Chapter 18—Flawed Perfection
December 25, 2016 and December 26, 2016
To say the day was torture would be an understatement. Lana had to endure Ema's tears in the morning when she refused to hug her younger sister for the presents or even say more than an emotionless "thank you." Then, before she could even finish breakfast, she was called to the Prosecutor's Office to prepare evidence for a murder trial—Miles's trial.
There was no way he was guilty. Miles despised crime with a passion; committing a crime himself would be something he would never be able to handle. And now, as Chief Prosecutor, she had to prepare the case that would pour sodium thiopental into his veins. She completely exhausted a box of tissues before being able to calm down. For the first time since the SL-9 Incident, she had been completely unable to consciously control her emotions.
A knock on the door to her office sounded.
"This had better be important," Lana said.
"It is," a harsh voice on the other side said.
"Then come in."
A man looking well into his sixties entered the room. Everything from his slicked-back grey hair to the curve of his eyebrows to the way he gripped his cane made Lana feel as though she was looking at the Devil himself—if he even existed. He walked very precisely, his cane always tapping the exact same amount of time after each footfall. Lana almost had a heart attack when his piercing glare looked her way.
"Who are you supposed to be?" the man asked.
"Chief Prosecutor Lana Skye," Lana replied, managing to hide the uneasy feeling in her mind. Fear was something she could conceal; Gant's threats had taught her how to do so. Even so, fear engulfed her mind. After all, Manfred von Karma was a man to be feared.
"Svetlana Skye…" He smiled—a sickening smile that came off as saying that its owner drew no end of pleasure from seeing others suffer at his hands. "My condolences. It appears you won't be able to marry Mr. Edgeworth after all."
"Mr. von Karma," Lana said, squinting slightly. "Did you just come here to taunt me? I would never call something as trivial as insults important."
"Heh. I expected Jacobson to be here. How long have you been standing in his place?"
"Almost two years. Did you have any reason for coming here other than to exchange pleasantries?"
"Pleasantries? With you? Peh! Why would I waste my breath on such needless pursuits? I came here to tell you that you need not do anything for this case. My presence alone seals your beloved's fate. All you need do is watch as the needle pierces his skin."
"It is my job to oversee the case. Personal concerns do not change that. Unless I get orders from someone with a higher rank than myself, you have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do."
"Hah. Your type has never minded ordering around those with higher ranks."
"Please leave my office, Mr. von Karma; I have nothing more to discuss with you."
Von Karma scoffed. "Typical," he said. "When you can't win an argument, you try—"
"I said leave."
"Excuse me? You're ordering me out of this office?"
Lana pressed a button on her intercom. "Security? Please remove Mr. von Karma from my office."
"Hah! Fine!" von Karma hissed. "I'll leave!"
Von Karma walked out of the office.
"Never mind," Lana said into the intercom again.
Manfred von Karma, a man who had once been penalized for tampering with evidence to get a guilty verdict. His record was flawless with the exception of that one penalty. He always got a guilty verdict. Every case he ever prosecuted was perfectly planned out ahead of time. He was obsessed with the concept of perfection, not just in court, but at home, too. Miles had compared the man to a computer; he showed no sign of an actual personality. He covered any flaw in his plans, eliminated anything that threatened him, and punished any who interfered.
The phone rang.
"Chief Prosecutor's Office," Lana said, picking up the receiver.
"Ms. Skye?" Gant's voice called.
"What is it?"
"I just got a call from Mr. von Karma, and he made a very good point."
"About…?"
"You're off the Edgeworth case. Since you're in love with the defendant, there's concern that you'll interfere with the evidence."
"I see. And you think I'll do that?"
"The possibility has occurred to me. Anyway, you're not in a position to argue with me, Ms. Skye. Besides, even if you did make Mr. Edgeworth look innocent, Mr. von Karma would still win. He always gets a guilty verdict, after all."
"Is this your way of torturing me, Chief?"
"My way? No, no, not at all, Ms. Skye. Whether I stepped in or not, you'd still suffer. Anyway, you heard me. You can go back home. There's nothing else we need you to do. Mr. von Karma can easily handle everything on his own."
Gant hung up. Lana closed her eyes. No tears came, but she could feel them trying to escape.
I'll be there. I'll be there when you sit in the defendant's chair. Though I will be powerless, I'll be there for you.
Lana sat in the gallery, as usual. She made sure she was in a place where Miles could see her. More people entered the courtroom as the time drew closer to 10:00. By the time the judge arrived, the gallery was so crowded that Lana was being squeezed by people to both sides of her. Miles's trial was one that had gained nationwide attention.
Judge Clous banged his gavel to silence the noise at precisely 10:00 AM.
"Court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Miles Edgeworth," he said.
"The defense is ready, Your Honor," Wright said.
