This is the final chapter. Up next will be the epilogue. I really appreciate all of my readers, and I want to thank you all for supporting me by alerting, reviewing & faving this fic. It's been an amazing journey and I hope you enjoy the ending of this story. :)
Edward Has Spoken
~Three Months Later~
He sat motionless, completely numb, as the prosecutor questioned the medical examiner. Unable to look into the eyes of the jurors, he studied the table where he sat beside his attorney. His foot twitched, causing his shoe to release a tiny squeak every now and then. With shaky hands, he listened as best he could to the testimony of the witness.
"Yes, the victim died from blunt force trauma. There were several blows to his head, as well as strangulation marks on his neck and bruising on his torso, which suggests he was kicked several times."
"Thank you, Dr. Stark. No further questions, your honor." The prosecutor returned to his seat at the opposite table, directly in front of the victim's wife, who repeatedly wiped her eyes with an extremely withered looking handkerchief.
"Do you wish to question this witness, Mr. Hale?"
"No questions, your honor."
"Okay, then. This court will recess until 9am tomorrow morning." The judge banged his gavel on the desk and stood. Edward looked at his attorney like a man completely broken. In truth, that is exactly what he was. He sighed heavily before turning and walking away, led by the guard.
Jeremy Hale knew he had no real defense for Edward Cullen. The evidence, not to mention the victim's wife who witnessed the attack, was just too damning. And, with Edward having tracked down Emmett McCarty and flown across the country, there was no way to claim he snapped and acted on extreme emotions. It was clearly premeditated. The best he could hope for was to have Edward sent away to a mental institution, based on his recent bout with amnesia. Even that was a long shot.
Jeremy hadn't lost many cases in his 10 year career. He worked for a prestigious firm and he usually dealt in corporate law, but he was doing a favor for his sister's friend. Rosalie had gone to college with Edward and had become very close with him after he dated her roommate, Linda, who apparently now had a child with the man. So he would do what he could to help out.
Jennifer stood, talking softly with the prosecutor. Her mascara was smeared under her eyes and she looked as if she hadn't slept in days. In truth, she probably hadn't. Honestly, Jeremy felt terrible for her, but he couldn't let himself look at her with sympathy, even though he wanted to. He had a job to do. He kept his eyes averted as he walked past them. She did the same, looking only at the prosecutor, before heading out to the restroom to clean her face before she would step outside to be greeted by the cameras again.
Jennifer's new husband had died just 36 hours after the assault in their home, a place she could no longer live. Emmett had fought bravely that night, but he had lost too much blood and there was hemorrhaging on his brain. He never made it off the table after surgery.
Emmett's death had come as a shock to the company. The circumstances behind Edward's attack on their co-worker had spread around like wildfire, in several rumors, stories ranging from Emmett having stolen money to a crazy story featuring a stripper and a rabid dog.
Bella rolled her eyes each time a new story surfaced. She never commented when anyone asked why Edward did it because honestly, it wasn't her business anymore, and she hadn't known that Emmett was the one who actually got her ex-husband fired. Only Edward, his target, and Jennifer knew that little tidbit.
Jacob did talk with Jennifer after the murder. She called him, crying, asking what to do to plan a funeral. Since Jacob had planned his father's, he offered some helpful tips. She was very grateful, and was happy for Jacob and Bella.
Bella naturally felt guilty for Edward's actions, but Jennifer quickly assured her not to feel bad in any way. Bella and Jacob were not able to attend the funeral, but did send a nice floral arrangement to Jennifer and donated money to a charity that helped families who were victims of violent crimes.
Linda and little Ed were tragically, more victims in this whole scenario. When she heard the news, several emotions hit her all at once. She was shocked, to say the least, but also angry. Linda never knew Edward to be violent, so the entire situation caused her to become mad at herself. She felt she had poor judgment, since she had no idea he was capable of such things. Edward was a mystery to her.
Obviously, she was also upset that he'd left his son…again. She really thought things were going to be different after his visit that day, but sadly, that would never be. The family she wanted for her little man didn't exist, and now was completely impossible. The only thing that now comforted Linda was the knowledge that Ed would never really know his dad and couldn't really miss him now. She just hoped that nobody would look at her son differently, if they ever knew who his father was.
~The Next Day – the courtroom~
Jennifer McCarty sat on the stand, recalling that fateful night, when she lost her beloved husband of only two months. Her doctor had given her an anti-depressant, which she hadn't taken until today. She was still extremely emotional, but she was doing well with her testimony.
"Mrs. McCarty, do you see the man who came into your home on the night in question?" the prosecutor asked.
"Yes." She sniffled.
"He's in the courtroom today?"
"Yes. He's sitting right over there." She pointed in Edward's direction and he finally looked up and into her swollen, red eyes.
"Thank you. Again, I'm sorry for your loss." The prosecutor stated. She nodded in return, tears spilling over her cheeks.
Jeremy rose from his seat and buttoned his suit jacket. He walked slowly up to Jennifer and handed her a box of tissues. She grabbed one with a small, gratuitous nod.
"Now I know this is a difficult time for you, so I will make this brief, okay?" Jeremy spoke with a gentleness that was uncommon in many attorneys.
"Can you tell me where you were during the incident?"
"I came into the living room and found Edward choking my husband."
Edward watched as Jennifer answered the questions from his attorney. The sadness and anger he'd seen in her eyes when she pointed towards him overwhelmed him. He looked at the jury and saw the sympathy for her in their gaze. Edward's life was over and he knew it. There would be no mental institution for him; the jury wouldn't even think of it. Conviction and prison time was his fate. Shame and regret filled his heart, causing his chest to tighten.
When he returned to his cell, he quickly sat down on the tiny cot and began to scribble. He wrote several letters, nearly breaking the tiny pencil the jailer had given him. Placing them all in a neat pile, he set to work on his final task. It was the least he could do for all the hurt he'd caused for so many during his short life.
The next morning, Jeremy showed up for court without a client. When the judge asked where Edward was, he had no clue. A moment later, the bailiff opened the door, but had no prisoner in tow. Instead, he had a note that he took to Jeremy. Slumping in his chair, he handed the note back over and the bailiff took it to the judge.
The judge quickly ordered for the attorneys to appear in his chambers immediately, prompting murmurs and whispers throughout the courtroom. Everyone would later learn that Edward Cullen hung himself in his jail cell the night before. Several letters were found on his bed. One addressed to Jennifer McCarty, one for Linda & Ed, another for Bella and Jacob, and a final letter for Jeremy Hale.
