A/N: A fresh testimony for the court and the readers to dissect! Getting down to the finer details of the crime, in order to uncover the true culprit once and for all. Enjoy, my readers!

At the witness stand, Edgeworth yawned.

"Did you not get any sleep last night, Chief Prosecutor?" The Judge asked.

"I did not, as a matter of fact. You can thank the woman at the prosecutor's bench," Edgeworth said, giving Diana Newman a nasty glare. "She was interrogating myself and Detective Skye all night long."

"I've had to be interrogated at the detention center twice, but never all night," Juniper said in a sympathetic tone. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"As it happens, the interrogation did not occur at the detention center," Mrs. Newman said. "I handed the subpoena to Edgeworth and the detective at the Smokes' Manor, and held the interrogation there."

"Mrs. Newman didn't take her eyes off of us the entire night," Ema said, looking grumpy. "She even took us straight to the courtroom this morning in her personal car."

"It was a hassle, but not related to the case at hand," Edgeworth said, his arms crossed. "I would prefer that we continue the trial."

"You wouldn't have known it by looking at him, but that's the same suit he was wearing yesterday," Mrs. Newman said, an amused grin on her face. "He really cares about his appearance too much. Don't you think, Junie?"

"I do not believe we are here to gossip about the Chief Prosecutor's style," The Judge said. "Even if I've always wondered where he gets his suits."

Juniper, however, was thinking about something else entirely. Mrs. Newman directed that last question at me. Is there something I was supposed to have noticed?

Witness Testimony

During the blackout

"Yesterday, the court deliberated on the events of the west side of the manor," Hugh said. "I don't believe there's a need to review them again."

"I think it's good to restate it, Hugh! Our presence there is the main reason why no one could enter the crime scene without the tunnel!" Robin exclaimed. "So it could only be Bailey, or someone at the east side of the manor!"

"Which would be myself, and the Newmans. When the blackout hit, I did not move from my spot." Edgeworth pushed his glasses up his nose. "Although I suppose I have no way of proving my movements, or lack thereof."

"Before the blackout, I was eating food with my wife in the sitting room," Mr. Newman said. "And after the blackout, I believe Miss Woods found us there."

"I decided to stay in one of my cardboard boxes, to be safe!" Myriam's expression grew angry. "But a rude someone stepped on me, Kahk Kahk!"

"I was in Mr. Smokes' bedroom, and I did not move once the power went out." Bailey nervously gripped her dress. "However, while I was in the room I heard the sound of a door slam shut. It bothers me that I don't know what it was."

"I still don't feel like I can contribute to the discussion." Ema's pout grew deeper. "I guess this is what I get for being last on the scene."

"I stood at the door to the east side of the manor, and no one exited from there." Klavier flipped his hair. "However, perhaps my presence there has new significance."

End Testimony

For the first time, a grin crossed Edgeworth's face. "I see that we have reached the final testimony of this case, and not a moment too soon."

"On what grounds do you declare that this will be the final testimony?" Mrs. Newman asked, glaring at Edgeworth.

"It has been established that everyone involved in this case had an alibi before the blackout," Edgeworth explained. "And likewise, after the blackout everyone's whereabouts are accounted for. This is the only period when another suspect could have committed the crime."

"Even the defendant admits that she was at the crime scene. Without proof that someone else stabbed the victim, she will be found guilty." The Judge's heavy gaze lay on Juniper. "It is up to the defense to prove that someone else made their move during the blackout."

With the existence of the tunnel, it's possible that someone made use of it to stab the victim's body before Bailey entered the room. So the most important question to answer at this point is: was it really Mrs. Newman?

Juniper felt that the most important statement was Bailey's, and so pressed it. "When you entered the room, did you close the door behind you? I believe I remember the door being closed when I got there with Hugh and Robin."

"I can confirm that I closed the door behind me. Which is why it bothers me so much that I heard a door slamming shut while the lights were out," Bailey said in a troubled tone. "It should have been impossible for someone else to escape the room, but they did."

"OBJECTION!" Mrs. Newman slammed her hand on the bench, and Bailey shuddered from the chill that came over her. "The simple explanation is that there was no third person at the scene. You slammed the door close, end of story."

"OBJECTION!" Juniper consulted the evidence. "Now that we know that the wardrobe in the victim's room opens into a tunnel, it's possible that someone could have slammed the wardrobe door closed when they made their escape."

The Judge slammed his gavel on his bench. "However, proof has not been presented that a third person was at the crime scene. So I cannot allow this line of questioning to continue."

At least the possibility has been opened up. I need to ask as many questions as possible. "HOLD IT! Do you think that there's anything new you can tell the court, Prosecutor Gavin?"

"I do and I do not, Fraulein Woods. I listened closely to the other side of the door, and I heard nothing," Klavier said. "No one at the east side of the manor moved."

"I heard nothing either," Mr. Newman said curtly. "No one ran during the blackout."

