January 14, 9:30 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Defendant Lobby #3
Today Armando, Mr. Wright, and Pearl greeted Apollo in the lobby, alongside the usual police and Caroline. Armando was still dressed like a prisoner, with bandages wrapped around his right hand and a steaming cup in his left hand. Pearl looked miserable, and Mr. Wright looked exhausted. They all glanced at Apollo and then glanced away. Pearl and Mr. Wright seemed rather tense.
"Yesterday was a mess," Caroline commented, breaking the silence. "I knew there was something with Fey." She flipped through her planner. "Hiring mercenaries is against company policy… she's facing severance from the company now too."
"So are you," Armando said, "you deserve it. Trying to get a man to kill his own son…"
"The ends," Caroline said, closing her planner with a snap, "justify the means. Is that not the philosophy of men like you?"
Armando smirked. "I didn't know that report was forged, any more then Wright knew that paper was forged," he said, and his smile vanished, "and believe me. I didn't gain anything out of having Org sent to prison on false charges."
"It took me years of digging to find out Org's connection to William's murder," Caroline said, "and when I found out he couldn't be prosecuted for it, I… I was so angry… and then I realized that all I had to do was make sure that that hateful man would dig his own grave."
"I see," Mr. Wright said. "Did you know anything about Morgan's plan?"
"I knew nothing, Mr. Wright," Caroline said, "I also know nothing about all the various news spreading through the detention center. A gunman at the police department, a train derailment, Mexican mercenaries. The world's gone insane."
"I can't believe my mother tried to kill Mystic Maya again," Pearl said quietly, "Mr. Nick, why won't she stop? When will she realize that I don't want to be the master?"
"It's not about you," Armando said, "Dahlia's right. It's just about her own power. But…"
"At least she told us everything once she was confronted," Mr. Wright said. "If she'd stayed silent, there's no telling what might've happened. Although… I'm not sure why she would do that."
"Mr. Edgeworth said that they won't be able to get anything out of Fey," Apollo said, "she's out cold in the hospital."
Mr. Wright nodded. "And like everyone else, she's under police guard," he said, "Iris thinks that she might become a target too."
"Everyone connected to the case," Armando said, "there were more patrols than usual at prison last night."
"A police guard was placed at our house," Mr. Wright said, "and to be honest, I'm not feeling very comfortable with being here right now. Pearls wanted to be here, though… Armando. Are you still up to-"
"I'm fine," Armando said, "you just help Pearl right now, Wright."
Mr. Wright nodded, and Pearl said, "sorry, but…" She seemed to be tearing up.
"Don't worry, Mr. Wright," Apollo said, "we'll catch the real killer today, I know it."
Mr. Wright nodded. "Our backs might go up against the wall, but we'll keep fighting," he said, "although right now, your case is looking pretty good."
"Ha. Typical arrogance that I'd expect from you, Wright," Armando said, shaking his head. "Red. Didn't you hear me when we first met? 'Never assume that because something is simple, that it's the truth'."
"Wait," Apollo said, "you're not suggesting that Chandler-Chavez isn't the killer either?"
"It's too early to say," Armando said, "but if you assume that she is going into this last day…" He didn't elaborate and only sipped his coffee.
Mr. Wright nodded. "The problem you'll have here, Apollo, is that alibi. If you can't disprove it, then someone else was behind this murder: but the question is, who was it, and why?"
Apollo nodded. It was time to get to the bottom of this.
January 14, 10:00 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Courtroom #4
Today, there was far more police protection than normal, and even a few medical professionals waiting by the bailiffs. Mrs. Wright looked rather nervous, as did the Judge; Apollo took deep breaths to prepare for court and Armando just drank his coffee. "C-court is now in session for the trial of Bertha Caroline," the Judge said, "and I trust that there will be absolutely no attacks on the court while it's in session?"
"There is a heavy police presence, your Honor," Mrs. Wright said, "a terrorist attack on this court is as unlikely as the so-called dark age of the law ending this year."
"Of course," the Judge said, "it seems to still be haunting us… now, does the prosecution or the defense have anything new to report?"
"Last night, a gunman attacked myself and Detective Skye," Apollo said, "before killing himself. In the aftermath, it was found that the gunman also wiped crime lab computers and destroyed a piece of evidence related to the crime."
The Judge nodded. "Between the attempted assassination and the destruction of this evidence, it seems that someone wants to sabotage this investigation," he said, "and the attempt on Mr. Justice himself seems quite odd… almost as if the true culprits want Ms. Caroline found guilty."
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright said, "your Honor. While we cannot explain why the gunman was attempting to kill Mr. Justice, the only one with the opportunity remains to be the defendant, for reasons that the court will explain when we call Miss Chandler-Chavez to the stand. However, first the prosecution wishes to call a witness from yesterday."
Dr. Kamosinko took the stand, still dressed in his medical scrubs and running his hand through his beard. "Name and occupation again, please," Mrs. Wright said.
"Dr. Ivan Kamosinko, coroner and oil company founder," Kamosinko said.
"Dr. Kamosinko. Can you please explain to the court the findings of the autopsy and investigation of the gunman?" Mrs. Wright said.
"Hold it!" Apollo said, "Mrs. Wright. Why is Dr. Kamosinko giving that report?"
"All personnel are needed for the manhunt and security needs," Mrs. Wright said, "even Mr. Armando's guards should have left to provide extra security in the lobby. Dr. Kamosinko has already been informed of the facts by the police and will be delivering the information along with his autopsy result. Now, please continue, doctor."
"Da," Kamosinko said, "deceased is Fredrick Bennet Ingram, student at Ivy University in sociology department, women's studies. Arrested last November in Mexico for fire-bombing attack. Cause of death was gunshot, bullet fired into skull by placing gun in mouth. Confirmed by saliva on firearm and burn marks in mouth. Further, second bullet."
"A second bullet!?" the Judge said, "was there another shooter?"
"Nyet. Bullet entered body shortly before death. Entry at shoulder, lodged there. Fired by Detective Ema Skye as self-defense when she and Mr. Justice were attacked by Ingam."
The Judge nodded. "I see," he said, "it's always admirable when someone defends themselves from a crazed attacker."
I'm glad you think so, Apollo thought. Although I haven't seen Ema. I wonder how she took it?
And then Kamosinko shook his head, disrupting Apollo's thoughts. "As far as I can tell, no mental issues," Kamosinko said. "Toxicology report not yet in, though, but security recordings found of him. At time of death of Gus Org, he was working at job in grocery store. Did not leave post, definitely there. Further, last night seen taking call and entering train station before leaving. Believed to be one of two saboteurs."
Two? "Hold it," Apollo said, "Dr. Kamosinko. Two saboteurs? No more? No less?"
"In going over security footage again, two people were seen entering the maintenance areas for the train," Mrs. Wright said. "One of them was Mr. Ingram. The second person, a woman, has been identified as Caitlin Adams, who worked as a train repairwoman and was also arrested in November. For the moment, she has evaded capture."
The Judge nodded. "I see," he said, "however, this is not a trial of Mr. Ingram or Ms. Adams. This is a trial for Ms. Bertha Caroline for the death of Gus Org."
"I understand, your Honor," Mrs. Wright said, "however, we wanted to address something: the no-doubt forthcoming claim from the defense that this was an attempt to have Caroline found guilty. Dr. Kamosinko, the results of your investigation?"
"Da." Kamosinko finished stroking his beard and stood tall (very tall) to address the court. "It is believed by police that target was both lawyers."
"How?" the Judge said, "no one attacked Mrs. Wright."
"Of course not," Kamosinko replied, "by point that anyone would be in position to attack her, she was under police guard with Pearl Fey, only person who would be off-limits. It seems that failed attempt on Mr. Justice's life might've saved Mrs. Wright as well."
"And why wouldn't this be tied to Org's death? We've already proven that Fey was likely trying to implicate Caroline," Apollo said.
Kamosinko nodded. "That is question for witness," Kamosinko said, "I only report on investigation. And it is thus: Orson had no phone on him, even in X-rays. Mercenaries say they were hired by Morgan Fey. Ergo, Fey trying to throw Caroline and Orson under bus."
Wh-WHAT!? "You've got to be kidding me!" Apollo said.
"Nyet."
"Well, that seems like a perfectly reasonable theory. It's more than possible," the Judge said. "Very well. Dr. Kamosinko, you may-"
"Hold it!" Armando summoned a cup of coffee with his left hand, smirked and took a sip, and then said, "you haven't told us everything yet, Dr. Kamosinko. You really should."
