A/N Hey everyone! and welcome to my new Fanfic series!
this one is gonna be following my Ace Attorney OC, Lawson Orders.
I just startes playing the Phoenix wright series before last year ended, and i freaking loved it, so i decided to make a story based around the world in that game.
I will try to stay lore friendly and try my best to upload whenever, try because of work and its difficult to come up with the complicated and crazy mysteries the games have.
But anyways, I hope you all enjoy, Please leave a review and i Phoenix is own by Capcom, i only own the characters that i created.
_
The not so subtle hum of a car engine purred within the cockpit, her violet shaded nails gripping the steering wheel, huffing in oxygen with adrenaline pumping into her veins, dawning a sick, almost pleasurable smile with her red, shiny glossed lips.
"…..Sorry, but it was nothing personal..." she spoke to an individual from the mirror, who was laying down lumped over, staying completely still on the tarmac.
"I was just simply protecting my brand, nothing more, nothing less…" She reached into her jacket pocket to pullout a smartphone, once it lit on, a name in white text titled: "Clark's phone" appeared right in the center of the small screen.
"And my apologies to you, Love… but business is more important then anything else…"
April 16th - 9:50am
Defendants lobby – Court Room number 5
Okay, deep breathes, deep breathes… I need to focus on the task at hand, I can do this-I can do this…. Can I really do this? Of course I can…. Can not…? I keep talking in my head, sucking up air from my nose, some sweat running down my forehead.
"Orders, how are you holding up?" I looked up and noticed the very familiar figure standing above me. Drawling my attending to her black, long hair, amber and focus eyes right behind a pair of glasses.
"Oh, boss, m-morning." I greeted. "Y-yeah, I'm doing well." She tilted or head and raised an eyebrow at me.
"Really? Then why do you look so clammy right now?" I brought my hand over my chestnut, shaggy hair, which was… pretty well kept… that being an understatement in my book, but well maintained for a lawyer I suppose.
"It's… it's just hot in here is all… could you tell one of the bailiffs to turn the A-C up?" I asked as I point up one of them guarding the court door.
"Orders, it's okay to be nervous, this is your first trail after all, and plus a murder trail as your first seems understandingly overwhelming."
Damn, I forgot how perceptive she was… but anyway, for those of you that are curious, let me explain. My name is Lawson Orders, and-as you already guessed-I'm an offense attorney, and ohhhh boy-is today going to be eventful, in case you couldn't tell, today is my very first trail, so I'm trying (and failing) my best to keep my nerves under controlled.
"Orders, are you spacing out again?" The girl I'm speaking with is my boss and teacher Ashley Winds, she's may look cute on the eyes, but when she defends her clients, it's an completely different story, I just hope that talent she possesses rubbed off on me, I'm in definite need of it today.
"A- a little, my bad boss." I replied.
"Hey, just remember, unpack your stress before taking the defense stand, that way you'll be focus to defend your client." Ashley stated. "So let's talk will quick to vent a little."
"Y-yes boss."
"Okay-so… out of curiosity, why did you pick a murder charge of all cases? Most beginners I know would go for something small."
"Well… there's two reasons actually." I answered. "First, is because I wanna follow in his footsteps."
"His footsteps?"
"He's my inspration and one of the reasons why I'm a lawyer now a days, whenever he would go to court, he would get a not guilty verdict in almost all of his trials, I've studying my ass off in law and I'm gonna use that know how to my best abilities to pay him back for saving me back then."
"Oh yeah, I know who you're talking about, seems pretty noble of you, and what's the second reason?" Ashley smirked.
"The second reason being is that I know the client of this case, related to him in fact." I answered.
"Related?" She asked. "You're related to the defendant in this case?"
"Unbelievable, this is pure bull!!" ….speaking of my client. "How much are they paying those cops!? Four figures!? Five!?" he yelled. "I didn't do anything!! I didn't kill him!!"
"Isn't that him howling and waving his fist around over there?" Ashley asked, her eyes more opened then before as she watched him.
"Uhh… yes… unfortunately…" I saw him make his way over to me in loud stamps, we have similar facial features, hair color, same hazel eye color, only difference was is that he had a mustache/goatee combo-unlike my clean shaved face, plus his voice a bit more deep and at the moment-raised uncomfortably loud. His clothing consisted of a leather jacket with car sponsor logos embroiled all over it, a t-shirt right underneath, a ratty old pair of jeans and sneakers.
"Lawson, can't you believe these guys!?" He exclaimed. "First my SUV goes missing, and now they think I'm some sort of heartless killer, me of all people!!" The way you sound will get people to believe it, brother…
"It's okay Clark, I know you're innocent, sure you may be paranoid, cynical and overreactive, but you, a murderer? as if!" I told him, there was no way in hell my bro could murder someone, he may have a bad attitude, but he's no killer, I refuse to believe it.
"He's right sweetie." A second female purred before a blonde, long haired women joined in on the conversation, her appearance looked beautiful, she was tall, just around my height, around five foot nine, I say I'm about a few inches more taller, her eyes were a light blue and looked majestic with black eye liner around them, she wore a light pink jacket with a black corset just underneath, with matching black leggings and high heels. "I know these charges are just a big misunderstanding."
"Ahh, Serena!" Clark cheered. "You came to support me in my time of need!" Serena placed one of her purple manicured nails on her red lips.
"Of course I did, love, you know I'm always by your side." She have her attention to me. "Ahh, And you must be Lawson, I'm Serena, Serena Witch, a pleasure." She presented her hand, which I shook delicately.
"Uhh, thanks, It's nice to finally meet you…" I said. "I'll-I'll be sure to free Clark of any suspicions, Miss Witch!" She did a short giggle before speaking with Ashley suddenly.
"Excuse me miss, may I ask where you got that outfit?" Witch Asked, eyeing the bosses attire.
"Ohh? I get my clothes just about anywhere, I don't really have a favorite brand." I always thought The Boss looked sexy in that dark blue casual wear she goes around in on the daily.
"Ah, well, if you're looking for a brand new outfit, please consider visiting us for your fashion needs." She got out a pink business card and presented it to the boss.
"Ahh, thank you, I'll be sure to stop by. "Diamond Hall" Huh? Sounds pretty expensive." Ashley mentioned.
"We always get the finest clothes from the rarest of countries, but we make sure to sell them at the cheapest of prices." Serena then presented a small, pink bottle next. "Here, a sample of are new latest brand."
"Ohh, perfume?" Ashley asked, observing the tiny bottle.
"Yes, it's called "sweet la straw" it's not available in the shop yet just however, it's made with pure strawberries, as you can tell."
I took a long breathe through my nose and caught the scent of her, she's right, I caught a strong smell of strawberries inside the courtroom lobby when she cane in here.
