Parque de las Palomas 12:44 p.m.

Ugh. It's certainly tiring walking along the steep slopes of this area. But look at all these pigeons! I wish I had the time to write this down, but I have a murder to investigate. The police are doing their job. There's also a fort up ahead where I can clearly see the body.

"Oye, chamaquito~!" Hmm? A policewoman approaches me. She's wearing a typical uniform of the region a black uniform with the word 'Policia' on the back. She has long wavy dark brown hair with a bang covering her left coffee eyes. "No puedes estar aquí, amor."

"H-Hello. Um. I don't understand what you just said, but I'm the attorney of Susana." I present her with my badge.

"Dios mio! You're a gringo!" She perks up. "What's a beauty like you doing here?"

…I hope I'm not blushing. "I'm here wondering if you would let me investigate."

"Investigate? That's usually a job for a detective." She twirls a handcuff with her finger.

"I don't know how it works around here, but where I'm from, we're allowed to investigate for our clients like I'm sure the prosecutor's does as well." She analyzes me. Please take the bait.

"Hmmm. Is that right?…Okay. I'll let you through. But I will be keeping my eye on you."

"Thank you." Yes! I should probably ask some questions. "Before we continue, I'd like to know who you are?"

"Oye~? Are you falling for me?" She puckers her lips, emphasizing her red lipstick. Okay. Now I'm definitely blushing. "Jajaja! I'm only playing. My name is Veronica Versailles. Or you can call me Vivi for short."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Locke Smith." I extend my arm for a handshake. She grabs it, pulls me closer and kisses my cheek.

"Look at you. All red como un tomate!" Well excuse me for not being used to your physical greetings!

I clear my throat. "Right. On to business then!"

Investigation Time!

First, I must see the layout. There's two ways to enter this area. The one street I just came to and the path next to the fort that overlooks the harbor. The buildings seem to be abandoned, so it's not like I can knock for witnesses. There's a stand that sells snow cones next to the park.

"Do you want piragua?" Vivi asks me.

"No. I was wondering if the person was here when the crime happened." I approach the red haired seller.

"Buenos días! Piragua son dos por uno para parejas." He winks at us. I don't know what he means, but there's a misunderstanding. "Ah! You're not from around here. You must be a gringo!"

Is that my identity now? Guess I better get used to it. "Yes. I was wondering if you saw what happened here?" I point to the fort.

"Terrible! Bang! The palomas scattered and ruined my desserts!"

"So you were present when the crime was committed?"

"Sí. Although, I was hiding under my stand. Malos tiempos, gringo. Bad times." He shakes his head.

"Even if you didn't see anything, could you please recount the events for us?"

The man looks at Vivi with a doubtful expression. "I don't know. I already told la policia about it and they didn't believe me."

"You can tell me anything! It's my job to do so." I present my badge proudly.

"...Okay. I heard three shots fired."

"Three shots. Like back to back?"

He crosses his arms. "Nah, hombre. It was BANG BANG! And then after a while BANG!"

So there were two shots fired repeatedly and then a third one later. "What happened next?"

"I passed out." He said that with so much pride. "Woke up with the sunrise and immediately opened for business!"

"Uhuh. I admire your dedication." I pull out my notebook. "Do you mind writing an affidavit for me?" He nods and writes it down.

Seller's Affidavit added to the Court Record.

I wave goodbye to the seller. Wholesome fellow! Vivi pulls me closer to her. "You're not seriously going to believe that macho, are you?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the body only had two bullet wounds. There's no third bullet."

Hmm. I should keep that in mind. "Regardless, we should try and take all accounts of the events. You never know if it'll be important later."

"Ojojo~! Very professional! And guapito, too~!" Ooookay. Note to self, might want to apply for a restraining order in the future.

"Now that you remind me, I believe it's time to examine the body." I head over to the fort, but Vivi stops me.

"Sorry, amor. But you're not allowed inside."

"W-Why not!?"

"That's the ley. Law. Only police and detectives are allowed to investigate the crime scene."

"But how am I supposed to defend without proper investigation!?"

"Hmmmmmmmm." She thinks for a moment, then smirks. I know I won't like where this is going. "Maybe I can convince them to allow you to enter. For a price, of course."

Is she literally telling me to bribe her!? "Why would you say that!? You're an officer of the law!" She actually is quite shocked by my reaction.

"...How long have you been here?"

"I think about three hours ago. Why?"

Her surprise becomes bigger. "Que!? Three hours and you're already taking a case!?" I don't understand how that's surprising. She looks at me with a serious expression. "Listen, I think you should go back."

"Huh?"

"You don't know what you're getting into. The only way to survive around here is chavos. Money. Nobody cares about the truth if their lives are on the line." She turns her back. "Get out of here. I'll arrest you if you interfere with us."

