In the month that followed, I studied law with Mia, and she enforced her rules and ethics on me strictly, especially after what she had seen of my 'court attitude'. As I spent my time around the office taking care of small pieces of business, I spent as much time as I could trying to remember the walkthrough I had scribbled out in my notebook. I pretty much remembered what I had to present and talk about, but the details eluded me, trapped in the back of my mind. That was my major problem. (How am I supposed to remember what to talk about when the walkthrough provides me almost no help at all!?!?!? I'm doomed!!!!!!)

As the beginning of September drew near, I realized with a stab of horror that I remembered a bit of the time line. The date of the 'Turnabout Sisters' case was drawing near. September 5th, if I had remembered it correctly. As the month began, I stayed in the office until midnight each night, staked out in the main room. Mia thought my behavior was odd, but I felt paranoid. I wanted to warn her, to tell her that I was trying to prevent her death, but I couldn't do that unless I revealed my secret, which tugged at my conscience every day.

On September 5th, Mia announced that her sister was coming over for dinner at nine. I could hear my heartbeat speed up, blood pounding through my ears as if I had run a marathon. It was today. As it drew closer to the time, Mia retired into her office and I took my post outside the door, waiting. Tonight, Redd White would come to kill her, and I would be here to stop it.

It seemed like forever, waiting in the dark, but I sat quietly, waiting for something to happen. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the floor creaked behind me, I turned to face it, and something bludgeoned me in the back of the head. The world spun, tilting at an insane angle, and I passed out.

When I woke up, I could tell I had a headache, or at least the beginnings of one. The dark room spun and shook as I righted myself and looked around the room. I reached up for the throbbing point on the back of my head and felt something wet, which to my dismay, through a taste test, happened to be blood. (Blood…? Oh no…Mia!)

Stupidly, I scrambled to my feet and stumbled jerkily into Mia's office. Rushing around the corner, I stopped short when Maya came into view, crying over Mia's body. I was too late. Angrily, I slammed my fist into the door frame, and instantly regretted it. I turned back into the main office, rubbing my stinging hand and fighting back tears of pain. (How could I forget that I don't get along well with pain? And now my head hurts more….)

Quickly and carefully, I turned back into Mia's office. Maya had stood up and was standing a few feet away from me, tears still streaming down her face.

I adopted a more serious attitude and spoke up. "Are you alright?" I could feel my throat burn with each word, and my head throbbed when I moved my jaw. Maya looked unstable, in more ways than one, and I caught her before she hit the floor. Grumbling, I carried her unconscious form into the next room and lay it on one of the couches. (Thank god, these things are here.) Quietly, I walked back into Mia's office and crouched down beside her body. Her body was still warm when I reached out and touched her. I withdrew my hand quickly, the situation to painful to think about. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked around the room.

(Why did this have to happen? I tried to save her! I tried! Why did she have to die!? White…. Damn you. Damn you for everything. I'm gonna get you for this; for knocking me out, for killing Mia, and for framing Maya. I'll get you for this…)

Wiping the tears away from my eyes with the back of my sleeve, I stood up and looked around the room. (Might as well start investigating…) Numbly, I turned back to Mia's body. "Aright, let's see. She was struck on the head by a blunt object. Death was probably instantaneous. The murder weapon was the Thinker clock that Larry made." I paused. "I knew I should have tossed that thing when Mia wasn't looking," I mumbled with contempt. "Shards of the glass light stand are scattered everywhere…. Damn. This is a lot to remember…" I sighed, rubbing the back of my sore head. Glancing down, I noticed a scrap of paper on the floor. "Oh shit, right. The receipt for the light stand." Picking it up, I flipped it over and back again. "I'll have to remember this is here."

Glancing around the room, I racked my brain for anything else I had to look at. "Ah! Phone." I waltzed over to the phone and picked it up, taking note of the semi-dismantled receiver.

