A/N: Orion Fowl here with part 2 of the Turnabout Shadow grand finale! Its the final showdown against the Shadow, so prepare yourselves! Its time for femslash!
Chapter 10, part 2: The final gamble
As Athena shut down the Mood Matrix, her body trembled as she tried to restrain herself from attacking right then and there. "Now, is the testimony Logan just gave the testimony of someone that's impartial?" she asked Judge Courtney.
"It is clear that witness harbors some degree of ill will towards the defendant," She said after much thought. "However, it does not change that his accusations are supported by facts that the defendant herself has admitted to being true. Likewise, the defense has yet to truly overturn the decisive evidence provided by the Prosecution. I'm afraid that I cannot accept the defendant's alibi as long as she cannot provide an impartial corroborator."
There goes one of our only advantages. Are we going to be okay?
"HOLD IT! Would I count as impartial?"
Wait-Dad?
Indeed, her father was standing up from his place in the gallery.
"Prosecutor Newman. As the defendant's father I'm afraid I couldn't accept your word either," Judge Courtney said.
"And if I spoke as a Prosecutor?" He asked. "I will state under oath that I picked up my daughter from her girlfriend's house at 8:30 p.m., and I have a gas receipt from that day. She was there since at least 7:45 p.m., and it takes an hour to reach the Woods residence. Penalize my record as a Prosecutor if you don't think this is good enough."
"I hope you realize you're already skating on very thin ice, Prosecutor Newman."
Much to Robin's relief Judge Courtney accepted her Dad's testimony regardless.
"However, the next person to move from their seat in the gallery shall be held in contempt of court," She added.
"This changes nothing," Prosecutor Blackquill said as Mr. Newman sat back down. "So the defendant did leave the school campus. That still leaves the time before 7:45 p.m. unaccounted for, and an artist of her caliber wouldn't need much time to commit the crime, given the fury evident in her strokes. "
"Of course Simon would find some way plug that hole in his case," Athena grumbled under her breath.
"No, it changes something."
With her dad establishing a timeline, he had allowed Robin a way to start the final showdown. It was now or never if she wanted to expose the Shadow.
"We haven't explored the possibility of the crime being committed after I left school. I stand by my claim that someone framed me," She said. "It was just a question of who, and why. Now I know. The sender of the notes is also the person that is framing me for this crime. And that person-"
Robin pointed at her prey in full force.
"Is none other than you, Logan Sullivan!"
"You're….You're accusing the witness?" Judge Courtney asked in disbelief.
*fwish* Robin felt something pass within inches of her face.
"Heed my warning, Newman-dono," Prosecutor Blackquill said. "If you began to bluff like a defense attorney I will strike you down."
"Aim that blade of yours at Logan," Athena suggested. "After all, if you look at Logan as a culprit some of the case's constant mysteries began to make sense."
"Like the mysterious glove markings," Robin explained. "Or the unnatural fingerprints on my hammer, which can be explained by the real culprit grabbing a hammer not knowing I used it for sculpting. Most of all, the fact that Logan just so happened to witness me heading towards the crime scene and just so happened to find it the next morning. If he's the culprit, then it all becomes part of his plan!"
Logan shook his head, a pitying smile on his face. "So I express a desire to see a proper verdict be passed down and you choose to accuse me? I'm actually impressed by your desperation, Newman. Except you don't have a shred of evidence I wanted to do anything of the kind."
"Eh heh heh heh, about that. Let's recall the testimony the witness just gave. Focus on his bitter feelings towards me, and that desire to see justice. Here's a piece of evidence that lines up with that testimony."
Robin presented the Shadow's notes to the court with a flourish. "The person who gave me these notes also expressed a desire to see justice done on me. In their last note, they also bid me farewell, and that was promptly before I was arrested."
Judge Courtney read through the notes. "Similarities do exist between the notes and the testimony, but as evidence it is rather thin. What are you saying the witness was trying to accomplish?"
Okay, far so good. I just need one more piece of evidence to help establish Logan's motive.
"At Themis Legal Academy one rule is drilled into our heads above all others," Robin said as she presented the Themis leaflet. "'If you commit any crime, no matter how small, you will be expelled. Taking the third note I found the morning of the crime into consideration, it all becomes clear: this crime was committed for the sole purpose of framing me with it!"
"ARRGGHHH!" Prosecutor Blackquill screamed.
"So that's the game you want to play, Newman." Logan said, contempt clear on his expression. "Then I will have no choice but to defend myself. Judge Courtney, may I give one last testimony?"
