Rei Ryghts: Ace Attorney
The Dead Thief's Turnabout
By Derald Snyder
Investigation- Day 1
August 16, 1:37 PM
Leanbox Basilicom
Chika's Old Room
Rei sighed as she flopped on the bed, finally finished unpacking. (Too much excitement for one day... At least I didn't have to do something drastic like transform this time...) She'd been run ragged with questioning from the police that were investigating the shooting incident, even though she'd hardly seen anything... Thankfully Vert had managed to rein them in somewhat.
As for Adrian, he promptly handed over his assault rifle to the authorities, and promised to co-operate as he was taken down to the police station for further questioning. Rei didn't think he'd get in too much trouble- despite denying having pulled the trigger that ended Klept O. Maniac's life, the lawyer doubted that any jury would convict him... (Heck, they might even thank him for stopping that menace from plaguing the streets any longer...)
The door then opened, Vert walking in. "Hello, Rei. Have you settled in? I hope you don't mind using Chika's old room..."
"I-it's fine," Rei nodded. "I'm just glad I got my badge back..." As she said this, her hand subconciously fingered her attorney's badge, once again pinned to her lapel. To her, it wasn't just proof of her having passed the bar exam, but also proof of her resolve to be a better person... "By the way, h-have you heard anything about Adrian...?"
"I'm afraid not," the blonde goddess sighed. "To be honest, I'd logged on to my 4GO account, to check in with my guild, and it ended up slipping my mind... Thankfully, they hadn't started a raid or anything, else I would've been occupied for hours..."
(Why am I not surprised?) Rei sighed internally, before speaking aloud, "W-well, maybe you should c-call the p-police station or s-something...?"
Vert blinked as she remembered something. "Actually, now that you mention it, the detective heading the investigation gave me his card with his phone number..." Checking her pockets, she found what she was looking for. "Ah, here we are... Detective Eddie Green, number 655-2208..." She took out her mobile device and dialed. "...hello, Detective Green? It's Vert, the CPU... I was just curious about how your investigation was coming along... Will Adrian be released soon?" Vert's eyes went wide as information was conveyed to her. "Wait, what? He's been arrested? Court-martial? Excessive force?!" Her face contorted in frustration. "Detective, slow down! I can't understand you!" She heaved a sigh. "Listen, how about I come down to the precinct, and you can explain things face-to-face? ...Very well. Good bye." She hung up. "I don't believe this..."
Rei frowned. "Excessive force? I th-thought the thief was j-just shot dead... how is th-that excessive?"
"I don't understand either," Vert sighed. "But that's not Adrian's style at all... he only ever uses just enough force to subdue an enemy, even when angry..." She rubbed her temples. "I hate to impose on you like this, but could you accompany me down to the precinct? I have a feeling Adrian's going to require your services..."
"I knew it..." the bluenette groaned. "Just when I think I have a chance to relax, I'm caught up in another case..."
"I am truly sorry for this, Rei..." Vert shook her head. "I'd never imagined something like this would happen on your vacation..."
"It's fine," Rei sighed as she sat up and re-donned her shoes. "Fate just has it out for me, I suppose..."
August 16
Police Department
Criminal Affairs
Rei and Vert sat down in the interrogation room as they waited for the detective to arrive. The CPU had managed to hoodwink the police in the building into thinking that she was bringing Rei in for further questioning, in order to avert a panicked reaction from the officers and detectives... Rei herself had just kept her arms crossed and her head down, trying to look as non-threatening as possible...
Soon, the door opened revealing Detective Eddie Green... He was tall, but not stocky or skinny, his short, dirty blonde hair combed back, expressive green eyes set into a mildly handsome, youthful face, with an average Caucasian skin tone... he wore a white trench coat over a gray button-up shirt and dark slacks with gray shoes.
"Greetings to you, Lady Vert," the man nodded in respect at his goddess. "And you as well, Ms... Rights, was it?"
