I've decided to write this chapter earlier than usual, because that would give me more time to think of a psyche-lock scene. Hope you guys enjoy the chapter.
Phoenix and Maya made it back to the office. "Man, what a trial. Trucy came running up to Phoenix. "Daddy! You did great during the trial!"
"You guys watched it?"
"Of course we did! What kind of daughter do you think I am?"
Phoenix smirked. "A good one. Besides, I won't be here long, I've got to investigate more. I just needed to get a few notes from my office."
"Oh, okay."
Phoenix went into his office. Where did I leave that piece of paper? While frantically searching, he heard something clatter onto the floor. Phoenix stopped searching and looked at what had fallen. "Ah, the magatama. I completely forgot about you." Slipping it into his pocket, Phoenix finally found the piece of paper he was searching for. Leaving the office, he found Trucy and Maya talking near the entrance of the office. "Ready to go Maya?"
"Sure am."
"Okay. Now, Trucy, if I'm not back for dinner, have Apollo buy you guys something to eat."
"Okay, will do Daddy."
Phoenix and Maya left the office and went to the crime scene, to find Ema there. "Ema!"
Looking up, Ema looked at Phoenix. "Oh…Mr. Wright. I figured you would have come."
"You don't look too happy to see me."
"Well, you did make me look like a fool during the trial today."
"Sorry about that, but it had to be done. Besides, I know you would rather be wrong than have an innocent person declared guilty."
"Yeah…you're right. Oh, I also did some research on Christian Lumarta earlier today. Turns out, he works at Burger Jacks. I think he should be working there right now."
"I see, thank you Ema. I guess we'll go to Burger Jacks then." Ema nodded as they left. After finally reaching Burger Jacks, Phoenix saw a familiar face. "Christian!"
Looking up, Christian saw Phoenix and Maya. Although not happy to see them, he put on a smile. "Mr. Wright, good to see you again."
"You too. However, I'm not here for a social gathering."
"I see…what is it that you need?"
"I have two things I want to ask you about. The first one…is about a break in about a week ago."
"A break in?"
Suddenly, Phoenix saw everything turn black, except for Christian, and chains enveloped his eyesight. Suddenly, a psyche lock appeared. A psyche lock!
"What's with the face Mr. Wright?"
Taking out the magatama, Phoenix looked at Christian. "Christian, you know more about this break in that what you're letting on."
"What do you mean? I have nothing to do with the break in!"
"You don't? Sorry, but that's a lie, especially since…" Phoenix took out a picture of Tanya's apartment. "These footprints tell a different story."
"Footprints?"
"Yes. My client, Tanya Joy, doesn't have big feet. Also, her deceased boyfriend, Ned was the only other person who was in her apartment. His feet weren't as big either. However, looking at your feet, I would say that your feet are the correct length."
"Nngh….however, how would I get this mud on my shoes? After all, I work at Burger Jacks, I shouldn't get mud on my shoes here."
"That's true…however, I can think of two things why there would be mud on your shoes. The first one is…your trip to Kurain Village. I know that there were some muddy areas there, and that you at least went near them. That could leave some mud on your shoes. Also…I couldn't help but notice…the dirt area behind the restaurant. If it were raining, I guarantee you that a lot of mud would be back there."
"That…is true…"
"All that was needed for mud to get on your shoes is for you to head back there, probably to take out the garbage. Also, I could look up previous weather reports to see if it was raining the night her apartment was broken into."
"NOOO!" With that, the psyche lock broke and the chains rolled back. "It's true…I broke into her apartment last week. It was right after I was released from protective custody. I thought I was being followed by someone, so I after a while, I followed her back to her apartment. After waiting there a while, she left her apartment with a guy. Then, I broke into her apartment to spook her off. However, when I opened the closest drawer near the door, I found a gun. Thinking if she came back and saw me here, she would shoot me, so I tucked it into my jacket."
"I see…so you broke into her apartment?"
"Yes…I did. The only thing I took was the gun, but I lost it a couple days later."
"Lost it?"
"Yeah. I was going to break back into her apartment and put the gun back, but then I couldn't find her gun."
"About what time did you lose it?"
"Uh…when Clara came over."
"Clara?"
"Yeah. She's my fiancé, but she wouldn't do anything like that."
Phoenix glanced at Maya. "Christian…I'm afraid that she may have killed someone with the gun."
"What?! How dare you accuse her! What evidence do you have that she did it!?"
Phoenix took out a picture of the engagement ring. "I'm sure you recognize this ring, am I correct?"
"Yes…it's the engagement ring I bought for her…wait…why do you have a picture of it?"
"Because it was found at a murder scene…along with the gun you stole."
"What?! No…this…this can't be…"
"I'm sorry…but we believe that your fiancé, Clara, killed Ned, Tanya's boyfriend."
"I…I don't believe you."
"Christian…where is Clara right now?"
"…she's at her apartment right now…" Taking a napkin, Christian wrote down her address on a napkin. "Here is her address. Go question her and she'll prove to you that she's innocent."
"…she'll have to prove it to me…tomorrow during the trial."
"What?! You don't mean…"
"My job investigating was to know who your fiancé was. I now know where she is. I'll be calling the police department to make her testify tomorrow."
"No…"
"Sorry Christian, but that's what it has to be." Standing up, Phoenix and Maya left Burger Jacks, leaving Christian there, fuming.
After calling the police department, Phoenix received word that they contacted her and that she would testify for the court the next day. Satisfied that his investigation ended, Phoenix and Maya both went back to the office, just in time to see Apollo leave for Bell Taco.
Meanwhile, Christian took a call. "I know, I know. But it has to wait for a little bit…" After a pause, Christian continued. "Don't worry, I haven't chickened out. Besides, after today, Phoenix just confirmed their fates."
And…that ends this chapter. Hope you enjoyed the psyche lock scene. I promise I'll do bigger ones in the future. Anyways, thanks for reading, and don't forget to review.