"Police!? Please, come quick!" a muffled voice interrupted my hurried inspection. (And that must be April May… Well, at least I have all the pieces I can get from here. I better go check on Maya)

When I walked into the room, the couch where I had placed Maya was empty. (Typical) I glanced around for a second before I noticed Maya standing right beside me. I jumped back a few steps, bumping my already damaged head into the doorframe. Maya stared at me as I doubled over in pain, clutching my head in pain.

The pain died down after a minute and I straightened up, blood pounding through my ears. "Um, sorry about that. Hit my head," I laughed sheepishly, trying to keep calm.

Maya jumped a little at my reply and, looking away from me, she began to cry again.

"Ah! Shit, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you!" I shouted frantically, panicking a little. "I just… I … uh… um…. Sorry, but, who are you?" (Might as well start with the basics, even though I know the answer)

"Maya… Maya Fey," she replied, still looking down at the floor.

I nodded. "Alright, um… Maya… do you mind if I was you a few questions?"

Despite her current state, she gave me a skeptical glance.

(NOW she's being difficult) "It's alright. I work here. I just want to know what happened. Please," I asked, trying to keep my voice on a kind note.

She nodded hesitantly. "I… I came in. The room was dark. And Sis… Sis…!"

(Yeah, I expected as much.) "So, you're her younger sister? And you came here because…?"

"She wanted me to hold some evidence for her," Maya replied in a tiny voice.

"Evidence?" I asked, playing dumb.

"Yes," she nodded. "The clock… the 'Thinker'."

(Well, it's now or never….) "I found a piece of paper next to her body. Your name is written on it in blood."

Maya jumped again. "M-my name? Sis… did Sis write it? Why would she write my name!?"

"Just calm down," I sighed, "let's not jump to any conclusions here…"

"But why!?" Maya asked me, her voice rising as she began pacing the floor. "Why would Sis write my name? She wouldn't-"

"QUIET!" I shouted. Maya stopped in place, staring at me. My ears were ringing and my head throbbed more than before. (I guess that was my courtroom voice….Even I've never been that loud before…) "Just relax, okay? No one said that Mia wrote it." (Yet…)

Faintly, I heard the sound of sirens coming from outside, and I turned to face it. Maya must have heard them too, as she was looking in the same direction when I glanced over at her. The sirens drew closer and closer until they reached their maximum volume. Footsteps pounded from outside and stopped at the door, accompanied by some frantic whispers. Suddenly, the door swung open and a police officer fell flat on his face on the floor, having probably rammed into the door, which hadn't been completely closed. A couple more officers scrambled in after the first one, guns drawn. "Freeze! Police!"

The officers walked around the office, examining things. I watched them for a moment before I realized that someone had walked in after them. Turning back to the door, I jumped, shouting in shock. Detective Gumshoe had just walked in, clad in his familiar green trench coat. (He looks so much…taller in real life.....)

"Alright, I'm Detective Dick Gumshoe, see," he announced in his gruff voice, staring at us, "We received a report for the building across the way, see. Got a person saying they saw a murder. Anyway, I don't want either of you moving one inch, 'kay?" With that, he stumbled across the room and into Mia's office, followed by some officers. The rest of the officers stayed behind, glaring at us.

"What are you lookin' at, pinhead?" I snapped angrily, glaring back at one officer. He cowered a bit in fear. (What's with these guys....?)

Gumshoe's yell from the other room made the officers all jump, and they backed away as the scruffy detective came back into the room. "Scuze me!" he grumbled, turning back to Maya and myself. Maya jumped as well, startled by his expression. "This word 'Maya' here mean anything to you?"

(Oh shit, he's gonna arrest Maya.....but there's not much I can do.....I could stop him, but it wouldn't do anyone much good)

Maya looked shocked. "Um... that... That's my name..."

"WHAAAAT!?" Gumshoe's loud yell made my head vibrate, and a few of the other officers covered their ears. "The victim drew this here note in her own blood, see? With her dying breath, she wrote down the killer's name!"

Maya jumped. "K-killer...? I'm not--"

"Case closed!" Gumshoe interrupted, smiling, "You're coming down to the precinct, ma'am."