"Well, thank you very much." Ashley smirked and nodded.
"It was my pleasure ma'am, I have to go sit down in the stands now, best of luck to you two." Serena made her way out of here, waving back at the three of us.
"See ya honey!" Clark cheered in his goofy, lovestruck voice.
"Here Orders, you hang onto this." Ashley demanded, stuffing it in my coat pocket.
"Why do I have to have it?"
"I'm not much of a perfume girl, maybe you can give it to a date as a gift." I swear it's starting to get warmer in here… I sighed as my mind went back to the trail.
"So, a lot of people are watching today's trail… as if I'm not nervous enough." I complained.
"Orders, you should know better!" Argued Ashley, her arms now crossed. "You shouldn't be acting so nervous around your client."
"Huh?"
"You have to put on your best smile because It's not gonna be easy, Orders. I heard the prosecutor is a known veteran, so you better be on your toes at all cost." Ashley warned.
"My brother knows what he's doing Ash." Dustin mouth turned to a happy grin. "Besides, he knows what he's getting if he gets me outta this jam." I curved my lips into a smile and nodded at him.
"Like I said, I believe in you brother, you better have in ready when I prove you're not guilty." I told him, my voice high with spirit.
"And while you're at it, you can expose those crooked cops for framing this crime on me!!" Aaaaaaand-back to imagination land you go.
"Court is about to begin, please proceed inside you three!" One of the bailiffs announced.
"Welp, it's time." Ashley said before I stood up, pulling down my brown, two buttoned up jacket and black sweater, while also adjusting my matching black dress pants and tie.
"Alright, let's do this!" Although, I really rather not.
April 16th – 10:00pm Court Room Number 5
There were a ton more people in here then I expected, every since the Dark Ages Of The Law started to calm down, more and more onlookers began getting interested in trails, probably to observe how everything is calming down perhaps, that, and my brother is well known throughout the community along with that.
The spectators became silent once a loud slam went off from the right over at the judges stand.
"This court is now in session for the trail of Clark Orders." The Judge announced.
"The defense is… is ready, Your Honor." I said.
"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor." I heard of this guy before, Old, square sunglasses, fake hair, a suit that screams "please think I'm cool" it was none other then Gaspan Payne, brother to the supposed "Rookie Humiliator" Winston Payne, Ashley wasn't joking when she said I was up against a veteran! Now I'm slipping up on my words even worse.
"Mister Orders, I believe this is your first trail, am I correct?" Asked The Judge.
"Ye-yes, Your Honor."
"Well, I hope for your sake you try not to humiliate yourself, a murder charge is very difficult to defend."
"I understand Y-Your Honor…."
"Hmm." Mister Payne huffed, patting his hand on the pointy tip of his hair. "I haven't even started my opening statement and already the new kid is worried." Ummm. Hi, twenty two here, I'm not a child anymore. "Looks like this case is gonna be a breeze." Mister Payne said.
I gotta feeling you're gonna be really cocky, aren't you?
The judge brought his gavel down on the round platform. "Alright, enough with the pointless chatter, Mister Payne, Your opening statement."
"Yes, Your Honor." Mister Payne began expelling. "The victims name was Ralph Rioting, a famous blogger and reviewer of small town businesses." Mister Payne brought out a photo of the victim, his hair was black and well cut, his face looked healthy and clean, with brown, relaxed eyes, he's quite the handsome fellow. "On the day of the crime, he went to go meet with the defendant, Clark Orders around twelve o-clock at night for whatever reason."
"I see." The Judge Nodded. "Why was Mister Rioting meeting the defendant?"
"I believe it was to talk about something important, Your Honor."
"And what is the cause of death? Has an autopsy been established?"
"Right here Your Honor." Mister Payne said while placing a dark yellow envelope on The Judges stand."However, it's not quite done yet, it's busy at the corders office due to yesterday's terrorist attack, so the rest of the info will come later on."
"The cause of death was a force impact which severed the spine and the body was covered in bruises, time of death was between ten PM and one AM the next day, the victim died immediately after said impact." The prosecution explained. "Which leads me to believe that the defendant pushed the victim off of the apartments rooftop."
"Pushed off of the apartments rooftop?" I asked
"May I introduce the crime photos." Gaspan then got out two pictures.
"Photos? So there's more then one crime scene?" The Judge Asked.
"Yes, Your Honor" Mister Payne replied. "The murder took place at the Happy Gatherings Apartment building." That's the same apartment complex that my brother lives in.
"The prosecution believes the defendant was thrown off of the rooftop, as seen from the first crime photo." Mister Payne presented the pictures, The victim was dressed in an all white suit, hmm, fancy clothing to wear around here, Mister Rioting looked like he landed straight on the guard railing leading down the handicap passage, straight onto his stomach, which explains the spinal injury. Pour guy, it must have been a nasty fall. At the edge, it appeared to be mud trucks from a vehicle, one with large tires you'd find on a truck stamped around the grass, weird, but I don't think it's connected to this case though.
"And here's the second photo." This image looked to be the buildings rooftop, showing a large square structure over on the right, while on the left stood a large grey electronic machine, in front of it was another architectural shape, that one having a slope coming down towards the ground, on the floor were some puddles and shoe prints showed with water, one pair leading towards the curved structure, i could also recognize the diverse collection of building at the edge, which was guarded by both a concrete and a fence with some dated newspaper piles on the left corner of it, that barrier looks pretty tall, so I'd imagine you had to lift up a person in order to throw him off the roof, and not just anyone, someone strong before the person could even fight back.
And unfortunately, my brother fit that profile perfectly.
"So this is where the victim was send falling to his death, how tragic." The Judge mentioned. "Mister Orders, are you keeping up with us?"
"Yes, Your Honor." I pulled out a black device from my pocket, hitting a button on its side to have its screen light up. "You can just bring those photos over here Mister Payne."
"Umm, Mister Orders, May I ask what's that in your hand?"
"This? Oh, it's a smartphone Your Honor." I answered. "It's like a normal cell phone, but it can pretty much do what a computer can, surf the web, type out documents, it can even take better photos and videos then normal flip phones." I snapped pictures of both crime scenes photographs when Mister Payne brought them to me. "I'm kinda shocked you never heard of them Your Honor, pretty much everyone has one nowadays."
"Well, I'm not really one to keep up with what the kids are doing." The Judge cleared his throat. "Now then, Mister Payne, is there anymore evidence you wish to share?"
"Yes, Your Honor" Mister Payne crossed his arms and tangled his hair around his index finger. "This next piece of evidence will prove by a shadow of a doubt that the killer is none other then the defendant." Uh oh. I don't like where this is going already…
"I have with me footage from the elevator that both the defendant and the victim were taking upstairs." One of the bailiffs rolled over a TV, handing Mister Payne the remote.
