I've returned! After so long, I'm back and I'm really sorry to all of you! This chapter is in celebration of DGS2, even if I am two weeks late, and because that game and its spoilers have got my creative ideas flowing again for the AA world. Yay for that!
Anyway, thanks to Ally Nicole Rose (Thanks so much, though it'll be a while until we get there, but we will get there I promise!), Cesguitarrez (I'm glad you're enjoying it, if you think this makes it feel like the games then I've accomplished my goal!), PrinPage (Interesting that you mention a child…), EmeraldWings1992 (I hope this gives you just as many emotions, especially knowing what we both know about now with both the series and this story ), German K (Thank you for respecting my choice, I appreciate it.), Jack54311 (Well I did get a new laptop at last, I've just been struggling with how long these chapters are, ha ha! And Jasmine's nerves are all a part of her character arc so don't worry!), NNinja (Thank you for respecting my choice, it means a lot. And don't worry, I don't plan for any romance to just come out of nowhere, it'll all be built up as naturally as I see it in the games. Jasmine being in court is up to how I feel she'll handle everything, after all, PTSD just doesn't disappear overnight. Jasmine won't be the same character she started as, and that's okay, because it means she's becoming a character that has fought for peace and won it and isn't that just a beautiful thing to watch?), all 100 followers, 86 favorites and 23,799 readers! I know it's been a long time since I've updated, but I hope you guys all still enjoy this story as you did all those months ago.
Okay, I'm done talking. Enjoy!
After the trial, Nick called me and asked me to meet him and Ema at the office. Once I got there, he offered me some tea and we all sat down before Ema asked the question I wanted to ask.
February 23rd, 2:15 PM
Wright and Co. Law Offices
"Uh…um, Mr. Wright! So…what's going on with the case, anyway!?" Ema asked, having not understood anything that had happened in court, obviously. "I…I'm a little confused."
Jasmine looked at her brother in curiosity as she sipped her tea, feeling calmer than she had been four hours previously. Though she had been avoiding asking the exact question Ema just asked when she saw her brother's face, even if the curiosity was killing her.
"Huh!? W-well, um…let's see." Phoenix looked down thoughtfully. "The victim, Detective Bruce Goodman, was stabbed to death after 5:00 PM on the 21st. He died in the Prosecutor's parking lot…and the Police Department's evidence room."
"What!? How's that possible!?" Jasmine cried in shock, her eyes wide as she lowered the new travel mug that held her tea.
"Yeah! The Prosecutor's Office and the Police Department are 30 minutes apart by car." Ema agreed as she read from her notebook.
"…Well…that's what we're going to find out." Phoenix sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"R-right…" Jasmine nodded, quickly sipping her tea as the memories of the last time she was in the precinct came to mind. I can do this, I can do this…
"You gonna be okay, Jazz?" Phoenix asked, worriedly looking down at her.
"I'll…I'll be okay, I-I gotta t-try, after all." Jasmine answered with a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"…Alright! Let's do it!" Ema said, determination sparkling in her eyes.
"Glad she's in good spirits, but I'm not sure she's going to be much help with this…" Phoenix mumbled, obviously not aware he was speaking out loud.
"Don't be so sure, Mr. Wright!" Ema grinned as she lowered her glasses.
"Huh?" Phoenix blinked quickly.
"Would you mind coming with me? I'll prove that these thick-rimmed glasses of mine aren't just for show!" Ema grinned brightly. "Let's go! Science awaits us!"
With that said, the high school girl grabbed the twins' wrists and pulled them out of the office, bouncing on her heels even as she was forced to wait for Phoenix to lock up.
Her excitement only made the fear of the memories fade away a little in Jasmine's mind.
February 23rd
Prosecutor's Office
Underground Parking Lot
As they reached the parking lot, Ema spoke up.
"You know, I really don't think we should worry about the Police Department murder!" she said. "There wasn't even a body found there! Who cares?"
"We…have to investigate e-every possibility…Ema." Jasmine explained quietly, sipping her tea as she tried to remain calm.
"Alright, but my sister would never do such a thing! I know it…" Ema insisted.
"I…never s-said that." Jasmine reassured, squeezing the girl's hand as she obviously remembered the trial.
"My sister, erasing evidence at the crime scene? Never!" Ema insisted as she looked down.
"Even though she says they don't get along, Ema really likes her sister…" Phoenix mumbled to himself.
