July 3rd, 9:01pm

Expo3 Convention Center

Entryway

"Washington? Dead?" Franziska watched as her little brother floundered, the color leaving his face. "Do they know how it happened? Who did it? Why?"

"Miles Edgeworth, I can assure you that while you were ruining your vacation day by attending a childish gaming convention, I was dealing with far more important matters." Franziska cocked her head, looking smugly at the other prosecutor. "The investigation into this case was completed under my supervision. The killer has their date in court two days from now."

"Oh really? You arrested the suspect? I thought you weren't even working in this district."

"I made an exception for a personal request." That, and a few other reasons.

"You should have seen her, Mr. Edgeworth! I like investigating with you, but she was intense out there!" Kay hyped the international prosecutor up to Edgeworth, not even acknowledging the other girl with him.

Edgeworth raised an eyebrow at that. "Is that so? I suppose the two of you wouldn't mind bringing me up to speed as I make a last minute trip to the office?"

"You're going back to your office?" Maya Fey balled up her fists when she heard. "What about my burgers?"

Edgeworth pulled a bill out of his wallet and handed it to her. "I'll drop you off at the Burger Barn next to the train station first. I need to change the witness list for tomorrow's trial."

Maya took the money, if reluctantly. "Okay…"

Franziska watched the exchange with a small smile. "So little brother, you want to know what happened to our dear witness, and how I carried the full investigation out? Then we best start now. It's been a long day, and it makes for quite the longer story."

"Then tell me, Franziska. We've got the time." Edgeworth's reply was dry as the four walked out to the parking lot. Franziska and Kay had ridden in a squad car over, so they had no problems getting in with Edgeworth.

Franziska's smile was a bit bitter as she recalled the day she'd had. "It all started at lunchtime when I received a call. The call asked me to come to Dye Young Hospital immediately, and so I went…."

Earlier that day…

July 3rd, 12:30 PM

Dye Young Hospital

Entrance

Franziska burst through the door with her whip in hand. Her thoughts were traveling a mile a minute, her heartbeat not far behind. In bit and flashes, she thought over the circumstances that had led her to this moment.

The Interpol prosecutor had been looking over the files that rookie had shared with her yesterday when she got a call from Miss Adrian Andrews, a witness in one of her previous cases. She'd heard Franziska was in town and wanted to have lunch with her before she left. But as soon as she met up with the woman, Franziska received a second call. This one of a far less friendly nature.

"Prosecutor Von Karma? Is it true you've returned to this country? If it is, I'd like you to investigate a case for me."

Franziska didn't recognize the voice right away. All caller ID could tell her was that it was a phone from Dye Young Hospital. Then it came to her. "Miss Karen Jenson? Is that you?"

"Yes. I know we've only met once before, but… I tried to ask for Prosecutor Edgeworth, and his office told me he was on vacation! You're the only other prosecutor I trust with what happened here."

Franziska knew she should feel insulted. How dare she be considered a mere second choice?! But she had enough sense not to vocalize that. Not when she wanted to know more. So she left without ordering any food, working things out with the local chief in the rental car as she made her way to the scene of the call.

"Prosecutor Von Karma, you're here! Thank goodness." Karin Jenson ran over to greet her. She looked the same as she had a few months ago, minus the presence of her elderly grandmother. "When I heard Prosecutor Edgeworth wouldn't be coming, I was at a complete loss!"

"Ms. Jenson, stop your foolish stressing or my whip will make you." Franziska threatened the nurse, who jumped back at the prosecutor's words.

"Eek!" To the nurse's credit, she did do her best to calm down after that.

"Now. Tell me what happened," Franziska demanded, not bothering to phrase her query as a question.

"Yes… Prosecutor. It's the witness we had in protective custody. Just a few minutes ago, she-"

"She?" Franziska interrupted, heart and thoughts seeming to freeze. She had a bad feeling about this. Thinking back to that fateful interrogation made her shudder. She listened as the nurse gave final confirmation.

"Yes. Miss Cassandra Washington. You… knew the woman who was killed?"

"We had met." Franziska's reply was terse, eyes seeing visions of the past. "Tell me: what was the cause of her death?"

"I'm... not sure. I called for the High Prosecutor's Office as soon as I found out she was dead." The shuddering dread was back. "Her nurse arrived too late! None of our injections would have been able to revive her."

"Are you not a nurse yourself? You should know the cause of death!" Franziska reacted to her intrusive thoughts by whipping the young lady. "If your hospital cannot answer such basic questions, I suppose the police will have to. Know that when you contact Franziska Von Karma for a case, you order a perfect investigation poised to deliver absolute justice." The prosecutor pointedly ignored the fact that the police were supposed to have been protecting Washington to begin with. If Jenson felt the need to call her, then they were pretty sure her death was no accident.

