Chapter Text
April 20, 9:37 AM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 3
The clicking of shoes sounded through the lobby coming from shiny dark brown loafers, as a young man walked back and forth, fingers twisting together. “Panicked...Palms sweaty...I can admit it. I'm nervous.” Apollo thought, taking in a deep breath, hands wiping against his vest in an effort to smooth out the red fabric.
A shadow came over him. “Ah, good morning!” A voice called. The young man turned around, brown eyes widening before he let out a breath once he recognized the person standing in the room with him. It was his boss, Kristoph Gavin, standing with his arms folded confidently across his chest. “More confident than I feel right now.” The young man thought dejectedly.
“G-Good morning, sir!” The young man replied, voice coming out raspy and rough. Kristoph smiled and tilted his head.
“You look tense, Justice. Wound up tight.” The other man noted, voice teasing.
Of course Mr. Gavin saw right through his bravado, as always. But Apollo was stubborn and continued to fake it, sending the older man a nervous grin. “W-Wound up, sir? No! I'm loose! I'm fine!” Apollo said, voice ending in a squeak which caused him to scrunch his nose and look away.
Kristoph grimaced and raised a hand to rub at his ear. Oop, Apollo was just a touch too loud with that statement. “That screeching noise...Is that your voice?” He asked. “I suppose it's to be expected...Your first trial, and it's a homicide. I guess ‘Justice’ doesn't start small, eh?” Kristoph teased with a soft smile.
Apollo felt his voice starting to die in his throat, which he tried to fix with a quick clearing of his throat. “I-I'm fine! I got up at 5 AM to do my 'Chords of Steel' voice workout! I'm fine!” Apollo insisted, hands curling into fists in front of him.
Kristoph shook his head, the soft smile not leaving his face. “Yes I know, the room is not as soundproof as you think it is.” Kristoph said lightly.
Apollo coughed slightly before smiling sheepishly. “I overdid it again…” He thought. His hand came up and rubbed at his neck as he looked at Kristoph, who shook his head. As always, the older man looked like the very definition of a competent defense attorney. His blue suit always perfectly pressed, the badge on his lapel shiny and properly oriented, the coral scarf immaculately tied into a fancy knot at the base of his neck, even the white shirt with its odd collar that Apollo could never figure out how his boss made it sit like that, was starched to perfection, the same way it always had for the last five years that Apollo had known the older man.
Apollo looked down at his vest, the shiny red fabric shimmering against his chest, bringing his fingers up to twist his badge back into place. He determined early on, after he first got his suit, that the jacket just wouldn’t do for him. He hated feeling confined and the shoulder pads brought unwanted attention to his already weirdly broad shoulders and the jacket hung weird on his thin waist. Mr. Gavin said it looked fine, that it was properly tailored for his body, but Apollo still left the jacket hanging in his closet, and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, causing his boss to gently roll his eyes but he didn’t comment anything further.
Kristoph cleared his throat, making Apollo look directly back up at him. “As you know, your client today is a good friend of mine. I wouldn't want to let him down...if you get my drift.” Mr. Gavin said seriously, though the smile remained unchanged. Thankfully, Apollo had learned how to read the subtle shifts in his boss’ tone to determine his mood.
Apollo nodded vigorously. “Drift gotten, sir! I-I'm all over that drift!” Apollo promised.
The blonde looked to the side and continued, “As you know, I dined with him the night of the murder. We can't let this case fall through.” A small head tilt and a slightly widened smile. Shit, this was pretty serious. Apollo felt his stomach clench under the weight of that stare.
Apollo thought his head would fall off with how much he was nodding, either that or his spikes would come to poke his eye out, he thought belatedly when he caught sight of one of the gelled tresses in his eyesight. “Yes. Yes! I'm fine, sir!”
Mr. Gavin sighed. “Apollo.” Ugh, the gentle breathing out of his name; the undeniable sign that Apollo was showing way too many nervous signs. “One more thing. You don’t have to say you're fine quite so much. You’re ready for this case, you’ve been ready to take on your own case. Take a breath in and out.” Kristoph instructed, modeling exactly what he was expecting.
Apollo obeyed, just as he usually did when Mr. Gavin wanted him to calm down. On the last intake he gulped, feeling the creeping cold of anxiety settling in his chest. Being prepared by the book was one thing, in person was another thing entirely. On paper, Apollo was a competent attorney; he earned his JD by the age of 20, took and passed the bar on the first attempt, and was sworn in as an attorney at the age of 21. His education and formation was by the competent hands of Kristoph Gavin, the Coolest Defense in the West, who had been his mentor for the last five years. Apollo had been by his side through many cases of many different charges and learned a lot. But this time was different. Though Mr. Gavin would be by his side, it was Apollo who was listed as the lead attorney for the defense. A 21-year-old greenhorn trusted with his defense…Apollo gulped again.
Kristoph sighed and smiled. “I'll be preparing our case.” He said gently. “You might want to formally introduce yourself to the client.” He hinted before he turned away to walk towards the table where Apollo had set down his Court Record and the physical evidence for their case. Apollo took another breath in to settle his nerves, holding his breath for a second, before letting it out. He turned around and started over to where the doors had opened, bringing in Apollo’s client, and Mr. Gavin’s friend.
Apollo walked over as the bailiffs had let the older man go a hell of a lot more gently than he had been let go at his own trial, five years ago. In hindsight, his client wasn’t a mouthy, angry 17-year-old that had been instigating the men accompanying him the entire ride from the detention center, so that could have been a factor. Apollo had made the really short ride extremely tense back then. Apollo, nevertheless, took a once-over at his client, just like Mr. Gavin told him to, in case there were signs of mishandling or stress.
The older man was dressed in a gray sweater, over a gray shirt, black sweatpants, with black slides on his feet. Around his neck, there was a gold chain, with a heart-shaped locket hanging from the links. On his head, a blue beanie, embroidered with the words PaPa in pink. Huh, what an odd color combination. (This coming from a man wearing a red suit with a teal tie). The oddest thing on him was the yellow button pinned to his hat with a red shocked face drawn into the circle. Then the man’s eyes, one blue and one brown, caught his own, causing Apollo to jolt a little, feeling caught.
Apollo smiled, hoping that it was a confident smile and not a nervous one. “Good uh, morning!” Apollo greeted, thankful that his voice hadn’t cracked but of course he almost forgot what time of day it was so he stumbled before saying the word “morning”. Whatever Justice, just keep going, maybe he hadn’t noticed-
He looked up at his client who was smirking down at him. Shit, he had noticed. “...Morning. It's all up to you today,” The man greeted, his voice gritty and deep in a way that made Apollo super jealous. He had to scream at the sun to get just a little rasp in his voice to get people to take him seriously.
“First trial: nervous. He’s my client?: cardiac arrest.” Apollo thought. His nose scrunched up as he observed the man in front of him. He was looking off to the side nonchalantly, almost bored with it all, really calm despite being accused of murder, like this process was nothing new to him. Apollo shuffled slightly on his feet, hand coming to rub at his left wrist, just under the wide gold bracelet he always wore. “I think I'm supposed to say something…” He thought. Ugh. He despised small talk. He never knew what to say. He turned his head to look over at Kristoph, who was busy reading the papers in front of him. “Uh...help?” He mentally called, hoping that his boss would look up and come save him. Kristoph flipped the paper smoothly, continuing to read as Apollo floundered with the client. Ugh.
“So, you…” His client said, bringing Apollo’s attention back to his task from his boss.
Apollo smiled and bounced up on his toes gently. “I-I'm fine!” Apollo blurted out, forcing his voice to be friendly and confident. His client began to chuckle lowly.
“Ah...Mr. Fine, is it?” He asked, his tone turning teasing. Apollo scrunched his nose and looked off to the side, rubbing the back of his head.
“Uh...You know what my name is.” Apollo grumbled.
His client laughed again. “Lighten up, kid.” He said, continuing to smirk at Apollo.
Apollo folded his arms and pouted. “Well, we're off to a great start.” He thought, before taking a deep breath. “Um...Are you sure you're OK, I mean, with me?” Apollo asked quietly, just in case Mr. Gavin was listening to what was being said. He disliked when Apollo downplayed himself and implied he wasn’t good enough, but it always plagued Apollo from time to time, and it was absolutely warranted this time. A murder case was always serious, a matter of life and death, and handing over that decision to a newly barred attorney, was a choice. His client looked him over, mismatched eyes glittering, but said nothing more. Apollo huffed a breath before continuing, “Mr. Gavin is a top-notch defense attorney. And he's your friend! So why…”
His client ducked his head, hiding his eyes behind the blue beanie he was wearing “...You'll see.” He said evasively.
