In the Chief's office...
Chief Parker: Hello, <Name>. As the police Chief, it's my pleasure to welcome you to Grimsborough!
Chief Parker: I know you've worked here a few years ago, and I heard you did great, so I won't waste time explaining the job of a homicide detective to you!
Chief Parker: You'll soon see that I run a tight ship, but I'm sure we'll get along just fine!
Jones: Right you are, Chief! But since we're not investigating a case just this minute, I wondered if I might steal <Name> for a stroll around town? You know, show off the new sights and all that?
Chief Parker: <Name>, I'm sure you remember Jones? He'll be your partner. And Jones, don't be coy! I know you want to take <Name> to the zoo. You've been talking about nothing else for days!
Jones: Well, yes it's true! <Name>, it's because Nathan, our old coroner, now works at the zoo! He's become a vet - can you believe it?
Jones: Just imagine - going from dead bodies to treating patients that can bite! What a crazy cat, that Nathan! Anyway, I thought it'd be nice to go see him!
Chief Parker: Very well, Jones, you can go! It's so early that the rest of the team isn't in yet anyway. You can meet them when you get back, <Name>!
Jones: Great! <Name>, I'm not sure the zoo will be open yet, but hopefully Nathan will already be there!
Chapter 1
Investigate Zoo.
David Jones: <Name>, someone's on the ground! Oh no, is that... Nathan?
Jones: Call 911, he's wounded!
Jones: I... no, you're right, Nathan's not breathing! It's too late... he's dead!
Jones: Look at his wrists... he was tied up! And he's covered in bite marks...
Jones: Wait a minute! I've seen a LOT of nature programs... These are snake bites!
Jones: So Nathan was murdered! Using a snake! What exactly happened here?
Jones: Hopefully Martine, our coroner, will be able to tell us more!
Jones: And that's Nathan's smartwatch! I'd recognize it anywhere! It must have fallen off as the killer was attacking him.
Jones: I'm sure Nathan would forgive us for hacking into his watch under the circumstances. Let's unlock it!
Jones: And we'd better tape these torn up pieces of paper back together, just in case!
Jones: <Name>, I never expected our reunion with Nathan to end up with us investigating his murder! We owe it to him to see this through!
Examine Torn Card.
Jones: <Name>, this might look like a cute little greeting card, but the message inside it is far from sweet, and it's addressed to Nathan!
Jones: It says: "Nathan, Expecting you in early tomorrow. Keeping my eye on you. Don't be late!" And it's signed "J. Peacock".
Jones: I agree, we'd better find this Peacock dude and ask what he was doing ordering Nathan around!
Ask Jackson Peacock to explain his aggressive message to Nathan.
Jackson: YOU THERE! The zoo isn't open yet! How the devil did you get in?
Jones (presenting his badge): We're Grimsborough PD! And who are you, exactly?
Jackson: Don't you recognize me? I am Jackson Peacock, owner of the Mighty Zooniverse and Fairview's wealthiest entrepreneur!
Jones: Well, we're here investigating a murder, and-
Jackson (sweating): A murder? At my zoo?! Oh Lord, this is going to be terrible for business! Who died?
Jones: Nathan Pandit, one of your employees. Why did you tell him in strong terms to come to the zoo early today?
Jackson: Nathan's dead?! I was simply reminding the fellow not to be late! Oh, this is just getting worse and worse! Do you know how hard it is to find a good vet these days?
Jackson: I suppose I can't open the zoo until your investigation is complete. And just after I've spent a fortune on refurbishing the terrarium! What a disaster!
(Jackson leaves.)
Jones: <Name>, did you hear Peacock mention a terrarium? Isn't that where snakes live?
Jones (sweating): Given that Nathan's murder involved a snake, I agree we should look around the terrarium! The dangerous reptiles will all be locked up, right?
Investigate Terrarium.
Jones (sweating): Thank goodness there aren't any snakes creeping about... at least not outside their cages!
Jones: But you're right, it seems someone was here recently, and left behind their handbag! Let's take a peek inside!
Jones: And look, this locket has a picture of a woman in it. She's kind of familiar...
Jones: <Name>, let's see if we can find a record of this mystery gal in our database!
Examine Handbag.
Jones: <Name>, what makes you think the travel flask you found in the handbag is going to help us?
Jones: Oh, there's something written on the side of the flask? Well, I know better than to doubt your instincts! Let's get your dusting kit and retrieve that text!
Examine Faded Words.
Jones: So, let's see what it says on the travel flask: "Miss Goldfinch, World's Best Teacher"...
Jones: This Miss Goldfinch must be the owner of the handbag we found the flask in! She can't have gone far without her things. We'd better find her and have a little chat!
Ask Pippa Goldfinch what she's doing in the zoo so early.
Jones: Miss Goldfinch? We believe this is your bag. Can we ask what you're doing at the zoo before opening hours?
Pippa: I'm a science teacher at Fairview High. We've got a school trip to the zoo later today, so I came in early to make sure everything was in order for the little darlings!
Jones: Well, I'm sorry to say that the zoo is closed until further notice because of a murder. The zoo vet's been found dead!
Pippa: A murder?! Oh, I knew going to the zoo was a bad idea!
Pippa: My dear pupils are such sensitive souls. Imagine if they'd seen the dead body - they'd have been traumatized for life!
Jones: Um, yes, well, please do stay reachable by phone, Miss Goldfinch, as we may still have some questions for you!
Examine Mystery Woman.
Jones: Wait a sec, <Name>, the girl in the locket's Harper Stone?
Jones: Harper's Nathan's girlfriend! I can't believe I didn't recognize her straight away!
Jones: I must admit I hadn't spent much time with Nathan recently. I've had... a lot on my mind...
Jones: If I remember correctly, Harper moonlights as a consultant at the zoo. We'd better find her and pass on the sad news of Nathan's death.
Inform Harper Stone of Nathan's murder.
