The Safety Bell was Silent

Chapter Four: In Which the Tide Comes In

Scarlet shuddered as she and Perique sat in the waiting room of Ponyville General. "Are you absolutely sure we need Nurse Redheart to get the toxicology reports?" she whined.

"I'm certain." Perique continued to turn the pages of her copy of The Rose Without a Name. "Little one, if you really don't want to be here, you don't have to be."

Scarlet flushed with embarrassment. She remembered her grandmother telling that the difference between being a child and an adult was that adults knew when they had to do things, even if they didn't want to. The lesson had stuck with her to this day. It was how she knew that no matter how old she got, she was not an actual adult. "I'll stay here," she said out loud, pushing back against her seat. "I mean, I want to know what happened and you're right that this will help but... does it have to be Nurse Redheart?"

"Name another employee who both of us know with access to the patient's records, information about how she ended up in her condition, and any chance of sharing that information with the two of us."

"Just because I can't do it right now doesn't mean they don't exist!"

"Um."

Scarlet blinked. That voice was, while musical, far too high to be Perique's. She turned to face the source and immediately had six heart attacks.

It was impossible for anypony to be that cute. The silver-coated unicorn mare sitting to her left was clearly a facsimile of some variety. She had been put together by some kind of cunning dollmaker, and she was here to fight her sisters for the right to be a real mare - no, that was the plot of Rose and Maiden, which Scarlet found herself suddenly wanting to re-read.

The adorable creature brushed a wayward lock of her golden mane away from her eyes and shrank back from Scarlet. "Um... uh, you're staring at me, a little?"

Oh dear. She'd hurt the cute one's feelings. Scarlet flinched back into her seat. "Oh gosh, sorry!"

"Anyway, um," the vision of cuteness cleared her throat awkwardly. "You two are the ones everypony is talking about, right?"

"I would suppose that depends on what everypony is saying," Perique answered. Scarlet noticed her tensing ever so slightly as she did.

"Well, um, I just, I heard you two were looking for the pony who went after Floral, and I um- well, I wanted to warn you that you probably shouldn't." She stared at the floor, sadly.

Scarlet noticed Perique shift herself slightly, ready to stand up in case of a confrontation. "And you are?"

"Um, I'm Simple Syrup."

Dear Celestia. Even her name was sugar-sweet and adorable. And her accent was adorably foreign. Vanhoover? There was so much of that going around lately.

Scarlet frowned. First the Legion, now cuteness incarnate had decided to bar the way? This was unfair. Most detectives had to deal with corrupt police interference at best. "I think we can deal with whatever is coming," she huffed, turning away from the cherub in pony form.

"It's not that!" the perfect vision squeaked.

Scarlet turned in spite of herself. The more she looked at this mare - her perfect little dimpled cheeks, her shapely contours, those glassy and perfect eyes - she just wanted to pick her up and squeeze her and snuggle her and never let her go. "So, what is it?"

"It's just, um. I knew Floral back in school and, um. I think she's... I think I know what got her in the end. And you can't catch it."

Scarlet, for the first time, managed to register anything about the new pony other than "cute".

She was younger than Floral, perhaps. A bit on the plumper side, and pleasantly so. Her mane appeared at first glance to have many errant locks and curls, but closer inspection revealed it had been well cared for and tightly groomed. Her horn was well polished. Her cutie mark displayed a shooting star, a rainbow trail stretching out behind it. A wicker basket piled high with muffins and baked goodies rested beneath her seat.

"You're new in Ponyville, right?" Scarlet ventured.

"H-what?" Syrup gasped, shrinking back in surprise. "I'm that obvious?"

"No, but that basket looks like a party favor from Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie likes to spring those on ponies." Scarlet smiled in what she hoped was a disarming way. "So tell us, if you're new in town, have you kept in touch with Floral?"

"Not - not really. I'd heard she moved here, but um," Simple Syrup wrinkled her nose and sighed. "I kind of had to, um, disengage for a while."

"Disengage?" This time it was Perique who piped up.

"Mm, um, yes. Yeah. She was, uh. Sorry. I'm trying to put this in like, diplomatic fashion," Simple Syrup half-mumbled.

"Self-destructive?" Scarlet supplied.