Apollo blinked. “Uh?” He let out. That was a weird statement. You’ll see? Whatever could that imply?
The other man looked up with a wide smile. “You can do it. Be confident.” He said, and they were left in silence again. When the hell would they be called into the courtroom?
Apollo rubbed the back of his neck. “Um, I-I'm really sorry this happened to you.” Apollo said and his client looked away again. Apollo grimaced. “Shit.” He had to save this one, damnit. “I mean...I mean, I…” He stuttered before his client looked up again. Apollo saw the bailiff move away from the door towards Kristoph, leaning over and saying something to the blonde. His boss nodded and began to gather the items on the table, which made Apollo’s stomach flutter. That was usually his job. Just another thing that caused him to recall that he was the lead, not his boss. He turned his head to look at his client who was smiling at him again.
“It's time. Shall we?” He asked. Apollo nodded. His client turned to the bailiff that came over to move him into another room to wait to be called into the courtroom. Apollo watched as his client went into the doors and took in another breath. He heard the clicking of dress shoes behind him and turned slightly, knowing that Kristoph was coming over to follow him into the courtroom, and the fluttering was back. This felt all sorts of wrong.
“Ready, Justice?” Kristoph asked softly, hand coming to rest on Apollo’s shoulder. Apollo took in another breath and nodded.
“Y-Yes, sir!” Apollo said, feigning confidence. “...Okay. I need to focus. First trial, here comes Justice!” He thought and walked into the courtroom.
April 20, 10:00 AM
District Court
Courtroom No. 2
Apollo listened as the gallery buzzed around him. He could hear whispers above him excitedly saying his name and he turned his head, going against Mr. Gavin’s first rule: don’t take notice of the audience. He caught the sight of several of his coworkers who came to see him take on his first trial, smiling when Andrea, Kristoph’s assistant (a title which wasn’t apt enough to describe just how important and vital she was in the office) made eye contact with him. She grinned and blew him a kiss, which caused him to blush and turn back to the bench. He heard Mr. Gavin huff next to him, but seemed not to care that he had been caught, he was just glad for the support.
“I told them they didn’t have to come.” Mr. Gavin mumbled, pushing his glasses up his nose. “But she insisted.”
“Did you really think Andrea would have listened to you, sir?” Apollo asked, teasing. Kristoph rolled his eyes.
“Never. I don’t know why I bothered.” He muttered before commenting, “Surprisingly, Adam was the most vocal about coming.”
Apollo folded his arms, nose scrunching up as he pouted. “He probably will take notes about the mistakes I make.” Apollo grumbled. He and Adam had an interesting working relationship. The junior partner was closest in age to Apollo, at 27, and they had butted heads since Apollo first started working there at 17. Adam was like…an annoying older brother who felt it was his duty to be a colossal dick to his younger siblings. To toughen them up. Apollo gave back as much as Adam threw at him, the older attorney being the unlucky soul to bear the brunt of many of Clay and Apollo’s pranks. Kristoph usually grumbled that “he ran a law firm full of high schoolers,” but very little scolding was issued to the two attorneys. Apollo took his silence to mean that Kristoph accepted that Adam deserved a little of what he got from Apollo. At least Andrea was vocally supportive of Apollo’s endeavors.
“You know that…” The older man began before stopping and chuckling. “I am not going to try to sugar coat that, he’s definitely here just for that.” Kristoph replied with a smile. “Just remember who you’re supposed to take advice on your performance from.” He prompted folding his arms with a smirk.
Apollo smirked. “Right, sir. I’ll make sure to get a full report from Andrea after the trial.” Apollo shot back, folding his arms. Kristoph narrowed his eyes, bringing up a hand to push up his glasses with a finger, obscuring his eyes from Apollo.
“Noted, you brat.” He shot back sharply. Apollo chucked and placed his hands down on the bench, taking in a breath as the doors to the judge’s chamber opened. Apollo straightened up and watched as the judge climbed the stairs up to his seat slowly. The bald man who Apollo had seen many times seemed more important and more imposing than he was when Apollo stood on Mr. Gavin’s right rather than his left, when he could slide behind the taller man and make his sarcastic comments under his breath, effortlessly using his smaller stature as a shield. This time, he was the one out in the open, the one taking the brunt of the conversation with the judge, not Mr. Gavin. His anxiety swirled in his stomach. The old man sat in his chair and smacked his gavel against the disk once which silenced the assembly and started the trial.
“The court is now in session!” He called, voice booming in the silence.
“The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.” A shrill voice called from opposite Apollo; Winston Payne, self-titled “Rookie Killer”, with his bad hair and glaring yellow suit gracing the courtroom in another attempt of making himself seem relevant. Apollo really didn’t know how that man still had a job in the prosecutor’s office, with all the embarrassing performances that Apollo had witnessed over the last five years. That, coupled with the shade that Payne loved to throw at Apollo when he was next to Mr. Gavin, made Apollo all the more motivated to take him down. The judge nodded and looked over at Apollo, expectantly. Apollo blinked up at him for a moment, before he felt Mr. Gavin knock against Apollo’s shoe with his foot, bringing Apollo back to the present.
Apollo jolted and bluted, “Uh, the defense is fine! I mean ready, Your Honor!” Apollo recovered, trying to stop his face from showing his panic, but from the sound of the frustrated sigh coming from Mr. Gavin, he was not successful. “Mind going blank...Don't panic...Ack, too late!” Apollo felt the sweat drip down onto his forehead.
The judge looked down at him and hummed before saying, “Mr. Justice? Finally having your first trial?” He asked.
“Y-Yes, Your Honor! But it's fine, I'm fine! Really!” Apollo exclaimed.
The judge’s frown turned down a little deeper. “Are you quite sure? Your voice sounds a bit strained.” He observed.
Apollo felt his spikes fall down into his eyes as he cleared his throat.
The judge leaned a little forward, “Ahem. Mr. Gavin?” He called.
Apollo watched as Kristoph rolled his shoulders back slightly, straightening to look up at the judge, his lips in a tight smile. “...Yes, Your Honor?” He responded, his hands folded neatly behind his back.
“I was under the impression that you would be heading up this case...?” The judge said, looking down at the court papers in front of him. Apollo felt his stomach tighten. Was he implying something? It sounded like he was implying something. The fluttering in Apollo’s chest amped up to 11 as he rubbed his hands against the bench to ground himself.
“That was my intention, yes. However, a defense attorney must always cede to his client's wishes.” The older attorney explained, a line that Apollo heard dozens of times working for Mr. Gavin over the years, before he looked over at Apollo with a gentle smile saying, “And my client specifically requested Mr. Justice.” Apollo smiled back, the tightening in his stomach returning back to its usual flutter.
The judge huffed. “Well, of course he wants justice! But to entrust his case to this greenhorn...Why? I do not exaggerate when I say that you're the best defense attorney in town, Mr. Gavin.” The judge continued. Kristoph just continued to smile politely, holding back whatever remark he would have retorted had he been in charge.
Apollo held back the eye roll he felt as he leaned forward onto the bench, fists clenched in preparation for a fight. “Okay, so Gavin's got trial experience, fine. But does he have Chords of Steel!?” He thought scathingly. He could practically hear the crickets in the distance responding to his statement. Apollo sighed.
A smack of the gavel brought the pre-trial conversation to an end. ”Then let's begin. The defendant may enter the courtroom.” The judge announced. The doors to the courtroom flew open again and in stepped Apollo’s client, head held high, looking straight ahead, a small smile as he stared at the judge. Apollo’s mind flashed back to his trial, how he felt. He could barely look at the judge, his entire body was practically shaking, though he tried hard to suppress his nerves under his anger and indignation. He had to ignore the whispers of all the people who thought he had done it, ignore their pointed stares and disgruntled faces. He put his trust in Mr. Gavin, a man at the time he had only known for less than 24 hours but had made such an impression on him at the time. He hoped that his client had that trust in him now. He had to. He asked for Apollo specifically. That meant something…right?
The judge shook his head and sighed, “This is truly an unfortunate turn of events. I'm sorry we had to meet again under these circumstances.” He said, the disappointment clear in his voice. “Long time no see, Mr. Wright.” He greeted the defendant.