"Chto?" Kamosinko said, "about what? I have told everything."
Armando shook his head. "C'mon, Red, Iris, don't let this man hoodwink you," Armando said, "you know what I'm talking about, right?" He smiled, and added, "quite frankly, I think he's lying."
"W-what?" Mrs. Wright said, "Mr. Armando, this came from the police department."
"And?" Armando said, "he's not a cop, is he?"
Apollo wondered what Armando was referring to. What could Kamosinko be lying about…? And then he remembered something from yesterday, something that he knew was the reversal he needed. "Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, slamming his hands on his desk, "yesterday Morgan Fey said that it was the organization Blue Earth behind the train derailment. Are you suggesting that Blue Earth was entirely unconnected?"
"Blue Earth was disbanded after Great Banks Dam bombing," Kamosinko said. "Leaders arrested by CIA. Phillips slipped out and killed, Org slipped out of prison after silencing him. What more to know?"
"That may be the case, Dr. Kamosinko, but I'd like to remind the court about something else," Apollo said, reading from the court record, "and I quote: 'how you say, gag order from CIA, Org still useful.'" He put the paper away and slammed his hands on the desk. "Dr. Kamosinko!" he shouted, pointing at him, "the defense demands to know why Org was still useful!"
Kamosinko visibly broke into a sweat and grabbed at his scalpel-bag on his belt. "D-do I look like CIA?" Kamosinko said.
Mrs. Wright slammed her hand on the table. "Answer the question, doctor," she said, "too many people have been put in danger by this case."
"Do I look like spy?" Kamosinko said, "do I look like I'm someone who'd know so much about Org?"
"Honestly, yes," Apollo said, "you have the money and the connections. You clearly had a vendetta against him. You already tried to place him in prison once, and you clearly knew a great deal about the death of Marvin Org."
"Further," Armando said, "the fact that you were under a gag order in the first place is suspicious. He was already cleared of what happened in 2018- why would the CIA wait eight years and then suddenly decide you could tell anyone about Org?"
"But how would Org still be useful?" the Judge said, "this is all too vague, Mr. Justice, Mr. Armando, Mrs. Wright."
Kamosinko resumed stroking his beard. "Da," he said, "I'm afraid that I do not know much. You understand."
Mrs. Wright glared at him but she seemed powerless. Armando had his hand to his face, his visor smoking. And Apollo didn't know what to do either: if Kamosinko knew something, it would be impossible to get it out of him. It seemed he would be allowed to move on, but if Kamosinko was allowed to have his testimony stand, then the Judge might side with the police theory regarding the assassins and everything would fall apart. And the real killer would go free.
"Well," the Judge said, "without any way to tie Dr. Kamosinko to the current event, I'm afraid there's nothing else we can have him testify about. Mrs. Wright, please bring your next witness-"
"OBJECTION!" Phoenix Wright yelled.
The crowd exploded into conversation as Mr. Wright stood up in the gallery. "M-Mr. Wright!" the Judge said, "what is the meaning of this!? You're not working in the defense!"
"Y-your Honor!" Mr. Wright said.
"Please listen!" Apollo said. He had to've seen something he and Armando had missed, but what could it be!?
The Judge shook his head. "You've changed co-counsels. Should there be another objection, Mr. Wright, then I'll have you removed-"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted forcefully, pointing at the Judge himself, who jumped in his seat. "Mr. Wright is my co-counsel," Mrs. Wright said, slamming her hand on the desk. "Your Honor, for personal reasons he had to stay in the gallery. I ask that the court listen to his request."
What? What was she doing? Was she… saving them? "I- very well," the Judge said, "but Mr. Wright! I'm afraid you'll have to join the prosecution at the desk!"
Mr. Wright nodded. He turned and said something to Pearl, who nodded, and then he walked out of the courtroom and, a little later, joined Mrs. Wright at the prosecution stand. "You had problem?" Kamosinko said, stroking his beard.
"I do indeed, Dr. Kamosinko," Mr. Wright said. He put his hands on his hips and smiled. "I seem to recall two days ago that your autopsy report included a set of scars on the body of Mr. Org. The prosecution requests that you testify regarding this."
"That has no relevance," replied Kamosinko easily, "Mrs. Wright. I am disappointed in shielding husband."
"…no, Dr. Kamosinko," Mrs. Wright said, "I'm disappointed in your lying. I will say this again: the prosecution demands that you testify regarding those scars."
"And what would that accomplish?" Kamosinko said, "they are not important. They are not related to death."
"But they might be related to Blue Earth," Apollo said, "and as Mrs. Fey testified, Blue Earth is highly important to this case."
"I'm afraid that I still don't see how, Mr. Justice," the Judge said, "anything beyond a motive, I don't understand. Enlighten me."
"Of course, your Honor," Apollo said. "The connection itself is very simple, and thanks to Mr. Edgeworth last night, the defense has a theory that explains the biggest contradiction of this case."
"The biggest… contradiction?" the Judge said, "what?"
"The train," Armando said, "the timing of the train. You don't let your coffee finish brewing when you're gone to work, and yet Fey did."
"Almost as if the attack on Kurain was never part of the plan," Apollo said, "the defense believes that Morgan Fey witnessed the true killer and blackmailed them to enact her plan. That's why the train wasn't derailed until the day after the murder, and why the mercenaries only arrived near Kurain near last night even though a more logical chain of events would be starting at the same time as the murder, allowing split police resources."
"And what have to do with scar?" Kamosinko said, "all that is is conjecture about how murder happened."
"That would be the case, Dr. Kamosinko," Mr. Wright said, "except for one crucial thing: Morgan Fey used Blue Earth to attack Kurain village, and at the time of the dam bombing, Fey was in prison."
"And?"
"Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, "the fact that Fey was able to use Blue Earth shows that the real killer had a connection to Blue Earth itself. Furthermore, the fact that Gus Org was killed, purposefully, proves that someone wanted him dead. If the blackmail theory is correct, and I believe it's a strong possibility, then that means that the true killer was connected to Blue Earth."
"And what does that have to do with scar!?" Kamosinko said.
"Uh…" Apollo said, "it's, uh, something to do with Blue Earth?"
"That is ridiculous. Do you have any proof that it is?" Kamosinko said.
"Actually," Mr. Wright said, "yes."
The court was silent; even Mrs. Wright glanced at him. Was he bluffing?
"What's he doing?" Armando said.
"I would like the court to remember one thing," Mr. Wright said, "that Dr. Kamosinko has never told us something very important: how, exactly, he learned about the role of Gus Org. The prosecution believes that this is because Org had a scar in the shape of Blue Earth's insignia!"
The entire courtroom was silent. "…Feenie," Mrs. Wright said, "I love you to death, but… are you feeling alright?"
"Never better," Mr. Wright said confidently.
"You are being ridiculous. All I have to do is show scars," Kamosinko said, and then he stopped and noticeably tensed.
"He's hiding something," Apollo said, and he crossed his arms. "Well, then, Dr. Kamosinko. Please show us those scars."
"This is ridiculous!" Kamosinko said.
"Well, without that picture we can't really say that, can we?" Armando said, smirking. "C'mon, doctor. If you want to show us that the bear in the box isn't a bear, then you open that box."
"I… I…" Kamosinko said, sweating, "I…"
"I'll send in the request immediately," Mrs. Wright said, "because I think it's more than clear to this court that you're attempting to hide something."
The courtroom filled with chatter and, about five minutes later, a bailiff delivered a photograph to first the prosecution and to the defense. It was a picture of the scars, alright, and they weren't any discernible logo. They were just a set of thin lines in a vaguely circular shape… so why was Kamosinko so worried?
A final copy was delivered to the judge. "This… Mr. Wright. Were you bluffing?" the Judge said.
"Well, you could say that," Mr. Wright said, "although, your Honor, I thought it was the job of the defense to point out the problems with our argument, not yours."
"I- well, Mr. Justice?" the Judge said.
Wow. That was almost sad, Apollo thought. "Your Honor," Apollo said, "this is obviously not what Mr. Wright claimed. However… Dr. Kamosinko was clearly still afraid of them being shown. He knows something."
"I see," the Judge said, "and yes. Dr. Kamosinko's sweating can be seen from here. Dr. Kamosinko: please testify regarding how the victim gained these scars and how you learned about who he was."
"I- of course," Kamosinko said, "well. It all happened eight years ago, after Waxman was sent to prison. I had chance meeting with Org, and I discovered that he was other backer. Then I hit him over head with bottle. He was knocked out, but I did not realize. So I took shattered bottle and stabbed him."
