The final day of the trial had finally arrived. Charles Carson sat nervously in the back of the courtroom as the lawyers prepared to present their closing statements. The prosecuting attorney began to speak and with every vile word against Elsie's character Charles blood boiled. His fists were balled up tightly on his lap and he left himself about to lose control when Dr. Clarkson came running into the courtroom.
"Stop, I've proof that Mrs. Hughes is innocent!" He shouted running towards the front of the courtroom.
"Sir, this is outrageous, you cannot just barge into a court room in the middle of preceding's, get out this instant!" The judge shouted looking down at Dr. Clarkson with a great deal of disdain.
"I'm sorry to be so rude your honor but this is an innocent woman and I can prove it. Please just let me present my evidence."
The judge sat thinking for a moment then finally nodded his head in consent.
"As you all well know," Dr. Clarkson said turning towards the audience speaking, "Whenever there is a suspected assault case we have photographs taken of the injuries."
"Yes, yes we all know that Dr. Clarkson, we haven't got all day, make your point." The judge said angrily.
"Yes well you see I've been looking at the marks on Ms. Wilson, specifically the ones of her neck. It appears, as you can see from these photos that she was strangled for a bit, however if you look closely at the size of the hands you will notice how very small they are."
Millie turned to look at the prosecuting attorney with a look of horror on her face, it was all slowly unraveling.
"Mrs. Hughes, could you please hold your hands up for the court to see." Dr. Clarkson asked. Elsie hesitantly rose and held her hands in the air for all to see. "Mrs. Hughes has large hands, at least significantly larger then the ones that were used to create these marks. There is no way she is the one who attacked Ms. Wilson."
There was a rush of cries from the audience then the pounding of the judges gavel as he called for order.
"Dr. Clarkson, you say Mrs. Hughes could have not committed this crime, and since you seem to know so much can you pray tell us who did commit this crime?" The judge asked.
"Ms. Wilson, can you please hold your hands up in the air for the court to see?" He asked.
Millie began to cry as she raised her hands in the air.
"You all might notice that Millie has incredibly small hands. I believe that she herself committed the crime in an attempt to frame Mrs. Hughes. I believe that her illegitimate child, coupled with her rejection by Mr. Carson caused her to have a nervous breakdown. I would like the court to release Ms. Wilson into my custody for psychiatric treatment."
"Based on the evidence that Dr. Clarkson has presented, and at the last possible second I might add sir, we find Mrs. Hughes not guilty of the aforementioned charges. Furthermore the court agrees to release Ms. Wilson into Dr. Clarksons care. The court also agrees to release Mrs. Hughes back to the care of Mr. Charles Carson, court adjourned."
Cheers arose all over the court as people swarmed forward to congratulate Elsie. Charles Carson slowly pushed past them making his way to his beloved.
He gathered her up in his arms, pressing tender kisses to the top of her head.
"Oh Charles!" She stuttered as her tears fell down his freshly pressed suit. "Take me home Charles!" She said, grabbing hold of his lapels and pulling him down for a searing kiss.
"With pleasure my love!" Charles said, lifting her easily into his arms and heading towards the home they had built together.