Chapter Text
Case One: The First Turnabout
The stranger’s crimson blood soaked into the cheap floorboards like wine to a pressed shirt, her eyes were dead, once widened and horrified. Now she laid still, sprawled out on the floor with no remaining life in her. She died after one hit to the side of her skull, that wasn’t supposed to happen… He didn’t mean to do that. His breath tumbled out of him in bursts, he felt as if he was gasping for air. The sound that the murder weapon made as it hit the ground spun in his mind, the deafening crack that must have alerted the neighbors. It had to, right? It was so indescribably loud. The man stepped back, terror still seeping through his bones and flooding his mind. He was a murderer now, he couldn’t be a murderer!
The rapidly expanding pool of blood under the woman was enough proof against him.
“No.. no no no..” He mumbled, his peripheral vision blurring as he stared down at the poor woman. “No… damnit!” He swore, his eyes darted up to the slightly open door. “No this can’t be happening... Not to me.” He looked at his gloved hands and tried to collect himself. “I can’t get caught like this… not like this! I have to... I have to pin this on someone.” A horrid smile spread over his face. “Yeah… yes. I know.” Him! That lanky man he passed just a moment before! He had been in the apartment, there was no way the police could deny it. “I’ll make it look like he did it…”
The man took a careful, shaky step, careful to maneuver around the body and the pool of blood. There was a payphone just down the street… if he collected himself and walked as calmly as he could manage, he could make it without arousing suspicion.
Now, Frank Sahwit needed to have a chat with the police.
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August 3, 9:47 AM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 2
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Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot. Miles’ worn loafers hit the sleek floor of the courtroom in satisfying taps. He had walked down this hallway hundreds of times in his entire life, why was now so different? The walls on either side of him stretched higher than ever, towering over him, teetering, as if they were moments away from crushing his tiny body. These were just the halls of the district courthouse, he was an attorney. He tightened his grip on his organizer, just to get the feeling back in his fingertips.
My name is Miles Helena Edgeworth, He reminded himself. I am a Defense Attorney. My badge is firmly secured to my lapel, and I am going to pursue my first homicide case today, in court. Miles tried to calm his heightened nerves by taking a long deep breath. His shoulders sagged slightly and his back straightened. He was on time, there was no need to rush.
“Miles,” A knowing voice greeted. He glanced up and made eye contact with his father, Gregory Edgeworth. Technically his boss. “It’s barely 9:50 and you’re already sweating bullets, try and get a grip before trial starts.”
“Father that’s not- I-” Miles tried for words, already struggling to form a sentence. “It’s summer, I’m allowed to sweat.”
“I know, I know, I’m just teasing. I’m excited for you!” Gregory exclaimed, reaching over to place a hand on Miles’ shoulder. Miles fidgeted and tugged at the hem of his waistcoat. The coat was far more constricting than it had been this morning… nevertheless, the pride in his father’s eyes made him stand a little bit taller.
“Yes, thanks.” He drew in a deep breath. I'm going to be in court, I can’t keep stammering if I want to win. “I guess I’m just uh… nervous. This is a homicide case.”
“I’m aware,” Gregory slid his hands into the pockets of his trenchcoat. “I’ll admit I was surprised when you took this as your first case. I would have suggested a robbery, or a minor felony.”
“I know,” Miles sighed deeply. “And I would have gone for those in a heartbeat, but the uh… defendant…”
“Larry.” Gregory nodded knowingly. “I’m sure it’ll be fine, he just needs a moment to collect his nerves and-”
Gregory was interrupted by the helpless sobs of a broken man, now sprawled over on the couch in agony.
“Death!! Despair!! Oh, everything is over! My life is over!!” He sobbed, balling his fists in his coat. Miles grimaced, watching the man over his father’s shoulder. That’s Larry Butz alright. My first client. Larry rolled onto his back and looked around the lobby. His eyes were red and puffy with tears, and when he made eye contact with Miles he only sobbed harder. “EDGEY! Edgey you gotta save me!!” He pushed himself off the couch and dragged his feet towards the two lawyers.
“Uhm.” Miles froze up. He had never been good at consoling people, and Larry was always so bombastic and loud. The complete opposite to Miles, it was a surprise they had remained friends all these years. Larry Butz had been a close childhood friend, and for some reason stayed that way until well after high school. Miles was hesitant to admit it, but Larry was his only real friend outside of work. Miles owed him this much, even if he was wildly unreliable.
