Gumshoe looked confused to both lawyers as he stared at the photos. He rubbed his head, trying to process the new discovery.
— Okay, I don't follow… — Gumshoe admitted.
Phoenix and Miles looked at him. Of course, someone who doesn't know Mia story wouldn't understand.
— Before Mia fell into a coma, we talked about our frustrated romantic life. If things went differently, we probably…
— You and Ms. Fey! Wow, Pal, I…
Phoenix chuckled.
— When you met someone for a long time, things tend to change and to happen. No wonder why we… You know, get flirty. *chuckle* As I said, we talked about our frustrated romantic relationships and…She talked about how Mr. Armando fell in a coma because of Dahlia. She poisoned him. Now when I think about it, it makes sense now. When she mentioned that, she didn't mention Dahlia or what happen, but it makes sense. Godot seems to know a lot about me, and Mia seemed to recognize him, so it all fits.
—Even if that's true, what makes you think it's him? — Miles asked.
— Well… If I have to say… His appearance it's a match, but the timing fits. And all those signs are more than a mere coincidence.
Miles blanched.
— Oh… I see… At the time he woke up, Mia is… On a comatose state…
— Yeah… But there's one thing that doesn't make sense at first…
— Oh right, the letter! — Gumshoe exclaimed. — Why does he know about the letter?
— Being a prosecutor lets you to have some privileges, so finding about that will be easy if he bugged the Visitor Room of the Detention Center.
— Yeah, but what does he won by having that particular information? That's the question…
Miles quickly understood what Phoenix asked and started to think about that.
— If I was a man who almost lost everything… And if I blame the others, except for myself, I will do anything at my reach to solve things at my own way… So…
— Do you think we'll let me, Maya and Pearl to go to that Hazakura Temple and we'll act as the hero? — Phoenix asked as he clenched his fist in fury. — Even though his intentions are good, the risk of doing that is far worse than he can predict.
— I have to agree with you. At the sight of any issue, and his plan will sink like the Titanic. That's too risky for anyone, including himself.
— That said, shouldn't we confront him, Sir? — Gumshoe asked.
— We could, but that will be troublesome for us. — Miles stated.
— Oh, right… He might will interfere in the investigation… Or get rid of the evidence… — Gumshoe said deflected.
— That said, warning Maya at this moment might not be the best idea. She's distressed enough, we don't need another problem. — Phoenix said.
— And plus: We don't know if Godot, or Mr. Armando in this case, has accomplices to aid him with his plot to stop a murder attempt.
— Yeah…That said… We need to proceed carefully. We need to investigate this further before we take any decision.
— But, what would happen if you had to go to the Hazakura Temple, Pal? — Gumshoe asked.
Phoenix closed his eyes, and he took a deep breath.
— At this case, I'll check the entire place, the staff, everything. We can't let this plan to come into fruition. Especially not the killing plot towards Maya at course.
— All right, time to make some calls. We need to come up with a plan and fast. — Miles said as he picked his phone. Phoenix checked his phone, seeing if there was any messages from Sae or Maya. Sending a message to Maya, he went back to Miles and Gumshoe to solve this.
—
Marche Hotel. Room 782.
Afternoon.
—
— Nick said he'll take some time at Mr. Edgeworth's office. Should we worry about that? — Maya asked Sae as she checked the message on her phone.
— If were bad news, we'll knew at the same time. You know how bad news spread fast, especially at a city like Los Angeles.
— You do have a point, though considering who we are talking about…
— True…
Sae looked around without any patience and Maya related to the woman. Her mood was bad as hers and she wasn't that happy to deal with her (rival?) associate. She knew Phoenix was acting different when she was around, but she never understood the reason though. Of course, they're friends, but how deep are their friendship? That thought made Maya to realize she doesn't know the woman well.
— Hey, Ms. Niijima.
— Maya-san.
— Y-Yes!?
— You can call me Sae, remember? — Sae said with a smile.
— Oh… right… I thought you will not be comfortable with me calling you by your first name.
— Not at all. Besides, you're Phoenix's friend, right? And since you're friends with him, I think we should try to get along, even if you want to, which I understand if you don't.
— What make you think that?
