It was six in the morning when Athena called Apollo. He sounded awake, and he had the same plan as her.
"Want to see if Caden is well enough to talk?"
The trial was at ten, like always. Cutting out the amount of time to get to the hospital and drive to the courthouse, they would have just over three hours. It sounded like a surplus of time, but Athena also knew that they also usually talked to the defendant multiple times before the actual trial. If they forgot to cover anything, or if Caden tired, they were screwed. The thought made her nerves worse, but at least she had Apollo as assistance.
Apollo beat her to the hospital by about five minutes. She knew that because he was messing with his hair, using the window's reflection for help. She couldn't help but grin at him, despite exhaustion and anxiety, as she approached the double doors of the hospital.
"Getting ready for your date, Apollo?"
"Har har. Very funny."
Athena thought of Juniper as they entered the hospital. Maybe she would give her a call if the trial went okay. Apollo hadn't mentioned her in the past couple of days, but he had been as busy as her with this case. Thoughts of her friend swept away as a nurse recognized them.
"Will we be able to see him today?" Apollo asked, but she was already walking towards a room.
"Yes. His vital signs look good and he doesn't seem to be in danger of another relapse," she said. "But take it slow with him. He's gone through a lot."
Athena wanted to argue, that they didn't have much time, but didn't have the heart to do so. How could she? She took a deep breath as the nurse opened the door and let them in.
Caden looked considerably better than the last time she saw him, not that that was saying much. Bandages nearly swallowed his head from the forehead up, showing only the crown of his shaved head. She idly wondered if it was that way before the accident, or if that was a necessary procedure. His skin regained some color, and his superficial injuries, such as scratches and black eyes, began to fade away and change color. She took these changes to heart... until she caught the highlight of metal at the bottom of her vision.
Handcuffs.
The police must have fastened him to the bed once his condition stabilized. They were attached to the metal bar on the side, and then Athena caught a glimpse of his eyes. They reminded her of doors that stood wide open, but only led to a room with all the lights turned off.
She softened.
"Mr. Barrow." The nurse's voice lost its brisk edge she used when talking to them; evidently she didn't disagree with Athena's feelings on Caden. "Your lawyers are here."
He turned his head slowly towards them, inch by agonizing inch, and he blinked as if fighting off a dream that wouldn't let go.
"Your mother talked about them, right?"
"I remember," he said, hoarse. "You can go. It's okay."
"Call me if you need anything."
"All right."
Apollo didn't so much as smile as he stepped forward. "I would offer to shake your hand, but that seems unnecessarily difficult under the circumstances."
It was such an Apollo thing to say, complete with sarcasm and a blunt sense of humor. Athena saw clients take to it like a fish in water or one out of water, with very little in between. Thankfully, it seemed like Caden fell in the former camp.
He let out a strangled laugh, but it managed to light up his whole face. Athena's shoulders dropped a couple of inches, and she couldn't help but smile a little. Caden shifted in the bed and relaxed a fraction, too. "Caden Barrow. I've met you." He motioned his head towards Athena. "Athena Cykes, right?"
"You remember me?"
Athena thought she noticed his face tighten for a moment, but it wouldn't have been that surprising. He still had to heal from a ton of serious injuries. "Vaguely. It's been a while."
She nodded. "It has. This is Apollo Justice. He's my assistant on this case."
His eyelashes flicked. "You're in charge?"
She frowned. "Yes."
Caden didn't reply, but she could see his adam's apple bob in his throat. He looked away from them for a moment, towards the window that had its blinds rolled up. The sun reflected a glare off of Widget. It lit up Caden's face and part of the wall he turned towards.
"Is that going to be a problem?" Apollo asked, and Athena flinched. She should have had the courage to ask that first.
"No." Caden was quick to reply. "Of course not. It's just... a little surreal." He turned towards Athena, and this time he had no problem looking at her. His expression was battered, battle-wounded, but resolved. "You can see that, can't you?"
Athena nodded, despite her misgivings. "I can. Let's get started, shall we? We don't have a ton of time."
Caden winced. "Yeah. I'm sorry about yesterday. I don't know what happened."
"I don't blame you," Apollo said. "I saw your car. The fact you're even alive is a miracle."
Caden's mouth quirked upwards for only a moment, self-deprecating. "I should have joined the rest of them. And Aly..." He trailed off, and his eyes clenched shut.
"It's okay," Athena began.
"How can it be?" Caden's mouth tightened. "Regardless, I will tell you right now. I never, ever would have killed Aly. She meant the world to me, to so many people."
Apollo gave a slight nod. Athena relaxed in her chair. The truth in his voice was unmistakable. It was reassuring.
"How about you start by telling us what happened that night?" Apollo suggested.