Larry sniffled and leaned his head over onto Miles’ shoulder, causing the attorney to bristle. “Awh Edgey, you gotta tell ‘em I’m guilty! I need the death sentence, gimme the death sentence! I ain’t afraid to die!”
“Larry…” Miles mumbled, now trying to maneuver out from under the alarmingly tall man.
“Edgey Senior!! You gotta tell him- I wanna die, I ain’t afraid to die!” Larry begged, Gregory only laughed in response.
“What’s wrong, Larry?” Miles spoke rather softly. Larry whined and pulled Miles’ tie loose, folding the material over in his hand as he sniffled.
“Ah Edgey, they took my baby away! Somebody took my baby away! I’m finished, man, I can’t live in a world without her!! She was my everything!” Larry bawled. Gregory drew a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Larry, who immediately snatched it and loudly blew his nose. “Edgey!” He sniffled. “You gotta tell me who did it!! You gotta tell me who took my baby Cindy away!!”
Miles hesitated, he wasn’t fully sure of the answer himself. If Larry didn’t kill his girlfriend, then who did? Newspapers are saying it’s him… Well, the newspapers are never the best source of information, are they? When something smells, it’s usually the Butz. Miles sighed deeply.
“Court’s about to start, Larry. I suggest you try and collect yourself.” Miles offered, awkwardly patting his arm.
“Mhm,” Gregory nodded in agreement. “And keep the handkerchief, I doubt the bailiff will appreciate you getting snot on their uniform.” Larry nodded, still teary-eyed.
Miles eyed the doors to the courtroom and his nerves spiked again. He tucked his organizer under his arm and held his head high, in order to do his job right, I need to look confident. At least he didn’t need to feel confident, because he felt far from it.
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August 3, 10:00 AM
District Court
Courtroom No. 2
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The loud thump of the judge’s heavy gavel rung through the large courtroom, Miles felt an anxious shiver run down his spine. No, I can’t start sweating now. I need to focus. He could feel his father’s calculating eyes on him, eyes that have been in his spot thousands of times. Miles admired his father’s intellect and collected aura, it was something Miles wanted so badly to replicate in his own everyday life. In every other situation he had an excuse to fall short, he was his own person, but right now he would need his father’s intellect to prove his friend’s innocence. He could not fail Larry.
“The court is now in session for the trial of Mister Larry Butz,” The Judge stated professionally, his voice steady and collected. He had been judge for much longer than Gregory had been a lawyer, and although Miles did not know him personally, it was the small bit of comfort he needed to let his shoulders relax.
“The prosecution is ready, your honor.” The prosecutor spoke up. Miles eyed him curiously. He was a rather short man with a nasally voice and thick rim glasses, Miles just barely recognized him from one of his father’s past trials. Payne. His first name was irrelevant, at least he could recognize him.
Miles stiffened once he realized he was supposed to speak. “Uhm- The pro- defense is ready, your honor!” A string of curses rung out in his head. Wow, my first sentence in a courtroom, and I nearly forget my own position. Miles’ face flushed red. He could hear an amused double-take from his father.
“... I see. Mister Edgeworth, this is your first trial, is it not?” The Judge’s eyes laid on him with scrutiny, or at least that’s what Miles thought.
“Yes your honor, I apologize for my uh... Heightened nerves.”
“I see,” The Judge nodded knowingly. “Your conduct will decide the fate of your client. Murder is a serious charge, for your client’s sake, I hope you can control your nerves.” Miles glanced at the prosecution, who was smirking to himself. I am not an idiot, Miles tightened his fists at his sides. And he was right, he was not an idiot.
“I am aware of that, your honor,” Miles replied. His sentence came out without error, to his surprise.
“Wonderful,” The Judge nodded and turned to face Payne. “Mister Payne, your opening statement, please.”
“Of course, your honor!” Payne piped up, his head raised high over his shoulders. Miles only hoped he wouldn’t be much of a challenge, he knew Larry was innocent. All he needed to do was prove it to the court. “The defendant, Larry Butz, brutally murdered his girlfriend in a blind rage. The victim was found dead in her apartment at 4 pm, she died due to blunt force trauma to the head. The murder weapon was a statue of ‘The Thinker’ found lying on the floor beside the body.”
