A/N: Time for the second day of investigation! As our defense attorneys search for the truth, several stories head towards their climax. It's time for mystery!

Chapter 24: Lost in a fog of lies

September 25, 2029

Wright Anything Agency

1:00 p.m.

The scene at the Wright Anything Agency was rather similar to the from the previous day: Apollo and Hugh lay resting their heads on their respective desks, while Trucy tried her hardest to motivate them. Except instead of boredom, the two defense attorneys were swamped with exhaustion.

"For her next trick, the lovely magician will need a volunteer," Trucy said, brandishing her Magic Panties. "Will one of you step up?"

Apollo and Hugh remained unresponsive, a distinctly glazed look settling over their faces.

"Okay, now you're both starting to scare me…"

At this, Apollo lifted his head. "Sorry, Trucy. But after the trial we've just had, I'm not sure I can muster up the energy to do much."

"I almost feel like curling up and sleeping for the rest of the week," Hugh added from his side of the office.

"C'mon, guys! Is that really all you can say?" Trucy chastised. "Where are the defense attorneys that tore through the prosecution's arguments just a couple hours ago?"

"Well for one, that's not what actually happened." Apollo said pessimistically.

Hugh looked curiously at Apollo. "What do you mean? We did manage to secure another day, even if we cut it really close."

"Think about it, Hugh. Right up until Juniper interrupted the trial, Robin was leading us by the nose," Apollo answered. "She lead us straight into that trap with the bullet, and if it weren't for Juniper we would have been dead in the water."

Hugh grimaced at this. Normally he would be proud of his best friend for such a masterful play, but it was different when it was directed at him. There was also the question of where the dark mindset she was currently operating under had come from.

Trucy lightly smacked Apollo on the forehead with her wand. "Well as the manager of this agency I'm ordering you to keep investigating this case! For the Athena's sake, if nothing else."

"You're right. I could never face Athena if I couldn't get to the bottom of this. It's time to hit the pavement, starting with having a talk with Logan." Apollo stood up, pumping his fists to get himself motivated again. "Thanks, Trucy. I needed that."

"Someone has to keep you in line with Daddy gone," Trucy teased.

September 25, 2029

Detention Center, Visitor's Room

1:10 p.m.

Thankfully, Logan agreed to meet with his defense team. Less so was his demeanor, hunched shoulders and a grim scowl, which indicated that he was more closed off and angry than he was yesterday.

"We may need to take a slow approach here," Hugh whispered to Apollo. "I have the feeling that one wrong move will set our investigation back."

"Mr. Justice? About the trial today, I'd like to say something."

"Sure, go right ahead." Apollo said, surprised that Logan decided to speak up first.

Logan looked away. "I understand that you both tried your best. You even managed to knock Newman off her game briefly. But I believe that this might be an impossible case to solve."

Apollo shook his head angrily. "If you think that's going to make us stop, you're sorely mistaken. So now I'd like to say a few things to you."

Hugh decided now was the time to intervene, and stepped in front of Apollo. He could feel him simmer, but right now all attention was focused on Logan.

"Tell us more about yourself, Logan. You said that you shared almost everything together with your twin sister. What don't you share with her?"

On the other side of the glass Logan contemplated this. "Hmm...Lissy never watched the Nickel Samurai with me when we were little."

"The Nickel Samurai?" Apollo and Hugh asked at the same time.

Logan nodded. "Her favorite show was always the Mysterious Global Hero Onyankopon, though I never understood why. The Nickel Samurai was so much better."

"What was it about the Nickel Samurai that you liked so much?" Hugh asked, feeling encouraged that Logan was at least talking.

"When it came to heros, the Nickel Samurai was never afraid of doing what needed to be done," Logan said, his eyes sparkling. "Whether it be dispensing justice or getting the girl, he always finds a way."

"That...explains so, so much about you, actually." Apollo said, unable to help himself. Hugh couldn't help but agree- having watched the Nickel Samurai when he was younger, he knew what Logan was talking about.

