Hiding

Chapter thirty-five

"This is insane!" Alec shouts with a firm grip on the metal bars of the holding cell. "I haven't killed anybody!"

"Calm down, Alec." Simon says as he approaches the holding cell. "Shouting won't help."

"I haven't done this, Simon."

"I know. I believe you." Then Simon turns to the cop at the desk a few feet away. "Can I please have a word with my client. Alone."

The coop sighs loud, like he thinks it is ridicules that he is even asked to do his damn job. Then he unlocks the cell and guides Alec to an interrogation room where he and Simon can talk alone. The room has one table with two chairs on opposite sides but nothing else. On one of the walls there is a big mirror. A mirror, which Alec knows from watching crime shows, is a one-way mirror allowing detectives to observe from outside of the room. Once Simon has made sure the door is closed and the camera in the corner isn't filming, he starts the conversation.

"So," He puts a folder down on the table, "apparently they have your DNA on a victim from last night."

"I was home last night." Alec quickly states. He remembers vividly. He wasn't feeling well, so he went to sleep while Magnus met up with an old friend.

"I believe you, but you don't have an alibi."

"Yes, I do. We have a camera filming our entrance hall. Then you can see I didn't leave the apartment at all."

"They've already checked that with Magnus' consent but the footage from last night is gone."

"What?" Alec is in shock. How can it be gone? It is only him and Magnus who has access to it and Magnus definitely wouldn't do anything like that. "That can't be right."

"Unfortunately, it is." Simon slides the folder over the table to Alec. "And since the victim is also someone you know, it is getting more and more difficult to prove your innocence." Alec opens it then quickly looks away. "I'm sorry. The pictures are pretty graphic."

"Is that...?" Alecs voice quivers while still holding the folder in his hands.

"Yes. It is the man from Magnus' workplace. The one several people have seen you get jealous of."

"that's... oh god..." nausea hits Alec hard. He can barely breathe, and the room starts spinning fast.

"I need some help in here!" Simon shouts as Alec falls of his chair.

*****

"I believe he had a panic attack and based on what I read in his file, this isn't the first time. His body is stressed, and he needs rest." A nurse is standing next to Alec's bed, talking to Magnus when Alec opens his eyes. He is in a hospital room.

"What happened?" he asks as he tries to sit up.

"Don't try and get up." Magnus says and puts a hand on Alec's chest, gently pushing him back down in his bed. "You had a panic attack. Again."

"But..." Alec wants to reach out and take Magnus' hand, but his movements are restrained. Then he sees the cuffs.

"You are still accused of murder." Magnus says with tears in his eyes.

"I didn't..."

"I know." Magnus smiles lovingly at Alec. "You wouldn't hurt anyone." He takes Alec's hand. "It is Robert. I know it is. I just don't know how he got your DNA, or turned off our camera or..." He takes a deep breath, "or knew who to kill that would implement you."

"it's Robert." Alec answers dryly. "He always knows."

Magnus phone starts ringing.

"it's Simon." He says and answers it. "Hi, Simon... yes, he is okay. A panic attack." A silence follows as Alec sees Magnus' face changing while Simon tells him something over the phone. "Oh god..." he puts a hand over his mouth. "Thank you for letting us know." Then he hangs up.

"What? What is wrong?"

"They found more bodies buried in the desert."

"That's good, isn't it? Then they know I am telling the truth."

"No... they have your DNA on them."

*****

"And how does the defendant plead?"

"Not guilty, you honor." Simon states calmly. Alec however doesn't feel just as calm. Being on trial for murder while his father – the actual murderer - is in the courtroom as an audience is infuriating.

The only thing keeping him sane, is knowing Magnus is on his side. And that he is there in the courtroom with him. So is Izzy, Jace and Clary. But his mother isn't there. His heart sinks to his stomach. What if she isn't there because she believes he is guilty?

"You may call your first witness." The judge says, and Alec realizes he might have been spacing out a bit too long. He totally missed the opening statements.

"The defense calls forensic scientist Alaric Rodriguez."

A darkhaired man Alec hasn't seen before takes the stand.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

Alaric has one hand on the bible and the other held up. "I do."

Simon pulls out a paper form his folder, then stands up once Alaric is seated.

"Mr. Rodriguez, you are the one who examined the bodies that were found buried in the desert, is that correct."

"Yes sir."

"And did you find any DNA besides the victims own?"

"Yes, I did."

"Whose DNA did you find?" Simon asks, and Alec doesn't like where this is going. Isn't Simon supposed to be his lawyer? Why is he bringing up the DNA when they both know it is Alec's but that he didn't kill the people.

"I found the defendants DNA. Mr. Alexander Gideon Lightwood."

"Was there any strange circumstances regarding the DNA you found?"

"Yes sir. The DNA found on the victim didn't match the decay of the victim."

"So, in your opinion, is it possible the DNA has been placed on the body?"

"Objection!" the other lawyer stands, "speculation."

"Sustained." The judge says and Alec closes his eyes. They need the jury to understand that he is being framed.

"I'll rephrase my question." Simon says calmly. "Is the DNA found on the victim from the same time the victim was killed?"

"No, it is not."

"Under which circumstances would DNA not match the time of the victims death?"

"For instance, if the victim has been dug up and reburied." Alaric's answer gives Alec hope. This has to get the jury to see the possibility of Alec being framed, even if he doesn't say it directly.

"Thank you. Nothing Further." Simon sits back down, and the other lawyer stands up to do his cross-examination.

"Mr. Rodriguez, in your time as a forensic scientist, have you seen other cases where a body has been dug up?"

"Yes, I have."

"By the killer?"

"Yes, that too."

"Why would a killer dig up his previous victim?"

"Some serial killers like to revisit the grave and relive their crimes."

"So, could the DNA has gotten on the body during such a revisit."

"I guess that is possible, yes."

"Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez."