MADMAN'S DEMISE

15

Tuesday, August 26th

After yesterday's opening of the trial, I was exhausted. Thoroughly knackered and spent from the mental challenge and strenuous queries from the two advocates. Although almost everything went as planned, I was completely drained since the nervousness and doubt stole most of my energy. I had to take care of Brandon for the rest of the afternoon back at the hospital, and keep him certain and aware that this still was the right thing to do. His persistent hesitation almost brought me into it myself, but as I kept reminding myself that I was at work, I managed to remain in my role as an actual psychiatric nurse and furthermore keep supporting Brandon.

I knew my testimony was hard for him to watch. He didn't like liars, not least did he hate the fact that I committed perjury for his sake. But he didn't show any sign of it, he just spoiled me with compliments on how good I looked as I stood there, on the witness stand, in my little black dress and red lipstick, and spoke with confidence and determination as the two lawyers put me on a stake. He was attracted to the way I handled the situation, no matter how much he hated the fact that I was standing there lying through my teeth. But deep inside he knew it was all for the better. For the sake of his potential freedom.

After a good night's sleep, it was time for day two of the complex, tortuous lawsuit. There were several things left to raise, and I knew we probably wouldn't be finished either today. Most important was that we were getting somewhere and that Brandon kept to his words as well as Arthur.

The outcome of this whole matter still worried me to nausea, but I tried my best to take one step at a time and remain neutral in front of Brandon. I had no more power left in this. I already contributed with what I could, and the only thing left that I could do now was cross my fingers and hope for the very best and probably mostly delusional: that Brandon's name would be cleared and that he would be set into the freedom he had been lacking for nearly eight years of time.

"Prosecution, you may call your first witness."

After the introduction of the case, Judge Sawyer called for the first testimony of the day. At first, I was surprised when he demanded the attendance of another witness, but then I realized it was not very strange that there would be others called to testify. Me and Ethel were not the only ones who'd been near Brandon during all this time and I was well aware of that.

Ten years had passed since Brandon's mother and siblings faced their tragic fates. Ten years; a very long time, and I had only been around for one of them. Of course, there were plenty of people in Brandon's surroundings that I didn't yet know about, and probably several of them would be called to witness in this case.

There would certainly be people called from both sides. People who knew Brandon and people who knew Arthur, some might even knew both of them, maybe the whole family once they were one. Anyway I was eager to see these people standing in front of me. Therefore that would only bring me another step closer to the man I loved.

"Thank you, your honor. I call to the stand, Tandy Bellamy." Roscoe called the name of a woman. Like I predicted, a name I had never heard before. The curiosity grew upon me. Was she a relative? A family friend? I could not wait to find out.

A short, black-haired woman in her early thirties stepped inside the courtroom from the back entrance and silently traced her way over to the witness stand. I could barely see her face since she was looking down, but I could glance the porcelain skin covering her bare thin arms.

The room was all silent, the crowd waiting for the oath to be sworn. I peered at Brandon to inspect his expression as the woman spoke. But nothing on his face revealed what was going on on the inside. Maybe this was a woman connected to Arthur?

Roscoe Van Doren walked over to stand in front of the woman. Crossing his arms behind his back, he started talking to her.

"Ms. Bellamy, it has come to my knowledge that you previously have been working at St: Nicolai Psychiatric Hospital as a treating nurse, is that so?"

My heart skipped a beat and my eyes widened by the unexpected surprise. What did he just say? The shy-looking, pretty woman gently nodded, and suddenly, I couldn't comprehend what I was about to witness.

"That is correct, sir." Her voice was slightly wheezy, exposing her nervousness.

"And is it true that you were responsible for Brandon Barlowe's treatment while you were employed there?" Roscoe was calm, allowing her a deep breath before she answered.

"Yes. I was Brandon Barlowe's treating nurse for about seven months."

I bit my cheek. Thoughts running through my head. It must have been a long time ago since I never heard of this woman before. As far as I knew, Ethel was the one responsible for Brandon most of his time at St: Nicolai.

"May I ask, how come you were only responsible for his treatment for seven months?" Mr. Van Doren connected eyes with the already withdrawn woman. Her cheeks flushed, and once more she looked down at her lap before she managed to talk.

"Because I fell in love with him,"

A sentence that made my heart stop.

"Another nurse found a letter inside Brandon Barlowe's room, one I had written him. She gave the letter to the head nurse, Dorothy Schwartz, and thereafter I was fired."

A strike ran through my body, every nerve inside me burning from the shock. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. This person, this nurse, this beautiful unknown woman, she had a relationship with Brandon too?

I looked at her, laser eyes scanning her appearance with grudge and jealousy. Her shiny black hair reposing on her tightened shoulders, her big dark eyes searching for compassionate faces in the crowd. Her appearance was captivating. Her rosy cheeks and pouty lips depicting innocence. Her cold white skin contrasting her jet-black hair and eyes, portraying seduction. She looked like a vampire. A beautiful, persuasive creature. Appealing, mysterious and rare.

Escaping my gnawing thoughts, I reclaimed my focus and continued to listen as Roscoe Van Doren spoke again.

"Understood. Now can you tell me, Ms. Bellamy, what was written in this letter?"

She closed her eyes. A heavy sigh escaping her dark parted lips. She was ashamed. Ashamed to sit in front of this crowd and confess to her wrongful act as a nurse.

"It was written that I thought Mr. Barlowe was innocent and had been set up." She explained.

"I see. And did Mr. Barlowe know about your feelings for him?"

The anxiety oppressed me. My hands humid, heart racing. There could not be another girl. Another girl like me. I had to be the only one.