Judge Courtney was looking distinctly unimpressed with Logan. "You may. You have a lot of explaining to do."
"Thank you. Newman, as the future Chief Prosecutor I will prove your logic for the underhanded sham it is!"
Testimony: Newman's nonsense logic
I committed the crime based on events almost four months ago?
That doesn't make a shred of sense.
The first of those notes demand a breakup of a relationship unrelated to me.
But someone in Newman's circle of friends would have a stronger motive.
Then there's Newman's evidence. Wait, she still hasn't presented anything meaningful.
Just circumstantial evidence that she invents scenarios of whole cloth with.
Newman can't connect me to those notes because anyone could have sent them.
As such, her motive for me evaporates like the fantasy it really is.
Leaving only the truth in its wake: Newman is desperate to save her own skin, as always.
These are the immutable facts of this case, as supported by the true evidence.
End Testimony
"I will make this perfectly clear right now: if you do not prove Logan's involvement in the crime during the next cross-examination, this line of questioning will be dismissed." Judge Courtney said firmly.
"I don't think they can prove something with non-existent evidence." Logan said, having regained his cool demeanor from the start of the trial.
"We'll just see about that." Athena turned to Robin. "This is it. They don't know that we still have all our evidence from our Shadow investigations. Wear Logan down then smack him in the face with our secret weapon!"
The janitorial staff schedule that Juniper got for us. Even when she's not by my side she still helps me. So I can't let all her hard work go to waste! I have to bust Logan here and now!
"You may now begin the final cross-examination."
Okay, If I have this right after Juniper's trial last October Logan began to dislike me, and something that happened recently caused him to snap and commit all these crimes. If the notes are anything to go by its the fact that I started dating Juniper, but I don't think I can prove that. So I have to prove that he was at the crime scene instead.
Robin found herself in the mindset not of a defense attorney, but of a Prosecutor on the prowl of her prey. She needed to ensnare her suspect, and what better than to get him to talk until he provided enough rope to hang himself?
"HOLD IT! If just anyone could have dropped those notes off in my locker, then I wouldn't have accused you!"
"And if that was the case, then why wasn't I a suspect until now?" Logan said as he sneered at Robin.
The sound of the Judge's gavel got them both to stop talking. "Before we go any further in this line of questioning, can someone clarify how the lockers at Themis Academy function?"
Athena seized the chance that presented itself and presented the Locker Mechanisms data, taking the time to explain the lock and its two opening methods.
"Before the defense gets carried away," Logan appended, "May I remind them that the lockers have several vertical slits perfect for slipping in a note?"
"If that is the case, I shall add that to the official testimony," Judge Courtney said.
The statement went uncontested and was integrated into the testimony.
So far so good. Time for the first strike!
"Funny you should mention those slats...OBJECTION!"
"I do hope the evidence you present will actually hold up." Prosecutor Blackquill said dryly.
"Eh heh heh heh, I have you covered fine," Robin said. "Now, after the first note there wasn't much of a police investigation since they couldn't find evidence. So with the Principal's approval, I set a trap. I taped a piece of paper inside my locker over those slats, one that as of two days ago when I found the last note does not have any tears."
"Oh, is that the trap Juniper told me about," Logan said, his voice cracking up.
Looks like having the paper blend in with the locker door paid off.
Prosecutor Blackquill immediately caught onto the implications. "And you can support this allegation?"
"S-u-r-e. Have some pictures!"
The relevant pictures were passed around to Judge Courtney and Blackquill.
"The paper made it impossible to slip anything in my locker through my slats," Robin said, "And yet notes found their way inside anyway. This isn't something just anyone could accomplish!"
The crowd in the gallery went into a loud chatter, forcing Judge Courtney to have to manage them once again.
Robin continued to ride the momentum. "Not only is this a blatant contradiction of the witness's testimony, but it begs the question: just how did the notes get inside?"
"Don't think you can push your insane theory that easy!" Logan interrupted. "All someone would have to do is have access to your I.D. card. Then they could access your locker easily, like you're friend Hugh."
"You mean this I.D. card?" Robin said as she produced it from her pocket. "The one I've had since I was arrested yesterday? If someone else like Hugh had it, then I wouldn't have it right now. At least, that's what the detention center footage says if you want to see it."
"Thats-well-AGGGHHHH!" Logan screamed.
"So if the my I.D. card is out, who else could have gotten inside? Only someone with access to the keys to the manual lock like a janitor," Robin said. "And that's something our witness here just happens to be!"
