The next morning, I settled into my place in the courtroom, looking around the bench to make sure I was prepared. The wiretap sat on the table beside me, Maya's cell phone next to it, with the autopsy report placed underneath. To my left, in the defendant's chair, Maya shifted uneasily, but was busily scribbling something on a note pad she had grabbed off my table. The courtroom was pretty noisy as the crowd waited for the trial to begin. Grudgingly, I looked across from me at the prosecutor's bench. Edgeworth was undergoing the same preparation process, eyes darting around his table to make sure he was prepared. I watched, curious.

The Judge took his seat and banged his gavel. "The court is now in session for the trial of Ms. Maya Fey."

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor," Edgeworth announced, a hint of a British accent in his voice.

The Judge waited for a moment. "Ms Giusto, are you ready?" he asked when I didn't answer.

I jumped, folding my arms across my chest. "Y-yes, Your Honor. The defense is ready to kick some ass." (Note to self: stop staring at Edgeworth…)

"The defense is to keep their comments PG-13," the Judge reminded me with a sigh.

"Yes, Your Honor," I sighed back. (Trust me, this is PG-13…)

The Judge cleared his throat. "Mr. Edgeworth. Please give the court your opening statement."

Edgeworth tilted his head in a nod of acknowledgement. "Thank you, Your Honor. The defendant, Ms. Maya Fey, was at the scene of the crime. The prosecution has evidence she committed this murder... and we have a witness who saw her do it. The prosecution sees no reason to doubt the facts of this case, Your Honor."

"I see. Thank you, Mr. Edgeworth." The Judge nodded, "Let's begin then. You may call your first witness."

"The prosecution calls the chief officer at the scene, Detective Gumshoe!" Edgeworth announced.

I straightened my posture. (The battle begins now!)

"Witness, please state your name and profession to the court." Edgeworth ordered once Gumshoe was ready on the stand.

"Sir!" Gumshoe stated. "My name's Dick Gumshoe, sir! I'm the detective in charge of homicides down at the precinct, sir!"

I rolled my eyes. (Stop saying 'sir' so much. It's really getting on my nerves)

Edgeworth remained calm. "Detective Gumshoe. Please, describe for us the details of this murder."

"Very well, sir! Let me use this floor map of the office to explain." Gumshoe dragged out a projector and a large white screen. The projector displayed a floor plan of the office. "The body was found by this window, here." He pointed out the spot in question on the projection.

Edgeworth nodded. "And the cause of death?"

"Loss of blood due to being struck by a blunt object, sir! The murder weapon was a statue of 'The Thinker' found next to the body, sir! It was heavy enough to be a deadly weapon, even in a girl's hands, sir!" Gumshoe announced proudly.

"The court accepts the statue as evidence." The Judge replied.

Edgeworth cleared his throat. "Now, Detective..."

Gumshoe jumped a bit. "Y-yes sir!"

"You immediately arrested Ms. Maya Fey, who was found at the scene, correct?" he asked, more for the court than for himself. "Can you tell me why?"

Gumshoe nodded. "Yes sir! I had hard evidence she did it, sir!"

The Judge looked interested. "Hmm. Detective Gumshoe, Please testify to the court about this 'hard evidence.'"

"As soon as the phone call came in, I rushed to the scene!" Gumshoe testified, "There were two people there already: The defendant, Ms. Maya Fey, and the lawyer, Ms. Andrea Giusto. I immediately arrested Ms. Maya Fey! Why? We had a witness account describing her! The witness saw Ms. Maya Fey at the very moment of the murder!"

"Hmm..." The Judge looked thoughtful, "The very moment, you say. Very well. Ms. Giusto, you may begin your cross-examination."

"With pleasure, Your Honor," I smirked.

Before I could start, something flew through the air and smacked me on the head, hard, right where I had been hit on the day of the crime. With a grunt, I dropped to my knees on the floor behind my bench, clutching my head. Everyone in the court stared. Grumbling, I picked up the paper wad that had hit me and unrolled it, reading Maya's note.

