Archive of Our Own ^beta

(Whew, here we go... I’m more nervous than I thought I would be.)

(But I can’t let that stop me! Cheer up, Trucy, it’ll be all Wright!)

...

Prosecutor Gavin! Good morning.

Good morning...

Herr Justice.

...

Are you sweating already? The trial hasn't even started.

(So far, so good.)

Just a bit nervous! You know me.

Indeed.

You know, Herr Justice, your forehead looks... different today.

(... Can he tell?)

Ah, probably just my imagination!

By the way, where is your little helper? The fraulein?

Oh, Trucy? She got sick this morning, so she's back at home, resting.

A shame. Send her my regards.

It's quite a stroke of luck that I'm here, then.

If you need any help, feel free to ask. After all, today I'm not your enemy, but your ally.

Your co-counsel.

Right.

(I didn't know that... I missed the entire investigation. At least Mr. Gavin will be able to help.)

Uh, what's the prosecutor's name again?

You've forgotten already...? No matter. The prosecutor for today...

Is Sebastian Debeste.

You've heard of him, I trust?

Right, yeah.

(I’ve heard a few things about his background and his dad, but I don't know how good he is at prosecuting.)

This is his debut case as a solo act, you know.

...Huh?

He's worked as an assistant for other prosecutors, but this is his first time standing in court alone.

I was the one to recommend your services to the defendant. I believe your... exceptional eyes may be important in this case.

...You can use those lie-detecting eyes, right? Herr Justice?

(They're not as good as Polly's, but...)

Yeah! Of course!

Very good.

The trial is about to begin. Are you ready to rock?

(I don't think I could be more unprepared if I tried.)

All ready, Prosecutor Gavin!

Good.

Ah, one thing before we step foot in the courtroom.

We're working together today. You may call me by my first name if you wish.

Um, thanks, Prosecutor Gavin.

...I see.

(Sorry, Mr. Gavin. It would be REALLY cool to be on first name terms with you. But Apollo would probably refuse, too.)

The court is now in session for the trial of Doe Wheatley.

The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.

The defense is fine- I mean, ready, Your Honor!

(I make a pretty good Polly, if I do say so myself. I even have his voice down.)

(I just have to yell everything.)

Mr. Justice... Something seems off.

(Oh no...)

You don't have that girl with you today?

She's sick, Your Honor.

Oh, I'm sorry. Tell her I said to get well soon.

I will!

(Apollo's actually the sick one. It seemed serious, too.)

(But this is the best way for me to help him. I told him I would find someone else that I trust to take the case.)

(That wasn't completely a lie, but I'm glad he was too out of it to notice.)

Herr Justice, you look nervous.

Uh, I’m fine!

Don't worry, Herr Justice. Everyone in this courtroom has the same goal.

To find the truth.

(The murderer probably doesn't want that, though.)

Even Herr Sebastian over there is more interested in finding the truth than winning.

You know him?

Actually...

He looks mad at you. Are you rivals?

Rivals? Hardly! Hello, Sebastian! Guten Morgen!

(Sebastian just looks madder...)

We're friends.

(I'm not gonna say anything about it.)

If the defense is done gossiping amongst themselves...

Right! We're done!

(We got told off... It was Mr. Gavin's fault, though.)

Good. Then, Prosecutor Debeste, your opening statement, if you would.

Of course, Your Honor.

The victim, Coco Flower, was stabbed during dinner at the restaurant Kick The Buffet with three of her friends and coworkers.

This act was definitely, certainly, and indubitably committed by the defendant, Doe Wheatley.

...

(Huh... Since Klavier said this was his first case, I thought he would be a bit younger.)

(Maybe I'm just too used to hearing about all these young prodigies.)

Right. You do sound sure of yourself. I suppose if it was committed during dinner, someone has to have seen it, right?

This must be a very easy case indeed!

Indeed, Your Honor. But there are a few other facts we must verify first.

To review these facts, I call Detective Ema Skye to the stand.

Your name and occupation, please.

Ema Skye, detective for the police department. I handled the investigation.

(She looks happier than usual. Weird.)

(Maybe because she didn't have to work with Mr. Gavin?)

Describe the state of the body and crime scene, please.

Got it.

The time of death was 6:39 PM on July ninth.

When she died, the victim was dining with her friends and coworkers: Doe Wheatley, Nita Ed, and Van Ella.

The victim was stabbed in the chest. It was a single wound, and she died in seconds.

The knife used was from the restaurant. There were no fingerprints found on it except for the waiter's.

Blood was on the table, the victim's chair, a napkin found under the floor, and the defendant's hand.

In addition, we found a small bottle in the defendant's back pocket labeled zantherazine.

I checked everything else on the table for poison, and I only found poison in a drink belonging to Van Ella.

(Oh, that's why she's so happy. She loves checking things for poison.)

(It is pretty fun spraying the "reagan" everywhere.)

