A/N: At long last, Episode 3 returns! All this time, I have been writing the second half of this case for everyone. Now, I am finally ready to debut this part of the case to the world. Enjoy, my readers!

April 27th, 2029

O'Conner and Co. Law Office

2:00 p.m.

"So, that trial… happened." Hugh said, cold sweat dripping off his brow. "I wish I had a better way to describe it, but I'm at a loss for words here."

Juniper felt the same. While she'd gone into court expecting an uphill battle, she didn't expect the sheer insanity that had transpired over the course of the trial. The biggest mystery, of course, involved Robin- Juniper could still remember how she'd totally lost control near the end.

"I'm here!" Athena exclaimed as she burst into the office. "So what did I…" She stopped as she took in the dour atmosphere hanging around.

"It's a very long story, Thena." Juniper caught her up on everything that happened in court after she had gotten removed, then waited for a response.

"I had a feeling something like that was going to happen," Athena said, playing with her earring. "It's why I tried to stop the trial earlier."

"Care to elaborate? Back then you had walked in like you knew something we didn't," Hugh said, narrowing his eyes.

"I did! But I got kicked out of court before I could say anything!" Athena exclaimed. "About the discord in Robin's heart."

"...!" Juniper had picked that something was wrong with Robin. Now it was a matter of determining exactly what happened to her. "What kind of discord did you hear?"

"I heard… a storm of emotions inside of Robin," Athena said, holding her arm. "Frustration, sadness, anguish. Like a heavy weight crushing her. The only other time I can remember Robin's emotions being like this… is back when she was pretending to be a guy."

"It's that bad?!" Juniper had been sitting in the defendant's chair when Athena had done the therapy session on Robin. So Juniper could remember the raw anger and suffering that Robin displayed while on the witness stand.

"Yes. And I think Robin knew that I would expose her feelings to the court. That's why she had me removed," Athena said. "At least, it's the only reason I can think of."

"I think that settles it. We need to find Robin and ask her what is going on here," Hugh said, pushing up his glasses.

"I want to talk to her too. But first, can we stop by the detention center?" Juniper asked softly. "I want to talk to Mr. Artisan first. He's the one on trial, so he must feel so alone right now."

"I see your point, Junie. Then we'll go visit him," Athena said. "And I'll make sure Widget doesn't blurt out anything insensitive this time."

"Yes, that would help." Hugh quipped.

April 27th, 2029

Detention Center, Visitor's Room

2:30 p.m.

"Hello again, Andres," Juniper said once she seated herself across her client. "How have you been?"

"I've been hanging in there. I'm… glad that you were able to get through the court today," Mr. Artisan answered.

"Thanks for saying that." Juniper stopped and considered the fact that she was being reassured by her client. That was how backwards this entire case was right now.

Juniper pushed that thought out of her head. When it came to new information about the case, there were several important questions that needed to be asked. "So what's this writing contest that Miss Scribe was in?"

"It's called the 'Worlds Collide' contest. It's a national writing contest that takes place in the Los Angeles convention center every year," Mr. Artisan explained. "Skylar wanted to participate in it for fun this year, so she submitted a story."

"Did you help Miss Scribe with this story in any fashion?" Hugh asked.

"I did some illustrations for it. It was a little different from our usual collaborative work," Mr. Artisan said. "As opposed to the manga where most of it are my drawings, this story was mostly Skylar's writing, and I illustrated only the cover and a few pages."

"Which is to say that most of the credit for that story would probably go to Miss Scribe," Athena said thoughtfully. "Did she go to the convention center because of this contest?"

"No, actually. Skylar wanted to go get a book autographed by an author she liked," Mr. Artisan answered. He hung his head. "I don't know what happened to her after that. I wish I could help more…"

"It's okay, Mr. Artisan! You're trying your best," Athena said, putting on her best reassuring smile. "Thank you for telling us this much!"

Now it was time to ask a much tougher question. "Andres, do you believe that one of the other contestants in the contest could have murdered Miss Scribe?"

"I'm not sure, Juniper. 'Worlds Collide' has a unique gimmick as a contest." Mr. Artisan shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't tell you much more than that."

"I was afraid you were going to say that." It looked like they needed to thoroughly investigate this contest if they wanted to figure out the truth behind Miss Scribe's death. "Can you at least tell us what's so special about it?"

"I can tell you that much. It's that everyone in the contest uses a pen name," Mr. Artisan explained. "Since me and Skylar were entering the contest together, we chose the pen name of 'Colorful-Sky'."

"That's a pretty name! Although, why are the pen names even necessary?" Athena asked.

