AN: Hello, everyone! Court round two! Beware, this is when things start getting ugly :P. I'm excited for the conclusion of this case as well as the events I have planned for after...everything's getting revved up muhahahahaha. But, until then, enjoy!
OBSERVER01: Thanks, glad you think so.
Gilgamesh The King of Heroes: Haha, I wouldn't dare try to throw you off :P. Lyn's going to be in for it...And thanks! Glad you liked it!
The Forgotten Reader: Thanks! Well, it is a possibility.
Cranky Kong: There's a strong possibility of it happening.
As usual, thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following! I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story thus far!
May 17th, 9:46 AM
District Courtroom No. 3, Hallway
"So, in other words, you have no new evidence found at the scene and didn't unearth any of the important mysteries from yesterday."
"Well, when you put it like that," I said rubbing my temples. "Ah, I'm screwed aren't I?"
Edgeworth had his eyes closed, rhythmically tapping his finger on his arm. "You didn't find anything at all? No clue about the hair, the prints or the button?"
"No, no, and forget that stupid button!" I said irritably. "Look, it's not all bad because we have a witness that saw some things that would help push the case against Rose."
"Mm. And who is the witness this time?"
"The deceased's girlfriend. And, no not the mystery deceased lady. She was at the club the day of the incident."
"I see. I think the results of today's trial will be interesting indeed," he said dryly, almost to himself.
"Haha, yeah. For you," I folded my arms. "It's like you and everyone in the gallery gets to watch a live performance- a stage show where disasters happen frequently and everyone tries to keep up with what's happening on the floor and keep the show going."
"An interesting way to describe it, but I would say the act of studying law is an art form all by itself."
"What a nerd," I muttered under my breath.
"Did you say something?"
"It's nothing," I smiled cheekily. "You mind leaving soon?"
"Hm? Why?"
"Nothing major, I just wanted to clear my head."
(And to sulk in private.)
"Ah," he remarked. "Why, I'm hurt you don't want my company."
I blinked and felt myself breaking out into a cold sweat. "Huh? No, it's not that, I'm just a little stressed and-"
"It was a joke," he said.
"Oh."
(What! That- that was so cut and dry, without a hint of sarcasm...)
"There's no need to be so serious, Lyn."
(Haha, very funny Edgeworth.)
He was echoing my own words, things I'd tell him during stints in his office. Now he parroting it back to me, enjoying my reaction. Why was I not surprised?
"The truth will find it's way to you if let it," he said walking off.
"Um, was that your way of telling me to relax?"
There was no response as he walked around the corner and out of sight. Only Edgeworth would give me more to think about when I was in the process of trying to empty my mind. I sighed. I didn't get him at times, but that wasn't anything new.
Despite his talks about truth seeking, I was quite certain of at least one thing: Miles Edgeworth knew how to cover up his truths. He knew how to protect himself from others very well. Though, the irony was that he had such an insatiable appetite for truth hunting, at least for handling other people. I wondered how he'd handle being placed under a microscope and observed with the same scrutiny he observed the rest of the world. Wouldn't it be awesome if I could use his own techniques against him? It'd be like one of those student surpasses the teacher battles... but I wouldn't get ahead of myself. I had other things to think about after all. Like how to survive today.
(Day two, bring your worst.)
May 17th, 10:00 AM
District Courtroom No. 3
Well, everyone was back. The gallery was packed and lively; all three sections wouldn't shut up about the results today was going to bring. I swallowed hard, thinking how they all might be in for a huge surprise. The judge was in position and so were Phoenix and Maya looking more confident than they did yesterday. Crap. I really hoped that Gumshoe knew what he was talking about when he said they didn't find much of anything.
The judge brought down the gavel heavily demanding silence.
"Court is now in session for day two of the trial of Catalina Bush. Is the defense ready?"
"Yes, Your Honor," nodded Phoenix.
"The prosecution?"
Um, as ready as I could be under these circumstances? "Yes, Your Honor."
"What were your findings after yesterday's trial?" the judge asked me.
"Well, about that," I said beginning to feel beads of sweat rolling off my forehead. "The prosecution, unfortunately, hasn't found anything of use."
The crowd behind me started up.
"Not a thing?"
"How boring."
"What kind of investigation is she even running?"
"HEY, you try tracking down a dead woman!" I said turning around shaking a fist at the crowd.
