A/N: Here we are, everyone. It took longer than I expected, or wanted, but this is the start of Episode 3. This will be a crucial case for Junper's growth. Not just as an attorney, but for her general dream of wanting to change the legal system. So let's get into it. Enjoy, my fair readers!
What does it really mean to get to know someone? What does it really mean to trust someone? I remember the first time I was accused of murder, and I placed my trust in Athena. In the end, even when I hid behind lies, she believed in me, and I learned to believe in her.
Then this case happened. An incident steeped in lies, where almost everyone was hiding something. The main reason I managed to make it through it all was because of an unwavering faith.
I wish I could thank you, you know. I just haven't found the words to do it yet. Thank you for that unwavering faith you displayed in me…
Episode 3: The Erased Turnabout
"No! Please believe me! I didn't do it… I would never-!"
The police ignored me, stuffing me into the back of the police car.
"Please investigate more closely! Surely there has to be more evidence!"
The detectives in the criminal affairs department ignored me, all of them averting their eyes from me.
"Why won't anyone listen to me? Why won't anyone believe me…?"
I slumped into the chair of the detention center's interrogation rooms, tears streaming down my face. And then out of nowhere, I heard-
"I believe in you!"
I looked up at the unexpected voice, to see the last possible person I expected.
"You really believe me? But… what can you do for me?"
"I don't know. But I promise that I will do everything in my power to save you!"
April 26, 2029
O'Conner and Co. Law Offices
1:00 p.m.
"Juniper, I have something to present to you."
"Oh? What is it, Hugh?" Juniper asked curiously.
"Since our last case two months ago, I have been investing some of the generous payment that Miss Moon gave us," Hugh said, smirking proudly. "And I believe it will greatly improve this office."
In the two months since Miss Moon's case, there hasn't been a single defense request for our office. Has Hugh finally brought in a new client or something like that?
"First of all, behold our new main source of hydration for this office!" Hugh announced, revealing a water cooler. It was a rather basic one, with flimsy paper cups.
"Uhhh… congratulations? I guess staying hydrated is important," Juniper said, confused about why Hugh felt this was worth such a grand announcement.
"Yes, we must be at our physical peak when we meet our clients," Hugh said, unphased by Juniper's lack of enthusiasm. "Which is where the second half of this investment comes in. Behold, the means with which we'll get our names out!"
Hugh presented a business card in one of his hands. Juniper carefully took the card from Hugh, reading it.
"O'Conner and Co. Law Offices." Below the name of their firm was its address and phone number. Juniper looked at its back, to see it was blank. "It's certainly a nice business card!"
"The letters are even embossed in gold," Hugh said proudly. "This will tell any potential clients that we are professional attorneys. A business card... To show that we are all about business!"
Business Card added to the Court Record.
"Hello! Reporter extraordinaire arriving to save the day!"
Myriam walked into the office, to the surprise of Juniper and Hugh. "Where have you been, Myriam? We haven't seen you in months," Juniper asked.
"I've been investigating our mysterious bailiff, and I thought I would report in." Myriam pulled up the collar of her trench coat, looking around. "And I've come to realize that she's a much tougher opponent than we originally realized."
"Well, we told you her first name- Bailey. That should have made the search easier." Juniper said. While the sources Myriam used concerned Juniper, there was no denying that she did get the job done.
"That's the first thing. Are either of you sure that 'Bailey' is even this bailiff's real name?" Myriam asked.
"Robin did called her by that name, so there's no reason to doubt that's what she's called." Hugh said.
"Here's the thing. I investigated the police department, and there is no one by that name working there," Myriam said, to the shock of Hugh and Juniper.
"Maybe you couldn't find her because you don't know her last name?" Juniper suggested meekly.
"That is possible. It doesn't help that we don't know what her face looks like either," Myriam said, scowling. "But that brings us to the real question- why is she hiding so desperately from us?"
Myriam brought up a good point. Evidently, Bailey was someone that Robin knew- the prosecutor certainly spoke of the mysterious bailiff in a familiar tone. Yet for whatever reason, she was distant and distrustful of them- or at least, of Juniper.
"Heh. Then perhaps it is better that we leave her alone, at least for a while," Hugh suddenly said. "She clearly doesn't want to be found."
"Hey, wait a minute now! I've spent all this time looking for her! I'm not going to give up now!" Myriam shouted, waving her arms at Hugh.
"I'm not telling you to give up, Myriam. I'm just saying that cornering an opponent like this is going to take a different approach," Hugh explained, as it it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Catching Bailey will take outside the box thinking."
"At this point my pride as an investigator is at stake, sss sss sss. So no matter what I need to do, I will track down this shady bailiff!" With that declaration, Myriam dramatically pointed at nothing in particular.
"Careful, Myriam. Remember: The ends don't justify the means," Juniper said firmly. "Catching Bailey means nothing if we break the law in the process."