Logan became somber and reflective. "When the actor that played him got arrested, I didn't want to believe he was guilty.

"The Matt Engarde case!" Apollo exclaimed. That was a case he would never forget reading about, if for no other reason than it being the sole case Mr. Wright had ever lost.

"Exactly. My childhood idol was a murderer," Logan spat out. "It was one of the main reasons I decided to become a prosecutor. To put away false heros like him."

"One of? So there are more reasons." Hugh said. Logan's motives for becoming a prosecutor was always something he had been curious about.

"Does it matter anymore? I'm never going to get a chance to stand in court."

The conversation started falling into a lull, much to the desperation of the defense attorneys. They needed more clarification on their client to help solve the case.

"Earlier in court, when Robin asked you if you held resentment towards Athena you didn't answer," Apollo said. "Why?"

Logan looked away again. "Because in all honesty, just a couple of years ago I wouldn't have cared what happened to Cykes. In fact, her being shot would have made me happy."

"Happy? YOU!"

Apollo almost lunged at Logan, only to be held back by Hugh. As Apollo thrashed about, Hugh decided to keep up the questioning.

"The past tense makes it seem like this would no longer be the case. Do you feel differently about Athena now?"

Logan glared at his defense attorneys. "Why are you asking me all these questions?"

"Well how do expect us to defend you if you don't tell us anything?" Apollo shouted. "We still don't know exactly why you were in the park, or why your fingerprints were on a bullet, or-!"

Logan stood up, his fists shaking. "And what good would any of that do?! It won't give me my life back! Neither of you… could ever hope to understand me, or why I've done everything I've had to do up until now!"

With that he stormed out of the visitor's room. With Logan out of the room Apollo was able to calm down again, which was lucky because both guards in the room were gripping their nightsticks.

"So do all discussions with a client end like that?"

Apollo shook his head. "I could tell you stories about the clients I've had before," He said, thinking about his first two cases. "Though admittedly I think Logan may be the worst I've had yet."

Hugh looked at Apollo curiously. "I don't imagine defense attorneys try to assault their clients often."

"I really lost control there, didn't I?" Apollo said ruefully. "But Athena's my best friend. I can't stand for anyone to talk about her the way Logan did."

He decided not to mention to Hugh he had literally punched his first client, or that the client had been none other than Mr. Wright.

"Let's go, Hugh."

September 25, 2029

Hotti Clinic, Athena's room

1:40 p.m.

Next they decided to stop by the hospital to see if Athena had recovered. Unfortunately, she was still sleeping when they entered the room, so the defense attorneys just observed her. On a nightstand next to Athena's bed, there was a potted sunflower plant.

"Looks like Juniper stopped by before we did," Hugh noted. "I wonder where she is right now?"

"It would be a good idea to track her down as soon as we can." Apollo said. "Giving everything that's been going on she could probably use a friend."

Someone knocked at the door, causing the defense attorneys to turn around. The door opened to reveal Lisette Sullivan at the door.

"Am I glad to see the you two," Lisette said, her words belied by the unimpressed expression on her face. "Just what do you call today's defense? All my coworkers have been mocking how me about how my brother can't even hold a gun straight!"

"You saw all that?" Hugh said nervously.

"Actually, I couldn't catch it," Lisette said sheepishly. "The chief assigned me a shift for this morning, and he didn't care what I told him. I had my fellow officers tell me about it later."

Sorry about that, then," Apollo said. "We're doing our hardest to exonerate Logan, but our investigation is badly lacking information, and he isn't exactly helping."

"I'd better not hear that you've been pressuring Logan too hard!" Lisette pulled the bill of her police cap over her eyes. "Though I admit, my personal investigation hasn't been going much better. Even as a cop there's only so much people will tell you, and I'm still being forced to work. Just when I thought I could finally get a lead…"

"Well, what can you tell us?" Apollo asked. "We could check it out for you."

