A Study in Gray · Chapter 12

A Hollow Ending

Henry

Thank you for making time to be present.

Reporter A

It's unprecedented for a magical house to hold a press conference like this...

But the rumors are even more shocking.

Reporter B

Is it true that the Baskerville Research Institute tried to recreate that monster?

Reporters

The Hound of the Baskervilles?

Henry

It's true. But that was not the shared goal of everyone in House Baskerville.

Reporter A

Aren't the Baskerville Research Institute and House Baskerville one and the same?

Henry

They are. Which is precisely what prevented me from stepping into the light.

But my hesitation resulted in an innocent child suffering.

While I cowered, my beloved house's honor continued to sink.

But I intend to change that by performing my duty as the family head.

Like the only person in House Baskerville's history worthy of respect...

Samuel Baskerville.

The press release I handed out explains it all.

Reporter B

I read it. It was an adventure worth making into a news article.

Samuel Baskerville was the only one with a conscience in the family...

And you dealt with the problem of the Hound of the Baskervilles from within your own house, just like him.

Henry

Yes, I did. I will also expose the results of Director Stapleton's twisted research.

And I will see to it that they are disposed under strict supervision.

Reporter A

Hasn't House Baskerville invested a fortune to obtain those results?

Henry

Yes. But I am the head of Baskerville. Furthermore, many of these results do not deserve to see the light of day.

All the achievements, including the immoral ones, are my responsibility.

And one more thing.

I could not have solved this case alone.

Henry glanced behind the reporters, toward where Gwen and the others stood.

Henry

Just like how Samuel Baskerville was assisted by other honorable houses to stop the Hound of the Baskervilles...

I was only able to stop Director Stapleton's schemes with the help of those noble detectives.

I'm talking, of course, about the newly reopened Baker Street Detective Agency!

I would like to express my gratitude towards them.

Reporters

The story's writing itself. The returned Samuel Baskerville and detectives foil the plans of the Baskerville Research Institute...

Resident A

Did you know? It was that tyrannical director of the Research Institute who was making that Hound of the Baskervilles again!

Resident B

I hear Sir Henry stood up against his evil schemes, just like Samuel Baskerville did in the past!

Resident A

How fortunate that he's the one who became the family head!

Resident B

Then is the Hound of the Baskervilles gone for good?

Resident A

It must be! Thank heavens Sir Henry is here for us!

Resident B

Oh, we should also thank the Baker Street Detective Agency for helping him, too!

As she stared at the happy locals, Gwen muttered under her breath.

Gwen

It's Lampadis Investigations...

Professor M

Does it matter? It seems you've obtained the fame you so desired.

Look at the locals. Thank heavens Sir Henry is here, indeed.

Gwen

Thank heavens for Sir Henry...? Is it really over?

Professor M

The evil magical scholar that tried to turn a child into a monster is dead, and the child is in safe hands.

And the upright head of the family will take good care of Baskerville now.

This is the best ending anyone could ask for, isn't it?

Gwen

I just have this feeling that I'm missing something.

Lily

Me too, Boss.

Gwen

I feel like we shouldn't just leave things like this.

Lily

Exactly.

Professor M

Hmm. It seems like the case is already closed, though.

Oh, Miss Gwen. Did you want to punish Director Stapleton with your own two hands?

Gwen

It's not that. And I didn't care who saved Rachel, as long as she was saved.

But something just doesn't feel right, and I can't figure out why.

Gwen was ruminating when the cheerful voice of a man interrupted her train of thought.

Henry

Ah, there you are!

We're preparing a banquet to celebrate the new start of Baskerville.

Oh, that reminds me... The reporters are eager to hear your story as well.

Will you spare some time to stop by?

Gwen

We didn't do anything, though. You're the one who saved Rachel.

Henry

None of that would've been possible without you.

I owe everything to you three. Everything.

Gwen shook her head.

Gwen

Count me out of the banquet. More importantly, how's Rachel doing?

Henry

I took her to the intensive care unit, but they wanted to keep an eye on her for a while longer.

But I'm sure she'll push through.

Lily

...I hope so.

Henry

If you can't make it to the banquet, could you at least hold a press conference?

They say that I'll be written as the second coming of Samuel Baskerville...

But in my eyes, you three are the real heroes.

They want to hear your story, told by you.

Professor M

Just a moment, Mr. Henry.

