Archive of Our Own

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February 23, 9:34 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2 

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Maya sighed as she flipped through her notebook, reading through every word.

(Geez, this entire thing is so confusing. One of the worst cases I’ve ever dealt with yet…) Taking out her highlighter, Maya highlighted a few thing she felt were important. She glanced at Apollo, who was nervously fiddling with his hands. (Not that I blame him. It’s not only his dad’s life is on the line, but his too. And it’s all entirely up to me…) She couldn’t help but groan softly at that. (That’s a lot of responsibility…God, why didn’t I just take a vandalism or petty theft case? Why did I go for full blown murder?) Maya scratched her cheek in thought, highlighting another sentence in her notebook. (Well, I’m already here…so I gotta put my chin up and do my best!)

“Ms. Fey?” Apollo spoke up. “What’re you doing?”

Maya looked up from her notebook, smiling at him. “I was just looking through all my notes. Get ready for the trial, you know?”

“…Oh.” Apollo frowned. “Are you…not ready?”

“Dear lord, no!” Maya said with a laugh. “But I’m never ready for my trials, so I’ll be fine.”

“Oh…” Apollo sighed.

Maya gave him a reassuring smile. “Apollo, it’ll be fine. I mean, the trial I have no idea, but…” She reached out and patted his shoulder. “I promise, I’ll try my best to get your dad acquitted. Okay? You know he didn’t do it…so what’s the worry?”

“…Okay.” Apollo slowly smiled. “I know you’ll do great, Ms. Fey.”

Maya smiled back.

At the sound of doors opening, Maya turned towards the doors, seeing Jove Justice walk up to them. That cold detached expression was ever present on his face. (And to think, that he used to be cheerful…) No matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t imagine it. (I wonder what made him change, and so drastically, too? I mean, people don’t just change randomly one day!) Maya thought. (Or…do they? I have no idea, I’ll see if I remember to ask Apollo about that later.)

“How did the investigation yesterday, Ms. Fey?” Jove asked.

Maya sighed. “Uh…well, I’m not sure. This whole situation has a lot of uncertain areas.”

“Or more specifically, this entire thing is a big ass uncertain area…” Apollo grumbled.

“Well, have no worries about me Ms. Fey. No matter the outcome of the trial, I’m ready to accept my fate.” Jove said.

“I know you didn’t do it, Dad. Ms. Fey will get you acquitted in no time!” Apollo said.

(Well…Apollo believes in me, I’ll take that!)

“Hmph. Laughable.” Jove said, scoffing when Apollo sighed. He then turned to Maya. “May I offer a word of advice, Ms. Fey?”

(Uh oh. I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?)

“Uh…sure.” Maya said.

Jove glared at Maya, his gaze intense. “A defense attorney should never believe in their client. Defendants are not to be trusted, they are called to trial because they are suspected of wrongdoing. Never forget that.” He sighed. “I am the same. I committed a murder, and yet you believe me. I will never understand that.”

Maya glanced at Apollo, who frowned, his face falling as he stared at the ground. (Mr. Justice…he’s still insisting that he’s the murderer. Even here in the courthouse, he’s still insisting it.) Maya sighed as she saw the heartbreak in Apollo’s eyes. He had never looked so small and helpless than he did now. It reminded Maya, behind all that snark and brilliance, he was still a kid. A kid who believed in his father no matter what, despite the fact that Jove himself thought of himself as a murderer. (…But why? Apollo he…he knows that his dad isn’t the murderer, and he knows he knows. So why pretend?)

“You know, Mr. Justice. Sometimes, I wonder what you’re thinking. Why you insist that you did the crime…” Maya’s eyes met Jove’s, her gaze just as intense as his. “But I’m going to find out, whether you like it or not.”

Jove seemed shocked for a moment, his eyes widening, before his expression hardened. “…I believe it’s almost time for the trial. Good luck, Ms. Fey.”

(My first trial after two months…who’d think I’d be back here so soon? And alone…) Maya turned to Apollo, smiling when he smiled back at her. (…But I’m not alone. I have Apollo, and I think that’s good enough for me.)

“Let’s go, Apollo.” Maya said.

“Uh…where?” Apollo asked, confused.

“To the defense’s bench. You’re not only my investigative partner for this case, but also…my co-counsel.” Maya said.

Apollo’s eyes lit up at that. “Oh really? Yes! Yes yes YES!” He jumped for joy. “What’re you waiting for, Ms. Fey? Let’s go!”

Maya put all of her things in her bag, before she walked through the courtroom doors with Apollo.

(Well…this is it. Bring it on, world!)

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February 23, 10:00 AM

District Court

Courtroom No. 9

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It had been a while since Maya had heard the chatter of the gallery members, or the anxiety of standing before everyone in the courtroom. (To think I haven’t been here for two months…just as scary as the first time!) She still remembered it, the feeling of everyone’s eyes on her, making her jump just at the very thought of it. (I’ve been a defense attorney for almost a year! And this still makes me nervous…I wonder how Mia ever got used to this?) She turned to Apollo, who was looking at everything in awe, like he were looking at everything for the first time. (He’s the chief prosecutor’s kid…I’m very sure this isn’t his first time.) Maya thought. (It sure feels like it with that look on his face, to be honest.)

“Wow…” Apollo let out an amazed breath, turning to Maya with a smile. “So this is what it’s like at the defense’s bench! You can see everything from here!”

“Especially the prosecutor.” Maya said, then adding with a frown. “Makes Franzy’s glare all the more scary.”

“Yeah! And Ms. von Karma…she’s just glaring at everyone!” Apollo was grinning widely. “Oh, she’s so cool!”

Maya glanced at Franziska, an intense fiery glare as her cold gray eyes took in everything in the courtroom. (Franzy…it’s been so long, hasn’t it? Two months, two months since I’ve been in a courtroom. After…her trial.) She then wondered, mostly to herself. (And to think, now she has to prosecute her superior…I mean, I’d feel pretty conflicted if I ever had to defend Mia! Not that Mia would ever murder someone! I mean, this is Mia Fey we’re talking about! The most awesome person in the earth!) Maya giggled at that, then thinking. (Still though…I wonder what Franzy is thinking. I hope she won’t try to whip me. But knowing Franzy, she probably will…) At the sound of the Judge’s voice, Maya perked up, standing up straight and trying to look as confident as she could.

“The court is now in session for the trial of Jove Justice.” The Judge announced.

“The defense is ready, Your Honor.” Maya spoke up calmly.

“You sound so confident, Ms. Fey! Good job!” Apollo cheered her in a whisper.

“Thanks Apollo, but save the flattery for when I actually do my job.” Maya whispered back.

“Got it!”

Franziska hummed in thought, before she said. “The prosecution has been ready for a while, Your Honor.” Her eyes then flickered to Maya. “Maya Fey.”

“Um! Yes, Franzy?”

“I hope that you won’t let your foolishly foolish feelings become a part of the court proceedings today, Maya Fey.” Franziska said, pulling on her whip. “I will choose what I choose, and what I think is right, regardless of whatever fools around me might say.” Her glare never left Maya’s. “The judgment made in this courtroom today is in our hands, and not those of anyone else’s.”

(Geez, intense as always…)

The Judge nodded. “Very well, Ms. von Karma. Your opening statement, please.”

“Of course, Your Honor.” Franziska said with a nod, clearing her throat before saying. “Chief Prosecutor Jove Justice has committed a heinous crime. The crime…of murder.” She shook her head. “And the foolishly foolish fool was foolish enough to commit this murder in the prosecutor’s office parking lot.”

“Wow! I forgot how forceful Ms. von Karma is. I suddenly feeling like confessing to everything!” Apollo said.

“Hopefully not to murder.” Maya said.

“Oh dear god, no! Maybe just stealing a cookie from the cookie jar or something.”

“However, he will pay for his foolishness with his life. A witness saw him commit the crime…a “professional” witness.” Franziska continued.

“Well then Ms. von Karma, call your first witness!” The Judge said,

“The prosecution calls its first witness, Angel Starr, to the stand,” Franziska said.

(The Cough-up Queen…here we go.)

Maya watched as Angel was escorted to the stand, giving everyone a sweet smile. She still had her picnic basket, and Maya could see that it still had a few packed lunches in it. (Geez, is she planning to sell lunches here in the courtroom? Not exactly appropriate, you know.) Maya wondered to herself. (But I am a little hungry…) She shook that thought out. (Hold on, I’m in a trial! I can’t be thinking about food! I’ve got a man to defend! Food isn’t even allowed in the courtroom!) Maya looked over at the Judge, who seemed to recognize Angel. (Wait a sec…the Judge recognizes her? Just who is this lady?)

“Hmm…haven’t I seen you somewhere?” The Judge wondered to himself aloud.

(Don’t ask us that, we don’t know!)

Angel wordlessly took out a lunch box, before she said. “You ordered the Caviar Lunch, right?”

(…I was joking when I thought she’d be selling those lunches here.)

“Ho ho! Caviar! I’ve never eaten caviar before!” The Judge said in delight, motioning the bailiff to give it to him.

(Well, he’s really wolfing it down…) Maya thought as she watched the Judge scarf down the lunch.

“Witness, name and occupation.” Franziska ordered.

Angel ignored Franziska, turning to Maya with a sweet smile as she handed her a lunch box. “And you, ma’am? A Fiesta Bowl.”

“Uh…thanks!” Maya put the box inside her bag.

“Fool, name and occupation.” Franziska repeated, barely amused.

“Ah, and you ma’am…” Angel took out a box, offering it to Franziska. “Did you order “The Fingerprint” Lunch- AH!”

Franziska watched callously as Angel yelped when she had whipped the box out of her hands. “Fool! Name and occupation! Now!”

Angel picked up the lunchbox and put it back in her basket, once again ignoring Franziska as she asked. “…Well, Your Honor? How does it taste?”

“She’s really…fearless.” Apollo whispered to her.

“No kidding. Anyone else would’ve been scared shitless if Franzy whipped them.” Maya whispered back.

Apollo nodded.

“So this is why everyone always raves about caviar! It’s so tasty it’s a crime! I always thought caviar would taste like pickled tapioca!” The Judge said.

(Uhh…what does pickled tapioca even taste like?)

“Name and profession.” Franziska gritted out through her teeth.

“The prosecution will wait until I- AH!” The Judge yelped as Franziska whipped the box out of his hands.

“Fool! Now is not the time for lunch! The trial will continue!” Franziska yelled.

“Okay okay!” The Judge said.

“Hmph.” Franziska turned to Angel. “As I was saying…” She glared at her. “Name. Profession. Now.”

Angel didn’t seem bothered though. “Oh, me? My name is Angel Starr, don’t you go forgetting it. I find myself running Lunchland these days.” She smiled sweetly. “Is that what you wanted me to say, Ms. von Karma?”

“Yes, witness. Describe the incident to us.” Franziska said.

“Wait a second, Ms. von Karma…” The Judge spoke up, flinching when Franziska glared at her. “Well…usually, we call on the police to provide a description of the crime…”

“Oh don’t worry, Your Honor.” Angel said. “Ms. von Karma has said to the court…but I’m a “professional”, you know.”

“Uh…what does that mean?” The Judge asked, confused.

“Until two years ago, Angel Starr was a special investigator with the police. She was a first-rate homicide detective.” Franziska clarified.

(…Of course she is.)

“WH-WHAAAAT?!” Apollo gasped out. “So that’s why Ms. Starr is so familiar!”

“Aaaah! Wait, I know you!” The Judge gasped out. “You’re…Cough-up…”

“Cough-up Queen Angel Starr.” Angel smiled at him. “Long time no see, Your Honor.”

“V-Very well!” The Judge nodded. “You may continue with the description, Ms. Starr!”

(Just who is this lady? And why does everyone but me know her?)

