Chapter 17—What is Honor?

October 20, 2016

Miles had received word from Gumshoe that Dee Vasquez had attempted to destroy a piece of evidence Wright found and have Wright and Maya killed to keep them silent. He had almost no doubt in his mind: Vasquez had a role in the murder. She knew something that she was keeping from everyone. He thought back to the beginning of the case. Had Wright not pressed Oldbag, she would have kept the producer's connection to the crime a secret. Miles could have allowed a killer to go free. Were it not for Wright's persistence, an innocent person could have been convicted.

"This is it," a voice said. Miles turned to face the source: Lana. She had a look of concern on her face. The guards were not in the Prosecution Lobby and no one else was there but her and Miles. Lana seated herself on the sofa next Miles.

"Indeed it is," Miles replied. "Gumshoe told me what Vasquez tried to do. It's possible that her actions are unrelated to Hammer's death, but that is for the court to decide."

"You seem very calm for someone who's questioning his role in the case."

"There's nothing I can do to change the facts. If Powers is innocent…"

"There's only one truth, Miles. I think you're beginning to see that."

"I will not allow Powers to be acquitted as long as any possibility of his involvement in the murder exists."

Lana sighed.

"If that possibility disappears, though…" Miles continued, "…I'll do what I must. As a prosecutor, I will make sure the guilty are convicted. If Vasquez is the guilty party, I will make sure she is convicted."

"I told you yesterday: I believe you'll make the right choice when the time comes."

Lana was smiling. That alone spoke louder than her voice. She believed in him.

"You're so beautiful when you smile…"

Lana said nothing, but the smile faded after a moment.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked. "You're not worried about your family honor?"

"What is honor?" Miles replied. "I see nothing honorable in convicting innocent people. All I see is shame."

Lana placed her hand on his. "I'm very proud of you. I look forward to seeing how this trial plays out."

Miles brought that hand to his lips and kissed it. "I have you to thank for that," he said. "I know I can trust in your words."

Miles heard footsteps. In almost an instant, Lana's loving gaze changed into a cold stare. A guard opened the door as Lana took her hand from his.

"Mr. Edgeworth, it's time," the guard said.

Miles got up without a word and walked out of the lobby.

The judge called court into session with a single whack of his gavel.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Will Powers," he said.

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor," Miles said.

"The defense is ready, Your Honor," Wright said.

"Today will be the final day of this trial," the judge said. "I hope both the prosecution and the defense will be able to present decisive evidence. Very well, Mr. Edgeworth. Your opening statement."

Miles took out the transcript of yesterday's trial.

"In yesterday's session, the defense presented us with a new theory for this case," he said. "He claims that the scene of the crime was, in fact, Studio Two." He put the transcript away. "Today, I will call on people present in the Studio Two trailer that day. From their testimonies, the truth will become clear."

"Hmm… very well!" the judge said.

The gallery started up for some reason. Miles could tell he was nervous about this case. He might have to help the defense.

Calm down, he thought, his eyes closed. Do what you must.

The judge banged his gavel, restoring order. "You may call your first witness, Mr. Edgeworth," he said.

Here it is: the moment of truth. Miles placed his hand on his desk.

"The prosecution calls Ms. Dee Vasquez to the stand," he said. "Ms. Dee Vasquez is a producer who was present in the Studio Two trailer that day."

Vasquez took the stand. A smoker. Disgusting.

"Will the witness state her name and occupation?" Miles asked.

"Dee Vasquez," she said after a pause. "I am a producer for Global Studios."

"On the day of the murder, you were in the trailer in Studio Two…"

"As everyone here knows, yes?"

Miles widened his eyes slightly.

"I dislike needless banter," the witness said. "If you must pontificate, do it when I'm not here."

"Mrrph!" Miles huffed.

"V-very well, Ms. Vasquez," the judge said. "Please give the court your testimony concerning the day of the murder."

"Nick!" Maya hissed to Wright. "I know she did it! Make her pay!"

"R-right!" Wright replied. Everything that happened in court felt so vivid, as though he could see and hear everything that happened.

Prove it, Wright. Erase from my mind what little doubt remains.

"I entered the trailer, oh, a little before noon," Vasquez said. "The meeting began at 12:00 sharp. It ended at 4:00. There was to be a rehearsal afterwards, so we went to Studio One… I was fatigued, so I had Sal take me. At 2:30, we took a 15-minute break in the meeting. Sal and I ate t-bone steaks on the table in front of the trailer. We found Hammer's body later, when we all went to Studio One. That's all."

