Costa Crew 3: Make or Break

Chapter 3 - Objection

The last time Rebecca Hidgens had appeared in court, she had been fairly confident about the outcome. After all, the evidence swung in her favour. But even then Paul had nearly been sent to prison and Hannah had nearly been killed.

This time, none of the evidence seemed to swing in her favour, despite the overwhelming fact that she was innocent. This time, she was facing a lengthy prison sentence, which she would almost certainly not make it out of alive. After all, she had already been kicked half to death and ended up fighting for her life in hospital. The only thing keeping her from crossing over to the after life had been her own willpower. After all, Curt's killer was still at large, and Amelia had clearly set some sort of final plan in motion before she died, so it was up to Becky and the Costa Crew to get to the bottom of this mystery.

"You ready?"

The last time Becky had appeared in court, Lisa Kleinman had without a doubt been the enemy that she had to discredit. Now Lisa was standing next to her outside the courtroom among several armed prison officers, and at this moment in time was her only comfort. "Not really," she confessed.

Lisa put a hand on her arm. "You'll be okay. Just stay calm and tell the jury the truth. You're innocent."

As footsteps approached them, Lisa glared over Becky's shoulder. "Heads up," she whispered. "Prosecutor."

Becky looked round, expecting to see Lisa Beck, but instead found Richard Lestrade striding towards them, Raymond Drake and Thomas Hunt right behind him. Yet another way this trial was the opposite of the last - back then Lestrade had been their ally, someone to guide her, someone she could count on. Now she could only see a cold hearted lawyer ready to discredit her.

"Miss Kleinman, Miss Hidgens," he began hesitantly. "I realise this is awkward-"

"You don't say," Lisa cut in. Lestrade sighed.

"Miss Hidgens, I hope you realise that sending an innocent person to prison is the last thing I want to do. All I want to do is present the evidence that suggests your guilt, while Miss Kleinman presents the evidence that suggests your innocence. I just want people to have all the facts. Only then will they make the right decision. Whatever happens, I'm sure justice will be done."

Drake smirked. "I'm sure it will, Mr Lestrade. After all, my team leaves no stone unturned."

"I'm sure you spent plenty of time inspecting pebbles during this investigation," Lisa replied coldly. "If you're done covering up your insecurities by being an arrogant-"

"DCI Drake, I don't have any quarrel with you," Becky interrupted. "I know you're just trying to do your job. When we go in you'll see that I'm innocent. After that I hope we can work together to find the real killer."

Drake narrowed his eyes. "See you in court, Miss Hidgens."

He turned and entered the courtroom, Hunt following him, but Lisa called Lestrade back. "Richard, I thought Lisa Beck was taking this trial," she whispered. What's going on at the prosecutor's office?"

Lestrade shrugged. "It's weird, Lisa said she'd be back in time to handle the Hidgens case, but she keeps taking more time off. I'm just as clueless as you are."

Lisa nodded uneasily. "Alright, see you in a minute."

Lestrade grimaced, then followed Drake and Hunt into the courtroom. "You've got this, okay?" Lisa said reassuringly, before nodding to the prison officers. "We're ready."

At a nod from one of the guards, Becky moved forwards and stepped into the courtroom, which was full to the brim. In fact, apart from the defence table where Becky and Lisa would soon be taking their seats, there was not a single empty seat in the courtroom.

As she approached the front feeling all eyes on her, Becky scanned the crowds for a familiar face, but found none. No Paul. No Charlotte. No Ted. No Hannah. Not one single friend coming to support her.

Becky took her place. Lisa shook hands with Lestrade and then sat down beside Becky, sitting bolt upright - though if Becky looked closely enough, she could spot a tremble in Lisa's hands. "All rise for the Honourable Judge McAfferty," called the clerk.

Becky stood with the rest of the courtroom as Judge Frederick McAfferty, the same judge in charge of Amelia's trial, entered and took his seat. "Please be seated," he said clearly. "Court is now in session for the case of the City of London versus Rebecca Hidgens for the murder of Amelia Murphy. Representing the Prosecution is Richard Lestrade, representing the Defence is Lisa Kleinman. Miss Hidgens, for the murder of Amelia Murphy, do you plead guilty or not guilty?"

"Not guilty," replied Becky.

McAfferty nodded. "Very well. Lestrade, your opening statement please."

Lestrade got to his feet and started pacing slowly, back and forth a few times before he started to speak. "Your Honour, I can't do this."

"Excuse me?" asked McAfferty incredulously, raising an eyebrow while murmurs spread throughout the courtroom. "Order!"

Lestrade shook his head. "I know as a prosecutor it's my job to act against whoever the police charge, but Rebecca Hidgens was my ally in the greatest case of my career. I can't stand here and tell you all she's a killer when I'm certain that she didn't do what Chief Constable Hunt and Detective Chief Inspector Drake say she did. I'm sorry, everyone."

He took his seat, avoiding eye contact with everyone. "Very well," boomed McAfferty. "This trial is on hold until further notice."

He stood and briskly walked from the courtroom, leaving Becky exchanging amazed glances with Lisa.

A glimmer of hope seemed to appear before her. Lestrade believed in her innocence, and was even willing to defy the Chief Constable, despite all the evidence presented by Drake. Perhaps this wasn't the end for her.

But whatever Amelia's final plan was, it had only been delayed, not stopped. They would find another prosecutor, one who would do everything in their power to send Becky down. And at this moment in time it looked as if it was her and Lisa against the rest of the world. She couldn't even count on the Costa Crew.

No, she could count on the Costa Crew. After all, they had fought to find evidence of Becky's innocence, they had believed in her simply because she told them she didn't kill Amelia, and had even gone to Australia to bring Lisa back as her attorney. If they hadn't shown up for her trial, there had to be a reason.