Sherlock Sparkle: Dinner for Two

>"Order up!"
>Orange Blaze has a huge grin on her face as she balances the plate deftly across the restaurant.
>She wishes she could be back there cooking today, her cutie mark is, after all, a cooking pan surrounded by flame. However, she loves her job, so there's no use complaining about the little things.
>Her best friend Feather Wing got the honor of manning her section of the kitchen in the back, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
>Despite her cutie mark being a white wing, and her special talent being tricky flying, she is a monster in the kitchen.
>In the corner of the restaurant sits yet another employee, on break. He's a quiet stallion, and tends not to get in anyone's business.
>Orange Blaze drops the order at the right table with a smile and a curtsy.
>Then she makes her way to where the employee is sitting.
>Like her, his special talent is cooking, but he never really seems to apply himself as much as Blaze does.
>"Breaks up Simmer," she says.
>"Already? Alright, guess I better head back to the kitchen."
>He gets up from the seat and passes Blaze with a smile.
>Just as he passes a table, he turns around, smile still on his face, "Hey Blaze... Are you free this Saturday?"
>She sighs and shakes her head, "We've been through this before Simmer. I don't really want to go out with you."
>Simmer nods, "Alright, just figured I'd ask."
>As Simmer walks away, Blaze rolls her eyes and follows him back to the kitchen.
-2 Hours later-
>Her shift finally over, Blaze hangs her apron on the hook and takes a deep breath.
>It's been a long day, that's for sure.
>She makes her way into the locker area at the back of the kitchen.
>As she opens her locker something in the corner of the room catches her eye.
>Her scream can be heard two blocks over.

-Sherlock Sparkle: Dinner for Two-
>You are Twilight Sparkle, and you just got off the train in Manehatten Station.
>Pinkie trails behind you, a huge grin on her face, "So, what is it this time, huh huh huh?"
>You sigh and shake your head.
"Apparently one of the waiters in a popular restaurant was stabbed to death."
>"Well... that's not very nice."
"Not at all. Before we head over there, though, I need to stop by Baker Street."
>As you walk through the station Pinkie seems to be literally bouncing back and forth behind you.
>You don't think anything in the world could ever calm that girl down. "Sapphire? Oooohhh, she's the one that helps the other pony at that shop with all the neat gadgets."
>You smile.
"His name is Clockwork, and they're inventions, Pinkie."
>When you step out of the station you're not surprised to find the streets of Manehatten at their busiest.
>Today is Saturday, and everyone is out on the town getting the most out of their weekend.
>On your way to Baker street you bump into several ponies. Pinkie, being Pinkie, chooses to hop over them.
>You don't know how she does it without slipping up and landing on someone.
>When you round the corner to Baker street you collide with an elderly looking stallion. The force isn't enough to knock either of you over, but the stallion gives you a stern glare.
>"Watch where you're going girl." His voice is coarse and angry.
>Rude... he didn't even give you chance to apologize. Now you won't give him the courtesy.
>He's a rough looking one, with a mussed grey mane, a dull brown coat, and a... clock for a cutie mark.
"You wouldn't happen to be Clockwork, would you?"
>"Twilight Sparkle I'd guess," he replies, "Not many people around here know me."
>Isn't that kind of strange for someone who lives on such a busy street?
>"Now listen up," he says.
>"I'm not a royal servant. I'm not here to bow and kiss the hoof of the princess. I am an inventor, and there are rules about going into an inventor's shop."
"I understand but..."
>"First, do not touch anything. Second, no stupid questions."
"Yes, but you see, I'm here for..."
>"Third, don't ask for anything that's still in alpha, and if it's in beta expect it to blow up in your face on use. Fourth, do NOT touch anything. Are we clear, Sparkle?"
"Um... yes, but the princess told me I could get the..."
>"The spray, yes. Believe it or not I just made this last year. We're still working on getting a patent for the investigative branch of the guard."
"I've been working on a spell, but it's difficult to nail down. Also, the ingredients required for making it myself aren't exactly common household items for your average pony."
>"Aren't you supposed to be the star pupil of the princess?"
"That doesn't make me perfect."
>"Alright. Enough messing around, come to the shop I guess."
>Pinkie leaps forward, "Oh! Can I come?"
>You almost forgot she was there.
>"Sure, just don't break anything. You look like one of those walking disaster types."