"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "I have a question about one part of your testimony. You were 'fatigued' so you had Sal 'take' you…?"

"The van," Vasquez replied.

"Hmm?"

"There's a van at Studio Two. I had him take me in that. I thought it might be risky to walk, what with that monkey's head toppling over."

"I… I see! Very well. Mr. Wright, your cross-examination."

"This is the final battle, Nick!" Maya said. "Let's do it!"

Wright was handed the testimony to look over. He checked it a few times, then looked at his notes.

"Hah!" he guffawed. "As I thought!"

Vasquez said nothing.

"You claim you ate a t-bone steak!" Wright continued.

And this is relevant… how?

Wright slammed his desk. "But I say you did not!"

"W-what's this, now, Mr. Wright?" the judge asked.

"Look at this," he said. Wright reached into his bag and took out a container. Inside the container was a plate.

"It's… a plate?"

"This plate was on the table in the employee room. As you can see, a large bone has been left behind."

"Mr. Wright," Miles said with a shrug and an amused smile. "Need I remind you it was a T-BONE STEAK!?"

"Exactly my point!" Wright said, nodding. "Remember, if you will… Ms. Vasquez and Mr. Manella ate at a table outside the trailer. Yet there were no bones left on the plates! The plates were bare!"

Vasquez did not respond, but the scowl on her face indicated that there was a good reason for the contradiction.

"Ms. Vasquez?" Wright called. He hit his desk. "Tell me, how can a person eat a t-bone steak… and not leave the bone?" He pointed accusingly at the witness. "I think I know how! You didn't eat any steak during that break! You took your steak and threw it somewhere… like that incinerator!"

Vasquez grimaced. She then returned to giving herself emphysema.

"I… I see!" the judge commented. "Then what was Ms. Vasquez doing during her break?"

"Isn't it obvious, Your Honor?" Wright replied.

"She was meeting with the Steel Samurai!"

Wright slammed his desk and then pointed at Vasquez. "She was meeting with the Steel Samurai!"

The gallery began chattering. The judge banged his gavel.

"Order!" he ordered. "A-are you saying…!?"

"Yes, Your Honor!" Wright finished. "As Ms. Vasquez left the trailer to eat her steak… She ran into the Steel Samurai! And then you did it." Wright slammed his desk. "You killed him with your own hands!"

Vasquez reacted but said nothing. The gallery started up, silenced by His Honor's gavel.

"M-Mr. Wright!" the judge exclaimed. "I-isn't that a little presumptuous!?"

"Objection!" Miles shouted. He slammed his desk. "What kind of stunt are you trying to pull, Wright!?" If you're going to accuse Ms. Vasquez, show me proof that she's the killer!

"Let him claim what he wants…" Vasquez said, calm. She turned to Wright, a taunting smile on her face. "You say I did it?"

"Yes," Wright replied.

"Fascinating! And here I was worrying that today would be as boring as all the rest." She paused to take a puff of thousands of chemicals. "Very well. Let us have a battle of wits, you and I."

Confident, aren't you, Vasquez? If you're the killer, you'll be caught. I guarantee it.

"Good luck, Nick!" Maya cheered.

"Let's see…" Vasquez said. "What was that murder weapon again? Oh yes, the 'Samurai Spear.'"

"Yes…?" Wright replied.

"I am, as you can see, a woman of petite stature. How could I possibly use that heavy spear as a weapon?"

Wright shook his head. "I don't know," he said.

"Objection!" Miles yelled. He slammed his desk and started pointing at Wright. "You 'don't know'!? What kind of a lawyer are you!?"

"Quiet," Vasquez said. "I'm speaking."

"M-m-mmph!" Miles growled. Who's the prosecutor here!?

"You 'don't know'!?" Vasquez repeated. "What kind of a lawyer…"

"I don't know whether you could have fought with the Samurai Spear… However, that has no bearing on this case!"

Vasquez did not respond for a moment. "Meaning?" she finally asked.

"The Samurai Spear was not the murder weapon!"

"What!?" Vasquez snapped.

The gallery began yammering. The judge quieted them down.

"What is the meaning of this!?" the judge demanded. "The spear was found lying next to the victim's body!"

"I have proof, Your Honor," Wright said. "I can prove that the Samurai Spear was not used as the murder weapon!" He indicated the Samurai Spear. "Take that! I present my proof: the so-called 'murder weapon'!"

