As always, thanks to everyone who is reading this story. It has changed from being just a sappy romance story to now there is plenty of suspense and a court case. I personally like the changes that are occurring and hope that you are too. I have also not forgotten about why the story is called Objection so don't worry, they'll be plenty of romance in this story, usually mixed in. Word of warning: I told myself I wouldn't do a court case cuz I would have a hard time figuring out the evidence, testimonies and what not. So forgive me when the court case does happen and it's horrible.
Phoenix was waiting at the detention center for visiting hours to begin. Jonathan was arrested yesterday for suspicion for kidnapping Pearl and Trucy. Phoenix knew that Jonathan had nothing to do with it and realized that until he figured out who did, more things could happen, eventually causing his death. Maya was sitting next to him, her head lowered. Last night had to be a hard night for her, not having Jonathan at her side. He could tell she had not gotten a lot of sleep and kept yawning loudly. After it seemed like an eternity, the detention guard came through the door and announced, "Visiting hours have started. Please go to your designated spot in order to see the person with whom you want to visit." With that, the guard went back through the door.
"Well, Maya, we better get up to go see Jonathan."
Maya just looked up at him sadly and followed suit. Phoenix knew she was hurting badly. He remembered during the Hazakura trial that Maya stayed strong, not showing any emotion, just to help Pearls. Now, it was his turn. She needed a rock to stand on and he would provide the rock.
As they walked into the visiting room, Phoenix and Maya noticed that Jonathan was already there, waiting for them. Jonathan looked up at them, also tired.
"So, Maya…I never guessed you'd see me in this state."
"No…I…I just wish that…none of this would have happened. Everyone who get close to me ends up in trouble, all because I am the master."
"Maya, don't blame yourself for this. Although I didn't kidnap them, it'll take a couple days for the court to figure that out. Of course, I already have a top-notched attorney helping me so everything will be alright."
Maya smiled. "Well, at least you think of Nick as a good attorney."
Jonathan looked at Maya, with puzzlement in his eyes. "Phoenix? I'm afraid you're mistaken. He's not a good attorney, he'd never help me. After all, he'd just forge evidence to get me off the hook."
Phoenix couldn't just stand there as Jonathan kept laying insults upon him, especially with the forgery. "Jonathan, let me make myself clear. The ONLY reason I'm helping you is because of Pearls, Trucy, and Maya. If it were a case where it had nothing to do with me or anyone I know, I would NOT be your attorney, nor would anyone else with the way you're acting. If you want to get out of here, you have to work together with me and cooperate so I can defend you. The more you resist, the longer it takes. I know you didn't do it, but the real criminal is still out there and the more you detest me, the harder it will for me to get an acquittal. Think of Pearls and Trucy and the terror they must be experiencing right now. Do you honestly want the person who made them experience this walk free?"
Jonathan looked at Phoenix, with hate in his eyes. However, the fire died down and he calmly said. "You're right. I'll tell you everything that happened that day. We have to catch that…freak."
"Good, can you tell me where you were when Trucy was kidnapped?" As Phoenix was asking this, he saw Maya look at him. He thought she would be mad at him with the way he spoke to Jonathan, but instead, he saw her smiling, the light in her eyes that he saw before the kidnappings had returned.
"I was walking toward the statue of Mystic Ami. I talked with my mother for a little bit there when that detective came up to me and arrested me."
"Were you anywhere near the area where Pearls was kidnapped?"
"No, I was with Trucy at the Fey Manor, at the opposite side of the village."
"Damn, no one can confirm that alibi with Trucy gone."
"Yeah…she was trying to show me her magic panties trick...I probably should have watched."
"Yeah. You know she thought highly of you before yesterday."
Jonathan just looked down, avoiding Phoenix's fierce gaze.
"I'm sorry, Phoenix."
"It's ok. Can you tell anything else about the kidnappings?"
"Sadly, no. As I said, I'm innocent so I don't know anything about the kidnappings."
"Ok then. Jonathan, I will get to the bottom of this and get you an acquittal."
"Thank you…Mr. Wright."
With that, Jonathan stood up, looked at Maya one last time, then went with the guard back to his cell.