"W-what?" Maya was so startled by the detective's declaration, she made no fuss when one of the officers pulled her arms behind her back and handcuffed her. They lead her out of the office and out towards their patrol vehicles.

Detective Gumshoe turned to me. "You'll have to come with us too, ma'am. We'd like to ask you some questions, and we'll get that head wound checked out for you."

"Just don't cuff me," I grumbled, still staring as they lead Maya away. (And keep your voice down. It's hurting my head)

By the time I got out of questioning, my head felt much worse. The police had called in someone to bandage my head while they questioned me. Now the white bandage wrapped around my head, only slightly visible under my hair, was giving me a headache. The sounds of the detention center bothered me, too. It seemed eerily silent, but the ringing in my ears from the pain made every little scrape and scratch infinitesimally louder. I stared at my reflection in the glass to keep myself occupied as I waited for Maya, staring at my own reflection. I looked tired now, unable to sleep after I was released, and the bandage across my forehead made me look pale. As I scrutinized my own face, I started humming to myself, stopping abruptly when I realized I was humming 'Turnabout Sisters'. Unshed tears welled up in my eyes.

(Why couldn't I protect Mia? I was there.... How could I let White get me from behind like that? I have to stop him...... I just have to...)

"That was a nice song," Maya said as she sat down, making me jump. I hadn't noticed her arrive. "What's it called?"

"Um.... I... um...." I stuttered. (I can't tell her!) "It doesn't..... have a... uh.... name. I.... um... made it up just now."

Maya stared at me with her incredulous expression again, as if she could read the nervousness in my expression. "Alright then. Well, um….. Good morning."

"Good morning," I replied courteously, trying to smile and sending more pain radiating into my skull in the process. (Even though there's nothing good about it….)

"So, um…" Maya shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Are you going to be my attorney?"

I blinked. "If you want me to. The decision is up to you. You're the one in jail here, right?"

"They're never going to believe me, are they?" Maya mumbled, deject.

"Well, they're the police. No one ever said that they were smart," I sniffed.

Maya laughed. "That must be your famous sense of humor. My sister told me all about you when we spoke on the phone the other day."

"Really?" I asked, truly curious, "What did she say?"

"She said she had fun," Maya smiled, "and that she was on edge the whole time. I asked her if it went well for you; if you 'crashed and burned'. She told me, 'No, that was the prosecution, and he only burned because she's a manic with a blowtorch.' She told me you're a real genius, but you need to watch your language, cut back on the sarcasm, and to stop being so demanding of everyone in court."

I stared at Maya blankly for a moment. (Well, now that that's out in the open…. At least I know what she thinks of me…)

Maya took my expression the wrong way. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to trouble you…"

"It's alright. It's actually true," I chuckled, internally wincing as the pain in my head flared. "Mia's very good at reading people."

"I know…" Maya muttered, staring at the counter top.

(Moving on…..) "So, Maya, I was wondering about your outfit… It's very…interesting…" I said, trying to sound casual.

"This is what all acolytes wear," she replied, "I guess you can say that it's my uniform."

I pouted. "I'm so jealous. It looks good on you…. Um, so…you're an acolyte. Acolyte to what?"

Maya laughed. "Oh, it's nothing weird. I'm just a spirit medium… in training."

"I'm pretty sure that counts as weird," I retorted, folding my arms. "A spirit medium…..how'd you get hooked into that?"

"The Fey family, especially the women, have always been very sensitive to the spirit world," Maya replied smartly, as if dictating something some else had told her.

(If it's only your family, there must not be too many of you… I see why) "So, Mia was into this kind of thing, too?"

"Of course!" Maya sniffed, annoyed at my tone, "Her powers were first-class! The only reason she left the mountain was to 'follow her career', she said."

I chuckled dryly. "I'm more worried about the fact that you live on a mountain than why she left. I would ask if you could call her spirit, seeing as you have powers and such," I added, my sarcasm piling on thicker, "but no, it wouldn't be that easy…"

Maya sighed. "Sis was right; that sarcasm will get you into a lot of trouble some day."