"So they took the elevator up?" I asked.
"Yes, as you can see from the second crime photo, to the right is the elevator, next to it are the air conditioning unit for the fire escape stairs." Explained Mister Payne, so there's two ways to leave the rooftop then, I should probably keep that in mind.
"I have the diagrams of the building if you wish to go more in depth." Mister Payne submitted two schematics, one of the front and another of its roof. The building was eleven stories, the first four floors were for resident and guess parking, while the rest were the apartment rooms, to the right was the walkway with its stairs and railing where the victim died, the parking lot also appeared walled off in said side, probably for the road leading up and down the floors. The second was a flat blueprint of the complexes roof turned horizontally, with the elevator in the middle, while above it were the fire exit and the air unit, there were also some writings down below.
• The Air Conditioner is powerful so it generations a lot of noise. • The fire exit can only be opened from the outside for security purposes.
"Now, let us view the security footage from yesterday." With the hit of a button, the picture powered up. It showed both Clark and Riaph in the small room for a couple of seconds. The doors began opening, which both left together as it closed slowly, my brother leaving a spot from his hand, oil maybe? He did work late that night, We watched for about ten minutes, literally no one else came on during then, aside from my brother and Mister Rioting of course. But ten minutes in, my face started going white with a bit of sweat forming on my forehead from what I saw. It was Clark, but no Ralph!
"As you can clearly see. The Defendant was the only one getting back on the elevator from the roof, with no trace of the victim in sight, and the rest of the footage doesn't show the victim getting in the lift at all during the night." Dammit Clark… why the hell were you the only one getting on there?
"My my, this is definitely conclusive evidence." The Judge said.
"I'm glad you're seeing things for what they are, Your Honor." Mister Payne added. "Well Mister Orders, does the defense still wish to continue with this trail?"
This isn't good, this isn't good at all, it's just the opening statement and already people are glaring at me and Clark, but I know I can't quit, my brothers livelihood is on the table, so I better do what he does best in these kind of situations. I rammed my fist down and started speaking.
"The defense will examine every piece of evidence that comes forward until the truth is finally revealed, Your Honor!" I chanted as the judge eyes opened up more slightly.
"What great spirit, it reminds me of a certain someone Mister Orders." Hey, even the judge is catching on to my idol, guess he left an little impression on him too.
"If you're quite done Mister Orders, I would like to call my first witness." Mister Payne said. "She was on a midnight walk when she witnessed the murder and was also the one to call it in, will miss Alice Wonderleen take the stand?"
Standing before us was a timid, but also a really cute young women, looked to be in her late teens or early twenties, she had long chestnut hair and round, black eyeglasses, wearing clothes that looked thick and baggy, a dark violet sweater, grey stone washed jeans, her eyes glazed around the court room, her hands put together in front of her.
"Please state your name and occupation, witness." Mister Payne told.
"M-my name is Alice Wonderleen, I-I'm currently unemployed at the moment." She said in a slight quite, almost dodgy tone of voice, she must be a little frightened from being in the witness stand for a murder trail, I know I would.
"Now, Miss Wonderleen, you witness the victim falling to his death, correct?" asked Tge Judge.
"Y-yes, I saw the defendant push that pour man off of the building while I was on my nightly walk." A nightly walk…? Hmm, her clothing does look a bit on the gothic side.
"And soon after you phoned in the crime, correct?"
"Y-yes sir." Miss Spooks light blue eyes were scanning around the room, every second she would turn her sight to a different direction, I guess seeing someone die in front of you would get you paranoid after a while as well.
"You May Please give us your testimony Miss Spooks." The judge ordered.
- Witnessing the crime -
"I was walking pass the apartments at around eleven fifth teen at night, I suddenly heard a loud scream coming from the building, I looked above and saw the defendant throwing that man off the roof, he was tossed off the left side where the front is, after that I heard a loud "bang" and "crack" as he landed on a rail, after that, I immediately called the cops."
"So you saw the defendant toss the victim off, Miss Wonderleen?" The Judge questioned.
"Y-yes Your Honor." Answered Wonderleen.
"See, I think this complete testimony is flawless, airtight if you ask me." Oh yeah, you're no doubt the cocky type, aren't you Mister Payne? I thoughts as I put my gloved hand over my face, my finger spread slightly so I could still see, with cold sweat running down my face.
"You may begin your cross examination Mister Laws." Said The Judge.
"Yes Your Honor." Okay, I need to search through the evidence and see what I can find, find a contradiction no matter how small. Hmmm… I still find it strange that she was out walking at the dead of night though. "Hold it!" I said. "Why were you out walking at night of all times?"
"Oh, ummmm, I'm not really a people person, so I tend to go out at dark when there's less people walking around." Wonderleen explained.
"But still." I said. "Not to critique your life style, but it seems weird that you go out that late of all times."
"I personally like going out at night Mister Orders." The judge suddenly said. "like whenever I take my grandchildren out for a late night ice cream shop trip." Just what kind of bedtime do your grandchildren have, Your Honor?
"Some of my best dating experiences from my youth happened late at night as well." And I'm gonna assume those were your ONLY dating experiences Mister Payne. Wait-why am I arguing with those two to begin with? And in my head more or less, I need to keep researching. Okay, she also stated that she saw the victim being tossed off on the front side to the left. Something just doesn't feel correct with that one statement... I scanned over the building diagrams and then took notice of something, something big, which made a small smirk appear on my lips.
I found my contradiction.
"Objection!" I shouted while extending my finger. "Miss Wonderleen, is it true that you saw the victim fall from the left side of the building?" I asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what I saw, why'd you ask?" She replied.
"Hmm, but that's odd, because according to the building diagram, if he did fall from the left side." I slammed my fingerless gloved arm onto the stand. "He would've missed the railing he landed on completely!" Then extended my finger outwards.
Wonderleen gasped and jumped back when I finished my sentence, while the crowd started to chatter from the spectator stands. The judge banged his gavel down.
"Order, Order in the court!" He demanded. "What's the meaning of this defense?"
"Allow me to explain Your Honor." I said. "As we can see from the apartments blueprints, the railing is located on the right side of the building, where the victim landed, however, the witness claims that victim was pushed off to the left, of that were the case though, he would miss the railing completely, he would've flopped right into the grass instead!"
"Objection!" Mister payne screamed from across. "Why is this up for debate? she simply got the to sides mixed up!"
"Objection!" I said back. "I highly doubt someone would mix up how a person died in there own point of view!" I bang my hand on the surface once more. "She's clearly lying about what she saw!"
