Summary:
The day of court commences and Miles learns more about Ruby and Fiona.
Notes:
Found a way to add in the court without repeating too much information and keep it flowing.
Ruby's Story
Friday August 12th 2016 – 2:07 AM
'It all began when the sisters, each running an important part of a fringe radical newsletter, investigated White of Bluecorp. Many people caught on to Bluecorp's schemes over the years . . . most of them found their lives ruined as reward. Ruby, Fiona, and Ursula were three such people.
Ursula, known as Ursea to her sisters, was a talented reporter and author. Fiona was the publisher and managed their website and equipment. And Ruby was the photographer. They each had a vital role in their newsletter and had a cult-like following.
They competed with local news and would give a varying belief, backed with facts and proof, on the broadcasted channels. It showed how modern sensationalism ruined what should have been the spread of open information, instead of twisted lies and fearmongering… Well, that's how they viewed media, anyway.
Once White retaliated he found Ursea with a rookie detective. A man who wanted to use their findings in an investigation that would soon be cut short. He was betrayed by the prosecutor he had been assigned to. The prosecutor must have had a contract on him – some blackmail or another over his head.
Ruby wanted to keep fighting. Fiona chose to run away. Their newsletter vanished as quickly as the Ursea's murder case was swept under the rug. An innocent man is imprisoned and a corrupt one is left to play king over a city that knows no better.'
As Miles read the last of the document, unable to fall asleep, he could tell that Phoenix had a flair for the dramatic even in his case notes. Speaking of flaring, Miles noticed that Phoenix did not show a driver's liscence and that all forms of identification had a similar bright flare in the picture. There was a white streak down what appeared behind Phoenix in his American photographs, and a flash on his torso in the French one. Peculiar enough to make Miles want to ask Phoenix about it when they next have a chance to talk about frivolities.
The Bluecorp notes all required a password to access them, even after the main laptop had been opened. The files marked with different codes required a different password, though Phoenix did not provide it. Feed from the house went to the laptop; feed from the glasses went to the phone, which were beside all the items Phoenix left for Miles' use in the upcoming trial. Phoenix transferred all of the phone feed to the laptop, however, for convenience.
Laptop password: $ muRa1
File access password : 81u3c0Rp
Unrelated Files : ?
Phone access swipe+pin (a two-step verification unlock) : M , 1735
Even the one labeled with 'A connection to B' required a password not disclosed. If Miles knew what the first job consisted of, perhaps he could work out the password . . . he thought about tricking the information out of Phoenix later, somehow; that would mean Miles would have to be better at a verbal arena than Phoenix and have enough charisma to ask for it in a way that wasn't Miles obviously trying to snoop. 'C' files were the newest according to their date stamps – probably the one Phoenix mentioned but stated unrelated to Bluecorp and job A.
Miles double checked the phone for anything of use. He swiped the 'M' shape, then added the digits 1735. 'M'1735. Miles wondered if it stood for something, but never did grasp the 'making letters out of numbers' phenomenon that a lot of other children did when playing on a calculator. He was more interested in, you know, doing the homework . . .
Once he unlocked the phone, a backdrop on the screen instantly made Miles sigh. It was the one of Miles tricking Larry into baiting himself at Bluecorp – the one where he had a vindictive smile. Phoenix cropped out all the identifiers placing him at Bluecorp, but he could not help but find it hypocritical all the same. Besides, what was Phoenix's fixation on Miles' stare? He kept mentioning it – no, he seemed to enjoy bringing it up. Obsessive, much, Wright?
Once he was sufficiently sure that he had all of the information he could possibly need – and made an outline of his argument based on their argument from earlier – Miles decided to give his mind a rest. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Yes, he would drift off any second now . . .
What is a ball gag? He intrusively thought – he wanted to know since Lang made that offhand comment but did not want to ask. His own computer went in a low power state, but he could summon it if he needed to.
Miles brought up a browser and queried, 'What is a ball gag?' He instantly regretted it.
Search Results
Web results
Gag (BDSM)
Everything You Need To Know About Ball Gags – AskMen
What are the purpose of ball gags?
