Ace Attorney Investigations: Haunting Memories

Chapter Eight

February 29 11:30am

Nava Research Center - Observatory ~ Julia Kirigiri's POV

"Griffin aside, where did you find this?" I asked, staring at the black cloak Ms. Mercer was holding up. "I find it rather strange that the killer dropped the one object that would hide his identity. From what I've been told by Mr. Nava, he didn't seem to be in any kind of hurry."

"Hey, blue ankle biter, mind telling me what exactly you saw?" Detective Smyth asked. "I'd kind of like to hear what you have to say too, you know."

"Fine..." Mr. Nava complied, rolling his eyes.

- Argument -

- What I Witnessed -

"It was around 11:30pm when I saw a figure draped in that black cape escaping the building."

"It was more like a waddle than anything, and they definitely weren't in any kind of rush."

"This makes me believe that the culprit has some difficulty with walking."

"The culprit has some difficulty walking..." I repeated, placing my hand under my chin. "Something along the lines of a physical impediment in the legs, perhaps..."

"Hey, Dakota." Detective Smyth turned to Ms. Mercer. "Check with everyone here and see if any of them have a 'physical impediment', in Violet Lock's own words."

"No need." Mr. Nava interrupted. "I know for a fact that there is nobody here with such a thing. That I can bet my life on."

"Okay, so nobody here has any issue with strolling from point A to point B." Detective Smyth concluded. "So where does that get us?"

"... Mr. Nava." I began, my eyes darting over to the boy. "May I please hear your testimony one more time?"

"Sure." Mr. Nava agreed.

"Is something wrong?" Kotoko asked, her yellow eyes staring deeply into my own.

"I just have an idea I'd like to explore further." I told her.

- Rebuttal -

"It was around 11:30pm when I saw a figure draped in that black cape escaping the building."

"It was more like a waddle than anything, and they definitely weren't in any kind of rush."

"This makes me believe that the culprit has some difficulty with walking."

*YOU'VE GOT THAT WRONG!*

"I don't believe that the culprit himself has any issue with walking." I deduced. "I believe that it's... you could call it an add-on to his original get up."

"Whatever do you mean, Detective Kirigiri?" Ms. Mercer asked, an eyebrow raised and an expression of disapproval clear on her features.

"I believe the culprit is using stilts." I announced. "He wants to make himself appear taller, but doing so means that he cannot walk like a regular person could. That also explains why the culprit made a slow exit from the crime scene."

"Because he wasn't used to walking around with stilts on." Q concluded. "From all of this, we can deduce that the culprit is rather short in stature."

"Exactly." I agreed. As the words left my mouth, I gasped as a realization hit me quite suddenly. "Hold on..."

"What's up?" Detective Smyth questioned. "Well, other than the ceiling."

"That doesn't make any sense..." I muttered, beginning to pace the room. "The original didn't need anything like stilts in order to gain height... He was already the average height..."

"What are you talking about?" Q asked. "'The original'?"

"... Nothing." I responded after some hesitation. "I meant nothing."

"So... the guy grew shorter or something?" Kotoko asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.

"We don't even have any proof that the culprit is using stilts, anyway." Ms. Mercer rolled her eyes. "How can we possibly deduce the 'why' when we don't even know the 'what'?"

"Hey, you're right!" Detective Smyth exclaimed. "I always knew you were a smart one!"

"Then let's go look!" Kotoko cried, taking my hand and dragging me away. "Let's look for the evidence to prove the clipboard lady wrong!"

I sighed as I was dragged by the small girl. At least it wasn't all bad; this was better than investigating a crime alongside Griffin, at least.

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Headcanon that Dakota is secretly evil seriously she's moodier than Prosecutor Moody

That was bad I apologise

AceAttorneyFan over and out!