Law of Love

45

Currently, the Buckingham's had found themselves in court doing the most uncomfortable thing in the world. Lindsey was defending one of William's best friends from high school and Stevie was trying to prosecute him.

"Mr. Barns, you said you left the Brentwood country club after one in the morning. Did you see anything in the parking lot?" Stevie asks pacing the courtroom floor.

The woman is in her sixties but she's still wearing six-inch black high heels that are giving off an eerie click as she walks. This time she's wearing pants, something that she doesn't wear often in the courtroom but Lindsey will admit that as she walks the black and gray pinstripe pants are doing wonders for her ass. She had shrugged off the matching blazer long ago as it was hot in the middle of August and she even though won't admit it, was menopausal. But her gray silk blouse is tucked into the pants outlining her coke bottle waist. Lindsey doesn't know how the woman doesn't age, her hair is still long hiplength silky blonde and there are no wrinkles on her skin whereas he looks old with his gray hair and wrinkly forehead and eyes.

"Well, I was walking to my car I saw Mr. Water's car. It looked like there were some difficulties so I went on over. He was laying on the ground bleeding from his head. I knew there was a phone by the guard gate but then I spotted another car and it looked like there was someone inside so I ran to it. It was Drew Verts." The witness replies.

"Drew Verts the defendant?"

"Yes he seemed to be passed out and there was a lug wrench in his lap. It was covered in blood. Mr. Water and Mr. Verts argued violently earlier but I didn't think Mr. Verts would kill him."

"Objection, this witness thoughts are unrelevant, unfounded, or unjectured." Lindsey starts as Drew Verts stands up in his seat next to him.

"I DIDN'T KILL HIM!"

"Mr. Verts." The judge warns as Lindsey turns to his client

"Sit down Drew."

"But I didn't kill him. I know who did though if someone would put up." Drew starts but Lindsey forcefully shoves him down into the seat.

"Mr. Buckingham control your client." The judge sighs.

"Yes, ma'am." Lindsey nods.

Stevie sighs but leans against the witness stand and watches her husband loudly state. "I swear to you I'll tape your mouth shut."

Stevie starts to giggle at that but Lindsey turns around. "Sorry, your honor, Madame prosecutor."

"This fight you mentioned, did you actually see it or did you just hear about it?" Stevie asks.

"I saw it happen right infront of me. Mr. Water, Drew's uncle was sitting at the bar with Mr. Harmon he was the head of Harmon Aviation where Mr. Water used to work. Drew had blown all of his inheritance and was asking for a loan but Mr. Water wouldn't give it to him. Said everyone falls and he would too. Then Drew stormed out."

"So Mr. Verts threatened..." Stevie starts but Lindsey cuts her off, "Your honor that doesn't sound like a threat to me."

"I just told him off," Drew yells. Lindsey shoves him down into the seat again "Drew sit down."

"I'm sorry your honor, Madame prosecutor" Lindsey repeats.

"I DIDN'T KILL HIM!" Drew screams.

"YOUR HONOR MAY I HAVE A MOMENT WITH MY CLIENT" Buckingham temper is coming out in full force and Stevie holds her head in her left hand. Wedding rings glistening in the light.

"Explain restraint and explain gag." The judge demands.

***

In the restroom, Lindsey shoves Drew against the sink.

"What in the hell is the matter with you?"

"She's burying me and all you're doing is sitting there."

"How many times have you been in a courtroom?"

"Maybe twice I don't know."

"Twice, I spent more years in a courtroom than you've been alive. I've listened in courtrooms, I've spoken in courtrooms and I've won in courtrooms, but there is one thing I've never done in a courtroom and that is just sit there."

"Okay, but we both know Valerie killed him."

"She'll be on the stand next," Lindsey warns.

"She'll lie."

"You don't know that."

"But..."

"No ifs, ands, buts, or maybes. You got that. You were a nice kid, good-natured responsible, how did you become such an ass?" Lindsey asks.

***

Back in court, Stevie was leaning against the prosecuting desk questioning Valerie. Valerie was Drew's step-aunt. Mr. Water had been his mother's brother granted his mother and father both passed away when he was fourteen. Mr. Water had practically raised Drew and when they got married Valerie was only five years older than Drew who was 15. Drew was under the impression that Valerie just wanted his money.

"Oh yes, they fought all the time," Valerie answers Stevie's questions.

"So the argument that they had that night wasn't their first?"

"No."

"Drew wanted a loan. He had wanted one for a long time and Ed refused at first and then Drew gave him no peace he followed him everywhere he blamed him." Valerie Nods.

Stevie goes to say something else when she can hear Lindsey say "Don't even think about it."

She briefly looks back and Lindsey has a firm grip on Drew's hand.

"Were these arguments ever violent?"

"they came close. Ed was losing patience. He referred to their confrontations as temper tantrums."

"That's a lie." Drew calls.

At this point, Lindsey was fed up and he was just shaking his head. "Hey, hey". Drew just scoffed and stood up, Lindsey tripped over the chair trying to follow him and the bailiff got to him before Lindsey did.

"HE WAS OFFERING ME A JOB DO YOU THINK I WOULD KILL SOMEONE WHO WAS OFFERING ME A JOB,"

"Young man, sit down." The judge demands.

"I can't take this anymore." He storms out.

"Baliff after him." The judge says.

The Bailiff goes to restrain him and Drew punches him before running out.

"Looks like we'll be adding assault to his charges Mr. Buckingham this court is adjourned." The judge bangs the gavel.