A/N: I finally figured out what I want to do! Yay! Now I just have to get there...
"Pr-pr-pr-prosecutor?" Apollo stuttered out. Madeline's lips curved into another one of those mysterious half smiles. She reached into her pocket and pulled out something shiny.
"The only language I speak…is evidence," she said, flipping her hand to reveal the gleam of a prosecutor's badge. "It was supposed to sound impressive," she hissed good-naturedly as she met Phoenix's amused gaze.
"I'm impressed!" Trucy said, bouncing up and down.
"When'd you get it?" Phoenix asked, taking it from her and examining it.
"Hands off!" she said, snatching it back. "A few years ago. I finished school in Germany and did cases there, a few in France and England."
"Like a few other prosecutors I could name…" Phoenix said to himself.
"Yes, Miles sends his best and Franziska, well, I'm not going to get into what she told me to tell you." She mimed angry whip lashes and Phoenix winced. Meanwhile, Apollo and Trucy were staring at the pair with blank looks on their faces.
"Trucy, Apollo, could you give us a few minutes? We have some catching up to do," Phoenix said.
"Um, sure. I have a trial tomorrow to prepare for, anyways," Apollo said.
"You have a trial tomorrow?" Madeline asked interestedly. Apollo nodded. "Well, maybe I'll drop in," she said, that mysterious smile playing on her lips.
"Nice meeting you, Ms. Brent," Apollo said, turning to leave.
"Please," she said, and he turned back toward her. "Call me Madeline." She grinned, eyes sparkling. He nodded and literally dragged Trucy out of the room. Madeline sat back down, her gray eyes turning to Phoenix.
"I'm going to be frank. I'm not going to be able to focus on anything until I resolve this for myself. So that's why," she sighed, "I'm conducting my own investigation."
"It's been seven years," Phoenix reminded her gently. He immediately saw it was to no avail, for Madeline had that gleam in her eye.
"I've already made arrangements. I'm working for Klavier Gavin. That way I'll have access to files and all the information." Her eyes glowed with a steely determination.
"Can I say anything to persuade you not to do this?" Phoenix asked. Madeline shook her head. "Fine," he sighed, "just be careful."
She glared at him. "Now you're talking just like Miles," she huffed, pouting. "Why is it that no one thinks I can do anything myself?"
Phoenix chuckled. "It's not that I don't think you can do it. There's more going on here than you think."
"They had a nickname for me back in Germany, you know. Wahrheitssucher." She caught Phoenix's eye. "Truth Seeker." She caught a glance at her watch. "Oops, I have to go! I wanted to check into the hotel before I had to report for work." She got up and opened the door.
"Madeline," Phoenix called. She turned back toward him, paused in the doorway, a questioning look in her eyes. "Do you still…think I did it?" he asked haltingly. She sighed.
"I don't know. The evidence says yes, but I know you…or at least I thought I did." She trailed off, looking uncertain.
"And now?"
"I-I don't know." She blinked back tears again. "I'll see you later."
"Wait, one more thing," Phoenix said, a secret smile on his face. "Could you possibly…hand me that bottle of grape juice?" There was a faint chuckle from the doorway and then she was gone.
Could some of my German readers tell me if that German is correct? I just pulled it off a translation site, so it probably isn't. I am not fluent in German, unfortunately!