Cross-Examination
- The Moment of the Shooting Again -
"While these ruffians were jostling with the broker, I was still near the entrance to the shop. When Windibank threw Nash over the counter, I felt a sharp pain in my arm. I pursued the man but he shut himself in the storeroom. I could see him through the peephole in the door, though." Graydon said.
"Here you go." I said, passing Ryunosuke the Cat-Flapomat. "You'll need this."
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Cat-Flapomat.
"What on earth is that eccentric contraption, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"Ooh, it's my Cat-Flapomat, My Lord! It makes a way for cats to get in and out of a room. It can cut through any door you can think of and make a new little door in the middle of it!" Iris said, excitedly.
"That's right, My Lord. It's a device for creating so-called 'cat flaps': Small doors for cats to come and go as they please without their owners having to open the main door-" Ryunosuke said, happily.
"I'm sure we can all work that out for ourselves!" Graydon said, angrily.
"Agh!" Iris said, worried.
"But that cat-lover's contrivance has no possible relevance to this case!"
"Oh really?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Of course it doesn't! To start with, there was no cat flap in the pawnbroker's door." Graydon said.
"Hm... ...not being a keeper of cats myself, I'm afraid I fail to see what this has to do with the matter at hand." The Judge said.
"Perhaps it would help if I described its function another way, then. This contraption... ...is able to create a peephole in any door you can imagine in practically no time at all." Ryunosuke said.
"I, I beg your pardon? A peephole, you say?" The Judge asked.
"Two nights ago... ...we arrived at the scene only minutes after the murder of Mr Windibank had taken place."
"That's right. According to the paperwork at the Yard, it was you, Jared, your Japanese assistant and Holmes." Gregson said.
"Yes, the four of us were together. And it's recently come to my attention... ...that one of my assistants made use of this device at the time." Ryunosuke said.
"One of your assistants did what?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"There was a peephole in the storeroom door. I can attest to that. Because I looked through the peephole myself, in order to see inside the locked storeroom."
"This is ludicrous! What are you trying to say? Of course there was a peephole in the door. I said as much in my testimony! How else could I have witnessed the crime, for pity's sake?" Graydon asked.
"... Yes...how could you?" Ryunosuke asked.
"What?!"
"Counsel, kindly say what you mean." The Judge said.
'Alright, it's time... Time to strike the final blow…' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "What I mean is this, My Lord! One of my assistants made the peephole in the storeroom door. And until such time as she did... ...the door had no hole in it to look through!"
"Wha...? NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Graydon yelled.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "This is a farce! Are you really suggesting that the peephole in the door was…"
"Yes, it was created only after the incident had taken place. By my judicial assistant, not my fanatic assistant, using this device." Ryunosuke said, smirking.
"One of your assistants tampered with the crime scene, whilst being fully aware of the gravity of her actions? That is a most serious act of vandalism!" The Judge said, angrily.
"For which I humbly apologise, My Lord! It was in the few minutes that I left the scene in order to pursue the Skulkin brothers and alert the police. Nevertheless! In the light of this new information... ...it becomes apparent that Mr Graydon's testimony... ...is riddled with holes!"
"...!" Graydon said, at a loss for words.
"Riddled with...? Explain yourself, Counsel!" The Judge yelled.
"The majority of Mr Graydon's testimony that appears to incriminate the defendant... ...is based upon what he witnessed through the peephole in the storeroom door." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes... That filthy girl shooting the man in the back!" Graydon cried.
"However...if at the time of the incident... ...that peephole did not yet exist in the door... ...there's no possible way that you could have seen what you claim to have seen!"
"Grrr…"
"In short... ...your entire testimony...is a pack of lies!"
"Ugh!"
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! Is, is there any credence in this revelation?" The Judge asked.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "None whatsoever! ...As my learned friend must surely realise."
"Ex-Exactly! This is just some cheap trick designed to discredit me!" Graydon said, terrified.
"I'm afraid not, sir." Ryunosuke said.
"Of course it is! Do you seriously expect people to believe that plaything can cut through a solid wooden door?" Graydon asked.
"Oh yes! I designed it to be very powerful. It can cut through even the toughest of doors!" Iris chirped.
"It's basically a precursor to the sonic blaster." I said, handing Iris the Cat-Flapomat and taking out a sonic blaster out of my sling bag. "This gun here is from the 51st century. It can cut through walls and floors or open doors."
"Yeah. It's the successor to my Cat-Flapomat." Iris said, holding her Cat-Flapomat.
"That's absurd! I don't believe it for a second!" Graydon said, terrified.
"Haha, I had a feeling you'd say that." Iris said, smiling.
"What?"
"Waggy! Cooey! Time for dinner!"
"Miaow…" Wagahai said, walking through the cat flap to enter the courtroom, then walked through another cat flap to exit said courtroom.
"Well?" Iris asked.
"Ah!" Graydon said, in awe.
"Young lady! This is the Old Bailey! One does not make cat flaps in the oak panelling at the Old Bailey!" The Judge yelled.
"I'm...I'm not done yet, don't worry! This doesn't mean that the peephole in the storeroom door at Windibank's was made by your machine. And there's no way you can prove that it was!"
"No? But it's easy." Iris said, smiling.
"What?!" Graydon exclaimed.
"The cat flaps my Cat-Flapomat creates are all of a fixed size. And the dimensions of the peephole at Windibank's are an exact match."
"And at most, the dimensions are similar to the sonic blaster." I said, placing my sonic blaster back inside my sling bag.
"Ugh!" Graydon said, annoyed. "..."
"Hee hee!" Iris said, giggling. "Old Silky's lost for words!"
"Excellent work, Iris, Jared. Thank you!" Ryunosuke said, looking between Iris and I.
"And now it's my learned student friend's turn to be lost for words, I feel." Van Zieks said, smirking.
"...!"
"I believe your judicial assistant has already left the country for your Eastern island home. While your fanatic assistant is still in this time period for the time being."
"Well...yes, that's true."