"Take it slow," Athena added. "I know we're in a hurry but you don't need another relapse."
"There was a party at a friend's house," Caden started, but his voice seemed to stutter over each word. He sighed. "I'm sorry. My memory of that night is really shitty."
"Take your time," Athena repeated.
"They wanted to welcome me home," he said, concentrating. "Lily, Terrence, and Sterling all came with me. Aly was already there, but her car broke down shortly after arriving. She asked for a lift back."
Apollo leaned back in his chair."Where did you go?"
"Overseas."
Like me, Athena couldn't help but think. "For years?"
"Something like that." Caden adjusted in his bed. "Anyway, we stayed for a couple of hours before driving back. I had Aly in the passenger seat, the other three in the back."
Athena could sense Apollo wanted to interrupt, but she put two fingers on his arm. It did contradict the facts. Lily Jacobs was found dead in the passenger seat, not Aly. But Caden seemed sure of this fact, and he already stated his memory was spotty.
"Later," she told Apollo in a low voice, and after a moment's hesitation, he nodded.
Caden didn't notice. "It was raining really, really hard," he said. "I remember losing control of my car. Aly was hurt, and there was screaming in the back... and then I don't remember much else."
Athena shared a long look with Apollo. "That makes it sound like Aly was a part of the accident," she said at last. "And that she should have been found in the car."
"I don't know why she was in the woods," he said. "I don't get it. How..." He trailed off, and Athena leaned back in her chair.
"This doesn't make any sense," Athena said, as gently as she possibly could.
"That's what happened," he snapped at her.
"Okay, okay." Apollo cut in, giving Athena a look. "We believe you."
Caden's agitation subsided. He stared at the ceiling, trying to get his breathing back under control. Athena stared at his profile for a while, trying to think.
"An arson case happened at the Space Center close to the time of the accident. Would you know anything about that?"
"What?" Caden's mouth twisted, his eyes going wide. "Are you kidding me?"
Athena's senses were assaulted with wrong. The buzzing in her ears thundered like a hive of wasps, circling her head. But she could also hear his emotions: exploding outwards. Not like Simon, who had one source. They shot outwards, like comets in a night sky.
"You didn't hear about it?" Apollo folded his arms across his chest. Athena jabbed him in the side with her elbow, but this time, he ignored her. "Someone must have told you. And you drove past the Center, didn't you? Couldn't you see the smoke?"
Athena didn't have to hear Caden speak to know his heart. It galloped to an uncertain rhythm. The machines next him started to accelerate.
"Apollo, it's possible the fire started after the accident," Athena told him.
"But-"
"Not now," she hissed. "Look at him."
Apollo went quiet. Caden shuddered in his bed.
"The Space Center-" he began.
"Please calm down." She put a hand on the bar of his bed.
Caden had his face buried in his hands, and Athena could tell he was trying to listen to her. "We need to focus on Aly at the moment," Athena said under her breath to Apollo. "For now, anyway."
She heard him let out a frustrated breath, but he did as he was told. He switched the subject with a fluidity she knew he didn't feel.
"Do you remember hydroplaning?"
Caden frowned. "Is that what happened?"
"It was raining," Athena said. "At least when you crashed. The road was wet when the emergency crew found you, about ten minutes after the fact."
He nodded, taking his hands away from his face. Their diversion tactic worked, at least for the time being. "Yeah, that would make sense. I remember Terrence and Lily in particular were goofing around in the back. They were really distracting. I got so annoyed with them." His voice trailed off, and Athena had to stifle her sympathy.
If he's remembering that correctly. Athena would have to get reports on the who the blood in the passenger seat belonged to in court, but Lily was definitely found in the passenger seat at the time of her death. She opened Widget to make a note next to Lily's file.
Caden looked on with a special interest. "Is that from the Space Center?"
Athena eyed him from around Widget's screen. He huffed with each breath, and his eyes slid closed at random intervals. She closed Widget and sat with her hands on her knees. "Yes. My mother and Aura created it. I'm useless in court without it."
Athena didn't know why she disclosed so much information, but it definitely had an effect on Caden. He sank back in his pillows, his eyes tightly closed. Remembering and forgetting. Wanting to do both. She knew because she felt it before.
"Apollo," she said. "I think it's time to get going."
"Oh?"
Athena stood up. "He's had enough. Thank you, Caden."
His breathing filled the room, like it was the only thing that mattered to him anymore. They got up from their chairs and closed the door quietly behind them. Apollo let out a loud sigh. "What a mess."
Athena rubbed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"I've never had a client like that," he replied. "Even Wocky could function at a basic level. My bracelet was freaking out left and right, but I couldn't figure out if he was lying or if his condition made it impossible for him to respond normally. Maybe it's both."
