"That day, Philip and I were going to the director's house to talk about who was going to get the main role in the play—“
“Hold on! Who was in contention to be in the main role?”
“Naturally, myself and Philip.”
“Why did you go to his house then? Couldn’t he just call you guys and tell you?”
“We were specifically told to meet with him yesterday at the designated time.”
So they were both called over…but something doesn’t add up. Lance was supposed to be working yesterday the time he was killed. Why would he call anyone over when he was supposed to be working?
“Maybe he was skipping work for a day?”
Miranda turned to Josh. “Did you read my mind?”
Josh slightly smiled. “No, but I had a feeling of what you would think. I honestly don’t know why he would do that to be honest.”
The judge banged his gavel. “Enough chatter between the defenders!”
Miranda turned forward. “Sorry, your honor. Please continue witness.”
“Philip rang the doorbell several times—“
“Hold on! According to Philip, it was you who rang the doorbell.”
“I know, but he’s lying, about more than one thing.”
“…! More than one thing?”
“Yes, but I’ll tell you later. I’m positive it was Philip who rang the doorbell.”
Why lie about ringing the doorbell?
Miranda looked at Jack. “Did the police do a fingerprint check of the doorbell?”
“We did, but there were too many fingerprints to decipher, and most of them were smudged. We can’t accurately tell who rang the doorbell.”
How convenient…
“After not getting an answer, he pushed the door open and went inside—“
“Hold it! How long did you not get an answer.”
“A couple minutes. We weren’t so impatient that we just bashed down the door.”
“…! Bashed down the door?”
“Uh…yes? The door was locked tight. We couldn’t easily get in.”
“Then how did you get in?”
“Philip picked the lock.”
“Was Philip lying about this too in his testimony?”
“Yes.”
“Mr. Inger, is there signs of forced entry from the front door?”
“…yes there is.”
Jack took out a folder. “We found scratches on the lock, indicating that it had been picked.”
I’m starting to see why Jack withheld this witness. He completely contradicting his previous witness…while providing evidence that the current witness is telling the truth…but why try to hide it?
“Because it’s detrimental to his case.”
“Josh?”
“Think about it Ms. Veal. Our client lives in that house. Obviously, she had the means to enter the house. However, why would she pick the lock?”
“…! This witness—“
“Is actually helping us. However, there still isn’t enough proof to get a not guilty.”
Miranda shook her head. “Please continue witness.”
“Loudly calling out his name, Philip continued to walk into the house. While I stayed outside—“
“Hold on!” At least they have this correct. “So Philip was the one who called out to the director?”
“Yes. It was quite loud, with his ‘Where art thou, Director?’ I’m surprised the whole neighborhood didn’t hear it.”
I feel sorry for the neighbors… “So you didn’t go inside?”
“No, not then. I don’t like walking into someone else’s house uninvited.”
These two Philips are completely opposite people…no wonder they are at odds with each other.
“Soon, I heard him scream—“
“Hold on! So it was Philip who discovered the body?”
“Yes. His shriek was even worse than him calling for the director. I’m positive my ears started bleeding a bit.”
Another inconsistency…
“I rushed inside, and looked for what spooked him—“
“Hold on! So that was when you entered the house?”
“Yes. After screaming so loudly, I was curious as to what caused him to do that.”
“Where was Philip at the time?”
“Right over the body.”
Miranda shook her head. “Please continue.”
“There, on the floor, was the director's body, shot to death—“
“Hold on! How close did you get to the body?”
“Not too close. As soon as I saw the body, I felt nauseated. I rushed outside and called the police.”
“Did Philip join you then?”
“No, he stayed inside.”
…! Wait…could it be!?
“Are you sure about this!?”
“Y—yes I am. He didn’t come out until a few minutes later. I assumed he called the police from inside.”
Miranda smiled and shook her head. “Thank you.”
The judge slammed his gavel. “Ms. Veal…I’ve seen that look before. What do you want to say?”
“Your honor, remember how, with the bloody handwriting, that the killer was alone with the body prior to the police arriving?”
“Y—yes.”
“Now, as Philip was outside, calling the police, the other Philip was still inside…with the body.”
