Time for the final part of the retrial…or is it? I guess you'll find out at the end of the trial.

Phoenix was pacing back and forth in the defendant lobby. He had poked holes in the witness's testimony. I'm sure she's the real killer. I just don't have concrete proof.

"Nick!"

Stunned, Phoenix turned around to see Maya.

"Nick! You left me behind!"

"Uh…sorry about that Maya."

"Hmph. So, what did I miss?"

"Well, I'm sure I found the real killer, but I don't have complete proof that she did it."

"She?"

"Yeah, Christian's fiancé Clara is the real killer."

"Mr. Wright, the trial is about to begin again, please make your way into the courtroom."

"Wait, Maya, I need you to do me a favor."

"What is it Nick?"

"Can you research Clara Steiner? She told the court that she worked at a gun shop, but I don't believe it."

"Sure Nick."

"Thanks." Phoenix smiled at Maya as he went into the courtroom."

The loud chatter of the crowd was systematically silenced by the judge. "Court is back in session. Prosecutor Lortimor, have you calmed down your witness?"

"Yes your honor. I'm sorry about her behavior. She claims the defense was behaving in an 'unorthodox' manner."

"I see. Anyways, can she testify again?"

"Yes, your honor."

"Very well, please let Clara take the stand again."

Clara went up to the witness stand. "Witness, are you alright now?"

"Yes, your honor. I just got shaken up."

"I'm glad you're okay now."

"Your honor, I'd like to testify again. I was only trying to protect the real killer, but since the defense wants to blame me for the murder, I'll testify."

"Why…this is unexpected. Very well, please testify to the court."

"I know who the real killer is. It is my fiancée Christian. He stole her gun and shot Ned with it."

"Why…this changes things entirely. Mr. Wright, your cross-examination."

"I know who the real killer is—"

"Hold it! Why didn't you tell us this before?"

"I…I was scared. You were badgering me, and I just couldn't think."

"I didn't badger you!"

The judge slammed his gavel. "Mr. Wright, please focus on the cross-examination."

"It is my fiancée Christian—"

"Hold it! How do you know it was him?"

"He told me. He said that to get revenge on a stalker, he killed her fiancée"

"Do you have any proof he said that?"

"How can I have proof he said anything? I didn't have a voice recorder on me."

Oh…yeah.

"He stole her gun and shot Ned with it—"

"Hold it! Did he tell you this as well?"

"No, I just figured that since he stole her gun."

The judge banged his gavel. "I can see nothing wrong with this testimony. It is clear to me that this Christian Lumarta was indeed the killer of Ned Gilgam."

Lortimor bowed to the judge. "Thank you for realizing this your honor. Although Tanya is innocent of murder, Phoenix Wright is still wrong about—"

"OBJECTION!"

Phoenix looked around, to see Maya head into the courtroom. "Maya!"

"Nick, I have the information you asked for…Clara never did work at a gun store!"

The judge was shocked. "WHAT!?"

The crowd erupted into chatter, to be silenced by the judge's banging of the gavel. "ORDER! ORDER! Maya Fey, are you sure about this?"

"I am your honor. I researched Clara and found out that no gun store has hired her."

Phoenix looked at Clara. "Now, Clara, how do you explain how many bullets the magazine held?"

"Ugh…grngh…isn't…isn't it obvious? Christian…he—he shot the gun at a shooting range."

"A shooting range?"

"Yes…um…it was the day after he stole the gun. After he fired the gun, he said that he liked the gun and that he'd keep it."

"OBJECTION! I talked to Christian just yesterday. Although he did admit to stealing the gun, he also told me that he only took it because his safety was at stake."

"What do you mean Mr. Wright?"

"What would happen if you broke into a person's apartment, and they had a gun? Would you not take the gun to make sure you don't get shot?"

"…! You mean…"

Phoenix shook his head. "Yes, Christian didn't want to keep the gun. He was planning on returning the gun!"

The crowd broke into chatter. "Why would a person return something they stole?"

"That 'witness' just lied again. Anyone can see she is guilty!"

"Mommy, is that prosecutor a bad guy?"

"Shush, don't let him look at you."

