The Kidnapped Turnabout - Transcript - Part 2





March 13, 1:22 PM Gatewater Land Main Gate

Edgeworth: Nnngh... Chased out like a pair of peasants.

Kay: Mr. Edgeworth.

Edgeworth: ...Yes, Kay?

Kay: There's something even thieves should never steal. Do you know what that is?

Edgeworth: You really shouldn't steal anything, however, I'll bite. What shouldn't a thief steal?

Kay: A life. It's too heavy of a burden on your soul to get away with, ever.

Edgeworth: That's something we can agree on. Well said, Kay. No matter what we may try, murder is the one crime that can never truly be hidden. And I intend to prove that by my own hands... ...when I apprehend the murderer myself.

Kay: Alright. And I'm going to work extra hard to be a good assistant! Let's go!

Edgeworth: (I still never said she could be my assistant... *sigh* 'm just going to drop the issue.) The first thing we should do is locate the real scene of murder.

Gumshoe: Mr. Edgeworth!

Edgeworth: Detective Gumshoe!

Gumshoe: Mr. Edgeworth! The stadium! Hurry, sir! This is supposed to be hush-hush, but they found witness at the stadium!

Edgeworth: A witness!?

Detective: You! What did we tell about leaving your assigned post!?

Gumshoe: Aaah! The jig is up! Mr. Edgeworth! Remember that I'm always rooting for you, so go get 'em, sir!

Kay: Those detectives sure look loke they're enjoying themselves.

Edgeworth: It's not all fun and games, Kay. Now then, let's head to the stadium and meet this witness.

-

March 13, 1:42 PM Stadium

Edgeworth: I thought there was a witness here...

Kay: Yeah, I don't see anyone...

???: Mr. Edgeworth! Long time no see!

Edgeworth: You are... Ms. Ema Skye, correct? (This girl is the younger sister of my former superior, Lana Skye. Two years ago, we stood in the same courtroom together as witness and prosecutor. But I thought she had gone to Europe to study forensics...)

Ema: I can't believe you remember me, Mr. Edgeworth!

Edgeworth: Of course I do. How have you been? You look to be in good spirits. Are you still studying abroad?

Ema: You bet! More than anything, I want to investigate crime scenes, scientifically! I've been studying non-stop every day to become a top-notch forensic scientist! But it's spring break now, so I thought I'd come back for a bit.

Edgeworth: I see.

Edgeworth: I assume this is another Badgermobile?

Kay: Yeah, but it's a different color than the Blue Badger's car.

Edgeworth: Yes, this is the retina-searing pink model. (Hm? What's that off in the distance...?)

Kay: Oh, hey! It's the Pink Badger! Badger GET!

Edgeworth: (Badger, badger, badger, badger... Just what does she see in these silly things?) ..................

Kay: I think this Badger has something to say to you, Mr. Edgeworth.

Edgeworth: Are you, by chance, the witness I've been searching for? (Sorry, but I don't speak Badger Dance.)

Kay: Aren't you forgetting about something, Mr. Edgeworth? This person could be the witness!

Edgeworth: (Honestly, I hope she isn't, but I don't think fate is going to be so kind today...)

Oldbag: I saw what happened! I even saw the exact moment it happened! How's that!?

Kay: So it's true! She is the witness!

Edgeworth: (*sigh* I don't suppose I can afford to ignore the old bag...)

Oldbag: Yes, it was just a little while ago! I saw it happen right in front of me! The moment of the murder !

Edgeworth: You mean to say that you witnessed someone being killed right before your eyes?

Kay: Sounds like a pretty important piece of testimony to me!

-

-- What Oldbag Witnessed --

Oldbag: I came to this stadium to take a short break. As I was resting, I happened to glance over and I saw two men facing each other in that area. Suddenly, there was a loud gunshot, and the person who was shot fell to the ground. It was a very terrifying experience, let me tell you!

-

Kay: Looks like we hit the jackpot, huh, Mr. Edgeworth!?