Hmm, I didn't expect poison to pop up in this case. There was only one death, right?

You're right. Nobody was killed by the poison.

Huh. Well, the defense may begin the cross-examination.

The time of death was 6:39 PM on July ninth.

When she died, the victim was dining with her friends and coworkers: Doe Wheatley, Nita Ed, and Van Ella.

The victim was stabbed in the chest. It was a single wound, and she died in seconds.

The knife used was from the restaurant. There were no fingerprints found on it except for the waiter's.

Blood was on the table, the victim's chair, a napkin found under the floor, and the defendant's hand.

In addition, we found a small bottle in the defendant's back pocket labeled zantherazine.

I checked everything else on the table for poison, and I only found poison in a drink belonging to Van Ella.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

The time of death was 6:39 PM on July ninth.

July ninth... So that was the day before yesterday, right?

Yes.

...Is that all you wanted to ask?

Uh, yeah. Sorry.

(Jeez, I really am turning into Polly.)

(Hmm, we know exactly what time she died. I guess because there were witnesses?)

When she died, the victim was dining with her friends and coworkers: Doe Wheatley, Nita Ed, and Van Ella.

They were all at the same table, right? What order did they sit in?

(If Coco was stabbed at the table, then this could be important.)

Going clockwise, they were sitting in the order: Nita, Doe, Coco, then Van.

It was a circular table for four people. No empty chairs.

Do you think that will be important?

I don't know. Maybe.

The victim was stabbed in the chest. It was a single wound, and she died in seconds.

Where exactly in the chest was she stabbed?

Here, if you take a look at the autopsy report, you'll see that she was stabbed just below her heart.

She bled out right in front of her friends.

How terrible...

(Scary...)

(Wait a second, I didn't get the autopsy report. Ema submitted it into evidence, but I can't see it.)

(I can't see anything on the court record. Is this because I'm not really a lawyer?)

Is something wrong, Herr Justice?

Nope! Nothing's wrong!

(I can't really admit this to him...)

(Ugh. I'll just have to keep notes myself. At least I brought my notebook.)

The knife used was from the restaurant. There were no fingerprints found on it except for the waiters.

No fingerprints? Shouldn't we suspect the waiter, then?

I already explained this to you. Did you really forget already?

(I'm trying my best here!)

Explain for the court, Frau Skye.

...

The court does need to know.

Fine.

The knife was found with a napkin wrapped around the handle. We believe the killer used the napkin so they wouldn't leave fingerprints.

Oh.

So you really did forget, then.

Blood was left on the knife, the table, the victim's plate, a napkin next to the victim's plate, and the defendant's hand.

Blood was found... on Doe's hand?

(That doesn't look good, but it could be explained away if the victim really did lose a lot of blood.)

Yes. That's why I was initially suspicious of them, but there was more damning evidence.

In addition, we found a small empty bottle in the defendant's back pocket labeled zantherazine.

Zantherazine? And that would be...?

Poison.

A nasty one. Just a few drops is enough to kill, but it takes an hour or two to take effect.

(Ugh... I really don't like cases with poison. They always turn out bad for us.)

(At least it isn't atroquinine again. I don't think I'll ever forget that name.)

Prosecutor Gavin, you don't have a song about zantherazine, do you?

Nein. Why, do you think I should write one?

(Oh, the temptation to say "Yes" and ruin Apollo's reputation as a Gavinners hater...)

Uh, no thanks.

I checked everything else on the table for poison, and I only found poison in a drink belonging to Van Ella.

Wait, is Van Ella okay?

Yes. I asked her about this and she said, "I was lucky, I guess. I didn't take a single sip from that cup."

Oh... And the poison in her drink was definitely zantherazine, right?

Definitely. And there was a drop or two left in the bottle, so we know for sure that it contained zantherazine.

We weren't as lucky with fingerprints. It seemed there were fingerprints on there once, but they were wiped off.

...That seems important. Can you add it to your testimony?

Oh, sure.

Are you onto something, Herr Justice?

I think so.

The time of death was 6:39 PM on July ninth.

When she died, the victim was dining with her friends and coworkers: Doe Wheatley, Nita Ed, and Van Ella.

The victim was stabbed in the chest. It was a single wound, and she died in seconds.

The knife used was from the restaurant. There were no fingerprints found on it except for the waiter's.

Blood was on the table, the victim's chair, a napkin found under the floor, and the defendant's hand.

In addition, we found a small bottle in the defendant's back pocket labeled zantherazine.

I checked everything else on the table for poison, and I only found poison in a drink belonging to Van Ella.

Someone wiped all traces of fingerprints off the zantherazine bottle.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

The time of death was 6:39 PM on July ninth.

July ninth... So that was the day before yesterday, right?

Yes.

...Is that all you wanted to ask?

Uh, yeah. Sorry.

(Jeez, I really am turning into Polly.)

