Turnabout Butterfly
Chapter Three

September 7, 10:00 AM
District Court
Courtroom No. 1

Sebastian and I take our positions at the defense's bench with Father sitting behind us.

At the prosecutor's bench is a man with spiked black hair in a blue jacket, white cravat, and magenta waistcoat.

"We finally meet again after all these years, Phoenix Wright," I mutter under my breath.

"You mean that guy?" Sebastian whispers to me.

"Yes. I've spent many years trying to meet the Demon Prosecutor face to face."

Sebastian doesn't have a chance to respond before the judge bangs his gavel.

"The court is now in session for the trial of Mr. Gregory Edgeworth."

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor."

"The defense is ready, Your Honor."

Sebastian prepares his baton. "We'd better not show any signs of weakness today, or he'll be on us in an instant."

"Mr. Wright. Please give the court your opening statement."

Wright bows to the judge with his arms at his sides. "Yes, Your Honor. Two nights ago, Ms. Mia Fey was murdered inside of the Edgeworth Law Offices. The prosecution has evidence that the defendant, Mr. Gregory Edgeworth, committed the murder, and we have a witness who saw him do it. The prosecution sees no reason to doubt the facts of this case, Your Honor."

"I see. Thank you, Mr. Wright. Let's begin then."

"The prosecution calls its first witness," Wright gestures to the entrance, "the investigator in charge at the scene, Detective Gumshoe!"

Detective Gumshoe enters the courtroom and steps up to the witness stand.

"Witness, please state your name and profession to the court."

"Sir! My name's Dick Gumshoe, sir! I'm the detective in charge of homicides down at the precinct, sir!"

"Detective Gumshoe. Describe the details of the murder to the court."

"Very well, sir! Let me use this floor map of the office to explain."

Detective Gumshoe presents a map of Father's office on a large monitor behind him.

"The body was found by this window, here."

Wright nods. "And the cause of death?"

"Loss of blood due to being struck by a blunt object, sir! The murder weapon was a statue of 'The Thinker' found next to the body, sir! It was heavy enough to be a deadly weapon, even in an old man's hands, sir!"

"The court accepts the statue as evidence."

"They're still calling it a 'statue'..." I whisper to Sebastian.

Wright rests his hands on the desk before him. "Now, Detective..."

"Y-yes sir!"

"You immediately arrested Mr. Gregory Edgeworth, who was found at the scene, correct? Can you tell me why?"

"Yes sir! I had hard evidence he did it, sir!"

"Hmm." The judge ponders this. "Detective Gumshoe, Please testify to the court about this 'hard evidence'."

Witness Testimony:

As soon as the phone call came in, I rushed to the scene!
There were three people there already:
The defendant, Mr. Gregory Edgeworth, his son Miles, and the lawyer, Sebastian Debeste.
I immediately arrested Mr. Gregory Edgeworth!
Why? We had a witness account describing him!
The witness saw Mr. Gregory Edgeworth at the very moment of the murder!

"Hmm... The very moment, you say." The judge nods. "Very well. Mr. Debeste, you may begin your cross-examination."

"Y-yes, Your Honor." Sebastian turns to Father. "Cross-examine what...? I couldn't see a single contradiction in that testimony."

Father adjusts his glasses. "If you can't find any contradictions in a witness's testimony, you can press the witness for details on certain statements. Witnesses tend to trip themselves when forced to elaborate."

The judge clears his throat. "Is something the matter?"

Sebastian turns back around. "No, Your Honor. We'd like to begin our cross-examination."

Cross Examination:

Sebastian taps his baton into his palm. "If I heard correctly... you said you arrested Mr. Edgeworth because you had 'hard evidence' he did it, correct?"

"Huh? Did... did I say that? Me?"

Wright nods. "I heard you say it!"

So does the judge. "You did say it."

I follow suit. "You said it."

"Exactly what about the suspicious pink lady's claim was 'hard evidence'!?"

"Wh-what!? Miss May isn't suspicious, and she sure isn't pink, pal! W-well, I guess she is pink..."

"That's enough, Detective Gumshoe. Do you have any more solid proof other than her claims, Detective?"

"Umm..."

Sebastian glances to Father. "I guess pressing can have its advantages."

"...Yes."

Sebastian smacks himself with his baton.