That only left one question: had Washington died from what happened in the interrogation room, or from a separate event? Either way, Franziska felt responsibility for the woman's ultimate fate weigh down on her. She supposed only an investigation would have the answers she craved. Unfortunately, she was unable to start right away.

"Ms. Von Karma, sir! I'm on the case and ready for duty!" Gumshoe announced as he walked through the hospital door. The oaf was panting as though he'd run the whole way over. Behind him was Kay Faraday, in tow.

What was she doing here? Had Franziska temporarily acquired her brother's assistant while he was on vacation? She didn't seem to recall having any sort of say in this matter.

"Hey, Gummy! Can you believe someone was murdered in a hospital? I mean, yeah, people die here, but this must be a new way, right?"

Franziska let out a sigh as they approached her. She was hoping to conduct a quiet investigation, but it appeared at the moment that it was too much to wish for.

"Been a long time since you had me for one of your cases, huh Ms. Von Karma, sir?"

"Yes, Scruffy, and I seem to recall you temporarily losing your badge the last time such an incident occurred. One thing I have come to like about Interpol is that I've the chance to work with far more competent detectives than the likes of you. Cassandra Washington is dead, and I can assure you that I will conduct a perfect investigation on my own. Your presence here may be mandated, but it is unnecessary," Franziska lectured the detective, who let out a small yelp. He'd been expecting to be lashed with her whip, but such an act would be premature, even in her frazzled state.

"What about me?" Kay asked, almost insulted that she hadn't been addressed. "It wouldn't be the first time we've worked together, right? The only thing different about this time is that Mr. Edgeworth isn't here."

"You? I didn't think you'd even come back to this place, Miss Kay Faraday. I don't imagine your last stay here was pleasant." Franziska's response had a biting tone to it, enough that Kay's mouth came open when she was reminded. The teenage thief wasn't able to form a response right away. Franziska took the opportunity to leave them behind.

Had her chief witness really been killed for her connection to the Hakari hacking case? The idea seemed absurd, especially considering how unimportant her testimony was in the context of that case by itself. The other possibility was that her killer knew Franziska was investigating Hakari itself for other, less physical crimes. They somehow knew they had a wagging tongue in Washington. When the director had agreed to aid Franziska, she'd effectively signed her own death warrant. Before even seeing the crime scene for herself, Franziska came to the conclusion that someone had slipped through the witness's protective guard and silenced her, killing the best lead Franziska had found since her initial contact went missing.

I must do whatever I can as a prosecutor to ensure these fools gets convicted. If they think they can hide their crimes in the blood of murder, I can only show them the weight of their error. I can only watch as they writhe and rot in prison.

It was the best Franziska could do to make up for the blame she placed on her shoulders.

July 3rd 12:42 PM

Dye Young Hospital

Patient Room 202

Franziska arrived on the scene before anyone else, listening as the police filled in behind her. Her eyes locked on the terrible sight of the body, heart sinking as her chest went cold.

Cassandra Washington looked horrible. Red welts had traveled up her arm down under her hospital gown, cuts and bruises showing signs of thrashing. Her blue eyes were stuck open, a clouded deadness to them. Strips of blonde hair were caught in the corner of her bed frame, likely from an earlier struggle.

However she died, it had been painful. Far worse than most of the murders Franziska had seen before. No matter what the prosecutor did to console herself, she felt the guilt coming back in full force.

She had been the one who convinced Washington to come forward against her employers. The director had been terrified, but Franziska had insisted. She'd promised to protect her. Through their talks, Franziska had been able to console her, to convince the woman to come down to the station and tell her what she knew. Washington said she had not only testimony, but evidence. She didn't take anything from the office with her, instead asking a coworker and friend to deliver the documents to the Prosecutor's Office.

And now, both she and the friend were dead for their crimes against Hakari. Their dead bodies convinced Franziska better than any hard evidence could. The only Hakari employee who knew anything and was safe was Chuck Huld. Detention had a way of doing that for someone.

Though these thoughts nearly paralyzed her, it was the steel she needed to strengthen her resolve. "I know there has to be the evidence in here to condemn the killer. I just need to know what it is."

-Begin Investigation-

Franziska took a deep breath before diving into the heart of the matter. As a prosecutor, her job was to eliminate such enemies of society. And the only way to do that was to obtain the perfect evidence at every opportunity.

She started with the body, though it pained her to do so. "I wonder… are any of these injuries new, or have I seen them before?"

Franziska could still remember what had happened in their interrogation room that day. What had sent Washington into the hospital to begin with.

