The story has hit the 1,000 view mark! I never expected it to be so successful, maybe a couple hundred views. Thanks for reading and enjoy the court case.

Phoenix nervously paced in the defendant lobby. This was his first court case after the forgery and was quite nervous, especially because of whom he was defending. The only evidence he had was the note and Pearl's basket, filled with boysenberries. Maya sat calmly at the bench and watched Phoenix as he rhythmically walked across the lobby. It was quite apparent to her that he was nervous not only about the case, but he was also worried about Trucy and Pearl. Jonathan was standing in the corner, looking down at his feet. Although the penalty for kidnapping isn't the death penalty, it still is a hard thing to live with if convicted. Finally, the baliff came out of the courtroom and told Phoenix, "The trial is about to begin. Please head to the defense's desk." Phoenix nodded, looked at Jonathan as the baliff escorted him into the room, and followed suit, with Maya right behind him.

After the usual chatter, the judge banged his gavel. "Court is now in session for the trial of Jonathan Crinkle."

"The defense is ready your honor."

(with a highly nasally voice) "The prosecution is ready your honor."

"Good. Now with what I understand from this case, Jonathan kidnapped two teenage girls. Do you have any idea where they are now?"

"Sadly, no your honor. The defendant won't say where they are. He keeps claiming that he didn't do it, but I assure you, he did, and I'll prove it with evidence."

"What evidence?"

"The first victim's sandal. It has traces of Jonathan all over it with his hair and fingerprints."

"Well…couldn't the defendant have touched the sandal before?"

"No, your honor. You see, this sandal was just bought three days ago. This was the first time she wore it so the fact that his fingerprints are there tell me he is guilty. Also, the detective firmly believes that the defendant committed this crime."

"So you're calling this detective as a witness?"

"Yes, your honor."

"Understood, the prosecution may call its first witness."

"The prosecution called detective Dick Gumshoe to the stand."

Detective Gumshoe opened the door to the courtroom and right up to the witness stand, wearing his usual trench coat.

"What is your name and occupation detective?"

"Dick Gumshoe, I'm a detective down at the local precinct."

The judge looked at Gumshoe sternly and told him, "Now, detective, can you describe to us the details of the case?"

"Certainly Sir."

"Well, pal, while Pearl was picking berries, she was kidnapped, leaving her basket and sandal behind. We followed a set of footprints to a waterfall, but they end there. Now after Pearl was kidnapped, Trucy was alone at a clearing, her feelings hurt after what the defendant told her. This provides motive and opportunity, all pointing to Jonathan Crinkle."

"Hmm…if it is as you state, the defendant is guilty. Very well, Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross- examination."

Whew, my first cross-examination since my last trial seven years ago. I hope I can do well.

"You can do it Nick!"

"Well, pal, while Pearl was picking berries—"

"Hold it! What kind of berries detective?"

"Oh, they were blueberries. We could tell because I tasted one."

"You tasted one?"

"Well, yeah. My salary is still kinda low and I get tired of instant noodles every once in a while."

Phoenix gave Gumshoe a strange look and shouted, "If they weren't blueberries, they could have killed you!"

"I know pal, but I get hungry and they looked so good…"

Hearing the banging of the gavel, Phoenix looked at the judge. "Mr. Wright, are the types of berries at the scene of any importance?"

"Your honor, this is a critical part of testimony. I adamantly request that it be officially added."

The judge looked surprised before finally saying, "Very well, the witness will add this to his testimony."

"No problem, Sir."

"The berries Pearl was picking was blueberries."

"OBJECTION!"

"Detective Gumshoe, may I point out something to you?"

"Uh…sure pal."

"You said that the berries Pearls was picking was blueberries. Am I correct?"

"Yes you are pal."

Phoenix shook his head. "I'm afraid you made a rookie mistake detective."

"What's that Pal!? I haven't made a mistake in seven years!"

Right after I was disbarred, interesting.

Slamming his hands on the desk, Phoenix firmly stated, "Well, you just made one. The type of berries Pearls was picking was boysenberries, not blueberries!"

"Wha…WHAAAAT!?"

The courtroom exploded into commotion until the banging of the gavel silenced the crowd.

"Order! Order! Mr. Wright, is this true?"

"Yes, your honor. I have Pearl's basket with me right now, still full of boysenberries."

"Yes, but…Mr. Wright, what does this mean, exactly?"

Prosecutor Lortimor smirked, "Obviously, it means nothing your honor."

"OBJECTION! Your honor, there can only be one explanation as to why the berries are different."

"Well, this is interesting. Very well, Mr. Wright, please tell the court what is the meaning of the different berries."

It's ok, I got this one.

"The only reason is that the place where Pearls was kidnapped…is not the place where the basket was discovered."

Lortimor had a shocked look on his face. "Are you saying, Mr. Wright, that the place where Pearl was kidnapped, is not the place we originally thought?"

Phoenix shook his head. "That is correct."

"Well, Mr. Wright, those are some bold words. Now tell us where exactly Pearl was kidnapped."

"Uh…well…I—I don't know just yet."

"As I thought."

The judge, after being silent, finally spoke. "Mr. Wright, as long as you don't know where the kidnapping was, I will have to discredit your claims. Now, detective Gumshoe, please continue with your testimo—"

"Hold it!" The judge, confused, looked at Phoenix. "What was that for Mr. Wright?"

"Just hold one for one minute, your honor."

"Maya, are there any boysenberry bushes in Kurain Village?"

"Umm…there is one spot…at the base of Blue Mountain, but it's forbidden to go there because of a murder long ago."

"That has to be it." Looking back at the judge, Phoenix slammed on his desk again. "Your honor, I know where the kidnapping actually happened."

"Well, this is an interesting development. Please tell us Mr. Wright, where exactly Pearl was kidnapped."

"At the base of Blue Mountain!"

"W…where is that?"

Maya popped in. "Blue Mountain is to the south of Kurain Village. It is prohibited to go there though because of a murder that happened about thirty years ago."

"Hmm…I see…"

"Hee, hee, hee. Well done Mr. Wright, but, of course, I already knew that."

"What do you mean Lortimor?"

"I knew exactly where the kidnapping took place…thanks to a certain witness."

The judge, completely shocked, looked at Lortimor, "You mean you knew where exactly the kidnapping took place?"

"Yes, your honor. His name is Christian Lumarta. He was taking a stroll in the area at the time of the kidnapping."

"Ah….I see. Well, since this is a good time to take a break, I will declare a five minute recess. Prosecutor, please prepare your witness during this time."

"Yes, your honor."

"Very well, this trial is now in recess."

With that, the judge slammed his gavel.

Thank you again for reading. The second part of the trial will be in the next chapter. Don't forget to review.