Second chapter. Please note that all political views expressed are not meant to offend. Should you find fault with something I have written please FIRST, recall that this is fiction, and SECOND, I am by no means an expert.
I'm also writing into legal proceedings from what I've seen on TV and found in my own research. Actual legal minds DO NOT attack me, pointers and constructive criticism is appreciated.
Love you all!
Now Taking Numbers.
With life being what it's been lately Lillian and Liz's birthdays get pushed to the backburner. We opt to throw a late combined party for both on the 23rd, why? Because the 24th is the official arraignment of James Hunter. The moment when he enters his plea and we find out if this is going to be a lengthy trial, or a quick close like we're all hoping for. The party helps to lighten our spirits before we begin the trial process.
Ed Sr. can't tell us much. The arraignment process comes before evidentiary hearings so he doesn't know how James is going to play this out in court. We do know that William will be superseded by Judge Jason Jenks because of his close ties to the case, and Ed Sr. has been given permission to prosecute with a strict instruction to play it out professionally.
Rose tweets for the occasion, generating buzz as we all decorate and prepare.
CulDeSac6 Celebrating the birthday of two Mamas that raised us right. Lil and Liz, Happy Birthday you hot Mamas!
We all get a kick out of the responses which include cougar loving comments from some frat boys, and shout outs from fans who think our Moms rock. For the Moms we opt to keep it simple, focusing on just being the family and celebrating our precious moments together.
It's also a time we finally break the news to everybody, lately we've been doing a lot of talk about the future. This Cul-De-Sac 6 thing has given us a lot to think about in our place in the world and as we head into our Senior year, we're especially aware of the big decisions we're facing.
Dinner is a rich affair with delicious food, ample conversation, and a lot of love. Finally Jasper clears his throat and stands, gathering everyone's attention.
"Liz, Lil, we apologize for monopolizing your celebration, especially seeing as it was late and combined." Both ladies wave him off, curious about our announcement.
"We thought it best to share our news with everyone of you while we're together, and right now, while our lives are relatively free of craziness." Yeah no kidding, after tomorrow who knows what's going to happen.
"As you know we're finish up our Junior year next month, and Alice, Rose and I turned eighteen already. You are always remarking that we are growing up, and it's true, we are, three of us can legally vote. We've been doing some thinking lately and we've made some big decisions." Esme is already beginning to tear up.
"As you already know I have decided to become a lawyer. I hope to practice in the realm of civil rights, and yes, I've thought of attending Harvard, though the jury's still out." That's a pun. Jasper just made a pun. Emmett starts giggling softly to himself.
"Please save the discussion and congratulations until we get through everyone, thank you." Jasper takes his seat and Rose stands up.
"With everything going on on right now I've really hit my stride with media campaigning and advocating. I'd like to use these skills in what I'm hoping will amount to a change inspiring political career." Dale looks so proud, at his children's admissions.
Edward stands next, clearing his throat, and running a hand through is hair.
"I'm going to be a doctor." He says. "An ER Surgeon, I've had a lifetime of emergency practice." Edward says eyes falling to me, I scoff at the insinuation.
Alice is next.
"I'm going to be a fashion designer, start a vintage chic trend, and fabulous evening wear." She says brightly.
I stand up and look into the sea of teary eyes.
"I'm going into catering, and plan to start up my own company. I actually have an event I'm catering this summer." I say and then I sit.
Emmett stands and looks uncharacteristically serious.
"I'd like to keep playing football, but that would really have to depend on if scouts and colleges want me. Otherwise, I'm going to build stuff, get into construction or renovation, I'm not sure yet."
Once Emmett sits down it begins.
"Oh Bella this is wonderful news! I was going to ask, what with all the beautiful cakes you've done, not to mention all the meals you've prepped for parties! But now I can start giving your name out to my friends, ooh we need to get you some supplies! Carlisle where's the checkbook!" Esme is practically vibrating as she hugs me.
"Esme, easy, I don't need anything right now, I haven't even come up with a name or game plan I'm sort of winging it." Esme kisses both my cheeks.
"You're going to do marvellously! Oh! Liz we should have an event, as an unveiling for our Bella!" Liz steps away from hugging Edward and joins me.
"Oh that would be wonderful, it would really get her name out there! Think of it, a successful business and before she graduates, oh that reminds me I better ask Ed about permits for this sort of thing. Ed darling I have a question for you!" Liz runs off to Ed who's talking to Jasper. Carlisle gives me a hug as Esme latches onto Rose.
"You're going to do amazingly Bella, you've got some God given talent."
Dad makes his way over from Emmett and he's looking pretty misty eyed.
