Chapter 11: In the Middle

Time: 3:00 p.m.
Date: October 17, 2006
Location: Wright & Co. Law Offices

"Great job Phoenix!" James complimented. "That was sweet, being able to pull out two pieces of evidence to seal the deal on Payne."
I chuckled. "Thanks, but it's not that impressive."
"Oh come on, you expected Edgeworth to think that quickly?" James argued. I don't think so!"
Iris giggled. "That's enough James, Feenie's had a hard day."
She nudged him on the ribs, smiling.
"Oh be quiet you too." I replied, rolling my eyes. "I'm just glad this is finally over."
Iris laid her head on his shoulder. "As am I."
James gave a quick nod and went to the door. "Well guys I gotta go."

"Where are you off to huh?" Larry piped up.
"Apartment." He replied. "Homework."
"Alright, see you later James!" I waved as he left. He returned the wave and disappeared through the door.
"You think he left because of that?" Iris asked him.
"No." I replied. "He's still on break. He doesn't have homework."
Larry's mouth dropped open. "Then why the hell did he leave!?"
"I don't know, but I won't dwell on it." I replied.

"He must be thinking of Miranda Fey being injured and the debacle at the temple…" I thought. "Now that I think of it…I know where he's going…"


Time: 3:15 p.m.
Date: October 17, 2006
Location: Hotti Clinic

"May I help you sir?" The secretary behind the desk asked him.
"Yes, I'm looking for a 'Miranda Fey'." James said. "I'm a friend of hers."
"Let me see…" The clerk searched through her directory and pinpointed the room. "Of course, a Ms. Miranda Fey is in room D201. Second floor, fourth door on your left."
"Thanks." James said as he went to the elevator. He looked at the buttons and pressed "2" on the wall, closing the doors. He felt it lurch upwards and soon arrived on the second floor.
Stepping out into the hallway he soon found the room he was searching for. Seeing the door slightly ajar, he let himself in. Looking around, his eyes fell upon the sleeping Miranda Fey on the bed.
Slowly lowering himself into a chair next to her, he watched her sleeping peacefully as the young student pondered the recent events.

"An attack on her at the village…horrible elders acting the same as before, and a robbery with possible forged evidence…Christ now I really gotta know…"

"Thinking out loud are you?" Miranda's voice sounded.
Surprised, James blinked and saw the 20-year-old woman was awake.
"Was I? Sorry if I woke you up." He answered.
"I wasn't really sleeping." She shook her head slowly. "I heard you come in."
"Oh."
They fell silent between them.
"Miranda Fey…" James thought. "Why did you try to rob the Kurain vault?"
"Something about Kurain doesn't feel right James." Miranda spoke suddenly as if she knew what he was thinking.
"I know you feel this way, but I believe the elders are hiding something." She explained.
"But we pretty much know what they've been hiding." James answered, confused. "We know they received a large payment to let Morgan Fey out of prison."
"That can't be all James." The 20-year-old girl shook her head. "I believe someone is—"
Suddenly, a nurse rushed into the room.
"Ms. Fey!" She called out, panicked. "Turn on the news at once! You must know what just happened!"
"Huh?" James grabbed the remote and turned the small TV on. Immediately a news anchor reported on screen.
"Breaking news!" He started. "The assailant that attacked the little village of Kurain has escaped police custody and is on the run!"
They both gasped. "He escaped!?" Miranda exclaimed in shock.
The nurse nodded sadly. "Don't worry, you're safe here. "I'll let security know."
After she left, James gritted his teeth. "Bastard...I'll get him..."

"Don't." Miranda shook her head. "He's not worth it."
"Miranda he almost killed you!" James exclaimed.
"But he didn't. Don't become violent James, please."
She took his arm and looked up at him pleadingly. Sighing, he nodded.
"Sorry." He replied. "I can be furious sometimes."
"I know." She giggled. "Now come on. Sleep with me."
His eyes widened. "W-what!?"
"I only meant sleep in the bed with me. Sheesh." Miranda replied, nonplussed.
"Oh..." James sighed.
She chuckled. "Maybe if you're a good boy later..."
Shocked, he turned away to hide his red face.
"Bastard..." James growled.
She laughed, holding the sheets open. "Come on."
Nodding, James removed his shoes and sweater and slowly sidled next to her. Pulling the covers over both of them, she snuggled up to him and laid her head on his chest.

"How does it feel? Being in bed with an older woman?" She asked dreamily.
"I'm not gonna lie, it's pretty cool." He chuckled.
Smiling, she placed a hand on his chest.
"Rest." Miranda ordered. "We've had a long day."


"You're lucky you made it in one piece." An unknown voice spoke.
The assailant shrugged. "Childs play. It's not like the cops are agents. One little distraction here, an accident there, and poof! Gone."
"Regardless." The unknown voice continued. "It was foolhardy to attempt to kill the girl so soon. She has something of ours."
The room they stood in was very dark and only had one light in the middle of the room. A mysterious person sat on a large chair wearing a white cloak and a bandito-like mask over his whole face.
"Then we keep watch on her." The assailant chuckled. "She's just another girl; clever enough to rob a vault but clearly not clever enough to escape near death. If it wasn't for that attorney and his little friend, her blood would be in my hands."
"Indeed. But she is still alive, and that is the reality. The girl has something of ours, and if we don't get it back soon, our whole operation will be in shambles. Our best work is done behind the scenes in the dark. If the light shines too bright, our presence will be revealed."
"I understand sir." The assailant nodded. "And what of the boy and the attorney?"
"Have the agents keep watch on them. They are oblivious of our true goal."
Nodding again, the assailant started for the door before her heard the voice again.

"Send in Conan, Alister. I need to inform him of his mission."

"Yes sir."
Opening the door, Alister disappeared through the opening and called out.
"Conan! The boss wants to see you!"
Immediately a black-cloaked figure with another mask (this time a silver fox mask) appeared in the doorway. Closing the door behind him, he sat down on the chair in front of the spotlight area.
"Conan." The Boss spoke. "You will go to the land of Khura'in and search for an artifact. Our contact is there now in search of it. We believe it may have been hidden there."
"Yes sir." The man named Conan replied. "What is the name of the artifact?"
"It is known as the Crystal of Ami Fey." The Boss answered. "A very rich and powerful political family has been keeping hold of it for decades but according to their testimony it has mysteriously vanished. The head of the household has asked for our help in locating it. He is our contact. I am picking you for this endeavor because I know of your excellent deduction and tracking skills as an investigator. You are also trained in hand-to-hand combat, which means that any enemy that tries to disrupt your search can be easily dealt with."

"I will not fail you sir." Conan gave a bow.

"Good." The Boss replied. "You will take my small jet to the airport. I would have you take my private plane, but I do not want you to attract too much attention. A small community like that will definitely notice. You will disguise yourself and blend in with the populace once you arrive. Remember we do not want to attract any unwanted attention."
Conan gave a nod. "I understand sir."
"Wonderful. Now go."
The masked fox gave one last bow and glided out of the room.
The Boss reached into his cloak and pulled out a remote. Pointing in front of him, he pressed the first button. A screen lowered itself from the ceiling and blared on.

"Access code 1149."

The screen then displayed a hospital room with a small TV on it. It wasn't noticeable under the mask but the man's face contorted into a smile.
He looked up at the screen and could see Miranda Fey's hospital room with she and James looking up at the news report before getting into bed together.

"No one can hide from me. My invention is perfect and will change the future…"

Sorry for getting this up so late. I know I said I'd get it out by October, which I did, but midterms hampered my progress. Anyway, more to come!