"B-but, that IS the murder weapon!" Has the witness's smoke messed with your nervous system!?

"Not so fast. Remember that this spear broke during the morning action scene run-through? But, someone fixed the spear. It was the security lady!"

I'd hardly call that old hag a lady…

"She fixed it with duct tape!" Wright continued. "Now tell me, how is it possible…" He paused to point at Vasquez. "for someone to stab a man who is wearing a thick costume with this!? Through the chest!"

The gallery filled the courtroom with noise until the judge hit his gavel.

"O-order!" he yelled. "Order!"

Miles slammed his desk, then pointed at Wright. "Mr. Wright!" he demanded. "What are you driving at!? Think about what you're—"

"Silence!" Vasquez interrupted. "I'm the one testifying here and I will be heard!"

"Mmmph…!" I don't know if you're innocent or guilty, but I know I don't like you…

"Are you quite sane?" Vasquez asked. "Are you even aware of what you're saying? If the Samurai Spear was not the Murder Weapon, then pray tell what was!? How was Hammer killed?"

"Well, Mr. Wright?" the judge asked. "Can you tell us what weapon was used to kill Mr. Hammer?"

"Would I make a claim like that if I couldn't tell you what the weapon was?" Wright replied.

"I'm afraid your confidence can sometimes be unfounded, Mr. Wright… Very well, let's see this murder weapon, then."

"Take that!" Wright shouted, taking out a photograph. "Look at this photo."

"W-what is this? Why, that's Jack Hammer standing at the top of the stairs!"

The gallery started up. The judge banged his gavel.

"O-order! Order! If I cannot have order this trial will be suspended! Mr. Wright! What is this all about!?"

"This photograph is from five years ago," Wright said. "There was an unfortunate accident at Global Studios. This is a photo of that very accident. Not a word of this was leaked to the outside. It was a close-kept secret at the studios."

"What does this have to do with the current case!?" Miles demanded.

"Mr. Edgeworth… You still can't see it?"

Miles looked harder at the photo.

"See the fallen man in this photo?" Wright asked. "See how the fencepost pierced him through the chest?"

"Wh…" Miles stuttered, jerking back and then slumping over his desk, "what!? Are you saying…!?"

"Yes. What happened five years ago…" He slammed his desk. "has happened again!"

Vasquez had a brief look of shock on her face. The gallery began chattering, silenced by the judge.

"Mr. Wright!" the judge shouted. "Continue!"

"It's 2:30 PM on the day of the murder!" Wright said, trying to recreate the image in the court's mind. "Ms. Dee Vasquez meets Jack Hammer outside the Studio Two trailer! Then she did it! She pushed Mr. Hammer off the stairs onto the fence! Just like Mr. Hammer had himself done five years ago! Though whether she did it on purpose or by accident, I cannot say."

Vasquez was smiling evilly.

"I-in other words…" Miles stammered, "th-the victim, Mr. Hammer… He died in the same way that he caused another man to die… five years ago!"

Wright nodded. "Precisely," he said. "Ironic, isn't it?"

"Hoh hoh," Vasquez laughed. "Very creative, Mr. Wright. I could use a man like you on my script writing staff."

"You deny that what I say is true?"

Vasquez paused. "Mr. Wright. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that Hammer died at the trailer as you say. Yet, the body was found at Studio One, was it not? And in the Evil Magistrate's costume, no less. Are you then claiming that I carried the body to Studio One… And returned to the trailer, all in the space of a 15 minute break? How could I have disposed of the body!?"

Wright said nothing, thinking about the possibility.

"The break in the meeting at the trailer lasted 15 minutes," Miles said, "from 2:30 to 2:45. Could Jack Hammer have been pushed off the stairs to his death, then carried to Studio One and placed inside his costume?" Miles crossed his arms. "There wasn't enough time!"

"Hmm… indeed," the judge said. "Well, Mr. Wright? How could she have dealt with the body?"

"You'd be surprised!" Wright replied. "I bet she could do it!" He placed his hand behind his head and grinned stupidly. He had no clue; it was obvious. "When people think their life depends on it, they can do amazing things!"

"Mr. Wright, this is not an episode of "That's Incredible."

Miles shook his head, amused by Wright's grasping.

"If you claim she did everything in 15 minutes…" he trailed off, letting Wright finish the sentence.

Wright started sweating. It was obvious what he was thinking.

"Correct!" Miles answered to Wright's thoughts. "Show me proof!"