"W-Wait!" It's too late. She walks away. Dammit! Something is definitely fishy around here. She says I should leave and let an innocent person be behind bars? Not on my watch!...Now what am I going to do? I can't snoop around anymore.

Hmm? Is that a bag of unopened dried corn on the floor? I pick it up and open it. There could be a clue in here. Suddenly, a foreboding dread courses over me. As if a thousand eyes are watching. I look around and what seems to be hundreds of pigeons surround me. "Uum. Easy there." Some of the corn drops and all of them fly towards it! "WAAAAAAAAAH!" Some of them are trying to get the food in the bag! I drop it and they leave me alone. That was insane!

Huh? There's a white pigeon that is limping. I take a closer look while it's distracted. Its left leg is injured…Wait a minute. There's a paper tied to the right leg. I take it out with no issues and check it out.

Nos están sospechando. Debe de haber un espía. Quédate ahí. Vengo a las 8:30.

Once again, my lack of understanding is truly infuriating. I'll keep it and show it to Miguel later.

Mysterious Note added to the Court Record.

Now to have a look at the injured leg. There's something shiny lodged in. Sorry about this. I pull out while it's flapping wildly! Got it! The bird flies away. That should heal it up. Hmm? T-This is a bullet! So there was a third shot, after all.

Bullet added to the Court Record.

I think that's as much as I can get out of here. I better head back.

Agencia de la Pobre Justicia 1:11 p.m.

Good. He's still on his desk working. "Took you a while. I was about to report you missing." He smirks.

"Ehehe. I took a little detour. Actually, I was wondering if there was a client that needed any help?" I hope Susana requested an attorney. I could pass along the evidence for them.

He shakes his head. "None came in. Which is normal." I guess she didn't hire one of us. "Why? You seem intent on something."

"I talked with someone being accused of murder and I wanted to help." He stops, then looks up at me. "Could you translate what this note says?" I hand him the paper.

"...We're being suspected. I think there's a spy. Stay put. I'll be there at 8:30. That's what it said." I wonder what that could mean? "Where did you find this?" I explain my investigation. He sighs. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"I'm only trying to help. She's innocent."

"That's not your problem. We're not running a damn charity around here." There it is. Money. It's always about the money!

"Whatever happened to defending the innocent? They need us when they're in need of our help!"

He slams the desk. "Mira lo que te voy a decir. You do that and you'll be taken advantage. Out here, if you don't have the money, you ain't worth the salt."

"...Is that why you haven't defended in six years?" Oops! That came out of my mouth!

He gets up. Please don't hit me! "Digging up dirt about me, huh? Aight how much?"

"Huh?"

"You're blackmailing me. Although, I don't got much. And Newi is off the table."

"No! I'm not blackmailing! Sheesh! It's always money this, money that, it's tiring! I just wanted to know why you stopped defending?" He thinks I haven't noticed how relaxed he becomes. Trying to act cool.

"I'm sorry. I'm not comfortable sharing that with you. Hope you understand." I figured. It is very personal. "But since you're stubborn about this person. Here." He hands the consent form. "Knowing what that note said, there's a high chance that the attorney will be paid off."

"Right. Thank you and sorry."

"None taken. Let them know it's none profit. Hopefully that will make them accept you." And with that, he goes back to work. It's time to do mine!

Centro de Detencion 1:32 p.m.

Susana sits down. Her eyes are red and puffy. "What do you want now?"

"I'm here to give you this." I slide the consent form. "I did some investigating and I still want to be your lawyer."

"Pssh. Just like I told the last one. Vete pal carajo!" She's still being difficult. Maybe I'll ask a couple questions.

"Tell me something, did you actually shoot at the man?"

"Of course I did. Shot him twice and ran away."

"I see. And why were you there to begin with?" She stays silent. Hmmm. Maybe that could be it? "Susana, I know why you were there. You were there to feed the pigeons, rights?"

"Q-Que!? How do you know that!?"

"I found an unopened bag of dried corn next to the crime scene. Which was weird as there was no stand selling such item. You must've dropped it during the conflict."

She looks away, then starts crying. "I always go there when I feel lonely. The palomas are the only ones that are pure and understanding. That night was no different. Except that man was there."

"What was he doing?"

She shakes her head. "I don't know. He was there waiting in front of the fort." The front? But I remember him being inside.

"Visiting hours are over. Wrap it up." The guard tells us. Oh no! I still have many questions that need clearing!

"Here." She hands me the paper all signed up.

"Thank you! And don't worry, I will figure everything out and prove your innocence!" Before she left, I saw a smile.

That's why I took this job. For people like her. Just you wait. Tomorrow, you will walk away a free woman!

To be continued.