Author's note: I know those of you following the story may be wondering why you're being notified about this again. And the answer is simple. I deleted the chapter as it was previously and am now reposting it. Why? Because after I sobered up, I looked over this chapter and saw SO many mistakes. Embarassing mistakes. Repeated sentences, testimony pasted to the wrong place,sentences being completely misspelled and a couple parts that were completely left out. I've learned my lesson. No more drinking and writing.
But yeah, that's why this chapter is being re-posted. The way it was before bugged the crap out of me, but the site wasn't letting me access anything all day yesterday, so I had to leave that embarrassment for a lot longer than I would have liked.
But yeah, that's gist of it. No real reason to re-read if you've read it before. The same events unfold, basically. If you haven't read it yet, here's chapter 6!
June 14
10:43 AM
District Court, Defendant's Lobby #5
"That was pretty good for your first time, Maya." Phoenix said.
"Yeah, pal! I think you'd give Mr. Wright a run for his money!" praised Gumshoe.
Maya beamed. "Thanks, guys! I dunno what you're always fussing about, Nick. That wasn't so bad!"
Phoenix slumped forward. "Don't get too cocky. We're still a long ways from winning this.
Just then, the door into the room opened up and two people entered.
"Oh, Apollo, Athena, I didn't think you'd make it."
Apollo stepped in front of him. "Like I'd miss this trial." He then turned his attention to Maya. "That was pretty impressive, Maya. I wouldn't have guessed it was your first time."
"Yeah!" Cried Athena. "That old man didn't know what hit him!"
Maya smiled. "Aw, you guys are sweet."
"But you know, it's weird." Apollo said, his finger to his head.
"Huh, what's weird, pal?" Gumshoe asked, his eyes darting all over the place.
"Something on your mind, Apollo?" Phoenix asked his employee.
"Well, it's just…" When he talked about Maggey having brown hair," He fumbled with his bracelet. "My bracelet didn't react. It was like he wasn't lying."
"It didn't… react, pal? Not sure I get what you're saying."
"I can explain to you later, Gumshoe." Phoenix said as he turned his attention back to Apollo. "No reaction, huh? That definitely seems odd."
"Wait, are you saying I messed up?" Maya asked, looking disheartened.
"No, nothing like that, Maya. I think it may mean that Kudo may have been telling a grain of truth. Maybe what he saw and what happened are two different things."
Maya put a hand to her face, thinking. "I'm not sure I get what you mean, Nick."
"I think we'll figure it out as the trial goes on. Actually, Apollo?"
"Hm? What is it?" Apollo asked.
"Your power may prove useful in the next testimony or two. Why don't you join us at the bench?" Phoenix asked.
"Hmmmm," Apollo mused. "Are you sure there's room for me? You already have Maya and the detective."
"Hey, the more the merrier, pal! Just another person to help Maggey out!" Gumshoe cried.
Apollo continued to think, his finger pressed firmly to his forehead.
Finally, a bailiff entered the room. "Defense, the trial will resume shortly. Please make your way back to the courtroom.
"Time's up, Apollo." Phoenix said. "You in or out?"
"Hmmmm, ok, why not?" He finally said.
The group cheered, Gumshoe slapping Apollo on the back, nearly knocking him over.
Apollo turned to Athena. "Athena, if this takes too long, could you-"
Athena flashed her signature peace sign. "No problem, Apollo! I'll make sure Icarus gets home."
Apollo smiled and gave a one-armed hug. "Thanks, Athena."
Phoenix, Gumshoe, and Maya were heading for the door. "Hurry it up, lovebirds! The trial's about to start again." Phoenix cried.
"Alright, guess I gotta move. Thanks again, Athena." With that, the horned attorney rushed into the courtroom.
June 14
10:54 AM
District Court, Courtroom #4
BANG "Court will now reconvene for the trial of Maggey Gumshoe. Before the recess, we found reason to doubt Mr. Kudo's testimony. However, he seems to wish to continue testifying."
"That's right! I may be old but I got lots to say!" Kudo cried from the witness stand.
"Now, before we move on, Mr. Wright, a word."
"! Yes, your Honor?" Phoenix asked.
"I can't help but notice that you've added another person to your group since the recess. Are this many co-councils necessary?"