(Hmm, we know exactly what time she died. I guess because there were witnesses?)

When she died, the victim was dining with her friends and coworkers: Doe Wheatley, Nita Ed, and Van Ella.

They were all at the same table, right? What order did they sit in?

(If Coco was stabbed at the table, then this could be important.)

Going clockwise, they were sitting in the order: Nita, Doe, Coco, then Van.

It was a circular table for four people. No empty chairs.

Do you think that will be important?

I don't know. Maybe.

The victim was stabbed in the chest. It was a single wound, and she died in seconds.

Where exactly in the chest was she stabbed?

Here, if you take a look at the autopsy report, you'll see that she was stabbed just below her heart.

She bled out right in front of her friends.

How terrible...

(Scary...)

(Wait a second, I didn't get the autopsy report. Ema submitted it into evidence, but I can't see it.)

(I can't see anything on the court record. Is this because I'm not really a lawyer?)

Is something wrong, Herr Justice?

Nope! Nothing's wrong!

(I can't really admit this to him...)

(Ugh. I'll just have to keep notes myself. At least I brought my notebook.)

The knife used was from the restaurant. There were no fingerprints found on it except for the waiters.

No fingerprints? Shouldn't we suspect the waiter, then?

I already explained this to you. Did you really forget already?

(I'm trying my best here!)

Explain for the court, Frau Skye.

...

The court does need to know.

Fine.

The knife was found with a napkin wrapped around the handle. We believe the killer used the napkin so they wouldn't leave fingerprints.

Oh.

So you really did forget, then.

Blood was left on the knife, the table, the victim's plate, a napkin next to the victim's plate, and the defendant's hand.

Blood was found... on Doe's hand?

(That doesn't look good, but it could be explained away if the victim really did lose a lot of blood.)

Yes. That's why I was initially suspicious of them, but there was more damning evidence.

In addition, we found a small empty bottle in the defendant's back pocket labeled zantherazine.

Zantherazine? And that would be...?

Poison.

A nasty one. Just a few drops is enough to kill, but it takes an hour or two to take effect.

(Ugh... I really don't like cases with poison. They always turn out bad for us.)

(At least it isn't atroquinine again. I don't think I'll ever forget that name.)

Prosecutor Gavin, you don't have a song about zantherazine, do you?

(Oh, the temptation to say "Yes" and ruin Apollo's reputation as a Gavinners hater...)

Uh, no thanks.

I checked everything else on the table for poison, and I only found poison in a drink belonging to Van Ella.

Wait, is Van Ella okay?

Yes. I asked her about this and she said, "I was lucky, I guess. I didn't take a single sip from that cup."

Oh... And the poison in her drink was definitely zantherazine, right?

Definitely. And there was a drop or two left in the bottle, so we know for sure that it contained zantherazine.

We weren't as lucky with fingerprints. It seemed there were fingerprints on there once, but they were wiped off.

...That seems important. Can you add it to your testimony?

Oh, sure.

Are you onto something, Herr Justice?

I think so.

Someone wiped all traces of fingerprints off the zantherazine bottle.

Was there anything else that could help you identify who owned it? Hair or blood or something?

Nothing. The only thing that really stood out about it was the zantherazine left in it.

(That was cool... I felt so powerful. I see why Apollo likes this part.)

(Focus, Trucy Wright.)

It makes no sense for Doe to wipe their fingerprints off the bottle and then place it in their own pocket.

Especially if they were planning on stabbing Van later! They knew there would be an investigation!

Any reasonable murderer would have hidden the bottle before stabbing Van.

You know, Mr. Justice, that isn't exactly a contradiction.

...It isn't?

Not unless you have the evidence to back it up.

(Grr... I don’t have any evidence at all!)

But it's still suspicious!

I agree, it is suspicious.

Here's a proposition: We can have Doe themselves testify.

We can figure out the truth behind that bottle... or we'll find out that Doe isn't as "reasonable" as you think.

(What's with this foreboding feeling...?)

Uh, the defense agrees with the prosecution's proposition.

Bring in the next act, right, Mr. Gavin?

Exactly right, Herr Justice.

(Hehe... This is fun.)

(I should focus, though... None of their evidence so far is very damning. I think I have a chance.)

I thought that it would be helpful to have Doe's girlfriend testify alongside them.

Witnesses, please state your name and occupation.

Nita Ed. Baker.

(So they're Doe's girlfriend... They're kind of intimidating.)

(I bet Polly would be quaking in his boots right now. Heh.)

I'm Doe Wheatley, and I'm also a baker, but I used to be a cashier and a barista. Oh, and I used to have a business mowing my neighbor's lawns.

Thank you, but we don't need to-

If you want someone to mow your lawn for you, I could still do it. Ten dollars an hour.

That goes for everyone in the audience, just contact me after the trial ends.

...If you don't go to prison.

Right, yeah.