"Sorry, I got the order of things mixed up in my testimony, Your Honor Sir! There was something I should have told you about first, Your Honor!"

"Very well, Detective. Let's hear your testimony again."

Witness Testimony:

After securing the suspect, I examined the scene of the crime with my own eyes.
I found a memo written on a piece of paper next to the victim's body!
On it, the word "Mitsurugi" was written clearly in blood!
Lab test results showed that the blood was the victim's!
Also, there was blood found on the victim's finger!
Before she died, the victim wrote the killer's name!
How you like that? That's my "hard evidence"!

"Hmm... Before we begin cross-examination, I have a question for you, Detective."

"Y-Your Honor?"

"Why didn't you testify about this vital piece of evidence the first time!?"

"Ah... eh... I know. I'm real embarrassed I forgot about it, Your Honor Sir."

"Try to be more careful! Very well, the defense may begin its cross-examination."

Cross Examination:

I ask the first question. "Detective Gumshoe! Do you get a lot of cases where the victim actually writes the killer's name?"

"Sure! It happens all the time in books and the movies!"

Father, Sebastian, and I respond in unison. "This isn't a movie, Detective."

"Oof!"

Sebastian fidgets with his baton. "Let's talk about reality, shall we?"

"Umm... I guess, I haven't heard of many cases... no."

"Don't you find it a little odd that the victim would write down a name?"

I nod. "Especially that of a man helping her with a case?"

"Ah, yeah, actually, you got a point, pal."

"OBJECTION!" Wright slams the desk. "Stop right there. The witness's opinion on the matter is irrelevant! The facts are clear: the victim wrote down the name of the accused... The victim told us the name of her killer!"

Murmurs erupt from the gallery until the judge bangs his gavel.

"Order! Order!"

Wright continues. "The autopsy report shows that she was capable of writing her killer's name. She was struck with a blunt object and died three minutes after being struck."

"OBJECTION!" Sebastian points his baton to Wright. "That, Mr. Wright, is where you are wrong."

I nod in agreement. "Mr. Wright. I beg your pardon, but when exactly did you obtain that autopsy report?"

"Wh-when...!?" He checks the date. "It was the day after the murder..."

"The defense's point being...?"

"That autopsy report is outdated, Your Honor."

Wright's face unravels. "Wh-what!?"

"I requested a second autopsy after receiving a copy from Detective Gumshoe, and here are the results." I read the changes made to the report. "Death was almost immediate due to a blow from a blunt object. The victim could not have lived longer than ten seconds after the blow."

"N-no way!"

"Your Honor! It's quite easy to imagine that the victim did not have time to write 'Mitsurugi' after all."

"I see!"

"Your Honor, I submit this updated autopsy report to the court."

Wright covers his face before slamming his head on the desk.

"The court accepts the evidence."

"Well, Your Honor? The evidence strongly suggests the victim was not identifying the killer, and the note was intended to frame the defendant."

"I suppose that's the obvious conclusion, yes. Does the prosecution have a statement?"

Wright stands up. "The prosecution would like to call its next witness. This poor, innocent girl saw the murder with her own eyes!"

"Let the witness Miss April May take the stand."

"Exactly what part of her is 'innocent'...?" Sebastian whispers to me.

Miss May takes Detective Gumshoe's place at the witness stand.

"Witness, your name, please."

"April May! At your service!"

The gallery starts its murmuring, prompting the judge to bang his gavel.

"Order! An introduction should not require any reaction from the crowd! The witness will refrain from wanton winking!"

"Aww... Yes, Your Honor."

"This is not good..." Sebastian mutters. "She's already captured the heart of every man in the court!"

Wright adjusts his cravat. "Tell us, where were you on the night of September 5, when the murder occurred?"

"Um... gee... I was, like, in my hotel room?" Miss May giggles. "I checked in right after lunch."

"And this hotel is directly across from the Edgeworth Law Offices?"

"Mmm... that's right, big boy."

"Please testify to the court about what you saw."

Witness Testimony:

It was, like, 9:00 at night. I looked out the window, y'know!
And then, oooh! I saw a woman with long hair being attacked!
The one attacking her was the grumpy old man sitting in the defendant's chair!
Then the woman, like, dodged to one side and ran away!
But that man, he caught up to her and... and... He hit her!
Then the woman with long hair...
She kinda... slumped.
The end. That's all I saw. Every little bitsy witsy!

