DISCLAIMER: Regular Show is the property of JG Quintel and Cartoon Network. Additionally, Phoenix Wright and the Ace Attorney series are the property of Capcom and Nintendo. I do not own any of the games, cartoons, characters, locations, ANYTHING. This is purely for enjoyment and not for profit. I am just a man who loves to write and, as such, has a story to tell.

Additionally, I think this goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway): the legal methods presented in this fanfic are not based on those in reality, nor am I trying to be accurate with how a real trial goes or how lawyers work or go about their cases.

CHAPTER 1

Investigation - Day 1 - Part 1

City Airport

Main Terminal

May 18th, 12:45 PM

"Man, that flight was bumpy," Phoenix Wright grumbled as he stared around the airport, gripping the handle of a large travel case and eyeing all the hustle and bustle of the large, crowded terminal. "I can't believe the pilot thought it a good idea to fly through a storm. Note to self: stick to public airlines in the future. Leave private flights for emergencies." But, at saying this word, Phoenix's irate mood lessened. "But . . . then again, I guess an emergency is why I was called here."

Taking a deep breath and running a hand over his spiky black hair, Phoenix made his way through the crowds and over to a long row of seats. There, at a seat on the far corner, he sat down, resting his travel case by his feet.

Ignoring the multitude of voices and the airport's intercom announcing the next flight, Phoenix pulled out his cell phone: an old blue, button machine of the late 2000s. Looking around at the other people talking and texting on their smartphones made him feel slightly out of place. But that wasn't the only reason.

"There sure are a lot of anthros here," he thought, gazing around at all the various people coming and going through the airport: those with fur, those with scales, those with robot parts. He saw — no joke — a walking vending machine talking to a bunch of men who looked like park rangers. There were humans here and there, but there was also birds, mammals, and other machine hybrids amongst the humans, and all of them seemed to be getting along just fine.

"Huh," Phoenix said with a smile, "nice to see so many different kinds of people living amongst each other."

Looking back to his mobile device, Phoenix pressed and held the number 2 button, then placed the phone to his ear.

A couple seconds after the dial tone, he heard a familiar, happy voice.

"Helloooo?" the voice chimed.

"Hey, Maya," said Phoenix, smirking.

"Oh, Nick! I was wondering when you'd pick up!" cheered Maya Fey. "I've been trying to call you for the last two hours."

"Sorry about that, Maya. I had to turn my phone off during the flight over here. Flight regulations require all passengers turn their cell phones off."

"But, Nick, that thing you use can hardly be called a phone," Maya chortled. "It looks more like a garage door opener, if you ask me. No touch screen, no camera, not even a volume control button!"

Miffed, Phoenix replied, "Hey, I'll have you know, Maya, that this phone has never let me down. It always calls who I need to. Case in point: you, right now."

"True, but it can't pinpoint where you are with the touch of a virtual button, OR make a detailed list of all the burger and ramen joints within five miles," Maya countered, as though this was something every modern-day phone possessed.

Phoenix's eye twitched. "Maya, you have an app that tells you of every burger and ramen joint within five miles?"

"So what if I do?" she asked, defiant but playful. "Anyway, getting back on subject, what was the reason you couldn't have your phone on, Nick?"

Phoenix gave a wry smile. 'Just leave it to Maya to change the subject whenever it incriminates her two favorite foods.' "Uh, I told you, Maya. Flight regulations forbid cell phone use when the plane is flying."

"Why, though?"

"Because . . . uh . . ." Phoenix paused, his sharp mind searching for an answer and faceplanting into a metaphorical brick wall. "They, uh, . . . mess up the plane?"

"How?"

"What?"

"How can phones mess with the plane?"

"Uh . . . because of electric radio waves?"

"Like the kind the plane uses?"

"Uh . . . sure?"

"So, the phone can mess with the plane's radio waves but the plane can't mess with the phone's radio waves?"

"…Probably?

Maya paused. "Nick, are you sure? You're not sounding very confident. Do phones even use radio waves? I mean, they're phones, not radios."