"Mm, yes," the unicorn mare nodded, smiling in gratitude. "Yes, um, exactly like that. She um, when we were in school together, she used to, like... how do I put this? She'd put all her pain into fantasies, and run away from it." She sighed and shook her head. "I-I figure... she just, um,"

"I can already tell what you're thinking," Scarlet interrupted. "Don't bother."

"What?" The unicorn's eyes flashed with annoyance for a moment and softened again. "I mean, I appreciate what you're doing, but you can't just-"

"I constructed this scenario in my head the moment I heard what happened," Scarlet continued. "Let me lay it out for you. Floral Fragrance is sad, disturbed, and self-destructive. She wants to hurt herself, but can't get up the courage to let it be 'her own fault'. So she stuffs her own safety bell with cotton, and she breaks her own PipSub. Once she finishes that she self-induces a mental trance and goes to the Borderlands, hoping somepony there will take advantage of her."

"So you suspected?" Simple Syrup gasped, bringing her hooves to her mouth. "Oh, goodness! Then-"

"Then I realized it was unlikely," Scarlet interrupted. "She didn't own the gag she was found with. The cotton wadding pointed to someone trying to indicate an external culprit. Everything so far points away from her."

"Um.." Syrup furrowed her brow. "Doesn't that like, indicate the opposite though?"

Scarlet blinked. Was the cute pony actually offering a counter-argument?

"Um. Like. There's plenty of ways to get somepony else's gag in the Society," Syrup continued, apparently oblivious to Scarlet's shock. "I could do it pretty easy if I wanted to, even. And as for wadding, she could have done that to throw suspicion off herself as easily as, um, anypony else. So um. I think it's just. More likely. Given what I know about her..."

Scarlet looked away from Syrup and toward Perique. Perique nodded. "It seems at least plausible, little one."

"Drat." Scarlet bit her lip, her cheeks flushing red. "I... I hadn't thought of that. I'm so stupid! That's such an obvious way to look at things." With great effort she met Simple Syrup's gaze and smiled. "Thank you."

The unicorn mare smiled back with relief. "So um, you guys believe me?"

"That you know Floral? Yeah." Scarlet shook her head. "But in your solution? I'm not convinced yet. I think it's certainly possible, though."

Syrup's smile melted into a mild frown which, framed by her dimples, somehow managed to make her seem even more adorable. "But like, why? Are you her friend, or something?"

Scarlet closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "No. Not even remotely. She's been my marefriend's neighbor for a while now, and I never even bothered to say hi to her before all this. This doesn't really have anything to do with her."

"Then why?"

"If I had to give you a reason, it's that it's too simple an answer," Scarlet sighed. "That's all."

"Miss Syrup?" The voice of a young stallion rang out from the waiting-room's doorway. "Your friend is ready for you now."

"Um. If you aren't going to give up then, uh, good luck I guess." Simple Syrup raised herself to her hooves and lifted her muffin-basket as she cantered away. "Just, um. Don't be too disappointed if it turns out the answer's too easy."

As the door closed behind both nurse and Syrup, Scarlet pressed herself back into the fabric of her seat.

"What now, little one?" Perique asked, moving close to nuzzle her.

Scarlet relaxed, letting Perique's wings fold around her and craning her head to accept scratches. "I don't think anything changes now. We're gonna solve this just like we said we were going to."

Scarlet's Notes on the Torch Legion:

Normal cities have policemares or a night watch. Royal cities like Canterlot have the Guard. The Clocktower Society has that too, but we also have the Torch Legion.

How best to describe them? Imagine your country's military. Now, your military has an elite force, right? A specialized, prestigious unit. Not just anypony gets in, you mention it in your job history and you instantly get hired as private security or a bodyguard for anyone you want, that kind of thing? Well, imagine a country took that unit of its military and it just donated it to a kink club. There you are, that's the Torch Legion.

This makes more sense when you remember this kink club basically exists to ensure that enough ponies are fucking at any one time to keep the world from literally freezing over.

The thing about the Legion, though, is that unlike a general military they get called on quite often to do police work. Somebody breaks the rules really bad, it's the Legion's job to track them down. And, bless their hearts, they have some of the best wizards in the business and certainly some of the fittest looking mares and stallions I've ever seen - I mean, damn some of those mares - but it's important to remember they're trained to protect and serve first.

What I mean is, the Torch Legion aren't detectives.