Wright said nothing, still sweating. No proof?

Miles slammed his desk, annoyed at Wright's ineptitude. "Then I won't have you making unsubstantiated claims!" he barked.

Wright said nothing, but a slight hint of confusion in his eyes told all.

"Hah!" Miles scoffed. He did his "evil smile." "I need only look at the cold sweat running down your face to know what you're thinking!" He thought he heard a few people in the gallery laugh.

"Mr. Wright," the judge said. "Perhaps you'd like to reconsider your claim?"

There was no response.

"Well, Mr. Wright?" the judge continued. "How could she have dealt with the body?"

"15 minutes is kind of a short amount of time…" Wright admitted.

"You see?" Vasquez said. "Even I cannot do the impossible. Therefore, Mr. Wright. I didn't do it. Agreed?"

"Not agreed!"

Prove it, Wright.

"What if she had another way to carry the body, other than with her own hands?" Wright asked.

"For instance?" Vasquez taunted.

"Actually, for that matter, there was no need for her to do the deed in 15 minutes!" Wright slammed his desk and pointed at Vasquez. "And there was a way for you to carry that body."

Vasquez grimaced. She then returned to her confident smile and looked to Wright. "I-interesting! Let's hear it then."

"Mr. Wright?" the judge asked. "Please show us how she carried the body."

Wright slammed on his desk again. "Ms. Vasquez," he said. "You carried the body to Studio One. And you used the studio van to do it!"

The gallery started up, silenced by His Honor's gavel.

"Recall your testimony…" Wright continued. "'There was to be a rehearsal afterwards, so we went to Studio One. I was fatigued, so I had Sal take me. There was a van there, right? I had Sal drive me.' You used the van to carry the body to Studio One! Then, before everyone else got there, you put the body into the Magistrate costume!"

"Objection!" Miles shouted. "Hold on, Wright! Don't forget, it was Sal Manella that drove the van!" Miles hit his desk, then pointed at Wright. "Are you suggesting that Mr. Manella was a conspirator?"

"Of course, Sal Manella has to have been a conspirator! The body had to be placed in the van, and put into the costume. There's no way Ms. Vasquez could have done that alone! Also, don't forget that they had to dispose of the Steel Samurai costume. They had to… because it was covered in Mr. Hammer's blood! They probably burned it in that small incinerator." Wright slammed his desk. "Well, Ms. Vasquez! Shall I continue?"

"No need," Vasquez said. "You're smarter than you look, Mr. Wright. Hmph." She smiled. "I lose. You win. It… was fun."

For a while, the court was silent.

Well, Wright, you've done well. It is indeed possible that Ms. Vasquez is the killer.

"Umm…" Wright muttered, breaking the silence. "So… what happens next?"

Vasquez made a bit of a "huh?" sound.

"Don't '?' me!" Wright snapped, sweating. "Don't you have anything to say!?"

"What would you like me to say?" Vasquez replied.

"Huh? 'I lost'? Something like that!"

"I just said that."

Wright slammed his desk. "W-wait, so you mean… Dee Vasquez! So, it was you? You killed Jack Hammer!"

Again, the court was silent.

She's too calm. There's more to solving this case than what we already have.

"Who can say?" Vasquez said.

"Huh?" Wright stammered.

"Are you sure I did? Mr. Wright… We just engaged in a battle of wits. And the result of that battle? You proved the possibility that I murdered hammer."

"R-right!"

"But… that is only a possibility. Proof is another thing altogether. You lack decisive proof, Mr. Wright."

"Wha… wha… wha… wha… WHAAAAAAAAAT!?"

The gallery was in an uproar. The judge quickly did what he did best.

"Order!" he demanded. "Mr. Edgeworth, your thoughts?"

"Umm… uhh… mmmph," Miles blurted. What do I say? What she said makes sense, but she might be the killer! "O-of course, it's as the witness says!" Miles straightened up and crossed his arms. "Certainly, it does seem very likely she did it… but, uh, there's no proof!"

"Well?" Vasquez asked. "I came here as a witness today. If you've no more questions, I'll be leaving."

No! I'm not going to risk another wrong verdict! How can we find out for sure if she's guilty!?

Wright hit his desk, but said nothing.

"Yes, Mr. Wright?" the judge asked.

"I was hoping I'd come up with a question while pounding on my desk," Wright said. "I didn't."

Come on, think! What's left to investigate?

"You have my sympathies," the judge said after a pause.

The gallery began talking, confused. The judge banged his gavel.