"Maya, I'm a lawyer, not a technical specialist! Look, enough about my phone, okay? I'm sorry I had it off. It doesn't have an airplane mode and I was just trying to follow the rules. I was on one of those new solo-sonic flights, and those planes are still relatively new to the skies. No need to take unnecessary risks. Besides, I didn't really need to use my phone. I spent most of the flight trying to get in a quick nap. Though, I can't say I was too successful, given how bumpy the ride was."

"But it must've been fun!" Maya replied eagerly. "Those new solo-sonic flights may be small, but they get you where you need to be super fast."

Phoenix smirked. "Well, you're right about that. It took only two hours to get here from Angeles Bay."

"Neat! I think I'll give one of those flights a try in the future!" Maya said excitedly. "Sounds like a sweet ride!"

"You could've come with me, you know," said Phoenix. "There was enough room on the plane for another passenger, and the pilot said everything had been paid for in advance."

"No way, Nick!" said Maya. "You know the Angeles Bay Hamburger Fest is going on this week. I wouldn't miss that for even a day in court."

Phoenix gave a tired sigh. "Maya, court is by far more important than burgers."

"Hey! You have your opinion and I have mine," Maya said with stubbornness. "Besides, Nick, you don't need me for every case. I'm sure you'll be able to handle this one just fine on your own. Plus, you still got your magatama to help out, right?"

"Yeah, I do. But what if –"

"My sis would agree with me," Maya replied, cutting across him. "I can practically hear her yelling, 'Go ahead, Phoenix! Go and clear that innocent soul's name while Maya wins the Burger Banquet!'"

Phoenix would've slapped his hand to his face if there weren't so many bystanders around to watch. "Maya. . ." But, a few seconds later, he cracked a smile. Just leave it to his partner and aide to be funny, charming, cute, and slightly annoying all at the same time.

'A fatal combination if there ever was one,' he thought to himself, still smirking.

"Nick, you'll be fine," Maya said kindly. "You have your magatama and I know how awesome and smart you are. And whether or not you're alone on the bench, remember that I'm rooting for you — both from here and in spirit."

Phoenix smiled gently. "Thanks, Maya. It means a lot."

"Always," she answered. Then, on a curious note, she asked, "So, anyway, Nick, what's this case about?"

"I'm not totally sure. I was only given a couple details about it." Phoenix explained, thinking back to the phone call he received yesterday. "The caller said they desperately needed a defense attorney. After I agreed to look into their situation, they told me to come to the City."

"Which city?"

"Uh . . ." Phoenix paused in dumb realization. "They just said . . . the City."

There was a pause, and then Maya said, quite bewildered, "The city is literally called 'The City'?"

"I . . . really have no clue," said Phoenix.

"So . . . what? The founders of the city were smart enough to build it, but never bothered to give it a proper name?"

"Again, I really don't know."

"But what about your flight? Didn't you know where it was taking you?"

"After I agreed to look at the case, the caller told me to meet her friend at the Angeles Bay Airport and that he'd fly me to where I needed to go. Apparently, the pilot was doing a favor for his friend; that's why the flight was free of charge."

"Free of charge?" Maya repeated, impressed. "Nice! Who was the caller?"

"I think she said her name was Eileen. She sounded like she was around your age."

"Hmm . . . doesn't sound dangerous, then," said Maya. "At least it's not like Manfred von Karma or El Tigre."

Phoenix nearly toppled over backwards in surprise; quite a feat, considering the airport lobby's chair was bolted into the floor. "Maya, it was Furio Tigre! El Tigre was the name of a cartoon — one that deserved a lot more attention than it got."

"Ooooh. Riiiight." She giggled. "Sorry. My bad"

"It's all right. As for what happened," Phoenix continued, "Eileen said someone was attacked and that her friend was wrongly accused."

"Attacked?" Maya repeated. "So, no one's dead?"

"From what I understood, no. The victim survived, but apparently their condition is pretty serious."