Scarlet had rules for dealing with ponies who made her feel uncomfortable: be calm, keep her head down, and avoid provoking them as much as possible. If you did those things you could usually dodge the situation by excusing yourself the moment you had accomplished the bare minimum of whatever business had brought you there in the first place. If you brought a friend, it worked even better. Use her as a shield, and you had to interact half as often.

The problem with these rules was that they really didn't help when you had two ponies who made you feel uncomfortable right next to each other in a tiny space.

Nurse Redheart had indeed been waiting outside Floral's room. Scarlet had expected that. She had not anticipated Praiseworthy Virtue to be waiting as well. Nor had she expected the two to look so deeply disgusted already. They were glaring at each other, and at any moment Scarlet thought she'd see one or the other break the standoff and begin a shouting match.

Scarlet was struck by a sudden urge to flee. Take Perique, run to Sugarcube Corner, get a bun. They could spend a pleasant evening together eating pastry and snuggling, and they wouldn't have to worry about the toxicology report until tomorrow. Everything would be fine. They had time.

Scarlet thought of High Tide and his bloodshot eyes and his stinking breath.

Scarlet cleared her throat. "Um..."

Both Redheart and Praiseworthy turned their heads, and both gave the same exasperated sigh. Scarlet flinched and stared at the floor. It didn't keep the bite of Praiseworthy's voice out of her ears. "Ah, the little detective and her handler. Tell me, what are you doing here? I distinctly remember informing you today that the Torch Legion has a suspect well in hoof."

Scarlet felt Perique's wing enveloping her. "And we appreciate thy concern," Perique replied, hugging Scarlet close to her side, "but thou'rt out of line to suggest a talented pony avoid thy investigation in this way."

"Am I?" Scarlet managed to meet Praiseworthy's gaze for only a moment before looking away. "Am I, really? Because what I see isn't a talented investigator. It's a little lost pet playing hero for her own satisfaction. Even she can tell. That's why you can't meet my gaze, isn't it?"

Scarlet felt a lump in her throat form, but just as suddenly felt a flush of heat moving through her body. "...say that again," she muttered.

"Speak up," Praiseworthy snapped.

Scarlet took a deep breath and shook off Perique's wing. She closed her eyes and raised her head. When she opened them she was staring into Praiseworthy's."I said," she enunciated, taking extra time with each word, "say. That. Again. But you know what? On second thought, don't. I'm not avoiding your eyes because I'm guilty, I'm avoiding them because eyes are really fucking tricky and because I think you're fucking attractive in spite of being an absolute and total ass!"

The words rang through the hallway and Scarlet felt adrenaline buzzing through her veins, reducing her thoughts to a low buzz. She'd done it. She'd actually told off a Torch Legion member. This was going to backfire so hard but it was so worth it.

Praiseworthy turned to Nurse Redheart, ignoring Scarlet entirely. "Nurse Redheart, if these two ask for any materials or information related to this investigation, I will consider it an obstruction of justice if you provide them. For all I know, they're planning to tip off our suspect." She pushed past Scarlet and Perique, deliberately passing between the smaller mares.

"Apologize," Scarlet growled.

Praiseworthy stopped in her tracks. "For what? Doing my job? Keeping you two out of harm's way and ensuring minimal risk to an ongoing investigation?"

"For saying I need to be gagged more often. We weren't in play, I was at my marefriend's house having breakfast, and you showed up to intimidate me. I'm a sub, not a fucking child." Scarlet realized that she actually believed what she was saying. She wasn't sure if that was more terrifying or surprising.

"Praiseworthy," Perique added, crossing between Scarlet and the Legion mare, "you do owe her at least that much."

"And you two owe me the courtesy of leaving investigations to the professionals," Praiseworthy snapped.

Scarlet hissed as the unicorn mare disappeared. Then she realized exactly how dizzy she felt, and how much her legs were shaking, and how easy it would be to just collapse next to Perique. "I did it," she marveled. "I actually - I actually did it."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I'm sorry that happened to you, Scarlet," Nurse Redheart said.

"Don't be," Scarlet assured her, leaning in as Perique began to stroke her mane. "I think she's angry because I figured out who her suspect is already." She turned to look at Redheart. "So um. I guess telling us what substances you suspect were used on Floral is out of the question?"

A devious smirk played across Nurse Redheart's lips. "Absolutely out of the question, not under direct orders from a legionnaire. I can't tell you that no official toxicology report exists yet, or that I did any sort of informal investigation. That's why I'm also not telling you about the fact that when I did so, I confirmed that Floral's showed signs of using high-grade salts quite recently."