"Ms. Giusto, are you alright?" the Judge asked.

I scrambled to my feet, crumpling up the note again. "I'm fine, Your Honor. I just… hit my head really hard a few days ago, and it still hurts. I'll just begin my cross-examination." (Geez… Maya has one hell of a pitcher's arm…) "I only have one thing to say to the Detective. Detective, you said you had 'hard evidence' she did it, correct?"

Gumshoe looked confused. "Huh? Did... did I say that? Me?"

"You definitely said it," I replied.

The Judge nodded. "You did say it."

Edgeworth folded his arms. "You said it."

"Detective, I have to wonder," I snapped, "since when has witness testimony ever been acceptable as 'hard evidence'?" (Though I think you lack the brain cells to answer the question…)

Gumshoe shrugged, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

"Do you have any more solid proof other than the witness' claims, Detective?" The Judge asked.

"Yes," Gumshoe mumbled sheepishly, "Sorry, I got the order of things mixed up in my testimony, Your Honor Sir! There was something I should have told you about first, Your Honor!"

"Very well, Detective," The Judge sighed, "Let's hear your testimony again."

"After securing the suspect," Gumshoe testified again, "I examined the scene of the crime with my own eyes. I found a memo written on a piece of paper next to the victim's body! On it, the word 'Maya' was written clearly in blood! Lab test results showed that the blood was the victim's! Also, there was blood found on the victim's finger! Before she died, the victim wrote the killer's name!"

The crowd broke out into chatter, discussing the detective's testimony. The Judge quickly silenced it with his gavel, looking more annoyed than anything else.

Gumshoe turned up his nose proudly, facing me now. "How you like that? That's my 'hard evidence'!"

Grumbling something to himself, the Judge closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, he turned to the detective. "Before we begin cross-examination, I have a question for you, Detective."

"Y-Your Honor?" Gumshoe asked, sounding a bit deflated at the Judge's tone.

"Why didn't you testify about this vital piece of evidence the first time!?" the Judge yelled.

Gumshoe cringed. "Ah... eh... I know. I'm real embarrassed I forgot about it, Your Honor Sir."

The Judge sighed, sounding extremely agitated. "Try to be more careful! Very well, the defense may begin its cross-examination."

"Just one thing I want to clarify," I muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear, "You're saying that the victim, Ms. Mia Fey herself, wrote this note, indicting Maya Fey for her murder, correct?"

"Wh-what? This isn't one of those lawyer tricks, now, is it?" Gumshoe grumbled, scrutinizing my expression, "Of course she wrote it! Who else could have!?"

(This is one of the reasons I want to slap him…) "Detective, your claim is bullshit, and for not one, but two reasons…"

"And what, pray tell," Edgeworth asked, ignoring my swearing, "could those reasons be?"

"One, the victim and defendant are sisters. There's no way one would actually leave evidence that would incriminate the other," I replied, "And second, the victim's autopsy report states that death was immediate, leaving the victim no time to leave such message." (I hate referring to Mia as 'the victim'… It makes her death hit too close to home…)

Gumshoe cringed again. "But...!"

"'But' is not an acceptable excuse, detective," I snapped. (He's REALLY pissing me off now…)

Gumshoe jumped a bit, and a few people in the crowd started mumbling amongst themselves.

"Order! Order!" The Judge shouted, banging his gavel a couple times. "The defense has a point, even though the first reason stated is not acceptable as a reason. Someone who died immediately wouldn't have the time to write anything down."

"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth shouted from across the room. He smiled an evil smile that sent a chill down my spine. "I beg the defense's pardon, but when exactly did you obtain that autopsy report?"

(He scares me in person…and annoys the hell out of me even more… Hey, wait a second… Why isn't he saying my name at all? He's not even calling me by my last name! What a jerk!) "Yesterday, the day after the murder. Your point?" I asked, the impatience clear in my voice.

