Chapter Sixteen: The Minute Waltz, Part One

Miles Edgeworth's Home

October 21, 2029

Later that evening, Trucy and Phoenix were sitting in Edgeworth's dining room, carefully avoiding getting ink stains on Edgeworth's fancy mauve tablecloth as Trucy poured over her laptop and Phoenix took notes on a legal pad.

"It's supposed to be a 'personal statement' for my Leadership and Management Class," Trucy was explaining, flicking through her files. "We took the Myers-Briggs test last week, and we need to use our results from that test to help form our statement, and to figure out what our strengths and values are." She gave the computer a harassed sort of look. "I'm not even sure where to start!"

"Well, let's talk it through," suggested Phoenix. "What did you get ton the Myers-Briggs?"

Trucy checked her notes. "Um…oh, here it is. I got 'ENFP, the Campaigner!' That sounds pretty neat, right? Apparently, the Campaigner is creative, enthusiastic, tireless and positive!"

Phoenix smiled. "That's perfect for you, then. I'm the INFJ, the Defender. I, uh, took the test online one night when I couldn't sleep. I don't really need it for anything."

"Oh!" laughed Trucy. "I love it! 'The Defender.' That's you for sure! Hey, what do we think Polly and Athena would be? I think Athena's the Adventurer, and Polly, he has to be…oh, I know, he's the Advocate!"

Maybe, mused Phoenix, we should have the whole office take a Myers-Briggs test, just for fun, or as one of those team-building exercises. Some company bonding that doesn't involve life-or-death situations actually sounds really nice.

"You're supposed to talk about your strengths, right?" Phoenix shrugged. "That' seems easy enough. You've got plenty of them."

"Heehee, Dad!" Trucy grinned sheepishly.

"What? It's true. Anyway," Phoenix went on, "let's start with creativity. What's one thing you've created lately that you're really proud of?"

Trucy beamed. "Oh! Well, I'm super proud of the new show that Maya and I are working on together. We're calling it 'Trucy and Maya in the Twilight Realm.' It's going to be a huge hit!" Eyes lighting up Trucy began typing a new paragraph about her show.

Uh, thought Phoenix, are we sure that that's actually allowed? Something tells me that Maya is going to get in a lot of trouble with her Khurai'nese teachers if they find out she's pulling a stunt like this.

Trucy, apparently noticing the look Phoenix's face, shook her head emphatically. "Oh, don't worry! Of course, we won't be doing any actual spirit channeling! Maya's just going to help me create a mood, an atmosphere for my magic! She's really enjoying it! She has a LOT of ideas."

I bet she does. Phoenix frowned. Well, as long as you two aren't ACTUALLY going to be joining the Twilight Realm any time soon, I guess it's fine.

Edgeworth appeared in the doorway, clearing his throat.

"Excuse me for interrupting," he began, "but we're ready, Wright." Then, noticing Trucy's laptop, he walked over and examined her work. "What's this? Ah, homework. Trucy, you've misspelled 'personality,' and 'innovative. It has two 'ns.' There should also be a hyphen between the words 'Myers' and 'Briggs.'"

Trucy smiled at him. "Thanks, Mr. Edgeworth!"

"Wright,' added Edgeworth, looking down his nose at Phoenix's notepad, "you've misspelled the word 'essay.'"

Phoenix flushed. "H-hey, this isn't MY homework! Anyway, you said she's ready? Great, let's do this." He stood up, gave Trucy a quick kiss on the top of her head, and then left her to wrestle with her personal statement.

Maya was sitting cross-legged on the sofa in the kitchen. She stood up when Phoenix came in, grabbed a plate of noodles off the nearby coffee table, and offered it to him.

"We saved you some," she informed him. "Man, those were GREAT, Mr. Edgeworth! I was way too hungry before, but I'm happy, full, and complete now, and ready to channel!"

As Phoenix and Edgeworth watched, Maya pressed her palms together, inhaled slowly, and then murmured something under her breath. Phoenix blinked, and suddenly the person standing before him was no longer Maya. Instead, it was an annoyed-looking freckled blonde woman dressed in Maya's clothes.

