The trial was to be postponed. The courthouse was still surrounded by police cars. That was to be expected. The reporters were swarming the present officers. That, too, was expected.
But no one expected new and startling footage to the screen, least of all Apollo.
He had spent the majority of the morning filling out reports and paperwork that Phoenix had failed to catch up on. It was more than a little tedious, but with the horrors of the courtroom bombing still fresh memories and his contact with Clay cut off, he needed something to take his mind off of things. It was just him in the main office of the Wright Anything Agency, and Trucy was in the adjacent room studying her magic books.
Of course, there were times when he had to stop himself from thinking about Reina. It had been nice to see her in his moment of distress. To see her face and hear her voice was comforting for him. Maybe, after all of this was settled, he could...
Without warning, Klaire Gavin's face flashed in his mind. He sighed and went back to work.
There was something else that was bothering him, too. He dropped his pen on the desktop and looked at the bracelet. It had only been a half-measure that day. He had known something was wrong, and that turned out to be true. But the other times, he had been able to zero on to a specific person with a specific tell. True, there had been at least a few dozens of people in the courtroom that day, but even so...
"Apollo!"
The young lawyer practically jumped in his seat as the door swung open. He turned his head. It was Trucy.
"Apollo, you have to see this! Come with me!"
"Trucy, what..."
"There's no time! Come on!"
Kay Faraday performed the test. Then again.
It was just as she thought. The lighter that had been overlooked in the Space Center had fingerpints on them. Right thumb, ring ring, and right middle.
She pumped a fist in the air, eager for the future opportunity to show Edgeworth what she had learned. But...
Her analytical mind took over. She would have to follow procedure.
Oh...but things were different this time, though?
And she had not been able to catch a glimpse of Prosecutor Blackquill or his lapdog detective...
The TV flashed, switching from a blur to a clear image.
There was a man seated in a chair, ropes binding him to the back and keeping his arms restrained. There was a strange figure behind him, dressed in a hooded yellow poncho.
Apollo hoped that Trucy, standing next to him, had not heard him gulping.
The Judge opened his mouth, but the figure tapped him on the shoulder. Thinking better, he silenced himself. Thereafter, the poncho-clad figure walked out from behind the chair to stand in the front.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of this fine city. I hope you're doing well, or at least better than my partner here."
The Judge remained still in his chair. He did not seem frightened out of his mind; Apollo bet that he was still processing his situation.
"Oh, but where are my manners?" The figure flipped the hood back.
Apollo's jaw dropped. It was undoubtedly Aura Blackquill. What was she doing? What was she planning?
The Space Center employee sidestepped around the chair and stood behind it.
"I'm sure you've all see the news. I know that everyone knows about the bomb explosion that happened in the city courthouse. I appreciate the distress many of you feel. However, I want you all to know that it means nothing in the short term. I'm happy to inform you all that the trial has, in fact, not ended. The old man still has a job to do, and he will carry out his duties."
Apollo's jaw tightened.
"This is how things will be: the trial will continue. All parties will gather at the courthouse. Simon Blackquill will show up, and Apollo Justice will show up. Clay Terran will be escorted there, too. Everyone is to be there by noon tomorrow and not a minute after. Even in his current situation, I will...ensure that the old man here can still direct the trial as needed."
The normally bubbly Trucy was uncharacteristically silent, aghast at the kidnapper's audacity.
"Doubtlessly, the police will be searching for me all over the city. I know that. But I will only give myself up after the trial is up and no sooner. So, I think everyone has a vested interest in following my script. If all goes well, the court system will notch this job on their list, and the old man will go free. Win-win scenario. Does everyone catch my drift?"
Apollo's fists tightened. One thing was for sure; the only way to go was forward.
-A multi-chapter story; Chapter 45; story idea by CRed1988 and writing by Jerviss.