One of Every Color

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> Wright: Ace Attorney / Gyakuten
Saiban, its characters and settings, are property of class=SpellE>Capcom, and are being used here without permission.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  This fic is
rated NC-17 for adult male/male content and some violent material.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  C&Cclass=GramE> welcome and appreciated.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>One of Every Colorstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>

Chapter 13

style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Sunday, September
22nd, 2019style='font-size:10.0pt'>.  Minute="17" Hour="10"> style='font-size:10.0pt'>10:17 a.m.class=GramE>.style='font-size:10.0pt'>

style='font-size:10.0pt'>Did I make a mistake?style='font-size:10.0pt'>

Miles stared down into his
coffee cup, watching the surface ripple with each tiny, uncertain movement of
his hand.  He had been drinking too
much of this particular beverage lately, and by now the smell was beginning to
sicken him.  But he hadn't slept well
again last night, and he needed to stay awake.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>He seemed fine with itstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>, Miles thought, not for the first or even fifth time
since he'd left Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>'s apartment the night before.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Remarkably
fine, even, for his first time with another man.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It was good--very good.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He swallowed hard, pursing his lips.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But
it was still so soon.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Not that I know what the rules normally are
forcsomething like this.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  I've
slept with people I didn't know nearly as well as him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  So
why am I this uneasy?  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I should call him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Will
he still be asleep this late?  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>It is Sunday, so maybec.

"Mr. Edgeworth?"

Miles jumped, startled from
his deep thoughts; he'd entirely forgotten that he was not alone at his kitchen
table that morning.  Shortly after
ten, Gumshoe and Ema had shown up on his front door,
intent on speaking to him.  They
were both watching him now with concern.

He cleared his throat.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Excuse me.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  What were you saying?"

"I didn't say anything,
Pal," Gumshoe replied. 
"You've been staring at that mug for the past five minutes."

"Ohc"style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Miles frowned, and ran a hand briefly
through his hair.  He must have
looked like a mess.  class=GramE>"My apologies. 
I didn't sleep well last night."

"You've been acting
awful funny lately, if you'll excuse me saying so," Gumshoe told him
slowly.  "Are you sure you're
all right?"

"We can leave," class=SpellE>Ema added, "if you wanted to get some more
sleep."

Miles quickly shook his
head.  "No, it'scit's
nothing."  His eyes were drawn
back down to the smooth brown ripples in his cup, as if they had a hypnotizing
effect.  It wasn't like him to speak
his mind, but after last night he was feeling uncommonlycemotional.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He licked his lips.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I've done something I can't take
back," he said quietly.  class=GramE>"Something that changes everything.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  And now I can't figure out if it was the
right thing to do."

Gumshoe and class=SpellE>Ema exchanged mystified looks.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Are youctalking about the
case?" Ema hazarded.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>The casec.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Miles sighed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  They
wouldn't understand, and I don't want to explain this to them anyway.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He straightened.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Yes, the case.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>   I'm sorry, both of you.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  You've worked very hard,
butc."  He pushed his mug away,
suddenly sick of it.  "I don't
plan on winning tomorrow's trial."

"Butcbut Sir!"
Gumshoe said quickly.  "You
can't just let her get away with it!"

Emastyle='font-size:10.0pt'> nodded emphatically.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "You can't give up now, Mr. class=SpellE>Edgeworth! 
There's got to be a way to solve it!"

Their determination was
admirable, at least.  "I'm
sorry," Miles said again. 
"But Chassie has an alibi we can't
disprove.  It's as simple as
that.  She could not have set the
fire."

"But
what about Shikabane?"style='font-size:10.0pt'> Ema insisted, half leaning
out of her seat.  "There's got
to be something else we can prove. 
We can at least prove that style='font-size:10.0pt'>Ganderstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> was an accomplice, that she asked Shikabane to do it--"

"But
why?"style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Miles interrupted wearily.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Her own son was in that
building.  Once it comes out that we
convicted the wrong person, no one is going to want to hear those kinds of
accusations.  I know it's not easy
to hear, but our reputation matters, as well.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  We have to accept this loss as
gracefully as possible."

