Chapter Four
"You were very mysterious this morning," Apollo said in lieu of a greeting when Klavier opened his office door. The rockstar prosecutor grinned at him.
"Not me, Herr Forehead. The Fraulein Detective." Apollo gave him a steady look.
"She found something?" Klavier shrugged easily.
"Maybe. All her text said was to meet here at 1pm. So here we are. Or rather, here you are, thirty minutes early. You're lucky I was even here."
"Nonsense," Apollo said dismissively. "You're here at 7am every morning." Klavier raised one perfect eyebrow at him and he flushed. "You send emails from your official account that early."
"How do you know I am not emailing from home?" Klavier challenged. "Perhaps I am in bed, lying naked on silken sheets, emailing you from my phone." Apollo's color only deepened at that vivid image.
"Your email program adds a line to the bottom of your emails marking them as coming from your iPhone," he pointed out. "And anyway, I ride past the courthouse on my way to work each morning. I've seen you."
"Aha!" Klavier exclaimed as if he'd caught Apollo out somehow. "So you've been stalking me, Herr Forehead!"
"Hardly," Apollo objected. "I can't help it if I ride past the courthouse at the same time as you arrive." He certainly wasn't going to admit that after the first time he'd accidentally ridden past when Klavier was climbing off his motorcycle that he'd deliberately altered his schedule to make sure he rode down the street at exactly the same time, in the hope of seeing Klavier shaking his glorious hair free of his helmet. Klavier leaned forward, a wicked smile on his lips and just as he opened his mouth to say something, the sound of someone clearing their throat rather dramatically caught his attention.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Ema said dryly. She'd been watching Klavier's body language for a few moments from the open doorway. What was going on between him and Apollo anyway?
"Of course not," Klavier said casually, but there was a tightness around his eyes that told her that he was lying.
"Come on then," Apollo said impatiently. "What's the big mystery?"
"Will Powers," Ema said bluntly. "I found this." She handed Klavier an evidence bag containing a Steel Samurai DVD cover, signed in Will Powers illegible scrawl. Apollo and Klavier exchanged looks.
"This isn't as conclusive as the others," Apollo said hesitantly.
"No, maybe not on it's own," Ema agreed. "Turn it over." Klavier flipped the cover over and then gave a gasp. There was a sticker on the reverse claiming the DVD to be a special edition, with an exclusive interview with Will Powers, along with a photo of Powers.
"Those DVD's were an extremely limited release," Ema told them. "They made only a thousand copies. And a signed one's even rarer. Will Powers signed just five on the release and although we don't know if he signed others at fan events and the like, it's still not likely to be very many. Most of these were shipped overseas, there were fewer than fifty sold in the US."
"Do we know the names of all the buyers?" Klavier asked. She nodded.
"Yeah. But you're not going to like the answer. That cover there was one of the original five signed copies. It was sold at a charity auction to help the homeless by an anonymous donor." Her eyes twinkled and Apollo got the impression that she was toying with them.
"Anonymous?" Klavier said, sounding frustrated. "Dammit."
"Ah, it gets better," Ema said smugly. "I found the anonymous bidder's name. Quite by accident really, but he didn't cover his tracks particularly well."
"Perhaps he didn't really expect anyone to try and track him down," Klavier mused. "So who is it?"
"Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth of course!" Ema said with a flourish. Apollo and Klavier stared at her in horror. "What? Isn't this a breakthrough?"
"Ema," Klavier said patiently. "Since we don't think Herr Edgeworth is our serial killer, what do you think it means?" She thought about it for a moment.
"It means that whoever it was knows Mr Edgeworth bought the DVD at that charity auction. Which means he was there. It's a $50,000 a plate event, which means either our killer is rich and was an attendee or he was part of the staff working the event. It's a long list of names to work through, but it's a lead."
"All of that is true," Klavier agreed. "But aren't you missing something?" Ema frowned at him, confused. "It means our killer has been inside Herr Edgeworth's apartment at least once," Klavier explained. "Phoenix and Trucy Wright are staying there right now for security reasons, but our murderer was able to waltz in and steal this DVD without Herr Edgeworth or his vaunted security even noticing he'd been robbed." Apollo gasped.
