A few months later

____________________________________

Ash walked at a slow pace in the dark gloomy streets of the city. It had taken him a while to get adjusted to his new adventure life in old Paris but he succeeded in blending in.

He raised his gaze at the night sky with gray clouds.

Most people would find the situation he was in creepy or scary; a lonely man, wearing a top hat, holding a cane, walking in the empty streets of the night under a cold night sky. Yet for Ash walking alone brought him a sense of peace and tranquility.

Before taking his gaze off at the night sky and back at the empty streets he saw a hidden black-figure jumping from rooftop to rooftop.

Ash stayed still, observing the quick movements this person had. They sure were flexible and quick though. Ash was surprised at how light and silent their movements were, they could even pass as ninjas.

The figure stopped on the rooftop of a building and as they straddle the bag they were carrying Ash finally caught a glimpse of who they were.

There, under the moonlight, Lady Kasumi straddled her bag and covered her face again with her mask before continuing with her jumping on rooftops. Ash silently, intrigued by her odd behavior decided to follow her.

What could a lady of her class be doing this late at night? After following her down a few more streets she stopped at the rooftop of the Paris Opera Ballet Academy. There Ash noticed how she opened a window from the building and quickly slipped inside.

"How peculiar..." Ash whispered before turning around and walking back to his destination.

For the next few weeks, Ash began to tell Brock to leave before him after their work was done at the office. Brock at first felt bad for leaving Ash all alone but Ash told him that he did not mined at all. Every time Ash left his and Brock's office late he would always see Lady Kasumi on the rooftops of Paris's buildings.

"Who would have thought? Ms. Grayson sneaking out to dance." Ash muttered before walking back to his motel.

 
____________________________________

A few months later

____________________________________

Who would've imagined that after a series of small detective cases and working alongside the police force would Ash and Brock be standing in front of the man who was suspected to one of France's most horrible robbery and murder cases in history! In front of one of Paris's most famous and powerful judges.

"You are lying," stated the detective, his eyes darkening with a special scowl reserved for criminals of the worst sort. The smooth, dapper smile from the man on the receiving end of the interrogation only broadened.

"I suppose you have proof, Mr. Ketchum, of my alleged fabrication? As I told you and every other, what's that word your people use? Oh yes, as I have told you and every other bloody detective in this country, Thomas attacked me, intending to do me bodily harm. He would surely have ripped me limb from limb had I not, after having been knocked down perilously close to the fireplace in my study, grabbed a poker stick and stabbed him through with it. That is simply all there is to tell. I did not want Thomas to die. Although I will have to live with this tragedy for the rest of my life, I consider myself to have acted in self-defense."

Ash looked at the Constables and group of detectives in the room, disappointed and mad that they were foolish enough to consider that Valentin Andre might be telling the truth. The holes in his recounting were legion, and even a simpleton could have spotted them. He backed away from the suspect, lulling Valentin into a sense of false security. "So, you are saying that you were beneath your brother at the time that you impaled him?"

Valentin scowled at Detective Ketchum's choice of words.

"Yes."

"Facing him?"

"Yes."

"You lie on both counts. The wound that killed him was inflicted from behind, and at a downward angle. He is a full seven inches taller than you, Mr. Andre. I find it hard to believe that even a man of your talents could inflict a downward blow into a man's back while he is charging you and you are facing him."

"Is that so? Tell me, how can you prove the wound was inflicted from behind?" the suspect challenged. "Simple science. Had you stabbed Thomas whilst he was facing you, the poker surely would have pushed out the skin and other bodily components in its way through the exit wound in his back. Of course, this type of exit wound was on Thomas's chest, not his back." Brock counter-backed. 

"Circumstantial fluff," Valentin sputtered, his calm demeanor evaporating.

Brock smirked before he finished adding, "Perhaps, perhaps not. But with the help of Dr. Bale, who thoroughly inspected Thomas's body, perhaps he would like to add other points on why your theory is nothing but scum."

And so, with a quick nod and a tip of his hat, Detective Ash Ketchum and Detective Brock Castillos were on their way back to their seats.

After an hour of trial, the judge fixed his gaze at Valentin before saying, "Although your excuses for the death of your brother looked and sounded convincing, thanks to the help of Private Detective Ash Ketchum and Detective Brock Castillos, you, Valentin Andre, are found guilty for the corruption of your family's money and the death of Thomas Andre."

Valentin snarled before two officers took him by his shoulders and practically dragged him out of the room. The commissioner of Paris walked towards Ash and Brock and shook their hands.

"Another big case solved. I suspect that you two will be in tomorrow's newspaper. No doubt this case will make your name internationally famous as this case affects the whole trade industry of the Andre family. Who would've thought, Valentin, murdering his brother to claim the fortune of his family and family's business."

Brock smiled whereas Ash's face was neutral.

"You should smile more at Detective Ketchum. Not a lot of immigrants become someone here in France. Especially a country's favorite and loved detective. I assure you, you will go down history as one of France's legendary detectives. You should feel honored."

Ash just stayed silent, before he said, "Honored wouldn't be the first word I would use to describe how I am feeling at the moment."