— Well… Your hostility towards me indicates that. But I can understand, since I'm an outsider and…
Maya became beetroot in embarrassment, and she shook her head.
— Sorry! It just… Nick doesn't talk a lot about his friends.
— Not that surprising. Some people aren't prone to open themselves that much, you know?
— Hum…Now when I think about it, I don't know several things about him.
— Me either. I don't know everything about Phoenix as well…
— That said, I want to know more about how you two met each other…
— Well, as we said before, we met each other in a case. We can't talk much about the case, but I can tell you about what happened between us.
— And did you two get along when you first met.
Sae laughed.
— No. We hated each other to the guts! We had a rough start.
— A rough start? Like him and Edgeworth?
— Far worse. At that time, we were far worse than those two. The hostility was mutual. He was aiding Edgeworth at that time, and they weren't at good terms. But us? We didn't get along at the beginning at the trial, and during the trial the animosity between us got worse. And we yelled and insulted each other inside and outside the course. I was merciless, but he was bad as well. During a moment, I went into an argument with my sister, and I called her useless. The thing is I did it on the phone and he heard.
Maya gasped shocked. Sae gave a bitter laugh.
— I was so stressed, so disappointed with my life, to the point that I… I went all it out towards her. And he heard me. We yelled and I tried to use you to attack him. I thought we was going to slap me, and trust me I deserve it at that time, but he said he was disappointed with me.
— That's so like him… — Maya said.
Maya was disappointed with Sae, but she knew she needed to hear the entire story.
— I was so absolved in proving my place in the society to the point I forgot what it was most important. In Japan, the society is merciless towards women. They'll subjugate you and reduce you to nothing. After the death of my father, I became the guardian of my sister, and I had to provide the support for us. And that alone create a lot of stress. That said, I was investigating the Mental Shutdowns and Psychotic Breakdowns Incident, and my boss at that time was trying to get rid of me, not literally because that will create suspicious towards him. You can imagine my situation. The worst part is my partner, Goro Akechi, was the hitman of Shido.
The medium gasped. She couldn't image how big was the danger Sae was living all that time.
— Then, he…
— We were close in a way. I saw him as my little brother, and we get along well. Actually, when I think about that, I was one of the few people who were close to him. I think he saw me close as family, but I'm not sure…
— What…what happened to him? — Maya asked. She was afraid to know the answer, but she wanted the answer, Maya knew she needed to understand everything.
— He suffered a kill attempt from his father, Shido.
Maya eyes widen in horror. She understood the tragedy behind it. Goro Akechi was the son of the infamous Masayoshi Shido, and worse, he was his personal hitman. Then what Phoenix explained to her later during their search makes sense now.
— So… about what happened in the trial…
— Oh, right, you weren't there, since you were channeling Mia's spirit. To resume, we found something big. Remember when Masahiro confessed, he was related to Shido? That was a lie, of course, but we had to explain everything to the Judge. He explained how Shido managed to do his crimes. He had an accomplice: Goro Akechi. Things went south for Shido went he pinned a false crime to Ren Amamiya, a victim of him. The Phantom Thieves found out about him and started to protect him, and you know the rest…
— So, the Phantom Thieves guys you mentioned before…
— They stopped Shido and saved the world. Though the entire story is far more complicated to explain right now.
— What do you mean?
— Something reality is weirder than fiction. — Phoenix stated. — Besides, we need to focus on our task here. I will explain everything with calm later, okay?
Maya nodded and glanced at Sae and turned back at Phoenix and asked:
— About Ms. Niijima…
— What about it?
— She… she looked quite pale after the trial, as she remembered something…
— Yeah… That case of Shido… She had some personal issues on it… and some of them she… she still carrying with her since then…
— I don't understand…
Phoenix took a deep breath and glanced at the beauty prosecutor who was searching with a forensic staff.
— I can't say everything, but she suffered a lot, and… Things weren't exactly as she thought, so you can imagine how that affected her…
Maya felt her stomach twist as she realizes how deep Sae was into that and how much she didn't know, as she was at the same time, she was in a great danger to the point she might not be with her and Phoenix and everyone today. She blanched even further when she remembered Sae has a younger sister.