"The orders were from on high. I wasn't given an opportunity to question them."

"I see. Now Ms. Cassandra Washington, would you say you were…" Franziska paused in her question, watching as her witness began to gasp. "Ms. Cassandra Washington?"

The blonde opened her mouth to speak, but no voice came out. Only coughs and gasps. Her hands flew over her body, feeling for something. What was she looking for?

Washington's eyes widened with panic. Her search was fruitless.

Franziska was beginning to panic herself. What was this? How had it happened? What should she do?

She settled for shouting at the guard, whip in hand. "You! Call an ambulance, now!"

The guard ran out immediately. Washington fainted as the door closed, hitting her head on the table as she fell.

The doctors weren't allowed to tell Franziska what had happened to her witness at the time, only that she had an allergy and was exposed to it on accident. Maybe the interrogation room hadn't been cleaned properly, they said. Still, she was alive, and was expected to make a full recovery in a day or two.

That hadn't been enough for Franziska. Given everything that had happened those past two days, the prosecutor suspected foul play. Against everyone's advice, Franziska put her witness into protective custody. Now she had a guard to watch over her as she recovered from anaphylaxis in the hospital. Some good that had done. He must have been on break.

-Washington's Mysterious Allergy added to Logic-

If Franziska wanted to confirm whether the murderous attack had occurred in the interrogation room or the hospital room, she would have to search for signs of a new incident. There must be something in the room that could indicate that to her.

She forced herself to look away from the body so she could inspect her patient monitors. The flat-lined heart monitor was still letting out a vague whine. Next to it were an array of machines, none of which Franziska was skilled in understanding. Not that that would dissuade her.

"Hmph. I won't give up until I have perfectly inspected every corner and crevice!"

A muffled laugh sounded behind her, to which her whip responded. "Yowch!"

Franziska turned around to see Kay licking her wounds. Would she have let loose if she'd known the teen was behind her? "What are you laughing at and why are you here?"

"You sounded kinda like Mr. Edgeworth right then." Kay answered the first part of the question, but Franziska cut her off before she could get to the second.

"In what way do I sound like my little brother?"

"Mr. Edgeworth would say he has to investigate 'every nook and cranny'." Kay said, in her best Edgeworth impression. Gumshoe, also in the room, laughed at Kay's attempt at mimicking Edgeworth. Franziska was not amused. "The fierce, determined look on your face, it was just so much like what Mr. Edgeworth would get. I can't believe how much you two are alike."

"Enough! I am a Von Karma, I do all of my investigation perfectly and without error. I do not handle investigation the same way as Miles. Where my little brother flounders at every hypothetical, I will arrest the true culprit in a matter of minutes!"

"But you even use Logic like him, sir!"

This was getting annoying, so Franziska whipped Gumshoe for his impudent suggestion. "Every decent prosecutor uses at least as much. Miles Edgeworth has no greater monopoly on basic deduction than you have on incompetence." Then the whip landed a second time.

"Eeeeuggggh!" The pain was dramatic enough for the detective to keep his distance. Kay was not yet deterred, but she soon would be. The pair watched as Franziska searched the room for any evidence she could find.

Truth be told, she hadn't embraced her brother's exact system of logic until a few months ago, when he walked her through it after their time at the Grand Tower. He was still trying to get her to adopt his tricks with the chessboard, but had had no greater luck with that than she'd had at convincing him to carry a whip.

But if I want to whip a specific individual, it is next to the "Talk" button at all times. I may also use it during Rebuttals and Cross-Examinations in the place of "Press", should I feel so inclined.

With that out of the way, she turned back to what she'd been examining earlier. Her eyes zeroed in on the time specified on the heart rate monitor. According to the machine, the victim's heart had stopped at exactly 12:15pm and had been making noise ever since.

-"Time of Death" added to Organizer-

Franziska also examined the other machines, but struggled to understand the exact information they were seeking to convey. She was a prosecutor, not a medical doctor. Still, one other thing caught her attention. The patient alarm button. Its switch was firmly set in the "Off" position. Could this be the sign I'm looking for? A sign of a second attack?

If the victim had been attacked while this alarm was on, nurses and medics would have rushed into the room to keep their patient alive, potentially catching the killer in the act. But with the alarm switched off, there's no way they could have known what was happening. Whatever caused Washington's death, her killer wanted to be sure no one interfered.

-"Patient Alarm" added to Organizer-

-Alarm Switched Off? added to Logic-

It was certainly an important clue, but Franziska chose to keep it to herself for the time being. She simply walked away from the various patient monitors and over to the side table on the opposite end of the bed. On it rested…

"A sandwich of only peanut butter? Who would eat such a thing?"

