Adam slouched against the dock, feeling the anger surging through him. He could see Charlotte in the witness seats and had to exercise every effort not to smash this fucking glass to get to her. God she'd pay for this. His suit was a mess by now despite his best efforts to keep it crease free, he hated the fact his fucking Judge was a woman and the trial was not going at all his way. Goodwin was too damn clever for his own good. Certainly for Adam's. It was then Adam heard someone entering through the secure entrance and into the victim's area. It meant he wouldn't see them unless the Judge gave the ok. Who the hell was it? Who feared him so much they came in this way? God he hoped it was a woman… Some friend of Charlotte's? The fact he scared someone that much made Adam Dawson's penis harden in his suit trousers. Ah, good! Women deserved to and should rightly fear him. He'd find out who it was before the day was over and show them just why they were right to be so damn terrified.

…

Danielle walked up the steps and behind the safety screen, breathing deeply. Just the thought that Michael was watching gave Danielle the strength to complete the short walk. She found herself hoping he got a damn good look at Adam's face… She took a steadying breath. This was it.

"All rise for the Judge!" The Bailiff yelled. The court did so as one.

"Good morning," Spinner's voice said, also through speakers. Goodwin had told Danielle she would hear everything through them due to how thick her safety screens were. They were designed so people couldn't see their offender, but Danielle felt so much better having them and Goodwin had agreed instantly. He was at the Prosecution table which was just below Danielle. If she needed him, there was a button on the table in front of her which would flash a light and get his attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury," Spinner said. "Prosecution, defence. We have an alleged victim here to testify this morning and for reasons which will soon become clear, she has requested extra security. Counsellor Roland, if you even try to step over something I judge as a line, I will stop proceedings immediately. Same for your Client. Are we clear?"

"Objection!" Roland snapped. "My Client and I had the right to be prewired about this."

"Overruled, Counsellor. This name was on the witness list, and the prosecutor has every right to call her or any witness upon that list with no advance warning to the defence. You don't need any more time to prepare than you've had already. You and Mr. Dawson should be fine. That's final." At this, Danielle had to cover her mouth to stop a laugh. She couldn't help it. Joanne took her hand and squeezed it. Danielle wanted to cry when she didn't release it afterwards. Goodwin had also told Danielle that Adam didn't even know Joanne was there, or that it was being streamed back to Smith's Grove. Spinner had told Roland, but he'd elected not to tell his client.

"Propriety, Counsellor," Spinner snapped. "Are we clear?"

"Yes Your Honour," Roland said, trying his utmost not to sound bitter, but failing. Danielle had been told the safety screens had microphones built in to them, controlled by a sound engineer at the back, so they were only on when necessary.

Then, the prosecutor, Goodwin, spoke. "Please state your name for the court?" This was it. Danielle took a deep breath. "Danielle Hayward," she said clearly and determinedly. "Danielle Hayward."

…

Adam felt as if something ice cold had clutched at his heart. Now he knew exactly why Spinner hadn't seen fit to pre-warn him and Roland - the fucking bitch. This could be very, very bad. Roland was glaring at the screens, looking just as frustrated. "Your Honour," he started but Spinner cut him off. "Silence Counsellor!"

"Danielle, please tell us why you're here?" Goodwin asked.

"I'm here," Danielle was surprised her voice only shook a little. "To testify against the man in the dock in front of you, Mr. Adam Dawson, for charges of Domestic Violence against me, spanning a total of 2 years, leading to my attempted suicide." Danielle felt Joanne turn her head camera slightly then and was pretty sure she knew why. She was somehow showing them Adam's face. Take a good look Michael, she thought savagely.

"Thank you, Danielle." Goodwin replied. "This is very brave of you. So far as you know, we've proceeded without you while you recovered. I'm truly sorry for everything that happened to you. Danielle, I'd like to ask you now to tell the court your account?" Goodwin had warned her he'd ask this, but Danielle still felt her heart rate increase.