“If I might have the court’s attention over here…” Angel took out a map. “This is the floor plans of the parking lot, and as you can see, it is divided into two blocks. A Block is reserved for the prosecutor’s office personnel, while B Block is for visitors and clients.” She pointed to the line dividing the blocks. “A chain divider separates the two blocks.”

“That’s to keep the visitors from taking up the prosecutor’s spaces, I’m guessing.” The Judge said.

(…Yeah, no duh.)

“The crime took place by a car in the back of A Block, in the car’s trunk.” Angel continued. “The killer stabbed the victim with a knife and went to put the body inside the car’s trunk. Unfortunately for him, there was a witness, and he was arrested on the spot.”

“And who was this valiant witness?” The Judge asked.

Angel looked particularly proud as she said. “Oh, why it was me Your Honor.”

“Why, of course!” The Judge said excitedly. “Witness, did you see the exact moment of the crime?”

“Of course, Your Honor.” Angel said with a nod. “I immediately apprehended the chief prosecutor the very moment I saw.”

“Well! This does seem rather straightforward, doesn’t it Ms. Fey?” The Judge asked.

“Uh…it’s in my best interest not to agree, Your Honor.” Maya said.

“And besides, she can be lying! I mean, I can’t feel her lying…but still! She might be a super liar!” Apollo added.

(…Coming on a little too strongly, buddy.)

“Well, it seems some foolishly foolish fools can’t accept the truth.” Franziska said with a shake of her head. “Witness?”

“Of course, Ms. von Karma.” Angel said. “Well, may I proceed to crush what little hope they’re holding on to?”

“If you can…then please do! Give them your worst, Ms. Starr!” The Judge said.

(Is he picking sides now?)

“H-Hey! You can’t pick sides, Your Honor!” Apollo protested.

(What Apollo said!)

“O-Oh! Uh, of course.” The Judge nodded, turning to Angel. “Your testimony, Ms. Starr.”

“Of course, Your Honor.”

Witness Testimony

—Witness’s Account—

“Somehow, call it intuition, I always knew a day like this would come. I was on my way to deliver a lunchbox to my boyfriend…when I sensed something. Perhaps it was my detective’s instincts at work.” Angel started. “I saw the chief prosecutor through the wire fence, and he was standing next to a garish car.”

“Must be Ms. von Karma’s car.” Apollo whispered to Maya.

Maya nodded.

“I saw him holding a knife in his right hand…which he then stabbed into Detective Goodman’s chest!” Angel continued, making a strike into the air with a pretend knife, startling everyone in court. And then she sweetly smiled. “And that’s all I saw.”

“Hmm…bringing a lunchbox to your boyfriend?” The Judge smiled. “How touching!”

(…I think you’re missing the point, Your Honor.)

“As you can see, this testimony leaves no room for doubt.” Franziska said.

“The key point of your testimony seems to be nothing other than…the knife that you saw being stabbed into Detective Goodman!”

The court erupted in agreement.

(Oh dear, everyone is on their side…)

Angel gave Maya a smirk. “How does it feel to be crushed, Ms. Fey?”

“Uhh…I’d rather not share.” Maya replied.

Apollo glared at her. “You better not think of abandoning my dad, Ms. Fey! Or I’ll never forgive you!”

“G-Geez, Apollo! I won’t!” Maya said.

“Good! And don’t worry about this, it’s merely a flesh wound!” Apollo said, then adding with a sigh. “Even if Ms. Starr’s testimony is perfect…”

“We can make it, Apollo.” Maya said.

Apollo nodded.

“Very well, Ms. Fey. You may cross examine the witness.” The Judge said.

Maya nodded. “Of course, Your Honor.”

Cross Examination

—Witness’s Account—

“How did you know that this would happen?” Maya asked.

“I respect the prosecutors’ basic abhorrence of crime, but their methods are ugly and twisted.” Angel said, adding as she glared at Franziska. “It’s only natural for such tragic methods to lead to tragedy.”

“Tch! The witness’ foolishly foolish opinion is duly noted.” Franziska said with a scoff.

“Prosecutors, they’re used to erasing inconvenient evident whenever they please. Killing off a detective that knew too much is merely an extension of that.” Angel continued.

“Ms. Starr, you really do have a hatred for prosecutors, don’t you?” Apollo asked.

“And it’s well deserved.” Angel said with a scoff. “Being an investigator was my dream job…had it not been for the prosecutors who laid me off, I’d still be one.”

(So she was fired…but why?)

“Prosecutors are monsters, you know?” Angel said, then humming thoughtfully. “I am still a pro, you know. My testimony is unbiased…and flawless.”

“Um, alright…” Maya hummed thoughtfully, then asking. “This boyfriend you were delivering lunch to…was he a detective?”

Angel laughed. “Not that boyfriend, I was talking about the one working as the security guard.”

The Judge looked absolutely scandalized. “Wait! “That” boyfriend? You have…several?”

“Of course I do, why shouldn’t I? “This” boyfriend, “that” boyfriend, and “the other” boyfriend. Care to join? I could use another boyfriend, you know.”

“U-Um…no thank you, Ms. Starr.” The Judge replied.

(…The fact that he needed to think for a bit before he answered is a bit concerning.)

“The security guard room is in the lot, in A Block. It’s on the second level so you can see everything from there.” Angel continued.

“Did you bring your lunchboxes by car, Ms. Starr?” Maya asked.

“Well, yes. But since I’m a visitor now, I parked in B Block.” Angel replied.

“So…she was in B Block when she witnessed the crime.” Apollo said.

“And when you saw the crime, that “garish car” you’re talking about, you mean…”

“Ms. von Karma’s car, yes.” Angel finished for her.

“I-It was Ms. von Karma’s car?”  The Judge gasped out in surprise.

“The knife that the victim was stabbed with also happened to be Ms. von Karma’s.” Angel said, then shooting Franziska a sweet smile. “Wasn’t it?”

Franziska frowned, pulling on her whip. “…Indeed, it was.”

“Hmm! What an odd case!” The Judge said, then asking. “And the person you saw…are you sure it was the defendant?”

“I saw him from no further than 30 feet away. I’m very sure it was him.” Angel answered.

“I see…” Maya hummed in thought, turning to Apollo. “Any ideas?”

“Well, we can nitpick to high hell and hope she slips up!” Apollo suggested.

(Well, she’s a former detective so that might not work…but it’s worth a try!) Maya slammed her palms on the table. “Witness! You clearly stated in your testimony that you thought prosecutors were monsters! Therefore, wouldn’t you be a biased witness- AH!” Maya yelped as she felt Franziska whip her arm. “Franzy, what the hell?”

“You’re trying to poison the well, Maya Fey.” Franziska said, then smirking. “I’m simply correcting you.”

(Geez, guess getting her acquitted from murder isn’t enough to save me from the whip.)

“And you better keep those silly opinions to yourself, Rookie!” Angel said, glaring at Maya.

“Uh…rookie?”

“Do you want to risk the consequences of doubting me, Ms. Fey? I’ll fry you like a fritter! Crispy on the outside…chewy on the inside!” Angel slammed her fist on the witness stand. “Well?”

“G-Geez! Sorry!” Maya said defensively.

“Well, I may be relegated to the lowly post of lunchlady…but my instincts are honed!” Angel said, then taking out a photograph from her picnic basket. “And I think this would crush any stupid hope you have, Ms. Fey.”

The Judge gasped as he saw the photo. “A-A photograph? You took this?” He then turned to a bailiff. “Bailiff, hand me the photograph!”

The bailiff nodded, taking the photo and handing it to the Judge,

“By god, this is the defendant!” The Judge cried out, giving it to the bailiff to pass it around to everyone else.

“The moment I witnessed the crime, my reflexes took over and I took a picture!” Angel said, then adding. “I always carry a camera in my basket.”

(Well…that’s convenient I guess.) Maya took the photo from the bailiff, looking down at it. (…And of course this is Mr. Justice, just my luck.)

“…Shit.” Apollo cursed as he looked down at the photo.

“Witness!” Franziska yelled, slamming her fists on the desk. “Why am I only seeing this photograph now?”

Angel let out a mocking laugh. “You think I’d show a prosecutor? Think again.”

“FOOL!” Franziska cracked her whip. “You foolishly foolish fool! You should be lucky I’m not whipping you unconscious right now!”

“Your empty threats don’t scare me, prosecutor!”

(Well…they’re having a cat fight now, great.)

“So…this is the defendant, then!” The Judge said.

“And what was the defendant doing at the time?” Franziska asked.

“Well, he was holding a knife of course…that he plunged into Detective Goodman’s chest!” Angel answered.

“And you witnessed this? You saw Mr. Justice stab the victim with a knife?” Maya questioned.

“As I’ve already said! I swear it on my finest “Salmon Swirl” lunch!” Angel said.

“But then…” Maya looked back down at the photograph, before looking up. “If this photograph is the very moment of the crime, why isn’t Mr. Justice holding a knife?”

Angel just stared at her, so was Franziska.

“Uh…” Maya trailed off.

“Objection.” Franziska simply said.

“…That’s a really weak objection, Franzy.” Maya replied.

“Yet still stronger than your foolishly foolish arguments, Maya Fey.” Franziska shot back.

(…Ouch.)

The Judge looked confused. “What do you mean, Ms. von Karma?”

“It’s a foolishly obvious fact. This photograph was not taken before the stabbing…but after.” Franziska said.

“Objection! How can you tell that?” Maya asked.

Franziska chuckled, smug. “Are you really that dense, Maya Fey?”

“H-Huh?”

“Blood splatter.” Angel said.

“B-Blood splatter?” Maya looked down at the photo, her eyes widening when she saw what they were talking about. “Oh shit! There is a blood splatter!”

“H-Hey! We can’t tell that it’s blood from the photo! For all we know, it can be marinara sauce!” Apollo protested.

“But it would be foolish to ignore the possibility that it is blood, would it not?” Franziska questioned, smirking.

(Grrr, stop cornering me! You’ve already got what you want!)

Apollo glared at Maya. “You aren’t just going to take that, are you?”

(Geez! I’m trying!) Maya looked back down at the photo. (I need to nitpick the crap out of her testimony! Like, what did she say? Didn’t she say that she took the photo the moment of…) She then gasped. (Yeah, she totally did! Contradiction, yay!)

“Objection!” Maya yelled. “Witness! Didn’t you say that you took the picture the “moment” you witnessed the crime? Then, why are you now saying it was after the crime?”

“Ah, well it seems I was a little unclear. Apologies.” Angel said.

Maya stared at her, Angel stared back.

“That’s…it?” Apollo said.

“What else do you want me to say, hm? It still doesn’t change my testimony! I saw her…with my own eyes! But I didn’t have time to stop him, of course. Chief Prosecutor Justice is a cold, cruel, calculating man. He killed without pain or remorse! It was a premeditated murder!”

(Wh-What?! Premeditated murder? How the hell did she get there?)

“Wh-What?!” Apollo burst out, glaring at Angel. “My dad would never! What made you come up with that batshit insane theory?!”

“Look at the chief prosecutor’s hands in the photograph, then!” Angel said.

Franziska stayed silent, pulling on her whip with her eyes closed.

(What?) Maya looked down at the photo, cursing aloud when she saw the gloves he was wearing. (Oh goddammit! You’re really making it hard for me to defend you, Mr. Justice!)

“Gloves?!” Apollo gasped out.

“Surgical, to be exact. Made of thin rubber.” Angel said, then adding. “The only reason he’d have these on…is if the murder was premeditated!”

“These gloves do say that, yes!” The Judge agreed.

(Goddammit! It was premeditated? With like, murder location, gloves to stop prevent fingerprints, and the murder weapon…) Maya stopped in her tracks. (Wait, if it was premeditated…then why wouldn’t Mr. Justice have the murder weapon?) She looked at Apollo, who was grinning. (Aha! Apollo caught the contradiction too! Smart kid.) The two’s eyes met, and they were grinning like Cheshire cats.