"Well, that should make things easier for you at least. A live victim will be easier to talk to than a dead one."

"Heh, true." 'With any luck, I may actually have a regular case on my hand: free of complication and the usual weirdos.'

At that moment, the airport's intercom sounded and out came the following message. "Mr. Phoenix Wright, please report to the front desk."

Phoenix froze in his seat and looked upward towards the high ceiling. Again, the intercom repeated, "Mr. Phoenix Wright? You are requested at the front desk."

"Maya, I think I hear someone calling me," Phoenix said. "I better go. Have fun with the burger fest."

"Oh, you know I will!" she said excitedly. "I'm going to wow the judges with my jumbo triple seismic bun breaker!"

Phoenix's eye twitched. "Be sure there's a doctor around in case you get a heart attack."

"Aw, don't spoil the fun! I won't actually be eating the burger, just building it. Plus, there's plenty of healthy options when it comes to burgers. It's the animal rights groups you gotta worry about." There was a pause. "Don't worry, though, Nick. You know I know how to pace myself. I'll be careful."

"Okay, then," Phoenix said, smiling. "Bye, Maya."

"Bye, Nick! Good luck!"

And with that, the call ended. Stashing his phone away in his pants pocket, Phoenix stood up, but not before giving a slight shiver. "Let's hope I don't have an animal rights case waiting on my desk when I get home. Please, please, behave yourself, Maya."

His travel case in hand, Phoenix walked off. He passed the TSA check point (performing the usual security theater), passed a long line of tired, impatient-looking people, passed the airport's gift shop, and stopped at a long, large desk with more lines of people, making flight arrangements or inquiring about lost luggage.

He glanced around, looking for whoever it was who requested him.

"Uh, pardon me?" came a nearby voice, the same one Phoenix had heard on the phone a mere day ago. "Are you Phoenix Wright, the lawyer?"

Phoenix turned. But to his surprise, he didn't see anyone nearby looking his way. "Huh? Where —"

"Down here," came the voice again.

Phoenix looked down. There, looking up at him, was a woman . . . a very short woman.

She was only about three feet tall or so, the top of her head just barely reaching Phoenix's waist. She was an anthro. If Phoenix had to guess, he thought she resembled a mole. She had short tan fur, a small brown tail, and tiny bare feet. Outside of this, however, her appearance was much more human. She wore round, red-framed glasses, had brown hair done up in a side ponytail, and held the expression of someone calm and collected, full of wisdom and potential. Despite being so short, she was clearly an adult, given her posture and the fact that she was wearing what appeared to be a yellow server's uniform.

Additionally, Phoenix couldn't deny that she was also quite cute, even though she also looked rather tired. . . .

"Uh, hi," said Phoenix, smiling both out of politeness as well at the young lady's charm. "Yes, I'm Phoenix Wright — defense attorney. Are you Eileen?"

The little woman smiled gently. "Yeah, that's me. Eileen Roberts." Holding her hand out to him, she said. "Thank you very much for coming, Mr. Wright."

Phoenix chuckled and knelt down to shake her hand. "It's no problem. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long."

"Oh, no," said Eileen modestly. "I just got here, in fact, and you weren't too hard to find. I viewed your picture on your business' website. Your . . . spiky hair and blue suit are quite distinctive."

Phoenix paused and repressed the urge to groan. Here again was someone commenting on his spiky hair. But he supposed he shouldn't be too surprised; he had grown far too used to hearing people mention it over the years. At least this time it wasn't followed by a smartass joke.

Perhaps Eileen noticed his slight exasperation, so she smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Just saying."

"Nah, it's okay, you're right about my hair being . . . uh, distinctive," Phoenix told her, actually managing an honest chuckle. "So, anyway," he said, looking down at Eileen, who had to crane her neck to look up at him, "you said someone you know is in trouble?"

