Chapter Ten

Kay had never been so tired in her life.

"Repeat your testimony. Now." the tall prosecutor ordered in a voice that wasn't quite a growl. Was he trying to be intimidating, or was that his normal voice? She couldn't quite tell.

"You've heard my testimony a billion times," Kay replied. "It's almost one in the morning. Can I please go home?"

"You will be released when your testimony satisfies me. Now recite it."

"Yes, sir," Kay grumbled, sighing to start it off. "This testimony is called "Investigating the Blackmail Letters".

"On January 1st, I received a job from the defendant, Mr Allan Block.

"He told me someone was blackmailing his wife, then gave me all the blackmail letters he knew about and his apartment key.

"My approach to the case was twofold: Using a contact inside the police force, I sent in one paragraph for handwriting analysis.

"Then, I took my assistant with me out to the Block residence, to search for any additional letters and/or contact between Mrs. Block and the blackmailer. Neither were found.

"As we were leaving, my police contact called me on the phone, confirming my suspicions that the handwriting was Mr. Gavin's."

Kay finished with a little flourish, giving Prosecutor Blackquill a small curtsy. He nodded, but didn't look impressed. "Good."

"Really? I'm done?"

"Yes. You may go. I expect to see you in Prosecutor's Lobby No. 2 at seven forty-five sharp. Good night."

Kay was stunned. "You don't want me to mention the Meraktis letter at all? The police found it, didn't they? And they made copies?"

"Do not breathe a word of it to anyone else. The little magician has received the same warning. I want you to be ignorant of its very existence."

The investigator shifted her legs, not liking where this was going. "Why hide evidence? I don't see how it would hurt your case."

He smirked, giving Kay shivers. "Oh, it won't. But if the rumors about the defense are true, I want to keep my blade in its sheath until just the right moment. The matter will only be relevant should she make it so."

Kay had heard about this. Simon Blackquill was a ruthless prosecutor who manipulated the chessboard from every side, ensuring everyone played along with his agenda. And he didn't need shackles to do it.

A lot of rumors about him had proven to be untrue in the last few weeks. Unfortunately for all the witnesses, the one about his insomnia wasn't.

He raised an eyebrow as she assessed him. "Well? Court starts early tomorrow. Did you not wish to sleep?"

Kay flinched. "O-of course. Good night, Prosecutor Blackquill."

"Hmph. Tell the guard waiting at the door to enter while you depart. He is my next witness."

Kay didn't respond, walking briskly and delivering the message as he'd asked. She could not wait to go home. She ran into Ema earlier: Trucy had gone first at her father's insistence, leaving before ten o'clock. Maybe they could compare notes in the gallery tomorrow.

She was almost out of the building when she heard it:

"Miss Faraday! A moment of your time, please."

Kay turned around, confronted with Ingrid Block in the flesh. She must have taken her kid home. The woman looked exactly as Kay had pictured her in her investigation and as tired as Kay felt. She had tear streaks crossing her face, but they'd already dried up.

"You're Mrs. Block, correct? I've heard a lot about you."

"That's right," Mrs. Block reached out a hand, which Kay shook. "My husband told me you did a wonderful job, tracking down my blackmailer. I had no idea it was happening."

As they were exchanging pleasantries, Kay took a seat next to her on a detention center waiting bench, cringing at its slight stickiness. "Really? Your husband never said anything?"

"Not until today. He claimed he didn't want to stress me out, but honestly? I wish he'd told me. I was ignorant to this whole affair." The defense attorney shook her head. "I should have known something had happened. My husband's never been so angry in his life. It isn't like him."

Kay nodded along, suddenly wishing she could comfort the she didn't know what to say.

"God..." she looked close to crying again. "I still can't believe it. The police think he did it, but Allan doesn't know why. Klavier refuses to speak to me. He said any trial the courts held would be a farce.." Mrs. Block took a deep look at Kay's face, eyes wide with emotion. "Do you know what's going on?"

Kay reached over to the woman, pulling back at the last second. "Not really. I'm not allowed to tell you, either. Prosecutor Blackquill's orders."

"That brute." The lawyer cursed under her breath. "He thinks he can intimidate his way to victory? He's in for a fight. I'm not scared of him."

"You're not?" That was a surprise.

