A/N: The cross-examination of Miles Edgeworth continues! It's a fiery back and forth with Juniper needing to do her best to keep her head above water. Enjoy, my readers!

The Judge slammed his gavel down repeatedly. "Prosecutor Newman, at this point I must interject. We called the Chief Prosecutor to testify, but it seems unclear what he's meant to be testifying about."

"He could testify about the case from the past, like the prosecution requested in the first place," Mrs. Newman said impatiently. "But he refused, so we could continue to discuss the topics he began. I'm sure he'd be happy to explain his reasoning behind his actions during the Andres Artisan trial."

There were deep furrows in Edgeworth's brow. "You are determined to give me a migraine, aren't you? Very well. I will say exactly what you want me to say. I only hope you don't regret the testimony you're asking for."

"The testimony has come back to the case that Professor Courte was investigating," Juniper said. "I wonder what the Chief Prosecutor will add?"

"Back then, it was early in Mr. Edgeworth's career too," Robin added. "We might learn something new about him that we didn't know before!"

Witness Testimony

The Sealed Case File: Edgeworth's Account

Edgeworth: "Even now, I don't know what I could possibly add. I had no direct involvement in the events of that case."

Klavier: "It seems that Prosecutor Newman's current theory rests on your statement to the newspaper after the fact, Herr Edgeworth."

Ema: "That's a pretty weak connection, and I doubt there's anything else that could connect the Chief Prosecutor to this case."

Edgeworth: "Precisely, Detective Skye. It's why I refused to elaborate on this before: because it would not amount to anything."

End Testimony

Mrs. Newman smacked her bench with a folder. "So even now, you don't say anything of substance?"

Edgeworth crossed his arms. "I cannot say information that I do not possess. Now that it's clear that cross-examination would be a waste of time, can we move on?"

"OBJECTION!" Robin smacked the gallery wall behind herself. "You don't get to decide that! The defense decides if they want to cross-examine the testimony or not!"

"Well, Miss Woods? Are you going to engage in cross-examination?" The Judge asked.

"I will, Your Honor," Juniper answered. Because I want to know what Professor Courte was looking for. I want to find the answer she couldn't find.

Edgeworth let out a deep, weary sigh. "It seems all defense attorneys love to needlessly prolong trials. But I suppose it's only a matter of time before everyone sees sense."

There was a question itching at Juniper's mind, and she felt now was the time to ask it. "Why have you been so hesitant to testify about the case file, Mr. Edgeworth?"

"As a reminder, this trial is concerned with the stabbing of Tony Smokes' body," Edgeworth said. "That is what should be discussed. I feel as though I sound like a broken record, but only because no one seems to understand this."

"Yet giving a statement does not harm you," Mr. Newman said. "So the defense's question stands."

"What on Earth are you expecting me to say?" Edgeworth asked furiously.

This might be a good chance to clear up some of the matters that have been nagging at me. Juniper asked, "Could you tell the court why you made the statement you did to the newspaper? The one included with the case file."

"Looking at the newspaper, it seems to be a commentary on Mrs. Newman's capacity as a prosecutor," The Judge observed. "And as has been stated previously, a lot of the people from this past case are gathered here again."

"In particular, the Chief Prosecutor was in the victim's house, on the day of the victim's suicide," Mrs. Newman said. "So no more of this 'it's not related' line. It doesn't hold up."

For a moment, Edgeworth didn't say anything, glaring at Mrs. Newman. Then he said, "If you want to hear my opinion, then I shall give it. Exactly what I believed, seeing your performance that day."

Adjusting his glasses, Edgeworth continued. "A prosecutor is fully responsible for their case, which includes what goes wrong. So when I heard the excuses that Mrs. Newman was spouting, the baseless theories she was making… there was only one response. Someone so ruled by their emotions has no place in the legal system."

An uncomfortable silence followed. The Judge contemplated what he heard. "A harsh assessment, to be sure. Which then found its way to a newspaper."

Can I do anything with this statement? Juniper couldn't think of anything right away, so she said, "I would like Mr. Edgeworth to add his statement about Mrs. Newman to the testimony."

"Another favored tactic by the defense when they want to stall for time." Edgeworth grinned wryly. "But the predictability is almost comforting, in a way."

"I don't know what it is about his tone, but hearing him say that makes me want to do something unpredictable," Robin said, irritated. "Just so he'd stop looking so smug."

"But we need some kind of evidence or contradicting testimony before we can press him. I guess we have to keep going with the cross-examination." Juniper turned towards Klavier. "But Mrs. Newman was far from the only person investigating what happened back then."

