3 de Diciembre Corte de San Felipe. El Lobby del Acusado 9:44 a.m.
Welp. Here I am. I've only been here for one day and I'm already defending someone. The guards here are wearing their professional uniforms. I guess I was expecting them to be more casual, but that'd be stereotypical. The lobby seems…normal. There's a couch and a painting of a Saint on top.
"Hey." AAAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEEE! Miguel scared the shit out of me! "Jumpy today, aren't we?" He smirks. That damn smirk of his. "I already let the court know to proceed in English for you."
"Really? That's impressive!"
"Not really. They owe me favors. That's all." Geez. What could be the favors that the court has to speak a different language for my sake? Best not to dwell on it.
Susana walks in. "Hello. How are you feeling today?"
"...Good." She avoids looking at us.
"The court is about to begin. Please step inside." The bailiff informs.
"Time to get ready. I'll be watching from the gallery." Miguel says before leaving. All right! Time to get this show on the court!
San Felipe Sala de Justicia 10:00 a.m.
The gallery is bustling with chatter in their home language. The judge is an older woman with black bold cut hair and has white streaks.
Locke: *Scribbles notes* (Whoa. This place sure loves their saints with the architecture here!)
Juez: *Smack* At the request of la defensa, we will proceed in English from now on. The court will now begin. Is la defensa ready?
Locke: ! *Puts away book* T-The defense is ready, Your Honor!
Juez: Is él enjuiciamiento ready?
On the prosecutor stand is a man with short black hair with a clean shave on his face. He has small diamond earrings. He's wearing a jean jacket with a black shirt underneath. His deep blue eyes are looking at someone at the gallery.
Juez: Abraham? Estas listo?
Abraham:...*Smile* The enjuiciamiento is ready, Juez. I would like to ask la defensa before we begin. What agency do you work under?
Locke: I represent the Poor Justice Agency.
Abraham: Pobre Justicia, eh? *Smirk* Interesante.
Locke: (Oh boy. I can already feel this isn't going to go smoothly.)
Juez: Very well. Enjuiciamiento, you may go ahead with your opening statement.
Abraham: Claro. *Pulls out file* The victim of this case is a man named Ramón Altorreirte. Does that name sound familiar?
Juez: Altorreirte…! Isn't that a famous comedian!?
Abraham: That's right. He brought smiles and laughter to all of us in our rough moments. Now he is gone. Let us take a moment of silence for his passing.
Everyone silently respects his wishes.
Abraham: Gracias. That man may not have known us personally, but he has changed many of our lives with his work.
Locke: I'm sure he knows. It's what he did to begin with. To share hope among all the disparity.
Abraham:...Of course. Let's get back to the case. He was shot twice and left for dead alone. Here's the autopsy report.
Autopsy Report added to the Court Record.
Locke: (Let's see. He was shot in the abdomen and head. Death was instant. His body was found inside the fort.)
Abraham: The one robbed his life was none other than la acusada. This is the weapon she used.
Juez: *Nods* Understood. The court will accept the evidence.
Pistol added to the Court Record.
Locke: *Checks cartridge* (No doubt about it. It did shoot twice.) How do you know this belongs to her?
Abraham: Her fingerprints were found. *Shrugs* While I sympathize with la acusada needing something to protect herself in this cruel world, she's still a minor carrying an illegal firearm.
Locke: *Sweats nervously* (Ugh. He's right about that. That's a whole can of worms I'll have to deal with later.) Regardless, just because she had a gun, doesn't mean she went out her way to murder someone.
Protesto!
Abraham: *Shakes head* I feel pity for you. One would call such faith in your client as a commendable act. And don't get me wrong, it is. However, it was premeditated.
Locke: H-How can you be so sure?
Abraham: *Smirk* Think about it. If she really was in danger, she would've shot him once and ran away. He already got hit and was incapacitated. But she went ahead and finished the job.
Objection!
Locke: We don't know that! Maybe someone else could've done it!