"I dunno. Someone who doesn't like jelly?" Kay spoke up from the doorway where she and Gumshoe were waiting.

"Sometimes I leave ingredients out of my food if I can't afford them. Like flavor packs for noodles."

It may just have been the victim's intended lunch, but there was something odd about it. It looked as though the bread had been squished, and the sandwich wasn't fully resting on the paper plate beneath it. Had the food item been moved in some way?

-"Peanut Butter Sandwich" added to Organizer-

There was nothing else to be seen on the side table, and a quick sweep of the room didn't offer any more clues as to the cause of death. The only signs of a struggle were on and near the victim's body. Even so, Franziska had trouble identifying any obviously fatal wounds. That may have to wait for the autopsy report.

How was Franziska supposed to identify a killer if she didn't even know how they did it? She wanted to at least have some idea. So she swallowed her reservations and took a second look at the body.

The welts on the victim's arm still caught Franziska's eye, mostly because she couldn't remember them being there the last time they saw each other. Franziska lifted the victim's hand, studying it in closer detail.

Hm? What is this odd substance smeared on her fingers? The swelling was worst in those areas, the red of the skin countered only by the light brown spots that covered them. Curious, the prosecutor took a sniff.

Peanut butter.

-Residue on Fingers added to Logic-

She must have been trying to eat her sandwich when the attack happened. It was lunchtime, after all. If the victim had been feeling well enough, the act of being fed by the hospital cafeteria wasn't odd in itself.

But wait. Ms. Cassandra Washington has a mysterious allergy, and the peanut butter on her fingers causes swelling? There was a clear connection here!

"I think I may know what our victim was allergic to." Franziska put the arm back in the position she'd found it, then pointed an accusatory finger at the sandwich.

"You think she's allergic to bread, sir?"

"No, you fool! If you were to actually look at the body, you would see her swelling is worst in the places with smears of peanut butter. I believe the murderer gave her this sandwich on purpose, and when she grabbed it to eat, the reaction killed her."

"Aw, but I don't like dead bodies, sir!" Gumshoe remained squeamish. "Does that mean-"

"Someone used a sandwich as the murder weapon?" Kay broke in. "Where do you think it came from?" The teenage thief may have seen some crazy things in her times with Edgeworth, but never someone who'd committed murder by lunch item.

-"Peanut Butter Sandwich" updated in Organizer-

"The hospital cafeteria. Where else?" Franziska was no longer engaged in the conversation at hand. She had to know: who'd ordered the murder weapon sent up to the victim's room?

Well, it had to be someone who knew of Washington's allergy. The doctor who'd treated her after the first incident had remained tight-lipped on the matter, so it was likely only a handful of people were told. Further narrowing the suspect list were the stipulations of who had access to the hospital, its cafeteria, and the victim's room. Not just anyone would be allowed to visit a witness in protective custody, after all.

With all these details in mind, the first person Franziska had to consider was the nurse. There had to be at least one in charge of Washington's care at the time of death. She needed to know who it was and to question them right away.

Franziska whipped her head around to the whiteboard on the other side of the room. On it was a packet of paper which listed every hospital staff member with access and the victim's personal information. The notes should contain who Washington's nurses were. Franziska ran up to the spot, flipping through the papers so quickly it was a surprise she didn't rip them.

"Ooh, what if one of the nurses did it? I bet they knew what Miss Washington was allergic to!" Kay spoke as if she'd made a breakthrough. "But which one? This hospital must have hundreds of them!"

"And just what do you think I'm searching for, Miss Kay Faraday?"

Such a response caused Kay to pout. "It's not my fault you don't voice your thoughts out loud. How am I supposed to know what you're thinking? Your face isn't nearly as expressive as Mr. Edgeworth's!"

"Maybe I don't give voice to my thoughts because it isn't necessary for you to know them. Have you considered that?" This was making it hard for Franziska to read the names. She set the list down for a second.

"But Gummy and I want to help! If we are going to help, we have to be thinking on the same page. Even if you don't call on your partner, we can still say what we think when you're examining something, right? That's how things have always been, haven't they?"

Gumshoe, who'd worked with Franziska directly before, shook his head mournfully at Kay. It was no use. Kay protested with him for a minute, then quietly followed the detective to the waiting area outside.

"Finally." Just as she said so, she found what she was looking for in the notes: the name of the nurse on duty.

And that name? Maddy Sims. Alongside the name was a small photo of a fair, petite woman with big eyes and a round mouth. According to the list, she had no other patients assigned to her today. Franziska took the relevant page with her, folding it neatly onto a page of her Organizer.