It was hard to fathom that someone who had gone through so much could be lying, or would have the strength to lie. But Athena knew people were capable of terrible acts, even people with all the good intentions in the world.
"But Apollo," she said quietly, "his condition didn't interfere on one question. On whether or not he killed Aly."
"That's true." He rocked back on his heels. It was so strange. It had to be one of their most upsetting questions, but he replied with a measured calm that Athena knew must have taken a great deal of effort. "None of this makes sense."
"It did take a lot of effort to say what he did," she said. "He can only handle so much, I guess."
Apollo brushed his hair back. "Sheesh. A case where the defendant is more fragile than the witnesses. Heck, we can barely even talk to him. This is going to get messy."
"It always does. Even if the client is the picture of health." Athena's smile barely lifted at the corners. She started to feel that six AM alarm clock, particularly behind her eyelids. "I need coffee."
Apollo pushed himself away from the wall. "Think the hospital has a cafe?"
They were nice and early to the courtroom, mostly because they couldn't talk to Caden. He wouldn't even be present for his own trial, which gave Athena chills to think about, but it made sense. He could barely talk to them without hurting himself. How could he be present at a murder trial, accused of killing someone he cared for, in his condition? Athena swallowed.
"I'm actually nervous," Apollo admitted to her as they sat in the defendant's lobby, pouring over their documents. "I haven't been this nervous since my debut."
"I don't think I've ever been this nervous in my life," Athena replied. She had to constantly sip her coffee so she wouldn't upset it with her shaking hands. "And I've been a basket case with most of my... ugh. Pun."
Apollo groaned. "You do them by second nature now?"
"You're FINE!"
Both of them jumped in their chairs, and Athena had to throw her cup away from her so that hot liquid wouldn't stain her clothes. Juniper stood proudly in the door for only a moment before dissolving into a coughing fit.
"Junie?" Athena got up, and winced. Some coffee soaked into her leggings, although most of it made its home on the tile floor. She looked at it with some mourning before turning to her friend, who was coughing and breathing into her sunflower at the same time.
"Sorry." Juniper's voice was hoarse and strained. "I'm not used to yelling that loud."
"I appreciate the thought, but really, don't hurt yourself over us." Apollo stood up to give her a quick hug. Athena was sure her eyebrows went up to her hairline.
Juniper narrowed her eyes, and Athena tried not to laugh. Her friend's jaw quivered from the effort, and her nose scrunched like a rabbit's. Still, Athena got the message: shut up, shut up, shut up. "You guys looked so depressed, I wondered for a minute if the trial was already over. Come on. That's not like you."
"You're right. Thanks, Juniper." Apollo turned to Athena. "But let me demonstrate it without dying. You're FINE, Athena!"
"You're FINE, Apollo!" Athena dutifully yelled back, and she already stood straighter afterwards. She grinned. "Perfect. Thanks, you two."
"You're welcome." Juniper held her hands under her chin. "But I'm not dying."
"Still making a racket at this hour?"
Athena didn't turn at his voice. No, she couldn't. She promised herself.
"You're early too, Prosecutor?" Apollo's voice sounded like the very definition of cool and collected, which is how Athena knew the facade. Really, she didn't need to hear buzzing or subtle changes of pitches or voice breaks to know that about her partner.
"I always am," he replied, and she could feel his eyes on her back. Because that wasn't awkward or uncomfortable.
"Figures," Apollo muttered under his breath, but Athena squared her shoulders. She stopped next to her partner's side and faced Simon with her chin slightly raised.
"Don't mind him, Apollo," she said with a feigned lightness. "He's lying through his teeth."
Apollo (and Juniper, for that matter) just about choked on their own spit, but Simon, to his credit, didn't even flinch. He met her eyes with that calculating, hunting-hawk gaze, the one that always managed to make Athena feel small. She held her ground, but she found herself cursing Mr. Wright and Apollo mentally. Out of it? More pissy than usual? Seriously?
"Those morons!" Widget rang out, and Athena grabbed at him.
"That was random," Apollo said. Then his eyes narrowed, and he possessed more of a knack of looking scary than Juniper. Even at his height. "Wait, are you talking about me?"
"Nope!" Athena's pitch was at least two decibels above normal. "Definitely not!"
Simon let out such a low chuckle, Athena questioned she even heard it for a second. But judging from Juniper and Apollo's expressions, they heard it too.
It looked like she was going to have to ask. Athena sighed. "Is there something we can help you with, Si-Prosecutor Blackquill?"
"I wanted to make sure you actually planned on going through with this," he said. "Unfortunately, I was correct."