"Ryghts, with a Y," Rei corrected.
"Oh, ryght... I mean, right," the detective shook his head. "Um, anyway, Lady Vert, why is she here?"
"Well, she was a victim of sorts in this case, as that dreadful thief stole her attorney's badge," Vert pointed out.
"Oh, right, I see..." Green muttered as he sat down. "So, ah, you wanted an update on the investigation, right?"
"That is correct," Vert nodded. "And please try to speak more coherently this time."
"Y-yes ma-am," the young man nodded. "Ah... where should I start?"
"You said something about excessive force?" Rei supplied.
"Ah, yeah, that," Eddie nodded. "Well, according to the autopsy, the victim appeared to have been savagely beaten before he was shot... they found multiple bruises all over his body, mostly fresh..."
"That doesn't sound like Petty Officer Adrian at all," Vert muttered in confusion.
"Well, hey, I'm just tellin' you what the autopsy report says," Detective Green shrugged, as he pulled some papers from his trench coat. "I've got a copy right here, if you want to take a look..." he slid the papers over to the two women.
*Autopsy Report added to the Court Record.*
"Hmmmm..." Rei hummed as she skimmed over the report. "Wait , 'Rickard T. Hauser'? I thought his name was Klept O. Maniac..."
"That's the name that came back when we entered his fingerprints into the database," Green clarified. "I guess 'Klept O. Maniac' was just a nickname or something..."
"I see," nodded Vert. "Did they manage to retrieve the bullet that ended Mr. Hauser's life?"
"Yeah, they did..." the detective nodded. "The bullet appeared to be a .338-caliber round, though we couldn't find the shell casing for some reason..."
A sudden smirk crossed the CPU's face. "I see. Well, detective..." She stood up. "I'm afraid I have an... OBJECTION!" she declared, pointing her finger at the young man, causing Rei to bury her face in her hands.
"U-um, this isn't a courtroom, Lady Vert..." Green muttered confusedly, his eyes crossing as he tried to focus on the goddess's index finger.
"S-sorry," Vert chuckled as she sat back down. "I just had to say it once... Anyway, there's a critical contradiction in your evidence."
"What's that, ma'am?" Eddie asked.
"Adrian's assault rifle is only .30-caliber!" the CPU proclaimed in triumph. "The bullet you say killed Klept O. Maniac would not have fit in the petty officer's firearm!"
"Oh my gosh!" gasped Rei. "That means he couldn't have killed the victim!"
"Oh no..." the detective groaned in despair. "How the heck did I miss that? What an idiot I am... If only I'd realized that before the Leanbox Army took him into custody...!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Rei pressed.
"Do you mean to say the army intends to court-martial him?" Vert guessed.
"Yep," muttered Green. "And unlike civilian trials, it's the judge that decides the verdict in a military court-martial... well, here in Leanbox, anyway..." He looked over at Rei. "And if you're thinking of defending him in court, Ms. Rights, forget it. Only military lawyers are allowed to participate in a court-martial..."
"W-well, that d-doesn't mean I can't a-advise the defense or something..." Rei counter-argued.
Eddie shrugged. "Yeah, well, you'd have to ask JAG if that's permissible... I could drive you over there, if you wish..."
"That would be very generous of you, detective," said Vert. "However... I would actually like to go back to the crime scene, first. I assume the police are mostly finished with their investigation?"
"Pretty much, yeah... especially after JAG took over," Green nodded. "I guess you wanna make sure nothing was overlooked, Lady Vert?"
"Yes, precisely," Vert nodded. "After all, if there's anything I've learned from court dramas I've watched on NepTube, it's that even the smallest detail can turn a case completely on its head. Isn't that right, Rei?"
"Uh-huh..." the former goddess agreed. (I'd better start speaking up more often... if I'm not careful, Lady Vert might end up stealing the spotlight in this story!)