A gag is a device used in sexual bondage and BDSM roleplay. Gags are usually associated with roleplays involving bondage, but that is not necessarily the case. The person who wears the gag is regarded as the submissive partner, while the other is regarded as the dominant one.
There was an image of a woman with one attached around her face. She looked so distressed that it made Miles instantly exit the browser and question humanity's decision-making skills in the same millisecond. He then thought of Wright wearing one and it . . . was well-deserved for Phoenix and not at all a bad mental image, though he refused to take it any further.
He turned off the computer and laid back once more. He needed to sleep – if it only ended up being a nap, then so be it – but he had to loosen his mind and quiet his thoughts. Right now, all he needed to concentrate on was calming his overworked and stressed brain.
Wright in handcuffs and the ball gag.
If it were not for the fact that all the other members of the Edgeworth's Law Offices were asleep nearby, Miles would have let out a very disappointed grumble in protest to where his mind wandered. Phoenix was Miles' first friend – the first connection he had to someone his age. Larry came as a packaged deal, and Miles cared for him as a friend (willingly admitting it or not); but Larry did not have the same depth as Phoenix.
Miles may have defended Phoenix all those years ago as practice (he could not care much less for the missing lunch money, nor did he actually ever believe that Phoenix was the culprit – Larry), but he gained some perspective on how people react to being defended. It was rewarding. It gave him a friend. Many innocent people's lives could continue to move forward. Miles usually did not connect with people but knowing that his efforts bore something that powerful made him continue to ever march ahead. And it all started with mirroring his father and first feeling that sense of justice defending Phoenix.
. . . And after all these years of worrying and searching, Miles found him again.
#
Friday August 12th 2016– 9:00 AM
"Hey, Miles." Phoenix smiled in the defendant lobby. "Turns out having an alibi really does make or break a case, huh?"
"They freed you already?" Miles asked.
"Yeah. I feel a trap coming on, though. Probably best not to celebrate it too soon – they might still try to damn me for something else. I think they're bringing Ruby in soon." Phoenix said. "Where's the others?"
"Ray is confirming your timeline. Father is talking with the police about my car. Yes, I know, I should be handling that but considering I'm the lead attorney in the upcoming murder trial, he wanted to take some of the tension off of me. I do not want to use that footage of White breaking my windshield just yet – I do not want it to be known that it exists until after the trial."
"Smart thinking. Ah. Miles . . ." He saw iwho Phoenix reacted to. Aruna Purohit, the lead prosecutor with his pin displayed on his ceremonial clothing, made a visit to this wing.
"Mr. Wright." He said with a flat tone, then looked at Edgeworth. "Mr. Edgeworth."
"Yeah? Wait. I know you." Phoenix said.
". . . You are not the only one with dual citizenship. I believe we met some time ago, yes? . . . Interesting life you lead, Mr. Wright."
"I try. What do you need, Mr. Purohit? It isn't customary in this country for the prosecution and defense to meet before the trial." Phoenix pointed out.
"I am aware. There is something I wanted to bring to your attention. Something that I do not need for this trial. Consider it a . . . gift from when our paths last crossed, Mr. Wright."
Aruna gave Phoenix a phone and said, "It belonged to the victim. You should give it back to Miss Frost." He then left the defendant's lobby.
"Her phone, huh?" Phoenix pointed, "Let's take this into one of the rooms. I think we need to discuss something."
"Yes. We do." Miles agreed, then they locked themselves in a vacant room. "How do you know him?"
Phoenix sat on the couch and worked on the phone, "A case that closed a couple of years back. A giant human-trafficking ring, circling through multiple countries. Aruna's city was one of the major checkpoints for the ring leaders. Strange. He might have known I had a fake name, but he isn't INTERPOL, so he wouldn't have known that alias specifically. Probably."
"Ah. I take it that means he doesn't want to see you imprisoned?"
"Miles. I don't presume to know what anyone wants anymore."
"I see. Have you pulled any information from that phone?"
". . . It's locked. If we show this to Ruby and there is something on it that points to Fiona contacting White, I don't know how she'll handle it." Phoenix shook his head, "I need to get into this first."