Edgeworth: Yes, I can't afford to ignore what she has to say. ...Unfortunately.

Oldbag: What's that "unfortunately" you tacked on at the end supposed to mean, Edgey-poo!?

Kay: Well, anyway! Let's see what we can find out from this little ol' lady!

-

Rebuttal

-- What Oldbag Witnessed --

Oldbag: I came to this stadium to take a short break.

Oldbag: As I was resting, I happened to glance over and I saw two men facing each other in that area.

Oldbag: Suddenly, there was a loud gunshot, and the person who was shot fell to the ground.

Oldbag: It was a very terrifying experience, let me tell you!

Edgeworth: (I can tell this is an important piece of testimony, but she's rather vague in a few spots. *sigh* I suppose this means I'm going to have to talk with her some more...)

-

(Pressing 2nd and 3rd statement leads to:)

Edgeworth: (Two men, one bullet... It's all consistent with that we found out from the body.) Sadly, there wasn't exactly a lot of new information to go on in your testimony...

Oldbag: Well, if I saw the guy again, I'm sure I could identify him for you! I mean, how do you expect me to remember anything without something to jog my memory!?

Kay: Self-centered, aren't we?

Edgeworth: While it was somewhat useful, her testimony also presents us with a new problem...

Kay: Mr. Edgeworth!

Edgeworth: Yes?

Kay: So, about this new problem...

Edgeworth: What is that giant grin on your face for?

Kay: Do you want me to show you something really nice?

Edgeworth: ...No, thank you.

Kay: Don't be so mean! I swear it's something you're going to like!

Edgeworth: What is that gadget you're holding?

Kay: What you see before you is the secret weapon of a Great Thief!

Edgeworth: ...Ahh, I should have known it would be worthless.

Kay: Aww, don't be like that! Tee hee. *ahem!* What do you think now!?

Edgeworth: What is it doing...? It's projecting something into the air...

Kay: I'm going to input the necessary information to run the simulation now. Once I'm done, I'll increase the size of the projection to its maximum size... Dark skies of evening, when no other bird dares take wing, one alone remains all-seeing! Now, witness the true power of a real, modern-day Robin Hood!

--

Edgeworth: Wh-What is this!?

Kay: This is a re-creation of the murder based on the info I inputted into Little Thief !

Edgeworth: L-Little Thief? I dare say I think you're taking Robin Hood a bit too far...

Kay: Little Thief is actually meant to be a simulator for me to plan my thefts. But I suppose if I used it like this... Let's see... Ms. Oldbag said that the two men were facing each other. And then, a gunshot rang out, and the victim fell to the ground...

Edgeworth: Ah... So with this, we can inspect the crime scene as it was in the past.

Kay: See! So, what do you think?

Edgeworth: I have to say, I'm impressed by the technology thieves have access to these days.

Kay: Well, it IS the super-secret weapon of the mighty Yatagarasu!

Edgeworth: Indeed.

Kay: Oh, but if there isn't enough information, or if something is out of place... ...the re-creation could come out a little strange.

Edgeworth: In other words, I can use this to authenticate the validity of a witness's testimony?

Kay: You got it! You really catch on quick, Mr. Edgeworth!

Edgeworth: (Right now, this simulation is a re-creation of that witness's testimony... So for now, I should re-examine everything... ...and if I find anything illogical or strange, I can then ask for clarification.)

Kay: Feel free to examine anything in this simulation in the way you always do! You even present evidence when you find a contradiction! And if you find something, I've got Little Thief with me, so you just let me know, OK?

Begin Investigation

Stadium

Edgeworth: According to the testimony, the victim fell to the ground here...

Kay: That's right. But...?

Edgeworth: But, if that's the case, then we've already found our first contradiction.

Kay: Huh? What? Where!?

Edgeworth: If this is the real scene of the crime, there's something missing that should be here. Which piece of evidence shows the missing item?

Edgeworth: This is the contradiction!

Kay: Eh? Is something wrong with my re-creation?

Edgeworth: If this is the real scene of the crime, something specific should be here. If you think back, how did we deduce that the other crime scene was not the real one?