"My little Bell, jesus kid you're growing up. You're going to take the world by storm babygirl, you already have." He hugs me tightly for a moment, no doubt imagining my life until this point. Remembering his little girl.
Once we wrap up the congratulations we all go to bed, we'll need plenty of sleep for tomorrow.
The next morning we arrive at the Clallum County District Court a hour early. Ed Sr. has been agonizing over the briefs for the case, today will be the official arraignment, followed by an evidentiary hearing to present the evidence for the trial.
Hopefully, it will go smoothly.
The six of us sit on a bench together in the very back, the parents sit in front of us, creating a wall between ourselves and him.
He's escorted in cuffs, the kind that have a chain that links to the pair on his feet. His blond hair is not pulled back in a ponytail, and he's wearing a bright orange jumpsuit. He glances around the courtroom, meets my gaze and smirks. Shudders run up my spine and I look away to the Judge. Jason Jenks, a good man William said, fair, and well educated.
He's a serious looking man, with a balding head, pointed nose, and shrewd eyes behind glasses.
The courtroom doors open and when I turn, I'm shocked by who I seet. Oily black hair slicked back, pale skin flushed white by a dark suit, cocky smirk.
Aro Denali.
"Aro Denali for the defense your honor, pardon my tardiness, I ran into some traffic."
The judge is not convinced.
"Be sure to leave the house earlier next time then Mr. Denali, your client managed to arrive on time in cuffs."
I know Aro enough to know when he's displeased despite a polite appearance, and he is now.
"About that your honor, are the cuffs really necessary? They'd be especially prejudicial in front of a jury."
Jenks sits back in his seat chewing on Aro's request.
"Your honor Mr. Hunter is being charged with very violent crimes, and has a well recorded vendetta against Miss Swan and her family. The cuffs are for the safety of all those who must attend these proceedings."
Jenks steeples his fingers together.
"I'm inclined to agree that Mr. Hunter in cuffs would be prejudicial," Aro and James smirk. "However, given the rather serious nature of the crimes described, Mr. Hunter you will be watched carefully by officers of this court and any motion of ill intent will result in your immediate restriction understood?" James nods his head.
"Let's continue then, Mr. Masen, what are the charges to be brought against Mr. Hunter?"
Ed picks up his docket and begins to read.
"1 count criminal trespass, six counts first degree attempted murder, six counts of conspiracy to commit murder," The other crimes were committed in other states so they have to be tried in those courts. All Ed can go for are the crimes he committed in Washington.
"And how does the defendant plead to these charges?" The judge asked. James' voice makes my skin crawl when he utters: "Not guilty your honor."
Not guilty! Not guilty! Rage shoots through me and Edward and Emmett both restrain me from standing and shouting. Alice even reaches over Edward to clap a hand over my mouth.
How the fuck can he try to say he's not guilty!
"At this time your honor the people would like to request that James be remanded into custody as he is a flight risk. He escaped police custody in Phoenix, Arizona, and has no permanent ties."
Jenks nods his head.
"Very well, Mr. Hunter you are remanded to Olympic Corrections Center. Mr. Masen, Mr. Denali be here tomorrow at nine am for the pretrial evidentiary hearing. Dismissed." Jenks bangs his gavel and Ed packs his things. I'm fuming when I rise from the seat, everyone loads up and we drive back to the house. I spend the ride glaring daggers out the window. When we arrive at the house I finally unleash.
"I thought Aro was disbarred!" His digging into my confidential past and telling his daughter was reason enough to cost him his job, and his reputation. How the hell is he still practicing law?
"He was on track to be," William says gravely. " But a junior associate at his firm confessed to divulging the information in exchange for sex from Miss Denali."
"Said associate has since come into a large inheritance and now lives in Vancouver," Ed says bitterly.
I feel like screaming and pulling my hair out. How can the world be so ridiculously unfair!?
"So he was paid to take the fall and now Aro is defending James, how can he possibly try to say he's not guilty?" I'm pacing in front of the family, anger exploding out of every nerve.
Ed sighs and rakes a hand through his hair, he looks aged, agitated, upset.
"We can expect this trial to be more grueling than originally perceived. I have an idea as to their strategy, and I'll need to go over the evidence once more. One thing is for certain Bella, I'm going to need you to testify. All of you kids really, but especially you Bella. James has a fascination with you, and I'm afraid we'll need to exploit it so the jury can see him for what he is."
Ed Sr. arrives at the court early, as his usual. He's confidant, determination burning hot in his chest.
This isn't just for his son, who was targeted that night. This is for Bella, the girl he knows will someday join his family.
This is for Rosalie and Jasper, the two blonds who have filled his home with laughter and flowing political discussion.
This is for Alice, the fierce little sprite who comes into people's lives with the force of a hurricane.
