Chapter 2. Confrontation
- There is one thing that still bugged me, - the prosecutor guy started. - It was about Frankie Mendirez threatening the girl on the bench here, - he pointed to Pearls.
- It was all my fault, - I was in so deep desperation, so I didn't notice that I said it out loud.
- All my fault... - Pearls repeated after me.
- Maybe this all makes sense. Miss Pearl, am I to understand that you were in on your own kidnapping? It was all a big fake? And Ms. Meredith was involved? - I remembered this prosecutor guy. He said he investigated Pearls' kidnapping. What did he call himself? "Jimmy"?
- Y-Yes... - Pearls was really scared. She looked like she was about to pass out.
Jimmy laughed. It was a pretty scary laugh.
- Is something the matter? - Nick asked him.
- Nope. Not a thing. - He turned his head. - I have to hurry. There might be no much time left. Sorry, guys, but I needed to go.
- This is a trial! - The judge was outraged. - You can't just leave right now!
- I don't have time to explain. Bye!
- Objection! - Mr. Williamson ran to the courtroom. - You aren't going anywhere.
- Oby! - Jimmy smirked. - Obadaiah. You made it.
- Enlighten me. What are you doing at that bench?!
- Oh, but somebody needed to take your place while you were busy, didn't they?
- But you not!..
- I am many things. "Stubborn" happens to be one of them.
- Step away from the bench!
- Gladly. Bye! - Jimmy ran away.
- Your Honor, I need a five-minute recess to read today's court protocol.
- Understood. This court will adjourn.
The ad block started.
- What the heck is going on in the prosecutor's office?! - Franziska exclaimed. - They didn't even count their people. It was enough for me to leave this country in half a year, and I see the prosecutor's office in a complete mess. Maybe I should discuss some questions with the head prosecutor.
- Ha-ha. But if he didn't do the same thing as you and Mr. Edgeworth eight years ago?
- Scruffy. Shut up! - She raised her hand for the strike.
- Yes, sir! I'm sorry, sir!
So, the grandmother has really plotted her plan to kill me. It made me sad. But I could understand her. I didn't hold a grudge against her. It was not her fault. She did what she thought was right for the family. Unlike me. But what bothered me much more was the way Pearls looked when she answered this Jimmy guy. Something unnatural. I should have been there with her and Nick now.
Franziska checked some details with policemen. They were defending me. As if I deserved it. As if I was not an utter description of failure.
- ...And now Iris Hazakurain's trial is recovered.
- Defense is ready, Your Honor, - Nick's voice was calm, but not shiver.
- Prosecution is ready, Your Honor. I was delayed due to circumstances related to the case. They required my immediate attention.
Franziska snorted.
- Would you care to explain more? - The judge asked.
- I am. I have good news and bad news. Which would you have first?
- I'd prefer good news, - Pearls informed Nick.
- Agreed, - Nick nodded.
- As you wish. Maya Fey is alive and well...
I saw how wave of relief touched Pearls' and Nick's faces.
- What. Is. He. Doing?! - Franziska yelled and whipped the policeman who called to Mr. Williamson.
- Auch.
- ...We have a police unit standing by her room. We will not hear her today in court.
- And what's the bad news?
- We still have not found a culprit. And the suspect was seen in two areas at once. The prosecution still believes that Sister Iris is the culprit.
- No! - Pearls shouted.
- Don't play dramatic with me. Give me a better explanation! I'm aware of certain holes in Meredith Fey's testimony. But the truth must be that she saw his granddaughter enter the secret passage and covered for her. The situation has not been resolved, merely altered. Sister Iris of Hazakura Temple remains the lead suspect.
- It seems the defendant is still under suspicion, - the judge said.
- Wright's own words removed the possibility of most others. The suspect was seen at ground level approaching the house. We know there is an entrance to the central passage in the courtyard. It seems she is the only one without an alibi.
- Objection! She was upstairs! Two different people saw her! And three if you include Donatello.