The Judge nodded slightly, processing the information. Miles swallowed. He felt a nudge at his side and glanced over at his father, who was trying to get his attention.
“Pay attention,” he spoke softly. “Any information could be useful, and keep an eye on the court record.” Miles bit the inside of his cheek and looked back at the prosecution. Yes, this should be fine.
“Good, the prosecution may call it’s first witness.” The Judge decided, a smug smirk found its way onto Payne’s face. His thick-rimmed glasses glinted in the courtroom light.
“The prosecution would like to call the defendant, Mister Larry Butz, to the stand.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t say anything too bad,” Gregory mumbled. Miles sighed in response. With Larry? Anything is possible. Miles straightened his back and watched the poor Bailiff drag a moping Larry to the stand. He stood at a hunch, Gregory’s handkerchief sticking sloppily out of his pants pocket. Payne smiled at him, Larry grumbled in response.
“So, Mister Butz,” Payne began. “Is it not true that the victim had recently dumped you?”
Larry immediately lit up with rage. Oh dear. “WHAT THE HELL?? Listen buddy me and Cindy-windy were great together!! We were Romeo and Juliet, damnit!!” Larry leaned on the witness stand, his face already red with anger. Miles pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. Whoever’s watching me up there, please wish me luck. “AND I WASN’T DUMPED-” Larry yelled, pounding the witness’ stand in defiance. “She just… wasn’t taking my calls.” His voice quieted. “Or… seeing me. Ever. But what’s it to ya??” Miles bit harder on the inside of his cheek. My cheek is going to be bleeding by the end of this trial, I swear.
Payne only smiled. “What you’re describing, Mister Butz, is generally what we mean by the word ‘dumped’.” Larry looked like he was either going to break something or cry. Maybe both. “In fact, she had completely abandoned you! She was seeing other men too, in fact, we have her passport right here! As well as a photo from her trip.” Payne gestured to the passport and photo in the court record. “She had been in Paris the day before she died.”
Miles glanced down and examined the court record. What Payne was saying was correct, there was a passport with Cindy’s name and a stamp from France, as well as a photo of the victim in front of the Eiffel tower. She was smiling, holding the small statue of the thinker to her face. That’s weird… why would she take that bulky statue all the way overseas…? He thought. When he looked up again he was met with a defeated-looking Larry.
“Dude… no way…” He mumbled, shocked.
“Mhm, and it appears she had quite a few sugar daddies,” Payne added, Miles felt awful for Larry. He was being torn apart at the stand.
“Daddies…? Sugar?” Larry frowned.
“Yes, Mister Butz. Older men that gave her gifts. In fact, she went with one of these men to Paris.” Payne was ruthless, not as much compared to other prosecutors Miles had seen, but ruthless nonetheless. “The victim was a model, but she did not make a large income. She took their money and used it to support their lifestyle.”
“Dude…” Larry gawked.
“So, Mister Butz, what do you think of her now?” Miles saw Gregory stiffen from the corner of his eye. He doesn’t want him to answer that question, I need to stop it. Okay, here we go-
“Objection!” Miles cut in, Payne looked over at him curiously. “My client had no idea the victim was seeing other men, that question is entirely irrelevant to this case!” He could see his father’s chest swell with pride. His first objection, and he didn’t even stammer. Payne winced, glancing away to collect himself.
“Irrelevant??” Larry’s eyes widened. Oh dear. “That cheating she-dog!! I’m gonna die, yeah! I’m just gonna drop dead! And when I see her in the afterlife I swear to god!!”
“As you can see, the defendant’s motive is obvious.” Payne cut in immediately. Damnit, he still got his way.
The judge nodded. “Yes, quite.”
“Mister Butz, you were in the victim’s home on the day of the murder, were you not?” Payne continued. Larry hesitated. Oh dear, he was in there, wasn’t he? Larry glanced over at Miles, his eyes were wide with uncertainty. Miles nodded knowingly. If Larry lies, he’ll be caught right away. It’s better if he tells the truth, even if it makes my job slightly harder.