"What!?" Wonderleen yelped out. "B-b-but, I swear that's what I saw, I'm… I'm not lying, honest!"
"Then explain this witness, why did you propose the victim was pushed off from the left." The Judge Demand.
"Um-um-I-well-I-uhhhhh?" Wonderleen eye's and head we're moving frantically like a cat trying to find a wall to crime up and escape, if she wasn't nervous before.
"Does defense have a claim on what this witness saw?"
Judging by how Miss Wonderleen is reacting, she must have been telling the truth when she saw it from the left, but what made her-… hold on a second!
"Defense does have a claim Your Honor!" I started to pace together the witnesses actual whereabouts, putting my right middle and index finger on my temple. "I actually do believe Miss Wonderleen is telling the truth when she saids she didn't see him push him off by the left side, what she DID lie about was where she saw it."
"Where she saw it?"
I nodded. "Yes Your Honor, And I know exactly where she was." I scrolled through the images on my phone until I pulled up the diagram for the roof. "I suspect that instead of watching the crime from the bottom on the streets, she was instead witnessing the event from the very rooftop the crime took place." I explain before a slam on the wooden structure. "Right behind the elevators structure unnoticed!"
"Objection!" Mister Payne scream with a…. smile? "That's a very creative conclusion Mister Orders, but do you have evidence supporting your little claim?"
Crap, crap, crap, he's right, do I have proof? I started browsing through the evidence, looking for said proof, anything!
"Does The defense have evidence that the witness was in the rooftop at the time of the murder?" You're really not helping either judge! Let's see, if I wanted to know who else came I should... wait, I got it.
"Here's my proof Your Honor!" I said as I showed the elevator footage on the small screen of my phone.
"The… elevator security recording?"
I could hear good old Mister Payne chuckling from across the way. "Getting desperate, aren't we rookie?"
Perfect, now I was the one that was one getting clammy, I took a deep breath and I shook my head at him as I didn't wanna make him appear like the intelligent one in this court. "It's not the footage we got, Mister Payne." I curled a small smirk across my lips while I stuffed my hands into my coat pockets. "It's the footage we DIDN'T get."
"Wh-what?" Not so smug now, huh, Mister Payne?
"I recommend we get the footage from before the two were in the elevator shaft." I suggested. "If I'm right, Miss Wonderleen should be in that elevator before the murder."
"Hmm, you do make an excellent point, Mister Laws." The judge complemented.
"Objection!" Called out Mister Payne. "That's meaningless, the-the rookie doesn't know what he's talking about-"
"Objection!" Right back you! "Evidence is everything in a court of law, isn't that right Your Honor, so if Miss Wonderleen was there, it's important when and how she got up there!" Man, glad I came up with that, if I didn't say anything, Clark will have a murder charge over his head, I just hope the old guy with the beard sides with me. The judge slammed his gavel down once more to speak.
"The defense raises some good points, as the court, we are to examine all accounts of what witnesses were doing at the time." Explained the judge. "Bailiff, have the police look over the rest of the footage from last night, immediately!"
This has to be the longest hour I've ever went through, I just hope that camera footage can prove my theory. As my rambling came to halt, a bailiff walked in and handed Mister Payne a piece of paper. "Here we are, the results form the recording before the victim and defendant left the elevator." He said.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" The judge asked. "What's the conclusion?"
Come on, come on, give me something, anything!
"Let's see..." Mister Payne read. "Footage shows that the only one who went to the roof the time before the murder was Alice Wonderleen…. Wait? She was there!?" The crowd started speaking again
The judge bashed the gavel down once more. "Order, Order in the court!"
I-I was actually right, thank god! "Well, Your Honor? With this new piece of evidence, I think it's pretty clear that you can't charge my client under these conditions."
The judge nodded "I would appear so, Mister Orders, Mister Payne, how do you respond?"
I saw that the older prosecutor was making the same grin and hair stroke like before. "Very instinctual of you Mister Orders, you definitely know how to keep your cool, impressive for a rookie."
"W-what?" Why do I get the feeling he's gonna try something… oh wait, he's a prosecutor—what am I saying?
"Even If Miss Wonderleen was there before the murder, that still doesn't prove the defendant didn't kill anyone."
Crap, he's right, think of something Orders! You got yourself into this mess, now, find a way to clean it up! I slammed my hand down hard on my stand again before speaking. "Be that as it may, it still contradicts the witnesses testimony!" I extended both are and index to said witness. "I would like her to testimony what she was doing up on that roof!"
"Objection!" Gaspan yelled. "T-that would be a waste of time! The witness could've left the scene before the murder even started!"
"Objection!" You're not slipping past me, Mister Payne! "There was only one time Miss Wonderleen was spotted in that elevator and it was before the murder!" I told him. "I say her new testimony is of up most importance!"
I could see Mister Payne dripping with sweat from across the room.
The judge slammed his gavel down again. "I do believe defense has a point here Mister Payne, Witness!"
"Y-yes?" Spooks answer, her voice still shaky.
"You will give us a new testimony about when you were on the roof, and this time, be one hundred percent accurate!"
"O-o-okay, Your Honor."
Alright, some new information! I just gotta hit it where it counts and I might make it out of this!
- The new location -
"Okay, Yes, I was on the roof as the defense claims, I was up there to look at the stars, trying to help myself relax, however, that doesn't change what I saw, I turned around suddenly to spot two men, the victim and the defendant, they looked to be having a conversation of some sort, suddenly, the defendant got super furious and grabbed at him, he pushed that guy off the roof, and that's what really happened."
"Hmm… So you were up on the roof at the time." The Judge confirmed.
"Yes, it's all starting to make scenes." Mister Payne said. "But you still did witness the murder."
"Y-yeah, that's right." Wonderleen added.
"Well, next time be honest with us witness, you're in a court of law!" Demanded the judge
"I-I'm sorry, Your Honor, I'm sorry!" Wonderleen said, leaning forward and back multiple times.
It didn't seem like there was anything wrong with her testimony, seemed pretty flawless actually, I should probably press her as much as I can, even if it's something irrelevant.
"You may proceed with your cross examination Mister Orders."
"Yes, your honor." This ones definitely gonna be hard to crack, I should ask some things, get some more details, hmm… let's start with something simple.
"Hold it!" I shouted. "So you were out star gazing then?" Strange, I though there was a heavy rain storm an hour before the murder.
"Yes." Replied Wonderleen. "Looking up at the night sky helps me calm my nerves."
"But I still find it weird that you decided to go out looking at stars at that particular time, and right after heavy rain." I explained.
