Liar, Liar

Chapter Fifteen - Court Rooms & Lies

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"Colton Smith, where were you at approximately 2AM, on Sunday the 29th of October?"

"No comment."

"Why? Do you have something to hide?"

"No, nothing to hide. I was sleeping with a woman."

"And what did you do after that?"

"I don't know, man, I fled. Left the party I was at."

"And was Andrea Owens with you when you left?"

"No, she went home with James earlier. He got her home safely. I was alone when I went home."

I tensed in my seat, staring down at the cup of water. This is so stupid. It had been a week.

"How close are you with James?"

A week of questions.

"I don't like him." Colton sighed. "Listen-"

"No you listen, you need to answer my questions so we can get to the bottom of this case!" The man's voice was rising.

A week of him.

"That's enough, Mr Gardener." The judge pulled down the gammel. "There is no need to yell. Just ask your questions and be done with it."

A week of that gammel, a week of the judge.

"Right. Sorry sir," Mr Gardener smoothed his shirt down. "Mr Smith, why don't you get along with James?"

A week of police and my fathers lawyer saying that James Davidson killed my dad.

A week of statements, hearings, testimonies, and sitting on that stand.

"Because... I just dont." Colton ran his hands over his face tiredly. He had began to look quite like his father in the last week. Less smiling, red eyes, bags under them. "I'm innocent, okay? I didn't help James kill Jonny Owens, and I know nothin' about it."

A week of this sentence over and over again. I didnt help kill him.

I didn't know about it.

I didn't help kill him, I swear!

"I think we need to take a break," the judge mumbled, as he brought down his gammel again. I watched him lean over the stage to say something to one of the gaurds. The gaurd nodded and escaped through the door near the back.

I looked over at Fiona who had stood up, taken a swig of water and then looked down at me. Her experession soften.

"Listen, Andrea. We will find who did this to your dad, okay? I promise, I'm the best there is." She winked at me. "Now go get some food, as you know we'll be spending another long day in here."

It had been a week since I found out my father was brutally murdered. Beaten to a pulp and left breathless. But not by James. I haven't cried yet. But I haven't been happy either. Colton told me I should be happy that his gone. I just shrugged.

I had been put into a orphange. They told me when I turned eighteen next month, I have to leave. Colton's parents offered me a room at their house when the time comes.

Despite everything, over the week James and I have been talking more than ever.

His favorite colour is green. He hates cats. He lives with both his parents, and has a good relationship with them. His favorite meal is casserole. He is an only child like me.

I like him, but as a friend. I think. And its surprising because usually a person wouldn't be hanging out with the suspected murderer of their father

When I was outside of the court room, Colton came and hugged me. His arms around me made me relax into him; his hug had always warmed me inside.

He pulled back and looked down at me, "did I do okay up there?"

I nodded, chuckling. "I can't believe you said you don't like James in front of everyone. Why don't you, anyway?"

"He annoys you, doesn't he?"

"No, we're friends." I saw Fiona walking over to us and she smiled. I didn't smile back.

Colton kept talking, "Well he annoys the fu-" he spotted her and shut up.

"Did you two have something to eat?" Fiona asked and I shook my head. "Well you should, we're going back in in about five minutes."

Colton nodded and headed towards a machine with chips in it. I turned back to Fiona.

"Andrea, do you think James is the killer?"

I thought back to when Colton told me about him possibly killing his uncle. But then I thought about how nice he can be. "I have no idea, to be honest."

Colton came back with a packet of chicken chips. Without hesitation, I dug into them.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆

"I'd like to call the suspect, James Davidson, to the stage." The Brazilian boy lazily walked to the stand and took his seat. Fiona stood up, and Mr Gardener watch her with envy.

Is it really that amazing to question the suspect?

"James, its good to see you again." Didn't sounds like it. James just grunted.

"Now James, you drove Andrea home after the party?"

"Yes, I did." He grumbled. His hair evidentally had knots in it, and he had major bags under his eyes.

"Right, right," Fiona tapped her chin, pacing back and forth slowly. "Now, James-" I hated the way she said his name. "-tell me, were you invited into Andrea's house?"

"Yes."

"By who?"

"Her father." James looked tired and quite agitated. His voice came out in a snap. His wandering eyes met mine and I smiled sadly.

Sorry you have to go through this.

"And what did you do when you were invited into their home?"

James sighed, "I pit Andy into her bed, and then I left."

"Hmm," Fiona nodded, walking back in front of James. She reached up and touched his jaw and I tensed. Is she even allowed to do that? "Well, Mr Davidson, what's this bruise from?"

He hesitated, for a mere second looking worried. "I got into a fight that same night."

"At the party?"

"Yes." He leaned his arms on the stage, "this guy tried to rape Andrea Owens so I saved her. Do you really think I would kill someone that means something to her?"

"I'm done. Thank you, your honour."