"The similarities…"
Memories of the past came and the image of Redd White hitting Mia with "The Thinker" statue came to live and ran in Maya eyes. The illusion took form and Maya saw the scene repeating in front of her again and again, and Maya couldn't do anything about it. She suppressed a scream, even though she coiled into a ball and start shaking, her. The man had a smile on his face as he hit Mia's head over and over again…
— …Maya…
Maya saw Redd looking at her as he hit Mia and his smiled widened as he turned at her. She shook her head in desperation as he approaches towards her.
— …Stop… Please stop… — She said, mostly to herself, knowing that wasn't real.
— …Maya…
Redd approached Maya and raised his arms, holding "The Thinker" tightly in his hands.
— You're not real… You're not real…
— Trust me my dear, I'm real, and you'll suffer the same fate as your beloved sister…
— …Maya.
Redd eyes shined in a dangerous bright and he gave a maniacal laugh.
— But unfortunately, you will not be going to survive to meet you sister again.
— …Maya!
— Now, do me a favor…
Redd arched his arms to the limit, and he was ready to strike.
— And—
— Maya!
Maya finally woke up from the hallucination, and she noticed Sae was looking at her with deep worry. She felt her cheeks burning and her eyes watering, and noticed she was crying. Sae was desperately calling for her and even shook her slightly help her to get out of her illusion.
— Are you all right? Did something happen?
Maya hugged Sae and cried more. The older woman gently rubbed her back, as she embraced her, making her safe.
— It's okay. I'm here. I'm here.
Maya hugged her tightly as she cried harder. She missed Mia presence, despite she wasn't dead, she was into a coma and Maya missed to talk with her and hear her voice, to listen to her stories, to laugh with her at watching a lame comedy movie or to be comforted by her when she was sad or she get into a fight against Morgan or anyone of the village. Feeling the same embrace from Sae made her feel safe and for the first time she felt relieved she wasn't alone, even if Phoenix wasn't there. Minutes later, she calmed down and she looked at Sae. The platinum-haired prosecutor was looking at her with a serene face, giving a reassuring smile, saying everything will be all right. Her eyes were filled with concern, but she kept her smile despite that.
— Are you feeling better? — Sae asked.
— Yes… — Maya replied.
— Want to talk about that?
Maya hesitated. If was before, she would never show any weakness to Sae, and she was reluctant to show even now to pass her the image of a weak girl. However, Maya knew the reason why. She same reason she rarely bothered Phoenix and only tell her insecurities to Mia: She was afraid. Afraid of being a burden to the others, a deadweight. Afraid of being useless. But the way Sae was looking at her was calming her and it was an invitation, an invitation to open herself.
— I… had a hallucination. It's rare, but I have it. Do you… Do you know about my sister, right?
— Mia. Yes… Phoenix... Phoenix told me.
Maya took a deep breath for a minute before she proceeded.
— Redd White… he ruined my mother's life… and my village reputation. Of course, the damage has been repaired recently but we keep carrying the wounds of it. Mia was after him... And before she caught him, he managed to get rid of her...
— But she didn't die, right? — Sae asked.
— Yeah... She survived, but the fell into a deep comatose.
— I... see...
Maya took a deep breath before she continued.
— You know, at that state, I can summon her spirit, since she's at the edge between life and death. Though, I cannot do that for a long time, otherwise...
Sae nodded, understanding the situation.
— But still, Sis is so strong! Mia… Mia was... no, she is special. Gorgeous, developed, smart…
— Developed? — Sae asked confused.
— You know… curves…
Sae chuckled.
— You know a hot body doesn't mean anything, right?
— Yeah, I know.
Maya felt the urge of reply Sae saying she has a hot body like her sister, but she kept it to herself. Sae was kind enough to help her already.
— And, your sister is more than her beauty, as well you.
— Me?! Beautiful?!
Sae giggled.
— You are, Maya. Actually, you remind me a lot of Makoto. She same enthusiasm, eagerness and determination. And, you're smart like her.
— Is she nosey?
— Not much, but she wants to become a police commissioner.
— Really!? She must be very smart!
Sae giggled.
— She is.
— And in personality? Are we alike?
Sae gave a gentle laugh.
— No. Let's just say we're alike, though, I'm far fearful than her sometimes.
— So, she…?