"Or you could let her actions be known and not lie to Ruby? Is there any point protecting a woman who likely sold you out?" Miles retorted. "I understand there is prudence involved in this, as she is deceased and cannot speak on her own behalf, but Fiona made her choices. They almost killed you and they did kill her. Or, she did not take those pictures with the intent to do you harm, and you have yet to discover the true informant. Which is better for you at this point in time? A lie that might protect Ruby, or the truth that would protect you?"
"Whew. That's refreshing honesty if I've ever heard it."
"I am just saying, Wright, that it is time to air all of this out. We cannot afford to make assumptions."
"Fine . . . I will let this phone – hm. What is the likelihood that Ruby knew what Fiona planned to do?" Phoenix rerouted midsentence.
"She had no reason to conspire, if what you attested to earlier is accurate. Wright, between the two of us, we should be able to catch Ruby in a lie if there is one. What do you say? Up for a preemptive cross-examination?"
"Sure. If nothing else but for our sanity, right?" Phoenix laughed nervously. He had not shown signs of apprehension before, and they arguably went through a lot worse in the last 24 hours.
"When is the last time you slept, Phoenix?" Miles asked, having a hunch that lack of sleep started to cause instability.
"Oh, fu – probably Monday night? Before I saw you and Larry at Bluecorp and giving me a heart attack?"
"My apologies for that. Do you need some rest?" His eyes are heavy and swollen.
"If I crash, it will be days before I wake up. I gotta keep the forward momentum or I won't be doing much of anything."
"That is not good for your health, Phoenix."
"I know, I know. I know." Phoenix pocketed the phone, stared at the floor, and went awfully silent. A silence that he had not been capable of since their reunion. Miles sat down next to him and noticed the eccentric man had dozed off mere moments after explaining why he should not.
Fight it all you want, Wright. The body has basic needs – sleep is one of them.
Miles indulged in a few moments of listening to Phoenix's rhythmic deep breathing and closed his eyes. He felt the troubles that they faced slowly ease away and an atypical calm warmth enveloped Miles.
#
Friday August 12th 2016– 9:30 AM
A knock on the door woke Miles up. He realized he allowed himself too much luxury and fell asleep beside Phoenix, who was undisturbed by the noise. He checked the time and exhaled when he still had 30 minutes before the trial.
Miles opened the door and Ruby and Ray came in, escorted by a guard. "Morning, prince. Good to see you." Ray greeted. "Gotta go. You kids have fun."
"Hey, Red." Ruby said. The guard took watch outside their room. Ruby sat on the desk and eyed Wright. "He could sleep through a tornado or an earthquake, I'm sure of it. So, Red, got enough for today?"
"Yes. I am confident in that fact. Miss Frost, I have a question that concerns your relationship with Fiona."
". . . Kay. What is it?" She crossed her arms.
"Noise complaints. Several of them. You and Fiona were arguing, were you not? Can you go into more detail about the nature of your arguments?"
"Hmph. Why?"
"Motive, Miss Frost. I want to be able to counter that fact, which the prosecution will undoubtedly call attention to." Miles said.
"Tch. Fine. We were in a disagreement all week. That's all."
". . . Disagreement? About what?" How much do you know, Ruby?
"Fiona wanted me to move with her. I wanted to avenge Ursea. We were unable to calmly come to an agreement on that." Ruby said.
"Oh. So, Fiona was out of town until this last week, or was she planning to move away?"
"Uh. Yeah. Yeah. Sorry. She left town after Ursea was buried. Did I never mention that? Sorry." Ruby changed her tone rather quickly.
She did not want to let Wright know that Fiona was back. The only question now, is why?
"After Ursula was buried, you say? Did Fiona leave immediately after that, then?" Miles questioned. Your timing is a bit exaggerated, Miss Frost . . .
"Why?"
"I want to confirm Fiona's movements and establish a clear timeline."
". . .Yeah. Sure. Fi moved in . . . January 2016."
"So, she did wait a few months before leaving. Did she know Wright very well?" Miles asked.
"No. She avoided him . . . She left saying she didn't want to be involved in our suicide mission. She came back saying that enough was enough, and that I should abandoned my quest. But, how could I? How could I let Ursea's death go? And now Fi is . . . Is there a point to this? Why are you asking me about this?"
