Larry smirked, looking strong and confident. "Well, I suppose I should thank you for presenting this evidence Ms. Hawthorne."
"Ugh," Phoenix face palmed. "That's what we get for trusting a thief."
Dahlia stamped his foot.
"What?" Phoenix exclaimed in pain and irritation.
"It's not over yet," Dahlia said. "Kay is innocent, no matter how strange her occupation is."
"I can hear you!" Kay said.
"Really? Because I seem to be having some problems," Dahlia said bitterly. "I never you say you kicked the guy in the head! Why did you do that?"
"He was spazzing out! It was in self defense, I swear!" Kay said.
"Objection!" Larry said. "We only have your word to go on that, Ms. Faraday."
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "According to the autopsy report, the victim died because he was strangled then shot. That sweet roundhouse kick has nothing to do with this!"
"Sweet roundhouse kick?" Kay said, brightening up. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Dahlia said.
Phoenix and Larry looked at each other, then face palmed.
"7-9-18-11-19," Phoenix said.
"7-9-18-11-19," Larry said. He sighed. "9 space 8-1-20-5 space 25-15-21."
"21-14-3-1-11-11-5-4 space 6-15-18!" Phoenix said.
The judge sighed. "And we're back to the code."
"Boys," Dahlia said, rolling her eyes.
"Wait, hold it!" Larry said. "How do we keep getting so off topic?"
Dahlia shrugged. "It doesn't take much."
A vein pulsed on Larry's forehead. "Your Honor the defense has been wasting everyone's time all day! All she's done is try to demonize the witness and distract the court from the obvious truth! The defendant murdered Ron DeLite!"
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "What about motive? The witness has a much clearer motive to kill the victim than Kay!"
"Objection!" Larry said. "Did you already forget about that kick to the head? The defendant and the victim obviously had some kind of disagreement, and it got physical!"
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "Getting kicked in the head does not create a bullet hole!"
"Did you figure that out yourself?" Larry said.
"Yes," Dahlia spat. "But you seemed to have forgotten!"
"No, I didn't forget," Larry said. "Obviously, after kicking the victim Ms. Faraday strangled him then shot him."
"And why would she do that?" Dahlia said.
"Allow me to answer that question with a question," Larry said smugly. "Why was the defendant at Bluecorp to begin with?"
Because… she wanted to "steal the truth." Dahlia rubbed her temples. Now, how do I phrase that to make Kay not sound like a criminal?
"You know why," Larry said. "Or did you forget? Let me refresh your memory."
Larry pointed his finger at Kay. "The defendant, Kay Faraday, is the Yatagarasu!"
The crowd went into a panic. Dahlia could distinguish random outbursts from the gallery.
"The Yatagarasu? That girl is a wanted criminal?"
"Did that lawyer in the hoodie know about this?"
"Mommy? Is that girl the bad guy?"
Who brings their kid to a murder trial? Dahlia tried to find a way out of the mess Larry had created for her, but it was difficult to concentrate with everyone talking over each other and the judge's gavel. Dahlia glanced at Phoenix, who looked lost in thought. She turned to Kay, who had her head down.
She didn't even get to complete her first heist before her secret was exposed. There must be something I can do to clear her name. Dahlia's stomach turned when she noticed Redd, who was completely unfazed by his surroundings. Why couldn't he have been the victim?
Finally, the judge managed to get the crowd under control. The noise from the gallery was replaced by the judge's booming voice.
"Are these accusations true?" the judge said.
"The defendant herself has said she is the Yatagarasu," Larry said.
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "Yes, that is true. She has said that. However, Kay has never stolen anything!"
"Objection!" Larry said. "What are you talking about? The Yatagarasu has pulled out multiple robberies!"
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "It's complicated, alright?"
"It's complicated? That's not a valid reason, Ms. Hawthorne!" Larry said.
"Well, it's true!" Dahlia said. "It's all true! In fact, I'd bet my entire collection of Pokémon manga books that Kay has an alibi for many of the nights the Yatagarasu pulled off a heist!"
"Collection of what? Wait, never mind! I don't suppose you have any proof of an alibi prepared?" Larry said.
The judge banged his gavel. "Excuse me, but what does this 'Yada-yada-su' have to do with the murder trial at hand?"
"It's 'Yatagarasu' Your Honor," Dahlia said.
"The Yatagarasu is a notorious thief who infiltrates various organizations she believes to be involved in underhanded deals," Larry said. "The police have been on her trail for months now."
"The Yatagarasu could be a man!" Dahlia said. "We don't know for sure!"
"Moving on," Larry said. "Whether the defendant is the Yatagarasu or not, she certainly thinks she is. It's quite possible that she came found out about the KB Security information being sold on the black market and decided to investigate it. Which in turn lead to fight between the victim and the defendant, followed by the victim's death."
"So you're saying that's why the defendant was at Bluecorp to begin with?" the judge said.
"Precisely, Your Honor," Larry said.
Redd cleared his throat. "Pardon me, but my I say something?"
