Judge, Jury, & Executioner

Chapter 6

Maddox heard the commotion around her as she looked up from her computer. Officers and Detectives alike stood gathered around a tv screen. On the news was playing a story about something happening at the courthouse. She leaned back and stared at the tv. It was saying something about someone dying inside, but that details were scarce and no one was allowed inside or out without the permission of ADA McNaughton.

Doyle stepped out of his office and pointed at Maddox, and then waved her and Drake inside. They rose from their seats and bypassed the crowd around the TV. Entering his office, Maddox could see by his expression it wasn't good. He looked like he had been served a sucker punch and was about to get another.

"You know the Dominic Nickles case?" Doyle asked.

"Yeah, trial starts today why?" Drake replied.

Doyle looked at them both and then motioned toward the TV.

"One of the jurors on the case just dropped dead. Tommy's on scene and Liam was transferred from a mugging to work the crime scene. They want the best of the best. And so that means you two." Doyle explained.

Maddox shoved her hands into her pockets and nodded.

"Do they suspect fowl play?" She asked. Fowl play being someone involved in killing the juror. Which seemed to be suspected since they had called in Detectives to run the scene.

"Let's just say McNaughton wants it cleared to be accidental and if not, he wants the guy responsible. Defense is gonna ask for a mistrial and get it dismissed. I suggest you guys get going. You don't have all day." Doyle said before taking a seat behind his desk.

Maddox nodded and then headed for the elevator. Drake proceeded after her, and before long they were climbing into her car and speeding off towards the courthouse.

Jurors didn't usually just drop dead. And even if they did there was probably a reasonable explanation. But the Nickles were a rich family and had connections other people didn't. It had taken a year and half to finally get this thing to trial. And if the Defense attorney got their way they'd get the case thrown out. Or put on hold for another year and a half. Either way it was not going to be good.

Maddox pulled up to the emergency vehicles and parked the car. A large crowd of reporters were gathered around the yellow tape and they were all fighting for a shot of the front doors. Hoping they'd get some kind of footage that'd allow them to theorize. She locked her car and followed Drake as they went up the stairs.

As the doors opened, she saw Crime scene techs and Liam walking the scene. Tommy was standing next to the body and waved her over once he caught sight of her. Maddox tapped Drake's shoulder and pointed toward the other jurors who were gathered in a room.

"Go interview them. I'm gonna talk to Liam and Tommy." Maddox explained and before Drake could object, she started towards them.

The man was obviously in his forties. He had goatee and was dying his hair. Vain. His clothes were nearly ironed and he had combed his hair to cover the small bald spot forming on the top of his head. Maddox saw an inhaler and Epipen lying on the ground next to him. And then there was a nut bar wrapper sitting on the floor.

"What happened?" Maddox asked.

"Theodore Whitty, consumed a nut bar and for some reason his inhaler and Epipen were in the trash. So when he went into anaphylactic shock, there was no way to stop it. One the jurors did what he could but, he had consumed so much of the nut bar, mixed with his asthma and the shock killed him." Tommy explained.

Maddox looked at the body again and then at Liam.

"Any signs of someone having anything to do with it? Or was this some messed up suicide. Because I'm pretty sure if someone is allergic to something they tend to know what it is and avoid it." Maddox said.

Liam nodded in agreement and then shrugged. "Suicide? I don't know. All I know is that nothing suggests otherwise."

He went back to walking the scene and Maddox looked back at Tommy who was now writing on a checklist.

"Greyson McNaughton is here too. He wanted to speak with you as soon as you arrived." Tommy explained.

Of course he did.

McNaughton had been trying to woo her for the last few months. It had become rather annoying than anything else. She saw him walking over. With the most pleasant face she'd ever seen. Maddox folded her arms and faked a polite smile. He held out his hand and she shook it, despite her better judgement.

"ADA McNaughton, what a surprise. Anything you can tell us?" Maddox said before looking at Tommy in distress.

McNaughton smiled, overly eager to, and then explained, "I need this case done soon. Nickles Defense is going to ask for a dismissal and get it thrown out, or postponed. If that happens, the case is through. I asked for you Detective because your the best."

"Well, as far as I can tell it's a suicide. No fowl play."

"Good, well I mean, bad for him, but-"

"We'll get it cleared up and then you can continue your trial." Maddox interrupted hoping he'd leave.

Then, she saw Drake walking towards her. It was almost like he had a skip in his step. A smile formed from one ear to the other and he looked very pleased with himself. No, it was more than that. He was happy. Overly happy. And the only time she'd seen him this happy was usually when something happened to her.

He came up to them and sized McNaughton up before saying. "Hey Maddox. Your boyfriend's here."

Maddox felt her stomach sink and then she turned to see him. He was standing next to the wall staring right back. Nathan Reaves.

"Boyfriend!" McNaughton exclaimed before he realized it.

Maddox clenched her teeth as the anger and hate all flooded back to the fore front of her mind.

"Son of a-"