//------------------------------// // Behind Bars // Story: Dashie Wright: Competent Co-Counsel // by Terabyte West //------------------------------// September 6th, 2016 Bluecorp 2:50 PM 25 minutes after Phoenix learned the sensation of diamond rings flying into his chest, he still wasn't fully recovered. With his heart beating a mile a minute, he wasn't fully aware of a certain detective grabbing him by the shoulder. "Sorry," a familiar voice whispered in his ear, "but he's got dirt on me too." Phoenix decided he understood, and also that he didn't want to hurt himself gathering the breath needed to press further, for both their sake. Rainbow on the other hand, had plenty of lung capacity to question such a prompt arrest. "Think logically for a second, Mr. Scruffy Detective! What motive would Daddy have to murder Miss Fey?" The detective spent 5 seconds in deep thought, still escorting the semi-conscious Phoenix to the cop car. "It's likely he would have wanted the offices from her." Gumshoe gestured to the back of the car, signaling for Rainbow to take a ride. Rainbow couldn't fathom her dad, alone, in prison, so she joined him, rubbing his back. "Truth be told, kiddo, I know your dad isn't the culprit. I'm just doing my job." Rainbow nodded, before another question sprung. "I can provide an alibi that coincides with the time of death!" She exclaimed. Gumshoe shot her a glance in the rear-view mirror before wordlessly shoving a manila folder into the backseat. Rainbow opened the folder to find a sheet of paper merely labeled "autopsy" at the top. She would have to ask Daddy about this later. "Do you want this back?" "I've got copies." The detective elaborated, pulling out three flashcards that all said the same thing. Time of Death: 8:30 to 9:30 Cause: Head trauma, died immediately. Still a bit exhausted from the hour-long flight to the building, Rainbow passed out. September 6th, 2016 Detention Center 8:30 PM Rainbow stood up, her entire body feeling numb. Upon looking around a bit more, she noticed it was because she had been sleeping on Phoenix's chest for who-knows-how-long. The stereotypical prison bed he was provided looked so much more inviting. Descending onto it, she found that it was solid as a rock, if not more so. "Ow!" She moaned, riling Phoenix from his siesta. "Rrrgh, Rainbow! For the love of..." He started, before sighing. "Well, I suppose I can fill you in on what happened while you were out." September 6th, 2016 Questioning 5:00 PM "Alright, Mr. Wright. Heh, that rhymes." "What is it you want from me?" Phoenix asked Gumshoe, who was sitting across from him. Inexplicably, Gumshoe looked behind him, paying double attention to the mirrored glass behind them. "I doubt I can legally do this, but I'm actually going to see if I can help you in some way." Gumshoe whispered. "If Redd White's previous behavior is anything to go off of, he's blackmailing every attorney within 200 miles of here NOT to defend you, or to get the least competent state attorney appointed to you." Unless I go pro se, Phoenix remarked before letting Gumshoe continued. "I snagged a few pieces of paper evidence, and I'm gonna fill you in on who the witnesses are. While we were apprehending you, we heard Redd call April and say they were going to testify tomorrow." "That sounds so familiar... was I in the room?" "We were just walking out." "Alright, anyhoo..." September 6th, 2016 Detention Center 8:40 PM "...And questioning proceeded as normal." Phoenix concluded. Rainbow started to dart around the room, lifting up miscellaneous objects. "Where did you put the papers?" Rainbow barked, glaring daggers at Phoenix. In defense, Phoenix raised his hands, and stood up from the mattress. Rainbow took the hint and rocketed over to the bottom of the bed, searching through the caged bed frame. "Found it!" She hollered, pointing dead center of the bottom. "Don't pull it out." Phoenix warned. "We don't want security stealing 'contraband.'" Rainbow nodded before going under the bed and teaching herself to read upside down. September 7th, 2016 Defendant Lobby 9:40 AM "Is this coffee for defendants?" Phoenix yawned. "No." The guard droned. "Attorneys?" "Yes." "What if the attorney is the defendant?" "No." "What if the defendant is the attorney for the case?" "No." "Give it up, Dad." Rainbow sighed. "You've been trying for the past 10 minutes for this guy to relent. I'm sure you can survive without it." Phoenix sighed, reluctantly nodding before turning his attention to the doors. "Nick!" A familiar, cheery voice said. Maya waltzed up to Nick, tousling Rainbow's hair. "Bad news. Redd is implicating all three of us in the murder, so good luck with that." Maya slumped into the armchair by the coffee table before looking at the floor. "Wright." Some English-sounding voice said behind Phoenix. Upon turning around, he saw his rival for the case. Miles Edgeworth was practically unrecognizable after 15 years of being in Europe. He still had that gray hair, though Phoenix wasn't sure it was because legal stress made his hair gray naturally, or that dye prank that went south never got out. He wore a red three-piece that bore a matching design to Phoenix's. In fact, the only reason Phoenix knew it was Edgeworth was because of the next words he spoke. "It's been a while." He said, looking off in the distance while clutching his shoulder. "I'm not going to lie, I never thought you'd stoop so low as to murder." Rainbow saw Phoenix about to blast in his face. Without thinking it, she flew up to his face and set her hoof on his shoulder. "Dad, save your counterargument for the trial." Phoenix gritted his teeth before exhaling. "I think it's about time." Phoenix said, glancing at the clock which read 9:55. Rainbow hovered over to the defense's bench behind her dad, hoping for an acquittal.