Gumshoe's shoulders
sagged.  "We're class=SpellE>gonna get sued, aren't we?"

"cYes.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Very badly."

Ema'sstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> shoulders hunched as she glanced between them.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Well, I'm not giving
up!"  She pushed to her
feet.  "We owe it to the
victims--to this city--to find the truth!"

She hurried out of the room,
returning to her kit that she had left in the entrance hall when she and
Gumshoe first arrived.  In her
absence, Gumshoe glanced to their host. 
"Mr. Edgeworth," he asked, quietly
enough that Ema wouldnft be able to hear.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I know it's none of my business,
butcit's not like you to give in like this.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It doesnft have something to do with
Wright, does it?"

style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> Wrightstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>c.  Miles
folded his hands in front of him. 
"It has everything to do with him," he said evenly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "He's the one that proved me
wrong."

Gumshoe frowned, dissatisfied
with his answer, but he didn't say anything more.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Miles lowered his head slightly.style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> 
I'm sorry, Detective.  But
Wright is rubbing off on me--I can't pursue this case, knowing I was wrong.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  I
won't be a part of making innocent people suffer.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Notcanymore.

Emastyle='font-size:10.0pt'> returned, dumping out her papers.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I made copies of the court record
just after I got off work on Friday," she said, shuffling through them
tenaciously.  "The clinic
report may be out, but there's got to be something in here we can use.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Even if we have to admit defeat here and
re-file charges on Shikabane, there has to be style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>something."

"Emac."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Miles glanced down at the mess she was
making of his kitchen table, and reached to pick up his coffee mug before she
accidentally spilled it.  Just as he
did, one of the papers slid across the table to rest in front of him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It was the only other piece of evidence style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> had submitted to court on Friday: April's photograph.

Miles picked it up, taking a
sip of the coffee without realizing. 
It had cooled and still tasted awful.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But it wasn't that disgust that made his
brow furrow.  "class=SpellE>Ema."

"class=SpellE>Hm?"style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  She glanced up, her attention firmly piqued
by his serious tone. 
"Yes?"

"Read the court record
back for me," Miles requested, his eyes narrowing.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "About when this
picture was taken."

Emastyle='font-size:10.0pt'> shuffled the papers again.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "'It was just a few minutes before
I left for the night,'" she quoted April May's testimony.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "'So Minute="20">2:20style='font-size:10.0pt'>, I guess. 
Maybe 2:25.'  That would have
been roughly half an hour after style='font-size:10.0pt'>Ganderstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> appeared at the scene."

Miles continued to stare at
the photograph.  He tried to
convince himself that he was only being paranoid, that a shadow was disrupting
his view, but he couldn't shake the sensation that some kind of piece had
fallen into place.  "Do you
have your luminol with you?"

"Well, yes, of
course."  Ema
glanced again to Gumshoe, who shrugged, just as baffled as she was.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "What is it, Mr. class=SpellE>Edgeworth?"

He pushed out of his
chair.  "We have to go back to
the crime scene."

*****

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> had really intended on staying in bed most of the
morning.  As he had anticipated, he
was still sore, and no longer in the half-dazed, post
love-making way.  When his phone
rang in the next room, it took a lot of effort and a few curses to get up and
retrieve it.

"Hello?" he asked
blearily.

"Hm,
did I wake you?"

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> blinked. 
It took him a while to recognize the voice on the other end as Detective
Starr.  Oh yeah.  My office phone
forwards here over the weekend. 
"Yeah, but it's okay."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He rubbed the small of his back as he
headed for the kitchen.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I'm up, might as well stay up.  "What
is it?"

"Sorry I missed you in
court the other day," Angel said, her voice thin
and bitter.  "class=SpellE>Edgeworth pulled some strings to have me put on the office
fire--to keep me from testifying, no doubt."

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>'s stomach did a little flip at the mention of that
name.  He was very thankful that
Angel couldn't see his blush through the phone.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  At the same time, however, he registered
what she had said, and it made his fingers curl for an entirely different
reason.  Either way, he wasn't in a
mood to hear anyone bad-mouthing Miles. 
"What makes you say that?"