Von Karma said nothing. He simply had his arms crossed, as though he had better things to do than stand in court.
"Erm, Mr. von Karma?" the judge called. "Is the prosecution ready?"
"Fool…" von Karma said after a moment. He uncrossed his arms and glared at the judge. "You seriously think that I would stand here were I not completely prepared?"
"R-right, my apologies!"
Wright was already sweating.
Grow a spine, Wright! If you're defending Miles, then do it confidently! He's innocent. You just have to prove it!
"Very well, your opening statement, please," the judge said. Von Karma waited until the courtroom was completely silent.
"Decisive evidence…" he said. "A decisive witness… What else could possibly be required?"
"Ah… er, nothing of course. That should be fine. The prosecution may call its first witness."
Maya was slumped over slightly, clearly annoyed by von Karma. She said something to Wright. Wright said something in response.
"I call the detective in charge of this case, Detective Dick Gumshoe," von Karma said.
Gumshoe walked up to the stand, dragging his feet.
Poor Gumshoe… It's obvious he doesn't want to do this…
"Describe the incident," von Karma ordered. "Now!"
"Y-yessir!" Gumshoe stuttered. "Er, please take a look at the map." Gumshoe reached into his coat and unfolded a map of Gourd Lake. "The murder happened late Christmas Eve, around midnight. There was one boat in the very middle of the lake. There were two men on the boat. Now, there happened to be a woman camping here on the edge of the lake." Gumshoe pointed to a clearing that was set aside for picnics.
If I recall correctly, camping's not allowed in that spot. I hope she can afford the fine…
"At 12:10 AM," Gumshoe continued, "she heard two pistol shots. Then the boat started to move. It went towards the boat rental shop."
"Hmm," von Karma growled. "Testify to the court about your arrest. Now!"
"W-w-wait!" the judge cut in. "Mr. von Karma…"
"Yes?"
"Actually, I'm the one that's supposed to be handling these proceedings…"
Von Karma shook his head and wagged his finger at the judge, as though scolding a child. "Wrong," he said, crossing his arms. "There is only one thing you need to do here. You will slam down your gavel and say the word 'guilty.' That is your role!"
"Y-yes, of course. You're quite right."
No he's not!!
"A man called into the station around 30 minutes after midnight," Gumshoe said, beginning his testimony. "We headed to the scene of the crime as fast as we could. That's where we found Mr. Edgeworth. Now, I didn't suspect him of anything at all. But… the next morning, a body was found in the lake. So we had to arrest Mr. Edgeworth."
"Hmm… I see," the judge said. "Very well…"
"Begin your cross-examination, attorney," von Karma spat. "Now!"
"You received a call from a 'man'?" Wright asked.
"Er… yup," Gumshoe replied.
"But you said there was a woman camping there? She was the one who heard the two gunshots, right?"
"Objection!" von Karma bellowed. "That woman and the 'man' who called in the report are two different people, obviously!"
"Different people?"
"There were two witnesses!" Wright gritted his teeth and hunched over, sweating. "Their testimonies were quite similar however," von Karma continued. "Today I've summoned the woman who was camping. What happened next, Detective?"
"We headed to the scene of the crime as fast as we could," Gumshoe said.
"Hold it!" Wright interrupted. "How long was it between receiving the report and your arrival at the lake?"
"Er, well… I'd say it was about three minutes."
"That's pretty fast!"
"Our motto for the month is 'get there quick.'"
"Objection!" von Karma shouted. "Detective! You will refrain from casually revealing department secrets!"
That's no department secret!
"Y-yessir!" Gumshoe whimpered. "Sorry, sir!"
"Do that, and you'll be able to look forward to your next salary review," von Karma said.
Any more salary cuts and he'll be grocery shopping at a 99-cent store!
Gumshoe rubbed the back of his head, then looked down, sad. "So much to look forward to, these days…"
"This is no time for daydreaming! Continue!"
"Y-yessir! That's where we found Mr. Edgeworth."
"Hold it!" Wright shouted. "What was Mr. Edgeworth like when you saw him then?"
"Well… From what I saw, he looked pretty relaxed. Not like a murderer at all, really."
"Objection!" von Karma barked. "Detective! The court requires the facts, NOT your opinion! How many years have you been on the force!?" The snap of his fingers echoed through the courtroom. "Facts only, Detective! Hard, cold, objective facts!"
"Y-y-yessir! Now, I didn't suspect him of anything at all."
"Hold it!" Wright yelled again. "Why didn't you think he was suspicious?"
"You should know! We have a deep, trusting relationship with the prosecutors."
"Objection!" von Karma yelled. "Detective! The court isn't interested in your musings! 'Deep'? 'Trusting'? Poppycock!" He wagged his finger at the detective. "I've never heard so many flippant comments from an active detective on the force!"
"Mmph!"
"Continue! Now!"