(That may be sooner than you think…) "So, just one more thing," I muttered, eager to change the topic of conversation, "can I ask you one more time about the day of the murder. I'd like some more details, if you don't mind."

"Alright," Maya grumbled, "let's see… I got a call from my sister that morning. She wanted me to hold onto some evidence for an upcoming trial. Like I said yesterday, it was that clock shaped like the 'Thinker.'"

I frowned. (I really should have tossed that thing….Larry's an idiot for making something so heavy) "That was evidence….? How?"

"Um…" Maya stared at the ceiling in thought. "Right, I remember. She did happen to say something about that… Do you want to hear it in her voice?"

"You recorded it?" I raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"Yeah, on my cell phone," she nodded, "I forgot how to delete those things…"

I snorted. "Prove it. Let's hear it."

"Fine!" Maya snapped, searching in her pockets for her phone. She came up empty-handed. "Oh, right. That detective took my cell phone."

"I'll get it from him when I see him," I sighed, shifting my stiff legs.

Maya brightened. "I'll write you a note so you don't for get, okay?"

"No, it's fine," I muttered dryly, "I think I can remember something so simple."

"You never know. People can forget things easily," Maya replied sharply, writing the note anyway.

(But the wasting of finite resources is a problem… Oh god, I'm quoting books again…)

After Maya finished her note and I stuffed it in my pocket, I noticed she looked a little nervous. "What's up? Something wrong?"

Maya nodded slightly. "Um… I was wondering if you could do me a favor…" she was already scribbling on another piece of paper, "This is the address of a famous lawyer. My sister gave this to me a long time ago. She told me that if I was ever in trouble, I should call him, and well, I'm in trouble. Do you think you could ask him to represent me?"

I pretended to think. "What if he refuses?"

"They told me if I can't find one by 4:00 this afternoon, the state will appoint me an attorney," Maya muttered, looking glum.

"So, the trial's tomorrow…" I mumbled to myself, and then spoke up, "Fine, I'll look into it for you… I can't make any promises, though."

"Of course," Maya nodded. "Good luck."

Gritting my teeth, I managed to find my way back to the office, although it took me a while to get my bearings. A few people stared as I staggered along through the streets, but I didn't really mind. By the time I got back to the office, the loud noises from the outside had burned a hole of pain in my head and my eyes stung from holding back tears. I wanted to cry for so many reasons, but I had to keep going. The police barely noticed as I strolled right in the door. (Well, this is why many crimes go on unsolved… or worse, unnoticed….)

"Hey! You there!" Gumshoe's gruff voice cut through the silence. All of the officers looked up from what they were doing as the detective strolled over to me. "This is a crime scene, pal! No trespassing!" Gumshoe paused for a moment. "Hey, don't I now you from somewhere? Wait, you're that Butz guy, aren't you!"

I openly glared at him. "Do I look like a guy to you? Let alone the loafer Larry? Andrea Giusto; I'm an attorney."

Gumshoe flushed a little. "Guess I got the name wrong, Ms. Giusto. Sorry 'bout that. That Butz guy, he was a killer! And you're no killer! Right?"

"I guess you could say that, Detective Gumshoe," I sighed. (No one appreciates my hard work…)

Gumshoe smiled. "Thanks for remembering the name, pal! You're her lawyer, right? Well, if you have any business here, you'd better do it quick."

(Here goes…. Well, everything…) "About Ms. Fey, did you do an autopsy? Do you perhaps have a report on you? One that I can take with me? That I can use in court tomorrow?"

Gumshoe sighed. "You want to know the results, huh? I can't really give those out…"

With an internal groan, I smiled sweetly, hands together in a pleading gesture, and stared at him. He blushed for a moment, looking hot under the collar, until he finally grumbled and gave in.

"Fine! Fine! You can see the report," he sighed, handing me a copy in a yellow envelope. "J-just because she's you boss, I'll make an exception… this time."

