Phoenix, Apollo, and Lin had entered the defendant's lobby, with Lin breathing out a sigh of relief. "It seems you are on the right path Mr. Wright."

Phoenix chuckled. "Maybe…but…even if they're the ones responsible for this murder, proving it is another issue, not to mention…"

"Mention what?"

"It's…nothing really. Just a hunch I have. What we should be focusing on is what they're going to say after the recess is over. Their testimony could be the key to your salvation."

Apollo nodded. "And we need to take a closer examination of that video. As you said boss, the video could have been edited to frame Lin. If we can prove that in court, even if their testimony is damning, it wouldn't be the end of the trial."

Phoenix nodded. "That is true. That video, once reverted back to the way it was originally, could reveal the real killers."

Lin smiled. "Looks like we have a couple of aces up our sleeves then."

Phoenix chuckled. "Let's hope we play those aces at the right time."

The courtroom quieted down as the judge banged his gavel. "Court is back in session. Ms. Lawson, have you prepared the two witnesses?"

"I have, your honor. They're…eager to prove their innocence"

I really don't like the sound of that.

The judge nodded. "Bring them back in."

Marvin and Clarissa walked back up to the witness stand. The judge banged his gavel. "Witnesses, please tell the court about your reasoning for calling the police."

"Hmph, fine!"

"We may be anarchists, but even we wouldn't leave a body in the middle of a park." "We showed our disdain as we called the police to let them know. We wanted to leave but were forced to stay."

The judge nodded. "I see. So because you didn't want to leave a body in the middle of the park is the reason?"

Clarissa nodded. "Yeah, it was. Even we don't want to have little kids see a dead body when they go to play."

The judge banged his gavel. "I see. Mr. Wright, your cross-examination please."

"We may be anarchists, but even we wouldn't leave a body in the middle of a park—"

"Hold it! Even if you held hatred for that person?"

"Yes. We do think about how our actions can affect others. If we left him out there, an innocent child could be the one to discover the body. We weren't going to let that happen."

So they turned from "not following any rules no matter what you say" to "think about the children." Must have been Melissa's doing. Nothing I can do about it though.

"We showed our disdain as we called the police to let them know—"

"OBJECTION!" Phoenix pointed towards Marvin, who was the one speaking at the time. "Mr. Relens, I'm afraid you just showed a contradiction in your statement."

"What do you mean?"

"You're positively sure you 'showed your disdain' to the police when you called them?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Then, why is it according to the lead detective that the caller was unusually calm?"

Marvin didn't say a word. "I would think that being calm while calling an organization you hate would be…well…odd. Wouldn't you agree Ms. Lawson?"

"…yes, I do agree. However, it seems we need to…reevaluate the detective's salary after the trial is over."

"What do you mean?"

Theodora took out a tape recorder and placed it on the desk. "This is the recording of the call to the police. I would like the members of the court to listen to the recording."

The bailiff took the recorder and set it up to the speakers in the courtroom. After pressing play, a cackling sound permeated the room, followed by a voice. "911 what is your emergency?"

"I'd like to report a murder."

"What is the address for this murder?"

"Don't you cops have the ability to track my phone? Why aren't you doing that? All you're doing is wasting taxpayers dollars by not doing your job."

"Sir, just tell me what the address is."

"Fine, we're at Buckskin Park, near the restrooms. The body is laying near the building."

"Anything else we should know?"

There was a loud sigh. "No, there isn't, there's just a body, nothing else."

"Okay, please stay there until the police arrive."

"Why? I reported a murder. My job is done."

"You are a witness sir. Please stay near the body until the police arrive."

"Fiiiine, but I expect to be paid for having to wait here."

The recording stopped. Theodora looked at Phoenix. "Well? Doesn't that prove he showed disdain for the police?"

Phoenix smirked. "Yeah, it does, but it also aids me as well."

"What are you talking about?"

"We already know my client was unconscious when the crime was reported, supposedly right after he committed the murder."

"Yeah, what of it?"

Phoenix turned to the bailiff. "Can you replay the recording? However, stop when I tell you to."

The bailiff nodded as he pressed play. Phoenix listened until they reached to the point he wanted. "Pause it."

The bailiff paused the recording. "I want the members of the court to listen to what Marvin said. Please resume the recording."

The bailiff nodded and resumed the recording. "No, there isn't, there's just a body, nothing else."

"Stop!" The recording stopped as Phoenix looked at the judge. "Your honor, what did you hear?"

"I heard that there was only a body."

"Nothing else, correct?"

The judge nodded. "Yes."

"Now, how is that possible since my client was unconscious right next to the victim?"

Marvin and Clarissa glared at Phoenix. Phoenix slammed on the desk. "The testimony of these two 'witnesses' is nothing more than a sham!"

The crowd burst into chatter as the judge banged his gavel. "Order! Order! Mr. Wright, why would the witnesses lie?"

Phoenix closed his eyes, thinking. The obvious answer would be to say that they're trying to cover up their murder, but by saying there was just a body, it would incriminate them more. The only other reason I can think of…

Phoenix sighed. "I believe I do need to make an apology to the two of you. I thought you were the murderers, but you weren't the ones who killed the victim."

Theodora cautiously glared at Phoenix. "What are you up to Wright?"

Phoenix smirked. "While they may not be the murderers, they DID however help the murderer."

The judge furrowed his forehead. "What do you mean Mr. Wright?"

"They were indeed witnesses, however, their second story differs from what they originally told the police. The first story, with there only being a body, was correct at the time of the statement."

"But the defendant was found next to the victim."

"Yes, but as you know, there was a couple minute gap between the police arriving and the 911 call. During those couple minutes, the real killer planted my client next to the victim, helping to incriminate him."

The crowd burst out into chatter again. "ORDER! Mr. Wright, you're saying they're accomplices to the murderer?"

"I am. They would be willing to help the murderer because he was a cop killer. However, during the call, the killer hadn't yet finished framing my client. When he was finished, they were spoon fed what to say to the police afterwards."

Theodora started to laugh. "That's a….unique story Mr. Wright. You ever considered a career as a novelist? I'm sure with your imagination, you would sell millions."

"Except it's not my imagination, but what actually happened."

"Oh? Then, why does this security recording show the killer strangling the victim? Why does it show the defendant collapsing next to the victim?"

Phoenix smirked. "Because the recording was doctored of course."

"And I assume you have proof, right?"

Phoenix shook his head. "No, I don't, but if the court would let an unbiased person examine the recording, they would prove me correct."

"And the forensics team wouldn't be unbiased?"

Phoenix shook his head. "No, they wouldn't. A detective was murdered, a detective they probably knew. They would want someone, anyone, to take the fall. Now, if we were to randomly select someone who is proficient in video editing, that person would be able to make an unbiased analysis."

The judge nodded. "Indeed it would. I am hereby extending the trial by a day. Ms. Lawson, you and Mr. Wright are to both decide on who to send the recording. I would also like to have these two witnesses testify again tomorrow as well, so incarcerate them to prevent them from fleeing."

Theodora nodded. "As you wish."

"That is all. Court is adjourned."