Mr. Wright ducked his head, shielding his eyes. “Let's put the past behind us, shall we? These days, I'm merely Phoenix Wright, piano player.” He said, looking up to smile at the end.
“Mr. Wright...How could this have happened?” Apollo thought. Mr. Wright, while a little weird sometimes, was a pretty nice guy, Apollo had learned over the years of working alongside Kristoph. Phoenix was a familiar face around the office, and, while he liked to tease Apollo, he had never been outright mean. Not that Mr. Gavin wouldn’t have allowed Phoenix to be mean to Apollo in the first place. Apollo also couldn’t believe that Mr. Wright did it based on the man’s past as a defense attorney; the man always believed in his clients, until the end. Fought for their innocence, despite the odds, despite the evidence stacked against him. He searched for the truth, turning everything around at the end. His persistence and tenacity was something that Apollo appreciated and wanted to aspire to.
The judge nodded and said, “I won't speak of it further then.” He then turned and looked at Payne. “If the prosecution would be so kind as to explain the charges, Mr. Payne?” The judge prompted.
Payne smirked and flicked his hand in the air in front of him, practically cackling with glee. “To think, I saw you enter this room a fresh attorney, and now I'll see you leave in chains.” He squacked. Apollo felt an objection festering in his chest, ready to be let out. This was his first trial, damnit, Payne’s insults should be on him…wait…
Phoenix smiled and turned his head toward the prosecutor. “Ah, Winston Payne. Subtle as ever, I see.” He murmured.
Payne then cleared his throat, “Ahem. The crime occurred at the Borscht Bowl Club...a Russian restaurant. The defendant, Phoenix Wright, took the victim, a customer, and he hit him! Wham! On the head! Smack! Killed him cold.” He explained.
“Hmm...A customer at the restaurant, you say? And the defendant, you say he was...?” The judge asked.
“The pianist for the club, it seems.”
“Phoenix Wright...A pianist?” The judge mumbled as he wrote down the information in his notebook.
Payne pulled up an evidence bag, green bottle glistening in the light of the courtroom. “This is the weapon that took the victim's life. A bottle of grape juice. Grape juice is apparently our defendant's drink of choice.” He explained, gently laying the bottle down.
The judge nodded. “The court accepts the deadly bottle as evidence.” He declared. A quick chirp and the bottle was listed in Apollo’s court record. The prosecution continued clarifying his argument after that while Apollo took down his notes next to his profile of the case. The victim Shadi Smith was a traveler who had been out of the country and recently came back to the United States. There was no prior connection between Phoenix and the victim but they had been engaged in a poker game the night of the incident.
The judge shook his head quickly, exclaiming, “Wait a second! Isn't poker gambling? That's a crime in and of itself!” The gallery started murmuring to themselves.
Payne smirked “Indeed. It appears our defendant...has fallen to become the basest sort of criminal!” He screeched. Oh hell, no. He was not going to let the prosecution make baseless accusations about his client on his watch. Apollo took in a breath to let out an objection when-
“Objection!” Mr. Gavin beat him to it. “It is true that the defendant was engaged in a game of poker with the victim. Yet it was only that: a game, in the purest sense. A competition, Your Honor.” He explained, as cool and smooth as ever. Apollo felt himself deflate slightly, knowing he wouldn’t have sounded that cool.
Payne looked confused. “A...competition?” He said meekly.
Kristoph’s smile turned into a small smirk, one that Apollo knew quite well. “Yes, a test of wits, a silent clash of passions...Only the cards, their backs wreathed in blue flame, know its final outcome.” He finished smoothly. Apollo ducked his head to hide his own smirk. Mr. Gavin always had a flair for the dramatics.
“...Er, come again?” The judge called.
“The cards on the table had blue backs, Your Honor. I believe the defense was waxing poetic in an attempt to mystify those present...and impress women.” Payne answered.
Apollo swore he heard Andrea scoff above him before she mumbled something quickly. A quick glance at Mr. Gavin solidified that suspicion; though he was still smiling, the smile was tight and his eyes were narrowed. He’d have to ask Andrea later what she said. Apollo turned his head towards his boss.
“You know,” He mumbled just out of earshot of the judge. “I was going to object.” Apollo pointed out.
Kristoph smirked, this time a genuinely smug one. “I know. Sucks when the shoe is put on the other foot isn’t it, Justice? Think of it as payback for the times you impulsively objected during my trials.” He shot back. Apollo huffed and turned back to the judge.
“That will be our first order of business here then: To find out more about this fatal game of cards.” He said before smacking his gavel. “Very well, Defendant. You will testify to the court about the poker competition held the night of the crime.” He ordered.
Phoenix, smirking, said, “...My pleasure.”
Apollo’s fingers tightened further in fists. “This is it, my first trial! Here goes nothing!” He thought as Mr. Wright began to speak.
Witness Testimony
-- The Competition --
“I am a pianist by trade...yet I can hardly play at all.
My real job is to take on interested customers over at the poker table.
The room where we play and the competition in there are the club's main attractions.
The rules are simple: we play a game of poker using two decks of cards.
That's all it is...a game. And our customers are happy.”
The judge finished his notes. “...Hmm. A pianist who can't play piano?” He commented.
Payne scoffed a laugh. “Better than a defense attorney who can't defend.” He retorted.
The judge nodded “Very well. The defense may begin the cross-examination.” He said to Apollo.
Apollo nodded, “R-Right, Your Honor!” Apollo stuttered before thinking, “My first real cross-examination! Don't blow it!”
Kristoph leaned over, “Are you alright? You're sweating bullets.” He observed.
Apollo’s head shot around, eyes flying wildly around the room. “Bullets...!? Where!?” He whispered.
Mr. Gavin’s face pinched in, like it did when Apollo said something stupid…oh…“It's a figure of speech, Justice. Your voice sounds strained and raspy, too.” He continued. Apollo shook his head.
“My brain feels strained and raspy, sir.” Apollo admitted with a grimace.
Kristoph smiled gently at Apollo. “You've watched me perform cross-examinations many times. You’ve even done one yourself, albeit limitedly, when you were a law student. You’re more than ready for this…did your bracelet tighten at all during his testimony?” Kristoph asked seriously.
Apollo looked down at the golden bracelet around his left wrist and shook his head. “No…”
Kristoph then looked toward Phoenix who was staring off into the distance, seemingly bored. “Hmm.” He hummed before looking back at Apollo with a smile. “Think you can do it?” He asked.
Apollo smiled back and nodded confidently, “Yes, sir! I think I can do it!” He exclaimed.
“I think you'd better do more than think, or we're going to have a problem.” The older man teased. “Just remember, find any inconsistencies, any lies in the testimony, and reveal them to the court. That is cross-examination. Learn it. Know it. Do it.” He reminded Apollo. Apollo nodded again and turned to the judge with a smile.
“I'm fine! The Chords of Steel are ready for battle! My weapons: press and present…” Apollo thought confidently with a grin.
“The defense may begin the cross-examination.” He told Apollo. Apollo slid out from behind the bench and approached Mr. Wright.
Apollo listened as Phoenix recounted the night in question, throwing in a few clarifying presses to try and get as much information as he could. Mr. Wright had revealed that there was no money bet on the game, it was simply for clout, the idea of beating the undefeated poker champion, Phoenix Wright. Apollo was impressed. Mr. Gavin had tried teaching Apollo how to play poker but quickly stopped when he realized that Apollo figured out when the other players were bluffing with his preternatural perception. It was a quiet week in the house as Mr. Gavin gave him the cold shoulder over it. Nevertheless, from that short lesson, Apollo knew being undefeated in the game was a feat and then on top of it, being undefeated for seven long years? Amazing.
Apollo also found out about the room, in the basement of the Club, and how this was really a locked room situation, as there was only one way in or out. He learned about the use of two decks of cards to stop cheating. Kristoph pointed out the cards on the ground were all blue. Phoenix added that there was a red deck and a blue deck being used that night.
The judge smacked his gavel once on the block. “This competition you're talking about...I believe the court understands the nature of the game sufficiently.” He said, with a nod. Apollo felt like he could breathe a little easier.
“Th-That's right! It was a simple game, after all!” Apollo quickly exclaimed, hands tightened into fists against the bench.
The judge shook his head before asking Apollo, “Are you sure?”
Apollo straightened up. “Huh?”
“People are not murdered over 'simple games', Mr. Justice.” The older man clarified. Apollo felt himself deflate. That’s a good point, he had to admit. “Defendant.” The judge called down to Phoenix. “You were in the room the very moment that the crime occurred...Yet you claim no connection to the crime?” He asked.