I happily accepted the report. (Okay, blunt-force trauma to the head, immediate death. That's about all I'll need…) "So, Detective, about Maya…"

Gumshoe cut me off, excited. "Yeah! I'm really looking forward to the trial! Sorry, pal, but this is one trail you're not going to win! The city's put Prosecutor Edgeworth on the prosecution!"

A lump formed in my throat. (Damn… this does feel different… I'm definitely nervous about facing Edgeworth, but…. how I am I gonna handle this?)

"I'm sure you know what that means, you being a lawyer and all," Gumshoe continued, seeming to swell with pride of some sort.

"Yeah," I grumbled, "Edgeworth…"

Gumshoe took my response wrong. "You do know who he is, right?"

I nodded. "Miles Edgeworth: became a prosecutor at the age of twenty and hasn't lost a case since. There are a lot of rumors floating around about him, mostly involving dirty tricks and underhanded deeds, but most of all; he hates crime with an almost abnormal passion."

"Yeah, that's the man," Gumshoe nodded, regaining his former pompous attitude. "This case is in the bag for us now that he's on the job."

(Thanks for making me feel worse than before…. If that's even possible….) Sighing, I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets. My hand bumped up against something and I pulled out Maya's memo. (Well, she did have the right idea. I did end up forgetting…) "Detective, I was wondering if you found Maya Fey's cell phone."

Gumshoe blinked. "That? I've got that."

"Can I have it back?" I asked quickly, hoping I could get out before he realized his mistake.

"Tricky lawyer…" Gumshoe snorted, "I'm not gonna be tricked by you."

(Swell, he's smarter than I thought. Let's try the not-so-straight approach) "You see, Detective, it's that strap."

"Strap?" Gumshoe looked at the phone. "This one? Hmmm… 'The Steel Samurai: Warrior of Neo Olde Tokyo'… 'The Steel Samurai'? The action hero on TV?"

I nodded. "Yeah. That strap is a collectible. I've been looking for one myself. She said that she's worried it might get lost."

Gumshoe thought for a moment, shrugged, and handed me the phone. "I don't see why not. I already have all the numbers written down anyway. You done, pal?"

"Yeah, pretty much," I replied, sliding the phone carefully into my pocket.

"Good, because there's one thing I want to say," he said, "No talking to the witness. I don't want you influencing her with your lawyerly ways, pal!"

"Witness? There's a witness?"

"Miss April May. I'm sorry 'bout this, but I can't tell you anything about her."

(Seems like you say a lot for someone not saying anything…) "Really? Guess she went home until the trial, then?" I muttered, searching my pockets for the other scrap of paper Maya handed me.

"Ahah!" Gumshoe shouted, and a few of the officers around the room jumped. "You're trying your lawyerly tricks on me now!" He stuck up his nose, smug. "She's not to go outside her room until the trial."

"Well, guess I should give up on that lead…" I muttered, trying to make him feel like he had won. "Anyway, thank you for all your help, Detective."

Gumshoe nodded in recognition. "No problem, pal! I'll see you in court."

With a chuckle, I walked out into the street and turned towards the Gatewater Hotel. (Gumshoe, you're such a sucker… Now, time to track down April May)

Room 303 wasn't very hard to find, and when I arrived, I strolled right in. The door was wide open anyway, and no one seemed to notice much. The room looked cozy. I took note of the screwdriver stuck in the drawer before April May walked in.

"Oh, hello there," she smiled. The expression was fake, along with her cheery tone of voice. She definitely wasn't happy to see me, or was at least hoping I was a man.

"Hello. You're Miss April May, correct?" I asked. Through the question sounded stupid, my brain was taking too long connecting faces with names.

"Yeah, that's me," she replied, using her fake cheerful voice again. "And you must be the lawyer. The detective told me… He said, 'Don't say nothing to that lawyer, pal!'"

(That's one person I can add to my 'List of people to slap for making my life suck'…. Along with whoever sent me here….)

April laughed, looking excited. "Gee! This is all like something out of a movie! It's all so exciting I can hardly contain myself! Ooh! Let me go freshen up so I can look the part of the beautiful eyewitness!" She giggled and ran off into the next room.