"But… the next morning, a body was found in the lake."
"Hold it!" Wright cut in. "Did you find any clues on the body?"
"A single bullet was recovered from the body. He was shot through the heart… fatally."
"Judge!" von Karma interrupted. "Here's the bullet…" Von Karma took out a bullet and handed it to the bailiff, who passed it to the judge. "It didn't strike bone, so its shape is well preserved."
"Very well," the judge said. "The court accepts this bullet into evidence."
"So we had to arrest Mr. Edgeworth," Gumshoe said after a glare from von Karma.
"W-why is that?" Wright asked.
"Well, we found the murder weapon in the boat."
"The murder weapon…?"
"A pistol."
"Detective Gumshoe…" the judge said. "That is a vital piece of information. Please revise your testimony."
"Right! S-sorry, Your Honor. The murder weapon we found in the boat was decisive evidence."
"Hold it!" Wright shouted. "What about the pistol made it 'decisive evidence'?"
"Tsk tsk tsk…" von Karma chuckled.
So that's where Miles got his unique laugh…
"There were fingerprints on the pistol found in the boat," Gumshoe said. "They were clear prints from Mr. Edgeworth's right hand."
"Wh-what!?" Wright yelped.
The gallery started up, silenced by the judge's gavel.
"Order! Order!" the judge barked. "So Mr. Edgeworth's fingerprints were found on the murder weapon!?"
"Y-yes, Your Honor," Gumshoe whimpered.
"Judge!" von Karma called, holding a pistol. "This is the weapon in question."
"A-accepted into evidence," the judge said.
"Members of the court… We now have the pistol used in the murder, and the bullet found in the body!" Von Karma snapped his fingers. "Detective!"
"Y-y-yessir!"
"Was the bullet found in the body fired from this pistol?"
"Yes. The ballistic markings on the bullet match the pistol."
No! It can't be!
"Hmm…" the judge mumbled.
"Hey, Nick!" Maya said to Wright. Lana was so close to the defense bench that she could hear the conversation quite well. "What does he mean, 'ballistic markings'?"
"Shocking!" von Karma spat. "To imagine someone here does not know something as basic as ballistic markings!"
"N-Nick! He's glaring at me!"
"Tsk… very well, I'll explain. Actually, Judge! You do it."
"Eh?" the judge chirped. "M-me?" He paused. "Erm, ahem. Ballistic markings are like the 'fingerprints' of a gun. The barrel leaves distinctive marks on each bullet it fires. You can examine these 'ballistic fingerprints' to see which gun fired the shot. It's quite accurate."
"Indeed. This leads to one, inevitable conclusion: the bullet found in the victim's heart… was, without a doubt, fired from this pistol." Von Karma snapped his fingers again. "This pistol which, as you may recall, was covered with the defendant's own fingerprints!"
The gallery was muttering again until the judge banged his gavel.
"O-order! Order!"
"Well, Judge?" von Karma asked.
"I'd say it's almost decisive, yes. Honestly, I could declare a verdict at this point."
No! Miles couldn't have done it! He'd never—
"However…" the judge continued. Von Karma wagged his finger at the judge again.
"You wish to hear the witness speak, no doubt," he said. "Very well. I am somewhat fatigued, and so I will take a brief break. I will call my witness after the recess. Which will last ten minutes. Judge!"
"Y-yes?"
"What are you doing? A ten minute recess! Now!"
"B-but, wait, I…"
Von Karma snapped his fingers. "Just bang your flimsy gavel and get on with it, man!"
"Y-yes!" The judge whacked his gavel. "Ahem. This court will take a ten minute recess."
This is ridiculous…
After ten minutes, the judge called court back into session with a whack of his gavel.
"Court is back in session," he said. "Mr. von Karma, call your witness."
"Yes," von Karma replied. "Will Ms. Lotta Hart take the stand?"
A young woman with an afro walked to the stand. She had a somewhat excited smile on her face.
"Lotta Hart, you are a research student at a university?" von Karma asked, his tone of voice making it clear that he didn't care.
"That I am," Hart replied. She had a thick Southern accent.
"Good. Begin by telling us what you saw the night of the incident. And don't add anything trivial or subjective. Understand?"
"Y'all need to learn some manners," the witness said through gritted teeth. Von Karma simply wagged his finger at her.
"UNDERSTAND?" he repeated.
"Y-yeah, I understand, I understand!"
"Er… very well," the judge said. "Your testimony, please."
"It was Christmas Eve, just after midnight, I reckon," Hart said. "I was in my car. I heard this 'bang' come up from the lake. When I looked out the window, I saw two gents in a boat. Then there was another 'bang'… There wasn't nary a thing on the lake but that boat."
"Enough," von Karma interrupted.
"Huh?"
"Judge! She happened to take a photo of the incident!" He took out a photograph. "This is that photo. Accept it as evidence." The judge was handed the photograph.