Apollo smiled at her. “Caught the contradiction, Ms. Fey?”

“Yep!” Maya said, grinning back.

“Have at it, then!” Apollo encouraged.

“Objection!” Maya slammed her palms on the desk, directing her gaze at Angel. “Witness! I have one question for you!”

“Yes?” Angel asked.

“Do you know the murder weapon, by any chance?” Maya questioned.

Angel scoffed. “Are you trying to test me? I sell lunches for a living, you know. We all know more than anyone that it’s a knife. The knife used to murder Detective Goodman The knife…that was in Ms. von Karma’s trunk!”

“Indeed, it is my knife.” Franziska agreed.

With that, the court erupted into a frenzy. The courtroom was filled with hushed whispers and flabbergasted tones. (I don’t blame them! This entire thing is so confusing…what the hell is going on?) Maya stared at Angel. (One thing is for certain though, I need to get to the bottom of this! And through that…is Ms. Angel Starr!)

“The defense would like to make a request, an accurate testimony from our dear witness!” Maya said.

Angel glared at her. “What’s that, Rookie?”

“Didn’t you say that Mr. Jove Justice planned this murder? Because of the gloves?” Maya inquired.

“Yes! That’s the natural conclusion, of course!” Angel answered.

“Well then…why wouldn’t Mr. Justice have the murder weapon ready? Why would he go out of his way not to prepare that…if he had planned to kill him?” Maya pointed out.

Angel let out a gasp, jumping into the air, barely able to catch her falling lunch boxes.

“If you plan a murder, you of course prepare the murder weapon! Without the murder weapon, you can’t possibly prove that it’s premeditated!” Maya continued.

The court erupted into chaos at that, the Judge banged his gavel as he demanded them to be silent. “Order! Order in the court!” Despite the bangings of his gavel and the demands, the court was still as noisy as ever. “I demand order in this court!”

Apollo turned to Maya, his face beaming in a smile, but when Maya glanced at Franziska, she saw that she was…smirking. (Oh shit, Franzy has something to say.)

“Great job, Ms. Fey!” Apollo praised. “You really took down her testimony like a pro!”

“I wouldn’t be celebrating this early…” Maya trailed off.

Franziska cracked her whip, the sound filling the courtroom, everyone soon becoming silent. “Maya Fey…you didn’t think I’d let you run around prancing the room, declaring you’ve won? And with such a trifling detail, no less?”

“B-But this debunks her theory! The murder wasn’t premedi- AHH!” Maya yelped as Franziska whipped her.

“Foolishly foolish Maya Fey. The only person who cares about this “premeditated” foolishness is the foolish lunchlady.” Franziska said.

Angel shot Franziska a deathly hateful glare, though she seemed to not care any less.

“The only thing that the prosecution has to prove is that the defendant, Jove Justice, murdered a detective with a knife.” Franziska continued. “Such a foolish matter as if it were planned or not matters little to me.”

“Why thank you, Ms. Prosecutor! Maybe you prosecutors are good for something after all!” Angel’s angry glare turned into a sweet smile. “Thought you were clever, hm Rookie? But we all know he planned the murder! If it wasn’t, why was he wearing-” Angel let out a yelp as Franziska whipped her.

“The facts, Angel Starr, and just the facts. I could care less about what you “thought”, testify only about what you “saw”, fool.” Franziska said.

“How dare you!” Angel snarled at her. “My powers of deduction are not to be underestimated!”

(Geez, watching these two fight like cats in a courtroom…is this what everyone sees with me and Franzy’s trials?)

“I believe I’d like to hear another testimony.” The Judge said.

“Hrrrmph!” Angel glared for a moment, before she sighed. “…Very well.”

Witness Testimony

—Angel’s Deduction—

“Jove Justice intended to murder Detective Goodman!” Angel insisted. “That’s why he called the victim all the way to the prosecutor’s office! We know how slimy prosecutors can be, he obviously held a grudge against the victim!”

(…This is the most biased testimony I’ve ever listened to. And that’s saying a lot!)

“That’s the only reason! Nothing else could have driven that human machine to plunge the knife again and again!” Angel made a plunging gesture in the air. “He planned the entire thing!”

“So the victim was summoned from the police department to the prosecutor’s office, hm?” The Judge hummed thoughtfully. “That does seem like it was premeditated, doesn’t it?”

Apollo scoffed at that. “That’s bullshit! So if I order pizza, does that mean I planned to kill the delivery boy?”

“W-Well! I suppose not!” The Judge said, then adding. “In any case, the defense may now cross examine the witness.”

Cross Examination

—Angel’s Deduction—

“Do you have any proof that Mr. Justice called him there?” Maya asked.

“Well no, but…you have no proof that he didn’t!” Angel shot back.

(…If we go by that reasoning we’ll be going in circles.)

The Judge was in deep thought, turning to Franziska. “Ms. von Karma?”

“There is no record of a call made on the defendant Jove Justice’s phone.” Franziska replied.

“He might’ve written him a letter!” Angel spoke up.

(…Wouldn’t the public phone made more sense?)

“Such foolish matters mean nothing to me. It is still a fact that the victim went to the prosecutor’s office, where he was murdered.” Franziska added.

(Well, that had no results…) Maya looked down at her desk, seeing the notes and evidence scattered all in front of her. She picked up a file, which happened to be the autopsy report. (Oh yeah, I wonder what this says…) Opening the file, Maya read through. (“Cause of death: Loss of blood from chest wound. Assessment: Wound was caused by a 12cm knife. A single stab wound was found.”) Maya’s eyes widened. (But wait, didn’t Ms. Starr say that he stabbed him multiple times?) She slowly grinned. (Bingo! Contradiction!)

“Objection!” Maya yelled, slamming her palms on the desk. “The autopsy report says that the death was from one stab wound! How then, would you have witnessed Mr. Justice stab Detective Goodman repeatedly!”

Angel frowned, gripping her basket tight. She then sighed. “I always found it silly, the idea what anyone could ever mistake ketchup for blood. But now…I suppose I’ve made the same mistake.”

Franziska raised a brow. “So you’re saying you mistook something for…blood?”

“When he lifted his knife, I thought I saw the splattered blood from the victim on his chest. That's why I thought she must have stabbed him at least twice.” Angel said.

“And…what did you mistake for the blood?” Apollo questioned.

“His red muffler! It looked like blood to me, that was just how ghastly the scene was!” Angel said.

(I…guess that makes sense? But something about that seems off…)

Apollo immediately frowned at that. “Wait…”

Maya watched as Apollo searched through their evidence, curious. (I wonder what Apollo’s got on his mind. It’s obviously important…) Apollo picked up the crime scene photo, and his eyes widened in shock. (…Well, whatever it is, it’s obviously important! Tell me, Apollo!)

“Ms. Fey!” Apollo spoke up, showing the photo to Maya. “Look at this photo!”

Maya looked at the photo, not exactly seeing his point. “What about it, Apollo?”

Apollo pointed at Jove. “Look at what my dad’s wearing!”

“Huh?” Maya took a closer look, and she gasped as she realized what he was talking about. “Wait…that red scarf, your dad isn’t wearing one in the photo!”

“Yeah! It’s an obvious contradiction!” Apollo said, then adding with a grin. “Let her have it, Ms. Fey!”

(No need to tell me twice, Apollo!) Maya thought with a grin, turning to the rest of the court and banging her palms on the desk. “Ms. Starr! I demand an explanation!”

Angel scoffed. “For what?”

“Well, for your own picture!” Maya said.

“Maya Fey, what are you possibly…” Franziska looked at her own copy of the photo, her eyes widening. She then turned to Angel, cracking her whip. “Witness! Explanation, now!”

“Explanation for what?” Angel demanded.

“Tch! This foolishly foolish fool is obviously not suited for detective work!” Franziska said.

“How dare you? You dare doubt me?” Angel snarled.

“Then explain this, Ms. Starr!” Maya spoke up, then adding. “Mr. Justice wasn’t wearing a scarf or muffler of any kind when he stabbed the victim, shown in…your very own photograph!”

Angel gaped in shock, her eyes widening. “Wh-What? That’s impossible? I saw it!”

“And yet, you proved yourself wrong with your own evidence!” Maya said.

Franziska shook her head, disapproving. “Only a foolishly foolish fool like you could be so utterly clueless. Perhaps you should join a circus, hm?”

“Harsh words, but she has a point!” The Judge said.

“B-But there was something! A scarf!” Angel tried. “No, not that but…but there was something red, really! Maybe-”

Franziska cut her off by cracking her whip. “Enough of your foolishly foolish foolishness, witness! It’s back to business!”

“Wh-What?” Angel stammered.

The Judge nodded. “Very well. Witness, continue your testimony. You saw the crime and apprehended the suspect, did you not? Please testify about that.”

Angel glared at everyone in the courtroom for a moment, before she sighed. “…Very well. I do remember some things accurately, at least.”

(Alright, this next testimony is the key to everything! We might get something out of it, I’m sure!)

Witness Testimony

—Apprehending the Suspect—

“After the murder, the suspect attempted to run behind a partition off to his side, but he was no match for me!” Angel started. “I quickly caught him, explained his rights to him, and arrested him on the spot!” She hummed thoughtfully. “Ah, yes! When I arrested him, he mentioned the muffler! That’s what confused me in my earlier testimony!”

(…Seems extremely convenient to me.) Maya scratched her cheek in thought. (I guess I’ll need to press further, huh?)

Apollo sighed. “I’m sorry my dad’s so suspicious, Ms. Fey.”

“It’s fine, I know he didn’t do it.” Maya reassured.

Apollo smiled.

“The chief prosecutor tried to escape, he really did! But against Angel Starr, resistance is futile!” Angel said, smiling sweetly as she finished. “And that’s all.”

The Judge hummed thoughtfully, then asking. “You really are quite determined about this scarf, aren’t you Ms. Starr?”

“I strike like a snake and bite like a cobra! That’s me, Angel Starr.” Angel said.

Apollo scoffed. “That’s a horrible metaphor. I mean, cobras are snakes!”

Angel glared at Apollo. “You dare bother me with details? Do you want to get bitten now, hm?”

“U-Um, no thanks!” Apollo stammered.

(Your snarkiness is gonna be the death of you, Apollo.)

“The chief prosecutor tried to resist, but his efforts were in vain.” Angel continued. “He knocked my hands aside, kicking over an oil drum…” She hummed. “That Jove Justice is as deadly as they come! A predator, a lion surveying their prey from their rock! Rowr!”

“I see…” The Judge turned to Maya. “Ms. Fey, your cross examination if you will.”

Maya nodded. “Of course, Your Honor.”

Cross Examination

—Apprehending the Suspect—

“So this partition next to Mr. Justice, is it the wall next to the car?” Maya asked.

“Why yes! And he ran to it, obviously hiding himself. It’s only natural that a criminal would do that!” Angel answered.

(Did not need your personal opinion, but okay…)

Maya hummed in thought, and then she asked. “You say you apprehended the suspect “quickly”, right? So you must’ve been pretty close to him. How close were you?”

“Around 30 feet or so!” Angel replied.

(Hm, so if she was 30 feet away, then…) Maya scratched her cheek, before she asked. “Where were you, exactly?”

“Angel Starr is a visitor, so she was in B Block.” Franziska answered.

“That would make it about 30 feet from the car, yes.” The Judge said, then asking. “But wasn’t there a chain link fence in front of you?”

“I went over it, of course.” Angel replied.

The Judge smiled, impressed. “Wow, amazing! The Cough-up queen is as much of a lunchlady as she is an athlete, indeed!”