Athena looked up at the ceiling for a moment before answering. Breathe, girl. "I have never given you any indication I was going to change my mind," she said in a low voice. "Even when you were being overbearing and ridiculous."
She never in a million years expected a triumphant smile. It made the feather in his mouth roll to the corners. "Actually," he said, "You did. Recently."
What?
"But that will be a story for a later time, it seems. I'll see you on the battlefield." Simon turned to head towards the doors of the Defendant Lobby and was out of sight in a few swift strides and a flaring of his surcoat.
"See? He's weird lately." Apollo crossed his arms. "Although he hasn't seemed to have lost his flair for the histrionic."
"Or the cryptic," Juniper added. "What was he going on about?"
"I have no idea," Athena said. "He's been bugging me to stay away from this case, but that's just Simon. I've told him off on several occasions."
"Right, and you're the only person who gets away with that now," Apollo pointed out. Juniper nodded from behind him.
"You never told me why he came to your apartment-"
Apollo looked so scandalized that Athena didn't know whether to laugh at him or strangle him. "He came to your apartment?"
"You're the one who gave him my address!"
"I thought it was for a reference or something! Like a house or a car or a promotion. You know, normal things. Not showing up unannounced."
Athena's face warmed despite the air-conditioned lobby. "First of all, we're friends. He can visit if he wants to. Second of all, he sounded exactly like he always does," she snapped. "Besides, how is this relevant to the trial at hand?"
"It's just a little odd, Athena," Juniper said in a voice that reminded Athena of a mother calming a child's tantrums. It made her angrier.
"Histrionic and cryptic, right? Business as usual, then. Now, I'd like to not lose this trial."
Apollo opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by the bailiff approaching them. "Ms. Cykes, Mr. Justice, the judge is ready to begin the trial. If you could enter the courtroom at this time?"
She couldn't feel the effects of their Chords of Steel workout anymore. And her thoughts were oriented around someone who she promised to not think about. She let out a loud whoosh of her breath.
"Glad we talked about stuff that's actually relevant, guys," she couldn't help but mutter. Juniper's cheeks were bright red and she wouldn't make eye contact.
At first, she thought Apollo ignored what she said, but she saw a hint of color on the highest points of his face too. At first, she thought he was going to say something, but he clearly thought better of it.
"Well, we need to get going," he told Juniper. "Will you be up in the benches?"
"Yes, of course."
Athena almost missed the brief smile that appeared on Apollo's face. If it happened any other time, she would have been ecstatic. Instead, she wanted nothing to do with it. He was lucky, she grouched to herself. Her mood was foul when she entered the courtroom with Apollo in tow, and despite his earlier triumphant look, Simon didn't look much better. His jaw was set, and they both stood quietly at their respective benches for several seconds until the judge dared to break the silence.
"Did I get the wrong room and walk into a funeral procession?"
His joke landed the way he should have expected. Regardless, Athena forced a smile. Widget usually had plenty of input at the beginning of a trial, but it didn't say a word. Athena wasn't surprised. Her mind was a curious blank, something that should have sent her into a panic. But instead, a calm settled over her.
"Well, then." The judge seemed flustered. Simon barely shifted his weight, and he didn't even look her way once. Athena took a deep breath. She could do this. She was fine.
"The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Caden Barrow."
"The prosecution is ready, Your Baldness."
Apollo choked on his own spit. Simon was already in fine form, going back to the old nickname he used before his release. Athena stuttered a bit herself. "The defense is ready, Your Honor."
The judge opened his mouth to say something, but he decided against it. The courtroom sat in an eerie silence.
"Well, do something!"
For once, Athena didn't do a thing to stop Widget from speaking, or even react to it.
"I'm inclined to agree with Widget," Apollo said. "What are we waiting for?"
The judge cleared his throat. "So... am I giving the opening statement again?"
Athena swallowed. Fear hit her like a storm front, and she couldn't breathe for a moment. Widget began to fade from light blue to black, and this urged her to speak.
"I'd... I'd rather the prosecution give the statement," she said. "If I have a choice in the matter."
She dared to look in Simon's direction, but his face was unreadable. But he didn't look like he was mocking her, or rejecting the idea, at least.
"A car accident occurred a couple of weeks ago that killed three passengers and seriously injured the driver," Simon began, and Athena couldn't explain the flood of relief. "Investigation has concluded that the accident was merely that - an accident."
So far, so good.
"However, it has come to our attention there was a fourth passenger, by the name of Alexandra Ford. Her manner of death was a homicide, and our investigation has concluded only Mr. Barrow could be her killer."
"But... he was in a car accident," the judge said. "How would he have the time?"
A crooked smile lifted Simon's mouth. "That will come to light in due time. I will call my first witness."
