The Diavoli Forti

Chapter 34: The verdict

I start to grab Rebecca's arm before I am called to the stand. My heart stops. I can't move. I sit there frozen. Rebecca tries to break me out of my frozen state. She motions me to the stand. "It's alright. Motion me in if you decide you want me to speak for you." She whispers. I get up and smooth my dress down and slowly take each step to the stand. I sit next to the judge and look out to all the people in front of me. To the right, I see him. He won't even look up. He won't even acknowledge my presence. It stings a bit. I bite my lip staring at his.

"Ms. Royce.." , my head snaps up hearing Judge Christine, "Please, place your hand." I look in front of me and notice the police officer holding the Bible in front of me. How long had he been standing there? I glance over at Kevin. He could see the worry on my face and flashed me a reassuring smile. I take my oath knowing good and well, that I will rot in hell for the lies I have to tell. I can't be honest. He was a diamond in the rough and I can't let him take the fall for that. There is so much more to Tony Morati than I could have ever seen in the beginning. Something, I wish they all could see. The man who saved me and held my sexual abuser accountable. The man who dug into his heart to make the right decisions to appease me and make me feel comfortable during my time away from home.

Tony's attorney stands up and walks towards me, "I'm going to ask you a few questions, okay dear?" I shake my head in understanding at him.

"Ms. Royce, can you identify the man sitting at that table as Antonio Vasquez Morati?"

"Yes, but he goes by Tony." I say quietly.

"Ms. Royce, are you afraid of that man? Do you fear for your life in the presence of that man?"

I take a minute to answer. Swallowing a deep breath, "No, I don't."

Whispers and quiet gasps shoot across the courtroom.

"Ms. Royce, has Tony Morati ever physically or sexually harmed you?"

Rebecca stands up, "Objection, compound. Two questions that does not have anything to do with answering the kidnapping charge at hand. My client should not have to answer that question publicly."
Judge Christine raises her hand at her, "Overruled. I'll allow it to further educate into the kidnapping accusations. Unless, Ms. Royce herself wishes to not answer."

Tony's attorney nods, "Thank you, your honor. Ms. Royce? Please answer."

My chest is so tight I can barely breathe. "No. Tony never laid a hand on me."

"Three more questions, Ms. Royce. Did you witness the murder of Ronald Strout by Tony Morati as testified by your Uncle?"

I look over at Leon. I couldn't lie. It would hurt Leon. I take a deep sigh and unable to look up from my lap.  "Yes." Gasps echo throughout the room.

"Can you confirm that my client could have been reacting out of self defense from Ronald Strout that night?"

"I'm not sure. I walked up on the end of it. It most certainly could have been. Ronald was not an easy person to talk to." I catch Leon's face and it looks slightly disheartened at my words.

"Ms. Royce, did you leave after that incident with Tony Morati?"

The wording caught me off guard. I started to stumble over my answer, "Well... yes but..." I was interrupted by Rebecca.

"Objection, leading. Call it like it is. She did not leave with him. Was she kidnapped? Did he take her against her will?"

"Sustained." The judge states.

Tony's attorney rolls his eyes and suddenly raises his voice louder, "Ms. Royce, did Tony Morati kidnap you after witnessing the murder of Ronald Strout?"

My face goes flush. I start stuttering. How do I answer? Panic rises in me. "I... I wish to not answer please."

Tony's attorney smiles as if he's just realized. He's realized I no more want to give than they can take from me. The less I say, the better for both of us at this point.

"Ms. Royce, are you wanting to testify against Tony Morati for aggravated kidnapping today? Or was this all just a misunderstanding?"

Reporters suddenly stood up for pictures and clearer recordings of my responses. I looked around the room from face to face. I glanced over at the jury and their stern hard faces. Kevin's eyes meet mine and he looked worried. He knew I was hiding things already. This was really going to make him wonder about me.

I look directly at Tony as I speak the next words, "No. I did not wish to testify against Tony Morati at all today. I decline the charges. I just want to move on from this."

The whole courtroom breaks out in talking and reporters are going nuts. The jury starts talking amongst each other. Judge Christine bangs her gavel trying to get the courtroom to calm down. Rebecca's mouth is practically on the floor and Leon's face is buried in his hands. I see the members of the Ombra Scuras get up and leave the room. Most importantly, I see Tony's head snap up at those words and his face finally meets mine as it is washed in agony.

I get up and feel Tony's eyes burning into me. I knew he was angry at me. I take my seat back next to Rebecca who is furious I didn't tell her of the change. "What the hell, McKenna?!" I look over to Kevin who is just sitting back stroking his facial hair, thinking.

•••Flashback•••
Another man, dressed in a suit bursts in, "Don't! She's the missing girl! That's McKenna Royce!"

He backs them off. They watch me as I cry over Tony. I turn his body over holding his face.

"Tony please! Tony wake up! Damn it! Come back to me!"

The rest of court is spent discussing the other incident that occurred with Ronald that night. The jury goes out and court recesses for nearly 3 hours awaiting a response.

Finally, the jury re-enters. My glance goes face to face looking for a glimmer of hope. Judge Christine bangs her gavel, "I need the jury's decision on the case of Antonio Vasquez Morati in the murder of Ronald Strout."

A tall scrawny old man stands up, "The jury finds the defendant Antonio Vasquez Morati, guilty, in the murder of Ronald Strout pleading excessive self defense." I hear Tony's attorney take a sigh of relief. Excessive self defense at least means he won't get as long as a sentence.

"There you have it, in the case of Ronald Strout's murder you, Antonio Morati, are found guilty of excessive self defense and will serve a 15 year sentence. In the case of McKenna Royce, Antonio Morati, is not guilty and no charges pressed for aggravated kidnapping. Ms. Royce you and your counsel are dismissed. Court will reconvene tomorrow in the cases of Antonio Morati for the charge of theft and trafficking/trading. Detectives, I expect all of you will be present with your evidence." Judge Christine bangs her gavel one last time. Everyone jumps up and starts to leave. They start to take Tony back out of the room. Reporters crowd up front to interview both counsels on each side. I jump and race through the crowd to try and see him one last time.

Our eyes meet one last time before he's ripped through the door.