-"Care Provider List" added to Organizer-

So Miss Maddy Sims was Ms. Cassandra Washington's nurse for today. She would've been the only one with full access to the victim at the time of the murder. There was no doubt this woman was a suspect.

-Investigation Complete-

"Scruffy! Get back in here!"

Gumshoe wasted no time. He'd learned from past mistakes when it came to letting Franziska wait. "Yes, Ms. Von Karma, sir?"

"I have a suspect for you. I would like you and this country's police to track her down and apprehend her immediately."

Kay, for one, was surprised. "Already?"

"Who is it, sir?"

Franziska held the name and picture she'd found up to Gumshoe's face. "Miss Maddy Sims. She should still be working right now. When you find her, I will question her outside this very room."

"Yes, sir!" Gumshoe nearly tripped as he gathered up a few police officers. Together, they scoured the hospital floor for signs of that particular nurse.

As for Franziska, she was content in waiting for them to return. Kay's attempts at making conversation proved fruitless, encouraging her to be quiet once again.

July 3rd, 12:56pm

Dye Young Hospital

Second Floor Hallway

Franziska remained silent as Gumshoe approached her with a slim brunette in nurse's robes like Jenson's. Her hair was tied back, though strands still obscured her face. Another police officer trailed behind them, but the nurse wasn't handcuffed.

So she hadn't put up a fight. Good.

"You are Miss Maddy Sims, the nurse in charge of Ms. Cassandra Washington's care at this time?"

"...Yes, I am. And I was." The woman's voice was so soft, Franziska could barely hear it.

"Speak up!" She drew her whip back, preparing to lash her when Sims fell back.

"What is that for? I didn't do anything!"

"Where were you and what were you doing when your patient was killed?" Franziska's question came quickly and bluntly. The nurse was taken back by how straightforward it was. "Testify."

Franziska could be generous when she wanted to be. She would give Sims a single chance to confess the truth. But if the prosecutor caught her in a lie, it was over.

Sims gulped, eyes blinking rapidly. She seemed to understand the gravity of the situation, at least. "Oh…"

-Witness Testimony-

"My Whereabouts"

"I was in charge of Ms. Washington's care today. My shift runs from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

"The last I saw her alive was at morning checkup. She was recovering nicely.

"I must have been seeing another patient when it all happened. I came back in the room only after she was dead.

"The sight was horrible! I rang it in to the nursing station right away. I'm so glad the police are here."

Franziska saw the contradiction right away. It was so obvious. She almost regretted letting the nurse speak. Why do this if she were only going to be lied to?

"You only went back to see your patient after she was dead? Shouldn't a nurse be more attentive in times like these?"

"I guess so…" Her hands covered her face, voice back to being meek. "I just graduated nursing school. This is horrible!"

Nice act. Too bad Franziska wasn't falling for it. "Could you repeat your statements for me? I want to settle something. Here and now."

"Um… all of them?"

"Yes, all of them." Franziska kept her whip string taut, but didn't want to strike until the suspect was cornered. "Now speak. Clearly."

-Cross-Examination-

"My Whereabouts"

"I was in charge of Ms. Washington's care today. My shift runs from 7:00am to 7:00pm.

"The last I saw her alive was at morning checkup. She was recovering nicely.

"I must have been seeing another patient when it all happened. I came back in the room only after she was dead."

"OBJECTION!" Franziska let out a tsk, finger shaking with an elbow to her hip. "Another patient? Really, now? Why would you tell such a lie?"

Sims's face went blank for a second. "...Huh?"

Franziska pulled the "Care Provider List" page out of her Organizer. "You have no other patients assigned to you. You're an inexperienced novice with her first serious job, and have yet to work your way up to a full plate of responsibilities. Had you told me the truth, I might have listened to your side of the story more."

"What are you saying?"

"Miss Maddy Sims, you had unlimited access to Cassandra Washington at the time of the murder. Tell me. Who delivered the sandwich to her? Was it you?"

"I… don't know, Miss. No one told me anything about bringing her lunch."

"You foolish fool!" Franziska voiced was raised as she whipped the nurse. She was now set in the belief that the nurse had a role in this crime. "Where did the peanut butter sandwich come from?" Franziska furiously demanded, making the nurse nervous.

Sims had only been here since May. She's seen people get upset in the hospital before, but none to the point of pulling a whip on her or the staff. It was hard to know how to react in a situation like this. "I assume it came from our hospital's cafeteria, but I don't know who ordered it, or even left it there. Maybe the patient did. I'm honest though, it wasn't me." Then she blinked. "Wait, peanut butter? That can't be right. The patient wouldn't have ordered that."

