Halloween had come and gone and Talisa had kept herself plenty busy with classes and her research for a third article that she'd begun working on back in June. She was even toying with the idea of writing a book. One thing at a time, she chided herself. Nothing had turned up on the post-it note so far, but the rest of the case against Avery's assailant seemed to be falling neatly into place. Now here she stood in front of the imposing courthouse, taking a moment to stand and stare at the words written across the top of the pillars. THE TRUE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS THE FIRMEST PILLAR OF GOOD GOVERNMENT it read in clear lettering.
"Inspiring, isn't it?" Came a familiar voice from behind her.
Talisa turned and the wind pushed her long bangs messily in the opposite direction. Rafael Barba reached up with his gloved hand and fixed the offending locks. "Thank you, Mr. Barba. And yes, I was just attempting to soak up a smidgeon of hope from that proclamation."
"All the great things are simple and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." Barba smirked at her. "Churchill." He moved up one step in front of her then stuck his elbow out and looked back at her expectantly.
She grinned at his smugness and accepted his proffered arm by looping her own through the crook of his elbow and allowing him to lead her up the stairs. "The law is what we live with... justice is sometimes harder to achieve."
He glanced sideways at her face and noticed a small smile on her lips. "Who said that?" He asked.
Her smile turned into a little chuckle. "Sherlock Holmes. I'm afraid my quote bank is completely filled from pop culture."
He laughed along with her. "Nothing wrong with that." His face grew serious as he opened the front door of the building for her. "How's Avery doing?"
"Pretty well, I think. She feels prepared for today, thanks to you." She touched his arm. "What about you? Ready to do this?"
He paused and squinted his eyes a bit at her. "I find your lack of faith… disturbing."
At that she let out a sharp, "HA!" That startled even herself and clapped her hands over her mouth because it was a somewhat quiet and solemn atmosphere inside the courthouse. "Oh god, sorry!" She furtively whispered to him. "That just caught me off-guard."
His eyes danced with mirth. "I thought it might. And yes, I'm feeling quite good about today. You shouldn't have to wait too long out here. I believe Detective Carisi is the only witness before you."
As if speaking his name had conjured him from nowhere, the voice of Detective Carisi was suddenly behind Talisa. "Yeah, it's gonna be a pretty quick trial if you ask me. I don't know how the defense is going to insert any doubt into this one."
Talisa jumped a little and pivoted to the side to include Sonny into the conversation she was having with Rafael. As they spoke to each other in low tones about something her eyes bounced between the two of them. They were both incredibly handsome in very different ways. Rafael was shorter than Sonny, but had broad shoulders, tan skin and those striking green eyes. Sonny had a lankier build, but was still muscular and had soft pink lips and those crystal clear blue eyes. Both of them had hands that were large with long fingers. She found herself thinking about their hands and fingers in a less than appropriate way when she saw Avery enter the building behind the men. She shook the dirty thoughts from her mind and excused herself to go hug her friend and student.
"Hey there. Still doing okay?" Talisa held Avery's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I am. I'm super ready to get this over with." She returned the squeeze.
Talisa looked over her shoulder. Mr. Barba had left to be seated in the courtroom and Carisi caught Talisa's eye and joined her and Avery.
"Miss Riddle." He greeted her and shook her hand. "I hate to say something cliché here, but just stay calm and everything's going to be all right. Mr. Barba really knows what he's doing." He smiled at them both.
"Thanks, detective, I really appreciate how wonderful everyone has been." Avery gave him a small smile.
He nodded in response then turned to Talisa and opened his mouth to say something when his name was called from the door to the courtroom. He threw a glance over his shoulder and turned back again. "Oh, well I guess I'm up. See you two in there." His long legs took him swiftly out of their sight.
Talisa grabbed Avery's hand and guided her to a bench just outside the room they would be entering next. Neither of them felt the need to say anything. Talisa watched the people coming and going down the busy hallway. In what felt like no time, but also like a lifetime, a man stepped out and called Talisa's name. She gave Avery's hand a final squeeze and stood to go in.
Talisa got down from the stand after the defense finished questioning her. It had all seemed so surreal. Rafael nodded at her as she passed him and Carisi noticeably scooted over on his bench to create a spot for her to sit next to him. She gratefully took it and he gave her a reassuring look. Everything was going great. Now it was Avery's turn. She had taken the stand and Rafael carefully questioned her, making sure her testimony was very clear and nothing was left to doubt. Talisa marveled once again at Avery's strength as the defense attorney feebly attempted to rattle her story. Before she knew it Barba had rested the state's case and the judge called to recess for lunch.
Rafael turned just his head and made eye contact with Talisa and then Avery and nodded at them with a satisfied look in his eyes.
"I think he's pleased with how everything went." Carisi had leaned down and said in Talisa's ear. She turned her attention to him and bobbed her head in agreement. Then she turned to Avery and signaled with her head for them to exit the room.
Avery had opted to not attend the portion of the trial for the defense and Talisa had instead suggested they duck into a nearby coffee house and wait it out. They hadn't been there much more than an hour when Avery got a phone call from Lieutenant Benson. When she got done with the call Avery relayed the information to Talisa. "Defense rested their side. Now we wait for the verdict from the jury."
"Any idea on how long that will take?" Talisa sipped her second macchiato.
"Lieutenant Benson didn't think it would be too long. Possibly even later tonight."
Talisa looked at her watch. "It's almost 4 o'clock now. I wonder how long they'll deliberate before calling it a night."
"Do you think we should continue to hang around here?" Avery put her chin on her palm and rested her elbow on the table.
"We could go for a walk? Find some actual food?"
"That sounds good to me." Avery quickly agreed.
They put their coats on and headed out onto the sidewalk.
The two women had ended up at a bustling American-style eatery. Talisa was picking at the remnants of the French fries on her plate and Avery swirled her straw around in her cup of Diet Coke. They'd been discussing the final paper that Talisa had assigned the class last week when Avery's phone buzzed on the table in front of her. She snatched it up and answered it. "We're not too far. We will be there in fifteen minutes." She said into the phone, tapping the end call button.
"Verdict already?" Talisa asked as she followed Avery's lead and scooted out of the booth.
"Yes, they are coming back. Let's go!"
They were all seated back in the courtroom, this time Avery was seated between Lieutenant Benson and Talisa, who sat on the end by the aisle. Carisi had squeezed Talisa and Avery's shoulders and sat down directly behind them. "…. On the sole count of rape in the first degree how do you find?" The judge was speaking.
The forewoman of the jury responded, "On the sole count of rape in the first degree, we the jury find the defendant… guilty."
Avery immediately turned to Talisa and threw her arms around her neck. "You did so great. He can't hurt anyone again." Talisa cooed into her ear as she swept her hand over her hair.