At this, Eileen's smile vanished. A certain gloom became present in the way she bowed her head and eyed the airport's linoleum floor. "Yeah . . . she is in trouble," she answered regretfully. "Things have been pretty hard for her over the last few days. And she's not the only one. . . ."

"Is she your friend?"

". . .Y-Yeah." Eileen rubbed her arm uncomfortably. "But we. . . we haven't really . . . seen each other for a while. . . ."

Phoenix frowned curiously at how Eileen looked away. And, at the same time, he could've sworn he felt the magatama resting in his pocket twitch. "S-so," said Phoenix, trying to get back on subject. "Maybe if we went and sat down? You could —" But at that moment, the loud roar of a plane's engine rumbled into life. Phoenix and Eileen could practically feel the airport's floor vibrating beneath their feet. Indeed, much of the airport had gone silent at hearing the airplane's start-up. Some actually tried talking over it, making the surroundings even louder.

When the noise eventually died down, Phoenix said, "Uh, on second thought, how about we go someplace else? Maybe you can fill me in on our way to the detention center?"

"Good idea," Eileen agreed. "Airports aren't exactly the best place to stand around and chat anyway. This way, Mr. Wright." Waving her hand, Eileen led the way and Phoenix followed. Passing the many passengers and airport employees, Phoenix saw some people, most likely programmers and technicians, working and grumbling on the computers and wiring throughout the building. He also thought he heard a couple people complain about the Internet service and some sort of "stupid upgrade."

Once the lawyer and mole walked out through the large, automatic glass doors and were outside on the sidewalk, the two took advantage of the already quieter atmosphere.

"So, Ms. Roberts?" said Phoenix as they walked towards the parking lot, a half-cloudy sky overhead. "From what I remember on your phone call yesterday, your friend was arrested and accused of an assault?"

Eileen frowned again, looking depressed.

"Yeah, she was," she answered without looking up. "Or, at least, that's what the police are claiming she did. The incident happened three days ago, on the 15th, and it's all the News has been talking about."

"Really?" Phoenix asked. "I check the News regularly and I didn't hear anything about this incident until you called me."

"You didn't? But . . . oh! Sorry, Mr. Wright, that's right," Eileen said, looking up at him. "I meant the Local News. Seeing as you're not from this area, and the fact that it's only been reported through the local news stations, it makes sense that you wouldn't know about it." Eileen gave an awkward laugh. "Sorry about the confusion. I guess it's not what you'd call National News, but here in the City, it's been nonstop everywhere. The stores, the neighborhoods, the Coffee Shop where I work," she said, tugging on her server's uniform. "It's even all over campus, second only to the Science Expo that's going on there this week."

"You're a college student, Ms. Roberts?" asked Phoenix, intrigued.

"Yeah, I am. Couldn't you tell?"

"Uh . . . no, not really. Sorry," he added, smiling sheepishly and praying he didn't just come across as belittling.

But Eileen gave a small laugh and rubbed the back of her neck. "It's okay. Yeah, I guess it can be a little hard to tell with me. I've been the same height since I was twelve. If it wasn't for my driver's license, I doubt anyone would believe I was over 18."

"S-Sorry. I didn't mean –"

"No, it's okay," she said with a sincere smile. "I promise, I'm not offended, Mr. Wright. I'm far too used to it. It's part of being a mole to be short. But I'm not ashamed in the slightest. I'm proud of who I am. You can't let your basic appearance be what defines you. Let people learn about who you are — as a person — and then make your judgements. That's what I believe, at least."

Phoenix smiled. "Wonderful philosophy."

Eileen giggled. "Thanks." She raised her hand and pointed. "My car is right over there. The white one."

They arrived at a small white vehicle, big enough for four people. Call it a morbid sense of humor, but Phoenix honestly thought it'd be smaller, like a clown car.

'Thank goodness Eileen can't hear my thoughts,' he thought with a quick wit.

Little did Phoenix know, however, Eileen was secretly thinking along the same lines.'Wow, someone who didn't make a clown car joke. That's a first.'