"It seems that the defense's theory that someone used the tunnel is unsustainable," Edgeworth said, crossing his arms. "If a third party did run through the tunnel, someone would have heard it."

"With all due respect, Chief Prosecutor, why did the third party have to run through the tunnel?" Juniper asked. "They could have walked precisely to not make noise."

"The culprit did not know how long the blackout would last before the power came back on. They would be in a rush," Edgeworth pointed out. "However, we do have multiple witnesses stating that no strange noises were heard. So it stands to reason that the tunnel was not used."

"Does the defense have any evidence to contradict the testimony?" The Judge asked.

For once, I have the perfect evidence to rebut the argument. "TAKE THAT! During yesterday's investigation, Detective Skye ran an experiment in the secret tunnel. She had Robin stand in the tunnel and shout at the top of her lungs."

"I stood in the tunnel with Robin," Ema said, her hands rubbing the tips of her ears. "I swear her yelling is still ringing in my ears."

"However, Detective Skye also had several people standing outside the tunnel, including myself," Juniper said. "And none of us heard Robin yell. Which can only mean one thing."

Juniper drew her arm back, and pointed it at Mrs. Newman. "The tunnel is soundproofed! As such, anyone could have used it during the blackout and no one would have been the wiser!"

"OBJECTION!" Mrs. Newman tutted under her breath. "And we are meant to take your word on it?"

"Hey, I'm the one that ran this experiment!" Ema snapped. "And if you want further confirmation, we could always send police to the tunnel and do it again!"

A confident smirk spread on Edgeworth's face. "Given Miss Newman's prodigious volume of voice, it certainly does prove that the tunnel is soundproofed. Another suspect could have used the tunnel, and even ran inside of it without anyone hearing it."

"I suppose I cannot deny that my daughter's voice carries unlike any other," Mrs. Newman said, sweat running down her face. "She has certainly left my ears ringing many times."

"Indeed. Whatever type of soundproofing that the tunnel uses, it must be perfect to be able to block out Robin's yelling," Hugh added. "I imagine the manufacturer is about to see an uptick of orders after this trial."

"I'm standing right here, you know!" Robin shouted in irritation. "So stop talking about me like I'm not here!"

"So you've proven that the tunnel could have been used during the blackout," Mrs. Newman said. "But that's not the same as showing that it was a specific person."

The Judge nodded. "I would ask the defense to return to the cross-examination, to see if there is further proof to support their theory."

Juniper considered which part of the testimony she hadn't delved into yet. "HOLD IT! You really can't account for your own movements, Prosecutor Edgeworth?"

"I am not in the habit of making statements without proof," Edgeworth stated plainly. "I was busy investigating the east side of the manor when the blackout hit. Yet, no one was with me, so no one else can give supporting testimony for my actions."

Hugh rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't think I've ever seen someone accurately point out the flaws in their own testimony."

"Okay, can you at least tell the court in what area of the manor you were in?" Juniper asked.

"After the conversation with Miss Newman, I explored the east side of the manor," Edgeworth explained. "I was in the kitchen when the power went out."

"Of course, as you pointed out earlier, there's no evidence to support this," Mrs. Newman said, grinning. "Who is to say that you didn't stab the victim's body instead?"

Edgeworth pushed his glasses up his nose. "You would need to provide proof for that theory, is all I will say."

Edgeworth claims that he was in the kitchen. Maybe delving into the testimony more can clear up this point. "HOLD IT! You're being very vague right now, Mr. Newman. What did you do during the blackout?"

"You could probably figure it out," Mr. Newman said with his usual bluntness. "I made it clear enough."

Juniper took a deep breath, and slammed her hands on the defense bench. "That's not good enough. The court needs to hear about your actions in detail!"

"OBJECTION!" Mrs. Newman pointed at Juniper. "And I'm going to stop you from badgering my husband! If you don't believe him, I can say that we didn't leave each other's side until the body was found!"

"Ah!" Juniper reared back, gripping her Proof of Friendship. She's right, I don't have any further proof of what Mr. Newman was doing!

"You might not have to prove it decisively just yet!" Robin exclaimed from the witness stand. "Think about it this way: is there anything that could have only happened at the east side of the manor?"

Juniper took a moment to review the Court Record. Maybe it's time that I get the court to question a basic premise in this case.

"The central point of our discussion so far is how no one can account for people's actions because of the blackout," Juniper said. "I'd like to bring up the possibility that this was an intentional part of the culprit's plan."

Hugh smirked, catching onto Juniper's logic. "In other words, they caused the blackout to make it impossible for anyone to catch them in the act."

Mrs. Newman scoffed, shaking her head dismissively. "But what evidence could you have to support that conclusion?"

I do have evidence. This will finally blow a hole in Mrs. Newman's case. "TAKE THAT! An investigation of the breaker box revealed that the wires were doused in acid. In other words, someone did sabotage them."