(If I could pity myself, I would… but there's no time to start a pity party now. I have to focus on the investigation, and making sure I do everything right. There's no powers from above that will let me go back if I miss something. Now, about that drawer…) Quietly, I crept over to the open drawer and peaked in, tilting the screwdriver to take a better look.

"Hey! H-h-hey!!!" April shouted, rushing back into the room, "What are you doing!? No touching! Y-you really shouldn't pry around in other people's rooms, now. You wouldn't want to make me upset, would you?"

I quickly stepped away from the drawer. "Sorry. I just wanted to talk to you." (Psycho lady……)

"Just keep out of my stuff, alright?" she snapped back, folding her arms across her chest.

(Alright…) "Can you tell me a bit about yourself… for investigative purposes?"

April shook her head, nose high in the air. "Investigative? Sound dirty," she chuckled.

"Dirty thoughts from a dirty mind," I retorted, snorting in annoyance. "Could you at least tell me about you job or something?"

"In your dreams," she snapped back, "Especially if you're going to insult me."

(You deserve it…) "Can I ask about your room?" I motioned towards the two glasses on the table. "It looks like you have company."

She looked at me, a sly smile on her face. "Oh, you must be a really smart detective… deducing something like that. Why don't you go look for clues…in the trash? Hmm? That's probably where all the clues are to this case. It's where you belong, too."

"Don't go there...." I mumbled. (Add Miss April May to my 'List of people to slap for making my life suck'. She belongs there more than Gumshoe does…) "I'm not even gonna ask about the incident."

April giggled. "You better not. I wouldn't want you getting you little hopes up."

"I think I've found someone who challenges my attitude…" I smirked to myself.

"You'll just have to come to court tomorrow if you want to know," April continued.

I sighed. "I think there's something called common sense. If I'm the lawyer, I'll obviously be there. I guess someone with so much fat that close to their head wouldn't know." Before she could reply, I left, scurrying out the door as fast as I could. I didn't want to be around when she snapped. (I guess it's time I paid Grossberg a visit…)

Arriving at Mr. Grossberg's office, I felt my head hurting worse than ever before. (It must be the walls. The colour is driving me out of my mind… Why can't people pain rooms a normal colour for once?) He wasn't around, so I decided to wait, leaving up against his desk to get a better view of the room. The painting automatically caught my eye, and I stared at it for a moment, trying to figure out how I could casually bring the topic up in conversation. The shelves on the back wall were covered in thick law books and a multitude of case files. (That reminds me….I have to pick up the book I was reading once the police release the office...)

A loud clearing-of-the-throat made me jump, spinning towards the office door. Mr. Grossberg walked in, his mustache twitching as he stopped in front of me. (Hell, this guy needs to turn down the volume knob…)

"Have you been looking for me, my dear?" he asked, sounding pleasantly delighted at the notion.

(One: I'm not your 'dear', and I don't want to be called one, especially not by you…; Two: why are you looking so happy about it!? That sounds surprisingly dirty… or that might just be backlash from my conversation with April May…) "Yes, I… uh… guess…? You're Mr. Grossberg, then?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. I smiled sheepishly despite my efforts.

"Yes, I am, my dear! The one and only Marvin Grossberg, at your service. Now, what can I do for you?" He replied, mustache twitching. His expression changed as he looked at me. "Ah, that badge on your collar… Ah, so you're a lawyer, are you now?"

I nodded. "Y-yeah. I'm here about Maya Fey…"

Grossberg seemed to almost jump with shock. "Ah…yes. Maya Fey… Go on."

"Yeah, her. She wants you to defend her," I mumbled, looking at his expression sourly. (If you're not too busy…)

"A-cha-cha," he grumbled, staring off at the floor in the corner. "I'm really quite busy here, son. I can't go taking cases on a day's notice! No, it's quite impossible."

I frowned. "You're really quite informed for someone 'not on the case'," I snorted in reply, folding my arms across my chest.