“Uhhh yeah! Yeah I went there.” Larry replied. “But she, like, wasn’t home-”
“Objection! Your honor, the defendant is lying!” Payne boasted triumphantly. Miles silently swore. “We have a witness who was at the scene, they can prove that the defendant was at the victim’s apartment at the time of the murder! He can prove that Mr. Butz is lying.”
“Well,” The judge looked at Payne rather curiously. “That simplifies matters indeed, who is this witness?”
“The man who discovered the body, Mister Frank Sahwit,” Payne smirked.
“The prosecution may call it’s witness,” The judge replied. “Please bring Mister Sahwit to the stand.”
The heavy pounding of the gavel made Miles’ heart jump slightly. Gregory seemed to notice, he nudged Miles’ shoulder.
“You’re doing great,” He whispered. Miles nodded in response and looked down at his notes. Miles was organized, he just needed to review the facts before the witness got here and he would be alright.
Cindy Stone’s autopsy said that she died at 4-5 PM on July 31st due to a blow from a blunt object. Alright, that was simple enough. The murder weapon used was a heavy, handheld recreation of The Thinker. It was a strange murder weapon, but after reading over some of his father’s old case files it was far from the strangest. The victim was in Paris the day before the murder, and returned recently before her death. She brought the murder weapon along with her, as shown by the photograph. Why did the victim take the statue? It was rather heavy, unless she had bought it in Paris, any other possibility just didn’t make sense. Lost in thought, Miles was brought back to reality by his father, who moved to nudge his side. The witness was here.
He was an average-sized man, his eyes wrinkled with deep smile lines to the point where his eyes were practically closed. He wrung his hands together anxiously, rocking back and forth in the witness’ stand. His grin was blinding, however, it did not bring Miles any ease.
“Hello!” He began, his sing-song voice high-pitched and almost unsettling.
“Mister Sahwit, you sell newspaper subscriptions, is that correct?” Payne began. Frank Sahwit nodded vehemently.
“Ah yes!! Newspapers! Oh yes,” He announced, as if he had forgotten himself. Strange.
“Thank you Mister Sahwit, you may begin your testimony.”
Gregory glanced over at miles and nodded. “Now’s your chance, pay attention. Anything the witness says could be a contradiction.” Miles took a deep breath. I know that, he thought. Although he was thankful for the reminder, his father was only trying to help. Miles kept his eyes firm on the witness, ready for the testimony.
Mister Sahwit cleared his throat, “Well, I was going door-to-door selling newspaper subscriptions when I saw a lanky man fleeing from an apartment! I thought he must have been in a hurry, he had left the door to the apartment wide open for anyone to go inside. I decided to look in, just to check if everything was okay, and that’s when I saw it!” He wrung his hands together anxiously and continued to fidget. “I saw her lying there! A woman sprawled out on the floor, dead! I was terrified, I couldn’t make myself go inside! I thought to call the police immediately, but the phone inside wasn’t working! I had to run across the street and use the payphone to call the police. I remember the time as clear as day, it was 1 PM.” He announced. Miles narrowed his eyes slightly. That couldn’t be right… “The man who ran from the apartment, was, without a doubt, that lanky man right there! The defendant!”
The judge looked down at the witness, deep in thought. Payne was grinning, as if he had already won. His father had caught onto something, Miles could see it in his eyes. He just needed another moment to catch on.
“Why was the payphone in the house not working?” The judge asked. Payne held his head high, clearly proud of himself and his supposed win.
“Well, the apartment complex was scheduled for a blackout from Noon to 6 PM that very day, your honor.” Payne replied, gesturing to a piece of paper that seemed to corroborate that very fact. It was legitimate, from what Miles could gather from a glance. “Some cordless phones do not work during a blackout, so it was only natural for the witness to use the payphone across the street.”
The judge nodded. “Alright, Mister Edgeworth? You may begin with your cross-examination.”
Miles took a long deep breath and nodded. “Yes your honor.”
So this witness claims that he saw Larry leaving the victim’s apartment, that must have been the case, but there was no way Larry could have killed her, so the witness had to be lying somewhere. There was a blackout, and he must have definitely seen the body so that part of the testimony stood still as stone. Then, he remembered. Frank Sahwit supposedly saw the victim’s body at 1 PM, but… if the autopsy was correct… she died from 4-5 PM. He cleared his throat, praying his logic was correct.