"That autopsy report is outdated," he replied, looking smug in his own unobvious way, "A second autopsy was performed yesterday, at my request! 'Death was almost immediate due to a blow from a blunt object... But there is a possibility the victim lived for several minutes after the blow.' I received these results this morning. It's quite easy to imagine that the victim did have time to write 'Maya'! That is all."

"I see!" the Judge nodded, looking positively convinced.

I bit my lip hard in agitation. (Damn you Edgeworth… This is why I hate facing you in court… You're such an asshole)

Edgeworth smiled, but not as evilly. "Why, you look shocked! Something you want to say?"

(Just so the judge doesn't bother me about personal attacks on the prosecution…) "The defense declares that the prosecution is a sham!" I shouted, pointing directly at Edgeworth.

"Is that… all… you had to say?" Edgeworth asked incredulously after a moment of silence.

I nodded. "Yeah, that's about it." (I just had to say that. I feel like an idiot, but I just had to)

"I-I see… Your Honor, I submit this report to the court," Edgeworth continued in an attempt to ignore my outburst.

The Judge stopped chuckling and coughed. "U-understood. The court accepts the evidence."

I sighed. (And the Judge thinks what I said is funnier than I do…why?)

"Well, Your Honor?" Edgeworth asked, spreading his hands in a confident gesture, "The evidence strongly suggests the victim was identifying the killer."

"I suppose that's the obvious conclusion, yes," the Judge agreed.

Edgeworth took a bow. "The prosecution would like to call its next witness. This poor, innocent girl saw the murder with her own eyes!"

I snickered. "Innocent? That's a laugh…"

"Let the witness Miss April May take the stand," The Judge announced.

April May came hopping happily into the courtroom, sticking her tongue out playfully at me. I returned the gesture. Edgeworth stared; probably contemplating which one of us was the bigger idiot.

Edgeworth cleared his throat. "Witness, your name, please."

"April May! At your service!" she announced, winking. A large majority of the audience started whistling and hooting, the voices all male.

The Judge slammed his gavel so hard that I could feel the vibrations in the air from my bench. "Order! An introduction should not require any reaction from the crowd! The witness will refrain from wonton winking!"

April put on a cute face of disappointment. "Aww... Yes, Your Honor."

"Tell us, where were you on the night of September 5, when the murder occurred?" Edgeworth asked for the benefit of the court.

"Um... gee... I was, like, in my hotel room? Tee hee. I checked in right after lunch," April replied.

Edgeworth nodded. "And this hotel is directly across from the Fey & Co. Law Offices?"

"Mmm... that's right, big boy."

"Please testify to the court about what you saw." The Judge asked.

"It was, like, 9:00 at night. I looked out the window, y'know!" April testified, "And then, oooh! I saw a woman with long hair being attacked! The one attacking her was the mousey girl sitting in the defendant's chair! Then the woman, like, dodged to one side and ran away! But that girl, she caught up to her and... and... She hit her! Then the woman with long hair... She kinda... slumped. The end. That's all I saw. Every little bitsy witsy!" She winked.

The Judge looked deep in thought.

"Your Honor?" Edgeworth asked.

"I see," the Judge nodded, "It is a remarkably solid testimony. I don't see a need to trouble the witness any..."

"HEY!" I shouted, using my courtroom voice. Everyone in the room jumped. "Don't I get my cross-examination of the witness?"

"I thought the witness's testimony just now was quite... firm. Didn't you?" he asked.

I stared at him. "You have no idea how dirty what you just said sounds…"

The Judge looked as bit flustered. "I had no intention of…"

"If you're going to cross-examine the witness," Edgeworth cut in, "then do so, and stop wasting the court's time. Though, any cross-examination would be a waste of time."

"And you're a waste of intellect," I snapped back. Before he could counter, I turned to the witness. "May I ask how you knew it was my client?"

April looked a little startled. "Huh? Well... y'know! S-she had a girlish physique. Women know these things. Look... I-I just know, okay?"

"I'm a woman, and I don't know what you're getting at," I replied bluntly.