Harper: Jones, are you looking for Nathan? I'm afraid I have no idea where he is!
Jones: Harper, I'm sorry to meet you after so long with sad news. You see, we found Nathan's body earlier today. He's been murdered.
Harper: I don't think I heard you correctly, Jones. Did you just say that Nathan's been murdered?
Jones: Yes, I'm afraid I did. I'm so sorry!
Harper (crying): But this can't be! Who could have done this? Who could have wanted to kill Nathan?!
Harper: Nathan and I were so happy together! Please find whoever did this, <Rank> <Name>!
Examine Locked Smartwatch.
Jones: <Name>, let's hope Cathy can find something useful hiding inside Nathan's high-tech smartwatch!
Analyze Smartwatch.
Cathy: Oh, <Name>, I can't believe your first day back in Grimsborough has been tainted with such tragedy!
Cathy: Nathan was an awesome guy! I remember how sweet he was with little Sammy when we took him to the zoo.
Cathy: Oh, but you don't know! Me and Alex got married, and then we had Sammy. Alex decided to stop working for the police and become a stay-at-home dad, and I'm replacing him.
Cathy: But I digress. Nathan's smartwatch contained a pretty threatening email that had been sent to him!
Cathy: The email's subject contained three snake emojis, and read: "Nathan, Man is the weakest and most defenseless of all living things... as you'll soon find out!"
Jones: A threatening email involving snakes? Given how Nathan died, it must have been sent to him by his killer!
Cathy: I agree, but frustratingly, I couldn't trace the address the email came from! And then I had a thought, and enlisted Gabriel's help...
Jones: Ah yes, <Name>, Gabriel's our profiler and all-round culture expert! And if you have any questions about history, Gabe's your man!
Gabriel: Delighted to make your acquaintance, <name>! And you're too kind, Jones, although I'd prefer you didn't refer to me as Gabe...
Gabriel: Back to the killer's email. Their choice of words intrigued me... It sounded like they were quoting something.
Gabriel: And I was right! The killer had appropriated the line from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, a tale about a boy called Mowgli and his anthropomorphized animal friends!
Jones: So the killer reads the Jungle Book! Well, prison rats will be their only animal friends once <Name> puts them behind bars!
Autopsy Victim's Body.
Martine: Oh là là, quelle horreur!
Jones: Hey Martine, I know - Nathan's murder really is a tragedy.
Martine: Yes, it's difficult enough having someone I know on my autopsy table, and even more so when he's such a fine male specimen!
Martine: But first things first, it's nice to meet you, <Name>! I've heard a lot about your... prowess in the field!
Martine: Talking of which, back to your poor dead friend! To begin with, the killer hit Nathan's head with some sort of long, thin stick, so as to render him unconscious.
Martine: Then, as you saw, they tied his wrists together with rope, I suppose just in case he woke up.
Jones: This is all very interesting, but what can you tell us about Nathan's snake bites?
Martine: Well, these bites come from the fangs of the Eastern coral snake, which makes this serpent your murder weapon!
Martine: It's easily recognizable by its red, yellow and black stripes!
Martine: The venom from the Eastern coral would have caused Nathan to experience slurred speech, double vision and muscular paralysis, followed by a fatal heart attack!
Jones: What a terrible way to die. Poor Nathan!
Martine: Yes, but what's interesting is that the Eastern coral is a timid creature that doesn't usually bite people...
Martine: ... Which means your killer must be such a good snake handler that they were able to force the reptile into attacking your victim multiple times!
Jones: <Name>, our killer may be a snake charmer, but I'd like to see them charm themselves out of their jail cell!
Later, at the zoo...
Jones: <Name>, I was hoping your return to Grimsborough would kick off on a high, but instead we have the death of a dear friend to contend with!
Jones: Nathan's murder sounded torturous... I don't think I'd wish death from snake venom on even my worst enemies!
Jones: Our suspects include Jackson Peacock, the owner of the zoo where Nathan worked. Peacock's a pompous twerp, but so far we have no murder motive there!
Jones: Then there's Pippa Goldfinch, the science teacher who happened to be at the zoo at the time of Nathan's murder.
Jones: We also questioned Nathan's girlfriend, Harper, but I can't imagine her harming, let alone, killing him!
Jones: We've got our work cut ou-
HISSSSSSSS
Jones (sweating): What's that noise, <Name>?
(A snake approaches Jones and the player.)
Jones: Argh! It's a snake!!
Chapter 2
David Jones: <Name>, I can't believe we've had to deal with the murder of our friend and former coroner on your very first day back in Grimsborough!
Jones: Nathan's sadistic killer used a venomous snake to poison him to death. It was a truly nasty way to die!
Jones: We need to focus all our energies on catching the slimebag that did this to Nathan!
Jones: We've already questioned a bunch of sus-
HISSSSSSSS
Jones (sweating): What was that?
(A snake approaches Jones and the player.)
Jones: Argh! It's a snake!!
(The snake advances on Jones.)
Jones (sweating): It's on me! <Name>, SAVE ME!
A few minutes later...
Jones (sweating): <Name>, you're my hero! I don't know how you had the guts to grab that snake with your bare hands!
Jones: You were so brave! Without you, I'd have been reptile food by now!
Jones: That God the beast slithered off. I hope we never see it again!
Jones: Oh... you think that snake fits the description Martine gave us of the one that was used to kill Nathan? Then I guess we need to get it back!
Jones: I think I saw it wriggle into the zoo store over there. We'd better go have a look, <Name>!
Investigate Zoo Candy Store.
Jones (sweating): <Name>, I can't see that horrible snake anywhere! What if it jumps on me again?
Vince: Did you dudes say "snake"? Cause there's a little critter on the loose!
Jones: We know way more about that than we'd like! Who are you?
Vince: Vince Moon - zoo keeper! I look after lovelies like the snakeys, feed them, play with them, we have nice chats sometimes... And I just noticed one of their tanks was empty!