"Hmm..."

"Well, Your Honor?"

"I see. It is a remarkably solid testimony. I don't see a need to trouble the witness any..."

"HOLD IT!"

"Yes, Mr. Debeste?"

"What about my cross-examination!?"

"I thought the witness's testimony just now was quite... firm. Didn't you?"

Wright puts his hands on his waist. "Mr. Edgeworth, I'll have you know Ms. Mia Fey was an investigation partner of mine, and we've worked together for years. Surely, you don't think I wouldn't wish to see that her killer is brought to justice?"

"H-hey!"

"How dare you!"

"Well, Mr. Edgeworth? Mr. Debeste? Will you cross-examine the witness?"

"Yes!" Sebastian and I answer together.

"Very well, you may begin your cross-examination!"

Cross Examination

Sebastian twirls his baton. "How do you know the man you saw was the defendant?"

"Huh? Well... y'know! H-he had the same shoes. Women know these things. Look... I-I just know, okay?"

"A woman of her caliber would be well-versed in identifying shoes." Wright puffs his chest. "The testimony is bulletproof, Your Honor."

"OBJECTION!" I slam the desk with my hand. "The witness is lying!"

"Mr. Edgeworth! What's the meaning of this?"

"Yes, what is the meaning! Somebody tell me because I'm clueless! About this, I mean!"

"If you had really witnessed Father committing the murder... you wouldn't have been paying attention to his shoes!"

Miss May reels in shock.

"Father's shoes are the same color as his trousers, so it shouldn't have been possible for the witness's attention to have been drawn to them."

Sebastian nods. "Mr. Edgeworth is wearing a beige trench coat. Shouldn't the witness have mentioned that before mentioning the shoes?"

"But... but!"

"Still," the judge straightens his posture, "we don't know if he was dressed in such a manner on the night of the murder..."

"He was, Your Honor. We saw him. And so did Detective Gumshoe. What do you say to that, Miss May?"

"Rowr! What are you trying to say, you mean lawyer! I-I saw what I saw. I... just didn't think all the trifling little details were necessary, darling."

"Miss May. The court would like to remind you to please omit nothing in your testimony."

"I'm sorry, Your Honor. I'll be a good girl. I promise."

"Your testimony again, if you would."

Witness Testimony

I did see everything! I did!
The victim - the woman - dodged the first attack and ran off to the right.
Then the man in the trench coat ran after her...
And he hit her with that weapon! I saw it! I did!
That... that clock! Um... the kinda statue-y clock? "The Thinker," I think?
Well? Does the accuracy of my report not startle you? Tee hee!

"I... see. I only wish you had been so detailed from the beginning. Please begin the cross-examination."

Cross Examination

Sebastian prepares his baton. "On three. Ready?"

I start the count. "One... Two... Three..."

"OBJECTION!"

Wright seems to be trying not to laugh.

"Miss May..." I present the Thinker statue. "What you said just now was quite... revealing."

"Revealing? Oooh, you'd like that, wouldn't you. Naughty Mr. Lawyer..."

"You just said that this statue of 'The Thinker' was a clock. But there's no way of knowing that just by looking at it!"

She swallows nervously.

Sebastian picks up from there. "Another person in much the same position as you recently called this a 'clock', too... And he was found guilty... of murder!"

The gallery starts murmuring until the judge bangs his gavel.

"Order! Order!"

"Miss May. Can you explain how you know this was a clock?"

"Oooh... urp!"

"OBJECTION!" Wright intervenes before Miss May can begin. "I was in the gallery during that trial. I'm sure the people who were there with me would've known about its hidden function."

"Yes... yes, of course. You will withdraw your question, Mr. Edgeworth."

I don't back down. "OBJECTION! Mr. Wright's claim only raises another question. Even if the witness was aware of the trial involving an unusual clock, how would she have known if the murder weapon in this case had a similar function?"

The judge ponders this. "Objection sustained. You may continue to question the witness."

"Huh? What?" Miss May is confused. "So... what happens now?"

"What happens now is you answer my question! How did you know it was a clock?"

"What...! Th-that's... ...Because... I heard it? Yes! I heard it say the time!"