Abraham: En verdad? Would care to explain to the court this possible suspect?
Locke: *Sweats nervously* W-Well, I got no one specific at the moment. But we shouldn't disregard the possibility!
Protesto!
Abraham: Word of advice, don't make rash claims without backing it up with evidence. Especially when you don't know how this land works, gringo.
Locke: Ngh! (Crap! I jumped the gun too early!)
Abraham: But if you're going to insist on the possibility, why don't we hear it from the horse's mouth, as you say. I'd like la acusada to come to the stand.
Juez: Very well.
Objection!
Locke: You didn't even ask if I object to it!
Juez:...Do you have any objections?
Locke:...(Do I truly have a problem with it? She could help us enlighten a few things.)
Juez: Defensa!?
Locke: Ack! Yes! I mean, I have no objections!
The judge is leering at Locke, while Abraham quietly chuckles and Miguel audibly sighs.
Locke: (Smooth, Smith. I wish my boss was here to keep me in check.)
Juez: Can la acusada come to the stand?
Susana walks to the stand with a stern expression.
Abraham: Name and occupation, if you will?
Susana: Susana Rururua. Highschool Senior.
Abraham: Would you mind telling us what happened that night?
Witness Testimony: Rua Is Sus
"I was walking alone that night. I wanted to go there and feed las palomas. Then that man was there. Standing in front of the fort, as if waiting for someone. Then he noticed me and approached me menacingly. Out of fear, I shot him. Then I shot again so he wouldn't harm me."
Silence hovers the court.
Abraham: *Smirk* Colorin, colorado. Este caso se ha cerrado.
Locke: *Recoils in surprise* WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?
The gallery goes wild.
Juez: *Smack Smack* Orden! Va a haber orden!
Abraham: Juez, I think it's time for a verdict. La acusada just now admitted to her crimes.
Juez:...
Objection!
Locke: *Smacks desk* The defense has the right to cross-examination!
Juez: Cross-examination?
Abraham: Él quiere interrogar, Juez.
Juez: Ah! Perdona. I'm not well versed to the English terms. Very well. La defensa can…cross examine a la acusada.
Locke: (You've been acting weird lately. What happened?)
Susana:...
Cross-examination
"Standing in front of the fort, as if waiting for someone."
Hold it!
Locke: Are you positive he was in front?
Susana:...I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.
Locke: (She's being vague on purpose. I should press further.) This is an important question. Was he or was he not in front?
Susana:...If he approached me, he was obviously not inside. You got a problem with that?
Locke: Yes. Because what you stated contradicts this evidence.
Take that!
Locke: *Presents Autopsy Report* It says here that the man died instantly from the shot. If what you said is to be true, *Points aggressively* then how did the body end up inside!?
Susana: !
Protesto!
Abraham: He could've gone inside as a last ditch effort after getting shot.
Locke: *Shakes head* Very unlikely. In her own words she said she shot him out of fear. If the victim was trying to run away, why would she need to shoot again?
Abraham: Jajajaja!
Locke: What's so funny!?
Abraham: Oye nena, I think it's time to drop the charade and tell the truth. Because I have evidence that the body moved. *Presents photo* This is a photo of the scene of the crime. You can see a trail of blood clearly suggesting him being dragged inside.
Juez: Ya veo. The court will accept the evidence.
Crime Scene Photo added to the Court Record.
Locke: (Based on the trail, it seems that he was dragged from the street where I came from the other day. There's also that bag of corn I found the other day.) But why go through all that trouble if the person was not a threat?
Abraham: *Shrugs* We do illogical things in the heat of the moment. Like a niño covering his mistake by sweeping it under the rug, hoping nobody would notice. Isn't that right?
Susana:...Yes.
Locke: *Recoils in surprise* You can't be serious!?
The gallery is getting restless.
Juez: *Smack* Orden! Acusada. Give your recount of why you dragged the body.
Susana: Okay.
