"Alright Kay," Dahlia said. "If I'm to defend you, I have to ask you a few questions."
Kay pumped her fist. "Shoot."
"First question, what's your alibi?" Dahlia said.
"I think I was about 30 feet away from the murder," Kay said, crossing her arms.
Dahlia looked at Phoenix, raising an eyebrow. Is 30 feet an alibi?
"Better than mine was," was all Phoenix could think to say.
"What?" Kay said.
"Nothing," Dahlia said.
"It's not really an alibi is it?" Kay said with a sad smile.
"Don't worry about it," Dahlia said. "You're still innocent right?"
"Of course I am!" Kay said. "If there's something even a thief shouldn't steal, it's a life."
"A thief?" Phoenix said, head cocked questioningly.
Kay dramatically cleared her throat. "Even in the depths of night, when no other bird dares take flight, one alone soars to shine the light of righteousness on this world's blight! And that one is me! For I am the Great Thief, Yatagarasu!"
Dahlia and Phoenix stared at the teenage girl in disbelief. "Great Thief…"
"Yatagarasu?" Phoenix said.
She just keeps getting better and better. Dahlia decided to ask Edgeworth a few questions later. "Of course. So anyway, what do you know about the crime?"
"Well, I know the guy was shot in the head," Kay said, mulling it over. "And I'm pretty sure the victim was a security guard."
"Go on. I'm sorry to ask you so many questions after all you've been through the past couple hours," Dahlia said.
"Don't worry about it," Kay said. "I've been Uncle Edgey's assistant for a while now. Dead bodies don't freak me out anymore. Well, maybe a little."
"I see," Dahlia said. "So what were you doing during the murder?"
"I heard a struggle," Kay said. "Then when I heard I heard a gunshot I tried to call the police. But then I saw a person with suspiciously human-sized cargo cover with a tarp. So I chased after them. Next thing I knew, there was a body on the ground and the police were everywhere."
"That's when you got arrested, right?" Phoenix said.
"Pretty much. I tried to tell them what happened, but they wouldn't listen," Kay said.
"Just relax, were on the case," Dahlia said. "If we need you to answer any questions, we'll be back."
"I'll be here," Kay said. "If you see Uncle Edgey, would you please tell him I said thanks?"
"Not a problem," Dahlia said.
Dahlia and Phoenix took a cab back to the mall. The mall had been evacuated due to the murder, so reaching the crime scene was much easier this time around. Police were scattered everywhere, searching the area for evidence. The defense team discreetly crossed the yellow tape.
The scene of the murder was next to an escalator, the corpse outline was in the corner. Dahlia and Phoenix examined the white tape in more detail.
"That's where the victim died?" Phoenix said.
"Yep," Dahlia said. "Before the police carted the body away, they traced his form."
The outline showed the victim flat on his back, or maybe his stomach. The arms were down by the sides and the legs were straight out.
Phoenix looked around, scratching his chin. "So how did he die?"
"We're still waiting for an autopsy, but I'm pretty confident the bullet hole in his forehead had something to do with it," Edgeworth said.
"Edgeworth!" Dahlia said, caught off guard. "When did you get here?"
"I've been here the whole time, pal," Edgeworth said. He sighed. "I'm the detective in charge of the investigation. What with you two being here, I assume that means Kay asked you to be her attorney?"
"You got it!" Phoenix said. "Oh, and Kay said thanks by the way, Uncle Edgey."
Edgeworth rubbed the back of his neck at the mention of his nickname. "Eh, right."
"So Edgeworth, what's been going on?" Dahlia said.
"Well, we found a witness, pal," Edgeworth said. "Along with a gun and a few other things. We're getting everything tested by forensics now."
"Mind if we take a look around?" Dahlia said.
"If you're careful," Edgeworth said. "I still have a job to do."
The detective left the defense team, who didn't hesitate to start investigating.
"Hey, does this stepladder mean anything?" Phoenix said, looking at a ladder.
"You mean the ladder?" Dahlia said.
"No, it's a stepladder," Phoenix said. "There's a difference, trust me."
"They say you shouldn't judge things based on narrow-minded cultural assumptions," Dahlia said.
"That makes no sense," Phoenix said, confused.
Says the guy who speaks in code! Dahlia glared at her assistant. "It's a ladder."
"Step-ladder," Phoenix said.
Dahlia gave him a wedgie.
"Mean," Phoenix said, an octave higher than normal.
"Hmm," Dahlia ignored Phoenix. "Let's see what we have here."