"Then you may have some difficulty in establishing all of the facts. For the sake of argument, let us assume the peephole has dimensions that are a perfect fit for this contraption. In that case, when was the peephole cut? ...The prosecution demands proof of your answer."
"Agh!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"What is the purpose of your line of enquiry, Lord van Zieks?" The Judge asked.
"It's very simple, My Lord. The defence argues that the peephole was created after the incident using this device. But now that the perpetrator has returned to her native land, she cannot testify to the fact. There is no proof." Van Zieks said.
"Ugh…" Ryunosuke said, annoyed.
"And for as long as the defence remains unable to prove when the peephole was made... ...my learned friend's claim amounts to nothing more...than a baseless accusation!"
"WHAAAAAAAAT?!"
"Indeed that is so, Lord van Zieks. ...Well, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"I, um…" Ryunosuke said, frowning.
"Don't give up now, Runo! This is the time to create your own opening and force your way through!" Iris cheered.
"Iris is right, Ryunosuke. 'The fastest, shortest path! Steady, straight ahead!'" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I don't know if I can do this. But I do know one thing... Susato-san is the greatest judicial assistant in the world! And Jared's the President of the World, he has faith in me!'
"Very well. The counsel for the defence will present evidence to support the claim made. Proof that the peephole in the door of Windibank's storeroom was created after the event and not before!" The Judge said, looking at Ryunosuke.
"Here you go." I said, taking out the Photograph of Gina out of my sling bag and handing it to Ryunosuke.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Photograph of Gina.
"What are you...? A print from that detective's infernal cameras, again?" Van Zieks asked.
"My judicial assistant - Miss Susato Mikotoba - and my fanatic assistant - Mister Jared Shay - are extremely intelligent and capable people. Which is why I never had any cause to doubt... ...that they would have considered this scenario, and made sure I had the necessary proof!"
"And the necessary proof is this photographic print, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"...!" Graydon said, speechless.
"This print shows a scene in the shop moments after the defendant entered the premises." Ryunosuke said.
"Agreed. And it also shows the accused mercilessly wielded a gun in the direction of the defenceless broker." Van Zieks said.
"But, but more to the point... ...it pictures the storeroom door in the background!"
"Let me see that print again!" The Judge said, while I walked over to his desk and handed him a copy of the Photograph of Gina. "... I, I don't believe it!" I then walked back to the defense table. "This really is quite remarkable! The door to the storeroom... ...is completely devoid of a peephole of any description!"
"Agh!" Graydon said, angrily.
"Mr Graydon!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"...!"
"You couldn't possibly have witnessed the crime as you claim to have done. Because at the time it happened...there was no peephole in the door."
"Ugh…"
"In other words, your testimony... ...is a catalogue of lies!"
"Nrgh...urgn...grr... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! I am satisfied that the defence has substantiated its claim beyond all reasonable doubt. This witness's testimony was entirely fallacious!" The Judge said, angrily.
"..." Graydon said.
"That's not the only thing we now know beyond all reasonable doubt. One of my learned friend's assistants' guilt can no longer be denied. The woman tampered with a crime scene!" Van Zieks said, smirking.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"But more importantly…"
"Good Lord! There's more, Lord van Zieks?" The Judge asked.
"The defence may have established a reprehensible instance of perjury... ...but that is no proof that this man is the victim's killer." Van Zieks said.
"Yes... That's right…" Graydon said, his eyes widening.
"What?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I was there at the scene, it's true. And I was shot in the arm, it's true. ...But that's all. Yes, in fact, if you look at the circumstances... I am the victim here!"
"Oh please... NOOOOOOOOO!" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'I don't believe this. But they're right. As it stands now... ...I don't have any definitive proof that he is the culprit.'
"Still...he can't worm his way out of it now." Iris said, sadly.
"Iris?" Ryunosuke asked.
"You know what they say: There's no point locking the cat's door...after the cat has bolted. Isn't that right, Runo?"
"...!"
"As Hurley always says: 'One lie begets another.' No, wait... That might have been a line I wrote for him in one of my stories."
"Even so, 'Rule One: The Doctor Lies'." I said, happily. "I do. All the time. Have to. 'Spoilers'. I haven't said either first. Or I might have. Can't remember."
"... Well, no matter who said it first, for those three quotes, the both of you are right. Mr Graydon... Not only did you give false testimony to the court... ...but the lies you told make no sense." Ryunosuke said.
"'Make no sense'? What do you mean by such a remark?" Graydon asked.
"What you said in your testimony... ...reveals that you know something you shouldn't have known. In other words...there is a fundamental inconsistency in your statements!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"What?"
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "This is provocative talk, Counsel. Won't you enlighten the court? Explain this alleged inconsistency!"
'Iris was right with her quote. One lie begets another. And Jared was right because he lies to hide the painful truth.' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "The inconsistency is revealed by the lies in the witness's statements. They show that Mr Graydon had knowledge of something he shouldn't have known anything about. Namely…"
"It's the peephole." I said, looking down at the floor.
"The point is not that you lied in your testimony, Mr Graydon... It's the nature of the lie you concocted that is so revealing." Ryunosuke said.
"You're not making any sense." Graydon said.
"Then let me ask you a simple question: How is it, Mr Graydon... ...that you knew of the existence of the peephole in the storeroom door?"
"What? Well, obviously, I... ... Ah! ...Argh…"
"Has the cat got your tongue, witness?" The Judge asked.
"The peephole in the door was made after the incident occurred. And once I returned to the shop having failed to catch the two burglars... ...Scotland Yard's investigators arrived immediately. Since that time, the police have been at Windibank's constantly, carrying out their investigation. ...Isn't that right, Inspector Gregson?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Um, well... Yes, of course, erm... ...the place is chock-full of pawned articles and my lads have to thoroughly examine them all. So I gave the order to have officers workin' around the clock in shifts so we get through it all." Gregson said, sadly.
"And consequently there's no way that you, Mr Graydon, could have gained access to the shop."
"...!" Graydon said, speechless.
"Therefore! You should have known nothing about the peephole in the storeroom door. So the fact that its existence forms the basis of your testimony...is completely inexplicable!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Agh!"