Danielle wasn't expecting to feel how she would once she'd started. As when she'd told the doctors what seemed like a lifetime ago, and Michael of course, she felt as if poison was slowly but surely leaving her. For the next thirty minutes, she talked freely. Roland wasn't allowed to interrupt at this point. She told them of Adam's control, her having to call him Sir in private and she knew why not in public, in case someone overheard. She spoke of his numerous rapes, his anger if she talked to any other men, how she'd been talking to her male tutor the day she'd reached the end of her endurance. All through this, Joanne didn't release her hand once. That was also a bigger help than Danielle could ever tell her.

"Danielle, its Alan," her Lawyer said when she was done. "Can I please ask you to tell us about your internet access - specifically, were you free to use it in Mr. Dawson's house as you pleased?"

Danielle actually laughed. "You're joking aren't you? Hell no! I couldn't access sites which involved money, domestic violence help etc." She didn't know this of course, but she'd just quoted Charlotte word for word.

"So in particular, I'd like to ask you about the day you needed a new white cane." For the first time, Danielle felt herself shiver. Joanne squeezed her hand. "Do you need a moment?" Goodwin asked softly. Danielle took a deep breath. He's not going to win, she thought. Fuck no! Not again!

"No Counsellor," she said finally. "What would you like to know?"

"Were you the one who bought it?"

"Yes Sir. I had to sign in on my seriously restricted account. I put the order through and Mr. Dawson approved it. Any transaction I'd make he had to approve or deny and I couldn't buy anything unless I had a reason for doing so and he wanted me to have it. If he didn't, I couldn't buy it. I didn't even have my own money, as he stole my card from me when I moved in with him and I never got it back. But there was always another price I had to pay for buying things, even things I needed. I only had to buy a new cane because Mr. Dawson purposely bent mine, making it unusable. This time, the price was 3 nights of sex straight. I couldn't refuse or he'd take my cane from me, leaving me stranded." Danielle could almost feel Joanne's anger. But her guard was too professional to show it, she just held Danielle's hand tightly, holding it against her stab vest. Danielle wanted to hug her. When this was over, she would.

"He bent it on purpose you say? Why was this?"

"Because I was late home one night and his dinner wasn't on the table when he got in. He taunted me, asking if I'd got lost as a blind person should." She swallowed, desperately trying to fight back the memories, the panic. Michael, Danielle thought. Michael. That calmed her immediately. Joanne squeezed her hand again, as if sensing her thoughts. Danielle squeezed back tightly. "He said the only way I'd get a new one would be if I let him "fuck me" she winced. "Every night for the next 3 nights. He made me bleed several times."

"So can I ask Danielle, do you have your cane's measurements written down anywhere?"

Danielle felt surprised. "Huh? No. I was told them once and I just remember them. They're not going to change. Only way that would happen is if I grow taller."

"So just to be clear. You don't have them in writing anywhere. Not on your account, nowhere?"

"No," Danielle shook her head. "Nowhere Sir."

"Consultation!" The horribly familiar voice snapping out that one word made Danielle shiver again. It was the first word she'd heard him say. What did it mean?

"Denied Dawson," Spinner snapped. "You may do so when the witness's testimony is done. Counsellor Goodwin, please continue."

"Danielle," Goodwin's voice was just as gentle as it had been. Absolutely no hint of his emotions. But Danielle got the sense she'd somehow just cornered Adam with that last question. Perfect! "Have you ever told Mr. Dawson your cane's measurements?"

"No?" Danielle was genuinely taken aback. "I never needed to."

"Oh? Why was this?"

"Because I was always the one who had to buy it, paying for it with sex. Mr. Dawson would've seen the measurements on the paperwork anyway. It's not something sighted people usually ask for anyway as we normally buy our own canes."

"Would Mr. Dawson ever have signed on for you to buy it on your behalf?"

Danielle actually laughed. "No way! Absolutely no way! If he'd done that, he wouldn't have been able to make me pay for it in other ways! No Counsellor, absolutely not."

"Thank you. We've also seen an Email sent to you which Mr. Dawson claims you sent to him. Come home now, I want my dinner and a fuck, unless you've got lost somewhere, which I hope you have."