"Oh, shit!" he bit out and then flushed. "Sorry, Ema." She glared at him.
"I'm not a shrinking violet, fainting at the first sound of a curse word," she said primly. "Mr Gavin, I think you're overreacting."
"Really," Klavier asked her. "Three people are dead, someone fired a gun at Phoenix Wright last night and you think I'm overreacting?"
"Yes," Ema said. "Are you sure Mr Edgeworth didn't keep that DVD here, in his office?" Klavier stared at her, thunderstruck.
"That's not better," he cried. "The Wright Anything Agency has set up temporary shop in the empty prosecutor's office. Nobody should be able to gain access to these offices without authorization."
"Wait a second," Apollo objected. "Klavier, I understand you're upset but let's be realistic. Are we certain that Mr Edgeworth hadn't sold the DVD or loaned it to someone?" Klavier stiffened for a moment, but Apollo's words clearly were sinking in and he subsided.
"You're right," he said finally. "We're speculating wildly without sufficient evidence one way or the other. We should establish exactly where that DVD was known to be before Mr Powers murder." Ema cast a wry glance at Apollo. Prosecutor Gavin had not been pleased when she accused him of a disproportionate response but he accepted that same criticism from Apollo without resistance. Interesting…
Miles Edgeworth was not a happy man. The quivering police officer in front of him was well aware of his displeasure.
"Just to be clear," he said evenly. "You're telling me that the only physical evidence from the attempted murder of one of the leading attorneys in Los Angeles, if not the state of California, has disappeared?" The young woman gulped.
"Yes sir. It was supposed to be taken directly to Detective Skye. I assigned Officer Fingir to the task myself." Officer Himar explained.
"Officer Fingir?" Miles said, his eyebrows diving over his nose. "I'm not familiar with that name."
"He just transferred from San Diego," Himar told him. "He's only been with the department a few weeks."
"Hmm," Miles said. "Very well, Himar. Send Fingir to me immediately. That will be all." Himar saluted smartly and then fled. Miles got up to make some tea and cursed when there was a knock at his door.
"Come in," he said wearily. The door swung open to reveal an unusually stressed-looking Klavier Gavin, a curiously smug Ema Skye and a more than typically exasperated Apollo Justice. He raised an eyebrow at this bizarre gathering.
"Herr Edgeworth," Gavin said hesitantly. "We need to ask you a question." Miles returned to his desk and gestured to the mismatched grouping to sit.
"You own a limited edition Steel Samurai DVD," Ema said without preamble. "You bought it at a charity auction several years ago. It was one of only five that not only contained an exclusive interview with Will Powers, but was also signed by him."
"Yes," Miles said impatiently. "What of it?"
"Where is it now?" Ema said bluntly.
"In my apartment," Miles told her. "What is this all about?" She wordlessly produced the cover she'd presented to Gavin and Apollo earlier that morning. Edgeworth stared at it in horror and then held out his hand. She gave it to him and watched as he examined it closely.
"Where did you find this?" he asked, his voice deepening with tension.
"At the Will Powers crime scene." she told him. He flipped it between his fingers for a moment.
"OK," he said finally. "What does it mean?"
"I have a theory," Klavier said. "Each of the crime scenes has a labeled photograph of the victim, except the Silver Diner, where we only found a sticky note with Angel Starr's name, but no picture."
"A sticky note?" Edgeworth asked, the cogs clearly turning in his mind. "You think it was originally attached to an image of Starr, but that they got separated. That the killer lost the note, but not the photo." Gavin nodded.
"Yes. My theory is that each murder is being committed by a different person. The mastermind behind it is furnishing each killer with their target. But they will have no direct connection to the victim themselves I would think."
"But you don't think this is the work of an assassin," Justice prompted. Gavin gave him a long considering look.
"No. Not actually committing the murders. As we discussed this morning, they're… not like professional killings. Even the profiler, Professor Morgan, admitted that there was an inconsistency in both MO and signature."