"There was only one person at the scene of the crime with a short, girlish figure," Edgeworth stated, trying to strengthen her testimony.

I gaped at him. "E-excuse me!? You wanna come over here and say that to my face!? How dare you! You asshole!"

April chuckled. "Ohh, Mr. Prosecutor, you're in for it."

It took Edgeworth a moment to realize what he said wrong, but when he did, he began blushing profusely. "I-I didn't mean it like that! I meant to say that the defendant was the only one with a short girlish figure who had an opportunity to commit the murder. Also, you're too tall to be classified as having a 'short figure'."

"Mr. Edgeworth," the Judge spoke up. "I would like to know what you mean. Why wasn't Ms. Giusto a suspect if she fits the witness' description?"

Edgeworth cleared his throat. "I have here a report from the police department," he said, holding up said folder. "When both occupants of the office were brought in for questioning, it was found that she had a suffered a sever blow to her head that would have left her incapacitated during the time of the murder."

The Judge nodded. "I see. Thank you, Mr. Edgeworth." He received a copy of the file from Edgeworth and handed one to me. I read it over quickly. It stated in detail everything Edgeworth had said. I slid it under the autopsy report on my bench.

"Anyway," I coughed, drawing attention back to me, "I have a problem with the testimony."

The Judge sighed. "Would you be cross-examining her without one?"

"She would, being the student of Mia Fey," Edgeworth commented.

"Haven't you heard that it's rude to speak ill of the dead?" I snapped, annoyed. "Anyway, Miss May, your testimony is full of shit. I'm willing to bet that that you're lying. You didn't see the defendant!"

April jumped, startled.

The Judge looked curious. "Ms. Giusto. What's the meaning of this?"

April nodded. "Yes, what is the meaning! Somebody tell me because I'm clueless! About this, I mean!"

"Isn't it obvious? Look at her!" I shouted, pointing at Maya. "She looks far from normal! Her clothes look so out of place and her hair style is weird! There's no way you could have noticed her physique without first noticing her- OW!" Maya threw another wad of paper at my head and dropped to the floor again, clutching my head in pain.

"Still," the Judge questioned, "we don't know if she was dressed that way the night of the murder..."

"She was," I groaned, lifting myself up slowly. "I can attest to that…"

"Rowr!" April snapped, and then reverted back to her sweet self. "What are you trying to say, you mean lawyer! I-I saw what I saw. I... just didn't think all the trifling little details were necessary, darling."

The Judge sighed. "Miss May. The court would like to remind you to please omit nothing in your testimony."

"I'm sorry, Your Honor. I'll be a good girl. I promise," she apologized, batting her eyelids.

"Your testimony again," the Judge asked, "if you would."

"I did see everything! I did!" April squeaked. "The victim--the woman--dodged the first attack and ran off to the right. Then the girl in the hippie clothes ran after her... And she hit her with that weapon! I saw it! I did! That... that clock! Um... the kinda statue-y clock? 'The Thinker,' I think?" She smiled at me. "Well? Does the accuracy of my report not startle you?"

I was scribbling on the pad I had stolen back from Maya, writing down the only important part of her testimony. She scoffed at me when she saw I wasn't paying attention.

The Judge didn't seem to notice my lack of interested. "I... see. I only wish you had been so detailed from the beginning. Please begin the cross-examination."

"Miss May," I said, stuffing the note between the autopsy report and my medical report, "You said that the murder weapon was clock. Indeed, it is one, but it was submitted to the court as a statue! You can't tell it's a clock from sight, either! Miss May, can you explain how you knew this was a clock!?"

April jumped. "Oooh... urp!"

"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth interjected, "The witness saw the murder with her own eyes! That's all that's important here! The defense is trying to confuse the issue with trivial concerns!"

The Judge frowned for a moment. "Yes... yes, of course. You will withdraw your question, Ms. Giusto."

"OBJECTION!" I shouted. The sound of my own voice rang in my ears. (That was…so awesome!) "I've caught a murderer on this same point, Your Honor! This line of questioning will get us somewhere. I know it!"

