Chapter Text
“And, well, that’s everything that’s happened in today’s trial, sir!”
“I see.” Gumshoe could hear rather than see the contemplation in Mr. Edgeworth’s voice, crackling through the speakers of his cheap 1998 Oldsmobile. He could almost picture the man standing in front of him, face as severe as it always was. “Interesting. And Franziska seems to be faring alright in America?”
“Err.” For a moment, Gumshoe scratched the back of his head, before remembering that he was driving and quickly grabbing the wheel with both hands. “I mean, she’s, uh, certainly a force to be reckoned with already, if that’s what you mean, sir.”
“Ah. As expected. And, erm…” A cough. “Wright seems to be…doing well?”
“Yup!” Gumshe said as he pulled into the garage of his apartment complex. “Wasn’t expecting to see him again any time soon, did you know he hadn’t done any cases in a while since you left?”
“Hmm.” Mr. Edgeworth seemed to consider that for a long moment. “Well, please keep an eye on him for me, if you would.”
“Of course!” Gumshoe replied, puffing up. “Always happy to help, sir!”
///
“Good morning, Mr. Edgeworth, sir!”
There was a grumble on the other side of the line as Gumshoe plopped down in an unused courthouse lobby. “Detective. What time do you think it is in Germany right now?”
Gumshoe frowned. “Well, you’re ahead of us, sir,” he replied. “So isn’t it tomorrow morning?”
“It is not, in fact, tomorrow morning,” Mr. Edgeworth snapped.
“Oh.” Gumshoe shrunk in his seat. “…Sorry, sir, I thought I’d gotten this all timed out by now.”
The man groaned, and Gumshoe could almost see him pinching the bridge of his nose. “Well. I supposed there’s no helping it. Your report, if you would?”
“Of course, sir!”
///
“So you’re coming back stateside, Mr. Edgeworth?”
“That is correct.” Mr. Edgeworth sighed to himself. “I suppose I’ve put it off long enough, haven’t I.”
“That’s great news, sir!” Gumshe said excitedly, pouring the flavor packet into his bowl of noodles. “I bet Mr. Wright and everyone will be real excited to see you.”
“W-Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Mr. Edgeworth said quickly. “I trust I can still count on your discretion, Detective Gumshoe?”
“Of course! You can count on me,” Gumshoe replied. “Oh! I can even give you a lift from the airport if you’d like—”
“No, that is quite alright,” Mr. Edgeworth interrupted quickly. “I’ll simply contact you at Criminal Affairs when I have the chance. I’m sure either Franziska or Wright will find some reason to be there soon enough.”
“Of course! Have a great flight then!”
///
“Detective.”
“Mr. Edgeworth!” It was strange to see him in the flesh now. Maybe it was just because he was gone for so long, or how worried Gumshoe had been when he’d first up and disappeared with nothing but the scariest note Gumshoe had ever laid eyes on, but Gumshoe had never been so glad to see another person in his life. “We already got a pretty huge case. You should see Mr. Wright when you get the chance! He’s, uh…” Well, he wasn’t allowed to say it, was he? “He’s kinda going through it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Edgeworth said, nodding to himself, brows furrowing at the mention of Phoenix Wright.
“And, uh, it’s good to see you!” Gumshoe said. “If you don’t mind me saying.”
“Yes, it’s good to—” Edgeworth paused, looking just as surprised as Gumshoe felt for a moment. He frowned to himself. “It’s…good to see you too,” he finished. “Hmm.”
A beat.
“Well, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to work,” Edgeworth said brusquely, quickly pushing past Gumshoe, who was grinning at him. “Now, fill me in on this Engarde case.”