Phoenix was looking down to the side. “...Now that's strange.” He said.
“What's strange?” The judge responded, looking just as confused as ever.
Phoenix continued, “I was testifying about the competition that night.” He then looked up at the judge with a small smile, saying “Asking me about the crime at this point is against the rules, Your Honor.” There was a beat of silence before Phoenix looked away, frowning. “Of course, I expected to hear a cry of ‘Objection!’ from the defense…” He said passively, trailing off.
Apollo jerked back, feeling his spikes bounce up, “Ack!” He cried. “Argh! I completely let that one slip by!” He thought angrily, leaning forward to steady himself on the bench, fist tightly curling to stop himself from wringing his bracelet anxiously. That was such stupid mistake. He could almost hear Adam scoff above him and say the same thing.
“Don’t despair yet, Justice.” He heard Mr. Gavin say firmly. Apollo whipped his head around.
“S-Sir?”
Kristoph smiled at Apollo before looking towards the witness stand. “Wright. There's something I'd like made clear. Namely, your connection to the case at hand. And I'd like to hear it from you.” He requested.
Phoenix smirked before shrugging, “...Sure, why not?”
The gavel smacked against the sound brick. “Very well. The defendant will amend his testimony.” He ordered.
Apollo pursed his lips tightly, getting himself pumped for the next statement. “Just one little press...and I've got myself a whole new testimony!” He thought excitedly, the nerves fluttering in his stomach.
Phoenix testified, "I plead silence regarding the murder. But I will say I never touched the murder weapon."
Apollo felt his bracelet tighten. A lie? Apollo was so caught up in finally doing his job, he didn’t have time to be upset that his client had lied on the stand. “Objection!” He shouted. He felt like he had been shocked with static electricity and his stomach tightened with nerves. His hand hesitated over his bracelet before he poked his left pointer finger into his forehead. “So you say you didn't touch the murder weapon...this grape juice bottle?” Apollo asked, scrunching his nose in thought. “...Right?”
Phoenix looked off to the side, bored. “So I said.” He confirmed.
Apollo almost let a triumphant grin cross his face when he realized that he fucked up. He slumped forward on the desk, feeling the sweat beading around his eyes. “...” Now he knew Adam was up there laughing at him.
“Something the matter, Mr. Justice?” The judge asked sharply.
Payne started giggling. “Too bad our new defense attorney never learned how to play dumb!” He said, flipping his hair.
“Well of course not, I would never allow him to do so.” Kristoph muttered.
The judge looked down at the prosecution, confused. “What's this, Mr. Payne? He asked.
“I examined the bottle in question, you see.” He explained. “And it was covered with the defendant's fingerprints!”
The crowd started murmuring to themselves over this new development. Apollo had to regain control of the situation, fast.
Apollo threw his arm out, finger fixed firmly in a point and yelled, “Objection!” At the top of his lungs, summoning all of his Chords of Steel training for this very moment.
The judge jumped in his seat, holding the gavel tight against his chest. “No need to shout, Mr. Justice! I can hear you just fine!” He exclaimed sharply, fixing a glare at the defense attorney.
Apollo blushed and rubbed a hand against his head, pushing his bangs back, chuckling. Whoops, a little too enthusiastic of an objection.
Kristoph sighed as he rubbed his left ear, “Excess yelling can damage the judge's ears…” He started, turning to look at Apollo with a pointed smile, “and our case.”
Apollo pouted and thought, “B-But what about my Chords of Steel?” He shook his head and focused himself by slamming his fists onto the desk. “Any... Anyway! What's so strange about fingerprints on a bottle in a restaurant?” He challenged the prosecution, pointing at Payne.
The judge nodded. “Well, that's true.” Phew, maybe Apollo was getting somewhere already. “The prints alone don't prove he did it–”
“Objection!” Payne cried out. “Oh, they wouldn’t prove a thing, if they were normal fingerprints!” He exclaimed. He then went on to talk about how the fingerprints were upside-down, meaning that Phoenix was holding the bottle in a way that would invert the bottle so he could swing it to hit the victim. Apollo felt his body freeze at the line of logic presented, letting out a loud yelp in frustration as the assembly above him muttered at this new development. He turned to his mentor who was standing as cool and calm as always.
“M-Mr. Gavin! I think things just took a turn for the worse!” He whispered quickly. Kristoph smiled at Apollo.
“...Oh? I see no problem, Justice.” He said, sweetly.
Apollo felt his heart sutter, marveling at just how well Mr. Gavin could keep himself together under pressure. “Huh?” He breathed out.
“The only thing that matters is the truth.” He reminded Apollo. “There's a good reason for everything. You'll see.” He turned back to look at Phoenix directly on the stand. Apollo sighed and leaned onto the bench, waiting for the trial to resume.
The judge demanded Phoenix explain himself, being met with the same response of Phoenix pleading the fifth, pleading to silence, which frustrated the judge and made Payne gleeful that he was hiding something.
“Objection!” Kristoph interrupted. “Your Honor, you seem to have forgotten something.” Kristoph said. Apollo cocked his head. Huh? What is the judge forgetting? Mr. Gavin smiled.
“And what might that be, Mr. Gavin?” The judge asked.
“On the night of the crime, who was it who reported the murder to the police?” Kristoph retorted and Apollo nodded. Oh right. Mr. Wright had reported the murder from his phone, right at the scene. That should be common knowledge right? Apollo thought as he looked up at the judge, who looked really confused. Payne clarified that the call came from near the scene by Phoenix himself, something that the judge must really not have known, given the response he made to the statement. Apollo felt his lungs tighten. Great, back at square one, but now he was behind the eight ball.
Payne went on to show the photo of the crime scene and told the court the room where the murder took place was two floors down, where no cell service could be received so Phoenix had come up to the first floor to make the call. Kristoph had retorted that why would Phoenix do that if he wanted to be uncooperative. Apollo grinned up at his boss as he continued with, “I think the prosecution has toyed with our client enough for the time being.”
Payne frowned. “T-Toyed? I assure you, no one is more serious about…”
Kristoph smiled and shook his head. “What was it you said? The defendant was ‘in the room the very moment that the crime occurred’. How can you possibly know this?” Kristoph pressed.
The judge nodded, looking at both defense and prosecution. That's a good question! How indeed!” He wondered.
Apollo piped up, seeing where Mr. Gavin was going, “The answer is simple, Your Honor. The prosecution has a decisive witness.” Apollo said, sending a narrowed eye glance at the prosecutor. Who had started to chuckle.
“Not bad for a punk child.” He teased. Apollo started to glare and pursed his lips, curling his fists tighter, stopping himself from rising to the obvious bait. “So someone else was in the room the night of the crime! That must mean they witnessed the crime…” Apollo thought.
“Everything up till now has been a warm-up, Justice.” Kristoph commented, smiling down at Apollo. “Are you ready?” He asked.
The judge slammed the gavel before Apollo could answer. “Very well. The prosecution may call its first witness to the stand!” He ordered.
The bailiffs moved Phoenix to the other side of the room to prepare for the arrival of the witness out of the prosecution’s chambers. The doors opened and a small woman, probably around Apollo’s height was escorted in. She was wearing a thick fur coat and white fur hat. She stood behind the stand, took one look toward Apollo and immediately cowered, holding the plate and bowl she brought with her over her head. The judge questioned where she was and the opportune moment to make fun of Apollo arose with Payne snorting as he said the defendant was scared of Apollo’s horns. Apollo scrunched his nose and pouted. So he used a little hair gel to tame his unruly cowlick, sue him. The judge assured the witness that no harm would come to her, even going so far as to say that he would cut them off.
“Isn’t violence against hair a crime, Your Honor?” Apollo moaned, but his question was unanswered.
The woman straightened up to start the next formality of the case, giving her name and profession. The woman started snapping pictures around the room causing the judge a little bit of confusion before Payne explained that she was there at the restaurant. The witness, Olga Orly, explained in a slight accent, (Russian, Mr. Gavin had supplied when Apollo looked confused), that she was a waitress in the restaurant as well as a photographer who took pictures because the establishment was historical because of its attachment in the seedy underbelly of organized crime, as established by Phoenix earlier in the trial. She revealed she took a picture of Phoenix and Mr. Smith sitting together on the night of the crime. The judge filed it as evidence and Apollo took a moment to look at the scene in front of him on the screen of his Court Record. As Apollo was looking at the photo Ms. Orly went on to explain the basement room where Phoenix and the victim played was called The Hydeout.