"Hey, Nick. This might be a good thing for us," said Maya excitedly.
"Maybe. But it's not like we found anything really either. I'm just as stumped."
The judge banged his gavel a few times. "There will be order! If this is the case, I am not sure how to continue."
"Well, have no worries, Your Honor. While we did not turn up anything in regards to evidence, we did, however find a witness."
"That woman from before," muttered Phoenix.
"Bingo!" I said regaining some composure. "Let's bring her in. I'm sure she'll shed plenty of light on this grim situation."
With that the bailiff went out to retrieve Phoebe. In a couple of minutes she was up on the stand, looking quite small. I had thought it was just because of how she was sitting down yesterday, but she was just a very compact lady.
"Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court."
"Phoebe Mitchell. I'm a seamstress...and I was Collin's girlfriend."
It was the defense's turn to break out into a cold sweat.
I smirked. "Please testify about everything you saw transpire the night of the crime."
Witness Testimony
Everything I Saw
-I came to the club looking for Collin and...her.
-I went to the backstage area where I knew dancers were.
-We got into an argument.
-After it ended, I went outside for a while. She entered another room.
-I decided to come back to talk to Collin.
-That's when I saw her leaving the VIP room at 12:30.
-I figured he would be in there, so I entered.
-And...that's when I found him dead!
I couldn't wait to see how Phoenix handled that testimony. He and Maya looked defeated already. If they couldn't put a hole in this statement, their case was as good as dead. And maybe, the judge could still pass a verdict in my favor if this managed to hold up. Then I could go the fuck home...
The judge's eyes were wide. "There was a direct confrontation? This is news to me," he mused.
"As well as me," said Phoenix sighing.
"This is a very damaging testimony. For the sake of your case, Mr. Wright, I hope you find something of use. You may begin the cross examination."
"Yes, Your Honor."
Cross Examination
Everything I Saw
-I came to the club looking for Collin and...her.
HOLD IT!
"And why was that?" asked Phoenix.
"Collin was spending more and more time at the club seeing that woman. I wanted to confront them once and for all," she said pointing an imaginary needle angrily.
"Yes, it's even in here," I said hitting my hand on the bench. A few screens appeared showing the tabloid article about the secret meetings the actor was having with Rose.
"That certainly does seem scandalous," nodded the judge.
"So, it's no surprise that the witness wanted to confirm for herself what was going on."
-I went to the backstage area where I knew dancers were.
HOLD IT!
"Around what time did you go?" asked Phoenix.
"I think it was about 11:45," Phoebe said mimicking weaving something with needle and thread.
"And where did you find Rose?"
"She was walking around in the hallway back there. And then..."
-We got into an argument.
HOLD IT!
"What exactly did you argue about?"
"Well, what do you think?" she asked jabbing the air with a needle like motion. "I told her I knew what was going on between her and Collin and that I wanted it to stop!"
Phoenix looked pretty intimidated. "Yeah...I understand."
-After it ended, I went outside for a while. She entered another room.
HOLD IT!
"And where did you go?" he asked stroking his chin.
"To the parking lot. I was pretty mad," she said doing the threading motion faster.
"If you went outside, how did you know my client entered another room?"
"I chased her into another room. She shut herself in and wouldn't allow me to come in." Phoebe said looking away clutching the bottom of her dress.
"Ah, that would do it," he said sweating.
-I decided to come back to talk to Collin.
HOLD IT!
"How did you know he was there?"
"Because he was always there! Always...with her. I knew he'd be there that night. I returned to the backstage area waiting for him. I knew he'd meet with her, so I'd stick around to confront him when I saw him."
-That's when I saw her leaving the VIP room at 12:30.
HOLD IT!
"And you're absolutely certain you saw my client?"
"Yes! I'd bet my life on it!" she said motioning needle work in the air rapidly. "The red hair, the tacky dress, even the shoes!"
"Even the shoes?"
"Definitely! White ugly things..."
"And where did Rose go after she left the room?"
"I think she went up to the stage. I don't know what she did after that because..."
-I figured he would be in there, so I entered.
HOLD IT!
"So, you entered the room?"
"Do you really need to ask that?" I shined my glasses.
"Urk. I guess not."
"Please, continue with your testimony."
-And...that's when I found him dead!