The defense attorney looked around. She noticed an office pushcart. It was made of grey steel and had two shelves. Dahlia moved closer and examined it in more detail.
"What's this doing here?" Dahlia said.
"Good question," Phoenix said. "Should we make a note of it?"
"It is strange," Dahlia said. "Might as well. There's not much else to find here."
"That's what I was thinking," Phoenix said. He bent down to his knees and leaned forward.
"What are you doing?" Dahlia said when Phoenix began crawling.
"Investigating," Phoenix said, slinking across the floor.
"Why don't we just hang a sign around your neck that says New Guy," Dahlia said, rolling her eyes.
Slightly amused, Dahlia watched her assistant. You know, I'm glad he joined the crew. He's never going to find anything, though.
"I found something!" Phoenix said.
Should have seen that coming. Dahlia walked over to Phoenix. He pinched something on the ground and lifted it for Dahlia to see.
"Is that a thread?" Dahlia said.
"It doesn't feel like thread," Phoenix said. "More like hair."
"But it's pink," Dahlia said.
"People can have pink hair," Phoenix said. "I've seen it before."
"Who on Earth would want," Dahlia shuddered. "Pink hair?"
"Not a pink person?" Phoenix said.
"Nick, I haven't worn pink since I was 8," Dahlia said flatly.
"Do you have a plastic bag or something?" Phoenix said, sensing a change of subject would be a good idea.
"I'll steal one from the forensics guys," Dahlia murmured.
Minutes later, she came back with a plastic bag. Phoenix dropped the hair in and Dahlia sealed the bag.
"You really think this hair has anything to do with this?" Dahlia said. "I mean, this is a mall."
"Better safe than sorry," Phoenix said.
"You know what?" Dahlia said. "I bet the police got the rest of the evidence. This is pretty clean for a murder scene."
"You're probably right," Phoenix said. "Didn't Miles say there was a witness?"
"Yeah, he did," Dahlia said. "I wonder who it is."
Their thoughts were interrupted by a high-pitched squeal.
"What the heck?" Phoenix said.
Dahlia and Phoenix walked over to the source of the noise. What they found horrified the defense attorney. A pink-haired woman wearing a pink jacket with heart buttons, matching high-heel shoes and a white skirt the size of a dish towel stood in front of an officer in a flirty stance. Dahlia retched, making Phoenix take a step back.
"Easy, Dahlia," Phoenix said.
Dahlia eventually calmed her breathing and was able to look at the scene again. She realized that the officer she was talking to was Edgeworth.
"Ooh, Mr. Big Detective!" the pink woman said. "I really get to be a witness in a murder mystery?"
"Murder trial, Ms. May," Edgeworth said, sounding irritated. "It would do you well to take this seriously."
The woman smiled, making Dahlia want to gag again. She grumbled to Phoenix. "The way she's trying to sell herself. I mean look at that shirt."
"I am," Phoenix said, earning a slap in the face. "Ow! Not what I meant."
"Uh-huh," Dahlia said, peeved. Though the slap did make her feel a little better.
"So you're sure you saw the defendant?" Edgeworth said.
The woman pouted. "Of course I'm sure, Mr. Big Detective Man."
"Detective Edgeworth, ma'am," the detective said.
The woman puffed out her chest and winked. "Ma'am, huh? What a gentleman!"
"That cutesy baby voice, that flirting…" Dahlia griped. Shaking, she clenched her hands into fists.
"Don't do something you'll regret," Phoenix said uneasily.
"Oh, I won't," Dahlia said. "I'm just gonna pop her in the mouth."
"Hey, it's not like she's really wooing Miles," Phoenix said.
It was true; Edgeworth seemed immune to the "charms" of Ms. May. If anything, he just looked confused.
"So, was I helpful?" Ms. May asked.
"Sure," was all Edgeworth had to say. He turned around and walked away.
"Having fun Edgeworth?" Dahlia said, when he walked by.
Edgeworth rubbed his temples. "I don't recommend talking to her. She's… confusing."
"Who is she anyway?" Phoenix said.
"The witness I mentioned before," Edgeworth said. "Her name is April May."
"What did she witness?" Dahlia said.
"I'm not at liberty to say anything, pal," Edgeworth said before walking away.
"I think that was a back-handed okay to talk to Ms. May," Phoenix said.
"Let's go with that," Dahlia said. She looked at April again. "If we must."
"It'll be fine," Phoenix said. "Just don't break anything, okay?"