The Defendant ✧ (Bill Gambini x reader)

11.

Unbelievable.

I felt overwhelmed as I paced back and forth in the cramped motel room. Looking at the clock, it was 11 am. I only had three hours until court and I was not any closer to being back in town. The van was at a nearby garage and wouldn't be ready for a while.

There was a knock on the door before it opened and dad popped his head around. "Good morning munchkin, would you like some breakfast?" 

I think he noticed I seemed distracted because his eyebrows plunged into a small frown. "What's wrong?" He asked, coming inside the musty vacancy. I just looked at him wistfully as he pulled me into a tight embraced hug. "I know you miss home," he said misunderstanding the situation.

'He'll hate me if he knew...'

But it was time to confess.

"No pops...It's not that" I sighed. He tilted his head with a confused expression as I cleared my throat. "I have court today but before you hate me I didn't do anything wrong" I stated. We slowly broke apart and his confused expression was now one of concern.

"Why do you have court Y/n?" His cold, harsh tone made me nervous.

"I'm a witness to the store murder..."

It didn't take a second for his face to soften, his eyes glistened with sympathy. "Oh hun why didn't you tell me?" He pulled me back into the hug. I started to cry a little. "I didn't want to get in trouble for not speaking up. I'm afraid I'm going to ruin Bill's life" the cold tears slipped down my cheeks, hitting the rough carpet.

"Who's Bill?" He pressed further.

"One of the two accused of murder, with his friend Stan. But they didn't do it, dad, I swear they're innocent!" I pleaded. "This is a serious accusation Y/n, are you sure they're innocent?" He checked. I nodded firmly.

"The killers left in a green Pontiac Tempest! I recognised it. You know that I know cars just as much as a local mechanic does. Bill and Stan own a green Buick Skylark convertible, it wasn't them!" 

He studied me. I was apprehensive. After a moment, he smiled. "I believe you, hun."

I sighed in relief. I spent so much time trying to hide the truth from my dad that I was too blind to see that he had my back always. "God, what time does court start?" He questioned. "At two, I don't think I'll make it in time" I worried.

He thought for a moment. "We'll hire a car, let's go."

I beamed. We quickly packed our belongings and headed to the nearby garage. "But what about the van??" I asked. "I'll come back for it after don't you worry about me" he placed a kiss on my head. I really had the best father ever.

"Excuse me, sir, do you have any cars for hire?" Dad asked the owner. The man looked around and pointed to a small red Honda Civic Del Sol. "That's the only available one" the man's voice was gruff. Dad pulled his wallet out and sorted through, politely placing cash into the owner's hands. 

"We'll take it."

The wind whipped our faces as we sped down the highway. The roads were empty thank god as we cruised along, I often found myself peeking at my watch. The way dad was speeding there was no way we could miss court.

He wasn't even playing his usual music, that's how I knew he was so focused on getting me there on time. It was a lengthy drive, my face lit up when I finally conceded the opening to town. Before I knew it, the car came to a sudden halt outside the courthouse steps.

"I'll see you at dinner hun. I love you" he flashed me a comforting smile.

"I love you too dad."

Hopping out the car, I ran as fast I could up the steps and into the building.

'I made it!'

I then suddenly watched as people piled out of one of the courtrooms, the low mutter of mumbling filled the air and the disappointed faces of locals. I tapped a random person's shoulder.

"Is it over?!" the anguish in my voice was evident.

"It's over" they simply replied.

'Bill Gambini...I'm so sorry.'