Like My Father Before Me:

Episode 3 (Part 3): Mistaken

By: Kongu123

Disclaimer: I do not own Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney, or any of the related characters, logo's, ect.

Next chapter. I rewrote last chapter, so if you haven't read it yet, go do that before you read this.

Thanks, and enjoy as always...

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July 22nd, 2027, 2:00PM

Streets of LA

Apollos walk was brisk and purposeful, as he knew where he was going. Bluecorp was only a twenty minute walk from the courthouse, and he could get started on investigating right away.

Of course, that would simply be too convenient, "Apollo?" Apollo's attention turned to a young woman sipping from a slurpie cup. It took him a moment to recognize her, "Ema? Where's your lab coat?"

The young detective laughed, "Scientifically speaking, leaving it in my office affords me a certain... camouflage. Everybody expects Ema Skye to be in a lab coat, so they don't stop to look at a girl who isn't wearing one."

Apollo frowned, "Huh. I suppose that works. I wonder..." Apollo suddenly reached for his hair, then, wincing, he smoothed it flat.

Ema laughed again, "Perfect. You going to Bluecorp? I think I'll join you for a bit."

Apollo shrugged, and the two began walking. After sipping from her drink, she turned to her partner, "So, how are things going?"

Apollo chuckled, "Oh, you know. My client was keeping things from me. The prosecution was keeping things from me, and oh, the Judge is keeping things from everybody..."

Ema sighed, "I... wasn't talking about the case. I was talking about you."

Apollo went silent, and Ema looked at him, "How is Apollo doing?"

The young lawyer began chuckling again, "I'm... working. That's pretty much it."

Ema took another drink, "So, you're not doing anything besides working? You just at home and wait for the phone to ring?"

Apollo said nothing, (Yes,that'sexactlywhatIdo.) Ema sighed again, "Maybe you should find a replacement. Try to reconnect to your own life. You know?"

The defense attorney looked up at the looming Bluecorp main office building, "And then what? My reputation is in the hole, Ema. I can't do anything about it now. Whether I like it or not," Apollo gestured to the building, "This is my life now."

The two stopped in front of the door, and Apollo fixed his hair, "I'll see you later. It's probably best that you're not seen talking to me."

Ema nodded, "Well... goodbye, then." Ema watched her friend walk into the door, and she stood there for a moment, before the Pink Princess theme began playing.

Her phone was out in a flash, "Skye here."

"It's Kay. You doing anything?"

Ema sighed, "Just talking to Apollo, he's being emo again."

The other end was silent for a moment, "He really does need a break. I'll talk to him later. But right now, I actually was calling to tell you something."

Ema began walking back toward the station, "What's up?"

"Edgeworth and your sister wanted to talk to you. Something about some evidence from a case ten years ago?"

Ema nodded, "All right. I'll talk to them when I get back. Thanks, Kay."

"Course. I'll see you later. I think I'm going to hunt down our undercover friend..."

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July 22nd, 2027, 2:30PM

Bluecorp,

Anderson's Office

Apollo walked into the office to a heated discussion between Payne and Gumshoe, "I'm telling you, pal, this is important!"

Payne huffed, "Why should I listen to you? I had to do all the research on the motive myself, and if Justice finds a way to dispute that, I'm done!"

Apollo walked quietly around them to one of the patrol officers in the room, "Whats going on?" The patrol guard shrugged, "I think they're arguing about a trash bag in the inner office."

The attorney's eyebrow shot up, "A... trash bag?" The officer nodded, "Yup. Apparently it had blood on it. Gumshoe wants to send it in for testing, and Payne thinks it isn't important."

A grin replaced the stony expression on Apollo's face, "Huh. Can I see it?"

The officer shrugged again, "Why not?" The officer motioned Apollo over to the other end of the office, where another officer was watching over the thing.

It was a plain black trash bag, although when he squinted, Apollo could see the blood, "...This is it?"

The officer shrugged, again, "What, you expecting some kind of miracle clue?" Apollo chuckled, then stroked his chin in thought, "Actually, this does give me an idea. Where did you find this?"

The officer pointed, "It's in the large trashcan in the hallway next to the bathrooms. An employee brought it to our attention when he reached in to get something he dropped and it was all bloody."

Apollo smiled, "Thank you, officer..." The officer held out his hand, "Soren. Officer Soren. But my friends call me Ghost." The two shook hands, and Apollo turned serious, "Has anyone else been asking lots of questions about the case?"

Soren looked thoughtful, "Actually, that security guard, Atkinson, he kept asking about whether we found the security tape or not. Says that its against company policy to have it missing, or something."

Apollo smiled again, "Thank you, Officer Soren. That's all I wanted to know. Is there anything else that's happened this afternoon in the investigation?"

Soren gestured to some files on the desk, "Well, we got permission to go into Anderson's personal records room. Apparently they found something, but I don't know what."

Apollo glanced at Gumshoe and Payne who were still arguing, "You... wouldn't mind If I looked at it, would you?"

Soren quickly shook his hands in a warning gesture, "I can't, it'd mean my promotion, and if I don't get a raise, I won't be able to afford the ring to propose to my girlfriend, Niobe..."

Apollo held u his hand in a calming gesture, "It's fine. Did the tests come through for the pocket watch?"

Soren shook his head, "I think they have, I just haven't heard about it."

The young defense attorney began sneaking back out of the room, "Thanks, 'Ghost'. I appreciate your help."

Darman saluted, "Just find the truth sir." Then Apollo walked back out the door, and went to the elevator, (Ihaveasecurityguardtoquestion...).

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July 22nd, 2027, 3:00PM

Bluecorp,

Security Booth

The security guard once again looked annoyed when Apollo walked in, "This area is for employees only."