Prosecutor Gavin, do you have a lawn?

Nein. I live in a penthouse.

I don't think I even know anyone with a lawn.

(Pearly probably has a lawn, but she lives all the way in Kurain Village.)

Prosecutor Gavin, can you bring a lawn mower on a train?

...I'm not sure.

If the defense is done talking...

Doe and Nita, please testify as to what happened that evening and why Doe had that bottle.

...What bottle?

...

Uh, the bottle of zanthatherazine that was in your pocket the night of the murder.

Oh, that bottle.

Were you watching the trial?

No, but Nita was. I'll ask them if I need any help.

(So that's how this is gonna be, huh.)

At some point during dinner, I heard a scream and I saw Coco with a lot of blood on her.

Then the police came and they found that bottle in my pocket. I don't know why it was there.

...

...

...

...

Doe, you need to give them more information.

But I answered his question...

Doe, would you mind testifying again? With a bit more detail this time?

I'll try. You said Nita can testify with me, right?

Yes. Actually, they should be testifying with you. That's why they're here.

Fine.

Doe and I arrived together. Coco and Van were already there.

Um... I remember Van and I picked up the drinks at the counter for everyone.

Then we all sat down together and ordered. Nobody stood up again until after the murder.

None of us saw it. Coco screamed, and when we looked over at her, she already lost a lot of blood... It was too late for her.

The police came after a few minutes and they found that bottle in my pocket, but I didn't put it there.

I've heard of zantherazine, but I've never seen it before.

(Well... I guess that's better. I'll have to press them for details, though.)

Doe and I arrived together. Coco and Van were already there.

Um... I remember Van and I picked up the drinks at the counter for everyone.

Then we all sat down together and ordered. Nobody stood up again until after the murder.

None of us saw it. Coco screamed, and when we looked over at her, she already lost a lot of blood... It was too late for her.

The police came after a few minutes and they found that bottle in my pocket, but I didn't put it there.

I've heard of zantherazine, but I've never seen it before.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Doe and I arrived together. Coco and Van were already there.

Do you remember when you got there?

After six.

We were supposed to meet up at six, but we were a few minutes late.

So, maybe 6:05?

...

(Nita doesn't like to talk much, do they?)

Um... I remember Van and I picked up the drinks at the counter for everyone.

(I said "Hold it!" without thinking... What do I ask them?)

What drinks did everyone get?

Van got iced coffee, Coco got iced tea, Nita got soda, and... I forget what I got.

You... forget?

Sorry.

Ema should have kept everyone's food and drinks. If you think it's important, I can call her in here to testify.

No, I don’t think it is.

Then we all sat down together and ordered. Nobody stood up again until after the murder.

You're sure? None of you stood up?

Yes.

...

Well, all right, then.

(Ugh, it's hard acting all awkward and serious. I wonder if I could get away with one little magic trick...)

(Better not risk it.)

None of us saw it. Coco screamed, and when we looked over at her, she already lost a lot of blood... It was too late for her.

I'm sorry about your friend, Doe.

But I do have to keep cross-examining you. Can you explain how nobody saw the stabbing?

...

What do you mean?

There were three people other than the victim sitting at the table, and you're claiming that none of you saw the stabbing?

Plus, it was dinnertime. There should have been other customers at the restaurant. Absolutely nobody saw the stabbing?

I don't know about the other customers, but me and Nita and Van were talking while we waited for the police to come, and none of us saw anything.

What...? Is that really possible?

(I mean, it definitely sounds possible, but still...)

Doe, was anything happening then? Anything distracting that would have made people look away? Or maybe there was something blocking everyone's view of the victim?

Um... Yes! That's it. You're exactly right.

There was a really big vase in the middle of the table, so I couldn't even see Coco.

(That's probably the worst lie I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of gosh-awful ones...)

(Should I call them out on it? I'm kind of afraid of what I'll find out...)

The police came after a few minutes and they found that bottle in my pocket, but I didn't put it there.

Do you have any idea how that bottle got there?

Nope. I wasn't really paying attention during dinner, but I know I didn't have it before dinner started.

I remember that because I thought I lost my keys, so I was checking all my pockets.

It turned out I just gave them to Nita so I wouldn't lose them.

(...Yeah, that sounds about right.)

(Somebody probably could have slipped the bottle into Doe's pocket while they weren't paying attention.)

(A little misdirection goes a long way, after all.)

I've heard of zantherazine, but I've never seen it before, and I've especially never seen that bottle.

You've heard of zantherazine?

Yeah, in a mystery book! I love mystery novels.

Actually, I thought it was made up for a story... like how that rock star made up atroquinine for his song.

But atroquinine is-

You're a fan? It's always lovely to meet someone who appreciates my music.

Yeah! I love your music! The Gavinners isn't my favorite band, though. Maybe like fifth or sixth.

I don't even remember your name, if I'm being honest.

...Right.