"Ema," Apollo murmured.
Athena nodded. Her shoulders relaxed, even if only by millimeters. The trial was within her control. She doubted she could stay so on top of things with Gaspen Payne breathing down her neck.
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Apollo added. "We haven't even heard the testimony yet."
Athena realized she was smiling, and a rush of color bloomed on her cheeks. Yellow and dark blue flickered from Widget until fading to the color of the sky. Apollo was right: she needed to stay focused.
Ema appeared in front of the witness stand. Her face maintained the same careful neutrality that Athena had yet to master.
"State your name and occupation, witness."
"Ema Skye. Detective."
Athena heard the usual threads of annoyance and disgust, but nothing out of the ordinary. Either she didn't have time to do the tests she asked... or...
"Very well," Simon said. "Start your testimony."
Ema cleared her throat. "Our basis for accusing the defendant is very simple. There isn't much to explain." She rocked back on her heels. "The gun used to kill Alexandra Ford was found in the foot well of the passenger side of the car, where Lily Jacobs died. The gun has the fingerprints of the defendant."
Of course.
Already, her confidence was beginning to wane.
She spoke out anyway, or perhaps because of it. "That doesn't make any sense. That implies that the defendant was shot in the passenger seat. Lily Jacobs was found in the passenger seat, not Alexandra. And, what? Did Caden shoot her while he was driving?"
Ema rolled her eyes. "I would tell you, if you wouldn't interrupt me."
"Let her finish," Apollo murmured. "There will be plenty of time to challenge it."
Athena blushed. She knew this. She knew to bring up problems during the cross-examination. Simon didn't say anything, like she expected him to, but she wasn't sure if that made it better or worse.
"Anyway." Ema cleared her throat. "We found traces of Alexandra's blood near the arson site. We think she was attacked there, and then, injured, she ran towards the river. She was then shot near the tree."
"So this all happened before the car accident?" The judge leaned forward.
"Yes."
Athena found her voice. "Is the prosecution also accusing Mr. Barrow of arson?"
"We lack decisive evidence to move forward in that part of the case," Simon replied, smooth as can be. "However, I will say that the circumstantial evidence is... abundant. There isn't much reason to attack Alexandra Ford at that particular site except to cover up another crime."
Athena's throat tightened to the point of pain.
"I found glass, not blood," Apollo said. "Well, this feels familiar. Ready?"
No. "Yeah," she said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."
The routine questions brought out a few photographs from Ema. One was of the road, another of the crunched car, and one of the arson site. Athena was familiar with two of the scenes, but she already saw the purpose of the road. Skid marks. A lot of them. One set next to the rail, and then one near the curve where Caden drove through the barrier and into the valley below.
Huh.
"Wait," Apollo said, pointing towards the pictures of the car remains. "Look at the passenger door. We completely missed that."
Athena followed his finger until she found it: black soot on the frame of the car. It was barely visible due to the silver paint, but it was definitely there.
"Is the defense done dawdling?" Simon dragged his voice into a drawl. "If so, we need to move this trial along before we hit the end of the century."
Athena shot him a glare, but he didn't seem affected by it. Figures. "Ms. Skye," she said, ignoring Simon, "please continue your testimony. I apologize for the delay."
Ema shrugged. "No skin off my teeth. Anyway. We're not entirely sure what Alexandra was attacked with while she was still alive, but my findings suggest that it was an object made of glass. The victim shows bruising on the back of her skull, and the glass found embedded in her hair and scalp wasn't consistent with glass from a windshield.."
Athena wrestled back a shriek as Taka flapped his wings into a gust above her, stopping to a hover, and he dropped a manilla folder on the defense bench.
"The final autopsy report," Simon said, and he could barely contain a smile.
"Thanks," Athena muttered. She opened the folder.
Pre-mortem trauma. She knew that the autopsy that Aura sent her wasn't final, but it still sent her far up the creek without a paddle.
"Interesting," Apollo murmured. Louder, he asked Simon, "So does the prosecution maintain that Alexandra was murdered for what she saw at the Space Center?"
"That's a possibility," Simon replied, hand on his chin. "Or maybe it was a lover's spat. A domestic case. Or perhaps the fire was a separate matter, not related to the case at hand. Regardless, there is proof that the defendant carried this murder out. I will again state for His Baldness that the gun found had Caden Barrow's fingerprints."
"I gathered as much, Prosecutor Blackquill," the judge said with a dry tone. "And you're not in prison anymore. I no longer have to tolerate such disrespect-"
Simon flicked his fingers.
"Ah! Never mind."
"See? Still terrifying," Apollo said.