"That is not exactly what we are talking about here, Fraulein Woods," Klavier said in a gentle tone. "I am saying that Mrs. Newman is involving Herr Edgeworth in this trial based on his statement in the newspaper. I'm sure you can agree that it's different, ja?"

"If you want to talk about this trial, there is something else to consider," Mrs. Newman said, reading from a file in her hand. "The Chief Prosecutor paid a visit to the Smokes manor. What business did you have that day?"

"Edgeworth's eyes widened. "So that's your game, Prosecutor Newman. That's why you took us on this long path through this bloated testimony."

"Can you answer the question already?!" Robin asked aggressively.

"This is the defense team's cross-examination. I believe if they want to make a claim, they have to prove it," Edgeworth stated.

So that's my responsibility then. I need to remember who had been at the manor. The day before the murder felt like it was so long ago. Yet, there was a faint kindling in the back of Juniper's mind. One that contradicted a statement in the testimony.

"OBJECTION!" Juniper glanced at Ema. "Detective Skye, you claim that there's nothing else connecting the Chief Prosecutor to this case."

"Because it was only a coincidence that Mr. Edgeworth happened to be there the day of the suicide," Ema said, her hand on her hip. "That's not any kind of connection."

"That wasn't the only day that he was in the manor, though. Edgeworth was there the day before," Juniper explained. "And I believe he was there to question Mrs. Newman."

"Wait, what?" Ema asked, genuinely surprised.

Juniper took the sunflower in her hair and breathed in deeply to steel herself, before saying, "Mr. Edgeworth, when I asked at the time why you were talking with Mrs. Newman, you told me it was classified. Can you tell the court what that business was now?"

Edgeworth adjusted his glasses, mulling it over. "I must say, I wasn't expecting you to actually provide proof. I was there to talk with Mrs. Newman about her movements. Leaving for Khura'in so abruptly, then returning just as abruptly."

"The reason I returned to the country is because Detective Smokes called me," Mrs. Newman said. "He told me that the Chief Prosecutor wanted to talk with him, and Tony wanted me to be there."

"That makes sense. After all, Edgeworth wouldn't need to talk with my wife at someone else's home," Mr. Newman said. "They could talk at the office for that."

"Wait a second, then! That doesn't add up!" Robin yelled. "Mr. Edgeworth couldn't have planned to meet with my mother if she only went to the manor on Detective Smokes' request! So why was he really there?"

Edgeworth stiffened, and at the prosecutor's bench Mrs. Newman smiled proudly. "Looks like you've hit upon the core contradiction in this testimony, dear. Unless the Chief Prosecutor can explain himself?"

"Ah, now it becomes clear," Klavier said, looking as relaxed as ever. "The day the detective's body was found, I talked with Das Chief about what happened before the blackout. He and Mrs. Newman were discussing the old case file."

Robin reared back, holding her arms close to herself. "Is that why you asked Bailey about the case file? I'd always wondered why you approached her about it."

"Correct, Fraulein Robin. So I wanted to see the file myself," Klavier said, snapping his finger. "To learn why it has everyone's attention."

Another contradiction surfaced in Juniper's mind, and she spoke it out loud. "Earlier, Mr. Edgeworth said that Mrs. Newman's theory about the case file is baseless. Then why is he talking to related parties about it all these years later?"

"You have it backwards, Ms. Woods. You'll remember Mrs. Newman's trip to Khura'in," Edgeworth said, his eyes sharp. "She returned several months before the meeting with Mr. Smokes. When she did return, the first thing she did was look up that case file."

"My mother first approached you when Hugh was defending Miss Moon," Robin said to Juniper. "Do you remember what she wanted to talk with you about?"

"She told me that she was back in the country to help a friend," Juniper said, struggling to remember that far back. "Assuming that means Tony Smokes, then why did all of this happen now, months later?"

"OBJECTION!" Edgeworth's voice rang through the courtroom, catching everyone's attention. He tapped his forehead with his fingers. "You have my appreciation and my condolences, Prosecutor Newman. The discussion about the case file is relevant to this trial after all."

"This is a sudden change for a staid man like you," Mrs. Newman said, narrowing her eyes. "What brought this on?"

"I would pose a question to the defense. Given all that you've heard up to this point, doesn't a suspect come to mind?" Mr. Edgeworth asked. "Someone besides the defendant that would have motive to stab Detective Smokes?"

"I don't know what the Chief Prosecutor's thinking, but it wouldn't hurt to check the Court Record," Robin suggested. "The sooner we get Bailey off the hook, the better!"

Something to remember is that it's likely that no one knew that Detective Smokes was going to take his own life. That same someone would also be in a position to frame Bailey after they stabbed the body. As Juniper browsed the evidence, she saw something that sounded a wrong note to her.