(Somehow...)

(I think that hurt him worse than if they just said they haven't heard of him.)

Uh, Trucy likes your music, Prosecutor Gavin.

Thanks, Herr Justice.

...Atroquinine is definitely real, though, right?

Ja. You of all people should know that.

Just making sure.

Doe, there's no way that a large vase prevented you from seeing Coco.

You were sitting next to her. Something blocking your view would have to be in between you two. As in, right on the edge of the table.

Nobody would put a vase there, and even if they did, Van and Nita still would have been able to see her.

Please don't lie to me.

...

Sorry. You know, you're just as smart as the detectives in my favorite mysteries!

(That would be more flattering if that deduction wasn't so easy...)

You're right. I lied. The truth is...

Something did happen to distract us all.

...!

Right before Coco got stabbed, the restaurant staff gathered at our table...

To sing "Happy Birthday" to Nita.

...

(And here I was hoping for another lead.)

Um, why did you lie about that?

Sorry... I just didn't want you to know that I'm a liar.

It wasn't Nita's birthday. I lied to the waiter because I wanted them to get Nita a piece of cake.

It's our one month anniversary as a couple and I wanted to celebrate a little.

So... You lied to me so I wouldn't know that you lied before?

Yeah.

Obviously, the prosecution already knew about this.

...

(I'm giving Polly a raise after this. Jeez, this is tough.)

(I don't even have a Trucy of my own to lighten the mood.)

(I do have a world famous rock star...)

Hey, Prosecutor Gavin, tell me a joke.

Hm?

Ah... That testimony was a rather unfunny joke.

Thanks. Not what I was looking for, though.

So, Doe, everyone was paying attention to the "Happy Birthday" song?

Pretty much, yeah. They dimmed the lights a little and put some candles on the cake, so probably everyone in the restaurant was watching.

(So there really aren't any eyewitnesses...)

(I can't object to anything Doe was saying, then. They don't seem to be lying about anything else.)

(I can't find any contradictions in the story, but the prosecution's case isn't very good, either.)

(The only things implicating Doe so far are the poison bottle and the blood on their hands.)

In that case, we can be pretty sure that Nita isn't the murderer.

Indeed.

So, thinking logically, rationally, and objectively... It seems most likely that Doe is the killer.

Only Van or Doe could have stabbed the victim, and somebody tried to poison Van. The only suspect remaining is Doe.

Unless you have any objections?

...

(Something seems wrong here, but I can't think of it.)

...Herr Justice, are you really backing down now?

(Give a gal a break!)

Of course I'm not!

Prosecutor Debeste, that logic is full of holes.

...

For one thing, it assumes that the poisoner and the stabber are one and the same.

It's totally possible that they could be two separate murder attempts!

Oh?

Do you have any evidence to support this idea?

Well, no...

But it's still very possible! Nita or- or even Coco could have poisoned Van's drink!

...

...

...

...

Don't say that! Nita absolutely COULDN'T have poisoned Van! I know it!

I'll testify again to prove it!

(I really don't want to poke through their testimony again... but I might as well see what they have to say.)

Well, if the prosecution's fine with it...

If Doe thinks it's important to the case, then they can testify as many times as they like.

(You're not the one who has to cross examine them, though.)

There's absolutely NO way Nita could be the killer!

I watched them while I was eating dinner, and they were SO cute!

I know we've only been dating for a month, but I love them so, so much.

I would make kissy faces at them and they would blush, or I would stick my tongue out at them and they would roll their eyes.

It was so sweet. But more importantly, we did that all throughout dinner. There wasn’t a single chance for them to poison Van!

...

...

...

I think it's... rather sweet that they love their girlfriend so much.

(Very sweet. And more than a little vomit-inducing.)

There's absolutely NO way Nita could be the killer!

I watched them while I was eating dinner, and they were SO cute!

I know we've only been dating for a month, but I love them so, so much.

I would make kissy faces at them and they would blush, or I would stick my tongue out at them and they would roll their eyes.

It was so sweet. But more importantly, we did that all throughout dinner. There wasn't a single chance for them to poison Van!

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

There's absolutely NO way Nita could poison anyone!

How can you be sure?

That's what I'm trying to explain!

For one thing, I just know they wouldn't do that, not ever.

And for another...

I watched them while I was eating dinner, and they were SO cute!

Cute...? Uh, how exactly were they cute?

Well, for one thing, they ordered a dish with asparagus in it, but they don't like asparagus.

So they made a disgusted face after every bite of asparagus.

(How is that cute?)

And they got bored with our conversation and began tearing a napkin into little pieces.

It was so cute!

And they kept tapping their knife against their plate and shaking their leg and biting their lip.

(...None of this really sounds particularly cute.)

(To each their own, I guess.)

I know we've only been dating for a month, but I love them so, so much.

Doe, if-

I... love you too, Doe.

...

(They're crying...)