"SILENCE!"
Prosecutor Blackquill began to scratch Taka's neck, seemingly unconcerned with with the trial. Finally, he spoke.
"It seems the defendant overestimated the ground she had to stand on, and found herself over the edge instead. Who knows? Maybe she will use her lofty fancies to achieve flight."
As Blackquill laughed at his own joke Robin prepared herself for the next assault.
"Just what do you mean by that?" Athena asked.
"Newman-dono's strategy is a good one. Play the part of the fragile maiden, then slay your foe with a concealed blade. But her sword is still so untempered. For she has yet to substantiate her claims, or even connect this to the crime at hand."
"What about my claim isn't sound?"
"You claim that only a janitor could have accessed the locker," Prosecutor Blackquill said, "But that does not point to our witness specifically. Nor does it necessarily mean that the notes and the vandalism crime are one and the same."
"Thank you for clearing that up," Logan said, having recovered slightly, "So just because a janitor might have committed the crime doesn't mean it was me. I can state that in full confidence."
"So does the defense have any evidence to overturn this statement?" Judge Courtney asked.
This is it. Its time to play our ace in the hole.
"As it happens, we do have evidence," Robin said, matching the confidence Logan was giving off. "Logan claims we have nothing pointing to him, specifically. Well, we have here the janitorial staff schedule."
Robin felt an exhilarating feeling of satisfaction as she watched the confidence vanish from Logan's face. "...Come again? Just how did you get your hands on that?"
"Juniper was nice enough to get it from the school principal yesterday," Robin explained cheerily, "As part of our investigation. I'd like the court to look at who was working on the school campus the day of the crime."
Words failed both Judge Courtney and Simon Blackquill as they read through the schedule.
Robin took the chance to fill the silence with her take on the evidence. "That's right! None other than Logan himself was working alone at the school the night the crime was committed!"
"GAHHHHH! You….you really want to pin this on me!" Logan exclaimed.
"Say what you want, but if this was irrelevant then I'm guessing you wouldn't have kept this from the judge and the prosecution." Athena pointed out.
Judge Courtney was the first to recover. "Witness! explain yourself at once!"
"I don't have to explain what I do during my job," Logan said simply. "And wasn't the defendant talking about pinning the notes on me?"
"I was, which is why that schedule also covers the last couple of weeks," Robin explained. "Every time I got a note, Logan just so happened to be working. The last note was even the day before the crime. Once is one thing, twice might be a coincidence. But t-h-r-e-e times is a clear pattern!"
"And if we look at the day of the crime, the court will notice that Logan had a shift starting at nine that night and ending at two the next morning," Athena continued. "Which clears up how the crime scene could have gone undiscovered for several hours. Logan committed the crime, then 'discovered' it at his own leisure!"
Logan's hand were almost mechanically tearing pages from his textbook at this point.
"Do you really think that thin explanation is going to be enough? What about evidence? How is there no sign of me at the crime scene?"
"This is where we get into the meat of it," Robin said. "And it answers why Logan choose to commit this crime as a janitor. First, it gave him access no regular student would have with the keys to the lockers, so he could take my items and drop a note inside while he was at it. As Athena said, it also gave him all the time he would need to do what he needed to do. And finally, there's the matter of evidence, the one sticking point throughout this trial. Why could we never find a trace of him? Well, as a janitor all he had to was destroy any evidence connected to him while on the job! Which also clears up why we found glove markings on the items used in the crime! Logan himself left them there then tried to erase them!"
"SILENCE! Then answer me this." Prosecutor Blackquill slammed his fists down on the bench. "Why is this witness standing here before us? Would he not draw unneeded attention to himself?"
"That risk certainly exists, true," Robin conceded. "But let's review all his actions. He suspected me as the culprit the moment he saw on the crime scene. He reported this to the police and the investigation panned out his suspicions. Then he agreed to be a witness. Since he's the one who planted the evidence, he knew full well what the police would find! He was manipulating things from the very start!"
"And that's not all," Athena added. "Prosecutor Blackquill being in charge of the case was a happy accident. But every time we've alluded to another person committing the crime, Logan interrupts us and pushes Robin as the culprit with a new angle. He even went so far as to bring up her involvement in a completely unrelated case that Blackquill happened to have also been involved in! We also know from that testimony that Logan bears a lot of anger towards Robin. There's only one scenario where all this makes sense: if Logan were the true culprit this entire time!"
The courtroom fell completely silent.
"Are you done?" Logan asked, shaking slightly but otherwise calm.
