Sunday, Rafael got up and, as usual, attended Mass at St Theresa's with his mother and the Garcias. Noah had still been sleeping, as had Liv, so he set up breakfast for them both, wrote a little note, and made the trip to the Bronx.
Once he was back home, he and Olivia played with Noah some and Liv made them all lunch while he and Noah were still playing robots.
Once Noah had cleaned up his lego, and Rafael did the dishes, they went to meet up with Carisi and the Rollins family at Brooklyn Children's Museum. Fin had come as well, as the grandpa had babysitting duty as his son and the boyfriend had made plans. Seeing Fin in grandfather mode was amusing, if only because Fin was, well, Fin. The group stayed at the museum until it was time to go their separate ways and make the trip back to Manhattan - for Spaghetti night, at Noah's request.
Once Noah was in bed, he watched a show, relaxing with Liv, before going to his office to try and get some work done while she read a book Melinda Warner had recommended to her.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a weekend.
Monday, he found himself, clad in a yellow suit, cutting a deal for a case with another pair of naive college students that had never been taught that informative consent was a thing. Seriously, what was so hard about getting a verbal yes or no?
After that, he swung by his office and then made his way to prep Bryant for her trial. It had gone reasonably well, so, after failing to plead it out again, he successfully got the indictment and a court date for five days later.
He looked at Carisi. "You know that suicidal streak I mentioned?"
The detective snorted. "Yeah."
"Just checking," he said, finishing his coffee.
Olivia gave him a soft smile. "You'll be fine."
"It's worth whatever chaos it brings to the table," he said, "but I'm going to need a good shower after this." He didn't like this case in the slightest, but hopefully, Bryant would use that self-preservation she boasted of and not get them both in trouble.
The only bright side was that the media hadn't been as bad as expected. He did his best to control the media and Braun seemed to actually be working along the same vein. Braun didn't want street riots either. That wasn't to say the media was good. People, reporters especially, were still going crazy, but it wasn't nearly as bad as he feared it would be. Thank God for small mercies.
The lieutenant looked at him pointedly. "It's worth it, and you know it."
Rafael started making his way to the garbage can a couple of metres away to throw away his empty coffee cup. "I may not agree with her, but I will defend to the death her right to make an ass of herself."
Carisi moved closer. "Freedom of speech does not protect you from the consequences of saying stupid stuff."
"Oh, I agree," he said, adjusting his tie. "I'll deal with Ms. Wonderful later. Although, the small optimistic part of me is hoping she's learned her lesson." He turned to Liv. "Don't you just love free speech?"
"We blame all kinds of people for creating monsters," she said, "why not ourselves?"
"It's easy to blame others for your situation," he replied without preamble.
Olivia nodded. "Still -"
Before long it was time for opening statements.
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear," he said as he walked to the centre of the room. "The people will show that the defendants not only committed a brutal physical assault against Ms. Bryant but in doing so, committed a second crime. Impeaching on someone's rights to free speech. They attacked someone for what amounts to thought crime in their eyes." He glanced around at the jury. "If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. We can not stand by and allow our silence to say that assaulting and attempting to rape someone for their beliefs is anything but utterly reprehensible." He took a few steps closer to the jury. "They attacked and assaulted a woman for her beliefs, and that's all you need to know to convict them of their crimes." He glanced at them, pointedly, before taking a seat.
Counsellor Evan Braun, who had been retained for both Jones and Baker, got up and made his way to where Rafael had been standing mere moments before.
"The problem with today's world is that everyone believes they have the right to express their opinion AND have others listen to it," Councillor Braun said. "What about when those opinions infringe on my own rights? Messrs. Jones and Baker are part of a group that has long suffered persecution and hatred." Braun gestured to Rafael. "Prosecution would like you to believe that Sarah Bryant is a victim. The truth is, she has victimized others through her words, cruel and cutting as they've been. One bee sting doesn't hurt a horse, but enough bee stings can kill a horse." Braun walked up to the jury. "If verbal abuse had consequences, it would stop right now. While you hear the testimony, ask yourselves who the real victim is here."
Once able, Rafael immediately called the two witnesses. He wanted to make sure the witness testimony had time to sink in before Braun was able to do much damage. It would make things easier later.
Finally, it was time for Bryant to take the stand.
"Ms. Bryant, where did you meet the defendants?"
"I ran into them when I was leaving Bluestone Lane."
"What kind of establishment is that?"
"It's a coffee shop."
"What were you doing there?"
"I had a meeting with a reporter."
He nodded. "Had you met either of the defendants before?"
"No," she said. "Not that I recall."
"I see." He took a step closer. "So, you never personally offended or attacked them?"
"OBJECTION!" came Braun's voice, unsurprisingly.
"I'll allow it," Judge Bradley said. "For now." The judge gave Rafael a rather pointed look at the last part.
He nodded. "Ms. Bryant, did you ever specifically attack these individuals, verbally or otherwise?"
"No," she said.
"I see," he said. "So, what are your views on members of the LGBTQ community?" This was one issue that it was better to get in front of sooner rather than later.
"I disagree with the lifestyle," she said calmly.
"Can you elaborate?" This was the one question he forced himself to ask several times in prep so he'd get used to the answer. Otherwise, he knew he wouldn't have been able to keep his poker face in check.
"I think queer people are mentally ill," she said, "but with some support they can adjust to life very well."
"I see," he said, still fighting to make sure to not give any of his thoughts or feelings away. "So, you don't want them dead?"