“Mister Sahwit, are you absolutely certain that you saw the body at 1 PM?” Miles asked, his gaze set on the witness.
“Mhm! Absolutely, sir. I am completely certain of the time.”
“That is a direct contradiction to the autopsy report, which states that the victim died in between 4 and 5 PM. At 1 PM there was no body for you to find, it is impossible that you spotted the body at 1 PM.” Miles stated clearly, the witness squirmed under his gaze.
“Well- I uh.. Well…” Payne looked completely shocked. Does no one in this court know how to read? It’s a clear contradiction!
“Objection!” Payne stammered. “The witness merely forgot the time! This is completely trivial!!”
“No, Prosecutor Payne, I believe this is an important contradiction.” The Judge interrupted. Gregory smiled and nodded in Miles’ direction.
“Way to put him on the spot.” His father said softly. Miles felt himself swell with pride, but he pushed it down. This isn’t over yet.
“Mister Sahwit, why were you so certain that you saw the body at 1 PM?”
“Uhm… well…” The witness stammered. “I remember now!!” They blurted out, leaning slightly over the witness stand. “Yes! Yes I remember now, My apologies, of course.
“Please give your testimony again.” The Judge sighed softly.
Mister Sahwit nodded and began to testify, already beginning to sweat. He was still hiding something. “Well, when I found the body I heard the time. There was a voice saying it.. Probably from the TV. Oh! Oh right it was off three hours… the woman was probably watching a recorded video program! Yes, that’s it. That’s why I thought it was 1 PM, I apologize again for the misunderstanding…”
“I see… Mister Edgeworth, you may cross examine the witness’ testimony.” The judge instructed. Miles already knew what to do, he nodded in the direction of his father, just to instill some confidence.
“Hold it!” Miles immediately cut in. “The prosecution had stated there was a blackout at the time, there was no way for the victim’s TV to be on. There couldn’t have been television or video playing until 6 PM.” Miles could see the Prosecution shrink back in fear. The witness was already clambering for words.
“I- well I uh- you see…”
“This is puzzling… do you have an explanation for this, Mister Sahwit?” The Judge raised a bushy eyebrow at the witness, who was only sweating more by the second.
“Well.. no I- It’s quite puzzling to me as well…” he thought for a moment, hesitating as if he was making this up on the spot. “Oh! Oh I remember now!”
All these contradictions were harming the witnesses credibility, the Judge told him to testify again from the beginning. Miles had him, Larry would be innocent by the end of this.
“Well,” The witness stammered. “I didn’t actually hear the time! I saw it! It was on that table clock, the one in the apartment. Yes! Yes, the murder weapon, the killer used it and hit the victim! That’s what I saw.” That was a short testimony, but with a rather obvious discrepancy, thankfully.
The judge nodded. “The defense may cross-examine the witness.” Miles found himself leaned slightly on the smooth surface of the desk, he already knew the contradiction in the witness’s testimony. The murder weapon wasn’t a clock, it was a statue!
“Hold it right there! The murder weapon wasn’t a clock at all, it was a statue of the thinker. How is that supposed to be a clock, I’d think it’s a part of the case that’s hard to forget, wouldn’t you agree?”
Mister Sahwit’s face reddened with fury. “You--” He slammed the witness stand. “Just who do you think you are?? With your ‘Objections’ and your ‘evidence’... I saw it there, I know it was a clock!”
“You and I can both see that it is clearly a statue,” Miles opened his mouth to continue, but Payne cut him off.
“Your honor, if I may?”
“Of course,” The judge nodded.
“My apologies to the court, this isn’t actually a statue. It is indeed a clock, despite it’s appearances. The neck is a switch, and if you tilt it, the statue announces the time. I had mistaken it for a statue when I turned it in as evidence, your honor. My apologies.” Payne explained in length. What?
“I see,” The judge looked over at Miles. “Does the defense still have a problem with the witness’s testimony?”
“Uhm,” Miles hesitated. Do I? If that really is a clock, how is it still a contradiction in the testimony? The witness would still have seen the time and- no. He would not have seen the time, this clock announces the time through a voice, he would not have seen the time at all. “Yes your honor.” Miles drummed his fingers on the surface of the desk, still anxious despite the confidence in his voice. “The witness would have had to hold the clock in his hands in order to know that it was a clock, and he stated clearly that he had not entered the apartment at the time of the murder. That is clearly a contradiction.”
