Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 17: Turnabout Lockdown - Trial 2 ~ Part 2

March 17 11:10am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1 ~ Chrysalis Starr's POV

"Y-You're accusing the witness of the murder?!" the judge cried. "You better have evidence to present to prove your case, young lady!"

GJ rolled her eyes; I guess she hated being told what to do. "Think about it: Ms. Caputo was unconscious at the time of the murder. Owada found her there. To add to that, Ms. Horowitz here claims she was near the crime scene." She smirked, pressing a finger on her forehead. "Need I say more?"

I looked over at the witness. She was glaring at the prosecution, sweating madly. "I-I had no reason to kill Gene!" she yelled. "You're wrong!"

"... Actually..." I said, thinking back to what GJ said earlier. "Remember what the prosecution has told us? About an argument being the motive for murder in a previous case as well as this one? What if... that was your reason?"

"That's what I've been saying this entire time." GJ nodded. "I knew you'd catch on eventually." I looked away. She complimented me! I was hoping to hide the small blush that had risen in my cheeks at her comment.

"So... how did Ms. Caputo end up unconscious?" Lily wondered. "Wasn't there a theory that she had been drugged...?"

"We assumed she had been drugged, yes. And by the culprit." Roberto confirmed. "So... going by my co-counsel's logic, Ms. Horowitz drugged Ms. Caputo in order to pin the murder of Gene Rochester on her."

"Ms. Horowitz? You've been accused of murder." the judge said in a serious tone. "If you have any objections to voice, now would be the time to do so."

"O-Of course I object!" Ms. Horowitz screamed. "The prosecutor is lying!"

"Lying, am I...?" GJ muttered. "Very well. You have forced my hand, Iona Horowitz."

I tilted my head, curious to see what GJ was planning to do. I admit, I was also a little frightened, considering who we're talking about here, but curious nonetheless.

A sudden slam rang throughout the courtroom, closely followed by a crash. Small pieces of metal fell to the ground near the prosecution bench. Pieces... that looked like shattered chains.

I looked up to find GJ leaning against the desk in front of her. She had slammed the desk with her fists, her handcuffs broken and no longer binding her hands together.

Broken.

No longer binding her hands together.

"B-Bailiffs!!" the judge screamed. "R-Restrain her immediately!! B-Before she commits murder!!"

The bailiffs didn't respond; rather, they were also shaking in fear and dared not approach the prosecution as screams echoed throughout the room.

*SILENCE!*

GJ's call once again brought the gallery back down to silence. "Before you start screaming like lunatics, may I request one last testimony from the witness?" she asked.