Witness Testimony: Rua Is Sus Part 2
"As I said before, I arrived and defended myself. Once the deed was done, the gate was open and dragged him inside. At the time, I did it to not make me suspicious. Guess that backfired."
Juez: Hmmm. Defensa, you may proceed with the cross-examination.
Locke: With pleasure. (I will expose the truth from you!)
Cross-examination
"As I said before, I arrived and defended myself."
Hold it!
Locke: Out of curiosity, from where did you arrive at the scene?
Susana: I believe I came from the harbor side.
Locke: And you said that he approached you closer to the path?
Susana: Yeah.
Locke: (That seems important.) The defense would like to request that statement to be added to the testimony.
Juez: *Nod* If it's necessary, then I will allow it.
Susana: I see no reason for it, but fine.
"I came from the harbor side and shot him when he was close."
Objection!
Locke: Susana, I don't know what happened to you, but I don't appreciate being lied to.
Susana: *Glare* What are you going on about, gringo?
Locke: I'm saying that it was impossible for you to move the body from that position. *Presents photo* Look at this picture and tell me where the trail starts from?
Abraham: Let's see…!
Locke: *Smirk* So you've noticed. If the victim was killed, then the blood would start from the harbor. However, it starts from the opposite side. *Smacks desk* Which means your testimony has been nothing more than a load of baloney!
Susana: *Recoils in surprise* KYAAAAAA!
Protesto!
Abraham: She could've misremembered where she came from.
Locke: *Shakes head* Sorry, buster. But you can't get out of this one. I found a bag of corn near that path. Which makes sense, since she was there to spend time with the pigeons. You can even see it in the photo right there in the corner.
Juez: Let me see…He's right! The bag is right there!
Abraham: *Sweats nervously* No puede ser!
The gallery is bustling with noise.
Locke: Now Susana, why are you lying under oath?
Susana: *Clutches arm*...I can't say.
Locke: Why? Is someone trying to keep you quiet?
Protesto!
Abraham: Oye gringo. I'll admit you caught me off guard with that claim. *Smacks desk* However, the facts haven't changed that she still shot the man!
Locke: I never denied such a thing.
Abraham: Jaj! Don't think…Wait. You agree with me?
Locke: The fact that she fired twice is undeniably true. However, one of the shots never hit the target.
Abraham: That's a bold claim, gringo. And I hope you have the evidence to back it up.
Take that!
Locke: This is my evidence!
Abraham: A bullet?
Locke: This was stuck in a pigeon's foot. I request an examination to confirm this was fired by the same gun.
Juez: Alguacila! Get someone to examine this bullet immediately.
Alguacila: *Salutes* Si, señora!
Él tiempo pasa
The bailiff enters the courtroom.
Alguacila: Señora! The bullet found matches with the weapon!
Susana: Eh!?
Locke: This proves she indeed fired twice. But that's the problem. One of the bullets never hit the victim. *Smacks desk* Which begs the question, where did the third one come from!?
Abraham: *Recoils in surprise* Ave Atabey!
The gallery bursts with noise.
Juez: *Smack Smack Smack* Orden! Ooooooooorden!
Susana:...What color was the bird?
Locke: It was white. Don't worry, though. I think they'll be fine.
Susana: *Tears fall out* I've hurt Pedro…
Locke: I'm not done yet! I have evidence that someone was there who heard the third shot!
Take that!
Locke: *Presents Affidavit* The snow cone seller was present when the crime happened. He said that he heard two consecutive shots, then a third one later. The police didn't believe him, but I've proven without a shadow of a doubt that there is still some needed investigation before giving a verdict.
Juez: Hmmm. La defensa raises a good point. Enjuiciamiento, you will find this witness and bring them to court immediately.
Abraham: *Glares at Locke* En seguida, Juez.
Juez: We will now have a 30 minute recess. *Smack*
3 de Diciembre Él Lobby del Acusado 11:18 a.m.