"I personally enjoy going out and star gazing at night, Mister Orders." Not this crap again, Judge. "Right after me and my grandchildren get ice cream, we would point out the cancellations to each other all the time." Golly gee, this sounds familiar, totally didn't hear this fifteen years…
"Some of my best moments from my youth happened while star gazing, it's a great way to subdue the ladies." No body cares but you, Mister Payne!
Okay, this is getting no where, I wonder what she meant by "they looked like were having a conversation." Should probably press on that.
"You said you saw the two speak with each other, correct?" I asked.
"Y-yes, I even managed to pick up what they said as well." So she did hear what they said. "What did they say?" I asked.
"Let's see." Miss Wonderleen looked down and tapped her foot. "I believe the victim was talking about a rating for the defendant's car repair business, but…" Wonderleen crosses her arms and shivered. "That's… that's when I heard the defendant say something frightening…"
Oh joy, more conclusive evidence, just what I need, I hate to have to ask this, but. "What did my client say?"
"He… He said…" Wonderleen paused a bit before speaking.
"Say you're prayers…"
"W-w-whaaaaaaat!?" The public started to chatter away again, which was stop by the judges gavel.
"T-this is a very important statement, witness!" The Judge told.
"Yes, even more proof to expose the defendants crime." Mister Payne was making that condescending expression again.
"Wait, you got it all wrong!" Yelled Clark from the defendants chair. "It wasn't a death threat or anything." Really brother, you're not helping.
The judge bashed the gavel down. "I think I've heard enough to cast my verdict and put an end to this trail."
"Yes, please do Your Honor." Announced Misterpayne. "Show The defense what happens when you try to get criminals off the hook."
Did my brother really say that? There's no way in hell he's a murderer-but. How am I gonna proof she didn't hear it…
Wait a minute, hear?
"As you wish Mister Payne-"
"Objection!" I cut the judge off. "Miss Wonderleen, are you sure you heard the defendant say that?"
"Y-yes, positive." She answered, obviously unaware of how she couldn't.
"And just what are you up to now Mister Orders?" If you give me a second to explain, Mister Payne.
"And you heard him saying from the other side of the roof, correct?" I questioned.
"W-where are you going this…?" She whimpered.
"The obviously lie in your testimony, that's where I'm going." I smirked, my hands back in my coat pockets.
"W-what is this all about, Mister Orders!?" Mister Payne started sweating once again.
"I need you to recall something." I explained "Miss Wonderleen just made the statement "She heard the defendant and victim" talking, but however." I pound my fist on my stand once more. "She wouldn't be able to hear them at all." Then a finger point for added effect. "She would've instead heard nothing but the sounds of air conditioning unit!"
"A-aghhhh!!" Wonderleen jumped, making her glasses fly into the air before landing on her forehead.
"Whaaaat!?" Mister Payne yelled while taking a step back, while the crowd started speaking up a storm again, the judge soon interrupting by plowing down the gavel once.
"Order, Order, I will have Order, Mister Orders, What's your explanation for this!?"
"The evidence saids it all, Your Honor, it's this air conditioning system." I Replied. "As the building schematics said; The air conditioner generates a loud noise, so, how, pray tell, does this witness know what the two were talking about from the other side!?"
"N-n-noooooooooo!!" Screamed Wonderleen.
Okay, I have her on the ropes now, time to hammer it in-
"O-okay… I'll confess…" Hold on, what did she say, did she really…?
"W-witness? What's wrong?" Asked The Judge.
"I'll con-confess to-to what really ha-hap-happened…." Her voice sounded more like stuttering, her limbs were shaking, her eyes were glancing everywhere.
"You'll confess?" The Judge Asked.
"Y-yes… Your Ho-Honor…" I don't know what the hell shes gonna confess to… was she the murder all along?
"I…." Miss Wonderleen took a deep breath and spoke.
"I was… an accomplice…."
What… the actual…. "….Are….are….Are you freaking kidding me!?"
"Wh-wh-wh-What!?" Screamed The Judge.
"Yo-you were a whaaaaat!?" Even Mister Payne is dumbfounded!?
"Yes… me and the defendant were working together…" She whimpered as the public rattled on again.
"Order, Order!" The judge yelled.
"Hey, that's not true at all, I don't even know this girl!" You'll make it a lot easier for me if you stopped talking, brother.
"Witness, is what you're confessing to true!?" Wonderleen kept her silence while the Judge went at her, her eyes looking away. "Miss Wonderleen!"
And just to add on the stress, Mister Payne started grinning again. "So you're using this strategy, are you Mister Orders?" What is he talking about…? My hand went to my forehead with my other arm leaning on the stand when figured out where this was going.
"And just where are you going with this, Mister Payne?" The Judge Asked.
"It's quite simple Your Honor." I can feel the fluids running down my face already. "You see, the defense has an… unusual family history, Mister Orders father was… well, he didn't play by the rules, if his client were to lose, he would stick the crime to any witness possible if he couldn't get the not guilty verdict." Mister Payne… of all the things, you decided to throw them into it. "And by the looks of it, it appears like it past on to his offspring, Lawson Orders."
"Objection!" My fist, met the stand again. "My family has nothing to do with this case! The prosecution is just providing nothing but it's just simply slandering me!"
"Objection!" Shouted Mister Payne. "I'm not the one who wants an innocent girl brought to jail just so he can save his mediocre mechanic of a brother."
"Hey, who are you calling mediocre? I'll have you know my shop has a nine and a half star rating outta ten stars, oldman!" You're not helping either, brother!
Damn you Payne, bringing up something like that in a trial… what can I do? How can I prove she wasn't apart of the murder?
"Hold it!" A female voice yell next to me, I looked to my right and saw Ashley standing aside from me. "I won't have you discriminate against my trainee. Prosecutor Payne."
"B-boss…" I mumbled.
"Hey, don't look so distressed Orders." Ashley said with a smile curve of her lips. "This is the time where Lawyers are forced to put on their biggest smiles."
"I know, it's just… I don't know boss, first she saying she's a witness, now she saying she's an accomplice."
"Well, let's brain storm Orders, what else can we do?" Ashley's right, If I don't do anything, I can kiss my brothers freedom goodbye.
"Hmm…. Maybe I should have her testify about being an accomplice?" I answered, not really positive that would work.
"Well, I think it's the only shot we have, actually." Replied Ashley.
"Your Honor!" I punched my podium again."I request Miss Wonderleen testify about her assistance in the murder!"
"Testify?" Said The Judge.
"Objection!" Yelled Payne. "Just what are you up to defense? There's no need for her to testify!"
"Objection!" I Said back. "As I stated before, in a court of law, it's important to hear every piece of information as possible, so her testimony in this matter is very much needed!" I said, smirking, and making Mister Payne sweat bullets again.