"That's not it at all!" Ema snapped, glaring at Phoenix, who blushed as he realized he spoke his thoughts aloud. "It's just…we're both professionals at what we do…and I trust her!"
"Th-that's…good…" Jasmine smiled as Ema squeezed her hand again.
"Well, whether there were blood stains or not…the water in that oil drum washed it all away." Phoenix sighed.
"He heh heh…" Ema laughed as she lowered her pink glasses again. "Ignore the strength of my science at your own peril, Mr. Wright!"
"Huh? What's that grin for?" Phoenix asked, obviously feeling uneasy.
"D-does this…have t-to do with why…you brought u-us here?" Jasmine asked, drinking some more tea as she released Ema's hand.
"Yep! This situation calls for one thing, and that is…Luminol testing fluid!" Ema grinned as she whipped the chemical out of her bag, her eyes sparkling.
"L-luminol?" Phoenix and Jasmine repeated in unison.
"Blood is sticky stuff, you know." Ema smiled. "You can't just wash it away with a little water. Even if you can't see it, it's still there…"
"But wouldn't the police have already done those tests?" Phoenix asked. Jasmine instantly elbowed her brother in the ribs, causing him to double over in pain.
"Never trust anyone's eyes but your own, Mr. Wright!" Ema cried, placing her hands on her hips as she glared at the attorney.
Phoenix nodded as he straightened up, trying to catch his breath as he rubbed his ribs in pain, glaring at Jasmine in irritation while she just smiled innocently.
"Just give it a try!" Ema insisted with a bright smile, the twinkle in her eyes returning as she pushed the chemical into Phoenix's hands.
"M-me? Why do I have to do it!?" Phoenix cried in shock, barely dodging the second elbow flying his way in ten minutes.
"I'm a minor! I can't even drink yet!" Ema explained with a grin.
"A-and I'm…n-not mentally w-w-well." Jasmine added, smiling despite her stutter. The smile still didn't reach her eyes as she took another sip, savoring the chamomile that covered her tongue and soothed her nerves and fears.
"Here, look, I'll lend you these glasses." Ema added as she took two pairs of pink glasses out of her bag and gave them to the twins.
"Thanks." Jasmine smiled, her smile becoming just a bit more real as she slipped the glasses on.
"Huh? You had two extra pairs of those things?" Phoenix asked in shock as he was forced to take the glasses, though he was grateful for the smile now gracing his sister's face.
Ema explained how to use the Luminol to the attorney, who then began to spray around the crime scene, the teenager and aide right behind him with said teenager's eyes sparkling in pure joy.
Finally, there was a reaction of some kind.
"So, is this a bloodstain?" Phoenix asked.
"Uhhhh…it's so…ugh!" Ema groaned, looking away.
"Ema, you're shaking." The twins said in unison, both equally concerned, Jasmine grabbing the teenager's hand in her own.
"It's just…this is my first time seeing real blood!" Ema admitted, leaning into Jasmine's embrace as the aide hugged her like a mother would. "O-okay, well, we definitely know that this is a bloodstain." As she spoke, Ema forced herself to look at the bloodstain, though she never left Jasmine's arms.
"Yeah…i-it is." Jasmine nodded in agreement before she saw Ema's face. "Is something w-wrong, Ema?"
"Well, doesn't something strike you as odd? Scientifically speaking, of course?" Ema said, looking at Phoenix for conformation.
"Th-this is where…D-Detective Goodman and…and the criminal f-fought…right?" Jasmine asked, the words bringing to mind that room…
No! Stop! Go away!
"Yeah. So, don't you think there'd be a little more blood?" Phoenix added, consciously grabbing Jasmine's shoulder and snapping her back to reality at the same time.
"I definitely think so!" Ema nodded in agreement as she slowly left Jasmine's arms. "I mean…" She began to dig through her bag before she pulled out a picture in a plastic bag. "Look at all the blood on the sole of the victim's shoe!"
"Strange…" Jasmine whispered thoughtfully.
"Uh, h-hey, Mr. Wright!" Ema spoke up suddenly. She then explained how she was marking the bloodstains on the floor plans. "See…I'm pretty handy to have around, right?"
"Uh, yeah. That's very…useful information to have." Phoenix agreed, under the threat of a fierce glare from Jasmine.
"I saved up my allowance to buy this!" Ema said proudly as she returned the Luminol to her bag.