"Huh? Oh, it's YOU, that Butz guy's friend." Clara Kashun rolled her eyes. Then she noticed her own sleeve, gaped, and looked down at Maya's summoning robes. "What the heck? What am I WEARING?"

For a split second, Maya was visible again, looking startled, and then, just as quickly, Fi Kashun was standing there, shaking her head and clicking her tongue.

"Gross," she said. "This isn't even my color. What do you creeps want, anyway? Can't a girl be dead in peace?"

"Miss Kashun." Edgeworth cleared his throat. "I'm sorry if this summons has inconvenienced you, but I assure you that it's in your best interests. Mr. Wright and I are attempting to convict your murderer. Any help you could give us would be appreciated."

Again, Fi's face flickered, and Maya popped momentarily back into reality. Then, Clara re-appeared.

"Oooh," whined Clara sarcastically, "the big bad prosecutor needs OUR help now, doesn't he? Didn't seem like you wanted our help in court, did you? Everything we said was WRONG back then, but NOOOOOW you need us, is that it?" She snorted derisively. A muscle began twitching dangerously in Edgeworth's face.

"Please, Clara," begged Phoenix. "Please tell us. Did you see the person who stabbed you and your sister?

"No." Clara looked annoyed. "I didn't. Fi, did you?"

This time, when Maya appeared, she looked vaguely dazed. Then, Fi took over the body.

"No, I didn't either," Fi sighed. But whoever it was, they smelled, you know?"

Fi disappeared, and Clara returned. "Yeah, like…libraries, old books, mothballs and Bengay. Nasty!"

Phoenix and Edgeworth exchanged a knowing look.

Parker, thought Phoenix. I knew it! But…

"We showed up to the police station for more questioning," Fi explained. "It was getting really old, but whatever, we didn't want to look guilty, because…well, we weren't, so we put up with the extra interviews. We got there early, so we sat down in the lobby to wait for that one shabby detective, and I guess whoever it was came up behind us or something, and Fi screamed…and then OW! It all went black." She shrugged. "That's all I've got. Sorry. Clara?"

"That sounds like what I remember," agreed Clara as she materialized. "Only it wasn't really like 'ow,' it was more like 'AAAAAAAH!, what the FUCK!?" She grimaced. "So, you're gonna get this guy for us, right? Cause this was NOT how I expected it to end for me, and we are PISSED. Right. Fi?"

This time, Fi didn't return. Instead, almost as soon as Clara finished speaking, Maya was back, swaying slightly on her feet.

"Maya!" Phoenix hurried to her. "Are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Maya shook her head, then winced like she wished she hadn't. "All that back and forth and back and forth just made me really dizzy. I…I think I'm gonna sit down." She plopped heavily onto the sofa, holding her head in one hand. "So…did they tell you anything? Did they see the killer?"

Phoenix shook his head. "No…but they smelled him."

"Huh," mused Maya. "Does that help?"

Edgeworth's cellphone began to ring, and he hurriedly snatched it out of his pocket. "Yes? What is it? Have you found anything?"

Whoever it was on the other end spoke for a few moments, and Edgeworth sighed. Phoenix couldn't tell if it was a sigh of relief or of muffled frustration.

"Good. Yes, good work, Detective. Thank you for your diligence." Edgeworth snapped the phone shut and shoved it back into his pocket. "They've found the murder weapon," he announced. "A bloody knife, consistent with the shape of the wounds on all three of the victims. There were two sets of fingerprints, only one of them identifiable."

"Well?" asked Phoenix eagerly. "Whose are they?"

"The first set," Edgeworth reminded him, "are too smudged to be useful. The second set clearly belong to Mr. Noel Z. Parker."

"So, he DID do it!" Maya glared. "That…that murderous nosy parker! But…WHY?"

