Ace Detective Case Files: A New Beginning

The Deathly Turnabout, Part 4

/February 1, 2030; 9:50 am, Phantom Manor- ???~ Angel Silveria's POV/

I sighed as we followed the 'not-strange' scientist. This going to be a long day...

As we were walking, I noticed how old and dirty this place is. I looked around and saw dusty old portraits of someone who probably lived here, also old wooden walls and possibly, all kinds of bugs and rodents appearing and chasing from every direction, which gives this house more creepiness factor.

After a what I felt like, hours of walking (well probably just minutes, anyway), we finally came to a stop in front of a big, old, and probably wooden double door.

Dr. Zamboss cackled. "We're here! The precious laboratory! Heeheehee!" He then knocked on the door, which made it open, slowly and squeakily.

It finally opened, fully. "Come in, come in!" Dr. Zamboss gestured. We followed after some hesitation, gasping at the sight that I saw. Inside were weird, high-technology gadgets and objects, all of them are still rather old and dusty, though.

"What is this place?" Mr. Lawton asked in curiosity.

"This is the lab, of course!" he exclaimed, laughing madly. "This is where we create the craziest things ever! Whahahaha!"

"'We'?" I pointed out. "What do you mean about that?"

"Yes! Before, I was working with two someones, my friends. We were here making scientific stuffs every time!" he answered.

"Do they have anything to do about this case?" Mr. Lawton interrogated.

Dr. Zamboss thought for a second and answered, "I can't remember." He laughed after that. "Buuut, I'm sure you can find it out," he shrugged. Mr. Lawton is still visibly unconvinced.

"Alright," I cut in, turning to Mr. Lawton. "Shall we begin?"

"Right," he nodded in response, turning to the doctor. "Can we see what this 'Necronium' is, now?"

"Of course! Follow me!~" he sang, gesturing us.

We entered a big room divided by, what I assume as fiber glass. Dr. Zamboss pulled a lever on wall, the other side of the room slowly being shone by light. Inside the room were purple crystals (which is what I assume, the 'Necronium') all over the place, surrounding a chair with chains tied on it.

"Feel free to do whatever you want," he told us. "And don't worry, those Necromium crystals are harmless, for now."

"Let's go," Mr. Lawton gestured, entering the other side using the glass door located at the corner of the wall.

"I guess, this is the place where Mr. Underwood's life was taken, huh?" Mr. Lawton deducted.

"Looks like it," I said. "After all, it is said in the case file that the victim died 'possibly because of radiation from unknown crystals', right?"

"Yes, that's right," he confirmed, sinking on his own thoughts. He looked at me and said, "I think it is time for deduction..."

—Joint Reasoning 1-A—

Conclusion: Dr. Zamboss is the only possible killer.

"As we know, Samuels Underwood, the victim, died because of these mysterious crystals—the so called 'Necronium', right?" he said, a hand on his chin.