"Huh? How can still deny your guilt when we've just outlined your crime to everyone in court?" Robin asked.
"Because as I've said earlier," Prosecutor Blackquill answered, looking just as unruffled. "No evidence at the crime scene points solely to this witness."
"That was going to be our next line of attack," Robin said despite the sinking feeling in the stomach. "We could dust the key ring to the lockers for his fingerprints."
"OBJECTION! That's not going to work," Logan said. "After all, as the defendant herself pointed out I wear gloves while I work. But that doesn't mean I handled anything at the crime scene either."
"Well, what about the cleaning supplies you had with you? The inside of my locker smelled of cleaner fluid so you must of been inside it at some point."
"Once again, that's only a possibility," Logan countered. "Moreover, good luck finding the exact supplies I used that night. The school cleans supplies like mops and such very thoroughly."
The sinking feeling in Robin's stomach steadily got worse. "Then maybe a supervisor can give testimony on your actions that night."
"Now you're just grasping at straws," Logan sneered. "I do report to a supervisor, but that's the only time he sees me the entire shift before I get off it. The schedule you already presented says as much. You truly have nothing to pin this crime on me."
No-NO WAAAAAYYYYY!" Athena and Robin screamed simultaneously.
"So then, does the defense truly have no evidence to present?" Judge Courtney asked, getting ready to put an end to the cross examination.
"Give us a minute, Your Honor!" Athena said quickly. "Just one more chance!"
"I'm not sure there's sufficient reason to allow any more chances," Judge Courtney said softly.
"You should have listened to me earlier, Newman," Logan said. "There's no decisive evidence against me at the crime scene because none exists."
Robin steamed in frustration. There has to be something. Anything!
She looked over the photo of the crime scene. As she glared at the message painted on the lockers Logan's words echoed in her head.
No evidence at the crime scene….but does it have to be at the crime scene to be decisive?
The painted words mocked her, challenged her to solve the underlying riddle.
But if it's not at the crime scene, then where is it?
Her eyes were drawn to the streams of dried paint that trailed from the words.
The words were painted on the lockers. Quite savagely at that. And whenever you paint something-
All at once, Robin realized exactly what they hadn't mentioned yet.
That's it! The answer's been in front of us this whole time!
Robin retreated into her mind and mentally observed all the information she had.
Let's go over everything we've learned. Logan is the Shadow, and the culprit of these crimes. But we need to prove this with decisive evidence.
First things first. When did he commit the crime?
Right after class
During his work shift
The next morning
It had to be during his work shift. The paint was dry in the morning, and he didn't stick around after class according to his testimony. All the evidence and testimony points to this, and I don't think I want to fight it.
What's important about this? What's would be different about the fact that Logan was at work when he committed the crime?
What he had with him
What he was wearing
The time of the crime
Both the time and his possessions I've already suggested as possibilities. Nothing less than hard evidence will be accepted at this point. But we've never discussed what he was wearing.
If he was working, that means he had a custodial uniform on. Which means he had it on when he committed the crime. So what does that mean? What evidence can I connect to the uniform?
The notes
The paint
The hammer
The paint. If Logan committed the crime, that means that he had to have gotten paint on himself and by extension, the uniform.
But given how Logan's been able to deflect every accusation so far, he might have expected this. If he didn't have the uniform washed, then he probably has a story ready.
Washed or not, let's say we find traces of paint on his work uniform. What's special about the paint that Logan can't just explain away?
What it's made of
The brand
The fact that it's mine
The first two points are circumstantial as long as there's nothing to connect them to regarding this crime. And the one fact that connects the first two and everything else about this crime is that:
The paint used in the crime belongs to me.
The paint used in the crime came from my locker, which only the true culprit should be able to access. Logan had both the means and the time to commit the crime. So if it's on Logan's uniform - then we've got him right where we want him!
The sound of Judge Courtney's gavel brought Robin back to her senses.
"The defendant will kindly pay attention to the proceedings!" Judge Courtney snapped.
"So sorry, Your Honor! I just remembered something very important I wanted to ask the witness and I wanted to make sure I knew what I wanted to ask."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Logan immediately raise his guard.
"If the defendant believes she has something new to add, I can allow it," Judge Courtney said.
"Where's the work uniform you wore on the day of the crime, Logan?" Robin asked, deciding not to waste time now that she had the go ahead.
The worried look on Logan's face relaxed slightly. "Its at home, in the dirty laundry hamper. Chances are my mom has washed it by now, and whether she has or hasn't doesn't matter in the end. I know what you're trying to do, Newman, and it won't work."