"Ow!" Cried Apollo. "Watch it, Detective, that's my foot."
"Sorry, pal."
"Uh, I refuse to answer on the grounds that the question is irrelevant, your honor."
"Way to dodge the question, Nick." Maya said, staring at the ceiling.
The Judge isn't the only one who's noticed the new addition. Phoenix thought as he looked at Blackquill, whose gaze hadn't moved from Apollo since the trial reconvened.
The Judge shook his head. "Very well, let us move on. Mr. Kudo, I believe you wished to testify again about what you saw that night, correct?"
"That's right! I'll sing the pigeon song before I get called a liar again!"
"Apollo, why don't you take this one?" Phoenix said, looking at his employee.
Apollo nodded. "Sure. I get the feeling this is where he'll try to lie."
"Your testimony, if you will, witness."
Witness Testimony
I may have been mistaken about what I said earlier.
But that don't mean I didn't see it!
I saw that girl, jacket and all! I just messed up the color o' her hair.
She gave the pizza to the girl and followed her inside!
"Hmmm, so you stand by what you said earlier?" The Judge asked.
"That's right, you old bat! These eyes may be old, by they still see!" Kudo cried, scarfing down bird seeds.
"Very well, defense, you may begin your cross-examination."
"Yes, your honor." Apollo said, nodding. I felt my bracelet react in there somewhere. Get ready, birdman, here comes Justice!
Cross-examination
I may have been mistaken about what I said earlier.
But that don't mean I didn't see it!
I saw that girl, jacket and all! I just messed up the color o' her hair.
BADUMP
There it is! Now, to see what this old codger is hiding. Apollo focused his vision, hoping that Blackquill would leave him be as he looked for his tell.
I saw that girl, jacket and all!
Nothing out of the ordinary there.
I just messed up
Still normal. Well, at least normal for this guy.
The color o' her hair.
Wait, when he talks about the color of her hair, he…
GOTCHA!
All eyes turned to Apollo, who had his good arm crossed over the arm in his sling.
"You can start telling the truth anytime now, Mr. Kudo." He said, smugly.
"You callin' me a liar too, forehead boy!?" Kudo cried tossing seeds at Apollo.
Apollo shrugged off Kudo's bombardment. "I am. You probably don't notice it yourself, but when you talk about the delivery girl's hair, you rub your nose. Pretty hard, might I add."
"And? What are you insinuating, Justice-dono?" Blackquill asked, obviously agitated at Apollo's very presence.
Apollo slammed his fist onto the bench. "What I'm getting at is that the witness has a nervous twitch when he lies. And when he talks about the victim's hair, that twitch makes itself known!"
"And what do you suppose this means, Mr. Justice?" The Judge asked.
Apollo put his finger to his forehead. "As strange as it seems, the only conclusion I can draw…" He slammed his fist onto the bench. "Is that he was telling the truth about the delivery girl's hair to begin with!"
"W-what's this!?"
"P-poppycock!" Blackquill cried, seeming as if he'd been slashed by a sword. "Justice-dono! The scenario you present is utterly foolish!"
"Yeah, I don't get ya, pal." Gumshoe said, looking at Apollo. "Maggey's hair ain't brown."
"That's exactly it, detective. If the hair of the person he saw really was brown, then it couldn't have been your wife!"
"!"
"Ridiculous! As Wright-dono stated, the delivery took place at 10:15." Blackquill slammed a hand on the bench, frightening Taka slightly. "The same time this old fogey claims to have seen the delivery being made!"
Objection!
All eyes turned to Phoenix. "And that raises a few questions, Prosecutor Blackquill."
"Oh? And what questions would those be, Wright-dono?"
"Simple." Phoenix said, tapping at papers in his hand. "First off, if the delivery took place at 10:15, and the murderer stepped into the apartment as the witness says, then why does that not match the time of death? And further, one can't help but wonder one other thing. Namely…" He slammed his hands on the bench. "Why the witness was watching the delivery in the first place!"
SILENCE!
Blackquill slammed his fists on to the bench. "Such a question is meaningless, Wright-dono! It has no bearing on this case!"
The Judge nodded. "I must agree, Mr. Wright. Mr. Kudo's reason for witnessing the moments before the crime seems irrelevant."
Objection!