Kay: Oh! I get what's missing now! There's no blood on the ground here either, right?

Edgeworth: Right. The fact that there is no blood here casts doubt on the witness's testimony.

Oldbag: Edgey-poooooooo! How can you doubt me like that!? Are you calling me a liar!? I know what I saw! And I saw the victim get shot down!

Kay: You know, I don't think she's lying, Mr. Edgeworth.

Edgeworth: (To be honest, I can't think of a reason why she would lie to me. In that case, maybe there is .)

Edgeworth: Is it not possible that the victim was wearing a costume?

Kay: So you really think that Mr. Deacon was one of the kidnappers?

Edgeworth: I think we can reasonably assume there is a very good chance that he was. And that if he was shot while he was inside one of those stolen costumes...

Kay: ...Then Mr. Deacon's blood would be inside the costume instead of on the ground!

Edgeworth: Precisely. Now, if only we could prove that the victim was wearing a costume...

Kay: You'd think it'd be pretty easy if we could find some footprints... ...but the problem is FINDING them, since there doesn't seem to be any around.

Edgeworth: (Footprints, huh...? I wonder how we can go about finding some of those...?)

Edgeworth: Ema, about that method you were talking about for finding footprints...

Ema: Ah, finally my expert knowledge in forensics is needed!

Edgeworth: Yes, well... Can you detect and trace even partial footprints?

Ema: Leave it to me! My cutting-edge detection kit can find anything!

Edgeworth: Very well. If you could please analyse the footprints in this area...

Ema: OK! Stand back now, and witness the power of science at work!

-

Ema: Hey! I found something! Look, right here!

Edgeworth: ? I don't see anything...

Ema: Oh, that's right! Here, put these special glasses on, Mr. Edgeworth!

Edgeworth: ! These footprints here were definitely left by a Badger costume!

Ema: Judging by the way the prints are layered, those seems to be the newest.

Edgeworth: (Then... we can conclude that the victim was definitely wearing a costume at the time.)

Victim's Costume data jotted down in my Organizer.

Kay: OK! In that case, I'll update Little Thief's simulation parameters! I can't wait to see what we find out from this new info!

-

Investigation Complete

Edgeworth: So the victim was wearing a costume when he died.

Kay: And with that, we should be one step closet to the truth, right?

Edgeworth: (Hmm... I see the re-creation has changed in accordance with the new information.) We may be closer, but now, something else has caught my attention.

-

Oldbag: What do you want?

Edgeworth: Your testimony, naturally. I'd like to hear it one more time, if you please.

-

-- What Oldbag Witnessed --

Oldbag: I came to this stadium to take a short break. As I was resting, I happened to glance over and I saw two men facing each other in that area. Suddenly, there was a loud gunshot, and the person who was shot fell to the ground. It was a very terrifying experience, let me tell you!

-

Kay: So! Does this mean that Ms. Oldbag's testimony has a contradiction in it?

Edgeworth: Yes, and I believe our best course of action is to compare it with your re-creation.

Kay: See! I just KNEW Little Thief would be of help! Now let's see if we can pull more info from Ms. Oldbag to put into the re-creation!

Edgeworth: For that, we must first find the contradiction in her testimony.

-

Rebuttal

-- What Oldbag Witnessed --

Oldbag: I came to this stadium to take a short break.

Oldbag: As I was resting, I happened to glance over and I saw two men facing each other in that area.

Oldbag: Suddenly, there was a loud gunshot, and the person who was shot fell to the ground.

Oldbag: It was a very terrifying experience, let me tell you!

Edgeworth: Knowing what we know now, thanks to your re-creation...

Kay: ...The contradiction stands out like a giant sore thumb!

Edgeworth: Precisely. It's all becoming clear to me. Let's clear up this issue with some well-presented evidence, and get this over with.

-

Edgeworth: Two men? How did you know the gender of the two people involved... ...seeing as how the victim was wearing a costume at the time!?

Oldbag: Ah!