"TAKE THAT!" Juniper nervously tented her fingers together. "So, at the end of yesterday's trial day, it was established that a third party likely pressed the call button in the victim's room, to summon Bailey to the body."

The Judge nodded. "That is correct. If the defendant did not stab the victim, then it would have happened before she arrived in the room."

"The thing is, I can't think of anyone else that would even know about the button system," Juniper said. "Except for someone that visited the house regularly, and knew both Detective Smokes and Bailey well. And there's only one person that fits that criteria."

I've accused people of being the culprit before, but this… this is unlike anything I've ever done. Once I utter this name, the nature of this trial is going to change dramatically.

Juniper felt someone grasp her hand, and turned to see that it was Robin, who smiled at her. "Say the name, Juniper! I want you to say the name, so we can finally begin to drag the truth of this case into the light!"

If Robin thinks that I should, then I don't have reason to hesitate anymore. "The most likely suspect in this case… is Prosecutor Diana Newman!"

Edgeworth slammed his palm on the witness stand. "The defense speaks true. The reason that Prosecutor Newman has been dragging out this trial is to make sure no one else realizes this fact. However, it is now too late."

At the prosecutor's bench, Mrs. Newman was now dabbing away sweat from her face with a handkerchief. "I'm afraid both of you are forgetting something crucial. Care to enlighten them, Prosecutor Gavin?"

"When the blackout occurred that day, I immediately blocked the entrance to the east side of the house," Klavier said. "And no one passed by me until the police arrived. So everyone on the east side of the house has an alibi."

"Ah! My mother was one of the people on the east side of the house," Robin said, her eyes wide. "So there's no way she could have stabbed the body, since it was on the other side of the manor."

"In other words, the idea that I could be the culprit has no basis." Mrs. Newman smacked her bench. "And I expected the Chief Prosecutor to be better than this!"

"Ngoohhh!" Edgeworth doubled over on the witness stand again.

"Noooo!" Juniper screamed, her knees buckling out from under her and forcing her to grip onto the defense bench.

Robin slammed the gallery behind her with her palm. "That doesn't make the earlier point less valid. The culprit had to know about the bell system. Unless you have an explanation how the bell in the victim's room rang after he died?"

"How are you so sure that this bell rang in the first place? We only have the defendant's word that it did," Mrs. Newman pointed out. "It creates another culprit besides herself."

Robin is right. The idea that a third party pressed the button in Detective Smokes' hasn't been disproven, and in fact seems to make the most sense. But how do I prove it? Juniper considered the previous testimony. Mrs. Newman's point is more of a double edged sword than she thinks it is.

"Yes, there were several people at the east end of the manor. Which is why there's a question I'd like to ask," Juniper said. "Did anyone in that area hear a bell before the blackout?"

"Thinking about it carefully, a faint bell did ring before the blackout," Edgeworth mused out loud. "Were the defendant's required services in that wing of the house?"

"You have it backwards. Bailey's room is located in the east wing of the manor," Juniper explained. "And whenever her services are needed in a room, someone would press a button there. That would ring an associated bell in Bailey's room."

"I underestimated your skill as a defense attorney, Miss Woods," Edgeworth said, smirking. "That a bell was heard before the blackout proves that a third party pushed the button in the victim's room."

"...I'm afraid it's not that simple, Mr. Edgeworth," Ema said, frowning. "We dusted the button in the victim's room, and it had no fingerprints. Unless someone besides the defendant saw which bell rang, it's not conclusive proof."

"It seems we are at an impasse," Klavier said, a serious expression on his face. "Will this trial be forced to go another day, while we chase the answer to this question?"

"OBJECTION! I wouldn't be so quick to give up," Mrs. Newman said. "All we need is testimony about what occurred at both wings of the manor."

"That does seem to be the most reasonable course of action," The Judge said. "I will call a 30 minute recess, while the prosecution works out the order in which the witnesses will testify."

"I do need the 30 minute recess, but not quite for that reason." Mrs. Newman smiled mysteriously. "After all the complaining the Chief Prosecutor has done about this trial being dragged out, I will take his advice. To expedite proceedings, I will call all the witnesses to the stand."

"Wait, 'all the witnesses'? What does that mean?" Juniper asked curiously.

"You will see after the recess," Mrs. Newman answered. "You will understand that this is the only way to get a full picture of this case."

"It seems there is nothing further to discuss, so I will officially call a thirty minute recess. Court is adjourned!" The Judge firmly slammed his gavel on his bench.

To be continued

A/N: The fierce argument over the facts heats up. Yet you better believe that Miles Edgeworth will not take such assertions lying down. So Juniper will continue to untangle the path forward from all of this. See you next time! Please review.