Miles contemplated the notion. "So how is our puppet master choosing his puppets?" he asked finally. Gavin barked out a humorless laugh.
"Puppet master? Quite. I don't know. We don't even know who any of our killers are, if this is indeed what has happened."
"That's not true," Justice objected. "I have an alternative suspect in the Silver Diner case at least." Gavin quirked a brow at him.
"The waitress? You're insane, Forehead."
"Am I? Who else is there, other than my client whom I believe to be innocent?"
"Apollo," Gavin said patiently. "Brandi Snapps is four feet ten and a hundred pounds soaking wet I'd wager."
"I'm sure you're right," Justice said snidely. Gavin looked irritated.
"My point is, how does a tiny woman like that overpower two large men and an ex-police officer? Starr was a seasoned officer, she knew how to handle herself even if she'd left years ago."
"I don't know," Justice admitted. He'd stepped closer to Gavin during this conversation, his fists clenched and he was staring pugnaciously into the taller man's eyes.
"Oh, get a room you two," Ema snarked and both men started in surprise. Justice stepped back, but neither of them looked away.
"Could she have drugged them?" Apollo turned to ask Ema. She pursed her lips.
"Nothing came up on the tox screen," she told him. "But we don't test for everything. Just the common stuff. I'll talk to the medical examiner. Sometimes there are tiny hints that don't mean anything unless you suspect a drug or poison." Apollo nodded.
"Ja, well then we have a plan," Klavier said. "We will go talk to Fraulein Snapps, and see if we can shake something loose, and the Fraulein Detective will ask the medical examiner if the other victims were poisoned or drugged."
"Good," Miles said distractedly. "Detective Skye, what leads are you working in the Max Galactica and Will Powers murders?" Ema pouted.
"Leads?" she said witheringly and Miles leveled a look at her. She gulped and added hastily, "I haven't got much to go on and we're spread rather thin…" Miles's face grew stern.
"Who else is working those cases with you?" he asked. She shook her head at him.
"Nobody. Officer Banks is on maternity leave and they never hired anyone to cover for her. Officer Manny Iglesias was shot last month and is still recuperating. Detectives Anders and Hakkinen are working several cases already and Detective Monroe… well, he and I don't exactly get along. And anyway, he's still partly attached to Interpol after more of those Borginian cocoons turned up on the black market last week."
"I see," Miles said. "What happened to Detective Cheng?" She gaped at him.
"You didn't hear? He's suspended pending an investigation. He's the one who shot Manny."
"What?" Miles barked. "Why?"
"I don't know," Ema said miserably. "Rumor has it that Manny was sleeping with Cheng's wife. But that doesn't make any sense. It's not widely known, but Manny's gay."
"Maybe he's bisexual," Klavier offered helpfully.
"I don't think so," Ema said. "But even if he were, Manny's a good guy. He wouldn't do that to a fellow officer."
"A rumor doesn't have to be true to be believed," Miles said with a curious edge to his voice. Ema blinked at him.
"That's true," she admitted. "Maybe Cheng just heard the rumor and didn't know about Manny's preferences."
"Very well," Miles said. "Tell Chief Gumshoe I want to see him in my office, at his earliest convenience." Ema gave him a short nod and turned on her heel to stride out of the office. Klavier watched her leave but made no move to follow her.
"Is there something else?" Miles said tiredly.
"You need to move out of your apartment," Klavier said bluntly. "We have clear evidence the security has been compromised."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. Damn it, I don't want to go to a hotel. It's almost impossible to maintain good security in that environment." He raked a hand through his hair.
"I have a house," Klavier said suddenly. "I bought it for the band when we were recording and the like. But since the Gavinners disbanded, it's been empty. It's in a very private gated community. Nobody would bother you there."
"A gated community," Miles mused. "That has possibilities. How large is the house?"
"There's enough rooms to house a dozen people," Klavier told him. "More if anyone doubles up." Miles raised an eyebrow at him and Klavier gazed back innocently. "Herr Blackquill and Fraulein Cykes for example?"
"Wait," Apollo objected. "Are you proposing we all move into your house? Me, Athena, Mr Blackquill, Mr Wright and Trucy?"