"I beg to differ, your Honor. I believe I know the reason why he was watching the delivery." Phoenix then slammed his hands on the bench. "And I believe that reason will cast doubt on Mr. Kudo's entire testimony!"
"Kah!" Kudo cried, tossing a torrent of bird seeds at Phoenix. "You ain't changed at all, spikey! Still pesterin' an old man!"
"That's a bold claim, Mr. Wright. Are you sure you can really disprove his whole testimony?" Apollo asked.
"I'm certain I can, Apollo. He may have seen what happened, but he may not have been paying as much attention as the court has been thinking."
"Whaddya mean, pal?"
"You'll see, detective."
"Hm…" Mused the Judge. "You claim you can cast doubt on the witness's entire testimony? This is a bold claim to be sure, Mr. Wright. I trust you can prove this? With evidence."
Phoenix nodded. "Of course, your Honor."
The Judge nodded. "Very well, Mr. Wright. Please show us the reason Mr. Kudo witnessed the crime."
TAKE THAT!
Phoenix tapped at the papers in his hands. "I have here testimony directly from my client. Your Honor, do you remember a case from nine years ago that involved Mrs. Gumshoe? Or at that time, Ms. Maggey Byrde. A poisoning case."
"Hmmm, yes, I believe I remember such a case… AH!"
"I see you're remembering where you met our witness here. Yes, Mr. Kudo was a witness in that case as well, and during that trial we learned something about Mr. Kudo."
Kudo growled at the witness stand. "Why ya bringing that up, ya spikey-headed punk!?"
Blackquill slammed his fists onto the bench. "Indeed, Wright-dono! What does such an ancient case have to do with the trial at hand?"
Phoenix slumped over the bench, sweating. "If you'll give me a second, I'll get to that." He quickly recomposed himself. "Now, as I was saying, we learned something about Mr. Kudo back then. He slammed his hands onto the bench. "That being that this old man has a penchant for staring at pretty girls!"
"Wait, are... are you saying he was ogling my wife, pal!?"
Phoenix shook his head. "No, detective. At the time, another woman had his attention."
"Wait, y-ya mean-"
"Yes detective, at the time, Mr. Kudo was watching the delivery to ogle Miss Timms, who, as Maggey told us, always answered the door in her nightgown!"
Silence!
"Whether this old man was ogling the victim or not is irrelevant! He still witnessed the crime, regardless!"
Objection!
"This old man's perverse viewing of the victim of the victim has everything to do with this case! If he had his attention focused on the victim, he wouldn't have even paid attention to the person delivering the pizza!"
HOLD IT!
Everyone looked around the courtroom before finally stopping on Kudo. "There ya go again, spikey! Saying my testimony ain't reliable!" He cried, all the while pelting the defense with seeds.
"Give it up, pal! There's no way you can say it was Maggey at the door! We don't even know that you saw anything!"
"Kah!" Cried Kudo, focusing his attack on Gumshoe. "I saw everything! I saw your murderin' wife! I wasn't even payin' attention to that neighbor girl's frilly pink gown!"
"…" Silence fell over the courtroom.
"W-what'd I say?"
Blackquill slammed the bench with his fists in frustration "You senile old fool! You just proved that you were admiring the victim in her evening wear!"
Maya looked at Phoenix. "Do you think he tries to be this incompetent, Nick, or does it just come naturally?"
"Your Honor, I'd say this should prove the witness's incompetence."
The Judge nodded. "I agree, Mr. Wright. I believe I can hand down my verdict."
I can't believe it. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to free Maggey today but… Phoenix glanced at Blackquill. He has nothing more to say.
"I have reached my verdict. I find the defendant, Maggey Gumshoe…"
HOLD IT!
Everyone turned their attention back to Kudo.
"Give it up, pal! You're testimony was a load of crap!"
Kudo attacked Gumshoe with all he could muster. "I'm sick of you young'uns calling me a liar! I still got more to say! And I ain't leaving till I prove to all o' you that the delivery girl was the killer!"
"So you still wish to testify, Mr. Kudo?" The Judge asked.
"Course I do, you old bat!"
"Hmmmm… Despite your lackluster testimony, I'm going to allow you one last chance. Please testify once more about the moments before the crime. And be sure that you tell us everything."
