"Robin was clearly the mute she meant," Aventurine explained.
"She'd lost her voice."
"Most people wouldn't notice, but you and I could hear it. Her voice wasn't coming from her vocal cords. It was a resonance of the Harmony."
"Unless that girl had sung herself hoarse practicing, there was only one other possibility."
Aventurine smiled faintly.
"Something was wrong with The Family."
"Or something was wrong with Robin herself."
"That was why I'd tried everything I could to meet her..."
"But she died, right under my nose."
Dr. Ratio regarded him coldly.
"You lost the whole game and landed yourself in an interrogation room to boot."
"There's a witness now, so The Family accepts your alibi for the time being. But from here on..."
"You'll probably be spending your time under the Hounds' watch."
Aventurine gave a faint smile.
"Things aren't looking good, Professor. I'm sweating bullets."
"Do you think there's still a chance to turn this around?"
Dr. Ratio answered,
"If you're asking about the odds—yes, but they're close to zero."
"To put it in terms more fitting for Penacony: dream on."
"But if you just can't resist trying your luck with someone, there happens to be a suitable candidate..."
"That man wants to see you again."
"Who?" Aventurine asked.
"Sunday." Dr. Ratio's gaze remained steady.
"..."
Aventurine fell silent for a moment, then asked,
"...In a public hearing, or a private interrogation?"
Dr. Ratio looked at him as though he were an idiot.
"If it were the former, he wouldn't need me to deliver the message."
"Good... That's what I thought," Aventurine said with a faint smile.
"See? The dead can't talk, but the living can."
"Dr. Ratio, I'm certain now: something is wrong inside The Family."
"Just watch. That man's sister is dead... He won't be able