Phoenix frowned. "That's the question, Maya. Why? It still doesn't make sense. As far as we know, the guy had no motive to murder any of these women. Plus, there's the arthritis. He couldn't have killed Mrs. Butz, Edgeworth proved that already. There's something we're still missing."

"Operating under the assumption that the murders are linked," added Edgeworth, "then we need to assume that Mr. Parker, if he is indeed the killer, worked with an accomplice who committed, at the very least, the murder of Fora Butz. It may be worth investigating whether Mr. Parker is not a paid assassin, being employed by another to commit these murders. His bank records might yield some information on that score."

Maya, Phoenix, and Edgeworth looked helplessly at each other.

"We need more information," began Phoenix.

"We aren't likely to get it tonight," Edgeworth countered. "The police department is doing its best, especially in light of injury to one of its own. I strongly suggest that the rest of you get some sleep."

Edgeworth nodded politely, then excused himself and stalked up the stairs. Phoenix sat down on the couch next to Maya. From the other room, they could hear the sound of Trucy's enthusiastic typing.

I guess she made a breakthrough, thought Phoenix proudly.

"I'm worried about Nessa," said Maya.

"Nessa?" Phoenix thought. "Oh, you mean, the other bridesmaid from Larry's wedding! Why worry about her? She isn't involved in this case."

"That's exactly why!" Maya bit nervously on her lip. "She's the only member of the wedding party who hasn't showed up in this case yet. What if we're wrong, and the murders have nothing to do with the case? What if they're all about the wedding? What, if um…well, okay, how about this? What if Mr. Parker really wanted to marry Fora himself, and when he couldn't, he started killing everyone who had anything to do with her wedding to Larry, just for vengeance? A man scorned…"

Phoenix shrugged. "I want to say that's unlikely, but, honestly it's not any less likely than anything else we've come up with. Do you know where Nessa lives?"

Maya shook her head sadly. "No…we didn't exchange contact information or anything. She could be anywhere. I'm not even sure she's local to Arizona."

Phoenix felt a yawn coming on. Getting up from the sofa, he nodded.

"Okay," he said. "I'll let Edgeworth know. We'll find her, Maya. Don't worry, we'll do everything we can to keep her safe. Edgeworth's right, though, you should probably get some sleep. I have…honestly no idea what tomorrow is going to look like."

"Night, Nick!" Maya gave him a little wave. "I'll wait until Trucy's done with her homework. Please say goodnight to Mr. Edgeworth for me!"

Phoenix climbed the stairs to the master bedroom and knocked a couple of times on Edgeworth's door. "Edgeworth? Sorry, but can I come in? Maya just had an idea that I think you should hear."

"What? Erm." Edgeworth's voice was muffled behind the door. "Just…just a minute, Wright." There was the sound of quick footsteps, a couple of thuds and sharp tapping noises, and then Edgeworth's voice again. "Right. You may come in."

Phoenix opened the door and stepped inside Edgeworth's bedroom to find pretty much exactly what he'd expected. The curtains and the comforter were all pretty ostentatious, mauve and maroon. The half-open walk-in closet revealed that Edgeworth had not one, but several fancy trial jackets that he kept neatly hung up on black velvet hangers. There was a framed photo on the wall next to the closet of Edgeworth and presumably Franziska as children. Several other framed photos hung around the room that, for some reason, seemed to have been turned to face the wall. There were even a couple of standing frames on the fancy rosewood dresser that had apparently fallen over so that the photographs themselves were hidden.

In the far corner of the room, against the back wall was a sleek, black elliptical trainer machine with a maroon towel neatly folded and laid over the top of one of the grips.

Phoenix blinked. "Oh, I didn't know you worked out. I mean, wait, of course you work out, you, uh, look great, it's just…"

What a stupid thing to say, thought Phoenix, flinching. Sometimes you need to learn to keep your big mouth shut, Phoenix.

Edgeworth chuckled quietly. "I didn't until very recently," he said. "It's a relatively new addition to my daily routine. Was there something you needed? Something about Maya?"