Grossberg jumped again. "A-anyway... I'm afraid it's entirely impossible for me to represent her. Sorry. End of discussion."

"No, it's not 'end of discussion'! I want a reason!" I snapped back, losing my temper. "I want to know why you won't defend Maya!"

"Hmm?" Grossberg looked at me like I was insane. "Eh, ahem! Well, you see it's just... I'm busy, you see!"

I glared. "Too busy to help Mia Fey's sister? The sister of a woman who trusted you with the welfare of the most important person in her life? I can't believe you…"

Grossberg looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry but, I must refuse. Sorry. Good-bye."

"Fine!" I snapped back, clenching my fists, an action I regretted instantly as more pain assaulted my head, "I'll defend her myself."

"I wouldn't if I were you…," he mumbled under his breath.

"And why not, Mr. Oh-so-reliable?" I grumbled.

Grossberg shuffled uneasily. "No lawyer would take this particular case, and many would say you're a fool for even thinking of it."

"I'll be a fool, then," I snapped, "But I won't abandon Maya, not like everyone else. Not like you." Having had enough of the argument, and of the pain radiating from my head to the rest of my body, I grudgingly left and headed back to the detention center.

I felt numb as I walked back into the detention center. I wasn't cold; it was a bit cool outside, but nothing I couldn't handle. I couldn't handle looking at Maya so lonely and helpless. She was waiting patiently when I sat down across from her.

"Welcome back!" she smiled, "Did you find the lawyer?"

The mention of Grossberg sent me frowning. "Yeah, I found him…"

"You don't sound too happy about," Maya pointed out.

"Oh, you think?" I asked, piling on too much sarcasm. "The guy's a jerk, and he's really fat. I don't see how he ever became a lawyer with that attitude of his."

Maya sighed. "I guess he refused me then…. I've been abandoned…."

"Maya, what about the rest of your family? Your parents?" I asked, leaning forward against the counter.

"I only had my sister," she replied, staring at the floor, "My father died when I was very young. And I don't know where my mother is."

"You don't know? Why?" (I might as well get this information now, seeing as I'll need it later…)

Maya straightened up and stared at me for a moment. "The women in my family have been mediums for generations. They say that E.S.P. runs in our blood. About fifteen years ago, our family was involved in an... incident. There was a man, and he... he... He ruined our mother's life."

"He 'ruined' her life? Can you tell me how?"

"You're very interested, considering that this is unrelated to my current problem," Maya added, looking at me with a suspicious smile.

I smiled back. "Whether it's related or not is for me to decide, alright?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "Fine. About 15 years ago... there was an unusual murder case. It made quite a stir, everyone was talking about it, apparently. The police were running out of leads, and they were getting desperate... So they called in my mother. They asked her to contact the victim, and she did and the case was solved, or so we thought. The man my mother helped the police capture was innocent. The police's consultation with a medium had all been carried out in secret, of course. But... A man found out about it and leaked it to the press. He told all the papers that my mother was a fraud, and the media jumped on it big time. She... my mother... became the laughing stock of the nation. My sister told me the name of that man… White."

(White… Your reign of tyranny end here. I'll finish you…for all you've done to innocent people… I'll get you for this…)

"Well," Maya mumbled, her voice dropping back into its depressed tone, "Just a little longer now before the state-appointed lawyer comes, I guess..."

"If he does, I'm kicking him out," I grunted.

Maya stared at me. "Why?"

"Because, I'm defending you. End of story," I replied bluntly.

"But… why? Why do you want to defend me?" Maya asked, still staring at me.

I stood up, pressed my palms against the counter, and leaned towards the glass. Maya leaned back in her chair. I smiled. "Someone else is the culprit, and I want to exact my personal revenge on him for what he did to my head, for what he did to Mia, and for what he's doing to you. I can't just see someone else decide this for you. I trust Mia, and I'm sure she trusts me, even if she doesn't think I should be doing this. I'm not going to let this come out the wrong way. I'm gonna see it through to the end, and it'll be a good ending… for us."