(So she was in B Block and jumped over the fence to catch Mr. Justice…at least, allegedly. And that fence looked about nine feet high, so how did Mr. Justice not get away?) Maya turned to Apollo, immediately growing confused when she saw his face. He looked almost in a trance, staring at Angel with an intense concentrated glare. Maya swore she could see fires flickering in his eyes. (Um…is he okay? Why is he staring at Ms. Starr like that?) She looked back at Angel, who seemed…normal. Smiling sweetly at the court. (Ms. Starr hasn’t really said anything that noteworthy. Did he catch something I didn’t?)

“Um, Apollo?” Maya tried.

“She’s lying.” Apollo murmured.

Maya looked at him, confused. “What?”

Apollo seemed to be broken out of his trance, turning to Maya as he said. “When she said she was parked in B Block, she was lying. She keeps rubbing over her wrist whenever she talks about it.”

Maya blinked, confused. How had h even noticed that? “So…she’s lying?”

“Yeah, she is.” Apollo said, and then he added with a frown. “But why would she lie about that? It’s such a minor thing, nobody would care.”

“I don’t know, but we need to find a way to expose that lie. There must be a reason for lying about something so…minor.” Maya said.

Apollo nodded. “Alright.”

Maya turned back to Angel, as she then asked. “So Mr. Justice mentioned the muffler, right? What did he say about it?”

“If I remembered what he said, I would’ve said so in my testimony!” Angel said with a scoff, then adding. “Anyway, all I heard was the word “muffler”, that must’ve been what confused me.”

“And what you heard…the suspect wasn’t talking to you, but someone else?” Franziska asked.

“Yes, now I remember! The chief prosecutor was talking on his phone!” Angel said.

(We do have his phone…and we know that Mr. Justice tried to call Apollo.)

“So he called someone on his phone?” Maya asked.

“Yes! But you see, the chief prosecutor first attempted to use the phone hanging on the wall.” Angel answered. “But apparently, it was out of order.”

The Judge hummed in thought, and then he asked. “And so he used his personal cellphone?”

Franziska nodded. “Yes, Your Honor. Indeed, the emergency phone was out of order that day.”

“Hmmm!” The Judge smiled. “Good witnessing, witness!”

(Good at witnessing, not as good at testifying…) Maya fiddled with her magatama in thought, her eyes landing on the evidence on her desk. (Hmmm, so he called someone, who we know as Apollo, on his cellphone. At first on the emergency phone…) Her gaze ended on the floor plans, and she picked it up. Her eyes widened as she looked at the floor plans more closely. (…On the emergency phone that she wouldn’t have seen from the B Block!) Maya grinned. (She is lying! But why would she lie about that…?) She gasped as a thought hit her. (Wait a second! Wasn’t she visiting her boyfriend in the security room? She could totally see the murder from there! Which means…she’s lying about where she saw the murder!) She gasped as another thought hit her. (And if she were in the security room…then she couldn’t have arrested Mr. Justice quickly!)

Maya turned to Apollo. “So you’re right! She’s totally lying.”

“See, told you!” Apollo said.

“But why would she lie about that?” Maya scratched her cheek in thought. “It’s pointless to lie about.”

“I have no idea…but let’s stick it to her! At worst, we’ll waste a few minutes on this train of thought.” Apollo said.

“Right!” Maya said, before turning to Angel, slamming her fists on the desk to get the court’s attention. “Ms. Starr! I have conclusion, and one conclusion only!”

Angel raised a brow at her. “And what does this conclusion happen to be?”

“That you have a personal grudge against Mr. Jove Justice!” Maya said.

Franziska scoffed. “Foolishly foolish fool, Maya Fey! The witness, no matter how foolish she is, is a former detective. Her testimony is unmarred by personal bias.”

(Are we even talking about the same person?)

“Hmph!” Angel shook her head. “Well, who would’ve thought that a prosecutor would be my knight in shining armor? You, the most venomous of vipers along with the chief prosecutor, who kicked me out two years ago!”

Franziska was scowling, her grip on her whip so tight that her hands were shaking.

(…Wanna say that she’s unbiased now, Franzy?)

“Well uh, back to my point!” Maya said, taking out the floor plans as she pointed to the floor plans. “You’re saying that you saw both the crime and Mr. Justice try to use the emergency phone to call someone…but that couldn’t have been possible!” She pointed specifically to the telephone. “From where you stood, you couldn’t have seen the phone!”

The courtroom all erupted into chaos at that, only silenced when the Judge banged his gavel. “Order! Order in the court!” He demanded, demanding once the gallery had silenced. “What is the meaning of this?!”

“There’s only one thing, Your Honor! Ms. Starr isn’t coughing up lunch…she’s coughing up lies!”

Angel glared at her.

Franziska cracked her whip, getting the attention of everyone in court. “Foolishly foolish Maya Fey, always jumping to conclusions!” She said with a scoff, then adding. “If your foolishly foolish theory of this “lie” is correct, then please tell the court what exactly this witness has lied about!”

“Well, think about it! Ms. Starr mentioned the emergency phone…even though it’s a minor detail! Therefore, it’d be pointless to lie about it!” Maya said.

The Judge hummed. “Pointless to lie…I see!”

“Tch! Foolishly foolish fool.” Franziska shook her head. “Where exactly are you going with this?”

“Well, it’s possible that Ms. Starr did see the chief prosecutor call on the emergency phone! Of course…from a different place!” Maya said, then adding with a grin. “Like the security room, perhaps?”

“She was in the security room? How foolish!” Franziska said. “It would be a foolishly pointless thing to lie about!”

“Hey! Let me at least tell it first!” Maya protested.

Franziska scoffed. “No good things come from indulging your foolishly foolish foolishness, Maya Fey.”

“And why does it have to be the security room? Couldn’t she have seen it somewhere else?” The Judge added, confused.

Maya groaned. “You’re missing the point, Franzy!” She then slammed her palms on the  desk. “And you too, Your Honor! Ms. Starr couldn’t have parked in A Block, since she isn’t part of the prosecutor’s office. Now, remember earlier Ms. Starr said she was delivering lunch to her boyfriend…who happened to be working in security!”

“Tch! What you say may be true, Maya Fey, but why exactly would she lie about this? As it stands, she saw Jove Justice stab the victim, as captured in the very same photograph she presented to the court!” Franziska said, adding with a shake of her head. “I am aware that this witness is a foolishly foolish woman, but surely even a fool like her wouldn’t risk perjury for a pointless lie like that!”

“Oh, she wouldn’t risk perjury for sure…unless she had a reason.” Maya said with a smirk.

Franziska was legitimately caught off guard. “E-Excuse me?”

“A reason?” Apollo repeated, giving Maya a confused look, before he got it too. “Oh…wait! The distance!”

Maya grinned, snapping her fingers. “Exactly as Apollo says! The distance of the crime! And not just the distance of the crime, but specifically…how long it took for her to reach said crime in the first place!”

Franziska’s eyes widened.

“Ms. Starr!” Maya said, catching the attention of Angel and the court as she slammed her fists on the desk. “Tell us, won’t you? How long did it take for you to get to the scene of the crime when you arrested Mr. Justice?”

Angel was silent for a moment, glaring at Maya, before she smiled sweetly and took out lunchbox. “You ordered the Squid Wheels, right?”

“Fool!” Franziska yelled, whipping the lunchbox out of Angel’s hands. “Answer the question!”

“Tch! Prosecutors are all the same, made of the same slimy snakeskin.” Angel said with a scoff.

(…I don’t think snakeskin is slimy, but okay.)

“It just so happened I was bringing a PB&J lunch with fresh boysenberry jam to my boyfriend.” Angel started.

The Judge smiled at that. “Boysenberry, yum!”

“He wasn’t in the station, so I waited.” Angel continued. “And as I waited…I witnessed it! The crime! I saw it from the glass-walled station, and before I knew what I was doing, I found myself running towards the scene of the crime. But it just so happened that the door was locked, and I couldn’t open it. I had to go through the visitor’s parking in B Block.”

“That’s quite a detour.” The Judge said with a thoughtful hum.

“I think it took me at least five minutes to get to the scene of the crime.” Angel said.

“F-Five minutes?” The Judge gasped out. “That…”

“Doesn’t change a thing!” Angel insisted. “It was that man, in the defendant’s chair, who stabbed him! I have photographic evidence! I swear it…I swear it on my finest plastic spork!”

“You have a point! And the spork is quite a wonderful invention.” The Judge said.

Angel smiled, before she took out another lunchbox. “Would you like another Caviar Lunch?”

The Judge lit up at that. “Oh yes, please!”

(How does the Judge get swayed so easily? I still need to make my point!) Maya turned to Apollo, who looked determined. He nodded at her. (Well, now or never!)

“Objection!” Maya yelled. “It does change something! Five minutes doesn’t seem like much…but it is in a murder! I mean, you could make pasta in five minutes, al dente!” Maya said, then adding. “A five minute “blank” in the time between Ms. Starr arresting Mr. Justice and the crime being committed!” She turned to the Judge. “Your Honor! If you were a criminal…what would you do with five minutes?”

“Well, um…I’d flee the scene, I suppose!” The Judge said, then protesting at Franziska’s glare. “H-Hey! Don’t get the wrong idea! I haven’t committed any murders! Or at least, I don’t think I have…”

(…How do you commit a murder and not remember it?)

“That’s the thing, Your Honor! Anyone who would kill someone, intentional or not, would immediately flee the scene!” Maya said, then banging the desk with her palms. “But Mr. Justice…didn’t! He stayed around at the scene of the crime doing god knows what, and he even had a picture taken! No true criminal would act this way, the thought of it is just goddamn ridiculous!”

“Y-Yeeaaaargh!” Angel yelped, almost stumbling over. She barely caught the lunchboxes that fell from her basket.

“Well then…” The Judge closed his eyes, deep in thought. He then opened them as he said. “It seems we’ve come to this testimony’s conclusion. The witness has a grudge against the defendant, and a blank in her testimony.” He ignored the way that Angel glared at him, turning to Franziska. “Ms. von Karma, is your next witness ready to go?”

“I suppose so.” Franziska said, clicking her tongue in disdain. “It seems I was foolish in my trust in this foolishly foolish fool. I overestimated her on account of her professional history…”

Apollo turned to Maya, grinning. “We did it, Ms. Fey! We nailed that case shut like a carpenter with a nail gun!”

(That was way too close!) Maya said, letting out a sigh of relief, turning to the Judge as he spoke.

“I’m afraid that the Cough-up Queen has been dethroned. And with the end of her testimony, court is-” The Judge tried, but a yell from Angel cut him off.

“Hold it!” Angel yelled.

Everyone at the courtroom stilled, looking on at Angel with anticipation, watching as she…took out a lunchbox from her basket? What?

“Ms. von Karma, you ordered the Squid Wheels, right?” Angel asked, offering the lunchbox up.

(That’s what you objected for? Lunch?)

“Fool!” Franziska scowled, cracking her whip as a warning. “Get to the point! I have no room for your foolishly foolish foolishness!”

Angel smiled. “I might be able to save you…with decisive evidence.”

“Wh-What was that?!” The Judge gasped out, shocked.

(Uh oh…this does not bode well for us.)

Apollo was staring at Angel, his eyes wide as he murmured to himself. “What is she planning…?”

(Hell if I know, Apollo!)

“My apologies, Ms. Starr, but we have no further questions to ask of you…” The Judge tried.

Angel simply reached into her basket, offering up a lunchbox. “Ah, is this your jumbo lunchbox, Your Honor?”

“Oh yes! Bailiff, bring it to me at once!” The Judge said, and when the bailiff brought the lunchbox to him, he opened the box with a smile. “Woo hoo! A triple-decker!” He stuffed his face, then saying. “Out of deference to the witness’ determination, I’ll allow one more testimony! Let’s hear about this decisive evidence!”

“Like the Lunchland motto says, you won’t be disappointed!” Angel said.