"What is it?" the judge said.
"I'd just like to clear up a few things concerning Bluecorp's involvement in all of this," Redd said. "I can't have my company's reputation tarnished by the slanderous misconceptions of one mere thief."
"Are there any objections?" the judge said.
"The prosecution has no objections, Your Honor," Larry said.
Dahlia pondered it for a moment. "The defense has no objections Your Honor. I'd like to hear his testimony on the matter."
"Splendiferous," Redd said.
Phoenix groaned. "If he's going to start talking like that again, I might have an objection or two."
"You and me both," Dahlia said.
Testimony
First of all, I would like to state that Bluecorp had nothing to do with incident surrounding KB Security.
Furthermore, Bluecorp has never been involved in any illegitimate business.
The fact that the victim was killed inside our building was pure coincidence.
No one at Bluecorp had anything to do with the murder.
"Is that all you wanted to say?" the judge said.
"Yes Your Honor," Redd said. "I didn't want Bluecorp's good name scandalized by this trial."
"I suppose I can understand that," the judge said. "Does the defense see any reason to cross-examine this testimony?"
"Yes Your Honor," Dahlia said without a moment's hesitation.
The judge looked surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Yes Your Honor," Dahlia said. "There are a few things I want to clarify through this testimony."
"Very well then, I suppose," the judge said. "You may begin your cross-examination."
Alright, every word that came out of his mouth was a complete lie. Dahlia put her palms on the desk. Let's see what kind of damage I can do to this testimony.
Cross-Examination
First of all, I would like to state that Bluecorp had nothing to do with incident surrounding KB Security.
Furthermore, Bluecorp has never been involved in any illegitimate business.
The fact that the victim was killed inside our building was pure coincidence.
"Hold it!" Dahlia said. "How can you be so sure of that?"
"Simple," Redd said. "Mr. DeLite came to Bluecorp every afternoon. For whatever reason, the murderer decided to confront him there."
"But wouldn't it be easier to meet with him outside Bluecorp? His home, perhaps. Or some dark alley?"
"Maybe, maybe not," Larry said. "Remember, the defendant confronted the victim because she wanted to ask questions concerning his illegal ventures. Perhaps the killing happened on the spur of the moment."
"You can't prove that!" Dahlia said.
"Actually, it's quite likely," Larry said. "I apologize to court if I haven't mentioned this earlier, but the revolver used to kill the victim was his own weapon. Meaning the killer probably didn't have a weapon with them in advance."
"Why wasn't this mentioned earlier?" Dahlia said.
"Like I said, I apologize," Larry said, not looking very sorry.
"You see Ms. Hawthorne?" Redd said. "It's even more plausible that the defendant killed the victim."
No one at Bluecorp had anything to do with the murder.
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "That statement is false and I have evidence to prove it!"
Dahlia held up her evidence to the court with conviction.
"Um, Ms. Hawthorne?" the judge said. "I don't see how that evidence is relevant to the case at hand."
"It is incredibly relevant Your Honor!" Dahlia said.
Larry tilted his head to the side like a curious dog. "Is that a thread in a plastic bag?"
"Actually, it's a hair!" Dahlia said. "A pink hair!"
"What's your point, Ms. Hawthorne?" Larry said.
"Think about it," Dahlia said. "When I say 'pink hair,' who's the first person you think of?"
Phoenix scratched his chin, thinking. "Well, I guess it would be April May. Actually, you could've said pink anything and I would've thought of her first."
"What does she have to do with this?" Larry said.
"Oh, that's easy," Dahlia said. "April May is a secretary at Bluecorp."
All the color drained from Larry's face. "How do we know for sure that hair came from April May?"
"Easy, we give to a forensics team," Dahlia said. "Right now."
The judge slammed his gavel. "Have this hair examined post-haste!"
Dahlia gave the bag with the strand of hair to a bailiff.
"Where was this hair found?" Larry said.
"Nick, where exactly did you find that thing again?" Dahlia said.
"At the mall," Phoenix said. "Maybe 10 feet away from where the victim was found."
"At the mall?" Larry said. "Then it makes perfect sense that the hair was found there. Ms. May was a witness at the mall!"
"Objection!" Dahlia said. "Remember the second part? The hair was ten feet away. Was Ms. May allowed to get anywhere near that close to the crime scene?"
"Well then since you're proposing that the hair belonged to Ms. May, why don't you tell us how you think it got there?" Larry said,
"It's simple really," Dahlia said. "Where was Ms. May exactly when the police arrived at the scene?"
"According to the reports, she was on the escalator," Larry said.
"Alright, so she was well beyond 10 feet away by then." Dahlia said. "And she wasn't able to get that close after the police showed up. So by that logic she was nearby the victim before the police showed up, wouldn't you agree?"
"Are you saying Ms. May killed Mr. DeLite?" Redd said.
"No, but she's far from innocent," Dahlia said. "The defense proposes that April May was an accomplice to the murder! Specifically, she was involved in the plot to move the body to the mall!"
