Five

"Here's the situation: a school in the old district was caught in a fire last week. A lot of witnesses claim that someone in the building had started the fire and therefore committed arson, but unfortunately, the records of all the staff within the school had been burned, so we can't track or accuse any suspects."

William nodded, unconsciously putting his finger on his chin as he thought.

"Our first problem is that we have no way to tell who our suspects are. The main lead we have is that it happened well into after-school hours, and in the rescue, it was confirmed that there were no students present during any point of the fire. This means-"

"-the arsonist was a staff member?"

"Correct. Witnesses claim there was someone holding something in one of the rooms, mere seconds prior to the first fire that got set. This is what makes them believe it was arson. The police had gone over after the rescue for investigation and they deduced that it wasn't just a natural fire; that someone deliberately set the place ablaze. Unfortunately, all security cameras were damaged during the fire so we have no way to know who may have been in the building at the time."

The blonde hummed, taking in the information.

"We've compiled all the records and data we have on the school, and all newspapers and reports about this incident into these boxes. You may go through them as you please. I apologize but, this is all the information I can provide for you off the top of my head. If you ever get any questions, feel free to ask me and I will do my very best to find answers to them. I can connect you to the sources we hav-"

"Am I just finding the suspects for now? Or would you like me to figure out who started it, how, and why?"

"I-if you're capable of doing that, we will be able to make a court case on it-"

"Consider it done."

And with that, the detective started rummaging through the stacks of papers for clues.

"You really think you can find all that without questioning the suspects?"

Without putting down the papers, William nodded. "After reading a few of these, I think I can find a reason for why they did it. And for how, just allow me to inspect the scene, unless you have already cleaned it up-"

"We haven't."

"Perfect." He flashed a smile. "The hardest part will be actually locating the suspect. But I'm sure once we figure out who it is, we can track them down easily, right?"

Mycroft looked at the new detective with a confused look. William laughed slightly. "The government always has their watchful eyes on us, don't they? Even in a 'peaceful' country like Japan." He did physical quotations for the word 'peaceful'. Mycroft still looked confused. William shook his head.

"Just trust me."

[William's POV]

"Breaking News: The oldest school in the city has been put to rest in an unexpected way"

"Arson on Lumiere Primary School?"

"...suspects are in hiding. Government forces have been sent to track them down..."

"Witnesses say the fire just 'erupted' out of nowhere."

"...suspicious person in the window? (See image attached)"

I scanned every piece of information thoroughly and with care. Trying to speed read could lead to overlooking important pieces of evidence that could help our case against the arsonist.

It took probably around 4 hours for me to read through everything provided, and rewatch all news broadcasts regarding the incident. There was enough information to not only figure out how the fire started and give me an idea of who the suspects may be. But I would still have to go to the scene to inspect some things.

Although at a normal glance, no one would have been able to figure out how the fire broke out, it was very evident in the way witnesses had explained it "happening seemingly out of nowhere", and how they explained the figure in the window.

The image of the person in what seemed to be the 3rd story of the building was blurry and presumably zoomed in, but it showed someone holding what looked like a test tube. There was a rack of different coloured solids inside the room, meaning it must have been a science room the person was in.

Even though some may fight to say it was an accident, all the information provided shows that chemistry labs that may result in anything close to a flame was prohibited, as shown:

Rules and Regulations Handbook...#258No scientific labs that may result in anything that could harm the kids will be allowed to be conducted within this building, AT ALL TIMES.#259...

I had considered studying into science and perhaps becoming a science teacher in the past, so I had done some research on it that I remember. But I believe it's common knowledge that, to become a teacher of any sorts - but especially science - no matter at what level you'll teach it, you must know the dangers that may come with everything you do. No science teacher would have stayed behind to conduct an experiment that may result in fire because that would 1, break the rules and 2, the aftermaths could harm the students coming in the following day.

However, this does prove 2 points: the arsonist was not a science teacher, and that the cause of the fire was a science experiment conducted by someone who shouldn't have been in that room to begin with.