"I did some digging for
you," Angel continued, ignoring his question.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I told you I'm not letting him get
away with anything else, didn't I? 
Reassignment isn't about to stop me."

style='font-size:10.0pt'>She must really enjoy trying to discredit him, style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> thought glumly. 
I can kind of see how she got
fired after this case.  But if
she had really found something, he probably needed to hear it.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Okay, I'm listening.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  What did you find?"

"Remember that evidence
list I sent you a few days ago?" Angel was all too willing to go on.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "There was only one thing class=SpellE>Edgeworth withheld last time--the autopsy reports.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  And guess what?"

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> made a face as he dug into his refrigerator for some
milk.  "What?"

"Just this morning he
put in a request for revised autopsy reports, using the bodies he dug up
yesterday.  The lab's been going
crazy trying to keep up with him.  I
managed to get a copy of the original report, at least."

style='font-size:10.0pt'>Where's she going with this?style='font-size:10.0pt'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> continued with his breakfast preparations as he
listened.  "I appreciate your
help, Angel, but it hardly matters now. 
Chassie has an alibi--anything class=SpellE>Edgeworth might have covered up doesn't mean
anything."  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Besides, I know he did that kind of thing in
the past.  I've forgiven him for
that.  Not that it explains his ordering a second autopsyc.

Angel snorted, sounding
miffed that her concerns were being brushed aside.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Well at least listen to
this," she insisted.  "On
the autopsy for the baby, the coroner noted that its sternum was broken."

style='font-size:10.0pt'>Broken sternum?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> paused in reaching for a spoon to eat his cereal
with.  "You mean, as if someone
tried to do CPR on him?" he supposed.

"It's not in the
paramedic's report," Angel went on. 
"All five bodies were recovered well after the fire had become
lethal.  None of them could have
possibly been saved."

"Thatcdoesn't prove
anything.  That building burned down
completely--any kind of debris could have done that to the baby."

"Fine--if you're so
sure, I'll leave it to you."

Angel hung up abruptly, and style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> sighed as he picked out a spoon and took his
breakfast to the table.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I guess she's always been that
paranoid.  I don't know why she's
trying so hard, though, when Edgeworth is going to
lose enough face over this whole thing as it isc.

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> set his phone on the table next to him, and watched
it for a few minutes.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>He said he'd call today.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  When he remembered that his cereal
was getting soggy he quickly started to eat.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It's
probably expecting too much to think we could meet again soon, with the trial,
he thought, trying not to be upset by the prospect.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But
I would like tochear his voice.

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> blushed as he ate.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Look
at me, getting all flustered over a phone call.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He'd make fun of me, if he saw.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He couldn't help it, though.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  The memories of last night were still so
fresh in his mind: the way Miles had touched him, moved with him so
perfectlyc.  It was only natural to
feel attached after something so intimate, as he had told himself several
times.  For all that Miles was
unsociable and curt, he had shown tenderness and even
affection.  They really were lovers.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>At least, we must be, Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> told himself. 
I mean, we slept together.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  God, I can't believe we really went through with it.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But we did, and it was good, and....style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  His shoulders hunched.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  I
want to do it again.  It's been too
long--I want to be with him again. 

Phoenix finished eating and
took a shower, spending more time than was really necessarycreminding himself,
with the help of the hot water and his own anxious fingers, how much he had
enjoyed the night before. 

By the time he was finished
and drying off, however, he began to think more on what Angel had called to
tell him.  Miles hasn't given up, if he's still ordering autopsies and driving his
office crazy.  He admitted last
night Chassie must be innocentcstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>so is
he going after Urami now?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He frowned at himself in the mirror as
he slicked his hair back for the day. 
Can I let him do that alone?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  I can't expect Chassie
to help me, but maybe if I can figure out the truth behind this whole baby
deal, it'll be of some help to him.

His decision made, style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> dressed in his suit and headed out.

*****

The guard at the style='font-size:10.0pt'>Detention style='font-size:10.0pt'> Centerstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> was not any more helpful than he had been the day
before.  Angel had said Miles was
busy harassing the lab, so Chassie couldn't have been
in questioning, but still Phoenix
was denied admittance.