August 16
Outside Leanbox Airport Parking Lot
Narrow Alley
Rei wiped her brow from the humid atmosphere as she stepped out of Detective Green's car. Thankfully, it wasn't too hot out at the moment, otherwise it would have been unbearable for the goddess-turned-lawyer... (I've gotten too used to Lowee's chilly weather...) she mused to herself.
"My, I never realized how humid it was today..." Vert sighed as she got out of the car herself, Eddie Green holding the door open for her. The crime scene was mostly deserted, only a few officers still patrolling the area. Squinting her eyes, Rei could just make out the outline where the victim's body had been found down the alley.
"So, first of all, does the alley dead-end?" Vert asked.
Detective Green shook his head. "No, ma'am... it intersects with another alley at a 90-degree angle."
"So, someone could have potentially shot the victim and fled before Adrian got there," Rei spoke up.
"Maybe," the detective shrugged. "But they would have had to take the path going right... the left path was blocked off by a big garbage truck at the time of the crime."
"Would it be OK for us to walk down the alley to try and see where someone would have fled?" Vert requested.
"As long as I come with you," Green asserted. "And try not to touch the outline..."
With that, the trio started down the alleyway, Green in the lead, Vert in the middle, and Rei bringing up the rear, the latter two scanning the walls and floor for anything out of place. When they reached the outline, they carefully stepped over it, though the shorter Rei had to make a small jump. Eventually, they reached the end of the alley, which split into two paths, directly left and directly right.
"So, the right path was the one the true culprit probably took..." Vert muttered to herself as they started down that way... when the trio got near where the alley exited into the open street, they saw a puddle of water stretching across the way. And on the other side of said puddle...
"Look!" cried Rei. "Footprints! Somebody did go this way recently!"
"Well, well... it seems we were right after all," Vert smiled triumphantly.
"Boy, good thing for the humid atmosphere, or these would've dried up by now..." Detective Green muttered. "Of course, they're probably not good enough to match to any shoe soles..."
"Those are definitely female footprints, though," Vert pointed out, as Rei pulled out her own mobile device to take a picture...
(Sh-click!) *Woman's Footprints added to the Court Record.*
"We can probably assume that the woman in question is a tomboy, or at least tougher than the average woman..." Green mused. "After all, if the petty officer didn't beat the victim, then this girl must have..."
"A reasonable deduction," agreed Vert.
"Too bad there aren't any other clues to this woman's identity..." Rei sighed. "But this is better than nothing, I suppose..." As she looked out the alleyway to the right, however, she caught sight of a black-haired man, with a stocky build and average height, dressed in a slightly wrinkled business suit, carrying a black suitcase in one hand. He appeared to be looking up- whether it was into the sky or at the rooftop, she wasn't sure. "W-who's that?"
"Good question," muttered the detective. "Excuse me, sir! This is a crime scene..." The man turned to face the trio, his eyes widening upon recognition of Leanbox's CPU.
"L-Lady Vert!" he promptly straightened up and saluted. "W-what an honor to meet you in person, ma'am!"
"The pleasure is all mine," Vert replied smoothly. "And you are?"
"Steve Hauser, ma'am," the man replied. "Real estate agent, and former Leanbox military."
(Hauser?) thought Rei. (Wait, wasn't that...)
"At ease, soldier," Detective Green ordered, the other man promptly complying. "Might I ask what you're doing here?"
"Well, I *was* supposed to be getting on a flight, but the ruckus from this incident caused me to miss it," Hauser explained. "I heard a petty officer was arrested for the crime?"
Vert nodded. "That is correct, however, both Rei and I have my doubts about his guilt, which is why we're here..."
"Rei?" Hauser blinked in slight confusion, turning his gaze toward the lawyer... before recoiling as recognition kicked in, cowering behind his suitcase. "Y-you! Y-you're Rei Ryghts, aren't you?!" Rei could only sigh resignedly as she hung her head.
