're on your side!" Iris said, excitedly.
"We really are." I said, smiling. "We never lost faith in you, Gina."
"... Alright then. ...I'll talk." Gina said, sadly.
"It's the right choice, Gina." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, it would seem that my learned friend... ...is hell-bent on bringing the entire courtroom down about his ears. ...So be it." Van Zieks said.
"I must confess that I'm struggling to understand what on earth is happening here. However, it would appear that Mr McGilded's pawned articles and that extraordinary case of the omnibus... ...harbour secrets of which we have been hitherto unaware." The Judge said.
"..." Gina said.
"So, Miss Lestrade, you will now give your testimony before the court about the events of two months ago. You will reveal the truth, a commodity sorely lacking in your original statements!"
"Gina." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This is it, then. Everything's going to come out. Like van Zieks said... ...this could bring the whole courtroom down about my ears. But as a lawyer, I'm prepared to take that risk.'
Witness Testimony
- The Real Truth of the Omnibus Case -
"Truth is, that brickmaker cove was in the cabin o' the omnibus the whole time. When the Irishman dragged me out from under the seat, I saw that disk on the floor. All of a sudden, I 'eard a scream from over me 'ead, an' that pair on the roof deck went off to call the slops. That's when McGilded slipped the driver some tin to do a run to the pawn shop round about. ...He threatened me not to snitch. Not to say nuffin' to no one about wot I'd seen or 'eard." Gina said.
"Good grief, this is outrageous! What you've just told the court bears almost no resemblance to your testimony two months ago!" The Judge cried.
"As you say, My Lord." Van Zieks said.
"Then, then there's every chance... ...I may have adjudicated in error in McGilded's trial! It sounds very much to me as if the man deliberately deceived this court... ...in an effort to cover up the most wicked of schemes!"
"Without doubt, Your Lordship is correct. A great injustice was done in this courtroom two months ago. The actions of the accused in that trial, of this witness...and of my learned friend are entirely inexcusable!"
"I hate this case. I really do." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"I don't believe it!"
"The whole trial was a farce? It was all lies?"
"That McGilded fellow was rotten to the core! Just like that pickpocket!"
"Don't forget that lawyer from the East! They were all in on it together!"
"Yer wrong, the lot o' ya! Mr Narra-'Oddo - the lawyer there - 'e didn't know nuffin' about it!" Gina said, worried.
"Humbug!" Juror No. 1 said.
"I don't think so. Are we really expected to believe that?" Juror No. 2 said.
"He really stitched everyone up, didn't he? What an operation, to get the man off scot-free!" Juror No. 4 said.
"Unforgivable! Stop. The lies have to stop! Stop." Juror No. 5 said.
"Yes, the defence made a terrible error of judgement. I intend to take full responsibility and suffer whatever consequences are deemed appropriate. ...However! It's imperative that the court allows the witness to elaborate on her testimony. Because the true significance of McGilded's pawned articles must be brought to light!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"... Very well...my learned student friend…" Van Zieks said, smirking.
"...!"
"Given the depths of calamity you have just plunged yourself into, this may well be worth hearing."
"Words fail me. This situation is...utterly deplorable. Mr Naruhodo!" The Judge yelled.
"Yes, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"I will decide upon your fate following the conclusion of this trial."
"Of course, My Lord."
"Blimey, Mr Narra-'Oddo…" Gina said.
"Now, Counsel. Proceed with the cross-examination!" The Judge said, angrily.
Cross-Examination
- The Real Truth of the Omnibus Case -
"Truth is, that brickmaker cove was in the cabin o' the omnibus the whole time." Gina said.
"Press for more information here." I said, happily.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "And you were hiding in the cabin at the time as well, weren't you, Miss Lestrade? If I remember rightly, in the storage compartment underneath one of the seats?"
"Yeah, that's right. It's pitch-black under there, so ya can't see nuffin' at all." Gina said, scoffing.
"Now, in your testimony two months ago... ...I feel certain that you claimed Mr McGilded was the sole passenger, did you not?" The Judge asked.
"False testimony, My Lord." Van Zieks said.
"That's...that's wot 'e told me I 'ad to say." Gina said.
"But it's important that you tell us the truth now. Were Mr McGilded and the victim acquaintances?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I dunno. But I did 'ear 'em talkin' a lot."
"What were they talking about?"
"Well I couldn't 'ear too well. But if I 'ad to say... ...I think it was about money or somefin'. They kept talkin' about 'buyin'' and 'not buyin''."
"Hm, perhaps business dealings of some kind…" The Judge said.
"Well anyway, they got louder an' louder. It started to sound like a proper fight. I was pretty scared by then. I 'ardly dared to breathe. And then, all of a sudden... ...I 'eard a noise like someone keelin' over on the floor. It was bloomin' loud an' all." Gina said.
"And I believe you let out an involuntary scream?"
"Yeah. That's wot gave me away. When the Irishman dragged me out from under the seat, I saw that disk on the floor."
"Press for more information here." I said, smiling.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Was the disk you saw this disk?"
"Yeah...I reckon it probably was. It was right next to the cove lyin' on the floor." Gina said.
"Could this disk have belonged to the victim perhaps?" The Judge asked.
"I dunno, but McGilded picked it up pretty smartish. An' then 'e sat the cove wiv the knife in 'is belly up on the seat."
"What did he say to you at that time?" Ryunosuke asked.
"'E told me not to say a word about wot I'd seen or 'eard to no one. About the disk an' all. I was dead scared. The way 'e was lookin' at me, I thought... ...if I didn't go along wiv it, I'd get stuck wiv that knife, too." Gina said.