"High-grade salts," Scarlet mused. "Thank you for not sharing."

"I don't like when ponies tell me how to best protect my patients. Or my friends." Nurse Redheart gestured down the hallway. "You two should go now."

"Our thanks, sweet Nurse." Perique swept Scarlet under her wing and the two began to make their exit.

Scarlet grinned in spite of herself. Salts. Of all things, salts. It all felt like it was falling into place. "Actually, one more thing!" she called to Nurse Redheart, turning around.

"Make it quick, I do have to get back to my rounds."

Scarlet squinted. Was that a smile playing around the corners of Nurse Redheart's lips, or was she imagining things? "The salts I don't know about, hypothetically speaking. Has more than one pony in town been using this same kind of salt?"

Nurse Redheart pursed her lips. "I certainly don't know of at least three others, one of whom is actually connected to the case."

"Pity. Thank you anyway!"

The Ponyville Weather Team were busily arranging clouds into a fluffy, grey blanket in preparation for the afternoon's scheduled shower when Scarlet and Perique left the hospital. Scarlet frowned. "Well, I suppose time wasn't on our side to begin with. We need to hurry over to see High Tide, ideally before the Legion pick him up." She set off at a brisk trot.

"You think she's going to be making an arrest this soon?" Perique asked, easily matching Scarlet's pace. "And how are you so sure that he's the suspect?'

Scarlet grinned and increased her pace, moving just a hair ahead of Perique. "I admit, it was an educated guess before. What Nurse Redheart just told us almost certainly confirms it, though."

"The salts?" Perique hummed to herself for a moment. "I suppose that does establish a link between the two, but you were certain even before you heard that. Why?"

The first raindrop spattered into the dirt path the two followed, and Scarlet frowned at it. "Think about High Tide for a moment."

"Hmmm..."

"We know, for instance, he's suffering from depression, right? And he's fixated on Floral Fragrance. That much is obvious from the way he talked about her," Scarlet continued without waiting for Perique's conclusion. "He mentioned that he's close to getting kicked out of the Society as well, and he was willing to attack even somepony who objectively saved Floral. Add to that his use of low-grade booze and high-grade salts as a coping mechanism, and..."

"...And he seems like the kind of pony the Torch Legion might have already had on a watchlist," Perique finished for her. "Excellent thinking, little one."

Scarlet practically skipped, the praise sending a bubbling jet of happiness through her entire body. "Thanks, mama!" she chirped, pressing herself close to Perique's side. "Pets?" Perique reached over with a leathery wing and rubbed the very top of Scarlet's mane, tousling it gently. Scarlet felt herself nearly melt as they turned the next corner. "Of course, it goes beyond that if you apply a little imagination."

"Oh?"

"Well, I can't prove anything until we talk to High Tide or Floral but let's suppose that, say, High Tide is feeling very possessive of her. And he makes that very clear to her. Maybe he intimidates a dom she plays with. Maybe he begs her not to go out into the Borderlands, or he lectures her about it. Whatever he does, it's creepy and weird and she doesn't like it. What do you think she does after that?"

"Immediately reports it to the Guard," Perique answered without missing a beat.

"One, yes. Two, I love you and you're perfect." Scarlet pecked Perique's cheek, noting the slight flush in the batpony's cheeks with satisfaction. "So High Tide's behavior gets reported. It's a first-time offense so all he gets is maybe a stern talking to or some stink-eye. After that he backs off a bit but the Legion keeps an eye on him. You know, just in case."

"And that leads us here," Perique mused.

"There's something else too," Scarlet admitted, "but I want to talk to High Tide before we get to that." She came to a halt just outside High Tide's home. "Unfortunately, Praiseworthy has probably made good use of her head start."

"You think she's been here already, then?"

"I'd put bits on it if I had any with me." Scarlet strode up to the front door and knocked. To her surprise, she felt no real nervousness this time. It was just a visit to a friend or client. A friend or client with severe alcoholism and an addiction to particularly nasty substances, but under the circumstances it didn't much matter.

The door swung open and Scarlet looked directly into High Tide's chest. With effort, she craned her neck up to get a good look at his face. The pegasus was just as drunk as the last time she had seen him. He was also tired. His face was sagging, his shoulders drooped, and she could feel the exhaustion weighing him down. She tried to say something, but looking into his vacant eyes she found her words strangling themselves half-formed in her mind.