“…! Wait, you mean to say—“
Miranda slammed on her desk. “Yes.” Miranda pointed her fingers to the first Philip. “Philip is the real murderer!”
The court was silent. Jack crossed his arms. “What are you talking about Ms. Veal?”
“We proved that the killer had to be alone with the body after it was discovered. While the second Philip was calling the police, the first Philip was still inside with the body!”
Jack shook his head. “I get that, but that’s all you have. Not enough to get a ‘not guilty.’”
“As of yet. Your honor, I request that we question Philip once more. He’s hiding something and I want to know what it is.”
The judge shook his head. “I agree. His testimony is a bit…full of holes. Prosecutor Inger. Prepare your witness. We’ll take a fifteen minute recess. When we reconvene, we will question the witness.”
Jack sighed. “Yes, your honor.”
“That is all. Court is now in recess!”
The judge banged his gavel.
Miranda walked out of the courtroom. Josh was right behind her. “I have to thank you, Josh. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to continue the trial. I couldn’t speak for some reason.”
Josh slightly smiled. “No problem. I knew something was wrong when you didn’t say anything, so I jumped in. Anyways, do you really think it’s the first Philip?”
“I have no idea. However, I do know that something is fishy with him. He didn’t want the other Philip to testify, for obvious reasons. I also have a feeling his…style of speaking is just a farce as well. Could you tell how his speech changed when we wanted to question the other Philip?”
“…you’re right!”
Miranda shook her head. “Either way, the trial is just getting started.”
Josh shook his head. Opening his mouth to speak, he was interrupted by a door opening. Leah was escorted into the room. “Ah, Ms. Veal, how goes the trial?”
“Pretty good. We have a great lead right now. One of the witnesses may actually be the killer, but we aren’t sure about that just yet.”
“I knew you could do it Ms. Veal!”
“It’s not over yet. Don’t get too excited until we get the ‘not guilty’ verdict.”
Leah shook her head. Josh stared at her, a look of suspicion on his face.
The crowd was happily chatting when the judge banged his gavel. “Court is back in session. Prosecutor Inger, have you prepared your witness?”
“I have, your honor. He is eager to prove what the defense claims is a lie.”
The judge shook his head. “Very well, you may call the witness once more.”
Before Jack could say anything, Philip was standing at the witness stand. “Witness, you know what to do.”
“With pleasure sir!”
I was right…that speech was just a show.
“I admit, I did lie to the court. I was the one who rang the doorbell. I stepped inside while Philip stayed outside. I discovered the body and was alone with the body. However, while there, the defendant came into the house and asked me to write the bloody writing. She told me she was too guilty to not get caught. So, I did what I did, and she escaped to a neighbor’s house.”
The judge looked at Philip. “So, the defendant asked you to put the blood writing down?”
“Yes. She was too frightened to do it herself, so I took the victim’s hand and wrote the writing.”
The judge shook his head. “One more question, why were you talking the way you were before?”
Philip grinned. “You like it? I was auditioning for a role in the play that required speech like that. I was just practicing.”
The judge sighed and shook his head. “You may cross-examine the witness, Ms. Veal.”
Miranda shook her head. “Yes, your honor.” Something’s…not right with this testimony.
“I admit, I did lie to the court—“
“Hold on! Why? Why did you lie to us?”
“To protect my role with the writing. Putting down bloody writing from a dead victim doesn’t help you in court.”
“So you thought you would get charged with murder?”
“Yes. I expressed my feelings with the prosecutor before the trial. He told me to tell the truth…but I lost my nerve when I got to the stand.”
So Jack knew the witness was lying? Then why did he still allow the testimony?
The judge banged his gavel. “Prosecutor Inger, if you knew the witness was lying, why let him continue to testify?”
“…simple. I was testing the defense to see if they could spot it. It took another witness, but they did. Well done.”
This isn’t school you know! I don’t need tests anymore!
“OBJECTION! Mr. Inger, this is a court of law! Any testimony—“
“Could harm the defendant, yes, I know. I wasn’t really going to let the testimony go if you didn’t spot it. That’s also why I didn’t want the other Philip to testify. I was going to tell the court about the lies.”