HOLD IT!
"Wait, if you found the body, why didn't you call the police?"
"Well, I was so shocked...I just couldn't bear it! I left the room hoping it would be a dream, I'd wake up from," she frowned.
Phoenix was furrowing his squiggly eyebrows. It was clear he was thinking about something, but I had no idea what. It was making me a bit worried. I didn't see anything wrong with the testimony so far.
"I'd hate to ask, but when you entered the room what exactly did you see?"
Phoebe frowned. "I saw him there on the ground. He was bruised badly, lying in a puddle of blood. And that nasty mark on his neck..." she shook her head. "It was horrid."
"Does that satisfy you, Mr. Wright?" I asked. "Ms. Mitchell's testimony is pretty damning, I'd say."
"Getting into a fight and being seen leaving the crime scene doesn't bode well for the defendant." The judge shook his head. "I think I will end the cross examination, unless the defense has a problem with it."
Phoenix was glaring me down, both hands pressed on the bench.
"So, does the defense find fault with testimony?" I asked in the guise of confidence, but secretly ready to piss myself.
Phoenix paused before pointing at me dramatically. "Yes! The defense has a problem with the testimony!"
Oh, no. It didn't look like he knew exactly what it was that bothered him, and that was a bother to me because that's when kickass mode was about to be unleashed.
"Where is the contradiction, Mr. Wright?"
"It's...uh..."
I was holding on to the inside of my bench, nervously.
"I hope you aren't stalling for time, Mr. Wright," said the judge growing impatient.
"Me? No, of course not," Phoenix said rubbing the back of his head.
"I find fault with...how Ms. Mitchell described the crime scene!"
"And what's wrong with that?" I asked.
He placed his hands on his hips. Shit. That was never a good sign for the prosecution.
"Something crucial is missing from Ms. Mitchell's description of the scene. At first I couldn't put a finger on it, but I figured it out."
TAKE THAT!
Phoenix slammed both hands on the bench, presenting the crime scene photos to the court.
"Huh? The crime scene pictures? What's wrong with that?" I asked in confusion.
"Please point out the contradiction in the photo, Mr. Wright."
He nodded. "Easy! It's right here."
The photo honed in on Collin's neck area, which was wearing the red scarf.
"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitake mushrooms," I said running my fingers through my hair.
"What's the problem?"
"Ms. Doom has figured it out," said Phoenix a bit cocky. "The victim was found wearing a scarf that didn't belong to him at the crime scene. It's even in this picture the police took. Yet, Ms. Mitchell didn't mention it once!"
"Uh, well, maybe she just forgot about it!" I said trying to save face.
Phoenix smirked. "Forget about a bright red scarf? This man wore nothing, but white! I think that's pretty noticeable, don't you?"
Who the hell wears all white, really?! I was fuming at the bench now, trying to figure out how to proceed.
"Well, Ms. Mitchell why didn't you see the scarf?" asked Phoenix.
"Um, I..." she was sweating, looking away from him, clutching the bottom of her dress tightly.
HOLD IT!
"I mean, it's not like that scarf matters...that much," I began awkwardly laughing. "Remember, Rose is reported by another witness as being in the same room again at 1 AM. I mean, she could have easily brought the scarf in around that time and pretended to discover the body."
"But..."
"That is possible," remarked the judge. "The defendant could have tried to cover her tracks later on."
"Exactly," I nodded. Phew, that was a close one.
Phoenix looked disappointed.
"Anything else wrong, Mr. Wright?" the judge asked.
"I hope you won't try to say she wasn't at the scene next," I said.
Phoenix shook his head. "I wouldn't because I know she was there."
"Huh?"
"Ms. Mitchell, you said you were a seamstress, correct?"
"Yes, I did," she nodded.
"Then do these belong to you?" Phoenix asked presenting a needle and spool of thread.
"Ah!" she said covering her mouth. "Yes, those are mine...I was wondering what happened to them."
I was suspicious. What did that prove? Her needle and thread were at the scene. Was he going to try to pin the crime on her?
"What was the point of that?" I asked him glaring him down.
"I just wanted to return it," he said placing his hands on his hips. "So, she can sew her button back on."
Suddenly, the button they found yesterday at the crime scene appeared on the screen. I removed my glasses and just started wiping my eyes. Not that goddamned button...
HOLD IT!