"As it seems there are no further questions…" he started, "I would like to end the cross-examination of the witness, Ms. Vasquez."

"Objection!" Miles shouted. Think! Find something more!

"Yes, Mr. Edgeworth?" the judge asked.

"I was hoping to come up with a question while I was objecting, Your Honor… I didn't."

"I see… Very well."

Another testimony! We need another!

"Objection!" Miles repeated. "Your Honor! I request that the witness testify again!"

"You are the prosecutor, are you not?" Vasquez asked. "Why are you badgering me? I'm your witness!"

"I… I just want to hear your testimony again."

I need to be sure! A person's life is at stake! I won't allow a guilty verdict if Powers is innocent!

"Does this make any sense to you, Your Honor?" Vasquez asked. "I don't see that we have anything to gain by repeating the last several minutes."

"Mr. Edgeworth…" the judge started, "I, too, see little point in making Ms. Vasquez repeat herself. What exactly did you want her to testify about?"

"Mmmph!" Miles huffed. "Well, yes, um…" Think! "Indeed! Verily, I say… Ergo!" Stop wasting your breath! Find an answer or don't! Wait… yes! Miles hit his desk. I want to hear about what happened… after they found the body!"

"After they found the body…" the judge repeated. "Very well. The witness will testify to the court concerning this matter."

"Hmph," Vasquez blurted.

"Nick!" Maya said. I forgot she was even there… "Why did Edgeworth…?"

"Who knows?" Wright replied. "He probably realized she did it, too."

I just want to be sure, Wright. I don't want to send an innocent man to his death.

"But… but!" Maya stuttered. "Wasn't he the one that said he always gets a guilty verdict…? After all that…"

Forget family honor… No one's perfect. The department, the detectives, myself… The honor I want now… is honesty. If there is anyone I need to trust, it is myself.

Vasquez took a few breaths of smoke, then began her testimony. "I was with Sal and Oldbag, the security lady, when we found the body. The assistant was there, too. Only Powers was absent. I immediately called the police. Then Powers showed up. The security lady, Oldbag, was quite agitated. Pointing at Powers, saying 'he did it!' I asked to be left out of the proceedings. I went back to the trailer to get my script and direction notes. Then I went home."

"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "I see no issues raised by this testimony… Mr. Wright, your cross-examination."

"Okay, Nick, we're close, real close!" Maya said to Wright. "She may be acting tough now… But if you put her on the spot she's sure to falter! Find the key you need and twist the truth out of her, Nick!"

"Right!" Wright said. He looked at the testimony, reading over it carefully. "Mr. Powers was taking a nap, correct?" he asked.

"So he says," Vasquez replied.

"Did no one go to call him?"

"Remember…"

"Remember… what?"

"There was a dead body lying in front of us. Yet you expect me to be calm?"

She was certainly calm enough when Wright accused her of murder…

"Wait a second!" Wright exclaimed. "Wouldn't that be the other way around!?"

"The other way around?" Vasquez taunted.

"You discovered a dead body, and one person was missing, right? Wouldn't you normally go looking for the missing person!?"

"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "I have to agree with the defense on this one. Well, Ms. Vasquez?"

"Hmph," Vasquez huffed. "Logically speaking, perhaps. But no one there was thinking very logically, I assure you. Also. Without his Steel Samurai costume, Powers doesn't really stand out. We often left him on the bus when shooting at location. No one noticed he was missing."

"Hmm… Well, I suppose that explains that. Very well, Ms. Vasquez. You may continue."

"I immediately called the police. Then Powers showed up. The security lady, Oldbag, was quite agitated. Pointing at Powers, saying 'he did it!' I asked to be left out of the proceedings. I went back to the trailer to get my script and direction notes."

"Hold it!" Wright interrupted. "The script and your direction notes?"

"Yes, they're quite valuable. It wouldn't do to have them stolen."

"No, I guess not." He paused. "Wait a second! I thought you came to Studio One for a rehearsal! Why didn't you bring your script and notes!?"

"Well, I was under the impression that we wouldn't be able to rehearse anything."

"Why?"

"There was a murder, after all! Who could think of rehearsing after that!"

Wait… what? How could she know…?

"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "Very well. Ms. Vasquez, please continue…"

"Objection!" Miles shouted. He slammed his desk. "Your Honor!! I have an objection to the witness's last statement! Think! Ms. Vasquez said she didn't bring the script because there wouldn't be a rehearsal. Don't you see what that means?" Miles slammed on his desk. "She would have had to know about the murder before going to Studio One!"