"No, of course not!" she said. "I am pro-therapy, and am strictly against violence in any form."
"Anti-violence," he said. "Very admirable."
"OBJECTION!"
"Overruled," the judge said.
Rafael walked closer and gave a casual gesture with his right hand. "So, did defendants approach you, Ms. Bryant, or did you approach them?
"They approached me."
"And what happened then?"
"They made it very clear that they recognized me," she explained. "They quoted a few statements of mine and they said they would teach me to keep my mouth shut."
"And what happened next?"
"I was walking to my car and Mr. Jones grabbed my arm," she said. "He said he wasn't done talking. I was then pulled into the alleyway."
"And what happened there?
"Mr. Baker shoved me to the ground, kicking my side multiple times. Then Mr. Jones joined in as well."
"Did you try to leave?"
"No."
"And why didn't you?"
"It hurt to move," Bryant said. "Mr. Baker was calling me names while they beat me. They were vicious. Out of control. The more it hurt me, the happier it seemed they were. Then Mr. Jones tried to force himself into me while Mr. Baker was holding me down. I bit Mr. Baker, managed to kick Mr. Jones in the groin, but was unable to get up. Then this couple showed up and distracted them enough that I was able to get free. They walked with me to the nearest store where I then contacted the police."
"Thank you, Ms. Bryant," he said. "Now, I'm going to show you several photos. Please identify anyone you recognize in them."
He flipped through six photos. Each time she positively identified the defendants it was another metaphorical nail in the coffin. Just how he liked it.
Once the video of the attack was played, he gestured for the plaintiff to speak. "That is me with both of the defendants."
"Thank you, Ms. Bryant," he said. "That can't have been easy." He moved towards his seat. "No more for this witness, Your Honour."
Now came the fun part; dealing with the Defence's cross-examination.
As predicted, Braun's cross was a nightmare and Rafael lost count of how many times he'd objected. Bryant held her own rather well, though, and he was confident that he'd been able to undo a large portion of the damage during his redirect.
They'd ended up running slightly late, so Judge Bradley had swiftly proceeded to dismiss the court for lunch once Rafael's redirect was finished.
He walked out of the courtroom with a smirk, and it barely took a minute for him to spot the squad, waiting, a few feet away.
"You're smiling, Barba," Rollins said. "Who are you decimating?"
He laughed. "You don't hear the sound of Braun's pride getting flushed down the toilet?"
Olivia shook her head, amused. "I take it things went well?"
"We're not out of trouble yet," he said. "Thankfully, Braun's clients have decided that a guaranteed gay bashing isn't worth it, and haven't caused a massive storm. Still, the D.A's not ecstatic. He knew I was going to take the case, though. As long as we keep the press from having more of a tantrum than it is already, we should be ok."
"And court today?" the lieutenant asked.
He smirked again. "I'm fully expecting two guilty verdicts."
Liv nodded, pleased. "Good."
"So," Carisi said, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I could eat."
"Carisi actually has a good idea," Fin quipped.
The blond detective rolled his eyes.
"Lead the way, Staten Island," he said.
"Then to the Chipolo, it is," Carisi said.
Rafael glared at Carisi. "Sure, because I love spending my money on stale bread."
Carisi looked at him. "It's not that bad."
"The bread tastes days old," he said with a sneer, "and that sandwich was definitely not worth $15." It had been disgusting.
Carisi rolled his eyes. "One time."
Rollins raised an eyebrow. "Really, children?"
Carisi looked offended he was included in that and Rafael just rolled his eyes. "It's some sort of food safety hazard."
Carisi gave a snort. "Drama queen."
Okay, even he could admit the last comment might have been a little much.
"How about the Breakroom?" Liv suggested.
"Now, that, I can live with," Rafael said.
"Thank god for that," Fin said. "Let's go before he changes his mind."
He chuckled. "I'm not that bad."
Olivia looked at him. "You are pretty picky when it comes to food, Rafa."
He shrugged. "Not my fault I know good food. Unlike some people." The direction of his gaze made it very clear who he was referring to.
He suddenly felt Fin's hand cuffing him square in the back of the head. "Ouch!"
Fin gave him a pointed look. "You ruin my lunch and I will put my foot up your ass."
"Duly noted."
The other man smiled. "Glad we're on the same page."
The rest of the squad just burst out in a fit of laughter at the look on Rafael's face. He looked so put out.
"Oh, Rafa," Liv said, biting her lip, amused.
"Don't even," he drawled, eyes sparkling. He wasn't upset really. The situation was actually pretty funny.
An hour later, back at court, closing statements went as well as he could have hoped for. There had been several hiccups, but Defence Council hadn't been able to do enough damage to really concern Rafael.
He had, however, crumpled up his written closing-argument and dramatically chucked it, and went off on a bit of a tangent. Not for the first time. He knew he'd won over at least one other juror and he suspected another.
They were dismissed by three o'clock, and then it was just a waiting game while the jury deliberated.
He went back to his office and read a book as he was required to stay close.
At half-past five, he was informed that the jury was going for dinner, and met the squad at Forlini's.
By seven o'clock he was back in his office, replying to some of his work e-mails, and generally just twiddling his thumbs, texting with Eddie, Rita and Liv.
It was eight o'clock when he, at long last, got the call and had to run back down to the courtroom. He hadn't been disappointed, though. Both defendants had been found guilty on all charges. Now to just keep the media from escalating for a few more days until this case was wrapping the fish, so to speak.