Jones: You clearly don't look after them closely enough if one escaped on your watch! We'll need a word with you as soon as we've caught it, Mr Moon!
(Vince leaves.)
Jones: Uh, <Name>, speaking of which, we'd better find that slithering critter!
Jones (sweating): Oh, you think the beast... might be hiding? In that box of toys? Well, better you searching through it than me!
Jones: But why did you pick up that book? It's just somewhere for zoo visitors to leave their feedback!
Jones: Oh, I see! There's an anonymous entry about Nathan! It says: "It is IMPERATIVE that you FIRE Nathan Pandit right away!"
Jones: Whoever wrote this message seemed pretty mad at Nathan... Maybe taking a sample of that multicolored powder on the page will help reveal their identity!
Ask Vince Moon about the snake.
Vince: I'm really sorry about that wandering snake, <Rank> <Name>! Still not sure how she got out of her tankie!
Jones: Well, Vince, your not-so-little snake was used to murder someone!
Vince: Say what? But Bollo wouldn't hurt a fly, no sirree! Even the boss knows how to handle her!
Jones: Mr Moon, aside from you, who has access to the snake tanks?
Vince: Anyone who knows how to open the tanks to feed the snakes their nice treats! So, I guess people who work at the zoo... and sneaky visitors too!
Jones: So pretty much anyone... Is there anything you can tell us about the victim, Nathan Pandit?
Vince: Na... Nathan's the one who's dead?!
Vince: But Nathan was my friend! He was the only one who believed in my magical power!
Jones: Er... what magical power would that be, Mr Moon?
Vince: Duh - talking to animals, of course!
Jones: I... I see! Well, if the animals tell you who killed Nathan, you'll make sure to let us know, won't ya?
Examine Toy Bin.
Jones: ARGH, the snake! The snake WAS in the toy bin!
Jones (sweating): I mean... yeah, I know that's what we were hoping for. Sorry, <Name>!
Jones: The slimy critter seems to have gone to sleep... Maybe it's started hibernating or something.
Jones: Whatever, at least the snake won't bite anyone on its way to Rupert. He's our new lab chief, and quite an interesting character, as you'll soon discover!
Analyze Sleeping Snake.
Rupert: Well, <Name>! Sending a live snake to my laboratory on your first day... You certainly know how to make an entrance!
Rupert: Rupert Winchester at your service! And this is my intrepid intern, Amir Devani!
Amir: What's up, <Name>? Props to you for digging into that toy bin and catching that snake!
Rupert: Er, if by "props" you mean "well done," you're quite right, Amir! After all, as you've already guessed, <Name>, this is the snake which was used to kill your victim!
Jones: And did the snake help you discover anything about the killer?
Rupert: Indeed! <Name>, I noticed a pleasantly musky odor emanating from the snake. Tests showed it came from deposits left on the serpent of a perfume called "Eau de Wild."
Amir: Eau de Wild's all the rage right now. Male, female, trans... you name it, they wear it!
Rupert: That's young Amir for you - always got his finger on the pulse of what's hip!
Amir: Unlike old Rupert here, who doesn't know that the word "hip" ceased to be fashionable circa 1974!
Rupert: Anyway, there was no trace of Eau de Wild on your victim, which means it was your killer who was wearing this perfume and left it on their slithering murder weapon!
Jones: So our killer wears Eau de Wild perfume! <Name>, at least it'll cover the stink of their nervous sweating when we arrest them!
Jones: And speaking of snakes, I agree we'd better take another look around the zoo's terrarium. Let's go, <Name>!
Investigate Reptile Area.
Jones: <Name>, the reptiles are staring at me, I know it! Let's see what you found and get out of this creepy place!
Jones: Good call picking up the security camera! I'm sure you'll be able to break its passcode in no time!
Jones: And yeah, these broken bits of wood are pretty strange. Let's piece them back together!
Examine CCTV Camera.
Jones: <Name>, if there's anything interesting on the security camera footage, Cathy's sure to find it!
Analyze CCTV Footage.
Cathy: <Name>, you did well sending the terrarium's security camera in for my "tech-xpertise"!
Cathy: The camera's angle of vision was sadly limited, and at first, the footage mostly just showed little kids poking the reptile enclosures with their grubby fingers...
Cathy: ... But then something interesting came up! It was a recording of Nathan having a heated argument with one of your suspects! Here, take a look for yourself!
Start of footage...
Nathan: I know all about what you're doing with the baby pandas!
Jackson: Now, now, Nathan! This is big boy business that doesn't concern you! There's no need to worry your little head about it!
Nathan: Do no patronize me, Jackson! Now if you don't stop, I'll-
Jackson: You'll what? How dare you try to mess with me, Nathan! Don't you know who I am?
End of footage...
Jones: Wowzer! So Nathan and Jackson Peacock had been at each others' throats!
Cathy: Yep, and about something involving baby pandas, it seems!
Jones: <Name>, we'd better interrogate Peacock about this immediately!
Demand answers from Jackson Peacock about his argument with Nathan.
Jackson: <Rank> <Name>, you'd better be here to tell me you've found Nathan's murderer so I can open up my zoo again!
Jones: We're getting there! Mr Peacock, we know about your argument with Nathan over the baby pandas!
Jackson: Egad! How the devil did you find out about that?
Jackson (sweating): Look, whatever he said about me selling baby pandas to the highest bidder - it's a complete lie!
Jones: You were selling baby pandas?! But they're endangered creatures!
Jackson: I just told you it was all lies! But if it were true, so what? Everyone has a right to a pet, and I have luxuries to finance, like my Eau de Wild perfume!
Jackson: But that do-gooding animal lover threatened to tell the authorities about his... baseless suspicions. All for the sake of some stinky beasts!
Jackson: Did he not realize that I am Shere Khan, the king of the jungle, while he was just a lowly worm?
Jones: Mr Peacock! You're lucky we don't have time to look into those trafficking allegations... for now. Until then, we had better not find out you touched a single hair on Nathan Pandit's head!