Aha! I can finally breathe easy. Man, this job can be so mentally exhausting.
"Oye." Miguel makes his presence known. "I gotta say, I've never seen both a sloppy and amazing defensa in my life. Good job." I can't tell if that was an insult or a compliment. I'll take both. "So what's the plan?"
"I figured that we would get more information from the witness and go from there." Susana has been standing there quietly since she got here. "How are you holding up?" I ask her.
"...Why? Why did you keep fighting?"
"Because you're innocent and it's my job to prove it. It's literally in the job description."
"Even when I tried to convict myself?"
"...You may have your reasons, but the two things I can't allow is you being behind bars and let the truth be lost forever." Those are my true convictions. And she can see that now.
Susana looks at me and smiles. "Gracias, Locke. I will trust you from now on. Ask me anything you need."
Great! We only have fifteen minutes to spare. "So what really happened?"
"Just like I've said before, I arrived at the scene and saw that man…well, I'd be lying if I got a clear look at him. He was holding poor Pedro. He was trying to fly away from him. He noticed me and tried to reach something from his back. Out of instinct, that's when I pulled out the gun and fired. Made sure Pedro flew away and booked the hell outta there."
"So you're positive that he was still alive at the time?"
"Oye. I was trying to get away, not murder. I definitely hit him. Just not in the head. Last thing I saw from him was kneeling in pain."
"Thank you for being honest. And sorry for the assertiveness from earlier."
The bailiff approaches us. "Recess is almost over. Please step inside." That's that. I'll definitely get some answers.
San Felipe Sala de Justicia 11:48 a.m.
Everyone goes to their places.
Juez: The court will now resume.
Locke: The defense is ready, Your Honor!
Abraham has his eyes closed. Then he takes off his jacket and ties it around his waist, revealing his fit body for all to see. He has a tattoo on his left arm of a figure with a frog head and the body of a woman.
Abraham: Atabey, Madre de toda la vida, ayuda en encontrar la verdad para darle justicia a los pecadores. Amén. *Opens eyes* Él enjuiciamiento is ready, Juez.
Juez: Have you found the witness?
Abraham: Yes. He is currently in here right now.
Juez: The witness may now take the stand.
The snow cone seller walks to the stand. He's fixing his white hat and his red uniform.
Abraham: Name and occupation, witness.
Jamison: My name is Jamison Bondabar. *Makes a snow cone* I'm a piragua seller. Quieres?
Locke: Thank you! *Takes a bite* Mmm~! Grapes. My favorite!
Abraham: Pásame por aquí también. *Takes a bite* Blueberry. Just like my childhood.
Juez: Paren eso los dos! This is not a restaurant!
Jamison: No se preocupe. I made some for you too.
Juez: Oh! Muchísimas gracias. *Takes a bite* Ah. This reminds me so much of my first luna de miel with my husband. We'll take a moment to finish this dessert.
Everyone finishes eating their snow cone.
Juez: That was delicioso! Now that we're all refreshed, can you give your testimony?
Jamison: En seguida!
Witness Testimony: Snow cone of Truth
"It was late at night and I had to close down. Then I saw that woman pull out a gun on the man and she shot him! Fearing for my life, I hid under the stand. After a while, I peeked to see if the coast was clear. The woman was still there, reloading her weapon and shot him twice again. I stayed under the stand for the rest of the night."
Locke: Hold on! This is completely different than what you told me yesterday!
Jamison: Chill, gringo. I was still trying to recover from the experience. I could've been dead, hombre!
Abraham: *Smirk* It's only human to get information mixed up in the heat of the moment. Plus, this confirms that she can shoot as many times as she wants.
Juez: Defensa, you may proceed with the cross-examination.
Cross-examination
"The woman was still there, reloading her weapon and shot him twice again."
Hold it!
Locke: Are you positive that it was the defendant?
Jamison: Claro. It's hard to mistake that beanie for someone else.
Abraham: Continue with the testimony.