Lisette saluted the attorneys. "You do a great service! Okay, by the alleyway where the culprit fled a bunch of homeless people like to gather. My co workers told me that a particular man skulks about the very alleyway the culprit fled down."

"Thanks, Lisette! We'll be sure to go question this man right away!"

Lisette's pager vibrated, and she glared at it in frustration. "And that would be my boss again. See you both around!"

Lisette dashed out of the hospital room, with Apollo and Hugh doing the same a minute later.

September 25, 2029

Alleyway

2:00 p.m.

The police were still going through the inside of the alleyway proper, and they didn't allow Apollo and Hugh to investigate. So instead, they waited outside the entry to the alley, and just like Lisette said a man soon came stumbling into the general area.

The man was wearing a burlap sack, dirty shorts, and tattered socks. He was almost bald except for strands of hair that had been dyed green and styled into spikes. His eyes were an angry amber color, and his face narrow and scrunched, as if he held contempt for everything around him.

The moment Apollo lay eyes on the man he instantly recognized him. "Michael Brash!" He blurted out in surprise.

"That's my name, don't wear it out," the man answered, a noticeable slur in his voice. "Hey, wait a second! You're that defense attorney that put me away!"

"You know this man?" Hugh asked Apollo.

"As much as I wish I didn't," Apollo answered. "Remember when Ema was being harassed at work? Michael here was the true culprit."

"Come to think of it, I think that was around the time Logan was active as the Shadow," Hugh said. "I think Robin's trial was the same day that you were defending in a trial."

"The traitor! The traitor that cavorts with the defense!" Michael shouted.

"One of Ema's coworkers was accused of being the one harassing her," Apollo explained. "Athena and I defended him the first day of his trial, and during the second day Athena had to go help you guys take down Logan, so I finished the job."

At Apollo's words Michael started glaring fiercely. "Oh, is that what that lady defense attorney was called? The one that babbled on and on about the voice of my heart? I remember her. She was the one, yes. The one the chief told me Miss Skye was colluding with."

Apollo started rubbing his fingers to his temples, trying to ward off a headache. "Michael claimed that the chief of police ordered him to do all this through notes. But Michael couldn't produce the notes when asked, so chances are he made it all up."

"I put it all on the line to purge the police department," Michael ranted on. "Only to be tossed in the slammer. Now all my worldly possessions are on my back, and the only place I can call home is this alley."

Michael wandered away unsteadily, still shouting into the sky. Hugh watched him leave pensively. "He certainly didn't seem to be happy to see you, or be reminded of Athena. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

The possibility was certainly a tempting one. "Let's keep him in mind. Maybe later we'll have more serious questions to ask him. Though speaking of that incident, we should probably talk to Ema next."

September 25, 2029

Prosecutor's building, Robin's office.

2:10 p.m.

"AHHH! No matter how hard I try, I just can't get this right!"

"Are you sure? This sculpture seems to capture the essence of that tree well to me."

"But Professor Courte, it's absolutely nothing like your sculpture."

"How many times have I told you, Robin? If you spend your entire life chasing after people you'll never be happy, and that includes me. Find what drives you to move forward."

These memories ran through Robin's head as she furiously tore through the different reports that had landed on her desk. Most of them were of subordinates deeply confused about the contradiction that had been opened in the case. One was from Detective Marsh, which simply said, "Sorry about that. I'll make sure to try harder."

Everyone was looking to her to resolve this mess, but Robin was at a total loss. The same thought continued circle in her mind: Losing this case was not an option. Winning this case would mean pulling ahead of Apollo Justice, and once she did that- that would accomplish-

Courte's voice began ringing in her head again, and Robin threw herself into the task before her. It was the only thing that gave her peace right now.

September 25, 2029

Criminal Affairs department

2:20 p.m.

The inside of the building was best described as scarcely organized chaos. Despite this the defense attorneys managed to find Ema Skye and pull her aside.

"I heard you both managed to pull through in today's trial," Ema said by way of greeting. "Not bad considering Robin had you both on her leash."