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "And yet...the fact remains that Mr Graydon did maintain... ...that he witnessed the crime take place through the peephole in the door."
"How on earth is that possible?" The Judge asked.
"Um…" Gregson said, frowning. "...Could I have a word, please, Lord van Zieks?"
"Speak, Inspector." Van Zieks said.
"It's just that I really ought to be gettin' back to the station now to put in my report. There's really nothin' more I can add to this testimony, so if it's all the same to you…"
"Permission denied."
"Oh…"
"It's not all the same to me, Inspector. Not at all. You will remain exactly where you are until this trial concludes."
"... Of, of course, sir."
"Mr Graydon…" Ryunosuke said, looking at Graydon.
"..." Graydon said.
"You shouldn't have known about the existence of that peephole. Which can only mean... ...that you must have been informed about it by somebody else."
"Ugh…"
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Stop there, my learned friend. You realise, I trust, that the words you just uttered have extremely serious implications."
"...Yes. But the defence believes that the details about the case that Mr Graydon claims to have seen... ...must have been revealed to him by a certain person before his testimony." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'And, in fact... ...considering a particular clue we have, there's really only one person that could be!'
"Who is the person in question, Counsel? Who gave this witness details of the crime scene to facilitate his false testimony?" The Judge asked.
"Him." I said, handing Ryunosuke a profile of Tobias Gregson.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting Tobias Gregson's profile. "The truth is...it can only have been you, Inspector Gregson!"
"Eh?! Me?" Gregson asked.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "You had better have some proof to substantiate such a rash claim, my learned friend."
"Consider the fact... ...that we have only been aware of Mr Ashley Graydon's identity for the last few hours. We learnt of it only during the course of the trial today." Ryunosuke said.
"Indeed. Preparations for his testimony were made with great urgency during our hour-long recess. While the police executed the subpoena and brought the man here from the communications station." The Judge said.
"And until that time, Mr Graydon would have had no idea. No inkling that he would suddenly be required to appear in court."
"..." Graydon said.
"Are you suggesting that until such time as he was summoned…" The Judge said.
"Yes, My Lord. Until then, it's reasonable to assume he knew nothing of the peephole. It was only once Mr Graydon was in the stand that he realised his position. That he would have to defend himself against the accusation that he was the third intruder." Ryunosuke said.
"You're suggesting to the court that it was while this trial was in progress that he received the information?! So that he could commit perjury in order to save his skin!" Van Zieks said, angrily.
"Exactly. And the only person with knowledge of the investigation that he had any contact with... ...is you, Inspector Gregson!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"This, this is a bloomin' outrage! Why would I be givin' away details of our investigations to this fella, eh?" Gregson asked.
"Hmmm…" The Judge said, sadly.
"I was summoned to His Lordship's chambers durin' the recess in any case! Had you forgotten that?"
"Quite true. I had a number of questions regarding the events that transpired at the pawnbrokery."
"Which means... ...the first time these two laid eyes on one another was after proceedings resumed following the recess. Since then, they've been in full view in the stand, where such illicit discussions couldn't possibly have occurred!" Van Zieks said.
"Agh!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"Ooh...I've just remembered something, Runo, Jared." Iris said, happily.
"What's up?" I asked, looking down at the floor.
"What is it, Iris?" Ryunosuke asked.
"There was one time before, wasn't there? I think it was when Ginny was testifying." Iris said.
"...Oh yes, now you mention it... ...when the bailiff was dispatched to retrieve McGilded's music box from the scene of the crime... That's it!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'It was during that testimony! I remember finding it strange at the time. Mr Graydon and the inspector seemed to be having some kind of secret discussion.' He then spoke aloud. "It would have been possible for you to give Mr Graydon the information he needed then."
"You little toerag! You're makin' all this up! I'm, I'm a respectable Scotland Yard inspector for cryin' out loud! Why would I do somethin' like that? Why would I be givin' away confidential details to the likes of this bloke?" Gregson asked.
"Admittedly, you wouldn't have had any reason to do something like that for no gain. But perhaps... ...it was part of a deal of some kind. Then it starts to make more sense." Ryunosuke said.
"...! What deal, Counsel?" Van Zieks asked.
"I wonder if perhaps, in exchange for details about the peephole at the crime scene... ...Mr Graydon agreed to give a certain something to the inspector."
"...!" Gregson said.
"..." Graydon said.
"I'm sure I need not remind the inspector that, if found to be true, striking a deal of any kind with a witness... ...would be considered a gross case of malfeasance!" The Judge cried.
"Well, well I…" Gregson said, sadly.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "It's becoming clear... ...that jumping in with accusations is this Nipponese student's speciality."
"I, I don't do that!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"But with the stakes so high, the prosecution is not prepared to listen to baseless charges. It is incumbent on the defence now to present evidence in support of this diabolical claim." Van Zieks said.
"E-Evidence...?"
"Just what are you proposing that the inspector demanded of the witness in return? The court must see proof of this alleged deal!"
"Morse code." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'If Inspector Gregson really did strike a deal with Mr Graydon... ...then logically, there's only one thing he could have asked for... That MUST be it!'
"Runo...Jared…do you think it could be...?" Iris asked.
"Yes. It's the missing link that would join all the dots together in this puzzle." Ryunosuke said.
"I must press you for an answer now, Counsel. What evidence explains the nature of the alleged deal that Inspector Gregson made with the witness?" The Judge asked.
"Here you go." I said, handing Ryunosuke the Small Music Box.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Small Music Box. "Inspector Gregson! Besides this murder, is it not true that you've been working on another, very important case?"
"What...are you gettin' at now, sunshine?" Gregson asked.
"Is it possible that this other, top-secret case... ...is what's alluded to in this newspaper article here? The classified secrets being leaked overseas from the Ministry of Justice…" Ryunosuke said.
"How, how the bleedin' Nora could you...?"
"We discovered, during the course of this trial, the music box deposited at Windibank's by Magnus McGilded. A special music box, designed to play two disks at once. It would seem very likely now, that encoded on the pair of disks that were in McGilded's possession... ...are the leaked classified secrets."
