Investigating Leads
A few hours later... Henry offered the three of them breakfast, but they declined, saying they were heading out to investigate.
Biological restoration? Isn't that meant to treat soldiers badly injured fighting Voidborns?
I've heard it's expensive and extremely painful.
So they WERE abusing her!
And they're trying to hide the evidence! Right?
I don't think that's it, Boss.
If they wanted to hide all evidence of abuse, it'd make more sense to lock her in the attic.
Besides, someone like the Professor could still notice.
Excellent. I like that you approached it from the standpoint of cost and efficiency.
I'd gladly offer you a position as my assistant, Miss Lily.
No thank you.
Fufu, what a pity.
All right, enough chitchat! It's deduction time!
Let's say Lily's right and Director Stapleton isn't trying to cover up signs of child abuse.
Then why did he have biological restoration performed on Rachel?
Mm...
Before that, I'd like to ask you something. Miss Gwen, Miss Lily...
Are you pretending not to know? Or do you truly not know?
What have you been talking about this whole time, Professor?
The wounds on the child's body. House Baskerville. Signs of biological restoration.
And above all, the complaint the Town Guard received before we arrived here.
Ah, yes. There's an uninhabited wasteland on the outskirts of Old Town...
Apparently, someone heard an animal howling beyond the fog.
The cry was said to sound like a person screaming.
Lily's hand trembled around her cup.
...The Hound of the Baskervilles, made from human subjects.
Given how wary you were of House Baskerville's past, Miss Lily, I thought you'd make the connection right away...
But you were unwilling to face the truth, weren't you?
...!
You didn't want to imagine what might have happened to that child.
What scars might have covered her skin before the biological restoration.
What those empty eyes might have witnessed.
There is so much to consider. You can't simply look away.
No. You can't. Not when there are so many clues right in front of you.
Especially when Detective H is no longer with us.
A heavy silence fell over the table. Then Gwen slammed her hand down.
Argh! What are we hesitating for?!
Lily! Rachel's in danger, right? Then the investigation into the former family head's mysterious death is on hold!
First, we find out what's happening to Rachel!
But...
All we have to go on are suspicions, Miss Gwen. And you'd put a case on hold on your own?
More importantly, a detective must look beyond the victim before them and uncover the hidden truth.
Solve the case, and you'll save the victim too. Isn't that how it works?
Guess there's something even our brilliant Professor doesn't know.
H always had a partner in those case records, remember?
Of course I know of them. The one who knew nothing, got swept along, and only held everyone back.
And who wasn't by the detective's side during the final case.
...
I don't think that partner was helpless.
The reason Detective H could focus entirely on solving mysteries was...
Because H had faith in that partner.
...
!
Victims aren't automatically saved just because a case gets solved.
It was always that partner who ran around in the detective's place and saved them.
So the kind of detective you aspire to be, Miss Gwen, is one who saves people?
No. If all I wanted was to save people, I'd have become a doctor or firefighter!
But a doctor or firefighter can't save Rachel.
In a world without the great detective, there are still people waiting for one to save them.
That's why I opened Lampadis Investigations. To save kids like Rachel!
Lily and Professor M looked at Gwen in unison, as if thinking the same thing.
Huh? What's with you two? Did I say something wrong?
...No. It's the opposite, Boss. You said something good I'm glad you're here.
Huh?
Professor, you said you read detective novels to explore human malice, didn't you?
You might want to savor the malice of House Baskerville in this case...
But we think saving a real child comes first.
That's what Detective H would've done.
The Professor smiled.
You know how that ended.
I do. And I know H would've done the same thing even knowing the outcome.
How troublesome. Truly troublesome.
Despite those words, there was a faint note of excitement in the Professor's voice.
First, there's been a misunderstanding, Miss Lily, Miss Gwen. I don't enjoy malice.
Do I look like a terrorist who pushes people to their limits just to prove human evil?
Gwen and Lily looked at each other.
I figured you'd be the type to tie perfectly innocent people to railroad tracks.
Then hand the lever to some clueless girl and cackle...
Fufufu. In that case, I wouldn't want to miss a front-row seat atop the train.
But don't you two enjoy the conflict in romance novels?
A devoted childhood friend, and a newfound love.
And the protagonist wavering between them.
Don't you find that sort of thing thrilling?
Th-that's not even the same thing!
Fufu, is that so?
The Professor gave a brief laugh.
Since you've made your decision, Miss Gwen, I'll give you my full cooperation.
First, I formally suggest that we gather information on House Baskerville.
Information gives us clues, and clues give us justification to act.
Great. So we're asking around?
Investigating at random would be inefficient. Let us narrow down our targets.
There are four facilities in this area closely connected to the Baskervilles.
The Research Institute, clinic, orphanage, and finally, the back alley black market.
Since Rachel said she came from the orphanage, that should be our first priority.
That's our Professor! You've got this all figured out already!
I have a feeling I won't like the answer. Are you coming with us, Professor?
I shall visit the clinic.
It's part of the Research Institute, so I might learn something about Jack Stapleton there.
As well as the truth behind the rumors of the Hound of the Baskervilles.
If the clinic is affiliated with the Research Institute, will they even cooperate?
Director Stapleton might have them under his thumb too.
More than that. I hear Jack Stapleton is also the clinic's director.
Then isn't that a waste of time? The whole staff will be Director Stapleton's lackeys.
The medical staff, perhaps. The patients are another matter.