I doubt that’s true…but I can’t tell the court otherwise.
“Witness, please continue with your testimony.”
“I was the one who rang the doorbell—“
“Hold on! Why lie about that?”
“…to make it look like it was Philip who was most active at the crime scene. As I said, I was trying to hide the fact I wrote the bloody writing. If it was found out that someone else could have done the writing, I wanted Philip to take the fall."
So those two really are in a…tense rivalry.
“Is it because of your rivalry with Philip that you tried to frame him?”
“…yes and no. Philip was the only one there who I could frame. However, I did feel good about framing him.”
I wonder…if he framed him…and wrote the bloody writing…did he touch any other evidence?
“I stepped inside while Philip stayed outside—“
“Hold on! So it is true Philip stayed outside for the time being?”
“Yes. It wasn’t until I discovered the body that he came inside. I thought that was suspicious at first. After all, why not go inside the director’s house? It could get you a leg up!”
“…please continue witness.”
“I discovered the body and was alone with the body—“
“Hold on! So after you discovered the body, Philip walked in, then left to call the police. That left you alone with the body, correct?”
“…sort of.”
“Sort of?”
“Philip lied about that in his testimony. He said he would go get help. He didn’t have his cell phone on him that day. He forgot it at home, but it was too late to go back and get it.”
“Is this true?”
“Yes, of course. I have no reason to lie now. My deed has been brought to light.”
If this is true…why did the other Philip lie as well?
“WAIT!”
The other Philip shouted from the crowd. “He’s lying! I had my phone with me the entire time! Even ask the police! My call should be in their records!”
Miranda sighed. “Mr. Inger, does the police have any records of the call?”
“…in a clerical error, we lost the records of several calls during that time. His call would have been with the lost calls.”
That’s just convenient. Now we don’t know who’s telling the truth.
Jack cleared his throat. “However, we should be able to find out by asking the operators who were working during that time. They’ll be able to tell us if Philp called.”
The judge shook his head. “Bailiff, go tell the police to ask the operators if Philip called. For now, witness, please continue.”
“However, while there, the defendant came into the house and asked me to write the bloody writing—“
“Hold on! A couple of questions. Where did the defendant enter the house?”
“Through the back door. She must have been hiding there the entire time after the murder.”
“Did you see her come in?”
“…no. She surprised me when she walked into the room. However, there was no way she could have entered through the front. Philip was there and—“
“OBJECTION!” Miranda slammed on her desk. “Philip, please tell the court the truth.”
“About what? I am telling the truth about everything!”
“Previously, you stated that Philip went to go get help, since he didn’t have his cell phone with him at the time. Now, you say that the defendant couldn’t have entered through the front because Philip was there. If Philip really did go get help, he wouldn’t have been there. In other words, you’re lying about what Philip was doing!”
“…! Urgh…I mean…gah!”
“Philip, it’s time you told the court the truth, what was Philip really doing?”
“…he was…I don’t know…I am telling the truth about him not having his cell phone with him. However, I lost sight of him when he left the house.”
“So Philip could have been doing anything at that time then?”
“Yes…”
“Just a moment!”
The court looked at Josh. “I can’t believe we never thought of this…”
Miranda looked at Josh. “Thought of what?”
“If what the other Philip says is true…then he would have spotted something important.”
“Something important?”
“Yes. Forgive me for not telling you, but last night, I left my house and went to examine the house where they caught the defendant. The back door was locked firmly tight by screws, so there was no way she could have entered through the back. The windows were bolted shut as well. However…the front door wasn’t. That was the only way someone could have entered the house. Now, according to the other Philp, he was standing out front, calling from his phone. If that is true…he would have seen Leah entering the house!”
“…w—what?!”
The courtroom erupted into chatter. “Maybe the witness is telling the truth!”
“Wait…why all the lying and deception?”
“Isn’t it easier to tell the truth from the beginning?”
Jack smirked. “Why thank you Josh for helping my case. You just discredited the witness that was on your side. How—“
“I’m sorry, Mr. Inger, but I’m not done yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone from the crowd asked, ‘Isn’t it easier to tell the truth from the beginning?’ That person is right. Why lie? It won’t help anyone. However…I have a hunch.”
