72 Hours: Act 2 the chase is on!

By

triviatrap1982

I do not own Ace Attorney. It is owned by Capcom.

Notes: I do apologize...I accidentally posted up the template for the now current chapter the last time, instead of the first chapter.

Before they left Mr. Wright filled them in on some information that he thought would be important. First, he pointed over to Mr. Hat. Apollo did remark that Trucy never left home without it. It was like that old credit card commercial. Nick did nod and say he was correct. Apollo also noted that he's seen Trucy with two day planners. The first was for the business itself, since technically it was a talent agency. He also noted that she had her school/work planner on her person at all times. It too was here. Nick again nodded and signaled he was correct. Mr. Wright did have to speak with the both of them to make sure they would work together. He had to work with Franziska eight years ago to save Maya's life because of a literal hell spawn. This was one case that nobody would ever forget. Franziska knew where he was driving at and spoke up.

"Don't worry I'll be a good little girl," Franziska said with a smirk. "I promise."

"I have no doubts in your abilities," Nick said with a smile.

"Apollo will learn there's more to just getting not guilty verdicts in court as well," Franziska said with a smile.

"If I say I would be your subordinate would you not whip me?" Apollo asked nervously.

"If you don't fuck up, then I won't punish you," she said earnestly.

"Are you to finished playing?" Nick asked annoyed.

"Oh right! We'll get going right away!" Apollo answered.

"Good, I have a call to make to somebody," he said.

"We better get going," Franziska said.

"I'm right behind you," Apollo answered.

They both headed out to the first place where they could figure out to go. They went to the Wonderbar to find anything that could be of help. The owner came up and he found something in his alleyway. He had on gloves so not to taint the evidence to handle it. It was Trucy's cell phone. The last call received was from Mr. Wright about her day planner, and telling her about her work schedule. This was a first break they needed. They thanked the owner and went on their way. Apollo looked to see exactly what time that Trucy made the call to Mr. Wright about grabbing her things for work. He looked in the dialed calls log and he noticed something.

"Hey...this says her last call was about 4:15 p.m. today," Apollo said.

"Who was she calling?" Franziska asked.

"Mr. Wright of course," Apollo answered. "After all, he did tell us he got her voice mail when he called to remind her of her day planner."

"That makes sense, but why would he call her about that?" Franziska pressed.

"It's quite simple," Apollo said. "She has her school day, and work day planned...and tonight she was supposed to work."

"Ah I got it...so the Kidnap happened probably between 4:15, and 4:25."

"It makes no sense...why would the kidnapper want to get Trucy of all people?"

"That is something we have to think about," Franziska said.

"Also keep in mind that our kidnapper had announced herself as the student of Shelly de Killer," Apollo added.

"I think I know where you're going with this," Franziska said.

"I'm glad you do...because this is just a mind jumble."

"Where should we look next?"

"I think I know where we should look...the Kotaki manner...it's right across from the park," Apollo suggested.

"Wait...aren't they a crime family?" she asked with a tinge of venom in her voice.

"They got out of the crime business," Apollo said. "I had to defend their son, Wocky, from a murder rap...and had to save his life."

"That's your job isn't it?"

"Well, he had a bullet lodged in his heart, and well...the doctor who went in didn't do a good job."

"Do you think they saw anything?" Franziska asked.

"I hope so," Apollo said.

They made their way to the park, when they ran into Guy Eldoon. He was frowning. His cart was stolen...again. Apollo decided he was going to help him out. Then again, he remembered the last case. Dr. Pal Meraktis tried to kill Wocky's now ex-fiancée Alita Tiala and dump her body into the raging river by the park. The new tenant of the medical building got cameras all around. He also knew that Guy lived in the spot between that and another building. He had cameras up to actually catch whomever messed with Guy, or tried to break into the building. Franziska remembered Guy, and she smiled. She knew he went to medical school, against his father's wishes.

"Mr. Eldoon," Apollo said, "I hope you didn't have any misfortunes."

"I did...my cart was taken again..." he said angrily. "However, the good doctor should be in...he's working late."

"Wait a new doctor took over the Meraktis building?" Apollo asked.

"Yes, he's a young stud out of medical school," he said. "He reminds me of me when I was that young."

"Wait...how are you not a doctor anymore?" Franziska asked.

"It was that quack Pal Meraktis...when I would do something...he would 1-up me at every turn," Guy answered.

"He had a bad history with him," Apollo said. "Though, he's found his calling in very tasty noodles."

"I can't even have that now," he grumbled. "The damned thieves took everything."

"You know what...we'll help you out, I just hope it wasn't used in another crime," Apollo remarked.

"Right," Guy said, "I hope the good doctor has the security tapes..."

"I will ask him," Apollo said speaking up.