>Pinkie frowns, "I'll be extra extra careful Mr. Clockwork."
>"Just Clockwork is fine."
>He leads you both down the street and to his shop. It still looks like it was thrown together with random metal patchwork, so at least you weren't hallucinating your previous visit.
>He trots up to the door and pulls it open, and you're immediately assaulted with the smell of metal and steam.
>Pinkie's face forms into a large grin. You think you see her shed a small tear of happiness.
>You move to enter the shop, but Pinkie shoves you out of the way with an extremely high pitched squeal of delight. "This is the coolest place EVER!"
>Surprisingly, she refrains from touching anything. She kind of just zips around the large workshop, oohing and aahing.
>You're not too far behind, closing the door after you enter.
>Around the area are various scattered workbenches. Some contain chemicals and lab sets, much like the ones you have in your home. Others contain various gears, cogs, pipes, and metal works.
>Clockwork is nowhere in sight, but you hear hooves clanging on the metal ceiling above your head.
>You see stairs in the corner and frown.
>Pretty quick for an old stallion like him.
>"Get up girl!" you hear him shout, "We've got company."
>Another moment of waiting and Clockwork comes back downstairs, Sapphire Blossom in tow.
>She smiles at the sight of you, "Twilight! You should have told me you were coming." She trots forward and wraps her hooves around you in a hug, which you gladly return.
>You think you hear Clockwork mutter under his breath about unnecessary contact.
>Sapphire pulls away. "What are you doing here? I hope there hasn't been another murder."
>You sigh.
"I'm afraid that's the case."
>You turn your head to look behind you, and notice that Pinkie is still zipping back and forth, staring at every neat little gadget she can find.
"We're here to get luminol spray. I've spoken with the princess, and she agrees that it could come in handy."
>Sapphire tilts her head, "Lumi... nol?"
>Clockwork glares at her, "Are you daft, girl? We've been studying it and making sure it's good for use."
>Sapphire's eyes widen, "Oh! You mean the stuff that makes blood glow even if it's been cleaned."
>Clockwork sighs and shakes his head, "Sometimes I wonder why you're my assistant." He turns away and walks to a far corner of the room, where one of the desks with chemicals on it is. After a moment he returns and hands you a small spray bottle.
>"This is the last bottle I have for a couple more weeks. The rest of it is out for official testing. Use it only when you have to."
"I'll make sure of it."
>You float the bottle next to your head and nod with a smile.
"Thank you for your help, Clockwork."
>His only response is to grumble under his breath.
------
>When you and Pinkie get to the restaurant, there's a whole crowd around it.
>It's a popular corner place, a small eatery with no fancy decorations. They just serve good food for a good price.
>The very definition of small business.
>The sign above the glass door says, in simple writing, 'Crimson Blaze's Eatery'.
>"There she is!"
>The flash of a camera and a bunch of paparazzi surrounding you breaks your thought process.
>"Ms. Sparkle, can you confirm that you're working with the investigative branch of the guard?"
>"Do you have anything to say about the recent murders in the model industry?"
>"Do you think it's a serial killer?"
>"How do you have time to make yourself so pretty when you're solving crimes and doing experiments?"
>Wait, what was that last one?
>"Alright, enough! Break it up people, we're trying to work here!"
>At the sound of the guard captain, the ponies with the cameras reluctantly break rank.
>You smile at the sight of a familiar guard captain ducking under the guard tape around the restaurant.
"Iron Lance. It's good to see you again."
>"I can say the same. We're completely stumped in there. It'll be nice to have a fresh pair of eyes with us." He gives you a soft smile.
>Is it just you, or is it getting a bit hot?
>Pinkie clears her throat, and you look to her.
>She gives you a smug smirk and winks.
>You promise to yourself that you'll punish her later.
"Right, so what's happening?"
>"Well," says Iron, "We've got one victim in the kitchen, two ponies that hated him, and a whole lot of nothing in the evidence department. Nothing substantial enough to make an arrest. Victim's name is Simmer, and time of death was around ten last night, after the restaurant closed and they started clean up. He was stabbed thirteen times. His friends in this place were Orange Blaze, the daughter of the founder, and Feather Wing. The three of those ponies were supposedly together all the time. The ponies that hated him are the manager Belle, who was married to Orange's father and seems to have an issue, and Iris, an ex-model."
