Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 35: Turnabout Business - Trial 2 ~ Part 1

July 22 9:30am

District Court

Defendant Lobby No. 1 ~ Niamh Tenniswood's POV

As soon as Ms. Pekoyama arrived in the defendant lobby, Mr. Morix and I asked her about the man named Raymond Templeton. She shook her head in response. "No, I've never met anyone by that name before. And you say that you saw him in the building yesterday?"

"That's right. He said that he 'prefers to go unnoticed', but..." Mr. Morix trailed off. I cast my mind back to yesterday and the mystery that Prosecutor Wood (Nova version) left us with. Could she have managed to bring Mr. Templeton to court today?

"Defence! Defendant! Enter the courtroom!" the bailiff commanded.

"Will today be the final court day?" asked Ms. Pekoyama, her arms crossed over her chest. I gave her a nod with a confident smile: we were going to win.

July 22 10:00am

District Court

Courtroom No. 1

"Court is back in session for the trial of Ms. Pekoyama." Judge Etsuko announced, slamming her gavel. "The defence and prosecution were instructed to investigate this case more thoroughly. Has anything been turned up?"

"But of course, Your Grace." Ms. Nova smiled from across the courtroom. "The prosecution has a new witness to present to the court."

"Very good." Judge Etsuko praised. "In that case, you may present your witness to the court, Prosecutor Nova."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Ms. Nova returned the smile. "The prosecution calls Mr. Raymond Templeton to the stand!"

Mr. Templeton skulked up to the witness stand, hands in his pockets. He glared at myself, Mr. Morix, Ms. Nova, Prosecutor Kalles and Judge Etsuko before sighing. "Witness, your name and profession, if you please." Ms. Nova requested.

"Raymond Templeton." Mr. Templeton shrugged. "I work at GatherLaw."

I heard discord behind his voice at that statement. The discord of lies. He certainly isn't fighting to make himself look innocent.

"Please offer us your testimony about the crime." Ms. Nova requested. "Truthfully, if you please."

Mr. Templeton sighed again, this time with a roll of his eyes.

- Witness Testimony -

- About the Murder -

"I was out of the building all day..."

"... so I had no idea about the murder."

"Why are you asking me about this garbage?"

"Is... that it?" Prosecutor Kalles asked somewhat disbelievingly. "You can't give us any more details on the crime?"

"I just said I was out all day. How could I give you more details if I wasn't there to begin with?"

Prosecutor Kalles was clearly about to retort, but Ms. Nova placed a hand on the former's shoulder to stop her. "Please calm yourself, Prosecutor. Now is the time for the cross-examination, is it not?"

"You are absolutely correct." Judge Etsuko agreed. "Defence, you may question the witness."

"On it, Your Honour." Mr. Morix responded.

- Cross Examination -

"I was out of the building all day..."

*OBJECTION!*

"Just one moment, Mr. Templeton." Ms. Nova interrupted. I honestly think that she and her alters forget that the cross-examination is the defence's job...

"What is it?" Mr. Templeton asked gruffly.

"I have evidence that proves that you were not, as you say, 'out all day'." Ms. Nova announced. "After asking you to appear in court yesterday, I also took the liberty of checking the security cameras."

"The security cameras?" Judge Etsuko repeated. "Does this mean that you managed to obtain some footage for us?"

"It does." Ms. Nova giggled. "And such footage completely overthrows the witness' statement."

(All this time, she had something like that with her?)

I looked to the witness stand and saw Mr. Templeton with his hands behind his back, eyes diverted to the floor. He was muttering something quickly. I could hear angered discord behind his low voice.

"Bailiffs!" Judge Etsuko called. "Prepare the footage immediately!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I FINALLY PUT AYAMEKO AS THE JUDGE WHOOP

SERIOUSLY I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I FORGOT TO DO THAT LAST TIME

JUST WOW OKAY THEN THAT MESSES UP EVERYTHING

GDI

(also im sorry that this part was shorter than normal but cliffhanger i know im so bad)

AceAttorneyFan over and out!