Chapter Text
Phoenix was relieved to be out of the prosecutor's sight, focusing now on questioning the witnesses.
He yelped when he felt a tug on his tie as a flirtatious nurse pulled him close, “Hey there, hot stuff. “She purred, “You know I’ve always said I love a man in a suit.”
“Sorry, I’m taken.” He told her, flashing his gold wedding band.
“Come on, sweetie, she doesn’t have to know.” She said once again, trying to coerce him, “I’m sure she won't mind.”
“He said no, you creep.”Athena said, getting fired up before.
“Back off small fry, the grownups are talking.” She said, pissing off Athena, but Phoenix put a hand up, calling her off.
“It’s okay, Athena. I’ve got this.” Phoenix told her, “Trust me. I’m sure he would mind, besides I’m here on official business.” He said, flashing her his attorney’s badge.
“Spoilsport.”She said, taking her hands off him, “ I suppose you’ll be wanting to hear my side of the story, Mr.Attorney?” She asked.
“If you were the one the nurse that intervened, I’d appreciate it.” Phoenix said, interested in any information involving the case.
She got close to his ear like she was going to tell him a secret, before pulling away, “Hmm, but then again, Ms. Prosecutor did advise against me talking to any nasty defense attorneys.” She answered, tapping her chin with a perfectly manicured nail, “But I guess since you’re so cute, I could give you a little something.”
She slunk behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, getting close to his ear, “Word of advice.” She whispered, “I’d give up now because your pretty little clients aren’t as innocent as they appear.”
She then left, waving, “Let me know if you get bored.” She told him, “I’ll be waiting.”
Athena pouted, grumbled, “Wow, that lady was rude.” She said, “You think she could take a hint that you weren’t interested.”
Phoenix sighed, “I just hope she’s wrong about our chances.” He said, before walking with Athena to their next witness.
~
Standing outside the office door, Phoenix knocked. A jovial voice answering on the other side, “Come in~.”
Phoenix opened the door, finding a plump, jolly-looking man that could have given Santa Claus a run for his money. “You must be Mr. Wright. I’ve been expecting you!” Dr. Jekyll said, taking Phoenix’s hand, shaking it vigorously, “Bless your heart for taking up their case in these trying times.”
Pulling his hand away, Phoenix rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, “Well, of course, Apollo’s a good friend, and Artemis,” He answered, “ any friend of Apollo’s is a friend of ours.”
“That’s truly kind of you, sir, if there’s any way I can help, please let me know,” Dr.Jekyll told Phoenix, “Those kids are like family.” He said, concern twinkling in his blue eyes.
“Well, it could be helpful if you could tell me anything about the crime itself.” Phoenix asked, hoping to get some useful information.
“Ah, yes.” Dr. Jekyll hummed, “Terrible scene it was, it’s not every day you find one of your best nurses dead.” He answered sadly, “And then one of your favorite patients being arrested for the murder, truly a tragedy.”
“We know why Artemis was in there, but is there any way you could tell us why Apollo was there?” Phoenix asked, still not understanding why Apollo was in the room.
The doctor shrugged, “I couldn’t tell you.” He said, “The poor boy was doing pretty poorly when Artemis brought him in last night, he probably stumbled in looking for her.” He sighed, “If only I’d gotten there sooner…” He trailed off.
Phoenix put a comforting hand on his shoulder, “There’s nothing you could have done.” He said, “How long have you known Apollo and Artemis?” He asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Dr. Jekyll smiled, “Since they were wee little ones.” His face softened, “I actually delivered Artemis, the sweet girl.”
A smile spread on Phoenix’s face, it was nice to hear about Apollo, since the young man wasn’t a very open person.
“The two of them had a rough start in life, I was glad to see things were going well for them.” Dr.Jekyll sighed, “It’s a shame something like this had to happen.”
“It really is…” Phoenix trailed off, truly sad to see Apollo behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.
A buzzing broke the tension, “Ah, you’ll have to excuse me.” The doctor said, holding up his pager, “Duty calls.” He said before quickly leaving the room.
Sighing Phoenix felt like they had even less information than before. “Mr. Wright, I don’t know if this is important, but I found something while you and the doctor were talking.” Athena ushered him over.
She presented a pastel pink paper that reeked of a sickening floral scent. It looked like a love letter, signed with the initials A.O. “Let's take it with us just in case.” He said, putting it in a bag, “You never know what could be important in a case.”
He hoped his gut was right, and it turned out to be relevant because he needed all the help he could get.
April 9th, 10:30 AM
Detention Center
Soon Phoenix was back in the detention center after sending Athena back to the hotel, sitting across from Artemis and now Apollo, who was very insistent on being involved despite Artemis’s attempts to get him to rest.
She was right Apollo definitely wasn’t up for this, his usually spiked horn laying limp across his forehead, his hair tousled and free of gel. He was wearing sweats and a t-shirt, and even though his fever was gone, his eyes still looked glassy and unfocused. Not to mention his poor nose was bright red.
He leaned against Artemis like it was exhausting to sit up straight, not caring about appearances. Being a father, it broke Phoenix’s heart.”
“You should have called me sooner if you were struggling, Apollo.” Phoenix told him, using his best dad voice, “I could’ve come to help.”
Apollo shifted his gaze to the ground, flushing with shame. Phoenix dropped the subject, not wanting to sound like he was scolding the younger attorney, “Well, I’m here now, and I’m gonna get you two out.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anything you two remember about the incident?” Phoenix asked anything at all. They looked at each other before shaking their heads.
Phoenix smiled, in what he hoped was a reassuring way, “That’s fine, we’ve worked with less, we’ll get through this.”
“What did you find at the crime scene?” Artemis asked, hopefully.
“Not much.” Phoenix answers, “Nothing that tells me anything about your case yet.” Phoenix answered, wishing he could give better news, “I did meet some of the witnesses and got hit on by a nurse.” Phoenix admitted wrinkling his nose.
Artemis giggled, “Angie O’ Plasty, that’s definitely the one that hit on you.”She told him, pausing, “Now that I think about it, I think she also transferred over with Dr. Jekyll; keep an eye on her. She might know more than she’s letting on.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Phoenix said, glad to have a little more information, “I also met Dr. Jekyll, and he’s…interesting.”
“Sorry, I should have warned you that he can be a bit…jolly. “Artemis cringed, “ He really is a sweet man though, he treats us like family.” She smiled fondly.
Phoenix was glad Apollo had people to worry about him when he wasn’t around, “And Iet me the new prosecutor, and let me tell you she’s a piece of work.”
Artemis sighed bitterly, “So that wasn’t just a rumor.” Be careful, Phoenix, if it’s who I think it is, she can be ruthless.”
They talked a little more about the case until Apollo had practically fallen asleep, exhausted. “Well, that’s all I have for you right now,” Phoenix told her, getting up, “We should get something more useful at the trial tomorrow.”
“Hey Phoenix, before you go, can I ask a favor?” Artemis asked, chewing her lip, “Could you bring something from Apollo’s apartment to the trial tomorrow?” She asked.
Phoenix nodded, “Yeah, just tell me where it is.” He said, wondering why she seemed so uncomfortable asking for this favor.
“Okay, so by Apollo’s bed, in the top drawer of the nightstand, there’s something in there I need you to get.” She told him, “You’ll understand when you see it, thank you so much.”
Phoenix nodded, nervous as he wasn’t sure what he’d just agreed to retrieve for this girl.