Pokémon Obsidian | An Orre Fanfiction

Chapter 105: The Defence

The next day of the trial began with the Phenac residents whose homes were damaged in the attack on the bank. Jamie was yet to show any emotion other than embarrassment, but Amber hoped the jury would interpret that as remorse; because if he thought his actions were acceptable, he wouldn't have been embarrassed.

'The Region calls Alyson Comb.'

At first glance, Alyson was unassuming, with a meek face half-hidden by frizzy hair and round glasses. Then her grey eyes lit up with irate vehemence. Once she confirmed her identity and swore on the stone tablet, Lindsey began her examination.

'Were you at home on 12 October last year, when the attack on the Bank of Orre took place?'

'Yes.'

'Did you see the defendant and his employees arrive at the bank?'

'No. I wasn't looking out of the window. I was busy on my computer. The first I knew of it, police were knocking on my door, saying there was a depraved murderer out there and I needed to get to safety.'

Harper looked like she might snigger at that statement, but she didn't. She waited for her turn.

'Were you frightened?'

'I was terrified. When I was taken outside, I saw a fierce battle going on between blatant Cipher members and the Champion, who turned out to be the same person. Everyone was terrified. The police, the bystanders, the bank staff – everyone.'

'Can you describe the eventual explosion that damaged your home?'

As Alyson talked, Lindsey played a muted video of the incident. Debris hurtling from the exploding bank smashed windows and set buildings alight. Alyson's apartment block collapsed.

'As you can see, my home no longer exists. There's no question that I would be dead if police hadn't got everyone out in time. The compensation I've received is irrelevant. This was absolutely an act of arson with intent to endanger life and I will live with this trauma for the rest of my life.'

'Thank you. I have no further questions.'

Harper resisted the urge to leap up as soon as Lindsey sat down. She waited until Bowen officially invited her.

'Ms. Comb, you said that you saw the battle. At what point did the defendant give the order to blow up the bank? Had everyone already been evacuated?'

'Are you trying to diminish my experience just because I was evacuated? I would have died!'

'But is that really true? My question has actually already been answered by this exhibit.'

Harper gestured to the video. 'The defendant didn't give the order to blow up the bank until Ardos Luvaro arrived. That was well after it would only harm property, not people or Pokémon.'

'It's quite clear from the video that he also dropped grenades all the way back to the Selenite Resort in case someone followed him.'

'But he knew that no-one had followed him.'

'Enough bickering!' Bowen called, 'Do you have further questions, Ms. Hutnik?'

'Yes. Is the police officer who described a "depraved murderer" present?'

Alyson glanced around. 'I don't think so.'

'Do you remember their name? Was it a man? A woman?'

'It was a man. He had a – a Croagunk.'

'Are you absolutely certain it was a male officer with a Croagunk?'

'Yes.'

'Your Honour, I can't help doubting the validity of Ms. Comb's testimony. This is a blatant exaggeration.'

'One of the witnesses who will be called today is PCPD Chief Carmine Hexagon, who can confirm or deny the existence of this officer.'

On her way out, Alyson burst into tears. She was gently led away by a court counsellor. Other homeowners and workers who were present at the time of the attack spoke before Carmine. Two women and a man were as angry as Alyson. The man's cosmetics shop was destroyed. He claimed he heard Jamie give the order to blow up the bank before everyone was evacuated. The next witness backed up him. Harper pointed out that the video proved otherwise, but the audience was already whispering.

'The Region calls Carmine Hexagon.'

Amber willed her to contradict them. Yet she also feared that if Carmine was remotely kind or even fair, she would be accused of bias because she was related to Lavender. She seemed to be aware of that herself. She recounted the attack with professional indifference that remained when Harper's cross-examination began.

'Was the defendant, as GoD, in your sight and earshot throughout the incident?'

'For most of it, yes, but there was a lot of noise. It's possible I didn't hear everything.'

'Did you hear the defendant give an order to blow up the bank at any point before everyone was evacuated?'

'No.'

'Did any of your officers report such a thing?'

'No.'

'Were any of the evacuees close enough to hear it?'

'Unless I missed something, no. We kept them well away from any danger.'

'Do you employ a male officer who uses a Croagunk?'

'No.'

Carmine hesitated. 'All PCPD Pokémon must be fully evolved, unless holding an Eviolite with an appropriate strategy.'

'Thank you. No further questions.'

A long line of Carmine's colleagues followed. The days of PCPD officers accepting bribes were long gone. They all spoke with the same professional indifference as their chief. Their accounts of the incident were so similar that it was almost possible for tension to become boredom; but Amber and Trip were too nervous. They awaited the moment an officer would back up those angry witnesses. None did.

The last testimony was from the officer who actually escorted Alyson out. It was a woman with a Sandslash. When Harper asked if she described Jamie as a 'depraved murderer,' she looked annoyed.

'I wouldn't say anything like that in any situation. It would only scare the evacuees. However, Ms. Comb was very upset and may not have a clear memory of the incident.'

Amber expected the next day to be equally, painfully long, but Lindsey's opening words surprised her.

'The Region has no further witnesses.'

That didn't mean, however, that the journey ahead was any shorter or brighter.

'The defence calls the Chief Inspector of the International Police.'

Journalists were removed. Emma was the only witness present. Ditto in Gatas and exploding banks were light topics compared to those she would cover.