Apollo glared at him, "I talked to you yesterday. I have more questions for you."

Atkinson rolled his eyes, "Look, I'm busy. Some weird kids are hanging out by the front entrance. I think I'm gonna have to chase them out."

Apollo sighed, "Whatever, then I guess I should go then." Apollo went out the door, and Atkinson soon followed him, and locked the door behind him.

Making sure he was gone, Apollo did somethin that he hoped no one would judge him for. He quickly knelt down to the level of the doorknob and took out the small metal rod that Kay had given him.

(Onlyusethisifnecessary,Apollo.AsamemberoftheYatagarasu,youmustfindthetruth,evenifitisbehindalockeddoor...)

Apollo quickly opened the door, and stepped into the office. (ThankGodIknowhowtoworkthesedamnthings.) His efforts were rewarded with exactly what he was looking for: the video footage of the office itself, on the night of the murder.

(Differentangle,it'sallabouttheangle...), Apollo smiled, and just in an instant, static filled the screen, and the secretary had taken her place on the floor.

Apollo swore, (Damnit!Thefootagehasbeenmessedwith...waitaminute...). Apollo went to a different monitor and checked the footage for the camera just outside the security booth.

He grinned as he was rewarded with something that definitely would turn the tables on the case.

The secretary was on her way out the door, when Atkinson stopped to talk to her, and then motioned inside his office. At first, it looked like she refused, but she eventually went in with him.

Then the screen went dark.

Apollo had a feeling that the tape running out had nothing to do with chance. He quickly set everything to it's rightful place and locked the door on his way out.

The only thing to wait for was the results of the various tests.

(Great,anotherboringeveningathome.Ijustlove beinganattorney...)

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July 22nd, 2027, 6:00PM

Apollo Justice's Apartment

A knock from the window announced Kay's appearance, and Apollo got up and opened the window, "It's still daylight. Don't you think that people will start talking about ninja girls are breaking into my apartment?"

Kay put her hands on her hips, "Who you calling a girl? I'm twenty seven, thank you!"

Apollo chuckled, "And yet, you still religiously watch that show. What was it again, 'Jammin Ninja'?"

Kay folded her arms and frowned at him in annoyance, "I wanted to ask how your case is going."

The defense attorney sat down and sighed, "I'm thinking about it. I'm trying to think up some evidence to trap the true culprit."

Kay sat down, and Apollo gestured to his kitchen, "You want something? I'm sure that climb up my fire escape was very rigorous..." He said sarcastically.

Kay folded her arms again, "You know, If you're just gonna be an ass, I think I'd prefer the company of the fire escape."

Apollo's spikes jostled as he chuckled again, "I'm just kidding. Coffee?" He held out the glass, filled with the dark liquid.

Kay took it and sighed, "I need to talk to you about something."

Apollo immediately folded his arms, "What's wrong?"

Kay looked up at him, "Edgeworth's been... asking questions. Questions like, 'What were you doing at this time, Kay' and it was during a heist."

Apollo's shoulders slumped, "You think he's onto us?"

The thief shrugged, "I don't know, and that's what worries me. Edgeworth isn't the kind to dance around the issue like this. He should be going up to me and yelling 'Eureka!' But, he's backing off every time."

Her eyes narrowed, "I have no idea why he's doing this! It's he's sanctioning it or something!"

The lawyer across from her smiled, and she frowned, "Uh... not that its great that your not perpetually depressed, but why are you smiling? We could be arrested..."

Apollo shook his head, "I know. This is serious, but it's hard to see you act the same way as your mentor..."

Kay's frown turned into a withering look, "So now I'm acting like an asexual British lawyer?"

Apollo chuckled, "Yep. It's hilarious."

Kay wanted to punch him, but it was good to see a smile on his face, (Atleasthe'sstillhuman...)

Apollo turned serious again, "Alright, so Edgeworth might be onto us. I think we should finish this 'case', then maybe lay low for a while."

The prosecutor frowned again, "You sure? Nobody would really think anything about you abandoning Anderson. Too many people think he's guilty."

To her surprise, Apollo slammed his fist into the table, "That's the problem. This time, he's actually innocent!"

Kay folded her arms, "You know that? For a fact?"

Apollo matched her look, "Yes."

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Kay sighed, "Alright. Somehow, I knew this was going to be an issue. Well, because I'm such a great friend, I've got some info."

Apollo leaned forward, "The test results got back?"

Kay nodded, "Nothing was found on Anderson's watch. So, at least Payne won't be able to prove it's the murder weapon."

Apollo nodded, "Good. That gives me a little breathing space, but at the same time, it kinda keeps us limited on the case. It brings us back to the same problem..."

Kay sighed, "You know Payne. He will probably still try to use that as the murder weapon."

Apollo laughed, "You bet. I think my faith in the universe would take a turn for the worst if he didn't."

Apollo suddenly looked at Kay, "Hey, did you hear anything about a test conducted on a paper bag?"

The prosecutor tapped the coffee glass as she thought about it, "I think I heard something. It apparently had the victims blood on it..."

Kay noticed Apollo had started looking at the notes and files scattered on the table. A map of the building, the bag, the watch, the security booth, it was all there.

She walked up to her partner and looked over his shoulder, "Well, does Mr. Apollo Justice, Ace Attorney, have a theory as to what happened?"

Kay was surprised when Apollo pulled out a broken and crappy looking pocket watch and let it spin on its chain. Suddenly, he smiled,

"It's not a theory. I know what happened."

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Duh duh DUUUUUUUH!

Next time, the final court scene for this episode! What did you think? Please review, anyone who might possibly still be reading this...

Thanks!

Kongu123