Ace Prosecutor, meet Ace Detective!

[afailedmurder]

[He's young, handsome, well-dressed, has a classy briefcase, and doesn't even remotely reek of instant noodles. He's also early for their meeting!]

Good morning, Prosecutor Edgeworth. I'm Detective Akechi. I'm looking forward to working with you. I've heard very good things!

[Offering a gloved hand.]

Comments

[takethestairs]

[Punctual? Fashionable? Polite? Huh! Miracles do happen. Edgeworth greets him with a small nod and takes his hand.]

I've heard good things about you as well, Detective.

[His grip is firm and the handshake is brief, and he gestures for him to take a seat]

But neither of us can afford to rest on our laurels. Now, what can you tell me about the case?

[afailedmurder]

Yes, of course.

[takes his seat and opens his briefcase]

On the surface, it's an open-and-shut case. Buster Iver, 46, was driving a commuter bus that he suddenly, intentionally veered to the wrong side of the highway. He is currently in the ICU and cannot be questioned; however, there were multiple witnesses, and he was pulled from the driver's seat of the wreckage.

[takethestairs]

[Edgeworth furrows his brow, before he tilts his head and looks Akechi in the eye]

It seems rather simple, yes. But you don't get assigned to simple cases anymore, Detective - nor is this the first incident of its kind. There was a similar, ah, disturbance a week ago on the metro, wasn't there? At the time it was written off as a fluke, the result of an overworked driver who snapped under pressure.

[He tilts his head, staring at him]

Do you agree?

[afailedmurder]

[meets his gaze and smiles slyly]

That it was a fluke? No, not at all. I believe not only that there's a connection, but that it extends beyond these two cases.

[pulls out some case files. he has a bunch! murder, arson, theft, streaking]

[takethestairs]

[He reads over the folders before dropping them down on the table with a huff]

Tch... how revolting. But I wonder...

[Edgeworth crosses his arms and furrows his brow, thinking]

There's no obvious connection between these people. So I wonder - what would cause a group of complete strangers to act out in such a manner? Shared delusions aren't unheard of, but that seems a little too convenient, doesn't it?

[afailedmurder]

Indeed it does. However, all of them claim to have no memory of the incident. That's a very poor lie to be trending between so many different types of criminals.

Of course, drugs are a possibility... but my instincts say otherwise.

[takethestairs]

[Aaand that frown on his face deepens. Don't worry, it's a thinking frown, not an angry-and-about-to-slash-the-pay-of-everyone-in-the-room frown.]

If it's not a delusion and it's not drugs, then what could it be?

[He taps his fingers against his sleeve]

Hrmph. I'd say they were copycat crimes, but amnesia can't exactly be copied - though that would explain all the oafs that lumber around in the police department.

[He's going to reach for those files and look over them again. Maybe there's a connection that he missed?]

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi makes most of his money from TV interviews anyway]

It's just a theory, but I think it's something more akin to hypnosis. It's as if someone has a way of tapping directly into the human mind.

[watching with barely-restrained glee as Edgeworth goes through the files]

For now, I intend to look into the backgrounds of everyone involved for further patterns and connections. I've already submitted the warrants.

[takethestairs]

[Edgeworth tsks and slaps the folder back down against the table]

Don't look so pleased with yourself. This isn't some cheap variety show - real hypnosis has its limits.

[BECAUSE ACE ATTORNEY IS SO WELL KNOWN FOR ITS REALISM. Edgeworth tilts his head and raises a brow as he looks at Akechi]

I suggest you avoid flights of fancy and stick to the facts. Investigate the evidence to its limit - leave no corner unchecked, leave no stone unturned in your search for the perfect case. You'll find that thoroughness is one of the best tools at your disposal.

[Look. Akechi has potential, he really does. He thinks ahead! He has initiative! He knows what must be done to move the case forward! He just needs every ounce of foolishness to be crushed to a fine powder. Like von Karma did for him. He's just helping Akechi, okay?]

[afailedmurder]

I assure you, I don't intend to move forward on anything I can't prove through strict research, and I am very thorough.

[Looks him right in the eye and smiles.]

However, I think there is some merit to keeping an open mind, particularly in preliminary stages of such a unique investigation. If my theory ends up being a flight of fancy, I have faith that the evidence will show that.

[takethestairs]

You're right that there's a value in keeping an open mind - in not getting too attached to any pet theory.

[Edgeworth smiles back, but unlike Akechi, his smile is too sharp to be called pleasant]

Though at this stage I suppose that anything is possible. And you are correct in saying that this is a unique case. I trust that you'll be more than able to handle this investigation's... oddities.

[Is that praise? Possibly. Maybe. If it is, don't get attached to it.]

[afailedmurder]

Thank you. I won't let you down.

[gotta work on that smile, buddy, you're never gonna get on TV like that]

At any rate, I should have more substantial information for you soon enough, at which point we can discuss it properly.

Incidentally, are you free for lunch? I always like to learn more about the professional interests of those I'll be working with. I have some fascinating cases to share as well, if you're interested.

[takethestairs]

[Ah, schmoozing and networking, long established rungs on the ladder of success]

I'm afraid I'll have to check my schedule before I can commit to anything. However, if you need to get in touch with me before then...

[He whips out a business card and hands it over to Akechi. Where did he get that from? Don't think about it]

[afailedmurder]

[Takes it with the appropriate respect for one of a superior station, as we do here in this fine American city of Los Angeles, California.]

Thank you. I should offer you mine as well.

[Presents his own card. Look at that subtle off-white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my god, it even has a watermark]

[takethestairs]

[It even has a watermark. Someone taught him well]

Until next time, Detective. I look forward to seeing where this investigation leads you.

[And so they part. A couple days later, though, Akechi will get a text from Edgeworth: it's an invitation to lunch, at a bistro downtown. He'll be waiting for him at a table in the back, browsing over his own folder of notes]

[afailedmurder]

[Akechi comes and takes a seat, with a polite:]

Good afternoon, Prosecutor Edgeworth. I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting.

[Though of course he was also early, just not as early.]

[takethestairs]

[Edgeworth spares a brief glance at his watch. Huh, earlier than he expected. No matter. He clears his throat and shuffles his notes back, making room for Akechi]

Not at all. Now, you said you wanted to discuss previous cases, correct?

[afailedmurder]

Yes, of course...

[setting down his suitcase by his side]

By the way, do you have any food recommendations?

[takethestairs]

[Damn it he hates it when people ask him questions like this. He's only been to this place once and he had bigger things on his mind than the food. Whatever, this is manageable, neutral small talk, not thinly veiled invasions into your personal small talk. He taps his finger against a menu to buy some time before answering]

There's a savory mille feuille that's supposed to be quite good, though personally I'm fond of the duck confit.

[He tilts his head, looking back at him]

I have to admit, though, it's not often that I see a detective that's particular about his food.

[Poor Gumshoe. He'll take anything he can get]