Eileen inserted her car key and, after opening the driver side, unlocked the passenger side door. "Go ahead, Mr. Wright," she said. "It's open."

"Thanks."

Phoenix opened the door, stowed his travel case in the car's back seat, then got in the front. The seat hardly needed adjusting. Did that mean someone taller usual rode shotgun with Eileen?

The car's interior was remarkably clean with a slight ocean breeze scent: the source coming from an air freshener in the shape of a sea turtle. The dashboard was spotless and the windshield was crystal clear. The only litter Phoenix could find was a small sheet of paper, resting in the passenger floor space. Looking between his feet, Phoenix saw that it was a flier, which read:

City College Science Expo

May 19th thru May 21st.

All are welcome.

Knowledge. Refreshments. Fun.

'May 19th?' Phoenix thought. 'That's tomorrow.'

**COURT RECORD – Flier for a Science Expo at the City College, found in Eileen's car. Begins on May 19th, Ends on May 21st.**

After the two buckled their seatbelts, Eileen started the car's ignition, pulled out of park, and then headed out of the airport just as a long commercial airliner took off into the sky.

Besides being impressed at how Eileen was able to drive the normal-sized car despite her short height, Phoenix took the opportunity to gaze out the window, taking in this City with no name.

Tall skyscrapers stood out in bunches while smaller buildings rested beneath them. A couple trees lined the many sidewalks and, off in the distance, there seemed to be much more foliage. Phoenix rather thought it looked like a large park.

'Must be quite a few suburbs around these parts. Looks a little smaller than Angeles Bay. I wonder where I'll find a good hotel. . .'

Looking at the dashboard's digital clock, Phoenix saw that it was now 1:18 in the afternoon. He would have to find somewhere to spend the night, and soon. Perhaps Eileen knew of a good place. . . .

Phoenix was just about to voice this question when something else on the dashboard caught his attention: a small, square photograph. It showed Eileen, arm in arm, with what appeared to be a red bird woman. She was taller than Eileen and looked rather friendly, and — Phoenix had to admit — quite pretty. She and Eileen must've been good friends, given how bright their smiles were.

"Ms. Roberts, is that your friend who's in trouble?" Phoenix asked, pointing at the picture.

Coming to a red light, Eileen's gaze turned to the picture. Her smile, once again, dropped, and a familiar trace of exhaustion showed itself. Without replying, she set her sight again on the redlight, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

"Uh . . . Ms. Roberts?" Phoenix asked again. "Is she — "

"No," Eileen answered dismally. "She's not the one in trouble. It's . . . another friend. But," she looked back at the photo, "it does involve her. My friend in the picture, I mean."

Phoenix eyed Eileen with concern. 'How can such a nice girl who's not even crying make me feel so sad?'

"It involves her?" asked Phoenix, trying to inquire further. "How?"

Eileen sighed, running a hand under her glasses and over her tired eyes. "Her father was the one who was attacked."

"This girl in this picture, you mean?"

"Margaret."

Phoenix paused. "I'm sorry?"

"The girl standing next to me," Eileen said, looking at the picture. "Her name's Margaret."

"Oh," said Phoenix, studying the red bird woman.

"She's my best friend," said Eileen, "and also my roommate."

"Then, who's your friend who was arrested?"

The traffic light turned green and Eileen drove ahead down the street. She cleared her throat before answering, "She's . . . she's an old friend that I haven't seen in a while. In fact, I haven't seen her at all in months."

"You mean, you haven't visited her?" Phoenix asked, eyebrow raised. "What about after she was arrested?"

"I haven't had time," Eileen explained regretfully. "She's been interrogated for the last few days and wasn't allowed visitors, and I've been too busy trying to find her a defense attorney since the night of the attack."

"The crime happened at night?"