"How do you even know that belongs to the witness?"
"Yes, that by no means is mine!" Phoebe gestured stabbing the, now real needle in the air repeatedly.
"It's a possibility as no one else claimed to enter the room before 1AM," said Phoenix reviewing a document in hand.
The sweat was coming off my being in buckets.
"What does the prosecution think?" asked the judge.
"Uh, well," I removed my glasses wiping the sweat from my forehead. I had to try to play this from another angle. "It means nothing. If you can't link it directly to her. As you can see, the witness enjoys dresses with ZIPPERS, not buttons. Are you going to try to suggest she killed him with sewing equipment at this point, Mr. Wright?"
"Urk," he frowned. "No, I suppose not..."
"And actually, I think there's more of motive for your client to go after the victim."
"Huh?"
"Please take look at this," I said snapping my fingers. On screen I brought up the image of the will Collin wrote.
"This was the victim's will and it's important to note who is on it."
Maya gasped. "Rose...she's getting $90,000?!"
"Exactly!" I slammed the bench. "She's getting a fortune. Ms. Mitchell is getting less and she was his girlfriend! I think that's more than enough reason to kill!"
Phoenix was visibly cringing. The judge was looking upon the new evidence with interest.
"That certainly establishes a motive," the judge said shaking his head.
Phew. I bullshitted my through that one. Phoenix and Maya were conversing trying to figure out what to do next. It was clear they were on to Ms. Mitchell's case. It would be there only way out if they wanted to clear Rose's name, to pin it on her.
"Well, if the defense doesn't have anything else to say, I'd like to bring this cross examination to a close," said the judge. "Does the defense have any objections?"
Phoenix didn't say anything for a while, clearly trying to think a way out of this. I hoped he wouldn't. I just wanted to leave at this point.
(Don't say anything. Don't say anything. Don't say anything...)
"The defense...has no objections," he frowned.
(YES!)
"The witness is dismissed," he said banging the gavel.
Ms. Mitchell was lead off by a bailiff and I could now breathe. Sort of. If nothing was wrong with the witness, then maybe I could get a win and go home. Honestly, we couldn't find jack shit about the weird items and well, if we couldn't find anything, we couldn't find anything? I was seriously hoping to escape while I had the chance.
"Well, I think I am prepared to pass my verdict."
"But, Your Honor!" Phoenix said slamming the desk. "We haven't discovered anything new about the hair, or shoes or button!"
"That's true, but based on the testimony we've received today I think there's enough to go by. The fact that your client omitted what she was doing that hour she was missing is suspicious and leading me to further doubt. The will presented also gives the court a clear motive. For what we do know, it's very clear who the criminal is."
(Oh my God. I might actually be able to get out of here. There's a chance for me. Let nothing happen. Please, let nothing happen.)
"But...but..." Phoenix was stressing out majorly. It wasn't to the point where he covered his head, but he wasn't doing to hot. I sorta felt a little bad, but I didn't have anything to add.
The judge lifted the gavel, holding it in the air. "I declare the defendant, Catalina Bush g-"
HOLD IT!
"W-who was that?" demanded the judge.
(No! No! No! I was so close to winning! So close to going home!)
Everyone looked around the courtroom. The defense looked surprised so it wasn't them, and obviously I hadn't opened my mouth either. Suddenly, another woman had run up to the witness stand from the gallery. She was young and blond and dressed provocatively in what appeared to be fishnet stockings, a tiny pair of black pleather shorts, a tight black top showing off her toned stomach, black boots and a police hat?
"I...I can't let you pass that verdict! Rose is innocent! I know it! That woman was lying!"
I grabbed my head by its sides with both hands.
(This seriously wasn't happening...not now. Goddammit... )
"And just who the hell are you?" I asked impatiently.
"I'm another dancer at the club. The name's Lola! Lola Parker," she swung a pair of handcuffs around on her index finger.
"You gotta let me testify! I wasn't gonna do it before, cause of what I done, but...I can't see that little thing go to the slammer!"
I could feel the rage starting to burn through my body. "And where the hell were you before? Why didn't you come to the police?! You're even dressed as the police!"
"Well, that's the thing hehe," she said cuffing herself and throwing away the key. "I've been a bad girl."
"Nick!" said Maya looking at him desperately.
