Law and Order

[takethestairs]

WHO: Miles Edgeworth and Harvey Dent
WHERE: RISE HQ
WHEN: Before Crane's tribunal
WHAT: Edgeworth discusses matters with Crane's defense attorney. Seeing as how they're both well-adjusted, emotionally stable professionals, there is no way this conversation will go poorly for either party.
WARNINGS: Anything to do with Crane.



[His notes are gathered. Evidence has been poured over. Edgeworth has done his best to assemble his case to the best of his ability. However, there is still much to take care of, including...

...urgh, a meeting with Crane's defense. He wonders, briefly, how on earth anyone plans to defend someone so clearly, overwhelmingly guilty. He doesn't have to wonder for long, though. Edgeworth breathes in deep and stands up straight, walking to meet with one Harvey Dent]

Comments

I'm so sorry for the delay, I had to take a hiatus!

[indentcision]

[ Honestly, defending Crane makes Harvey no happier than anyone else, most likely -- except, perhaps, Crane himself -- but then still at the end of the day, every person is entitled to a lawyer and fair trial. That lawyer has to be someone, so he may as well be Harvey.

His expression is relatively neutral when he looks up at Miles Edgeworth, though his scarring gives his face a sort of permanent half-sneer. He stands, offering his hand out. ]

Mr. Edgeworth. Interesting circumstances we find ourselves in, aren't they?

It's fine! I hope things are going better for you now

[takethestairs]

[Despite his manners and decorum, despite seeing Harvey Dent's face on the network, Edgeworth can't help but stare. He does not mean to, but he stiffens, his eyes drawn to the twisted lines on his cheek and the artificial sneer on his lips.

That could have been you, he reminds himself. If not for his talents, Crane's tender ministrations would have left him looking exactly like Dent, if not worse. He straightens up immediately and forces himself to look Harvey Dent in the eye, before he takes his hand. He shakes it firmly, his grip just tight enough to make his presence known, before backing away.]

Interesting is one way to put it, yes.

[He speaks coolly, the look in his eyes as icy as his voice. While he's not being hostile, he's being far from hospitable]

Let's begin, shall we? I don't think I need to tell you how dire your... client's position is at the moment.

getting there, thank you!

[indentcision]

[ Harvey's gaze flicks from their gripped hands to Edgeworth again once his hand's been released; his lips press tightly in a line as much as they're able, eyes remaining level once they've made contact. ]

Hmm. Yes, dire. Can't argue that -- it'd be a fool's errand to try and claim there aren't witnesses. Evidence of some manner of wrong-doing.

[ His brow furrows slightly lower on his forehead, and he crosses his arms in front of him. ]

But we're both familiar with his case file; it's far from a lost cause altogether. Even dire clients have right and interests worth protecting, after all.

[takethestairs]

[Evidence of some manner of wrongdoing...

Edgeworth's posture stiffens and the lines around his mouth tighten as he stares Harvey in the eye. That's an understatement if he's ever heard one! Every word that comes out of Dent's mouth, every shift in his posture, present his attitude as flippant and glib. Edgeworth breathes out harshly, gripping the handle of his briefcase tightly, and forces himself to bite his tongue. He must remain composed, above all else. There's too much at stake to indulge himself in an outburst.]

Of course, Mr. Dent. I recognize the rights that Crane is entitled to - after all, we wouldn't want to violate procedure.

[His voice is as cold as ever, and he maintains eye contact with Dent the whole time. It's an odd word to emphasize, procedure. Just what is Edgeworth implying there?]

[indentcision]

[ Harvey is of course playing his cards neutrally; regardless of what turns this discussion takes, he doesn't plan on going out of his way to incriminate Crane any further. Not that the man needs any help, but-- the case itself doesn't hinge only upon guilty vs. innocent, after all. ]

Exactly -- glad we're on the same page. [ He smirks crookedly, though faintly, his own eyes not leaving Edgeworth's either. ] Don't expect the proceedings to be anything less but professional. I've spoken to my client, of course -- he intends to cooperate, although I can't discuss too much of our conversations.

But speaking of procedure, we might as well get on with it. Speak your mind.

[ Spoken neutrally enough. Then he gestures with his hand to prompt Edgeworth onward. ]

[takethestairs]

[Edgeworth has now calmed himself, and if Dent has made any digs at him, he does not let them get under his skin.]

We have every intention of bringing this case to trial. You and I both know how overwhelming the evidence is against him, and should this go to a full tribunal...

[He pauses, shaking his head]

Well, to say it would end poorly would be an understatement. However, depending on how... cooperative your client is, we may be able to make this painless for all parties involved.

[indentcision]

[ Harvey's smile grows, at least as much as it can, which is still only along the right side of his face. He nods his head, posturing his shoulders back with his hands in his pockets to demonstrate some degree of nonchalant confidence. At least it's what he aims to project, sincere or not. ]

I think for my client, a full trial is the preferable option. There may be some alternatives to trying to cut a deal out of court, but I think it's important this case stay within the public sight. Give no one reason to question the outcome of the trial one way or the other.

[ His eyes remain fixed on Edgeworth, the left one unblinking as ever as it stares sightlessly forward. There's an edge to his tone, but he still keeps it at least superficially pleasant. ]

So if you could define painlessly?

[takethestairs]

[A lesser man might be rattled by Harvey's grin, but Edgeworth knows that Olivier will be quite pleased by his response. She has no interest in going easy on Crane, and he suspects that making the doctor's crimes as public as possible will satisfy her sense of justice. So Edgeworth remains stoic, with no change in his posture or expression, and speaks smoothly as he addresses Harvey Dent.]

When I said painless, I didn't just mean for the prosecution or the defense. I was also referring to the witnesses. The events at De Chima were rather traumatic, for everyone involved. I would hate for anyone to suffer undue distress.

[indentcision]

Hm. Traumatic indeed.

[ His head cocks slightly to one side, but that's the extent to which Harvey's posture changes; his expression, conversely, changes only so much to suggest that he isn't particularly swayed by the potential that someone might find the trial too traumatizing. ]

I did say my client intends to be cooperative, which is to say, non-provocative. He won't be antagonizing any witnesses, although-- [ A beat, his brow furrowing for just a moment in consideration. ] They can make a remote appearance if necessary. Bring in a monitor or a laptop, should be simple; problem solved. We can keep this simple, as far as I'm concerned.

[takethestairs]

That sounds perfectly fair, Mr. Dent. More importantly, I'm glad to hear that your client will be keeping his nasty habits in check.

[His tone is biting near the end, and it's the only crack in his otherwise cool demeanor. He clears his throat and continues before Dent can reply to the insult]

Moving onward... you have all the information you need for your defense, correct?

[This is possibly the most drastic difference between this America's court system and the one that he's used to: the expectation that he should share his information openly with the defense. It won't matter, though. He's not so unskilled that he can't adapt new strategies.]

[indentcision]

Well. He may be a man of certain passions, but he can grasp professionalism when the alternative primarily hurts him.

[ Harvey adjusts his tie, tipping Edgeworth a knowing smile; he isn't here to deny anything about Crane, after all -- he doesn't even like the guy -- but a good lawyer knows when to be vague. ]

I'm familiar with Jonathan Crane, don't worry. [ Too familiar. ] I should have all the information for my argument, yes -- unless there's more you wanted to share. Or...

[ He pauses. ]

I doubt you have questions for me.

[takethestairs]

[He does not return Dent's smile, but instead he merely nods in response, betraying no other emotion.]

I think I've asked all of the necessary questions. I'll see you in court, Mr. Dent.