"I see," the Judge said, "and it explains those scars. Mr. Justice, your cross-examination?"
"Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, pushing his finger into his temple, "this seems entirely contrived."
"Da, it was," Kamosinko said, "chance meeting. But chance meetings do happen. I seem to recall Vera Misham trial, how one small thing resulted in trial seven years later!"
"Well put. If I hadn't missed my train once many years ago, I never would've met my wife!" the Judge said. "Please continue."
"But yes, I met at bar. And then I hit him over head with bottle," Kamosinko said.
"Hold it!" Apollo said, "that was not in the autopsy report!"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, "Mr. Justice. Do you think that skulls don't heal?"
"The signs of fracture are there, if that is what you are asking," Kamosinko said. "But scars do not heal. Caused, what you say, memory damage and he did not report."
"I see," Apollo said. Well, one last thing to go after…
"A weak lie," Armando commented, "but sometimes the smallest ant on a mound reveals an enormous colony."
"Uh… thanks," Apollo said. "Dr. Kamosinko. You said that the scars are from a bottle wound?"
"Da."
"Then I'd like to turn the court's attention to this," Apollo said, and he took out the picture of the scars. "Specifically, the width of the wounds. While it's true that the wound is circular, the weapon in that case would still be jagged, irregular glass that would not have a vaguely polygonal shape." He slammed his hands on the table and said, "Dr. Kamosinko! You are not telling the truth!"
Kamosinko glowered at Apollo and whipped a vodka bottle out of his hat. Then he guzzled it and smashed it on the witness stand. "See this!" Kamosinko said, holding up the bottle, "bottle like this! Bottle like smashed vodka bottle!"
"And if that were the case, then that wound would not resemble this wound," Apollo said. "For a coroner, you have very little understanding of wounds… or you're hiding something."
"I! You are being ridiculous!" Kamosinko sputtered, and he began shivering. Apollo had only seen him twice, but that did not seem normal… and Mrs. Wright was now looking at him with concern, as were the paramedics.
"Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, "please. Tell us the truth. What really happened?"
"I… I am not lying," Kamosinko blubbered. Apollo's bracelet tightened to the point that it began hurting his skin: Kamosinko was far too tense.
"Th-that's not good," Mr. Wright said just loud enough to go over the crowd, and he turned and said something to Mrs. Wright.
The Judge silenced the crowd. "Dr. Kamosinko!" he said, "do you need medical attention?"
"No, your Honor," Mrs. Wright said, "I suspect that what he needs to do is just tell the truth and stop hiding the true nature of his relationship with Org."
"I am not hiding anything!" Kamosinko wailed, "nothing!" But he kept shivering, and one hand grabbed his scalpel bag on the side and began touching the zipper.
Time to perceive. "Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, "up until now you've been mostly in good health. However, how you're acting now is highly suspicious."
"He's just shivering," Armando said.
"That's not it," Apollo said, "he's grabbing onto that bag of scalpels, almost as if he wants us to know the true implement used to make those scars: a scalpel, not a bottle."
The crowd's discourse rose and Dr. Kamosinko howled and ripped the scalpel bag off of his belt. He slung it over the witness stand, pulled his hat off, and yanked out five vodka bottles from nowhere that he quickly guzzled. Then he staggered backwards, swung at a bailiff who tried to detain him and missed, and collapsed.
"Oh… oh dear," Mrs. Wright said, "your Honor, the prosecution requests-"
"Granted!" the Judge said, "court will resume when Dr. Kamosinko is able to testify again!"
January 14, 11:04 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Defendant Lobby #3
Armando was sitting down and Apollo was pacingwhen a pleasant surprise occurred: "I got it," Ema said, entering the lobby, "I got your report."
She looked completely exhausted. There were deep bags under her eyes, her clothes and hair were disheveled, and not a Snackoo bag was in sight. In one hand she held a manilla envelope while in the other she held her bag strap. Her glasses weren't even on her head; instead, they were poking out of the bag.
"Thanks, Ema," Apollo said, taking the envelope and setting it down on a nearby table. "Have you… been working all night?"
"You need to fill out paperwork if you fire you gun, much less shoot someone," Ema said, "and then I had to go help find that missing saboteur and search Orson's cell for that phone and provide security and I haven't so much as had a cup of coffee or a Snackoo or bed or a shower in the last 24 hours and at this rate it's gonna be longer than that…"
She yawned widely and tried to turn, but instead she staggered forward and into Apollo. "Uh, Ema," Apollo said, pushing her back on her feet and trying his best not to be embarrassed, "how about you go get some coffee-"
"I would, but I need to go work," she said, and she wearily stepped towards the door. "Need to find… Orson's phone…"
"Catch her," Armando said, "I'll get some coffee."
Apollo glanced at Armando and then back at Ema and had to rush forward to stop her from running into the door. "Ema, you need sleep," Apollo said, "don't they have shifts?"
"I'm not on shift now," she said, "but I need to help- need to help-" she was cut off by yawning loudly and she collapsed against Apollo for a second time. "Don't move. Need sleep."
"I get that," Apollo said quickly, "I really do-"
Armando arrived with a second cup of coffee and gave it to Ema. Then he lead her over to the couch and left to lean against the wall, sipping his own coffee, while Apollo sat next to Ema.
"You were right about Chandler-Chavez," Ema said wearily, "that report shows that she was gonna meet with Org." She leaned against Apollo and added, "you're welcome for me saving your life last night."
"You're welcome that I saved yours," Apollo replied. Ema took a brief sip of coffee, but it didn't seem to be helping; Apollo took the cup away when it began tipping dangerously and placed it on the end table, and then tried to straighten Ema up. "Ema, let me go talk to Mrs. Wright. You need sleep."
"I want to help," Ema said, "it's my job to serve and protect… and I made the wrong arrest and couldn't find Orson's phone… I'm a failure, like I always am. A woman of science… ha…"
Armando walked over. "You're not a failure unless you let your mistakes control you," he said, "that's one of my rules, and it's one I ignored. And look at where it got me." He gestured at his prison garb and then said, "Justice. I'm going with a guard to go talk to the Wrights. Skye, as of now you're off-duty. Get some sleep."
Armando and a guard left, leaving Apollo, Ema, a quiet Caroline, and the lone guard by the door stoically looking ahead. "Ema," Apollo said quietly, "please."
"No… my shift starts in six hours. I need to be ready," Ema said, "ready to find- to find-" And she yawned again.
"Ema," Apollo said tersely, "you can't do anything if you don't sleep. Got it?"
"I… yes," Ema said. "I'm sorry… I searched that cell all by myself and I stayed up all night trying to retrieve that report. I didn't want to let you down, like I let myself down... We're not that different, you know."
What? "Ema, you're a cop. I'm a lawyer," Apollo said. Ema scooted down and laid down on the couch, resting her head on Apollo's leg. "And, uh, please don't-"
"No," Ema said, closing her eyes, "just… leave gently, please."
"But what does that have to do with-"
"We're both orphans, right? Maybe you didn't have a sister to raise you, but I was by myself after Lana went to jail. And everything else went wrong too. Our idols fell and the people we worked for weren't the ones we imagined. But maybe that shows how different we are too: I failed to become what I wanted and I became bitter. You got exactly what you wanted, and look at you."
The exhaustion had clearly gone to her head. "Ema," Apollo said, "please. Go to sleep."
Ema sighed and nodded slightly. Apollo waited for her to clearly be asleep- her eyes closed, her chest rising and falling rhythmically, her body turning to the side and curling slightly, with her head still on Apollo- and he edged away to look at the report she'd slaved away for.
On the paper was just one note: $500,000 Chandler-Chavez Bell. Friday.
January 14, 11:43 AM, District Court, Los Angeles, Courtroom #4
Kamosinko was back on the stand, but instead of looking miserable and weak like Apollo expected after all the vodka he'd drunk, he instead was standing tall, proud, and looking off glassy-eyed towards the Judge. Mr. Wright was still with Mrs. Wright and Armando still had his coffee. "The police already sent that report to Iris as well," Armando said, "expect her to try and explain it away."
Apollo nodded; that was exactly what prosecutors had to do. What did Chandler-Chavez do that meant that Mrs. Wright wouldn't suspect her? And was he looking at this all wrong, was Mrs. Wright right and Chandler-Chavez not the murderer? Armando's words returned to Apollo: 'Never assume that because something is simple, that it's the truth'. Was that what he meant?