"..."
"So I put it to you, Inspector...that in order to recover the second of the disks containing those secrets... ...you covertly made a deal with Mr Graydon in which you exchanged the disk for details of the case!"
"You... You little... AAAAAAAAARGH!!!" Gregson said, breaking down.
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!!" The Judge yelled.
"On the day of the incident... ...when we met you at Windibank's, you said this…" Ryunosuke said, looking at Gregson.
Flashback…
"I'll be takin' that whatever-it-is of McGilded's down to the Yard, thank you very much! So hand it over!" Gregson said, grabbing the Music Disk Box from Gina.
"No, don't! Don't give it to 'im! It's mine, that is! Mine!" Gina cried.
"I'm sorry, miss... ...but anythin' belongin' to McGilded has to be taken in as evidence now." Gregson said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"Scotland Yard already knew at that time, isn't that right? That Magnus McGilded was involved in the stealing of government secrets!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"... My orders were: Recover the medium used to convey the secrets leaked from the ministry... ...and do it on the q.t. Strictly hush-hush." Gregson said.
"And that explains why, when I presented this disk as evidence to the court... ...you objected so heavily, I presume? Because you knew that it contained highly confidential information." Van Zieks said.
"Blimey, not likely! I mean, I wasn't that sure of it myself. I realised there was a possibility, that's all."
"Inspector, surely... Surely you're not saying that in order to acquire the second of these music box disks... ...you did indeed reveal confidential details of the crime scene to the witness? To aid and abet this man in giving false testimony?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"There's no other way that Mr Graydon could have known of the existence of the peephole. It's the only explanation. A deal was struck between these two men!" Ryunosuke said, looking at the Skulkin brothers.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Nash said.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ringo said.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "If - and I stress 'if' - this sobering assertion turns out to be founded in truth... ...it would mean that the second disk is, as we speak, here in this very courtroom."
"Wait, what? In, in this room? How could you possibly make a claim like that?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Because Inspector Gregson is a Scotland Yard detective." Van Zieks said.
"What?"
"What's that supposed to mean, eh?" Gregson asked.
"As a seasoned policeman, the inspector will have approached this alleged deal with caution. Certainly, he would not have accepted a gentleman's agreement in this matter. No...he would have insisted on having the article agreed upon in the palm of his hand."
"Good gracious! Then...you mean to say... ...Inspector Gregson already has the item in question in his possession? He has the second disk actually on his person?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"Yes!" Ryunosuke said, looking at Gregson. "The defence demands that the inspector is searched at once!"
"Definitely! They could only have struck a deal with each other when Ginny was testifying before. And Gregsy hasn't moved from the witness stand since!" Iris said, excitedly.
"My Lord, please! Order an examination of his personal effects immediately!"
"Hmmm... Well, Inspector?" The Judge asked.
"... This young lad wants to tone down his imagination. He's insulted me and my profession quite enough." Gregson said.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"However... ...if it'll put this matter to bed and dispel any doubts about my involvement... ...then I'll happily submit to a body search!"
"What...?" Ryunosuke asked, and he thought this to himself. 'He's going to agree to it?'
"...I presume you're aware of the precipice on which you now teeter, my learned student friend? You've made a most serious allegation against Scotland Yard here. If, following the search of the inspector's personal effects, no disk is found... ...you will be deemed unfit for court service, this trial will end... ...and my country's government will formally demand of yours that you are severely reprimanded." Van Zieks said.
"That sounds serious…" Ryunosuke said.
"Indeed. To have a visiting student make such defamatory remarks about our country's most senior police force... ...is not something Her Majesty's government will be able to overlook." The Judge said.
"You're just threatening Runo because you're scared!" Iris cried.
"The accusation is beyond serious. You must be prepared for grave consequences." Van Zieks said.
"..." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'It's true... I can't imagine Gregson would have accepted a gentleman's agreement for something so critical. The disk must have physically changed hands. Which means the inspector should have it. But somehow...something doesn't feel quite right here…'
"Very well, Counsel. You know the implications. So let me ask you one final time…" The Judge said.
"Y-Yes, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"Do you still persist in formally requesting a search of the inspector's personal effects?" The Judge asked.
"Ryunosuke, you have to search someone else." I said, sadly. "It can't be Gregson."
"Fair point, Jared. Yes, the defence formally demands the search be conducted!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Well!" The Judge said, angrily.
"Don't say you weren't warned. But your typical Nipponese stubbornness may well land you in hot water this time. Perhaps the lesson will do you some good." Van Zieks said.
"Fair enough. I've got nothin' to hide." Gregson said.
"Very well, then. Bailiff! Conduct a search of the inspector's personal effects, please." The Judge said.
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "The defence demands a search...but not of Inspector Gregson."
"What?" Van Zieks asked.
"Now what's all this? I'm the one you're accusin', aren't I? I thought you wanted to search me." Gregson said.
"No no, Inspector. Not you. Somebody else." Ryunosuke said.
"What's the meanin' of all this, eh? Lost it at last, have you, sunshine? The court shouldn't have to put up with this nonsense! You're bein' completely irrational!"
"Be quiet! All of you!" Iris said, letting out a lot of tears. "Runo's doing what you all told him to do, and having the courage of his convictions. So you should respect that and listen to what he has to say in good faith! Because that's the British way!"
"...!" The Judge said.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"Well said, young lady. Indeed, this court is in awe of the defence counsel's conviction...and eagerly awaits his next words."
"You what? Now don't be hasty, My Lord!" Gregson said, worried.
"He isn't being hasty, Gregson." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'If I'm not mistaken about the things I've seen in court today... ...I'm fairly sure that I know who has that disk at the moment. There's only one person it can be.'
"Counsel, of whom do you request this search now?" The Judge asked.
"Him." I said, passing the profile of Nash Skulkin to Ryunosuke.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the profile of Nash Skulkin. "Of, My Lord...Mr Nash Skulkin!"
"Well I never!" The Judge said, at a loss for words.