"Not really a mental image I wanted right now, Ema," Apollo said in exasperation. "We were hoping you could lend us a hand again."

"Sure thing. Visiting Athena in the hospital again has me itching to do something." Ema answered.

There was one piece of evidence that currently formed the noose around Logan's neck. If a new clue were to come from anywhere….

"If you can, I want you to take the gun used in the crime and analyze it," Apollo said. "Use every possible test you can think of."

"As soon as I can find the spare time, I'll do it!" Ema exclaimed. "I will throw everything forensic science has to offer at that gun."

Hugh approached Ema. "How has Robin been doing?"

"She and Detective Marsh have doubled down on their investigation, as you can probably tell," Ema answered as she gestured to the rushing people around her. "From what I've heard, Robin is so badly on edge that no one wants to get near her. I wouldn't recommend approaching her myself."

At this Hugh started to grip at his proof of friendship so tightly it almost looked like he was choking himself. Apollo pulled his hand away but didn't say anything beyond that. A conversation with Robin was inevitable. It was just a matter of preparing for the worst.

"Do you have anything new to tell us about this case? Robin testified to calling the police. What was their involvement?" Apollo asked.

Ema pursed her lips in thought. "According to some reports, about ten beat cops showed up to chase the culprit. But by the time they got there, the shooter had already gone into the alleyway. The cops searched, but the shooter managed to vanish into thin air."

"So do you know when we can search that alley?" Hugh asked.

Ema shook her head. "No, but I'll give Apollo a call when a chance opens up. I'll be sure to be there if forensics are needed."

"Thanks again, Ema. Well, now's as good as time as any to go back to the crime scene."

September 25, 2029

Vitamin Square

2:40 p.m.

While there weren't any police at the crime scene, Apollo did spot Juniper and Detective Marsh discussing with each other. Once they finished their discussion, Detective Marsh spotted Apollo and Hugh and approached them, with Juniper following behind him.

"Hmph. If it isn't the ones with all the answers," John said sardonically. "Hey, why don't you tell us tomorrow's weather, or the lotto numbers."

"No need to be envious at how we managed to investigate better than you," Hugh said coolly.

"Please don't start fighting!" Juniper pleaded. "I've...I've had enough of fighting. *cough cough*"

Right now Juniper was one of the most important people in this case, being a direct eyewitness and already having contributed new information to the case. As such, Apollo decided to address all inquiries to her, even if some only indirectly.

"You both seemed to be talking about really important."

"I was comparing Miss Woods' testimony to the crime scene," Detective Marsh said. "It all lines up."

"And you're sure of what you saw that day, Juniper?" Hugh asked.

"I'm sure. I couldn't forget it even if I wanted to," Juniper answered.

"Then I'd like to ask Detective Marsh permission to do something," Hugh said. "I'd like to reenact the crime here at the crime scene. Detective Marsh can play the shooter, Apollo can play Athena, and Juniper and I can be the witnesses."

Apollo immediately caught onto what Hugh was doing. "That's not a half bad idea. Any objections?"

He carefully observed Juniper as she said this. Even as her breathing grew shallower, she said, "If it gets us to the bottom of this case."

"If Juniper wants to do it, I won't stop her," Detective Marsh said. "I'm not sure what the point of this is, though."

Detective Marsh and Apollo took their places a few feet away from the actual crime scene. John made a finger gun and mimed firing Apollo, while Apollo mimicked Athena's actions sans falling to the ground. Detective Marsh ran outside of the park gate and after a minute Hugh and Juniper walked onto the scene.

"So what we proved today in court was correct," Apollo said. "Even if you copy it physically, the culprit's actions don't make any sense. There's something else going on here."

"But remember, only four people were at Vitamin Square that day," Detective Marsh added. "As far as I can tell there's no evidence to support someone else being here."

"Which just means we'll search that much harder," Hugh said. "New evidence has to be somewhere."

"Um, I know I asked this yesterday," Juniper said suddenly. "But can I investigate with you guys?"