"Oh. It's you," High Tide said at last, his voice as empty as his stare.

"It's us," Scarlet confirmed. "We just wanted to check up on you again."

"Uh-huh."

This was bad. She had expected him to be angry, upset, vitriolic at the absolute injustice of being falsely accused. Here he was gripped by exhaustion and melancholy. With the right push, she could probably convince him to sign a confession regardless of guilt. Maybe Praiseworthy already had. Scarlet searched frantically for something to say.

"Mr. Tide," Perique intervened, drawing close, "let me make you something to eat."

A spark of life flickered in High Tide's eyes. "Something to eat?" he asked. He sounded like he was saying the words for the first time.

"Yes. I'm no professional, but there's quite a bit I'm capable of. I seem to remember you have a quite nice kitchen from our visit the other day, and you look as though you have been starving yourself." Perique drew herself up, almost reaching High Tide's height as slumped over and haggard as he was.

"What would Floral say if she saw you starving yourself like this?" Scarlet added.

"...I'd like that," he admitted.

That was when the rain began to fall in earnest.

Scarlet stirred the contents of her bowl and inhaled the heavenly aroma.

Scouring High TIde's kitchen for ingredients had revealed a surprising bounty. While some of the food in his pantry was old enough to alleviate Scarlet's guilt about her own hoarding habits, Perique had been quite impressed by the contents of his spice rack. Scarlet had located some delicious heirloom tomatoes fresh from Ponyville's farmer's market as well as a nearly-clean stock pot. Under Perique's guidance the two had set to work.

The fruit of their labor was a bowl of deep, red deliciousness. One sip warmed Scarlet's body to the core and teased her mouth with errant bites of exotic spice. She ripped off a bit of the crusty baguette she had found hidden in High Tide's refrigerator and dipped it into the soup, then bit down, enjoying the flavors as they flowed out. Across the table she could see Perique doing the same.

High Tide didn't move for a minute or two, and Scarlet found herself split between encouraging him to take a taste and asking if she could have his portion. At last the bewitching aroma overcame his defenses, and he tilted the bowl to his lips. A warm smile crossed across his face, unbidden, as he smacked them in satisfaction.

A vision filled Scarlet's head. A vision of a younger High Tide, still rough and scarred from his work on the seas but less angry and miserable. A rough stallion, but a stallion who smiled easily, laughed loudly, and spoke his mind without thinking. That High Tide was the kind of stallion somepony might fall in love with almost without noticing.

High Tide set his bowl down, nearly empty. "Thank you both," he managed. His smile was fading, but the vacant emptiness from his earlier expression had yet to return.

"Think nothing of it, friend," Perique said as she set her own bowl down. "In the Old Colony, the priests of the Night-Mother teach us that to show friendship is to serve others in their time of need, and that to set food before the hungry is to show devotion to our ruler. You are quite hungry."

Scarlet felt her stomach make a small, happy flip. Perique didn't often speak of the teachings of her faith, but each time she did Scarlet found herself wanting more.

High Tide sighed. "I ain't... I haven't...." Scarlet felt her heart go out to him as he searched for words and found none. "I thought everypony had given up on me."

"I haven't." Scarlet wondered who had said that, and was surprised to realize it was herself. And that she believed it. "And you probably shouldn't worry too much about Praiseworthy." She saw High Tide stiffen and tense at the name. "She did visit you, then?"

High TIde nodded somberly. "She... I thought she was here to, to take a statement. Talk to me about Floral or something. And then she starts asking me about salts, and where Floral got them. Tells me not to leave the house. She. She looked at me like I'd done it." He looked from Scarlet to Perique and back again. "Is that what everypony thinks? That it was me?"

"I am sure not everypony thinks that," Perique began.

"It doesn't look good though," Scarlet cut in. She had been waiting for this since they arrived, and couldn't help the feeling of euphoria that washed over her as she stood up and crossed to the corner of the room. "They found evidence that Floral was using salts. I'm going to guess they're the same kind you've been using yourself, aren't they?"

High Tide flinched. "I ain't using-"

"Don't play dumb." Scarlet rolled her eyes. "I'm a shut-in but even I can see the signs. High Tide, why does a pony who belongs to the sea move inland? When the fishing trade takes a hit, sure, you have to find work where you can manage it - but why not another coastal town? Why not a place where your strength is valuable, someplace under constant construction like Los Pegasus?"

