Again, a longer wait then I anticipated. Silly me. I got four reviews on the last chapter! I'm pretty happy about that. Review this one too! :D
Chapter 21: The Trial - Part 2
The court went on for several more days. Bryan, Gabi Lynn, Keera, and Tala's mom all testified. On the final day of the trial, Tala finally did his piece.
"The defense may call their next witness to the stand."
"Your Honor, I call Tala Ivanov to the stand." Tala stood and walked numbly to the witness stand, taking his oath robotically.
"Mr. Ivanov, what is your relationship with Mr. Hiwatari?"
"Well, we're were friends, at first. But then I found out that he was Keera's boyfriend, and things just went downhill from there."
"Ah, yes, Ms. Ross. Can you please explain your relationship with her?"
"Well, I guess... We're roommates, for one thing, and we started going out just before... I got arrested. Other than that... It's kind of hard to explain."
"So you had sex with her, then she went and does the same with Mr. Hiwatari. How did you feel about that?"
"Well, I mean, how would you feel? I was finally getting part of what I wanted, and it was so great, and then..."
"How did you feel when you found out about her and Mr. Hiwatari?"
"I don't know... Kind of hurt, maybe a little angry... Just... disappointed, mostly. But at the same time, I knew she would go back to him."
"Then how do you feel about that?"
"Kind of rejected, I guess."
"Where were you on the day of Mr. Hiwatari's murder?"
"Well I was at school, then I made Johnny come shopping with me."
"Shopping for what?" Tala's cheeks tinged with pink.
"I was... looking for gifts for Keera... for Valentine's Day."
"And what did you get?"
"A card, roses, a box of chocolates, a bear, and a locket."
"Ok," the spokesman said, "How many votes for guilty?" Half the room raised their hands and an argument broke out.
"How could you think that guy is innocent?!"
"Are you kidding?? How can you think he's guilty?"
The bailiff entered the room. "Some new evidence is to be presented. Please return the courtroom." Back in the courtroom, Tala was in the hot seat. As soon as the jury was seated, Tala's lawyer spoke.
"My client has presented me with two letters," he said, holding up two pieces of paper, "Where did you find these, Mr. Ivanov?"
"At Kai's apartment, on his desk."
"And why were you at Mr. Hiwatari's apartment?"
"I was watching the news and they were showing Kai's apartment and I saw Keera. She was crying, so I went to comfort her."
"Would you please read the letter from Mr. Hiwatari to you?"
Tala cleared his throat and started reading, "'Tala, I only have one thing to say to you. Keera loves you, whether she knows it or not. Take care of her for me. Kai.'"
"Thank you. And the one to Keera?"
"' Dear Keera, Please don't be upset about this. Just move on, be happy. The reason I am writing this is so you know why I'm doing what I've decided to do. I just can't stand it anymore. You may not have noticed it yet, but I know you don't love me. You love him. Come on, you know who I'm talking about. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it. I can't live always knowing that you love him, not me. And I can't live without you. So that's why I'm doing this. Goodbye, Keera.'"
"No further questions, your Honor."
"Prosecution?"
"I have only one question. Why didn't you show us these letters earlier?"
"I couldn't find them."
"I would think that you wouldn't want to lose something so important. How did you?"
"I thought you said one question."
"Answer the question, Mr. Ivanov," the judge interjected.
"Well, I gave Keera hers and she couldn't find it, and I also let her read mine, so technically she lost them."
"How many people vote guilty?" A quarter of the room raised their hands.
"How can you still think he's guilty? You heard those letters!"
"He probably wrote that letter himself!"
"You have no proof of that!"
"You have no proof against it!"
"Innocent until proven guilty!" More arguments broke out in the juror room, while Tala sat back in the courtroom, waiting anxiously for their verdict...