Edgeworth: Furthermore, I have another matter I'd like to inquire about! I'd very much like to know... ...why you failed to mention the costume in your testimony!?

Oldbag: Uwah!

Edgeworth: I'm beginning to doubt if you really witnessed the murder at all.

Oldbag: But I'm telling you, I really did see it! I saw it with my very own eyes! ...From a seat in thesecond tier.

Edgeworth: The second tier...?

Kay: Hey, didn't you say you saw it "right in front of you" earlier?

Oldbag: That was... you know... I was using the phrase in the metaphorical sense...?

Edgeworth: (*sigh* I see our witness still has a screw loose, in the metaphorical sense.)

Oldbag: The cushy seats in the second tier are reserved for hot-shot VIPs. Which is exactly why I go there now and again to take a nap!

Kay: I can't see how you could've gotten a good look from there. It's so high up!

Edgeworth: Were you able to see even the victim's costume from way up there?

Oldbag: Well, I know I saw two people. But I couldn't really see what they looked like because they were in the. My sight isn't what it used to be, you know. Not like when I was young. Ah, people used to call me "Eagle-Eyed Wendy" back then! could spot a good man from 100 paces away as I walked down the street, just like that! Of course, they also noticed me in a flash and tried to make their move. But I'm not that easy! I was a careful girl with a judgemental eye! Bu

-

Edgeworth: * sigh* Let's return to our investigation, shall we, Kay?

Kay: You got it!

-

Begin Investigation

Stadium

Edgeworth: If that woman's testimony is to be believed... ...the murder occurred before the stage was broken down.

Kay: Do you want me to input that bit of info into Little Thief?

Edgeworth: Yes, if you please.

Kay: OK!

-

Edgeworth: There is clearly...

Kay: ...A contradiction here!

Edgeworth: Please stop stealing my lines!

Kay: Oh, come on. It wasn't that hard to see it coming, even for a layman like me!

Edgeworth: I suppose. In any case, it's not possible for the killer to have stood here in that way... ...because there was a very real stage set up in this spot at that time.

Kay: Yeesh, I told you I got it! Do you feel the need to explain everything!?

Edgeworth: Yes, well... In any case, we still need to resolve this unusual situation.

Kay: Isn't it obvious? The killer was on top of the stage, naturally. Right, Ms. Oldbag!?

Oldbag: Yes! I remember now! The killer was standing on top of the stage!

Kay: See! Now let me update the info in the simulation.

-

Investigation Complete

-

Lang: Well, well, what have we here? A bunch of hooligans running amok, I see!

Edgeworth: Agent Lang, how nice of you to join us.

Lang: Well, I can't have you going around messing up my crime scenes.

Edgeworth: Agent Lang, we've discovered that the real scene of the murder is here, the stadium.

Lang: I see. Thanks.

Edgeworth: For what?

Lang: I'm just trying to show you my appreciation for all the time you saved me. Who knew that such a strange little toy could re-create a crime scene like that.

Kay: Little Thief is NOT a toy!

Lang: ...You two!

Sir!

-

Lang: And there you have it. You see? Big boys like me don't need silly toys, little girl.

Kay: * sigh*

Lang: Now THIS is a re-creation.

Edgeworth: So what? Do you still intend to assert that Officer Meekins is the killer?

Lang: Of course. Even knowing that the crime took place here doesn't let him off the hook.

-

-- Agent Lang's Logic --

Lang: This is the real scene of the crime. Officer Meekins lay in wait for the victim on top of the stage. And when the victim finally showed, he shot him from on high! That's the truth your little re-creation showed.

-

Edgeworth: How far will you go to accuse Officer Meekins of the crime...?

Lang: He's the most likely suspect we've got, especially given the situation with his gun.

Kay: Well, even if he is the killer, at least my re-creation was on the mark.

Lang: You see? Thank you for understanding, my little crow-girl.

Kay: Grr... I'm not some common crow! I'm the Yatagarasu! The raven of legend!