The judge banged the gavel down and answered. "I have to agree with the defense, Objection sustained Mister Orders." He gave his full attention to Miss Wonderleen. "Witness!"
"Y-Yes?" Wonderleen jumped.
"You will testify about carrying out this murder with the defendant, do I make myself clear?"
"Y-yes sir, Your Honor sir!"
If Miss Wonderleen really did worked with my brother on this job, her testimony should be flawless.
"Orders, do you suspect Miss Wonderleen of being the killer here?" Ashley asked.
"In all honesty, I don't know, but it looks like we're about to find out." I Replied.
- Being An Accomplice -
"Yes, I admit to being an accomplice, The defendant told me his plan via text message, first, I would arrive at the apartments and use the elevator, he then told me to hide inside near the fire escape door, once it closed shut, both the victim and defendant showed up, the defendant showed the victim something on his cell phone so he wasn't paying attention, once he was distracted, I opened up the door and we quickly lifted him off the roof to his death, and that's how we did it…."
The judge closed his eyes, absorbing the information. "Miss Wonderleen, you do realize that this puts a murder charge under your belt as well, right?"
"Yes, Your Honor… I'm aware of the charges that face me…."
Is it just me, or does Miss Wonderleen voice sound like it's cracking? "Any thoughts on this boss?" Ashley crossed her arm and wrapped her fingers around her chin. "Seems like a solid plan once you come down to it, however… I can tell you one thing, I definitely just heard a contradiction in that testimony…"
"Y-you did!?"
"Please begin your cross-examination, Mister Laws." The judge ordered.
So the boss heard a lie I wasn't aware of? But where? Something goes against the evidence? Let's see, if Miss Wonderleen was hiding like she said, the best place would definitely be the fire escape entrance, but something just doesn't feel right about it… hold on a second!
"Objection!" I chanted. "Miss Wonderleen, are you sure you were hiding in the fire escape stairs?"
"Yes, I-I was, what are you talking about?" She asked
"What I'm talking about is this." I pounded my fist on my stand. "If you were hiding in that fire escape." Then I pointed straight at her. "It would've been impossible for you to assist in the murder!"
"W-WHAT!?" Miss Wonderleen glasses flew in the air once more, the crowd sounding off again before being silenced by the judge.
"Order! Order! And if that women over there says anything else, yank at her hair a tad bit, bailiff!"
"Nicely done Orders, and what a fantastic lawyer stance as well." Ashley complimented. "What can I say, I'm starting to get into this." That's when The Judge then faced us. "Mister Orders, Just what do you mean by "it would've been impossible"? explain this to the court!" I nodded in response.
"According to the blueprints for the fire escape door, it saids the following statement: "The fire escape can only be opened from the outside for security purposes" therefore, if Miss Wonderleen was hiding in there…." A slam on the surface, and… "it would've been impossible for her to join in on the murder!"
"NOOOOOOOOO!!" Wonderleen howled out before leaning her head down in her hands.
"M-Miss Wonderleen….?" The judge said in a slight, shaken up voice.
"Miss Wonderleen." I said. "You did it, all by yourself, didn't you?"
"It… It…." Wonderleenlifted her head up, which had tears running down her cheeks. "It wasn't me, I swear, I-I'm not a murderer, this… this wasn't how it was suppose to go!"
W-what's gotten into her? Isn't this the part where the real killer breaks down?
"Hee hee hee hee hee heee." Oh great, what does Mister Payne want now? "Don't worry Miss Wonderleen, I believe your innocence."
"A-and what makes you say that?" I asked.
"Just look at this witness, her body looks more fragile, not even that very muscular, and to add onto my point." Mister Payne continued, making his signature, punchable face. "The victim Ralph Rioting, was also a very active individual and kept a well fit body by lifting weights and boxing, so even if Miss Wonderleen wanted to kill the victim, she wouldn't be able to overpower him so easily!"
"A-ack!!" Dammit, He has a point there!
"Furthermore, in order to have someone thrown off of the roof, a person would have to be lifted off, as the barrier surrounding the roof is around four feet, another factor to make it seem impossible for the witness to commit this murder!"
"Oh…. CRAAAAAAAAAAP!!" Another good fact!
The judge silenced the growing louder spectators. "The prosecution has made several good points." The judge shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't have you charge this witness, Mister Orders." N-no, it can't be!
"The only one that was present at the time, and was capable of throwing the victim off the buildings roof top." Mister Payne crossed his arm and pat his long hair again. "Was none other then the defendant, Clark Orders!"
This isn't happening… this can't be true…. Was my brother really the murderer!?
"Orders!" Ashley shouted. "I know that look, you were doubting your client just now, weren't you?"
"But, boss… I don't know what else to do, I don't have any evidence on me that shows Clark didn't do it, everything is pointing at him."
"Well, sure, you don't have hard proof on you, but think about it some more, why wasn't the victim in the elevator at that time? Why was Miss Wonderleen up there on the roof top in the first place? And was the victims cause of death really a fall? In order to win, you need to turn your thinking completely upside down, you got it Orders? think everything over from a different perspective and find the real truth!"
Turn my thinking upside down, huh? Okay Laws, time to take a good look at the evidence and recall what was said in this trail so far… let me think, there was something on those crime photos that seemed off… as well as that elevator footage, something was there that Clark unknowingly left behind… and what was that about the autopsy report?
"The cause of death was a force impact which severed the spine and the body was covered in bruises"
Force impact, huh? But if it wasnt a fall what else could've cause something like that?
"First my SUV goes missing, and now they think I'm some sort of heartless killer, me of all people!!"
Clark's SUV is still gone… but why, he keeps that car locked up tight, anyone who has a key could only get in, but who else would have one?
"It wasn't me, I swear, I-I'm no murderer, this… this wasn't how it was suppose to go!"
And This witness, Alice Wonderleen, why was she up on that roof to begin with, and how did she know what the two were talking about? and if she really wasn't the killer, why did she jump at claiming to be an accomplice to a murder? That's pretty much social suicide... hold on… I think I'm getting somewhere… I think…
Then suddenly, it all hit me like a bomb going off in my mind….
"N-N-NO WAAAAAY!!" We-we we're being tricked this whole time…!
"Orders, what's wrong?" Ashley asked.
"I-I think I have an idea on what really happened!"
Mister Payne continued speaking. "I believe it's time we end this trial Your Honor, The defense does have anything else to work with, obviously."
"If The defense can't prove anything to disprove the defendant pushing Mister Rioting off, then must announce my verdict-"
"Objection!" I screamed, extending my index finger to the judge. "Wait just a minute Your Honor!"
"Hee hee hee, typical rookie doesn't know when he's lost, don't you think it time to throw in the towel, Mister Orders? All the evidence points to the defendant being the culprit."