"Stand down, Mr. Hauser," Vert cut in. "Would I have her with me- unrestrained, that is- if I still believed her to be a threat to my nation?"
"O-oh, well... I-I guess not..." Steve said as he regained his composure. "My apologies..."
"C-could I ask i-if y-you happened t-to know the victim?" Rei stuttered.
The real estate agent again blinked in confusion. "What, are you an amateur sleuth now...?"
"A-a lawyer, actually..." The former goddess indicated the badge on her lapel.
"Oh, I see," Hauser nodded. "But what makes you think I knew the victim?"
"B-because his real name i-is Rickard T. Hauser," Rei pointed out. "Th-that can't be a coincidence..."
"I-is that right?" muttered Steve as he averted his gaze...
"Mr. Hauser, you just looked down and to the left," Vert interrupted, "that indicates deception. Surely you know better than to try and lie in front of your goddess..."
Hauser recoiled again, before shaking his head and chuckling. "I should've known nothing could get past you, Lady Vert... All right, I admit it. The victim was my younger brother, Ricky... to call him the 'black sheep' of the family would be an understatement." He looked Vert in the eye. "Believe me when I say my family did everything they could to try and help him... to no avail."
"I see..." the blonde goddess nodded in sympathy. "I'm very sorry for your loss, Mr. Hauser... is that why you were looking toward the sky? Were you praying for him?"
"S-something along those lines," Hauser heaved a sigh. "Hopefully his tortured soul is finally at peace..."
Detective Green then cut in, "Well, while I understand your sorrow, Mr. Hauser, the police are still investigating this area, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave..."
"O-of course, I understand," the black-haired man assented. "Well, if you don't think that petty officer did it, I hope you can find who did..."
"Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to bring your brother's killer to justice," Vert promised.
"Thank you, Lady Vert," Steve bowed in respect. "Good luck..." With that, he turned and left.
"We should probably be going, too," said Detective Green. "I don't think we're going to find much else here..."
Vert nodded in agreement. "Then, I suppose it's time to see Adrian... I hope he's holding up okay..."
August 16
Leanbox Army Base
Training Grounds
Vert and Rei looked around at the various soldiers doing exercises and hand-to-hand combat training, as they walked down the path to the main building... Eddie Green had dropped them off at the gate, claiming that he had paperwork to catch up on back at the office. A few soldiers ran up to the duo, causing Rei to hide behind the taller goddess...
"Lady Vert!" A soldier greeted. "Have you heard about Petty Officer Johns?"
"'Johns'?" Rei asked in confusion.
"Adrian Harold Johns," Vert clarified. "That's his full name... and yes, I've heard about what happened. I was there when the incident actually occurred, after all..."
Another soldier spoke up, "So you know that Adrian didn't do this... there's no way, man! No way he did the things they're accusing him of!"
"Please, calm yourself," the goddess commanded in a soothing tone. "My companion and I have already found some clues that may point to another culprit..."
"Your companion?" the last soldier asked, looking at Rei.
"H-hello," Rei waved timidly. "I'm, um, a lawyer and a friend of Lady Vert. N-nice to m-meet you..."
The first soldier shook his head. "For a moment I thought you might be that psycho Rei Ryghts, but that's stupid... I mean, she had two horns, you've only got one... and she didn't wear glasses either..."
"She's closely related," Vert lied smoothly. "But she has no desire to do what Rei Ryghts did... she merely wishes to restore her family's reputation by defending innocents from wrongful prosecution."
"So, you gonna be Adrian's lawyer?" the first soldier asked.
"She can't, man," the second soldier pointed out. "No civilian lawyers in a court-martial, remember?"
"I-I'm hoping I can a-at least a-advise the d-defense in this case," Rei stuttered out.
"Actually, we're on our way to see him right now," said Vert. "I assume you're all from his unit?"
"That's right," the first soldier answered. "We're all kinda upset at what happened... especially DeRommer! We texted him about what happened, and his response was basically, 'it's a lie, he didn't beat up and shoot anyone, that's not the Adrian I know.'"