"Keep your hair on, Juniper. I'll make sure not to get myself arrested. Although if I did, you could just defend me again, Kahk kahk!"
"If you do, I hope you're prepared to pay me this time." Juniper said, deadpan.
Even as she was talking to Myriam, though, Juniper considered the enigma that was the bailiff. Even after how cold Bailey acted towards her earlier, a part of Juniper wanted to keep believing there must be some good in her. And for no logical reason either, but because she was connected to Robin.
Juniper's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the agency's door opening. This time, by none other than-
"Thena!" Juniper cried out.
"Junie!" Athena rushed in and wrapped her best friend in her arms.
This is Athena Cykes. She is my childhood friend, a capable attorney, and even a great therapist! In fact, Thena is the one that defended me the first time I was accused of murder. Even after spending years apart, Thena never stopped being my friend.
As soon as Athena let go of Juniper, she immediately clenched her fists in frustration. "I can't believe I missed your very first trial as an attorney, Junie!"
"I'm the worst!" Widget squeaked.
"It's okay, Thena. I told you, Myriam requested me so out of the blue I didn't have time to contact you." Juniper said in her reassuring voice.
"I'm still here, you know!" Myriam yelled, waving her arms. "What else could I do after getting arrested so suddenly?"
"Still, that's no excuse! I should have run straight to the courthouse as soon as I hear that you were defending someone." Athena punched one of her palms with a fist. "So I'm not going to make the same mistake again! I'm definitely going to attend your next trial!"
"Well, um, right now we don't have any cases," Juniper explained. "We're hoping to get one soon."
"Oh. So it's one of *those* dry periods, isn't it," Athena said wearily. "This was inevitable, I suppose."
"I hope you're not implying anything about my law office." Hugh said coldly.
"I didn't mean it like that!" Athena exclaimed. "Think of it this way- even the office of the legendary Phoenix Wright doesn't get clients sometimes."
Hugh sighed. "I suppose you're right there, Athena. Still, I hoped the last case we took on would increase our profile."
"That's the one with the actress, right? That case did make the news. Still, the plaza this law office is located isn't the easiest to find," Athena said. "I know I got lost a few times on my way here."
"Heh. I didn't expect someone as dull as you to understand the brilliance of my choosing this locat-"
Hugh's words were interrupted by what sounded like a large hair dryer from the left wall. This was followed by silence from everyone in the room.
"...What was that about your brilliant location choosing?" Athena asked. "Although, if I want to get my hair done, at least I know a salon is next door."
At this point, Hugh decided that the argument was a lost battle, so he used his right to remain silent. Myriam took this chance to say, "So if there's no case, what are we going to do? I don't think we're just going to spend the whole day just standing around this office, Kahk Kahk."
Juniper wasn't sure, her fingers playing with the business card that Hugh had given her. Suddenly, her attention snapped to the item she was manipulating, remembering in a flash something she was told recently.
"Oh, Robin recently opened up an art studio in the city! Apparently, she's finally going to sell her own art," Juniper said excitedly. "If there is nothing else to do, we could go visit it."
"Given how Robin treats her art, I wonder how much would actually get sold," Athena said. "Still, I admit I'm curious too. So let's go!"
"Wait a second! We can't leave the office," Hugh said quickly. "A phone call from a client could come in at any time."
"This is your office, Hugh. You can stay behind to answer your own calls," Athena said, smiling devilishly.
"Yes, well… I suppose that's true. Which means when a client does call, I will be there to defend them," Hugh said, smirking. "Which means I'll be standing in court. And you won't be."
"Tch! That's what you think! I will be the one to get a client next!" Athena shouted aggressively. "In fact, I'm not letting this phone out of my sight!"
With that, Athena firmly planted herself in the chair in front of Hugh's desk, glaring at the phone. Myriam looked at this sight and shook her head. "I think I'm returning to my investigation, sss sss sss. I'll see you guys later!"
"Now that we've settled this, let's go visit Robin," Hugh said as Myriam left. "I'm sure she'll be glad to see us."
"Okay. See you later, Thena!" Juniper called out as she left with Hugh.
April 26, 2029
Newman Art Studio
1:20 p.m.
Juniper could instantly tell they'd found their friend's art studio the moment she laid eyes on it: only Robin would cover the front door of her place in paint splatters. Stepping into it revealed that the leitmotif continued inside as well:
Canvas were set up on easels everywhere, and if it wasn't that it was half-finished statues made of clay. The four walls were all painted different colors- blue, green, yellow, and red in a chaotic mix. Near the back of studio, the artist-prosecutor was focused on a canvas.
"Hello, Robin!" Juniper called out.
She stood up straight, and covered her work in progress with a white sheet. "Hello, Juniper! Hello, Hugh!" Robin called out, wearing her usual wide smile. "What brings you here?"
