What Comes After (AiO Fic)

Chapter Three

  "Mr. Meltsner," Fischer began, looking to Eugene. "Describe to me what happened the night of the robbery." He requested. "Yes, well," Eugene let out a nervous cough to clear his throat. "When Murray first arrived at the shop, he was rather unassuming. Simply a customer taking a brief respite from his travels for a dish of ice cream." Fischer nodded as he listened. "I merely treated him as I do any customer to Whit's End."

"So, you took no issue with the defendant?" Eugene shook his head 'no'. "No, sir, I did not. Th-That is, until he um... revealed that he was carrying a firearm on his person." He added, and from across the courtroom, Eugene didn't miss Hank Murray's subtle eye roll as the man shifted a little in his seat. His lawyer quietly said something to him, just as Fischer continued speaking. "Tell me what happened when you realized that the situation was now a hold up?"

"I made my best effort to remain calm, for both mine and my co-worker's sakes." Eugene replied. "And I was able to alert the authorities by employing the use of the small button beneath the counter, for the silent alarm." He explained. "However, I must admit I mistakenly informed Murray of the alarm not long after when asked—after he had taken notice of it..." Fischer hummed. "Did the defendant threaten to harm you had you refused to tell him about the silent alarm?"

"Murray made reference to his six "reasons" he had loaded in his hand gun if I didn't tell him of my pressing the button, yes." Another, brief nod from Fischer. "I see..." Hank glared at Eugene, likely not appreciating being quoted of something he'd directly said during the robbery. Eugene, however, wasn't paying him mind at that moment.

"And so, having pressed the silent alarm, Officer Dan Kern arrived at the scene. Tell me, what happened at that time?" Taking a breath, Eugene briefly hesitated at having to recount this part. "Murray instructed for me to stay down, out of sight behind the counter, alongside him. Meanwhile, Miss Kendall—m-my co-worker—was told to make Officer Dan Kern leave without garnering his suspicion." He retold. "During her exchange with the officer, Murray kept his firearm out where it was visible."

"Did he have the weapon pointed at Miss Kendall from behind the counter?"

"No," Eugene began. "However... I was greatly concerned that he would harm her... should she say the wrong thing." Fischer raised a brow. "Meaning that he did seem ready to shoot at any given moment following Officer Kern's arrival?" Eugene nodded, confirming the prosecutor's question. "Which he then did when she tried to tip Officer Kern off?" Another nod. "Tell me what you did after the defendant opened fire on the officer."

"Seeing as it was Miss Kendall who had made an attempt to 'tip off' Officer Kern, I drew the hasty conclusion that Murray would turn on her next. A-And so, I... tackled him in an attempt to seize the gun from him." Eugene paused, his brow pinching together as he briefly glanced down. Judge Irving, sitting close by, gave the college student a brief glance of sympathy. Even as he continued to keep his demeanor as neutral as he needed it to be for the task at hand, Fischer did soften his tone slightly for Eugene's sake, when he then asked, "And what was the result of your attempt?"

"He..."Adjusting his glasses a bit, Eugene cleared his throat again. He slightly shifted his arm in the support brace, as the lingering soreness in his shoulder suddenly felt more prevalent. "... Murray instead turned his attention away from Miss Kendall... firing his weapon at me." Eugene answered, before subtly giving a glare of his own across to Murray—who was looking frustratingly unremorseful.

"Thank you, Mr. Meltsner." Fischer promptly gave him a nod. "I have no more questions."

﹝•••﹞

It was late. Rain was pouring from the dark clouds outside, as the harsh wind mercilessly rattled windows. All of this seemed to add more underlying stress and tension to things as he looked over to the criminal man.