"W-well!" he exclaimed. "This is a surprise! This looks like… the very moment of the murder!"
We're dealing with Manfred von Karma, Your Honor, Lana thought while the gallery murmured. How is seemingly decisive evidence a surprise?
The judge banged his gavel. "O-Order! I will remove you from the court if I do not have order immediately!"
"As the witness testified," von Karma said, "she looked at the lake when she heard the shot. There were no other boats on that lake! So, the man in the boat with the victim must have been the one who shot him…" He snapped his fingers. "Yes. It was the defendant, Miles Edgeworth!!"
The gallery started up again. No! He'd never shoot someone! He's INNOCENT!! The judge broke up the chatter with his gavel.
"Order!" he demanded. The gallery was still noisy. "Order! Order…! I will have order!" The gallery was finally silent.
"Well, Judge?" von Karma sneered after it was quiet. The judge nodded.
"The evidence is… decisive."
No it isn't! There's still room for doubt!
"I have very little doubt about this case," the judge continued. He banged his gavel.
No!!
"Very well, this court finds the defendant…"
"Objection!" Wright shouted. "W-wait! Your Honor! I haven't cross-examined the witness yet!"
If you do exist, God, thank you.
"A cross-examination?" von Karma scoffed. He wagged his finger at Wright. "We have photographic proof! What question can there possibly be!? This photo is worth a thousand words… and they all read 'guilty'! You lose. Or… Do you claim to have found a contradiction in her testimony!?"
There has to be one! Miles would never kill anyone!
"Very well," von Karma said. "If you have to, you may cross-examine the witness. You will only flounder and ask meaningless questions! You will fail to find anything!" He snapped his fingers. "And then, I will have you held in contempt of court!"
Don't let him scare you, Wright!
Maya and Wright exchanged whispers. They were too quiet for Lana to hear.
Come on… Mia wouldn't give up! Take him on… for Miles… for me…
"I understand…" Wright said. "I will cross-examine the witness!"
"Tsk tsk tsk…" von Karma chuckled. "Very well!"
"I pray for your sake this isn't a waste of time," the judge said.
Wright looked over the testimony. "'Just after midnight,' you say? In other words, it was no longer Christmas Eve… but Christmas Day!"
"Huh?" Hart asked. "Uh, yeah, well, yes."
"Objection!" von Karma shouted. "I know you want to find contradictions, but really!"
"Mmmph," Wright huffed.
"I hope your next contradiction is a little more relevant to the trial," the judge said. "Witness, continue your testimony."
"I was in my car," Hart said.
"Hold it!" Wright interrupted. "Why were you camping there, anyway?"
"I'm a research student at my university. I was taking pictures to use in my research."
"Ms. Hart. Could you be more specific about your 'research'?"
"Objection!" von Karma cut in. "What does the witness's motive in camping by the lake have to do with this case!? The answer is 'nothing'! I object to this line of questioning! Objection sustained!"
"W-w-wait, now, I'm the one who says that!" the judge said.
"Well, then say it already!"
"Objection sustained."
Von Karma, will you stop at nothing to make Miles look like a killer!?
"I heard this 'bang' come up from the lake," Hart continued.
"Hold it!" Wright shouted. "So, you weren't looking at the lake at that time?"
"Nope. I looked after I heard that noise."
"Objection!" von Karma yelled. "She's said that already! I asked you to find 'contradictions'! Not leisurely chat with the witness!"
"When I looked out the window, I saw two gents in a boat," Hart said, resuming her testimony.
"Hold it!" Wright barked. He slammed his desk. "Could you clearly see the two men?"
"Just look at the picture! Clear enough for you?"
You can't tell that's Miles in that picture!
"Wait a second! I wasn't asking you about the photo!" Wright banged on his desk and pointed at Hart. "I was asking if YOU saw the two men!"
"Uh, yeah, well, of course…"
"Objection!" von Karma bellowed. "The witness has testified that she saw them! There's also a photo! You'd best look elsewhere for your precious contradictions!"
That part was way too vague… Von Karma's trying to hide something there… Find it, Wright…
"Then there was another 'bang'…" Hart continued.
"Hold it!" Wright cut in. "Were you watching the very moment the shot rang out?"
"Well, yeah, sure…"
"Objection!" von Karma barked. "You're asking meaningless questions! Meaningless!" He snapped his fingers. "'Contradictions,' Mr. Wright. Not meaningless babble!"
How can you face yourself when you do this, von Karma? Don't you care that you're prosecuting your own student?
"There wasn't nary a thing on the lake but that boat," Hart said.
"Hold it!" Wright shouted, hitting his desk. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yeah, sure as a country gal can be!"
"How come you're so sure?"
"Well, heck, I scanned the whole lake."
