Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 8: The Scholarly Turnabout - Trial 2 ~ Part 2

Jamuary 26 11:30am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1 ~ Niamh Tenniswood's POV

Mr. Carey sighed, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Accusing me of this murder... is that really the smartest decision you've ever made?"

I frowned. This boy's attitude was honestly starting to get on my nerves. I wasn't the only one: Yuri was also getting quite agitated with him.

"I-I assume you have some kind of proof pointing towards the witness' guilt?" Prosecutor Wood stammered, looking slightly pale. "You can't just accuse someone without evidence!"

"It should be a case of logic." I explained. "If this witness saw the crime as he claims, then he was at the crime scene. If the defendant didn't do it, and Mr. Andrews is innocent, then Mr. Carey is the only suspect left!"

"Maybe he just witnessed it in passing!" Prosecutor Wood argued.

"When one other witness just happened to be there? I think not." I shot back. Prosecutor Wood was quickly failing to hide her nervousness, if the discord in her voice didn't make it obvious enough.

"Well, Mr. Carey?" The judge addressed the witness. "You've been accused of murder. How do you respond?"

"I respond by saying that the defense is unfortunately wrong." Mr. Carey replied. "I am not the culprit."

"Do you have proof of that?" I asked.

"Why, yes, I do." Mr. Carey smirked. "You have yet to present a motive for me."

Prosecutor Wood looked away, looking slightly awkward. I smirked; this was going to be simple.

"Wh-What're you smirking at...?!" Mr. Carey spat, suddenly uneasy. "I'm telling the truth when I say I don't have a motive!"

"Witness," I began. "Have you seen this before?" I held up the infamous golden mask, the lights on the ceiling making it shine.

Mr. Carey gasped upon seeing it. "Where did you get that?!"

"This was found in the school just yesterday. By me, actually." Prosecutor Wood explained. "A student's file had been stolen, with this mask being the only thing that was left behind."

Mr. Carey was finally starting to look unnerved. He was glancing around the courtroom with fearful eyes. "What does that mask have to do with me...?!"

"A certain thief always leaves behind this mask after committing a theft." I explained. "And, if the court would recall, working with this thief was the motive presented for the defendant. What if this motive applied to the witness instead?"

"Y-You're asserting that the witness, Robert Carey, is working alongside that thief?!" the judge exclaimed.

"Wh-Why would I want to work with the Masked Gentleman?!" Mr. Carey exclaimed. "I have nothing to do with him!"

"Immediately, we can rule out the use of blackmail." Prosecutor Wood said. "The Masked Gentleman's creed is to never use violence against anyone in any situation. He avoids it at all costs, really."