all rise

[self_composed]

No plea bargain is struck. The jury is picked, and Lucinda asks a few random ones whether they have accepted bribes and sees who looks nervous: no one, as it turns out, so she strikes people who are too young to have children and one fellow who looks like he hates the entire world for her picks. Paul strikes a grandmotherly type and someone who admits when asked that they don't think much of rich people.

"All rise," comes the command as Judge Roberts walks in.

Comments

[self_composed]

["I made a friend,"] Bella says, [and you can point at me - "who only just moved here, and I found out her dad is the chief of police. I didn't want to risk it at first but she talked me around. Her dad's a decent guy."]

[edgeofyourseat]

That one he repeats nearly verbatim. He doesn't sound like he's reading from a script, though; he sounds flawlessly authentic.

[self_composed]

Paul just stands there for a few seconds.

"Mr. Washington," says the judge.

"Oh. Uh. No further questions." Paul sits down.

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice's eyebrows lift slightly, a can-you-believe-this-dude? expression briefly overlaid on his general air of resigned misery.

[self_composed]

[Very nice,] Bella approves.

Alice is dismissed. Lucinda calls up Theo. Swearing in and the like happens.

Lucinda stalks up to Theo like she's a tiger. "So," she says. "I understand you have been in the employ of the Hammonds for some time, is that right?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"...yes," says Theo, after turning the question over in his mind for a moment to see where the scary parts are.

[self_composed]

"And do you remember driving Laney to the hospital in November of last year?" Lucinda continues.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Yes," just because no one would believe him if he said no.

[self_composed]

"And where did you drive him from?" Lucinda asks. "I remind you that you are under oath."

[edgeofyourseat]

Theo looks pained.

"From the house."

[self_composed]

"Have you ever heard or seen evidence that your employer was mistreating his son?" Lucinda continues, pacing a little.

[edgeofyourseat]

You can almost see the gears turning in his head as he desperately tries to come up with the most lenient interpretation.

"Nothing I was sure of," he says, eyes darting from side to side like a hunted creature.

[self_composed]

"But you suspected?" presses Lucinda.

[edgeofyourseat]

"I... didn't... really think he was doing anything like that," he says haltingly.

[self_composed]

"You didn't think he was doing anything like that," Lucinda repeats, spacing out each word. "Why did you think Laney needed transportation to the hospital in November?" she asks, all innocent curiosity.

[edgeofyourseat]

"I thought it was none of my business," Theo mumbles.

[self_composed]

"I have a police report," Lucinda says, pulling it out of her files and waving it around slightly. "It says Officer Kerensky found the incident suspicious and asked several people - including you - where Laney had gotten hurt. And that you said..." She peers at the report, like she's never read this part before. "'Dunno'."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Well, I didn't," says Theo, gaining mroe confidence as he repeats the old, well-worn justification. "I only knew where I was told to pick him up. He could've hurt himself anywhere."

[self_composed]

"So," Lucinda says, "your explanation for events is that Laney broke his own ribs... somewhere... and was transported home, by someone other than you, even though you are the family's driver and were working that day... and even though an ambulance would have taken him directly to the hospital... and that none of these things struck you as potentially worth informing the police, so even when Officer Kerenksy sought you out specifically you only told him... 'dunno'. Is that right?"

[edgeofyourseat]

He opens his mouth.

He closes his mouth.

"...yes?"

[self_composed]

"That's very interesting," Lucinda says, narrowing her eyes. "I have an architectural plan here. It shows that the Hammond family's current residence was remodeled extensively before they moved in, and that among the renovations made was extensive soundproofing. In every room. This advertisement for the sale of their former residence in New York advertises similar amenities. Did you ever hear any very... very... quiet sounds - that could have been associated with violence occurring in the house, given that information?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"I have never made a habit of eavesdropping on my employers," he snaps.

[self_composed]

"I didn't ask if you listened," Lucinda says softly. "I asked if you heard."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Well, I didn't."

[self_composed]

"You are still under oath," Lucinda points out.

But if that doesn't shake anything loose, she moves on. "Assuming you were being entirely candid, would you describe Mr. Hammond, Sr., as having a temper?"