Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 25: The Defensive Turnabout - Trial 2 ~ Part 1

May 4 9:30am

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1 ~ Niamh Tenniswood's POV

"You can't be serious." Mr. Kenway muttered when we told him about the results of our investigation. "Xavier is too loyal of a man to do this."

"But it's the only possibility that's left." Yuri pointed out. "If it wasn't you and it wasn't Mrs. Rivera, then the only one that could've done it is..."

Just as he had done the previous day, James burst into the defendant lobby. Except he had quite a different request for us. "I want to help you guys defend Mr. Kenway."

I hesitated, quite surprised at his sudden request. "If that is your wish, then who are we to stop you?"

"James, you don't need to do this..." Mr. Kenway shook his head.

"Of course I have to!" James shot back. "It's what... my dad would want me to do..."

The bailiff called for us before any further arguments could be made. James stormed into the courtroom, Yuri and I following him, slightly concerned.

May 4 10:00am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is back in session for the trial of Edward Kenway." the judge announced. "I trust that both sides have investigated thoroughly?"

"Yes, Your Honour." I nodded. "And thanks to our investigation, the defense has a witness to present to the court."

"In that case, please call your witness, Ms. Tenniswood." the judge said.

I glanced at James, betrayal clearly reflecting in his eyes. He must have trusted Mr. Thurman quite a bit. "The defense calls Mr. Xavier Thurman to the witness stand!" I cried.

The blue-eyed lawyer appeared at the stand, hands in his suit pockets. "Name and occupation, witness." Prosecutor Bloom demanded, as stern as ever.

"Xavier Thurman. Defense attorney." Mr. Thurman replied. "I assume you want my testimony, but I have been out of the office since the day of the murder. I know nothing."

"That's clearly a lie." Someone muttered from the gallery. A certain red-haired friend of mine was glaring daggers into the witness, Yuri doing the same. I guess she must have detected the lie.

"Were you honestly away from the office all of the time?" I asked. "Can you prove that?"

"I can." Mr. Thurman replied. "I'll even testify about it, if you really want."

- Witness Testimony -

- My Whereabouts -

"How can I know anything when I only set foot in the office yesterday?"

"All I know is that a journalist was murdered..."

"... while gathering information on CT-2."

"That old case has nothing to do with me, may I add."

"You do seem to know very little about the case." the judge commented. "I don't see how you could be connected."

(No, Mr. Thurman is linked to this crime. His lie proves that.)

- Cross Examination -

"How can I know anything when I only set foot in the office yesterday?"

"All I know is that a journalist was murdered..."

"... while gathering information on CT-2."

"That old case has nothing to do with me, may I add."

*OBJECTION!*

Everyone turned to look in my direction, a frown upon Prosecutor Bloom's face. I shook my head; I hadn't been the one to object to Mr. Thurman's testimony.

"That statement is clearly incorrect!" the same voice cried out. I sharply turned to my left. "James?!" I gasped. He was glaring at the witness, pointing an accusing index finger in the witness' direction.

"What are you talking about, James?" Mr. Thurman asked darkly. "You know better than anyone that-"

"I know better than anyone that you're a liar!" James interrupted. "You were there during that case 32 years ago! You were the main defense attorney!"

Mr. Thurman started sweating, glaring in clear anger. "A-And how would you know such a fact?!"

"Mrs. Rivera told us so." I cut in. "She told us that the two of you were the defense team."

"And not only that..." James muttered. "But my dad told me so! He once told me that he was there, watching from the gallery!"

"So you see, Mr. Thurman, you ARE related to that past case." I smirked, crossing my arms. "This also presents you with a motive."

"A motive?!" Prosecutor Bloom repeated angrily. "What do you mean?!"

"Mr. Thurman was the defense attorney for CT-2. Mrs. Rivera told us that the defendant in that case was found guilty." I explained. "I assume that he wasn't pleased when the victim pressed him for details about the case."

"Well, Mr. Thurman?!" the judge yelled. "Is this true?!"

Mr. Thurman didn't respond. He was madly glancing around the courtroom, eyes glaring at everyone until finally resting on James. "You don't know your place, boy...! Accusing me of murder, based on some lie your father told you!"

"It wasn't a lie! He was telling the truth!" James yelled, his eyes glassing over with tears. "He wouldn't lie to me!"

"How would you know?!" Mr. Thurman shot back. "He's a dead man for a reason!"

James looked incredibly hurt. He deflated almost immediately, biting his lip to stop the tears.

(We can't give up now... We have to keep pressing on to prove Mr. Thurman's guilt!)

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WOOOOOOOW XAVIER IS SO INNOCENT

just kidding-

ANYWAY YEAH THIS CASE IS ALMOST OVER SO THEN WE CAN MOVE ONTO CASE FOUR YAY I LIKE THAT CASE

FOR REASONS THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO FIND OUT HWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWAHWA-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!