Thanks, Nita. I promise, I won't let you get accused!

...

I don't want you going to prison, either.

Then, I- Mr. Justice! Make sure I don't go to prison!

(I'm trying my best...!)

I would make kissy faces at them and they would blush, or I would stick my tongue out at them and they would roll their eyes.

Um, is it important that the court knows this?

Yes! Of course! It proves that I really was watching Nita.

I remember every single thing that Nita did during dinner. Well, up until the murder happened, at least.

I got a little distracted then.

But if you want, I could tell you what Nita did every single minute until the murder! Maybe there's an important clue in there.

I think that'll be a last resort.

Oh, alright.

It was so sweet. But more importantly, we did that all throughout dinner. There wasn't a single chance for them to poison Van!

Are you completely sure? You didn't look away from them for even a minute?

Absolutely not. The only times I wasn't watching them was when I was blinking, and that's definitely not enough time.

(...Can that really be true? If I press them on it needlessly, they might get mad at me.)

(Doubting their love for their girlfriend is probably a felony to them.)

I don't believe you, Doe. I think there was at least one moment when you looked away from Nita.

Really? When?

You looked away from Nita... when you went to the bathroom!

You're right!

Wait a second...

I didn't go to the bathroom while we were at the restaurant.

You didn't?

No.

Er, did Doe even mention anything about a bathroom earlier?

No, they didn't.

You looked away from Nita... when Coco was stabbed!

Omigosh! You're right! I did!

...Herr Justice, would anyone have poisoned someone in those circumstances?

Well... nobody would see it coming!

The most unexpected murder of all!

Just carry around a bottle of poison, wait for someone to be murdered, and while everyone's distracted...

Just poison the person next to you!

Do you think that's what happened here?

Not at all.

You had to have looked away from Nita when you got the drinks.

...

Oh! Right! I wasn't looking at them then, but I was thinking about them really hard, if that counts.

No, it doesn't.

Excuse me, Mr. Justice. You must have noticed this already, but there's no way Nita could have poisoned the drink.

The only time Doe looked away from them is when they were getting the drinks.

If Nita was back at the table, then they couldn't have even touched the drink.

Unless you want to accuse the two girlfriends of working together?

No! I don't!

(It's a possibility, but... I want to trust in my client.)

Hey, Mr. Gavin... There's definitely something suspicious going on.

What do you mean?

Well... the poisoning is super weird. I mean, Van's drink was poisoned, but she didn't drink any of it.

Maybe she really did poison her own drink? But that looks super suspicious...

If I were her, I'd take a few sips and then poison my own drink to throw suspicion off myself.

I could say that it got poisoned partway through dinner, and nobody would think twice about it.

So... You are suspecting Miss Ella?

She makes the most sense as our poisoner... And if that's true, then I think she has to be the stabber, too.

I mean, she wouldn't know that she has to throw suspicion off herself unless she was going to do something suspicious, right?

But can I really prove it...?

...

Herr Justice, remember what I asked earlier? About your magical eyes?

Yeah...?

This is what I was talking about. Sebastian told me earlier that this case was so simple, but there was so little proof.

I thought that his best hope was to have someone who could see through lies.

I offered to help his investigation, but he refused. That's why I am here.

I wanted to be sure that the truth is found. So, as your co-counsel, here is my advice:

Please get Van Ella on the stand and search her for lies. Any tiny lie you can find.

So, you think she's guilty, too?

Does it matter what I think? I'm but a humble ex-rock star.

You're the defense attorney here.

Right. I'm the defense attorney. Thanks, Prosecutor Gavin.

I barely did a thing. Now, go work your magic.

Prosecutor Debeste!

Oh, are you two done talking?

Yes. And we have a request.

Hm?

Well... Both Nita and Doe have testified, but there's one more person we haven't heard from.

Not including the victim, there's one last person involved in this case.

You'd like to have Van Ella testify?

Precisely.

Very dramatic, Herr Justice. Very cool.

Thanks.

Yes, I agree, Mr. Justice. We should hear from Van Ella.

(Well, that's one step closer... It's a good thing Mr. Debeste is trying to get the truth, too.)

(If I was facing someone harsher, I might have had to argue with them.)

...

Er, witness, name and occupation, please.

Why exactly am I here?

Mr. Justi-

Like I told you before, I.

Am.

Busy.

I was in the middle of a conference call with a potential investor in Japan when you called me over here.

If we lose this sale because of this, I will sue everyone in this courtroom. Starting with whoever decided I needed to testify.

Um, that was Mr. Justice!

(Come on...)

Mr.-

...

(She's staring at me... Can she tell I'm in disguise?)

...

I refuse to testify.

Excuse me-

No, you excuse me!

I've already given my statement, and I have a thousand phone calls to make if I don't want to lose a three million dollar investment!

You don't even have a reason for calling me out here, do you?