Edgeworth: Unfortunately, your conclusion has yet to be tested, so let's see how well it holds up.

-

Rebuttal

-- Agent Lang's Logic --

Lang: This is the real scene of the crime.

Lang: Officer Meekins lay in wait for the victim on top of the stage.

Lang: And when the victim finally showed, he shot him from on high!

Lang: That's the truth your little re-creation showed.

Edgeworth: Unfortunately, Agent Lang's conclusions do not contradict with our re-creation.

Kay: Hmm... Then, does that mean it all went down just as he says?

Edgeworth: No, not quite. (I wonder if what we had re-created earlier was the whole-truth?)

-

Edgeworth: I'm terribly sorry, Agent Lang.

Lang: ?

Edgeworth: I should have you warned you that our re-creation is incomplete. You cut in quite unexpectedly, after all.

Lang: What's that supposed to mean?

Edgeworth: You said that the victim was shot by the killer from up above, correct? I hate to break it to you, but that's not possible.

Kay: Huh? Why not?

Edgeworth: Recall Mr. Deacon's body, specifically, where the gunshot wounds were located.

Kay: .................. Actually, I didn't get that good of a look.

Edgeworth: Oh. Well then. The bullet entered Mr. Deacon in his abdominal region, and exited his right shoulder. This is more consistent with an angled shot from beneath the victim.

Lang: Kngh!

Kay: Then...!

Edgeworth: Yes, our re-creation had the victim being shot at an angle from above.

Kay: A clear contradiction!

Lang: You're discounting your own conclusions!?

Edgeworth: No, this one point is the only flaw. This was the mistaken parameter in our re-creation:

Edgeworth: Yes, the locations of the killer and the victim were wrong.

Lang: Ah, I get it. I see what you're trying to say!

Edgeworth: I believe the killer and the victim were standing opposite to what we initially thought. It was the victim who was on top of the stage as he as being shot by the killer!

-

Edgeworth: If this is what happened, it'd also explain the positioning of the gunshot wounds.

Kay: But then, what about the footprints?

Edgeworth: Since footprints don't lie, we can assume then, that the killer also wore a costume.

Kay: OK! I'll try using that data instead!

-

Edgeworth: Judging by the fact that both the killer and the victim were wearing costumes... ...I'd say it was a killing between the two kidnappers. That would be the most natural conclusion. Wouldn't you agree, Agent Lang?

-

Lang: Hmph. Well done, Mr. Prosecutor! But that alone doesn't clear Officer Meekins of the crime!

-

-- Another Bit of Proof --

Lang: I ask that you take another good look at the tire marks over there. The three marks are indicative of the Blue Badgermobile. That story Officer Meekins told about that shop on wheels getting stolen was just a lie. He drove the Blue Badgermobile here and committed the murder. Then, he used the car to move the body to the garage in the Wild, Wild West Area.

-

Edgeworth: You believe he moved the body with the car?

Lang: That's right. It was Officer Meekins himself who pointed us to the way he did it.

Edgeworth: (The three-tired tread marks are very telling, however... ...is the Blue Badgermobile the only thing capable of creating such a pattern?)

-

Rebuttal

-- Another Bit of Proof --

Lang: I ask that you take another good look at the tire marks over there.

Lang: The three marks are indicative of the Blue Badgermobile.

Lang: That story Officer Meekins told about that shop on wheels getting stolen was just a lie.

Lang: He drove the Blue Badgermobile here and committed the murder.

Lang: Then, he used the car to move the body to the garage in the Wild, Wild West Area.

Kay: Looks like the only thing that car was selling was death, not dreams.

Edgeworth: Only if what Agent Lang believes turn out to be true. (The three-tired tread marks are very telling, however... ...is the Blue Badgermobile the only thing capable of creating such a pattern?)

-

Edgeworth: Sorry, Agent Lang, but that's an impossible tale.

Lang: And why is that?

Edgeworth: Those tire marks could not have been left by Officer Meekins's Blue Badgermobile? One look at the car would've told you so! What proves that the Blue Badgermobile had never been to this stadium?