"A model?"
>"I thought about the last few cases too, but the model isn't exactly the victim here. Just a poor kid."
"You said Belle had an issue?"
>"Yeah... it's uh... it's best if you see for yourself.
"Alright, I guess I'll start by talking to everyone. Anyone that's a high profile suspect?"
>"Yeah, the manager."
"Okay. Pinkie. I want you to scour the crime scene for clues. If you find anything out of place let me know. I'll talk to the suspects."
>Pinkie gives you a mock salute and a grin, "You got it Twilight! Pinkie Pie is on the case!"
>You give Iron a nod, and he leads you both into the restaurant. Not the fanciest place you've ever seen, but it seems to be a good middle class place. Nothing is over decorated, and the tables are made of a fine wood.
>You see them standing around the center of a restaurant; four ponies who all look quite displeased to be here.
>One is a pegasus, and the rest are Earth ponies.
>Pinkie barrels past you into the kitchen. You wonder for a brief moment if she's going to look for evidence or eat everything in the back.
"Oh well, might as well get the show on the road."
---
>You are Pinkie Pie, and it takes everything you have to not start raiding the kitchen. The minute you walk into the back of the restaurant your nostrils are assaulted with all kinds of delicacies.
>You can SMELL the quality of the cupcakes.
>A deep breath helps.
"Nonono Pinkie, you're here to solve a mean ol' murder."
>That's right, you can have all these treats at the party after all this.
>The kitchen itself is simple, just like the restaurant. Something catches your eye about it, though. Instead of the silverware, dishes, and an area for the chefs to cook all being lined up, it seems like each pony has their own little area.
>These cooking areas are separated into what can be best described as cubicles for chefs. There are four, and above each one is a name written on a metal plaque.
>Orange, Feather, Iris, and...
>Simmer, the victim.
>Just thinking about it makes you sad. You will never understand how a pony can kill someone in cold blood like that, and you're glad that you won't.
>You decide to start with the small locker area located in the rear of the kitchen, since that's where they found the body.
>The smell hits you before you're even close. It overpowers the culinary delights left behind in the kitchen.
>Blood.
>At the left end of the row of lockers, there is a chalk outline of where the body had been. A small yellow sign with a one marked it.
>Other than that... there's nothing.
>No murder weapon left behind.
>Maybe Iron and his team had taken it.
-------
>You are Twilight Sparkle.
>When Iron took away the small crowd and left you with Belle you hardly expected to be given the time of day, but you didn't realize she wouldn't speak a word.
>The two of you are at a small table in the center of the restaurant, sitting on your haunches.
>You had asked her if she had seen anything, and she didn't respond.
"Your name is Belle, isn't it?"
>...
>No response.
"Iron Lance tells me you didn't exactly like Simmer."
>Her response this time is a glare.
"I can't help you if you're being so tight lipped."
>"I'm not saying anything until my lawyer gets here."
"Even if they take you into custody?"
>"ESPECIALLY if they take me into custody. That boy was trouble, but what else is new?"
>Your ears twitch at that.
>For a mare who doesn't want to say anything, she just gave you a wealth of information.
"It sounds like there was something personal between you and Simmer."
>There are still several possibilities, but Iron was right. She obviously hated Simmer's guts.
>Belle purses her lips and turns away.
>It would be a smart move... if you happened to be a normal detective.
"Okay."
>You lean forward, causing her to make eye contact with you.
"If you don't want to talk about the victim, then maybe we can talk about the other employees. Anyone here can be the killer. The restaurant wasn't very busy that night, and the murder took place after shift."
>You don't think it's possible for her lips to get any thinner than they already are.
"Maybe they'll be more willing to talk."
>"You leave my girls out of this!!"
>Not the reaction you had been expecting, but at least it's a reaction.
"I'm afraid that's not the way this works. I have to speak to all of you."
>She huffs, still glaring at you, "Knowing that bumbling idiot, he probably fell on the knife."
"He was stabbed thirteen times."
>She falls silent, and you're almost grateful, at least until you remember you need to get her to open her mouth again.
"You're not helping yourself or your employees, Ms. Belle. Until you're willing to talk I'll just have to start with the next best pony."
>You stand and leave Belle to her own thoughts. You have a pretty good idea of why she hated Simmer so much, and it would give her motive, but you don't want to jump to conclusions when you have three more ponies to interview.