"EEEEEEEEEH?!" Nash exclaimed.
"BLIMEEEEEEY?!" Ringo exclaimed.
"Meeeeeeeeeeee?"
"'Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiim?"
"Very well then. Bailiff! Restrain the witness and conduct a thorough search of his personal effects!" The Judge said.
"Hold it!" Gregson said, doing the Hold it pose. "...Please, My Lord!"
"Inspector?" The Judge asked.
"Scotland Yard, erm...has to object to this search!" Gregson said, angrily.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Unfortunately for you, Inspector...your objections carry no weight here."
"Eh?"
"In this courtroom, only the prosecution and the defence have the authority to object. "
"But, but Lord van Zieks…"
"I have no idea what forces are in play that might influence your actions... ...but personally, I have no intention of obstructing the course of this trial."
"Agh!" Gregson said, terrified.
"Bailiff! Carry out the search!" The Judge said, looking at the bailiff.
"Now 'old on a mo! I, I dun't know nuffin'! N-Nuffin' about no disk... C-CUT IT OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUT!!!" Nash cried.
"AAAAAAAAAH! Here, My Lord! In, in the witness's pocket... I found this!" The bailiff said, taking something out of Nash's pocket.
"Good Lord! That's…" The Judge said, in awe.
"...Another music box disk." Van Zieks said.
"I dun't know nuffin' about it! Nuffin'!" Nash said, worried.
"..." Gregson said.
"..." Graydon said.
"That is the second music box disk left behind by Magnus McGilded. Is it not...Inspector Gregson?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Urgh... AAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!" Gregson said, breaking down.
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! Mr Skulkin, what have you to say for yourself?" The Judge asked.
"Gordon Bennett! I mean, just...Gordon flamin' Bennett! I swear I didn't know nuffin' about that disk! Honest to God!" Nash said, worried.
"Counsel, would you please explain what exactly is going on here? The alleged deal that was struck was between this witness... ...and this detective, no?"
"Without question, My Lord." Ryunosuke said.
"Then for pity's sake... ...why on earth was this man in possession of the disk that the inspector traded for information?" The Judge asked.
"Inspector Gregson is a shrewd, calculating man who rarely loses his composure. But at one particular point in this trial, he exhibited some unusual behaviour for a brief moment."
"I don't recall. What unusual behaviour?"
"Ah!" Gregson said, at a loss for words.
"It was...yes, during my cross-examination of Mr Graydon." Ryunosuke said.
Flashback…
"Tell me, Mr Graydon, when you left the pawnbrokery that night... ...was it by any chance with the second disk in your jacket pocket?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... You're like a bull at a gate, aren't you? But I admit to nothing of the sort. After all, you can't even show the court such a disk exists...can you?" Graydon asked.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"While Mr Graydon answered my questions... ...the inspector appeared to have grabbed Nash Skulkin by his coat and was shaking him violently." Ryunosuke said.
"Yeah! 'E did an' all! Thought me noggin woz gonna fall clean off, I did! I woz wishin' I'd been born as me bruvver, I woz!" Nash cried.
"And what exactly happened to make the detective attack you like that?"
"I ain't got a clue! 'E just suddenly turned an' grabbed me whistle like that an' started shakin' me! 'Why the blazes didn't ya mention the third gun when we got ya down the station?' That's wot 'e said. Yelled it right down my ear 'ole, 'e did! Me 'ead's still throbbin' now!"
"Hm…" The Judge said.
"The way the detective behaved then was extremely out of character. But looking back now...it must have been then that he did it. That was the opportunity Inspector Gregson created for himself in order to hide the disk." Ryunosuke said.
"Well bless my wig! He hid it?!"
"You…" Gregson said, annoyed.
"But I'm afraid I fail to comprehend the motive here. If the detective had acquired the disk he was after... ...why on earth would he then proceed to hide it in another man's pocket? This is a court of law! He could have submitted the item as evidence." The Judge said.
"It would appear, My Lord, that the inspector was not at liberty to do that." Van Zieks said.
"Whyever not?"
"As the man himself revealed earlier, his current assignment has some...special conditions."
"... My orders were: Recover the medium used to convey the secrets leaked from the ministry... ...and do it on the q.t. Strictly hush-hush." Gregson said.
"'Hush-hush'? A top-secret assignment, is it?" The Judge asked.
"As far as we're aware, the information stolen comes from confidential government communications. It would seem that if that information were to be revealed in court as evidence, it would be...problematic. ...Does that sum up the situation, Inspector?" Van Zieks asked.
"... I'm operatin' under direct orders from the ministry. I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to answer that question." Gregson said.
"So...realising there was a chance that you may be searched here in court... ...you took steps to hide the disk you had acquired from the witness."
"Ah! Does this mean...?" The Judge asked.
"He only pretended to attack Mr Skulkin in order to get close enough to him... ...to slip the second disk into his pocket." Ryunosuke said.
"So it was all a pretence?"
"..." Gregson said.
"Spoilers." I said, frowning.
"..." Graydon said.
"Well now, Inspector Gregson... And you, Mr Graydon... ...are you prepared to admit to the accusation made against you of this alleged deal?" The Judge asked.
"... ...Admit to it? Yours truly? Please…"
"Mr Graydon!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"Clearly our Eastern visitor has an uncommonly active imagination. However, there's no proof that I passed that disk to the inspector." Graydon said.
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But! But then... ...how do you explain the reason why you knew about the peephole?"
"I'm under no obligation to explain."
"What?"
"Yes, I lied in my testimony. That I admit, so sentence me accordingly. But that is all I admit. Murder...? Leaking government secrets...? Striking a deal with the detective...? All of it is this young Eastern man's fancy. I have no idea what any of that is about!"
"You... WHAAAAAAAAAT?! Well, what about you then, Inspector Gregson? Do you admit to making a deal with Mr Graydon in order to acquire the disk?" Ryunosuke asked.
"...Ladies and gents of the jury... ...as a Scotland Yard inspector, I will declare this and nothin' more." Gregson said, frowning.
