"I have no idea what to think about him," said Phoenix, referring to Zak. "But we definitely shouldn't trust him. He could be involved in this after all." He thought for a moment. "So, Maya's investigating, huh? I think she should; it could be helpful to all of us." Then he turned to Hinaru. "Why don't we look around at the murder scene for a bit. Once we get the information we need, we'll check up on Maya and see what she finds."

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Kotama nodded"I agree. Ever since the Nickel Samurai case, I've been doing my research on them... Matt had a few interesting things in the past, nothing big, yet, Zak has no records at all. Not one thing wrong, which gets me very suspicious. Why now of all times to possibly get caught? I heard he was very careful... Just so he wouldn't be caught in such a bind."Kotama sighed."Oh well, whats done is done. I don't think he's the one who did it, but I'm sure he had something to do with it... just, wait..."Hinaru listened carefully, then Phoenix spoke to him, and he agreed"Yeah, we should go investigate now before its to la-"Just then, a doctor walked up, and spoke in a calm tone"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something, but I have to know now, how will you be paying?"They had to do it sooner or later..."And sadly the fee will be quite high because of her unknown condition..."Just then, Kotama stood up and grinned"Don't worry about it, I'll pay her off, and anything extra as well... Thus the plus sides of being a prosecutor."He chuckled at that comment. Basically what he was saying was, he gets paid, and defense attorneys don't... well, at least he's paying for it, right? Hinaru just grinned at Kotama's free will at paying the fee, then he turned to Phoenix"So... were going back to the ship, right? Hopefully Sonde will be there to let us in."Hinaru said with a smile

"Th-Thank you, Kotama!" Whew, what a relief! I couldn't have afforded that! He really couldn't think of anything else to say. "Yeah, that's where we're headed. Let's find some clues!"

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Kotama just grinned"Its nothing..." And with that, he went to the doctors office to discuss things, and it seamed pretty serious. Hinaru grinned at what he heard"Yeah! Hopefully we'll find some more clues today then we did yesterday..."Hinaru said with a nervous chuckle. He walked outside, and opened the door for Phoenix, then on the other side for him, so that they could go to the crime scene... And since they could drive, they got there in about... ten, fifteen minutes.

((Wow! O.o This was done awhile back XD lol I dunno, I had nothing else to do XD I just figured I could bump this XD lol ))

"Alright," said Phoenix. "I think we should first examine the crime scene. That's where we found the note... there could be clues." He looked at Hinaru. "Tell me if you see anything strange or different, since it could be a clue. You never know," he chuckled. He was reminding himself of Mia.

Meanwhile, Maya headed inside Around the World in Eighty Dishes, the restaurant where Pearl was supposedly poisoned. She looked around for any clues, which was pretty hard since there were customers. She went to the kitchen to see if she could find the poison.

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((Double post. Ignore.))

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Hinaru grinned and nodded."Yes sir!" He smiled brightly as he saluted for no reason. He then went on the ship, then went to the crime scene. Only to see that Sonde was there still investigating. Sonde greeted the two with a slight smile, but he was still all business."Alright, well... nothing much has changed since we were last here... but were still looking, just in case..."Sonde spoke in a calm tone, and Hinaru nodded."Right... I get'cha..."Hinaru grinned."Alright then Chief, lets get started!"And with that, he started investigating. After awhile well, there wasn't very much that changed, he investigated the desks, the closet, everything! The only place he has not looked was the desk that the victim was at, the main desk."Hmmm... alright... that was a whole lotta nothin'!"Hinaru pouted, and continued searching. It was about five minutes before he was about to give up."Uhg... nothing seems to be ne-...huh...?"His gaze trailed off to a familiar part of the ship. It was where they found that scrap of clothing... but now, theres another scrap of clothing! It was the same color, same texture, everything! And this made Hinaru think... he went up to Sonde, and spoke to him."Sonde... was this place ever not overrun with cops?"Sonde raised a brow."You mean when there was nobody here? Yeah, last night, the shift ended at about 12:00 AM, and then no one's been in this room until... 7:30 this morning, or to my knowledge that is. And just to avoid another question, yes, I was the first person here this morning, I figured I should start an early investigation was all. The shift didn't really start until 8:00."Sonde stated simply. Then Hinaru held the scrap of clothing, and looked at Phoenix. He smiled, and laughed."Heh... it seems our murderer was here for a second time!"