"You're a lifesaver...hey...have you seen Trucy?" he asked. "She usually comes by here before her set."

"That's the second major thing..." Apollo answered.

"She got kidnapped..." Guy returned. "I'll help you out."

"I believe you just did," Franziska said. "I have a feeling on it."

He let the go inside of the doctor's office. They did remove their shoes, with the slippers. The receptionist did not want to deal with them. In fact she told them to buzz off. Apollo wanted to keep Franziska from using her whip. However, this woman was beyond rude. The doctor came and he frowned. The receptionist she backed off quickly and apologized. He turned to the pair and invited them in his office. He knew that only one of two things happened at this time. He guessed correctly that a crime had taken place. Apollo explained first about Guy's noodle cart. The doctor frowned. He wondered why criminals were targeting him.

"If only he would take up my offer to work here," the doctor said.

"Let's not get off track," Apollo said.

"I'm sorry," the doctor answered. "Is this about his cart?"

"Yes...we do have reason to believe it was stolen to commit a kidnap crime," Apollo spoke up.

"I'll get you the footage from the last 48 hours," he offered.

"That would be wonderful," Franziska answered back.

"Ms von Karma, it's nice seeing you again," he said. "You're the one who helped to bring down that art theft ring years ago."

"You're a bit of a celebrity here," Apollo looked to Franziska.

"Let's not get off track," Franziska returned. "Though...I am hopeful you saw something on our first case."

"What was it?" The doctor asked.

"It is a kidnap...and we don't have time to waste."

"You know...I did see a very strange looking woman near by here," he answered. "I have some security footage from today if you need it."

They accepted it. He got everything up and put it on a thumb drive. He let them go, and they continued on to the park. Once there, they saw Wocky Kotaki sweeping the grounds. His mother normally would have done it, but she felt he needed to learn responsibility. He had the apron of the baking company his father created. He looked up and he smiled. He remembered Apollo. After calming down and getting that operation...he realized that he almost died for nothing. He stopped sweeping for long enough to answer to Apollo.

"Hey what's up?" Wocky greeted. "You got another case?"

"Yup," Apollo said, "we got a doozy."

"Man...I saw some whack shit earlier today," Wocky said.

"I hope it wasn't another woman for your money again," Apollo remarked.

"Nah, I saw somebody come into the park with old man Eldoon's noodle stand," Wocky started.

"Mr. Eldoon did say his stand was stolen again," Apollo said.

"Yeah world on the street is that some psycho bitch kidnapped a school girl!" Wocky continued.

"That would be Trucy Wright...you remember her don't you?" Apollo asked.

"Are you for real?!" Wocky asked on pure surprise. "Man that's cold, yo!"

"Did you happen to see anything else that's out of place?"

"Yeah, this psycho bitch tossed one of old man Eldoon's bowls..." he started.

CRACK!

"Hey what's the deal with her?!" Wocky asked.

"This is Franziska von Karma," Apollo said.

"Oh shit, I better watch it from here on out," Wocky returned knowing now who he's dealing with. "She's the one that made that guy Phoenix Wright feel like a Squirtle from that Pokémon game!"

"That's better," Franziska said.

"Anyway, this chick threw one of old man Eldoon's bowls in the bushes over there," he said. "To make matters worse...she was like barefoot!"

"You better not be yanking my chain," Franziska frowned getting her whip ready.

"Listen, I don't joke about that!" Wocky protested.

"We're going to look in the park," Apollo said.

"Hey if you need more help come see me," Wocky said.

"We will," Apollo said smiling.

"As for her, I hope the guy who wants to cheat on her is ready to be punished big time," Wocky said.

Apollo got a chill up his spine. He didn't imagine anybody wanting to date Franziska. Her back was turned as they went to the park. Once there...Apollo stopped Franziska. He felt something was wrong. He turned around and he narrowly avoided getting cold-cocked with a metal pipe. Franziska she used her whip and she nailed whomever tried to take them out. The person ran away but not before getting a taste of von Karmic justice. After, they went to the trash cans to search. Apollo had a supply of rubber gloves and evidence bags for the things that would fit. He did thank Ema for this, because this would make things a lot easier. He recognized the backpack right away, as school books fell out.

"This definitely is Trucy's," Apollo said.

"I found this ridiculous looking top hat," Franziska said.

"That's also definitely Trucy's," Apollo said. "This is her silk hat that's a part of her act."

"Oh...whoever wanted Trucy wanted us to divide our attention," Franziska said having an idea.

"I still want to know two things," Apollo said. "First why Kidnap Trucy...and why dump her belongings in two points around town."

"More disturbing," Franziska continued, "is the cart theft and our kidnap related?"