"...!" Juror No. 1 said.
"I am actin' in the best interests of the country. Whatever I've done, it's been in the name of justice." Gregson said.
"...!" Juror No. 2 said.
"...!" Juror No. 3 said.
"So, as members of the public of this fine country... ...I'd like to think that justice will be your guidin' light when you're makin' your decisions." Gregson said.
"...!" Juror No. 4 said.
"...!" Juror No. 5 said.
"...!" Juror No. 6 said.
"Hmmm... This is quite a quandary indeed. Rarely have I encountered such extraordinary tumultuousness in the concluding of a trial. Nevertheless, in the absence of any further evidence to be presented... ...I believe it is time that we put the matter to the jury for their final leanings." The Judge said.
"Well now...as a fellow servant of Queen and country, I must say I sympathise with the old inspector." Juror No. 1 said.
"Yes, he's a dependable man, I'm quite sure. In service, one becomes a good judge of character." Juror No. 2 said.
"Even crossing your eyes doesn't help when it comes to looking at this case. It's all blurred to me…" Juror No. 3 said.
"Well, as a fellow professional, I'd like to put my faith in the detective, really." Juror No. 4 said.
"Graydon is highly skilled operator! Stop. Currently in presence of idol! Stop." Juror No. 5 said.
"...Detective has wery much trust in eyes. More than this, I cannot say." Juror No. 6 said.
"Damn." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I don't believe it! These six jurors are... They're going to believe Gregson! If they declare their decision now…'
"Is Ginny going to be found guilty?" Iris asked.
"If I don't manage to produce some definitive evidence right now, then...we're going to lose! Either some proof that Graydon killed Mr Windibank or stole those government secrets... Or some evidence to force Gregson into admitting that he struck a deal with the witness…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Well then, Counsel... ...I think it's time I imposed on the jurors to declare their final decisions, no? That is, unless you have some compelling evidence you have thus far not presented to the court?" The Judge asked.
"God. What would Haruhi Suzumiya or Madoka Kaname do?" I asked, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'If I let the judge call on the jurors to announce their leanings, Gina will be found guilty.'
"So there's no choice then, Runo! You have to throw some more evidence at them!" Iris chirped.
"Yup. You do, Ryunosuke." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This is it now. It all comes down to this... Who do I present evidence against? Gregson...or Graydon...?'
"You can't present evidence towards Gregson. So do it towards Graydon." I said, happily.
"Mr Graydon... ...there is one final piece of evidence I would like you to see." Ryunosuke said, looking at Graydon.
"Hmph, you misguided fool. Whatever you intend to show me now, you'll be wasting your time. I have nothing left to lose. I assure you, I will admit to nothing." Graydon said, scoffing.
"Good luck, Ryunosuke." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'This is my last chance. It looks like I'm going to have to force his hand here. One final piece of evidence to get him to admit to the deal he clearly struck on the stand.'
"Here you go." I said, handing the Music Box Disk to Ryunosuke.
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the Music Box Disk.
"Is that...Mr McGilded's music box disk, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"Yes. The first disk of two, which has already been placed in Mr McGilded's special music box ready to play." Ryunosuke said, handing the Music Box Disk back to me. "You know what to do, Jared."
"I do." I said, placing the Music Box Disk in the Small Music Box.
"I think perhaps now would be a good time to listen to the sound produced by the music box again. Only this time... ...with the second disk we've just discovered set in place as well!" Ryunosuke said.
"Goodness! This disk, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"Hold it!" Gregson said, doing the Hold it pose. "No! Wait! I, I can't let you do that!"
"Why not?" Ryunosuke asked.
"B-Because, um... Well! Because it's got nothin' to do with this case, that's why!" Gregson cried.
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "Not true, Inspector!"
"Eh?!"
"The defence has already proposed... ...that the sounds heard by the court earlier from this music box were part of a Morse code message." Ryunosuke said.
"...!" Graydon said, speechless.
"We know that Morse code comprises of two distinct tones. The defence believes that the second disk contains the second tone needed to complete the message! And now we have a chance...to confirm that theory!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"For cryin' out loud, sunshine! We're talkin' about state secrets here! If you go lettin' the whole courtroom hear confidential information like that, it's...it's treason!" Gregson said, terrified.
"Then do you admit the charge? That in order to protect those state secrets, you engaged in unlawful dealings with the witness?"
"You're... You're mad... If you let that secret information out into the public domain... ...you'll...you'll be makin' an enemy of the entire British government, you idiot!"
"Objection!" Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "Let's not forget, Inspector, that you - a Scotland Yard officer - leaked confidential case details to a witness! That you continue to lie to the court! And all because, by fair means or foul, you're determined to do your duty. Well...by fair means or foul, I'm prepared to do mine!"
"Don't you dare…" Gregson said, sadly.
"I will stop at nothing to protect my client! I don't care who I make an enemy of!"
"..." Van Zieks said.
"My Lord! If you please! The court must hear the sounds made by that music box!" Ryunosuke said, looking at the Judge.
"Come on, van Zieks, Jared! For Pete's sake! Stop 'im!" Gregson said, looking between Van Zieks and I.
"Objection!" Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Inspector, you should know my methods by now. I'm a prosecutor. ...I'm no Scotland Yard puppet."
"Sorry, Gregson. Even if I work with Torchwood Cardiff in this time period, I don't work with Scotland Yard." I said, smiling. "It is wrong seeing Gina hurt and Iris upset."
"Ugrk…" Gregson said, annoyed.
"In this courtroom, my duty is to the law. And Jared's duty is to his family and friends. So let me propose a toast. To uncovering the truth...by fair means or foul." Van Zieks said.
"NOOOOOOOOO!!!" Gregson yelled.
"...!" Ryunosuke said.
"Very well, the defence's stance here and that of the prosecution has been made very clear, I feel. Therefore...in accordance with the defence's request... ...the court will now listen as this music box is set in operation once more. This time...with the second disk in place, and both disks playing simultaneously…" The Judge said.
"Okay." I said, turning on the Small Music Box and playing the noise.
...