“Indeed!” The judge nodded in agreement. Payne watched, his mouth slightly ajar in shock.
“In order for him to have known this, he would have had to be in the apartment at the time of the murder!” The gears in Miles’ head churned. In order for him to have been present in the apartment, he must have broken in. Why would he have touched the clock in the first place? Maybe he… Oh!
“What?? Prove I went in that apartment, prove it!” Sahwit was fuming, his disturbingly friendly demeanor now completely gone. He was angry.
“I can do more than that, I can prove you were the one who killed her!” Miles pointed directly at Sahwit, like he had seen his father do for his entire life. He wasn’t a bystander anymore, he was in the action. And Miles Edgeworth had already solved this case. “You struck her with that clock, which triggered the clock’s voice!! That was the sound you heard.”
Everyone was shocked, even the jury was whispering in awe. The Judge’s gavel rang through the courtroom, but this time it did not sharpen Miles’ nerves. He was on a role, he had won this case.
“Order in this court!” The judge demanded, and everyone quieted down. “Mister Edgeworth, please continue.”
“Of course, your honor.” He turned back to Sahwit, whose face was pale with fear. “That sound left quite an impression on you, didn’t it? The voice of the clock was burned into your mind, that was why you remembered the wrong time so distinctly.”
“Objection!!” Payne squeaked, his face flushed in anger. “This is baseless conjecture!!”
“Oh? Just look at the witness's face!” Miles argued. Frank Sahwit looked completely shocked, his face contorted between fear and pure anger for a moment, he was lost for words. Then, he exploded.
“SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP-” He hit the witness stand again with his closed fists. “It was him!! It was him I tell you, I saw him! He’s a murderer!” He pointed at Larry, who was sitting innocently in the defendant’s chair. Larry froze and looked over at Miles for help. “He’s a murderer! Give him death! He murdered that woman with NO MERCY!!”
“Your honor, the defense has no evidence to support his claims! This is ridiculous!” Payne stammered. The Judge thought for a moment and looked over at Miles.
“Well, defense, do you have proof for these claims?”
“Of course your honor.” Miles stated firmly. “All we need to do is cause the clock to sound, right here and right now.”
Miles slipped on a pair of thin, cotton gloves and stepped out from behind the defense’s desk. He was handed the clock, a heavy device with a weighted base, supposedly filled with electronics and clockwork. He twisted the head, which replied with a satisfying click. A speaker on the butt of the statue crackled to life and the statue spoke.
“I think it’s… 8:25.” The clock said, it’s voice was clearly just Larry lowering his tone on a recording. He must have recorded a lot of samples to get this many voice clips.
“Mister Payne,” Miles began, carefully placing the clock down. “Can you check the time for me?”
“It’s.. 11:25. Ack!!” Payne stared in shock at his watch. 3 hours off, perfect.
“As you can see, this clock is 3 hours slow. Precisely the discrepancy between the evidence and Mister Sahwit’s testimony! Please, Mister Sahwit, try and explain yourself out of this one.” The man stared back at Miles in shock, his face still pale. But his eyes lit up with realization. Oh no.
“But you can’t prove that the clock was slow at the time of the murder!” Miles could feel his own face fall. That was correct, he had no proof of that. He abandoned his gloves and retreated to the defense desk to look through his notes. Nothing. Nothing. The judge was staring at him expectantly.
“Do you have proof that the clock was running slow at the time of the murder, defense?” The judge asked, looking down on him. Miles felt small again, he had absolutely nothing. Oh my god, Larry, I’m so sorry. This was such a bad idea. I should have let another attorney take your case, I was so stupid!
“... No, your honor.”
“I come all the way down here to testify, and this is the thanks I get? I saw something horrifying, and now I’m being labeled a murderer!!” Sahwit scoffed and turned away. “You need to reconsider your job, you are a pathetic excuse for a defense attorney. You lawyers are all slime!”
Miles stared at his notes, he couldn’t look at Payne. But… out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his father stand slightly taller.