“A hunch?”
“What if we’re missing something crucial? What if the events didn’t unfold like we thought they did? Both witness have lied, and lying in the court usually means you’re hiding something. For the first Philip, it was to cover up the fact he wrote the bloody writing. Why would the second Philip lie? Maybe he was doing something that would throw us all off.”
Jack stared at Josh. “Throw us…”
Miranda finished the line for Jack. “All off?”
The judge banged his gavel. “Mr…whatever your name was, this is a court of law! If you don’t have any factual evidence to present, I’ll have to dismiss your claim.”
“…I don’t have any…for now.”
“Then your claim has been repealed. One more outburst and waste of the court’s time will result in contempt of court.”
“Ngh…understood…your honor.”
Miranda looked at Josh, who only smirked. “It looks like you’re on your own for now. Just be sure to make the trial last another day. I need some more investigation time at the site.”
Miranda shook her head. “Don’t worry Josh, I’ll make sure that happens!”
The judge banged his gavel. “Now, witness, please continue after that rude interruption.”
Talk about being impartial…
“Hold on! I still have another question to the witness’s previous comment.”
Philip looked at Miranda. “And what’s that?”
“Why did she tell you to write it? If she were trying to be caught, she would have written it herself.”
“…I honestly don’t know. She just told me to—“
“Stop! Stop everything!”
The court looked at Leah. “You’re lying! I never told you to write my name in blood! I wasn’t even there!”
Philip looked angry. “You’re calling me a liar?! I’m telling the truth! You told me to write down your name!”
…it certainly seems like Philip is telling the truth…but Leah is my client.
Jack slammed on his desk. “Enough! I’ve had enough of this ‘he said she said’ game! Ms. Veal, since you’re representing the accused, do you have any ideas as to who is telling the truth?!”
If Leah is telling the truth, then Philip is lying, which is good for us. If Philip is telling the truth, the Leah is lying…which is bad…maybe…
“Both are correct, your honor.”
“Both are?”
Jack started chuckling. “Oh, this is good. Tell us, how are both correct, when they tell the exact opposite of each other!”
“It’s quite simple…there was a third party.”
“A third…party?”
“Yes, the real killer!”
The crowd in the courtroom burst out in chatter again, before being drowned out by the banging of the gavel. “Order! Order! Ms. Veal, please explain!”
Jack scoffed. “Yes, please explain, unless you’re saying your client is the real killer.”
“Not at all. You know how people look like other people? Like a common person looks exactly like a movie star? This happened at the crime scene! My client, Leah, was at her neighbor’s house, while the real killer, looking almost exactly like her, posed as her.”
The judge’s eyes were wide. “So, then she could then pose as Leah and fool Philip?”
“Yes. No one, including a guilty murderer, would want their name literally written at the crime scene!”
“OBJECTION! Tell us, who is this ‘real murderer’? No one that we know of involved in this case looks like the accused.”
“That’s what my assistant was trying to tell you guys. There needs to be more investigation regarding this case. There are too many holes, too many ‘he said she said’ games going on. I guarantee you that another investigation of the crime scene, as well as the house Leah was arrested in, would help sort out this case!”
The judge furrowed his forehead, deep in thought.
“OBJECTION! The crime scene was already thoroughly investigated. No further investigation is—“
“Did you thoroughly investigate all of the rooms?”
“…”
“I take it you didn’t.”
The judge banged his gavel. “This is what I see this trial as, a circus. The train of thought for both parties is starting to go haywire. I also believe that more investigation is required. The court will reconvene tomorrow. Until then, both parties will, this time, thoroughly investigate the crime scenes. Am I understood?”
Miranda shook her head. “Yes, your honor.”
Jack sighed. “I got it…your honor.”
“Good. Court is now adjourned.”
The judge banged his gavel.
Miranda walked into the defendant’s lobby, followed Josh. “Thank you Josh…you got us on the right track.”
“Hey, no one’s perfect. Sometimes, two minds are better—“
“Than one, yes. Anyways, why didn’t you tell me about your investigation?”