"What?" Larry said, completely shocked.
Dahlia pounded her desk. "Here's what happened! The victim went into the old storage room the day he was murdered. Perhaps it had something to do with the KB Security deal."
"I told you-" Redd started to say.
"I'm far from finished Mr. White!" Dahlia said, cutting him off. "When Ron DeLite entered the room, he was confronted by Kay Faraday. She wanted to learn more about the KB Security scandal. But Mr. DeLite was uncooperative, leading to a fight. But then Kay noticed the security camera, and realized that it would record everything. Including any shady business transactions. So she left the room. Soon after, Redd White appeared."
Redd looked appalled. "Why on Earth would-"
"Still talking, Mr. White!" Dahlia said. "Mr. White and Mr. DeLite exchanged words, and for whatever reason the same thing happened. Things got physical. Only this time, there were more permanent results. The CEO strangled Mr. DeLite, took his gun, pushed him back, and shot him. Mr. White couldn't just leave the body; that would create too many problems for him. So he hid the body using an office cart and had his secretary set up a quick getaway."
Redd began sweating. "Now hold on-"
"Would you cut it out with these outbursts already?" Dahlia said. "Now, let's get back to Kay for a minute. While Redd was leaving the room with the victim, she came back into the storage room. Not wanting Mr. White to get his hands on the security video, she hid the tape before rushing after them. She left the building and saw a payphone nearby. As she dialing to call the police for help-"
"You mean the defendant is the one who left the anonymous message?" Larry said.
"Yes, she did!" Dahlia said. "But as she was calling, Mr. White was already getting in the car Ms. May had pulled out front. So her messafe was short and cryptic. She knew they were heading to the mall though, which is why the police officer on the other end of the line thought that's where the crime had occurred."
"But I keep trying to say-" Redd's eyes were bloodshot.
"And I keep trying to say," Dahila said. "That when you and Ms. May arrived at the mall, you discreetly carted the body into the mall and dumped it. You then had Ms. May stay in the area to be a 'witness' and report the next person that walked by! That's when Kay appeared, and soon after, the police!"
Dahlia slammed her desk vehemently. "It was all so you could hide your dirty secret! You were the one the Ron DeLite sold the KB Security information to, and you killed him for it!"
Redd was panting now.
"Alright, I'm done talking now," Dahlia said. "Is there anything you want to say now?"
Redd was a nervous wreck, but not speechless. "Evidence! You have to evidence to support that ludicrous theory of yours!"
"Wrong!" Dahlia said. "There is evidence! It's been staring us in the face the whole time!"
"What are you talking about?" Larry said. "Show us this evidence!"
"I can't," Dahlia said. "You've got the remote control!"
"The what?" Redd and Larry said in unison.
"The defense formally requests that the prosecution press the 'play' button," Dahlia said. "So that we can see the rest of the surveillance video!"
Larry's jaw opened in surprise.
"Well?" Dahlia said. "It's your move Butz! Don't keep everyone waiting!"
We've waited long enough. This is for you, Aunt Misty. Dahlia looked Redd with eyes that burned like acid.
The judge slammed his gavel. "Let us see the rest of this footage immediately!"
"No! Wait, you can't!" Redd said.
Almost in a daze, Larry pressed the play button.
On screen, Kay looked at the camera, then fled the scene.
"Stop the video!" Redd said.
Moments later, a purple-haired man in a pink suit appeared. Soon after, Ron DeLite appeared, touching his forehead. The two men started talking.
"Stop it! Enough!" Redd yelled. But the video continued.
Suddenly, Redd lunged at Ron, grabbing him by the throat.
"NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Redd screamed.
In the video, Redd grabbed the revolver in Ron's holster. He let go of Ron, who dizzily stepped back. Redd aimed the gun and pulled the trigger.
On the witness, Redd was still screaming. Finally, his face turned blue and he passed out.
A couple people dragged Redd out of the courtroom, assumingly heading for a medic's office. Dahlia gave Kay an encouraging smile, and the young girl moved over to the stand where she would receive her final verdict. She wore a big smile on her face.
"Well, at this point it's merely a formality," the judge said. "But one that must be done. This court finds the defendant, Kay Faraday, not guilty!"
The judge resoundingly slammed his gavel, bringing the trial to an end.
It's finally over. Dahlia took in a breath, and her heart felt lighter.
"Dahlia?" Phoenix said. "Are you okay?"
"I'm great," Dahlia said. "Why?"
"You're crying," Phoenix said.
Dahila rapped his arm and sniffed. "Shut up."
Larry looked like he had just been hit by a truck. "I lost. Again. To you."
He combed through his hair with his fingers. "Just… Don't say 'Stupid says what' again… please. I won't say 'what' anyway…"
Phoenix took in breath to speak.
"Don't say it," Larry said.
7-9-18-11-19. = Girls.
9 space 8-1-20-5 space 25-15-21. = I hate you.
21-14-3-1-11-11-5-4 space 6-15-18! = Uncalled for!