Devil's Backbone // Frank Castle

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Scarlett sat in her chair, listening to the murmurs around her. Her eyes moved and shifted towards where her brother should be sitting beside Foggy but his seat was empty. Where the hell was he?

Scarlett studied Foggy and Karen who spoke to each other in rushed, hushed tones. Foggy no doubt was freaking out. Scarlett didn't know much about this kind of thing, never really paid much attention to Matt's day job, but she knew that he was the one who would always make the opening statements and now that he wasn't there, Foggy was the one that would have to make said opening statement. Scarlett's eyes then moved to the man that was clad in a bright orange jumpsuit, cuffed hands resting on the table.

Even seeing Frank in a moment like this still made her heart flutter. Scarlett honestly hated herself sometimes. She notices that Frank's scruff was gone and his smooth jaw was showcased to her. Scarlett realized that she has never seen Frank with such a cleaned shaven face and she didn't mind it.

Scarlett turned her head to looked at Olivia who sat beside her, notepad and pen in hand as usual. Scarlett sighed and tapped her fingers on her leg nervously.

"All rise," Everyone stands and watches as the Judge walks into the room. "The court now in session. The honorable Judge Cynthia Batzer presiding. Indictment number 1986-4447, the People v. Frank Castle." The judge gets in her seat. "Be seated." Scarlett takes her seat along with everyone else. Frank leans over just a little, murmuring something, seeing that it was directed at Foggy who she could tell was very tense.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, The defendant has been indicted for several serious crimes but I'm instructing you as a point of law that-" Scarlett tuned out, eyes looking at Frank who slightly turned his head, his brown eyes moving around the part of the room that he could see, eyes searching for something. Frank's eyes finally found his target which was the women he found plaguing his mind. Scarlett feels her breath hitch in her throat. Scarlett feels her body want to move forward to wrap Frank in a tight hug but of course, holds back and just settles for a slight nod to which he winks in response, a slight smirk forming on his lips as he noticed the response he got from her. He turns his head back forward before anyone noticed the exchange. Scarlett sighed quietly and shook her head.

"Ms. Reyes, are the People ready to begin opening statements?" Scarlett looked up to see Reyes stand. "More than ready Your Honor." Reyes moves around her table to stand directly in front of the jury, her hands clasped in front of her. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Frank castle brutally tortured and murdered thirty people," She turns her head to look at Frank who was staring straight forward at the wall in front of him. "Thirty people that we know of." Reyes turns her attention back to the jury.

"He took the law into his own hands. Acted as judge, jury, and most violent executioner and you will hear that the defendant victims were criminals but the victims are not on trial here today. Injustice does not belong in the hands of a man like Frank castle. This isn't the Wild West. Justice is served in the court of law. And it's up to each of you to take back the city from lawless vigilantes like Frank Castle."

Reyes walks away from the jury and stops when she is close enough to see Frank's bruised face. "This man is no hero." She points at Frank who now has his attention on her. "And he's guilty." She glances back in Frank's direction then to the judge. "Thank you." Reyes walks back to her table and takes a seat. Scarlett glances at Olivia who was most likely thinking the same thing that she was. Reyes's opening statement was good, really good.

"Mr.Nelson?" Foggy stays still, sitting at his table. "Mr.Nelson are you reserving the right to make your statement at a later time?" Scarlett looks around when people start to murmuring and whispering. Foggy slowly stands, clearing his throat, quieting the whispering. "No, Your Honor, um...the defense is ready to proceed." Foggy flips through blue note cards. "Uh, ladies and Gentlemen of the jury. The defendant, Frank Castle, is not.." He hesitates and flips through the notecards again. "Sorry." He says softly and Scarlett was basically on the edge of her seat, praying that Foggy can make it through this statement.