____________________________________

Ash was already in a foul mood when Brock and he arrived at Ash's motel room. Ash did not want to stay at Brock's place as he felt he would be using his hospitality. He just wished for a little bit of rest. Their last case certainly wasn't an easy one, it had drained all his energy away.

As Ash opened his motel door he was faced with the realization a young woman was sitting in his desk. Instead of being furious, Ash was merely annoyed.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, barely managing to temper his voice. Of all things that he valued most, it was the privacy of his inner sanctum, his motel room. The woman's eyes sparkled with interest when Ash didn't address her appropriately. Ash just narrowed his eyes on her.

Lady Kasumi, who was outrageously seated at his very own study desk, peered at him demurely over the top of the book she was reading from his study. "Interesting," she said as she scanned the book's pages. "I must say, Sir Ketchum, that this is truly remarkable reading that you have in your book collection. 'Gothic Horror?' 'Sonnetto?' Most fascinating indeed."

Ash was at a complete loss what to say, everything that came to mind being words he would surely regret later. Still, who could blame? The temerity... prancing into his study and perusing his books. He'd never met a woman with such gall.

"I assure you, Ash," said a familiar voice, "that her reasons for being here more than merit your time." 

"Brock," Ash stated, turning. "Why did you let her in? Did you know about this?"

"I was aware she would be stopping one of these days because she mailed us but I reassure you I did not let her in." 

"He didn't," Lady Kasumi answered sweetly, "Surely a detective such as yourself has heard of picking locks."

Ash scowled, somewhat surprised that his legendary glare which made even the lowest scums of earth whimper in fear did not affect Kasumi Grayson. 

"If you wish to hire my services my office and Brock's is on Pier Avenue, not my motel room," he said coldly.

"Come back tomorrow."

"You weren't there, and besides, it is past closing hours already. This matter cannot wait until tomorrow, as this is a matter of utmost importance. Please, take a seat. I will explain to both of you."

Ash was struck at the irony of it, even as he pulled up a stool. A woman he'd barely just met was sitting in his room giving him orders, a situation that made him uncomfortable from the start.

That, and the fact that despite his formidable resolve he was finding himself ever so slightly entranced by Lady Kasumi's beauty. He had seen her before, of course, but never this close or while carrying on a conversation.

"It all began around a year ago," she started. "As you might have figured out my family is of important background and-"

"Your family's business is the innovation for new technology and weaponry." Lady Kasumi smirked at Ash's quick tongue. 

"I can assure you in all respects that my family's business isn't the problem here but-"

"I should hope not but your little secret is. If the people found out about your secret it would topple within a day. Wondering why a woman of your class is even partaking in such, as your class people call it,'barbaric activity'." Ash spoke calmly.

"However what surprises me is how you are here all alone? Doesn't a lady, certainly a lady of your class, need bodyguards and permission from the head of the family before coming to a Detective? And better yet, a freelancer Detective." Ash added, trying to smirk at how Lady Kasumi's eye twitched.

Lady Kasumi smirked. "I take it you don't think much of women Sir Ketchum." Ash smirked. "On the contrary, I think very much of them. I simply don't go as far as to believe that roles intended for men should be taken up by women."

Lady Kasumi frowned. "For someone so progressive concerning science and detection, your thinking is remarkably backward when it concerns other matters. Times are changing, Sir Ketchum. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday, one's gender will not define their place in life, what they can or cannot do."

"Perhaps, regardless, that is a debate for another day and another person, one much more tolerant of impudent women breaking into their rooms than I am. Now, as I recall, you were supposed to be telling me what exactly brought you to my room." 

Lady Kasumi bit her lip before she spoke again, "Let's cut to the chase shall we? You and Sir Castillos very much have figured out I sneak out of my manor every night."

Ash's eyes sparkled in amusement. Her beauty might have fooled any guy but not him. He had noticed how sharp and observant she was the minute he stepped inside his room. She was almost like him.

Lady Kasumi cleared her throat before she proceeded, "I go to the Paris Opera Ballet Academy as a volunteer however purges have started occurring. Students have started appearing murdered and tortured in the most inhuman way possible... Some have even begun committing suicide due to the fear of being killed next."

"It sounds to me as though the services of a psychiatrist are needed, not a detective." 

 Lady Kasumi gave a humorless smile.

"A detective," she said, "is needed because just four days ago, three of the school's top ballerinas were found beaten, violated, and murdered in a most humiliating and gruesome manner."

Ash's expression instantly became sober. "This is terrible," he said, "but wouldn't the Paris Police Authority be more suited for this type of case."

"Unfortunately, not. This murderer confounds them at every turn. Your skills are undisputed and your accomplishments as a detective are legendary. If anyone were to be able to help in this matter, it would be both of you."

"This," he said, his mouth dry, "is certainly a most grievous situation. We will take your case."

The smile that he received from her was ample reward. Tearing his gaze away from his unexpected visitor, he turned to regard his best friend who had watched the entire conversation.

"Brock," he said, "How does starting tomorrow in this case sound?"

"If I do say so myself, it would be brilliant," Brock answered, a spark in his eyes.

Lady Kasumi smiled graciously. "Thank you, Sir Ketchum and Sir Castillos. I am sure that with your help, this murderer will be brought to justice once and for all."

With that, she bid them a farewell and departed into the night.