"So, you've been to the Edgeworth Law Offices!"

"N-n-no! Hey, I didn't say that! Why would I go there! I heard from my hotel room. Hee hee!"

Wright nods. "The Edgeworth Law Offices, where the murder took place, are very close to the hotel. She could easily have heard the clock!"

"Hmm. Well, Mr. Edgeworth? Mr. Debeste? Are you satisfied?"

Sebastian shakes his head. "No, Your Honor!"

"We're not satisfied, because it is inconceivable that the clock in question rang!"

"That clock is missing its clockwork!"

The judge is surprised. "H-how could you possibly...?"

"Just have a look. As soon as you can!"

The judge examines the clock. "...Oh!"

A smile spreads across Sebastian's face. "See anything interesting, Your Honor?"

"It is as the defense says! This clock is missing its clockwork! It's quite empty! Mr. Debeste! Would you care to explain to the court the meaning of this?"

"It is as you can see. The 'clock' was empty. It couldn't have rung! Therefore, this witness... is a big, fat liar!"

Miss May grabs hold of the witness stand. "F-fat!?"

"Well, Miss May?" I beckon.

Mr. Wright starts clapping. "Quite a show you've put on for us, Edgeworth."

"Just what are you insinuating?"

"Indeed, the clock is empty. As you say... it can't ring. However, we must ask: when was the clockwork removed? If it was after the witness heard the clock, then there's no contradiction!"

The judge nods. "Hmm! That's true. That is a possibility. The clock might have been emptied after she heard it."

"And that is exactly what happened, Your Honor!"

"Well, Mr. Edgeworth? Mr. Debeste? Can you prove when the clockwork was removed?"

"If my knowledge of the victim and the defendant is correct, I should think not."

"Wrong again, Mr. Wright."

"W-what!?"

"Wasn't it you who told us 'proof is everything'? Well, we were listening."

"And now we'll show you the 'proof' of when the clockwork was removed."

The judge sees the device in my hand. "What is that?"

"It's a portable CD player. Father has a recording device hooked up to his office phone, and I procured the disc inside it from there after arriving at the office on the night of the murder."

Sebastian hooks the device up to a loudspeaker. "We listened to the recorded conversations last night, and found proof that the clockwork was missing before the murder."

The gallery goes into an uproar until the judge bangs his gavel. "Order! Order!"

Wright is clearly taken aback. "How did - Why was - GYAH!"

Sebastian turns on the loudspeaker and starts the CD player.

"Edgeworth Law Offices. Gregory Edgeworth speaking."

"Morning, Mr. Edgeworth. It's Mia Fey. The trial is scheduled to start tomorrow morning."

"Alright. So, you just need to collect the evidence you asked me to hold onto?"

"Yep. I'll be stopping by the office around 9 PM to pick it up."

"Okay. It's in the Thinker clock I got after my last trial."

"Thinker clock?"

"My son's friend made it. It's a statue shaped like The Thinker that's supposed to say the time when you push the head. I took out the clockwork so I could use it as a storage space for the evidence."

"Ah. Okay, I'll see you when I get there. Have a nice day, Mr. Edgeworth."

"You too, Miss Fey."

Call recorded on September 5, 9:27 AM.

I stop the playback. "Your Honor, I think this recording makes it clear that the clockwork was already gone... and this was recorded in the morning, before the witness even arrived at the hotel!"

Miss May staggers into the railing.

"Well, Miss May? Would you care to explain this to the court? Just how did you know that weapon was a clock!?"

"... W-well...! Well, isn't it o-obvious? I saw that clock before! Um... it's like that porcupine head said! It was evidence in another trial!"

"So the witness had seen it before. That would make sense. Does the defense have any objections?"

Sebastian shrugs. "Well, if she had seen it before, I guess - "

"Wait a second!" I put the statue on the desk. "The witness claims she had 'seen it before'. But this directly contradicts a piece of evidence already submitted to this court!"

"W-whaaat!?"

"In the recording we just heard, Father said a friend of mine made that clock. But if this clock was evidence in a previous trial, it should still be in police custody!"

The judge is confused. "But then, how is it evidence in this trial?"

"Edgey's friend made a second clock just like that one."