“So there were three people in the room at the time of the crime...The victim, Shadi Smith, Mr. Wright, and...Olga Orly, our witness! And if Mr. Wright isn't the killer, that means...she’s the murderer…right?” Apollo thought. It seemed so simple so why did Apollo feel like something bad was about to happen?
Apollo was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of the gavel smacking on the board. “Very well, Witness! You will testify to the court about that night's events!” The judge ordered.
Witness Testimony
-- That Fateful Night --
“That night, customer asked me to deal cards for game.
It was cold...Both players played with hats on, dah.
The victim, he plays whole time with his hand on locket at his neck.
Then, last hand is done! But something terrible has happened, dah!
That man flew at victim, and is strangling him to death!”
The judge looked contemplative, humming to himself before saying, ”Incidentally, who won the game?” He asked.
Payne scoffed, “Isn't it obvious? The winner was the victim, Mr. Smith!” He said confidently.
“Objection!” Apollo shouted. “That's ridiculous! Um, because...Because Mr. Wright can't lose!” Apollo exclaimed.
“Ahem. Justice?” Kristoph called. Apollo looked over and, oh boy, Mr. Gavin’s face was pulled tight in a disappointed smile, (Apollo hated that smile as it was usually reserved when Apollo did something that resulted in a lecture from the older man), “Maybe you can come up with a more legitimate objection?” He suggested. Apollo resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
“Sir! He hadn't lost in seven years!” Apollo defended. “We went over that at the beginning of the trial.”
Payne scoffed and flipped his hair causing the two attorneys to look over at him. “Take it from me, kid. It happens. I didn't lose a case my first seven years as prosecutor, either.” Apollo’s face must’ve gave away his feelings because he felt a kick to his foot from Kristoph which made Apollo flinch and fix his face.
“Sorry, sir, just find it hard to believe he went seven years before someone beat him.” Apollo thought bitterly.
Payne continued, “Incidentally. I have some evidence here. These are the poker chips as they lay the very moment of the crime. The hand and chips on this side belong to the defendant, Mr. Wright. Those on the far side belonged to the victim, Mr. Smith.” He explained showing off a picture of exactly that description. The judge accepted the photo into the Court Record and Apollo took a moment to look at it while the judge said something about being the “Poker Head of Courtroom No. 3”.
“I think he means ‘poker face’...” Apollo muttered as he took in the details of the photo. It did seem most of the chips were on the victim’s side of the table, but, from what he remembered about poker from Kristoph’s explanation was that the chips had different values. Ugh, that meant he had to do math…where was Clay when you needed him?
“Very well. The defense may cross-examine the witness.” The judge said, as if he didn’t hear Apollo’s mutterings. Apollo nodded and slid out from behind the bench to go to Orla.
The contradiction was obvious: the method of the murder. Apollo grabbed the autopsy report from the desk and walked over to Orla, grinning triumphantly.
“Oh really? 'Strangled', you say? That's odd.” Apollo commented, flipping open the envelope to pull out the report.
Olga odded. “Dah, normal customers only choke on borscht.” She said. Apollo stayed silent for a moment. That...that was concerning...okay, letting that one go.
Apollo held the page up as he said, “No, I mean this report shows that the victim died of a blow to the head!” He clarified sharply.
“Aaack!” She ducked down. Apollo had her now. Time for the finishing blow…metaphorically. Apollo had been arrested for a crime one too many times in his life, he didn’t wish to repeat the venture again.
“Ms. Orly! Really now...Did you witness the crime!?” Apollo asked, wiggling the paper in his hand at her causing the woman to shriek and her paraphernalia flew up in the air around her, causing a thick purple liquid to soar into the space but thankfully fell back into the bowl without spilling.
The judge hummed as he took a look at the crime photo again. “Looking at the picture, it doesn't seem like he was hit. He's still wearing his hat and everything.” He commented and of course Payne decided now was a great time to add a second photo of the Crime, one of the victim’s head with blood dripping down onto his skull. Ugh. Ms. Orly stuttered and stuck to her story of seeing Phoenix strangle the victim, causing Apollo to roll his eyes from his position in front of the defense bench where he had gone to look at the newly admitted photo on the Court Record.
“Oh really, Ms. Orly? I think I've caught you in your own lie this time!” Apollo thought with a smirk..
A movement in front of him made him look up seeing that Kristoph had leaned over a little bit. “...Justice. I admire your enthusiasm, but perhaps you should think this through once more.” He instructed. Apollo cocked his head to the side, confused.
“Wh-What do you mean? I found a contradiction!” Apollo pointed out. Kristoph shook his head and sighed.
“Yes, you did, and you did well, but…There's one thing in her testimony that...troubles me.” Kristoph’s eyes shifted and looked over at the witness bench. Apollo huffed and looked at her. She wasn’t lying, his bracelet hadn’t reacted at all…but…then…ugh!
“I hate it when he’s right. Ugh!”Apollo thought grumpily, folding his arms.
Kristoph smiled at him, like he knew exactly what Apollo had been thinking. “There's such a thing as thinking aloud too much, too.” He teased. Apollo huffed again and turned around, getting ready to point out his next contraction.
Which, obviously, it was the locket. The victim wasn’t wearing a locket in the photo so how could he play with it, and moreover, how could Mr. Wright choke him with it? When he presented this to the witness she flinched back. Apollo continued to say that the defense asserted that Phoenix hadn’t strangled the victim, but was trying to take the locket off of the man. The judge then decided this was the perfect time to point out that Phoenix was wearing a locket on his neck. Phoenix said it was of his daughter and left it at that. Apollo knew that Phoenix had a daughter; he had briefly met her back in at the Gavin Law Offices about a year ago, but…Phoenix didn’t have a locket back then, did he?
The judge then requested to have more testimony from Ms. Orly, in the form of the outcome of the game, despite Payne’s protests that the defendant lost, which Apollo still stubbornly maintained that Mr. Wright won, but no evidence was available to prove his point…yet. Maybe the testimony would yield that point.
Witness Testimony
-- Serious Competition --
“The game began with 3,500 point in chips for each man.
House chips come in two size: small and large.
The one who was winning...dah, it was victim!
For last hand, defendant play with all chips on table and lose.
The moment loss was decided, defendant grabs bottle from table and…”
She was lying, his bracelet reacted when she was talking about the game but he couldn’t quite find the words she’s twitching over. Apollo took a breath and thought a little about what she said. Mr. Wright didn’t lose, that was the conclusion he drew and by her twitching he was on the right track. He knew that, but the chips don’t lie…unless…
“Witness, are the chips in the photo all the chips that were used?” He asked.
Olga looked at him strangely, “Da-Dah! Of course.” She answered.
“Maybe you could explain a bit about these ‘chips’?” He continued.
“E-Explain? What is there to be explained?” She shot back.
“Objection!” Payne shouted. “Poker chips are poker chips. They're not fish and chips, not a chip off the old block, not a motorcycle cop, not a-”
Apollo huffed and rolled his eyes, "Prosecutor Payne, I’ll thank you to not insult my intelligence during my cross.” Apollo interrupted sharply. He thought he heard Mr. Gavin snicker. “I know what chips we’re talking about. What I want to ask is what are these chips worth? Are they in dollars? Or rubles, even?” Apollo asked, turning his attention back to Olga.
“...Nyet.” She answered. “As I have been saying before, it was game, not gambling. Hard perhaps for capitalist to understand. Two types of chip: 100 points chip and 1,000 points chip. It is not money, dah.” She clarified.
“Your Honor…” Apollo called, “I do think this deserves further scrutiny. Can you please have the witness add it to her testimony?” He asked. The judge nodded.
“Very well. Witness, if you would be so kind?” The judge asked. Orla nodded and added that fact to her testimony. Apollo, who again had gone to the defense bench, was scrutinizing his Court Record for a moment, looking intensely at the photo of the chips. His pen tapped against the screen as he counted the chips on each side.
“What’s the matter?” Kristoph asked, looking at the screen.
“Something is off about the chips.” Apollo answered, eyes not leaving the screen. “Just gotta do the math…” Apollo muttered before sending a sharp glare up at his boss. “Not a word.” Apollo warned his boss.