"Of course not. I wouldn't have gotten very far if I let myself be intimidated." Mrs Block pinched her nose, exhaling. "I'll be interested to know, if he has a brain hidden somewhere. I've yet to see any of it.

"...You know, you're technically allowed to tell me anything that isn't part of your testimony," she looked at Kay hopefully. "Please, Miss Faraday... I have nothing. I checked the crime scene, but it's barren. Allan doesn't know why he was arrested. Is there anything at all you can tell me?"

Her eyes were so wide, so scared. Kay caved in seconds. But what could she tell her? It couldn't be something relevant to the case. What was no longer relevant to the case, now that her husband was the defendant? Oh! "Klavier was in charge of the initial investigation. He suspected you of the murder. He thinks you contacted the victim under a fake name, and that you transferred the poison when you visited Mr Gavin after Christmas. He was shocked when you weren't arrested."

"I... What?" she was close to shouting. "I did no such thing! I haven't written to Kristoph in over a year, and he knows it! As for the visit..." she tensed up. "This won't come up in your testimony?" Kay nodded. "I wanted to wish him a Merry Christmas. Nothing else. We were partners once, after all.

"When I got there, I realized too late that I wasn't ready to speak to him again. He'd changed too much. I said less than five words and left."

She was shivering. Whatever happened to 'no one intimidates me'? "Hey, it's okay. It's none of my business either way."

"Do you believe the prosecutors?"

"Huh?"

"Do you think me or my husband could have done it?"

Kay hesitated, standing very slowly. "I have no clue who did it. From what I've seen, the police don't-" Kay cut herself off. "Look, I really have to-"

"No, I get it. I need to get going as well. Good night, Miss Faraday. Nice to meet you."

Kay nodded, smiling. She left the detention center in a hurry, but remained unable to shake the feeling she'd missed something important.

Kay raced into the Prosecutor's Lobby, screeching to a halt when she saw the prosecutor. She couldn't tell if he was tired or not: the bags around his eyes looked just as deep as they were yesterday.

"You're on time, it seems. Wonderful. If all goes well, you will be the fourth witness on the stand, right after the medical examiner. Do you remember your testimony?"

Kay nodded, reciting the one he'd prepared for her verbatim. He nodded sharply, dismissing her. "Go to the gallery, and say nothing to the defense. Court starts in thirteen minutes."

He called me here fifteen minutes early to tell me that? Kay yawned, irritated at her lack of sleep. Which court was the trial being held in, again?

Oh right, Courtroom No. 3. They also happened to be using Defendant Lobby No. 6. There appeared to be no logic regarding which lobby or courtroom was assigned to which case, as normal.

"Kay!"

Kay had been about to enter the courtroom through the public entrance when, once again, she heard a shout from behind. It was Trucy, dressed in her magician's clothes and waiting with her father. She had a rested smile on her face, of which Kay was envious.

"Hey, Trucy. It's finally time for court."

"Yup! I can't believe it! This is my second time ever as a witness." Trucy smiled, then crossed her arms. "Though Klavier was the prosecutor for my first time. It was a lot different."

"I'm sure it was," Kay nodded along, stifling a yawn. Mr Wright noticed.

"What time did you get home last night?"

"Around one thirty. I was the second last witness on the list, but I'm testifying fourth. Not sure how that worked out."

Trucy put a gloved hand over her mouth. "Wow. He really did take all night."

"Trucy's gonna testify right after you," Mr Wright told Kay, a serious expression on his face. "I was there the whole time they were preparing her testimony. Blackquill's back to his old tricks for this case."

"I know." Kay sighed. "Still can't believe I had to show up fifteen minutes early- and wake up fifteen minutes earlier- just for the guy to take attendance."

The lawyer among them rubbed his chin. "I get it, to an extent. Prosecutors prepare their entire case before court starts. The only consistent wild card is the defense attorney, which they can't avoid. The best approach is to leave as few wild cards as possible, so your case can't be overturned."

"Because that's worked so well for him in the past," Trucy sighed. "I wasn't in the gallery, but Polly liked to fill me in."

"Hey, it's not Blackquill's fault all our cases were turnabouts." Athena Cykes walked in from behind the three.

"Yeah. Honestly, I hope this one isn't." Apollo Justice followed, hair spikes flopping over into his eyes. "I want this thing to be over as soon as possible."

