Part 106: Not Returning a Ring

Come to think of it, don't we have a ring we've been holding for the last three days? Let's return it.

Knock "Who's there?" I hear Marie's voice ring out from inside her room.

It's me, Kyle.

"Ah, Mr Hyde."

Open the door, we need to talk.

"Hold on, I'll be right there."



Music: Ace of Diamonds
What can I do for you?



How did your insurance claim go?

I've had something on my mind since we last spoke.
How did your insurance claim go?
My insurance claim?
Yeah, I just really wanted to know. I've been curious about Rex, too.
Has he been bothering you at all lately?
Are you worried about me, Mr Hyde?
Yeah, kind of.
Well, in that case...
You'd better come in then.



I must thank you, Mr Hyde.
Thank you for caring enough to come and ask how I'm doing.
Yeah, just felt like the right thing to do. Didn't want to leave without knowing, you know.
Quite the gentleman all of a sudden!
Well, anyway, how's the moving preparation going?
It's going well. So far, so good.
I'm thinking about throwing most of this stuff out.
I see.
Does that mean the insurance money has come in as planned?
It has, yes.

Congratulations!

Actually, just this morning the company called to tell me that they'll pay out.

(They'll pay out?)

It's a big weight off my mind.

Music: Gusty Town


Show ring
(I think I'd like to hear what Marie has to say before I return the ring.)
Show Mila's drawing
It looks just like you.

So, Rex's investigation is closed?

So, Rex's investigation is closed?
I don't know. I haven't heard anything regarding the results.
But the insurance company has already said they'll be paying out, so I guess it's okay.
So it would seem.
Hmm.
Is something the matter, Mr Hyde?
It just strikes me as odd.
What does?
Well, if the insurance company is happy to pay you the money, then that must mean that



You think it's strange that they agreed to pay me?
Yeah, kind of. He's on their payroll and his services don't come cheap. Typically, cases that he looks into go badly...for the people trying to claim.
Really? I didn't know that.
Listen, Marie...
You wouldn't be hiding anything from me, would you?
What are you implying, Mr Hyde?
I thought we agreed that I'd told you everything!
I'm not so sure it really was everything though.
In particular, the part about the woman in the hat.
What?

*buzzing sound*

Huh?
Someone's at the door. Back in a moment.

Music stops


Speak of the devil.

Rex!
Well, if it isn't ex-detective Hyde.
What are you doing here?
I could ask you the same thing.
We both know I don't need to answer your questions.

Music: Resolution


Me? What do you want with me?
I'd like to know exactly what you did.
This morning, the insurance company told me to cease my investigation into you.
They what?
And now I'd like to know why!
And I'm not leaving here until you tell me.
What makes you think I'd know?
Oh, you know alright, I'm sure of it.
I want to know exactly how you managed to squirm your way out of this one!



maybe I should tell you what I think happened. And you don't want that. Now tell me exactly how you got the company to drop their investigation!
I'm sure it'll provide some entertainment for Mr Hyde here too.
I...
Marie?
Mr Hyde, I...
Hey, where're you going?

Music stops
Marie makes for the door and escapes.

Marie!
Hyde...
I'm not sure what brought you here today, but before you two start planning a wedding...
there are a few things you might want to know, first.

I leave the room and go after Marie.

*Machine sounds*

Huh? That sounds like the elevator.

Music: Overstepped Memory


Obviously, we're going to go after her.



Where's Marie got to?



Music: Sorrowful Nightfall


Music: Resolution
Marie...



I... I was scared of him.
Scared of him? Why?
Because...
What does he have on you?
I don't know.
Come on, Marie, tell me!
I'm sorry, Mr Hyde, I can't. I've been keeping something from you.
What?
I just can't bring myself to tell you.
I just...can't.
Please, Mr Hyde, just leave me alone!



Marie, you gotta tell me!
Please, Mr Hyde, just leave me alone.
Marie!
...
(What am I gonna do to make her talk?)
(Guess all I can do is try to find out by myself. I need to find some sort of evidence that'll make her tell me everything.)

Music: Sorrowful Nightfall
Music: Overstepped Memory


The best place to look would be Marie's room, so back there we go.

(I probably shouldn't just go right in, but I've got no choice if I'm gonna get through to Marie.)

A few of the descriptions for random objects have changed, so let's take a look at the relatively significant ones.

Music: Hidden Proof

Cup Marie has left a cold up of coffee on the table.
Top box The cookies in the box are from a pretty well known company.
Thread There's some thin pink thread in the sewing box. Hmm, not really my colour.


Dresser The dresser's fixed in place, but it still feels a bit unsteady on its legs.



The real object of interest is this white box that wasn't here before.



Box It looks like there's a box on top of the closet.

(It's too high for me to reach, though.)

You know what this means: It's time for another Audience Challenge

What can we use to get up and see what's inside the box? We're confined to what's inside Marie's room, so read this update to refresh your memory.