Examine Wooden Pieces.
Jones: <Name>, this trophy was awarded to a Kit Partridge for being the "Most Frequent Visitor" at the zoo!
Jones: I guess that's nice for him, but I don't suppose it's relevant to our investigation...
Jones: Ah, you're right! If this Kit really spends that much time at the zoo, he might have known Nathan. We'd better have a little chat with him!
Ask Kit Partridge if he knew Nathan.
Kit (observing an animal through binoculars): What a marvelous beast! Just stupendous!
Jones: Mr Partridge? The zoo hasn't opened yet - how did you get in?
Kit: Oh! The zoo gave me a special membership card allowing early entry. They offer it to all "zooficionados" like me!
Kit: I adore watching the animals graze in the bucolic light of dawn. To quote The Jungle Book, it is the "hour of pride and power, talon and tush and claw"!
Jones: If you say so... Mr Partridge, we're here because the zoo vet was murdered earlier.
Kit: What? One of the animals' carers has been killed?
Jones: Yes, and we thought you might have known him, being that you're at the zoo so often.
Kit: I'm afraid my visits here are to avoid humans, not to seek them out! Even snake handling is more enjoyable to me than speaking with people!
Kit: I wish I could help you, but the only murderous thing I saw this morning was a crocodile devouring a humungous catfish. Now, that was a bloodthirsty sight!
Examine Comments Book.
Jones: Let's put this multicolored powder you collected from the zoo comments book straight under the microscope!
Examine Multicolored Particles.
Jones: <Name>, the rainbow-colored particles left on the comments book are chalk...
Jones: ... And more specifically, chalk used by old-fashioned teachers who still have blackboards in their classrooms!
Jones: You're right, we do know of one teacher involved in our investigation... Miss Goldfinch!
Jones: So it was Miss Goldfinch who demanded that Nathan be fired? She'd better tell us why!
Ask Pippa Goldfinch why she wanted Nathan fired.
Jones: Miss Goldfinch, we already know you wanted the victim, Nathan Pandit, fired. Now, you're going to tell us why!
Pippa (sweating): Oh, dearie me. I never put my name on that comment... I didn't think anyone would find out it was me!
Pippa: But look! That zoo vet deserved to get fired - the man was thoroughly unscrupulous!
Jones: Unscrupulous? I find that hard to believe, and I knew Nathan Pandit better than you!
Pippa: On my last school outing to the zoo, the vet got that girlfriend of his to teach the kids how to handle the snakes. He even let them touch the dangerous creatures!
Pippa: The silly man seemed to think he was that boy from The Jungle Book and that all the animals were his friends. He had no notion of health and safety or following PROCEDURE!
Pippa: I got into a world of trouble with the parents thanks to Mr Pandit's recklessness and stupidity, and almost lost my job! He had to go!
Jones: Miss Goldfinch, it looks like you're harboring a great deal of anger there. Let's hope it didn't lead YOU to do something reckless and stupid!
Later, at the Mighty Zooniverse...
Jones: <Name>, forget the animals at the zoo, it's the humans who've gone wild!
Jones: We now know a number of suspects with a plausible motive for killing Nathan. Who'd have thought that such a chilled dude could have rubbed so many people the wrong way?
Jones: Miss Goldfinch seemed just like your average teacher, but did her rage over Nathan's supposed disregard of health and safety lead her to commit murder?
Jones: And could the zoo owner, Jackson Peacock, have killed Nathan to hide his baby panda racket?
Jones: Then we have a zoo keeper and a "zooficianado," who both seem too obsessed about the animals to even think about committing murder!
Jones: But then again you never-
(A strange man is seen hiding behind a newspaper.)
Jones (sweating): Er... <Name>, there's a weird guy standing over there!
(While still disguised by the newspaper, the strange man starts whistling.)
Jones (presenting his badge): Hey you! Grimsborough Police! Show yourself immediately!
Ramirez (holding the newspaper): <Name>! Jones! It's just me, Ramirez!
Chapter 3
David Jones: <Name>, I can't decide who's wilder at the zoo - the humans of the animals!
Jones: Our list of suspects for Nathan's death has grown long, but we-
(A strange man is seen hiding behind a newspaper.)
Jones (sweating): <Name>, there's a weird guy standing over there!
(While still disguised by the newspaper, the strange man starts whistling.)
Jones (presenting his badge): Hey you! Grimsborough Police! Put your hands in the air and show yourself immediately!
Ramirez (holding the newspaper): <Name>! Jones! It's only me! I heard <Name> was back in town and just wanted to surprise you!
Jones: Ramirez? Ha! I know you came back from Pacific Bay a fancy private investigator, but glad to see some things never change!
Jones: Oh yeah, <Name> doesn't know! <Name>, Ramirez has become an official consultant for Grimsborough PD. He's helped us out on quite a few cases already!
Ramirez: How kind of you, Jones! But it's true I've become quite accomplished in my craft, if I do say so myself!
Ramirez: I heard about this sad business with Nathan. Do let me know if I can do anything to help!
Jones: Be sure to, Ramirez! We'll call on you if something comes up!
Jones: For now, we mustn't lose any time if we want to catch Nathan's killer! <Name>, let's take another look around the zoo store!
Investigate Display Stand.
Jones: <Name>, that's Nathan's wallet - his initials are on it! We'd better take a look inside.
Jones: And this cuddly frog's cute, but surely that's not why you picked it up?
Jones: Oh, I see - there's a note on it addressed to Nathan!
Jones: The words are faded, but I'm pretty sure you can retrieve them!
Jones: And this broken badge may well hold a clue - let's reassemble it! Come on, <Name>, we can't let Nathan's killer get away!
Examine Victim's Wallet.
Jones: Aw, <Name>, look at this photo Nathan kept in his wallet!
Jones: This guy's definitely Nathan... Look how young he was!
