Order in the Court (GxG)

Chapter 11

   Benny clasped his hands behind his back. "Mr. Atwood, were you ever romantically involved with Miss Peterson?"

"No, sir."

"Were you ever at her house?"

"Nope."

Benny raised his arms, looking around the room, before addressing the judge. "No further questions, your honor."

"And the defense?" The judge asked.

I stood. "Mr. Atwood, how is it everyone else seems to remember you and Holly dating, yet you don't seem to remember her?"

He sat back, shrugging. "Beats me."

"I have two witnesses that place you at her house the night of the murder. How do you explain that?" I asked, looking directly at him.

He smirked. "Maybe they're confusing me for someone else. Or, maybe Miss Flynn indulged a little to much on that cheap pink wine-"

"How'd you know what kinda wine Holly drank?" Dakota suddenly asked.

Trevor seemed to pause for a second, mouth slightly open, a look of fear crossing his features for just a moment. "Uh, lucky guess." He folded his arms over his chest then.

I turned to Dakota. "Miss Flynn, did Holly drink pink wine?"

She nodded and, to my surprise, so did her parents.

I felt a wave of confidence wash over me as I refaced Trevor. "Mr. Atwood, care to explain how you knew what kind of wine Holly drank?"

"Like I said, lucky guess. I'm sure lots of people drink pink wine." He replied.

"True... But, most people don't assume wine to be pink. So, why did you?"

A look of anger crossed his features. "I don't know, they're college girls. College girls drink that kind of shit all the time."

"Language." The judge interrupted.

"Miss Flynn, was pink wine popular around campus?" I asked.

Dakota shook her head. "Definitely not. Most of the students had more money then us. They called it cheap, drugstore booze and usually made fun of us at parties for drinking it."

I spun on Trevor then, folding my arms over my chest now. "Care to try again?"

His eyes narrowed at me, his jaw clenched. "I don't have to answer you."

I shrugged. "Technically you're right, how about you just sit back and listen then? And, feel free to jump in when it starts sounding familiar."

I paced around the room, then, piecing together the story in my head. "Here's what I think... I think you and Holly were involved. I think you knew about Miss Flynn's attraction to Holly. And I think Holly shared those feelings. I think it burned you up inside knowing that Holly was in love with someone else. So, after a few glasses of that cheap pink wine, you snapped. Maybe it just started as an argument. Maybe it got a little out of hand. Maybe Holly dumped you, kicked you to the curb for someone else... So, you took matters into your own hands. If you can't have her then no one can... Ringing any bells yet?" I asked as I turned back towards Trevor. To my surprise, he had his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

The room went quiet as he released a few whimpers.

"Mr. Atwood?" I questioned.

Everyone seemed to hold their breathes, looking on in anticipation.

Then, he spoke, head still lowered. "It didn't happen like that... I'd never hurt her on purpose... I loved her, you know..?"

Murmurs broke out amongst the crowd.

"But, all she could ever talk about was Dakota. 'She's so great.' 'She's so funny...'" He continued. "After Dakota passed out that night, I wanted to go out, but Holly refused to leave Dakota behind... I confronted her about it and like usual she shut me out. So, I pried a little deeper and she finally broke. She told me about her... Feelings for women... For Dakota in particular..."

Dakota perked up then, a few tears leaking down her cheeks. "What did she say..?"

Trevor finally looked up, a look of anger crossing his features again. "Like you didn't know. There were always rumors about you two around campus..."

His face softened then. "She told me she loved you. Said she was tired of hiding from her feelings. She told me she wanted to break up with me. I got angry, started yelling... I must've scared her because she grabbed a knife, told me to get the hell out... I took the knife from her and she charged me... It was an accident..."

The room went silent then. The truth hanging in the air like a dark, stormy cloud.

"What happened next?" I asked.

He sat back then, refusing to look at anyone. "I panicked and took off. I called my dad, he said to keep my mouth shut, that he'd take care of everything."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

He shrugged. "He scared a few witnesses, lied on a few documents... He was just looking out for me... But, it was all my fault..."

The judge rapped her gavel then. "I think we've heard enough... Miss Flynn, you're free to go... Bailiff, put Mr. Atwood in cuffs."

And, just like that, everything came to a sudden end. After all the fighting. All the pain and sadness. It was all finally over...

—————

I was free to go, the real killer was in custody, and Holly's murder was solved. It all happened to quickly.

I stood then, Valerie pulling me into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Dakota..."

I melted into her embrace. There was a lot of information to cope with. A lot of emotions to deal with all at once. I started to cry and Valerie rubbed my back. "It's ok now, you're free..."

Then, Hollys parents approached us. "Dakota, we're so sorry." Her mom said.

"We never should've blamed you." Her dad added.

I pulled them into hugs then. "I just wish I could've done more..."

Her dad rested his hand on my shoulder. "From the sounds of it, you did everything you could..."

"We can rest easy knowing she wasn't completely alone. That she was at least with someone she loved before she passed." Her mom added.

I felt more tears start to flow as I pulled them back into a hug.

As we pulled apart, the bailiff led Trevor past us.

Trevor looked at us. "Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, I'm so-"

Holly's mom slapped him across the face, cutting his sentence short. "Get him out of my face." She told the bailiff.

He nodded before dragging Trevor away.

Valerie was at my side again. "C'mon, we still have to get you released from the jail."

I just nodded, following her out of the courtroom.

We passed Benny on the way. He gave me a small nod. "I'm sorry for your loss."

I returned his nod as he turned towards Valerie. "Good work, Miss Cross."

Valerie shook his hand before leading me out of the courthouse, the bright sun shinning down on us.

I took in a long breath before looking up at the sky.

Valerie took my hand then. "Ready?"

I just nodded, letting her lead me towards her car.

After the trial ended, the truth continued to come out. Every detail seeing the light of day. Trevor was charged with involuntary manslaughter and perjury. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Chief Atwood was arrested and charged with falsifying evidence and perjury. He was sentenced to sixteen years in prison. At his age, he'd probably never see the light of day again...

I, however, was free...