"Your Honor!" Phoenix said looking up at the judge eagerly. "I think we should listen to what she has to say!"
The judge shut his eyes thinking on he should do. He was quiet for a while before he opened his eyes again and spoke. "I will allow it."
OBJECTION!
"This...this is ridiculous!" I said slamming my hands on the bench. Where did she even come from?! Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut?
"The court has an obligation to listen to the witness. If she knows something that could impact the verdict, we must listen."
"Nnngh..."
Fuck this shit. The defense looked relieved and slightly more hopeful than they did prior. Great. Now, I was toast, wasn't I?
"Ms. Doom?" the judge looked at me.
I groaned. I didn't even have time to prepare the witness to say shit. So, I had no fucking idea what was going to happen next.
"Witness. Name. Occupation. Now," I glared.
"The name's Lola Parker, like I said before and I'm a dancer down at the Royale Hotel!"
"Testify about...whatever it is you know," I sighed.
Witness Testimony
The Real Deal
-That lady is lying!
-After she left the room, she went to one of the dressing rooms.
-Then she went back into the VIP room!
-Cept the next time, she entered with something.
-That something being that scarf!
-And well, I know how she got it...
I was shaking at my bench. I had removed my glasses and was just squeezing them. It was the only thing I could do to prevent myself from swearing and getting myself kicked out of the court. If this was true- if anything the lady said was true...I was going to kick Ms. Mitchell's ass. I was beginning to understand how prosecutor's felt when everything they had planned began to fall apart right before their eyes. This was total bullshit...
"This witness contradicts the testimony of the last one," the judge said shaking his head. "Mr. Wright, I hope you can make sense of it all with your cross examination. However, if this testimony brings nothing new to light, I will pass my verdict. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Honor," he nodded getting ready for what could be the final fight.
I glared at the woman on the stand and at the defense. It was all I could do at this point.
Cross Examination
The Real Deal
-That lady is lying!
-After she left the room, she went to one of the dressing rooms.
HOLD IT!
"So, after she left the VIP room she went into the dressing room?"
"Yep! Darned right she did!" Lola said swinging the handcuffs on her index finger.
"And where were you when you saw that?"
"I was just finishing up with a client in another VIP room down. I walked out and she was in such a hurry, I don't even think she noticed me."
-Then she went back into the VIP room,
cept the next time, she entered with something.
-That something being that scarf!
HOLD IT!
"And you're positive about that?"
"Well, I ain't seen such a nice scarf like that in a while. And she was definitely holding on to it!" she said, hands in cuffs trying to break them apart with force.
-And well, I know how she got it...
HOLD IT!
"What do you mean by that?" asked Phoenix curiously.
"Rose, hope you can forgive a bad girl of her crimes," Lola frowned, locking herself up in cuffs and throwing away the key. "That lady that was just up here...she offered me a lot of money."
"Money?" he stroke his chin. "Money for what?"
"Money for Rose's locker number and lock combination. And, well, that was a lot! It was way more than a tip! But...I'm sorry."
"What?!" screeched Phoenix.
Maya's mouth was hanging open.
"This is..." I bit my lip. "What is this frickle frackle?!"
The gallery started to make a lot of noise. The judge quieted them down banging that stupid gavel over and over.
"Order! This court will have over!" he said. "This witness was paid off by the last one? That's very underhanded business!"
HOLD IT!
The sweat just continued to pour off my body, I felt like I was on fire. I couldn't tell if it was from fear or angry or what. "I...well, where is the proof of this transaction! I won't accept this without proof!"
"Oh!" Lola jumped up with her hat floating above her head for a moment. "Here's the check I got."
(Motherfucker...you paid with a check? Why?! You moron!)
The check appeared on screen for the entire court to see. And sure enough, it was made out to Lola by Ms. Mitchell.
"I'd say this casts a lot of suspicion on to Ms. Mitchell," said Phoenix.
"Yeah! It was her that put the scarf on that guy, not Rose!" chimed in Maya.
"Ngh..." I held my glasses in my hands, clenching my frames tighter and tighter.
The judge nodded in agreement. "While, I don't condone the actions of this witness, they have directed my curiosity to the previous witness."
There goes the case. It was out the window. I called the killer to the stand. I was going to give her a piece of my mind.
"The defense would like to call Ms. Mitchell back to the stand if that's alright," Phoenix said a bit more happily that he had been all trial.