"It's all scare tactics," she muttered under her breath. "You seriously think he wants to go back to jail, after all we went through?"
"Does the defense have a response?"
Athena stumbled for a moment. "I-I have the right to cross examine the witness," she said. "Right?"
The judge frowned. "It is not my duty to remind you of legal process, defense."
Athena rounded on Ema before Simon could speak. "Well, let's have it. Your testimony?"
"Glass inconsistent with windshield glass was found at the arson scene," Ema began, but she offset it with a look towards Athena and a quick "sorry."
"Of course it benefits the prosecution and not us," Apollo muttered.
"I've seen glass like this before, actually, and it's consistent with blown glass. Thin in certain places and thicker in others. I'm guessing the defendant attacked her with some kind of ornament. Maybe of sentimental value?"
"Hold it," Athena said. The words started to ingrain themselves as a reflex, much to her relief. "You don't have any evidence on hand of what this "weapon" actually was?"
"No," Ema replied. "But that's not a big deal. We know it was used to attack Alexandra. Her findings in her hair and scalp prove it. We also found the same glass and blood at the arson site."
"Before the defense gets any ideas," Simon added, "I already concede that I don't have proof it was the defendant attacked her at the arson site. That's not the issue here."
Athena frowned. "Then what is?"
"That she was in a weakened state before being shot." Simon held his elbow, fingers around his chin. "Continue, Skye-dono."
"Blood was found near the river on a tree, and it matched the victim's. It looks like the victim was shot there, and then left to rest in the river." Ema seemed uncertain, and Athena couldn't blame her. All of this sounded dodgy. No glass statue or whatever it was that was used as a weapon, and...?
"Was the bullet recovered?"
"Yes. It was found a couple of feet away from her purse. That was how we got the ballistics to match." Ema leaned back on her heels. "I'll submit the bullet for evidence now, Your Honor."
"The court accepts it."
"Wait," Athena said. "It's dirty, but there isn't any blood on it."
"What could that mean?" the judge asked.
"Animals stepping on it could be a factor. The bank was also rather wet," Ema replied. "It probably just smudged off. Regardless, traces of the victim's blood were found on it."
Simon didn't add to that part of the discussion. Athena eyed him, and shook her head. He had to know how dubious this testimony was. Right?
It didn't matter, she supposed. It was her job to dismantle a prosecutor's case.
"Here's my first problem," Athena said. "Glass can't be easily destroyed by fire. It melts, sure, but the blaze needs to be very, very hot. If the prosecution is maintaining that the victim was attacked before she was shot in the woods, wouldn't there be more glass at the scene?"
"Not if it was removed," Ema replied.
"That doesn't work," Athena said. "Caden's car was found not even a mile away from the murder scene. Unless the investigation found glass pieces in the car that didn't come from the windshield?"
Ema opened her mouth, and then closed it.
"It couldn't have been swept down the river, either," Apollo said. "Glass generally sinks, and the river's flow isn't fast enough to carry something like that downstream."
"Your Honor, we investigated the Space Center, the murder scene, and the accident scene thoroughly," Ema said, crossing her arms. "But the reality of the matter is that Alexandra's blood was found at the arson site. We've had no eyewitness accounts of Alexandra visiting the Space Center before then, and no reports of assault from Alexandra or any family members, so there isn't any reason to believe the attack took place before the night of the murder."
"That's not good enough," Athena snapped. "There's no conclusive proof that she was attacked before-"
"Silence!"
Simon's command ripped through her ears, like it always did. It never ceased to amaze her how much psychological impact he could put in a single word. She lived in the moments where her aunt and uncle held her shoulders while chastising her as a child. She stood again at the witness stand, blubbering about emotions no adult could comprehend while Simon stared at her with a blankness in his face she could only find on paper. When her mother worked away on her computer instead of looking at Athena's drawing. What threw her the most, though, was how much it reminded her of the before. When she still fought to bring him back.
"This is not an battery or assault investigation," he said. "This is a murder investigation. The conclusive evidence that we have is there is a gun with the defendant's prints on it. By your logic, a gun was found in Caden's car, meaning that there wasn't time to dispose of the evidence. We have a bullet that has Alexandra's blood and matches the ballistics. We can only spectate on how and why the attack happened, or how Alexandra managed to escape to the woods, but her wounds can't be explained by a simple bullet. Unless you can discount the murder weapon in some way, this discussion is pointless."
"I have to agree with the prosecution," the judge said. "Unless there is a point to the defense's questioning, this discussion will need to cease."
"Darn it," Athena muttered. She glared at Simon, even though he was content to ignore her. "He's just as manipulative."
"I still don't think that it's a 'pointless' discussion," Apollo said, frowning. "She was attacked before being shot. Why wasn't that attack enough? And why can't we find these glass pieces, if she was attacked by a glass object?"