"I assume Dr. Kamosinko's ready to testify again?" the Judge said, and he added, glowering, "without any lies this time?"
"Dr. Kamosinko claims that he's ready to tell the truth," Mrs. Wright said. "Isn't that right, doctor? Doctor?"
"Huh!?" Kamosinko said, and then he blinked and looked around the room. "Wait, I am not ready…" Kamosinko said, and he slumped. He was looking more and more pathetic, really. His speech was annoying, but now he seemed like a pushover…
And then Kamosinko roared and the scrubs tore, revealing a large black coat underneath. His eyes seemed to temporarily light on fire and his hat quickly flared up, making him resemble a torch… and yet he seemed entirely unconcerned, punching his hand with his fist and grinning openly at the court. Then, pulling twin scalpels out of his belt, he twirled them and threw them, one at Apollo's desk and the other at Mrs. Wright's, before pulling out two more scalpels. "I am… ALIVE!" Kamosinko roared, and the Judge hid under the stand.
Mrs. Wright leaned over and pulled the scalpel out, then handed it to Mr. Wright. "Dr. Kamosinko, please do not attack anyone," Mrs. Wright said, "you're in enough trouble as it is. To add assault or murder to that would be a very poor choice."
"XA HA HA HA HA!" Kamosinko smirked brilliantly at Mrs. Wright and said, "after what I reveal to you, murder will be the least of your concerns!"
"He's like a madman!" Mr. Wright whimpered loudly, and then Kamosinko threw another scalpel at him. He yelped and hid.
"And please do not attack my husband!" Mrs. Wright said, sounding somewhat startled, shifting towards Mr. Wright and pulling him up, "he didn't do anything to you!"
"I will attack who I please. It doesn't matter any more," Kamosinko said.
"I think he's drunk," Armando said. Then he took a sip of coffee.
"I… I hope that won't stop the truth," Apollo said, and he cautiously leaned over and glanced at the scalpel embedded in the front of his desk. Hopefully this wouldn't become a repeat performance…
"Today's court will be administered behind a safe, wooden shield!" the Judge yelled, no longer in sight, "and I expect security to stop any attacks! Now, Dr. Kamosinko, please testify about that scar!"
"It is very simple," Kamosinko said, scratching his still-burning hat, "you see… I left scars. I admit it! It was me!" He twirled a scalpel and said, "it all happened eight years ago. Great Banks Dam burst. 113 people died and Waxman arrested. However, I wanted to know who else was backer. I knew only one other: Gus Org. So I found him and whacked over head with bottle when not looking. I dragged him home to mansion and cut him with scalpel until he told me about Phillips! That is truth!"
The court broke into a murmur that the Judge quickly dismissed. "Cross-examination!" he yelled out.
"Actually, before we start, I want to know something," Mrs. Wright said. Oh boy… "Dr. Kamosinko. You claim that you were the one who left those scars?"
"Da, that is what I am claiming!" growled Kamosinko, and he threw a scalpel at Mrs. Wright that embedded itself in the wall right next to her. The police and bailiff rushed forward, but they stopped when Mrs. Wright held a hand up.
"Dr. Kamosinko," Mrs. Wright said, "if your 'truth' is really the truth, then why did Org try and kill Phillips instead of you? After all, you would've known about the backers as well, and you were a known threat."
"Da," Kamosinko said, "criminal minds are strange. You know that. That is like your sister. Can you explain her crimes?"
"Dahlia has nothing to do with this," Mrs. Wright said, and she glared at Kamosinko. "I was just confirming what you were saying."
"Hmph."
"Careful, Red," Armando said, "she's trying to get you to tear this farce apart yourself so that she can get rid of him and move on to Chandler-Chavez."
"Don't worry," Apollo said, "I won't let him leave until we have only the absolute truth." And the cross examination began. "Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, "this is, quite possibly, one of the most contradictory testimonies I've ever heard."
"Da?" Kamosinko said, and he held a scalpel up. "Please explain, Apollo Foolovich!"
"He's insulting your father," Armando said.
"Yeah, I get that," Apollo said, safely from the floor. "Ahem! I hope the court can hear me, but I've decided to copy the wise life decisions of his Honor! …anyway, Dr. Kamosinko, let me begin by saying that Mrs. Wright is completely correct about Org's motive. There's no way that you tortured him and found out about the information and that he didn't kill you instead of Phillips."
"How do you know that!? Are you Org!?" Kamosinko demanded. There was a whooshing sound and a scalpel slammed into the wall above Apollo, where it quivered for a second.
"No," Apollo said, "I'm not the victim! But even excluding that, there's another glaring problem with this testimony: this still doesn't explain how you knew about Gus Org being one of the Blue Earth funders!"
"Are you claiming that torture did not happen!?" Kamosinko demanded.
"Of course not," Armando said, "and Red, get up. You look pathetic."
Apollo shakily returned to his feet. "I, uh, lost my pen," Apollo said. "Anyway, the torture obviously happened. However, it's unlikely that you were the torturer, or Org would've tried to kill you. Who did torture him had to have been untouchable… or would already be dead."
"Mr. Justice," Mrs. Wright said, "do you have any evidence to substantiate that claim?"
"Uh… no, Mrs. Wright," Apollo said. It was all conjecture now anyways. "However… Dr. Kamosinko, you still haven't answered the principal question."
"Oh, no," Kamosinko said, "that is right. Well, it is simple: he accidentally called me."
The entire courtroom was silent, save the fire on Kamosinko's hat. Then the Judge returned to his chair. "He… accidentally called you?" the Judge said, "that… doesn't seem very likely."
"It is truth!" Kamosinko said stubbornly.
"Is it?" Mr. Wright said, smiling, his hands on his hips, "or is it something else? Dr. Kamosinko, there's another person who might've known: a certain Ms. Bertha Caroline. And you're trying to cover for her, aren't you?"
W-WHAT!? "Ha," Armando said, "looks like Wright chose his side." He pointed his coffee cup at the Wrights, who were now sickeningly holding hands. The crowd's conversation was growling louder, and both the Judge and Dr. Kamosinko seemed dumbfounded.
"…did you miss part where I accused Caroline?" Kamosinko said, and he threw a scalpel at the prosecution desk again, "did you think I would be foolish enough to accuse obviously innocent person?"
"You already did," Mrs. Wright said, "yourself."
"And besides," Mr. Wright said, "I'm sure the defense can tell where I'm coming from. Right, Apollo?" He smiled at him, and Apollo wished that Mr. Wright would take that smile and just walk out of the courtroom.
"Well, Mr. Justice?" the Judge said, "I'm as confused as you are! Unless you can explain?"
Apollo thought for a moment. Come to think of it, had Caroline ever explained how she knew that Org was a backer? Specifically, she had said that her brother… told… her…
Of course. "Your Honor," Apollo said, "I think I know exactly what Mr. Wright's referring to. However, I think that he's also misinterpreting the situation."
The Judge nodded. "Mr. Wright does that," he said, "you're much more understandable, Mr. Justice. Now, please explain?"
"Dr. Kamosinko being the torturer doesn't make sense," Apollo said, "nor does Ms. Caroline. There's only two real options for the torturer: Ian Phillips, or William Waxman."
"The ecoterrorist and the defendant's brother?" the Judge said, glancing towards Caroline. She was as impassive as ever.
"No," Kamosinko said, "no one involved. I am torturer."
"Are you?" Apollo said, his hands on the desk. "Dr. Kamosinko, I think there is one thing the defense and the prosecution can agree on: that the true torturer was not you, but a different man: William Waxman."
Kamosinko's flaming hat shot a column of flame while Kamosinko glared at the court. "You are lying!" Kamosinko snarled, "Waxman innocent victim!"
"Do not accuse my brother!" Caroline added, yelling from her stand. "He is not me! False accusations are against company policy, Mr. Justice!"
"I'm afraid I still don't understand," the Judge said, "please explain. More."
"I was getting there, your Honor," Apollo said. "Like Mrs. Wright said, Org was willing to commit murder to silence someone for something he couldn't be tried for, or at least that he didn't want to be implicated with. If Kamosinko had tortured him and found out, then Kamosinko also would've become a target but never really stopped Org; it's almost as if he didn't even learn about Org's involvement until Org was already on trial for manslaughter."
"I!" Kamosinko's fire puffed out while Kamosinko stared wide-eyed. Then the fire restarted and Kamosinko threw a scalpel at Apollo that only barely missed him. "I knew already!"