"I didn't send that Sir," Danielle said quietly. "He did. If I was out on my own, I had to leave my phone at home. He didn't let me take it anywhere. I couldn't send that Email and wouldn't have sent anything like that anyway. He sent it to my inbox so people thought I had my phone on me, but I didn't. If he wanted to communicate, I had a very restricted iPad, same as my account on the computer was. I could receive Emails from him only, any other address was blocked and I couldn't do anything else. When I got that Email, I was running errands for him. But I was a bit slower than he liked so…" She looked down at the ground. Joanne now put an arm around her, squeezing her close.

"Errands?" Goodwin asked. "What kind of errands Danielle?"

"Just basic stuff," Danielle said. "Shopping, whatever. I then had to do housework. Mr. Dawson never did any of it, saying it was a woman's place. I just had to wait on him hand and foot. When we were out in public he was kind, gentle and patient, but making out to people I was ill. Like because I'm blind I'm also stupid. But when we were in private…" She took another deep breath and again felt herself shiver.

"Break," Spinner said. "20 minutes."

"Wait," Joanne breathed. "I'll guide you out when he's gone." Danielle nodded numbly. Had she put her piece across well enough?

…

"You've got him cornered Danielle," Goodwin said when they were in private in the consultation room. "That's why he asked for consultation. I asked him why he bought it from your account and he said he didn't know your measurements. Now you've just told the court you never wrote them down. You've exposed another lie! Well done, Danielle."

"He doesn't know them," Danielle repeated, feeling close to tears again. "He's only trying to protect himself…"

Goodwin handed her some tissues. "It's ok Danielle," he soothed. "I know. But we'll get him, I promise you."

…

"Why didn't they fucking warn us?" Adam snapped at Roland as soon as they were in private. "That bitch could get me sent down for a very long time! I'm not saying I did all this, she's insane, remember? Deluded! That's why she's in a fucking nut house! What the hell are they playing at anyway, letting her out to testify? How can they trust the words of an insane bitch? But what if the jury believes her?"

"That's what I'm here for," Roland reminded him curtly. "But the measurement question is bad, Adam. I can't lie to you there. If you lied, it could be a serious problem, because the jury can use that to question your credibility regarding the entirety of your testimony. Listen. I need to think about our next move. You can either stay here or I can get a guard to take you back to your cell."

"Fuck no!" Adam snarled. "I'm staying right here! That bitch won't win, will she Roland?"

This time, the lawyer didn't answer immediately. He was starting to think that actually his client was as much of a liar as the prior attorney, Barlow, had said before he'd gotten himself dismissed from representing Adam. He just hoped it wasn't confirmed to him, or he'd have to do the same. He was seriously tempted as it was. Money be damned, he wasn't sure he'd be able to see this through. He was almost certain that he was defending a guilty man.

…

As soon as Joanne and Danielle stepped out into the fresh air, Charlotte ran over to them and pulled Danielle into a tight hug. Then she glanced at her camera. "Fuck you're brave Dan," she held her tightly. "I respect you so much."

"You went through it too C," Danielle said softly. "It's for both of us." Her friend softly kissed her cheek, still holding her close. "Hi Joanne," she said finally, shaking the guard's hand. "Is that camera live right now?" She asked Danielle, who nodded. Charlotte lent forward. "

Hi Dr Loomis, D. Stark, Mr. Myers. Thanks so much for allowing Danielle to do this. She's damn brave, that's for sure."

There was a soft beep and Dr Stark's voice came out of a small speaker on the front of the camera. "Hello there Charlotte, this is Dr Stark. We agree, this is very brave of Danielle. She's doing fantastic, as are you, I may add."

"Thank you," Charlotte blushed and hugged her friend tightly again. "Tell me about it, Danielle!" She waved with one hand. "I can see your doctors and Mr. Myers on the camera," she said to Danielle.

"Can I make one small request?" Danielle asked, turning to Joanne who squeezed her arm immediately. "Can you ask the Counsellor if I could speak to him, but I want to leave this turned on," she gestured at her camera and I'd ask if you and Charlotte could be with me?" Charlotte looked close to tears as she hugged Danielle again. Joanne disappeared briefly but within 2 minutes she was back. "Of course," she said. "Come on." The 3 of them entered the Consultation room where Goodwin was waiting. "Doctors, Sir," he smiled respectfully at Danielle's camera. "Hi Charlotte, how are you?"

