Beneath The Orange Sunset ✔️

52

~52~

Palais de Justice courthouse was packed with lots of media people and students. A fair number of lawyers were sitting in as well. Emile sat at the prosecution table with Martins Berger. Fabien sat directly behind her watching her every move. All issues had been argued before judge Sheridan and since there was no valid mediation between the two parties, the caters proceeded for a hearing, a first trial.

Emile had a growing sense of anxiety. Her previous arguments with Juliette or with anybody had been oral, appearing before the court like this was unnerving. She was sure all her records were intact.

She leaned back and looked behind her and then took a quick glance around the courtroom. She saw Juliette leaning over whispering something to someone, wait...

She turned to look at her boyfriend and nudged him to look over.

"It's Sebastian," she whispered aloud.

Fabien glanced at the direction. He winced but tapped Emile to relax.

Relax? How can she relax when Alberte's best friend was standing in for Juliette.

The judge took bench and called the hearing to order. Step by step they went through the defense motions and the rulings fell on Emile's favor without much argument.

The most important part of the routine came when the judge read out the filing of Juliette counter suing claims. Martins Berger made a motion to dismiss the claims for lack of evidence, which the judge rejected with a short comment.

When Juliette asked to be heard, she said she had concrete evidence with real facts.

Berger felt uneasy in his seat. He unbuttoned his old black suit, releasing his big belly. He was a man tilting dangerously on the heavy side.

The ruling which caught the judge's attention mostly was murder. He wanted to discuss more about it in detail. Juliette laid out her arguments, stating precisely the events of the past year - from the accident which claimed Alberte's life to Maxime's blindness and her narrow escape when she was attacked.

"I have to admit I have not had a motion like this come to me before," he motioned to Berger." I see the prosecution have objected on the claims saying that it contains insufficient and unreliable information. Can you shed more light on the subject."

Berger stood to address the court from his place at the defense table. "Your Honor, it is the defense position that these claims were based on falsified information dating from a year ago. It has no relevance in today's hearing. I might add that she is acting out of emotional trauma, it is merely a tactic to delay the trial and the defense stands by its decision not to delay justice in this case."

Sebastian stood quickly. "Your honor may I be heard on the defense accusation?"

"Go on."

Sebastian bowed politely. "On the thirteenth of July 2016. Alberte Lacroix, Maxime Lacroix and Husein Jacob encountered an unfortunate accident on their way to the company. Alberte lost his life and Maxime was labeled blind by medical professionals."

"Can I have the documents stating that fact from the doctor."

The court officer quickly collected the papers and handed it to the judge. He glanced at it. "Go ahead."