"And me and Herr Edgeworth. Yes." Klavier said. Apollo folded his arms across his chest.
"OK, I get why you're including Mr Edgeworth. But why Blackquill and why you?"
"Simon would not want to be parted from Athena," Miles said mildly. "But I agree with Justice, Klavier. Why are you volunteering to be part of this gathering?"
"It's my house," Klavier said defensively. "I can stay there if I want."
"Nobody is disputing that," Miles told him. "I'd still like to know wh-" he broke off as Klavier's gaze flicked guiltily to Apollo and understanding dawned. "Well, maybe you're right. After all, we don't want the neighbors calling the police because they don't recognize us. Communities like that tend to notice strangers." Klavier gave him a grateful look.
"Exactly," he agreed. Apollo narrowed his eyes at the Chief Prosecutor. That had been… odd. Why had he abandoned his objection to Klavier's moving in with them all so easily?
"OK," Apollo said aloud. "I have to go meet with my client. Klavier, I'll meet you back at your office at 3pm?" Klavier nodded.
"Ja. Hopefully the Fraulein Detective will have some answers for us by then."
Athena chewed nervously on her fingernail as she awaited her potential client in the detention center. Mr Wright had told her that this case would play to her particular strengths but honestly, she couldn't see how. The case file Detective Monroe had sent over was woefully thin. The suspect was Lisa Kresky, 42 year old divorcee and mother of three. She was accused of killing a woman named April May. Winston Payne was the assigned prosecutor. She sighed. A sound caught her attention and she looked up. The woman who had entered looked more like a librarian than a murderer, her black hair neatly bobbed at her chin and a pair of rimless glasses perched on her nose. She was petite, no more than an inch or two over five feet and Athena suspected she could almost circle Ms Kresky's waist with her hands.
"Miss Cykes?" Lisa asked. Her voice was low but authoritative.
"Hi," Athena said brightly. "You requested the services of the Wright Anything Agency. I'm Athena Cykes."
"Yes," Lisa said. "I was hoping for Mr Wright himself." Athena kept her smile pasted on, but inside she groaned.
"I know," she continued. "But Mr Wright's caseload is very large and he felt that your case might be suited to my particular skill set. Can you tell me a little about the case? I have the police file here but there's almost nothing in it. All it says is, you were seen entering Ms May's apartment around 10:30pm last night and that she was discovered the next morning, beaten to death with an unidentified heavy object. The time of death was estimated to between midnight and 3am."
"Detective Monroe is not a thorough man," Lisa said distastefully. "I already explained that I was in April's apartment no more than fifteen minutes."
"Did anyone see you leave?" Athena asked. Lisa shook her head and pursed her lips.
"No, but there should be an electronic record of me swiping into the parking lot for my condo. It's a thirty minute drive from April's apartment, so I probably arrived sometime around 11:15pm." Athena nodded and made a note to check up on the parking lot sensor data.
"OK," she said, thinking hard. "How well did you know Miss May?" Lisa gave a crooked smile.
"Probably better than most people," she said. "April's my cousin. When she was released from prison, I helped her get an apartment and a job. You know, get back on her feet. It wasn't easy, even though she wasn't convicted of a violent crime, perjury and wire-tapping are serious offences."
"She had a job?" Athena said in surprise. "That's not in the file."
"Like I say, not a detail guy our Detective Monroe." Lisa retorted. "She works in the administration office of a community college affiliated with CULA."
"CULA?"
"The City University of Los Angeles. I'm on faculty there." Lisa told her.
"You're a professor?" Athena asked eagerly. "Of what?" Lisa looked almost embarrassed.
"Theoretical physics," she admitted. Athena's eyebrows shot up and Lisa rolled her eyes. "If you're going to say I don't look like a scientist, don't bother. I've heard all the jokes about mad professors and not being a dude in a white coat with mad hair."
"No," Athena said flushing. "I was just going to say you must be really smart." Lisa shrugged.
"Not smart enough to avoid being charged with murder," she said wryly. Athena grinned at her and there was a moment of understanding between the two women.
