World of If

Courtroom

The day of Danny's hearing was like an episode of Law & Order, except it was unscripted.

There was a packed crowd outside the courthouse, several protesting and others just standing around wanting to know what was going on.

Dennis sighed as they approached the courthouse in the van, which had transported Danny and Dennis from the state prison. The guards overseeing the transport were cordial, not too strict but firm when they needed to be. They were just following orders..

"The press is just making this worse, that's the only reason the crowds here."

"The hearing is private, isn't that what you told me." Danny asked frowning at the crowd outside the window.

"Right." Dennis replied, "that, however, doesn't stop the public from saying their piece. Let's keep the craziness outside." He gave Danny a wry smile. "Well, let's do this then." Dennis concluded with a sigh then he opened the door and as the crowd and media pressed in on them he steered Danny firmly through the crowd; Danny pulled his coat and hood pulled up as far as they would go to conceal his face from the pressing cameras... He didn't need that much attention.

The courthouse was eerily silent when they entered after the outside. Dennis looked even more disheveled than usual as he made an effort to straighten his suit after he and Danny had hung their hats and coats on a rack nearby. Then, Dennis gave him an encouraging pat on the back, they entered the courtroom.

The courtroom was mostly empty except for a few small clusters of people. Danny's parents, Beth (who was significantly pregnant) and her parents. In another row was Dahlia, Elsie and their parents. Derek was also there, looking solemn, his arm around Elsie's shoulders. Danny was glad to see them all and Dahlia brightened when she saw him and looked like she wanted to get up and hug him, which he appreciated. His mother mouthed "I love you" and his father gave him a thumbs up. Danny knew they would all talk after the hearing.

Finally, he and Dennis took their places in the front of the room facing the judge's bench.

After several moments the talking, which sounded like it was coming from a church, stopped and the judge entered the room. She was an average looking middle-aged woman with short blonde hair and a rounded face. Initially Danny didn't know what to make of her, whether or not she would be easy, fair, or firm.

The clerk at a small desk nearby was the first to speak.

"All rise! For the Honorable Judge Mathers presiding. Daniel Harper versus the state of Indiana."

Judge Mathers nodded at those assembled.

"Please be seated." She said in a smooth even voice.

Then the proceedings began.

The judge began with her opening statement addressing all of those in attendance. Her tone was nonjudgmental; simply stating the facts of the case.

"I was expecting something like this across my desk, but not too soon and not under these circumstances." Her eyes fastened on each critical person in the room. "This case, such as it is, relies on people and the character of Mr. Harper. I do not condemn him or his significant other for they were simply acting as any other person would act under the circumstances and given this law and what it requires of people..." She cleared her throat before turning to the attorneys.

"Mr. Reid, and Mr. Salazar," she nodded at the state's attorney who looked like a pressed figurine next to Dennis Reid in his slightly disheveled suit. "I'll hear your opening arguments now, afterwards we will proceed with the character witnesses."

Danny listened from where he sat next to Dennis Reid thought the arguments were simple. Dennis argued that he and Beth had been victims of circumstance and were only doing what they thought was right at the time and Danny had no ill will towards Beth or their unborn child. However, the state argued that Danny's case provided loopholes for anyone wanting to get out of the consequences of their actions.

Afterwards, Dennis called the character witnesses which could be questioned by either of the attorneys.

Danny's case rested on Dahlia, Derek and her family and he was grateful for their involvement.

Dennis was fair and straightforward he asked a few questions but that was all. The state attorney was a little harder zeroing in on the fact that Danny hadn't told everyone what had happened.

"Did Mr. Harper ever divulge to you the circumstances under which he had come to Canada?" The state attorney asked Elsie.

"No sir." Elsie answered quietly but firmly.

"Was there any reason he only told you?" He asked Dahlia in turn.

"He knew me the best and we had talked the longest. He didn't talk to my cousin or my family that much."

Salazar nodded, but he still looked annoyed.

The rest of Dahlia's family was questioned briefly that they had little information to impart as Dahlia had stated they didn't know Danny as well she did.

Finally the questioning came to a close.

"Very well," Judge Mathers responded nodding. "I will review things and come back with my decision. At this time I will call a brief recess. Thank you."

While all parties involved adjourned for lunch at a restaurant nearby Danny finally introduced Dahlia and her family to his parents.

"Thank you for looking after our son." His mother said.

"No problem." Dahlia replied smiling brightly. "We just happened to run into each other and be at the right place at the right time."

"What's going on with you and Dahlia?" Beth whispered to Danny when she was sure they were out of earshot.

"I'm not sure." Danny replied, "That's the honest truth."

"You love her." Beth murmured quietly. "I see the way you look at her and the way she looks at you."

Danny bit his lip, and fidgeted with his hair; he was missing his longer hair for the distraction of the gesture.

"Do you love me?" Beth demanded, she didn't sound angry, just confused and maybe a little hurt.

"Of course I do." Danny replied, "Don't think this doesn't mean I won't be there for you and the baby. I will be."

"Does this mean you'll move to Canada?" Beth asked flatly.

"I don't know." Danny replied. "Dahlia actually lives here, in the states, in Detroit."

They were quiet for a long time as they continued to walk behind the rest of the group. He was grateful for the time being for the reprieve from the court even if it was just for a few hours.

"You know if it's a boy or girl?" Danny asked suddenly.

"I don't know," Beth murmured with a small smile, touching her belly reflexively, "I told the ultrasound tech I wanted be surprised."

An hour or so later Danny's lunch sat in his stomach like a lead brick they were back in the were waiting for the judge's decision. Finally Judge Mathers appeared from her chambers, sat behind the bench, shuffled the papers in the folder in front of her once, twice and pulled one paper to the top of the pile.

"Thank you, you may all be seated. After much consideration and careful review I have decided that Daniel Harper..."