The gallery made more noise than a rock concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The judge banged his gavel louder than the cannons in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

"Order! Order!" he bellowed. "Mr. Edgeworth!"

Miles said nothing. What's wrong, Your Honor? Is it a crime for a prosecutor to want justice?

"What you have just said…" the judge continued, "is a reasonable observation. However, I find it hard to understand why the prosecution would make such a move! Or are you thinking of a career change to defense!?"

Not a chance. Miles took a bow. "I… appreciate the concern, Your Honor," he said. "I will stand by my statement, however, regardless of how the court sees my role here." He hit his desk. "Now, Ms. Vasquez… Do you have an explanation?"

"Hmph," Vasquez snorted. "So the prosecution is in cahoots with the defense? What kind of court is this? No matter. I think you misunderstood me. I had a perfectly good reason to believe there would be no rehearsal."

Prove it.

"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "The witness will change her testimony to reflect this reason."

"I knew that Hammer was injured and couldn't do any action scenes, so I left them behind," Vasquez said.

Liar!

"Objection!" Wright shouted, catching on. "You 'knew that Hammer was injured'…? Don't you think that's a little funny?" Wright slammed his desk. "I mean, it was the Steel Samurai who was injured! It was Will Powers!"

"Wh… what!?" Vasquez stammered. The gallery started up again. The judge banged his gavel.

"Mr. Wright!" the judge barked. "Explain yourself!"

"Yes, Mr. Hammer is dragging his leg in this photo. But that's because he was pretending to be Mr. Powers!"

"P-pretending…?" Vasquez stuttered.

"One person was injured in the run-through that morning. That person was Mr. Powers, not Mr. Hammer!" Wright slammed his desk again, then pointed accusingly at Vasquez. "Now, why did you think it was Mr. Hammer who was injured?"

"I-I already said it was Sal who told me! Th-that's right! He must have gotten it wrong."

It was her… She's our killer…

"I think not," Wright said. "Mr. Manella was at the run-through that morning. He would have known it was Mr. Powers who was injured. He saw it happen! Why would he tell you the wrong person?" He hit his desk. "Ms. Vasquez! Actually, you didn't hear anything from Mr. Manella. You saw Mr. Hammer limping with your own eyes!"

"Yes, but…" the judge said. "Wasn't it Mr. Powers who was injured…?"

"Yes, but remember! Mr. Hammer was dragging his leg, too! He was pretending to be Mr. Powers!"

"Aah!"

"And when was he doing this…?"

"Well…" Miles said. "It would have been after he put on the Steel Samurai costume… and went to Studio Two. Where he was murdered!"

"Exactly!" Wright replied. He pounded on his desk. There were probably two handprints on it by now. "Ms. Vasquez! You met him, didn't you? You saw the Steel Samurai limping! And Mr. Hammer was in that Steel Samurai suit! That's why you were confused!" He slammed his desk again. "That's why you thought it was Mr. Hammer who had been injured that morning!"

The gallery was in an uproar. The judge banged his gavel. It was losing its effectiveness.

"Order!" he demanded. "Order! I will have order!"

"Witness!" Miles called. He hit his desk. "Can you refute this claim?"

"Hrrmmmm…. hmph!" Vasquez huffed. She paused. "Very well! I have a question for you!"

Still not ready to give in, eh?

"Why in the world would I want Mr. Hammer dead?" Vasquez continued. "Yes, he'd fallen on hard times, but he was a star! I had nothing to gain from his death! Nothing!"

"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "Yes, you would need a motive. Why would she have killed the victim? If there is a reason, it is unclear to this court. Does the defense have anything to say on the matter? In other words, can you prove she had a motive?"

"Okay," Wright said. "I have proof, and I'll show it to you! I present to the court evidence as to Ms. Vasquez's motive in this murder." He took out the old photo again. "This is my proof!"

"This is… the photo from before?"

Wright pounded on his desk. "This photo reveals the motive in this murder!"

Vasquez was silent. She seemed to be enjoying this for some reason.

"I'm right, aren't I, Ms. Vasquez?" Wright continued.

"Hrrrrrrm… hmph!" she blurted.

"Five years ago, Mr. Hammer was at the height of his fame. With Dee Vasquez's help, a terrible accident was swept under the carpet… Ladies and gentlemen, the case currently up for trial… It began on that day, five years ago! Ironically enough, that accident precipitated Mr. Hammer's fall… His fall from stardom!"