"I-impossible!" Miss May lets out a banshee scream reverberating through the courtroom. "What's it to you, Mr. Bowtie!? That stupid clock doesn't matter, okay!? Your dad did it! And he should die for it! Die!"

"W-w-whoa! Let's not get ahead of ourselves. T-this is a court of law, and the witness will remain calm!"

Miss May takes a few calming breaths. "Oh? Oh! Oh? Oh hoh ho! S-silly me! Did I, um, like... lose it? I guess I did. Tee hee!"

"Miss May, let me ask. Tell me, how did you know the weapon was a clock?"

No response.

"Hmm... oh dear. Does the defense have an opinion on this... behavior?"

"Yes, Your Honor. Allow me to explain how I see the truth of the matter. Miss April May, you knew the weapon was a clock because you had heard that it was a clock!"

"She 'heard'...?"

"That is correct, Your Honor. There is no other way she could have known 'The Thinker' was a clock! And I can show you the proof!"

"Well, this is interesting. Let's see it, then. Show me evidence proving that the witness had 'heard' the murder weapon was a clock."

Sebastian presents the CD player and I present my Organizer notes on the wiretap from the hotel room.

"Have a look at this."

Miss May appears flustered by what I have.

"I found this in Miss May's room."

"Mr. Edgeworth! Please explain to the court what this is!"

"Miss April May? You were tapping the defendant, my father's phone, were you not?"

Miss May struggles to answer.

"OBJECTION!" Wright intervenes. "Your Honor, This is irrelevant!"

"I'm not entirely sure that it is. Objection overruled. It troubles me that our witness was in possession of a wiretap."

"Does the defense truly claim that the witness was tapping the defendant's phone?"

"Absolutely! As we heard moments ago, there was a recorded call on Father's phone. This same call was heard by the witness through the wiretap."

Sebastian replays the recording.

"Edgeworth Law Offices. Gregory Edgeworth speaking."

"Morning, Mr. Edgeworth. It's Mia Fey. The trial is scheduled to start tomorrow morning."

"Alright. So, you just need to collect the evidence you asked me to hold onto?"

"Yep. I'll be stopping by the office around 9 PM to pick it up."

"Okay. It's in the Thinker clock I got after my last trial."

"Thinker clock?"

"My son's friend made it. It's a statue shaped like The Thinker that's supposed to say the time when you push the head."

"Miss April May! You used a wiretap to listen to this conversation! That's how you knew 'The Thinker' was a clock! Am I wrong!?"

"OBJECTION! Your Honor, this is ridiculous!"

"Your Honor, look at the witness's face. Does she seem amused to you!? The defense demands an answer."

Miss May stammers for a moment.

"Witness," the judge beckons, "answer the question. Did you tap her phone?"

She goes silent.

"Miss May!"

"Shut up, all of you! What gives you the right to talk to ME like that! You... you LAWYER!" Another round of silence. "I-it's no fair! All of you g-ganging up on me like that... Oh, so I'm the bad girl, is that it? Is that it!? Uh... uh... uwaaaaaaah!"

"Why did you tap Father's phone?"

She goes silent again.

"Answer the question!" Sebastian taps his baton.

"Do I have to? Isn't this a murder trial? Isn't tippity-tapping er... irrelevant?"

"Miss May. You were tapping the defendant's phone! I hardly call that 'irrelevant'!"

"While this court does not condone the defense's tone of speech, he has a point. Well, Miss May? Do you have an explanation for the court? Can you prove you had nothing to do with this murder, even though you tapped his phone?"

"I'd like to see her pull that off!" Sebastian mutters with a snicker.

"Mr. Lawyer, I saw that evil, evil grin! You were probably thinking 'I'd like to see her pull that off,' weren't you!"

"She hit the nail on the head," I mutter to Sebastian.

"Well, you're not the first man who's thought that! And of course... I can, and will!"

"You can't be serious!"

"No way!"

"Way, I say! Way! Oh, and I assure you I'm serious, Mr. Lawyer! Hmph! Okay? So, the killing happened around 9:00 at night? Why, that's just when I was getting room service from that sweet bellboy..."

Sebastian's baton smacks his face. "R-room service!?"

"Ice coffee, I believe it was? Ice coffee? You know? Like normal coffee, but COLD. If you don't drink it quick, the ice melts and then you have... regular cold coffee."

