Chapter Nine
"And then they just kicked you out?" Trucy asked, incredulous. "You didn't hear anything else?"
Kay shook her head. "I don't have clearance, now that my job is complete. All I know is something went wrong with the medical report and Klavier wants to prosecute but can't."
"What changed his mind? And why can't he be the prosecutor?"
"Mr. Edgeworth gave the case to someone else already. If he gives it to them, no one else can steal it." Kay opened her mouth to say more, but Trucy wouldn't have it.
"But why? What's wrong with the medical report? I want to know," Trucy slumped over the table, smearing her show makeup. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
The investigator looked around, then leaned in. "I was trying to get information out of Mr. Edgeworth all morning. I feel kinda bad about it, though. He was really busy, and all I found out was that our prosecutor isn't Klavier, despite Klavier's protests." She leaned back, sighing. "Something bad happened. I can feel it."
"What do you mean?" Trucy was confused. She'd heard of prosecutors hiding their evidence from the defense, but the whole office? All she could think about was one of Daddy's stories. The one about Detective Skye as a girl, when her sister was arrested. Both the police and the prosecutor's office had been hiding the truth about... "SL-9."
"Hm?"
"This reminds me of SL-9. The case from twelve years ago, where the police forged evidence and murdered an innocent to convict a serial killer. Daddy told me about it."
"Oh. I was thinking of something completely different," Kay changed the subject after that. "So, you have a show tonight? Here?"
"This is the Wonder Bar, isn't it? I only do shows here and for birthday parties." Trucy looked at herself in the table's surface, frowning to see her makeup mussed. The stuff was hard enough to apply as is. "it won't be as fancy as my New Year's show, since it's only a thirty minute act."
"That's okay," Kay got up, walking over right next to Trucy and getting on her knees. "You want me to help with that?"
"Sure." Trucy did her best to stay still. Kay had to take off her gloves for this, revealing roughened fingertips underneath. Not so rough as to be painful, but slightly calloused, like she imagined Klavier's hands would be. Did Kay play guitar?
In minutes, her makeup looked better than when she'd put it on. Kay stood up and picked up her gloves, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "There you go. Now you're ready."
"Thanks, Kay. So... you think you might get called as a witness in the trial?" Trucy tried to be tactful, dragging the topic back to the murder.
Kay caught her immediately, laughing a little. "Maybe. It all depends on what the new prosecutor wants. If Klavier's estimate was accurate, they should be arresting the suspect today, with the trial starting tomorrow."
"Three days of investigating before trial? That's not normal."
"No, it's not. But the killer didn't leave behind much evidence. If they can prove the suspect handled the poison used to kill the victim, they'll have barely enough for an arrest. Convicting her is going to be an uphill battle."
Her? "How so?"
"The victim was alone when he died, he knew he was going to be killed, and the police still can't figure out how strychnine got in the prison. All the defense has to do to get this case declared a suicide is prove the victim knew about the poison. Worst the defendant can be charged with, after that, is accomplice."
"They think Mr. Gavin committed suicide?" Trucy wondered aloud. "I can't see it."
Kay shook her head. "No, the police are doing everything they can to not see it as a suicide. I never knew the guy, but the last time you saw him, didn't he go crazy or something?"
"Well, yeah. But-"
"Prison can change people. He was trapped in Solitary Confinement for almost two years. It's completely possible for someone to want to end their life."
"Mr. Gavin would never do that," Trucy argued. "He thought too highly of himself to even consider it. If he had an epiphany in prison, I'm a defense attorney."
"I'm not saying that's what happened, but when the defense gets up there and sees the charges against her, that's what the argument is going to be."
She's a defense attorney? Or the defendant? Wait, is it- "Ingrid Block?" Trucy smacked the table with open palms, much like she'd seen Athena do. "That's who the police suspect!"
She expected to be shocked. Maybe even upset with herself. Trucy didn't expect her to smile. "Good job, Trucy. That's who Klavier suspected. Today, they're conducting a thorough search of her belongings while she's at work. If they find anything to do with the murder weapon, she's going to be arrested." Kay crossed her arms, smirking. "I was hoping you'd catch on. Not that I made it difficult."
What the heck? Why test me? "Hey, I was with you in the Block residence. Do you think I might be called as a witness?"
She shrugged. "Maybe. I'm the more decisive witness, but again: depends on what the prosecutor wants to do."
"Hey Wright! You're on in ten!" The bartender called out from across the way. Right as he spoke, about eight more people entered the establishment.
"Hey, I gotta... You gonna watch?"
"Of course! I loved your New Year's show! Who's your assistant this time?"
Trucy looked back, a pang of sadness in her heart. "Nobody." This was the first time in three years she'd preformed alone.
The show was over pretty quickly. About a hundred people had been in the audience. Not bad, considering how low key it had been. She hadn't added any new tricks to her repertoire that night, only preforming old tricks. Daddy hadn't had a case since Apollo defended Miss Blackquill, so he'd be happy to see more money in the family account.
When Trucy was finished washing her face and putting up props, she left the backstage area. She was slightly surprised to see Kay was still there, clapping and congratulating her on a job well done.
"It was nothing, really," still, Trucy smiled. She was surprised how quickly the woman had warmed up to her. And vice versa.
"You want me to walk you home? It's pretty late," Kay asked, eyeing the dark skies distrustfully.