"His guilt weighed him down, no doubt," Miles commented.

"However!" Wright continued. "You, Dee Vasquez, used Mr. Hammer. You made him work for you for petty change!"

"Hmph," Vasquez sighed.

"Bringing us to the present day…" Miles added, "and Mr. Hammer's last role as the Evil Magistrate!"

"Yes!" Wright agreed. "Undoubtedly, it was a constant source of shame for the ex-star…"

"Hmm…"

"One moment, Mr. Wright," the judge cut in. "We are talking about motive here… yet you have only talked about Mr. Hammer. It almost seems as if… As if it was Mr. Hammer who had killed Dee Vasquez, not the other way around! What motive would Ms. Vasquez have?"

"Y-yes, that's right," Vasquez said. "According to what you say… I would have had no reason to kill Hammer. He was a good source of income for me! And I never get rid of useful men. It's a policy of mine."

"Mr. Wright?" the judge asked. "Please explain Ms. Vasquez's motive for murder."

Wright shook his head. "She had no motive, Your Honor," he said.

"What's that now!?"

"It was Mr. Hammer who was out for blood! All Ms. Vasquez did was push him off the stairs… in self defense!"

"What's that now!?" Miles demanded.

Wright hit his desk. "It's simple! Mr. Hammer was intending to kill Ms. Vasquez!"

"Wha—!?" Miles doubled over his desk. "WHAT!?" Self defense!?

The gallery, just as shocked as Miles, could no longer contain their thoughts. The judge corrected the problem.

"Your Honor!" Wright shouted. "Jack Hammer drugged Mr. Powers with sleeping pills! Jack Hammer snuck into the dressing room and stole the Steel Samurai costume! Jack Hammer wore the costume to fool the security lady into thinking he was Powers! Then Jack Hammer made his way to the trailer! And for what purpose, you ask? To kill Dee Vasquez, who had so cruelly taken advantage of him all those years!"

Vasquez, no longer able to hold back, gripped her pipe in her left hand tightly. Eventually, it snapped.

"So, you did do it, didn't you?" Wright asked.

"Yes," Vasquez said after a pause. "I am guilty. It was me…" She was silent, as though she was remembering that day five years ago. It had no doubt taken a serious toll on her. She wanted to punish Hammer, so she blackmailed him. "Congratulations, Mr. Wright," she finally said. "I lose… again."

The gallery began talking, silenced by the judge's gavel.

Vasquez left the stand with the bailiff.

"Mr. Edgeworth…" the judge called. "Where's Dee Vasquez?"

"In the waiting lobby, Your Honor," Miles replied. "As calm and collected as ever…"

"I see…" the judge said with a nod. "Mr. Wright."

"Yes, Your Honor?" Wright replied.

"It appears you have brought about yet another miracle."

"I… thank you, Your Honor," Wright said, his hand behind his head.

"I think not, Your Honor," Miles commented. "Will Powers was innocent. That he should be found so is only natural… not a miracle."

The judge said nothing for a moment. He was most likely surprised by Miles's actions during the trial. "Yes," he said. "Yes, you're right. Very well. This court finds the defendant, Mr. Will Powers… not guilty."

The entire gallery was cheering. After a moment, the judge whacked his gavel.

"That is all," he said. "The court is adjourned!"

Miles decided to save the visit to the Prosecution Lobby for after speaking with Wright. They needed to talk. What about was a mystery. Despite the right verdict being given, Miles found himself still full of doubt. He had, in essence, forsaken his "family." Right or wrong, it was an action that would almost certainly haunt him.

"Congratulations, WP!" Maya exclaimed as Miles entered the Defendant Lobby.

"Oh?" Powers replied. "Oh! Heh heh. Thanks to you, I'll be able to don the Steel Samurai outfit once more! I can't wait to get back into that sweaty costume and…" He stopped, noticing the look on Maya's face. Maya's eyes were on Miles. "Is… something wrong?" Powers asked.

"N-no!" Maya stammered. "O-of course not… Aah! N-Nick! Edgeworth!"

Miles was glaring at Wright. It was thanks to him that these cursed feelings were plaguing him. Wright didn't say anything. Do I have to start? Curses…

"Say something, Wright," Miles said. "I'm not good at small talk."

"Huh?" Wright replied. "What?" He paused. "Umm… that was too bad, Edgeworth!"

"You don't waste any time gloating, do you?"