"Oh? What do you think I'm trying to do?"
"You're about to say that my uniform might have some paint on it, and therefore I was at the crime scene. But that's just simply not true," Logan explained in an incredibly condescending tone. "As I've already explained, I'm a janitor. I get covered in all kinds of filth on a fairly regular basis, and paint is one of them. So even if the uniform I wore that day happened to have paint on it, its no more proof than anything else you've tried to present up until this point."
Ah hah! So Logan really does believe he can just explain everything away. If all goes well I have a nasty surprise waiting for him.
Judge Courtney banged her gavel impatiently. "If I find you're wasting the court's time again, I will have no choice but to end the cross-examination and dismiss the witness."
Athena picked up Robin's train of thought and followed up on it.
"Okay then, let's call Logan's mom on his cell phone and ask her to explain to the court what he looked like the night of the crime and if the uniform he wore has been washed or not. Just so we can see where we can go from there." She said. "I presume the Prosecution has no problem with this?"
The Prosecutor in question looked almost bored at this point.
"Do as you wish. I shall wait for the defendant to wear herself out so I can finally cut her down."
Robin decided to ignore the birdman's threat and asked Logan to give his phone to the Judge.
Logan handed his cell phone over without protest to Judge Courtney, who dialed a number before putting the phone on speaker. Everyone in the courtroom fell into a hush as the dial tone rang.
"Hello, Logan. I'm in the middle of work right now but I'll try and give as much time as I can."
"Mrs. Sullivan, this is Judge Courtney. Your son is an important witness in the current case, and a question just came up concerning his whereabouts. What did your son look like when you picked him up from work two days ago?"
"Two days ago? Oh! He had splattered some red paint on his uniform. He told me he had to clean the art room that night and had an accident."
"Is that so? Have you washed the uniform yet?" Judge Courtney asked without changing her tone or expression.
" Logan asked me to but I haven't. I take Logan's work uniforms to the dry cleaning on Saturdays along with my own, since I work as a janitor at Themis as well. But I did have one of his school uniforms pressed clean because I heard he was going to appear in court today. Why do you ask?" Mrs. Sullivan said.
"Huh. So that's why she had this uniform cleaned instead of the work one." Logan noted casually despite the sweat that started dripping down his brow.
"I'd like to ask you to bring the work uniform from two days ago to the Criminal Affairs department. That uniform is a very important piece of evidence in the case." Judge Courtney ordered.
"There, are you satisfied?" Logan asked after he got his phone back. "I was cleaning the art room, and I got a bit clumsy. That's all that happened."
"The witness brings up an excellent point," Judge Courtney said as she glared down at Robin and Athena. "Or do you have a piece of evidence that contradicts this? I warn you now that you've reached the end of my patience. If your evidence does not decisively overturn the Prosecution's case, I won't hear anymore arguments on the matter. Do you have evidence that proves the importance of the paint on Logan's uniform?"
Athena turned to face Robin, seemingly unconcerned with the ultimatum. "Well Robin, looks like we've been cornered by Simon and Logan's logic," she declared cheerfully. "But I think we might have something to show them."
Robin was feeling very bubbly herself. They had reached the end of the road, and all that was left was to take all testimony and evidence that had been presented up until now and center it all around a single focal point.
"My final piece of evidence is something we've all overlooked because we've spent so much time focusing on other details." Robin explained. "But without those other details this evidence wouldn't be as powerful. And that's because my final piece of evidence is...this!"
She presented the bottle of her paint that had been shown at the very beginning of the trial.
"The reason I'm the primary suspect of this crime is because everything that was used in the crime belongs to me, and has my fingerprints on it. That includes the paint used in the crime. The bottle of paint came from my locker, and my paint is nothing like the paint that's provided by the school. Am I right?"
Prosecutor Blackquill smirked. "Indeed. Are you finally ready to surrender and admit defeat?"
"You've completely lost your mind, Newman." Logan sneered. "What does your paint have to do with...my…"
Logan's entire posture collapsed as his expression filled with panic, his mind catching up with the implications of his statement.
"GAAAAAAGGHHHH! This-this can't be!"
"I think Logan already knows where we're going with this," Athena said. "Maybe he'd like to share with us what's he's just learned?"
"SILENCE!"
"The burden of proof is on the defense," Prosecutor Blackquill reminded them. "Or do you believe your opponents will execute themselves?"
