The Caged Bird Must Sing

Chapter 51

Trial: Day 3

"I'd like to call our key witness to the stand, Jora Rothmeyer."

Kalifa said to the jury. Hitomi felt Law tense beside her, and looked over to see his eyes widened, staring up at the witness' stand with trepidation and surprise. So, he did know their star witness. How they managed to get someone with a direct connection to him, Hitomi wasn't sure.

A shapely woman—well, obese, if Hitomi was being honest—emerged from a small room set behind the stand and sat herself down in the chair, facing the room. The lawyer took in her features, already trying to glean as much information as she could off of her. Obese, of course. She dressed in lavish outfits and kept her makeup and hair styled and done up. From what she could discern, the woman had an exorbitant amount of money and didn't mind flaunting it so everyone could see.

"She's supposed to be out of the country..." Law muttered beside her, confusion plainly written on his face. However, he was quick to school it back to a neutral expression. She'd stressed the importance of keeping up a neutral facade, broken only by moments of slight fear and regret during appropriate times. It would give the jury more sway to their side.

"What makes you say that?" She whispered back, and he shook his head.

"Pulled some favors. They tracked her overseas to a European market to purchase art before I was arrested."

"How could she have known you were put on trial?"

Law shrugged, but narrowed his eyes after a moment. "Maybe Vergo informed her. They all hold a grudge against me and want to see me dragged down with them."

Hitomi nodded, hanging onto that knowledge as Jora was sworn in by the bailiff. She lowered her hand and smiled kindly to the prosecution's attorney. Kalifa took her place in front of the witness stand, hands clasped behind her back.

"Mrs. Rothmeyer is testifying today as an eye-witness to numerous criminal activities performed by Mr. Trafalgar." She explained to the jury, then turned to her witness. "Now, Mrs. Rothmeyer, can you explain to the jury what exactly you saw?"

"Well," she started, smoothing down her blouse as if it had moved out of place since taking the stand, "there were multiple times when I locked up my shop to go home that I saw him," she pointed Law's way, "doing such...dreadful things!" Jora's face had taken on that disapproving, old woman's expression of distaste and disgust.

"I can't count how many times I saw him do a drug deal with some filthy migrant, or destroy property, and all those obscene graffiti marks ruining the buildings of our lovely town..."

Kalifa seemed to think that Jora was getting off topic. "How long ago did you witness these crimes?"

"Dear, it's been over a decade now that I think about it." She mused.

"A decade is a long time. How can you be sure it was Mr. Trafalgar who committed those crimes you spoke of?" The attorney said, one hand gesturing to the defendant delicately. Despite the wording of her question, she seemed unconcerned with whatever the answer might be. Hitomi watched with hawk eyes, taking in every detail.

"He looks remarkably the same to how he did back then, and I'd recognize the tattoos on his arms anywhere! Probably some...gang symbol or something." She finished with a shake of her head and a hand delicately placed upon her chest, as if she couldn't bear the thought of what his tattoos could possibly stand for.