"I-ice coffee...!?"

"Think I'm making this up? Ask the bellboy!" Miss May winks.

Wright nods. "Ergo, the witness was not on the scene at the time of the murder!"

"So, where does that leave us...?"

"As things stand at the moment, the witness appears to have been tapping the defendant's telephone. However! That is a separate crime, with no bearing on the current case whatsoever! Her testimony stands! She saw the defendant, Gregory Edgeworth, commit murder!"

"Well," the judge turns back to us, "does the defense have anything to say?"

I know we won't get much further with Miss May at the stand. "The defense would like to call the hotel bellboy as a witness! There's something suspicious there, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it!"

Miss May folds her arms. "I think you've sunken quite low enough already."

"OBJECTION!" Wright slams the desk. "I object to calling the bellboy!"

"On what grounds?"

"Because the wiretapping had nothing to do with the killing! However... If you agree to one condition, I'll consent to calling this witness."

"Condition...?" Sebastian extends and retracts his baton nervously.

"If Miss April May's alibi is not called into question after you question the bellboy, and you accept that Miss April May was not the killer, thus she is innocent! As such, you must accept the 'guilty' verdict for Mr. Gregory Edgeworth! That is my condition."

Sebastian huddles with Father and me. "We'd better find something suspicious in that bellboy's testimony. Otherwise, you'll be declared 'guilty' on the spot, Mr. Edgeworth! What should we do?"

Father massages Sebastian's shoulder. "She didn't commit the murder herself; that much I can attest to. All we have to do is prove that someone else was involved through the bellboy's testimony."

"How can you be so certain, Father?"

"I've kept up with Mia Fey during her investigation, and I have a good idea who could've targeted her."

"Has the defense made a decision?"

I turn my attention to the judge. "The defense accepts the prosecution's condition."

"Very well! The court calls the hotel bellboy to the stand!"

Miss May is escorted out of the courtroom, and after a few minutes, the bellboy is stood at the witness stand.

"I believe we're ready for the witness to testify." Wright clears his throat. "He certainly does look like a bellboy."

"Yes, sir. I received your summons in the middle of work, sir. I'm happy to be of service."

"That tea set looks rather heavy, so without further ado, the witness may begin his testimony."

"Very well, sir!"

Witness Testimony

I am the head bellboy at the fine Gatewater Hotel, in business for four generations!
I believe I received a call after 8:00 in the evening from our guest, Miss May.
She asked for an ice coffee to be brought to her at 9:00, on the dot, sir.
I brought it to her at precisely the requested time, of course.
And I delivered the ice coffee to our guest Miss May, herself.

"I see. The defense may begin its cross-examination."

"R-right!"

"We're ready."

Sebastian fidgets with his baton and mumbles. "If we can't prove Miss May was involved with the murder now, your pops will be finished!"

"I'll ask the first question, then..."

Cross Examination

"Are you certain you brought the ice coffee to Miss May at 'precisely' 9:00?"

"Miss May was quite insistent that it be brought then. 'Oh, bellboy? Tee hee! I'd like, like, ice coffee at exactly 9:00!' Something like that, sir. Therefore, I knocked on her door at the crack of 9:00, sir."

Sebastian asks the next question. "Was it Miss April May herself who answered the door?"

"Ab-SO-lutely, sir."

"'Ab-SO-lutely'...?"

"Yes, sir. As in, 'so very absolutely,' sir. It's an endearing mannerism of mine."

"What makes you certain it was her?"

"Well, when I brought the room service, sir... S-she... the guest, sir, favored me w-with a, um, an 'embrasser,' sir."

"'Embrasser'?"

Sebastian seems puzzled. "Is that French for 'embrace'?"

"It's French for 'kiss,' sir. But not a french kiss, sir! More of a peck on the cheek."

"Why would she have done that?"

"I believe, perhaps, she was momentarily swayed by my prim demeanor, sir. It was a moment I shall never, ever forget, sir."

Wright adjusts his cravat. "This bellboy has absolutely no reason to lie! Now... If you have any decency, you will end this rather tedious cross-examination here!"

"Hmm. It was a bit tedious. The witness may leave the stand."

"HOLD IT!" I slam the desk. "The defense has one last question to ask the witness."

