Ace Attorney: Golden Future Of Law

Chapter 39: Turnabout Paradox - Trial 2 ~ Part 1

February 18 9:30am

District Court

Defendant Lobby No.1 ~ Niamh Tenniswood's POV

"H-Huh...?!" Anton exclaimed. "N-Niamh's the k-killer...?!"

"That's the most plausible explanation." I replied. "Why else would she attack Chrysalis like that?"

Prosecutor Bloom had been awfully silent all morning. She had been deep in thought over something.

"Am I late?" a voice asked as the lobby doors creaked open. Chief Prosecutor Bespoke.

"... No." Prosecutor Bloom bluntly replied. Anton opened his mouth to speak, but a glance from me made him rethink it.

Chief Prosecutor Bespoke caught on to the low mood. "Is there something I'm missing here...?" he questioned. Nobody replied.

(There's no doubt in my mind that Prosecutor Wood is the murderer... But how do I prove it?)

February 18 10:00am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is now in session." the judge announced. "Are both sides ready?"

"Yes, Your Honour." I replied with a nod.

"Good to go." Prosecutor Wood responded. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Chrysalis glaring harshly at her. I wasn't surprised.

"Has any new evidence been brought to light about this case?" the judge asked. Before I could say anything, Prosecutor Wood spoke. "Actually, the prosecution does have a few things to mention, if that's alright with you."

"Then by all means, Prosecutor Wood." the judge said.

"Well, I had a quick chat with the defendant yesterday. After some digging, I located the motive everyone's been waiting for."

(What?! A motive?!)

"I did some research on the victim." the prosecutor continued. "Turns out he was an evidence forger."

The gallery immediately broke out into excited chatter. It stopped as soon as Prosecutor Wood used a fist to slam the desk. "Can I finish before you all start nattering? Anyway, Mr. Forge was indeed an evidence forger, as shown by his rather punny name. He planted evidence so other prosecutors would fall in their trials and even lose their badges. What if he was up to his old tricks on the night of the crime, and the defendant just happened to walk past and..."

*OBJECTION!*

"Why would the defendant just decide to commit murder upon witnessing an evidence forger planting false evidence?! Surely he would've found someone to help with the situation!" I suggested.

*THINK AGAIN!*

Prosecutor Wood smirked. "Oh? But if I recall, the defendant is very close indeed to the one who owns the office that was the crime scene. Maybe, in his mind, there was just one thing he could do in order to stop Mr. Forge ruining her reputation. And that one thing was to kill him!"

*OBJECTION!*

"How can you be sure if that's even slightly correct?!" I demanded. This made Prosecutor Wood giggle lightly. "Why don't we ask the defendant himself...?" she muttered. "The prosecution calls the defendant Anton Burke to the stand!"

"No! You can't!" Prosecutor Bloom cried from the gallery. "His amnesia...! He doesn't remember what happened!"

"I'm sorry, but are you the prosecutor in charge of this case?" Prosecutor Wood asked tauntingly. "Didn't think so. If I ask the defendant to testify, he testifies! End of!"