"But I still don't get one thing," Kay admitted. "I didn't see the entire investigation, but the whole time, they were getting ready to accuse Mrs. Block. What changed everyone's mind?"

"I don't know, but Klavier was really upset he wouldn't be prosecuting, Do you think it's because of-"

"Court will begin in three minutes. May the gallery members and lawyers make their way into the courtroom. Judge Chambers will preside at eight o'clock, and no one will be allowed in when trial starts. Thank you for your cooperation."

Kay followed the instructions immediately, almost eager to get away from the group of lawyers. Did none of them have a case to be working on?

Trucy plopped down by her side, and there was a young woman in a nurse's suit on her left. She looked vaguely familiar, but Kay couldn't place it. As witnesses, they'd been instructed to sit in a special part of the courtroom. It was (supposedly) the only spots from which the defense wouldn't be able to see them.

"You ready for this?" Trucy had her gaze locked on Kay's face, focusing harder than Kay had ever seen her do.

Kay nodded. It wasn't the first time someone had put her on the witness stand. The first time she's done it had been for Franziska, in the trial of Jane Doe/Calisto Yew/Shih na. The second was for Mr Edgeworth, in the trial of Quercus Alba. She'd also been his witness for the trial of Simon Keyes, which had been her hardest one to date. But it had helped Edgeworth do the right thing, so she was happy.

But what about this time? Was she still doing the right thing, testifying against that bumbling, smiling man she's met on New Year's Day? He had a wife and child, both of which seemed heartbroken. She wondered if Ethan would he there to witness the trial, to watch as people accused his father of things he couldn't understand.

Probably not, she reasoned. He was a toddler. Mrs Block couldn't keep him with her on the defense's bench, or leave him alone in the gallery. He was probably at daycare, or with a babysitter.

What would Ethan think, if his father was found guilty? What would his life be like, if he grew up having to visit his father in jail? If his father got the death penalty, how would he ever explain that to his friends? His future wife? Their children? Your grandfather was killed because he killed a murderer who threatened to hurt your grandmother. How would be think about the law as an adult, knowing they'd taken his father away when he was too young to remember?

Trucy was still watching Kay. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes, and in that moment, she realized something. She understands. Trucy knows exactly how he feels.

Phoenix Wright wasn't her biological father. He couldn't be. What had happened to this girl, to give her an old soul?

The sound of the gavel struck her thoughts down, shattering Kay's focus. She turned to face the judge, with his beady eyes and white beard. She smirked, remembering the first time she's called the guy Santa Claus.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Allan Roe Block."

"The defense is ready, Your Honor." Mrs. Block spoke stiffly from the far side of the courtroom. Kay couldn't see her from where she was, but she was sure she had to be nervous.

"The prosecution is ready, Your Baldness."

The judge blinked in surprise. "Prosecutor Blackquill? Why, I didn't realize you'd be heading this case! How's your life, out in the world?"

"Hmph. My life outside court is irrelevant," he turned around, facing the defense's bench with a feather in his mouth. "The opening statement, if I may?"

"Oh! O-of course. Please, give the court your opening statement."

"Guess he finally stopped making the judge do it," Trucy whispered in Kay's ear. Kay sent her a look, warning her to be silent. Trucy sighed, shifting in her seat. She turned back to the prosecutor, who now had a bid resting on his shoulder. What the heck?

"The crime in question occurred in the local prison at exactly midnight, on New Year's Day. While the rest of the world celebrated, the prisoners sat idly. Years mean little to most in the clink. But for one prisoner, disgraced attorney Kristoph Gavin, 2028 meant the end of his life. He collapsed instantly from a lethal dose of strychnine. His guard declared him dead in minutes while the warden called the Chief Prosecutor for an investigation. While the initial investigation found little in the cell and outside forces tampered with the autopsy, the prosecution remains capable of proving decisively that the defendant is the only person with the means, motive, and opportunity to commit this murder. I would like to submit both the autopsy and this crime scene photo to the court."

Both pieces were quickly added to the Court Record. It didn't take long for the defense to cry out.

"HOLD IT!"

"Yes, Block-dono?"

"This autopsy report is inconclusive in several areas. Not only is it vague about the time of death, but it acknowledges several injuries and offers no explanation for when they were attained. And if that wasn't bad enough, they offer no insight into the victim's physical condition before death. And why is his skin stained in alcohol?"