(Jesus, this trial is a mess! Especially with a witness as unpredictable as Ms. Starr.) Maya glanced at Franziska, who looked flabbergasted. (Seems Franziska didn’t expect any of this either. Let’s just hope this unpredictability helps us more than it hurts us.)

Witness Testimony

—Decisive Evidence—

“I really should have mentioned those five minutes when I wasn’t looking at the crime scene, that was my mistake.” Angel said, smiling a sweet smile as she added. “And now, to the matter of the victim’s shoe…” Her smile turned coy at the visible shock on everyone’s face. “Oh dear, did I not bring this up? Well, I have now…”

(Sh-Shoe? Why the hell didn’t she bring up this shoe earlier?)

“Quite an interesting thing about the shoe, there were two types of blood found on it!” Angel said, then adding. “One of course was the victim’s, and the other…matched the defendant, Mr. Jove Justice!” Her smile turned into a grin as she declared. “This shoe proves it! It’s flawless and decisive evidence!”

Franziska slammed her fists on the desk, as she demanded. “You foolishly foolish fool! What is the meaning of this! Why is this the first time I’ve heard of this evidence!” She then cracked her whip on the ground. “You were to submit every piece of evidence you found to me!”

“Oh please!” Angel said with a scoff. “It’s simple, you duplicitous viper, I don’t trust you with evidence! I took the liberty of investigating this crime by myself.”

“How did you have blood tests performed?” Apollo asked. 

“Didn’t I mention? I have three boyfriends in forensics.” Angel replied.

(Does she have boyfriends everywhere? What’s next, she has a boyfriend in Fey & Co. Law Offices too?)

“Tch! In your foolishly foolish foolishness, you haven’t even considered that the court cannot accept this as evidence!” Franziska said, adding at Angel’s confused face. “Does a fool like you don’t know? Even a fool like yourself should know the two rules of evidence law! Rule 1: No evidence shall be known without the approval of the police department! In simple, foolish terms for a fool like you, this shoe is illegal evidence! At least, for the time being!”

Apollo turned to Maya, shocked. “Is that right, Ms. Fey?”

“Yep, I remember that in law school.” Maya replied.

Apollo nodded, frowning.

“Not so fast, Ms. von Karma.” Angel said, ignoring Franziska’s glare. “Don’t forget…I used to be a detective! And of course, I still know the prosecutor’s protocol even to this day. This shoe has already been tested by a member of the forensics department! Which are of course, part of the police department.” She then laughed. “So you can see, Ms. von Karma, it was approved by the police department…as of today. You know that even the general public can produce official evidence, yes?”

Franziska was glaring at her, intense and fiery and loathing, her hands trembling as she held the whip in her hands.

“Is that right, Ms. Fey?” Apollo asked.

“I also remember hearing that in law school…” Maya trailed off, humming to herself.

Apollo rolled his eyes. “What do you mean? You’re a lawyer! You should know this stuff!”

(Easy there with the sass! I’m the one defending your dad here, bucko!)

“With the prosecution’s complaints notwithstanding…it does appear that this evidence satisfies the first rule of evidence law.” The Judge said, adding as he warily eyed Angel. “However…it seems you have yet another count against you, witness.”

“Anything to ensure that the guilty are properly judged, of course.” Angel replied.

“Very well. Bailiff, take the decisive evidence from Ms. Starr.” The Judge said, then adding. “And Ms. Fey, you may begin your cross examination.”

Cross Examination

—Decisive Evidence—

The first thing that Maya and Apollo did was get a closer look at the shoe, as the bailiff handed it to them. It was a white men’s shoe, absolutely ordinary except for the bloodstains on it. (So this is the shoe that the victim wore at the time of the murder. Some of it must be Mr. Justice’s. His hand was bandaged when I saw him in jail, must’ve cut himself at the time of the crime…) She turned over the shoe, looking at the sole. (Huh, tons of blood here too. So he must’ve stepped on a puddle of…) Her eyes widened. (…Of blood that wasn’t there!) She audibly gasped at that. (Yes! There weren’t any bloody footprints at the scene! So how is there blood on this sole?)

“W-Woah!” Apollo yelped. “What is it, Ms. Fey?”

“Contradiction!” Maya simply said, adding at Apollo’s confused face. “Look at the sole of this shoe! It has blood!”

Apollo grew no less confused. “Um…it’s from a crime scene, why wouldn’t there be blood?”

“It’s not that! Think of when we went to the crime scene! Don’t you remember?” Maya said.

“Well, I do remember it, it was pretty clean. Without…” Apollo’s eyes widened as he realized. “…Without any bloody footprints! That’s an obvious contradiction!” He then grinned. “Well, what’re you waiting for Ms. Fey? Stick it to them!”

Maya grinned back, turning to the rest of the court as she slammed her palms on the desk. “Objection! I’d like to point out a huge problem with the evidence that Ms. Starr just presented!”

“Problem?” The Judge repeated, confused. “There’s a problem with her evidence? It’s quite decisive enough.”

“Yes there is! And the problem…is the footprints, or the lack thereof.” Maya said, then continuing. “Look at the photo of the crime scene! There aren’t any footprints at the scene of the crime! So why weren’t there any bloody footprints in the crime scene, when the sole of the shoe is bloody?”

Franziska scoffed. “Foolishly foolish Maya Fey! The picture only shows part of the floor, there could’ve been bloody footprints.”

“Really, huh?” Maya smirked. “Can you point out where they are, Franzy? We went to the crime scene…and we found no bloody footprints!”

The courtroom erupted into chaos, hushed whispers amongst the gallery members in the court. Franziska frowned, gripping her whip tighter.

“Order! Order in the court!” The Judge demanded, and once the courtroom had quieted down, he burst out. “Well! Witness?”

“What? Um, uh…” Angel trailed off.

Apollo smiled at Maya. “Great job, Ms. Fey! Now we just need to find out why there weren’t any footprints and we’re golden!”

“Yeah! I…wait, what?” Maya just stared at Phoenix.

“The footprints? We have to explain why there weren’t any footprints, and we have to find out why it means dad didn’t do it!” Apollo said.

“I…” Maya was speechless. “I didn’t think of that.”

“…Are you kidding me.” Apollo deadpanned.

“The young man is right, Ms. Fey! There has to be a reason there was no footprint!” The Judge said.

The sound of a whip cracking rang all throughout the courtroom, Franziska smirking. “I think I have found the explanation, Your Honor.”

(Oh boy, we’re doomed…)

“And what is that, Ms. von Karma?” The Judge asked.

“I must say, this foolishly foolish witness is the most foolish I’ve ever had, and yet, she had one vital truth in her testimony…” Franziska’s smirk grew especially smug. “And it was her apprehending of the subject.”

“Apprehending…of the subject?” Maya repeated, confused.

“Yes, Maya Fey.” Franziska said with a nod, then continuing. “Think back to her testimony, according to her, Mr. Justice kicked over an oil drum. Our chief prosecutor is usually so cool-headed, so I thought it odd that he’d do that.” She directed her gaze to Angel. “Now I must ask, Angel Starr, was the oil drum empty?”

Angel smirked. “Oh, that! Hm? I would never side with a viper such as yourself, but it appears you’re not the slowest conveyor belt in the lunchbox factory.” Her smirk then turned into a sweet smile. “But why yes, that oil drum, that was kicked over by the chief prosecutor…it was brimming with water.”

“W-Water?!” Maya burst out, starting to feel faint. “Then that means…”

“…Then It means what, Ms. Fey?” The Judge asked, confused.

“There’s only one reason he’d want to…” Maya trailed off, frowning.

Franziska looked proud of herself as she said. “Yes, Maya Fey. The suspect knocked the oil drum over…to erase the blood stains that could be used as evidence against him!”

Maya gasped in shock. “Wh-What? Shit!”

“O-Oh! That makes perfect sense, Ms. von Karma!” The Judge said, as he added. “So the blood stains on the victim’s shoes really do tie him quite clearly to this murder! And then, to hide the evidence of her misdeeds, she knocked over the oil drum to erase the evidence!”

Angel scoffed. “Why, that’s a prosecutor’s specialty…erasing evidence!”

(Wait, Mr. Justice’s right hand was injured, and he said that he’d cut himself when he stabbed the victim…)

“Well, I see no reason to prolong this trial.” The Judge said.

“Wh-What?” Apollo cried out, turning to Maya with pleading eyes. “Ms. Fey! Do something! PLEASE!”

“Wh-What can I do? Your father confessed to the crime! And I can’t find any more contradictions…” Maya trailed off, frowning.

“B-But…but…” Apollo was stammering.

(Poor kid, I wish I can help, but what else can I do…?) Maya’s brows furrowed as she saw the tears in Apollo’s eyes. (I’m so sorry, Apollo. If it were Mia defending your dad, she could’ve…)

“Cease with the foolish prolonging of this trial!” Franziska said, then directing her glare to the Judge. “The verdict, Your Honor!”

The Judge nodded. “Very well…”

“W-Wait! Ms. Starr is on the prosecution’s side!” Apollo tried, pleading and desperate. “She could’ve been lying about the water! Or the shoe! Or the…or the…” He slammed his fists on the desk. “Or fucking everything, dammit!”

The Judge ignored his pleas. “This court finds the defendant, Jove Justice-”

However, someone else answered his pleas.

“What was that, little boy?” Angel suddenly interrupted, glaring at Apollo.

“H-Huh? Me?” Apollo said, confused.

Angel was serious, more serious than Maya had ever seen her over the past few days. “Did you just claim that I…was on the prosecution’s side?”

Apollo was confused. “Um…you are? You’re a prosecutor’s witness, and you’re saying my dad hid evidence by erasing the bloody footprints…”

“Tch!” Angel clicked her tongue, disappointed. “Well, I thought you’d had your fill, but it seems to me that you’re demanding a second helping. A helping…of “evidence”!”

“W-Wait…Witness, you have something else?” The Judge said, confused.

Franziska whipped at the witness stand, which was only barely dodged by Angel. “Tch! Now is not the time for foolishness! Any further comments will have you held in contempt of court!”

“Oh please! Your threats do not scare the Cough-up Queen!” Angel said, as she took out something from her basket. “Here it is!”

“A…photo?” The Judge asked, confused.

Angel nodded. “I had it in case anyone dared to suggest that the white shoe didn’t belong to the victim.”

“I see! Bailiff, show me the photo!” The Judge commanded.

The bailiff nodded and took the photo from Angel, handing it around the courtroom. When the bailiff had given it to Maya, she looked down at it and frowned at what she saw. (Shit! The asphalt…it’s completely wet! So that means that Ms. Starr’s claims about Mr. Justice knocking over the oil drum is…)

“The asphalt is! It’s…” Apollo looked heartbroken. “I…I’m sorry, Ms. Fey. I guess that means that my dad is going to…” He turned to Maya, his eyes full of tears. “I’m sorry for wasting your time, Ms. Fey.”

(Apollo, you didn’t waste my time. If anything, I should say sorry for giving you false hope. I’m so sorry…) Maya’s eyes scanned the photograph, stopping when she saw the car’s muffler. (…Hey wait, something is sticking out of the car’s exhaust pipe! And it’s…red? It looks like a cloth of some kind. So the exhaust pipe…) Her eyes widened. (Wait, an exhaust pipe could also be called a muffler! That must be the muffler that Mr. Justice was talking about! And why it confused Angel! But…why would he stuff a cloth inside the muffler?) Maya looked back at Apollo, who looked utterly dejected. (No time to ponder! If I could give Apollo and his dad a chance…I’m gonna do it!)

“OBJECTION!” Maya yelled, slamming her palms against the desk. “Your Honor! There’s a problem with the evidence that Ms. Starr just presented to us!”

“M-Ms. Fey?” Apollo stammered, confused. “What’re you doing?”

“Trust me, Apollo.” Maya simply said.

Apollo nodded, though he was frowning.

