Outside the Detention Center…

Phoenix scratched the back of his head ruefully. Viola had taken her leave at his insistence and had climbed into the limousine that had pulled up just a minute before. He knew she had already told the driver that their destination was Grande Azuro. All he had to deal with now was Edgeworth.

The prosecutor was still standing in front of Phoenix, shimmering with indignation and with his eyes bulging. He had not spoken yet, not when Viola and Phoenix had broken off their kiss, not when Viola called the limousine in, not when she had climbed inside and out of his sight. But Phoenix knew better than to assume that the metaphorical teakettle would not screech.

He opened his mouth, but Edgeworth cut him off. "What the hell was that, Wright? You cannot seriously claim to have feelings for her!"

Phoenix hopelessly shrugged. "I...I don't know what happened…..she said she liked me, wanted to be with me, she kissed me and, I don't know, I kissed back...I don't really know what came over me…"

"Obviously not!" Edgeworth crossed his arms. "I think you all of people would know if someone is trying to influence a defense attorney!"

"No! I know how she feels! I…"

"Do you like her?"

Phoenix was gobsmacked, but he made the strongest effort to reply. "I...I…"

"Can you imagine yourself in a serious relationship with her?"

Phoenix was silent again, but he finally answered without a stammer.

"Maybe."

Edgeworth scowled. "Unbelievable. A defense attorney should never be so close to his employer. Especially not an employer so deep in the underworld."

"As I recall," This time it was Phoenix who folded his arms. "It was you who said all those years ago that the only thing that belongs in a trial is evidence, and that anything else has no place. As of now, your evidence cannot prove my client is guilty of anything other than a break-in."

"Don't be so sure," Edgeworth seethed, abruptly turning on his heel and storming back inside the Detention Center.

"Don't be so sure…"

At Grande Azuro…

Phoenix stepped out of the limo first, and then Viola followed. She had not said a word throughout the drive, having sensed his uneasiness and having seen how he reacted to Edgworth through the passenger window. She did not even hold on to his arm, as she would have done in nearly any other situation. A part of him felt bad, strangely, but he knew he had to put everything he had into this meeting.

Phoenix looked at the building. Grande Azuro was just as he'd remembered it when he had first gone out with Viola. Small size, Italian flag. But there were a couple of new things about the place that Phoenix had not seen before. The first was a blue pickup truck, parked to the right side of the restaurant. The paint was scratched in several places to show the grey steel underneath, and the left rear-view mirror was cracked, with tape visible on it even from a distance. It probably belonged to Ms. Pane. And parked a few meters away from the truck was a police car.

As Phoenix came closer to the door, he looked through the windows. There were no customers. Just a single figure near the back of the establishment. He and Viola went inside to find Ms. Pane, wiping down an empty table. She was still wearing her orange monocle, she still had both her chef's hat and waitress apron, and her blonde hair was still falling to her waist. She was identifiable at a glance.

She wiped her brow, looked up, smiled when she saw the pair! "Hello! Today's off, but I'd love me some company!" She scuttled to another table, pulled out a bench and a single chair, and waved them over.

She was already seated at the lone chair by the time Phoenix and Viola came to the bench. Once all three were facing each other at eye-level, Ms. Pane opened with a candid tone.

"You've no idea how glad I am to see you. I haven't had visitors since you came here last time! The police have been watching since the...since the incident happened. Nobody else wants to come!" She chuckled into her hand, then regained her composure quickly. Phoenix opened his mouth before Ms. Pane could provide any more pleasantries.

"Ms. Pane, I have a few questions to ask you. It pertains to the murder."

Ms. Pane nodded a bit too quickly, Phoenix noticed. "Shoot."

The lawyer cleared his throat. "I understand that the victim, Formaggio Salsa, came to this establishment on the night of the murder. Why did he come?"

"Oh, you know how it is." Ms. Pane shrugged. "He told me that he was going to call his brother over." She indicated an old fashioned phone set into the far wall. "He said he had something to smooth over with him. An apology, but he wouldn't say what for. He also had a blue coat with him."

There was a pause as Phoenix replayed his memories on the court evidence. "Did he say who the coat belonged to? Or who it was for?"

"Nope." Ms. Pane smiled. "But I'd bet it was some sort of make-up gift, if you will."

