Memory Lane

Chapter 22: Grip

(Mentioned songs: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley)

Falcon's breaths were focused, but unsteady. She could do this. She could do this.

One month of recovery. She could crush this court case. This was a case of sharp wit and tongue. Whatever chances she could take, she had to take it.

She smoothed out her shirt, adjusted a button and touched her sling. That was going to put a dent on performing. She grumbled slightly, gulping as she entered the cold court room.

Her eyes slipped shut as she took one deep breath. She could do this.

The cold made her wound throb in response, but she paid no mind to the frigid temperature of the environment, only the same cold stare from Rachel's father got to her.

Falcon's breaths were uneven and unsteady.

Rachel's father thought she was the trump card of this court room case? No, no no... This was a chess game that Falcon had no power in. Only Rachel could change her fate... or...

Don't pull out your queens so early in the game, Falcon reminded herself as she tracked Rachel's father's movements. Play defensive. See their strategy. Smoke him out.

Falcon stared him down, and he looked directly at her, a smirk playing on his lips. She had the feeling as if this was a Poker game or a chess game, reading the board, reading the cards, placing luck and strategy to win.

He had both in spades. Falcon... well... she was a cardist after all. And an illusionist. Violet and Jared sat next to her. Rex was oddly absent.

"Where is he?" Falcon asked, breaking her illusionist's mindset for a moment to look around for the other boy.

Rachel was by the front, but far away from her father.

"Late... he wanted to present something."

"Let's hope he won't make some grand entrance then..." Jared mumbled. "That would look bad."

"Shut it." Violet gritted her teeth as the gavel was pounded on the stand. Falcon knew she was looking at her staring down Rachel's father at the defendant's seat. "Falcon, what do you know that we don't?"

"Huh?" Falcon looked at Rachel, then avoided her eyes. "A little more, but... truthfully I'm not sure if it could save us."

"Then he either needs to ask the wrong questions, or we ask the right questions," Jared pointed out.

"And if neither happen?"

"Pig in a poke," Falcon winked mysteriously. "The truth always comes out in many other ways than just outright forcing him to confess..."

"That is such a risky game."

"No way, we're not bluffing."

"No. You're not." Falcon paused. "I am."

"If you lie on a court case you'd be arrested!" Violet hissed.

"I'm not lying. I'm going to simply answer their questions. That's all."

"That's not helpful..." Violet mumbled.

"People don't learn the art of specifics," Falcon explained. "That's what this is. And we don't like digging into past stuffs, but we have to now."

"The opposition calls, Falcon Lowell Kendrick to the stand."

"That's my cue," Falcon winked.

The courtroom was breezy, cold and bitter. Falcon took a deep breath and walked to the stand. Every bit of anxiety welled up, then shrank.