Ace Attorney: Web of Mistrust

Turnabout Masquerade, Part 7 (Yuri)

//December 10, 2029. Hickfield Clinic, 1:37 PM//

I slumped on my bed in the clinic closest to the courthouse. My shoulder ached like heck and I got the feeling that said pain wasn't going to be going away any time soon. In addition to all of this, I couldn't remember anything that happened in the fire after it ignited. I assumed that my shoulder got injured again though, as it was pulsing with pain constantly.

Nothing was happening in the dull room due to court begin specially adjourned. Niamh and I should be investigating the case as well as the cryptic witness and her ever changing behavior, but instead, I'm stuck here.

I pushed up from the bed and seized the TV remote. I turned on the TV in the room and planned to flip to The Steel Samurai, but something stopped me.

A newswoman with red hair and blonde hair over her shoulders stood on the screen, a microphone in hand. It looked like she was at the scene of the courthouse fire. "This is Ayano Tsukasa, reporting from the scene of the courthouse fire that took place this morning. I am here to share with you what little information that we have on this scandalous arson crime. For one, the fire began in courtroom number 5, where the trial of Lily Shield was taking place. Everybody escaped unharmed, if anything, slightly burned, except for three individuals: Yuri Rinko with a shoulder injury, Niamh Tenniswood with a head wound, and Razi Lesa with a head wound as well."

Memories flooded into my head. I gasped in shock as the images of Niamh shivering in front of me ran through my previously empty mind. I held my temples as the ache began pulling at the corners of my brain. It hurt to even think of what happened, but the newswoman rambled on.

"It has been noted that two of the victims, Yuri Rinko and Niamh Tenniswood, are awake and conscious after the harrowing experience. The third victim, Razi Lesa, is still unconscious, as she was suffering from another head wound beforehand." The screen flashed to after the fire was put out to show Niamh on the ground, blood pooled around her head. The screen also panned to Ms. Lesa in the same position.

I turned off the TV and stood. I had made up my mind: I was going to investigate and nobody could do anything to stop me.

I walked into Niamh's room, not asking if I could leave or not. I would get shot down, and I couldn't have that. Niamh's room was just next door, so I found it quickly. I threw the door open and ran to her side. "Niamh!" I exclaimed, taking a seat beside her bed.

Niamh jumped in shock. Her head was bandaged and didn't look all that good. "Yuri!" she gasped. "Are you allowed in here?"

I shook my head. "I don't care. Niamh, I'm going to investigate the case."

"What?!" Niamh yelled. "You can't! Your shoulder-"

"-Will be fine! You need to stay here and recover while I go and investigate!" I shouted. I pulled out the pouty lip and puppy eyes. "Pwease?"

Knowing I wouldn't give in anytime soon, Niamh sighed. "Alright." She handed me a bag that had been sitting next to her bed. It was filled with evidence. "Here. You'll need this."

I accepted the bag and placed it over my good shoulder. "Thanks. I'll be back by the end of the day with my report."

//December 10, 2029. Morix Law Offices, 2:09 PM//

I walked into the agency with a frown. Without Niamh and Lily there, things were boring and dull. Lucas was on vacation, Averl was out doing... Whatever it is she does... And Mr. Morix had barely spoken since the blood was found in the agency. Chrysalis had been the same way after the case where I was shot and arrested, though she had been off investigating instead of moping in the agency back room.

The officers that had been here yesterday were gone, though there was police tape around the blood pool. I avoided that corner and walked to the back room, speaking of it. I knocked on the door to the room Mr. Morix and Chrysalis shared (since Prosecutor Lin had moved out with her daughter and Chief Prosecutor).

"Come in," Mr. Morix called. I opened the door to the room and crept inside. Mr. Morix was staring at a photo and didn't even bother looking up at me.

"What's that?" I asked, looking over his shoulder at the photo. It was of him and Chrysalis, both smiling at the camera.

"Just a picture I look at sometimes," Mr. Morix answered, pulling out a small chain from underneath his hoodie. It had a little black swirl at the tip of it.

"What's that?" I repeated. What? I couldn't come up with a new phrase on the spot like that!

"It's a little something Chrysalis gave me for my birthday as an early gift. She has one part of it and Sora has the third," Mr. Morix replied, rubbing the charm over in his fingers. "It just kind of comforts me."

"I wish I had something like that with my sisters..." I sighed.

"Anyways... Why are you here? Did something happen to Niamh?" Mr. Morix questioned. "And what do you know about the witness?"

"You're just full of questions," I commented. "I came here to ask you a few questions about the case. Niamh is fine, though she can't quite leave the hospital yet. And I haven't checked out the witness yet."

"Okay... Fire away," Mr. Morix nodded.

"What kind of relationship did you have with the victim? Did you know her at one point?" I asked.

"W-we were... acquaintances. We'd met a couple times, but it was nothing large," Mr. Morix replied.

He was lying... But why? Why would he need to hide that he had a close relationship with the victim?

Maybe that's where the key to this case lies...

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why do I even write these anymore

-Digital