“Not a word…” Kristoph repeated slyly. “Nothing about the fact that despite all your objections about it, you are actually using math in the courtroom right now.” Kristoph finished and Apollo could feel the smirk he formed. Apollo rolled his eyes and looked up, finding that, yes, Mr. Gavin was taking great joy in watching Apollo struggle to do basic math computations in his head.
“Stuff it.” Apollo muttered before turning to the witness stand. “You’re sure it was the victim who won?” He asked, pressing a finger to his forehead thoughtfully, before adding, “Absolutely sure?” to bait her. Orla shrunk under his gaze.
“Objection!” Payne cut in. “It seems our new attorney is a bit confused...A glance at the picture is enough to tell you who won! If you're not in kindergarten.” He reminded the court, smirking at Apollo who glowered back.
“Um...Just for safety's sake, could you explain the problem to the court?” He asked.
Apollo nodded. “Of course, Your Honor.” Apollo pressed a finger to his forehead as he explained, “In this photo I see small chips and I see large chips. Tell me. Which were worth 1,000 points?” Apollo asked.
Payne scoffed. “Why, the big ones of course! Duh!” He crowed confidently.
Apollo nodded as he said, “Oh, I thought so too...but then the totals don't add up.” Apollo pointed out, folding his arms with a smirk.
Payne started to sweat as he stuttered out, “Th-The totals...?”
Apollo nodded again. “Let's review what the witness told us:” Apollo began as he took the paper he was writing the math he figured out on. “Each man started with 3,500 points in chips. And the combined total value of the chips was 7,000 points.” He explained, setting up the scene.
The judge nodded quickly. “Yes... if my calculations are correct! Let's see, three plus one, carry the five…” He started flicking a finger in the air as he sky wrote the equation. Apollo sighed and felt his spikes drooping.
Apollo shook the paper with his numbers on it. “Um, they are, Your Honor.” He muttered before clearing his throat. “Now! Look at this photo that allegedly shows all the chips. If the big chips are worth 1,000 points, and the small chips are worth 100... And you add them up…” He trailed off, loving the feeling of euphoria that came from the suspenseful turn he decided to take. No wonder Mr. Gavin liked to add dramatics to his explanations. This feeling was addictive.
Payne screeched, “How much is it!?” which ruined Apollo’s high.
Apollo smirked and thought, “Do it yourself... You aren't in kindergarten, are you?” And Holy Mother if Mr. Gavin wouldn’t give him a professionalism lecture, if he would have totally said it out loud. “...10,600 points. The chips don't add up! This clearly contradicts the witness's testimony!”
Payne flinched and his mouth dropped open. “B-But why!? How could this be!?” He shouted.
Kristoph smiled at Apollo. “Exactly... Justice. Now that you know the ‘what’, you must determine the ‘why’.” He reminded the younger attorney. Apollo nodded.
“Each man began the game with 3,500 points. If all the chips are indeed shown in this photograph then that means the value of the chips was the other way around.” Apollo explained, tapping a hand against the paper in his hands. “The small chips were worth one thousand points, not the big ones!”
“Show me that photograph of the chips again!” The judge demanded. He tapped his finger against the photo counting “...There are six small chips, and ten large chips... Why, that does make 7,000 points when you add them up!” He exclaimed in shock.
Kristoph smiled at Apollo. “Excellent work Justice.” He praised. Apollo smiled sheepishly as he slipped behind the bench to stand next to his mentor. Payne took that moment to object saying that it changed nothing but Apollo shook his head.
“If the small chips are 1,000 points, and the large chips are 100... Let's do a little math. Add up the points for each side of the table!” Apollo said. “The victim, Mr. Smith, had 2,900 points, and the defendant had... 4,100 points! Well now... It seems that Mr. Wright was winning that night after all!” Apollo concluded with a smirk.
Payne shouted. “That’s impossible.”
“No, that’s basic math. I told you not to insult my intelligence, didn’t I, Mr. Payne?” Apollo reminded the prosecutor. “My client had even less reason to kill the victim. After all, like I said earlier in this trial, he was winning.” And thus, dismantling the prosecution’s claim of Phoenix’s motive for the murder. Apollo smirked, waiting for the judge to dismiss the witness because after two major contractions that asserted she was lying, her credibility was shot. The judge’s gavel was poised to probably do just what Apollo was thinking when-
“Hold it!” The woman piped up from the stand.
“What is it, Ms. Orly?” The judge asked.
“I... I did not want to be saying this, but... Actually, you see, erm…” She stuttered.
“See what, Ms. Orly!? What do we see!?” Payne demanded.
Olga shuffled on the stand. “In the last hand, there was cheat!” She finished quickly. The court devolved into chaos at that statement, with everyone speaking over each other about the revelation from the witness. Apollo slumped forward and leaned on the bench.
“Great... Just great... First we have lying... now cheating…” Apollo thought bitterly.
Kristoph chuckled and folded his arms, smiling brightly down at Apollo. “Well, this case certainly has taken a turn...for the interesting!” He commented cheerfully.
“I’m so glad you’re finding this all amusing, sir.” Apollo grumbled. Kristoph chuckled.
“Of course…I’m not the one who has argue the case this time. I get to kick back and watch you do it. I kind of like being on this side of the bench. I may just start being your co-counsel, how does that sound, Mr. Justice?” Kristoph asked, his tone light and teasing. Apollo smiled.
“If that means I get more cases, then you got a deal, sir.” Apollo shot back as the judge smacked the gavel several times on the board, trying to quell the cacophony.
“Witness! You will please testify to the court! Tell us about this cheating in the final hand!” He demanded. Apollo leaned forward, waiting for what was to be revealed in this testimony.
Witness Testimony
-- The Final Hand--
The last hand... both men had "full house".
There is four of each card in deck, from ace to king.
If you look at both men's hands, cheat is more obvious!
The next moment, game becomes argument, dah! The defendant's trick was exposed!
He took bottle in his hand... Poor Mr. Smith!
Apollo wanted to scream. This was pretty freaking vital information to leave out! Well, it was his job to uncover the truth of the case at hand, so time to throw back the covers. Something was bothering him. If Mr. Wright did cheat, then why did he cheat to lose? It was obvious in the photo that Mr. Smith had the higher of the two full houses with a king and ace combo.
“Ahem. The defense may cross-examine the witness.” The judge said. Apollo nodded and moved forward.
“Witness? How is it ‘clear’?” He asked. Ogla amended her testimony to say that she remembered the hands of both men. Smith and three aces and Wright two, clearly cheating on Wright’s hand.
“Objection!” Apollo shouted. “It appears the witness is mistaken.” He said.
Olga shrunk a bit, muttering, “Miss…Taken? But my name-”
Apollo interrupted, “Look, the photo of the chips clearly contradicts what you said in your testimony, "Mr. Smith's hand has three aces"... But as you can clearly see, the victim's hand only held two aces!” Apollo exclaimed. Olga screeched, sending the borscht flying once again. Apollo shuffled back, just in case the soup got on his shirt. Beet juice was a bitch to get out of white clothing.
“Objection!” Payne screeched from his bench, clearly sweating and trying to find a way to contradict Apollo’s argument. “Well... Well maybe the witness was simply confused! Perhaps it was the defendant's hand that held the third ace in question…” He argued.
“Objection!” Apollo shot back before shaking his head. “Take another look at the evidence! As you can see, the defendant also had two aces in his hand. Where's this fifth ace? I see cheating alright, and it's going on right here in this courtroom!”
The judge nodded as he looked at the photo Apollo referenced. “Two aces in each player's hand does make four aces total. Hardly proof of cheating…” He muttered.
Olga put a hand up. “Wait! Please! It is true... I have seen it! The fifth ace! There was cheating, I swear to you.” She said earnestly. Apollo looked at his wrist. Steady as a rock.
“That's odd... She must be lying, but…my bracelet isn’t reacting.” Apollo muttered to himself as he came back to his boss.
Kristoph had his arms folded. “You're right to trust your instincts…” He said to Apollo, eyes locked on the witness.
Apollo looked up. “Mr. Gavin?
Kristoph turned to look at Apollo. “Who knows what lies in store for us in the trial ahead…” He said wearily before turning his head to the judge. “Your Honor, if I may. I have a suggestion.” He said.
“What might that be, Mr. Gavin?” The judge asked.
“If you don't mind, perhaps we might examine the actual cards?” Kristoph asked. Apollo cocked his head in confusion. What good would that do? Kristoph turned and looked at the prosecution. “The players' hands that night were set aside as evidence, were they not? The defense would like to request that the cards be shown to the court.” Kristoph continued.