“Hold it!” Gregory spoke up, his voice firm and confident. He wasn’t yelling, but it had the same effect. Miles looked up.
“Dad? I- I mean boss..”
“Miles, think.” Gregory began. “Ask yourself ‘why would the clock be running slow’ and figure it out, every question has an answer, you just need to think. Figure out the reason, and you’ll have your proof.”
Miles nodded and looked back at the evidence he had. He didn’t have time, he needed to think. Why would a clock be running three hours slow? It wasn’t plugged in, it couldn’t be related to the power outage. The victim had been traveling, what if… wait. What if the clock wasn’t running slow at all? What if it was running fast? She had been in paris-- yes!
“Yes! I have evidence for why the clock was running slow!” Miles exclaimed, perhaps a bit louder than he intended.
“Then please present that evidence to the court,” The Judge demanded.
Miles presented the passport. “The victim had been in paris the day before the murder! She had the clock with her, so she must have set it’s time to the time in paris! The difference between Paris and here is 9 hours, when it’s 4 PM here, it’s 1 AM there! That means the clock was not running slow, it was running fast. The victim did not have time to reset her clock before she was killed. There’s my proof, the clock was running fast on the day of the murder, and Frank Sahwit heard it when he struck the victim to death!”
Mister Sahwit’s face was as pale as paper, sweat dripped down his face. He was shaking, he looked like he was about to pass out. And then he did, shaking so much he began foaming at the mouth. The jury gasped, Payne watched in absolute shock. The murderer fell backwards onto the ground, defeated.
It took minutes for the court to recollect themselves. Miles’ body was humming with adrenaline, had he done it? Did he win? The judge pounded his gavel and called the court to attention.
“Well,” The judge cleared his throat. “That was definitely an eventful ending to the trial. Mister Payne, your witness?”
“... In custody, your honor.” Payne replied, his voice completely defeated. His shoulders were slumped.
“Mister Edgeworth,” The judge spoke up, Miles turned his attention to the judge. “I must say I’m impressed, I’ve never seen someone complete a defense that quickly, and you found the real murderer at the same time.”
“Thank you, your honor.” Miles smiled to himself. I really did do a good job, didn’t I?
“This is just a formality, but, the court finds the defendant not guilty.” The Judge pounded his gavel. “Court is adjourned.”
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August 3, 2:32 PM
District Court
Defendant Lobby No. 2
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It turns out, Frank Sahwit was just a common robber. He had been digging through apartments, posing as a newspaper salesman to try and stake out some valuable spots. That day, he chose the wrong apartment. As he was digging through the victim’s things, she had returned home from Paris. In a panic, he grabbed the nearest heavy object and hit her, she died instantly. The kill wasn’t intentional, but he still killed someone and went out of his way to frame someone else. Thankfully, I was there to stop him.
Miles stood in the defendant lobby, his heart still drumming excitedly in his chest. Gregory clapped him on the back, grinning with pride.
“That was amazing! You did fantastic, congratulations!”
“Thank you, dad.” Miles sighed happily, allowing his shoulders to relax slightly. He had never felt that confident, in that court he felt like he could do anything. “I was just doing my job. And I owe it all to you, anyways.”
“Shush, I’m your dad. I’m supposed to be proud of you. And besides, you fought your own battles in there! That was amazing for your first trial, I’m proud of you.” Gregory looked like he was going to break his jaw from smiling, it made Miles flush slightly. If my father is this happy, I can’t imagine how happy Larry must be!
“... my life is over..” Came a grumble, it was Larry. Miles frowned. The man in question was slumped against the wall of the lobby, staring helplessly out the window.
“What’s the matter, Larry.” Miles asked, moving away from his father to comfort his friend. “You should be happy, you’re innocent!”
“Awe Edgey, you don’t get it. We were meant for each other! And now she’s all gone. Don’t worry about me though, I’ll be dead and gone soon anyway!”
“Larry you’re innocent, what do you mean-”
“I understand how you feel,” Gregory cut in. “Losing someone that close to you hurts, doesn’t it?” His voice was soft, Miles shut his mouth. His father could speak on this topic better than him, which wasn’t a surprise. Larry nodded in response. “Well I think she still loved you, she didn’t abandon you.” Larry looked up in surprise.
“... what?” Larry sniffled.