Mr. Artisan shrugged. "Apparently it's meant to make the contest fair for all contestants. The rules do allow for several people to join forces for a single entry, which is how Skylar and I could work together for this."

"We did meet one of those contestants in court today. A woman called Dakota Sapling." Juniper said. "So that means she must have a pen name as well."

"And it seemed like Miss Sapling holds some kind of ill will towards Skylar," Hugh added, adjusting his glasses. "So we must consider her a suspect."

"I don't know what Miss Sapling's pen name is. Then again, I can't think of a reason why anyone would want to hurt Skylar," Mr. Artisan said. "She's such a kind person, I don't believe anyone would hold a grudge against her."

"Mr. Artisan, I can hear in your voice how much you cared about Miss Scribe," Athena said, tears forming in her eyes. "And how hurt you are that she died. Now I see why Junie believes in you so much."

"I'm… glad that Juniper believes in me too. I didn't think anyone would believe in me so completely in this situation," Mr. Artisan said, looking down at his lap.

Athena froze at these words. "Excuse me- I don't want to push too hard during such a difficult time for you. But I just heard discord in your voice."

"Discord in Mr. Artisan's voice?" That was the absolute last thing that Juniper expected to hear. "Where do you hear it?"

Athena booted up the screen for her Mood Matrix. "It was when he said 'I didn't think anyone would believe in me.' There is a note of sadness in his voice when he says that."

"Andres, what is Thena talking about? What reason could you have to feel sad about me believing in you?" Juniper asked.

"Because before I called you, I was at the end of my rope," Mr. Artisan said. "If you didn't agree to defend my case, I don't know what I would have done."

"You personally requested Junie? I believe in her abilities as a defense attorney," Athena said. "But what made you demand her help specifically?"

"It was this…" Mr. Artisan dug around in the pockets of his shorts, before taking out a business card. Juniper recognized it as the business card to Hugh's law office.

"Ah, so you decided to entrust your fate with my law office," Hugh said, smirking. "That would certainly explain it, right?"

He looked around, to see that Juniper and Athena still had grim expressions on their faces. "Not quite yet, Hugh. The noise in his voice hasn't entirely cleared up."

"That's not all, either. There is a contradiction in Mr. Artisan's words too." Juniper wasn't sure how she hadn't seen it earlier- it was there from the beginning of this case.

"TAKE THAT! This is the evidence that expose the contradiction."

"Juniper, that's another one of our business cards. How does it prove anything?" Hugh asked.

"Athena, I want you to read this business card and tell me what you see," Juniper said. This was related to Hugh's question, but Juniper needed to lead up to her answer.

"Uh, it says, 'O'Conner and Law Offices', and it also has the firm's number and address." Athena said, studying the card closely.

"When Mr. Artisan first called me, he asked 'Are you Juniper Woods?' Think carefully about that, Hugh."

Hugh pushed up his glasses as he mulled over Juniper's words, before his eyes widened. "Wait a second. Mr. Artisan, how did you know her name before she introduced herself?"

"That's right! The business card doesn't mention Juniper's name. What gives?" Athena asked, Widget flashing red around her neck.

Mr. Artisan recoiled, hugging himself with his arms. "I don't understand what the problem is! Robin told me your name- that's why I called you."

Everyone in the detention center was stricken silent by those words. What Mr. Artisan just said was strange on many levels. Juniper wasn't quite sure where to start.

Which perhaps made it a good thing that Athena found her voice first. "When you say 'Robin', do you mean a person named Robin you know?"

Mr. Artisan played with the fringe of his hair. "I wouldn't say I know her? I only met her a few days ago. Her name is Robin Newman."

"So you mean to say… you know my friend? You met the person prosecuting your case?" In Juniper's mind, she was reviewing the trial earlier today. How Robin acted… the unusual amount of holes in her case.

"It's a long story. In fact, I think it might be for the best if Robin explained it with me," Mr. Artisan said, folding his hands in his lap. "I really thought you knew already..."

What I am supposed to know already? And… why didn't she tell me about any of this?

This case was quickly taking a turn for the strange. One thing was for sure- Juniper needed to find Robin as soon as possible.

On their way out of the detention center, Hugh stopped walking.

"What is it, Hugh?" Juniper asked.

"I think I'm going to stay behind. I want to keep talking with Mr. Artisan," Hugh said. "It's possible he'll remember something new, but I think he'll also need the company."

"That sounds like a good idea," Juniper said, smiling. "Thena and I will keep investigating. Let's meet up at our office later, and I'll brief you on our findings."

"And maybe when we meet up, we'll have solved the case already!" Athena exclaimed. "So don't worry about it."

