𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕼𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓'𝖘 𝕷𝖎𝖔𝖓: 𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖎𝖕𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖉

Compiling Evidence

TW: Mentions of corpses, blood, and Charles Grey

"It's perfectly fine, I assure you," Doyle smiled nervously. "This whole ordeal is just taking its toll."

"Oh, I see. How foolish of me to not have thought of that. I'm sorry, you're not the only one who's under pressure, but you're handling it the best." Though Y/N's words and tone seemed kind and soft, Doyle saw a glint in her eyes that sent a shiver down his spine into his soul. "Do continue then, if you don't mind."

"Right-right, of course," Doyle stuttered as he looked back down through his notes. "Well, hearing your sides of the story has made everything much clearer, but... What worries me the most is the whereabouts of the key to the Earl's quarters. As it stands, only Sebastian, who was in possession of the key, could have killed Mister Phelps, but... If the key had passed into the hands of another, that would change matters." The doctor shot a quick glance back at Y/N. If anyone had the key, he would think it to be her. However, chances are she would have offered it up earlier instead of having Grey cut down the Earl's bedroom door. But then again, having that key would be incriminating, and it would make it much more obvious that she could have killed Phelps. "But Sebastian was her friend, that was rather obvious from the start. Was she acting the whole time, or is everything really getting to her?" Doyle speculated. "She just lost her best friend, or so she claims, and now it appears to be up to her to parent the Earl, in a way. Is this all just getting to Lady Y/N, or is some sort of plan?" Before Doyle could think up another question, the young Earl asked one of his own.

"But now that Sebastian has been killed, can it not be said that if anyone does have the key, that person is the culprit?"

"Quite," Doyle confirmed.

"Then we first have to check whether or not the butler has the key," Grey piped up. "If he does have it, consider the theory squashed."

"Yes, but then we'd be back to square one," Y/N pointed out with a tired sigh. "But I doubt we'll find it on him. Sebastian would rather swallow that damn thing than face the chance someone could find it easily on his person."

"I believe you both are right. To that point, I think it best that we always conduct ourselves in groups from now on," Doyle suggested. "I do not wish to have a Lady accompany us to the makeshift morgue, but I won't stop Lady Y/N if she does wish to join us. However, Miss Irene and Mister Grimsby, if you would please remain here. And... Mister Woodley as well..." Doyle felt the dull pain in his jaw spike as he eyed Woodley who only grimaced at the pain he himself was experiencing.

"I'll be fine here, enjoying some tea with Ran-Mao!" Lau chuckled airily. Ran-Mao only nodded as she curled up in Lau's arms.

"I've got nothing to do here, so I'll come wiiiiith!" Grey announced as he bounced up from his seat.

"Earl Phantomhive, I do hate to impose, but would you take us around the manor?" Doyle asked.

"Very well," Ciel sighed as he got up from his seat. "As the servants are more familiar with the manor below the stairs, let's have them lead the way. All right?"

"Yes, Young Master," Bard and Finny said in sync.

"Tanaka, Mey-Rin. Stay here and see to our guests," Ciel ordered as the two servants bowed before him.

"Yes, Sir."

"Let's get going, then," Y/N said as she placed a protective hand on the Earl's shoulder.

The stairs and walls were slick and grimy. The golden light from Bard's lamp cast shadows across the stairs and walls as the group descended farther and farther into the cellar of Phantomhive Manor. Everyone's tentative footsteps echoed through the musty air that dulled their senses. "In this setting, I half expect a ghost or the like to pop out at any moment," Doyle shuttered as the dull candlelight danced across his face.