"Hmmm…" The Judge said.
"Then 'e started askin' me a load o' questions. Like wot me name was an' where I lived an' that. 'E asked me about bein' a diver, too."
"But after a while, what had happened in the carriage was noticed?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Yeah, that's right. First there was a kind of rappin' noise. All of a sudden, I 'eard a scream from over me 'ead, an' that pair on the roof deck went off to call the slops."
"Press for info." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, and he did the Hold it pose. "There were two gentlemen occupying the seats on the roof deck, I believe?"
"That's right. They must've looked down through the skylight an' noticed the cove wiv the knife in 'is guts. When they screamed, the driver pulled up the 'orses an' McGilded got me out o' sight." Gina said.
"Out of sight? Where?" The Judge asked.
"Back under the seat where I started off. Once the carriage came to an 'alt, the two coves from the roof ran off to fetch the slops."
"If they immediately left to fetch the police, it would appear they were entirely unrelated to the incident." Van Zieks said.
"Hmmm…" The Judge said.
"So that left McGilded, the driver and you still at the scene." Ryunosuke said.
"Yeah. Only the driver didn't know I was there cos I was under the seat. I 'eard the cabin door open, an' a voice from outside." Gina said.
"The driver, yes... He also testified in the trial, I believe. A fellow who went by the name of Beppo, if memory serves." The Judge said.
"What did McGilded and the driver say to each other?" Ryunosuke asked.
"'I dunno wot 'appened,' an' stuff like that mainly. That's when McGilded slipped the driver some tin to do a run to the pawn shop round about." Gina said.
"Press for info here." I said, happily.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "That pawn shop obviously being Windibank's on Baker Street."
"Ju-Just a moment, Counsel! Do, do you mean to tell me... ...that the driver gave false testimony in that trial as well?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"Perhaps the excursion to the pawnbrokery slipped his mind when he was in the stand." Van Zieks said.
"Indeed, Lord van Zieks!"
"McGilded took off 'is coat an' gave it to the driver. 'E folded it up, all careful like, before 'andin' it over. When I saw 'im do that, I remember thinkin'... ...that coat an' wot's in it 'as gotta be worth a few bob." Gina said.
"Makes sense." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Yes, Gina was sure the disk must be worth more than Mr Windibank was suggesting, wasn't she? I remember her quibbling with him over the price that afternoon at the pawnbrokery.'
"The driver looked pretty 'appy when McGilded flashed some brass in 'is face. 'E went runnin' off at a lick. Then the bogtrotter called to me and told me to come out from the drag's cabin. ...He threatened me not to snitch. Not to say nuffin' to no one about wot I'd seen or 'eard."
"Press for information here." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Threatened you how exactly?"
"Told me I'd only be able to scarper if I did exactly wot 'e said." Gina said.
"Which included giving false testimony in court two months ago?" Van Zieks asked.
"Yeah, that's it. And there was one other thing 'e said."
"Which was?"
"'E told me I'd 'ave to 'ang on to the ticket from the pawn shop. An' make sure not to lose it."
"The ticket...? Well I never!" The Judge chirped.
"Said that if 'e didn't show up to get the ticket off me before two months passed... ...I 'ad to go to the pawn shop and pay the money to keep it in lug. To stop it bein' forfeited. 'E left me wiv some brass to pay for it." Gina said.
"But really... ...why on earth would Mr McGilded have done such a thing? Depositing his overcoat with a pawnbroker before the arrival of the police... It makes no sense at all."
"There would seem to be only one logical explanation, My Lord. What McGilded had the driver deposit at Windibank's was something he didn't want the police to see. Something very important, that he needed to hide at all costs." Ryunosuke said.
"...!" The Judge said.
"Anyway...after that, 'e let me go. So I legged it before the coppers showed up." Gina said.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"Thank you, Miss Lestrade. Thank you, Counsel. I've heard enough. I believe we now have a reasonable understanding of what actually transpired on the omnibus." The Judge said.
"It would appear on that night two months ago, a negotiation was taking place on the omnibus. A negotiation concerning this disk. However, matters did not run smoothly. When the parties involved began to quarrel over price, McGilded took what he wanted by force... ...at the expense of the other man's life."
"Which proves my point! The disk is clearly extremely valuable in some way!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Although I don't understand why as yet.'
"And two days ago, precisely two months after the omnibus incident... ...McGilded's coat and its contents were due to be forfeited." Van Zieks said.
"I didn't know wot I should do wiv the ticket. I mean, the cove died right after 'is trial. I knew that." Gina said.
"So you decided you would try to claim the articles as your own."
"Well why not, eh? They were only gonna be forfeited! Why shouldn't I 'ave got 'em? Anyway, ya can't blame me for thinkin' about it. Thinkin' ain't no crime!"
"Miss Lestrade, it would appear Mr McGilded was prepared to kill in order to take possession of this disk. Do you know why that would be?" The Judge asked.
"Eh? I ain't got a clue! But I reckon it must be worth a fair bit o' brass. 'E was probably gonna sell it. An' ya can't blame me for thinkin' that! Thinkin' ain't no crime!" Gina said, worried.
"Hmmm…"
"My Lord!" The bailiff said, entering the courtroom. 'The evidence Your Lordship requested has been located and is ready for the court's inspection, sir!'
'The mysterious little box, deposited by McGilded two months ago... There's no doubt in my mind that it's a key piece in this far-reaching puzzle!' Ryunosuke said, as a voiceover.