Trucy normally walked home alone without problems, but she didn't refuse the offer. They were halfway to her apartment when Daddy's ringtone sounded on her phone. It startled the two, but Trucy recovered quickly. She flipped open her phone and answered.
"Hi Daddy! The show just ended."
"Good. I want you know I won't be home when you get there. Did you bring your key?" her daddy spoke quickly. He sounded tense.
"I forgot. Is there still a spare key in the office?"
He sighed. "No, you used that one last week and left it in the apartment, remember?"
Crap. "Sorry, Daddy. Where are you?"
Kay, who had been watching the exchange, raised an eyebrow. "Your father?"
Trucy nodded, nearly missing Daddy's response. "Fine. Just come to the detention center. We can head home together."
"The detention center? Did they-"
"Yes. Sorry, I gotta go. They're still in questioning. Bye, Trucy!"
And with that, he hung up. Trucy stared at her phone, then flipped it shut. "Come on Kay. We're going to the detention center."
They all but sprinted the distance. One of the reasons Daddy loved his apartment was its close proximity to the detention center. After cheapness, it was the best thing about the place. If Trucy were to guess, it took her and Kay about twenty minutes to get there at their pace. When they arrived, they were met with a crowd of people. Daddy, Apollo, Athena, Detective Skye, Klavier, a detective she'd ever met, and a black haired toddler all waited in the lobby, eyes wide.
"Daddy! I'm here," Trucy ran in towards her father, who was dressed in his suit. "Did they find Mr. Gavin's killer?"
"Maybe," Apollo replied, looking doubtful.
Athena shifted from one foot to the other, tapping her earring. "We're not really sure what's going on. None of us have seen the suspect yet."
"Except for Fraulein Detective, of course," Klavier almost sounded bitter. Detective Skye made it a point not to look at him, munching on her Snackoos with a vengeance. It was the most obvious tell Trucy had ever seen.
"I can't tell you, fop!" Ema growled. "Prosecutor's orders."
"Ach. You respect this prosecutor's orders, but not mine?"
"When was the suspect arrested?" Kay burst in. For the first time, everyone seemed to notice she was there.
"Three hours ago. They went into questioning immediately after getting here, and haven't left since." Ema ripped open another bag of Snackoos. "What's taking so long?"
"Um... Ema?"
"That's Detective Skye to you, Mr. Wright. What do you want?"
"Aren't detectives usually a part of the questioning process?" he seemed puzzled. "Why are you out here?"
Detective Skye growled, throwing a Snackoo at Apollo for no clear reason. "It's an option, whether the prosecutor wants the detective involved or not. This prosecutor opted out, and told me to wait outside. And I can't even go home, because he wants me to question witnesses."
"Well, I can see why he wouldn't trust a detective," Athena muttered under her breath. "Hey!"
"What did you just say about detectives?"
"Wait, I didn't mean it like-"
"Silence!"
Prosecutor Blackquill stalked out from behind the entrance to the rest of the Detention center, Taka on one shoulder.
"You!"
Someone else stepped out from behind the bathroom door. It took Trucy a minute to process who it was.
"Frau Block," Klavier whispered. She was quite unshackled. Out of the corner of her eye, Trucy saw the kid again, running into his mother's arms.
"Prosecutor Blackquill," her voice was cold. "You have some explaining to do."
The man smirked, sending shivers down Trucy's spine. She knew he was innocent, but he had yet to lose his intimidating persona. How was Athena not scared by this?
"Oh? And what do I have to explain?"
"Why was my husband arrested?" Mrs. Block unpinned her badge, walking up to Blackquill and shoving it in his face. "Tell me. As his attorney, It's my right to know."
"Mr. Block has yet to choose an attorney. And I have no obligation to tell you anything," the prosecutor sidestepped her, watching as she stood firm. "But if you wish to see him, I'm done for the night."
She didn't honor that with a response, racing to be at her husband's side, son still held in one arm.
"You arrested Herr Block?" Klavier questioned. "I would have expected his wife."
"His blade bears more blood... for now, it seems," Blackquill nodded to Athena, then fixed his eyes on Kay. "The suspect asked you to investigate his home, correct?"
Kay nodded shakily. "Trucy and I investigated everything there was to see. We found the identity of the blackmailer as well as the reason behind it."
"And how did your client react to the news?"
"We only told him the blackmailer's identity," Trucy answered for her. "But... it was odd. He acted surprise, but it was like he already knew. Before we told him."
"We can finish this in the trial tomorrow," Trucy's father lay a protective arm around the magician's shoulder. "Let's go."
"Not yet, Wright-dono," Take flew out in front of them, blocking the entrance. Trucy turned around to face him. "These two are witnesses, and the trial starts first thing in the morning. I will prepare my witnesses if it takes all night."
A/N's: Ooh, kinda plot twist! I just felt like I needed to shake things up, plus Ingrid's role in the upcoming trial won't be affected by this. Oof. The trial should take about... ten chapters. It's a two day trial, and the chapters might be a bit long. But don't worry. I'll have other things going on.
So, expect to experience trials like you never have in Ace Attorney... from the witness stand!
Oh, and sorry you all don't get the music. I put links in this chapter on ao3, but doesn't allow me to do that here. Ah well.
I don't actually know when I'll be around to update this, since I'm participating in the Wright-a-thon on the PWKM. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a little inspiration from my fills over there!
Thanks for the continued support, don't be shy to leave your thoughts below, and I'll see you on the far side!