"Oh, listen to that... It's...it's unmistakable now... It's Morse code!" The Judge said, his eyes widening.
"Hold it!" Gregson said, doing the Hold it pose. "Alright, alright! I admit it! Whatever you want! But for the love of God... ...shut that bloomin' box up!!!"
...
"Let me ask you again then, Inspector Gregson... Did you, or did you not, strike a deal with the witness next to you in the stand, Mr Ashley Graydon?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Specifically, did you furnish the witness with confidential case details in exchange for this music box disk? Did you reveal the existence of the peephole in the pawnbroker's storeroom door, Inspector?" The Judge asked.
"... I did." Gregson said, frowning.
"...! Stop! What are you doing, man?" Graydon asked.
"... It's all exactly like the young Eastern lawyer said. When the trial resumed after the recess, and we were stood here in the stand together... ...that's when he approached me with the deal."
"Shut up, you imbecile! SHUT UP!!!"
Flashback…
"Psst, you there... You're the detective who turned up at the pawnbrokery the other day, aren't you? I may have something you're looking for, Inspector. With me at this very moment. So how about a trade? I suggest you accept... ...or information that may make certain individuals uncomfortable will soon become very public indeed." Graydon said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"I couldn't let that information become public knowledge. Not under any circumstances. So I accepted the man's proposal, and told him details about the case that should've put him in the clear. The peephole in the storeroom door...and the bloodstains on the overcoat." Gregson said.
"By giving false testimony, this witness intended to have the defendant wrongly accused of murder. Inspector, you knew that! Yet you still revealed those details to facilitate the witness's perjury!" Ryunosuke said, angrily.
"... I did. But then it turned out the peephole had only been made that night, after the incident took place. Scotland Yard wasn't aware of that, if I'm perfectly honest."
"Well, Mr Graydon? What do you have to say for yourself?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Uh...ugh…" Graydon said, annoyed.
"There's nothing and no one left for you to hide behind. You struck a deal with the inspector in order to escape conviction of a very serious crime. Namely this... You are the third intruder who broke into the pawnbrokery on the night in question... ...and YOU perpetrated the murder of the proprietor, Mr Pop Windibank!"
"Nrgh... You... You... TRAITOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!" Graydon said, walking up to Gregson.
"Bailiff! BAILIFF!!! Restrain that man! At once!" The Judge yelled.
"That's it. Finally." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's it then. It's all over…'
.........
......
...
"I despised my life growing up. Those slums are vile places. I was cursed from birth. Born into poverty, the son of a penniless artisan. My parents did nothing but quarrel all day long. What little money they had was never spent on me." Graydon said, sadly. "So I set about studying. To better myself. To one day escape from that hellhole."
"And you eventually became a communications officer. ...I admire your determination." The Judge said.
"But then you decided to try to sell government secrets? Why?" Ryunosuke asked.
"... Isn't it obvious? Because I wanted money. Even now, years later, the nightmares of my life in the slums wake me in the small hours. I wanted to drown them out. With more money than anyone who lived in that squalor could ever imagine. Then one day, I met him. Mr Magnus McGilded." Graydon said.
Flashback…
"Yer a feen with a quare talent, so you are. I've money to throw yer way if yer interested. All ye need to do...is go along with me little plan now." McGilded said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"I was to steal the ministry's telegraphic message logs and McGilded would buy them for a handsome sum. As I was responsible for inspections of the ministry's communications office, it was a simple enough task." Graydon said.
"The lure of the devil's offerings... How easy it is to succumb." Van Zieks said.
"But you must surely have realised the seriousness of the crime you were committing." The Judge said.
"And for that reason, I took great lengths to ensure that my actions were untraceable." Graydon said.
"By using the music box." Van Zieks said.
"... My father was a brickmaker. Though my mother divorced him when I was still a child."
"Yes, Mr Mason Milverton." Ryunosuke said.
"Also known as 'Thrice-Fired' Mason." I said, frowning.
"That's right. He was very skilled with his hands. He'd once been a music box maker's apprentice. I imagined his skills would be sufficient to create a machine that could generate Morse code. So I sought out my father again...to employ his services. It was the first time I'd seen him since I left the slums ten years earlier." Graydon said.
Flashback…
"Look at you, Ashley. What a fine gent you've become, eh?" Mason asked.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"He was a different man to the one in my memory. A thin, frail old man. But poverty had never broken him. Never corrupted him like it had me. I was sure that he wouldn't help me if I told him the real reason. So I made up a story." Graydon said.
Flashback…
"I've got some work for you, Father. I need some music box disks made." Graydon said.
"Music box disks, eh?" Mason asked.
"A musician friend of mine has written some music he wants to sell to the public. I've brought the score with me. There are two, actually."
"I'd be delighted, son. ...It's been twenty years since I did any work like this, though. Fetch my tools, would you? They're in the loft."
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"That's how I had him make the two disks." Graydon said.
"Thereby splitting the information in two... You were taking considerable precautions indeed." Van Zieks said.
"It was to protect myself as much as anything. It meant that I could deal with McGilded in two separate transactions. The first involved the first of the two disks and the music box for playing them. I exchanged them with McGilded for ten guineas. Then, on receipt of the second disk, he would pay a thousand guineas."
"So...what happened on the omnibus two months ago... ...was the second part of a deal? The exchange of the second disk?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Yes. I'd sold the man information that way a number of times already. But it seems he became reluctant to part with his money."
"But that doesn't quite make sense, Mr Graydon. For why was it that on the omnibus two months ago... ...your father, Mr Milverton, was the one dealing with Mr McGilded and not yourself?" The Judge asked.
"When I received the thousand guineas after my first completed dealings with McGilded... ...I decided to give two hundred to my father for his troubles. But my father realised something was amiss. In time, he worked out that I must be involved in something...dubious. And when he did, he said to me." Graydon said.
Flashback…
"Next time there's an exchange, you'll let your old man do it, understand? Otherwise I won't take your money any more." Mason said.