Edgeworth was seated in his desk chair in front of his laptop and several neat but imposing stacks of papers and files.

"Yeah, Maya's worried about that girl Nessa, from the wedding party," Phoenix began.

Holding up a hand, Edgeworth forestalled him. "I'm already looking into it. It's possible that we're mistaken about the connection between the victims, in which case Ms. Nessa may very well be in danger, or worse. Unfortunately, Larry doesn't even know her last name." He sighed wearily.

Phoenix frowned at him. "I thought you said that you were going to bed."

"Impossible," mumbled Edgeworth, grimacing. "How could I sleep? Detective Gumshoe is fighting for his life as a result of this case. I must do SOMETHING to assist him. There is something in these investigation notes that I've missed, and I intend to find it. In his absence, he is relying on me to get this right."

Take your own advice, Edgeworth, thought Phoenix. Weren't you the one who said we weren't going to make any more progress tonight?

"Yeah," agreed Phoenix, "and I'll help you…in the morning. You're exhausted. I'll tell you the same thing I tell Trucy; if you don't' rest your brain, it can't perform for you."

Edgeworth gave Phoenix a doubtful look. "You are hardly one to lecture either Trucy or myself on the value of rest."

Phoenix shrugged. "Well, maybe we can all stand to take some good advice. Listen, Gumshoe's going to need you at your best. So…give him your best, in the morning."

For a moment, Edgeworth was silent, still gazing almost angrily at the papers on his desk.

"I can't sleep," he managed eventually, very quietly. "When I shut my eyes, Wright, all I can see is the blood spatter on Detective Gumshoe's chest. He trusted us. He trusted me, and I-!"

"-then you have to believe in him," interrupted Phoenix gently. "Believe that he can win this fight. Luckily, he's not alone. He has you, and all of us."

Phoenix put a hand on Edgeworth's shoulder, and Edgeworth unexpectedly leaned his head against that hand, closing his eyes and turning his cheek to rest against the backs of Phoenix's fingers. Phoenix's heart twisted in his chest. Then Edgeworth turned in his chair, lifted Phoenix's hand and held it to his lips, kissing Phoenix's palm. Phoenix felt his face heating up while a pleasant little shiver went down his spine.

"Um," he mumbled. "hey, listen, Edgeworth…no pressure, but if you want, I can stay. Tonight, I mean."

Edgeworth shook his head. "I…I admit I would like that, but I'm afraid that, in light of today's events, I won't be much use to you this evening."

"Use?" It took Phoenix a moment to realize what Edgeworth was saying. As the penny dropped, he widened his eyes and gaped at Edgeworth. "Wait, OBJECTION! That wasn't what I meant! I…yikes, I really don't like the way you phrased that. Is that what you think this is, that I…that we…?"

Edgeworth gave Phoenix a tired, melancholy look. "I sincerely apologize," he muttered. "I seem to have chosen my words poorly."

"No, no…it's okay." Phoenix exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down. "I shouldn't have lost it like that. I'm sorry, I guess we're all on edge."

They spent a moment in awkward silence. Edgeworth released Phoenix's hand and turned unhappily back to his work.

Phoenix slipped off his shoes, tucked them neatly against the side of the desk, and sat down on Edgeworth's bed.

"Come on, Miles," he said. "You need to sleep."

Edgeworth stared at Phoenix for a moment, swallowed, and then stood up slowly. He took off his own shoes and socks, stashed them next to Phoenix's, and climbed into bed beside him.

"Wright," began Edgeworth. Phoenix kissed him softly, cutting him off. Then he switched off the bedside light, pulled the comforter up over them both, tucked his arms around Edgeworth, and closed his eyes.

In the darkness, Phoenix listened to the sound of Edgeworth's breathing, Gradually, as Edgeworth's heart stopped racing and he began to relax, his breathing slowed until he was curled up on the bed beside Phoenix, apparently asleep.

I believe in you, Miles. It's going to be alright, thought Phoenix vaguely, as he, too, drifted off to sleep.