>Making your way outside, you catch sight of Iron standing next to the remaining suspects.
>"Ah, Twilight," he says, "Done already?"
"Not quite. She's not very talkative."
>Might as well start with the next person who hated him.
"Which one is Iris?"
>Iron points at the white coated mare, who just so happens to have meticulously done her hair. It reminds you of Rarity, a bit, though hers has more curls.
"Excuse me, Iris?"
>Iris locks her gaze with yours when you call her name, and you gesture to the restaurant just as Belle walks out with a cigarette in her mouth.
>It doesn't take long for the both of you to get situated.
"So... Simmer."
>Iris nods and lets out a soft sigh, "I know exactly what you're thinking. Honestly, I can't blame you."
"Oh?"
>"Simmer and I... we never exactly got along. I found him annoying and brash, but I... I wouldn't kill him. Actually, when I first heard about the murder I couldn't stop crying." She gives a sad smile, "I guess I liked him more than I thought."
"What can you tell me about Belle?"
>"She always took care of us... well, everyone except Simmer."
"And why is that?"
>Her expression turns bitter, "I'm sure you've already guessed. That mare has her head so far up her own flank. Always called men pigs, only hired women."
"Do you know why she has such a grudge against stallions?"
>"Not really. All I ever managed to get out of her was that men are useless save for breeding, and marriage is slavery. That kind of thinking can leave you a very lonely person."
"If she hated men so much, how come Simmer worked here?"
>Iris smiles, "She had to hire him. Higher ups gave her no choice in the matter. As for why Simmer put up with her crap, he had a little crush on Orange."
"I heard from Iron Lance that Orange, Feather Wing, and Simmer were together often."
>"You could never seperate the three of them."
>Before you can ask another question the door to the kitchen bursts open to reveal a tearful Pinkie Pie, "I can't find anythiiiiiiiing!"
>You give Iris a nervous smile.
"Excuse me for a second."
>You make your way to Pinkie, put a hoof around her, and give a soft smile.
"Pinkie, it's okay. That just means whoever did this is smarter than the average criminal. I'll take a look at the kitchen with you, okay?"
>Pinkie sniffles and gives a soft nod.
>You would tell her to talk to Iris, but considering what happened on the Friendship Express it might be better to keep her away from potential suspects.
>Pinkie leads you into the area where the murder took place. Save for the body way in the back by the lockers, the kitchen is squeaky clean.
>"I looked everywhere," says Pinkie, still pouting, "By the body, the areas for the employees, the sinks, the corners, the nooks, the crannies, the mouse holes, the cupboards..."
>You stuff a hoof in her mouth and give a soft smile.
"I get it, Pinkie, you looked everywhere."
>With a small flicker of magic, the luminol bottle appears, floating next to your head. You walk over to Iris' cooking area.
>"Whatcha doin' Twilight?"
"You couldn't find anything because you were looking with just your eyes. Mind getting the lights?"
>"Oki doki loki!"
>You float the bottle over Iris' area and spray a thin layer over all of her knives. with another crack the bottle disappears, and you close your eyes, concentrating on a different kind of magic.
>A soft blue glow comes from your horn.
>Pinkie gasps, "Oh my gosh! What's that?!"
>When you open your eyes, one of the largest knives in her collection has a smear of bright blue on it.
"That, my dear Pinkie, is blood."
>"Eww. That means that mean ol' Iris is the one that did it!"
>You sigh.
"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Pinkie. In fact, I'm pretty sure this eliminates her as a suspect."
>"Huh? Why?"
"Whoever killed Simmer is smart. If they thought quick enough to clean the weapon and hide it, then they thought quick enough to replace one of the knives in Iris' collection with the murder weapon. Whoever did it stole Iris' knife and put it in another area. I would love to say this also eliminates Belle as a suspect, but..."
>"What? What is it Twilight?"
>Your eyes widen.
"It does. It does eliminate her as a suspect!"
>Without another word you walk to Simmer's locker in the back, and with a burst of magic, fling it open.
>It's a mess, but you shuffle through it quickly with your magic, tossing aside useless trinkets and papers.
>"Twilight, what are you looking for?"
"A journal, notes, pictures, SOMETHING!"
>"What? Why?"
"Process of elimination, Pinkie!"
>"But I don't... what?"
>You grin.