"Very smart of you, Ema." Jasmine complimented, her voice soft as she sipped her tea again.
"We can't be sure that the police will reveal all their evidence in court." Ema added. "Sometimes they fail to mention evidence that doesn't fit with their view of the case."
"And we'll drag that 'hidden evidence' out into the light of day!" Phoenix nodded in agreement.
"Yeah." Jasmine agreed. "We'll find the truth, no matter what."
"It feels like we're really investigating a crime now, doesn't it?" Ema asked, her smile wide as she looked from one sibling to the other.
"You bet." Jasmine agreed.
"This luminol stuff is going to come in handy." Phoenix mumbled to himself.
"Hah!" The three turned to see Angel approaching them. "I wonder how that fluid of yours would react to a nice Deli Box?"
"Ms. Starr!" Ema gasped as the woman smiled at them innocently.
"You only trust your own eyes, hm? Not bad, you three…" Angel complimented before she took a lunch box out. "This day-old Deli Box is on the house…"
"Sorry, it's just, that kind of lead in doesn't really get my mouth watering." Phoenix stated sarcastically though his face was serious.
As they talked with Angel, Jasmine remained silent, feeling her mind wander at the same time it picked up all the information she was given. She had heard that Angel was a detective and that, apparently, Goodman had been killed by a suspect in the evidence room. Now there was the fact Marshall was a detective and he, Angel and Goodman were on the SL-9 Incident investigation.
But just hearing a code like that…it made her skin feel clammy as a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. The room, the parking lot, suddenly felt as if it was closing in on her, as if she was back in that dark, dark room. She could hear his voice, whispering threats and orders and feel the taser on her skin and…and…and…
"Jazz!" Phoenix screamed and her eyes snapped open only to see she, Phoenix and Ema were now alone. Ema looked as scared as she had in court and Phoenix looked determined, as if he could defeat him just by screaming her name…
"N-Nick!" Jasmine gasped as she launched herself into his arms and cried. "I-I-I'm sorry! I-I…I c-can't! H-he's here, no…no matter w-what I-I do, I-I can't…I…"
"Shhh…it's okay, shhhh." Phoenix whispered softly.
They stood there for several minutes, simply letting her cry. When Jasmine finally calmed down, she looked up at Phoenix with lost eyes.
"What…w-what d-do I…d-d-d-do…?" She whispered, her voice hoarse.
"Jazz…" Ema whispered, sympathy evident in her voice.
"Go to Edgeworth." Phoenix instructed. "He's calmed you down before, he can calm you down again."
"B-b-but…" Jasmine started to protest.
"Go to him." Phoenix said. "He can understand your situation better than anyone else and I know he'll help you overcome this once and for all. I'm your brother and I love you and that is why I'm sending you to him. Go on, and when you're ready, give me a call."
Jasmine stared into her brother's eyes before she hugged him tightly and nodded once.
"Okay…"
With that said, she ran towards the Prosecutor's Office and didn't look back.
February 23rd
High Prosecutor's Office
Room 1202
As Jasmine reached Edgeworth's office, she wrenched the door open and ran inside, where she found the prosecutor studying papers behind his desk.
"Jasmine?" He asked as he saw her.
"Miles!" Jasmine cried as she ran to him and hugged him tightly.
Thankfully, his desk wasn't disturbed at all.
"What's wrong?" Edgeworth asked, concerned even as he returned the hug tightly.
"SL-9…m-memories…too much…" Jasmine managed to spit out as she began to tremble violently.
Edgeworth instantly understood and began to quietly whisper in her ear, stroking her hair as he did so.
Jasmine simply continued to sob, allowing the memories to flow as the man she loved held her in his arms, his voice in her ear chasing away that monster's voice, his hands in her hair removing that monster's from her skin. He took back everything the monster had taken from her in a single day and returned them to her.
Now all she had to do was rebuild the rest of herself with the pieces he returned to her and guided back into place alongside her.
"Thank you." Jasmine whispered, feeling her sense of self return at long last.
"It's no trouble at all." Edgeworth whispered back, his breath brushing against her ear as he did so.
This time, she shivered for an entirely different reason. This was the first time, since they had reunited and since they had admitted their feelings, that they had been in as intimate as a position as they were in now.
If they were teenagers, hell, if they were in college, Jasmine would've blushed bright red and moved away with a mumbled excuse.