The people in the restaurant that Maya thought was customers, was actually the police! They were just dressed casually, just so the restaurant had a good name, after all, people liked it! And so did they. And when Maya entered the kitchen, there was a familiar voice..."Hey! Who let you in here!?...Wait... its you..."The female showed herself, and she grinned."Its me, Kikoshina, just in case you don't remember."She sighed slightly."Man... what a mess this turned out to be... me and Sonde come to this restaurant for our second business outing, and somebody gets poisoned... for all we know, I could have been poisoned!..."She sighed again, then spoke."...Sorry about that... well, enough about my problems, why are you here?"

Phoenix looked at the scrap of clothing. "Given the circumstances, it probably does belong to the murderer!" It was a little longer than the palm of his hand, it was torn, and there was no blood. "This could be a lead! Great work, Hinaru!" he said with a smile. "If they made one mistake, it'slikely they made another. Let's keep looking, and then we'll take this to the lab for analysis." He put it in a plastic bag and went back to the crime scene.

Maya was relieved to have someone there to help her investigation. She really had no cllue how she would go about doing this... "I'm here to investigate the poisoning. I have a letter of invitation..." She showed it to Kikoshina. "Someone I really care about was poisoned here."

((Greatest family, huh? Well, then I guess I'm the family friend. =D))

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((You're the closest thing to the family, besides actually being from it XD lol And can you tell me if you can see my Avi? My computers old, so I dunno XD It won't let me see it XD))

Hinaru smiled at Phoenix's compliment, and nodded to him."Thank you Chief!"Hinaru spoke a little to enthusiastically, but he was happy, after all, this was a major clue! Then Hinaru nodded."Yeah... if the murderer seemed to have made this simple of a mistake, there should be one other thing..."Hinaru bit his thumb, but then shook his head."But... something doesn't feel right... why would the murderer have done this again? And have this piece of cloth be in the exact spot..."Hinaru began to think, and he was thinking for some time, until he started looking around again. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at the time being."Hmmm... something isn't right... but what..."He gave a quick glance to everything. To the two desks on each side of the room, to the chair, to the windows, and all he found there was another scrap of clothing, but that could have been from the first time, but he still took it in anyway. He then examined the desk where the victim was sitting at one more time."Its.... its around here... it has something to do with this desk... but... what?"There wasn't much that was different... he then started going down the desk, examining the bottom of it. And thats when he saw it... thats when he saw one fatal mistake!"Ah.... whats this?"He went further down on the carpet, and grinned."Hey, chief, check this out!"He pointed to the carpet, and smiled."So? What do you think of it?"Of course people would think he's crazy, he wasn't clear enough..."Whoops!...Uh... I mean, look! The imprint of the desk is on the carpet! That means that this desk was moved at some point in time!"He then stood up and signaled Sonde to come over."Look!"He pointed down, and at first, Sonde was just curious as to what Hinaru was looking at... after all, it was just a carpet, right? But then, he noticed it as well!"What the!? How did we miss that! You two! Move this desk right now!"There two cops there, both wondering why he wanted them to move the desk, but it sounded important, so they did it anyway. And when it was finally moved, they saw something that flipped this case around..."No... it can't be-! I thought he left..."Sonde was surprised at what he saw, and Hinaru was also, this would bring back even more memories to Phoenix. There were two things under that table,

1:Was a piece of paper that had the two letters 'Ma' and that was it, it was very, very, VERY small, and it looked like it had been ripped off of something.

2:Was a very familiar card... a pink one in fact. With a... familiar symbol on it. And it wasn't just any symbol... and this card was not just a card... it was in fact, Shelly De Killers card!

The two were quickly put in to bags, and were given to Hinaru and Phoenix. Hinaru then looked at Phoenix and sighed."So... what does this mean then chief? Are we off the hook? Or has this taken a turn for the worst?"