Jones: I don't know who the rest of these people are, though... But hey, maybe our favorite PI, Ramirez, could help us with that! Let's send him the photo!
Analyze Old Photo.
Ramirez: <Name>, I'm going to knock your socks off with what I've discovered about Nathan's old photo!
Jones: We're waiting with bated breath, Ramirez!
Ramirez: First of all, the people in this picture are Nathan's colleagues from his first-ever job as a coroner - before he came to join us at Grimsborough PD!
Jones: Nathan always spoke with fondness about his first job! So I guess that explains why he had this photo in his wallet!
Ramirez: Yes, but there's more! It turns out the person standing next to him is one of your suspects - Kit Partridge!
Ramirez: Apparently, Kit's also a coroner and worked with Nathan for several years!
Jones: Kit Partridge? But he didn't say anything about knowing Nathan when we spoke to him! He'd better have some answers for why he hid this information from us!
Question Kit Partridge about his true relationship with Nathan.
Kit: <Rank> <Name>, what do you think of my new Eau de Wild perfume? The scent supposedly makes you more attractive to animals - exactly what I need!
Jones: Mr Partridge, we have no time to sniff you! Now, we know you used to work with the victim, Nathan Pandit! Why didn't you tell us you knew him?
Kit: Wait a minute... are you saying that the dead vet you mentioned was Nathan, the charming young fellow from my old job?!
Kit: What a small world... and what a tragic fate!
Jones: So you're claiming it's pure coincidence that the two of you both drifted to the zoo?
Kit: Maybe it isn't such a coincidence... I've seen so much death as a coroner, that all I want now is to be surrounded by vibrant life! Nathan must've felt the same!
Kit: <Rank> <Name>, I'm just glad I've retired. I'd hate for Nathan to have ended up on MY autopsy table!
Examine Broken Badge.
Jones: <Name>, the face on this badge looks a lot like Nathan... and it says "Down With Nathan"!
Jones: Whoever made this... weird accessory was clearly not a fan of Nathan!
Jones: Hey, you're right! We do know of one suspect who's rather fond of wearing badges - Vince Moon, the zoo keeper!
Jones: But if Vince made this badge, why did he tell us Nathan was his friend? <Name>, we'd better get to the bottom of this!
Confront Vince Moon about the "Down With Nathan" badge.
Vince: I smell pretty, oh so pretty...
Vince: Oh, hey there, <Rank> <Name>! I was just enjoying some of that Eau de Wild sniffy stuff that Harper chick lent me... It's made from the happy tears of a flamingo, don't you know!
Jones: Mr Moon, we need you to forget about the flamingos and pay attention! We found this "Down With Nathan" badge. Did you make it?
Vince (sweating): Whoopsy daisy! I wasn't expecting you to ask me about that...
Vince: But, fine! I'll tell you the sad story of how Nathan fell in my estimations FOREVER...
Vince: Nathan was a wicked animal destroyer! He killed the creatures he said were too weak to be saved!
Jones: But Vince, Nathan was a vet, and putting down sick animals was part of his job!
Vince: That's the excuse he gave me too! He refused to believe that I could've healed the animals with my magical power!
Vince: That's why I made the badges! I'll never forgive him for killing those beasties. DOWN WITH NATHAN!
Examine Cuddly Toy.
Jones: <Name>, the note attached to the frog says: "Nathan, I can't accept this gift. NO MEANS NO!" And it's signed by Harper!
Jones: It looks like this cuddly toy was a present from Nathan, but Harper didn't want it, and seemed to reject it pretty angrily!
Jones: Harper and Nathan seemed madly in love to me, but clearly all was not well behind closed doors. We need to find out the truth from Harper, and fast!
Confront Harper Stone about rejecting Nathan's gift.
Jones: Harper, we found your note to Nathan. Had you two had a fight?
Harper: Ah, <Rank> <Name>, I knew I shouldn't have tried to hide this from you...
Harper: The truth is, I recently realized I didn't love Nathan anymore.
Harper: So a few weeks ago, when I was sat on his couch reading The Jungle Book while he played a video game, I suggested we go back to being just friends.
Harper: But Nathan wouldn't have it! He said he still loved me and wanted to keep trying.
Jones: So he kept sending you gifts... and you kept rejecting him!
Harper: Nathan just wouldn't leave me alone! But hearts aren't like snakes - they can't be charmed into loving someone!
Jones: Harper, I just hope you didn't resort to murdering Nathan to get him to stop chasing you!
Back at the office...
Jones: <Name>, we now know a whole lot of people had a whole lot of venomous thoughts about our murdered pal!
Jones: Let's start with Vince Moon, who was enraged about Nathan putting down sick animals!
Jones: Then there's Harper. It's no wonder I hadn't seen her and Nathan for a while - they had broken up!
Jones: But according to Harper, Nathan refused to accept that she no longer loved him. Could she have killed him because of this?
Jones: I think you're right, <Name> - all we need are a few more clues to pin down our killer!
Jones: Let's take one last look around the zoo area where we found your poor Nathan's body! Come on, <Name>, we're almost there - I can feel it!
Investigate Zoo Cart.
Jones: <Name>, this blue rope looks familiar...
Jones: You're right! It's identical to the one that was used to tie up Nathan! It must belong to the killer!
Jones: I wonder what those strange flakes on it are! Let's pick up a sample!
Jones: And if you think we should unlock this unassuming birdhouse, there's not a second to lose!
Examine Blue Rope.
Jones: <Name>, let's send these flakes you picked up from the killer's rope straight to Rupert!
Analyze Strange Flakes.
Rupert: Hi again, <Name>! Amir's just run out to get some coffee from one of those new-fangled cafes popping up everywhere. He'll be sad to have missed you!
Jones: And we're going to miss the killer, Rupert, if you don't tell us what you discovered about the flakes <Name> found on the rope!
Rupert: Now, now, old chap - no need to get in a tizz!