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Armando said, "was it because the CIA was protecting him from being tried for the bombing? Because in that case, he had no reason to kill Phillips in the first place."
"But if Phillips knew or did something else," Apollo said, "or the CIA never really was protecting him until after he was sent to prison the first time…"
"Which is case!" Kamosinko said.
"Then why didn't you have him sent to prison for the bombing?" Mrs. Wright said, "you, yourself, was not actually involved in the last dam bombing. There was no reason for you to hide your involvement with Blue Earth in the past when you were the only thing stopping more deaths."
"I… I, uh," Kamosinko said, and his fire dimmed while he slowly scarred the witness stand with his scalpel. "Well…"
"Furthermore, if Phillips had been the torturer, Org could've had him sent to prison during his trial, considering the nature of torture. However, if it was Waxman, then that explains a few things," Apollo said. "First, Caroline told the defense that it was Waxman who told her about Org's involvement, and she was clearly unable to have Org sent to prison for that."
"Implying that Org still had his CIA protection, and thus invalidating Org's motive for killing Phillips," Mrs. Wright said, "although your first point is also correct."
"No. Not to the torture, but to William," Caroline said, and she flipped through her book. "William did not tell me about the involvement until the day before his death. Three days later, Org had been arrested; I had not immediately contacted the police because I wanted more tangible proof first. By the time I found it in Org's files, he was in prison."
Apollo nodded. "Thank you, Ms. Caroline," he said, "and actually, there's one more question I want to ask: did you tell Kamosinko about what Waxman told you?"
"…I plead the fifth," Caroline said.
Why was she protecting him? "That's as good as a 'yes', but we can't use it against her," Armando noted.
"Dr. Kamosinko?" Mrs. Wright said.
"Nyet."
"Well," Mr. Wright said, "Apollo. Can you get back to what you were saying?"
"Hm? Oh, uh, sure," Apollo said quickly. "Ahem… the reason for Waxman being the torturer is very simple, and I have the evidence to prove it."
"Do you, Mr. Justice?" the Judge said, "then let's see it."
Apollo nodded and presented the QLF report. "It's all in here, your Honor," Apollo said, "this report's the exhaustive record of the Org vehicular homicide trial and perhaps the only remaining document related to it."
"And what does that prove, Mr. Justice?" Mrs. Wright said stoically, "we've all read the report."
Apollo held the paper up and read from it: "'…the court had been following normal procedures and the defense was yet to raise a valid objection. A recess was called and Dr. Ivan D. Kamosinko was seen entering the prosecution lobby. While no record has been found by QLF, when court resumed the prosecution suddenly argued for an increased charge and presented an updated autopsy report. Said report was shown to be fake, and it is the opinion of QLF that this is true'."
"…what does that prove?" the Judge said.
"Very simple, your Honor," Armando said, "when Kamosinko came to me, it was after the trial was already in motion. He waited to give me the updated autopsy report and motive, it's true… or at least, that's what I'd say if he hadn't told me he rushed there from somewhere besides the coroner's. As the court's seen, Dr. Kamosinko ordinarily wears medical scrubs, because he's normally called from the coroner's. However, that day he was dressed normally, as if he'd been in a meeting elsewhere at the time of fabricating that evidence."
"Proof can be found in the security recordings of December 2018," Mrs. Wright said, "I'll order an immediate search to see what Dr. Kamosinko was wearing."
She'd actually been surprisingly quiet...
"Wait!" Kamosinko said, "it is true. I was told on day of trial by Caroline."
The gallery's natural noise level increased. "Dr. Kamosinko," Mr. Wright said, "did Ms. Caroline contact you about the crime?"
"I… of course!" Kamosinko said, and he twirled his scalpel again. "She contacted me, da."
"So, to summarize," Mrs. Wright said, "what has just been proven to the court is that Caroline and Kamosinko have worked together in the past, and that Kamosinko found out about Org's involvement from Caroline. Caroline's brother Waxman tortured Org in the past for information about Blue Earth for unknown reasons, and presumably attacked him as well. He passed this information on shortly before dying. Finally, Kamosinko was contacted by Caroline about the crime. Correct, Mr. Justice?"
Apollo tensed up. He saw what she was trying to do: now that Kamosinko had seemingly told the truth, to use that to get that conviction. "Why would Kamosinko want Caroline in prison?" Armando said, "that's the real question we should be asking."
"Is it?" Mr. Wright said, "criminals often have odd motivations, Mr. Armando. I seem to recall that Phillips was killed to silence him; who's to say that Kamosinko's not throwing Caroline under the bus to silence her?"
The noise rose to a massive level and the Judge silenced them. "Mr. Wright!" the Judge said, "are you accusing Dr. Kamosinko of working with Ms. Caroline?"
"Objection!" Apollo said, and he slammed his hand on the desk. "Mr. Wright, Dr. Kamosinko has already been shown to be a liar. And even if he's now telling the truth, he did not say what exactly about the incident she told him!"
The Judge nodded. "That is very true, Mr. Wright," the Judge said, "Dr. Kamosinko! Please testify regarding this."
"Da, of course," Kamosinko said. He whittled with his scalpel and then stuck his scalpels in the witness stand. "First, original contact. It happened on day of trial. I was at office, working hard. That is when Caroline ran in. 'You must help me', she said, 'Gus Org killed Phillips to silence him. I can prove it!' And she gave me recording of Waxman's discovery."
"And you didn't give that recording to me?" Armando said.
"It was not important. All you had to do was trust me," Kamosinko replied.
"In other words, you didn't have it?" Armando said.
"I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation," Mrs. Wright said. She glared at him and added, "but if he continues with his lies, I'll have no choice but to try and bring up Chandler-Chavez."
"No!" Apollo said.
But the Judge shook his head. "I'm afraid that Dr. Kamosinko's scaring me. If you can't find a good reason for that missing recording, then I'll just assume that Kamosinko's making things up and move on to the next testimony," the Judge said.
"What's she doing!?" Apollo hissed to Armando, "is she going to press him on working with Caroline or not!?"
"That's our job," Armando replied, "Kamosinko will get a separate trial later for his own crimes."
"Your cross-examination, Mr. Justice."
Apollo nodded. "Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said, "first, the clothes. Can you explain that?"
"Job of coroner is not just dissection, Apollo Runtovich," Kamosinko replied, "it is also administration. I dressed normally there. That is how I had time to learn and update autopsy report."
"That does seem logical," the Judge said.
Well, one contradiction down… Apollo thought, his hair drooping. Then, perking up, he said, "in any case, Dr. Kamosinko, you claim that you were given a recording, but you didn't provide it to Mr. Armando. Why?"
But it was not Kamosinko who answered; it was Mrs. Wright. She put her hands behind her back and leaned forward. "Mr. Justice," she said, "please think. What use would a recording be in the first place?"
"W-what?" Apollo said.
"As Caroline just stated, she didn't learn about Waxman's information until he was in prison," Mrs. Wright said, rapping a paper in one hand with her other hand. "Why would the court accept or care about the information known by Waxman?"
"Ha. Tough words coming from someone who visits me for advice to this day," Armando said, smirking at Mrs. Wright. She frowned.
"Tough words, Mr. Armando, but remember: Waxman wanted Org in prison for what he did," Mr. Wright said. "So who would be more credible: a man put in prison for a dam bombing suddenly deciding to talk with no other proof, or a CIA backer of the bombings who happens to be a respected coroner? Who would Prosecutor Godot trust?"
Armando said nothing and sipped his coffee. Clearly, that comment stung. Apollo knew little about prosecutor Godot; would he have trusted that criminal? However, was that the truth? Was that what had really happened? Was that the reason that Kamosinko didn't tell Armando? Wait a minute. He was looking at this all wrong, wasn't he…?
"Well," the Judge said, "it seems there is an answer. Now, Dr. Kamosinko, please testify about-"
"Objection!" The courtroom went silent; everyone's eyes seemed to be on Apollo. "That- that was a little loud," Apollo said, scratching his head, and then he said, "your Honor! The defense doesn't believe that sorry excuse for, well, an excuse."
"What?" the Judge said, "what are you talking about? That makes perfect sense!"
"It does," Apollo said, and he smiled and crossed his arms. "Except for one thing. Your Honor, Mrs. Wright, I assume you know the evidence laws?"
"Of course," Mrs. Wright said, "'No evidence shall be shown without the approval of the police department' and 'Unregistered evidence presented must be relevant to the case'."
"Do you have a point, Mr. Justice?" the Judge said.