Franziska scoffed. “Foolishly foolish Maya Fey foolishly grasping for foolish straws. What problem could there possibly be with the evidence that Angel Starr-” She stopped as the bailiff handed her the photo, her eyes widening. “Wait…there’s something sticking out of the car’s muffler!”

“Muffler?” The Judge said, adding at Franziska’s brow raise. “Ms. von Karma, I don’t see any muffler or scarf of any kind in this photograph!”

(…Does he not know anything about cars at all?)

Franziska sighed in exasperation, then explaining. “A muffler may also refer to a part on a vehicle, Your Honor. An exhaust pipe, part of the exhaust sytem.”

“Hmph!” Angel let out a frustrated huff. “This obviously has nothing to do with this case! Some random cloth in a car’s muffler? It’s unrelated! Completely and totally unrelated!”

Maya smirked. “Oh, but it does.”

“Wh-What?!” Angel looked legitimately shocked. “How?”

“In your very own testimony, of course! Remember? You said that Mr. Justice mentioned…a muffler, perhaps?” Maya said, then continuing as she banged her palms on the desk. “It is more than possible then, that when Mr. Justice mentioned this muffler…that he meant the exhaust pipe! And if that’s the case, then the piece of cloth is vital evidence in this case!”

The court erupted into chaos, only silenced when the Judge banged his gavel. “Order! Order in the court! I demand order!” He demanded, continuing when everyone had silenced. “Well…it seems we will have to suspend the proceedings.”

“S-Suspend?” Angel stammered.

“Yes, Ms. Starr. As Ms. Fey has just said, this piece of cloth may be valuable evidence! If we leave any stone unturned, we would do a disservice to the law!” The Judge said, then turning to the bailiffs, “Have the car at the crime scene inspected at once, and bring me that cloth! The verdict will be decided once we’ve seen all evidence of the crime.” He looked to Franziska. “Agreed?”

Franziska was scowling, but she relented. “…I suppose so.”

(Geez, that was terrifying! And way too close for comfort. Ugh, why did I choose to be a lawyer?)

“The court will reconvene after a 30 minute recess! It’s lunchtime, after all!” The Judge said.

(He’s still hungry?)

“Court is adjourned!” The Judge said, banging his gavel.

People slowly trickled out of the courtroom, Maya letting out a sigh of relief, her shoulders easing from a tension she hadn’t even noticed. She turned to Apollo, who had a thoughtful expression on his face. (Glad I got Mr. Justice a fighting chance…just hope it’ll actually get us somewhere.)

“You okay, Apollo?” Maya asked gently.

Apollo nodded.

“Alright then, let’s go back to the defendant lobby, alright? Let’s try to figure this out together.”

“…Yeah.” Apollo smiled. “I’d like that.”

Maya smiled back.

The two walked out of the courtroom, making their way back to the defendant lobby.

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February 23, 11:56 AM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2 

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Maya sighed as she entered the defendant lobby, letting out a sigh of relief. (That was way too close! Geez, what the hell is going on with this case? This is so confusing…) She played with her magatama in thought. (But…I need to figure this thing out. I’m gonna look through my notes, write down the new things. I wonder what’s going on…) At the sound of Apollo’s voice, she was snapped out of her thoughts, turning to the young boy.

“Um…Ms. Fey?” Apollo spoke up.

Maya turned to Apollo, curious. “Yeah?”

“Do all of your trials feel like this? Like you’re drowning in an ocean of despair and hopelessness, and just as you reach the surface…you’re dragged back to the dark and suffocating depths?” Apollo asked.

(…What are you, a writer?)

“Well…yeah, I guess. But I’m used to it at this point.” Maya said with a shrug. “Where’s your father right now?”

“He got called to the judge’s chambers.” Apollo said.

Maya hummed in thought. “Probably about that piece of cloth.”

“Yeah!” Apollo lit up at that. “This is where we triumph! With our only weapon…a tiny and insignificant piece of cloth!”

“…Don’t jinx us, Apollo.”

“Oh! Sorry!”

Maya laughed a little, then thinking. (But seriously…what was up with that piece of cloth? Why would he stuff a cloth into the car’s exhaust pipe?) However, her train of thought was cut short when she heard a male voice call out to her.

“Hold, Pardner!” Marshall said, smiling at the two. “They say you show a red cloth to a bull, it’ll fire up its temper! At least, that’s what I was told as a young’un.”

“Officer Marshall!” Apollo said, smiling. “You’re here!”

Marshall chuckled, then saying. “Course I am, Chico. Thought I’d come to take a looksie at how the trial’s going, though seems I’m late. They've got the home ranch locked down tighter than a fort in enemy territory!”

“Huh! And you still had the time to come here? What’s going on with you guys? All of the officers I’ve been saying the last two days have been super on edge.” Maya said.

“You got enough on your plate without worrying about other people, Bambina.” Marshall said, then adding. “Like the chief prosecutor’s taste in mufflers, for example.”

“But…he wasn’t wearing a muffler…” Apollo said, frowning.

“You don’t say, hm?” Marshall said with a hum, then adding. “I saw it that day too, he was wearing a red muffler that day. I saw it at the awards ceremony that afternoon, I reckon Ms. von Karma’s seen it too.”

Apollo’s eyes widened. “WHAT?!” He frowned in thought. “So is Ms. Starr right…?”

(That’s so weird, multiple people said he was wearing a scarf, but he isn’t in the photo…)

“Well, it’s about time.” Marshall turned to Maya, serious. “Remember Bambina, sometimes you gotta grab the bull by the horns…and sometimes, you gotta let that bull go where it will.”

(Oh boy, I’m doomed…)

Maya nodded. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind.” She turned to Apollo. “We still have some time before the recess ends, let’s look at everything we have and figure this thing out.”

Apollo nodded. “Right! Let’s go, Ms. Fey!”

“And I have places to go.” Marshall said, tipping his hat at her. “Good luck out in the bullpen, Bambina.”

“Thanks, I’ll need all the help I’ll need.” Maya replied.

The two of them crowded her notebook, Maya writing down any new information and Apollo reminding her of things she forgot or making up theories on what happened. And by the time that the bailiff had reminded them that court would reconvene, Maya still hadn’t figured what happened. But she was much more confident now. (I just hope we get another day…) Maya thought to herself as she got up from the couch, making her way to the courtroom with Apollo.

(I guess we’ll just do this, then!) Maya grinned. (If it’ll give Mr. Justice another chance…let’s do it!)

┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑

February 23, 12:32 PM

District Court

Courtroom No. 9  

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Maya scratched her cheek in thought as she looked down at all of the evidence on the defense’s bench, all of her notes, copies of the photos, and even the various things she found during the investigations, like the wallet and the note she found in Franziska’s car. (This is all important, I’m sure. But how…?) She thought to herself. (Mia always told me that every piece of evidence is important, no matter where you find it. I just hope all of the stuff we found during the investigation would help out…) Her eyes flickered up to Apollo, who was pressing his finger to the bridge of his nose in thought. (Hopefully we can do this! We’d be lucky to just get another day, honestly…) Maya turned to the Judge when she heard his voice.

“I’d uh…like to resume…?” The Judge tried, warily eyeing Franziska.

(Uhhh…why is the Judge looking at the prosecution?) Maya thought to herself, then looking at Franziska, looked legitimately shocked. (Oh…yeah, that’s probably why.)

“Is…is something wrong, Ms. von Karma? You look-” Before the Judge could say anything else, Franziska cut him off.

“THIS IS FOOLISHNESS!” Franziska screamed, slamming her fists on the bench. “Foolishly foolish foolishness! Unacceptable foolish FOOLISHNESS!”

(…I never thought of this before, but someone seriously needs to get Franzy a thesaurus.)

“I wonder what happened to Ms. von Karma?” Apollo pondered aloud to himself.

(I’d like to know, too!)

“Well then…I believe it’s time we continued on with this trial.” The Judge said, then adding. “During our recess, I made a request to the prosecution to conduct an investigation…”

“Unacceptable foolishness!” Franziska cut him off.

The Judge hummed in thought. “Hmm, it seems that the prosecution is quite beside herself.”

(I wonder why she’s so shocked. Something must’ve happened to…) Maya stopped midthought as she saw a man walk into the courtroom. He was a smiling man, with gray hair and a beard. His green eyes barely peeked out of his pink glasses. His suit was garishly orange, a clasp of the police officers logo on his red tie. (Uh…who is he? And why is he here? What is this guy doing here? Judging from his clasp, he must be with the police…but who is he?) Maya turned to Apollo, who was glaring at the man with a concentrated and intense gaze. (Does Apollo know him?)

“Mr. Damon Gant…” Apollo murmured.

(Yep, seems like he does…)

“Ah, er, excuse me. Knock knock?” The man said.

“Ah, it’s you…” The Judge trailed off.

The man laughed. “Oh! Hehe! Sorry I’m late, Udgey! The traffic was horrible. It’s just me! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, eh? How ya been? Swim much these days?”

“Ah! No, I’ve been busy…”

“Always busy, Udgey! You have to take some time off! After all, all work and no play makes Udgey a dull judge!”

The Judge nodded. “Yes, indeed.”

(Udgey? That must be his nickname for the judge. I wonder who this guy is…) Maya cleared her throat, then asking. “Um, really sorry if this is a dumb question…but who are you?”

Apollo looked at Maya with a bewildered expression.

(Um, I assume that means I should know him? Oh dear…)

The man just laughed. “Ah hah! So you’re Mimi, the attorney! I’ve heard good things about you, young woman!”

“Um, thanks I guess?” Maya said uncertainly.

“So sorry about our little Franny, especially with all the trouble she’s been giving you!” The man clapped. “You know, we should all go swimming together sometime! Jolly!”

“Uh…little Franny?”

“Ms. Fey…you don’t know the district Chief of Police?!” The Judge asked, bewildered.

“You of all people should know, Ms. Fey!” Apollo added.

“I…” Maya’s eyes widened, then hitting her. “Wait, we learnt that in law school! The top ranking police officer in the entire district! Then you must be…”

“Damon Gant of course, Mimi!” The man, Gant, supplied for her. “Pleased to meet you, everyone!”

“So uh, what brings you to the courtroom today, Chief? It’s been over…two years since you last came to this courtroom. Or perhaps a year and a half? Hmm…”

“I came to help Franny, of course! Look at the poor girl! I just thought I’d help…by bringing this.” Gant took out a long red cloth, and Maya realized what it was.

“Hey! That’s a…” Maya trailed off.

“My dad’s scarf!” Apollo finished for her.

(So Mr. Justice really was wearing a scarf! Ms. Starr must’ve seen it!)

Gant played with the scarf in his hands. “To think that it was stuffed in the exhaust pipe…of Franny’s car! It’s quite embarrassing, even for us.” He unfolded the scarf, taking out a switchblade. “And with this, too!”

“Wh-What’s that?!” The Judge asked in shock.

“It’s a switchblade knife, Udgey. Quite perplexing, huh?” Gant said.

“OBJECTION!” Franziska yelled, slamming her fists on the bench. “What foolishness is this? How could your police officers miss such an important piece of evidence?! If your investigators are this foolishly foolish, how do you expect us to do our job?!”

“Now wait a minute, Franny!” Gant tried.

Franziska scowled, cracking her whip. “I have neither the time nor patience for your foolishly foolish excuses!”

“I’m telling you to wait, Franny!” Gant said, then smiling at her, but there was something dangerous in his smile. “Or maybe you didn’t hear me?”

Franziska’s eyes were wide, but she said nothing, gripping her whip tight.

(Franzy looks speechless…just how much power does this guy have?)

Gant took out a paper. “Have a little look at this document, Franny. Especially the “person in charge of investigation”, hm? Does the signature seem familiar to you, Franny?”

“Y-You fool! On that day, I had…” Franziska tried, but Gant cut her off.