Next, looking at the footage of the flames, taken by god knows who, the flames were the result of cotton cloth being set on fire. This is because the flames in the videos looked very yellow; a flame colour resulting in the burning of cellulose.

This proves the point further that the arsonist was not a science teacher but rather someone who was inexperienced in the science department, not even bothering to wear a lab coat for whatever they were doing. If the cotton material was being worn, finding the suspect would be easier to carry out from here on because there should be burn marks on the person's body, and those don't fade away all too easily.

Now, what experiment were they doing? And why?

"Wow... you were able to find out how the fire started and more leads on who the suspects may be.. just from those documents and reports alone?"

I nodded. "I'd like to go take a look at the scene now. And if you could, I want to take officers, paramedics, firefighters, and anyone who may have witnessed the scene for brief questioning, though I'd like the officers to come with me to the scene."

Mycroft let out a laugh. I looked at him confused. "Albert told me you were top of your class but this... you really are something else, William. I'm very glad to have you on this case with me."

Before I could respond, his face turned serious again. "I'll find you those witnesses and first responders to wait for you on standby over the next few days, I hope. I'll have those officers take you to the scene right away though."

There's quite a bit of ash on the ground. And a lot of mess. Did Albert tell them in advance I'd be coming so they didn't remove any evidence? But he didn't even tell me anything until the day before we moved to Japan; the day he told me I'd be moving to Japan!

"Detective Moriarty, here's some of the pieces of evidence we took from the scene for inspection earlier." The officers handed me a small bottle filled with the ash, some burnt edges of paper that somehow survived the mess and, a piece of cloth.

"Where did you find this?" I picked up the piece of cloth. Maybe, my theory was right!

"We assumed it got torn off when the suspect made a run for it. We found it on the corner of a desk." One of the officers answered.

I was almost sure my 'how' theory was correct now. But I still needed more info. What experiment were they conducting?

I walked into the building but it was hard to get around. Most of the furniture was made from wood, so basically everything burnt down when the fire happened. That was going to be a problem. How was I supposed to get up to the third story if there were no stairs?

Maybe that was the great mastermind's plan. By burning a wood building, all evidence would be hidden and unreachable, making proving an accusation against them impossible.

"Do you need a ladder, detective?"

And so, I finally reached the third story with the help of a firetruck's ladder. The window had been shattered.

Fortunately, the floor wasn't made of wood, since it was a science room - even if fire wasn't allowed, there still needed to be precautions - so I was able to step in without the floor collapsing.

"This is where we found the torn cloth, sir." One of the officers stepped into the room after me, pointing to a sharp corner of a desk.

There were broken test tubes scattered all over the ground. "Careful of the glass." I warned the others. "Were there any solutions inside these test tubes that may have stained the ground?" I asked, observing the way the broken ends were facing. It must have been dropped by surprise.

"No sir. At least not when we first arrived at the scene for investigation the first time."

I hummed. If the suspect hadn't known mixing these two chemicals may result in a fire, then what were they trying to achieve in the first place? I stood back up and examined the rest of the classroom.

Looking into the cupboards, I noticed two substances that had a little less solution than the others; hydrogen and chlorine.

These two chemicals can create a flame when hydrogen burns in chlorine, which must have been what started the fire, while the cotton clothing must have just made it worse. Looking at these marks on the ground, though they're very faint, it shows that the burning must have gone down to the shoes, leaving marks that showed the suspect ran out the door before stopping, dropping, and rolling, causing the wood to set on fire and...

The suspect must have ran out the broken window amidst all the chaos.

Now the reasoning all made sense. I knew figuring out who the suspect was would be the hardest part.

But questioning would have to wait. Just great.

I slumped down onto my chair. Finally home.

I admit, I was very excited to be able to use my brain power for good, so I totally forgot how tired I was. Maybe it is good that the questioning would have to wait for a little bit.