Rupert: It's actually quite simple - those flakes are dead skin cells!
Rupert: I ran a DNA check on the cells, which confirmed that they did not belong to your victim. We can be sure, therefore, that they came from his killer!
Rupert: Unfortunately, the sample you sent was a tad contaminated, so the only result I could glean was that you murderer has brown hair! I hope this helps you catch them!
Jones: It does indeed! <Name>, flaky skin will be the least of our brown-haired killer's problems when you slap those big ol' handcuffs on them!
Examine Birdhouse.
Jones: <Name>, I thought the birdhouse would be full of bird food, but instead we find this strange stick wedged inside! Your hunch paid off!
Jones: It definitely looks suspect... Could it be a weapon of some kind? Then I know - let's send it to Rita, our weapons expert!
Jones: Rita's quite a... prickly character, but you'll soon see she's got a heart of gold. Let's get the stick to her right away!
Analyze Strange Stick.
Rita: <Name>, we finally meet. I guess we'll soon find out if you're all you're cracked up to be!
Jones: Now, now, Rita - be nice! It's only <Name>'s first day back in Grimsborough!
Rita: Getting to the point, what you sent me was a snake-wrangling stick! It's used to handle dangerous snakes without hurting yourself.
Jones: A snake-wrangling stick? So it could have belonged to Nathan's killer!
Rita: It did! I found specks of the victim's blood on the stick, and I can guarantee that the killer whacked Nathan over the head with it before setting the snake on him!
Rita: In doing so, the killer left some green cotton fibers on the green stick... which is why they were hard to spot!
Rita: I'm no lab rat, but I'm pretty sure this means your killer will be wearing green!
Jones: Well, <Name>, our killer may be dressed in green, but they'll be seeing red when you arrest them!
After completing all the tasks...
Jones: <Name>, we have everything we need to arrest Nathan's cold-blooded killer. Let's go get them!
Take care of the killer now!
Jones: Kit Partridge, we're placing you under arrest for the sadistic murder of our friend and former colleague Nathan Pandit!
Kit: Me? Commit murder?! <Rank> <Name>, look at me. I wouldn't be able to hurt a fly, let alone kill a man!
Jones: So why did we find fibers from your green hat on the snake wrangling stick you used to bash Nathan unconscious?
Kit: Surely I'm not the only one who wears green around here?
Jones: No, but you were the only one who manipulated an Eastern coral snake into biting Nathan to death!
Kit: What?! I would NEVER mistreat a poor animal in such a way!
Jones: We also found your skin cells all over the remains of the blue rope you used to tie up Nathan.
Jones: Come on, Partridge, it's time to drop your animal-loving act and show yourself for the slimebag murderer you are!
(Kit facepalms.)
Kit: Fine! I did it - I murdered Nathan Pandit! But that fiend had it coming!
Jones: You claimed to remember him fondly as a former colleague! What on earth could Nathan have done to make you murder him?
Kit: It's more about what that swine DIDN'T do!
Kit: Back when Nathan and I were working together as coroners, my son was a suspect in a drug bust.
Kit: Zachary was a good boy, you know? He'd just gotten in with the wrong crowd. So I asked Nathan if he would... doctor the evidence so that dear Zach wouldn't be implicated.
Jones: Wait a second! You asked a fellow police officer to help cover up a crime?!
Kit: It was for my son! But even then that do-gooding coward refused! I begged and I begged but he said it would go against his ethical standards!
Jones: Of course Nathan refused to do it! But why kill him now after all these years?
Kit: I was never able to forgive Nathan for his role in putting my son in prison. And then a decade later, I saw him here, invading zoological refuge!
Kit: I bided my time, studying Nathan's routine the same way I study my beloved animals' habits! That's how I knew he'd be in early today.
Kit: And while he was tending to the giraffes, I stole into the terrarium, took the most poisonous snake I could find...
Kit: ... And I used it to kill Nathan like the treacherous snake in the grass he was!
Jones: Mr Partridge, the only snake here is you! Nathan could've reported you for trying to tamper with evidence, but clearly he thought you deserved another chance...
Jones: ... And you repaid him with murder! I'm done talking. Kit Partridge, you're under arrest!
Judge Powell: Kit Patridge, you face the Court today accused of the murder of Nathan Pandit. How do you plead?
Kit: Guilty, Your Honor, but Nathan had it coming! He ruined my son's life!
Judge Powell: Yes, just because he refused to ILLEGALY doctor evidence to save your son from going to prison for dealing drugs! And you, a former police officer!
Judge Powell: Mr Partridge, I have a teenage daughter myself, but I wouldn't expect others to break the law for her!
Judge Powell: Your son ruined his life all by himself, and now you've ruined yours. Kit Partridge, I sentence you to 27 years in prison for the murder of Nathan Pandit!
Kit: I hope you'll at least put me in the same cell as my Zachary!
Back at the precinct...
Jones: <Name>, I still can't get over the fact that Nathan's dead, and all because he refused to break the law to save Kit Partridge's son from going to prison!
Jones: Nathan always had his moral compass pointed the right way, which made him a great cop. It's unfair that he had to pay such a high price for this.
Jones: I don't know about you, but I'll sleep easier knowing we caught the creep that ended his life!
Jones: <Name>, today didn't quite go as I'd planned, but I'm thankful you were by my side. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you!
Old Friends, New Beginnings (1/6)
In the Chief's office...
Chief Diane Parker: <Name>, I hear congratulations are in order for solving your first case, despite having a crazy animal circus of suspects to deal with!
Chief Parker: And I have some good news - your other partner's just arrived into the office!
Chief Parker: Gloria Hayes comes with the most stellar of credentials, and I am in no doubt that you'll enjoy working with her when Jones is otherwise occupied!
Chief Parker: Gloria's sitting in the break room - why don't you go say hello?
Jones: Chief, sorry to interrupt, but Vince Moon's here! He seems to be in a bit of a state, and says he needs to talk to <Name> right away!