Athena flicked at her earring. The cool stone helped ground her. An image came to her, one that matched a photo she took in Widget's database.
"Footprints," she said slowly.
Apollo looked at her. "What?"
"Detective Skye, can you please describe the victim and the suspect's movements for that night?" Athena rested on her hands, pressing her fingertips into the bench's wood. "Based on your findings?"
"Sure."
Apollo frowned. "Do you see something, Athena?"
She opened up Widget, scrolling to the picture. "Take a look at that."
"After Alexandra was attacked at the front of the Space Center, she took off running towards the woods..."
"How could she run?" the judge interrupted. "She was wounded."
Ema shrugged. "That's what happened. Maybe adrenaline kicked in."
Athena's eyes narrowed.
"Anyway. They made it to the river, and that's when the victim was shot. My guess is that the defendant wanted the victim a fair distance away from the Space Center, to reduce his chances of being caught."
"Hold it!" Athena leaned back on her heels. "Blood was found on a tree, yes, but the opposite side of the river. Are you saying that they crossed it before she was shot?"
Ema thought for a moment, unsure. "Yes, she had to," she replied at last. "Blood splatter can't go that far. But does it matter?"
"It does. Add it to your testimony, please."
Ema nodded. "The suspect then positioned her body so that her head was angled into the stream. I'm thinking it was a personal vendetta against the victim; they did know each other, after all."
"Lächerlich," Athena thought, crossing her arms. But she hesitated about opening her mouth.
"Athena," Apollo urged. "Speak up."
"Objection," she said, on cue. "If the culprit crossed the river to position Alexandra's body, or if they crossed the river at all, there should be footprints. But look. There are only footprints on the Space Center's side of the river."
"Ah!" Ema clapped a hand over her mouth. "How-"
"Surely the defense can come up with better," Simon said coldly. "There is much more clutter on the other side of the river. Leaves, twigs, what have you. I remember you making quite the racket during you investigated the scene."
Athena glared at him. "Their feet would have been wet," she said, choosing to ignore the insult. "Footprints would have even been more likely, not less."
"That's a good point," the judge interjected. "I don't see anything like that on the scene."
"Then how did that blood get there, Your Honor?" Ema asked. "I'll admit, it's odd, but the blood without a shadow of a doubt belongs to the victim. Odder things have happened in this courtroom, don't you think? It doesn't change the facts. The victim did make it to the river and there is blood at the crime scene."
The judge faltered. "Fair enough."
"Oh, come on!" Athena blurted out.
"Immature outbursts do not become you, Cykes-dono," Simon said. "The victim's boots were soaked through, and mud patterns on her jeans indicated she fell in the river."
"Or someone dropped her in it," Athena retorted.
Simon's eyes flashed. "And where is your proof?"
Athena gritted her teeth. He had a point, but this testimony...
"Let it go," Apollo said quietly.
She spun to him. "And let them win on such flimsy testimony?"
"If it's that flimsy, it should have more than just one problem," Apollo replied. "Keep going."
Athena sighed. "Fine."
"The prosecution has one more bit of proof that Alexandra was shot on the other side of the river," Ema added. "The bullet. It was found near Alexandra's body."
Ugh, that's right. Athena would have to concede that point.
"That's odd," Apollo murmured.
Huh?
"I have a question, Ms. Skye," Apollo said. "You were saying that the victim was fleeing the defendant, and he let her until they reached the river?"
Ema looked apprehensive. "Correct. Otherwise, he would have shot her much sooner. He didn't have to be close to kill her."
"Right." Apollo's mouth lifted in a crooked smile. "Thank you, Ema."
Ema took a Snackoo out of her mouth and crunched on it. Athena felt like she was missing something, so she thought on it. Blood was splattered off to the left, on a tree some ways away from the body. And she was shot in the temple...
"Oh!"
"Did the defense think of something?" The judge had his gavel ready.
"Um. Yes." Athena cleared her throat. "The victim was running away from the suspect, yes? Then the bullet entry should have been in the back of her head, not her temple. But that didn't happen."
The judge started with an exclamation.
Excited, she continued. "It would have gone against basic instinct to run in any other direction than away from the killer, and she should have had no reason to turn. If she did, it would have brought Alexandra closer to death-"
"Silence!"
It was to be one of those trials, apparently.
She jumped when Simon slammed both fists on his bench. "Would it bother the defense much to use intelligence in this matter?" He straightened. "There are infinite explanations as to why the defendant turned her head. A loud noise from the Space Center. Those drunken fools yelling their jolly hearts away."
"A bear or wolf in the woods!" the judge interrupted helpfully.
