"So let me get this straight," said Piper as the girls talked with the clerk of the Other World Court, "you're telling us that a mortal is on trial for his life because his eight-year-old daughter had a temper tantrum and wished he were dead?"
"That's about the size of it," said the demoness clerk. "Apparently an over zealous Vengeance Demon heard the wish and granted the little girl's wish."
"Vengeance Demon?" Phoebe asked.
"They're demons that visit retribution on males who have scorned women," said the demoness.
"This is crazy," said Phoebe. "The girl is only eight-years-old. Every kid at one time or another has said they wished their parents were dead. They loose their temper and say things they don't mean."
"Which is exactly what the defendant is alleging," said the demoness. "His claim is that his daughter didn't really mean what she said and that the Vengeance Demon went too far in granting the wish.
"In all honesty, nothing like this has ever happened with a Vengeance Demon before. Normally they confine themselves to women who have a grievance against their boyfriends, husbands, lovers, whatever. If they get angry enough they wish something terrible on him and if they are sincere, the Vengeance Demon can then grant them their wish."
"But this isn't anything like that," said Piper. "It's an eight-year-old girl who lost her temper with her father. Not exactly a new occurrence among human children."
"Which is why a hearing has been ordered before the wish can be granted," said the demoness. "It will be your job to convince the judge that the child in question didn't really want her father dead. That it was just a fit of anger and nothing more."
"So why us?" Paige asked. "We were told that we were specifically requested as advocates for the defense. Who requested us?"
"The defendant," said the demoness. "He was informed that he could have any magical being as his defense counsel. Since you three are specifically charged with protecting the innocent, he felt you were his best option. Piper Halliwell is listed as the primary attorney of record. Phoebe Halliwell and Paige Matthews are listed as associate attorneys of record."
She handed each of the sisters an identification badge.
"Wear these," said the demoness. "They will identify you as officers of the court. Your client is waiting for you in the holding area. Just go through those doors at the end of the hallway and you'll be taken immediately to him.
"This is certainly strange," said Piper as they walked through the doors at the end of the hall. "Every other time we've been here it's been nothing more than the skeleton of real rooms. This actually looks like we're in a real courthouse."
"That's because there's a mortal involved," said Leo waiting for them just inside the doors. "They want him to feel as comfortable as possible since he's not used to magic."
"Glad you could make it," said Piper, looking at the badge Leo was wearing. "Research assistant?"
"Yeah," said Leo. "Normally an innocent wouldn't be allowed on the defense team. But since I was a White Lighter and an Elder they decided to bend the rules a bit. As a research assistant I can help you prepare your clients' defense."
"Any idea who our client is?" Phoebe asked. "They didn't tell us in the clerks' office."
"No, no idea," said Leo. "He's right down the hallway in the last room on the left."
"So, did they tell you what our case is?" Paige asked.
"Yes, they filled me in," said Leo. "Personally, I think it's ridiculous. Every kid has said things like that to their parents at one time or another. It's part of growing up."
"That's what we said," said Phoebe.
"Any idea what kind of strategy you're going to use?" Leo asked.
"Strategy?" Piper asked. "We have to have strategy?"
"Of course you do," said Leo.
"Let's find out who our client is first," said Paige. "I remember hearing from some of the lawyers when I worked at Social Services that the type of defense can often depend on the defendant. Once we know what type of person he is we should be able to come up with something workable."
"Good idea," said Phoebe. "Whomever this mortal is we need to know if he's worth defending. He might be a sleaze bag."
"I'm sure he's not that bad," said Leo. "Part of the reason there's going to be a hearing is because his little girl has recanted her wish. That's what part of the confusion is. If he were too bad his daughter probably wouldn't have recanted."
"Well, here we are," said Piper when they reached the last room on the left. "Let's try to make him feel as comfortable as possible. This has all got to be pretty overwhelming for him. Not to mention confusing."
"We'll be on our best behavior," said Phoebe. "It might be a bit difficult trying to explain the magical world to him. He probably has no concept that magic even exists. It might be a bit much for him to take in."
"We'll just have to do the best we can," said Paige.
"Well, might as well get this started," said Piper. "The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can get back home."
Leo opened the door for the girls and they all filed into the room. They were all ready to be inundated with questions. Instead they stood inside the door staring at the single individual that sat in the small room. Piper, Phoebe, and Leo were nearly stunned at the man who was on trial for his life.
As they stared at the man, Dan Gordon stood up and turned to face them.