Chapter 8

March 18, 9:13 AM

Maya was laying on Phoenix's bed after passing out last night. Phoenix was in a chair in the corner, having fallen asleep looking after Maya last night. Phoenix's phone vibrated in his pocket. "Miles" was displayed on the screen. Phoenix got up wearing his vest, with his jacket draped on Maya's sleeping body. He pressed the green button to answer.

"Hello?"

"Wright, its Edgeworth."

"Edgeworth! Are you alright?"

Edgeworth let out a chuckle. "Yes, I'm fine."

Phoenix quietly closed the door to the bedroom and went into the kitchen. "What happened? We saw you slip and fall. Maya fainted."

"Somebody was pushed from the apartments up above. He fell onto my car. I don't know what I slipped on. I'm assuming it was blood. Enough about me. Is Maya okay?"

Phoenix sat down of the sofa. "She should be fine. She's here with me."

"Okay. Look after her. We have an investigation underway."

"Is there a suspect?"

"Yes. I'm thinking it might have been the victim's wife."

"Wait, who's the victim?"

"Graham Carlton."

"WHAT?!" Phoenix stood up. "I know Graham Carlton."

A pause over the phone. "You do?"

"Yes, I go down to his club whenever I win a big case." Phoenix took in what Edgeworth said earlier. "You're saying Lolita did it?!"

"Of course I am." Edgeworth said coldly. "Mrs. Carlton's alibi doesn't hold up. The conclusion I've reached is that she came home, killed him, and called the police."

"B-but that's impossible! Lolita wouldn't do something like that!"

"Well, we've already arrested her. Her fingerprints were on an object thrown from the apartment. We also suspect that she stabbed him with a pool cue. She's in questioning now."

Phoenix stopped. He knew he couldn't defend her now. Not with Maya like this. "I don't want anything to do with it. Don't tell her that I know."

Phoenix hung up the phone. He picked up the bag of coffee grounds on his kitchen counter. It read "Godot Blend #73". Prosecutor Godot arranged for him to be sent blends while he was imprisoned. Godot was currently serving a term of 15 years to life in prison for the murder of Misty Fey. It was ruled as a crime of passion, at the sight of Misty channeling Dahlia Hawthorne. Phoenix and Maya forgave Godot, who faced Phoenix in court on three occasions. He was also Mia Fey's boyfriend and partner.

With his cup of coffee, Phoenix headed back upstairs to wait for Maya to wake up. He sat in the chair next to the bed, watching a small television hooked up across the room. Maya's eyes began to open.

"N-Nick."

Phoenix sprang up. "Maya! Are you okay?"

"Nick. Thanks for saving me."

"I wouldn't say that, but I did carry you up here."

"W-where did you sleep?"

Phoenix sat on the bed next to Maya. "On that chair. I fell asleep while I was waiting for you to wake up."

Maya sat up. "I'm sorry I put you through so much trouble."

Phoenix put his hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Maya."

When he did this, Maya blushed. Phoenix pretended not to notice. He went downstairs and fixed her breakfast, letting her stay in bed. He stayed in the chair for a few minutes, until he received another call. He looked at his cell phone. The screen read "Detention Center". He stepped out of the room so Maya could keep watching TV. He answered it.

"This is Phoenix."

"Nicky, it's Lola. Some posh prosecutor has me down here. He thinks I killed Graham."

"That's ridiculous. How could somebody think that?"

"Don't play dumb, Nicky. This 'gentleman' told me you knew."

"I'm sorry, Lola. It's just that I'm looking after a girl right now, and I don't have the time."

"Nick?"An outside voice. Phoenix turned around to see Maya on the stairs.

Lola came back over the phone. "I see you're busy. Sleep on it, Nicky. I'll be waiting." She hung up.

Phoenix put the phone down. "Maya, I'm sorry."

Maya turned and ran back up the stairs, locking herself in the bathroom. Phoenix ran up after her. He knocked on the door.

"Maya, come out of there."

"No! You said I wasn't causing any trouble."

"It's not your fault, Maya. I just… really care about you."

He could hear that she was closer to the door. "You mean it?"

"Of course."

Maya opened the door. Before he could speak, she ran up and hugged him tightly. She looked up at him, a few inches taller than her. "Nick, you can take the case if you want to. I'm okay."

Phoenix nodded. "Okay. I promise."

Phoenix held her hand and led her back to bed. "Just rest, okay? I'm worried about you."

Maya smiled at him. "Okay, Nick." She went back to watching TV.

Phoenix grabbed his jacket and cell phone, and left. He was going to fulfill his promise.

Edgeworth has to be wrong. Lola would never do something like that. And I'm going to prove it.