There is a definite breakdown in communication in all three of these people. Wright kept an eye on Ruby to ensure she did not get herself killed. Ruby was 'using' Phoenix – but did not realize he had been doing the same to her. And Fiona wanted it all to end . . . Just like Wright suggested.
". . . I apologize. Miss Frost, there is another situation I wanted to inform you on . . . the door to the darkroom was broken into."
"Well! White didn't get his hands on nothin' important! Serves that bastard right." Ruby said smugly.
. . . Strange. That reaction was not forced. She truly believed that White break it in, did she?
"There was nothing of importance that you were working on, then? What about Fiona? She had her own equipment, correct, if memory serves me properly?"
"Oh. Fiona had not been taking jobs for a while. She had no reason to go into the darkroom . . ." Ruby shrugged.
"Hmm. So, you never gave her the key, then?" Miles asked.
"No. I didn't."
If White only came to find and silence Wright, then planted the false weapon and escaped, he would not have had time to go snooping in the darkroom. That leaves Fiona . . . ". . . Understood, Miss Frost. I think that is all I needed to clarify. If Wright wakes up from his nap, I think he may have a few words to exchange with you."
Did White kill the wrong sister, or did he not care that he betrayed his informant?
Ruby stared at Phoenix and then said, "Oh, I am sure that one wants a word with me. I am not looking forward to listening to his sanctimonious bitching."
"In what way is he 'sanctimonious'?" Miles asked, though he could see it if he squinted hard enough.
"I'm pretty sure he's the reason that most of my guns were taken from me. I had to prove I wasn't dealin' 'em to get them back from the popo. It is my right to own firearms, and I will utilize that right."
". . . Ah."
"I bet you're the same way." Ruby scoffed, "After this is done, hopefully White will be behind bars. If not, I'm back to where I started. With much less to lose. Justice better be dealt, Red. I will revel in the day this State executes him."
Several decades ago, the death penalty was reissued for criminals of the most heinous crimes. There are many conflicting opinions on allowing the State to make this decision, but the Act had yet to be overturned. Despite the imminent threat of death, criminal activity has only worsened.
"Miss Frost, I cannot find fault in your desires, but you might want to lower your voice when you celebrate capital punishment. It would not look too good for your case."
"There's that sanctimonious BS. Well, you gotta point. I'll behave, for now, Red."
#
Friday August 12th 2016– 10:00 AM
Prosecutor Purohit and Detective Gumshoe supplied the details parallel to the one Phoenix presented. Miles and Gregory took the defense stand and mentally prepared for the dissection of the 'facts' at hand. Ruby sat in the defendant's chair, one leg crossed over the other and arms folded – completely closed off to the world.
Phoenix remained asleep in the defendant's lobby – Miles decided to let him rest and give him the good news when he woke up. He truly did all he could and was safe in the defendant's lobby – well, he should be safe. Raymond delivered additional evidence (a counter to the hypothetical if Purohit tried to change the time of death up several hours) and went to keep an eye on Phoenix.
By Gumshoe's words, Ruby's proximity to the murder site and the murder weapon made her the most suspicious. She then had ample reason and time to kill her sister. Miles quickly discredited the murder weapon and gave a compelling reason as to why – he did not bend it on his knee as Wright did, but the argument was strong enough without the demonstration.
That left proximity to the apartment left.
"Mr. and Mr. Edgeworth. Our murder weapon is questionable. It would seem that . . . Miss Frost planted the weapon in order to disguise the true weapon in hopes to incriminate Phoenix Wright. Would you agree?" Purohit said, then informed the court about the fingerprints found on the rod.
The Judge seemed perplexed by this. "Mr. Purohit, Phoenix Wright's fingerprints were found on the rod?
"Yes. But as the defense explained, that murder weapon is false. Miss Ruby Frost knew that the rod belonged to Phoenix Wright, and substituted it to deflect blame onto another."
"Then what is this 'alternative weapon'?" Miles asked.
"You were the one who found fault with it. Perhaps you should clarify to the court what your suspicions are of the weapon?" Purohit countered without a raise of his voice. He was monotone, even in the heat of the oral quarrel.
Why is he asking us? He saw through the phony weapon, too. Of course, only a buffoon could handle the weapon and not see its incongruity. Miles' eyes rested on Dick Gumshoe and it all made sense. If Purohit was limited to what the detective found, then of course he would not have had the time to search for the real weapon.