She saw High Tide's mouth fall open a little and smirked. "So I'm right, aren't I?"

Perique looked back and forth from High Tide to Scarlet. "...Little one, I feel somewhat out of the loop."

"It's pretty simple when you think about it. Why does a pony who lives by the sea come inland, and what do they do there? They bring the sea back with them. High Tide here isn't just a salt user, no ma'am." Scarlet smiled as sweetly as she could at High Tide, enjoying the surprise spreading across his face. "He's a dealer."

High Tide buried his head in his hooves. "How'd you know?"

"Didn't know. Suspected," Scarlet corrected him. "Now I do. Don't worry, I don't think you're our mystery assailant. Though lying to me the way you did last time Perique and I checked in on you isn't going to help your case. I imagine it looked even worse if you tried it on Praiseworthy."

High Tide shook his head, as if trying to clear it. "That ain't what it was though," he protested. "I just. I just..."

Perique crossed to the pegasus's side and caressed his shoulder with her wing. "Be at peace," she whispered. "Be at peace and let not your past crimes scar you. 'Tis the night-mother's creed." High Tide didn't respond out loud, simply nodding.

Scarlet returned to her chair. "High Tide, let me make something very clear to you. I am a detective. My goal is to uncover the truth by any means necessary. I'm not doing this to save you. I'm doing this because I want to know what really happened. For what it's worth, I do not think you are the pony I'm after, but I'm not here to pull you out of a pit you dug for yourself. I can't stand it when ponies lie to me."

"I didn't mean to," High Tide protested. "I just couldn't say it! I couldn't. I can't. I can't admit she's-"

"That she never loved you?" Scarlet supplied.

Before the words had even left her mouth, she saw something in High Tide break to pieces. The stallion began to sob uncontrollably, tears rolling down his face. Perique moved close to hug him. Scarlet, after a moment, did the same.

They stayed like that for a while.

"So you knew all along?" Perique asked.

Scarlet sank into her chair. They had commandeered High Tide's living room while he recovered upstairs. She felt bad for him. The dam that had broken had been holding his tears back for a long time, and it might be a while before the flow subsided. "I never know," she corrected Perique. "I just have good hunches."

"Very good hunches, little one," Perique mused. "Both on your way here, and all that you said to High Tide? Thy suspicions have been quite well-informed." Scarlet shuddered a bit with pleasure as Perique let her Old-Colony accent show through.

"It's... well, it's all there. I didn't know all of it until now, but the more things played out, the more certain I became," she answered, trying to stifle her own pride. "It's just guesswork though."

"Really now." A smile played across Perique's lips. "Suppose thou takest some time to inform thy Mama of just what went through thy mind until now, little one?"

Even without the encouragement she had been having a hard time holding herself back. Perique telling her to go ahead in that way, with that voice? Scarlet thought she might melt. "Well, let's start where I did then - the house."

Perique cast her gaze around the room. "The house? And how did that factor into thy reasoning"

"Indirectly," Scarlet admitted. "But it was significant. When you look at this house and High Tide, it's easy to see the root of his depression is related to how much he misses the sea. I can't blame him for that either. If I couldn't practice my vocation, I'd go to pieces." Unbidden memories of her last attempt at a regular job overwhelmed her. "I do go to pieces, honestly."

"Thou findest in him a kindred spirit then?" Perique probed.

Scarlet frowned. "I... I suppose I do." She tried to reorient herself, gathering her thoughts again. "Anyway my point was I could tell he was depressed because he was away from the sea. He's been drinking to deal with it. The salt use factored in as well. And Floral? She's something else he was using." Scarlet half-smiled. "Remember what he said about her when we first met?"

"Let me see... that she did not mind him being gentle in aftercare?"

"You've got it. Our friend has trouble expressing himself. For a stallion like him, a mare who likes rough play but doesn't give him problems when he wants to be nice must have seemed like a dream. Dreaming of a relationship with her must have helped him keep things together. Just like filling his house with all this fishing tackle." Scarlet brushed the strands of the net hanging on the wall with a hoof. "Dreams to keep his personal demons at bay."

"That explains thy knowledge of his lies. I noticed too, his claims that she was his. Floral wears a red collar. Not what I would expect from an attached sub." Perique smiled. "Well thought out, little one. Though thou still hast much to explain. How, for instance, do you account for thy knowledge of High Tide's new career?"