This is for Emmett, the great bear of a man who's got a heart of gold.
He does this for them, because they're his family, and he won't fail his family.
Aro is like oil. It's in his dark suits, his slicked hair, his dark eyes, and his slick smile. He pollutes the world with the people he releases, and his throat cut lifestyle.
Ed has never despised a man so much.
For professional reasons, Aro is what he stands against, corrupt, ruthless, selfish. Personally, he's come after his family on more than one occasion including now.
Aro will not win, Ed vows.
The oily bastard strolls in with a stack of briefs. It's time to find out what Aro's strategy will be.
"Mr. Masen you bear the burden of proof please present your evidence." Ed first hands Judge Jenks the police files from the five families that have been slaughtered thus far. The Mendoza's in New Mexico, the Rollins' in California, the Blythe's in Texas, the Temple's in Utah, and the most recent Swan's in Arizona.
"The police files of the five families tied to Mr. Hunter. I'd like to admit them under People V Mullineaux which allows previous crimes to be admitted to prove a clear pattern of abuse and intent."
Aro is quick to attack the evidence.
"Your honor those are highly prejudicial, and my client has yet to face trial for those cases and actually be charged. You can't possibly allow untried cases in an effort to sandbag my client morally."
Judge Jenks reads over the files and emits a deep sigh, Ed knows he's lost that mini battle.
"I cannot in good conscience admit these for the reasons Mr. Denali has stated Mr. Masen, what else do you have?" Ed knew going for all five cases was a reach, but he knows he stands a chance for the one.
"At least allow the Swan casefile your honor, that shows a clear premeditated attack on Miss Swan's life, there's clearly a proof of motive, intent, and lack of accident on the matter." Jenks reads over the evidence, rifling through photographs, statements, and the forensics for the case so far.
"Very well, I'll allow the Swan casefile, but you've been warned I don't want to hear about any other cases from you Mr. Masen." Ed nods his head, and moves on to the next item of business.
"I have witness statements from the six teenagers Mr. Hunter attempted to murder your honor, the evidence compiled by the Forks Police Department, as well as an independent Forensics lab given the particular facts of the case." Ed has prepared for Aro's inevitable accusations against Charlie's department for their ties to him and to Bella.
"I also have the witness statement of one Jessica Stanley for her knowledge of Mr. Hunter's intent to trap and kill six teenagers." Ed felt great satisfaction issuing the subpoena to testify against Miss Stanley, especially as she was so guilty for the whole thing happening she burst into tears upon seeing Ed at her door.
"Everything looks in order is this everything you have Mr. Masen?" Ed nods.
"At this time your honor, some of the forensics such as DNA are still being processed and will be admitted upon their completion." Jenks nods and turns to Aro.
"And you Mr. Denali?"
Aro produces a casefile from a cold case.
"My client was involved in these heinous crimes under duress your honor, here is the casefile of Laurent Stratton a previous partner of Victoria La Beau who we know to be involved with the crimes my client is on trial for. My client will testify that his life was at stake if he did not participate and listen to the direction of Victoria, and that Laurent's death- linked to Miss La Beau- was the reasoning for his fear. There are also witness statements of Miss La Beau's involvement with Mr. Stratton, and forensic evidence linking her to his death, providing reasonable cause to fear imminent danger from Miss La Beau."
"Your honor, linking all previous evidence to Miss La Beau in an effort to railroad the prosecution is hardly appropriate. We're not here to try Miss La Beau we're here to try Mr. Hunter."
Jenks looks up from the file.
"While I am inclined to agree with you Mr. Masen, the evidence does provide clear intent of harm against Mr. Hunter. I'll allow it, as a principle of the state of mind when the crimes were committed." Ed is not happy with the result, if James can convince a Jury that he was genuinely in danger and that Victoria orchestrated the whole event, he could walk.
And not just in this case, in all of them.
"Your honor, at this time I'd like to motion to repeal Mr. Masen as the prosecutor on this case. His son was a victim of the attack and he has a clear bone to pick in this case."
Ed's jaw ticks, the only outwards sign of his burning rage. When he addresses the judge he's calm, collected.
"Your honor, I'm seeking justice be done in this case as a prosecutor of the people first and foremost. Anything I may gain as a Father can be done so by seeing this case done in accordance with the law and in proving beyond a shadow of a doubt my case." Jenks seems to debate this for a moment.
"Mr. Masen you have a proven track record of capability and integrity. I'll allow you to pursue this, but make no mistake, one step out of line, one toe into the realm of personal vendetta, and I'll have you removed, understood?" Ed nods firmly.
This he will do for his family.
"Yes your honor." He states.
Laying the groundwork for the trial and their futures, what is everyone thinking so far?
Now Taking Numbers.