"Yeah. Like I said, the last few days were absolutely frantic, not to mention exhausting." With one hand on the steering wheel, Eileen pressed her other hand to her face and groaned, looking more tired than ever. "I've been — yawn — busy ever since the night of the attack. I was woken around 3AM when I got a phone call and learned that my friend had been arrested. I went to see her first thing in the morning, but the police forbade anyone from visiting as they continued their questioning. They didn't even let her finish her one phone call before they dragged her off. I've been trying to see her each day since, but the City Police still won't let anyone in. Outside of that, I been searching and calling anyone I could to defend her."

Turning her head slightly just enough to keep her eyes on the road, she glanced to the human lawyer, "I am not kidding, Mr. Wright: I spent all night and all day yesterday looking for someone to defend her in court."

"Did you get any sleep?" Phoenix asked, a bit worried for the poor girl.

"Oh, I managed to get about — yawn — six hours or so," Eileen replied. "I was — yawn — too worried about my friend, thinking and worrying, you know…"

"And court is tomorrow, right?" asked Phoenix, repressing a groan. 'Curse this Justice System and its need to hold trials so quickly!'

"Yeah, it is," Eileen confirmed, turning back to the road. With a sigh, Eileen now pressed her hand to her forehead. "I can't believe the date was bumped up this quickly. Usually, legal issues like this take a lot more time, sometimes even months, but the City Board demanded the trial be held as soon as possible. I can't imagine why, though."

'Just what the heck happened to put this city into such a fit?' Phoenix asked mentally.

"And you had no luck finding a defense attorney besides me?" he asked. "Nobody else wanted any part in this?"

"No, not one," Eileen said in frustration. "I looked and looked. I called every legal firm in the City and at least twelve outside of it, trying to find someone to represent her! I even tried asking a few of my college's law students who had finished the Bar Exam. Every single one refused! Most of the attorneys hung up on me before I finished talking, and a few even got vulgar with their refusal!"

"That's completely inexcusable!" cried Phoenix in outrage. As an attorney, he knew it to be part of his creed that every person be entitled to a defense. So, to hear that so many lawyers had turned down someone who badly needs representation. . . . "Didn't they even bother to look into the case?"

Eileen shook her head, glaring. "They all said it was a lost cause, and many other things along those lines. Plus, much of the case, according to the City Police, was, to use their words, 'open-and-shut'." Eileen tightened her grip on the steering wheel again, clearly offended. "As for any evidence to claim as such, well . . . that's being withheld until the trial. That in itself has been tricky, considering where the crime was committed."

Phoenix raised an eyebrow. "And where was it committed?"

"Outside the City's local news station," Eileen said grimly.

Phoenix grimaced, having a very clear idea what such a scenario would present. "I'm guessing the Press are probably having a field day with this, aren't they?"

Eileen gave a stiff nod. "Like I said, the City's in a frenzy. When the Local News is hot, it travels quickly. It's all people have been talking about."

'Which means if I lose, I'll be the poster boy for this City's Wall of Losers. That is, depending on whether or not I take the case. . .'

Ironically, as Phoenix thought this, Eileen chose that particular moment to ask, "Mr. Wright?"

"Yeah?"

"I know this is a bit soon, and I know that you must be very busy, both with your job and other things, but . . ." she hesitated, as though afraid of hearing his answer, "would you, please, take my friend's case?"

Except for the sound of car tires on the road, silence fell within the vehicle.

Phoenix looked at Eileen, then to his knees and the Science Expo flier sitting between his shoes, his heart suddenly heavy. Eileen continued to drive, her eyes on the road, not saying anything. She was holding her breath, knowing the fate of her friend rested on Mr. Wright's answer.

Phoenix, however, didn't know what to say. Contrary to what Eileen assumed, he was not very busy at the moment. This was the first case he had been offered in over a month, and yes, he had bills to pay, but in his years as a defense attorney, he had come to find his profession and duty towards his clients and the truth to be more important than any salary.

Additionally, no other lawyer was bothering to give Eileen's friend a chance. This struck Phoenix as both significant as well as ominous. If several lawyers and the City Police thought the crime was, quote 'open-and-shut', then that must mean there was something about this person they didn't like or trust. Would he, Phoenix, feel the same way once he learned more?