Phoenix nodded thoughtfully, filed the information away in his head, and decided to ask another question about the evidence. "I understand the photograph of the crime scene came from this establishment?" Ms. Pane maintained her smile as she pointed again, this time to something behind Phoenix. He turned around to see a security camera installed high above the front desk. Next to the desk was a small TV and an ancient-looking video player set on a stand.

"Takes a photo every five minutes. Pretty handy, and it caught Napoli on the spot." She slouched forward, somber. "I mean, I feel for him, but...yeah." She looked up again. "Any other questions?"

Phoenix fumbled internally. He didn't know why he was asking, but he trusted his instincts for the moment.

"How did you come to run this restaurant?"

Ms. Pane's eyes became dreamy. "Oh, you know, it was my lifelong goal. Since I was six, you understand. My daddy said I'd be a great restaurateur if I really wanted to. I taught myself cooking and hands-on work…" she pointed to her chef's hat, then her apron, then held up both gloved hands. "I pretty much do all the work here myself. I'm an active sort. I actually just started the restaurant late this past year when…"

Ms. Pane stopped suddenly. Her lips began to flutter, cueing in to Phoenix that she was going to change the subject, but it was at that moment that Viola cut in.

"Please continue." The eyes of the younger woman bored into those of Ms. Pane, who eventually nodded and spoke once more to Phoenix. "I'm sure you know about Ms. Cadervini's accident last year, yes?"

Phoenix nodded thoughtfully. "Yes."

"What if I were to tell you that there was a first responder when the limousine crashed on account of that biker? Someone who could check out the accident? Someone who could make sure Don Bruto Cadeverini's granddaughter was at least still alive? Someone who could call the ambulance?"

"Whoaa…" This time it was Phoenix who stared. "You were there at the scene?"

"You bet!" Ms. Pane was beaming. "I was there, got help straight away. After Don Bruto was done with the biker that hurt his little girl, he told me he owed me a favor. When I asked him if I could have a small foodcart cart set up, guess what? He got this place for me! Furniture and food supplies and everything! My dream came true!"

Viola smiled sweetly. "Again, thank you."

Phoenix smiled too, but awkwardly. "I'm happy for you, Ms. Pane." He was not smiling on the inside. We've veered off a lot. Turns out what Edgeworth and the photo said still stands. Napoli was in the same building as Formaggio. The coat was here. Ms. Pane can't tell us a whole lot more. And there's nothing about the restaurant itself that is too suspicious. Just in case, Phoenix scanned the restaurant floor again. Then his eyes caught something.

It was a door painted white, set on the wall opposite from the entrances' wall and behind Ms. Pane. Out of the corner of his eye, Phoenix could see Viola following his gaze. He cleared his throat.

"If I may ask one more question, Ms. Pane, what is behind that door?"

The resturanteer's eyes narrowed just a bit. "Oh, that's the door to my personal rooms. I live and work here, you know." Phoenix scratched his chin. "Interesting. If it's alright with you, may I examine those rooms? I am obliged to investigate anything that could pertain to the case."

Ms. Pane gave a tighter smile this time. "I understand, Mr. Wright. But I'm afraid I must decline. It's an issue of privacy, you know." Phoenix stopped scratching. "There is nothing there you think we should investigate?"

"Nope."

Phoenix and Viola exchanged glances. Then Viola did something strange. She pulled out her cellphone and hit a few buttons. Then she put the phone to her ear.

"Excuse me, Mr. Chauffeur. Thanks again for staying outside. Would you terribly mind...picking up some water?" There was a pause. "Thank you." Viola clicked one more button and slid the phone back into her pocket.

At that moment, there was an ear-splitting crash outside.

Ms. Pane did not bother to yelp, let alone talk. She bounced up from her chair and ran straight across the room and out the door. Even from behind the walls, Phoenix could hear her.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! YOU STUPID DRIVER, WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY CAR!? WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE TRUNK!? DID ANYONE TEACH YOU HOW TO PULL OUT PROPERLY!? WHO THE HELL LET YOU GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS LIMO!? ARGH!"

Phoenix suddenly felt Viola grab his arm. She was looking at him intently.

"Now's our chance. Let's go."

Chapter 7 is out! Sorry for the wait! I don't feel like it's the best chapter I've ever written, but it has gotten me out of my writer's block! With the next chapter comes the investigation!