Now, however, they were grown adults and Jasmine felt much too comfortable, much too safe and protected, to want to blush, let alone move away.
She moved closer, burying her face in Edgeworth's neck and breathing in deeply as she could finally, finally, relax and feel at peace.
Edgeworth had no intention of letting her go any time soon…that is, if his phone didn't start ringing.
Without releasing the aide in his arm, Edgeworth answered his cell phone.
"Edgeworth speaking." He said. Jasmine couldn't hear the other side of the conversation but it ended with "Very well."
"What is it?" She asked softly.
"It's time for me to investigate the crime scene." Edgeworth answered, his voice just as soft.
"Okay…" Jasmine said before she slowly pulled back the slightest bit, just enough so she could look Edgeworth directly in his gray eyes. "Then let's go."
"What?" Edgeworth asked, surprised.
"I said let's go." Jasmine smiled. "I'll help you investigate, as repayment for you calming me down."
"Jasmine, you don't have to repay me." Edgeworth frowned.
"Alright, then how about I help you investigate because I want to spend time with you and find the truth of this case." Jasmine offered before she frowned. "I also want to help you with Chief Gant."
"You heard about that." It was a statement accompanied by a wince.
"Yeah, I did. And I want to help you, as your friend and as someone who cares deeply for you." Jasmine smiled.
Edgeworth stared at her for several minutes before he took her hand in his own and squeezed.
"Alright." He nodded. "We'll investigate together."
When Jasmine smiled, it reached her eyes and they lit up while the voices in her mind were simply echoes not to be bothered with.
February 23rd
Police Department
Criminal Affairs
As the two entered the precinct, Jasmine's eyes landed on the white haired man that was wearing an outlandish orange suit instantly. Of course, the fact that he was walking towards her and Edgeworth with a large grin also drew her eyes to him.
"Worthy, my boy! Come to investigate?" He asked.
"Indeed, Chief Gant." Edgeworth answered, not allowing the man, Damon Gant, to throw him off again.
"And who's this little beauty?" Gant asked, turning to Jasmine.
"Jasmine Wright, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you, Chief Gant." Jasmine introduced herself, holding her hand out.
"You too, Jazzy! So, you're Wrighto's little sister?" Gant said as he shook her hand eagerly.
"Y-yes, I am." Jasmine nodded, surprised with how…familiar to Chief was acting with her as he released her hand.
"Ah, yes! You're the little witness that caused such trouble for the Prosecutor's Office last year!" Gant laughed as he clapped his hands together, as if it was all a big joke.
Jasmine felt the memories start to reach forward, to grasp her mind-
"If you will excuse us, Chief Gant, we have some investigating to do." Edgeworth cut in, guiding Jasmine away from Gant and towards the crime scene.
"Th-thank you…" Jasmine whispered when they were a safe distance away.
"You're welcome." Edgeworth nodded as he led her away.
February 23rd
Evidence Room Entrance
Guard Station
When they reached the guard station, there sat Marshall, drinking away.
"Officer Marshall." Edgeworth stated as he held an ID card out to the cowboy officer.
"Well, if it ain't Edgeworth." Marshall said, his voice cold. "Got yourself a little bambina, eh?"
"It is not your concern." Edgeworth stated coldly as the ID was scanned and the two headed in.
February 23rd
Evidence Room
Sector Three
"So, this is the evidence room?" Jasmine asked as she looked around.
"Yes. This is where all the detectives store evidence from closed cases." Edgeworth nodded. "Each locker belongs to a detective and they can only be opened with the fingerprints of that specific detective. Detective Goodman's locker is already open."
"I see…" Jasmine nodded thoughtfully as she walked over to the locker, ducking under the yellow tape as she did so, Edgeworth right behind her. "This glove and these pieces…" Jasmine said as she knelt down on the floor. "They're both from…SL-9, right?"
"Yes." Edgeworth nodded. "They were important pieces of evidence."
"What was it, anyway?" The aide asked, looking up as she did so.
"It was one of my first cases…" Edgeworth admitted.
Jasmine frowned as she remembered his other first cases.
"A serial killer was on the loose and he finally made a mistake that I used to catch him." The prosecutor continued. "However…it's possible it wasn't finished yet. That was the case that made me well know, made me the…"
"The Demon Prosecutor…" Jasmine finished.
"Yes." Edgeworth nodded.
"The blood on that locker…do you know who's it is?" Jasmine asked as she pointed at said locker, changing the subject.
