The Art of Being Right

Sentencing and Closure

Two men paced up and down the deserted hallway outside the courtroom, dress shoes clicking on the tiled floor. A man and a woman sat on the seats beside the huge double doors. McKein was chewing his thumbnail anxiously, watching Hart and Spence stride up and down, while Maddy fidgeted in her seat next to him.

Just as McKein was about to say something, the doors swung open and an attendant ushered them back inside the courtroom.

-

"And how do you find the accused?"

"Guilty."

There was a rumble of approval as the verdict was passed.

"In all my years of working as a judge, I've never come across a case this...deranged...this inhumane."

There was a silence in the courtroom as the ringleaders of the Arkfield experiments stood awaiting their sentencing.

"The people involved are sick individuals, and must be locked up for the public's protection.

Spence nodded along without a word, sat beside his old friend Hart, and his two visiting officers. There were several other officers sat with them; all wanting to hear when justice was carried out. One person was missing from the group of uniformed individuals; JJ had decided to stay at the hospital, saying if she saw Conan one more time no one would stop her from kicking his ass.

All the test subjects had been destroyed, the labs closed down and it seemed like things were finally going to start looking up. Demolition companies had been up and down to Arkfield sizing up the best way to blow the place sky high.

"I only wish something had been uncovered sooner to bring this vile event to a close. Because now a young man's life hangs in the balance because of you men stood in front of me." The judge bowed his head slightly, eyes sad and angry at the same time. The jury sat quietly, some with triumphant smiles on their faces - it felt good to be locking up the people responsible.

-

There was a buzz from JJ's pocket as she shifted in her chair. She was exhausted - barely any sleep made her head ache and her eyes feel like they had dumbbells attached to them. With a yawn she pulled her phone out of her right pocket, opening the new message on screen.

From: Spencer

Sentenced to life without chance of parole. Thought I'd let you know now rather than later. How's Wilson doing?

JJ smiled down at her phone, leaning back against her chair with a slightly relieved feeling in her chest. Wilson's chest rose and fell steadily, almost unnoticeably.

To: Spencer

The doctors seem to think he's improving, but still no sign of him coming round yet. I'm just glad the trials done, maybe we can start putting this behind us.

Hesitantly she reached forwards, almost scared to go anywhere near Wilson, as if he would break. It had been a couple of weeks since the raid on the lab; Wilson's vitals had been steadily improving but he was still to regain consciousness. Telling herself to stop being so ridiculous, JJ took Wilson's closest hand in hers and weaved their fingers together. There was another buzz, signalling another message.

From: Spencer

His injuries were bad JJ, we all know it. The lad probably just needs a little more time. He'll be okay, you'll see.

With a faint smile she tucked her phone away in the pocket of her jeans with her other hand and settled back into her seat. She closed her eyes and drifted off after a moment or two.

-

After the trial was done, the two Superintendents headed back to the hospital, hoping to convince JJ to go home and get some sleep.

As they arrived, walking the familiar route to the detective's room, they were suddenly aware of the ringing of machines and the sudden surge of nurses and doctors running towards an open door. Wilson's door.

A/N: Sorry for all the weird chapter endings, had to make a few edits here are there on the way to Bowling For Soup last night - seriously one of the best bands ever - but anyways, thanks for reading, there's probably a couple more chapters after this one until the end so bear with me.

~Holly