NaNoWriMo 2014

Chapter Five

With those words the lawyers burst into action, my father's jumped up out of his seat and said quickly, "Your Honor, if I might have the liberty to present my case first...?"

"You may, if, Chief Sandongsky does not object" answered the judge.

"I have no objection Your Honor." replied the Chief.

With that my father's lawyer strode up in front of the Judge's podium and began to speak, "Your Honor, my client has been brought before you to be prosecuted and punished for crimes which he himself is innocent,"

How dare he! I thought to myself, How dare that scheming lying man lie about what my father did like that! Amanda said I must never lie, if so, then what is that man doing? "Amanda," I whispered, "you told me I wasn't allowed to lie. Why is that man lying?"

"He is trying to get your father set free without punishment; he will be lying a lot even though you may not believe him." She replied.

The lawyer continued, "I am here to tell you, no, show you that my client is not to blame. To do this I will be presenting his own testimony and the witness of his son," I gasped. "as proof that my client does not deserve any of the crimes he has been accused of." With that the lying man stepped down and walked back to my father, after he sat down to two of them put their heads together and began to talk in low tones.

Now Chief Sandongsky's lawyer took the stand and spoke, "My dear people," he began, "I am here to seek justice on the death of a woman brutally murdered by her husband. During the investigation that followed, this man was also discovered to have been trafficking in slaves, drugs, and stolen goods of many kinds; crimes which I will seek justice for as well. Thank you." He then turned and walked back to his bench.

The judge spoke now, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you have now heard the opening statements from both parties; we will now be hearing testimonials from the witnesses that both parties have chosen. We will begin with the defendant."

With that my father's lawyer leapt to his feet and climbed quickly up before the witness' stand. "I call for Garsam as my first witness." He said.

The bailiff walked briskly to my father and led him to his seat in the witness' box. He sat down and turned to face the lawyer.

My father's lawyer began by asking him, "What are your normal working hours?"

"Nine 'till two in the afternoon, when I got home yesterday." was my father's reply.

I bristled, he was lying, he normally arrived around six, not two.

"And what time was it that you discovered that your wife was dead?"

"About two-thirty."

"Had you been drinking?"

"Not a drop."

"Did you see the killer?"

"No."

"How long would you estimate your wife was dead for when you got there?"

"Objection Your Honor!" called out the Chief's lawyer, "That question requires speculation from the witness."

"Continued." said the judge.

My father's lawyer conceded with bad grace, "As you wish, Your Honor. I have no more questions."

Now Chief Sandongsky's lawyer stood and took the stand in front of my father. "Let's start with an easy one. When did you change your working hours to end at two?"

"Objection, Your Honor!" called my father's lawyer.

"Overruled." spoke the judge with an air of finality, "Answer the question please Mr. Garsam."