— A might hardworking ice maiden? In a sense yes. But she's kind as well. A little too naïve at certain things, but that wasn't bad.
— But by the way you talk about her, she sounds far mature than me.
— She is and need to be, since she's a police officer now.
— Really!? How old is she?!
— She's twenty-one, but she's already working hard. Last time we spent some time together, she was about to get a promotion to the sergeant position.
— Wow…
Maya sensed Sae's proud in her voice and she wondered how their relationship was now. She knew they have made amends, but she knew that doesn't say anything. But seeing Sae, she knew they are closer than ever, and that alone made Maya see the parralels. But there were differences as well, and that made the medium anxious. At that point, her fears started to take control of her mind and a thought came.
"If Makoto is like me… Then Sae…"
She imagined Redd White hitting Mia again, but instead of her sister, it was Sae. That made Maya shiver. She hugged Sae again and Sae rubbed her back again.
"No matter how I look at that, that sounds way too familiar… God, please, if you want… Please don't let her end like my sister… please…" Maya silently pleaded. She didn't want to Sae to have an unknown tragic end like her sister.
— Is everything all right? You paled for a moment. — Sae asked.
— Yes, I am. Now I am. — Maya said. She broke the embrace and looked at her phone. — Hum… Nick usually doesn't take that long to call me…
Sae checked her phone as well.
— That's true… Now I'm worried.
— Maybe we should go back to the Public Prosecution Office. We might get some news of them there.
—
Public Prosecution Office. Room 1202.
Afternoon.
—
— I took all the arrangements for the investigation. It'll take some time to figure out who else is involved in this. — Miles said.
— Can't promise it'll be brief though, even we knew time isn't at our favor. But I promise to do my best at this! — Gumshoe said.
— Thanks guys. I will inform Mia soon as I can. Guess things will be rougher from now on. — Phoenix said in dismay.
— Considering our actual situation, things have become rougher than we had thought. So… do you have any ideas to solve this? — Miles asked.
— Honestly, I could ask Mr. Grossberg about Mr. Amando, but… That might not be the best idea for now… — Phoenix replied.
— What about check the files related to him on the system? — Gumshoe suggested.
— That might be the best option for now. I'll find a way to talk with Mr. Grossberg and obtain all the information I can. I hope we can find something useful.
They heard someone knocking on the door and Miles promptly opened it up, revealing Sae and Maya waiting outside.
— Mr. Edgeworth! How have you been?
— I'm fine Miss Fey. Ms. Niijima.
— Edgeworth-san. I do hope everything is all right.
— Oh, is it. We were just discussing about the protection measures we're taking on because of Mr. Masahiro's case. All of us are in serious danger thanks to Shido's minions.
— Considering all I've went through, that was far easier than I've dealt with before. — Sae said.
— Still, we can't risk though, that's why all of us we'll be under police protection until the case ends.
— I agree. Better be safe than be sorry. — Phoenix replied.
— Honestly me too. We can't risk it. — Maya said.
— I'm not saying I disagree, but we need to take all the precautions without being paranoid, otherwise…
— She has a point, Miles, and as much I do hate to admit, we were being a little too paranoid at this. We need to retrace our steps and think carefully about that before we take our next step. — Phoenix said while scratching the back of his head. — *sigh* And I thought this will be an easy case.
— Since when you had an easy case? — Sae and Maya asked at the same time.
Gumshoe blinked as Miles managed to suppress his laugh. Phoenix only smiled as we looked at both women.
— Did something happen when I was here?
— Just a little chat. That's all. — Sae replied.
— Yeah, Nick. A simple girl's talk. Why?
Phoenix hummed.
— Nothing… Nothing at all. If you two are saying… Well Miles. Keep us informed if anything changes, all right?
— Okay.
— Well then… Time to go back to the office and do a revise everything. Wish me luck.
— Good luck, Wright-san. I see you tomorrow at court.
— Likewise, Niijima-san.
— Wait for me, Nick!
Phoenix and Maya left the office and Sae stared at the prosecutor and then she sat at the sofa.
—Well, what your plan towards our actual situation?
— Made another check at the Marche Hotel. I'm fairly sure we're letting something pass by and that's the first place we have to check it. Perhaps the answer for that case lies there, Sir. — Gumshoe replied.
