Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 30: Turnabout Business - Trial 1 ~ Part 1

July 21 9:30am

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1 ~ Cotoli Morix's POV

"Thank you once again for taking on my defense." Ms. Pekoyama bowed her head. "I honestly thought that nobody would help me... My case seems almost hopeless..."

"As far as we're concerned, you had no motive to commit the crime." Niamh told our client. "What's more-"

Niamh didn't get the chance to finish her sentence as the lobby doors crashed open and Fuyuhiko came rushing in like a madman, closely followed by Mr. Wood and a woman we hadn't met before. She had long blonde hair which faded to black at the tips and glowing blue eyes. Her red-framed glasses matched her dress of the same colouring.

"Ah, yes, I haven't introduced you, have I?" Mr. Wood asked, putting a hand on a slightly annoyed looking Fuyuhiko's shoulder."This is my son, who I presume you met yesterday. And this-" he glanced at the woman with a smile. "-is my wife, Melinda."

"It's a pleasure to meet you..." I nodded at the both of them. I didn't really know how to talk to big authority figures I didn't know. I'd probably end up insulting them somehow...

Mrs. Wood gently took Peko's hand, worry clearly reflected in her eyes. "It's going to be alright, Peko, dear..." she said. "The lawyers will prove that you had nothing to do with this."

"I know... thank you." Ms. Pekoyama responded before being embraced in a hug. The two more shared a mother-daughter relationship rather than a mistress-servant one.

"Father! Where the hell is Byakuya!?" Fuyuhiko yelled. "Couldn't he be bothered to drag his fat butt out of bed?!"

"F-Fuyuhiko-!" Mr. Wood pleaded, obviously not too pleased at his son's use of language. "I-I tried to convince him to come watch the trial with us, but he wouldn't budge..."

Fuyuhiko was clearly about to cuss some more about 'Byakuya', but Ms. Pekoyama's calm words stopped him. "You need not get angry, Master Fuyuhiko... Perhaps the trial will proceed smoother without Master Byakuya."

Fuyuhiko paused before sighing. "Yeah... You probably have a point, Peko..."

If Chrysalis were here watching this, she probably would've screamed 'ship' repeatedly or something else weird.

"Defense! Defendant!" a bailiff called. "Please proceed into the courtroom!"

"Alright, here we go!" Fuyuhiko cried. "You better win this, you guys!!"

"Fuyuhiko, please calm down..." Mrs. Wood pleaded. "We're in court...!"

July 21 10:00am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is in session for the trial of Peko Pekoyama." the judge announced. "Are both sides ready?"

"Yes, we're ready." I said. Niamh nodded her head from beside me, signalling that she was also ready.

"Th-The prosecution is ready...!" Ms. Wood cried from behind the prosecutor's bench, a half-confident expression on her face. I glanced at Ch- Amy, who was stood beside the teen. She gave me a confident nod.

"Very good. Please give your opening statement to the court, Prosecutor Wood." the judge requested.

"R-Right, well..." Ms. Wood began. "The crime took place at GatherLaw Incorporated, an information gathering company. An employee called Wallace Hector was s-stabbed once in the chest with a s-sword, which belonged to the defendant. That's... why she was arrested..."

"The prosecution calls Detective Toby Erikson to the witness stand!" Amy yelled before the judge could respond.

Detective Erikson appeared at the witness stand, hands in pockets. "Detective Toby Erikson at your services." he said with a smile.

"Please testify about the case details, Detective." Amy instructed.

"Can do." Detective Erikson responded, bobbing his cap.

- Witness Testimony -

- Details of the Crime -

"Wallace Hector was stabbed with a sword, delivering instant death."

"We arrested Ms. Pekoyama because it was her sword that stabbed him."

"What's more, her fingerprints were on the sword's hilt."

"We didn't really have much of a choice but to arrest her."

"Th-There's gotta be some kind of explanation for this..." Ms. Wood muttered to Amy. "I mean... Ms. Pekoyama just doesn't seem like the killing type..."

"Let's just wait and see, shall we?" Amy suggested. "For now, let's watch the cross-examination."

"O... Okay..." Ms. Wood agreed, nodding her head slowly. I took this as my cue to begin the cross-examination.

- Cross Examination -

"Wallace Hector was stabbed with a sword, delivering instant death."

"We arrested Ms. Pekoyama because it was her sword that stabbed him."

"What's more, her fingerprints were on the sword's hilt."

*OBJECTION!*

"There's nothing unusual about that, Detective." Niamh said with a smirk. I guess it had been her who objected.

"Huh? There isn't?" Detective Erikson asked, looking thoroughly confused. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that there's nothing strange about the defendant's fingerprints on her own weapon." Niamh explained.

"I... guess that does make some sense..." Detective Erikson admitted.

"What exactly are you suggesting, Ms. Tenniswood?" the judge asked.

"I'm suggesting that, since the defendant's fingerprints quite belong on the weapon, there was no reason for her arrest!" Niamh exclaimed.

"M-Ms. Kalles! What do we do?!" Ms. Wood yelled, waving her arms around madly. "We don't have a case anymore!"

"Don't be so quick to give in, Niamh." Amy advised. "Don't you have a witness to present to the court?"

"Oh, right!" Ms. Wood gasped, clasping her hands together. "Your Honour!"

"Y-Yes? What is it, Prosecutor Wood?" the judge asked.

"I would like to present my second witness!" Prosecutor Wood announced, slamming the desk with her fists and regretting it quite quickly. "Specifically, one Mr. Buddy Bradshaw!"

"In that case, your witness may take the stand." the judge nodded.

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WE MEET CONRAD'S OLDER SON IN THE SECOND INVESTIGATION

HE NO NICE

AS YOU COULD PROBABLY TELL HE ALSO DR REFERENCE BECAUSE OF COURSE

ALSO TOBY SAYS HIS NAME AND OCCUPATION BEFORE HE'S EVEN ASKED HE'S SO COOL THIS IS WHY WE ALL LOVE HIM-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!