Chief Parker: Vince Moon? Isn't that the zoo keeper at the Mighty Zooniervse?
Chief Parker: <Name>, go with Jones to find out what Mr Moon wants, and you can introduce yourself to Gloria straight after!
Meet Gloria Hayes, your new partner.
Gloria: <Name>! It's an honor to meet you! It's both our first days, but I'm sure you're more familiar with the place than me - seeing you're coming back!
Gloria: It feels strange to move from a big ol' city like Chicago to little Grimsborough, but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon enough!
Gloria: It's my son, you see. My ex-husband Jake and I got divorced last year and he gained full custody of Carter, our little boy.
Gloria: The judge thought my job too dangerous and the hours too long to look after a child. Jake's a Grimsborough man, so he moved back here after our divorce.
Gloria: And then I made the decision to move here too, to be closer to my son. It's been about a month since I arrived!
Gloria: Talking of which, Carter's birthday's coming up! He loves animals, so I was hoping you might help me find a present for him at the zoo store you were in earlier today?
Gloria: It'll also give us a chance to get to know each other! You don't mind? Let's head to the store, then - I'll drive!
Investigate Zoo Candy Store.
Gloria: <Name>, going to the zoo store was a great idea! There's tons of things in here that my little boy's going to love!
Gloria: It looks like you found something too - a DVD? What made you pick that up?
Gloria: Oh, you're right, I didn't see any DVDs for sale either, so this item doesn't belong in the shop. Someone must have dropped it by mistake!
Gloria: The label on the DVD cover's faded, but perhaps if we retrieve what's written, we can find out who it belongs to and return it to them!
Examine DVD Cover.
Gloria: <Name>, while you were working on the DVD label, I managed to pick up some fantastic presents for Carter!
Gloria: But back to business! So, the label says: "Grimsborough: A Year in Review." And above it are the letters "CCN"...
Gloria: Wait... isn't CCN the name of the television network in town?
Gloria: So this DVD must be a run-through of what's been happening in Grimsborough over the last year!
Gloria: <Name>, I've just had a thought... this DVD will be the fastest way for the both of us to catch up on what's been happening in the town!
Gloria: Why don't we head back to the office and give it a quick watch before handing it back to CCN?
Back at the office...
Gloria: Ok... I think I've got the DVD set up right...
Gloria: Yes, it's on. Got the popcorn, <Name>? Then let's press play!
Start of DVD...
Louis: Ladies and gents, don't be fooled by Grimsborough's peaceful exterior - we've had quite the eventful year...
Louis: ... Starting with the Grim Badgers, who won the State Football Championships for only the fourth time in Grimsborough history. Go Badgers!
Louis: Less thrilling was the measles epidemic, which was especially bad this year, but thankfully kept at bay by our fantastic Dr Greg Gibbs!
Louis: And how could we forget the satellite that fell to earth right near Grimsborough. What a sight that was! Let's take another look at the footage...
(A meteorite falls from the sky and crashes into the forest.)
Louis: Thankfully, no one was harmed by the falling celestial capsule and life carried on in Grimsborough as normal!
Louis: Moving on, Grimsborough inhabitants were astounded when Charlie the three-legged cat saved a toddler from drowning in the lake...
End of DVD...
Gloria: <Name>, did you just see what I saw?
Gloria: A satellite crashing to earth in the vicinity of Grimsborough is quite something! So why didn't anyone think of mentioning this to us?
Gloria: Oh, you think we should ask Detective Jones to tell us more? Well, I'll be glad to have a reason to meet him!
Ask Jones to tell us more about the satellite.
Jones: Well, <Name>, you just can't get enough of me today, huh?
Gloria: I, for one, am very glad to meet you, Detective Jones!
Jones: Just Jones is fine! This isn't Chicago - no need for formalities here! But what can I do for you?
Gloria: Well, <Name> and I just found out about the satellite that fell on the outskirts of Grimsborough! What exactly happened there?
Jones: Oh yeah! It turns out there was some kind of technical malfunction on one of the commercial satellites circling Earth, and it just happened to crash here! Crazy, huh?
Jones: Luckily it fell in the middle of the forest, so only a few trees came to any harm. And maybe some unlucky raccoons...
Jones: Honestly, it such old news that everyone's pretty much forgotten about it by now!
Gloria: Forgotten? Wow, Grimsborough must be more happening than I thought if a satellite crashing to Earth isn't a big deal to people!
Jones: Well, I don't know if I'd call it "happening," but it's a great town to live in, alright!
Jones: And on that note, it's about time both you and <Name> get kitted out as bona fide members of Grimsborough PD! Why don't you try this on for size?
See what Vince Moon wants.
Vince: <Name>, you've gotta stop the nasty baddie! It's making my lemur Naboo very sad!
Jones: Now, now, Vince... calm down and tell us exactly what you're talking about!
Vince: Mr Peacock! He's selling baby pandas to horrible meanies!
Jones: Yes, we know about the pandas! Nathan accused Mr Peacock of it, but I'm afraid there's no proof, Vince, and your boss denied everything!
Jones: Unless you know something we don't? How did you hear about this?
Vince: My ears! I heard the boss man muttering about it in his office just now! And if it's true, he needs to be punished! Baby pandas are precious!
Vince: I don't know if this helps, but Naboo told me he saw someone who looked like Mr Peacock throwing a phone into a box of plants in the terrarium. Maybe he was trying to get rid of proofings?
Jones: Well, if what... er... your lemur says is true, then <Rank> <Name> and I will look for this phone in the terrarium!
Investigate Terrarium.
Jones: <Name>, this box is full of terrarium decorations! If Vince's lemur is to be believed, Jackson Peacock threw a phone into it!
Jones: I suppose we'd better have a rummage through the foliage!
Examine Terrarium Decorations.
Jones: <Name>, there WAS a photo at the bottom of the box of terrarium decorations! Vince - or his lemur - was right!