— And I've making all the arrangements with the police force to make both the defense and prosecution safe, even though that's not my job, but with the actual circumstances, we can't let this go by that far like this. I'm talking with the Chief Prosecutor about that, and he made sure you, Mr. Masahiro and Mr. Wright and Ms. Fey will be safe, but it doesn't hurt to make everything is working properly, so I contacted my sister, and she asked a friend of her from Interpol to do a favor for us. I bet he will screw me up later, but better than let this go as it is and suffer the consequences of not being prepared.
— I see… Thank you both for your efforts. About Godot…
— The Chief Prosecutor has already talked to him. We'll stay back until the case is over. Though I doubt he'll let this slip by…
Sae sighed.
— I just wished to this to be a calm and an easy case, but it seems fate has other plans…Well then, I'll go to my office and try to revise the case one more time. Wish me luck.
— Detective Gumshoe, please keep company to Ms. Niijima. With our actual situation, we need to make sure everything will go accordingly.
— Yes, Mr. Edgeworth! — Gumshoe exclaimed.
Sae and Gumshoe left the office and Miles poured some tea for himself. Sighing tired, he looked at the window in wonder. Taking the notepad, he looked at the number Margaret gave to him. He only smiled.
—
Wright and Co. Law Office.
Afternoon.
—
— Phew! Talk about a rough day…
— Yeah, never expected all those turns of events to be honest. — Phoenix admitted.
— Now then, what we had got so far? — Maya asked.
— Well… Several things… One of them is the disappearance of pen drive with files of Shido smuggling scheme to raise to power. That still has been the major issue we had even now.
— Ugh! Talk about a headache…
— You tell me. Then we also have the issue of we are being in danger due to Mr. Masahiro life attempts.
— Another problem to deal with…
— And…
Phoenix stood silent as he remembered what he had found. This twist in his stomach became stronger as he remembered what Morgan's plans to Pearl.
— And? — Maya asked.
— And an unexpected inconvenience we were already taking care of.
— I hope none of that affects Pearls. The last thing we need is for her to suffer…
— Yeah…
"Though it's too late for that now…" Phoenix thought as he remembered Pearls crying at his lap.
— Well, time to crack our skulls to figure out where this pen drive is…
— Yeah… Though I admit I'm not too confident of finding before the next day trial.
— Ugh! Don't be a bummer, Nick! If you want, I can summon Sis for you~ — Maya singsong.
Phoenix thought about that, and he were about to refuse until a thought ran in his mind.
"Maybe…"
— Of course. I think two lawyers thinking up about that are better than one, wouldn't you think?
— Exactly what I was thinking! I swear, sometimes you are a psychic, Nick!
Phoenix gave a small chuckle.
— Or I just get lucky sometimes… — Phoenix said.
Maya sat on the ground and started to channel Mia spirit. Phoenix took a deep breath before he saw Mia taking Maya's body and she looked at Phoenix with a smile.
— Hey, Phoenix.
— Mia. How's your journey to come back to the living world?
— Tiresome. Being in a coma isn't nice, you know. But I do believe that's not about me, right?
Phoenix nodded and he sighed as he sat on the sofa tiredly.
— Mia. We have a problem. A huge problem.
Mia frowned and sat on the opposite sofa and looked at him, her face full of concern and worry.
— Mia, remember you aunt? She's plotting against Maya once again. This time it's against her life.
Mia frown deepened.
— Are you saying…
— I'm affirming it. I have found evidence of that. And I need your help to confirm a few things.
— Okay…
— First of all, do you know whose Godot is, right?
Mia gasped surprised and looked at him.
— I realized just now at DeMask trial; you recognized him. But you stood quiet about it. So, it's him, right?
Mia nodded, confirming.
— Yes. But how…
— A hell of a coincidence that led us to him. Which takes me to the next question: Hawthrone. She's the one who poisoned Mr. Armando, right?
— Yes. It was her. She poisoned him, six years ago.
— And that she went away from this attempt, until you…
— Yes.
Phoenix took a deep breath and looked at Mia.
— That said, I want to know something: What's the relation between Morgan Fey and Dahlia Hawthrone?
— They not related.
Phoenix saw the surrounding disappear and five psyche-locks appeared. Phoenix sighed and looked at his mentor.
