Ace Attorney: Secrets beneath Secrets

Turnabout Below, Part 15

May 31

Courtroom No. 6

10:00 AM

Cotoli Morix

When we got into the courtroom, I looked around. There wasn't anything that stuck out as particularly different compared to last time we had been in there, but I wasn't really looking for anything like that. I just wanted to get this trial over with. The truth about Cormous had to come out, and there was a lot we had to explain to get there. It was going to take a while before everyone in the courtroom fully understood, and I thought it was time for us to get the ball rolling.

Judge Frost picked up his gavel and hit it down against the podium. I jumped slightly as it tore me out of my thoughts, but I tried to keep from showing how much it had frightened me. I looked up to Judge Frost, waiting for him to speak. I saw Victoria giggle out of the corner of my eye, and I knew she was laughing at me. However, I couldn't really bring myself to be angry, so I decided to concentrate on the trial.

"Court is back in session for the trial of Polly Burke," Judge Frost declared. "Are the defense and prosecution ready?"

"The prosecution is ready," Ghastly announced, yawning. He didn't even bother exchanging a glance with Anton and Prosecutor Wood, as he already knew exactly what they were going to say in response.

"The defense is also ready," I declared after looking over to Victoria for a brief moment. We looked back up to Judge Frost afterwards.

"I'm glad to hear it. We have quite a bit to get started on," he announced. Judge Frost set down his gavel after turning it over in his hands a few times. "Where should we get started?"

"I think we should try to identify the culprit of this case," I advised. "In fact, I have an idea as to who it was. I have a name, though this does come with a bit of a catch."

"You think you know who the culprit is?" Ghastly questioned, examining me with an eye of scrutiny. Even so, he didn't seem to be glaring at all, simply watching and waiting in his unique brand of silence. "If that's the case, don't hold back at all. Get right into it. We're all listening. I know I want to hear your thoughts as soon as possible."

"I'd be happy to give them then. I believe that the culprit is one Marcus Moore, which we were discussing yesterday. However, there's an extra twist to it this time. The culprit is most likely Marcus Moore, but this is not the name he goes by at present. He has taken up false names to hide his true identity, and I feel as if one of his more recent titles will make a bit more sense in this context. After all, he was heavily involved in a pair of murder cases not that long ago," I began to announce.

"He was involved with a pair of murder cases? What pair are you discussing in particular?" Judge Frost asked, raising an eyebrow my direction. He examined me closely, waiting for me to provide an answer, though I didn't really have any ideas as to where I would be pulling the words from. I knew what I had to say, but dumping all of this out wouldn't be easy. Making people believe me only added an extra factor of difficulty I didn't know how to handle yet. However, I would have to cross that bridge when I got to it.

I took a deep breath before letting the words out. "The Prosecutor's Office had two murders not long ago with the second one following closely on the heels of the first. The culprit of the first case was never brought to court, though records have been updated with the truth of his identity since then," I began to explain. "As for his connection to the second case, he was the victim. The culprit cannot be called to the stand to testify because he no longer lives. I apologize if this is a disappointment, but this is the conclusion that we have come to since yesterday's trial was adjourned."