After investigation, it turned out that Lightning Dust's wrist watch had an arcane radiation signature on it that matched up with what was found at the scene of the crime. Her house was searched, and they found corresponding documents in line with the race times being altered! She had an accomplice that changed her times and was holding on to the documents to keep their silence. Ironic, since the same threat of exposure was what drove her to be caught in the end...
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[Canterlot City Courthouse]
[Defendant Lobby No. 2]
[July 16th, 11:44]
I was greeted by a big hug from Minuette as soon as she got back to the defendant lobby.
"Oh, thank you, Lumi..." She said, though, not as excitedly as I expected she would.
"It's no problem, really. Thanks for trusting me to help you," I replied, taken a bit off guard with how quickly she pulled away. Something seemed a bit off with her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah! It's..." She looked to the side, and her hands went back behind her back as she rolled on her heels. "It's just... Indie isn't coming back, and... well... This wasn't the first time she got upset with me. I really wish she was still here, so I could apologize for being in her way so much."
I winced a little. Seeing what we'd learned about her over the past few days, Indigo seemed to be a drastically different person than Minuette thought.
"Minuette, this wasn't your fault." I said.
"I know, but... She didn't deserve to die..." Minuette said. "Especially after Lightning Dust cheated her!"
I didn't want to straight out say it, especially considering that she'd just been murdered, but...
"It doesn't sound like Indigo was treating you like a friend, Minuette. She was trying to make you do something you clearly didn't want to."
"Oh..." Minuette's head fell. "You're right. B-But she's the last friend I've got, Lumi- and n-now that she's gone I don't got anyone!"
From the couch in the lobby, I heard Ms. Tia speaking up with a knowing soft smile on her face. She'd been mostly quiet since we got back, aside from congratulations she seemed to be contemplating something, but now she had something to say.
"I think you still have at least one person, Ms. Chrona. Someone that's believed in you as a friend all along."
"Huh?" Minuette's head tilted to her, then to me. I looked to Ms. Tia with some confusion as well.
"I think Lumina knows who I'm talking about," she said, giving me a wink.
I do? Wait, duh, of course I do!
I didn't even have to say anything. I just gave an audible cough and watched Minuette's eyes light up.
"Oh! Right! You, Lumi!"
"It might be a bit overkill to say it at this point," I began, pulling my shoulders in and giving her the best smile I could. "But at the very least, you've got me."
That light in her eyes only grew. She trembled softly, and then she had to blink, after which she lifted the sleeve of her jacket to wipe away a few tears that were now trailing down her face.
"Thanks for being my lawyer, Lumi. I really mean it. I don't know where I'd be without you right now, I- I... Just... Thank you." As she finished, I found myself feeling too many things at once to properly respond. I'd just won my first court case, solved a murder, and saved my friend all at once. It was a lot to take in, admittedly, I only hoped that Minuette could tell how glad I was to see her okay.
"I gotta get going now." She collected herself rapidly, backing her way to the door before turning to leave. "I-I'll give you a call later, okay?"
I only nodded, smiled, and waved. I hoped what I said helped her feel better.
"Well now," Ms. Tia finally spoke as we were left alone in the defendant lobby. "Congratulations, Lumina. I knew you'd make an excellent attorney. It feels good, doesn't it?"
"It's kinda stressful." I shrugged, letting out a heavy breath. I still felt all wound up. "If I failed Minuette, I don't know... I was really close to failing her."
"But you didn't, you came through for her," Ms. Tia said. "You believed in her innocence, and that's what pulled you through to the truth. We don't always know if our clients are guilty or not, but it's our job to believe in them, regardless. You did good. More than you were supposed to."
I nodded. I didn't really know what to say.
"It's over now, you can relax." Ms. Tia put a hand on my shoulder, tilting her head in concern. "How about we go get lunch? I know a nice little cafe here in the downtown area, maybe we can take some time to catch up before we have to get back to business?"
Yeah, lunch. I hadn't eaten today, that probably was contributing to my lack of mood. "I think I'd like that. Let's get out of here."
As we left the defendant's lobby, I still had Minuette on my mind. Ms. Tia probably didn't know how important she was to me. It’d make for something to talk about on our way out.
"Have I told you about Minnie, ma'am? Me and her go way back. She's part of the reason I wanted to become a lawyer in the first place..."