"Of course, your Honor," Apollo said, "Mrs. Wright! Please tell the court about the evidence itself, please!"
"Evidence itself? What do you mean?" Mrs. Wright said. "If you mean the rules, then when the evidence is presented in court it's technically approved by the police department…"
"And what's the rules for that?" Apollo said. Come on. If Kristoph could teach me this…
"Evidence cannot be forged or it will result in severe consequences," Mrs. Wright said. "Your point?"
"And that's my point, Mrs. Wright," Apollo said. "There is one specific reason that recording could never have been presented. And that's that it was information discovered using torture."
Apollo could've heard a pin drop in the court. "I… forgot about that," the Judge said, "but does that technically not count?"
"Um, actually, yes," Mrs. Wright said, her hand to her mouth as she looked to the side. "People will say anything to stop torture, so legally it's a type of forged evidence, even if not performed by an officer of the state. That's what Mr. Justice was referring to earlier with Phillips. If Phillips had tortured Org, what he learned wouldn't matter to the court and couldn't be used against Org."
"And if it was performed by an officer of the state, then it'd still be inadmissible," Armando added. "Eighth amendment. So even if Phillips or Waxman acted under government authority, it still wouldn't count."
"In other words," Apollo said, "if knowledge of how that information had been found ever came to life, the forged autopsy report wouldn't've mattered. Which is exactly why you forged that report, doctor."
"What are you claiming?" Kamosinko demanded.
"I'm claiming something very simple, Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said. He slammed his hands on the desk and then pointed. "You knew about the torture, Dr. Kamosinko!"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, "of course he already knew! He admitted to it!"
"Objection!" Apollo shouted, "that's exactly the point. Because the truth was never that Caroline told him about Org's involvement, it was William Waxman himself!"
The court burst into conversation. "Objection!" Mr. Wright yelled, "we've already determined that Kamosinko arrived late!"
"Exactly," Apollo said, "but isn't there still something odd here."
"And what would that be?" Mrs. Wright demanded, one hand on her desk.
"Caroline going to Kamosinko in the first place," Apollo said. "The real question is not the recording, but that inconsistency!"
The Judge silenced the crowd. "Once again, what seemed to be the major issue is not the real major issue," the Judge said, "that's what you're claiming?"
"Yes, your Honor," Apollo said. "Dr. Kamosinko is not ordinarily called to trials, is he?"
"No," Mrs. Wright said, "I was the first lawyer to routinely call him to the stand."
"Exactly," Apollo said, "so there's no reason for Caroline to go to Kamosinko in the first place. Why would she think to go to the coroner of all people?"
"Hold it!" Mr. Wright said. "Apollo, have you considered if Waxman himself told her to go to him?"
"That- that's a good point…" Apollo said, his hair drooping. Maybe his big break was a wash after all? Was this what the old prosecutors felt like, going up against Mr. Wright?
"Then tell me, Wright, why would Waxman tell Caroline to go to Kamosinko?" Armando said, pointing his coffee cup. "Of all people, why him? Why not a police officer, or the prosecutor?"
"Well, perhaps Kamosinko already knew him," Mrs. Wright said, "so he'd be more likely to believe what he said."
"Exactly," Armando said, "and we've done no investigation into this at all. Further, the second question is how he knew that knowledge of Org's involvement was gained through torture: Caroline has no reason to tell Kamosinko that either. "
"The defense requests that Dr. Kamosinko testify regarding his relationship with William Waxman," Apollo said, "and how he learned that torture was used."
The Judge nodded. "The defense brings up a good point. How, exactly, did you know Waxman and learn about the torture, Dr. Kamosinko?" the Judge said.
Kamosinko, who had been busy carving something with his scalpels on the witness stand, shrugged. "Well, it is simple," he said, "William Waxman worked for me. That was brought up in trial, da?"
"Of cour-" Mrs. Wright began saying, and then she stopped as she browsed through the court computer. "I- where is the file for the trial of William Waxman?"
"Oh, it was all hush-hush," Kamosinko said dismissively, "all removed when he was killed and Org left. You see, during trial his charges were mysteriously extended. Why? Because he was torturer and CIA is no longer allowed to employ torturers. So they got rid of him."
"And you were there?" Mr. Wright demanded.
Kamosinko gave the court a wild smirk. "I provided scalpel. I was not torturer, but that is how I knew."
"…I see," the Judge said. "It seems that all those questions have been answered. If Caroline or Waxman told him, we don't know. But in any case-"
"Hold it!" The courtroom went silent and was staring at Apollo again. Apollo slammed his hands on the desk. "Dr. Kamosinko!" he said, "you've just committed a fatal contradiction."
"E-excuse me?" the Judge said.
"Think about it, your Honor," Apollo said. "Dr. Kamosinko. As already discussed by the defense, your behavior in the trial of Gus Org seems to imply that you only recently knew about Org's involvement with Blue Earth. And yet, you now claim that not only did you provide the scalpel, but that you knew that Waxman was a torturer."
"I… I see?" the Judge said, and he shook his head. "Actually, I don't see. Mr. Justice, can you explain the inconsistency in the witness' testimony?"
The Wrights' eyes were on Apollo, as were the whole court's, it seemed. Once again, the crowd was almost quiet. "Red," Armando said, "to one person, the same blend can taste differently different times. That's one of my rules."
Great… a rule and a metaphor, Apollo thought. The same blend can taste differently? What did that even mean? …wait. "Your Honor," Apollo said, "the defense believes that both of these incidents happened."
The gallery burst into conversation. "Order! Order! Order!" the Judge yelled, slamming his gavel, "Mr. Justice! How could both happen!?"
"It's very simple, your Honor," Apollo said. "We're making a fatal assumption. And that is that Dr. Kamosinko knew who William Waxman tortured."
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted. She slammed her hand on the desk and said, "Mr. Justice! Dr. Kamosinko has already admitted to knowing who Waxman tortured."
"Well, of course, Mrs. Wright," Apollo replied. "But he didn't figure that out until Caroline approached him, did he?"
"Explain," Mrs. Wright said, glaring at Apollo. "And please, provide evidence. Do you have a way to prove that Dr. Kamosinko did not know about who was tortured?"
"At the moment, no," Apollo said, "I'm afraid that until Dr. Kamosinko gives us the whole truth, that we won't know what happened. At the same time, I still wish to present my theory."
Mrs. Wright kept glaring at him but nodded. "Very well, Mr. Justice. If the prosecution has no problem, I suppose I won't either. However, I will expect evidence to back up your claims at some point," the Judge said, throwing in an extra glare at Apollo.
"It all began with William Waxman," Apollo said. "Somehow, Waxman determined that Gus Org worked for Blue Earth and tortured him using a scalpel. The prosecution holds this to be the truth now?"
"Certainly," Mrs. Wright said. "And we also hold that Dr. Kamosinko was working with Waxman, like he claimed. He found out about the torture from there, and had to forge evidence because it seemed he feared that Org would tell the court about the torture if he just used an unsubstantiated motive. But Kamosinko's failure to meaningfully punish Org for his crimes lead Caroline into distrusting the courts and murdering or assisting in the murder of Marvin and Gus Org."
"I-I see!" the Judge said, "it's all clear now!"
"Objection! Your Honor, I'm not done!" Apollo shouted. Then he continued, "that would certainly be the case, Mrs. Wright, if that really is what happened. However, the defense has an alternative theory… that Dr. Kamosinko never even provided that scalpel."
"That is my scalpel," Kamosinko said dismissively, "I do not see point of denying it anymore."
"Of course, Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said. "However, I wish to remind the court of two things that happened earlier: the first is that Mrs. Wright was more than capable of taking a leftover scalpel from Dr. Kamosinko when he threw it at her. In essence, she stole one of his scalpels seemingly without him noticing. And the second is that Dr. Kamosinko seemed worried about his scalpels."
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted. "Mr. Justice! I doubt that Dr. Kamosinko routinely throws his scalpels, or that anyone could successfully steal from him without noticing! Further, that was a confiscation, not a theft!"
"Objection!" Apollo yelled. "Mrs. Wright! Need I remind you that Dr. Kamosinko took his scalpel bag off earlier! If this has been going on for years, it'd be more than possible for Waxman to steal a scalpel!"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted. "Mr. Justice, if this is true and the scalpel was stolen, how did Kamosinko discover it!?"