“Your head in the clouds because you got that award, yes! I know, of course. But you’re the person in charge, hm? I’ll expect a written apology.” Gant said.

Franziska scoffed. “That’s foolish! I will not…I will not do that!”

“Come now, Franny!” Gant said with a laugh. “You’ve made quite a mess for the police department, that we have to clean up. So we should have an apology, hm?” 

Franziska’s grip on her whip was shaking.

“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen Ms. von Karma at a loss for words…” Apollo said.

(Yeah, no kidding! Franzy almost seems…scared of him…)

“This kind of blunder is unlike you, Ms. von Karma.” The Judge said, then adding with a nod. “The court accepts this new evidence.” He then turned to Maya. “However, I have a favor to ask the defense.”

“Yeah?” Maya said.

“Just to be sure, I’d like to take a look at the blade of this knife.” The Judge said.

“Um…sure? I don’t see why not.” Maya said with shrug. The bailiff brought the knife to her, Maya turning it over in her hands. It was small. “Huh, can’t believe you can kill someone with something this small…”

“Could you open it up for us, Ms. Fey?” The Judge asked, then adding at Maya’s brow raise. “My hands are very important, Ms. Fey! If I cut my finger, I won’t be able to pound my gavel anymore!”

(Um, you can just put a bandage on your finger, you know…) Maya thought to herself, but she nodded, looking down at the knife. (I think you need to just push this switch, and then it’ll…) Maya almost jumped as the blade suddenly unsheathed from the knife.

“G-Gah!” Apollo said, jumping too. “Don’t scare me like that, Ms. Fey!”

“I was scared too, you know!” Maya protested, then looking back at the knife. “Huh…the tip is broken off.”

“And there’s something else too…” Apollo pointed at the tag on the knife. “There’s a small tag on the knife.”

“It says “SL-9 2.”, huh.” Maya played with her magatama in thought. “I wonder what that means.”

“I have no idea, but for some reason, it seems…familiar…” Apollo frowned in thought, pressing his finger to the bridge of his nose.

(…Is literally everything familiar to you, Apollo?)

“Fool!” Franziska said. “This does not excuse the actions of the police department! I demand an explanation from the Chief of Police himself!”

“I agree with Ms. von Karma.” The Judge said with a nod, then turning to Gant. “I’m terribly sorry Chief, but could I ask for a testimony from you? About the split between prosecutors and the police of course…and about this knife.”

“Of course, Udgey! It’s not a problem, not even a little one, really!” Gant said.

Witness Testimony

—Department in Disorder—

“This knife is quite…special, but the reason is confidential right now. I can’t say how or why here.” Gant started, then adding. “Unless of course, if a connection is proven between this knife and Goodman…”

(I mean, the knife was found in Franzy’s muffler and Mr. Justice’s muffler too, how is this not related to the case?)

“Oh, quite a bad day for the department! We weren’t in any state to do an investigation.” Gant said, then shaking his head. “A detective killed at the police department, you know…what a mess!” He then added. “The time of the crime was 5:15 too. Quite the coincidence!” He smiled. “It’s not officially linked to the case here, so I see no reason to talk about it much.”

“There was a murder at the police department!? A detective?!” The Judge cried out in surprise.

“Oh, that’s hush-hush right now, Udgey! We havent even officially announced it yet!” Gant said.

“Objection!” Franziska yelled, directing her questioning glare to Gant. “Damon Gant! The time you mentioned was 5:15…that’s the exact time that Bruce Goodman was killed at the prosecutor’s office!”

The court devolved into chaos, hushed whispers and shocked words filling the air. They were only silenced as the Judge banged his gavel, demanding silence. “Order! Order! I demand order in the court!”

“Anyway, you can imagine we at the department were quite flustered!” Gant said, then adding. “We’re in the middle of a top-top-secret investigation. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

The Judge nodded. “Of course, Chief. I think we understand the police department’s situation…” He turned to Maya. “Ms. Fey?”

(Two detectives killed at the same time in two different places…that’s super statistically unlikely! There must be something going on…and my gut says that it’s related to this case! I just gotta find out how…)

“I’d like to exercise my right to cross examine the witness.” Maya said.

“Very well! But remember to keep your questions focused on the case at hand, Ms. Fey!” The Judge said.

Maya nodded. “Of course, Your Honor.”

Cross Examination

—Department in Disorder—

“Why is the knife special?” Maya asked.

“It just is, Mimi! Hard to come by this particular knife anywhere else.” Gant answered.

“Is it the little tag on it?” Apollo asked, flicking it with his finger. “I mean, what is “SL-9” anyways?”

“Sorry, Polly! But I can’t say that now!” Gant said.

Apollo was glaring at Gant, his gaze intense and almost in a trance. Maya could almost see fires flickering in his eyes. And then, he snapped out of his trance, turning to Maya. “Ms. Fey, this tag on the knife is important.”

“Huh? Why? Is he lying?” Maya asked.

“No, but he’s hiding something…I know it! Keep the tag in mind.” Apollo said.

“I see, noted.” Maya said with a nod, before turning to Franziska as she spoke.

“We have already found the murder weapon, the knife in Bruce Goodman’s chest…and yet, there is another knife at the scene of the crime.” Franziska said.

“Quite a mystery!” The Judge said.

“And like a mystery, it’s wrapped in something…” Gant held up the scarf. “…Like this muffler!”

“Objection!” Maya yelled. “This knife was found at the scene of the crime! Shouldn’t that then make it related to the case?”

“See Mimi, there’s quite a lot of things going on at the department…things that I can’t exactly explain! It’s rather…delicate.” Gant smiled jovially. “Sorry, Mimi!”

“But something happened at the same time of the murder! You said so yourself in your testimony…that a detective was murdered in the police department! And at 5:15, no less! That makes it related!” Maya said.

“Well, yes! But there are delicate things going on with that case…” Gant trailed off.

“And I assume a suspect has been arrested?” Franziska asked.

“Of course, Franny! A suspect has been arrested, but it’s all confidential. I’m afraid I can’t tell you…” Gant said, then laughing as he saw Maya’s intense gaze. “But with that determined glint in your eyes, it shows you’re determined about this! I’ll tell you what, Mimi. I’ll tell you a few things, how does three questions sound? That’s quite generous, Mimi!”

(That might actually help…) Maya nodded, turning to Apollo. “Any ideas?”

Apollo shook. “No ideas. Save the question for later.”

Maya nodded, turning back to Gant. “I’ll ask when I know what to ask, but for now…I’d like to put a pin on it.”

“Aha! Saving your questions, huh? Smart!” Gant said, then adding. “But I’m afraid I can’t tell you anything else other than your question.”

(Geez, this is hurting my head…)

“Maybe something about the knife will give us a clue, Ms. Fey. Especially a tag, I just know the tag is important.” Apollo suggested. “Just take a look at it! Who knows, a fresh perspective might help!”

(Right, just look at it. This knife is related to this case, it’s gotta be! But…the question is how.) Maya hummed in thought and took a better look at the knife. (This tag, the one Apollo says is important, huh? “SL-9”…it kinda reminds me of Franzy’s mom’s case number, FL-9.) She turned it over, turned it upside down, nothing. (Geez, nothing about this knife is jumping out to me. Even the tag. SL-9, huh? But it looks different upside down. Sixes look like nines upside down, but that’s it. And…) Maya stopped, her eyes flickering to the note she had found in the crime scene. (Wait…) She picked up the memo, saw the handwriting, and her eyes widened. (Hold on a sec…what if Apollo and I have been getting this wrong this entire thing? What if all this time, it’s been…upside down?)

She turned the memo upside, or more accurately…right side up. Maya had almost gasped. (Oh my god! It says…SL-9! It’s related!)

“Objection!” Maya yelled, slamming her palms on the table. “Hold on just a second!”

Gant was smiling. “Ah! At last! An honest to goodness objection from Mimi!”

(Wait…what? I’m a lawyer, I should object-) Maya shook her head. (No, focus Maya!)

“This knife…it has something to do with Detective Goodman!” Maya said, then adding. “This claim that the knife isn’t related to the case at hand…is wrong!”

“What do you mean?!” The Judge burst out, shocked.

Gant laughed. “Ah hah! An honest to goodness “what do you mean” from Udgey! This is great!”

“Mr. Gant! I want to direct your attention to the tag!” Maya said, pointing to the tag. “It reads as “SL-9 2”, and this is very important!”

“And…why is it important?” The Judge asked.

Maya held up the note. “Because we found this note…on the body of the victim!” She said, handing it over to the bailiff.

“Hmmm…what’s this?” The Judge said curiously, reading the note. “6 minus 7s…12/2…” He turned to Maya, confused. “What does this have to do with the case, Ms. Fey?”

“Well…you’re reading it upside down.”  Maya said.

“Upside down?” The Judge asked, confused.

Maya nodded. “Yep! Upside down. Turn it over, and what does it say when it’s right side up?”

“Err…” The Judge turned back to the note, turning it right side up. His eyes widened as he saw what it read. “SL-9! The same thing written on the knife’s tag!” He cried out, banging his gavel as the court burst into a frenzy. “Order! Order! Order in the court!” He demanded, turning to Gant as the courtroom silenced. “Well, Chief?”

Gant was smiling, it was unnerving. “Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag. You’ve won this one, Mimi!”

(Uh…win? This trial isn’t finished yet?)

“Yes, this knife happens to be evidence in a case. It was stolen from the department’s evidence room.” Gant continued.

“It was…stolen?” Maya asked, confused.

“Yes, but on the day of the murder.” Gant said.

Franziska hummed in thought, and then asking. “And I assume this murder is itself, a murder weapon?

Gant clapped. “Nice! Nice! Nice! Quite a good show, little Franny! It was a murder weapon. But that’s from a case long-since solved…”

(So this knife is also evidence, weird…) Maya nodded. (This related murder…I should start with the Ws! We already know the when, so what’s left is where and how…)

“I’d like to ask my questions now.” Maya said.

“My my! You’re quite determined, aren’t you Mimi?” Gant said, then adding. “Ask away, Mimi!”

“First of all, how did the victim die?” Maya asked.

“How was he killed? Why, that’s quite interesting! It’s what we in the force call a “stabbing”, of course. With a knife!” Gant said.

“Just like…” Franziska trailed off.

“Like Detective Goodman, Franny!” Gant said, then adding. “But that wasn’t the only thing that was the same…”

“What do you mean?” Apollo asked.

“There were a number of similarities between these two cases, Polly! But I’m afraid I can’t say much.” Gant said.

“I see…” Maya nodded, then asking. “And where was the body found?”

“Well, I can’t say where the body was found…but I can say that the crime took place in the evidence room in the police department.”

(The evidence room? Mr. Gant just mentioned that earlier!) She turned to Apollo, seeing his smile. “Thinking what I’m thinking, Apollo?”

“Yep! We’ve got these two cases related now! We have leverage! Now…we just need to get the truth out!” Apollo said with a grin.

Maya nodded, then turning to Gant. “Mr. Gant! I disagree! There is a connection between these two cases…and it’s already been proven!”

“Heh! You don’t say, hm?” Gant seemed amused. “Well, spit it out Mimi! What’s your connection?”

“One of the connections is the place, as mentioned in your testimony. The knife that was found in the lot…was stolen from the police department’s evidence room.” Maya started.

“There is also the fact that the victim, Bruce Goodman, had the case number on the knife’s evidence tag.” Franziska continued.

“And now we know that this detective murdered at the Police Department…was killed in that very same evidence room!” Maya finished.

The Judge nodded in agreement. “Indeed…that’s too many connections for this to be merely a coincidence.”

Gant was smiling as he said. “You two make quite a good pair! It took my men two days to find out what you deduced right now.”

“Damon Gant! Tell us all your information that you have on the victim at the police department!” Franziska demanded.