"Forensics is testing it now." Edgeworth answered with a small smile. Just then, his phone rang. "Edgeworth speaking."
Edgeworth was silent as he listened to the other caller before he agreed to whatever they asked.
"What was that?" Jasmine asked curiously.
"The inquiry committee I have to meet over the trial." Edgeworth sighed. "I'll drop you off at the Prosecutor's Office. Once this inquiry is over, I'll order us some tea."
"Okay." Jasmine nodded with a smile. "That sounds like fun."
Though she was calm now and the memories had fallen to the back of her mind, Jasmine wasn't sure she could handle being on the investigation again yet. She just wanted to spend a little more time with Edgeworth…just a little more…
February 23rd
High Prosecutor's Office
Room 1202
When Edgeworth returned to his office a while later with a frown, Jasmine didn't question him. She didn't question him when he said nothing. She didn't question him when he ordered tea from the Gatewater Hotel.
Of course, when the same bellboy who she met back when Maya was accused of murdering Mia came to deliver the tea, Jasmine did question him.
"Aren't you the same bellboy who-" She started.
"I apologize, ma'am. Have we met somewhere…?" The bellboy asked.
"What? No, I swear, you're-" Jasmine tried again.
Just then, Phoenix and Ema walked in and began to greet the bellboy. Jasmine simply sighed and sipped her tea, the chamomile soothing her mind as much as the man standing behind her did.
"Mr. Edgeworth! I beg your leave. So long!" The bellboy bowed before he left the office.
Edgeworth turned, noticing Phoenix for the first time.
"Ah, it's you." He greeted.
"Mr. Edgeworth…you're back from the District Prosecutor's Office inquiry?" Ema asked, her voice worried.
"Precisely." Edgeworth nodded as he and Jasmine approached the two.
"Jazz! Are you okay?" Ema asked, suddenly noticing the aide.
"Yeah, I'm doing better now, thanks Ema." Jasmine smiled softly.
"Thank goodness. Thanks Edgeworth." Phoenix smiled at the prosecutor. "By the way, Detective Gumshoe was looking for you."
"Oh yes…he brought me some information, it seems." Edgeworth nodded, holding up the flyer Gumshoe had given him while he walked up.
"Really? Was it helpful?" Ema asked. Jasmine snorted into her tea cup.
"Apparently, a new French restaurant is opening near here." Edgeworth said. "I think he was trying to console me, somehow."
"It certainly was a funny site, seeing Miles walk in with a flyer like that." Jasmine chuckled as she held her teacup close. She hadn't had a chance to broach the subject of the inquiry yet, she was waiting until the bellboy had left to bring it up, but now wasn't the time to ask how she wanted to.
"Poor Mr. Edgeworth…I think this whole thing is really taking a toll on him." Ema said sadly.
"So, how did the inquiry committee go?" Phoenix asked, tactlessly in Jasmine's opinion. Jasmine glared at him, even as she walked over to Edgeworth and grasped his hand in her own.
"Actually, they decided to treat this not as a case of concealing evidence…" Edgeworth admitted, looking down at his and Jasmine's hands, avoiding Phoenix's eyes. "But as a communications error during the investigation." Edgeworth's tone was bitter as he spoke.
"'Concealing evidence'?" Ema repeated, eyes wide in shock.
"Yes. Apparently, there are some who believe…that I concealed evidence." Edgeworth explained.
"Never! You'd never do that!" Jasmine protested.
"Thank you, Jasmine. But there will always be people that believe that." Edgeworth said softly.
"Then you'll just have to prove them wrong." Jasmine stated, her voice determined and her eyes matched in their fierceness. "You'll show them all you'd never forge or conceal evidence in any way." Edgeworth smiled softly in thanks and squeezed her hand before he frowned again.
"They gave me a warning. 'You were lucky this time…again'." He added.
"'Again'?" Phoenix and Jasmine repeated in unison.
"I've heard them say that so many times." Edgeworth sighed, staring at the ground with a furrowed brow. "Ever since that case two years ago…"
"Are you okay for the trial tomorrow?" Phoenix asked, concerned for his childhood friend.
"Well, I'm still the presiding prosecuting attorney. However…" Edgeworth said, looking up to meet Phoenix's eyes.
"Something happened?" Phoenix guessed.
"They gave control of the investigation over to the Police Department." Edgeworth revealed, his frustration and anger evident in his eyes.