"Who is this DeRommer?" the CPU inquired.
"Staff Sergeant Pelleas C. DeRommer," the third soldier answered. "He's closer to Adrian than anyone in the unit... er, not like that, though," he quickly corrected upon seeing Vert's eyes light up.
"According to what we've heard," the second soldier added, "Adrian lifted him outta the gutter and convinced 'im to join the army, to give him a purpose in life. DeRommer's been eternally grateful for that..."
"And on the field, those two are an unstoppable team," the first soldier put his two cents in. "Adrian provides cover fire while DeRommer goes in and punches the enemy's lights out! Even Rei Ryghts'd have trouble with those two!"
"I wouldn't go *that* far..." the second soldier muttered.
"S-so, just in case, wh-what does he l-look like?" the lawyer asked.
"He's about as tall as Lady Vert herself, in armor anyway," the first soldier answered. "He dresses in white armor, unlike most troops, and he wears a black-and-white helmet with an orange visor. Can't miss him."
"Course, he's off-duty today, so might not be dressed up like that..." the third soldier pointed out.
"Are you saying you've never seen him outside his armor?" Vert pressed curiously.
"Yeah, he's kinda shy like that," the third soldier sighed. "Doesn't help that he's pretty much a mute..."
"He suffered an injury to his throat that damaged his voice box before joining the army," the first soldier explained. "He usually communicates by texting... but he and Adrian seem to be on the same wavelength, even without words. Probably why they make such a good team..."
"I see," the CPU nodded. Just then, a well-decorated older military officer came running up.
"Hey! What do you soldiers think you're doing, harassing Lady Vert?! Get back to your exercises!" The trio promptly broke up and scattered to avoid the older man's wrath. "Sorry 'bout that, milady... hope they weren't too much of a bother."
"Not at all," the goddess smiled. "We were just talking about Petty Officer Johns and his partner..."
"DeRommer? Yeah, he's a good soldier, 'cept he can't seem to aim a firearm to save his life..." The officer muttered, before clapping his hands once as something occurred to him. "Ah, but where are my manners? I'm General Jeffrey Lawson from JAG. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Vert."
"Likewise," the CPU responded.
"S-same here," said Rei, nervously saluting. "Y-you probably know w-who I am, d-don't you, sir...?"
General Lawson focused his gaze on the lawyer. "Yeah, I know you... but we've got better intel than most. I know you're making an honest living as a lawyer in Lowee now..."
Rei breathed a sigh of relief. (It's a miracle... finally, someone who knows the whole truth about me for once!)
Vert cut in, "So, if you're from JAG, General, I assume you're involved with the investigation involving our petty officer?"
"Actually, I'm going to be the judge presiding over his court-martial," Lawson clarified. "Personally, I have a hard time believing he did this, but I have to remain impartial, so..."
"C-can we talk to him, sir?" Rei inquired.
"Certainly," the general nodded. "Right this way, ladies..."
August 16
Leanbox Army Base
Brig- Visiting Room
Vert and Rei took their seats at a table as General Lawson quietly gave an order to the guards, who promptly walked off to retrieve the petty officer... a few minutes later, Adrian was brought in, now dressed in an orange t-shirts and matching pants- the typical prison uniform- and with a pair of handcuffs on his wrists.
(He looks a bit shorter without the armor,) Rei couldn't help but observe... Still, he was about as well-built as could be expected of a typical soldier... his light brown hair appeared to have grown out slightly from the usual military buzz-cut, his black eyes focusing on the duo as he sat down across from them.
"Hello, Adrian," Vert greeted. "You seem to be holding up well..."
"About as well as can be expected," the soldier nodded. "Ms. Ryghts, I hope the rest of your commute to the Basilicom was uneventful?"
"M-mostly," Rei nodded. "I k-know I can't d-defend you here, but I was hoping I c-could at least advise y-your lawyer or something..."