"We better get back to Mr. Wright at this moment," Apollo said. There's not much for now we can do, and it's getting late.

"Not so fast!" a voice called out.

"Who's that stopping us?" Franziska asked.

"That's Detective Ema Skye," Apollo said.

"I thought she was going to be in the forensics..." Franziska said confused.

"It doesn't matter, everything from here on out will be...scientific," Apollo said.

"I head that," Ema said. "Besides you're right...we can approach this scientifically."

"Here's what we've found so far," Apollo said.

"Good I can get them checked out right away.

"Can you check the ground for bare foot prints?" Franziska asked.

"Of course," Ema said, "there's no way you can hide from the eye of forensic science."

Ema used a black light to see if there were any biological agents. She also had her trademarked red glasses on her head. She saw a bare foot print in the dirt. This was something unusual...but nothing that she couldn't solve. She also saw a solid print on the pavement. She got the fingerprinting kit out. She decided to have Franziska try it. She explained how to use it. Franziska paid attention. She remembered Wocky and Apollo's conversation on a previous case.

"Yes," Ema said, "just as everybody has different, unique finger prints..."

"So does everybody with their foot and toe prints," Apollo answered unsure.

"That's correct," Ema said.

"Do you have the database?" Apollo asked.

"I have more than that," she said. "I also have the profiles of whomever you need to look up."

"That's great," Apollo said.

"I think I got something solid," Franziska said.

"Okay, I will need something...anything to match the print up with," Ema said.

"We just have to find some footwear in the person wasn't wearing any socks," Apollo said off-handed.

"That would help," Ema stated flatly.

With that, Ema cordoned off the area. As for Apollo and Franziska they headed back to the Wright Anything Agency. They were no closer to an answer now than they were a few hours ago. The major questions were popping up in their head. Who would want to kidnap Trucy? Why kidnap Trucy? Does Mr. Eldoon's cart have anything to do with the crime? Why exactly did this person think they could not leave a foot print by taking their shoes off? Apollo was looking over some old files of Mr. Wright, and he came across something that was much recent. He looked to Franziska with a look of horror on his face.

"Hey...do you think that Shelly de Killer had any kids?" Apollo asked.

"I don't know...nor do I care," Franziska said coldly.

"That might be the key to this entire mystery...after all, this calling card is his logo," Apollo said speaking up.

"Really...if he did have a kid...they learned some very bad habits," Franziska returned.

"Remember our kidnapper said she was the student of de Killer," Apollo reminded.

"This is yet another mystery."

While they tried to wrap their brains around this, they continued to over think it. Meanwhile, the kidnapper had Trucy tied up. She now was blind folded, and being spoon fed food. The kidnapper didn't want to do what her teacher did years ago. Trucy wasn't smiling. She was taking this seriously because her life is on the line. The kidnapper she sat next to Trucy making he uncomfortable. This kind of torture was a bit more effective than the starvation method. If anything she was creeping out Trucy more. She spoke up. She didn't want to taunt her. She also didn't want Trucy to see her face in case she needed to be identified. She then thought of the perfect line.

"Miss Trucy," she said, "I'm sorry you have to go through this...but I must avenge my father."

"Y-Your father...what did my dad do to him?" Trucy asked. "All I know is that Shelly de Killer is still out there."

"You know of my father then?" She asked.

"Yes, everybody knows about him," Trucy answered.

"Well, I wasn't lying when I said I was a student of de Killer..."

Trucy froze up in fear. She knew that anybody with the de Killer name. They were from a long line of assassins. There was one thing that they all valued and that was honesty. They did their job, and they were to be forgotten about. There was the one time however...of Shelly de Killer who had to kidnap Maya just to cover his tracks. That didn't work out well as his client; Matt Engarde was very much trying to blackmail him. That didn't end well...he also popped up during the beginning of dark justice. That is, the former chief prosecutor nearly got everybody killed by him. Either way, Trucy knew who she was dealing with. She was unwilling to accelerate her own demise. Her kidnapper...she spoke up once again.

"You can't see my face," she said. "That is why I have to take drastic measures."

"You're not concerned if the cops come?" Trucy asked.

"I'm not...your father did the right thing," she said.

"I...don't want to die..." Trucy said, about to cry.

"You don't have to...if everybody does what I say."

Trucy quieted up. The kidnapper she left Trucy in the room, and closed the door. She locked it from the outside, so she couldn't get out. She also didn't leave anything that could jimmy the locks. She through an intercom instructed Trucy to take off the blind fold. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light. However, Trucy had to lie on the floor to hide her fear. While she's gone up against people like Kristoph Gavin, or even Dayran Crescend...this was something she really didn't want to go through right now. The best she could do is hope and pray. The best she could do is hope and pray this sick joke was over, and everything would come through.