Jones: I wonder whose phone it is... Hey, you always make unlocking them look so easy, <Name>. Why don't I give it a try?
Jones (holding the phone): Here we go... You just need to tap here, and here...
Jones (sweating): Hang on... Oh darn - I've blocked it! Oops...
Jones (sweating): Sorry, <Name>! I guess we'd better send the phone to Cathy. She'll be able to unblock it, won't she?
Analyze Smartphone.
Cathy: <Name>, please don't let Jones do anything silly like trying to unlock a phone again! It took me ages to reconfigure it!
Jones: Yeah, sorry Cathy! I don't know what I was thinking!
Cathy: Anyway, guess what - the phone belonged to Nathan!
Jones: Peacock had Nathan's phone?! And not only did he never tell us, but he also threw it away?
Jones: For now we only have Vince's word that Peacock is to blame for the panda trafficking. Did the phone contain anything to help us pin the illegal activities on him?
Cathy: I didn't find any concrete evidence per se, but what I did notice were a bunch of texts between Nathan and his ex, Harper Stone, about Peacock's unlawful dealings!
Cathy: It seems that Nathan wanted Harper's help in stopping Peacock. I reckon she might be your best bet at learning more about what Peacock's been up to!
Jones: Good idea! <Name>, let's go talk to Harper!
Ask Harper Stone what she knows about the illegal baby panda trafficking.
Harper: What's up <Name>? Not more bad news, I hope?
Jones: No, Harper, we're actually here to ask you about Jackson Peacock's illegal panda trade. We know Nathan had been texting you about it.
Harper: Ah yes, from what Nathan had told me, Peacock is shameless! To think he'd risk the lives of endangered panda babies just to make a profit!
Harper: I'd promised to help Nathan stop Peacock even after we'd broken up. Animal welfare was more important than our relationship problems!
Harper: Unfortunately, I didn't find out very much on my side... but I remember Nathan keeping a diary where he wrote about what he'd discovered!
Harper: I have no idea where it is, but I know he often used to go to the Jungle Zone of the zoo to write in this journal of his.
Jones: In that case, <Name> and I had better do a sweep of the Jungle Zone just in case he left it there!
Jones: And I don't know about you, <Name>, but I'm starving. Why don't we grab a snack on the way!
Investigate Zoo.
Jones: Bingo, <Name>, this must be Nathan's diary! Let's unlock it, and fast!
Examine Locked Diary.
Jones: <Name>, Nathan's journal sure is thick... it's gonna take us a while to trawl through it for mention of Peacock's panda trafficking!
Jones: You think it'll be quicker to have Ramirez look through the diary instead? Good idea, <Name>, I'm sure he'll be glad to help!
Analyze Nathan's Diary.
Jones: Ramirez, did you find any proof in Nathan's diary of Jackson Peacock's illegal baby panda trade?
Ramirez: Well, <Name>, how does this inventory list detailing EVERYTHING about the most recent panda sale signed off by Peacock suit you? I found it hidden inside the diary.
Jones: An inventory listing all the animals being sold, signed by Peacock? <Name>, this is more than enough proof for us to arrest the cruel scumbag!
Jones: This is so like Nathan, helping us do a good deed even from beyond the grave! Thanks, Ramirez, we'll-
Ramirez: Hold your horses, Jones! You see, I discovered something else in the diary which I found kind of curious...
Ramirez: There's a recent entry where Nathan talks about a shipment of amlodipine - a drug used to treat high blood pressure in animals and humans.
Jones: Well, Nathan was a vet, so it's not really a surprise that he was talking about a shipment of medicine used on animals!
Ramirez: I was just getting to the surprising bit... You see, Nathan wrote that the shipment of amlodipine had gone missing! And he seemed extremely concerned about this!
Ramirez: I get the impression he thought there was more to this missing shipment than meets the eye.
Jones: Hmm, Nathan was a shrewd character, so he wouldn't be concerned over nothing. <Name>, we'll need to look into this...
Jones: But for now, let's go arrest Jackson Peacock for his illegal animal trade!
Arrest Jackson Peacock.
Jackson (holding a baby panda): Uh, <Rank> <Name>, I thought you'd already gone. What do you want now?
Jones: Jackson Peacock, put that panda down this instant! You're under arrest!
Jackson: I'm what now?! Don't you know who I am? Stop pestering me and GO AWAY!
Jones: Only if we're taking you with us - in handcuffs! The game's up, Peacock! We have evidence of your panda trafficking racket!
Jones: We found an inventory list of your latest panda sale in Nathan's diary! Looks like you made a pretty penny from it!
Jackson (sweating): I... I... it's not what it looks like...
Jones: It is EXACTLY what it looks like! Put down that panda, right now!
Jackson: Alright, alright! But you can't put me in jail! I won't survive without my creature comforts!
Jones (holding the baby panda): Yes, we can! Jackson Peacock, you're under arrest!
Jones: And we'll fine him on behalf of the Grimsborough Animal Protection Services too, won't we, cute little panda?
Later, in the Chief's office...
Chief Parker: So, <Name>, I hear you and Gloria caught up on the latest Grimsborough news!
Gloria: We did, Chief! What with satellites falling from the sky, it seems this town is way more exciting than I expected!
Chief Parker: Quite! For example, <Name> here just arrested a zoo owner for baby panda trafficking - you don't see that every day, do you?
Jones: No you don't, Chief! Jackson Peacock won't be seeing the light of day for many years to come!
Jones: But there's another thing, Chief! We learned that Nathan was highly concerned about a shipment of amlodipine that was missing from the zoo!
Jones: I don't know what's so sinister about blood pressure medicine, but if Nathan was that worried, we'd do well to keep an eye out for it!
Chief Parker: Indeed. I'll make sure any information pertaining to this drug comes straight to my desk!
Chief Parker: But for now, we've all had a long day. Why don't we go out and celebrate a successful investigation for <Name>. May it be the first of many!