Simon ignored him. "The facts remain: there is a gun with the defendant's fingerprints. Footprints leading to the river. Blood splatter on a tree. Unless the defense can contend these facts, any further deliberation is, again, pointless. And I abhor repeating myself."
"Defense, I'm going to have to agree with Prosecutor Blackquill. Unless you can find conclusive proof that contradicts the prosecution's case, I'm going to have to give my ruling."
I can't think of a single-
"Athena, you're freaking out," Apollo said.
She whirled to him. "Of course I'm freaking out! It's-"
"Too soon for that," Apollo said. "Look at the autopsy report. The text, in particular."
"Why would I?"
"Just do it."
"Defense, we don't have all day," the judge said. He reached for his gavel. "If you have nothing to add, then we shouldn't waste any more time."
"I'm sorry, Your Honor." Apollo's crossed arms and slight smirk said he was anything but. Athena envied his posture, his complete calm. It proved as a yin and yang to Simon, who stood just as tall but looked far more intimidating and formidable. Granted, that could be just the height difference. "I have one more question for Ms. Skye. Does the prosecution maintain that all of the victim's cuts are from the attack with the glass object?"
Ema started. "Y-yes, for the most part. Glass, especially broken glass and splinters like these, can cut even when they're falling. Of course, some of the wounds could be from stumbling in the woods or hitting a rock in the river when she went down."
Athena heard the wobble in her tone, and then it sent her reeling. Her eyes locked on the long, pinky-red gash in the victim's leg, washed clean of blood. Jackpot.
"Grazie," she said under her breath to Apollo.
He nodded. "De nada."
Wrong language, but she would take it as support anyway.
"Objection!" She loved that word. Maybe she would try translating it in court sometime, make it really confusing for everyone. Granted, she could be held in contempt of court...
"We're waiting, Ms. Cykes," the judge said.
Right. "I see in the updated autopsy report that most of the glass cuts on the victim's body are pre-mortem. That would make sense, if you're maintaining she was assaulted with a glass object. However, there's an exception with her injuries."
Ema frowned. "An exception...ah!"
Athena remembered, from the hacked autopsy report. Even though it wasn't finished, wasn't updated, she remembered: the gash in her leg. The current autopsy report held the same information, but it wasn't stressed nearly as much. If she hadn't seen it, she might have missed the information entirely.
"The slice in her leg is post-mortem," Athena said. "And I see some of the other glass cuts, not many of them, but some, are post-mortem as well. This means that not only was it after she was attacked, but after she was killed."
"She fell," Simon said, shrugging one shoulder. "This one is obvious. She was shot and fell into the river. There are rocks in there. She could have easily cut herself on one."
"You're a samurai, Prosecutor Blackquill," Athena snapped. "You should know the edges of this wound are too clean. Too precise."
"Perhaps there was glass in the river," Simon said. Athena could hear mocking tones in his voice, and Widget glowed red.
"Or maybe her body was placed in the trunk of the car before the accident," Athena shot back.
"Wait." The judge said. "What?"
Athena shook her head. "Your Honor has to see how dubious the prosecution's case is," she said. "And this makes the most sense. There was blood found in the trunk of the car. The back windshield shattered, pouring glass on top of Ms. Ford, who was already dead by the time that happened."
"But, Ms. Cykes." The judge leaned forward. "That would imply-"
"That Caden Barrow, or any of his passengers, couldn't have planted her body in the river," Athena finished for him. "This scenario means there was a third party at the scene." She paused for a moment. "It implies someone other than Caden could have murdered Alexandra Ford."
"I see. But the fingerprints..."
"There are too many questions at this juncture," Athena said, and she hoped it sounded final. "More investigation will be needed if the prosecution insists on following this route."
"Nice," Apollo said.
But Athena wasn't looking at him. Simon's face curved in a small smile. Did he know this would happen? Did he somehow have all the cards without her knowing it? Were they just dancing in his palm? She really thought her paranoia was getting the better of her, until he spoke.
"I suppose I should call my next witness?"
Athena nearly growled at him. She should have known. Simon wasn't stupid, and he never went anywhere in a courtroom without mind games. He was up to something, and she felt a pang of hurt. It took her a moment to realize why.
He was reverting back to how he was before she freed him from prison.
"The Twisted Samurai strikes again," Apollo muttered under his breath.
Athena ignored him again. "Yes," she answered Simon, eyes narrowed. Whatever was going on, she planned on calling all of his bluffs. Every last one. Widget stayed a steady crimson, silent otherwise. "I suppose you should."
TBC
Lächerlich - ridiculous in German
Grazie - Thank you in Italian
De nada - You're welcome in Spanish