Wright grasped his chin, thinking for a moment.
There's something fishy here. Why would she look around to see if there was anything else on the lake?
"Ms. Hart…" Wright said, "you—"
"Objection!" von Karma yelled. He wagged his finger at Miles's defense. "Mr. Wright! The witness has answered the question in full."
"Mmph!"
"No need for further questions! Objection sustained!"
"U-uh," the judge cut in, "that's what I'm…"
"Sustained!"
"Y-yes, of course." The judge banged his gavel.
No! Wright, stop cowering every time that beast objects!
"Enough!" the judge said. "I think we've heard all we need to hear, Mr. Wright. It seems you are unable to find a contradiction in the testimony worth noting."
"B-but, Your Honor!" Wright begged. Von Karma snapped his fingers.
"You keep your promise!" he demanded.
"Mr. Wright," the judge said. "I am afraid that I will have to penalize any further outbursts… By holding you in contempt of court!"
"And if that happens, you'll have to leave the courtroom immediately! Understood…?"
"Uh… uh huh," Wright whimpered.
Show some spine, Wright! Hart's testimony is too vague!
"Nick…!" Maya called. "Lotta's testimony is fishy, Nick! Real fishy!"
Wright mumbled something back.
The judge banged his gavel.
"I believe we've covered the evidence sufficiently to make a decision," he said.
"Then, pass your judgment!" von Karma ordered. The judge nodded.
No… No! This is wrong!
"Very well," the judge said. "Mr. Miles Edgeworth, please take the stand."
"HOLD IT!" a voice yelled.
The court was silent as everyone tried to figure out who had said that.
It wasn't me… so… who said…?
"Wh-who was that!?" the judge asked.
"It… was me," Maya said.
"I-is something wrong? D-do you need to use the facilities?"
"No, I do not! Lotta Hart! Your testimony stinks! It's unclear whether you were actually looking at the lake! It's highly doubtful that you actually saw Mr. Edgeworth! Tell us the truth! This is a matter of life or death!"
Hart gave a slight lurch.
Listen to the girl, Wright! She's absolutely right!
"Lotta!" Maya called. "Did you really clearly see Mr. Edgeworth that night!? Did you see him fire that pistol!?"
The judge banged his gavel.
"You will stand down!" he roared. "The court does not acknowledge the defense's outburst!"
"Answer me, Lotta!" Maya begged.
"What's the big idea, treating me like some kind of criminal!?" Hart exploded. "I saw him! I swear it! I saw Edgeworth…"
"Objection!" von Karma barked. "Enough! Judge… Declare the defense in contempt of court!"
"Y-yes… yes, of course," the judge replied. "I'm sorry, but you WERE warned. Guard! Escort Mr. Wright out of the courtroom! He is in contempt of court, and must leave."
NO!
"Wait!" Maya yelled. "I-I was the one who made the outburst, Your Honor! Nick is innocent!"
Von Karma shook his head and wagged his finger at Mia's little sister.
"Hah!" he scoffed. "What's the difference? All that remains is for the guilty verdict to be declared! Isn't that right, Mr. Phoenix Wright!?"
Don't give up, Wright! Miles is innocent!
Wright slammed on his desk.
"Wrong!" he replied.
Yes!
"What!?" von Karma shouted.
"Did you hear what Ms. Hart just said? She said she clearly saw Mr. Edgeworth!" Wright hit his desk and pointed at von Karma. "That was not in the testimony! That changes her testimony, and I have a right to cross-examine her again!"
The gallery was in an uproar. The judge banged his gavel.
Yes… Please, Wright… save Miles…
"Order! Order! Order! Order! Order! Order!" he yelled.
"You're in contempt of court!" von Karma roared. "It's too late for wild claims! Judge! Sustain my objection!"
The judge was silent, thinking.
No! Wright's right!
"I'm sorry, Mr. von Karma, but I cannot," he said.
Lana closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.
"What!?" von Karma demanded.
"Ms. Lotta Hart has made a new testimony," the judge said. "The defense does have a right to cross-examine her again."
"B-but he is in contempt of court!"
"No, I am!" Maya insisted. "If you're going to arrest someone, arrest me!"
Maya… thank you so much…
"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. He nodded. "Very well. Maya Fey! You will leave the courtroom immediately."
"Nick!" Maya said to Wright. "I did what I could… You have to do the rest! Good luck!"
"M-Maya…!" Wright almost cried. The judge banged his gavel.
"Peh!" von Karma hissed. "I care not for this melodrama! Listen well, Mr. Wright! I do not tolerate badgering of my witnesses!"
"Mr. Wright!" the judge ordered. "Begin your cross-examination!"
"I saw it clear as day," Hart said. "The man on the boat was Mr. Edgeworth!"
"Objection!" Wright shouted. The sound of his voice echoed through the courtroom. Everything was silent. "Got you. Got you, Ms. Hart! Finally!"