"I'm sorry," the
guard tried to calm him.  "But
she specifically asked for no visitors. 
Not even you."

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>'s fists clenched.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  She's
avoiding me.  How does she expect me
to defend her like this? 
"Will you at least tell her I'm here?" he insisted.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "It's important that I speak to
her."

"It's all right,
officerc."

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> jumped at the eerily familiar voice, and spun on his
heel; it was Urami, walking slowly up to join
them.  His jaw clenched.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "You againc."

Uramistyle='font-size:10.0pt'> nodded to him politely in greeting.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Mr. Wright.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  I thought you might be here."

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> didn't take his eyes off her as she approached.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It seemed awfully convenient that she
had shown up, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she might have been
following him.  Even if Urami gets me in, if she's here I
won't be able to ask Chassie everything I wanted to.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Good morning."

"Mr.
Officerc."  Urami
turned to the jailor, and Phoenix
could see the goosebumps rising up his arms.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I'm sure Chassie
would have saidc'let no one in except
Miss Shikabane.' 
Noc?"

style='mso-spacerun:yes'> "That'sc."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  The officer shifted.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Yes, that's right."

"Soc?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Let us in."

The officer looked
distraught, and finally accepted them into the visitation room.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> didn't envy the man for his job of watching over
these people.  But at least he was
being let in.  I'll just have to ask as much as I can, and hope Urami
gives something up.  class=GramE>Ascunlikely as that is.

They took their seats, class=SpellE>Urami sitting closer to style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> than he thought was necessary.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He did his best not to look at her as
the guard left to call for Chassie.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  If
she has been "checking up" on me, shecmay have someone watching my
apartment, he thought with a sick feeling.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  And
if someone was watching last night, when Edgeworth's
car pulled inc.

The door opened, and a guard
led Chassie to her seat opposite them.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It would have been hard for her to look
even paler than the first time they'd met, but somehow she managed to do it.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  She's
been lying to you.  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> fought to keep his face neutral as class=SpellE>Chassie and Urami exchanged nods
and greetings.  Don't let her keep it up.

"Chassie,"
Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> interrupted when he believed himself ready.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I know about the baby."

Chassiestyle='font-size:10.0pt'> tensed, her fingernails leaving marks against the
backs of her palms.  Somehow her
face remained unchanged.  "My
sonc."

"That's
right."  He felt class=SpellE>Urami shift next to him, but he didn't dare look at
her.  "I know you went to Mr.
Hoff's home that night to get your baby back.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Isn't that right?"

Chassiestyle='font-size:10.0pt'> nodded miserably.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "cYes.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He took William with him, after we
separated.  I couldn't stop himc"

style='font-size:10.0pt'>Damnc.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> licked his dry lips before continuing.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Why didn't you tell me this
before?  You said you trusted me.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  This case is almost over--if you don't
tell me the full truth now, you won't have another chance before trial
tomorrow.  Do you understand?"

"I only hid the truth
about my child," Chassie told him, her voice class=GramE>raising slightly in pitch.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I thought they would use him
against me."  Her wide, dark
eyes swiveled away from him. 
"I have done a lot of things I'm not proud of, Mr. Wright.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Anyone who looks into my history will
know thatc."

"It doesn't matter
anywaycdoes it?" Urami interrupted calmly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "The clinic report is genuine.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  That is all that's necessaryc."

style='font-size:10.0pt'>For you, I'm sure.  "I don't believe
you," Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> said, focusing entirely on Chassie.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "You were convicted, Chassie.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  That should have been enough for you to
tell the entire truth the first time Urami tried to
appeal your case."

Chassiestyle='font-size:10.0pt'> lowered her head, obscuring his view of her face with
her long hair.  "Like I said,
those other lawyers were no good to me."

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'>'s brow furrowed as he fought off his
frustration.  I can still get her acquitted. 
I was right in the first
place--she shouldn't have to die to keep Urami
safe.  Butcbut
still, Ic.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "You're still protecting her,
aren't you."