"We've already found a few clues that might point to another possible suspect," Vert added. "Rei, if you could show him the footprint photo..." The lawyer promptly complied, turning her mobile device so Adrian could see it clearly. "These footprints were found at the other end of the alley, implying someone was fleeing the scene of the crime... most likely a woman. So, I have to ask, when you found the body, did you see anything beyond that?"
The petty officer bit his lip. "Well, now that you mention it, I do remember seeing some motion further down the alley... it could have been someone fleeing..."
"S-so it's possible someone c-could have beaten up the victim, th-then shot him and f-fled before y-you got there?" Rei postulated.
"Could be," Adrian shrugged. "I heard the gunshot right as I entered the alley, so whoever it was cut it pretty close..." He then sighed as he ran both his hands through his hair. "But good luck convincing the prosecutor of that..."
"Have you been assigned a lawyer yet?" asked Vert.
"Not yet," muttered Adrian, "Though it likely won't matter, given who the prosecutor is..."
"W-who's that?" Rei inquired curiously.
"Colonel P. S. Cutter. They call him the 'Undefeated Colonel of the Courtroom', and for good reason... he's never lost a case he's handled. Most military attorneys would rather surrender than fight him, if you catch my drift..."
Rei couldn't help but slam her fists on the table. "So, does that mean you're not gonna fight, either?!"
"Of course not!" Adrian shot back. "I didn't kill that guy! And I sure as hell didn't beat him to a bloody pulp beforehand!"
"All right, settle down," Vert ordered. "Getting hot under the collar isn't going to help us here..."
The petty officer took a deep breath to calm himself. "...You're right, Lady Vert. I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I just worry about how Peach is taking this..."
"Peach?" Vert blinked.
"Yeah, my girlfriend," Adrian clarified. "I met her at a bar a few years back... she's almost as pretty as you, Lady Vert, except she's a little more on the 'cute' side, although her personality is completely different... not in a bad way, though. Which reminds me..." he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small rose-shaped trinket. "She dropped this by accident the last time she and I were together. I was going to return it to her, but it looks like that's not gonna happen now... I don't want to impose on you, Lady Vert, but could you make sure this gets back to her?"
"I suppose I could do that," Vert nodded as Rei took the trinket from the soldier. Adrian then told them the address of his girlfriend's apartment.
*Peach's Trinket added to the Court Record.*
"'To my darling Peach, with all my love. AHJ,'" Rei read the inscription. "That's sweet..."
"Very sweet indeed," agreed Vert.
General Lawson then cut in, "Excuse me, but I'm afraid visiting hours are about over..." Adrian promptly stood up, Rei and Vert following suit.
"Just one more thing, General," said Adrian. "Is it possible for Ms. Ryghts to assist my attorney, whoever it's going to be?"
"Not directly in the courtroom," the general answered. "However, she could come in early before the start of trial, and give her evidence to your lawyer then, as well as share whatever theories she has about this case..."
"I suppose that's what we'll have to do, then," said Vert, Rei nodding in agreement. "But Adrian, do your best to convince your lawyer not to give up right off the bat, just because of this Colonel Cutter..."
"I'll try, Lady Vert," the soldier nodded. "Good luck to you and Ms. Ryghts..." With that, he was led back to his cell by the guards.
"Well then," said the goddess, "I suppose we should stop at Miss Peach's apartment to drop that trinket off, before heading back home..."
"B-but how are we going to get over there?" Rei asked, as they walked out of the brig together. "Detective Green's gone back to his office, so..."
"The same way we got to the police department, of course," Vert replied.
"O-oh, you mean... y-your HDD..." Rei muttered. "W-well, just t-try not to f-fly too fast this t-time... I mean, i-it's not like w-we're in a b-big hurry or anything..."
"Well, that's actually my normal cruising speed..." the CPU pointed out, "But I'll try to slow down a bit this time, for your stomach's sake..."