"As do I," said the judge. "Bailiff, please bring Ms. Mitchell to the stand."
In a few minutes, Phoebe was brought back to the stand and she wasn't looking to hot. She had made rips in her dress and was sewing it up on the stand while sweating profusely.
"Witness, based on the last testimony we've just received... you have some explaining to do."
She placed a hand over her chest. "I did it. It was true. I paid her for the information. And I did put the scarf on Collin."
"What the heck is wrong with you?!" I fumed.
"But it was only because I wanted her to get caught for what she had done!" she said stitching quickly and pulling the thread through the needle up over her head.
OBJECTION!
I yelled out doing the quiet coyote. "Do you realize what you've done?"
Phoebe looked at me nervously, stitching quickly. "Well, I..."
"You lied to me. I don't appreciate that," I slammed my hands down on the bench. "You paid off someone to get into her locker and take the scarf. What else did you take? The shoes too?!"
"No! I didn't I wouldn't..." The spool of thread was running low with every second that passed.
"Well, how do I know that? There are still footprints that belong to no one at the club, so maybe they belong to you, huh? And you tampered with the crime scene too!"
"I'm sorry," she said weakly.
"Sorry, doesn't cut it! How do we know you didn't do it? How can we trust anything you say now?"
"I would never hurt Collin!" she said in a mixture of anguish and anger, starting to tangle her thread work up, struggling to untangle the mess.
"Hmph. You went to the club ready for a fight that night. You had the locker combination. Maybe you stole the shoes. Maybe you actually spoke to Collin, got into a fight and killed him for cheating on you with a stripper! Being left nearly every night alone, not knowing what he was doing must of pissed you off."
"It wasn't like that...yes, I was concerned, but I..." Phoebe tried to raise her needle, but was stuck.
"Or maybe, it wasn't that. Maybe you just wanted the money, while getting your cheating boyfriend out the way and destroying your competition in the process!" I slammed yet again, still enraged and distrusting.
"Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
At this point, she started to break down. Her hand with the needle in it trembled. She moved faster and faster with the threading until the spool of thread unravelled. She managed to tie herself up, completely tangled. She started to cry.
"I loved Collin! I would never hurt him, let alone kill him! It wasn't me...It wasn't me!"
"Then who was it? If it wasn't you, because you don't look good right now. You're the state's number one enemy at this point."
"I...I don't want to think it, but..." she looked down, sniffling.
"But what?" I yelled. "You'd better spit it out now! If you loved Collin, like you claimed say it!"
Phoebe jumped skittishly."I...I wasn't the only one there that night."
"What? Why didn't you mention it sooner?!"
"He told me not to say anything, but...Alphonso! Alphonso was there too!" she sobbed.
"Who is this Alphonso?"
"Alphonso was one of Collin's co-star's in the movie..." Phoebe said. "Please, there's no way Alphonso did it! He and Collin were friends! It has to be her!"
"Or you," I said bluntly. "You're going to be held in police custody for what you've been up to."
"Ms. Doom!" said Phoenix slamming his desk.
"What?" I snapped.
"That was too far!"
"Hmph," I said folding my arms. "Whatever. This witness, lover of the deceased or not has gotten in the way of figuring out what the hell happened. I'm not tolerating bullcrap like this. I trusted her and this was the payment?"
Phoebe just looked at me and wailed, trying desperately to choke back her sobs.
(You can cry me a river for all I care.)
"Besides, this helps your case. Doesn't it?" I laughed bitterly.
I heard murmurs from the gallery.
"Wow, she's cold..."
"I can't believe she made that poor lady cry..."
"What a meanie!"
"That's the attorney breaker for you."
(Well, fuck you too!)
"Actually, you know what? I'm done with this," I put my glasses on instead of squeezing them. "Your Honor."
"Y-yes, Ms. Doom?" he asked nervously. Maybe he was afraid I was going to tirade at him.
"I request that trial be ended now. The prosecution must reevaluate its position in the case. This witness must be questioned by the police and this Alphonso guy must investigated in addition to the other crap we haven't figured out yet."
"I, uh, that seems like a great idea. Trial is extended for one more day. Court is adjourned."