"No, she would not have. Whoever left that sandwich in her room did so with the intent of murder. The victim is your only patient. You had access, you had knowledge, and yet… you have no alibi. Concerning, no?"

She gasped, finally realizing where this was going. "No!"

"Miss Maddy Sims, you are the most likely suspect at the moment for the murder of Cassandra Washington. Until proven otherwise, I am putting you under arrest." She bowed, grateful for the quick resolution, then turned to the detective. "Scruffy!"

Gumshoe directed the officers while Sims protested. "No, wait! You don't need to arrest me. Please, wai-"

"Miss Von Karma, are you really in such a rush you can't investigate a crime thoroughly before arresting someone? Truly a shame."

Everyone stopped in their tracks when they heard that voice. Franziska felt a rage coming on. What excuse would he use this time to interfere with her investigation?

She flipped her head around, coming face to face with the blonde defense attorney. "Mr. Kristoph Gavin. I can't imagine why you would be here at this time. Did you not have a case in civil court this morning?"

"This morning, yes. It resolved itself quickly. FileLock Plus will think twice before it crosses Hakari a second time, I'm afraid."

"So now you're chasing a case at a hospital? Did someone want to sue Dye Young for malpractice?" Did this ambulance chaser have nothing better to do?

"I asked him to come." The woman next to him spoke up for the first time, forcing Franziska to acknowledge her. She was a severe-looking woman with a tight updo, all dark brown with greying streaks. When the light caught on her gaudy necklaces, Franziska was blinded.

"And you are?" Franziska demanded to know. Would no one let her investigation simply run its course?

The woman blinked at Franziska, as if she were genuinely shocked. "...Klana Dharless. It's thanks to my many donations that Dye Young can serve this city. I wouldn't be happy to see my pet project go down in scandal, so I came here with the fine defense attorney to protect them from blame." Dharless answered the prosecutor's question with ease. When she talked about her work with the hospital, she couldn't have looked prouder.

"I want the two of you off this floor. Neither of you have any place in my investigation," Franziska said before pointing at the elevator door with her finger. "The door is there. Use it."

"But if anyone has a right to be in here besides you, it's us. This hospital has done so well, I would hate to see its good name dragged over this. Murderers aren't employed here. After all-" Dharless quieted down rather quickly when she saw Franziska draw her whip out. "You wouldn't really hit someone with that horrid thing, would you?"

"Yes. I will hit you if you do not stop interfering with a police investigation. How much money you have donated to this hospital means nothing to me."

"And if you lash out at either of us, I will lead my second successful lawsuit of the week against you. Should I send the bill to the local office, or to Interpol?"

Franziska thought it over, then put her whip away. If Gavin threatened to sue, it was best to take him seriously. She was confident things would end in her favor should he press charges, but didn't have the time to deal with the attorney's antics. This murder was part of a greater investigation, one that could not be sidetracked. She would not be able to use her whip in interactions with Gavin or his companion. "There will be no need so long as you stay out of my way. The suspect will remain in custody while the investigation progresses."

Gavin put a hand up, shaking his head. "There's no need for that. I'm here to tell you you have the wrong suspect to begin with. Allow me to tell you why."

-Argument-

"It's My Duty"

"My reason is not an excuse, Miss Von Karma. I was the defense attorney that was hired to defend this hospital.

"You were about to arrest an employee. Quite wrongfully, I might add.

"See, I actually took the time to investigate Miss Sims's movements in the moments leading to the murder. I have the true sequence of events.

"Had you been interested in finding the true culprit, you would have done the same. Must I tell you what you missed?

"It's unfortunate that you would let a defense attorney outshow you in this arena. Your reputation implied otherwise to me."

It didn't take a sharp mind to realize she was being insulted. The implication that Gavin knew something she didn't about her own case would have been bad enough in a courtroom, but on an investigation where defense attorneys have no place? How dare he imply he could run a better one than her!

"You have evidence to prove the innocence of this nurse?" Franziska questioned, keeping her tone even.

"I wouldn't call it evidence per say, more like testimony of what I saw as I was arriving."

"Oh no!" Sims had her hands to her face once again, a knowing glint to her eye. Franziska paid her no mind.

"And I'm to trust your testimony?" Franziska wasn't buying it. "When you so obviously have your own agenda in interfering with this case?"

"I wouldn't call my job an agenda, but yes, you are. Especially when there are two separate individuals who can confirm it."

Now she really didn't like where this was going. Had she really made such a foolish mistake? If not, she had to rebut this man, and her words had to be sharp as whip lashes when she did. He would feel her true strength however she went about it.

Gavin picked up on her intentions easily enough. "...Ah, I see. Allow me to reiterate what I have said thus far."