Edgeworth: Take a good look at the tires. There's not a single dollop of mud to be found on it.

Lang: Nngh!

Edgeworth: If this car had come to the backstage area and left those tire tracks... ...then the lack of mud on these tires stands out as very peculiar indeed.

Lang: Then, how do you explain the tire tracks, genius?

Kay: Hey! I've got it! What about Ms. Oldbag's Pink Badgermobile!?

Oldbag: Don't be ridiculous! I was sleeping the entire time in the second tier seats!

Edgeworth: Indeed, I believe we can rule her out as someone related to the crime. However, there is yet one more roving store, as I recall.

Kay: Oh! You mean the Proto Badger!

Edgeworth: That's right. There was one more parking space inside that garage. And it proves the existence of a Proto Badgermobile. Agent Lang, I suggest you find this Proto Badgermobile posthaste. There must still be some sort of incriminating evidence in it.

Lang: Nngh.........

???: H.........

Kay: Hey, did you hear something?

???: H.........Hel...... ...Help... me...

Kay: Are you alright!?

Lang: Well, this is something! Looks like we've found our kidnapping victim. Where were you all this time?

Lance: Wild West... With kidnappers...

Edgeworth: (He was in the room next to the one I was held in!?)

Lance: Ran away using underground... and get lost... Th-The kidnappers...

Lang: Hm? What is it!? I can't understand what you're trying to say!

Lance: Th-The kidnappers... escaped... wearing costumes...

Lang: Did you see the faces of your kidnappers!?

Lance: No... I didn't see their faces... but... two... One was a w-woman...

Edgeworth: (A woman...?)

Lang: Quite an important piece of testimony. Hey, what are you guys doing!? Stop standing there and get your cops on this already. I'll even let you guys have what the kid said just now. Consider it a gift. Now, are you going to get out of my crime scene, or am I going to have to get rough?

Edgeworth: Akgn... (Again...?)

Ema: You're nothing but a big bully! Come on, Mr. Edgeworth! Let's go!

Lang: Oh, no, no, no. Not you. You're a very important witness for my case. I'm not about to let you get away that easily.

Ema: Don't count on me to testify, because I won't. Not for you!

Oldbag: That's right! I won't either! You hear me, you young whippersnapper!

Lang: Hey, calm down. There's no need for all this hostility. I just want to take a statement from each of you. I'm not going to rough either of you up. I give you my word. Come now, fair maidens. What do you say? Will you cooperate?

Oldbag: "Fair maidens"...? My, you little rascal! You sure know the way into a woman's heart.

Lang: Lang Zi says: "The passage of time is but a fleeting moment," and a lady is young forever.

Oldbag: ..Hmph! Trying to outdo my Edgey-poo with your fancy-schmancy sayings. Let's get this over with. So we're clear, I'm only interested in giving you my statement.

Lang: Sure, just as soon as Mr. Prosecutor leaves us be.

Ema: Mr. Edgeworth...!

-

To be continued.

-

March 13, 2:34 PM Wild, Wild West Area

Kay: Looks like we got the boot again...

Edgeworth: With Lance safe, the focus of the investigation will shift solely onto the murder.

Kay: You mean the in-fighting between the kidnappers?

Edgeworth: Yes, and also the identity of the remaining kidnapper...

Ernest: Miles, my boy! Tell me it's true! Tell me that you've really found my boy!

Edgeworth: Yes, Mr. Amano. We found him earlier in the stadium.

Paups: Then... my little Lance is unhurt!?

Edgeworth: He's not exactly the picture of perfect health, but his life is not in danger. He's being questioned right now by Agent Lang.

Paups: Poor Lance.. It must've been so horrible for him... Locked up like a... *sob*

-

Main Gate

Wild, Wild West Area

(Clearing all "Talk" options of Ernest and Paups leads to:)

Kay: So what are you going to do now, Mr. Edgeworth?

Edgeworth: We already established that there's a good chance that the killer is the other kidnapper. It's my duty to figure out who this other person is. I believe there is one location that might hold a clue or two.