Uramistyle='font-size:10.0pt'> was watching him closely.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He didn't look, but he could feel
it.  I still want to know the truth.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Chassie, meanwhile,
remained still.  When she didn't
respond, Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> continued. 
"I know you know something more.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  If you were there for your son, how did
he end up dead?"

"Itcwasn't my
fault," Chassie whispered.

"Of course not--he died
in the fire."

"Mr. Wright."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Urami stood up
suddenly.  "I believecthat's
enough for today."

She signaled to the guard,
who stepped forward to help Chassie to her feet.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> quickly stood as well; he was still unwilling to give
up this last chance.  "class=SpellE>Chassie, you don't have to keep protecting her," he
told her desperately.  "She
killed your son--doesn't that mean anything to you?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  You have to tell me what really
happened!"

"You've done enough, Mr.
Wright," Chassie said quietly, turning
away.  "Thank you."

"class=SpellE>Chassie!"style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> pounded at the partition between them, even knowing
it was useless--he could only watch as Chassie was
led away.  He should have known
better than to expect anything more from her, but his hands were still shaking
against the glass.  class=SpellE>Edgeworthstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> was right, some part of him
echoed.  You can't get Urami.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Not this way.

He turned to her, fighting
back the urge to shout.  "class=SpellE>Urami, youc."

"You're not very
bright," Urami said evenly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Are youc?"

She turned to leave, and style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> scowled as he followed on her tail.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I'm through with your games, class=SpellE>Urami," he told her vehemently.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "All that talk you gave me back at
the crime scene, about your friendship--it was all lies, admit it!"style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He knew his mouth was probably about to
get him in even deeper trouble, more than it was worth, but he couldn't stop
himself.  "Chassie
was convicted because of you, and now she's staying quiet to style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>protect you!"

"Keep your voice
down," Urami warned as they headed together for
the exit.

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> shuddered angrily.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Damn
this woman!  "Like hell I
will.  I'm not scared of your
threats anymore, Urami.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  None of it will change the fact that you
killed those people.  What
happened?  Did you start the fire
without realizing the baby was in there?" he challenged.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Did you go back for it, try to
resuscitate it?  Is style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>that how that baby's sternum was
broken?"

"I didn't see any baby
therec."

"So you admit you set
the fire without realizing."

"I didn't say thatc."

They reached the exit, and class=SpellE>Urami slipped outside with style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> still close behind.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I'm going to do my best to get her
set free," Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> continued heatedly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "She hasn't done anything wrong,
other than believe a monster like you. 
So you stay away from her, do you hear me?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  She certainly doesn't need your style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>protection getting her thrown in prison
again."

Uramistyle='font-size:10.0pt'> stopped once they were out on the sidewalk, and
turned slowly to face him.  To his
surprise, her eyes and voice were just as calm as ever.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "You're very passionate today,
aren't you, Mr. Wrightc?"

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> scowled again, and was about to continue when his
phone rang.  He glanced to his
pocket indecisively.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Could that becstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Edgeworth?  Or
Angel again?  Either away, I
shouldn't let her--

"Aren't you going tocget
that?" Urami asked.

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> hesitated a moment more, and finally jerked the cell
out of his pocket and answered.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>If I don't, she'll get suspicious.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  God, if she knew Edgeworth
was over last night-- 
"Yes?"

"Wright."style='font-size:10.0pt'> 

Miles' familiar voice sent
too many conflicting emotions spinning through him, and he turned away from class=SpellE>Urami in case any of them showed in his face.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Why'd
he have to call now?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Y-Yeah, it's me."

"Listen, I know I said
I'd call you, but I have some bad news," Miles said, his tone clipped
andcalmost cold.  It was not what style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> had been hoping to hear from him, and his stomach
made a quick descent towards his feet.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>Shit.  What
now?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> took a breath, trying to ignore Urami's
eyes still on him.  "What is
it?"

"Your client is
guilty," Miles told him bluntly.

"Whc."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  class=GramE>Phoenixclass=GramE>'s gaze unfocused.style='font-size:10.0pt'> 
"cwhat?"

