Law of Love

10

Walking into court, Lindsey was nervous and he couldn't figure out why. Stevie was posing as co-council so she was sitting on the other side of the courtroom and that was stressing her out. They were conversing quietly, not entirely paying attention to the prosecution until the Judge Appeared.

"Council, introduce yourselves." He demands.

"Ugh, Lindsey and Stephanie Buckingham for the defense your honor," Lindsey announces. 

"Assistant District Attorney Michael Fleetwood." Lindsey knew that name, why did he know that name. They went to shake hands and Stevie was stone still.

"Mrs. Buckingham." The judge turns to her. 

"Oh, sorry." She goes to shake Mick's hand. 

***

"Before we handle plea and arraignment, setting a court date. I understand that the Buckingham's are here on loan from California, and they've already stayed here longer than they intended to. So I want this trial to go fast and smoothly. Starting on Wednesday." The judge states.

"But your honor, I am so backed up with court dates that I can't possibly go any earlier than the third week of April." Mick states.

"Um, your honor. I'm sorry to interrupt but Mrs. Buckingham and I have three young kids at home. We already had to have her parent's fly from Scottsdale Arizona to go stay with our kids, and we have cases as well back in California, we can't possibly stay that late." Lindsey shakes his head.

"Exactly, I'm sorry Mr. Fleetwood, but our court times are all dependant on the Defense. This trial will officially commence on Wednesday, April 1st, now we shall proceed with our normal way of doing things." The judge bangs his gavel. 

After the arraignment, Mick walked right up infront of the defense table and in his six-foot-five frame stared down at Lindsey and Stevie.

"Buckingham hey...We were married for a decade and you didn't even bother changing your last name to Fleetwood, and aren't you supposed to be on my side of this?" Mick crosses his arms.

"Mick...Stephanie Fleetwood sounds horrible, and besides my degrees are in my maiden name and when I graduated Law School and started working We weren't married. I moved to California, I started a new life, and I got a new name. Do you have a problem with that?" Stevie growls. 

"Well. I guess I don't have a choice." Mick shrugs.

"Okay, let's just put our differences aside for this case. You guys can go back to hating each other after this." Jackie pipes up from her seat. 

"Alright, truce..." Mick holds his hands up.

"Truce." Stevie nods.

***

April 1st

"Detective Stone, did you find any evidence of Jackie Johnson's presence at Peter Blake's house on the night of the murder?"  Mick asks.

"Yes, sir I did." He nods.

"I'd like to show you people's exhibit 27, this make-up kit and ask if you can identify it." 

"This has my mark. I found this makeup kit in his livingroom. See, that makeup kit looks just like any ordinary makeup kit throughout the city made by the Jackie Johnson Cosmetic Company, but there's one difference. If it's sold at retail it all of the makeup has a pink plastic top painted gold. This one is solid gold and there's only one made that way."

"And who was this made for?"

"Jackie Johnson." 

"Thank you." No further questions. Mick ends.