"..." Graydon said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"...That was my father's way of dealing with it, I suppose. 'Climb into the omnibus, hand over the second disk, and take the money from McGilded. That's it.' He had no idea what was actually on the disks I'd asked him to make. He never knew. ...Just like I'll never know why everything went so horribly wrong that night. All I know is that the disk was taken from him... and he never returned home." Graydon said.
"..." Ryunosuke said.
"..." Van Zieks said.
"..." The Judge said.
"I'm sorry." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag. "I'm so sorry. What happened next?"
"It was only then that I found out what sort of a monster McGilded really was. So after ten years of not once uttering it, I swore on my father's name... ...to exact revenge." Graydon said.
"Revenge?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"...As anyone with even the remotest knowledge of the man will no doubt be able to imagine... ...McGilded brought all his wealth and influence to bear in the most despicable of ways... ...to crush any semblance of justice in his trial." Van Zieks said.
"...!"
"The crime scene was tampered with, evidence was fixed, and witnesses were bribed. That trial two months ago was a farce from start to finish."
"That trial was horrible. It was awful." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'My feet had barely touched British soil back then. And I walked into that hornets' nest, completely unaware of the sinister background to it all…'
"I'd made plenty of money out of my dealings with McGilded by then. So I spared nothing in my arrangements two months ago. I knew exactly who to hire. If you're willing to pay the price, there are people in this city willing to do anything you ask. McGilded himself had shown me that." Graydon said.
"Are, are you saying that...?" Ryunosuke asked.
"I think you have the picture now. After he twisted everything to his favour in this courtroom to ensure that he walked free... ...I took matters into my own hands...and delivered the justice that monster deserved! That 'tragic accident' following the trial here two months ago... ...was planned and executed... by yours truly."
"Oh." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'McGilded's death that day... ...was caused by this man!'
Flashback…
"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. They're goin' to examine the omnibus again, so I'm told. I asked if I could be present for it meself." McGilded said.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"So that policeman who came to tell McGilded he could examine the omnibus again…" Ryunosuke said.
"That's right. An imposter, hired by me. McGilded used his wealth to manipulate the trial. He paid people to adulterate the omnibus with all manner of false evidence... He threatened witnesses to lie in their testimony... So I gave the man a taste of his own medicine. Once the omnibus was dowsed in paraffin... ...one of my sham policemen ushered McGilded inside... and sent him on a one-way journey to Hell. An eye...for an eye. That's how I avenged my father's death." Graydon said.
"...A spine-chilling account indeed." The Judge said.
"But that wasn't the end of it for me. There was a loose end, you see."
"A loose end?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Yes. I should think it's obvious. The second disk, which my father had taken to exchange with McGilded." Graydon said.
"Ah...yes... There was indeed no mention of it in the man's trial two months ago. Clearly because it had been removed from the scene of the crime." The Judge said.
"When I realised it was missing, I remembered something. Something from the first time I'd dealt with McGilded." Graydon said.
Flashback…
"This is the first of the two disks, and the music box you need to play them.' Graydon said, taking out a music box disk.
"Well, look at that now. What an ingenious little invention. So then, as promised... Ten guineas for ye, young man." McGilded said, handing Graydon a piece of paper.
"Wh-What's this? 'Windibank's Pawnbrokery'?"
"Aye, 'tis a pawnbroker's ticket, so it is. Ye can use it to redeem an article I've deposited there for ye. There's no need to give a name. Just hand over the ticket and tell the feen the watchword. I've put a jewel in pawn for ye. It'll fetch a good ten guineas if ye sell it, so it will."
"...I've never heard of a pawnbrokery being used in quite that way before."
"Have ye not, Mr Graydon? London's pawnbrokeries are very useful places, ye know. Each one is like an extremely secure vault. ........."
"......"
"..."
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"So I knew that if he'd taken steps to hide the disk... ...it would be in that pawnbrokery somewhere. And that on the night he killed my father, he must have entrusted the ticket to someone." Graydon said.
'Yes, to Gina.' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "I remember now...that when we first met you at Windibank's that afternoon two days ago... ...you had a description of Miss Lestrade written down. How did you know who you were looking for?"
"From the trial. That pickpocket's testimony was clearly peculiar. Anyone could see that. I realised immediately that she was another of McGilded's pawns. That he must have threatened her somehow. I was fairly convinced it would be her who had the ticket. So I started to make some enquiries. I had a strong suspicion the girl would come out of the woodwork on the redemption deadline." Graydon said.
"Makes sense." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'And he was absolutely right.'
"And yes, sure enough, she did. All I needed to do was to wait until the girl went to Windibank's to redeem the articles. But unfortunately, she redeemed only McGilded's overcoat and the one disk that was in its pocket. The all-important music box with the second disk inside was missing." Graydon said.
"Because it had already been forfeited two days earlier." Van Zieks said.
"But I was unaware of that fact. Had I not been, I could have avoided my night-time excursion."
"Meanwhile, as our investigation into the stolen government secrets was progressin'... ...we'd picked up on the fact that McGilded was involved." Gregson said.
"Inspector!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'You've recovered fast!'
"My orders were to recover the stolen information as quickly as possible. So we started gatherin' the fella's possessions and examinin' whatever we could lay our hands on. We had a full-scale investigation goin' on at the Yard, but we had to keep it as quiet as we could."
"Then, when the inspector here took the disk from me in the pawnbrokery that day, I become… …nervous. I was sure the music box and the second disk were still there in the shop somewhere. So I knew that it was a race against time. I had to find those articles before the police did." Graydon said.
"So that's what prompted you to break into the place that same night... ...with the help of your old friends, the Skulkin brothers." Ryunosuke said.
"... What happened that night in the pawnbrokery...I can only describe as a nightmare. While Nash and Ringo were searching the counter... ...I'd located the music box I'd sold to McGilded on the shelves of forfeited articles."
"And the second disk was inside?" Van Zieks asked.
"Yes. I slipped it into my pocket with a very deep sigh of relief. But then something entirely unexpected happened." Graydon said.
Flashback…
"What are you doing in my shop?!" Windbank exclaimed.
*BANG!*