Shattered #Wattys2016

Chapter 20

It was the morning of court, and I was a nervous wreck. Janet was trying her best to comfort me, but I knew without her there with me, I wouldn't feel safe without her. I'd feel uneasy and possibly might pass out if I didn't calm my nerves.

"Nicki...I know you're nervous, but you have to calm down honey," Janet said as she grabbed my hand and kissed it. She was still here in her hospital bed, which she hasn't stop complaining about not being able to leave to the staff, and I can tell that they all are ready for her to leave. I sat down and took a few deep breaths and kissed her cheek.

"I'm sorry. I just feel worried about this. Especially since you can't come with me," I pouted.

"It'll be alright. Trust me, I'd trust Whitney with my life...she's very good at what she does," Janet said as I smiled and talked with her until Agent Houston came in.

"Are you ready?" I looked at Janet and she gave a securing nod.

"Yeah," I say and stand, pressing out my outfit and walking with her out the door. Once at the court house. Many other agents and officers were there and I walked in, sitting nervously behind the DA and sitting with Whitney on my right and another agent on my left. I felt secure with them all around me, but I still wanted Janet with me. She was the only person I could really trust.

"All rise! For the honorable Judge Karen Walker!" We stood, then sat as Gavala was brought in. His face didn't hold that slick grin as it did before, but a frown, a deadly scowl straight at me and he knew it scared me. Whitney gave me an encouraging smile and allowed me to sit close to her to feel safer.

"District Attorney, your opening statement," Ms. Braxton stood and walked confidently into the middle of the room. I wish I had her confidence at the moment.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Mr. Gavala is guilty of murder, selling illegal arms and drugs, as well as witness tampering, and the assault on an officer of the law. For years we have gathered evidence of him obtaining and selling illegal arms around the country as well as drugs around this state in particular. He has murdered 50 people in counting, half of them being those of law enforcement. He has tampered with witnesses, including one for this case, and attempted to kill her and a Detective of L.A.P.D.," She said, and finally took her seat. Afterwards, it was all up to me.

"Call your next witness Ms. Braxton,"

"The people call Miss Onika Tanya Maraj," Toni said as she stacked some of her papers in a neat pile on the table. I walked up to the stand, feeling Gavala's eyes burning through me. I swallowed and sat myself next to the judge. I looked up and felt myself get dizzy and scared as he glared at me. I blinked and turned my head towards Ms. Braxton, who calmed me down.

"Now Ms. Maraj, do you know the defendant personally?"

"No...I don't," I say.

"Now...on the night in question...what exactly were you doing?"

"I was walking home from work. I work at a diner on 6th and Edmounds," I say.

"And, did you notice anything odd before reaching the crime scene?"

"I heard shouting....I didn't think of it until I got closer and it became more understandable,"

"What was said,"

"um...you thought we wouldn't find you Jaden...and then who I know now was the man Jaden, was begging that he didn't say anything to anyone,"

"Could you see the gun?"

"I saw everything....he pulled the gun and shot the man in the head....his eyes were still open,"

"Note ladies and gentlemen she has pointed out the same positioning as Md. Murphy James had seen on the autopsy. A bullet to the head, an instant execution style shot...,"she held up a picture to everyone then to me. I nearly let the vomit I had been holding out on my top. His eyes were closed now, but the bullet wound was in the middle of his forhead, still with the round in it. I nodded.