"Actually Mister Payne..." I smiled and stuff my hands in my coat pockets. "Looking at it all in a different perspective, the evidence you've submitted so far actually proves my client innocent as a matter of fact."
"W-what?" Payne didn't see that coming.
"So, the prosecution claims my client here lifted the victim off of the rooftop, but if that was the case, something would've been left on the victim for that theory to hold water." The sound of the gavel rang out.
"Well Mister Orders, Show us what would've been ignoring then." The Judge ordered.
"It's right here in the elevator footage!" I pulled said video on my smartphone and stopped it just around the time my brother and Mister Rioting got off, directing to the dark red handprint left by my brother. "Noticed the hand Mark that my brother, the defendant, left on the wall."
"Oh, Lawson, I…. I don't know where you're going with this, but I can explain the hand print if it helps!" Clark offered, which I nodded to.
"Go ahead brother."
"I had to work late last night to finish up some repairs, so I picked up a large box of buffalo wings drenched in barbecue sauce from the chicken place I normally go, I ate them all with Serena as soon as Ralph called me to meet him up on the roof that night."
So it was sauce, not oil, but if Mister Rioting was tossed off... that's it! "Brother…" I adjusted my tie and made a cheerful grin. "Thank you very much, you just gave me the ammo to prove your innocence."
"I did?" Clark asked.
"He did?" Mister Payne asked.
"What did he do?" The Judge asked.
"Allow me to elaborate, Your Honor." I said as I pulled up the first crime photo up on my screen. "Notice The victims white suit, do you see anything on it at all, anything that would strike you odd?"
"Why… no, there's nothing on the suit like you stated, so what are you getting at, Defense?" The Judge announced.
"That's exactly my point, Your Honor." I said.
"N-nooooooo!" Mister Payne jumped.
"And I think the prosecution knows where I'm going with this as well." I said, my eyes lighting up with confidence. "In order for the defendant to lift the victim up, he would have to get sauce on Mister Rioting's get up, however…" I bashed my fist on the stand the lift my arm up in a finger point. "We can clearly see no marks on all on his outfit at all!"
"Th-this can't beeeeeee!" Mister Payne yelled, with the rest of the public jabbering on.
The Judge slammed his gavel down again. "Order! Order! Order!" He repeated. "You're right! It would be impossible to lift him off without getting his suit messy!"
"B-bu-but-but-but, that's inconceivable!" Mister Payne screeched. "Then explain it? How was the victim murdered, don't tell me you're suggesting that the victim never fell in the first place?"
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting." If my theory is right, then this is how it was committed. "To answer your question Mister Payne, I would like to submit the possibility of a murder weapon to the court."
"A murder weapon?" The Judge asked.
I nodded in response. "That murder weapon was actually reported missing this morning, and still is at this very moment." I pulled up my brothers SUV photo. "That murder weapon is none other then my brothers car!"
"S-so, wait a minute…" The Judge said.
"Are you saying the victim was….?" Mister Payne mumbled.
"Exactly!" I bashed the stand. "The real cause of death was getting ran over by the very SUV that's went missing last night!" The People in the stands we're talking But was halted when when Mister Payne screamed. "Objection!"
"Then… what about the elevator footage, why wasn't the victim with him when he went back on?"
"Objection!" I shouted. "The proof is right here in the rooftop crime photo!" I claimed as I showed said image. "Take a nice good look at the foot prints made by the puddle leading to the fire escape, it matches the loafers the victim was wearing the night of the murder." I explained with my fist to the stand. "This backs up my claim and demolishes yours!"
"A-Aghhhhh!" Mister Payne got sensed back, mouth wide opened. "Then.. Umm… explain where the victim was located when he got hit by the SUV in question, there weren't any hit and run reports on the night of the murder, so-so try to explain that."
"Don't be so simple minded Mister Payne." I told him with a small grimace. "I have the evidence right here!"
"Y-you actually Do?" Mister Payne Asked
"The location is right here in the building schematics!" I switched it to the blueprints and pointing to the parking lot. "This is the real crime scene right here!"
"T-the apartments parking lot?" I nodded in reply.
"It was the middle of night, so no one would be around, plus the sound of cars it's practically natural over there, so anyone living there would pay no mind!" I said. "This would be a perfect place to commit murder with a vehicle!"
"N… n, n…. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
I have that guy on the ropes now. "Just to confirm my theory, I recommend we have the rest of the autopsy report."
"Actually, As you were were explaining your case Mister Orders, the updated autopsy report has just arrived." The judge told me.
"Ohh?" Okay, moment of truth time, it's all cards in, double or nothing! "Alright then, Mister Payne, May you do the honors?" I asked as the bailiff handed Payne the envelope.
"Alright, give me a second, young people can be so impatient now a days..." He complained as he opened up the envelope. "Cause of death was a force impact from a v-v-VEHICLE!?" So my claim was true after all!
"I think it's safe to say Mister Payne…" I reached out with my index finger. "You can't charge my brother guilty under these circumstances!"
"It would appear so, but one question?" Asked The Judge.
"Go right ahead, Your Honor."
"If The defendant isn't the one who killed Mister Rioting, then… who did?"
"That…." That's actually a really good question now that he mentioned it!
"Orders!" Ashley yelled right next to me. "Please tell me you have a good idea on who did it!"
To be honest, I didn't even think of that going in…
"Well, that's what I'm gonna find out now, boss!" I told her back.
"Well, Mister Orders?" The Judge asked. "Who's the one who killed Ralph Rioting?"
Dammit, I can't prove who really was the perp yet, so far I have no evidence whatsoever… maybe…
"I… I don't know, Your Honor."
"You don't know?"
"hee hee hee hee, good job wasting our time, Mister Orders, how typical of a rookie." Mister Payne said egotistically.
"I don't know." I said as my hand down. "But I'm positive this witness here does!"
"H-huh…?" Wonderleen gasped.
"Recall this witnesses actions just now." I explained. "She lied multiple times in this court room, she was up there before the murder even occurred, I believe she knew the crime was going happened before hand, she also jumped at the chance to be named as an accomplice in all of this."
"Where are you going with this Mister Orders?" Asked The Judge. "Its almost sounds like you're trying to make this witness here looked she didn't have no choice in committing this crime."
"That's exactly where I'm going with this, Your Honor." It's all starting to make sense now. "Miss Wonderleen, I have my suspicions the real culprit forced you to take part in this crime."
That sentence made Miss Wonderleen's face got more paler, just as I thought. "Earlier you said, and I quote: "It wasn't supposed to be like this." As you were crying, If anything..." I extended my finger out in a stance. "That's a sign you didn't want any part of this to begin with!"
