Day 5
Once again, von Karma knew who today's visitor would be, but he did not recognise the name: Ray Shields. Apparently he was a defense attorney, though von Karma had never faced him in court. It couldn't be any worse than yesterday's ordeal, Manfred thought to himself.
He was watching the man walk down the hallway towards his cell now. He was wearing a fedora slightly tilted to the right, and thick bushy hair stuck out from underneath it. Manfed didn't notice any grey hairs, but Raymond Shields still had an air of wisdom about him, so he estimated the man was in his mid to late 30's. He was wearing a brown shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and a blue tie. No jacket, which was strange considering the current season. He also had a sly grin on his face that Manfred didn't care for.
Shields reached the cell, turned to face von Karma, and stuck his arms out. Said nothing.
''What are you doing?'' von Karma asked
''Waiting for a hug.'' Shields responded coolly.
''...''
''...''
Manfred was starting to reconsider that thought about Shields being wise.
''Don't you see the bars?'' Manfred said, nodding his head towards them.
''Oh, right! My bad, it's just my way of saying hello and I'm so used to doing it.'' Raymond said, laughing a little at himself.
''What are you doing here, Mr Shields? I don't even know you.''
''Please, call me Ray. And I'm surprised, Mr. von Karma. I know it's been a while but I didn't you'd forget this handsome face.''
''Enlighten me.''
''Ah well, maybe you'll remember this name: Gregory Edgeworth.''
Now that was a name von Karma knew. Edgeworth. That name was the reason he was on death row! But how was this man related to Gregory? Why, by the time of DL-6, he must've only been a teenager, most likely not even an attorney yet. An assistant, perhaps, but...
... and that's when the dots connected in Manfred's mind.
''You were Gregory's legal assistant in the IS-7 case, which occurred directly before DL-6.'' It wasn't a question.
''Bingo! Ah, IS-7, now THAT brings back memories. It was a hell of a case, eh von Karma? Of course, you had to cheat to win in the end, but-''
''I DID NOT CHEAT!'' von Karma roared, knocking his chair aside as he stood up. He didn't care for this man or how he was dredging up memories of the only case where he received a penalty.
''What, not gonna admit it? They never found the body, you know. Who else could've hidden it but you? And I hear that's not the only time you bent the law to keep your precious win record.''
''I have no idea what happened to the body.'' von Karma replied. He was fuming. That was one of the few occassions where he HADN'T tampered with evidence and it was the one he got blamed for! And it was all Gregory's fault. If he hadn't pushed so hard for a Not Guilty verdict, the case would've been over with quickly and none of this would've happened.
''Okay, let's assume you didn't mess with evidence.'' Ray said, disrupting von Karma's train of thought, ''But you did kill Gregory, didn't ya? That newbie attorney lawyer proved it and that's why you're stuck in jail now.''
Manfred was silent. There was no disputing this.
''I want you to know that I'll be re-investigating IS-7.'' Ray informed him. His voice was icy now. ''And I'll be proving that our client, who's been imprisoned for over 15 years now, was innocent all along. Which will put another dent in your perfect record. But I hear you'll be going to hell soon, so you won't get to see it. That's a shame.''
Both men were silent for a long moment. And then, Ray took his fedora off and asked the big question,
''Are you even sorry what you've done? For killing Gregory? For trying to pin the crime on his son?''
Manfred von Karma had thought long and hard about this. Of course if he hadn't devised that plan then he would still be a free man, and technically still a perfect prosecutor. But even so.
''No.''
He couldn't be sorry. He couldn't regret any of it. He was perfect and the Edgeworth family had ruined that, so they had to be punished. It would go against everything he stood for if he apologised for his actions now.
''I see.'' Ray said quietly. He put the fedora back on, this time tilted to the left. Manfred wasn't sure why he noticed such an odd detail.
''Well, it's been... nostalgic seeing you again. You may be an evil man, but for what it's worth, I hope you find peace in the afterlife. I know that's what Gregory would want, anyway.''
Ray turned away, and returned down the corridor. Manfred was left standing there, confused by these last words of compassion. Why would Gregory want him to find peace, after what he had done to him and his son? It made no sense to von Karma. And it never would.