"Do we need a reason to visit you, Robin?" Hugh said, smiling naturally. "We heard that you opened this place, and we wanted to see it."
"Heh heh heh, thank you!" Robin exclaimed cheerfully. "As you can see, I've certainly been hard at w-o-r-k!"
"So how many art pieces have you sold so far?" Juniper asked curiously.
"If I had to be honest, none. I mean, I've certainly tried, but making something I feel satisfied with enough to sell isn't easy," Robin said sheepishly. "I guess I should have thought of that first, huh?"
"Well what about that painting," Hugh said, pointing to the canvas that Robin had covered in a white sheet. "Why are you working on that?"
"It's not ready yet, and I think I still need to put a lot of work into it to get somewhere," Robin answered. "I was actually thinking of taking a break from it."
"Well, we could all hang out here,"Juniper suggested. "Do you have a radio? We could listen to some music."
"I think I have one around here. Hang on…" Robin went over to a desk, where she was able to find the sought device. Switching it on, a voice filled the room.
"We are live at the Sunshine Coliseum, where in just a few short weeks we will have a musical guest from Khura'in," The announcer said. "We've had foreign performers before, such as Lamiror. This time, we will be featuring the famous dancer Midnah Ni'te-"
Robin's face went pale as soon as she heard the name of the performer, swiftly turning off the radio. "On second thought, how about I try to paint something for you guys," Robin said, putting on a weak smile. "I'm sure I could make something nice for you all!"
As Robin went looking for a blank canvas, Juniper clenched her fists in her lap. I didn't think it was possible for me to dislike someone I never met before. I...don't want to dislike people. But when I think about the case Robin took on in Khura'in… and about Midnah…
"You're thinking about *that* case too, aren't you," Hugh said quietly. "The fact that our friend was plunged in such a turbulent series of events and made it out anyway says a lot about her strength."
As promised, Robin did indeed tell Hugh and Juniper of the case she took on while in Khura'in. At the surface, it sounded like an impossible tale- Robin going up against Apollo in a fraught murder trial.
Calling the defense attorney, however, had him personally confirm that everything happened in that case exactly as Robin said it did. This truth took a while for Juniper to process. Now that she had, however, she found herself wishing that she could to something to alleviate Robin's troubles.
"Hey, maybe we could go out somewhere," Juniper said. "Maybe there's a nice movie we could watch together. It's not like the law office or your studio is going anywhere."
"The law office… oh!" Robin exclaimed suddenly, startling her friends. "No, you should probably go back to your place. You've got your work that you need to do and I have mine. And don't worry about me- I'll be back on my feet before you know it!"
"As the head of the law office in question, I suppose it falls to me to to take on any cases that arrive there. But if you want to drop by at any point, Robin, feel free," Hugh said. "Let's return to the office, Juniper."
She followed after Hugh, but not without taking one last look at Robin. She was already moving to the back of the studio with a paintbrush in hand. Juniper hoped that meant she was already recovering.
April 26, 2029
O'Conner and Co. Law Offices
1:50 p.m.
When Juniper returned to the office, she was surprised to see that Athena was still sitting next to the office phone. "Hello, Thena! Has anyone called in since we were away?"
"No, no one did," Athena said, a bored expression on her face. "So how was visiting Robin?"
"Just as loud and excitable as she usually is," Hugh answered, a fond smile on her face. "Definitely a needed balm after a rough day."
"Maybe I should visit her later!" Athena said, a grin spreading on her face. "It's been a while since we've hung out together!"
Thinking on it, if something was still bothering Robin, then Athena's special hearing and Widget would help her through it. So Juniper said, "It seems like there won't be any calls today. So want to go see Robin now, Thena?"
"Sure, Junie! Where is the art-"
Before Athena could finish, the office phone started ringing. Hugh and Athena immediately looked at the phone, then at each other, glaring intensely.
When it didn't seem like either of them would answer the phone, Juniper picked it up instead. "Hello, this is the O'Conner and Co law offices," Juniper said.
"Is this Juniper Woods?" A male voice asked.
"Ah! Yes, that's me," Juniper said. "Did you want something?"
"I do. I've… been arrested for murder. My trial is tomorrow, and you're my only hope…"
Juniper found herself standing at attention. Someone was personally asking her to defend them. Ever since her first case in which she helped Myriam, Juniper wanted to experience the feeling of standing in court as someone's attorney again. Now this case had presented itself before her.
"Okay, you're at the detention center, right? I'll be there as soon as possible!"
Juniper wrote down what her client told her, then, after a few last words, she hung up and turned towards her friends.
"Thena, Hugh. We need to cancel any plans that we have. We have a new case."
To be continued...
A/N: My fine readers will probably notice we haven't met the defendant or even seen the crime scene yet. This was intentional: This first chapter is meant to lay down plot points that will be important for the case. Rest assured, we have only just begun this large, intricate case. See you next time! Please review.