Gwen and Lily arrived at the orphanage hopeful, but their investigation hit a wall from the start.
I'm sorry, but the director has ordered us never to allow outsiders inside the facility.
Then could we speak with the director?
I'm sorry. The director has been busy with research lately.
Research?
Is this director connected to the Baskerville Research Institute?
I... am not at liberty tell you that.
So they are! It's Jack Stapleton, isn't it?!
In any case, it's against our policy. Please leave.
The orphanage employee shut the door.
Then disappeared back inside the building.
Didn't see that coming.
Yeah... I didn't think they'd refuse to even let us inside.
They're practically advertising that something's going on here too. Wanna sneak in?
There are children inside. It wouldn't look good.
Yeah, you're right.
Gwen thought for a moment before speaking.
...What if we sneak in at night?
Probably won't work. Director Stapleton must've warned them, so they'll be on high alert.
Can you see anything through the windows?
They closed the curtains as soon as we arrived. At this rate... Huh?
Lily narrowed her eyes.
A child's hand?
Gwen and Lily approached the small hand beckoning to them from a window.
A little girl who looked about Rachel's age was leaning out.
Huh? Hey, kiddo. Who are you?
I'm Pauline! I'm Rachel's friend.
The girl chattered brightly.
I'm from Raven Wall! Marco is from Monastir, and Tim is from Kalaid!
Mr. Henry brought all of us here!
Really? Does Mr. Henry treat you well?
Yes! He brings us presents whenever he visits!
The teachers are scary, but everyone loves Mr. Henry!
The girl's eyes sparkled every time she mentioned Henry.
Mr. Henry is the nicest person in the whole world! He even reads books to us!
It doesn't happen as much these days, but whenever a nice couple came to adopt a friend, we'd even have a party!
I see... So the young master isn't just putting on a kind face. He's actually been doing good things.
The girl's voice suddenly grew somber.
I wish Rachel could've found a nice mom and dad too.
Did... something happen to Rachel?
Yes. Scary Mr. Jack took Rachel away.
And Rachel completely changed after that.
She used to be the brightest, liveliest kid in the orphanage.
(The way she was when we saw her...)
(Yeah, Boss.)
The girl bit her lip.
Then she held out the cloth doll she'd been carrying to Lily and Gwen.
Um... If you see Rachel, could you give her this doll?
Rachel made it for my birthday.
Huh? Then isn't it important to you too?
It's okay. I think Rachel needs it more than I do right now.
I'm going to have a kind mom and a new dad soon.
I'll definitely write to her, so please tell Rachel to stay strong!
Yeah. I promise. We'll tell Rachel to stay strong.
And we'll make sure she knows how much you miss her.
The girl smiled sweetly and bowed her head.
Then she disappeared into the alley.
After the girl left, Gwen and Lily looked down at the silly-looking doll in their hands with mixed emotions.
It was a clumsily stitched doll made by a child, but just looking at it brought a smile to one's face.
For the girl and Rachel, it must have been a truly precious keepsake.
...Boss. It's almost time to meet up with the Professor.
Right. Let's go.
With the doll tucked away, the two headed for the cafe where they'd agreed to meet.
Meanwhile, at the Baskerville Clinic on the outskirts of NOA's Old Town...
As expected of a free clinic, patients crowded outside the examination room.
The Professor calmly observed the patients before choosing a target.
Excuse me, sir.
The Professor casually sat beside an old man and struck up a conversation.
You from out of town? Why come here? Being free is all this place has going for it.
Unfazed by the old man's wariness, the Professor remarked casually.
I heard this clinic was free and offered excellent medical care.
If House Baskerville runs a clinic like this for free, I suppose they've turned over a new leaf?
The old man's eyes sharpened. Even those who ignore ordinary questions become surprisingly eager to correct an ignorant outsider's nonsense.
Cut it out!
But there's a rumor this hospital was actually built to test experimental drugs!
The old man lowered his voice.
They're making the Hound of the Baskervilles here!
We're all scared to death!
Fufu. Come now, sir. That's nothing more than an urban legend, isn't it?
The Professor's clever provocation coaxed the old man into revealing things he'd normally never tell an outsider.
Young lady, don't say such foolish things! It's been quiet lately, but...
I heard it myself a few months ago. It's no tall tale.
You mean the howls of the Hound of the Baskervilles?
It's exactly like the Hound of the Baskervilles of legend my grandfather told me about when I was just a wee boy... down to the last detail! And there's more!
What kind?
The old man suddenly flinched and covered his mouth.
Come to think of it, I've said too much...
The Professor shrugged.
Just as I thought. The Hound of the Baskervilles is nothing but fiction.
What could possibly be fake about the Research Institute?
No, I'm talking about the director of the Baskerville Research Institute!
That man who's always got some little girl with him!
Isn't she simply his daughter?
Of course not! That man's always in and out of the back alley black market!
They're making suspicious drugs at the Research Institute!
Really?
Plenty of people in the back alleys have seen him too. They—
Just then, the examination room door opened.
Next patient. Come in, please.
Oh, that's me. You take care, young lady!
If it weren't free, I'd never come to a place this scary!
Thank you for quite the informative and enjoyable conversation, sir.
...I mean that sincerely.
After the old man left, the Professor jotted in her notebook and muttered.
Illegal dealings at the black market. That explains the sudden outing before dawn.
Investigating there should tell us.
Whether he's hiding something... or pretending to so we'll notice.