Barok and Kazuma waited patiently outside of the servant's hospital room. The doctors at St. Synner's gave them permission to visit the newest patient, especially given their roles in the case. A nurse stepped out of the room after making sure the injured person consented to having visitors and answering questions, politely gesturing for them to go in. Upon entering the room, the two men laid eyes upon an elderly woman. Her grey hair was up in a bun and her entire right arm and shoulder were in bandages. The woman pushed up her glasses, smiling weakly at the visitors.

"Good day to you, gentlemen." She bowed her head from where she sat in her bed. "I was told a couple of prosecutors would like to speak with me. I've already had police questioning me all morning, so two more won't hurt."

Barok gave one of his elegant bows. "Do forgive the bothersome interrogations, madam. Scotland Yard needs all the information it can to sort out this case. I am Barok van Zieks, an old friend of the Bellerose family."

Kazuma politely bowed as well. "And I'm Kazuma Asogi, the acting prosecutor of this case."

The servant smiled. "My name is Emily Cook. I've worked as a maid for the Bellerose family for nearly ten years now." Her brown gaze landed on the tall, pallid man. "Lord van Zieks… I've certainly heard your name quite often. Lord Bellerose always held you in high regards despite your…reputation. And Lady Sophia told me so much about you. You're almost exactly as she described." Barok's expression softened ever so slightly, but it was barely noticeable.

Kazuma cleared his throat to earn the woman's attention. "Ms. Cook, if I may, I'd like you to tell us exactly what happened concerning the incident. And please, leave no details out."

Emily took a deep breath, unenthused to explain the horrible event. "Well, it all started on the morning of February 14th, just yesterday. It was around 8:00 A.M. when Lady Sophia took a carriage out. She planned to do some shopping, you see. But after several hours, she had yet to return. Lord Barnaby took it upon himself to search for her. But after many more hours ticked by, he too seemed to vanish."

"The police suspected a kidnapping," Kazuma added. "Can you confirm that?"

"Sadly, I can." Emily shook her head. Her eyes were growing wet with tears that threatened to fall. "It was late afternoon, I don't recall the exact time, when a lone man came to the estate. He looked like some street urchin. He told the Lord and Lady that if they wanted their daughter safely returned, they needed to pay a thousand guineas."

"So, it was a ransom," Barok concluded. "All due to human greed."

"The Lord and Lady were given until that evening at 7:00 P.M. to have the money ready," Emily explained further. "At almost that exact time, the man from before returned with two others to collect the money. Lord Henry…" She hung her head sadly. "He was never one to roll over and let others have their way, so he refused and attacked them instead. But he was outnumbered...and the next thing I knew, he was on the floor...bleeding everywhere. The rest of us tried to get Lady Adeline to safety, but those men wouldn't let us go. One by one…" Her voice trembled, unable to go on.

Kazuma lowered his head sadly. "My condolences. It must have been a nightmarish experience."

"How is it that you made it out alive, Ms. Cook?" Barok inquired.

"I tried my best to defend Lady Adeline, and my arm was cut up pretty badly. But then I tripped during our attempted escape, and a bump to my head made me dizzy. I must've looked dead because the men passed right by me to catch the others. I lost consciousness afterward, and woke up again when the police found me. I was devastated by the sight before me." Emily started to sob softly, removing her glasses to prevent tears from getting on them.

"The three killers were captured and will be tried for their crimes," the Easterner assured. "I'm sure you're able to identify them, so-"

"I've already confirmed with the police," she interrupted, wiping her teary eyes. "The three men they arrested were the same ones that attacked us." She looked up at the pair. "More than anything, please, you must find them! Find Lord Barnaby and Lady Sophia! They've yet to be found! I'm worried sick that they…they might be…"

She barely realized that van Zieks had moved closer to kneel by her bed, at least until his gloved hand rested over her uninjured one. "The investigation team is searching for them as we speak. And I will personally see to it that they're found." His glower never changed, but his tone of voice was kinder than usual.

Emily managed a smile for him. "Oh, bless you, Lord van Zieks! Thank you!" She took a handkerchief from her bedside table, drying her eyes with it. "I pray you'll find them soon. The poor dears must be terrified…"

Barok stood once more. "Madam, if you have any idea where they could be, please, speak."

"I don't know for certain," the maid answered truthfully. "Lady Sophia's favorite tea shop is near Hyde Park, so she was probably in the area at the time. And Lord Barnaby always enjoyed his strolls in the park as well. The streets in that area would be the places to start."

"Thank you for your cooperation," Barok replied. "We shall leave you to rest and recuperate. Rest assured, we'll do all in our power to resolve this."

The two men left Emily with a comforted smile on her face. Outside her room, Kazuma looked to his mentor. "Well now, I suppose we have our work cut out for us. And for once, I've got the easier job. Do you really think you'll be able to track down the missing siblings?"

Crossing his arms, Barok confidently replied, "I will. I have to. I won't rest until I see them safe and sound." He turned away from the Nipponese. "You needn't concern yourself with the kidnapping. You need only prepare for your upcoming trial."

Kazuma nodded. "Right. I'll make those wretched killers taste retribution for this despicable crime against the Bellerose family." The outrage in his tone was all too evident.

The prosecutors split up to fulfill their tasks. Barok joined up with Scotland Yard detectives to begin the search around Hyde Park. Many of the businesses were investigated, and numerous people living or working in the area were questioned. The one time I could use that detective's skills, he happens to be out of the country. Curse your atrocious timing, Sholmes. He recalled that Herlock Sholmes and young Iris had taken a trip to Japan to visit their friends. That was perfectly fine, at least it would be if the current kidnapping hadn't taken place. Unfortunately, he was on his own with only Scotland Yard to help him.

After hours of investigating, van Zieks and his team finally had a lead. The owner of a clothing store had seen Sophia, and not just her, but a couple of low-class men seemingly following her. The kind man pointed them in the direction they left in. From there, they discovered a single clue that would narrow down their search immensely - a crumpled paper regarding the renting of a cheap room on Briar Road. It made perfect sense. Briar Road had many old accommodations where criminals could easily hide out if they wanted to. One of the kidnappers must've foolishly dropped the paper. Barok could only pray that it wasn't too late.