August 16
Apartment Complex, Third Floor
Peach's Apartment
Vert knocked on the door. "Hello, Miss Peach? It's Vert, the CPU... We're here at your boyfriend Adrian's request..." There was no response.
"M-maybe she's out?" Rei pondered. Out of curiosity, she tried the door knob, and to her mild surprise, the door was unlocked. "Oh, it's open... I guess we can go in..." Two ladies entered, seeing an apartment that was simple in design and decor, a TV and couch in one room, and a small table and fridge in the other... a small hallway led back into what appeared to be the bedroom.
"Miss Peach? Are you in here...?" Vert called as she walked down the hallway. Rei took a moment to clean her glasses off... Hearing a noise behind her, she turned...
...to see a tall suit of white armor, the helmet looking down on her. "AAIIIEEEEEEEEE!" the lawyer screamed as she fell on her rear end, scrambling away in fear.
"REI!" cried Vert as she ran back to the entrance, her spear at the ready. Upon seeing her, the armored soldier started frantically shaking his head and waving his hands, falling to his knees, before bowing down to the goddess, his helmet touching the floor. "Oh... I think he surrendered..." Putting her spear away, the CPU walked up to the man. "Stand up, please." The soldier complied, Vert noting that he had a black-and-white helmet with an orange visor. "Staff Sergeant DeRommer, I presume?"
"Mm-hmm," DeRommer nodded in affirmation.
Rei had managed to pick herself up by this point, walking over to Vert's side, though she was still shaking a bit after that scare. "Y-you should have kn-knocked first," she pointed out, as she tried to get her heart rate to calm down. DeRommer raised his arms in an apologetic shrug in response.
Vert then took out her mobile device, tapping on the screen. "I just sent you a text message... so just text back to me, so we can have a proper conversation. DeRommer nodded, taking out his own mobile device and texting...
'GREETINGS, LADY VERT. SORRY FOR SCARING YOUR FRIEND,' the message appeared on Vert's screen, the goddess lowering her arms slightly so Rei could read it as well.
"Apology accepted," the lawyer sighed.
"Why are you here?" Vert asked bluntly.
'I CAME TO OFFER CONDOLENCES TO PEACH AFTER ADRIAN'S ARREST,' the soldier explained. 'BUT SHE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE HOME, DOES SHE?'
"No, it doesn't," sighed Vert. "I suppose we'll have to come back some other time..."
"W-we talked to some o-other soldiers in y-your unit," Rei said. "Apparently, y-you d-didn't take the n-news well either..."
'ADRIAN IS A GOOD MAN AND A FINE SOLDIER. I OWE MY LIFE TO HIM,' DeRommer texted in reply. 'HE DOES NOT KILL WITHOUT REASON. HE MUST HAVE BEEN SET UP SOMEHOW.'
"If it makes you feel any better, we've already discovered that the bullet that killed Klept O. Maniac could not have been fired from Adrian's weapon," Vert assured him.
"I-if he's been set up, then we'll find the truth," Rei affirmed.
DeRommer nodded. 'I THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ADRIAN, LADY VERT AND HORNED FRIEND. I HOPE YOU INDEED FIND THE TRUTH.'
"M-my name is Rei, sergeant," the horned girl muttered.
"Anyway, we should be going," said Vert. "It's uncouth to be hanging around a lady's apartment when she's out, after all..." DeRommer nodded, putting away his mobile device, before saluting Vert and walking out.
"S-so, we're heading back to the Basilicom, then?" Rei asked.
"Yes, I think we've done all we can for today," the CPU nodded. "Perhaps we can relax with a gaming session before we retire for the night..."
"As long as we remember to set our alarms early for tomorrow," the lawyer agreed. "I don't want Adrian being convicted because we couldn't get there on time..."
With that, the two exited the apartment, to begin their trip home... tomorrow would be a busy day.
To be continued...