I yawned, almost falling asleep on my chair.

"Will, I heard you found a lot of valuable information from just those documents alone. Even though I recommended you for this job, I am still very impressed. The cops and local detectives have been looking through those same documents for the past week without finding anything but here you are, waltzing in and making discoveries like it's nothing." Albert walked in, smiling. "That's my brother for you."

I returned his smile. "You're too kind, Albert. I'm just doing my job."

He laughed at this. "Alright, I won't bother you anymore. Get some rest, and keep up the good work!" And with that, he was gone again.

I was alone. Where had Louis gone to?

Probably back to the house Albert owns but never uses. He isn't working in the government anyways so there would be no point in him staying here.

I let out a long sigh. I looked at the desk in front of me and noticed a computer.

"Well, might as well relax a little."

I opened the shiny new laptop and started scrolling around. I watched a bit of social media before checking the news. I know, I know, such an old man move right? But it was because I was feeling really restless and wanted to do something for my job.

As I scrolled around, I came across an anonymously published news report. It was rare to find one of those; everyone wants credit for the information they took so much time to gather and share with the web.

(TW: This next part has mentions of sexual harassment and topics that some people might find disturbing or upsetting, if you'd like to skip it, please do! It'll be done after the italics are gone and will be summed up in a less explicit way in the next chapter as part of the plot)

"This is so wrong, somebody please... HELP ME!"Anonymous          published June 31st, 1844

Ever since my husband told me about how there was an annoying guy who worked for him has been constantly bugging him for a pay raise, I've felt suspiciously watched every time I was supposedly alone. And then, he finally decided to show his face! I can't give away names or else he'll find out but, I don't want to sit around and do nothing!

It all started when I was alone at home after my husband had left to go to an important meeting on the other side of town for the night. It was dark outside already and I was just trying on some of the makeup I bought when I went shopping a few days ago. And then, I don't know how it even happened...

The lights suddenly turned off and it was just pitch black. I felt something, no someone, on me all of a sudden and I tried pushing them off, wondering if it was my husband. And then I felt something - which I know now was a hand - move under my clothes and then they suddenly all came off! Everything! Even my bra!

I screamed so loud but it was already late and no one was there to save me. I felt something hot move around my bare body and suck my breasts. I was so scared. I tried so hard to get the person off of me but they were just too strong. Then, I felt that hand in my panties and it grabbed my butt and squeezed it so hard that I still have a hand mark from that!

I had never done this before. Even though I had a husband, I was very honest with him that I never wanted to do anything like this until I was completely ready, and he respected it. I then realized this wasn't my husband. It couldn't have been!

Before I knew it, that hand was inside me! It was moving inside my butthole and in a way that really hurt. I screamed and pushed and clawed at the person but they wouldn't stop. Their mouth was still on my breasts so they sucked harder, making me scream more. I begged them to stop because I really didn't want to let go of my virginity but they wouldn't. If anything, they just sucked and thrusted harder.

I was breathing really hard now. I couldn't do anything anymore. But I've never had sex before! I didn't want to get pregnant! I finally felt the weight of the person leave me for a second but not for long. It instead grabbed me and pushed me onto the bed and pinned me down. And then... and then... but then he stopped.

Please... someone save me. This person has been doing these things to me for a long time now and I really don't know what to do! I can't tell anyone because he been threatening to actually take my virginity if I do anything. I'm sorry if this has made anyone really uncomfortable but I need to tell my fellow ladies out there, and just the world in general that this is something real.

Somebody please...see this. And come find me!

My eyes were wide after reading that. I couldn't believe something like that was happening in the world. 

However, looking at the district and geographic location this was published - I know, for someone who was trying to keep it anonymous, that was really stupid of them not to turn off that easy toggle - this was someone in the Lumiere school's area... 

I guess I have another suspicion that needs to be confirmed now from questioning tomorrow. Because this, could further prove the suspect's motive. And if my suspicions were true...

...figuring out who the suspect was would be much easier.