- And a fourth testified that she wasn't. You had a chance to end this trial, but you didn't. You kept pressing. Why is that?
- It's like you yourself said to me... I'm an attorney. It's my job to find the truth.
- And find the truth we shall! - Mr. Williamson smirked. - Let's see how committed you are to that ideal! Iris Fey could only have been in one spot, yet we have conflicting statements. You've done a great deal to prove she was not standing on that balcony. That was the entire reason for extending the trial until today.
- She was standing on the balcony! She held the rifle! And she was shoved off.
- You will stand by this point? Good. Then the question remains as to who Mystic Meredith saw in the courtyard. If it was not your client, then who was it?
Nick still had the same steel in his eyes. And I started to understand what it meant. 'No...'
- Your Honor. The defense would call my assistant and Maya's cousin, Ms. Pearl Fey to the stand, - he turned to the Pearls. - I need to hear your testimony to figure out what was going on that day.
- Y-yes, Mr. Nick. I'll do it. For Mystic Maya and my sister.
I froze. I couldn't think anymore.
She went to the witness stand. I saw this broad smirk across Mr. Williamson's face. What a jerk! He seemed very calm before, but this time I saw his bloodlust. He chased his prey. And this prey was my little sister.
- Witness! - he stated.
Pearls shrunk into a small figure.
- Ahem! Witness!
- S-sorry. I just never thought I'd be up here.
- Name and occupation.
- P-pearl Fey. I'm not really sure what I am.
- A medium of Fey Clan?
- I haven't channeled anyone in years. I don't know if I even can anymore. I don't want anything to do with it.
I exhaled. I was sad about what she thought about my Clan, but it was absolutely understandable. At least she hadn't done anything stupid like summoning the spirit of Dahlia Hawthorne. I only hoped Nick would deal with everything else. But this his gaze. 'He doesn't really think it was her, does he?'
- Your choice, Phoenix Wright, - Williamson continued his hunt with his crooked smile. - What will she speak about?
- Just what she remembered. Everybody else saw something. She must've too, - Nick's voice shivered. 'Damn it! Damn it! Does he really think, she could hurt me?! An absurd!'
- I met with Mr. Nick and Mystic Maya after they arrived. We... we talked a bit. Then Ms. Porter showed up. That's when shooting started. Everybody was running everywhere. They all looked for some place to hide. I went inside then. And that's... that's all.
- I don't see much to fuss about, - 'Hopefully, the judge is sane.'
- Not all testimonies have contradictions, - a jerk said. - If there is a lie here, it is one of omission.
- Withholding information, you say? - The judge nodded.
- Miss Fey is clearly uncomfortable. I request high penalties be given for badgering her. I won't have there be any undue stress.
- No! Please don't do this to him, - Pearls looked like she was about to start crying.
- Nonsense! Wright should have the answers ready. He knows what he's doing.
- Very well. Harsher penalties will be given, - the judge put down his gavel.
And at that moment I understood this Williamson jerk's plan. He remembered how Nick chased Detective Watters. He read how Nick chased my grandma. He confessed he had read through the whole Nick's file. And this time he wanted not one, but two hounds chasing my lovely little sister. It was obvious. 'Oh, Nick, if you do something stupid, I...'
- Did you see anybody else go inside the mansion? - I heard Nick's voice.
- Just you two.
- Why didn't you follow us?
- I... I couldn't. I still went inside, but... through a different way.
- You said you went inside, - I barely heard Nick's voice. - Please... tell me what you did after that?
Nick played along with Williamson's plan. And Pearls saw it. I should have been there. I should have stopped Nick as I had done it the previous time. But I couldn't move. I was in absolute horror.
- Mr. Nick, if it had been up to me, she never would gotten hurt. You know that, right?
- P-pearl, - Nick was in real despair, his whole voice was trembling. - I have to know. When you went inside, what did you do?
- Objection! - A jerk shouted. - Are you going to beat around the bush all day or shall I get to the point for you? Your Honor, the defense believes his assistant committed the crime.
- Order! Mr. Wright, is this true?