Edgeworth: The obvious location is the kidnappers' hideout.

Kay: But we're still not allowed in, remember?

Edgeworth: Agent Lang and his men should be done with this area. In that case, there is no harm in asking that officer over there to let us in.

Edgeworth: What do you have to report?

Officer: Sir! Nothing unusual or out of the ordinary, sir!

Edgeworth: (? Where have I heard such redundancy before...?) Hmm... is it possible for you to let us take a look around inside?

Officer: Sir! Roger, sir!

Edgeworth: (That was surprisingly hassle-free.) Are you certain? Didn't Agent Lang order you not to allow me in?

Officer: Sir! That's true, sir, but... ...Detective Gumshoe asked me personally to let you in, sir! And I couldn't refuse a request from him!

Kay: Wow, looks like Detective Gumshoe has a following!

Officer: Furthermore! I was asked to give this document to you, sir!

Edgeworth: What is this? The man in this picture... Isn't this Mr. Oliver Deacon?

Kay: But the name here says " Colin Devorae "!

Edgeworth: (That's the same name as the one on the back of the pendant.) It appears that "Colin Devorae" was his real name... What's this? He was convicted in a case 10 years ago and sent to prison.

Kay: What!? Then what was he doing here?

Edgeworth: Apparently, he broke out of jail... and then just vanished. He must have become "Oliver Deacon" to cover up the fact that he was an escaped felon.

Colin Devorae Dossier data jotted down in my Organizer.

Kay: Now I'm not sure what's going on anymore.

Edgeworth: (Is there sort of link between the victim's past and this current case? These police documents are rather detailed. I should take the time to give them a thorough read eventually.) It's fine. Let's focus on one thing at a time, starting with the kidnapper's hideout.

Kay: Yeah, I agree! We should investigate first, think later!

Edgeworth: More than thinking things through, I think you should try remembering things first. Now then, if you could please unlock the door, officer.

Officer: It was locked up until a little while ago, but... ...since then, the door's been wide open, sir!

Edgeworth: I'm not sure I follow what it is you're saying. Care to explain in a bit more detail?

Officer: Sir! The door was locked down tight when they went to check out the room... ...so they got about ten officers to help out and break the door down, sir!

Edgeworth: I see. (I guess that means I get Agent Lang's left-overs. Well, let's see what we find.)

-

March 13, 2:55 PM Kidnappers' Hideout

Edgeworth: So ths is where the kidnappers planned their foul deed...

Kay: While you were tied up for a while in the room next door, hee hee!

Edgeworth: Kay, please. Must you bring that up again? Now then, down to business. There might still be some clues left in this room. Let's try to find out what we can of the other kidnapper's identity.

Begin Investigation

Kidnappers' Hideout

(Connecting all possible Logic leads to:)

Edgeworth: I thought that we might uncover the true identity of the kidnappers... ...but instead, we've only uncovered more questions that need to be answered.

Kay: Aaah!

Edgeworth: Wh-What is it!?

Proto B.: Well, well! Mr. Edgeworth, am I correct?

Edgeworth: Wh-What are you doing, suddenly popping out of the secret entrance like that!?

Proto B.: This is an underground passage used by staff members, sir. We Badgers also make use of it in our duties.

Kay: Look, why don't you get out of there first, and then we'll talk, OK?

Proto B.: Ah, I beg your pardon, miss.

Kay: Proto Badger GET! Alright! Only one more to go!

Edgeworth: What are you getting all excited about?

Kay: * gasp!* Did you forget!? The photo rally, duh! See, look! Now, all I have to do is get a picture of the Bad Badger and I'm done!

Edgeworth: (Ah, yes. I vaguely recall a contest or something of that sort...)

Proto B.: Wh-What--!? It's gone! But where did it go!?

Edgeworth: (Hm? What happened?) What's wrong?

Proto B.: A Bad Badger costume is missing, sir!

Kay: Oh, is that all! Well, it's missing because the kidnappers stole it.

