A Fine Romance

Chapter 8

Bobby's smirk across the courtroom was infuriating. He had pleaded not guilty even though the evidence was overwhelming to the contrary. It was like Bobby wanted to make Riley suffer as much as possible.
"Riley was teasing me all the time. She just played hard to get. She was always breaking up with me, and we would get back together." He said. Riley looked down at her lap. Her hands folded over one another. She exhaled and tried to stop herself from crying.
Sitting directly behind Rileys desk was Brendon Linda Spencer plus her father and sister.
Rileys lawyer Samantha Jackson was excellent. She was letting Bobby get out his version of events with his own lawyer, Dean Lewis.
"So what you are saying is what she's accusing you of is wrong, is that correct?" Bobby smiled again and looked over at Riley.
"Oh yea." Bobby said. "She still wanted me, oh my bad, she still wants me." Riley felt like she was going to be sick. Rileys lawyer squeezed her hand under the table.
Samantha Jackson specialised in sexual assault cases. She had a 100 per cent conviction rate. Samantha was writing notes regarding what Bobby was saying to the court. When Bobby was finished giving his testimony, he stepped down from the witness box.
"Your honour. I would like to call Riley Anderson to stand, please." Dean Lewis said. Riley gulped and took a sip of her water. Robert whispered to her,
"You got this, Riley." Riley nodded to acknowledge that she had heard what her father had said. Riley walked towards the witness box. Her heels were clicking loudly on the wooden parquet floor.
The court bailiff approached Riley with a bible. She placed her hand on it and was sworn in.
Dean Lewis started his questions.
"Miss Anderson, may I ask how old are you?" Riley frowned and then replied.
"Yes, I am 24."
"24, eh? I bet you like to go out and party a lot. Take drugs and drink sleep with lots of different men."
"Ojection! Conjecture!" Rileys lawyer stood up and said.
"I'll allow the question." The judge replied.
"Answer, please." The judge said to Riley.
"No, not at all. I work very hard, so when I am finished work, I just want to drive home, feed my cat, eat some dinner, and crash."
"That's not exactly true, though, is it?" Dean Lewis said. Riley looked at Lewis confused.
"The night of Friday 13th March, you had a night out, did you not?" That was the night she met Brendon, and Linda met Spencer.
"Yes, it was a r-."
"A yes will suffice, Miss Anderson." Dean Lewis said. "So you went out with your friend Linda Clarke, that's correct?" Riley nodded. "Miss Anderson for the court, please."
"Yes." Riley said.
"Did you drink on your night out?"
" I had a couple, yes."
"Shots?"
"One or two, yes." Riley nodded.
Dean Lewis walked past Rileys lawyers desk. He stopped and looked at Rileys family and friends.
"Did you meet any men that night?"
"I did."
"Who?"
"Huh?" Riley asked.
"Who did you meet?"
"Well, I met Brendon and Spencer, Patrick Joe, and Andy. Oh, and we went back to Petes' house for a party." Riley answered.
"That's quite a lot of men to meet in one evening." Dean Lewis remarked.
"Objection! Reference?"
"Your honour. I am just trying to allow the jury to see that Miss Anderson has a certain lifestyle."
Riley wasn't sure what Mr Lewis was trying to paint here. She could feel her anxiety starting to build. She was trying to stop an anxiety attack from happening. Brendon leant forward and spoke to Samantha.
"We need a break. She's going to spiral into an anxiety attack otherwise." Samantha nodded and stood to address the judge.
"Your honour may we request a break. Miss Anderson needs a few moments." Judge Hudson was about to deny the request when he noticed Riley trying to calm her breathing but failing.
"Your honour these are clearly delay tactics to add further stress to my client." Dean Lewis said.
Riley was really spiralling now. Brendon and Linda rushed towards Riley. They got her from the witness box. People in the gallery were muttering at the scene unfolding before them. Brendon picked Riley up, bridal style, and carried her out of the courtroom to first aid.
Riley was given some oxygen to help her. Brendon and Linda stayed with her the whole time. Rileys breathing was gotten under control. Robert found them all and explained that court had been adjourned for the rest of the day. Riley sighed in relief. She didn't have to sit in that courtroom again today with Bobby.

"Are you OK to precede Miss Anderson?" Judge Hudson asked her. Riley nodded. "Your witness, Mr Lewis."
"Thank you, your honour. Hopefully, there will be no more theatrics today. I will repeat my question from yesterday, Miss Anderson. That was a lot of guys to meet in one evening, don't you agree?"
"Well, I am not sure what a correct amount is?" Riley said. "I met some of my idols that night, and now we have great friendships."
"A yes these "friendships, "Lewis said in air quotes, "Are these the sort of friendships that have benefits?"
"OBJECTION!" Samantha yelled, standing up. Rileys eyes widened. She knew that her character would be called into question, and she had been prepared to answer personal things, but this....
"Sustained. Move on now, counsellor." Judge Hudson said.
"Do you have any sort of relationship with any guy at the moment?" Dean Lewis asked.
Riley looked at Brendon.
"No, I don't."
"Remember you are under oath, Miss Anderson."
"No, I am not in a relationship with anyone right now."
"I see. Well, I have evidence to the contrary." Lewis said, holding a file up that looked like it contained photographs. He presented copies to Samantha and the Judge. He showed Riley the photographs of her and Brendon in his car that day she went for therapy, and they went for Taco Bell afterwards. Brendons hand was on Rileys face. Then there was another one where Brendon was holding Rileys hand at the park because she could feel an anxiety attack coming on. The 3rd and final photo was of them hugging when they went for ice cream with Spencer Patrick and Pete. Riley was puzzled, looking at the photographs.
The jury also had copies of the file. Dean Lewis had a wide grin on his face.
"Now correct me if I am,wrong but, you seem to be very tactile with someone you are not in a relationship with. Or is that you all over Miss Anderson? Are you just a tease and cry rape when they get too handsy with you?"
"Objection your honour."
"Nothing further, your honour." Dean Lewis said, thinking that he had a smoking gun with the evidence he put forward.
After Rileys cross examination, the judge called an hours recess for lunch. Riley ran out of the courtroom, into the ladies bathroom and puked her guts out in a toilet stall. Linda followed her in along with Kelly and Mrs Jackson. Linda was rubbing Rileys back. Riley stood up and rinsed her mouth out.
"C-can he d-do that? M-make me out to be a slut to the jury?" Riley asked Samantha. She nodded.
"Unfortunately he can. Its his job to defend his client the same as it is mine to defend you and get you your justice. He needs to paint you to be a slut because he knows that Mr Richardson is as guilty as hell. The evidence is overwhelming that he assaulted you." Riley washed her face and sighed.
"Ok, let's go get some food." She said and they left the ladies bathroom.
After lunch court was called back into session. Bobby's lawyer didn't really have anything substantial. He called Brendon to the stand trying to get Brendon to say that he and Riley were a couple. Lewis was mainly showboating. Finally the defence rested. Tomorrow it was the prosecutions turn.