Wright holds up a finger. "One more question, that's all."

"Okay. This is really it, now. This is our last chance!"

I think back on the freshly made bed in the hotel room. "Tell me about making beds that day."

Wright snickers. "I was wondering what you were going to ask, but bed making?"

"Now, now, Mr. Wright. The witness will answer the defense's question."

"Yes, well, it was quite like any other day's bed making. I changed the sheets, the pillowcases, and then I proceeded to make the bed. I had to bring pillows for two, of course, but they're quite light, you see."

Sebastian nods. "I see. Thank you."

The bellboy's comment suddenly registered to me. "Bellboy! What did you just say?"

"Eh!? Ah, yes, pillows are light... sir?"

"Bellboy! Tell us the truth now... Was someone else staying in Miss May's room?"

"OBJECTION!" Wright slams the desk. "I object! That was... objectionable!"

"Objection overruled. The witness will answer the question."

"Er... yes, I see."

"Why did you not mention this in your testimony!?"

"W-well, sir, you er... you didn't ask!"

"That's the sort of thing you're normally supposed to mention!"

"Ah, yes, quite. Indeed... It was the, er, good barrister there, Mr. Wright, who... He asked me not to mention it if I wasn't specifically asked, sir."

Wright sulks back against the wall silently.

"We did it... We won!" Sebastian quietly cheers.

"Miss April May checked into a twin room... with a man. Correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then, when you brought them room service, you didn't see that man in the room...?"

"That's right, sir."

The judge ponders this. "Hmm..."

"Your Honor! We have just learned of another person involved who may have been the murderer! In this new light, I hold that it's impossible to judge the defendant. You agree, Mr. Wright?"

Wright folds his arms. "Who? Who is this 'other person'?"

"The man who checked in with Miss May!"

"Oof!"

"Your Honor! As has been previously revealed, Miss April May was tapping the victim's phone. Yet Miss May herself has an alibi at the time of the murder. However, that does not clear the man that was with her! The bellboy saw no one else in the room at the time of the murder!"

Wright regains his composure. "And just who might this other man be?"

"Yesterday as I was visiting the hotel room, the bellboy asked me to deliver a message to Miss May regarding a Mr. White of Bluecorp."

"Oof! You...! T-these accusations are... ludicrous!"

The judge bangs his gavel. "Enough! The court acknowledges the defense's argument. I expect the prosecution and defense to look into this matter fully! Am I understood?"

"Yes..." Wright takes a moment to compose himself. "Yes, Your Honor."

"That is all today for the trial of Gregory Edgeworth. Court is adjourned!"

September 7, 2:24 PM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 1

Father gives us pats on the back. "You were amazing in there, boys!"

"R-really?" Sebastian seems surprised.

"I think I trained you two quite well!"

"We were just 'doing our job', Father." I give a soft chuckle.

Sebastian starts playing with his baton. "That other attorney was pretty cool, too..."

"Huh?"

"That face of his! With his eyes wide, and trembling lips! It sent shivers up my spine!"

"Hmm... if you say so."

"So, what happens with you, Mr. Edgeworth? Do you get to go home now?"

"Well, no. I don't think so. Not yet."

"Oh... I see."

"But you got a great lead in today's trial!"

"A 'lead'?"

"That man with Miss May! He's the key!"

"Oh! I get it." Sebastian looks around. "What happened to Miss May after that, anyway?"

I start thinking. "I heard they arrested her. I guess she's learning her charms won't work everywhere. She's probably at the detention center now. I may have to go down there later. Anyway, this case is far from closed. You should have another talk with Father's mentor."

"Yes sir!"

"I'm going to find out more about this man."

"Do you think he was the one who...?"

"Maybe so."

"Well, I might know something about the Mr. White you mentioned in court."

"Don't worry, I'll find him by tomorrow. I promise."

"Good luck, boys." Father sees us off. "I'm counting on you!"

I asked for a full record of April May's testimony. I thought it might come in handy during the trial tomorrow. But now that I have it, I'm not so sure. Most of her testimony was all lies... In fact, there's only one part that got left on the record. I don't know how much good this will do me at all, now. Anyway, time to go and do some investigating! Father doesn't belong in that detention center, and it's up to me and Sebastian to get him free!