-Rebuttal-

"It's My Duty"

"My reason is not an excuse, Miss Von Karma. I was the defense attorney that was hired to defend this hospital."

"HOLD IT! Your job as a defense attorney is to defend in a courthouse. There is no place for your kind in this investigation."

Dharless chuckled at this. "You police types and your protocol! Why waste time going to trial if he can prove her innocence right here? Would it not save money and effort for everyone? Really, honey-"

"I am not your honey and you will not refer to me as such!" Franziska protested.

Gavin took it in another direction. "Miss Von Karma… are you so unable to handle my argument that you would kick me off the crime scene without hearing it?"

"That ain't it, pal!" Gumshoe leapt to the prosecutor's defense. "You're not supposed to be here, plain and- owwww!"

Franziska took her frustration out on the detective. "I don't need your help, detective. Mr. Kristoph Gavin… I can let you speak. But you best have the perfect explanation."

"And I do. Now, remember…

"You were about to arrest an employee. Quite wrongfully, I might add.

"See, I actually took the time to investigate Miss Sims's movements in the moments leading to the murder. I have the true sequence of events."

"HOLD IT! Why should I believe your account?" Franziska stopped Gavin before he could say what he knew. "Miss Maddy Sims was already given the chance to explain her actions before the murder, and she chose to lie to me."

"That's because what she was doing was a breach in her duties. I will warrant that this young lady is not a good nurse. But that isn't enough to accuse her of murder."

"Mr. Gavin, please don't…" Sims looked like she was about to cry. "I wasn't there for my patient when she needed me. It's not-"

"Nonsense." Considering she was sort of his client, it was odd how willing Gavin was to ignore the nurse's wishes. "You were negligent and have a right to be ashamed. But that is no reason to lie to the police or go to jail. If you won't tell them what you were up to when I saw you, I will."

"And what did you see her doing? Add it to your argument." Franziska was sure this was going to be a lie. From what little she'd heard of Gavin, he and the truth were not on speaking terms.

"Of course."

"When I arrived at this hospital at the time of the murder, I saw Miss Sims outside. She was meeting with a man her age."

"HOLD IT!" This was ridiculous! "Where is your proof?"

"I know what I saw, and that is all. When I arrived shortly after noon, that nurse was not in the building. She could not have been here to kill the victim."

Franziska was about to fire back when she noticed something strange. "Who told you the details about this murder?"

"I did," Dharless replied. "I was visiting when the murder was reported. The staff informed us of the details. And I, for one, believe Gavin."

"Well I have no reason to. If you have no evidence-"

"Wait a minute!" Kay stopped the conversation. Franziska had forgotten she was there. "I know how we can prove what really happened!"

"And how is that?"

"Look!" Kay pointed to a security camera trained on the fire escape. "Those may not show us who entered the victim's room, but they can let us know who went in and out of the building, right?"

Dharless smiled. "Indeed they can, little girl."

Franziska didn't need to give the order for Gumshoe to get the hint. "Right on it, sir!"

July 3rd, 1:14 pm

Dye Young Hospital

Second Floor Hallway

"We got the footage from noon until your arrival, sir!" Gumshoe had run back as fast as he could. He didn't want to give Franziska any reason to cut his pay again. Or take his badge.

"And?"

Gumshoe slumped. "It's… true, sir. She was outside kissing some guy at 12:15pm. And fifteen minutes before that, as well. She didn't go back inside until 12:22."

Franziska couldn't believe it. Why did this have to be how she found out? Why couldn't she have had enough sense to check for cameras before diving into this case. Her emotional investment into this case was damaging her skill as an investigator, and it showed.

-"Sims's Outing" added to Organizer-

"Miss Maddy Sims… why would you be doing such a thing?"

"He's… my boyfriend," Sims confessed. "Today was our anniversary. I was going to get time off, but the staff is so overworked… they assigned the newest patient to me. They told me I would be working twelve hours. I thought I could slip out for just a few minutes to-" She shook her head, the guilt overwhelming her. "The last time I saw Ms. Washington, she was fine! How did this happen?"

Franziska wasn't quite ready to give up, though her cheeks were burning. "The victim was killed due to her reaction to a food item. Who's to say you didn't leave the weapon there and wait for her to die?"

"No way! That isn't how Ms. Washington's allergy works at all." Sims was insistent. "Her sensitivity to peanuts is so delicate, she can't even be in the same room as unsealed peanut products without reacting. She would have reacted right away if she was."

"If Sims had left the murder weapon in the room before walking out, it wouldn't have taken the victim fifteen minutes to die. And you seem very specific about the time of death," Gavin summarized. "Admit your mistake. Miss Sims cannot be the killer you are looking for."