"Hmph! Get ready, spikey!"
Damn it. We were so close. But this is his last chance. I just have to power through for Maggey!
Witness Testimony
Alright, I admit I was lookin' at that neighbor girl!
But that don't mean I was blind to everything else!
The person I saw had brown hair, yeah.
But who's to say that delivery girl wasn't wearing a wig!?
I saw that person walk right into the apartment!
That's it? That's not much of a testimony.
"Mr. Wright, your cross-examination, if you would."
Phoenix nodded. "Yes your Honor." This testimony seems easy enough to tear through but… He shifted his gaze toward Blackquill. Blackquill has stayed pretty quiet for a while. It has me worried.
Cross-Examination
Alright, I admit I was lookin' at that neighbor girl!
But that don't mean I was blind to everything else!
The person I saw had brown hair, yeah.
But who's to say that delivery girl wasn't wearing a wig!?
I saw that person walk right into the apartment!
Objection!
Phoenix extended his pointer finger. "Mr. Kudo, I'm afraid you are once again mistaken."
"KAH!" Cried Kudo, unleashing the full fury of his seeds. "You're still calling me a liar!?"
Phoenix point on a smug face. "Indeed I am. You say you saw the defendant enter the apartment." He continued, slamming his hands on the bench. "But this evience proves that she never entered the apartment that night!" He cried, presenting the muddy footprint.
"Are those… Footprints?"
"Yes, your Honor. These footprints were left by my client when she stepped in a mud puddle outside the apartments. As you can see," He said, tapping at the papers in his hand. "These footprints reach the victim's door before turning around!"
"W-why you're right!" The Judge cried in shock.
"Kah! That's a lie! I know that delivery girl went in there!" Kudo cried, tossing bird seeds all over the place.
Phoenix slammed his hand on the bench. "You would still claim what you saw, even with infallible evidence!?"
SILENCE!
Everyone in the courtroom went silent as they shifted their eyes to Blackquill. He had his eyes closed and his hands on the bench, He finally opened his eyes and looked at Phoenix. "An admirable strike, Wright-dono. But your blade, it did not cut deep enough."
"!"
"Consider this, Wright-dono. Is it not possible that the defendant removed her soiled shoe vefore entering the crime scene?"
"Th-that's ridicu-AH!" Phoenix cried as Blackquill sliced his hair. I was planning to get a haircut next week!
"Further, you cannot disprove this old man's theory about the defendant wearing a wig at the time of the murder." Blackquill continued, tapping his head.
"But that's just a lazy theor- AH!" Apollo cried as he too was met with Blackquill's blade.
"And finally, we have this." Blackquill said, presenting Maggey's feather clip. "This clip proves that the defendant entered the apartment." He slammed his hand on the bench. "You have revealed much today, Wright-dono, but have far from proven the defendant's innocence!"
"N-noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Cried the entire defense team.
"Hmmm… Prosecutor Blackquill brings up many valid points." The Juge mused
Damn it! I thought that testimony would be absolute cake!
"I feel both sides need to investigate further into this case. Court will reconvene tomorrow." BANG "Court is adjourned!"
June 14
11:42 AM
District Court, Defendant's Lobby #5
"I can't believe that guy, pal! He only brought all that up to drag the trial out for another day!" Gumshoe shouted.
"Well, that is kind of his job, Detective." Apollo said to him.
"I-I know, pal, but…"
"I get it, Gumshoe. You were really hoping to bring Maggey home today. But like I said, Blackquill is a tricky one. He held out until that information was of greatest benefit." Phoenix explained. "And it paid off. He got himself another day to get Maggey a guilty verdict. But that also means we have another day to get her a not guilty!"
Gumshoe straightened up a bit. "Y-yeah, you're right, pal. I know we'll get her outta there soon."
Athena then entered the lobby. "Boy I thought you really had him there for a while, guys."
"Yeah, so did I. Too bad old man Kudo doesn't know when to stop talking." Phoenix said.
"I'm a little surprised you're still here, Athena. I thought you'd be out the door rushing to the vet by now." Apollo said.
"Well, I almost did head over there, but I got a little caught up with the trial, admittedly. Sorry." She said.
