Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 29: Turnabout Business - Investigation 1 ~ Part 3

July 20 2:55pm

GatherLaw Inc. - Bradshaw's Office ~ Niamh Wood's POV

Mukuro and I soon arrived at a high-tech looking office, peering into the office through the glass door. A boy of about seventeen was sat at the desk, typing away at the laptop in front of him. He had smoothed back blonde hair and brown eyes. He wore a black jumper over a white shirt, the black theme continuing with his trousers.

Mukuro knocked three times, making him look up. He rushed over to the door and opened it to let us in. "Welcome back, Detective Erikson." he greeted with a smile before turning to me, his eyes lingering on me for a while. I did the same; those brown eyes had a sense of familiarity...

"I don't believe we've met." Mr. Bradshaw's words pulled me out of my trance. "Buddy Bradshaw, pleased to meet you."

"N-Niamh Wood..." I introduced, the mystery of 'where had I seen this guy before' still bugging me. "Pleased to meet you too, Mr. Bradshaw."

"You can just call me Buddy. I never was much for formalities." 'Buddy' laughed. "Now then, I suppose you want to hear about what I witnessed?"

"Yes, please..." I nodded.

"Well," Buddy began. "I ran into Peko that day and she looked incredibly worried. I asked her what was wrong, and she stated that she had heard a scream. I didn't, however, since my office walls are soundproof. Anyway, I followed Peko as she ran off and... there it was."

"Did you notice anything other than the body?" I asked. Might as well ask, since a CERTAIN SOMEONE was preventing me from visiting the crime scene...

"I can't say I did." Buddy replied, shaking his head. "Peko and I were too focused on the body and weapon."

"The weapon...?" I gulped, bracing myself for the response.

"Peko's sword, if I remember correctly." Buddy told us. "She hadn't been wearing it when I ran into her because, well, it had been used to kill the victim."

I sighed in relief. Okay, that wasn't so bad.

"Mr. Bradshaw- I mean, Buddy is going to be your first witness." Mukuro told me. "Apart from the defendant herself, he's kind of the only witness."

"Speaking of Ms. Pekoyama..." I began, pretty much interrupting the flow of conversation. "Do you think she did it, Buddy? Do you think she's the murderer?"

"No. I believe that Peko is innocent." Buddy replied confidently. "Someone set her up, without a doubt."

(Okay, good to know I can help get her a not-guilty verdict! Although I would like to win a case one day... I guess I can scrap that dream...)

A light knock on the door announced someone else's arrival. I turned my head to see a woman stood in the doorway. Her pink hair, that was tied up into a smart bun, matched her eyes in the same way that the blue hair bow matched her frilly dress. Jewellry of every kind - bracelets, necklaces and rings - adorned her image. "I hope I am not interrupting anything..." she said in a meek voice.

"O-Of course not!" Buddy cried enthusiastically, his face crimson red. "Please, come in! M-Make yourself comfortable!"

I glanced at Mukuro, confusion etched onto both of our faces. "Um... sorry, but who are you?" I asked.

"My name is Ayameko Etsuko." she introduced, bowing gracefully. "I am the judge that will be presiding over Ms. Pekoyama's trial tomorrow."

"She's also the Super High School Level Judge, being just eighteen!" Buddy told us with a wide smile. All these Super High School Level people are making my head spin...

"What happened to the regular judge?" Mukuro asked. "You know, the old guy with the grey beard?"

"I was asked to preside over this case." Judge Etsuko explained. "By... by a friend."

"A friend...?" I repeated. Judge Etsuko and Buddy glanced at each other as the area around them turned black, five red Psyche-Locks appearing in front of the both of them. I stepped back in shock.

(Wh-What?! What... could this mean?! This mystery person... is it someone both Judge Etsuko and Buddy know...?)

"What's wrong?" Mukuro whispered to me, worry once again reflected in her grey eyes.

"N... Nothing..." I lied, my hand creeping to my pocket and feeling my fingers clasp around the purple lie-detecting stone in my pocket. I had a new urge to uncover the secret that Judge Etsuko and Buddy were hiding, but without enough evidence, I wouldn't be able to. At least, that's how Ms. Lin explained it. I've never actually broken Psyche-Locks before. I'd just end up looking like an idiot...

"W-Well, um, thanks for talking to us, Buddy." I said, slowly backing out of the room. I made a swift exit, briskly walking out of the office with those Psyche-Locks still on my mind.

(I need to forget about them! The investigation is what's important right now! I can't afford to mess up on this one. Ms. Kalles trusts me enough to work with me on this case, so failing would look bad for the both of us.)

I flicked through the autopsy report one final time, skipping over a certain trigger word. I can't allow Jack to take over the investigation; I have to start doing things on my own. I can't let some psycho killer do my job for me. I also can't have Ms. Kalles, Mr. Morix or anyone else around here find out about her.

I swore I wouldn't let her ruin any more lives!

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Yes my DR OC is here-

Don't worry this isn't just a cameo I gave her a cool role in the story yay-

And yes one of the people in the very beginning was her so oooooo

Also yes Buddy has a crush on her hwahwahwahwahwahwahwahwa-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!