"Simple. He caught Waxman with the scalpel on him," Apollo said. "It's likely that somehow, Waxman had a way of making sure that Org would not remember or report the torturing. Finding that scalpel would've spelled the end to that, however. Furthermore, as a coroner's office, all scalpels would be tracked and have to be accounted for. At some point, the missing scalpel would've been noticed, and then security footage would've discovered what happened. Correct, Dr. Kamosinko?"
Kamosinko's fire dimmed. "…da," Kamosinko said, "I would find missing scalpel quick."
"Anyway, Waxman had to return to the office to dispose of the scalpel, where he was discovered by Dr. Kamosinko," Apollo said. "They likely had an argument, where Dr. Kamosinko learned what happened. And then he turned Waxman in for torture."
Caroline gasped loudly and Kamosinko's fire went back out. "Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, "you have no evidence!"
"Objection!" Apollo shouted, "I have all the evidence I need! I request that the prosecution inspect the security footage of the morgue until the moment that Waxman stole that scalpel is found!"
"I… I will assign someone," Mrs. Wright said, "however, due to the manhunt that may take some time-"
"Do not bother," Kamosinko said. His fire had reignited, and he looked utterly miserable. "It is there. I… I found out he was torturer and I turned him in. However! I knew that victim was Org."
"Objection!" Apollo said. "Dr. Kamosinko, it's about time that you stop lying. You didn't know that Org was the man he tortured because if you did, then you would've had a plan in place after Phillip's murder."
"Maybe I am procrastinator," Kamosinko said.
"Red, if you want to stop him you have to find his motive, not just call him a liar," Armando said.
Motive? But Kamosinko had been acting entirely irrationally. What possible explanation could that have? "Mr. Justice," Mrs. Wright said, "let me assume that the rest of your theory is that Caroline had the recording of Waxman that she gave to Kamosinko. Kamosinko put two and two together and realized that the information had been obtained via torture, and that there was a possibility that the files of Waxman's trial would be accessed and the bump in charges would be found and investigated- invalidating the motive even with the recording. Thus, the forged evidence was required."
"Exactly right, Mrs. Wright," Apollo said. "That is the defense's claim."
"Then tell me, Mr. Justice," Mrs. Wright said, smiling and leaning forward again, "why hasn't Dr. Kamosinko admitted to this yet? Why is he so desperate to claim that he was the torturer and pin the blame on Caroline?"
"…I don't claim to understand it, ma'am, but perhaps Dr. Kamosinko and Waxman were lovers," Apollo said. To be honest, he had no idea at all; that was what came to him. The crowd loudly conversed and Mrs. Wright looked surprised. Mr. Wright just looked away and smiled.
"Nyet!" Kamosinko shouted, and a scalpel landed a few inches from Apollo's hand. "Waxman and I were not lovers!"
"Then explain yourself!" Apollo yelled, pointing at him.
"I have told you! You are lying! You have no proof!" Kamosinko said, and he slammed his fists on the witness stand. "I have no reason to try and protect Waxman!"
"Objection!" Armando shouted, and he threw a coffee cup at Kamosinko that actually put out the fire again. Then, slamming a new coffee cup down, he said, "Dr. Kamosinko, the defense has a different accusation!"
"And what would that be!?" the Judge said, wide-eyed. "Are they not lovers!?"
"Ha, of course not," Armando said. "Red here is just jumping to conclusions. However, he's come to a different conclusion."
"I have!?" Apollo yelped, and the Judge and the Wrights looked at him. Then, scratching his head, he said, "um… I have! And that is very simple…" he put his finger to his forehead and thought. The lovers accusation had been spur-of-the-moment, but Kamosinko was definitely trying to protect Waxman postpartum. But why? What would he gain? He glanced around the courtroom, desperate for a clue of some sort, and then focused on Kamosinko. He had still not quite recovered; he looked… tired? Or was that… guilty? "…your Honor," Apollo said seriously, "the defense has a different accusation. We believe that Dr. Kamosinko feels guilty for the death of William Waxman."
The courtroom noise began increasing rapidly. "Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, "do you have any proof, Mr. Justice?"
Apollo shook his head. "I'm afraid I have no idea what Dr. Kamosinko is thinking," Apollo said, "however, I still wish to present my case. Eight years ago, Dr. Kamosinko caught William Waxman, someone who probably worked for him in the CIA, with a bloody scalpel that he determined was used for torture. He might've been told by Waxman himself. So Kamosinko turned him in and purposefully extended the charges. And as a result, Waxman was eventually killed, leading to Org's supposed motive for killing Phillips and this travesty currently in court."
"It is- it is-" Kamosinko said, and he growled and said, "it is all false! You have no proof!"
"Is it, Kamosinko?" Armando said. He sipped his coffee and said, with a straight face, "a man who tries to pin the blame on himself is almost always protecting someone else. That's one of my rules. Dr. Kamosinko, you might as well just tell us."
"I- I-"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, and she slammed her hand on the desk. "I want proof, Mr. Armando! Not a lecture!"
"They already have the proof, Rissy," Mr. Wright said suddenly. Mrs. Wright blushed, but he continued: "Kamosinko's clearly being affected by what they've said. Emotional responses aren't admissible in court, true, but I think we might as well admit that the defense's theory makes sense." Yes! Thank you, Mr. Wright!
"Mr. Wright, you are the co-counsel for the prosecution," the Judge growled.
"Oh, I know, your Honor," Mr. Wright said. "Because this only proves that Caroline learned the hard way that she couldn't trust the legal system. The man she trusted to put the eel who let her brother die in prison was just as guilty, and whose own misgivings resulted in Org escaping justice. She would've learned that she had to go outside the law in killing Marvin Org so that Gus could be brought to justice- but had to act before Friday, as this note that Detective Skye discovered shows, because then any attempts to stop Org from going back completely to the old days would be defeated. Ergo, Dr. Kamosinko's behavior here is entirely consistent with why Ms. Caroline committed the murder."
No! Bad Mr. Wright! "That… that makes sense," the Judge said. "Dr. Kamosinko! Is this true?"
"I…" Kamosinko took his hat off and scratched his head. He let the scalpels drop to the floor and looked around at the court with tears in his eyes. "Waxman was one of my workers, like son to me. He always looked up to me in CIA. But he was zealous, too zealous. When I found out about torture, I was so mad that I stomped away and reported him. And as a result, they were able to have him thrown in prison. I left Russia to escape torture and the man I trained ended up being just like that." Kamosinko's hands were shaking as he braced himself on the witness stand. He continued, "and then Waxman died. It was my fault. If I had not reported him… as has been said, I made connection when Caroline gave me recording. I knew that Org could not be touched because all evidence would be inadmissible. Proper files would not be discovered for some time. But at time, files thought to be destroyed. So I took coward's way and tried to imprison him using forged evidence."
"Then why did you keep accusing the defendant?" the Judge said. "Surely you would want to protect Waxman's sister?"
"I thought by preserving Waxman's reputation, I could pay for what I did to him," Kamosinko said thickly. "And as for Caroline… she called me and told me about death of Marvin Org. That Gus killed him. And she wanted my help to bring him to justice. Instead, I realized that she was killer and so I have tried to put her in prison. It is way of repaying debt. No matter who… murder not acceptable."
"…which means you don't think that you can prove that she killed Marvin Org?" Apollo said. "Why not just turn her in for that?"
Kamosinko stood there for almost a minute. "There was… rogue evidence," Kamosinko finally said, "a lone cigarette unidentified. In the real trial, it would come up and scumbag lawyers would get her found innocent because obviously third party when there is no way to know who third party is. So I tried to get her in prison for Org's death instead."
"Then you don't think she was behind that?" Armando said.
"…I do not know," Kamosinko said. He pulled out a final vodka bottle. "Just as I do not know why Caroline never told you all about my involvement." He twisted the cap out.
"Who would believe me?" Caroline replied. She flipped through her book and added, "I did not need more definitive proof against me. It's fortunate that Dr. Kamosinko did not reveal the reason for his true suspicion of me at first."
"Because it would've destroyed the case," Armando said, "just like it did all those years ago. You're a fool, Dr. Kamosinko, and you're still a fool. You haven't learned a thing."
"I know," Kamosinko replied, and he began to drink from his vodka bottle.
"Well, I suppose that explains quite a bit," the Judge said, "does the defense or the prosecution have any problems with Dr. Kamosinko's final admission?"
"…no, your Honor," Mrs. Wright said, "I think the truth shows us exactly what happened. As Mr. Wright said, this demonstrates why Caroline acted the way that she did. If the legal system failed her so badly, no wonder she took things into her own hands."