The judge slammed his gavel. "Order! Order!"

Phoenix slammed his desk. "Your honor, Clara's guilt is obvious! First, she keeps lying to the court. Second, she knows how many bullets were in the gun magazine!" Phoenix slammed his desk again. "WE cannot trust her testimony about Christian being the killer!"

"OBJECTION! Wright, although it may seem that she is guilty, she isn't because her fingerprints weren't on the gun!"

"OBJECTION! Have you already forgotten? There were glove markings on the gun. The defense claims that Clara wore the gloves when she shot the victim!"

"GWAAAAH! But—But what about the engagement ring?"

"What about it?"

"Wasn't it ordered by Christian? Obviously, he brought the ring with him when he killed him!"

"OBJECTION! You seem to have forgotten the whole trial. The ring is for the bride-to-be. Since Clara is Christian's fiancé, she obviously wore the ring when she murdered him!"

"…." Suddenly, Lortimor smirked. "Mr. Wright…I'm afraid a contradiction is in place."

"Huh? How?"

"Let me clarify, you said that Clara wore the gloves when she shot the victim, correct?"

"Yes…"

"Now, my question. How did a ring fall from her finger…if she were wearing gloves? Wouldn't the gloves catch the ring?"

"…!" No…this can't…this can't be.

"Prosecutor Lortimor, you brought up a good point. Does the defense have an explanation?"

The trial depends on my answer. "Your honor, the defense has…an explanation."

Lortimor smirked. "Impossible. There is no way to explain this!"

"But there is. Clara, are you right-handed or left-handed?"

"Right-handed, why?"

Phoenix smirked. "Thank you Clara."

"What's the meaning of this Wright?"

"Your honor, what hand would you use to shoot someone if you were right-handed?"

"Why…I would use the right hand."

Phoenix smirked. "Exactly. Clara, you only wore a glove on your right hand! Since there was no glove on your left hand, the ring could have fallen there!"

"OBJECTION! Wright, any person would use both gloves when committing a crime! There is no way you can prove that!"

"OBJECTION! There is another explanation. After Clara committed the murder, she was obviously trying to make a getaway. In her rush, she took off her gloves…causing the ring to fall on the floor. Your honor, the defense requests that fingerprint testing be taken place at the victim's apartment. If the witness's fingerprints are there, that means she is the killer!"

Lortimor suddenly lost his color. "Mr. Wright…a test has already been done…and the witness's fingerprints were found there…that's another reason we thought she was the victim's friend…"

The judge shook his head. "This case…is extremely clear to me. Clara…you are a killer. Though motive has yet to be proven, there is too much evidence suggesting you are the murderer. Bailiff, please put Clara Steiner into custody." The bailiff shook his head, went up to Clara, and arrested her. "Will Tanya Joy take the stand?"

Tanya happily got up and went to the stand. "Tanya, the court made a mistake convicting you. However, this mistake has been rectified. The court finds Tanya Joy…NOT GUILTY!"

The crowd cheered as confetti rained down. "That is all. This court is adjourned."

Phoenix left the courtroom and went into the defendant lobby. Maya came up to him. "Nick, you did it!"

"It's all thanks to you Maya. If you hadn't brought that information into the court then…Clara would have gotten away with murder."

"Mr. Wright!"

Phoenix turned and saw Tanya run up to him. "Mr. Wright…thank you so much! I knew you were the right lawyer! I just knew it!"

Maya looked at Tanya. "Congratulations Tanya!"

"Thank you Maya. Mr. Wright…I lost a lot during this trial. However, it is not impossible to rebuild it. You showed me that with determination, anything can be done. Thank you again Mr. Wright. I hope we get to see each other again."

"Me too. Take care Tanya."

Tanya smiled at him and left the defendant lobby. "Nick, you owe me lunch!"

"Huh? Ho—oh…alright then, where to?"

"Where else but to…Mac's Burgers!"

The place where Lloyd works…"Alright…let's go…"

And that's the chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed it. I will tell you guys now…REMEMBER THIS COURT CASE! It will be a CRITICAL part of the sequel. Anyways, thanks for reading, and don't forget to review. I like receiving feedback to sharpen my writing skills.