"Good, thanks Counsellor," Charlotte smiled at the lawyer.

"Now I've told you," Goodwin said. "When we're not in court its Alan, Charlotte. Same for you Danielle."

"Thanks," both girls said in unison. Joanne and Goodwin were at one side of the table, Charlotte and Danielle at the other. "How can I help you Danielle? Are you ok?"

"Yes, thanks Alan. Did the Judge sense I was getting distressed or something? Is that why she called a break?"

"No Danielle," Goodwin said. "I did. I knew you'd struggle with that question. You have your cane there I see; do you mind if I have a quick look at it?" Danielle looked surprised, but passed it to him. Goodwin scanned it carefully. "Are you looking for measurements?" Charlotte asked. "You won't find them Alan. They don't write them on the canes. Which is good for us, right?"

"Very," Goodwin said with satisfaction. "Can I just ask Danielle, what are your cane's measurements?"

"14 inches," Danielle said.

"Thanks, Goodwin nodded. "Sorry, I apologise I got distracted. How can I help you Danielle?"

"I'm just a bit worried about the claim I'm sure the defence will be using. I'm in a mental hospital, I'm considered insane. I know I wasn't bought there for that reason; I was taken there for help and they," she waved at the lens then Joanne. "Have been absolutely amazing, I can't thank the 4 of you enough and you 2 on the outside!" she gestured at Charlotte and Goodwin. "But he'll try to use it against me, won't he?"

"Yes," Goodwin said. "But we have reports from your doctors stating you weren't bought there due to being insane from day one. You were brought there for top help and care. If you were insane, you wouldn't have been placed with some of the most dangerous people in this world."

Like Michael Myers, Danielle thought. A serial killer is watching this right now… Charlotte squeezed her arm and Danielle knew she was thinking the same thing. She smiled at her friend.

"Plus Dan," Charlotte teased. "You've also met a caring man there, have you not?"

"Shut up!" Danielle was mortified Myers was watching and had just heard that.

"Yeah," Joanne joined in. "More than one kind of care has been received right Danielle?"

"You're red as a tomato," Charlotte teased. Goodwin, Charlotte saw, was smiling at them across the table. They were distracting Danielle from where she was and that was just fine with him. "Oh yes?" The prosecutor said. Danielle grew if possible even redder. "I'll get you back for this," Danielle breathed to Charlotte, who burst out laughing.

"It's ok," Goodwin said softly. "I know who he is." He raised a hand to the camera. "Hello Mr. Myers."

"You had to say that when he could hear it, didn't you?"

"Oh absolutely!" Charlotte hugged her again. "If I didn't, you wouldn't. I know you, Danielle Hayward!" Charlotte, Joanne and Goodwin all chuckled then.

"If you guys could stop teasing me for just a moment about my…"

"Love life," Charlotte chimed in. Danielle blushed again. "I seriously do have a question… Do you need me to expand on what I was about to say when I said 'in private…'? Just before you stopped the proceedings, Alan."

"I don't, but you may," Alan said. Counsellor Roland will cross examine you." Danielle felt herself shiver. "It's ok," Goodwin said immediately. "Neither I nor the Judge will let him ask anything he shouldn't, or distress you in any way. I promise you Danielle."

"I'll introduce him to Michael if he does," Charlotte said quietly. "God help me, I mean it. As for Adam…" There was silence for a moment. "Well said" Danielle said finally, very softly. "Trust me Danielle," Charlotte said quietly. "I'm being serious. You couldn't be safer. You're cared about by a serial killer. No one will dare come near you, not even our bastard of an ex. Trust me. When he knows, and boy am I tempted to tell him, he'll be running for the fucking hills as fast as he can!"

"Agreed," Joanne said.

"I certainly wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of Michael Myers," Goodwin nodded.

"Adam's a coward D," Charlotte said. "As we all know. Look at him up there right now! He's only concerned about protecting himself! Little worm! As for you Danielle, with Michael watching you'll be perfectly safe when Roland cross examines you, will you not?"