Proto B.: I heard about how they were stolen... ...but they said that only three of the costumes had been taken.

Edgeworth: What? (Is he saying that more than three of them are gone?) Mr. Proto Badger, please tell me a little more about these costumes you use.

Edgeworth: What did you mean by "a Bad Badger costume is missing"?

Proto B.: Why, just what I said, sir. We are one Bad Badger short. Counting the psares, we have two of each costume on hand at all time.

Kay: OK, so because one of them is walking around in the park...

Edgeworth: ...The other should be in that room.

Proto B.: Ah, actually, both of them should be in that room.

Kay: Huh? What do you mean?

Proto B.: Normally, we don't use the Bad Badger costumes. In fact, we only use them during a certain event at a set time each day. It's the stage show where the Bad Badger wreaks havoc around the park... ...and the other Badgers must work together to apprehend him, sir.

Edgeworth: ...I'm speechless that such a show exists.

Proto B.: Well, sir, I was just trying to explain to you the only time we use that costume.

Kay: Then doesn't that make it near-impossble to take a picture of the Bad Badger!?

Proto B.: Personally, I can't believe that it's this close to show time and there's no costume! Oh, dear. What am I to do, sir!?

Edgeworth: All this is basically means is that the kidnappers stole four costumes in total.

Kay: Then, are you saying that there are four kidnappers ?

Edgeworth: No, I don't think that's very likely.

Kay: Oh?

Edgeworth: Recall the costumes for a minute.

Kay: The stolen ones, you mean?

Edgeworth: What proves that a fourth kidnapper does not exist?

Edgeworth: If you had four people, and you had wanted to steal a fourth costume... ...wouldn't you naturally go for the full set and steal a Pink Badger costume instead?

Kay: Yeah, that makes sense!

Edgeworth: And yet, the kidnappers decided to steal another Bad Badger. I believe the culprits needed two costumes, but the question is, "Why?"

Edgeworth: The second Bad Badger costume... I believe it may be closer at hand than we think.

Kay: Hm? What do you mean?

Edgeworth: That costume in the trash... Wouldn't you say that it's wearing some very telltale pants?

Kay: Hey, you're right! Let's get it out of there and take a look!

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Edgeworth: As I suspected, it's a Bad Badger costume.

Kay: Well, minus the head.

Edgeworth: I believe what we have here is an inconsistency.

Kay: Hm? Between what?

Edgeworth: Look carefully. Our costume is not holding something in its right hand that it should be.

Kay: Hmm... Oh, the gun!

Edgeworth: Precisely. The Bad Badger was designed to always hold a gun in his right hand. However... You there! Did you remove the gun from this Bad Badger's right hand?

Proto B.: No, I did not, sir. The gun is supposed to be securely attached to the costume.

Edgeworth: As I thought. The rip itself confirms my hypothesis that the gun was forcibly removed. Mr. Proto Badger, the gun is, of course, not a functioning weapon, correct?

Proto B.: Ab-SO-lutely not, sir. It's just a model gun. However, it can fire blanks. We need to use them for the stage show.

Edgeworth: It seems that our kidnappers also had a need for the model gun, my dear costumed friend.

Missing Model Gun data jotted down in my Organizer.

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Investigation Complete

Edgeworth: I think we're about done with this room.

Kay: So, what's next?

Edgeworth: Well, we found new answers... ...but there are still a few things left that we have to ask a certain person about. Let's go, Kay!

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March 13, 3:34 PM Wild, Wild West area

Gumshoe: Mr. Edgeworth, sir! You've gotta hurry, sir! Come on!

Edgeworth: What is it, Detective?

Gumshoe: They found a Blue Badger costume down in front of the main gate, sir!

Edgeworth: What!?

Kay: Isn't that what one of the kidnappers was wearing!?

Gumshoe: Bingo! That's why you've gotta come to the main gate with me right now! If we hurry, we still might be able to get there before Wolf-boy does, sir!

Edgeworth: Alright. Let's make haste to the main gate!

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To be continued.

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