"We'd be more than happy to have you, but why?" Hugh asked.

"When I visited Athena in the hospital, I talked to her," Juniper said. "And even if she couldn't talk balk, I could hear what she would probably say to me. I know that this is the right thing to do."

"If Detective Marsh has nothing to say about it," Apollo said, looking at the man in question.

"I don't need anything else from Juniper," Detective Marsh said. "As far as I'm concerned, she can do whatever she want. I'm not the type to meddle in personal affairs anyways."

He left before anyone could ask him what he meant. Focusing back on the case, Apollo tried to think of where to go next and asked Hugh and Juniper.

"I think we should go to Logan's house," Juniper answered, looking melancholy. "I visited him immediately after the trial and he told me where he lived. I want to learn more about him."

"He is the biggest mystery in this case so far." Hugh said.

"Then watch out mystery, here comes Justice!" Apollo declared.

September 25, 2029

Sullivan household

3:04 p.m.

As soon as the three of them reached the neighborhood where Logan's house was located everyone tensed up. The sidewalks were cracked, the lawns in front of the house were dead, and garbage littered the streets. Logan's house was revealed to be an ramshackle, unpainted wooden house that was one story tall. Testing the doorknob revealed it had no lock, so everyone was able to enter it easily. The house itself wasn't very big, having only four rooms: Two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen with a small table squeezed in.

The thing that immediately caught everyone's eyes was a large portrait on one of the walls: Logan and Lisette as small babies, being held by their smiling parents. Their mother was a pretty woman with blonde hair, and their father was in a police uniform and looked like a dead ringer for his two children with his dark hair, eyes, and glasses.

"I wonder what happened to this family?" Juniper asked quietly.

"From what I remember their mom is a janitor at Themis," Hugh said. "But this house is empty. Where is their father?"

"Maybe we'll find the answers to those questions in here," Apollo said.

Poking around a room that seemed to belong to their parents, Apollo found a small unsecured cabinet. Inside was an empty case for a gun assigned to an Officer Liam Sullivan, along with box of recently opened bullets.

"So this is the gun that was used to shoot Athena,"Apollo said. "Sitting in a cabinet anyone could enter inside a house with no lock. I think I'm starting to see a picture forming."

"So do I," Hugh said, thinking about Michael in his alley. "When we meet up with Ema again, we should tell her to examine this house. We need to bring Juniper up to speed."

As if on cue Apollo's phone rang, with Ema's name on the caller I.D.

"I need you both to come to the alley right now," Ema said. "The results for the gun have come back, and I've found something in this alley I need you both to see."

"Let's go!" Apollo called out to his friends. "We can return to investigate here later."

September 25, 2029

Alleyway

3:19 p.m.

Ema was waiting for everyone as she said. But her expression was one that Apollo was worried about. It was as if she was mulling over the best way to say something.

"Hello, everyone." Ema said distantly. "Hm? Hey Juniper. Haven't seen you all day."

"Hello, Ema," Juniper said. "You wanted to talk to show Hugh and Apollo something?"

Ema nodded. "I managed to put the gun used in the crime through some forensic tests, just like I said I would. I decided to look over the outside of the gun since all the previous tests had been focused on the grip and inside the chamber, and I found something. I'm just not sure what this means."

She rummaged around her bag and handed a report to Apollo. "Traces of saliva were found around the muzzle of the gun, and a D.N.A test revealed that they belonged to your client, Logan Sullivan."

"So Logan did plan to use the gun?" Apollo said, struck by this statement. In his mind, he remembered something that Robin had said earlier: That the only reason someone loaded a gun was to shoot it at someone else.

Hugh was deeply frightened by the implications as well. "He planned to use the gun, alright. If you take this bullet with his fingerprints with this new evidence, it all becomes clear. Logan planned to use the gun on himself."

To be continued.

A/N: The investigation will conclude next chapter. Is everyone ready? Because the murky truth is starting to surface. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my Corner of Romance.