Locke:...(Dammit! I can't find any holes!)
Abraham: Jeje. I can tell from your expression that you have no objections.
Locke: H-Hold on. Just give me tim-
Protesto!
Abraham: Don't waste time. You have to know when to give up and accept the truth.
Locke: Ungh!
Abraham: Atabey has shone us the truth with this man. *Smacks desk* There is no doubt anymore that she has committed the crime!
Locke: *Recoils in surprise* NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The gallery is bustling with chatter.
Abraham: Juez, let's not delay the court any longer. And if the defensa says anything otherwise, it is only out of desperation.
Juez:...I see. Then I will conclude and give the verdict.
Locke: (I'm sorry Susana. I've tried to help, but it only made the situation worse!)
Un momento!
Juez: !
Abraham: !
Locke: !
Miguel is standing next to Locke.
Abraham: *Smile* El vampiro al fin sale de la sombra.
Locke: M-Miguel!? What are you doing here?
Miguel: *Pulls out a cigar* Covering your pendejera. I should charge you for making me do this.
Juez: Miguel! No puedes fumar aquí!
Miguel: Relax, Juez. *Smirk* As long as I don't light it, then there's no problem, verdad?
Juez: Hmph! Tú y tu tecnicismo.
Miguel: I'm just here to ask a simple question from the witness. How long have you been working there?
Jamison:...I've been serving there since I was a young chamaco.
Miguel: Really? *Smirk* That's funny. I regularly spend my days off at the park and I never recall seeing you there.
Protesto!
Abraham: You're not the main defensa, Miguel. He's only delaying the court.
Miguel: Oye Abraham. Since you're such a big follower of Altorreirte, what did he do in his spare time?
Abraham:...That has nothing to do with this case.
Locke: Hey, what's going on?
Miguel: That man is not a piragua seller.
Locke: Huh?
Miguel: Everyone knows Ramon's favorite thing was piraguas. He became a seller near the park to give free treats to every passerby.
Locke: !
Juez: I will not let anyone stop this court over trivial nonsense.
Hold it!
Locke: Your Honor! Please give me at least ten seconds to collect my thoughts.
Juez: Esto otra vez! Negado!
Abraham: *Shrugs* Now now. I say we should allow it. I'm curious what sort of crazy story he can come up with.
Juez:...Fine. But I will give my verdict once time is up. That's final.
Locke: Thank you. (Now to process everything so far.)
Mind Palace
Locke materializes the crime scene in his head.
Locke: Time to understand the situation. There is no denying one fact…
Susana shot someone.
Locke: That's true. She did indeed hurt someone. But now to think about what the person was doing in the first place…
He was trying to get the note.
Locke: That's right! There was a message stuck on the pigeon. Something about there being a spy. But they never got the note. Which means they would've stayed around to try and get it again. And that would mean…
The snow cone seller is the person who got shot.
Locke: Of course! If I was trying to retrieve it, I would've disguised myself near the area!
Got it!
Locke: *Smacks desk* Witness! The defense accuses you for the murder of the comedian!
Jamison: *Crushes cone* QUEEEEEEEEEEE!?
The gallery goes wild.
Protesto!
Abraham: Jajajaja! Good storytelling. You should become a writer. However, do you have any evidence to back that up?
Miguel: Locke, whatever evidence you present, Newi will find it.
Locke: What do you mean?
Miguel: She can use her echolocation to find the item that's similar to the evidence. Choose wisely so they don't take her away.
Locke: (Great. I can't mess this up. I have a good idea which evidence she can find.)
Juez: Defensa, do you have evidence that proves your claim?
Take that!
Locke: *Presents bullet* This is my evidence!
Newi snatches the bullet from him and circles around the court. The gallery panics.
Abraham: Controla tú mascota, hombre!
Newi flies over the witness.
Jamison: AAAIIIEEEE! Alguien para este murciélago!
Newi flies back to Miguel.