Kikoshina nodded."Alrighty then. You wouldn't have needed it anyway, after all, it was your cousin..."Kikoshina was already well informed on the situation, after all, she had to be! She was the Chief of the Police Station after all."Alright, I will leave the kitchen in your hands Maya, I've already investigated, but nothing seems to out of the ordinary, but if there is, you let me know, understand?"She demanded that. It was more telling then asking. And with that, she left. The only people that were left was a few workers, and two cops, and a very suspicious man near the back door, mopping and cleaning over there.

((Hmmm... things just got a little interesting! XD))

"What? What is it, Hinaru?" asked Phoenix, moving away from the shelf he was inspecting. "Aah!" When he saw the pieces of evidence, he looked at them with shock. There was no way... He examined the scrap of paper. This might have been torn from the letter... That means the supposed killer could have been "Ma..." Maya? No... that's ridiculous! He looked at the card, and the desk markings, and shook his head. "It depends. If that evidence was planted today, then we've got no leads. But if they were hidden at the time of the murder, then we have two huge clues... Both of which point away from Gumshoe!" But why would De Killer's card be hidden under this desk? Unless someone tried to frame someone else... but why not just destroy the card, or move it away from the crime scene? "Let's take these to the precinct for analysis, Hinaru," he said warily.

Maya looked around in the kitchen, hoping to find some clues. She had no idea what she was looking for, though. She decided to ask the cops some questions. "Excuse me. I'm investigating a possible poisoning that took place here a few days ago. Can you tell me what you know about it?"

((Um... no, all I see is "User avatar". ): ))

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((Crap >.< Well... I guess 'Mugged' Phoenix works good XD))

Hinaru nodded at what Phoenix said."Right..."He stated simply, but then he sighed and continued speaking."... Yeah... you're right! The tough part is just figuring out when they were placed..."There was a slight pause, then Sonde decided he should pipe in."Sorry to bother your trail of thinking here, but... I think I could be of some service..."Hinaru raised a brow, then smiled."Well, then what can you be helpful about!? Out dang it!"Hinaru grabbed Sonde, then Sonde just pushed him off, and brushed himself off. Then he cleared his throat and spoke."Well... when you were here yesterday... did you notice if the desk was moved...?"Hinaru put a finger to his chin, and started tapping, then he shook his head and spoke."No... no, I don't think so... why?"Sonde then started to look like he was thinking really hard."Well... heres my theory... lets just say, that those items were place under there earlier today... but lets also say that they were placed here on the day of the murder... you with me so far?" Hinaru looked like he was thinking as well, trying to put the pieces together."So... what you're trying to say is...um... that they were here on the day of the murder... then... somebody came in here earlier and moved them, correct?"Sonde nodded."Exactly... it is the only explainable explanation... well, defending against Gumshoe at least... the only thing is... we need a way to prove it... but how...?"Hinaru nodded in response, he then looked at Phoenix and spoke."So? How does that theory sound? Does it hold water?" Hinaru said with a curious tone.