The judge nodded. “Very well, the prosecution will submit this evidence! Which will you examine? The victim's cards... or the defendant's cards?” He asked.
Apollo poked his forehead with his finger, thinking for a moment. “The victim's cards, sir.” He confirmed as it was the only thing that made sense. After all, the witness testimony stated the victim’s hand was the one that changed. On the screen of his Court Record popped up a picture of the victim’s hand. Apollo swiveled the dials on the side of the screen to rotate the cards.
“The card backs are red…” Apollo noted. “For some reason I thought that they were using blue cards in that final hand. Didn't you, Mr. Gavin?” He looked up at Kristoph who simply cocked his head.
“Huh? Oh, hmm. Which was it now…” Kristoph muttered. Apollo narrowed his eyes. That was odd. He turned his attention to the screen again and gasped.
“Your Honor! Look at this! One of the victim's cards…The back is a different color!” Apollo shouted. The gallery dissolved into fierce whispers at this turn of events. Apollo poked his head with his finger. What did this all mean? Where was the logical answer?
“Th-That's impossible! But I put that card in Wright's hand…” Someone muttered. Apollo’s head shot over and he caught her gaze. “Ack!” Orla flinched.
Kristoph leaned forward “...What was that, Ms. Orly?” He asked, in that tone that Apollo knew quite well as the one Kristoph used when he caught someone in a lie. The gallery immediately quieted and watched intently as Kristoph stared at the witness. Apollo shifted back a little to let Kristoph see the witness fully, letting his mentor do what he did best.
Olga started sweating. “No... Ny-Nyet! Er, I merely said, eh... Dah, I have, eek!” She stuttered. Kristoph cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms confidently.
“Your Honor?” He called.
The judge looked away from Orla and towards Kristoph. “M-Mr. Gavin, yes?” He stuttered. Kristoph smiled, but his gaze didn’t leave the witness.
“Tell me, what is the easiest way to cheat at poker?” He asked.
“To... cheat?”
Kristoph pushed his glasses up his nose, continuing as if the judge didn’t speak, “I'll tell you. One merely needs a friend, a "comrade", shall we say…The dealer!” He said.
Apollo caught on. “This witness, Ms. Orly-”
“Is the cheater. A professional, I'd wager.” Kristoph finished, cooly, smiling in triumph. Olga screeched, sending the borscht up in the air once again as the galley started whispering again.
The judge called, “Order! Order!!!” to quiet down the crowd.
“Focus, Justice! Time to take advantage of her!” Apollo thought before amending, “...I mean, of her mistake!” He grimaced at the weird double entendre, though Clay would probably be proud, the pervert. He slammed his hands on the bench, saying, “Your Honor! Please recall the testimony we just heard! The witness said she was sure she put the card in Mr Wright’s hand…” Apollo folded his arms and smirked. “Ergo! Ms. Olga Orly conspired to cheat, not with my client, but with the victim, Mr. Shadi Smith!” Apollo argued, pointing his finger at the witness. Orla moaned and shrunk down but she couldn’t hide herself now, Justice was on a roll! “Not only did she cheat, she cheated poorly! Therefore! It's not hard to imagine an altercation between her and the victim…” Apollo continued, smirk fully stretched across his face, chasing the high of finally nailing down the truth.
“Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!?” Payne yelled, hand coming up in front of his chest.
The judge blinked confusedly down at Apollo, “Wait, you don't mean...The defense isn't accusing the witness, Ms. Olga Orly, are you?” He asked.
Apollo nodded, there was no one else it could have been. “I am!” Apollo threw out his finger, pointing directly at Ms. Orly, hand steady and true. “The defense accuses the witness, Ms. Olga Orly, of murder!” He said confidently, clearly, and directly, just as he had been taught.
Olga shrieked, “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!” As her eyes rolled in the back of her head and she crashed into the ground. The borscht bowl neatly falling on the ledge of the bench, soup intact. The courtroom dissolved into chaotic chatter as the bailiffs tried to wake Ms. Orly up but to no avail. The bailiff took her in his arms and gently carried her into the prosecution lobby, closing the door behind him. The other bailiff that was there came to the side of the judge’s bench and confirmed that Orla had just fallen unconscious. The judge nodded and turned to Apollo.
“Hmm... Mr. Justice?” He called.
Apollo looked up and replied, “Your Honor!”
“It seems you've presented a new possibility to the court. One suggesting a connection between the witness and the victim, Mr. Smith.” He explained.
Apollo nodded shallowly, showing he was kinda following. “And that means...!?” He asked.
“The court cannot pronounce a verdict for the defendant at this time!” The judge declared.
Payne looked as if he just ate a sour lemon. “Nnk...! What!?” He muttered.
Apollo let out a sharp sigh of relief and smiled. “I did it! I held out!” He thought.
The judge shook his head. “I see no point in prolonging the trial this day. The prosecution will need to make further inquiries-”
“Objection!” A strong clear voice shouted. Apollo looked around. He didn’t say anything, and, a quick glance at Mr. Gavin verified that he didn’t say anything. It wasn’t Payne so…Apollo looked over at the defendant's stand.
“M-Mr. Wright?” Apollo stuttered. There indeed was Phoenix Wright, slyly looking down at the ground.
“...You can't end the trial here, Your Honor. Not yet.” He said simply raising his head to look at the judge head on.
Payne huffed in frustration. “What nonsense is the defendant spewing now!?”
Phoenix turned to look at Apollo, “Think. One of the cards had a different colored back. Don't you wonder what it means?” He asked lowly, as if Apollo was the only one who needed to hear that. Apollo looked down at his fists as the conversation continued on above him. Well yeah, of course he wondered about the different colored cards. That’s what the rest of the investigation would help him to figure out. But Mr. Wright is saying that the trial couldn’t end. Does that mean that there was more that could be figured out here? Apollo decided to take the bait.
“Why use different colored backs?” He asked. Phoenix shrugged and said it was to stop the decks from being mixed up which made Apollo mentally roll his eyes because the cards got swapped anyway despite being two different colors. Phoenix confirmed that they were using red cards in the last hand, which made sense given that all the cards, save for the one ace, were red, but then…why did Apollo think they were blue in the first place? Someone said something about blue cards, didn’t they?
“...This card raises two serious questions...Apollo?” Phoenix called bringing Apollo back to the present.
“Y-Yes?” He stuttered.
“Let's consider the first question, shall we? Think. In the last game when was the card swapped? There are three broad possibilities here. It could have been swapped before the murder, during the murder...or after the murder.” Phoenix explained and shot a glare at Payne as the other got ready to start interjecting. “I'd like to hear what Apollo thinks first…” He said sharply before looking back at Apollo to ask, “When do you think the cards were swapped?”
Apollo bought his finger up to his forehead and began tapping, thinking through each choice. “When was the card swapped into the deck?” It couldn’t have been before the murder because that would just be silly; the backs were facing the opponent, Mr. Wright would have known immediately if they had been swapped. It also couldn’t have been during the murder because the events of a killing were pretty quick when dealing with blunt force trauma. There would have been no time between the throwing down of the cards, the revelation of the cheating, and the bottle being slammed on the man’s head. That only could mean one thing.
“Perhaps it happened after the murder?” Apollo suggested.
“Are you asking or telling?” Phoenix teased.
Apollo scrunched his nose. “It happened after the murder.” Apollo clarified, clearly and directly.
“Wh-What's that? Ridiculous! What's the point of cheating after the hands have been shown? That's silly!” Payne objected. Apollo shook his head.
“Yes! But tell me, how do you swap cards during the game!? I'll take ‘silly’ over ‘impossible’.” Apollo countered. “If you pulled that during the game, you'd be caught in no time! The only reasonable thing that could have happened was that the cards were swapped after the murder.”
“Yes. The next question that needs to be asked is: Who swapped the red card for a blue card?” Phoenix asked. Apollo nodded and opened his mouth but a movement from next to him stopped him. He looked over at Kristoph who was frowning.
“The game, and murder, is done. The victim is dead. Only two remain in the room. Alive, that is. The defendant, Phoenix Wright, and our witness, Olga Orly.” Kristoph reminded him. Apollo nodded but something felt off.
“But Ms. Orly didn’t swap them right. She got the hands wrong.” Apollo counted. Kristoph huffed and shook his head.
“That's hardly a logical conclusion, I'll admit. As the defense, I think it only makes sense for you to name Ms. Orly at this point.” Kristoph continued, firmly.