"I'm sorry to have to
tell you like this," Miles went on. 
Just last night his manner had been warm and even playful, so unlike the
professional tone he was using now. 
"But I have evidence. 
I'm just giving you fair warning."

"Wait," style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> said when his voice returned to him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "Wait, what evidence?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  What are you talking about?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  You said yourself the alibi was
irrefutable!"

"Decisive
evidence," Miles answered unhelpfully.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you
this time."

"Can't tell
me?"  I don't believe this.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Why is he doing this?style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  His hands were shaking again as he
struggled to keep the phone against his ear.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "What, is
this payback for the clinic report? 
Or do you just not trust me?" 
After everything that's happenedcstyle='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>how can he not trust me?

Miles was quick to correct
him.  "It's not you I don't
trust.  It's your employer."

"Uramic."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> felt a chill as he glanced at her over his shoulder;
she was watching him with sharp curiosity. 

Miles was quiet for a moment,
and then asked, "Is she there with you now?"

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> gulped. 
"Yesc."

"Let me talk to
her."

"What!?"style='font-size:10.0pt'>  He shook
his head sharply.  "Are you
crazy?"

"Just do it,
Wright."

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> closed his eyes. 
The situation was wheeling out of his control, and it was beginning to
make him dizzy.  With a shaky sigh
he offered the phone to Urami.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "He wants to talk to you."

Her eyebrows rose as she
accepted.  She held it too close for
Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> to make out anything that Miles might have been
saying to her, and he held himself tensely in wait.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Edgeworthcyou weren't
just playing with me, were you? 
A thousand questions passed through him, none of which with an answer he
could believe in.  style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>I thought we were finally working together
on this one.

"I'm sorry," class=SpellE>Urami said into the phone.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  "But you know I can't do thatc. class=GramE>Whatever you say, Prosecutor Edgeworth.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Until tomorrow."

She handed the phone back and
turned, heading down the curb to where her usual limousine was parked.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> glanced between her retreating back and his phone class=GramE>indecisively, and finally decided Miles was the more
pressing concern.  But when he brought
the phone to his ear, he heard nothing--Miles had already hung up.

Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> cursed, and by the time he lifted his head to call
after Urami she was already climbing into her
vehicle.  Whatever had just
happened, it had ended without him catching any of it.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  The trial was starting in less than
twenty-four hours and he suddenly felt no closer to the truth than when class=SpellE>Urami had first stepped into his office.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  Everyone was hiding something from
him.  Everyone was acting only for
themselves.

"Damnitc."style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> trembled, his chest tight with frustration and an
unshakeable sensation of betrayal. 
His hand tightened around his cell phone, and suddenly his anger
overwhelmed him--he threw the device hard against the sidewalk, watching it
shatter into pieces.

"God damn it all!"

*****

"I have all the evidence
I need to keep Ganderstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> behind bars until she's put to death.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But I'm not unreasonable.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  If you agree to confess to your part in
the arson, the Prosecutor's Office is willing to negotiate a lower sentence for
you both.  Perhaps
life in prison."

"I'm sorry.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But you know I can't do thatc."

"Hm,
I didn't think so.  In that case,
we'll just have to settle this in court. 
I might not have you now, but I'll get you eventually, class=SpellE>Urami."

"Whatever
you say, Prosecutor Edgeworth.style='font-size:10.0pt'>  class=GramE>Until tomorrow."

Miles hung up.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  He knew style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> wouldn't be happy, but talking to him would probably
only get them caught up in another fight. 
He couldn't relinquish this evidence to him.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It was too important, and if style='font-size:10.0pt'>Phoenixstyle='font-size:10.0pt'> charged after Urami to
confront her with it, it would ruin Miles' chances in court.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  It's
like I told him.  This case comes
before our friendship. 

Somehow, telling himself that
didn't make the feeling of guilt go away.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>I'm sorry, Wright.  Miles returned to
Gumshoe, who was waiting for him in another section of the crime lab.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>  But
when this is all over, you'll understand why I have to do this.

style='font-size:10.0pt'>It's for your sake, toostyle='font-size:10.0pt'>.