If you aren't accusing me of murder, then I'm leaving.

(...)

Mr. Gavin, do I...?

This is your decision, Trucy. Do you believe she is guilty?

(I can't do this...)

(I don't have any evidence.)

(I'm not even a defense attorney.)

(Apollo... Would he have done the same thing?)

(Heh, he's a big scaredy cat. He would've backed down, and I would've had to encourage him to keep going.

(...)

(That's it, then. I have to encourage myself to keep pushing.)

(I don't have the evidence... but I think she's guilty.)

(Other than Doe, she's the only person who could have stabbed Coco. And I need to believe in Doe's innocence.)

(So she has to be guilty. That's all it comes down to.)

Fine.

Van Ella, I accuse you of the murder of Coco Flower!

...!

...!

...!

Mr. Justice, are you... sure about that?

Very. Now, Miss Ella, the day of the stabbing, you got a cup of iced coffee, but you never drank it.

Testify as to why you didn't drink that coffee!

Are you trying to imply that I...

Miss Ella, please stop staring daggers at the defense and testify.

...Fine.

Um, now that you're testifying, please state your name and occupation for the court.

Van Ella. I'm a baker at Piece of Cake Bakery, as well as an executive marketing manager at Chanax Industries. In addition, I'm a lead sales representative of Makeup Love Missus.

(Isn't that that pyramid scheme?)

You're only supposed to state your current job, but-

Those.

Are.

My.

Current.

Jobs.

So, as you might be able to guess, I'm an extremely busy woman.

I’ll make this quick.

I ordered my coffee decaf, but the waiter made a mistake. I was given caffeinated coffee. So I didn't drink it.

If you're trying to imply that I poisoned myself, that's incredibly stupid of you.

(...That was some very quick testimony.)

Herr Justice, did you get anything?

I... I couldn't tell if she was lying or not. She keeps messing with her phone, and I can't tell if it's a tell or if she's actually using it.

And she's talking so little but moving so much...

...Do your best.

I will.

(Apollo's reputation is on the line here... And she’s threatening to sue us...)

I ordered my coffee decaf, but the waiter made a mistake. I was given caffeinated coffee. So I didn't drink it.

If you're trying to imply that I poisoned myself, that's incredibly stupid of you.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

I do not allow for any slandering of my beard in this courtroom, Mr. Justice!

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

I ordered my coffee decaf, but the waiter made a mistake. I was given caffeinated coffee. So I didn't drink it.

Why didn't you just ask for another coffee?

Well, that would be rude of me.

...You ate dinner without a drink because you didn't want to be rude?

Obviously. I work at a bakery. I'm used to customers annoying me. I wasn't going to bother the waiter for a stupid coffee.

(...I don't believe this, but I can't see through her lies. She just keeps moving!)

Quiet now? Do you give up?

If you're trying to imply that I poisoned myself, that's incredibly stupid of you.

It isn't stupid! You could have poisoned your own drink to throw suspicion off yourself!

And not take a single sip of it? That just makes me look more suspicious!

Why would I do something that would just lead to this annoying questioning?

(I know it's unlikely... but I already accused her. No going back now.)

Quiet now? Do you give up?

(...)

(If I just had a little more time... If I could just get her to put her phone away...)

(No, this can't be the end. I just need to turn my thinking around.)

(Instead of wondering what Van’s plan was, I should be wondering how her plan went wrong.)

(A performance never goes completely perfectly...)

EXCUSE ME!

...!

...!

...!

...!

...!

(Wait, that voice...)

*cough*

Herr Forehead! Nice to have you joining us.

Is that- Is that another Apollo Justice?!

(Uh-oh...)

What... Is that me?!

Oh my gosh! Trucy disguised herself as me to come to the trial! Trucy, you're sick! You should be at home.

....................................

Trucy.

...Heh. Sorry, everyone.

It's me.

Are you wearing my badge?!

Yeah. I think I look good with it, don't you?

Ugh... I'm not in the mood to deal with this.

(He still looks awful... Should he really be here?)

Apollo, go home. I have this defense handled.

I'm not here as a defense attorney...

I'm here as a witness.

(...!)

Your Honor, can the defense have a few minutes to prepare their witness?

Uh... I must say, this is the first time I've had the witness ask that question. But yes, I'll allow it.

Ten minute recess!

Apollo, you-

Prosecutor Gavin. Can you do something for me?

Of course, Herr Forehead. What is it?

...

...

(They're whispering... Darn it.)

I'll make a call.

Thanks.

What's going on?

You'll find out soon enough.

But I wanna know now!

Tough beans. This is what happens when you impersonate someone.

I'm sorry I impersonated you, Apollo.

I couldn't find another defense attorney in time, and Daddy's out of town, so I...

Besides, it was fun dressing up as you! And I think I did a pretty good imitation.

If I ever get called in for jury duty, I'm calling you.

Really? I bet you would love jury duty.