There was a moment of silence in the courtroom. The Judge looked thoughtful. "Objection sustained. You may continue to question the witness."

"Now, Miss May, answer my question," I asked again, "How did you know the murder weapon was a clock?"

"What...!" April jumped again. "Th-that's......Because... I heard it? Yes! I heard it say the time!"

I stared. "So, you've been to the office?"

"N-n-no! Hey, I didn't say that! Why would I go there!" she laughed sheepishly, "I heard from my hotel room. Hee hee!"

Edgeworth shook his head. "The law offices of Fey & Co., where the murder took place, are very close to the hotel. She could easily have heard the clock!"

"Hmm." The Judge thought about it for a moment, "Well, Ms. Giusto? Are you satisfied?"

"Hell no!" I shouted back, "She couldn't have heard the clock because it couldn't have rung! It was empty!"

The Judge seemed astonished. "H-how could you possibly...?"

"Look and see for yourself!" (I'm so on my way to making it through this! Even Edgeworth can't stop me! …Having memorized the walkthrough helps, too…)

The Judge carefully dismantled the 'Thinker' and looked inside. "Oh! It is as the defense says! This clock is missing its clockwork! It's quite empty! Ms. Giusto! Would you care to explain to the court the meaning of this?"

"The meaning is obvious. The clock is empty, meaning that she couldn't have heard it, meaning that she had no way of knowing it was a clock! She's lying!" I yelled.

Edgeworth shook his head, smiling evilly again. "I'm afraid you've forgotten one thing, however. Indeed, the clock is empty. As you say... it can't ring. However, we must ask: when was the clockwork removed? If it was after the witness heard the clock, then there is no contradiction!"

"Hmm! That's true," the Judge mused, "That is a possibility. The clock might have been emptied after she heard it."

"And that is exactly what happened, Your Honor!" Edgeworth replied confidently.

The Judge looked curious. "Ms. Giusto, can you prove when the clockwork was removed?"

"Of course I can!" I smirked, before Edgeworth could throw in his two cents. (This guy is really getting on my nerves. I'm so kicking his ass in this trial, and he's still being a jerk!) "I have evidence that proves that the clockwork was removed before the murder, and my evidence is this!" I picked up Maya's phone off the table and showed it to the court.

The Judge stared. "Hmm. That's a very cute cell phone."

"I didn't think you were the type for such a girly phone," April laughed.

"It's not mine!" I shouted, blushing with embarrassment. "This is the defendant's phone, and it contains a recording of a conversation she had with the victim on the day of the murder."

The courtroom burst out into loud discussion again, and the Judge slammed his gavel harder than before to maintain order.

"The defendant's cell phone!?" Edgeworth shouted, clearly agitated. He bent over his desk in anger. "Th-this wasn't brought to my attention!"

(Maybe you're not as informed of your investigations as I thought…) "I'll play the conversation to the court." I turned the cell phone on and found the recording, fast forwarding to the part I needed, which I had mentally noted out last night. The cell phone beeped and played the recording.

Maya's voice filled the courtroom. "[So you just want me to hold on to 'The Thinker' for you, then?]"

"[If you could. Ah... I should probably tell you, the clock isn't talking right now.]" Mia answered, and I felt my insides twist a bit. Maya shifted uncomfortably beside me.

In the recording, Maya snorted. "[Huh? It's not working? That's lame!]"

Mia laughed sheepishly. "[I had to take the clockwork out, sorry.]"

I fast forwarded to the end. "[September 5, 9:27 AM]" it beeped out, and I shut it off. "It's pretty obvious;" I said, "The clockwork was removed before the murder, and even before the witness arrived at her hotel! Her claims are a load of bullshit!"

"Muh... muh... muh!?" April mumbled, freaking out.

"Now, Miss May, would you care to explain yourself? How you knew this was a clock?" I continued, faking a kind voice.