"Believe it or not, that does sound reassuring," Hugh said, smiling to himself. "Very well. I leave the investigation of this case to you."

"We're going to investigate together, Junie! I'm so excited!" Athena exclaimed, grinning. "Let's do this!"

"Yeah, let's do this!" If there was anything that Athena was good at doing, it was putting Juniper at ease.

April 27th, 2029

Prosecutor's Office, Robin's Office

2:30 p.m.

For the first time in her life, Juniper found herself standing in the prosecutor's office. Perhaps it was her imagination, but the place had a heavy, oppressive atmosphere to it.

The prosecutors in the building looked upon Athena and her in suspicion. It didn't help that they had the attorney badges pinned to their lapels. Athena glared at the prosecutors until they left, which let them make their way to Robin's office.

While the office was small, it was stuffed with Robin's personality. The desk was covered in colored scribbles, while the walls were covered in photos. The photos were of all of Robin's friends: Juniper, Hugh, Athena, Apollo, and even Myriam.

"Wow, this is probably the friendliest prosecutor's office I've ever been in!" Athena exclaimed. "Well, I've only ever seen Simon's office, but still."

"Well, it looks like we missed Robin," Juniper said, looking around the office with a fond smile on her face. "Do you want to wait here for her, Thena?"

"I can't see why not! I've been meaning to-"

Before Athena could finish what she was saying, the door to the office opened. But it wasn't Robin that entered, but Ema instead. "Prosecutor Newman! Are you in here, because I have-" Ema spotted Athena and Juniper. "Oh, it's just you girls."

Immediately, Widget turned red, and Athena glared at Ema. "I heard you gave Junie an awful time in court! So I have some words for you!"

"H-hey! I didn't do anything wrong," Detective Skye said, returning a glare towards Athena. "I was just doing my job! In fact, I seem to be the only one that's doing their job in this case."

"Hmm? You believe what you're saying," Athena said, her anger dissipating. "But why do you believe that? What makes you 'the only one'?"

"You mean you didn't notice? Then I'll have to be the one to break it to you," Detective Skye said. "Prosecutor Newman is trying to throw the case."

Juniper heard the words, but it took awhile for her to comprehend them. "Y-you mean, Robin is trying to lose on purpose?"

"And the defendant was still close to being declared guilty?" Athena asked. "What kind of wunderkind is Robin?"

"Oh, Prosecutor Newman had nothing to do with that. I'm the one that's been getting the case back on the right track," Detective Skye said, rolling her eyes. "It's been a headache and a half. Especially with everyone yelling at me for doing what I'm supposed to be doing."

"That's wrong, Detective Skye." Now that Juniper had an idea of what was really going on, certain actions took on new significance. "You were not doing your job!"

"You have some nerve saying that, you know!" Ema said venomously. "If you'd been a better defense attorney, maybe you wouldn't have had your case rescued by the prosecution!"

Juniper winced at that, holding her hands to her chest. She couldn't deny a certain level of truth in Ema's words. This situation arose partially because of Juniper's failure to defend her client. However… "No, there is evidence that you are responsible for this case's current condition too."

Reviewing the events of the case in her head, a moment stuck out clearly to Juniper. The evidence connected to that moment- "TAKE THAT! This is the evidence that you should have investigated more closely."

"That's a scrap of wallpaper," Athena said, studying it curiously. "I didn't see the trial, so I have to ask: How did that help as evidence?"

The moment Juniper pulled out her evidence, Ema went pale, signaling that she was on the right track. "This was evidence that Detective Skye discovered, but didn't submit to Robin. As a result, she didn't realize that the victim's body had been wrapped and carried from the true crime scene."

"Th-that's just a theory! We don't know if that little scrap is related to how the victim was killed," Ema said, tugging at the neckline of her shirt. "So I don't see why it's such a big deal that I didn't submit it."

"No, it is a big deal. Because as Mr. Swerve testified in court earlier, this wallpaper comes from the writing contest that is happening in the nearby convention center," Juniper said. "If you had submitted this evidence to Robin, she would have known to investigate this contest. So why didn't you?"

"How was I supposed to know where this wallpaper came from? I did analyze it, you know," Ema said defensively. "There were no fingerprints, blood, or anything like that on the scrap."

"You're the detective! So investigating evidence and where it comes from is your thing!" Athena exclaimed, balling her fists. "Is there anything else you've kept to yourself?"

Ema dug around in her canvas bag, before taking out a small evidence bag. Inside was a small, white slip of paper. On the paper was printed a single number: 25.

"Huh? What's this supposed to mean?" Juniper asked, studying the paper closely. Aside from the number, it was blank.