"Why, that does seem very strange. Prosecutor Blackquill, what do you have to say to this?"

He sighed, all but rolling his eyes. "I mentioned this in my opening statement. The victim's body was transported to the medical examiner's office in the thick of New Year's traffic, where they suffered a nonlethal accident with a drunk driver and her friends. The alcohol and injuries came from the run in with another car, and have no bearing on the case at hand."

"Hm... very well. Anything else, Mrs. Block? ...Wait, Block? Are you by any chance-"

"Yes, Your Honor," she confirmed before he finished speaking. "My client is also my husband. And I do have one other question: why was my client arrested for this crime? Neither me nor my client have been provided with an explanation."

"Well, then, I suppose I must apologize." Blackquill's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Would you like me to explain the basic facts of the case for you?"

"The defense objects to the prosecution's demeanor, but yes. Why was my client arrested?"

"Why, I've prepared a witness to explain just that. May my first witness, the detective in charge of the initial investigation, take the stand!"

That was the cue. As Ema walked out from the shadows up to the witness stand, the man in a guard's uniform stood from his seat, exiting the gallery to wait his turn. Efficient system. Assuming nothing surprising happens.

The judge nodded to Ema, acknowledging her presence on the witness stand. "Will the witness please state her name and occupation for the court?"

"I'm Ema Skye, and like the prosecutor literally just told you, I'm a detective." She did not sound happy to be up there. Then again, she hadn't left the detention center until Prosecutor Blackquill released her. Which, from what she'd heard, hadn't happened until three in the morning.

"Thank you, Detective," the defense attorney replied evenly. "You're going to testify about why my client was arrested?"

"She will testify regarding the basic facts of the case," Prosecutor Blackquill answered for her, then nodded in her direction. "Begin when ready."

"Hmph," Ema grunted, stony faced. "Fine. This testimony was given the creative title of "Case Overview"." The court scribe nodded from the gallery, jotting down the title. And with that, the testimony began.

"I'd been attended a New Year's party when the call came.

"The Chief Prosecutor received the call right after the murder occurred, and sent Prosecutor Gavin and I to investigate because we were the first people he got a hold of.

"We arrived less than an hour after the murder. Strychnine was declared the murder weapon after a lethal dose was found on both the victim's hands and mouth. The cell was bare, so very few clues were found at the crime scene.

"After a three day investigation, the defendant was arrested for three major reasons:

"Firstly, the police recovered a video of him visiting the victim on December 30th. An argument ensued, causing the defendant to require restraint and an early escort out of the prison.

"Second, a half-full bottle of the murder weapon was found in his family's apartment. It was stashed away in the bathroom, with only his fingerprints on it.

"Finally, he knew the victim had been blackmailing his wife. In other words, he had everything he needed to be the killer."

That's... pretty decent evidence. Kay thought to herself. Then she remembered. Wait, what about the letter?

"I see," the judge spoke after a silence. "Those are pretty decisive pieces of evidence."

"Before the cross examination begins, the prosecution wishes to submit the visitor's log, murder weapon, and blackmail letters to the Court Record. I suggest you examine each carefully."

"Thank you, Prosecutor Blackquill. Mrs. Block, are you ready to begin the cross examination?"

"..."

"Excuse me? Mrs. Block?"

"I'm ready. Detective Skye, please repeat your testimony."

And with that, the cross examination started. Kay wished she could see Mrs. Block from where she was sitting. Something's not right here.

The defense attorney left the first statement alone, but chose to press when Ema mentioned Prosecutor Gavin. "Detective Skye, is it true Prosecutor Gavin was in charge of the initial investigation?"

"Yeah. The fop and I always investigate together." Ema crossed her arms when answering.

"So why is Prosecutor Gavin not standing in court today?"

"Simple. He told the Chief Prosecutor he didn't want to, due to this case's personal nature for him. Because of that, Mr. Edgeworth reassigned the case."

"And that's how I came to be here," Prosecutor Blackquill finished dryly, scratching his hawk under its neck while answering. "Anything else?"

"Yes. Prosecutor Gavin has a history of dealing with cases where he might face a conflict of interest. What was different about this time?"

Ema shrugged. "Ask him yourself. I'm not a mind reader."