- I-I never said that!
- You didn't, but you were thinking it. If you want to catch the killer, you need to know when to be direct. That is now.
I saw the gaze fully of disguisting that Nick granted to Williamson. He understood his plan too. But he still thought that Pearls could do it?! Wake up, Nick! And I woke up myself.
- I need to be there now! I must stop him!
- Ms. Fey, you CAN'T leave this ward now.
- Can you call him, pal? Here is your phone.
I reached for the phone.
- How much is the truth really worth to you, Wright? - I heard a jerk's voice in the background. - You claim to be a decent man, but I still have my doubts. We've come this far, and the case will have to end one way or the other. You've proven she had an opportunity to attack the victim. Can you back that up? Miss Fey! You have yet to answer his question.
I started dialing his number. But a hand blocked my vision.
- You shouldn't break the trial, - this woman said. - He must make his choice himself.
My little sister started her next testimony and I yelled at Franziska.
- And you too?! You were there eight years ago! You were there nine years ago too! There is no way she can possibly do that!
I saw the doubts in her action reflected on her face. Franziska got her hand back.
- I just.. couldn't follow you, Mr. Nick, - I heard my little sister's voice in the background. - I didn't want to have to look her in the eye. I couldn't see you or Mystic Maya, but I could hear you two. I was there when she got shot. It was... horrifying. Ms. Iris was upstairs. I know she didn't do it.
It was clear that Pearls was trying to get blame on her.
- Who have you met in the central passage? - Nick asked.
- I-I... have met nobody...
- WHO HAVE YOU MET IN THE CENTRAL PASSAGE?!
- Enough! - Williamson shouted. - You done well, Mr. Wright. A new suspect stands before us. But nobody can be certain when she entered. So at least we have an opportunity and the testimony. But we need a motive.
Nick struck his bench with his head. I started the call. I saw his despair and knew he was sure that Pearls was the culprit. Nobody answered me. And then...
- What? Has this poor substitute for the defense lawyer just smirked now? In this situation? - I heard Franziska.
I dropped the call and raised my head. I saw Nick's red face. Has he just cried? But now I saw a grim smile on his face and the raging fire in his eyes. He straightened up.
- A motive? There is no way Pearls could hurt Maya by her own will. She is the most precious person to her. At least one of the two.
- Ladies and gentlemen, - he addressed the gallery and, it seems, to the jury. - Your Honor. At last, I got the last piece of testimony that I wanted. As you can plainly see, there is no way the defendant, Ms. Iris Hazakurain, could reach the crime scene. Yes, we haven't found the true culprit yet. But this trial is over...
- I am disappointed in yo... - Williamson started, but Wright continued his sentence.
- ...Until you... - and Nick stopped still with his grim smile.
- What is he doing?! - Franziska yelled. - He has just won this trial. If he wanted to quit with a win on his board, he should have just stopped his speech three seconds ago! The jury would definitely be on his side. Why is he giving the cue to the prosecution?
- You want to play hardball, don't you? - Obadaiah said. - So, the prosecution claims the witness, Ms. Pearl Fey, in attempt of a murder!
- What is your stance, Mr. Williamson? - Nick asked.
- Did I vaguely express myself? My stance is the attempt of a planned premeditated murder.
- A planned premeditated murder? Very well. And on what grounds?
- She was a single person who could be at the crime scene.
- Your Honor! A planned murder attempt is a joke. Do you remember the murder weapon?
- Is it the test for me? - The judge was surprised. - Yes, Mr. Wright, the derringer from the collection of Meredith Fey.
- You are right, Your Honor! And where was it?
- Inside the house with the rest of the collection.
- That's it! Then see this list. As you can plainly see, Ms. Pearl Fey got to the place just before us. How could she get this pistol in such a short amount of time?
- Objection! - Williamson shouted. - There is no time on this list. We can't know how much time she had to...
- Objection! We are able to know it. We can simply ask all the witnesses to testify about it. Do you already know the answer, Mr. Williamson?