"I'm sorry I lied, Miss Von Karma. Can you forgive a mistake I made in my youth?"

"I'm younger than you." She turned away before she could explode on them.

Franziska felt her vision going red. She wanted nothing more than to whip one of those insolent fools into a coma. They were already in the right place to have one.

Self-control kicked in before the German could conduct herself in such a manner. The rational side of her brain realized that lashing out now would only diminish her status even further in this investigation. For all her anger, there was no one to blame but herself. If she wanted to put Gavin in his place, she would have to regroup. Keep investigating. Find the real killer this time.

"Scruffy. Kay Faraday. Let's go."

To be continued...

Organizer:

Profiles:

Franziska von Karma

Age: 20

Gender: Female

Description: The Prosecuting Prodigy, also known as myself. Need this file contain any more information?

Detective Gumshoe

Age: 32

Gender: Male

Description: The scruffy detective who is always in need of a whipping. Why I must always work with him while in this country, I'll never understand.

Kay Faraday

Age: 18

Gender: Female

Description: My little brother's assistant whom he acquired a few months ago. Her obsession with thievery makes them an odd pair. Now she wishes to work with me.

Karin Jenson

Age: 22

Gender: Female

Description: A nurse for Dye Young. I encountered her on a case a few months ago. Asked for me personally when the victim was found dead.

Cassandra Washington

Age: 39

Gender: Female

Description: Head financial advisor for Hakari Inc. A key witness in the current investigation. She fainted during interrogation, then died in the hospital the next day. Foul play is suspected.

Maddy Sims

Age: 21

Gender: Female

Description: The nurse in charge of the victim's care at her time of death. Was meeting with her boyfriend while her patient lay dying.

Kristoph Gavin

Age: 26

Gender: Male

Description: An obnoxious defense attorney I've encountered more than once now. Outside of court, this is very unusual.

Klana Dharless

Age: ? ? ?

Gender: Female

Description: Some rich local woman who wants to protect the hospital from bearing any blame. I don't know who she is.

Evidence:

Prosecutor's Badge

Type: Other

Description: The token of my noble profession. It is to be safely stored away in my pocket at all times.

Time of Death

Type: Evidence

Description: The heart monitor says the victim's heart stopped at exactly 12:15pm. It has not been touched since.

Patient Alarm

Type: Evidence

Description: Meant to alert the hospital if their patients experience any difficulties. However, it was turned off at the time of the murder, possibly by the killer themselves.

Peanut Butter Sandwich

Type: Evidence

Description: Left on the victim's side table by an unknown party. Residue on the body indicates the victim touched it, causing the fatal reaction. Makes for an odd murder weapon, but one nonetheless.

Care Provider List

Type: Evidence

Description: The nurse in charge of the victim at her time of death was Maddy Sims. Sims had no other patients at the time.

Sims's Outing

Type: Evidence

Description: This foolish nurse was visiting her boyfriend for twenty-two minutes while the murder was in progress, from noon to 12:22. She did not discover the body until after that.

A/N's: RJ and PTV wrote this chapter together. Here are their notes:

PTV: Sorry this took some time, folks. School is time consuming. But to make up for the fact we haven't updated in a while, we kept the beginning as one long part instead of splitting it. There wasn't really a natural way to break it up, either, so there's that.

One difficulty in writing this case is that it's very much Franziska's. Her character and investigation style is not the same as Edgeworth's, and making sure the way we write this suits her but stays true to the AAI style is a hard balance to strike. In a way, she's almost on the opposing side of the typical "rival vs. main character" dynamic that's present in the other two spinoffs. I hope you think we were successful in getting that right.

Oh, and Kristoph is back as well. I quite enjoy writing his character, and I'm confident the Scollard can agree with me. This whole chapter has a lot of fun pieces as well as difficult ones. Isn't that right, RJ?

RJ: Yes agreed, switching from Miles Edgeworth to Franziska Von Karma in this was a little tricky especially considering the roll that Franziska usually plays as the "rival (like you had said), but we did it! Franziska is such a fun character to write for though because she's different from most female lead characters with her her more high strung and proud demeanor, and the whip.

Also agreed, on there were plenty of fun parts as well the difficult ones but that's part of what it made it great in a way. It's always great when you take on a challenge like this and see it through and are able to post or share something that everyone is going to enjoy. It really gives such a feel of accomplishment. With that I'm going to pass the keyboard back to PTV, now.

PTV: Thanks. We already have the next chapter in the works, but who knows when that will come out. With this chapter, however, I have passed 700K words on my fanfiction account. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to leave your thoughts below, and I'll see you on the far side!