"Your Baldness, this line of questioning is irrelevant to the case at hand. I suggest we move on."

"I agree with the prosecution," he judge banged his gavel once. "Mrs. Block, please continue your cross examination."

Press the third statement, press the third statement...

But no. Ingrid Block went on to press the fifth. "HOLD IT! What caused this early removal?"

From the defendant's chair, Kay saw Mr. Block hang his head. When Ema answered, Kay could see why. "He lunged at the victim, putting his hands around the man's neck. Apparently, he'd also been screaming."

"And do the police have footage of this?"

"No," Blackquill was extremely blunt about the matter. "It's custom for the local prison to throw out footage at the end of every year. They do this on the 1st, which is before the defendant became a suspect. Due to the timing of the case, we are unable to offer anything better than testimony regarding the matter."

"Of course you'd know about that," Kay just barely heard the defense mutter. "May I please hear this testimony?"

The prosecutor smirked, seemingly unaffected by her comment. "Of course. If you are ready to end this cross examination and bring in the next witness, that is."

"Wait! I still have a few more questions. Please continue, Detective."

Ema sighed, only just getting through her sixth statement before Mrs. Block pressed her again. "Detective, is there any proof this bottle contained the strychnine that killed the victim?"

"What?"

"Can the police prove how my client got the poison into the prison cell? Or explain why the victim took over a day to die?" she slammed her desk, picking up speed. "Strychnine is a fast acting poison. Victims show symptoms almost right away. If my client only came into contact with the victim on the 30th at... eleven forty-eight am. How did it take thirty-six hours for the victim to die?"

"I... don't know," Ema looked shocked. This caused the gallery to dissolve into gossip.

"See, this what I told Klavier," Kay leaned over to tell Trucy. "If they can't figure out how or why the victim ingested the poison, they're never going to win."

Clack! Clack! "Order! Prosecutor Blackquill, can you explain this?"

"Naturally. Block-dono is correct in her assessment of how strychnine works. Her first contention will be resolved in the next testimony. Her second? Irrelevant."

"OBJECTION! The prosecution is attempting to hide the hole in his case by disregarding key facts."

Blackquill laughed, but not for long. "Hole in my case? You've exposed nothing of the sort."

"Yes, I-"

"Tell me, what does this detail change? The defendant was the last visitor the victim received before his death. He is the only visitor with both access to the murder weapon and a motive to kill. Excluding yourself, of course. You're quite lucky to have never touched the bottle, Block-dono. Or perhaps it would have been you at the edge of my blade."

The defense stuttered incoherently, then regained her composure. "I have no more questions for this witness. She may step down."

"What?!" Kay whispered to Trucy. "No! She can't."

Trucy looked at the investigator, confused. "What?"

"She never found the letter in the cell! I think the police had already collected it by the time she was on the case. She doesn't know it exists!"

"Wait, the letter Mr. Gavin wrote to his killer?" Trucy gasped. "Are they not going to-"

"I guess not," Kay's eyes darted to Ema, watching as she left the stand. "I think... Prosecutor Blackquill is trying to hide the evidence."

"But he can't do that!"

In no time, the next witness was on the stand. He introduced himself as Alwayne Watcher, the guard of Solitary Cell 13.

"Trucy?"

"Yeah, Kay?"

"I think he just did."

A/N's: Well, this chapter is my longest one yet. Expect all the court chapters to be pretty lengthy. I promise I won't go too far over 5K, though. Personally, i don't like it when readers can't finish a chapter in one sitting. Personal preference.

That's the first portion of court, everyone! What the heck, right?

I'm a little insecure: did I handle the cross examination well? I thought it might be a bit redundant if I copied Ema's statements into the cross examination, but did you need me to put them next to the "HOLD IT!"s to understand? I can do that next time (or better: edit) if you want me to. Just leave a comment in your review below and I'll fix it.

I also want to make one thing clear: both Klavier and Blackquill are tied (along with Franziska) for my second favorite prosecutor. However, since this is from the POV of Kay and Trucy, they see things as they're happening and don't have access for the big picture like I do. That said, I would love tips on how to write Blackquill. He's proving to be a challenge.

Thanks for stopping in and for all of your support. Once again, I have no idea when I'm going to update this, so... See you on the far side.