Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 31: Turnabout Business - Trial 1 ~ Part 2

July 21 11:30am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1 ~ Cotoli Morix's POV

A blonde haired young man took Detective Erikson's place at the witness stand. He glanced around nervously; it must be his first time in court.

"Please state your name and occupation for the court, witness." Ms. Wood requested.

"Buddy Bradshaw." the witness replied. "I... work at GatherLaw Inc."

"I don't believe we got the chance to question him yesterday." Niamh commented. "Therefore, his testimony will be entirely new for us."

"I just hope whatever he has to say doesn't damage our case too much." I said in response.

"Please testify about what you saw on the day of the crime, Mr. Bradshaw." Amy instructed.

"Before I do, can I ask something?" Mr. Bradshaw asked. "Wh-Where is Judge Etsuko?"

"Wait..." Ms. Wood turned to the judge and gasped. "You're right! She was supposed to be presiding over this case! She said a, uh, 'friend' had asked her to!"

"Oh, you mean that lovely young woman with the pink hair." the judge reminisced. "She had another, more urgent case to review at the last minute. Sorry."

Mr. Bradshaw seemed to deflate like a balloon. "O-Okay... W-Well, onto my testimony..."

- Witness Testimony -

- SHSL Programmer's Account -

"On the day of the crime, I saw Ms. Pekoyama- erm, the defendant looking awfully panicked."

"I asked her what was wrong, and she told me that she had heard a scream."

"We looked around for a little while before finding Wallace dead on the ground."

"Ms. Pekoyama immediately ran to call the police while I... well, frankly, I was in shock... I couldn't move a muscle."

"You found the body together with the defendant?!" the judge cried in shock. "Perhaps she led you there, to make sure that the body was found!"

"But... that would place an awful lot of suspicion on her, don't you think?" Mr. Bradshaw objected. "No, I wholeheartedly believe that Ms. Pekoyama and I stumbled upon the body by complete accident."

The judge looked a bit deflated at his suggestion being shot down so quickly. And by a high-school student, no less.

"If His Honour allows it, may the defense proceed with the cross-examination...?" Amy asked. The judge didn't respond.

"L-Let's just get on with it anyway..." Ms. Wood chuckled nervously. "Th-The defense may proceed with the cross-examination!"

- Cross Examination -

"On the day of the crime, I saw Ms. Pekoyama-erm, the defendant looking awfully panicked."

"I asked her what was wrong, and she told me that she had heard a scream."

"We looked around for a little while before finding Wallace dead on the ground."

"Ms. Pekoyama immediately ran to call the police while I... well, frankly, I was in shock... I couldn't move a muscle."

*OBJECTION!*

"And that right there proves the defendant's innocence." I said with a smirk.

"H-How does it-?!" Ms. Wood growled. "That doesn't prove anything-!"

"Then allow me to ask you a question: why would the defendant report a crime that she herself had committed?" I asked. "A killer normally wouldn't do that, right?"

"W-Well... I suppose not..." Ms. Wood muttered. "S-So... what you're saying is that because Ms. Pekoyama called the police... she didn't kill Mr. Hector...?"

"That does sound like a somewhat logical conclusion." Amy said. "On top of this, Ms. Pekoyama had no motive for committing this crime. As far as I am aware, she gets along with everyone who works at GatherLaw. There is no reason for her to kill anyone."

"Exactly." I agreed, exchanging a glance with the older prosecutor. I knew I could rely on her to help me out with this, even if this was at the cost at her own safety...

"B-But... we don't have any more clues..." Ms. Wood pointed out. "So... what do we do now?"

"What we always do: investigate." Amy replied. "That is alright, isn't it, Your Honour?"

The judge nodded in response. "Yes, I believe more investigation is in order. I trust the defense has no objections to this?"

"The defense has no objections." I replied. The gavel was brought down and the case was closed for the day.

July 21 12:45pm

Prosecution Lobby 1 ~ Amy Kalles' POV

"D-Do you think I did okay in there...?" Niamh asked me as we left the courtroom. "I feel like such an idiot for some reason..."

"There were no problems with how you performed today." I told the girl. "You just need more confidence in yourself. Stuff like that comes with time, so don't worry."

"More confidence..." Niamh repeated. "Right..."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important..."

Mr. Bradshaw was stood in the doorway. It looked like he had something in his hand. "I think you'll find this useful." he said, holding his hand out to Niamh. He had a small envelope. Niamh slowly took the envelope from him, looking thoroughly confused as he walked away.

"What's that?" I asked. Niamh didn't respond as she opened the note. She read something for a second before gasping, her eyes widening in surprise. "Wh-What is..."

I peered over her shoulder to read the note myself:

'Alter Ego

2 0 1 1'

"Alter Ego... What's that?" I repeated. Niamh shook her head slowly. "I have no idea, but... it does sound familiar... I gotta go..."

Niamh swiftly left the courthouse, still looking confused and slightly shaken up. What could have her so nervous all of a sudden...?

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'SHE HAD ANOTHER, MORE URGENT CASE TO REVIEW'

ACE'S WAY OF SAYING THAT SHE COMPLETELY FORGOT THAT AYAMEKO WAS MEANT TO BE THE JUDGE IN THIS CASE

I SEVERLY APOLOGISE

I SWEAR SHE WILL BE THE JUDGE IN THE SECOND HALF-

AceAttorneyFan over and out!