The audience began chatting again.
"Order, Order, Order in the court!" The Judge declared silence with his gavel. "Is this true, Witness?"
Wonderleen glanced around shivering, she was like a scared lost little girl at a shopping mall. "Uhh... umm... I..." Poor Miss Wonderleen... she definitely doesn't look like she's the type to commit murder… and that face-those action, I've seen them before.. hell I actually did those things once… I have to let her know that it's alright to tell the truth... I have to save both her and my brother from this bastard!
"Miss Wonderleen... No, I hope you don't mind me calling you Alice." I asked her, who stared at me for a brief second, but nodded shortly. "I know exactly what you're going through right now." I explained. "Completely helpless… feeling like you can't run or hide..."
"You're nothing but dirt on the bottom of my heels, you best remember your position in life, you got that brat?"
"But then, you find that one glance of hope one day, that certain someone or something comes along and just changes your outlook on everything entirely..."
"I lost someone special to me too Lawson... She may be gone physically, but she'll always be alive in our hearts, our spirits... use your heart to protect those that are in need of it and those who are close to you, okay?"
"I'm afraid this may be your only glimpse of hope right here, so please, not just for me or my brother..." I chanted in my lawyer position. "But for yourself, tell us what really happened that night on the roof!"
"Mi-Mister Orders..." Wonderleen sobbed, tears riding down her cheeks.
I also heard whimpering from my side, turning my head I was greeted to the sight of Ashley weeping by herself.
"Ummm... Boss? Are you crying too?"
Ashley immediately wiped her tears away and said. "What? No, Mister Payne was just looking at me funny, that's all!"
"O-okay." Wonderleen mumbled, which instantly glued my eyes on her. "I'll tell the truth now, no more lying this time, I promise."
"You will Alice?" I asked, she nodded in response.
"I hope not Miss Wonderleen, No more lying, or you'll be in contempt of court this time." Explained The Judge.
"I understand Your Honor" Miss Wonderleen explained. "Everything the defence stated is true, I arrived at the rooftop twenty minutes before the murder, I hid myself behind the elevator structure, but before that, I hid a device first."
"A device?" Mister Payne asked.
"Yes, I put it underneath those old newspapers at the crime scene, I was told to record the conversation of those two specking and send it to the killer."
"B-but, why would you do such a thing!?" Questioned The Judge.
Wonderleen bit her bottom lip. "I-I rather not say, but let's just say something was carried on to me that caused me to do it…" She answered. "Once they both left, I took the device and send the recording to the killer." She has the device with her?
"And do you have it with you, Alice?" I asked before she pulled it out of her sweater pocket, it was a microphone attached to an old phone.
"Yes, here it is." She said.
"Witness! You must submit that into evidence immediately!" The Judge said as a bailiff came in a took the small electronic away from her, they handed it to me and I turned it on, once the small screen went on, a notification reading "Data transfer, complete!"
"What the hell…" I hit the notification, but as soon as it popped up, I saw an all to familiar set of numbers 555 7970… no way…
"What is it Orders?" Ashley asked, I just simply hit the telephone icon on the phone and let it ring, before then, The Steel Samurai theme rang out from the witness stand… you can't be serious…
"Wait… that's me…?" Clark said, getting his phone out to answer. "H-hello." My face went white when he answered from the other line.
"Hee hee hee hee." Oh great, Mister Payne is trying again… "Well, well, well, I think it's becoming clear now." Don't you say it… "It looks like the witness here was an accomplice after all!"
He said it… "You…. YOU GOTTA BE JOKING!?"
"W-w-whaaaat!?" Screamed Wonderleen with the public noising up a storm, what? Just what the hell was my brothers number doing on that phone?
"Order! I will have Order!" The judge demanded. "What's your exploitation for this, witness!?"
"N-no, That can't be right, I-I though…"
So Miss Wonderleen didn't know about this… what the devil is going on? I though I had this trial wrapped around my fingers… but now Clark looks even more guilty the before. And I gotta feeling the Verdict is gonna be cast down in a couple of seconds…. Not good!
"I've told what would happened if you were lying to us Miss Wonderleen, now you leave me with no choice-"
"Objection!" I cut The Judge off. "Wait just a minute, Your Honor!"
"Oh, you still wish to go on?" Asked Mister Payne. "How amusing, so what is it this time, Mister Orders, are you claiming that defendant isn't holding his cell phone, but a different one?"
I can't let him have his way, I'm just gonna have to bluff for now… "That's exactly what I'm claiming, Mister Payne…" Well, I'm screwed!
"And I suppose you have evidence to support that claim, aswell?"
"Uhh… Umm… I…" no good… I don't have anything…
"Well, Mister Orders, do you have anything to present to the court?" The judge asked.
Nothing… dammit all, I don't have crap… Clark, I'm sorry…
I screwed you and Alice over….
"Hold it!"
T-that voice!
"The number, the phone number!" Wonderleen Yelled to me.
"Huh…?" The phone number?
"Listen, the number, there's something odd about it!"
The phone number? What's so odd about it…? Wait a minute!
I took out my own phone and pulled up my contacts, which made my eyes widen.
My brothers number is 555 7978… the zero is replaced by the eight… I think I'm finally getting to the bottom of this.
"Just what are you and the witness are up too defense?" Asked Mister Payne.
"Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmmmm…" I curved my lips upwards to make a smile, adjusting my tie and said. "Ready to show the proof that will bring us to the real killer, that's what."
"W-what?" Mister Payne commenced going into "I'm screwed!" Mode.
"The real killer is the only one who was with the defendant at the time of the murder, someone who had access to his SUV and was able to swipe his phone with the fake at the time." I punched the defense stand. "The killer was someone we leasts expected it to be!"
"Someone we leasts expect…? Lawson-don't tell me…!?" Clark said bewailed.
"And I'll prove it by calling the number from my phone instead, just to prove the phone the defendant possesses to be a phony, with your of course, Your Honor."
"Hmmm…." The Judge pondered. "Very well, but you better not be stalling this trial, Mister Orders."
I nodded and hit the call icon under Clark's name, a few seconds in, the same theme from before rang out, but not from my brothers cell, but another from the audience, a certain blonde women in a pink coat took out an identical phone and stopped it by hitting "ignore" making the room drown in silence.
"I think we're on the right track this time, Orders." Ashley stated.
"It would appear so, boss."
"I think you know what to do next."
My fist rammed the desk and I called.
"The defense wishes to indict Serena Witch for the murder of Ralph Rioting!" I said, pointing my finger straight at her face.
End of chapter one.
_
There we have it, i can't wait to upload the next chapter because i really had fun making this.
i hoped you all enjoyes, and see you in the next upload!