"Beats me. I preserved this paper slip, but I have no idea how this connects to anything," Ema said. "So go ahead and keep it."

Paper slip added to the Court Record

"Detective Skye, do you see now? Junie was right. You thought you were the only one that was doing the 'right thing', but instead you put everyone in a hard position," Athena said. "So please, cooperate with us. With both Junie and Robin."

"You say that, but try being told to investigate the same places over and over and having your work unappreciated," Ema said, pouting. "This is getting in the way of my assignment."

"'Your assignment?' That sounds like it's something other than the case at hand," Athena said, looking straight at Ema.

"No, it is this case," Ema said, turning away. "With how simple the murder seemed, I was thinking it would wrap up quickly. But it can never be that easy, can it?"

"It really can't. I've worked on some pretty confusing cases myself." Athena said sympathetically.

"Detective Skye, I don't think Robin didn't appreciate your work," Juniper said softly. "I think, precisely because she trusts in your ability as a detective, she wanted to be absolutely sure of the facts she was dealing with."

"It sure didn't feel like that," Ema said in a sullen tone. "Then again, I'm tired of all the running around I've had to do investigating everything."

"Hopefully not too tired. Because I want you to accompany us!" Athena exclaimed. "We're going to find Robin and hear her reasons straight from her mouth!"

"If you really want to see this case arrive at the right conclusion, we need to be honest with each other," Juniper said firmly. "So no more withholding evidence."

"I get it already! Geez, this incident is not going to draw to a close any time soon," Ema said, sighing.

Athena punched her hand, shouting. "It sure won't if we don't get a move ! En route, mauvaise troupe ! We have a prosecutor to find!"

As they made their way in the prosecutor's office and discussed where to go, the group was surprised by a ringing sound.

When the three women checked themselves, Juniper discovered that it was her cell phone that was producing the noise.

"Hello? Who is this?" Juniper asked.

"Junie! I got the worst feeling in my stomach just now, and I have a feeling that you're in trouble."

"Oh, Mrs. Newman! I'm glad to hear you right now, but why are you calling me?" Juniper asked, surprised.

"After the trial today, I saw Robin, and her heart was burdened something awful," Mrs. Newman said. "But she tried to play it off as being a little stressed. As her friend, I thought you might have a better idea of what this case has been doing to her."

"Truth be told, I'm not sure myself. I'm in the process of looking for Robin so I can find out," Juniper explained. "Though, I can tell you what I do know if you want."

"That would be much appreciated. I'm worried about my daughter," Mrs. Newman said.

Juniper explained to Mrs. Newman about how odd Robin had been acting during the trial, along with the revelation that she was apparently trying to throw the case.

"To think that my daughter would be trying to do something so foolhardy. She can be irrevocably stubborn," Mrs. Newman said, tutting under her breath. "This is how she gets in trouble like she does."

"I'm still not entirely sure what I'm going to do after I find Robin," Juniper confessed. "As a defense attorney, it's my job to protect my client. Seeing the kind of anguish that Robin is in, though, I want to do something to help her too."

"This is going to sound cold, Junie. But being on opposite sides that you are, there is only so much you can do for Robin," Mrs. Newman said. "The legal system needs both sides to do their duty. Otherwise, everything falls apart."

"I guess I can see what you're saying… still, I wish it wasn't like this," Juniper muttered. It's true, defense attorneys and prosecutors have their opposite roles to play. But while I'm a defense attorney right now, it's to one day become a judge. Because… I want to help the legal system in a way outside of those roles.

"If there's one thing that does reassure me, it's know that you're working on this case," Mrs. Newman said, fondness in her tone. "And don't worry too much about Robin. Now that you've told me what's going in with her, I'm going to do my best to take care of my daughter."

"Okay, I won't worry!" The conversation ended there, so Juniper put away her cell phone.

"I heard you say 'Mrs. Newman.' So you were talking with Robin's mom?" Athena asked.

"I was! She knew that I would need some help, so she called me," Juniper said, smiling. "I feel much better now!"

"I really got to meet Robin's mom one day. Knowing Robin like I do, I can only imagine what her mom is like." Athena said jokingly.

"Can we get this case back on track? First, we need to find Prosecutor Newman," Ema said impatiently. "Then maybe we can finally get this investigation somewhere!"

"You're right, Ema! Glad to finally have you back on our side!" Athena exclaimed cheerfully.

We've uncovered some answers. But we are nowhere near close to solving this case. In the end, it all comes down to what we learn from Robin…

To be continued.

A/N: This investigation will be much longer and complex than anything I've written previously for this story. So I am looking forward to seeing if my readers can keep up! Many mysteries lie ahead. See you next time! Please review.