"Wh-what!? You got what?"
Wright took out the photo. "Look at this photograph."
"The photo I took…?"
"The very same. There's something I want you to see in this photo… it's quite clearly visible. The fog, Ms. Hart."
"So… so?"
"This picture was taken with professional, high quality film, correct? Yet even it could not capture the faces of the men on the boat!" Wright pounded his desk. "Yet you claim you saw Mr. Edgeworth! How!?"
"Whut!? Wha—!!"
The gallery started up. The judge banged his gavel.
My heart almost stopped…
"Mr. Wright has a point!" he said.
"Objection!" von Karma shouted. "That's why I told her not to say that in her testimony! Please!"
Tampering with testimonies… The Bar Association will hear about this, von Karma!
"Yet, now she has said it, Mr. von Karma," Wright said. He then pointed at Hart to address her. "How could you possibly see Mr. Edgeworth!? Explain yourself!"
"Ms. Hart," the judge said.
"What!" Hart snapped.
"Could you see the defendant that night?"
"O-of course! I said I could and I meant I could!"
"Then, please testify as to the circumstances of your sighting."
Finally… Okay, Wright, keep it up! It's not over yet!
"Yer right," Hart said. "It was a cold night and the fog was thick as grits. So, once I was finished setting up my camera, I got back in the car. Still, I brought my binoculars with me. When I heard that noise out on the lake, I looked with my binoculars. See? No problem!"
"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "You used binoculars? Very well. You may begin your cross-examination, Mr. Wright."
Wright read over the testimony. "Hold it! 'Binoculars'?"
"Yeah, binoculars," Hart said.
"Yesterday, you mentioned that you were out looking for shooting stars, correct?"
"Well… yeah."
Then why did she have a photo of the lake instead of the sky?
Wright hit his desk. "Wouldn't you need a telescope, not binoculars, for that?" Hart grimaced. "I've got doubts about your camera, too! Was that really to take pictures of meteor showers?"
"Objection!" von Karma barked. "The camera is irrelevant to this case!"
"You can't say that for certain!"
"Hmm…" the judge cut in. "Mr. Wright. Is the camera really relevant to this case? If you believe it is, you may continue with this line of questioning."
"But know this!" von Karma added. "If you find nothing with this, there will be consequences!"
"Well, Mr. Wright? Do you wish to press further about the camera?"
Wright slammed on his desk. "The camera is of utmost importance, Your Honor. It is, perhaps, the key to this entire case! Therefore, I will continue my line of questioning!"
The judge banged his gavel. "Very well! Ms. Hart! You will testify to the court about the camera!"
"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya," Hart said. "The camera was set up to take pictures of a meteor shower."
"Objection!" Wright shouted. He smiled confidently. "You were photographing shooting stars? That's a lie!"
"S-says who!?"
Wright hit his desk. "I saw the camera you set up yesterday. It was pointed directly at the lake! You have to point a camera upwards to take photos of the stars, Ms. Hart!"
"Ooof!"
The gallery began yammering. The judge whacked his gavel.
"Mr. Wright!" he called. "What are you driving at?"
"The witness was not at the lake to photograph shooting starts, Your Honor!" Wright said.
"W-well then, what exactly was she photographing?"
"Your Honor! Take a look at this…" Wright pounded on his desk. "Ms. Hart." He took out a newspaper article. "This is what you were trying to photograph!"
"What's this? A newspaper article? 'Gourdy'…? Ah, the sighting at Gourd Lake…"
"Well, Ms. Hart?"
"I… I never heard of no lake monster!" Hart stammered. "You got proof or something? Let's see you prove that I was down at the lake trying to photograph this 'Gourdy.'"
"I have it! Proof!"
"Hmm… Intriguing!" the judge said. "Very well, let's see it. And… no joking around this time, please. Here is proof that the witness was trying to photograph Gourdy, the lake monster!"
Wright hit his desk. "The proof is in this article about Gourdy the lake monster! According to this article… When Gourdy breaks through the water, it makes a loud noise! Which is why you set up your camera with that microphone! You had set it to respond to loud noises! And that's how you got this picture when the pistol fired!"
The gallery started up, silenced by the judge's gavel and two cries of "Order!"
"I see…" the judge commented. "I, too, thought is was a little strange."
Liar…
"Well, Ms. Hart?" Wright asked. He slammed his desk. "You were camping there to try and take a photo of Gourdy, weren't you?"
"Yeah," Hart said after a pause. She smiled. "Not bad. Are all you lawyers that smart? So, smart boy, I was down there trying to photograph Gourdy, you got me. So what?"
"Huh…?"
"That don't change what I saw, does it?"
"Exactly!" von Karma added. "What you just used several precious minutes of our time to prove… is nothing more than that the witness is an idiot who thinks monsters exist!"