"The Police Department!" Ema cried, shocked.
"Yes. Any further investigation for this case will be directed by the Chief of Police Gant." Edgeworth explained. "It appears my earlier investigation is now my last for this case. Now, I can do nothing but wait for his results…"
"I…see." Phoenix said, feeling sorry for his old friend.
"Miles…" Jasmine whispered softly, remembering the Chief she had met earlier that day.
"Why, I ask you? Why!?" Edgeworth cried, his frustration bursting as he began to rant. "All along, I've done only what I believe is right. I have nothing to be ashamed of! But still…"
"Miles…we will always believe in you, if nothing else." Jasmine whispered, squeezing the prosecutor's hand tightly.
"Oh, right! I'd better check this now…" Phoenix said to himself as he began to pull a bag of evidence out of his satchel, the keychain on it catching the light.
"As I was saying, I…" Edgeworth started when Phoenix held the papers out to him. "! What's this? A record of ID card usage?"
"Edgeworth, you went into the evidence room that day, didn't you?" Phoenix asked. "Just before the incident occurred, no less."
"Yes, that's true." Edgeworth nodded.
"W-why, Mr. Edgeworth?" Ema asked sadly.
"Nick! You're not saying…" Jasmine cried, shocked at her brother's unspoken accusation.
"Please don't look at me like that." Edgeworth stated, his glare sharpening. "I…was asked to go. By Chief Gant, no less."
"The Chief of Police…?" Ema repeated.
"But why…?" Jasmine asked, her own brow furrowing in confusion. Gant…this all seems too suspicious. Miles being there right before the crime, his car being the murder scene, his knife being the weapon.
"He wanted evidence for a case that wrapped up half a year ago." Edgeworth explained, not catching onto Jasmine's thoughts, as he held up a bag containing a blue screwdriver. "He told me he wanted me to keep it here in the Prosecutor's Office."
"But…it was solved, right? It would have to be, if the evidence was already filed…" Phoenix trailed off, confused.
"The Chief is never one to explain himself." Edgeworth brushed off. "In any case, on the day of the stabbings, I brought this back here."
"Can I ask what kind of case it was?" Ema asked excitedly.
"I…can't say." Edgeworth shook his head. "It really has nothing to do with the current case."
Despite that, Phoenix wrote down notes on the screwdriver.
"Stubborn as always. I told you, this has nothing to do with the current case." Edgeworth huffed angrily.
"Can't be too sure. It might come in handy." Phoenix shrugged.
"Only you would think unrelated evidence could come in handy." Edgeworth rolled his eyes.
"Speaking of unrelated evidence…" Phoenix trailed off.
"…I know you. You've probably got a hold of some information already, right?" Edgeworth asked as he looked away.
"It all has to do with that case you were on…the SL-9 Incident." Phoenix said. "And some 'dark suspicion' you were wrapped up in."
"You are the man who revived the worst memory my and your sister's lives, as I recall." Edgeworth stated, his grip tightening on Jasmine.
It was in that moment that it hit Jasmine: the same nightmares and memories she suffered from were being shared by the man beside her, that's why he helped her as he did, because he knew exactly what she was going through.
"I figured I'd be telling you about this sooner or later." Edgeworth sighed, though he bravely met Phoenix's eyes with his own.
"Miles…" Jasmine whispered, tears forming in her eyes before she quickly wiped them away. One that escaped her, however, landed on the keychain she kept on her violin case at all times.
"Okay, Edgeworth. Why don't you tell me about it. Tell me the truth." Phoenix requested.
Underneath his words, Jasmine could hear the unspoken hope: I'm still your friend, please trust me.
"The SL-9 Incident was a heinous serial killing case." Edgeworth explained. "The head of investigation was the Deputy Chief of Police at the time…Damon Gant."
Jasmine frowned as the new piece fell into the puzzle.
"He was the best we had, and it was my first time working with him…I was nervous." Edgeworth admitted. This made Jasmine smile, he was actually trusting them as friends and not as colleagues. It warmed her heart more than anything else in that moment, having her best friend trusting her and her brother as friends once again.
"Wow, you get nervous too, Mr. Edgeworth?" Ema asked, surprised.
"In truth, I used slightly more…extreme methods than normal." Edgeworth admitted. "We were dealing with a vicious murderer. If I let him go, the blood would be on my hands. We won our guilty verdict, and the killer was executed."