The Judge's eyes widened. "They were? Why was this not brought up earlier in the trial?"

"This was not relevant information until now. The first day of the trial was dedicated exclusively to the crime scene. This trial day began with testimony about the sealed case file. Only now has the blackout even been discussed." Edgeworth tapped his forehead. "Of course, Mrs. Newman may have directed the trial in this fashion on purpose, to save her own skin."

"OBJECTION!" Klavier chuckled to himself. "Good music is deceptively difficult to compose. Everyone pays attention to the guitar, but they don't appreciate the foundation provided by the bass."

"I see you've caught on as well, Prosecutor Gavin," Mrs. Newman said, a smug grin on her face. "For all the complaining from the Chief Prosecutor about this trial going in circles, this argument hasn't accomplished much."

"The current argument has the guitar to impress the crowds, but it's missing that fundamental bass to support it," Klavier continued. "Because it fails to answer a basic question: who stabbed the victim's body?"

"It must have been someone at the east side of the manor…" Ema clapped her hand to her cheek. "But we don't have the faintest clue who it was, do we? We don't even know if it's the same person who sabotaged the breaker!"

"So as much as it pains me to say it, the defense's melody rings utterly hollow." Klavier pointed at Juniper. "Can they complete their assertion, or will it be doomed to fall on deaf ears?"

"NNNNOOO!" Juniper screamed, clutching her arms to her chest.

"Unfortunately for the defense, it seems that they have no way to substantiate their argument," The Judge said, shaking his head. "It seems that this line of questioning will have to be dismissed."

No, we can't hit a dead end now! But I don't have any evidence that can help here!

"Not so fast, Your Honor!" Athena entered the courtroom, with Sheila following behind her. "If you want evidence, then it looks like I've arrived right in the nick of time!"

"OBJECTION!" Mrs. Newman glared furiously at Athena. "I ask that this intruder be ejected from the courtroom at once!"

"The prosecution's objection is denied. This is far from the first time that a third party has brought in crucial evidence for the defense at the eleventh hour," The Judge said. "And we cannot bring an end to the case without viewing all the evidence."

"I knew you'd see it my way!" Athena said, making a V sign with her right hand. "Okay, so has the cause of the blackout been discussed yet?"

"That was the exact topic we were discussing, Thena. I was discussing with the court that the wires of the breaker were doused in acid. Is your evidence related to that?" Juniper asked hopefully.

"Of course it is, Junie! It occurred to me once I asked a question to myself: 'why was there acid in the house to begin with?' So with Sheila's help, I looked into that." Athena gestured to Sheila. "And I'll let her take it from here!"

"I asked the forensics team to analyze the acid that was found on the wires of the breaker. They told me that it was industrial strength acid," Sheila explained, smiling proudly. "So then I asked them if anyone could get their hands on it."

"And what did the investigation reveal?" Juniper asked, eager to get to the answer.

"That only people in specialized jobs could get acid this strong. As a mechanic, my sister would be one of them," Sheila explained. "And people in the construction industry would also have access."

"To rebut this argument before it is made: during the initial investigation, no container of acid was found in the manor," Edgeworth added. "So it could only have been brought in by a third party. Looking into who bought industrial strength acid would be a very simple matter."

"OBJECTION!" Mrs. Newman furiously smacked her bench. "If the container of acid can't be accounted for, what proof do you have that it was ever in the manor?"

"We just went over this! The acid was found on the damaged breaker wires," Athena said. "And as the Chief Prosecutor explained, the only way this is possible is if someone brought in the acid, then took it with them after sabotaging the manor's breaker!"

"As an expert of hiding, I have something to add here!" Myriam suddenly exclaimed. "Wasn't the manor swarming with police after the body was found? Because they totally would have searched everyone on the premises!"

"You're not incorrect, Ms. Scuttlebutt. However, the police didn't arrive right away," Edgeworth said. "That would give a person time to dispose of incriminating evidence. Alternatively, there could have been-"

"That is enough," Mr. Newman interrupted. "There's no need to dance around the point anymore. I'm the one that sabotaged the manor's breaker."

"Ricky, no!" Mrs. Newman cried out. "They haven't proven anything yet!"

"Yet it's only a matter of time before they find the proof," Mr. Newman said, looking over at his wife. "This does not need to go on any longer."

Juniper couldn't believe what she was hearing, so spoke up. "Okay, but why did you do that?"

Mr. Newman answered in a completely flat tone: "I would think the answer to that is self-evident. Because I stabbed Tony Smokes' body."

This confession caused an uproar in the gallery, and the Judge had to bang his gavel several times to calm them down.

In the middle of the commotion, Juniper's mind was racing. That confession was really abrupt, and something about it is playing in my memory. Is it really as simple as Mr. Newman being the culprit?

To be continued

A/N: This is it, everyone. Next chapter will center around this confession, and find out if there are any secrets hiding behind it. But perhaps the readers can figure it out from the clues already available. See you next time! Please review.