"H-hey!"
"But, as she so succinctly said, so what!? It changes nothing!"
It must change something, or else von Karma wouldn't be going to all the trouble of covering it up.
"Ms. Hart," the judge said. "Why did you hide the fact that you were searching for Gourdy from the court? Please revise your testimony."
"Right," Hart said after a pause. "Fine, I'll testify. It won't change nothing, though." Hart waited for the court to be silent. "Actually, I'm not a research student at a university. I'm an investigative photographer. Imagine what a scoop it'd be if I got a picture of that monster! That's why I was camping out by the lake. But, that's all I was hiding. When I heard the 'bang' I looked right straight out at that lake. There wasn't much else to look at, so I just watched that boat the whole time. Then I saw a flash, near one of the men's hands, and I heard another gunshot. I was looking right at that boat, the whole time, cross my heart and hope to fry."
"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "Well, Mr. Wright. You may cross-examine the witness."
"Objection!" von Karma yelled. "The witness's testimony is unchanged from before! Whether she is a research student or a photographer has no bearing on this case!" He snapped his fingers. "There is no need to waste more of our time with another pointless cross-examination!"
"Er… hmm."
"Objection!" Wright shouted, banging on his desk. "I claim the defense's right to cross-examine the witness, Your Honor!"
"Very well. You may begin the cross-examination. You seem sure of yourself, you must have something in mind."
"Hah!" von Karma guffawed. "That would be a first!"
"You understand that this is your last chance at a cross-examination, Mr. Wright? If there is no problem with the testimony this time, we will let the witness leave. I will announce my verdict at that time, Mr. Wright. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Wright said with a nod. He was handed the testimony. He took a look at each line carefully.
Come on, Wright…
"Ms. Hart!" he called. "Were you REALLY looking at that boat!?"
"W-what's with you!?" Hart snapped. "Course I was looking at it! It was the only thing out there! Any normal person'd be looking at it!"
"I agree, any normal person would." He hit his desk and pointed at Hart. "But you are far from normal!"
"Wh-what!? Y'all wanna step over here and say that!?"
"You were camping at the lake to take a picture of Gourdy!" He banged on his desk. "Think about it—what would you do if you heard a loud noise? You'd be scanning the lake for any sign of Gourdy, that's what! You wouldn't give the boat a second thought!"
"Aah!"
The gallery started up.
This is too close…
"Order!" the judge said with a whack of his gavel. "Continue, Mr. Wright!"
"You testified that you were watching the boat through binoculars!" Wright accused. "However, you wouldn't need binoculars to watch that boat! You needed them to search for Gourdy… and that's what you were doing!"
Hart grimaced, then crossed her arms, thinking. Wright slammed his desk.
"Well!?" he demanded.
"Hmph… Well, now that y'all mention it… I did sort of take my binoculars and kind of scan the lake a bit… I mean, Gourdy might be out there, n' all…"
"M-Ms. Hart!" the judge barked, shocked. "a-are you saying that you were NOT watching the boat, then?"
"S-sorry, y'all," she said after a moment, her hand in her hair. "I wasn't fibbing, really. I was, just… I thought y'know, I could be witness to a murder n' all! I kinda got excited. I was sure I was watching that boat… till now."
The judge was speechless for a moment. "This… this is totally uncalled for—"
"B-but hey! You got the photograph! You got proof!"
"Hmm… Still, we can't see who is shooting who in this."
"Right! Right! That's why I took this photo n'…"
"Objection!" von Karma interrupted, snapping his fingers. "Witness… that's enough. You've had a long day. Shut your pie-hole."
"Sh-shut my what!?" Hart hissed.
What was she going to say? It must be something bad for von Karma, or else he wouldn't object… Wright! Figure it out!
Wright slammed his desk. "Ms. Hart!" he called. "Look at this photograph. You enlarged this photograph, did you not?"
"Y-yeah! I did!" Hart chirped.
"Why has that enlargement not been presented to the court!?"
"Objection!" von Karma cut in. "B-because it does not exist!"
Liar! Your stuttering tells all!
"What're y'all talking about!?" Hart exploded. "You were the one who told me not to show it in court in the first place! You old fool!"
The gallery was in an uproar.
Von Karma, this is beyond low! How can you call yourself a prosecutor!?
The judge banged his gavel, restoring order. "What's the meaning of this, Mr. von Karma!" he yelled.
"Er… erm…" von Karma mumbled.
You'll pay for this, von Karma! Mark my words, you'll regret concealing evidence!
"Ms. Hart!" Wright shouted, pointing at her. He hit his desk. "Show the photo to the court! Show us the enlargement!"
"Objection!" von Karma roared. "The prosecution objects to the submission of this evidence!"
"Objection… denied," the judge said. "The witness will show the enlargement to the court."