"Have it your w-a-y," Robin said, unwilling to let Blackquill derail her momentum. "Its simple. If Logan isn't the culprit, then he shouldn't have my paint on his uniform."
"That's n-not necessarily true!" Logan stammered, slowly becoming more unwound. "After all, there is no way to prove when the paint got on the uniform, or if it's even yours!"
"But there is!" Robin said perkily. "For the first point, all we need to do is recall earlier testimony."
"Two pieces of testimony, to be precise." Athena continued. "Logan earlier said that he left school right after classes ended. A few minutes ago, his mom said he came back from work splattered in paint. These testimonies indicate that the only time Logan could have gotten paint on his uniform was while he was at work, long after Robin had left school. Because if his mom is to be believed, he left for school completely spotless!"
"AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!" Prosecutor Blackquill screamed as he felt the case slipping out of his hands.
"And I just said, that doesn't matter!" Logan countered. "Because there is no way to prove where the paint on my uniform came from!"
"T-h-a-t is where the second point comes in," Robin said. "You claim that the paint is from the Art Room. Tell me, Logan. How much do you know about paint?"
"Not that much," he admitted. "Since I find art irrelevant to becoming a prosecutor. But paints of the same color would be made the same, right?"
"Wrong!" Robin declared cheerfully. "The paint from my locker is a brand I personally use so I can paint wherever I go. But its not as high quality as the kind the Themis Art Club provides. So it stands to reason that the two paints are made differently."
Robin slammed her hands down on the bench and glared right into Logan's panicked eyes.
"And since we've just established that you could have only gotten the uniform dirty while at work, the paint can only be either my paint, which was used in the crime, or the paint from the Art Room as you claim. How about we have the paint analyzed so we can so see which it is?"
"Hold on! Who's to say I didn't smear some of your paint on my uniform after I came upon the crime scene? After all, I was pretty close to it and the paint hadn't been completely dry. That much I do know."
"It seems the time has come for the final strike," Simon noted, having recovered from the earlier shock. "How do you respond to this final question, Newman-dono?"
Robin shook her head, a confident grin still on her face. Next to her, Athena saw what she was about to do and nodded in approval. As a both struggling artist and a budding prosecutor, it was finally time for Robin to strike down Logan, the enemy they had spent all this time chasing, and put an end to his scheme once and for all.
"Ah ha ha ha! I'll responded with an art lesson!" She exclaimed. "Now, Logan claims that he could have smeared my paint on himself from the crime scene, presuming the paint hadn't been totally dry when he got to it. Buuuut, that contradicts the testimony his mom gave. She said the paint had been splattered on the uniform. There's an important difference between a smear and a splatter, and it will crack this case wide open!"
"Oh? Educate us on this difference then." Judge Courtney said.
"A smear is just a single stain," Robin explained. "While a splatter is a bunch of random splotches. A splatter isn't something you can just get by rubbing yourself on paint, more so if the splatter covers a wide area. If the paint on Logan's uniform is in a splatter pattern like I just described, then that means he was near the lockers as they were being painted. But given all the testimony and evidence we've reviewed this trial, there's only one way that's possible: if he was the one who vandalized the lockers!"
The crowd in the gallery went wild as Simon was once against lost composure and Logan frantically flipped through his textbook for an answer to save himself.
After Judge Courtney calmed down the gallery Logan looked up at Robin, a wild and desperate look on his face.
"What about the notes!" He screamed. "Your case rests on them being connected to the vandalism, but surely even you can't prove that!"
"Funny you should fall back on those notes. The work schedule says that you were the only person with a shift at the school that night," Robin said. "Which means you're the only one that could have vandalized the lockers as proved by the paint on your uniform. But consider the fact that the third and final note from the person that's been harassing me was found the next morning. Since all three notes are from the same person, that means only one person could be behind them, and therefore the vandalism: you, Logan Sullivan!"
Logan cradled his head in his arms, staring into the witness stand in despair.
"I-no, this isn't happening. I can't….I can't….I can't explain this!"
"OBJECTION!"
"Then allow me. There's no more evidence you can manipulate. No testimony you can invent out of thin air. No one else to hide behind. Logan Sullivan-"
Robin drew her arm back and pointed at Logan with everything she had, then shouted at the top of her lungs:
"This is the end of the line for you!"
Logan's entire body began trembling violently.
"It just-it just had to be you. The one that's been in my way for all this time. The one who stole her heart-and now the one that's destroyed my dream. It just had to be you, New-New-New-"
Logan gripped the witness stand, threw his head back and screamed,
"NNNNNNEEEEEEWWWWWMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN!"