Possibly…

But . . . Eileen seemed to think kindly of this person, and, in addition to that, Eileen also seemed very smart and friendly. Sure, Phoenix had only met her about ten minutes ago, but he couldn't see this young woman befriending anyone potentially dangerous.

However, Phoenix could see how exhausted Eileen was. Despite her delightful appearance from earlier, she started to look more and more stressed by the minute, and he could've sworn her eyes looked slightly wet. He could tell she was waiting on his answer and that every quiet second was agonizing to her.

Again, Phoenix could feel his magatama twitching slightly; not enough to reveal any psych-locks, but enough to tell him that Eileen's heart was in turmoil. Whatever was going on, it was affecting her badly, perhaps more so than she was letting on. . . .

Phoenix placed his hand in his pocket, gripping the small green stone. "Ms. Roberts?"

Her hands flexed on the steering wheel. "Yeah?"

"Who was the person who got attacked?" he asked, not ready to give his affirmation nor deny it.

Eileen seemed to sense this, so she went along and answered. "His name is Frank, Frank Smith."

"And do you know him well?"

Eileen nodded. "Yeah. Pretty well. Then again, so do a lot of people."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. He works as the helicopter pilot for Channel 6 News," Eileen explained. "He's flown it for several years and has built up quite a reputation. Nearly everyone in the City knows him, and pretty much everyone likes him. With Margaret being his daughter and my best friend, I've gotten to know him and his family quite well. He's very well respected by pretty much everyone."

"Then that might explain why the City's been acting so crazy," Phoenix theorized as they turned at an intersection. "Attacking someone who's basically everyone's best friend is bound to burn a few people up."

"I agree. I, too, think that's why everyone's behaving so recklessly. But still, to blame it on . . ." Eileen shook her head, frowning. "I just don't buy it. It doesn't make any sense. She wouldn't do that!"

"Ms. Roberts, please, take it easy," said Phoenix calmly. "If your friend really is innocent, we'll find out soon." 'Quite literally,' he thought, fingering his magatama. "Once I speak to her and have a better gist of what's going on, then I'll get to the bottom of it."

"You . . . you mean, you'll do it?" Eileen asked, sounding astonished and hopeful. "You'll take her case?"

"Ms. Roberts," he said evenly, "if I speak to your friend, and she is in fact innocent, I will defend her with every ounce of skill I have. As a defense attorney, it's my job to defend those who need it and to pursue the truth, whatever it may be. Mind you, I'm not saying that I've made up my mind," he pointed out, "but I'm willing to give your friend the benefit of the doubt at the very least. You clearly have faith in your friend and her innocence, and if no other defense attorney will bother giving her the right to due process, then I'll be the one to step in and fulfill that role."

Phoenix couldn't help but feel slightly cheesy in saying all of this, but he honestly meant it. He came to see it as not only his job, but his duty and life's mission to fight for the truth and for those who have no one to fight for them.

For Eileen, it looked as though her prayer had been answered. The gloom she held during the drive seemed to have lifted. She was smiling, her eyes behind her glasses brightened. "Thank you, Mr. Wright! Even if you haven't made up your mind yet, thank you for at least giving my friend a chance. That's more than I can ask for."

"You're welcome," Phoenix replied with a nod and a smile.

Turning back to the road, Eileen glanced forward, then said, "We're here."

They had arrived outside the City Police Headquarters. They parked rather far from the front doors, given how many police cruisers and other vehicles were crowding the place.

"So, Ms. Roberts?" said Phoenix, unbuckling his seatbelt.

"Yeah?"

"Before we go in, what's your friend's name? The one everyone's accusing?"

Eileen didn't answer at first. With the tiniest of frowns, but with a glimmer of hope, she looked in the direction of the police station. Then, with a bracing tone, she answered.

"CJ. Her name is CJ."

And thus, the story officially begins. Feel free to let me know what you think so far. Constructive criticism is always welcome.