"No… I really want to thank you," Wright said. "Vasquez would have gotten away if you hadn't stepped in."

"Ah, uh, pleased to meet you," Powers said, a couple of tears on his cheeks. "I'm Powers." He sniffled.

"Ah, er, Edgeworth," Miles said, extending his hand. "I'm a big fan of your work, Mr. Powers."

Admittedly, Miles had only seen one episode of the Steel Samurai—specifically, when he visited Lana's condo and Ema was watching it. Powers was not Oscar material yet, but for a kids' show actor, he was something else.

"Wright," Miles said, glaring at his former friend. "I must say, I hadn't expected to meet you again after all these years."

"Meet 'again'…?" Maya asked.

"However," Miles continued. "In retrospect, it would have been better had we not met. Thanks to you, I am saddled with unnecessary… feelings."

"Unnecessary feelings?" Wright repeated.

"Yes. Unease… and uncertainty."

"Aren't those kind of necessary?"

"They only serve to get in my way. You listen to me, Phoenix Wright. Don't ever show your face in front of me again. That's what I came here to tell you."

Wright was silent. Taking that as a cue, Miles walked out.

In the Prosecution Lobby, Lana was waiting. No one else was there.

"Where's Vasquez?" Miles asked.

"I had the guards take her to the Detention Center," Lana replied. She paused, trying to look Miles in the eyes.

"I don't feel like talking to you about this, Ms. Skye."

"Well, I feel like talking to you about it," Lana replied. Miles glared at her. "Don't give me that look; I'm trying to make this easier for you."

I never thought I'd actually want Ms. Skye instead of Lana…

"I said I didn't feel like talking about this," Miles insisted. He started to leave, but he felt Lana's hand holding his own very tightly. He struggled to break his hand free, but was unable to.

"Tough," Lana said.

Miles sighed. He knew he wasn't going to get out of this, so he followed Lana to the sofa.

"Okay, you win," Miles said. "What's bothering you?"

"To be blunt, your reaction to this case. I'm very proud of what you did in court today, but you don't seem to think the same."

"Why should I be proud? Yes, I helped get the right verdict, but I'm not feeling any better about it."

"Why?"

"You tell me! I still feel as though I'm unfit to prosecute, as though I have no right to have a role in deciding a person's fate!"

"Perhaps it's your von Kar—"

"Don't be stupid, Lana. I have my honor, and it's with justice. The von Karma family has my thanks for raising me, but their idea of perfection is anything but perfect. They're just as unworthy of their titles as I—"

"Miles."

Miles stopped and glared into Lana's eyes. They didn't wander away.

"If you think you're unfit to prosecute, then quit," Lana said. Miles turned his head away, facing straight out. "But don't think you're the only person who has to worry about such things. There are plenty of American soldiers stuck in Afghanistan who are asking themselves, 'am I doing the right thing?' Soldiers, Miles. Even people famed for their courage and determination doubt themselves. And just as someone has to fight, someone has to prosecute. If that someone is not you, then you should leave the Prosecutor's Office before you lose your mind."

Quit? That would be the same as admitting defeat!

"So you're staying, are you?" Lana asked, noticing Miles's reaction. "Then get a hold of yourself and find an answer. As a prosecutor, what can you do to make sure the guilty are convicted and the innocent acquitted? If you don't have that answer, you'll always feel as though you're insulting the judicial system simply by standing in court. There's more to prosecuting than a guilty verdict. I believe you know that."

"Of course I know that!"

"You're a prosecutor, Miles. If the defendant is guilty, it's your job to prove it. If they are not, then do as you did today."

Miles said nothing. What was there to say to that?

"Starting from when you asked Vasquez to testify again," Lana started, "I was smiling on the inside. I felt like I was seeing a soldier throw down his weapons in the middle of an immoral battle. During that time, I had more respect for you than I ever have. I can't even begin to tell you how proud I am of what you did…" She paused, unable to think of how to continue for a moment. "I don't know what you think of yourself, but I would have a great deal of difficulty being prouder of you that I already am… I believe you're on the right track, and I believe you will follow it to the end."

"I don't know if I'll follow that track to the end, but I know that I will continue prosecuting," Miles said. "Your words make sense, Lana. I can't say I feel fit to prosecute, but I have a better idea of what I have to do." He looked to Lana and saw her smiling again. "Thank you," he said. "I'll do what I can to find the answer I need."

Lana let go of Miles's hand and allowed him to get up and leave.