...It's the principle of the matter.

Anyway, what's the plan?

Well... I have some evidence, but it still isn't completely concrete. So we need to push her buttons.

Present it all at once so she confesses.

So, Van did do it?

Definitely.

Okay. Are you going to have Mr. Gavin take over as the defense attorney?

No. You've come this far. You might as well go all the way, right?

Besides, we don't want to give that fop bragging rights, do we?

Yeah! No bragging rights for the fop!

(He believes in me...? Or does he just think he has it under control and anyone could handle it...?)

I'm cross-examining you, right?

Right. Just treat me like any other witness.

You'd better be less annoying than the other witnesses!

*laughs* *coughs*

(He doesn't sound good...)

I see you got a taste of the defense attorney life.

Stop acting so smug. I would have done better if I wasn't Polly.

Ouch.

I'm sick, so no more teasing me today.

Aww.

Listen, we're going to need to stall a little bit in there until the decisive piece of evidence gets here.

So press me on every detail, even if it doesn't seem important.

Once it gets here, we have to go hard and fast. I'll explain a few more things and present the evidence.

Hopefully, my appearance has rattled her enough that she'll let something slip.

Okay. I got it.

(He seems to have everything under control, but he's still sick... I should keep my head sharp.)

Hey, Polly. Take your vest. It's weird seeing you without it.

Thanks.

*coughs*

Mr. Justice, are you feeling okay...?

Sorry, Your Honor. I'm sick. But I feel well enough to testify.

Um... Another thing. This girl, she's the one I was facing earlier in court?

Yeah, I am.

Are you a defense attorney? Are you even an adult? How old are you?

No, no, 15. And my name's Trucy Wright. Miss Wright to you.

Uh, right. Wright. Is this really okay...?

Normally, I would be against it, but... Miss Wright has had plenty of experience assisting Mr. Justice.

But she's really young. She's a kid, a child.

(Grr...)

Nothing good comes from putting children in positions like this.

I've learnt that.

Sebastian...

Both you and I are here to help her. Nothing bad will happen.

...Alright. Sorry for the interruption, Your Honor.

Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court.

Apollo Justice. Defense attorney.

Right. And why are you here today?

I'm here to testify about my investigation. I managed to investigate yesterday before I got sick.

I hope that what I found will be helpful.

Then, Mr. Justice, please testify as to the findings of your investigation.

With pleasure.

Yesterday, Nita came into my office and asked me to represent Doe. I met Doe at the detention center, and agreed to take their case.

I went to the restaurant to investigate, and I met Detective Skye, who filled me in on the case.

I looked around the restaurant myself for clues.

Around noon, the restaurant reopened for business, and most of the police officers cleared out of the restaurant.

I saw Van Ella come into the restaurant, and I sat down and talked with her about the case.

...Is that it? There wasn't anything surprising there.

I'm trusting Miss Wright to find the important details.

(Well, that's a lie. I'm just stalling.)

Yesterday, Nita came into my office and asked me to represent Doe. I met Doe at the detention center, and agreed to take their case.

I went to the restaurant to investigate, and I met Detective Skye, who filled me in on the case.

I looked around the restaurant myself for clues.

Around noon, the restaurant reopened for business, and most of the police officers cleared out of the restaurant.

I saw Van Ella come into the restaurant, and I sat down and talked with her about the case.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

Please don't say things like that, Miss Wright...

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Mr. Justice, I didn't see anything objectionable in that statement.

Pray tell, what do you see that I didn't?

Something objectionable that you can't see but I can...

Your beard!

...!

Please don't say things like that, Miss Wright...

...You hurt his feelings.

Oops.

...

...

...

What are you objecting to here, exactly?

Um...

I object to many things!

To injustice! To dishonesty! To unfairness and evil!

I object to musicians with no sense of music and magicians with no sense of wonder!

But I don't have anything to object to in this testimony.

Yesterday, Nita came into my office and asked me to represent Doe. I met Doe at the detention center, and agreed to take their case.

Why did you agree to take their case? What made you believe in their innocence?

I didn't believe in their innocence just yet, but they requested me specifically.

I thought it was worth looking into.

(He was just bored at work, huh.)

I went to the restaurant to investigate, and I met Detective Skye, who filled me in on the case.

What exactly did Detective Skye tell you?

Let's see... *cough*

She told me that it was a stabbing, that the knife used was from the restaurant, the zantherazine bottle, and zantherazine in Van’s coffee.

There were fingerprints on the bottle but they were wiped off, lots of blood, napkin on the handle...

(I don't think there's anything new here... and Apollo sounds really tired.)

(But he told me to stall, so that's what I'm going to do.)

Did she tell you about anything unrelated to the case?

Uh... She told me that she had a headache, and that the restaurant's lemonade was good.

...Thanks.

(I don't know what I expected.)

Er, is any of this important to the case?

No, sorry.