"So, other than the fact that you were there close to the time of the murder, what else makes the police think you killed her?" Athena asked. Lisa looked away and all of Athena's instincts went on full alert.
"I've no idea," Lisa lied. "The police are incompetent." And Athena didn't need Apollo's abilities or even her own training to see that Lisa wasn't telling the truth.
"OK," she said slowly. "You know, if you want me to defend you, you really need to tell me everything you know. And, I'm sorry, but if you lie to me, I can't do my job." Lisa sighed heavily.
"If I tell you, you'll think I did it. And I didn't. I swear."
"I promise to keep an open mind," Athena said, keeping her fingers crossed below the table.
"April had an affair with my husband. Ex-husband. It was the final straw that made me kick his ass to the kerb." Athena gaped at her.
"Oh no!" Widget blurted.
"I… I see what you mean," the young lawyer stuttered. "So why did you help her? I mean, she broke up your marriage."
"Bah!" Lisa exclaimed. "Eric was a slimeball. April's always been… easily led. She wasn't the only affair, just the first one I found out about. She's not a bad person, she just doesn't know when to say no. Especially to charming men."
"So you weren't angry with her?" Athena pressed.
"No," Lisa said wearily. "Irritated, perhaps. But honestly, Eric and I hadn't been getting on since before she got out of jail. I'd mostly been trying to ignore his constant late nights at the office and sudden business trips. If anything, in a sense I was grateful to April. She was so inept at keeping the secret of their affair, I couldn't turn a blind eye to it anymore. It convinced me to get off my butt and divorce the SOB."
"But you obviously understand how this will play in court," Athena said, troubled.
"Of course. Maybe you should call Eric to the stand," Lisa suggested. Athena stared at her in astonishment.
"Call your ex-husband to the stand? Why?"
"Eric's a sleazebag and a crappy husband. But the divorce was surprisingly amicable and we're almost friendly these days. He takes the kids twice a month, and pays his alimony on time and without complaint. I try to be accommodating if he wants to take them on vacation or swap his usual weekends around because of work. It's funny, we get on better now than almost the entire time we were married." Lisa smiled. "He'll tell you straight, I'm not a killer. And if I were, I'd have killed him, not my poor ditzy cousin."
"Don't say that in court!" Athena said in alarm.
"Don't be silly," Lisa admonished. "So, who did kill April?"
"You don't have any ideas about that?" Athena returned. Lisa frowned to herself.
"Redd White would be the only one who might want her dead, but he's in solitary confinement. I can't imagine he could do it even if he wanted to."
"Redd White…" Athena mused. Lisa raised an eyebrow at her.
"You do know Phoenix Wright is the one who put him in jail, right. And April too." Athena gasped.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry, I didn't even make the connection. Your cousin was that April May?" Lisa rolled her eyes.
"Why else would I want Phoenix Wright as my attorney?"
Klavier stood outside his house and took a deep breath. Perhaps he should have asked Apollo to come with him. But these were his demons, not the diminutive attorney's. He swallowed and inserted the key, turning it and pushing the door open.
The house smelled clean but sterile. Nobody had been here since Daryan had been convicted except the cleaning crew who came in twice a month. An extravagance perhaps with nobody living here, but Klavier was glad of it now.
He walked slowly through the house, memories crowding at him and pinching at his skin. Daryan, drunk and unsteady, leaning against a door frame. Loren Tessitura laughing at one of Klavier's jokes. Bryan Grave, head bent over some lyrics, chewing the pencil in his fingers. So many good memories, now forever tainted by Daryan's betrayal. Was this a good idea? His phone buzzed.
Reminder: Interview with Brandi Snapps in one hour.
Time to leave. He grabbed the spare keys from a kitchen drawer and headed to the door. His phone buzzed again.
Klavier - wanna get coffee at Java Judgement b4 Snapps interview? AJ
He stared at Apollo's text. He wanted to say yes but something held him back. He shook himself, Apollo was deliberately seeking his company. He'd be a fool to knock that back.
Sure. See you in ten? K
I'll be there. AJ