- Objection! There were eight people in that place that morning. If none of these people could shoot the victim, then this creates a contradiction.
- You're right, Mr. Williamson. "There were eight people in that place that morning". "None of these people could shoot the victim". One of these sentences is wrong.
- Don't you dare...
- I do. Your Honor, I assume the "There were eight people in that place that morning" sentence is wrong.
- Objection! Your Honor, this man is bluffing again. First, there was a person, Ms. Bikini Hazakurain, who checked all incoming people...
- Objection! Your Honor, look at this list again. If Mr. Williamson is right, where should Bikini's name be placed?
- I need to think, Mr. Wright. At the top of the list?
- Exactly. And what do you see on the list?
- Oh, Mr. Wright. It is definitely not at the top.
- As you can see, Ms. Bikini Hazakurain was not the first person in the Meredith house that morning. And you know? It is not even important.
- Not important? Mr. Wright, are you badgering me?!
- Not at all, Your Honor. You can see this.
- What is it? A paper?
- You have seen this paper before. It is about a great reunion of the Fey Clan. The paper tells us that the reunion was to take place at Meredith's house and gives the date of the event. Anyone could break into this house before the first participant appeared.
- ...Let me end my phrase, Wright, - Williamson continued. - Second, there were many people in this house. But I haven't any testimony about the ninth person. Maybe you saw him that morning, didn't you?
- I don't. But he could hide himself in a tiny central passage. As you can remember from today's testimony, there was no "secret" in this passage for many people. I myself didn't know about it. But you can easily assume that there is a way to find out if you are planning on killing.
- You personally, along with Detective Watters and Ms. Porter, checked this passage and there was no ninth person in it.
- Mr. Williamson. Answer me. How much time did your people check the west wing of the house?
Williamson fell silent. Then he growled:
- Five minutes.
- Mr. Williamson, - the judge jumped up. - How is that possible?
- This oldbag didn't want us to reveal her assassination plot. She restricted us from checking this area as far as it is not the crime scene.
- Mr. Williamson! This is a big neglect of duty from your side.
- Yes, Your Honor. I regret my incompetence. But still there is no possibility that this ninth person existed, - Williamson turned to Nick. - Wright! You yourself checked the whole west wing yesterday. Have you found anybody there? And since the police arrived after the murder, there was a whole police unit. No one could enter or exit unnoticed.
- I have a little hunch, in fact.
- "Assume"? "A little hunch"? Your Honor, this man is trying to stall the court. We need to raise the penalties again. You have one try, Wright. If you lead us the wrong way again, this trial will be over.
- Penalties? - Nick suddenly straightened up. Then he turned to the judge. - Your Honor, I have a proposal.
- A proposal?
- Yes. I will make a confession, but in exchange you will grant me permission to continue this trial. To the bitter end.
- Mr. Wright! The court is not the place for the trade, but for the correct verdict.
- And this is my intention! I want to finish this trial today with the correct verdict in our hands.
I figured out his plan. I started the call again.
- Permission granted. Please, proceed with your confession, Mr. Wright.
This time Nick answered my call.
- Hi, Maya. Did you call me earlier?
- Yes, Nick, it was me. Listen, you should stop...
- Oh, hold the line, please, - and he put his phone aside on the bench. What a freak!
- Mr. Wright, the court is not the place for chit-chatting. Please, proceed with your confession.
- Yes, Your Honor. Beforehand, I want to give a little reminder. Yesterday Ms. Porter clearly testified about two people. First, after the second shot, she saw Ms. Iris Fey on the balcony. Second, at the same time, she saw Ms. Meredith Fey in the window of the second floor. The second statement clearly gives an alibi for Ms. Meredith Fey. And today I have accused this woman of attempted murder.
- Yes, Mr. Wright. We already have her confession about a murder plan.
- You are right, Your Honor. However, as we already know, she didn't shoot her granddaughter herself. So, I must confess, Your Honor, - he grabbed his attorney's badge. - I knew this fact from Ms. Porter's testimony, but I still intentionally accused her of this crime in order to cover for another person. At that time, I thought Ms. Pearl Fey had shot Ms. Maya Fey.
