The Research Project

Chapter Twenty

It wasn nine a.m. on Tuesday morning and Byron was nervous. Not because he was about to stand in front of a packed court complete with media entourage, he did that all the time. It was because he was expecting an attack at any moment, despite the strong police presence. He knew he was probably over reacting once more, but it didn't hurt to be on high alert. He looked across at Finley. He was cool and calm and actually smiling. He had to admire the guy's lack of concern. If only he had half of it, Byron thought. But then, he was being paid to be concerned, Finley was paid to be a supercool rock star who didn't give a shit.

Byron just hoped that didn't work against him. He needed to get the public sympathy vote, even though that shouldn't matter. But in high profile cases like this, anything helped the cause.

The court stirred as the judge entered the room and Byron focused on what he was about to do- give the performance of his career so far. His mind briefly flashed to Lainey, but he only allowed himself to think of her for a second, she had a tendency to make him lose focus without even being present.

"All rise," came the booming voice of the bailiff.

Byron stood immediately but Finely took his sweet arse time. He prodded him on the shoulder, perhaps he should've given him a run down on courtroom etiquette before today. It was going to be a long day if Finley planned on pulling his rock star antics all day. The moment Byron had seen him rock up in a red velvet suit and a pair of croc-skinned shoes, he knew his job had suddenly become ten times harder. He forced his gaze away from the offensive shoes as the plaintiff, Ivan, one of the top lawyers from Slater and Gordon, made their opening statement.

"Today we intend to present evidence to show that Mr. Ben Smith aka Finley Finn assaulted our client, Ms. Jade Evert in a most perverse and unusual manner. We will also present evidence that he drugged her during the ordeal. The Defence will no doubt attempt to use Mr Smith's fame persuade you from the facts of this case, but we urge you not to fall for this..."

Byron remained passive as he listened, but inside he was concerned. Ivan was exactly right, they were planning on using Finley's fame as a means of persuading the jury, because really, he had nothing else. Unless that video miraculously showed up, this case was not winnable.

"I now call on the Defence to deliver their opening statement," the magistrate said.

Byron stood, adjusted his suit jacket and took the floor. He rambled through the opening protocol before he hit the crux of his argument. "I will show that the defendant is not guilty of assault and battery of Ms. Jade Evert, that it was in fact a consensual sexual act between both parties. I will present evidence that the plaintiff is making false and vexatious claims simply to see my client, Mr. Smith, suffer."

Byron trailed on. The case progressed, long and arduous. It was going to be a long day, one that he couldn't wait to see the end of.

****

Byron threw the thick book across the room. It landed with a satisfying thump against the wall before it slid down to the wooden floor, making another thump.

"That was abysmal," Byron said, turning toward the other people in the room.

Theo, Murray, Morgan and several of the personal assistants as well as Penny and of course Finley were sitting there with his new girlfriend in tow. Aurelia looked every inch the gold digger, the type of girl that made Byron head for the hills with her crystal encrusted shoes, no doubt purchased by Finley's considerable income, French polished fingernails that looked more like talons to sink into a man and thick make up that looked too complicated to be messed up by something like a kiss. It made him think of Lainey and how perfect she was with no make up at all.