"W-well...!" April laughed nervously, "Well, isn't it o-obvious? I saw that clock before! Um... what store was that again? I-I go to so many! Oops! I forgot!" She winked, hoping to get the court back on her side.

The Judge nodded. "So the witness had seen it before. That would make sense. Does the defense have any objections?"

"Hell yes!" I snapped, "That completely contradicts the murder weapon itself! It's not something that can be bought in a store! A friend of mine made this clock, and there are only two like it in the world. The other one is currently in police custody."

April jumped. "I-impossible! Everything is sold in stores!"

"Yeah, right," I snorted. "Brains aren't. I'll let you know if I see a store selling some. You need them."

"Oooh? Oh ho ho. Mmmrrrrrph! Ooooorrrrrrrggggghhhhhhh... hhh!!!" April snapped, her expression contorting into one of pure fury, "What's it to you, you pompous pinhead!? That stupid clock doesn't matter, okay!? She did it! And she should die for it! Die!"

"W-w-whoa! Let's not get ahead of ourselves," The Judge interrupted hurriedly, seeming a bit scared. "T-this is a court of law, and the witness will remain calm!"

April huffed and puffed, trying to regain her composure. "Hrrrgh... hrrrh... Hrrr... heh. Oh? Oh! Oh? Oh hoh ho! S-silly me! Did I, um, like... lose it? I guess I did. Tee hee!" She winked.

I rolled my eyes (She's crazy…)

The Judge cleared his throat. "Miss May, let me ask. Tell me, how did you know the weapon was a clock?"

She didn't respond, busy glaring at me. I was staring at the ceiling, not paying attention to anything in particular, forcing myself not to stare at Edgeworth again.

"Hmm... oh dear," the Judge sighed pensively, "Does the defense have an opinion on this... behavior?"

(Other than the fact that she's a nutcase?) "Miss May knew about the clock because she heard about it…from the victim herself!"

Edgeworth folded his arms. "If you make a claim like that, you know, of course, that you need proof."

"And I have proof," I replied, picking up the wiretap.

April stiffened and her anger increased. "Ah! Oooh! Th-that!? Eh heh..."

"This was found in Miss May's hotel room. She was using this wiretap to listen in on the victim's conversations!"

"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth countered. "Your Honor, This is irrelevant!"

The Judge shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure that it is. Objection overruled. It troubles me that our witness was in possession of a wiretap."

"This is outrageous!" Edgeworth said, irritated but not angry. Does the defense truly claim that the witness was tapping her phone? Even if that was the case, which it's not," he added in a whisper, "you still have to prove one thing! Did the victim ever say that the weapon was a clock on the phone? Can you prove that?" He slammed his palm down on the table. "I THINK NOT!"

"You think so, huh?" I muttered, calm. "I think I can."

Edgeworth looked slightly startled. "What?"

"My proof is the recording on the defendant's cell phone," I replied, picking it up and jumping to the recording.

Maya laughed. "[Mia! What's up? You haven't called in a while.]"

"[Well, actually there's something I want you to hold on to for me.]" Mia asked, sounding a bit sheepish.

"[Again?]" Maya sighed, a bit annoyed. "[What's it this time?]"

"[It's... a clock. It's made to look like that statue, "The Thinker." And it tells you the time!]"

I cut off the recording there and set the phone back on the table. "This conversation was obviously heard by Miss May, explaining how she knew the weapon was a clock. What do you say to that, Miss Smarty-pants?"

April opened her mouth to respond, but Edgeworth cut her off.

"OBJECTION! Your Honor, this is ridiculous!"

I laughed. "You think? I'm not being funny, and I'd think that she agrees with me. Now, Miss May, am I correct in assuming that what I've said is correct?" (Even though I know it is… I'd just like to get on with this point in the plot)

April didn't answer.

The Judge spoke up. "Witness, answer the question. Did you tap her phone?"