Logan abruptly began slamming his face into the textbook in front of him, a dull noise echoing across the silent courtroom with each impact.
"You-*THUD*You've stolen everything from me!*THUD* All the work I've spent trying to reach the top of the class*THUD*, of reaching my dream of becoming Chief Prosecutor*THUD*-its all gone! Its all gone*THUD* *THUD*-all because of you, Newman! *THUD* *THUD* *THUD*"
Logan stopped slamming his head and glared hatefully at Robin, his eyes wide behind his now broken glasses.
"It doesn't matter what you prove! I'm going to take you down….if its the last thing I do! Its the only way-the only way I can fulfill my promise…."
Logan's self abuse took its toll, as he swayed slightly before collapsing backwards onto the courtroom floor.
October 27, 2027.
You need to take your mind off of it, Logan. You've been pissed off since the trial ended.
You saw it too, Lisette! I've been studying to become a Prosecutor for as long as I can remember. Ever since we made that promise to each other. But that girl-the top student. She doesn't care at all! She's exactly the kind of person we're trying to stop!
You mean Robin Newman? Not going to lie, I've never seen someone admit to lying so shamelessly and care so little about school. But is that really all there is to it? Is that why we're at this concert instead of at home studying?"
The sound of a young woman's voice, dulcet and clear, filled the air.
"Pleasure, Pleasure~. But a fleeting memory~."
"Ah! You got me. I wanted to make sure that Juniper was okay…."
"Why don't you just ask her out?"
"Its-! You know what? You're right. I need to at least try. But I've never asked anyone out before. I don't think I even know where to start…."
"Well, does she have a gal pal you can get in the good graces of so you can get closer to Ms Woods?"
"Only Newman. I really don't want to talk to her if I don't have to do so."
"Well you can try. Look on the bright side. If you can talk to someone like her you'll be that much closer to talking to Ms. Woods."
"Okay….I'll try."
Feb 11
District Court - Courtroom No. 2
A report was handed to Prosecutor Blackquill, who looked over it.
"The analysis on the work uniform is complete. Not only was the red paint in a splatter pattern as the defendant described, but it perfectly matched the paint used in the crime."
"And how is the witness fairing?"
"According to the medics, the witness is awake and mentally sound. He has confessed to everything. Three counts of harassment, two counts of vandalism, creating false evidence, and perjury: for all these crimes Logan Sullivan has been arrested."
"Did Logan say why he did all this?" Athena asked.
Simon smirked. "There's no need to ask. Everything he told me you already know, through the notes and testimony: he was driven by a bottomless well of resentment, rage, and envy towards the defendant, for reaching the top when he couldn't. However, he did tell me something interesting. He told me he should never gone to the defendant for dating advice. He would tell me no more after that."
So that really is what started all this. Robin thought to herself. What Logan was referring to was their very first conversation over a month ago.
"If you want to ask someone out, how would you go about doing so?" he had asked her at the time.
Not too long after that, Robin had received the very first note from the Shadow. Given this and everything else that happened after, Robin had a pretty good idea of who Logan had wanted to ask out: Juniper Woods.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Juniper shrink into herself as she arrived at the same conclusion.
"During the trial of Ms. Woods, I could have pressed perjury charges, but I didn't," Prosecutor Blackquill said. "Would you like to know why?"
When Robin nodded her head he continued. "I felt it would be an injustice to cut down ones as young and full of potential as yourselves. Today I see I was wise to do so. Continue on the path of the Prosecutor, Newman-dono. Perhaps we shall meet again."
"It is a shame to see one so young, but so filled with resentment and anger like Mr. Sullivan," Judge Courtney said. She shook her head ruefully. "Some unanswered questions remain, but one matter has been made very clear: the defendant's role in the vandalism crime. Will the defendant Robin Newman please take the stand?"
Robin did so, facing Judge Courtney with a growing feeling of apprehension in her chest.
"We almost committed an unforgivable wrong today because of someone else's abuse of the Law. Regardless of past mistakes, it is clear that you are truly passionate about becoming a Prosecutor, and you have surrounded yourself with people that love you very much."
Her parents, Professor Courte, Hugh, Myriam, Athena, Apollo, and of course her girlfriend Juniper. She had all of them to thank for helping her become the person she was today.
"I know! Isn't it the greatest?" she said, the biggest grin stretching across her face.