“Because I thought it wasn’t really relevant what I found. Honestly, I didn’t go inside, but I did go across the exterior of the house. The windows and back door are bolted shut. I also didn’t see any signs of forced entry. As I said, the only way Leah entered the house was through the front.”
“Which is correct.”
Josh and Miranda looked at Leah, who had just walked into the room. “My neighbors are a bit…paranoid when they leave the house for extended periods of time. They bolted everything they can shut, so that it makes it harder for thieves to break in. Makes them want to go after easier prey.”
“So the only way into the house is through the front?”
“Yes.”
“Which doesn’t make sense if the second Philip was standing outside calling the police. He would have spotted you.”
“And I didn’t see him around the time of my father’s death…”
Josh still stared at Leah, eyebrows raised. “You sure you didn’t see him?”
“No. I’ve seen both Philips several times during play rehearsals. I know what they looked like back then, and I didn’t see them.”
Miranda sighed. “This case is confusing. Most cases I take are usually straight forward, like my second case I took. I was finished within an hour. This is my first time going multiple days in a trial.”
Leah shook her head. “No problems. From what I’ve heard, it’s been a confusing trial. Just by the two Philips…”
Josh cleared his throat. “Leah, may I ask you a question?”
“Yes?”
“Did anyone see you go into the house you were arrested in?”
“…no, not that I’m aware of.”
Josh shook his head. “Alright. Just wanted to make sure if anyone could give you an alibi. That would make the trial a whole lot easier.”
Leah shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no one saw me.”
The guard cleared his throat, obviously wanting to go.
“I’m sorry guys, but it looks like I have to go…”
Miranda shook her head. “Don’t worry, leave it to us. We’ll get you out of there tomorrow!”
Leah smiled. “Thanks…”
Leah was escorted out of the room. Miranda looked at Josh. “Well, are you ready to get investigating?”
“Ready when you are…but let’s get something to eat first.”
Miranda chuckled. “Agreed.”
Jack walked into the crime scene, Sean Larim walking beside him. “What do you want us to do sir?”
“I want to you go over every room in this house thoroughly. I don’t want even a crumb unturned.”
“…yes sir! You heard him guys, let’s get to it.”
Sean watched as Jack left the house. He must be upset…this is the first time anyone’s challenged him in court.
Miranda and Josh finished eating. Miranda burped slightly. “Alright then…let’s go.”
Josh shook his head and stood up. Soon, they arrived at the crime scene. Sean spotted them first. “Ah, Ms. Veal, Mr. Evanson, I was told to expect you. I’ve been told to let you investigate the house.”
Miranda shook her head. “Thank you Sean.”
Sean shook his head and left the room. Josh walked back to the door. “Okay…now…” Josh took a few steps forward and stopped. “What are you doing Josh?”
“Walking through what the first Philip told us. He walked into the house and walked a few steps forward. He then called out the director’s name and continued forward. Josh walked forward, eventually nearing the couch. “This must be where he found the body, and shrieked. The second Philip ran in, saw the body, then left to get help. While gone…”
Josh looked across from him, spotting another door to a room. “That must be where the real killer hid, if what we believe happened actually happened.”
Miranda and Josh walked into the room. Miranda looked around. “Well, it’s obviously a bedroom…telling from the bed and other…bedroomy…feels.”
Josh chuckled. “Anyways, if the real killer hid in here, then there has to be a trace of her.”
Miranda shook her head. “You’re right. Let’s get looking.”
After a few fruitless minutes, Miranda spotted something. “That’s odd…”
“What is it?”
“There’s a little stain on the top of the sheet on the bed…a little drop of juice maybe?”
“Hmmm…”
Miranda got up and left the room. Soon, she returned with Sean. Sean took one look at it and shook his head. “It’s blood, and by the look of the stain, it’s been there for about a day.”
“Then that means…that could be a trace from the real killer!”
“Maybe, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up. After all, maybe the victim had a nosebleed the day he was killed. Anyways, I’m going to get a forensics team here and look at it. In the meanwhile, I have to ask you to leave until the results are in. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you honestly what the results are. The forensics team needs to have their space while investigating.”
Miranda shook her head. “No worries. We have another area to investigate anyways.”