He banged the gavel and returned to his chamber. Ms. Mitchell was removed by a bailiff and I'm certain placed into the hands of the police. People were chatting it up, and I felt all of their eyes on me. The defense eyed me as well, disdainfully. Even Maya looked at me sourly. But fuck it, right then, I just didn't give a fuck. I walked out of the courtroom into the safety of the hallway.
May 17th, 12:25 PM
District Courtroom No. 3, Hallway
I stormed out of the hellish room. I was grateful to be out, but I was not grateful to see what was outside of the room waiting for me.
Miles Edgeworth was waiting for me, arms folded looking down at me in disapproval.
"Look," I snapped. "Didn't you see what happened out there?"
"What you did to that woman was completely unnecessary," he glared.
"Oh, really? Well, it got me another lead, so I think it wasn't like that," I said folding my arms.
"I thought you wanted to move on from your past."
"I am! I'm searching for the truth, just like you go on about, aren't I?"
"That is not the way you do it."
"Oh, you're one to talk. The great Miles Edgeworth, demon prosecutor as they called you, you weren't that much better," I said derisively.
He looked at me harshly. "I've learned from my mistakes, and you should do likewise."
I wiped my face with my right hand. "Then what is it you want me to do? What do you want from me? "
"I want you to act dignified and to actually live up to your potential," he shot back. "You are better than that."
"Oh my God." I felt even hotter than I did before. This was like getting scolded by a teacher at school for something that was justified. I was clenching my fist. I had a long fuse, but when I got angry, I got really, really angry.
"Stop trying to guilt me and go away," I snapped.
"Lyn..." he started sternly.
"Go away! I'm doing my best! Maybe it's just not your way of doing stuff, but I'm trying here! Can I get points for actually being in the stupid court? It's a miracle I even showed up to keep doing this stupid ass case!"
He merely folded his arms and began tapping a finger on one calmly. "You're acting like a child."
I froze, feeling this sinking sensation in my stomach.
"Grr...Shut up!" I said feeling both fists clenching tighter. "I'm not just some kid! I'm not! I can do things just like you can! I do things my own way, so stop treating me like a kid!"
He started to get pissed, now glaring at me with full force, nostrils flaring. "Well, maybe I wouldn't treat you like one, if you weren't throwing tantrums and acting unruly like you are now."
"Screw you!"
That was it. That was the final straw. Before I knew what I was doing in response, I charged right over to him and smacked him right across the face. It was a hard slap as his head turned at the strike. He was shocked as he felt the area of his cheek that I had slapped, which was now turning red. I was surprised at what I had done. I slowly withdrew my hand and took a step back.
We stared at each other for a second, until I looked away.
"I- I'm leaving," I said beginning to get away from all of it.
"You need to apologize."
I turned to look at him coldly. "If you want one from me, you won't get it."
"I meant Ms. Mitchell."
I didn't respond. I looked at him one more time, before I briskly started walking out of that awful courthouse.
May 17th, 12:38 PM
Courthouse Parking Lot
I sat in my car, trying to calm down. I felt hot tears coming up in my tear ducts and I was trying to blink em back. I took a breath sitting in the driver's seat. Man, what the fuck just happened? Did I really slap Edgeworth? I shook my head. What an incredibly stupid thing to do...but I was so angry I... ugh. I pressed my head against the steering wheel and hit my head against it once.
Goddammit.
None of this was fair. I didn't want this stupid case to begin with and it was frustrating to get through each day of this debacle. I knew it was over before it began, but everything I had fell to pieces. Court was stressful enough, but it was more stressful when you think your witnesses have their shit together, but they actually didn't. I was still reeling about how I may have called a killer to the stand. And then how Phoenix and Maya looked so appalled... Ugh. I felt like shit. Complete shit.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe what I just did was who I really was here. I was supposed to be that bitch. It was never an over exaggeration, was it? It was me as much as I didn't want to admit it. Perhaps, I didn't actually hate defense attorneys, but I despised when things didn't go according to plan. I really wanted to get down to business, but how the fuck could you if everyone made it more difficult than necessary? How did anyone in this place deal with the frustrations work gave? People are the most difficult things to manage because they aren't things, they're people. And sometimes I really hated them.