"Wait, you didn't…" Phoenix started.
"Of course not! I didn't touch the evidence!" Edgeworth scoffed. Under his words, Jasmine could hear only one thing: You should know me better than that! "Yes, I will do anything in my power to win a trial. However…I do have a code, and I follow it faithfully."
Phoenix sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, his body language clear: I should've know that, sorry.
"By the way, Ema. The Chief Prosecutor wanted to know something…" Edgeworth looked at the teenager after silently accepting his childhood friend's apology.
"M-my sister? What?" Ema asked.
"You still working on that scientific investigation?" Edgeworth asked.
"Huh? Y-yes! Of course!" Ema nodded, confused. "Why, just today Mr. Wright, Jazz and I were using this…" As she spoke, Ema proudly held up her luminol once again.
"Luminol testing fluid…hm?" Edgeworth recognized. "Well then…you might have use for this." Edgeworth then took out a white powder and duster and handed them to Ema.
"Aluminum powder for taking fingerprints!" Ema gasped in shock, her eyes taking on that scientific sparkle.
"It's been chemically treated for better adhesion." Edgeworth said.
"F-for me? Are you sure? We are the 'enemy', you know." Ema asked, fearing her hopes were rising too high.
"I've no say in today's investigation…do as you will." Edgeworth smirked, his eyes sparkling as they met Phoenix's before they met Jasmine's. The message they held was clear: I trust this to you.
"Edgeworth…I'm really-" Phoenix started.
"No need to thank me." Edgeworth interrupted. "Here, take your powder and these fingerprint files for everyone involved." As he spoke, Edgeworth passed the powder to Ema and the fingerprint files to Jasmine.
"I, uh, th-thanks!" Phoenix grinned, glad that despite their status as rivals, they could still be friends, somewhat at least.
"Well, let's get going!" Ema grinned. "One last investigation!"
"Right!" Phoenix nodded. "Jazz, you coming with?"
"Give me one second." Jasmine said before she turned to Edgeworth and took his hands within her own. "Will you be okay without me?"
"I will be fine." Edgeworth smiled gently. "As long as you will be."
"…I'll be your eyes. That's how I'll make it through, I'll go there for you." Jasmine nodded resolutely.
"Very well then. But don't push yourself." Edgeworth warned.
"I won't, I promise." Jasmine smiled gently. Edgeworth nodded and released her hands as she turned to her brother and Ema. "Let's go."
February 23rd
Evidence Room
Sector Three
"So, we're going to test for fingerprints on the lockers, right?" Jasmine asked.
"Yep. Here, in this blood on the detective's evidence locker." Ema pointed out.
"Which detective?" Jasmine asked, curious.
"Detective Gumshoe's." Phoenix answered, "Which is why we're gonna test it."
"Of course!" Jasmine nodded in agreement.
"Now, let's use the secret weapon we just borrowed!" Phoenix said as Ema took the power out while Jasmine held the files in her hands.
As Ema explained how to dust for fingerprints, Phoenix kept his ears on her and his eyes on Jasmine, marveling at how a few hours with Miles Edgeworth had brought her back from the brink of depression and restored her to her usual self. Of course, this wouldn't last, he knew the memories probably wouldn't ever leave her or her dreams alone, but the fact that she could come back gave him hope that she could overcome it.
"Aha! You did it! You found one!" Ema exclaimed as the extra dust was blown away, revealing a print of some kind.
"But…this looks nothing like a fingerprint." Phoenix pointed out.
"And none of the on-file prints match this one." Jasmine added, looking over the documents in her hands.
"Hmm…now that you mention it, I guess it doesn't look like a fingerprint…" Ema mused, disappointment evident on her face.
"What does it mean?" Phoenix asked.
"I think it means…we're out of luck." Ema sighed.
"Out of luck…?" Phoenix repeated confused.
"The person who left this must've worn gloves, right Ema?" Jasmine asked.
"Yeah, that's the only explanation." Ema nodded as she fingered her glasses.
"…Don't tell me we've been wasting our time here!" Phoenix cried, frustrated.
"Nick! Don't yell at teenage girls!" Jasmine scolded, elbowing her brother in the gut forcefully, causing him to almost collapse again.
"Hey, calm down. That's just the way it goes sometimes with scientific investigations." Ema explained. "But…it does seem a shame. While we're at it, why don't we look for other prints?"