Locke: Your Honor. It has been stated before that the defendant did indeed hit someone. Which means the other bullet is still lodged inside his body.
Abraham: Exactly. It's in the dead body.
Objection!
Locke: *Shakes head* That is incorrect. Yes, the body has bullets, but not from the defendant. In reality, the person who she encountered is none other than the witness himself!
Jamison: *Clutches shoulder* !
Locke: *Smirk* I don't need my boss's ability to see where you got hit. I'll tell you how it went down. After the confrontation, I assume the victim went to check up on him. I don't know what happened next, but he killed him and dragged the body to confuse the investigation.
Jamison: *Sweats nervously*...
Protesto!
Abraham: Such desperation. Like a corrupt abogado! You have no evidence for his motives!
Locke: *Smirk* Actually, I happen to have just the thing for his crimes.
Abraham: *Recoils in surprise* En serio!? Present this evidence at once!
Take that!
Jamison: D-Donde encontraste eso!?
Locke: This note was tied on the pigeon's leg. The same one that Susana witnessed the man holding. I will now read the contents for everyone to hear.
Jamison: No! Por favor! No lo leas! No lo LEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!
The courtroom falls silent as the people are processing what happened.
Jamison: *Sobs* I-I confess. I k-killed him. Just...d-don't read it.
The bailiff detains the witness and leaves the room with him.
Él tiempo pasa
Juez: Any information on the perpetrator?
Abraham:...He has confessed to everything and we indeed found a bullet wound in his shoulder. We're currently investigating the contents of the note.
Miguel: I guess you were right. *Smirk* Atabey did shine the truth on the witness.
Abraham: *Glare*...
Juez: I see. Never in my life did I ever experience something like that in this court. Are you sure you're not a detective?
Locke: *Smile and blush* Ahah. No. But thank you. (Hah! Coloring, Colorado. This case has been solved by an abogado. Oh that was good! I should write it down.)
Juez: Vaya. It has been long but I can finally give a verdict. Can la acusada come to the stand?
Susana walks to the stand.
Juez: This court finds la acusada Susana Rururua…
Innocente
Juez: The court is dismissed. Y he dicho, caso cerrado! *Smack*
3 de Diciembre Él Lobby del Acusado 12:09 p.m.
Another case solved. I can't wait to tell my boss about it!
"Congratulations." Miguel walks in. "That was a crazy trail there. Reminds me of my old days."
"I have to give my thanks. If you weren't there, I would've lost for sure."
He looks away. "Don't be a pendejo. I only gave my two cents. You did the rest. There should be someone else who needs to give their thanks." He looks at Susana.
"...Thank you. For everything." She avoids eye contact.
"No problem. There's still the issue of you carrying a firearm, but that can be taken care of easily." I reassure her.
"That's where I come in. Come. Let's file some documents. And I need a smoke." Miguel leaves with Susana. I should tell him about his smoking habits. Newi could get affected too.
Hm? I hear someone slow clapping. I turn to see Abraham with his jacket on. "Impresionante. That was a good performance you did."
"T-Thanks. By the way, you did a good job as well. Not to mention, taking care of your beautiful body!"
He blushes a bit. "Sorry. I don't date people that I work against."
"Date? I was just complimenting you." I guess people here take any positive comments as an initiation for dating.
"I came here to let you know if you're interested in becoming a prosecutor. I'll admit, I underestimated you and we could use your talents in our office. The pay is good. Certainly much more than your agency can offer."
"Oh. I appreciate the offer, but I'll decline. I became a defense attorney for a reason."
He gazes down melancholically, then smiles. "Of course. But at the end of the day, passion doesn't feed the family. If you ever change your mind, give us a call." He hands me his business card. "If we face each other on court, I will definitely win. Adios." He waves goodbye and leaves.
Him and Miguel have definitely something going on…ugh. I'm starving. I'll have to stop by the restaurant and give the good news to the waitress while I eat something.
The end.