Sean shook his head and exited the room. Miranda and Josh followed him. Miranda turned to Josh. “Time to investigate the other house.”
Josh shook his head. Soon, they arrived at the house, to hear the sound of dogs barking. “I guess the dogs are still here.”
“They were last night as well. You’d be surprised how friendly they are though.”
Josh entered to the backyard first. The dogs ran up to him, sniffed him, then started wagging their tails. “They seem to remember me.”
Miranda chuckled. “You keep dog sitting, I’ll investigate. Miranda walked up to the front door and twisted the handle. To her surprise, it opened. Walking inside, she shivered. The house was ice cold. The smell of the air told her that the air hadn’t been properly circulating. The blinds were all closed, so not much light was able to penetrate into the room. “Well…this is ominous.” Walking deeper into the house, she noticed how dusty the room was. “I guess this family doesn’t like to clean the house…Leah too. How did she survive in this room for a couple hours without a jacket?”
Shivering, Miranda walked on. After walking through several, messy rooms, she arrived back at the house. Nothing here that screams, “I’m a piece of evidence!” Well…I guess—
Miranda’s attention was drawn toward a picture on the living room table. Miranda walked over, trying to look at the picture. “This must be a picture of the people who live here…” There were five people in the picture. “Hmm…that must be the mother and that the father…” Miranda’s eyes scanned to the other half of the photo. A young woman with blonde hair was standing next to the father. “Isn’t…isn’t that…Leah?”
Miranda shook her head. “Nah, it can’t be her…however…”
Miranda took out her phone and took a picture. I’ll have to have Sean look at this later…
Miranda took one more look around the room. I guess that’s it then…
Miranda left the house, to see Josh sitting on the ground, two dogs lying contently near him. “It seems like you’re popular.”
“Heh, what can I say? Dogs just naturally love me.”
Miranda shook her head and walked on. “Anyways, we need to head back to the house. I have something I need to show Sean.”
“A piece of evidence?”
“Maybe…but I have to have him look at it first to be sure.”
Josh stood up and started walking. The two dogs started whining. “Don’t worry guys, I’ll be back!” Josh turned around and ran to catch up with Miranda. After closing the gate and sprinting for a few seconds, he caught up. “Man you walk fast…”
“Or maybe you’re just that slow.”
Josh just shook his head. Soon, they arrived back at the house. Sean was in the living room, on the phone. “Yes Prosecutor…I’m sure those were the results. The forensics team confirmed it…yes, I understand sir…okay…bye.”
Sean hung up the phone. Miranda walked up. “So, what were the results?”
Sean jumped slightly. “Ah…Ms. Veal, the results were…well…you were right. The blood was not from the victim nor from anyone related to the case. They aren’t in the system either…so in other words…we don’t know who.”
“So that means…my third party theory…was correct!”
“…possibly. Anyways, how was your other investigation?””
“Didn’t turn up much. However, I do need you to look at a picture.”
Miranda took out her phone and showed the picture to Sean. “Is this a picture of Leah?”
“No, it isn’t. There are a few slight differences, but on the first look, it looks like Leah.”
“…! W—where did you find this photo?!”
“In the house you guys arrested her in.”
Sean paced back and forth. “This is bad for me…I was told to solidify the prosecution’s case…but all we’ve done here is strengthen yours!”
“These two pieces of evidence do, at the very least, make my theory a possibility!”
Sean sighed and shook his head. “Yeah…they do…anyways, I’m going to go see this photo myself. If it’s exactly the way it is on your phone…I’ll officially give the evidence merit.”
Sean swiftly left the house. Josh chuckled. “Sean reminds me of a butler who’s trying to please the person he works for.”
Miranda chuckled. “He does seem like that. However, he has a reputation to uphold.”
“What do you mean?”
“You see, I know it may sound like a cliché, but Sean’s father was a pretty famous policeman in the city. He was notorious for solving cases deemed ‘unsolvable’, but he’d always find a way to solve them. He was a hero in the city…before he died ten years ago in the line of duty. Sean is trying to uphold his family name…it’s actually sort of sad to see.”
Josh slightly nodded his head. “If only he were still alive…”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing…nothing at all.”
ns 15.158.61.20da2