"Other prints…?" Jasmine asked.
"Looking at the locker door again closely…it seems like there are fingerprints outside the bloody handprint as well." Ema explained. "Let's see if we can find a clear print!"
Sure enough, Phoenix managed to find one that wasn't left by a glove. Once the fingerprint was clear enough, Jasmine looked over the records and the three compared the two prints.
"Ah hah!" Ema grinned, "So these prints belonged to Detective Gumshoe!"
Phoenix was silent.
"Something wrong, Mr. Wright?" Ema asked, surprised, while Jasmine eyed her brother. "You gave me this 'so what?' look."
"I guess that's probably because I was thinking 'so what?'" Phoenix quipped, earning him a smack upside the head from his sister.
"Okay, so we came up with nothing this time, but there's always next time!" Ema said optimistically. "Sometimes you hit, sometimes you miss! You gotta roll with the punches, Mr. Wright!"
"Yeah, Nick, listen to the high schooler!" Jasmine grinned.
"Thanks for the sympathy." Phoenix said sarcastically. That earned him another smack. "Say, this is where we got a luminol fluid reaction, right?" Phoenix asked as he pointed at another locker.
"Right! There was a handprint here!" Ema confirmed.
"So, that means we can lift a print, right?" Jasmine asked, hope sparkling in her eyes.
"Hopefully! Want to try using this?" Ema asked Phoenix, her eyes sparkling brightly.
"Okay, let's check for prints!" Phoenix nodded with a smile.
"That's the spirit!" Ema grinned.
"Let's do this!" Jasmine added, the file in her hands ready to go.
"Oh! But I have to warn you about something first." Ema said.
"What?" The twins asked.
"The area with the blood was wiped away, right?" Ema said.
"We only ended up finding it using chemical means." Phoenix confirmed.
"Any prints in that area will have been wiped away too." Ema explained.
"Oh…right." Phoenix remembered. "So…that means no prints."
"Would you say the probability of your hypothesis is high?" Ema questioned.
"D-don't ask me!" Phoenix shook his head.
"So, you're saying there's a chance…" Jasmine noted thoughtfully.
"Yeah…we must try to find prints that weren't wiped away." Ema nodded.
"Gotcha." Phoenix nodded as he got to work.
Once he had a clear print, Jasmine found the matching one with wide eyes as she saw the results.
"No way…" She whispered.
"Hey, these fingerprints, they…" Phoenix trailed off.
"Whose are they? Whose!? Is it someone I know?" Ema asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling brightly at the thought that she was doing real scientific investigation.
"It's Officer Marshall!" The twins cried in unison, identical expressions of shock on their features, though Jasmine liked to think hers wasn't nearly as comical as her brother's was.
"Huh? O-Officer Jake Marshall!?" Ema repeated, as shocked as the twins. "Th-that's got to be a coincidence! He's not involved in the crime!" The teenager insisted.
"Ema. These are decidedly different from Detective Gumshoe's prints." Phoenix explained calmly, almost like a father talking to his child.
Ema gasped quietly.
"The luminol reaction. The blood and the fingerprints are in the same place." Jasmine explained softly, her voice taking on a motherly tone.
"Oh…oh!" Ema cried, falling into Jasmine's arms in shock and sadness. "But why would Officer Marshall…"
"It looks like our investigation is finally turning up some results!" Phoenix said, trying to hide his excitement and failing miserably. "I guess this is what you'd call 'decisive evidence'!"
"Nick! Try to show some sympathy, this is one of her childhood friends!" Jasmine hissed at her brother as Ema began to bury herself in the aide's arms.
"I…I don't believe it!" Ema denied from Jasmine's arms.
"We'll find the truth tomorrow, I promise you that." Jasmine swore.
I didn't know what would happen tomorrow, or even if I would be able to stand in court. But I was gonna try, for Miles, for Lana and for Ema. Because all of them needed me to help Nick fight for the truth and that was all I wanted to do.
Well, how was it? I admit, it wasn't that difficult to get back into writing Jasmine, even if she's not the original version of herself I wrote and my writing has changed VASTLY since I left this story. But I like how this chapter turned out. What about you guys? Let me know your thoughts in the reviews! In the meantime, I'm gonna go plan both this story and my DGS story that will only be posted when the English fandub is done. Oh, and fair warning, real life is about to kick start for me soon so updates aren't gonna be frequent any time soon, but I will do my best! Later!