As I sat back down, Maya started to laugh, tears rolling down her face. "Right!" she smiled, looking more full of energy than I had seen before. "We'll win, and track down this guy."

"Alright!" I nodded, smirking confidently. "I'll give this trial everything I've got, and we'll get you out of here so fast, the judge's head'll spin."

"So, are you finished your investigation for today?" Maya asked.

I looked at the ceiling in thought. "Just one more thing I want to check. I hope you don't mind, but I think that's all I need from you today."

"I'll look forward to seeing you in court, then. Tomorrow," Maya reminded me.

Chuckling, I stood up and left, hurrying back in the direction of the office.

As I walked along, I thought about how the day went. (I think I've covered everything. I may have failing in my conversation with April May, but that was to be expected…just not as badly… Um…Grossberg? I failed that conversation, too. He really pissed me off… Oh well, I guess I've gotten everything I can. I just have to steal that wiretap from April May's room…)

I continued my walk towards the office and, as was only about halfway through my journey, I accidentally bumped into someone… hard. I spun about to either apologize or give the person shit, and everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. It was probably the shock of what I saw…

As I turned around, my angry expression changed into one of shock. The person who bumped me continued walking on, but I remained frozen in place. He was almost exactly my height, with dark hair the spiked out in the back, and a blue suit with a red tie. I didn't move for what seemed like an eternity, and when I did, he was already gone.

(It couldn't…it's not….possible…. He… he was… him…. P-phoenix W-w-wright… it can't be! But he…he's… I don't understand it…. I'm supposed to be him, but he's here? What… what does this mean…?)

All the energy from my conversation with Maya drained from my body. My knees began to shake, my arms and legs felt numb, and I felt my heart rate slow down. I stood there in the middle of the sidewalk, breathing heavily, for a while, until my heart rate finally returned to normal and I could move again.

(Phoenix Wright…. Why are you here? … I don't have time for this!! First, concentrate on helping Maya, THEN I can worry about why he's here….)

Regaining my composure, despite my lack of energy, I hurried off in the direction of the Gatewater Hotel.

Carefully, I slid myself through the ajar door of April May's room and peaked around. As expected, April May was nowhere to be seen, and the bellboy, who was in the room, cleaning up glasses, approached me.

"Good afternoon, ma'am!" he nodded to me, his voice chipper.

"H-hello," I replied calmly, stepping a little more into the room. "You're a bellboy?"

He continued staring at me. "Yes, I am. I've just come up to deliver room service, ma'am."

"Ah, I see." I glanced around the room. "Do you know where Miss May is?"

"Ah. I believe our guest Miss May is currently using the, er, facilities...? If you've no need of anything, I'll be taking my leave. Please, stay as long as you like. Enjoy..." He nodded again and walked out the door.

I sighed quietly. (I'll just wait for him to come back so he doesn't scare me….)

The bellboy popped back in. "I just remembered. Might I ask you to inform Miss May that there is a message for her? Please tell her that Mr. White, of Bluecorp phoned."

"I'll relay the message," I muttered back.

With a nod of approval, he left again. As soon as I was sure the coast was clear, I snuck over to the drawer. Twisting my hand into the opening, I slowly pulled out the wiretap, careful not to make any noises. Finally, the wiretap sat in my hands. (Now I've got everything I need that will get me through court tomorrow. I'll be looking forward to this battle, Edgeworth…) Peaking around, I snuck quietly back out and scrambled off, wiretap tucked into the pocket of my jacket.

When I got back to my apartment, I sat down on my bed and stared up at the ceiling. (This case is pretty twisted, if you were to ask me… but now that's not my only concern. Phoenix Wright… what is he doing here? For that matter if he's here, why am I here? ….. Well, thinking about it in a situation like this isn't going to help me much. I'm not gonna come up with any answers… I'm probably not going to get any sleep tonight, either. I might as well stay up and find something to do, no matter how much I need the sleep…)

Standing up, I grabbed a can of Coke from the fridge in the kitchen, grabbed my guitar and instruction book up off the floor, and settled down. It was going to be a long night.