The cops seemed to be just lousing around, being lazy and not doing anything. So one of them just seemed to brush her aside."Feh... this is useless, there couldn't have been... that kid was just bein' careless with some guys, or some other food she ate probably, this place has been top rated for health, so there shouldn't have been a problem..." He had a sandwich in hand, and he took a big bite out of it, showing no manners whatsoever, but the other cop that was just sitting there didn't seem to happy."Hey! Don't act like that in front of this young lady! And how dare you say that about a little girl like her! You are extremly rude, you know that right?" The other cop just stuck his finger in his ear, looked at what came out, and flicked it."Yeah, I know... thats why they stuck me with you Mr. fancy shmancy pants..."He laughed, and the other guy just groaned as he looked up at Maya."I am terribly sorry about my partners actions towards you... I hope you are not offended... in return you can uh...er... oh!" He pulled a box of donuts out from behind him."You can have the rest of the donuts in here!"The other cop reached out for them, but the other cop slapped his hand."There shall be non of that, you harmed her, you pay for it..."The other cop just groaned."Fine... I'll be out here when you two are done..."And with that, he left the kitchen. Then the cop just smiled nervously."Sorry about that... Bruno can be a pain..."He then smiled and greeted himself."... My name is Xion... I know its an odd name, but still, I find it interesting."He stated with a slight chuckle."Yeah... oh!" He hit his fist on to the other hand, and spoke."Oh yes! You wanted information regarding this case correct? Well... lets see... so far we have no leads, but from what we know, the poison that was used was some new poison, probably some punk who wanted to try it out on some innocent bystander... so currently we are just looking around for any clues. All we have is the fact every employee was here that night, but one got fired soon after the poisoning. He was mopping the floors the entire time, so it seems he has an alibi..."Xion sighed slightly, then continued."... Anyway... thats about all we've got so far..."He then pointed to the creepy guy mopping over near the back door."... He seemed to have known the man who had gotten fired, and knows a little more then we do, but is not really sharing that information... maybe you could get it out of him? I'm sure he will be nicer to you then us..." He stated with a slight laugh." I will be out with my partner if you need me OK? I just need to check up on a few things... but I will be back, alright?" He stated with a smile. Now leaving. Now it was only her, and the man in the back cleaning up in the kitchen.

(( I have a major thing coming up... XD So many twists it'll make your head spin XD Plus, it will let you use that girl Prosecutor that you had in mind =D ))

"So, what you're saying is, these items were there on the day of the murder, but they were moved here...? Why would someone do that? Wouldn't they just get rid of the evidence? And another thing: If Shelly's card was left at the crime scene, he would have put it in plain sight, so the cops would know who did it. It just doesn't make sense..."

Maya watched the cop leave. What a nice guy! She looked at the box, which still had most of the donuts in it. "I'll have some later." She took the box and headed over to the creepy janitor. "Um, excuse me?" Maya said tentatively. "I need to ask you something..."

((Wha? But my head's spinning already... Aw well. Enter Monika von Karma! ...Later.))

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((I'm sorry 'bout that >.< XD But that just makes it all the more plot twister... uh... I lost my trail of thought XD And I can't wait to see her in action =D ))

Sonde was on a role, but now... it seemed like he lost it..."Hmmm... you make an excellent point Phoenix..."He sighed lightly, then turned to Hinaru and spoke."... Well... then what do you think happened...?"Hinaru started to think about it, but nothing came to mind."Hmm... I can't think of anything... like the Chief said... it just doesn't make sense..."Hinaru looked like he was thinking very hard, but it was failing miserably. There was another pause, until Hinaru spoke again."Sonde... how did the killer escape?"Sonde started to think, then spoke."Well... our best assumption is out those big windows... because if he left through the door, he would have been caught with ease..."Hinaru nodded to that."Right... and was it windy?"Sonde started to think again, then spoke."Fairly decent... nothing to big, but pretty breezy..."Hinaru smiled, then snapped his fingers."Thats it! The wind blew it under the desk!"Sonde started to think about it, and shook his head."Hmm... I have reason to doubt thats possible, due to the fact that theres carpet... but then again, weirder things have happened..."Sonde then looked up to Phoenix and spoke."... Well? Whats your theory Phoenix? I hear you're very good at making up theories..."Now... to take that as a complement... or an insult? Well, it just depends on the person...

_________________________________________________

The janitor looked up, and smiled slightly at her."Why yes, of course... ask me anything you would like to m'dear..."He put the mop against the wall, and stood there, refined, with his arms behind his back."I'll be sure to not disappoint..."He stated simply.

((Hmmm... to bad that last part had to be short XD))

Phoenix looked down under the desk. "I'm not sure. It could be possible, I suppose... But what about the carpet? Wouldn't the police have noticed something like that?"

Maya was surprised that the janitor was cooperating. For some reason, she expected him to put up a fight or something. "Well, uh... You were here on the night Pearl Fey was poisoned, right? I need you to tell everything you know about what happened that night... Please."

((They're both somewhat short, but add up to more than 50 words, I'm sure!))

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