“Mhm, she took that statue all the way to paris, didn’t she?” Gregory smiled slightly. Larry nodded.
“Yeah it was uh… probably the only clock she had.” he mumbled. However, the corners of his lips quirked up slightly, he knew what Gregory was trying to say. “Thanks though, Edgey Senior. Uhhh.. oh! Oh I got a gift for you two,”
“Oh?” Miles raised an eyebrow. Larry dug around in his bag, now slung over his shoulder. He must have been ready to leave.
“Yeah!!” He handed them a statue… of the thinker.
“Larry this is the murder weapon.” Miles said simply, turning the statue over in his hands.
“Nah nah, that’d be weird! This is the second one. Take it as a token of my gratitude!!” Larry insisted, right back to his usual bombastic self. I guess it’s better than nothing, he isn’t paying us.
“Thank you… Larry.” Miles mumbled. “I’ll... put this in the office.”
“Whelp, I better be off!” Larry decided. “Thanks again for saving my butt, hehe- no pun intended.” He winked and pushed past the two. “Seeya!”
Miles waved goodbye, watching the man leave. His first case was a success, he had won, and found the real murderer at the same time. I really am becoming the defense attorney I’ve always wanted to be. Miles couldn’t help but smile.
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August 3, 6:15 PM
Los Angeles
Edgeworth & Co. Law Offices
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“Miles, I really am proud of you.” Gregory reminded him, turning the key to the office door. They had gotten dinner after the trial. Well it was more of a lunch/dinner, since they had missed real lunch during the trial. Dad said that wouldn’t be the first meal missed for a trial.
“I know, you keep telling me that…” Miles sighed heavily. His adrenaline had died down since the end of the trial, thankfully. Now, he felt more exhausted than ever.
“Well it’s true!” The two stepped inside the dark office, Gregory moved to turn on the light.
The Edgeworth & Co. Law Offices were a rather small office for just Gregory and Miles, there was one average-sized desk by the window where Miles sat, and another office in a separate room where Gregory worked. It wasn’t the fanciest office, but Gregory had called it his own for decades. Miles had first started here as an intern, working part time while he pushed through law school. Now he was a real defense attorney, with his own apartment and a slightly bigger paycheck, even the thought made him excited. He’s wanted to do this ever since he was a kid, reading over his father’s law books with nothing but excitement in his mind. \
“So, Miles,” Gregory began, drawing the statue out of his trenchcoat so he could place it onto Miles’ desk. A souvenir, his father was a big fan of mementos and trophies. “I’m close with this family in the mountains, they have a daughter who wants to go into investigation.”
“Oh?” Miles grabbed his bag from under his desk and began packing up to leave. “Where did this come from?”
“I was thinking of inviting the girl over.” Gregory admitted. “You haven’t met her family, I doubt you’d recognize the name. Anyway, she’s looking into law and investigation, I was thinking of having you meet her. She’s a bit young, but she’s pretty smart, I think you two would get along.”
“It sounds like you’re trying to set up a playdate for me, dad, I’m 24.”
“God, don’t remind me.” Gregory groaned. “No, that’s not what I’m doing. I just think she needs friends in the legal world, and I think she’d love to meet you.”
“Well just let me know when she’s visiting, I’ll try and keep myself free.”
“Wonderful,” Gregory smiled. Miles hauled his bag over his shoulder and placed his hand on the door. His father smiled and their eyes met. “Miles? You did great today. Every time I think I couldn’t be more proud, you manage to prove me wrong.”
Miles couldn’t help but laugh. “... Thanks, dad. I love you. Have a good night.”
“Goodnight Miles.”
And with that, Miles opened the office door again and left.
And so, my first ever criminal trial came to a close. I protected my closest friend from a guilty verdict, and I pointed a finger at the real guilty party all in one go. Larry wouldn’t let it go for ages, he would always clap me on the back and say “damnit Edgey, it’s good to have smart friends.” He’s not going to pay us, and that clock barely counts. Dad and I kept it on my desk, sometimes he borrows it, mostly to examine it. It’s probably the strangest thing in our office, little did I know, that clock would be in the center of another incident. One that would flip my entire life on it’s head. Gregory Edgeworth’s pride in me would never be challenged again, in the worst possible way I could think of.