"Yes. He anticipated our breakdown." Gregory said. "This may pose a problem for us. Unless we shift the blame back to Purohit."
"Right. He supplied the false weapon. The burden of proof rests on him." Miles agreed, then addressed the court, "Mr. Purohit and Mr. Gumshoe proposed the rod as the murder weapon in the first place. The burden of announcing the weapon used by Ruby Frost, if such a thing exists, should also be on them."
"She did have a firearm on her person when she was arrested." The Judge stated as he read over the details on Ruby.
"And was this gun tested?" Miles asked.
". . . Yes. There were no traces of blood found on the pistol. She did not use it as the weapon." Purohit confirmed. ". . . Your honor. I request that we move on from the murder weapon at this time to listen to a witness. Perhaps Miss Frost disposed of it and we have yet to discern its location . . . In that case, we either need one more day to do another search or we can use a witness to . . . figure out the true weapon and its location."
"Phoenix mentioned he sensed a trap. I cannot help but feel that Purohit is trying to lead this somewhere else." Miles said to his father.
"We have a good idea of what the murder weapon is. But it is still too soon to tie it in to White." Gregory observed, "We need to listen to Polly."
"And have her mention her husband saw a man in a purple suit." Miles agreed. Carefully. One wrong move could set this entire delicate case ablaze.
The Judge addressed the defense, "Well . . . the murder weapon is an integral aspect of any murder investigation. Does the defense have any objections to moving passed this issue?"
"No. Your Honor. We would like to hear what this witness has to say as well. But we will return to this soon." Miles answered.
"Very well. Prosecutor Purohit . . . Who is your witness?"
"The neighbor, as well as the one who reported the crime to the police."
The Judge announced a recess while Purohit readied the witness, and Miles, Ruby, and Gregory discussed out in the hallway what happened in court.
"So. Rod wasn't the weapon?" She folded her arms. "What is?"
"We will get to that." Miles said.
"Ah. Keeping your hand close to your chest. Fine. As long as it gets me the win and then the win again, I don't care what tricks you use. Fi. Ursea. I hope you are watching."
Gregory met Miles' eyes, understanding that Ruby had no idea what Fiona possibly had done, and then smiled at Ruby. "Just know that we are doing everything in our power to expose the true culprit. It is delicate and we cannot speak of it too much."
"That's fine. It . . . hurts to see those pictures and to hear what happened. But I will not back down. And I'm glad you're not, either. Where the bloody hell is Wright? He should be here, too. Let's go wake his sleeping beauty ass up!"
"He passed out after telling me all that he knew. Why are you so intent on having him in the courtroom, if you do not mind me asking?" Miles asked.
"Uh, Red? This battle is long overdue. He's been an ally to me this entire time and I want him to see our victory."
Ally? Our victory? There is no way Ruby knew, is there? Maybe Wright is right about that phone. Maybe we should be more cautious when and if we reveal that truth to her.
"What's wrong, Red? You're even paler than usual."
"Oh, I was merely thinking about the next phase in court." Miles lied.
"Would having Wright with us make you feel at ease, Miss Frost?" Gregory asked.
"Pssh. I don't need a pacifier." She closed up again. Wright had barely slept this week. Ruby probably is deficient as well. We need to wrap this up so these two can start to find closure.
Ruby was taken in by the bailiff and Gregory said, "I think Ruby and Phoenix are both emotionally unadjusted people. It is a wonder how either of them came this far."
"Ruby and Phoenix?" Miles asked.
"Yes. Watch him closely over these next few months, Miles. He puts on a smile and acts like nothing will get under his skin – but as we close in on December, the truth will thoroughly break through all those carefully weaved fronts. His father may be set free and it will destroy part of him – part of that safety he did so well to build up. Ruby is the same way, right now. Learning the truth about Fiona would just be another enormous blow to her psyche."
"I have no idea how to approach this." Miles admitted, feeling both confident that Ruby did not know about Fiona and that Fiona did intend to sabotage Wright; and feeling insecure about broaching this topic, conflicting to how he felt earlier that morning.
The truth can be painful. What can we do to discover it without breaking them in the process?