Apollo chuckled. "It's fine, Athena. We can go pick Icarus up together. He'll probably be more cooperative if I'm there anyway." He then turned his attention back to Phoenix. "I guess you'll be getting back to the investigation, Mr. Wright?"
Phoenix nodded. "Yeah. I knew from the get-go I was missing some key pieces of evidence. Looks like the only way to prove Maggey's innocence is to find the person Kudo really saw."
"Who he really saw, pal? You actually buy that old man's testimony!?" Gumshoe cried.
Phoenix pput a finger to his chin. "It's not so much that I believe it, it's more that some of what he said lines up. Surely someone had to enter the apartment. And if it wasn't Maggey, it had to be someone else. Plus, the only time he directly lied was when he tried to say that the person he saw WAS Maggey."
"I-I guess you're right, pal. So who do you think it could be?"
"Yeah, Nick!" Maya cried. "Knowing you, you've already got the culprit in mind."
"Sorry to disappoint you, Maya, but I have no clue. All we have to go on is that the person had brown hair. That only narrows down the search by so much."
Maya put a hand to her mouth. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Well," Apollo said, butting in. "I wish you guys the best of luck. We'll definite be at the trial tomorrow to cheer you one."
Phoenix smiled. "Thanks, Apollo. We may come by and visit you at home later, actually."
Apollo smiled. "Alright. I'm sure Icarus would be happy for the company." With that, he and Athena left the courthouse.
Phoenix turned his attention to Maya and Gumshoe. "Alright guys. I think it's time we investigate the Pizzeria.
"Right!" Maya and Gumshoe cried in unison as they rushed out the doors.
I know Maggey didn't do this. And I'm certain the proof of that lies in that pizza place!
To be continued…
Court Record
Evidence
Attorney's Badge: Proof of my profession. No one would believe I was a Defense Attorney without it!
Feather Clip: A clip that Maggey is always wearing in one way or another. Found at the crime scene covered in blood.
Notes on Timms: Timms always answered the door wearing a nightgown. Also never paid Maggey for her pizzas.
Peppa Cinni's Work Uniform: Gloves are required as a part of the pizzeria's uniform.
Autopsy Report: Time of Death: Between 10:30 and 10:45 PM. Victim bled out from head wound. Stomach was found to be inflamed.
Cheese Pizza: A plain cheese pizza from Peppa Cinni's. It went untouched by the Victim.
Muddy Footprints: Right footprints found in the Hallway at Fenway Apartments. Lead to the victim's door before turning around.
Peppa Cinni's Schedule: Monday-10:30 AM-10:30 PM Tuesday- Closed Wednesday- 10:00 AM-10:30 PM Thursday- 10:30 AM-11:00 PM Friday- 10:00 AM-11:00 PM Closed for the weekend!
Peppa Cinni's Menu: A menu from the pizzeria. Advertises a thirty minutes or less deal on delivery orders.
Threatening Letter: The envelope bears Maggey's fingerprints. Reads as such:
The final delivery will be made tonight. I will finally be rid of you. I expect the usual order.
~M
Profiles
Maya Fey: My former assistant and current girlfriend. Also the Master of the Kurain Channeling technique and a powerful Spirit Medium.
Athena Cykes: One of my employees. Has incredibly powerful hearing that allows her to here the emotions in a person's voice.
Apollo Justice: One of my employees. Has incredible eyesight that, when coupled with his special bracelet, allows him to notice a person's tell when they're lying.
Vicky Timms: The victim in this case. Murdered after ordering a pizza. Not much is yet known about her.
Maggey Gumshoe: The defendant in this case. Accused of murdering Vicky Timms after delivering a pizza to her. Hailed as the "Goddes of Misfortune."
Dick Gumshoe: Maggey's husband and a detective at the precinct. A bit absent-minded, but reliable when push comes to shove.
Simon Blackquill: The Twisted Samurai and the prosecutor for this case. He is never without his faithful feathered companion, Taka, or his trusty katana in court.
Ema Skye: A homicide detective who uses science to conduct her investigations. I once helped her when her sister was accused of murder.
Victor Kudo: A perverted old man that I've had the displeasure of cross-examining in court before. Very irritable and prone to throwing bird seeds at those who annoy him.
By the way, did any of you catch that little Xenoblade Chronicles reference? ;)