— I know you are lying…
Mia frowned and Phoenix just shrugged.
— But I'm not going to ask anything. I don't have proof and I can see you're not comfortable with that. So, it's something far too troublesome than I thought… That said…
Phoenix stood up and went to the coffee maker.
— I'm not going to ask you further about that. When you want to tell me, I'll be here all ears to hear it.
— Thank you. But Phoenix, how did you find about that?
Phoenix kept making his coffee and he looked at Mia with a tired face.
— I was taking care of Pearls until I found the letter your aunt left for Pearl.
Mia face blanched after hearing that.
— Are you saying…
— Yes. It was Morgan idea to use Pearl to do her dirty job. That make me wonder if she truly loves Pearl, or only sees her as a tool…
— So…
— Yes.
Mia gulped dryly and she bailed her hands into fists. Phoenix only sighed as he approached the woman.
— I know that's too much to digest, but Mia, I can assure you I'm already taking care of that. The last thing we need now is to Maya deal with a murder attempt, especially from Morgan.
— I see… Thank you, Phoenix. You're taking care of my little sister better than I could imagine for.
— She's my sister as well, I don't want to see her hurt as well. Especially after…
Mia touched Phoenix cheek, as she looked at him with compassion.
— Phoenix, it wasn't your fault. If there is one to blame it is me. I knew what I was doing, and yet, I didn't take the measures to protect myself.
— Still, I could've done something.
— You did. You brought justice and you proved White tried to kill me. You did everything you could, and you did with flying colors. You did wonderfully and I happy for what you did. — Mia said with a sad smile, seeing her apprentice in sorrow.
— Yeah, I know, but I could…
— Dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything. That said, you don't have to do that. — She said with sorrow.
— You know well that's not true; I have to. — Phoenix rebutted and Mia gasped surprised. — And besides, Maya stills in danger, and we don't know about Armando accomplices.
— Does he have?
— Most certainly he does. That said, we need to keep ourselves ready for anything. That said…
Mia frowned.
— I know. But I can't say anything, after all, we don't know if you were right at all.
— I have evidence, and that evidence it's been analyzed now.
— It's been analyzed…? Wait, are you saying…
— Yes.
Mia grunted.
— Dammit…That was been going way to far…
— I agree, and we need to put an end at this and soon. — Phoenix said.
— I hope you already have a plan. — Mia said.
— I do. Miles, Gumshoe and I are doing the necessary measures to stop Morgan's plans.
— Thank you.
— It's our sister, we can't let this happen.
Mia smiled.
— Since you two met, you adopted her as your sister. And since then, you're taking care of her. You know she has a crush on you, right?
Phoenix sighed.
— Yeah. But you know I can't reciprocate her feelings.
— I know, and that makes things far more difficult for you. — Mia stated and Phoenix sighed as he threw himself at the sofa.
— I know… And I don't want to complicate things.
— You know she'll find out eventually.
— I know. Miles already had found I'm dating.
— Really!? Damn, I doubted he doesn't have any interest, but that's news.
— You had to see him earlier…
— "Earlier…"? — Mia asked confused. — Wait… Is Miles Edgeworth, the former "Demon Prosecutor", the "Ice King" having a crush!?
— Sure he does!
Mia laughed.
— I "lived" the day I found Miles Edgeworth had a crush on someone.
— Actually, he's already in love in her. He just doesn't know yet.
— How can you be so sure?
— Never saw an idiot acting so lovestruck like him except for me. Really though, he's quite like me sometimes.
Mia gave a sad smile.
— Is she…?
— No. She's a fortune teller as far as I know.
—A fortune teller…?
— According to him, she saved him from Wendy Oldbag.
— Oh.
— And she gave him a free session.
— A free session? Of fortune telling?
Phoenix nodded and Mia laughed.
— Man, I wish I was a fly to see that!
— Honestly, me too.
— So, to him to fell in love… she really caused a huge impression on him.
— Yeah…
Mia saw Phoenix tense again.
— Mia, I'm worried.
— I know…
— Things might go south.
— I know.
— That said, you should get ready for anything.
— You're saying that for me, or for you?
Phoenix sighed heavily.
— Both. Both of us…