"Found it!"
>A small red journal floats in front of you. You flip it open and start skimming as fast as you can.
>'Today I went to see Orange again, she told me she was busy.'
>'Today Feather Wing yelled at me for dropping dishes.'
>'Today I tried to find Orange, but Feather Wing told me to back off when I asked her. I wonder if she's having a bad day.'
>'Today Orange didn't come into work, and Belle was pretty mad at me for some reason, saying it's all my fault.'
>'I finally managed to work up the courage and ask Orange out on a date. Unfortunately, she said no. She's been acting weird these last few hours...'
>Your face falls.
>"Twilight? What's wrong?"
--------
>With everyone gathered in the main area of the restaurant, it's time to end this.
>You, Pinkie, and Iron stand in front of the others.
"At first Belle was the prime suspect."
>You eye the manager with a small amount of contempt.
"After all, she's very picky in her hiring. So picky, in fact, that she'll only hire mares. I can imagine how angry she was with the higher ups for forcing Simmer on her. I could also easily imagine her stabbing him thirteen times."
>The look of outrage on Belle's face is worth it, but you'll deal with her later.
"But then I found the knife, the murder weapon, in Iris' cooking area."
>Not surprising you, Orange steps forward, "So arrest her, she obviously did it!"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ72odUov8w
>Pinkie steps forward with the small red journal, Simmer's journal, in her mouth. She lets it fall to the ground.
"Despite the lack of evidence, and the culprits efforts to clean up their own mess, I was able to figure out what exactly happened."
>You can almost see the blood drain from Orange's face, and Feather Wing starts getting twitchy.
"Process of elimination..."
>Complete and utter silence is the only thing that greets you.
"Iris is regretful that Simmer is dead, she feels bad that she treated him so harshly when he was alive, but that's much better than someone who pretends to like someone else. When i found the knife in Iris' area, I knew. The real suspect was using her as a fall because it would be easy, considering her dislike of Simmer before his death. This eliminated Belle as a suspect, because despite her... lack of character she would never harm on of 'her' girls. That leaves two."
>You glare at Orange Blaze and Feather Wing.
"After reading his journal the motive is quite clear, and no alibi is there."
>Orange falters, "I didn't..."
"But this is all just circumstantial evidence. I'm sure that without a confession nothing will happen."
>Iron's eyes widen, "Twilight, what are you..."
>You float the journal from the ground and thrust it at Orange Blaze.
"Read."
>Your voice is cold... pitiless.
>You open the book with your magic, and as you turn the pages Orange Blaze's eyes begin to widen in horror.
>Then, tears start to fall from her eyes.
"It's too late to feel regret. He was your friend, and you murdered him because you never had the guts to tell him you thought he was annoying. He cared about both of you, and I know you helped, Feather Wing, don't try to deny it."
>"But... but he was such a," Orange stutters.
"A what?!"
>You slam the book down to the ground.
"A creep?! A stalker?! Is that your reason for killing him when all he wanted was to go out on a date with you?!"
>Pinkie puts a hoof on your back, "Twilight," she says softly.
>Orange falls to the ground, "I didn't... I... I'm sorry."
>You turn away, gritting your teeth, "There's your answer, Iron."
>Iron frowns at you before gathering both Orange and Feather Wing, escorting them out of the restaurant.
>You take a deep breath and look to Belle, "And you, if I were in your shoes I'd be expecting a call from your higher ups soon."
>Belle's only response is to glare at you, it's the only thing she has the power to do.
-2 Days Later-
>You stand outside your library.
>You're still a bit shaken from the last case, but you're sure you'll feel better after a couple of weeks.
>The sky tonight is beautiful, very clear.
>"It seems ponies aren't that different from us."
>Your eyes break from the stars and look to your right.
>There stands... you don't know what it is. It's clearly male, and primate in nature, but it has neither fur nor coat, just a patch of hair on its head.  It's wearing simple brown clothes, and smiling up at the night sky, "You must be Twilight Sparkle. I've been hearing SO much about you."
>Your eyes narrow.
"Who might you be? I've never seen anything like you before."
>He chuckles warmly, "I'll take that as a compliment. I must say you're far more beautiful than the papers make you out to be. The dashing detective, indeed. My name is Anonymous."
>Anonymous...
>Your eyes widen and the blood drains from your face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLlt0cK4uA0