Still April didn't reply, glaring at me with her full fury. Finally, she snapped under the silence. "Shut up, all of you! What gives you the right to talk to ME like that! You... you LAWYER!" She screamed at the top of her lungs and burst out into tears. "I-it's no fair! All of you g-ganging up on me like that..." she sobbed, "Oh, so I'm the bad girl, is that it? Is that it!? Uh... uh... uwaaaaaaah!"

(Man, I almost feel sorry for her…..almost…) "Miss May, can you please explain this to us? Can you tell us what's really going on?"

April sniffled, wiping away her tears. She put a defiant look back on her face and stared at me. "I won't. So, I was tapping her phone. So what? This is murder trial. This tippity-tapping is irrelevant, isn't it?"

"Geez, get a brain for once," I muttered under my breath. "Just because someone says it doesn't make it a valid excuse. You were tapping the victim's phone. Does that not sink into your retarded skull?"

"While this court does not condone the defense's tone of speech," the Judge commented, grumbling in my direction, "she has a point. Well, Miss May? Do you have an explanation for the court? Can you prove you had nothing to do with this murder, even though you tapped her phone?"

"I can, and will!" she replied confidently, looking pleased with herself for once. "Okay? So, the killing happened around 9:00 at night? Why, that's just when I was getting room service from that sweet bellboy... Ice coffee, I believe it was? Think I'm making this up? Ask the bellboy!"

"Ergo," Edgeworth concluded with a bow, "the witness was not on the scene at the time of the murder!"

"Not that I ever said she was…" I added grumpily.

Edgeworth looked up at me, quick enough for me to realize that he was surprised. "Is that so? In this case, the witness' testimony stands. She saw the defendant, Miss Maya Fey, commit murder!"

"Is that all?" I yawned. "I counter your ridiculous argument by requesting the bellboy as a witness."

"I object to calling the bellboy," Edgeworth countered coolly. "I hold that the wiretap had nothing to do with the killing. However... If you agree to one condition, I'll consent to calling this witness. If Miss April May's alibi is not called into question after you examine the bellboy... Then you will recognize that Miss April May was not the killer, thus she is innocent! Therefore you must accept the verdict of 'guilty' for Ms. Maya Fey! That is my condition."

(Bring it on, cravat-man. I'll take you down. And I'm not questioning her alibi, I'm trying to make the point that White wasn't there, even though he should have been…You just can't seem to get that into your head. The cravat is probably cutting of circulation to your head…) "Deal," I snapped back instantly. Maya stared at me, astonished.

"Hmph." Edgeworth laughed, shaking his head. "Fool... You fell right into my trap!"

I chuckled, my voice darker and more menacing than I was trying for. "We'll see what happens when he gets here, and then we'll find out who fell for whose trap." (When the time comes, you'll be eating mud, bastard)

The Judge nodded. "Very well! The court calls the hotel bellboy to the stand!"

The bellboy didn't take long at arrive, and he arrived in full uniform, toting the tea set on the tray he had been carting around yesterday. It took all my mental strength to not imagine Edgeworth asking for a cup.

"I believe we're ready for the witness to testify," Edgeworth commented. "He certainly does look like a bellboy."

The bellboy tipped his head in acknowledgement. "Yes, sir. I received your summons in the middle of work, sir. I'm happy to be of service."

"That tea set looks rather heavy," The Judge noted, blinking in surprise. "so without further ado, the witness may begin his testimony."

"I am the head bellboy at the fine Gatewater Hotel," the bellboy began, "in business for four generations! I believe I received a call after 8:00 in the evening from our guest, Miss May. She asked for an ice coffee to be brought to her at 9:00, on the dot, sir. I brought it to her at precisely the requested time, of course. And I delivered the ice coffee to our guest Miss May, herself."

The Judge looked sure that this was a waste of time. "I see. The defense may begin its cross-examination."

(Now, to jump to the point) "I'd only like to ask one question of the bellboy. Did Miss May check in alone?"

Edgeworth twitched ever so slightly, but I noticed it, focusing on him. (Got you there…)

The bellboy paused. "Why do you ask?"