"That? Oh, it was sheer guesswork," Scarlet chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Honestly it was kind of flimsy reasoning but it all fit together in the end. We know Praiseworthy has reason to dislike High Tide, right?"

"Aye, but how does that factor in?"

"It's how I guessed. Actually, that was what got me thinking about it in the first place. At first I figured High Tide was just a salt-user, trying to drown his depression in it. I figured he'd be a suspect because if he's this possessive of Floral, she might have already complained to the Torch Legion once."

"We discussed as much on the trip over," Perique confirmed.

"Uh-huh. But then Nurse Redheart mentioned Floral had used salts. If they're the same salts as High Tide, that means there's another link we hadn't considered." Scarlet smiled. "And she was also kind enough to confirm multiple ponies in town were using them, so I suspected a local dealer."

"But that could simply prove that the two shared a supplier. Why go farther, little one?"

"Two reasons. It was a bit of a stretch, but when I saw High Tide's reaction, I realized I was on the right track." Scarlet held up one hoof the way she sometime saw Gilda holding up a talon, and regretted she didn't have individual claws to count off on. "First, where do salts come from? The ocean. Salt is refined from seawater. What pony in this town has a better connection to a coastal region than High Tide?"

"Hmmm. Still a stretch, little one, but I follow. What else?" Perique coaxed.

"The second reason was Praiseworthy's fixation. And it got me thinking, what if it wasn't simply an issue of being possessive? Plenty of doms speak possessively when they shouldn't, and not all are under investigation. What if Floral hadn't reported him for creeping on her? What if he attracted attention doing something a bit shadier? Say... promoting his wares on Clocktower grounds?"

Perique gave a low gasp of surprise. "He would never have been allowed to sell such a product there for use. It goes strictly against the rules."

"No, taking it onto Clocktower grounds is against the rules. Using it in the Society is against the rules. Mentioning you sell it out of your home by mail-order to a submissive in an aftercare room or to a fellow dom while you're discussing bondage tips or something? It's not encouraged, but nothing says you can't." Scarlet smiled. "High Tide is bad at admitting his feelings, but he's even worse at thinking about how other ponies will interpret what he says. Just look at everything he's done so far in this case!"

"And this led thee to taking a shot."

"The moment he said that Praiseworthy was asking where Floral got her salts, I knew I was on the right track."

"Very well thought out, little one!"

"Thank you, Mama!" Scarlet chirped. She felt a twinge of embarrassment as she said it, but it was overwhelmed by the euphoria of triumph.

"That does leave us with another awkward question." Perique pursed her lips. "Who might have done this?"

"I have one idea," Scarlet admitted. "Well, two. They're both a bit of a stretch until we find a final clue. And if Praiseworthy's already here, we're on a time limit. High Tide could be in jail by tomorrow." She leaped from her seat. "Do you think he's alright to talk to yet?"

"Alright as I'll ever be."

Scarlet jumped in surprise, a squeak of shock leaping to her lips unbidden. High Tide stood in the doorway of the living room. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" she protested.

"Little one, he has been there listening for the past minute," Perique chided her. "I would have said something, but I thought thou hadst taken note of him already."

Scarlet felt her cheeks turning crimson. "Oh." She searched desperately for some way to repair the situation. "Hey, um, I just wanted to..."

"It's alright," High Tide assured her. Scarlet took a better look at him. His face was covered in tear stains and his eyes were still reddened, but underneath he looked healthier than he had at any other point in their short acquaintance. "You're not wrong. It's my fault I'm in this mess now. Floral was... she was never mine. She's never been mine. Probably never will be." He sniffled a bit.

Scarlet tried to find something to say to comfort him but here, with his secrets in the open already, she found she had nothing to add.

"Anyway I'm... I'm grateful for what you're doing. For her. And for me now, I guess." High Tide managed, regaining control of himself. "If... if I make it out of this without doing time, I'm going into rehab. Taking some time to put myself back together."

"I can recommend a few places," Perique offered.

High tide nodded. "S'funny. When my old captain offered to cut me in as one of his dealers, I thought it'd be fun. Good money, no back-breaking work, no wondering if the next catch will be enough to keep food on my plate." He fell silent.

"And now?" Scarlet asked.

