Oh. My. God. Trials are so unbelievably boring to write about. Cross examination, prosecutor, judge, witness. I think after this case, I might make this an investigation only story because otherwise I will just get bored and forget about the whole thing. But on a lighter note, I actually added a chapter after a long period of time! Please review, and I'll see you soon!

Feenie

X

Arbor began to smile again, and Gumshoe stood upright once more.

"Erm, okay sir…" He replied very nervously.

The Judge, who was feeling very uncomfortable, coughed himself into the conversation. "Ahem…" He said, making a pathetic attempt at a false cough.

Arbor turned to him. She was beaming again, but again, the look on the rest of her face looked almost false.

The Judge gulped and turned to the defence. Juniper gave him a nervous little smile.

"Let's all just calm down." He exclaimed. "Perhaps a testimony would do?"

Arbor nodded in response. "Of course." She replied, turning back to Gumshoe. "Your testimony, if you wouldn't mind." Athena grimaced silently to herself.

Gumshoe cleared his throat and began to detail the police account. "Well, the crime occurred late at night in Dewer's Wood. A man was stabbed to death along the forest pathway. He wasn't alone, the defendant was with him. There wasn't much evidence, but no one else could have come through the forest."

"Many thanks, Mr Gumshoe." Arbor exclaimed, although she didn't seem to be listening. "And now, Ms Cykes, you are welcome to cross examine the witness, should you wish."

"That hurt, Ms. Arbor," Athena was feeling courageous. "Of course I should cross examine the witness. It was wrong of you to suggest that I may wish not to. That's not my job."

There was silence. It felt like for a few moments, the world stopped turning to recall at what Athena said.

Then the gallery started whispering. People who never knew each other before were talking about Athena like she was rebellious.

"She defied Prosecutor Arbor? No one defies Prosecutor Arbor."

"I only came to an Arbor trial so I could leave early… Damn you, defence."

"Mom, is the psyche lady evil?"

The judge smashed his gavel three times, with a slight sense of pride at being the one who successfully restored order.

Athena half expected him to swoop in and penalize her, but he was instead looking straight at her.

"I apologize." She exclaimed. Her beam could almost kill someone, it was so bright.

No one said anything.

She continued, "I sincerely apologize for undermining your confidence and making you feel weak. Let me inform you now, it will never happen again."

And she smiled again.

It was ten minutes into the trial, and Athena already hated the hell out of this woman.

"Ahem…" The Judge said towards the glaring battle between the defence and the prosecution. "Defence, cross examine the witness before we start another argument."

Athena backed down. "Of course, your honour." She exclaimed. "Please repeat your testimony, Detective."

Gumshoe had given up on getting people to call him by his proper title. He sighed. "Right away, sir."

"Well, the crime occurred late at night in Dewer's Wood."

Athena pressed his statement. "What was the crime in detail?"

Gumshoe looked puzzled. "Um… give me a second, sir, and I'll move on to that."

He continued. "A man was stabbed to death on a forest pathway."

Athena pressed on this again, "Whereabouts was he stabbed, Detective?"

"In the back, pal, while he was walking."

Juniper winced, but Athena continued. "Couldn't someone just have followed them?"

"Sorry, pal, but that's not possible. You see-"

HOLD IT! Came a cry. It was Arbor. The cry was mellow, and yet threatening. "Detective, remember our discussion?"

"Oh yes…" Gumshoe exclaimed nervously, "Sorry, sir. I'll move on."

The judge agreed. "Sustained."

Juniper was shocked. "She just obstructed his testimony! That's not allowed… is it, Thena?"

Athena shook her head. "It's happened before, Junie. There's nothing we can do."

Juniper sighed, twirling a knitting needle in her hand. From where she produced her balls of wool and needles, Athena had absolutely no idea. A mystery. Perhaps never to be solved.

Gumshoe continued, "He wasn't alone, the defendant was with him."

Athena felt confident. "How can you prove that, detective?"

Gumshoe almost jumped with glee. "Footprints of the defendants were found along the track along with the victims. The witness account states that defendant was there. And the defendant herself has admitted as much."

Athena's face fell. Low. Very low. "Um… Okay, continue."

"There wasn't much evidence, but no one else could have come through the forest."

This was the final statement. Athena could find no more evidence to throw at the detective. "I dread to ask this, but… How could no one else have come through the forest?"

"Footprints, Ms Cykes." Arbor interrupted, before Gumshoe had time to answer. "Only the defendants and the victim's footprints were found at the scene."

"And no others in the surrounding area?

"If I may say so," She replied, "Not a sausage. Although the forest was extensively searched through and through, although in the leafy area, any tracks could have been covered.

"Thank you, detective." She continued. "Now you may continue with your work."

Gumshoe gave a sad little salute and left.

There was silence in the courtroom.

The judge was nervous. "Umm, Ms Arbor, would you like to call another witness?"

Arbor produced a pocket watch. "I'm just waiting for a minute or two. I want to see if the defence changes its plea."

Athena was shocked by this. This women! She could manipulate anyone! How could she say things like this and get away with it!

… But this case seemed hopeless. How could it have been anyone else?

OBJECTION!

There was silence. Athena, the judge and Arbor all frowned in confusion. "Would the objector like to grace us with their presence?" Arbor murmured.

"I'm already here." Juniper exclaimed. She had a look in her eyes. Athena hadn't seen it much before. It was anger.

"Oh? The defence wishes to suggest how it can turn this case around?"

"No. The defence wishes to file a complaint against Prosecutor Astrid Arbor." Juniper said confidently.

"Juniper!" Athena hissed. She was quickly shushed away.

"A complaint, you say?" the Prosecutor said. "On what grounds?"

"On the grounds of mental harassment. Evidence? I quote, 'I am waiting for the defence to change its plea.'"

There was another pause. "I'm sorry, Ms. Arbor, but she's right. I am going to have to penalize you."

Arbor flinched momentarily.

"However, for your outburst, I will have to hold you in contempt of court, Ms. Woods."

Juniper coughed and sat down again. "There you go, Thena. You've got her at a low point."

Athena said nothing. She was still astounded by the performance Juniper had just given. She could almost applaud.

Arbor was visibly flustered. "Yes, well, I wish to call my next witness."

Athena watched as Juniper was walked from the room to a cell. She almost wanted to join her.