"Here it is," Hart said. She took a photo out. It showed two men, their faces concealed by the fog, one firing a gun in his left hand.
"Hmm," the judge muttered. "We still cannot see who is firing in this. It could be the defendant… or maybe it's not. Regardless, I'll accept this as evidence."
Von Karma snapped his fingers. "Happy now, Mr. Wright?" he taunted.
"Hmm…" Wright growled.
Wait! Miles's fingerprints… They were on his right hand!
"You asked for the enlargement, you got the enlargement." He wagged his finger at Wright. "And little good it has done any of us! That's why I requested she not show it!"
Liar! That photo contradicts the murder weapon and you knew it!
"Hmm…" the judge mumbled. "I suppose this means that the cross-examination…"
"Is over!" von Karma finished. "Obviously!"
The judge banged his gavel. "Then, I would like to close the cross-examination of Ms. Lotta Hart."
No!
"And none too soon. That was a flagrant waste of my time."
"Mr. von Karma, do you have anything to add?"
"I stated everything I needed to when this trial began. Decisive evidence. A decisive witness. What else could possibly be required?"
"Nothing, of course. Then, I believe it is time for me to declare my verdict."
Wright, stop him! STOP HIM!!
Wright banged on his desk. "Your Honor!" he yelled, his voice shaking. "There is something decidedly strange with this enlargement!"
"W-what might that be?"
The gallery started up, silenced by His Honor's gavel.
"Mr. Wright…" the judge said. "You will show the court what you mean! What about this photo is 'strange'?"
Lana felt a bead of sweat roll down her neck. Come on, Wright… It's the shooter's hand!
"Here, Your Honor!" Wright shouted, pointing at the shooter's hand.
Yes! YES!!
"The shooter…?" the judge asked, puzzled. "I'm not sure I understand. What about the shooter is strange?"
"Look at the hand holding the pistol, Your Honor!"
"The hand…?"
"That hand directly contradicts another piece of evidence!"
"This man's left hand does what…!?"
"Let me show you. I'll show you the evidence that left hand contradicts!" He pointed at the gun. "Take that! The evidence is clear. The man in this photograph is holding that pistol in his left hand. However! The prints on the murder weapon were from Edgeworth's 'right hand'!" Wright banged on his desk as though he was trying to crush it under his weight. "Ergo! The man shooting the pistol in this photograph… Is not Mr. Edgeworth!!"
The gallery's chatter filled the courtroom. The judge banged his gavel repeatedly until everyone was finally quiet.
"Now that everyone in the courtroom has quieted down…" the judge said. "I would like to reconvene this court of law! Mr. Wright."
"Yes, Your Honor," Wright replied.
"You have given us definitive proof today. We now know that it was not Mr. Edgeworth who fired the pistol that night. However… This leaves us with a rather large problem. If Mr. Edgeworth didn't do it, then who shot our victim?"
"Precisely!" von Karma said. "As we have seen, there were no other people on the lake that night!" He snapped his fingers. "Who but the defendant could have shot the victim!?"
"There is only one explanation remaining!" Wright said. He hit his desk. "The man who shot the victim was none other than… the victim himself!!"
The gallery started up, silenced by the judge's gavel and two cries of "Order!"
"So…" the judge started, "you are saying that the victim committed suicide?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Wright replied. "I can think of no other explanation."
"Hmm… Indeed that does seem to be the only remaining option."
"Objection!" von Karma yelled. "I'm so very, very sorry, Mr. Wright. But suicide is out of the question."
"Wh-what!?" Wright stammered.
"An examination of the victim's wound reveals the distance at which he was shot."
"The… distance?"
"The victim was clearly shot from further than a meter away!"
"A meter! Th-that's three feet!"
Technically, a little more…
"There is no way it could have been suicide!"
The gallery started up again. The judge did what he did best.
"Order! Order!" he bellowed. "Mr. von Karma! Are you sure of the accuracy of your data!?"
"Of course! I had already considered the possibility of suicide, you see."
"Hmm… I see." The judge banged his gavel. "Very well, allow me to state my opinion. Considering the situation, the shooter had to be the defendant, Mr. Edgeworth."
NO!!
"However!" the judge continued. "The prints on the gum reveal that the shooter was not Mr. Edgeworth. This is a conundrum. Therefore, I would like to suspend proceedings for this trial for the day."
Phew…
"The court orders the defense and the prosecution to further investigate this matter. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Wright said.
Von Karma was silent.
"That is all," the judge said. "The court is adjourned."
He banged his gavel. The gallery began to file out. The stench of sweat—Lana's sweat—entered her nose. She saw Miles leave the courtroom with Wright. Miles turned his head to look at her. Lana gave him a reassuring smile. His lips trembled just the slightest bit.
You'll survive this, Miles… …We'll survive this.