- "At that time"? - Started Williamson. - Who are you trying to... - but his voice drowned in the noise from the gallery.
- Order! Order! - The judge struck the desk with his gavel a few times. - Mr. Wright! It is not a small act. You falsely accused an innocent woman. On my trial! You will be restricted from your professional activities until your own trial!
- This woman is hardly innocent, Your Honor, but a crime is a crime. I broke the law and am ready to bear the weight of my punishment. However, you have granted me my permission. The trial will continue to the bitter end.
- So be it, - the judge nodded and passed down his gavel.
- Pearl, - Nick turned to her, - I am sorry to doubt you.
- Mr. Nick, you shouldn't... - Pearls started to cry. - I've really...
- Oh, Ms. Pearl Fey, just shut up, - Nick widened his grim smile. - I am just tired of every piece of this bunch of lies, - he turned to Williamson. - Mr. Williamson, I want to ask you for a favor.
- Me?! A favor?
- Yes. I want to ask you to give me the paper with all the people involved in the crime scene. All the people who should have and were in the house of Meredith Fey with names and photos of each person.
- For what? For you to blame one of my people again? And this is confidential information, I cannot present it as evidence in a public court!
- And you shouldn't. But as I said, I have a hunch. I want to confirm it with my own eyes. And then I will give that list back to you again.
Williamson heavily looked at me. He thought.
- Mr. Williamson, - the judge started, - you are not obliged to fulfill the request of the defense. It is the duty of the defense to show the defendant's innocence.
- No, I will do it. I'll call the police station. This will take an hour. I am asking for recess.
- Request is fulfilled. The court is adjourned for one hour, - and the judge passed his gavel.
The ad block started.
- Maya! - I heard his voice on my phone. - Do you hear me? Are you OK?
- Yes, Nick. I'm fine.
- I'm so glad to hear you! But I have a few things to be done during this recess. I'm sorry, but I got to go. And Maya... I know, you have no reason to trust me again, but... This time I know what I am doing.
- Nick, - perhaps, my tired face was red. - I trust you. But please, don't do anything stupid.
- You mean, more stupid than I have already done? - I heard his tired smile. - I should go. Take care! And... thank you.
- Take care... - I started, but he had already dropped the call.
Prosecutor Von Karma stood near me and pretended not to be eavesdropping.
- You should never send him my words, but he is a good man. Stupid and not deserving the right to take a step onto the court, but... - Suddenly she froze for a second. - The window! - She shouted and her whip whistled in front of me again. Something clicked, the room became much more darker and then she yelled:
- NOW!
I felt something gragged me up, and my head was hit by something. There was a loud noise of broken glass somewhere below. I felt dazed.
- On the ground, everyone! - I heard Franziska's voice in the background. - Maya, stay there! Trucy, head down!
"Trucy"? I heard the noise of broken glass and wretched metal again.
- You got him? - I heard Franziska's voice again. - Why so long?! - It seemed she was talking through the radio set and she was really mad. - Incompetent fools! He could dance the waltz there and you wouldn't notice him anyway. I will fire you all, morons! Check all the floors, he may not be alone!
I tried to come to my senses. I saw the ceiling in front of my face. My head was still hurting.
- Any injuries? Ms. Fey? Ms. Wright?
- I... It seems I'm OK, - I answered.
- There is blood on the floor! - Gumshoe shouted.
- It seems, a glass shard dissected my arm a bit, - I heard Trucy's voice. - But I'm OK.
Suddenly, the door opened and I heard the sound of armed pistols.
- Hey, don't shoot, don't shoot! It's me, Mark! I've just arrived. What is going on here?!
Franziska exhaled.
- You, call the doctor! And no more information leaks anywhere! There were no assassination attempts, and no one knows about Ms. Fey's condition. Is this clear to everyone?!
- Yes, ma'am!