"It's an obvious question," I replied. "Miss May needed an alibi, so she used you. However, I noticed signs of a second person in her hotel room, but this other person is never mentioned. Where, then, were they on the night of the murder? Possibly, they could have committed the murder, as you never mention them in your testimony, and I presume that you didn't see them. Therefore, I'm asking who checked in with Miss May, because that person is our true killer."

"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth cut in after a moment of silence, slamming his hand down on the table. "I object! That was... objectionable!"

I snorted. "Come on, you can come up with something better. What kind of reason is that?"

"Objection overruled," the Judge answered, shaking his head. "Ms. Giusto has a point. Unless you can come up with something logical as an objection, her theory stands."

"I'm not going to ask why the bellboy didn't mention this person in their testimony, but the point is that this person is a suspect, and has no alibi for the time of the murder. Miss May did check in with someone else, correct?"

The bellboy nodded, embarrassed. "Yes, ma'mn."

"Thus, this other person, the man who checked in with Miss May, is our suspect."

"Upstart... amateur...!" Edgeworth grumbled, hunched over his desk, glaring at me, "T-these accusations are... ludicrous!"

(Geez…..Edgeworth's evil death glare sends people running…. No wonder witnesses don't co-operate with him… He scares me… and I'm a fan!)

The Judge looked pleasantly surprised. "The court acknowledges the defense's argument. I expect the prosecution and defense to look into this matter fully! Am I understood?"

"Yes... Yes, Your Honor," Edgeworth grumbled, almost visibly shaking with anger.

"That is all today for the trial of Maya Fey. Court is adjourned!" The Judge banged his gavel, and people began filing out. Edgeworth rushed out of the room as soon as he could, leaving his evidence behind for Gumshoe to collect. I stood and waited for a moment, packing up my evidence before I turned and walked back to the defendant's lobby, Maya following behind me.

In the defendant's lobby, I dropped onto one of the red couches, careful to not aggravate my head. (I have it in my mind to yell at Maya for the paper projectiles, but I have to save my energy. I have to face off against Redd White today… I'm going to have to stand up and fight…)

Maya was hopping around the room, literally bouncing up and down with excitement. "Ms. Giusto, that was amazing! I think I might be your newest fan!"

I sighed. "Maya, the battle isn't over yet. I've still gotta catch the culprit. And then take him down in court."

"Good point, and it will take a lot of effort, considering how many times I thought the Judge was going to sentence me 'guilty' based on your attitude," she grumbled, disapproving. "Still, that other attorney was pretty cool, too... That face of his! With his eyes wide, and trembling lips! It sent shivers up my spine!"

I squirmed slightly in my seat. "I-if you think so…"

Maya stared at me, judging my reaction until it hit her and she smiled. "You like him, don't you?"

"I do not!" I snapped back, and then mentally slapped myself for sounding like a whiny child.

"Yes you do!" Maya chuckled. "You were staring at him for half the trial!"

"I was judging his reactions to my theories!" (At least that's not a TOTAL lie…) "I don't have time for this," I grumbled, adjusting the strap of my bag as I stood up, "I have to continue my investigation." I was sure I was blushing right now, and Maya's smile confirmed it.

"I was meaning to ask," she cut in, "but what's with the bag?"

I blinked. "Oh this? It's for collecting evidence. So I can show it to people if I need to get extra information. And, if I find something, I can hide it from Detective Gumshoe." (Who's probably facing the wrath of an angry Edgeworth… Still, I think using this bag was a good idea. I have idea how the Court Record works, so I guess this is the best alternative)

Maya stared at me for a moment. "Good luck. And… thank you."

I nodded stiffly and walked out, leaving her to be taken back to the detention center. (Right now, I have to focus. April May is detention, too, so I have to play her a visit, and then I have to visit the bellboy and get him to write that affidavit. But even before that, I have to stop by Grossberg's and take those pictures… both of them. You never know, Misty Fey's photo may come in handy sooner than I think. I can do… I can win. For Maya's sake… and Mia's)