Henry

Yes?

Professor M

Miss Gwen and Miss Lily seem to be disheartened to hear that Rachel is in a coma.

Henry

Ah, right. I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me.

Professor M

Also, it seems too soon to hold a press conference. Something's been overlooked, I fear.

Henry

Oh? What is it?

Professor M

I don't want to ruin the surprise. Why don't we talk somewhere else?

Somewhere... you can see the night view of NOA.

Like this mansion's rooftop.

Henry

Certainly. I'll meet you there later, then.

The Professor smiled after Henry agreed to see her.

Professor M

Then I shall be waiting on the rooftop tonight.

As Henry left, Gwen tilted her head in confusion.

Gwen

What did Mr. Henry overlook, Professor?

Professor M

Ah. I didn't specify who it was, but...

It was you who overlooked something, Miss Gwen. Not Mr. Henry.

Lily

What?

Gwen

Huh?

Lily and Gwen looked at each other, confused by the Professor's vague answer.

Professor M

So... Considering the case is closed, are you two planning to pack your bags and head home?

Gwen

Ngh. No.

Gwen crossed her arms.

Gwen

Something doesn't feel right about this.

I get this nagging feeling that I've missed something.

Professor M

I do hope you won't disappoint me, Miss Gwen.

Gwen

Huh?

Professor M

Be wary of the words that you want to hear.

Con artists aren't necessarily people who are more knowledgeable than you.

They just know what you want to hear.

The Hound of the Baskervilles doesn't exist and we are safe...

That's what the locals want to hear.

The kindhearted head of the family who will watch over Baskerville...

That's what the locals want to see.

What is it that you want to hear and see?

And think about why you feel like something's missing.

Is it because you feel guilty for Rachel still being in a coma?

Or do you feel empty after failing to catch Jack yourself?

The Professor's tone was cryptic.

Professor M

Miss Gwen. Do you still have the evidence you collected from that suspicious facility in the foggy wasteland?

Gwen

Uh, I do. I kept it with me just in case, but...

The Professor took the part from Gwen and put it into a bag.

Professor M

Good work. We should be vigilant about collecting evidence.

Gwen

Uh, right. Thanks, I guess?

Professor M

Yes... I do feel a slight tinge of regret, but the curtains are slowly closing on this case.

Gwen

"Regret"? About what? Are you telling me I really did miss something?

Professor M

You can't just ask for the answer like that. Why don't you deduce it yourself?

After all, like you're always saying... You're not the [Baker Street Detective Agency], but [Lampadis Investigations], aren't you?

The Professor turned away from them.

Professor M

It's cloudy and the air is humid.

I suspect a heavy rainfall starting tonight.

Lily

Professor? Where are you going?

Professor M

I'm headed to the rooftop of the Baskerville mansion, as I promised Mr. Henry early.

Come visit me once you find out what you missed.

The Professor walked away as Gwen stared in confusion.

Gwen

Hey, Lily.

Lily

Yeah?

Gwen

I seriously have no idea what she was on about.

Lily

Me too. What did we miss?

Gwen crossed her arms and started walking in circles.

Gwen

Henry's the victim. Director Stapleton is the perpetrator. Rachel was hurt but is still alive.

What's strange about that? It's all true.

Lily

What I want to hear... What I want to see...

Gwen

What have we witnessed so far? Let's go over it from the beginning.

Lily

Director Stapleton was suspicious from the start.

Gwen

Right. He hurt a child and hid his lab.

Lily

But it was his plan to make himself suspicious...

Gwen

Yeah. What are we missing? Mr. Henry?

Lily

He's a good person. He helped us.

He stood up against Jack, and hugged Rachel, glad that she was safe...

Gwen paused between her sentences.

Gwen

That she was safe...

Lily

Boss?

Gwen

It's nothing. Something just... doesn't sit right with me. But I have no idea what.

Gwen put her hand against her forehead and closed her eyes. Her fingertips were shaking faintly.

Gwen

Damn it. It feels like the answer's right in front of me, but I can't see it. What am I missing?

Gwen opened her eyes wide.

Gwen

...The doll.

Lily

Oh, right. We kept it so we could give it back to Rachel.

Let's visit the clinic and see how she's doing.

We should give her the doll, even if she's not awake yet.

Gwen

...Yeah, let's go.

Still lost, the two trudged over toward the clinic.