"Objection!" Apollo shouted. "Mrs. Wright, I'm surprised your ears aren't working. Dr. Kamosinko just admitted to Ms. Caroline contacting him. Clearly, she still had faith in him."
"She did at first," Mrs. Wright replied. "But remember: Marvin Org died on January 1st. Over a week passed, and Org was still not accused. She realized that she wouldn't accomplish anything through Kamosinko and, quite possibly, learned about what happened with Org."
"…that is true," Caroline said. "Mr. Org did tell me about Kamosinko's role in getting him imprisoned. However, that was many years ago."
"Which means that she'd already come to the conclusion that she had to take matters into her own hand and only told Kamosinko as a way of seeing if things had improved. They had not," Mrs. Wright said.
"Objection!" Apollo shouted. "If this is the case, then the defense requests to see proof!"
"Objection! Mr. Justice, does the defense have a problem with Dr. Kamosinko's claims? It'd be more than possible to find that missing cigarette!" Mrs. Wright yelled. "As for Caroline, that is the only reasonable assumption! Surely murder was the last resort!"
"I- the defense has no problems with Kamosinko's claim," Apollo said; he didn't know how to respond to the second claim. "However! The defense believes that not only was that third party involved in Marvin Org's death, but that it was related to the true murderer of Gus Org!"
"And then everything about Caroline's motive should be thrown out?" Mr. Wright said.
Apollo shook his head. "There's no way to prove or disprove it, beyond the defendant's own words," Apollo said. "And it seems that we have arrived on the truth involving Dr. Kamosinko and Ms. Caroline. But what this proves is not Caroline's motive. It proves that there's something still missing. Specifically, the events of yesterday."
"But didn't the defense already claim that the plan was last-minute?" the Judge said.
"Yes, which is why this is so strange. Ms. Caroline has done nothing but self-incriminate herself on her motive since yesterday," Apollo said. "The natural gas containers and trying to get Kamosinko to assist her in sending Org to prison are damning in particular. And yet, she really hasn't bothered hiding them. Fey's blackmail would be completely useless on the second day- and yet she supposedly still went along with it."
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted. "It could have been blackmail money alone."
But Apollo shook his head. "Fey claimed that Blue Earth was behind the attack," he said, "which is an oddly specific name to choose- a terrorist organization that has not existed for eight years whose most prominent action was while she was in prison. Why them? Furthermore, if Blue Earth was connected to this crime, as she seemed to imply, then why would Caroline of all people work for them?"
"Actually, Apollo, that's easily explained," Mr. Wright said. "If the court would please look at the newest document presented to the court: $500,000 Chandler-Chavez Bell. Friday. Chandler-Chavez is our next witness and will explain this. The money and date are also self-explanatory. But 'Bell' is the acronym for the Blue Earth Liberation League, or the full name of Blue Earth."
"So she helped in the destruction of the paper and saw the name in the process!" the Judge said, and he nodded. "That does make sense. But… why would Caroline want it destroyed?"
"Orson wanted it destroyed, as did Chandler-Chavez, for obvious reasons," Mrs. Wright said. "However, their crime was unrelated to the poisoning, as will be proven when we bring Chandler-Chavez to the courtroom."
"I see," the Judge said, "I suppose that must've been the first thing in her mind. Well, I suppose now-"
"Objection!" Apollo shouted, and he slammed his fists on the desk. "Your Honor, don't let yourself be hoodwinked! Think logically- why would Fey know what 'Bell' means? That's an actual word!"
The gallery grew noisier. "Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, "Chandler-Chavez and Orson were in Blue Earth! Who's to say they didn't mention that to Fey!"
"Objection!" Apollo shouted, "if that's the case, then why did they hire the mercenaries?"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted, "the mercenaries were hired in the name of Morgan Fey! And besides, it's a possibility the blackmail was the burning of the papers, not the murder!"
"Objection!" Apollo yelled, "then explain why she assisted in trying to pin the blame on Caroline!"
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright yelled, "that's still not proven! It's still possible that the coffee pot was carried using the sleeve of her kimono, and her reasoning for removing the poison container still makes sense!"
"Objection!" Apollo bellowed, "have you forgotten about the other coffee pot!? She switched it purposefully so that the police would find something with only her and Org's fingerprints! Furthermore, that pot had to be emptied. Who does the prosecution suggest did that!?"
"We- I- ah!" Mrs. Wright screamed, and her hair fluttered behind her.
"She's down," Armando said, and he slammed his cup on the stand. "Your Honor! The defense charges that Fey blackmailed the true murderer, and that said murderer is not Caroline! Furthermore, the new evidence proves this and explains why Caroline couldn't be the killer!"
"And that would be?" the Judge said, furrowing his brow. What was Armando talking about!? "Mr. Justice?"
"I- ah…" Apollo laughed nervously and scratched his head.
"Think, Red," Armando said, "they claim that Caroline struck on Monday because of something that would happen on Friday."
"Oh, yes, I see," Apollo said. It was all clear now. "Your Honor," Apollo said, "this document proves that Caroline couldn't be the killer because she didn't know about this."
"She knew that something would happen on Friday. That's enough," Mr. Wright replied.
"That's not what I mean," Apollo said, shaking his head. "This document proves that Friday was exactly what she needed, not what she feared."
"The best way to catch a criminal is to catch him red-handed," Armando added, "that's one of my rules."
"Exactly," Apollo said, "your Honor, Mrs. Wright, Mr. Wright, Bertha Caroline knew that something illicit would happen on Friday. By calling the police on that day, then they would be able to arrest Org for the murder of his son and catch him in the act, ensuring his guilt. While she told Kamosinko as well, he clearly did not move to arrest him. In other words, her true backup plan was never to murder Gus Org. It was to catch him in a different crime and send him to prison again."
"Hold it!" Kamosinko called. He was propping himself up at the stand, and his hat had finally stopped smoking. "If this is case, then why has Caroline not mentioned it!"
"That- I don't know," Apollo said. "Sometimes the mind of a criminal is indeterminable, eh, Dr. Kamosinko?"
Kamosinko glared at him. "That is a good point, though," the Judge said. "Does the defense have a theory on that?"
"…of course we do," Armando said, smirking at the court. "And that is very simple: she couldn't say anything."
"What are you talking about?" Mrs. Wright said. "Hasn't the defense already claimed that she wasn't being blackmailed?"
"She's not, at least by Fey," Armando said. "But what if there was someone else. There's a second mystery the prosecution is yet to explain: Orson's phone call. The only way for that to work is if there was someone working for Orson or Fey in the detention center. If Caroline admitted to her plan, she's simply be killed."
"But would she care?" the Judge said.
"You'd be surprised," Armando replied resolutely. "But in all fairness, your Honor, there's really only three people in here who can claim to know how someone can act when their life or someone else's is in danger."
Mrs. Wright glared at him and Mr. Wright looked away. "Caroline's life itself was in danger if your theory is true. In each of our cases, it was someone else important to us who was in danger," Mrs. Wright said. "True?"
"True," Armando said, "but it's the same principle. To someone fundamentally selfish like Caroline, it would be the same principle. Someone important to her was in danger: herself."
"I-I see," the Judge said, wide-eyed.
"Objection!" Mrs. Wright shouted. "Please do not character assassinate the defendant!"
"That's our job," Mr. Wright added.
"Wait," Apollo said, "Mr. Armando. If that's the truth, then there's a problem with your theory."
"And that is?" Armando said.
"Well, there's no reason for her to tell the court, then," Apollo said. "Especially today, after someone tried to kill me. If that's true, then for this to work that'd mean that the assassin is in the courtroom itself."
Armando calmly sipped his coffee. "…who's to say it isn't?" Armando said. "Who's to say that there's not a second assassin in the courtroom right now?"
The gallery quickly rose into a panic. "There's a gunner here!" "Run!" "Run for your lives!"
"I-I declare a recess!" the Judge squealed, and he ran off.
"Dr. Kamosinko! You are dismissed!" Mrs. Wright shouted.
"Please evacuate in an orderly line!" Mr. Wright yelled at the gallery.
"Let's go, Red," Armando said, "Caroline, c'mon. Let's get you somewhere safe."
And as Apollo left, he could've sworn he saw out of the corner of his eye a woman linger in the gallery, watching them leave. But when he turned to look, she was gone.
A chill went down his spine.
A/N: This was one of my favorite chapters to write, especially the scene with Phoenix objecting from the gallery. Thank you to everyone who's reviewed so far, and as always, feel free to comment!
Also, theories are always welcome.