“I know that but…” Apollo hesitated. It wasn’t as simple as Mr. Gavin thought. There were too many inconsistencies with thinking Orla swapped them. Something that wasn’t like Mr. Gavin to be honest. He was always sticking to the facts, throwing out illogical statements that didn’t help their case. For him to be so adamant about Ms. Orly despite the logical argument that it couldn't have been her…Apollo’s stomach dropped.
Phoenix began to chuckle causing the both of them to look over at him. The judge cocked his head. “Something you’d like to share with the court, Mr. Wright?” He asked.
Phoenix looked up. “Oh, my apologies, Your Honor. I was just thinking how much fun all this is.” He answered. “The case is being taken into a new direction. It’s quite exciting.” Phoenix admitted looking over to Apollo. “We'll find that, indeed, after the murder... ...someone swapped one of the cards in the victim's hand. And that someone made two critical mistakes.
Kristoph folded his arms, smiling tightly at Phoenix as he said, “I'm sure you're going to tell us that the first was swapping the wrong color card.”
Phoenix nodded. “Because the one who did the swap didn't know two colors of cards were being used. The other mistake…was the number on the card.
Apollo nodded. “Right. The person replaced the fifth ace with a king.” He said.
Phoenix looked over to the side. “I'm sure whoever swapped it wasn't expecting there to be a fifth ace, after all. All they knew was that the game had been won with a full house. So they picked up a king from the table, and swapped it in.” Phoenix smirked and looked down, shielding his eyes, “Though it's more than a possibility. There was someone else there that night at the scene of the crime.” He said.
Payne flinched back. “Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaat!?” The court chattered among themselves, whispers flying around the room like gnats in front of fruit.
Kristoph smiled at Apollo, but it was definitely not a cheerful one. “I believe the judge spoke truthfully earlier.” He looked at Phoenix, lips turning down as he said, “You do make trials... ridiculous, Mr. Wright.”
The judge smacked the gavel down and said, “This trial has proceeded on one central assumption: namely, that, at the time of the incident, there were only three people in that room.”
“I believe this new evidence, shall we say...overturns that assumption?” Phoenix suggested coyly.
The judge fixed a glare at the defendant. “The problem is that you chose to conceal this information from the court!” He shot back.
Mr. Wright had the decency to look slightly guilty, Apollo thought. “...I suppose that is a problem, yes.” The older man admitted with a shrug.
The judge sighed before saying. “Court is adjourned for a brief recess! Mr. Gavin, I'll see you in my chambers during this recess.” He said, glancing at the blonde attorney. Kristoph tightened his hands behind his back.
“...Certainly, Your Honor.” He replied sharply.
“Very well! The trial will resume in twenty minutes!” The judge declared. Apollo sighed and watched as Kristoph walked back into the defendant lobby with urgency, feeling bad somehow that the turn of events was somehow his fault. He glanced up at the members of the gallery above him, where Andrea and his coworkers were sitting and saw that only Andrea stayed there. She smiled down at him and sent him a thumbs up his way. Apollo smiled back and nodded before turning and going into the defendant lobby himself.
April 20, 11:52 AM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 3
Apollo came into the room and saw Kristoph and Phoenix engaged in conversation. Apollo felt his bracelet tighten at the tension coming off of his boss in waves. What happened in the courtroom was affecting him quite a lot.
“That was quite... unexpected, Mr. Wright.” Kristoph commented, arms crossed before pushing his glasses up onto his nose, the glint of the light obscuring the sight of his eyes. “To suddenly claim there was another person at the scene of the crime like that...I must ask... is it the truth?”
Phoenix smiled at the blonde. “Well now... I'd think you would know the answer to that?” He threw back.
Kristoph shook his head. “Ah, being mysterious, are we? Sadly, I've no time for mysteries. I'd only ask that you leave the defending to your defense, in the future. Otherwise... I cannot guarantee the outcome.” He said sharply.
Phoenix chuckled. “I see you haven't mellowed out one bit, Kristoph.” Phoenix observed. Kristoph’s smile tightened and he turned to Apollo.
“Justice.” He called. Apollo stepped closer quickly as the tone used meant business.
“Y-Yes, sir!” He stuttered.
“The judge has summoned me to his chambers, so carry on without me.” He said and turned walking out of the lobby. Apollo scrunched his nose nervously, folding his arms so he didn’t start fiddling with his bracelet.
“You did well, Apollo.” Phoenix said. Apollo turned to look at the man. He was smiling.
Apollo flushed under the praise. “Um.. Can I ask you something?” Apollo asked.
Phoenix’s shoulders bounced up in a quick shrug. “Sure.” He replied.
Apollo pointed to the locket hanging from Phoenix’s neck. “That locket you wear... Is that really yours, Mr. Wright? You never wore one all the other times I saw you.” Apollo pointed out.
Phoenix chuckled. “Ah, you're wondering about the victim's disappearing locket? Here, you can take a look at it. That's a picture of my daughter in there.” He said as he took the locket off, handing it to Apollo.
Apollo opened the locket. It was a picture of a young girl, dressed in pink, a pink top hat on her head. A very young girl. “Yeah I know, we briefly met once in Mr. Gavin’s office.” Apollo recalled before handing the locket back to Phoenix, who slipped it back over his head and settled it between his collar bones.
“Perhaps you'll formally meet her one of these days. As I recall she had busted into the office and we left really quickly after.” Phoenix said. Apollo nodded.
“One more question.” Apollo quickly added. Phoenix cocked his head. “The one who cheated that night...Was it you?” Apollo asked, mentally working himself up in case his bracelet reacted. Though he didn’t know what he would do if it did.
Phoenix looked away from Apollo, staring at a spot on the floor.”... What do you think?” He asked evasively.
Apollo flinched back. He wasn’t expecting to be answered with that. “Huh?”
“You know what happened seven years ago...What I did. It's not unreasonable for you to think I might cheat.” Phoenix continued.
Apollo felt his face heat up and the sweat beading on his forehead. “I-I never! Honest! But…” Apollo trailed off. It just seemed all too much, how does one go seven years without being defeated, if you don’t cheat?
Phoenix leaned forward coming into Apollo’s space. “Want to know something?” He asked. Apollo nodded. “There's only one game where you can be dealt bad cards all night and still win. Poker.” Apollo hummed but didn’t quite know what to say. “You see, poker is all about reading your opponent. In that way, it's a lot like a court case.” Phoenix continued.
Apollo poked his forehead. “Poker...is like trial law!?” Apollo asked. He was so confused.
Phoenix nodded. “Figure out what your opponent is thinking, and you win.” He said. It sounded so simple like that, but Apollo’s brain was not made for simplicity.
Apollo folded his arms with a scoffing chuckle. “Well, yeah, but that's harder than it sounds.” He countered.
“I think not.” Phoenix said and shrugged. “Try as they might to conceal it, everyone reveals their true thoughts in the end. Their body language can become a valuable source of information.”
Apollo stared at the man. Where was he going with this? Apollo grabbed his bracelet and started spinning it around on his wrist. Body language being important? Yeah, he already knew that. His bracelet had caught onto the nervous twitching of many a witness over the last couple of years. He would have caught Ms. Orly’s nervousness if she had talked a little more. She stopped the testimony before he could get a full read. But…she was lying about the winner of the game…wasn’t she?
“That witness, for instance, Ms. Orly? She would touch the back of her neck during certain parts of her testimony.” Phoenix continued. Apollo hummed. Huh. How did he catch that? “Words, habits, twitches... It's all information for the reading. That's the secret to winning, Apollo. Someone taught me, and now, I pass the secret on to you.” Phoenix said, looking at Apollo intensely.
Apollo cocked his head, eyes narrowed. “What's he talking about...does he know about my power?” Apollo thought.
Phoenix looked away from Apollo, tilting his head down. “Ah, almost forgot. One more thing. About this case... You should know, I haven't told the truth to anyone yet.”
Apollo pursed his lips. “I knew it!”
Phoenix shrugged. “I have my reasons, of course. All shall be revealed. And Apollo... I need you to be there, defending me. I need your power.”
Apollo blinked. He did know…but how? From Mr. Gavin? “My, um, power?” Apollo asked, playing dumb.
Phoenix turned away. “...It's time. The real trial begins now. Do your best.” He said and walked into the room behind the bailiffs. Apollo sighed. This was getting really interesting, but really scary, quickly. Apollo shuffled into the courtroom and stood behind the bench where Kristoph was waiting.