Loggerhead: What? What do you mean?
Loggerhead turns to her friend, then to Pug Dog, then back to Liáng. She remains totally expressionless.
Liang Yue: The truth was always there—hidden beneath the lies and distractions. All you have to do is whittle them down, one by one.
Liang Yue: The probable cause of the events in Chinatown is the Reunion of the Three Swallows film reel, and apparently, Ms. Noire has a history with it.
And yet, the specifics of this history remain unclear. Liáng glances at Noire, only to be met with her signature unreadable smile.
Liang Yue: But Ms. Noire doesn't have anything to do with the Foundation. There's no way she could sneak into the ACD and steal the film. The same goes for this gentleman or any other outsider.
Liang Yue: So, the thief who wants Ms. Latham to take the fall must work for the Foundation.
Liang Yue: In fact, since they stole the item without being noticed, they probably work for the ACD.
Liang Yue: And they must be close to Ms. Latham to know enough about her amnesia to be able to take advantage of it.
Loggerhead: But loads of people at the ACD know about my condition. You can't pin it on Scott just from that.
For the first time, the ever-cheerful Loggerhead takes on a harsh, indignant tone.
She stamps her foot and turns to her friend.
Loggerhead: That's way too harsh, right, Scott? Right?
Loggerhead: Scott? Say something, will you?
Scott: ...
Scott only stares at the floor as she tries to calm her quivering breath.
Scott: How long have you known?
Scott has finally managed to force out a few words.
Liang Yue: Since Ms. Latham said you were good friends. With all due respect, your plan was far from perfect.
Scott: Ugh, I knew it. You brought me along so this guy would call me out.
After a long sigh, Scott lifts her head, speaking with a resigned kind of ease.
Scott: You're right. I messed up. My plan was far from perfect because, well, I couldn't stick to the so-called plan since the very beginning.
Scott: I didn't know the Foundation was already investigating the theft until after I'd hidden the items in Loggerhead's room.
Scott: Then I had no choice but to use this idiot as the scapegoat. I never thought she'd accidentally bring the film to L.A., or that I'd be ordered to investigate the case.
Scott: I got in touch with this guy a long time ago, and the trade site happened to be in L.A. too. So, my plan was to get the film back and sell it right afterwards.
Scott: But things didn't go as smoothly as I thought. I shouldn't have gotten greedy, or been so nice to this dummy.
She shoots a piercing glare at Loggerhead before quickly looking away—whether out of disdain or avoidance is unclear.
Loggerhead: But, but ...
Loggerhead: We're friends, aren't we?
Her voice is as fragile as brittle glass. Scott shatters it with a scoff.
Scott: Friends? Don't be ridiculous. I don't know how you can act like nothing's wrong when literally everyone is laughing at you. And the fact that they thought that I was one of your kind.
Scott: Ugh! What an insult! I only hung out with you because ... because I had no choice.
Scott: You're an idiot who forgets everything every three days. It's your own damn fault. Anyone looking for a scapegoat would immediately think of you.
Poitier: Quit it! I don't wanna hear any more of your BS.
Scott scoffs once more, refusing to look at her "friend" for even a second.
Liang Yue: Hands up, Ms. Scott. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Liang Yue: Wait, you're still going to fight?
COMBAT
As they're about to step out of the alley, Loggerhead calls out.
Loggerhead: Wait. Scott!
Loggerhead: I have to know, why did you steal from the Foundation?
Scott: Does it matter?
Scott turns back, laughing coldly in disbelief.
Scott: Would you feel better if I had a reason? Oh, please! Your ignorant, stupid little brain makes me sick.
Scott: It was for the money, of course. And to prove to the others that I'm not a bloody fool like you.
Scott: Imagine the shock on their faces when they discover that I did what none of them could. Those so-called unbreakable arcane security skills were easy to deal with as long as I ...
Scott: I ...
Her words trail off, and a puzzled expression crosses her face.
Liang Yue: You what? How did you bypass the Foundation's security?
Scott: I don't remember. That's weird. How could I forget? All I remember is that an office lady talked to me in the corridor.
Liang Yue: An office lady? When? What did you talk about?
Scott: She ... She showed me something. It was a bit dazzling, but very beautiful. It was ...
Scott: Oh, oh, right. It was a ...
A razor-sharp silver needle slices through the air, cutting her off in an instant.
Scott: Ahhhh—?
She raises a dazed hand, her fingertips touching the foreign object lodged in her throat, not understanding why her voice has suddenly vanished.
By the time she's realized she can no longer breathe, her eyes roll back, and she falls to the ground.
Silence falls in the starlit alley. Then, another flash of silver whistles by.
Liang Yue: What?
A sharp pain blooms in her palm. She looks down to see a sharp silver needle pierced in it. The film slips from her grasp.
The reel rolls across the ground, clicking as it hurtles into the darkness, until a gloved hand picks it up and brushes it off.
???: Phew! Still intact. You've got no idea how long I've been looking for this.
Liang Yue: You're ...
Qi Xing: Hey there, kid. We meet again.
The once-famous star smiles at Liáng with an easy, friendly charm.
Loggerhead: Scott! Scott!
Pug Dog: No f**king way. She dead?
Poitier: Not yet, but I doubt she can hold on much longer. I'll call an ambulance, and we're gonna need backup.
Liang Yue: ...
Loggerhead's scream, Pug Dog's cry, and Poitier's tense voice all ring in Liáng's mind.
Liáng's rationality has already grasped the reality of the situation, but her emotions are refusing to let her shape the conclusion into clear words.
Liang Yue: Why are you doing this?
When Loggerhead posed a similar question to Scott, Liáng had questioned the inquiry.
There is no need to ask why evil chooses to do evil. What's wrong is wrong. Evil must be eradicated. Ghost plagues must be purged. That was the doctrine drilled into Liáng since childhood.
But now, she finds herself forced to ask the same thing.
Liang Yue: Tell me. I need a reason.
Qi Xing: It's my old friend that you should be asking.
Liáng watches as Qí Xīng's smile fades and her face turns steely.
Qi Xing: Long time no see, Noire.
Noire: Yeah, it's been a while.
Noire: The last time we saw each other was in front of her grave, if memory serves? We really should keep in touch more often.
The air in the alley is sharp as a needle. Noire continues to smile, but a wariness lurks behind her eyes.
Noire: But you've gone too far this time, my friend.
She glances at Scott's fallen body and gently shakes her head.
Noire: This isn't part of our story.
Qi Xing: This isn't a set, director. It's not your call.
She raises a hand, and a flash of silver pierces through the darkness.
Liang Yue: Careful!
She leaps forward, deflects the needles, and stands firm in front of the wheelchair.
Qí Xīng shows no surprise. She narrows her eyes a little, as if she foresaw this outcome.
Qi Xing: That's the spirit. This should be fun with you here, little vigil.
Qi Xing: Let's all play our roles, shall we?