"Well, Maya, let's get going. I need to investigate the scenes one more time before tomorrow."
"You mean 'we'."
"Huh?"
"You said that, 'I need to investigate' when you should have said, 'We need to investigate.'"
"Maya, you don't have to help, especially since—"
"I want to help Nick. I can't just stand by as Jonathan suffers. You said you needed an assistant before, so here I am. Maya Fey reporting for duty…again."
Phoenix chuckled. "Okay Maya, we need to investigate the scene once more."
Maya smiled and nodded her head. As the left the room, Phoenix kept thinking back to the note that the kidnapper left behind. Just what was their plan? It is obvious that someone is out to get them, but why kidnap Pearl and Trucy?
As the train rolled to a stop, Phoenix and Maya both got onto the train and took a seat. Phoenix sighed as he got into a comfortable position. He couldn't help but notice that Maya brightened up after Phoenix's outburst against Jonathan. Why would that be?
Shrugging it off, Phoenix closed his eyes, trying to get some much needed sleep when he heard his phone beep. Taking out his phone, he saw he had another text message from the same person who warned him. Opening the text, he read, "Keep a close eye on Maya. She is their next target."
"Who sent you a text Nick?"
"Oh…no one, just a sales pitch."
"Really? What are they trying to sell?"
"Uh…um…hoodies."
"Hoodies?"
"Yup."
"Let me see."
"Ah…no."
"Why not?"
"Because…uh…you don't like hoodies?"
"Nick, you're a terrible liar. Just tell me what it says!"
"….fine, this one guy actually sent me two texts. One yesterday and one just now."
Phoenix handed his phone to Maya and she read the texts. Phoenix watched as the color drained from Maya's face. "Why…why didn't you show me this sooner Nick?"
"Because I didn't want to get you worried."
Maya looked at Phoenix and started crying. "I knew it. They were kidnapped because of me!."
"Maya, you—"
"Nick, you know it's true so don't deny it."
Phoenix looked on, sadly, as Maya cried her eyes out. Finally, when there were only an occasional sob, Phoenix said, "Maya, listen to me. We're gonna get them back, I promise you that. However, I need an assistant who is ready for the job. Can you give me your full effort to help me solve this case?"
Maya looked at Phoenix, with her red eyes, and said, "I'm gonna help Nick. I'm gonna take that bastard down!"
Phoenix was taken aback. This was the first time he actually heard Maya curse. Smiling, Phoenix told Maya, "Good, I need a person with such enthusiasm."
Maya smiled at Phoenix. The rest of the train ride was spent either trying to get some sleep or telling the people behind them to be quiet.
As the train stopped at the station near Kurain Village, Phoenix and Maya were the first to get off the train and quickly ran to the village, only to find out that the police would not let them investigate the scene.
"What? I've investigated crime scenes in the past! Why not now?"
"Sorry sir, but Prosecutor Lortimor gave us strict orders not to let anyone else investigate."
"Lortimor?"
"Yes, he'll be the prosecuting attorney at tomorrow's trial. Now if you excuse me, we have some kidnappers to catch."
As the officer walked away, Phoenix turned to Maya. "Well…it looks like we'll have to wait till tomorrow to get any work done."
Maya looked at Phoenix sadly and nodded.
The day went by slowly as Phoenix tried to busy himself with other matters. Finally, when he was about to go to bed, he saw Maya appear in front of his bedroom door.
"Nick, can you sleep in my room tonight? I'm afraid that the kidnappers will go after me tonight. If I'm alone, they'll have an easy time kidnapping me."
Phoenix was stunned. "Well…do you have a cot or something for me to sleep on?"
"No, but my bed is a king sized one so they'll be plenty of room."
Phoenix looked at Maya, who looked back at him, her eyes filled with fear.
"Okay Maya, just give me a few minutes to get my stuff."
"Thanks Nick."
So, that night, Phoenix finally managed to sleep on a mattress again, and got the best sleep of his life.
Thanks again for reading. The first part of the court trial will be in the next part. Hopefully it won't turn out to be a bust. Please don't forget to review.