"Now I'm up to my wingtips in debt an' everything good in my life's gone out like the tide. Listen to me and listen well. If anypony tells you to run away from a job you love for money, for ease, for anything? Buck 'em upside the head. I should've. I should've done a lot of things." High Tide lifted his hoof. A small necklace dangled from a it. It was a plain, black cord with a bright piece of what looked like polished and carved jade hanging from it. "Listen. If they end up takin' me in, this is gonna do me no good. So it's yours now."

He tossed it into the air. Scarlet barely managed to catch it, nearly losing her grip a moment later. "You're sure?" she asked. "I'm not looking for payment and I can't promise we'll save you."

"Ain't about payment. It's about letting go." High Tide closed his eyes. "That was my grandma's. My grandpa carved it for her back in the old days, when he was a river-driver. Came from a mine right on the shore. My ma told me to give it to somepony special. I was savin' it for Floral. Instead, all I gave her was salts and a chronic case of wantin' nothing to do with me. Broke my heart somethin' awful. I tried to pretend she was mine to make it easier. Made things worse."

Scarlet took a closer look at the carved jade. It had been shaped into a small anchor, much like High Tide's own cutie mark. She strung it around her neck and smiled. "I promise I'll return this once we expose the real culprit."

"Nah. Forget it," High Tide shook his head. "I'm done thinkin' about love for now. Give it to your sweetheart instead. Then it'll be making somepony happy instead of making me miserable."

Scarlet fondled the anchor with a hoof. It didn't match Perique's sensibilities, but on the other hoof, there was a griffon she could think of who might at least find it a sweet gesture. And after High Tide's comments the other day, maybe this was karmic justice. "I'll do that."

"Thank you. Now you all had better go." High Tide gestured to the door. "I don't know when the Legion are coming back to pick me up, but I don't want you two caught up in that."

"Of course." Perique rose from her chair. "I thank thee for thy hospitality, and wish thee luck." Scarlet could think of nothing to add, and simply joined her.

"Oh. One more thing!" High Tide called just they passed through.

Scarlet turned her head. "What's that?"

"I remembered!" High Tide answered. "Not her name, but I remembered!"

"Remembered what?" Scarlet pursed her lip. "Who?"

"What you asked last time. I did play with someone other than Floral before. Took me a while to remember it. Had to sober up some." High Tide scratched the back of his head with a hoof. "I remember she was a white collar. Sweet girl. Nothing else though. Rest of the night's a blur. I got myself right wasted afterward."

"Don't worry." Scarlet's lips curled into a smile. "I think that about settles what happened."

"It does?"

The rain, which had dwindled into a light drizzle, began to pick up again.

"I'll tell you later!" Scarlet called over her shoulder as she and Perique dashed around the corner, looking for shelter.

That was it. The final piece.

The only question now was who it best fit?

Scarlet's Address to the Reader:

Hello.

If you are for some reason going through my notes of the Safety Bell Incident, first, I'd like to inform you that I never intended to have these published. If for some reason they were, many names have been changed to protect the innocent. I hope.

Second, though, I imagine I've published them to indulge my egotism. I'm curious. Do you see the same thing I have seen?

If you continue any further into these notes, the culprit will be unmasked. We've met every major player by now. Every mare and stallion who factors into this sordid tale. I'm sure you've ruled a few out - I did too - but as with any good mystery, a twist ending is quite possible. Have you forgotten how nervous Grant was, for instance? I attributed that to losing his position as a student, but we only have his word that Floral was already bound and fogged when he found her.

The mysterious angel, Simple Syrup? She seems to know something about Floral. But is the culprit really somepony who appears so late in the story? I wouldn't be particularly satisfied with that, myself.

What of Floral herself? If any mare had the best means and opportunity to accomplish this crime, it'd be her. Did she perhaps drown herself in fantasy? We know she was using salts at the time, quite against Clocktower rules.

What of Praiseworthy? As a Legionnaire she is in the best possible position to guide the investigation. Why has she spent so much time trying to cut off both myself and Perique? Is she really that disgusted with us and High Tide? Or is she trying to create a plausible culprit herself?

Oh, and I'd be remiss if I ruled out High Tide entirely. Perhaps he wasn't the mastermind of the crime, but could he have deliberately assisted and offered to shield Floral? Perhaps in an effort to make up for his own crimes?

Here I give you every possibility. I assure you at least one of them is not entirely a falsehood. And now, reader, if you are seeing this, I can't resist.

Do you see what I see?

Let's match wits, you and I.