“See that’s the tricky part Franny, it hasn’t been announced yet…” Gant trailed off.

Franziska scowled, whipping Gant. “Tell us NOW-” She stopped and stared in shock as she saw Gant grab the whip’s rope. “What in the blazes?!”

“You always had such a temper, Franny!” Gant said with a laugh, then letting go of her whip before giving her an eerily friendly smile. “Your temper will come at a cost, Franny!”

“Um…” Maya cleared her throat, then asking. “Can we at least get the information…unofficially?”

Gant hummed in thought, playing with his hair before he shrugged. “Sure, why not? It’s unofficial, after all. But I can’t tell you the victim’s name, no siree!”

(That…that worked? But we can’t ask about the victim’s name…the most important part! I wonder why he’s hiding that?)

“Well Ms. Fey, ask all the important questions you need!” Apollo encouraged.

Maya nodded, and then asking. “What division was the victim working at?”

“Oh! You want to know that, hm? Well, he happened to be working at criminal affairs, division 1. Those detectives are responsible for homicide cases, you know.” Gant said.

(Huh, same with Detective Gumshoe.)

“It’s the same as Detective Goodman too! Both homicide detectives! It’s almost like a serial killer…if they could teleport.” Apollo said, adding as he hummed in thought. “I wonder who’s next, though…”

(Well, I sure hope not Detective Gumshoe…)

“Alright, so…” Maya cleared her throat, then asking. “What about the victim’s ID number? Like, detective’s cards all have ID numbers, don’t they?”

“Hmm! Sure, why not? It’s not like you’ll be able to tell who it is from that!” Gant said, then adding. “We keep a tight lid on ID numbers, there’s no harm in telling you! It’s 5842189.”

“Wow! That’s quite long!” The Judge said.

“And we have to remember these!” Gant said, then adding with a laugh and a shake of his head. “It drives me absolutely crazy!”

“Eight…two…” The Judge hummed in thought, and then he frowned. “I can’t do it.”

(He said it literally seconds ago! And you didn’t even get the first number right!)

“Wait…” Apollo’s eyes were wide, and he immediately grabbed the wallet on the defense’s bench. “Ms. Fey! Clue!”

“Huh? It is?” Maya asked, confused.

Apollo opened the wallet and took out the ID, showing it off to Maya. “Here!”

Maya took a closer look at the ID. (Huh, the ID number is…) Her eyes widened. (…Oh my god, 5842189! It’s the exact number! And this means that…) But then she realized. (Wait…Apollo remembered that all?)

“You remembered that all?” Maya found herself asking before she could stop herself.

“Yeah, so what? That doesn’t matter.” Apollo said with an exasperated sigh. “The point is…that means that Detective Goodman was the victim for two murders!”

“Wait, you’re right!” Maya said with a gasp. She turned to the court, slamming her palms on the table as she shouted. “Objection! Witness, there’s something super fishy about what you just said!”

Gant looked intrigued. “Oh? And what is that, Mimi?”

“It just so happens I have a police ID number here!” Maya said, adding when she saw the Judge’s mouth open. “No, it is not mine, Your Honor. I’m a defense attorney, not a detective.”

The Judge frowned in thought. “How’d she know…?”

(That look on your face was enough…)

“Shame on you, Mimi! Personnel IDs are top secret!” Gant said.

“Yeah, but I feel like it’s relevant to the case! ‘Cause the ID number on Detective Goodman’s ID happens to be “5842189”…” Maya said, then smirking. “The exact same ID number of the other murder victim you just told us about!”

Franziska’s eyes were wide with shock, and Gant was deathly silent.

“H-Hold on a second, Ms. Fey! What does this mean…” The Judge trailed off, shocked too.

“It means that…the murder victim at the police department was Bruce Goodman.” Maya said.

“B-But hold on a second…Detective Goodman is our victim! He was killed at 5:15 in the underground parking lot!”

Maya snapped her fingers. “Exactly! Detective Goodman is the victim of both murders, is what it looks like! However, that’s impossible! Once someone is dead…they’re dead for good!” She turned to Gant. “What do you have to say about that, Mr. Gant?”

Gant just stared at her for a moment, before he laughed. “Oh! Ho ho ho! Sharp as a knife, aren’t you Mimi? Sharp as a knife!”

“Maya Fey! You’re saying that…the same person was killed at the same time in different locations! That’s…that’s impossible! That’s logistically impossible!” Franziska said, flabbergasted.

The courtroom went into a frenzy, only silencing when they heard the Judge’s loud gavel bangings. “Order! Order! Order in the court! I will have order!”

“No…this is…foolish foolishness!” Franziska burst out, glaring at Gant. “Why did I not hear of this? This foolishly foolish case is foolish, yes! But I’m the prosecutor in charge of the case! The fact you didn’t tell me is foolish FOOLISHNESS!”

“Now wait on a second, Franny. No need to get all angry.” Gant said.

“I do not want to hear your excuses!” Franziska said, cracking her whip. “Foolishly foolish fool!”

Something about Gant’s smile was both terrifying and dangerous. “Wait, Franny. I said “wait”, didn’t I?” He said, then adding. “Or maybe you didn’t hear me?” It wasn’t a question, but a command.

Franziska’s eyes were wide and frantic, her grip on her whip shaking.

“Franny, this oversight…it’s yours.” Gant said, then adding. “We informed you yesterday, by Officer Meekins I believe?"

“O-Officer Meekins?” Franziska stammered.

“Wait Ms. Fey, that name sounds familiar…” Apollo stopped, gasping when he realized. “Ms. Fey! It’s the police officer that went to Ms. von Karma’s office!”

“Yeah! The one with the megaphone! So he must have went to give Franzy the news…” Maya trailed off.

Apollo nodded.

“You mean…that foolishly foolish fool?!” Franziska burst out.

“According to Meekins, you didn’t accept the report.” Gant said, then humming in intrigue. “Hard to believe, hm?”

“B-But that fool said that the report had nothing to do with the Jove Justice incident! That fool…that fool did not tell me it was related at all!” Franziska tried.

“Oh, but it was related to the case, Franny! I suppose that the officer didn’t make the connection, so he couldn’t tell you.” Gant was playing with his hair in thought, then adding. “But in any case, this is a serious error, and a gross negligence of duty on your part, Franny.”

“This is…the most…the most foolish of all foolishly foolish foolishness!” Franziska burst out, banging her fists on the bench. “You could have submitted that report this morning to the court as evidence! This is just as much your fault as it is mine!”

(Geez, Franzy is livid! But honestly, I’d be pissed too!)

“No such luck this time, Franny.” Gant said, adding at Franziska’s glare. “You remember the second rule of evidence law, don’t you?”

“Uhh…” Apollo turned to Maya. “What is it?”

“Hmm…” Maya hummed in thought. “I dunno, I forgot.”

Apollo gave her an exasperated look.

(H-Hey! Lawyers don’t remember every law, you know!)

“Rule 2: New evidence may only be submitted if it concerns the case on trial.” Franziska said, then adding with a scoff. “And how is this relevant, exacty?”

“Normally, you submit a list of evidence to be used in court before the trial. This report wasn’t on that list…” Gant trailed off.

“So…what does this mean?” The Judge asked.

“It means that I couldn’t submit this evidence until a connection was proven in court.” Gant said, then shooting Maya a smile. “Which was just proven by Mimi over here. Good job Mimi, my girl!”

“Uh…thanks? Just doing my job…” Maya trailed off.

“I…I see…” The Judge said, closing his eyes in thought. And then he nodded. “It seems that we have come to the end of this trial, I cannot in good consciousness decide a verdict with the evidence presented today.”

“I know this is a trying time, Franny. What with all the rumors surrounding you…My, weren’t you even in the defendant’s chair just this past December?”

Franziska was glaring, her cold gray eyes intense and her hands shaking. Slowly, she spat out. “…One day.”

“H-Huh? Repeat that, Ms. von Karma?” The Judge inquired, confused.

“This lack of due diligence on my part…I will correct it with one day.” Franziska said. “I demand one more day to discover the truths of this incident!”

“You’d get better results this time, really.” Gant said.

Franziska scowled. “You have my…my…” She cringed. “My sincerest apologies…”

“I feel so bad for Ms. von Karma…”

(I remembered wanting Franziska to get Karma, but man is this hard to watch…)

“I don’t think there’s ever been an error this serious in the history of this court, especially from Ms. von Karma.” The Judge said, then adding as he turned to Franziska. “Very well. I will grant the prosecution one day as you have requested. Will that be sufficient?”

Franziska was silent for a moment, before saying. “…Yes. Thank you, Your Honor.”

“Whatever your punishment for this error is, I hope for your sake it’s not…dire.” The Judge said, nodding before he banged his gavel. “Very well! That is all, court is adjourned!”

Maya let out a sigh of relief, smiling at Apollo as she watched the people trickle out of the courtroom, before making her way through the hallways and back to the defendant lobby.

┍━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┑

February 23, 2:15 PM

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 2 

┕━━━━━━━━━━━━━━┙

“Wow, Ms. Fey…that was amazing!” Apollo said as they walked into the defendant lobby.

“Yeah no kidding, I thought we would’ve lost like ten times!” Maya replied.

Apollo glared at her. “You never thought of pleading guilty, did you?”

“No, I didn’t!” Maya said, adding when Apollo raised a brow at her. “At least…not that much.”

“Ms. Fey!”

Maya laughed.

The air in the defendant lobby was lighter than inside the courtroom, less tense. Though Maya presumed that this was because the trial was finished. (Geez, that trial was stressful as hell! Why did I pick this to be my case back?) Maya thought, but when she saw Apollo’s smile, she smiled back. (But hey…I gave his dad another chance! That’s good. And speaking of his dad, where is he…?) Maya looked around, seeing Jove sat on the couch, still and silent. His expression was unrecognizable, an amalgamation of so many emotions that Maya couldn’t hope to untangle them. (Hope he doesn’t say he did the crime still…) Maya thought as she went to approach Jove with his son.

“Hello, Mr. Justice.” Maya said, then adding. “So uh…how’s it going?”

“You fought.” Jove simply said.

“Uh…yeah, I did? I’m your lawyer?” Maya said.

“Tch.” Jove scoffed. “You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you Ms. Fey? Your client confesses to the murder, and yet you keep fighting.”

Apollo groaned. “Dad, stop being such a dick.”

“Look Mr. Justice, the whole point of my job is to fight for you!” Maya said, then adding. “I mean, it’s not just me that believes you! Apollo, your son, does too! That’s a reason I should be fighting for you!”

“And you’re both stupid for believing me.” Jove replied.

Apollo looked legitimately hurt, and for a moment, just a moment, Jove’s gaze softened. But it was gone as soon as it came, that cold and detached expression soon back on his face.

“…Can you at least tell us more about the murder? And why there were two murders of the same guy and time…at different places?” Maya asked.

Jove was silent for a moment, before he turned his back to her, saying coldly. “…That’s something for you to find out, Ms. Fey.”

(I’m your lawyer! You’re supposed to tell me! And you’re literally staring at the wall right now!) Maya watched as Jove was whisked away by the bailiffs, letting out a sigh. (So Mr. Justice is still insisting he’s the murderer. There must be an explanation…there must be! Nobody would insist this hard to be a murderer without a reason. And that reason is not him being a murderer, by the way!) She thought to herself, sighing softly as she glanced at Apollo, who was looking dejectedly at the ground. (Well…one thing is for sure, Apollo has a gift. He guessed that Ms. Starr was lying and that the knife tag was important…and she was! I wonder how he did that?)

“Let’s go and figure this thing out, Apollo.” Maya said, giving him a smile. “And get your dad out of prison.”

“Yeah…yeah!” Apollo grinned. “Let’s do this, Ms. Fey!”

The two of them made their way out of the courtroom, both having never been more determined as they were now, at that present moment.