Apple

Chapter 24

Bye The Law
.   .   .

As a lawyer, I attended the courts a lot as part of my job to defend my clients.

But never did I imagine switching roles.

Today was no normal day, it was the day of our trial and we were seated on one side, while my father and the Raymonds stood on the other, but my father was way behind, while the Raymonds were seated in the second row of the sides.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried now, you could even see the sweat from across the room. And my heart was about to jump out of my ribcage, I felt Maple tremble beside me and so I subtly held her hand under the deck, she returned the gesture by squeezing, and she did so hard.

A shiver ran down my spine as I met my father's gaze, two seconds into the staring contest and he averted his gaze somewhere else, ahead to be exact. I couldn't read his mind to see what was he thinking of even, we were officially informed of the trial on a very short notice when one of the people who work here in the court came by the door and handed us the papers, but they were very unclear.

And as a lawyer I confirmed so.

But anyways here we were at court. I also never thought that the day would come when I would be against my father in a court. I was always against him, but we never took it that far. I sighed loudly.

We had a plan, we did. But I was afraid of the consequences, what if he gets prosecuted? He may be the reincarnation of Satan himself, but I don't want my father to get killed!

Things were complicated and very out of hand. He refused to meet my gaze, probably thinking the same thing. He kept his gaze ahead, face neutral and stoic as hell, I would love to give a penny for his thoughts really. I never saw Freddie O'Neil out of this world like that. I felt a pang in my chest for that.

Yesterday went by fast. We met with our lawyer, who was now standing in his designated place, looking composed, I had faith in him, but it was myself I wasn't sure of.

"Don't overthink, Adam. You and I know where that can lead us."

I nodded and let my gaze drift ahead, in ten minutes, everybody was inside; the judge, the lawyers, the court reporters, deputy, the defendants and the jury.

They all were in their designated places and the judge was finally seated on the bench. It was real, this was actually happening. There is a big chance we might go to jail.....

"All rise."

We all rose to our feet and kept our silence.

"This court is now in session."

I never thought I'd hear these words from such a different point of view.

"Please be seated." The judge said. We obliged. He cleared his throat before saying:

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, this is a civil court case of identity theft to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond." He read from the paper, looking from the rim of his glasses to the courtroom. "Are the lawyers ready to proceed?"

"Yes, your honor." The two lawyers said in unison. Identity theft cases mostly don't make it to the court; they only do it in very specific cases meaning only if it's a big Case. But still most judges and lawyers take them as foolishness, I was among these people.

"Please do make your statements." He commanded. The Raymond's lawyer, a woman in her mid-fifties, walked to the jurors and stood in front of them to make her statements. I silently prayed that everything goes as planned. Because as much as this case is a joke to most politicians, the punishment is no joke. I always thought three years-time worth of jail for identity theft was simply too much.