Judge Courtney smiled gently and nodded. "May the Goddess of Law bless you all on your path into the courts, whatever they may be. I will now pass my verdict. This court finds the defendant, Robin Newman,"
NOT GUILTY
Cheering and confetti poured from the gallery as Juniper, their friends, and even Robin's parents stood up and applauded fiercely. A feeling of relief permeated Robin's entire being.
It's over. It's finally over.
"Court is adjourned." Judge Courtney slammed her gavel down, the sound of the strike resounding with finality.
February 11, 12:15 p.m.
District Court - Defendant Lobby No. 3
"We did it! We won! So why do you guys look so exhausted?"
Robin certainly felt exhausted as she clutched her celebratory flower bouquet, and Juniper didn't look much better. It was all they could do to remain standing.
"I'm sorry, Athena! Today's just been an emotionally draining day," Robin explained as Juniper made a noise that vaguely sounded like an agreement.
"That's to be expected," Hugh said. "To think that Logan would stoop to the depths he did today. His was a truly twisted plan."
Myriam scribbled practically in the her notebook. "We may have taken him down, but my work hasn't ended, sss sss sss. I need still need to find the connection all this has to the rash of harassing notes Themis has suffered lately aside from the ones Robin got that started all this."
Athena made a V-sign with one of her hands. "Well, if there's a connection you can bet Simon will find it! So no more wallowing in this. Especially you, Junie."
Juniper, looking incredibly down, had drifted into a corner of the room.
"Is this….is this all my fault? If I'd only known how Logan felt….If I h-hadn't talked to him about our investigation-could I have prevented all of this?"
"THAT'S TOTAL NONSENSE, MAANNN!" Robin shouted before she could help herself. "I mean, of course none of this was your fault. Logan made it clear he had a plan that he wasn't going to let anyone stop. Don't beat yourself up about it."
"But still, I should have talked to him sooner. Explained things to him. Then maybe he wouldn't have done all this."
Robin knew that Juniper was trapped in a cycle of self-criticizing, and she knew just the evidence to dispel those doubts. Without further ado she handed the evidence to her girlfriend.
"This is….the interview we did?"
"You've already made things perfectly clear," Robin said, setting aside the flower bouquet and wrapping her arms around her girlfriend. "You were the one who came up with the idea of the interview with Myriam. You let the whole school know we were a couple and if Logan couldn't accept that, that was his problem. What's more, you visited me in my cell. You helped me mend my relationship with my parents. You got the staff schedule from the principal. This whole time, you've been by my side, and I couldn't have caught Logan without you."
"Oh, Robin." Juniper smiled softly as she hugged Robin back. "I'm just glad everything worked out in the end."
The two continued to nuzzle with each other, overjoyed to be together after the events of the past couple of days.
"Ahem. If the two lovebirds don't mind, we have a celebration to get started!" Athena gently reminded them. Juniper and Robin separated from their hug and looked at all their friends.
"You're right, Thena. Oh, and thank you all for helping us!"
"THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!"
"No problem. That's what best friends are all about." Hugh said. "Although, there is one question that still bothers me. The very last thing that Logan said in court was that he had some kind of promise to fulfill that had to do with why he did all this. I wonder what he meant?"
Robin had wondered about that as well. But everything had already drawn to a close.
"Logan's already been arrested. He'll probably go to jail for everything he's done," Robin mused out loud. "And chances are he won't talk to any of us, especially me. So whatever promise he meant is going to jail with him."
"In that case, there's only one thing left to do: find Apollo and get him to treat us all to Eldoon's Noodles! Its the least he can do for missing out on all the action!" Athena said.
"May we come?"
Robin turned towards her mother's voice to see her parents in the doorway of the lounge.
Well, if I'm ever going to forgive my parents, I may as well start now.
"Sure thing! The more the merrier!"
And so, the Shadow incident came to an end. At the time, it seemed like everything had wrapped itself up in a cute little bow.
But there was still a darkness that lay in wait for us. One that would cause an event that made Logan's crimes look petty in comparison.
I'll tell that story later. But if there's one thing I've learned, its to never leave a question unanswered if I can help it.
Arc 2, Turnabout Shadow: End.
A/N: And that is the end of Turnabout Shadow, folks! To celebrate, I have changed my avatar to a case pic someone drew for me. That someone can be found here: . Since this is my first fancase, I'd like to ask my wonderful audience for their honest opinion on how everything went down. Just for fun, how many Ace Attorney villains did Logan Sullivan copy during his breakdown? I hope to see you all back here for the start of Arc 3, where we return to fluffy yuri. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my corner of Romance.