MADMAN'S DEMISE

16

Tandy's thinking drove me to madness. Short seconds feelings like hours. I had to know more about this. What did she share with Brandon? Why did he never tell me about this girl? Why did nobody else tell me? Harriet? Mildred? Janet?

Tandy carefully lifted her chin and finally replied to Roscoe's prior question.

"I never told him, but I do believe he knew that I had feelings for him, Sir."

"How come you believe so?" Roscoe added.

"He told me certain things. Things I believe he would not share with anyone else. He knew what I felt for him, and therefore he trusted me." Tandy's eyes flickered. Glistening tears making them sparkle and shine. Anyone could tell this was hard for her. And it didn't get much better as Frederick Harding called out in objection for speculation.

A tear now fell from her eye, and one part of me felt bad for her. She lost her job because of her feelings. Probably her whole career even, along with her reputation. Something I had risked every day for the past twelve months.

"What kind of things did he tell you?"

Tandy dried the tear off her cheek.

"I decline to answer." She uttered quivering. I raised my brows in surprise. Discrete whispers were heard from the surrounding benches. What was this girl doing here? What did she want to contribute? I looked at Roscoe who remained confident in his appearance.

"Remind me, Ms. Bellamy. Why are you here today?" Roscoe spoke gently with the torn, lonely woman seated behind the witness stand. He knew how to handle this situation of inconvenience. I held my breath, waiting for another answer.

"Because I do believe that Brandon Barlowe is innocent and that his father, Arthur Barlowe is the one guilty of the five homicides." Tandy raised her voice this time, confident in a way that didn't show earlier. Once again I was surprised. Although I knew she was called here for Brandon's advantage, I had no clue the testimony would turn out like this.

For what reason did she believe that? Was she lying like me? Still so blinded with love she didn't know what was right and wrong? Did Brandon really tell her things that he didn't tell anyone else? Not even me?

So many unanswered questions ran through my brain. I was not prepared to face a girl that Brandon might have had a relationship with. But here I was, sitting only a couple feet away from the witness stand where she neatly sat, the woman claiming to have fallen in love with him as she worked as a nurse at St: Nicolai Psychiatric Hospital, just like myself...

Roscoe Van Doren suddenly turned his back on Tandy and walked over to the prosecution table. He grabbed the folder placed on the table and pulled out a document from it before he walked back to where the witness still sat. He placed the paper in front of her on the desk and allowed her a moment to inspect it.

"Ms. Bellamy, is this the letter you wrote for Brandon Barlowe?" He inquired.

"Yes, it is." She nodded.

Mr. Van Doren turned to face the judge.

"Your honor, may this be entered as an exhibit, as the witness has identified it as the one she wrote?"

No objection was claimed from the defence, and Judge Sawyer accepted the letter to be approved as evidence. I was curious to know exactly what was written in that letter. Clearly, it had some sort of importance since it was brought up here and entered as an exhibit. But most important was that it was to Brandon's advantage.

"At this time I would like to read the letter written for Brandon Barlowe from Tandy Bellamy." Roscoe stated, and once again I was taken aback by the turn. I didn't know it was even allowed since I thought the evidence was meant for the jury to audit, therefore I would never expect the letter to be read out loud in front of the whole courtroom.

My heart accelerated. Blood starting to rush inside me. Once again I peeked at Brandon to harmonize his state. But there was not much to gather since all I could barely see was his profile. Thankfully, I knew how to read him. How to eye his every attribute. He didn't have to look me in the eyes to speak to me.

His strained shoulders embodied discomfort. His lowered head emitted powerlessness. I knew the worst part for him in this, except the lying part, was that he was out of control. He had no power to decide whether that letter should be read out loud. He had no control over what the witnesses would say, what the attorneys would ask or present, what descisions the judge would make.
Just as long as it didn't make him panic I was pleased.

At least, Brandon hopefully already comprehended that Tandy Bellamy was here for his sake, and that he didn't have to worry too much about her presence.

I felt bad for her. It was obvious, not only for my eyes but everyone's, that she was suffering terribly from discomfort and ignominy. Not did this approved aloud-reading of her letter make it any better for her either. There was a great risk she was about to be humiliated in front of every person seated on the benchbacks of this courtroom. She already disgraced herself enough by coming here and telling the truth about her serious misconduct as a nurse. And it was all for his sake. For Brandon. She was brave, honest. Not a fraudster guilty of perjury as myself.

Mr. Van Doren cleared his throat before he started reading the hand-written letter out loud.

"Brandon.
Your acceptance is hard to command. However, mine is not. I see you. I hear you. Everyday. The things you tell me, what you have been through, what the people around you made you do, what your father forced you through all alone. Your innocence is my strongest belief. Although you will not confess, I will be the one to do it for you. I know you are scared. For seven months I have been inspecting you, from the inside and out. And never have I been more sure about anything. From now on I will do everything in my power to help you. Help you with justice and make sure the person who set you up will pay for it.
My devotion to you has grown into true infatuation. Your authenticity is so self-evident and one day the world will see that. You do not belong here. You know it. I know it. Freedom is your right, and I will get you there.
Love, Tandy"

My stomach turned as I listened to every word written in the letter. When Tandy said she fell in love with Brandon I didn't believe she meant so heavily. The letter made her seem completely hinged.

The grudge inside me made me want to run out of the courtroom and scream in heart-aching jealousy. But I knew better than that. Instead, I reminded myself once again that Tandy was here to testify to Brandon's advantage. She probably already moved on from him a long time ago and only did this for a good matter since she genuinely seemed to believe in his innocence. But no matter what she might felt for him even still, Brandon was with me now, and I was certain that his affection for me was one hundred per cent bonafide.