Of Lights and Shadows (Book 4)

42) The Highway to Truth

'Will the court stand for the Honourable Judge Wilhelm Triker,' the clear voice of a clerk issued the order to stand and almost a hundred men and women stood, the giant hall echoing with the sound.

From the secret door behind the podium entered a man in full court garb, and ascended the few steps to his seat at the top. When he was seated and been recognised, the clerk gave the commanded and everybody sat down. It was an impressive sound and sight to watch everyone standing in synchronisation before sitting again as one, their clothes rustling all making one noise to fill the courtroom.

From Dastardious's seat in the far back he had a clear view of everything in front. The men and women inside the courtroom were split up into five groups; the people that had come to watch and those that had been ordered to come were split into two groups sitting side by side facing the front of the court where the judge, the prosecutor, and the clerks sat. The reporters sat to the left along the wall with an almost clear view of everything going on. On the right side, facing the people, sat the jury. Sixteen people, sitting calmly, were waiting patiently to hear the evidence against Alice Aforethought before deciding amongst themselves whether she was innocent or guilty of kidnapping and murder.

The first thing to happen once all were accounted for, was the opening address made by the Assistant District Attorney. The words were long, solemn, spoken with a great deal of ceremony, and they crawled in Dastardious's ear and slipped across his brain before leaving by the other ear. How many men and women were actually listening to the speech, or paying attention, Dastardious didn't know. He knew, however, from one glance at Silence that he was following everything devotedly and with rapt attention. Dastardious simply did not pay attention for the main fact that he had heard it all before. He knew how the trial would proceed, he had done it hundreds of times and it rarely changed.

After a few minutes the Assistant DA sat down, and Alice Aforethought's defence attorney, a sharp man by the name of Falkner, rose to his feet. After striding across the floor to take his stand in front of the judge's desk, he turned and gave his own address. It was shorter, trying to persuade the jury that Aforethought was innocent of all claims before her and asking them to listen carefully to the evidence placed before them to decide what was right. When the address was finished, Falkner returned to his chair as the Assistant DA once again took the floor.

'You honour,' he began, turning to face the judge, 'it is normally customary to bring forth witnesses at this point to begin. However, I would like to request to skip forwards to the physical evidence if I may?'

'You wish to not question the witnesses?' the Judge asked with a frown. At the Assistant DA's positive answer the Judge said, 'It is most irregular, but I see no reason why not. Mr Falkner, have you anything to add?'

Looking up from whispering in Alice's ear, Falkner shook his head. 'No, My Lord, the Assistant DA may do as he pleases.'

'Very well, then. If you please,' the Judge said, turning once more to the Assistant DA who nodded his thanks.

Turning, the young man faced the crowd. 'Before you, you shall see the piece of evidence that convicts Alice Aforethought as the serial killer, the Shadow. This video was taken on the night of the 8th as the Shadow placed her last victim, Jackson Earl, in a boat on the Lake.'

There was a short delay as it was inserted into the player and then the video started to play on the TV screen set up in the corner, pulled to the front so that the people could see. It replayed exactly what Dastardious had already seen.

Alice didn't move or register any signs of anything as she watched the video of herself, and Dastardious wondered what she was thinking. It was the evidence that would put her away for life if it was proven to be correct. As there was hardly enough evidence to prove that it was wrong, or that Alice hadn't committed the kidnappings and murder, he had no doubt she would go away for life.