I wiped my eyes, lifting under my glasses. I wanted to do my best here, I really did. But I just felt pathetic sometimes. Just like how I did at home at times. Everyone else could do basic life tasks and I didn't know how to do most of them. I didn't know what was happening a lot or how to do things, and I just wanted to be self sufficient. I wanted to be someone to rely on. I didn't want to keep relying on another person all the time. I wondered if I'd ever be a decent prosecutor, forget being as good as someone I considered to be a prosecuting king. I sighed. Could I ever be on equal footing with him? I still was learning, but I didn't want to go on feeling inadequate like this. I wanted to be able to help myself to eventually help him and others. But if I was gonna end up like this, what good would I be? What good would me being here actually serve?
Though, at the same time, I didn't feel like apologizing for that slap... I probably shouldn't have done that in hindsight, but it was fair in my mind, to say that he had that coming. Yet, at this point I was no better than Franziska. I shook my head, starting to feel the pangs of guilt slipping in. I could at least be better than that... For all the things he did to help me and I show him my gratefulness like that? I sighed again. I felt ashamed. I didn't think I could see him for a while. Maybe never again. Never again would be great.
And that woman, I was supposed apologize to... I was beginning to feel bad for pushing that hard. I actually made somebody cry on the stand. I knew I had the capacity to destroy people if they fucked with me, but I had only done something like this once in my old life, so having it happen here was odd.
She did lose her boyfriend to a murderer to boot. Yet, she could still be a criminal...but what if she wasn't? I ran a hand through my hair. Fuck. It's not like she'd even want to see or talk to me at this point. How could I apologize? What could I do or say? I must of made her feel like real garbage...
I didn't want to leave my car for a while. I honestly, just wanted to avoid everyone and everything forever. My mind was fuzzy and at this point I knew driving while frustrated wouldn't be safe. I had to plan the next move for figuring out where this investigation was going, but I didn't know what to do really.
Profiles:
Maya Fey: Age 19. It looks like we're good friends based on what I know.
Miles Edgeworth: Age 26. My mentor? Likes giving me lectures. It seems we're on good terms.
Detective Gumshoe: Age 33. Lead detective on this case. Looks like we both got the bad end of the stick this time.
Larry Butz: Age 25. Janitor. This guy is a trip, true to his nickname.
Raymond Shields: Age 35. The sassy defense attorney I've faced in court.
Judge: Age ?. Old timer judge. No one know his real name.
Mia Fey: Deceased. I guess my guide or inspiration to keep surviving this place, until that very fatal day.
Collin Card: Age 27. Victim. Was the lead in the next Silver Samurai movie.
Rose: Age 24. Suspect. Popular dancer at the Royale Hotel.
Phoenix Wright: Age 26. The man I'm supposed to be saving. My rival in court for the next case. Somebody save me.
Texxxas: Age 28. A jealous dancer. The main witness.
Phoebe Mitchell: Age 26. Collin's girlfriend. Suspicious of Collin and Rose's relationship.
Lola Parker: Age 22. Yet another baffling dancer at the Royale.
Evidence:
Prosecutor's badge: With this, I can prove I'm a prosecutor. Dunno why we don't wear them on our lapels like defense attorneys though.
Magatama: Magical sacred charm that should allow me to communicate with Mia.
Autopsy Report: Time of death between 12:00 AM to 12:30 AM. Cause of death 1 inch puncture wound to the throat. Other puncture wounds and bruising on face, arms, and legs damaging, but non fatal. Death was not immediate.
Stilettos: The heels are covered in blood. Used to kill the victim. Has footprints that don't belong to Rose on the inside.
Scarf: Luxurious red scarf belonging to Rose. Found wrapped around the victim's neck at the crime scene.
Mysterious letter: Addressed to an Angie discussing some type of deal perhaps?
Letter to Rose: About the bag she uses. Sounds very affectionate.
Bloody locker: Rose's locker is covered in specks and traces of blood belonging to the victim at the bottom.
Crime Scene Photos: Pictures of the crime scene taken after the discovery of the body.
Bloody button: Silver button covered in blood. Doesn't belong to suspect or victim. Where'd it come from?
Red hair: Strands of hair belonging to Mackenzie Macmillon, a deceased secretary from New York. Why were her strands found at the scene?
Loose Stripper Pole: Pole that Rose uses, that unhinged itself...
Tabloid Article: Article discussing Collin's numerous rendezvous with Rose.
Collin's Will: Rose is listed as being a recipient of $90,000 in it.