Author's Note:Sorry to the few of you who have been waiting for me to post again. Between school and all my other activities, it has been hard to update. This chapter is the Trial Part, hope you enjoy. Those of you who think that the story is starting off slow don't worry, it's going to be getting good. This whole Mr. Reynolds thing was a warm-up. I already have a another Chapter that I just need to reread and I'll post it as soon as possible. Enjoy!

Chapter Five

Trial Part 35

3:00

Thursday, April 15th, 2005

"The case of the people verses Mr. Reynolds is now in session," said the judge as she hit her gavel. "Mr. Reynolds is being charged with the kidnaping of a minor, the murdering of a minor, two accounts of harassment towards cops. How do you plead Mr. Reynolds?"

"My client pleads not guilty, your honor," said Tiffany Johnson.

"Ms. Novak you may call you first witness to the stand," said the judge.

"Thank you your honor," said Casey standing up. "I would like to call to the stand, Medical Examiner Melinda Warner."

"Now, Ms. Warner," said Casey as she approached the stand where M.E. Warner sat, "could you tell the jury about the evidence that could prove Mr. Reynolds did in fact kidnap Davey Callin?"

"Clothes that were worn by Davey were found at Mr. Reynolds apartment and they were thrown in the trash. They were the exact clothes he was wearing the day when he went missing," said Warner. "Also, on a bottle of vodka we found in Mr. Reynold's apartment, Davey's saliva was on the bottle."

"Thank you," said Casey. "No further questions." Casey walked back over to her desk and Ms. Johnson stood up.

"If Davey Callin was indeed held captive by Mr. Reynolds, isn't it possible that Davey drank the vodka himself?" asked Johnson.

"Well we didn't find any of finger prints that belonged to Davey but we did find Mr. Reynolds' finger prints."

"Was it proven that those clothes did belong to Davey?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"Could you rephrase that?" asked M.E. Warner.

"Did you find any DNA that belonged to Davey on the clothes?"

"No we didn't but..."

"So then how do you know those clothes belonged to Davey. It could be anyone's clothes."

"What I was trying to say was those were the clothes that Davey was last seen in."

"But there is no proof that those clothes belong to Davey Callin. In case you didn't know Mr. Reynolds is a donator to a fund for poor children. Quite possibly, the clothes were for the poor."

"But they were in the trash."

"No they were in a trash bag. A bag that could very well be going to those poor unfortunate kids. No further questions."

"He punched my face, almost broke my jaw," said Stabler. He took the stand after Melinda was done. "He then used me as a shield to protect himself from being shot at by my partner."

"Could you point out the man who did this to you?" asked Casey.

"Sure can," said Stabler as he pointed to Mr. Reynolds.

"Thank you, no further questions." Casey sat back down at her seat and Tiffany Johnson approached Stabler.

"Did you have a warrant to search Mr. Reynold's house, Mr. Stabler?" asked Tiffany.

"Yes," answered Stabler.

"Did you tell Mr. Reynolds that you and your partner Ms. Benson were detectives?" asked Tiffany.

"Yes we did," answered Stabler.

"When?"

"Well he found out after he was arrested obviously."

"But you didn't tell him when you first came in contact with him?"

"No. We didn't have time."

"Then is it possible that Mr. Reynolds thought you and your partner were criminals breaking into his house?"

"Well yes it's possible but..."

"So in reality Mr. Reynolds is innocent for harassment of a officer."

"Objection," interrupted Casey, standing up. "That is for the jury to decide."

"Sustained," said the judge. "Ms. Johnson please keep your decision of your client's standings to yourself."

"Now," began Ms. Johnson. "Is it true that you shot Mr. Reynolds' foot?"

"Yes that's true but for self defense," answered Stabler.

"Self Defense? Really? What danger were you in Mr. Stabler?"

"Mr. Reynolds was using me as a human shield to protect himself from a bullet."

"That your partner was going to fire," added Ms. Johnson. "Did you ever try to explain to Mr. Reynolds that you and Ms. Benson were detectives?"

"Your honor," Casey stood. "This is the second time Ms. Johnson has asked that question, could she please move on?"

"Yes Ms. Johnson," said the judge, "please continue."

"Can the witness please answer the question?" asked Tiffany.

"Well what exactly is the point Ms. Johnson?" asked the Judge.

"It helps what I'm getting at," stated Ms. Johnson.

"Very well," said the judge.

"Mr. Stabler, why didn't you try to explain to Mr. Reynolds that you and Ms. Benson were officers?" asked Tiffany Johnson.

"Well it was hard for me to think after I had been smacked in the head and blood was coming out of my mouth," answered Stabler.

"So then, you shot Mr. Reynolds in the foot," stated Ms. Johnson.

"Is there a question here?" asked Casey Novak.

"That was a question," snapped Ms. Johnson.

"Well it sounded more like a statement," said Casey.

"Ms. Novak, please stop interrupting unless you have an objection," said the judge.

"Mr. Stabler," continued Tiffany, "Do you think that shooting Mr. Reynolds in the foot was the right plan of action?"

"Yes I do," answered Stabler.

"Why?"

"Because I knew if I didn't act he'd either kill me or injure me. Ms. Benson and I found out he was a black belt in karate after we searched the house. I know he knew about pressure points and all sorts of techniques to hurt or kill me. So I did what I had to do. I shot him knowing I wasn't going to kill him."

"Well if you were capable to take out your gun and aim it at his foot then you were very capable of explaining to Mr. Reynolds that you were a detective," said Ms. Johnson. "No further questions."

"Ms. Benson," began Casey, "did Mr. Reynolds injure you?"

"Yes he did," answered Olivia as she sat on the stand, being the third witness.

"Where?" asked Casey.

"On my right arm," responded Olivia.

"And what exactly did he do?" asked Casey.

"Once he caught sight of me, he grabbed my arm and tossed me across the room."

"Is there any evidence to show that Mr. Reynolds did this?"

"Yes there is," said Olivia, "I have a bruise on my right arm."

"Could you show the court this bruise?"

"Yes I can." Olivia took off her jacket and underneath she wore a short sleeved shirt. As clear as blood in water, a bruise was seen on her right arm and it was some what shaped as a hand print.

"Thank you," said Casey. "No further questions." She returned to her seat and brushed shoulders with Tiffany as she approached the stand.

"Ms. Benson," began Tiffany. "I understand that you pulled out your gun and aimed it at Mr. Reynolds. Why?"

"He was clearly out of control," said Olivia. "He had already punched Detective Stabler in the face and threw me across the room. I didn't plan on shooting him I was using it to try and calm him down."

"So you threatened him?" asked Johnson.

Olivia paused for a brief moment and then said, "You could call it that."

"Olivia," began Ms. Johnson, "Do you mind if I call you Olivia?"

"Actually I do," answered Olivia.

"Well then, Ms. Benson," continued Ms. Johnson, appalled and disgusted at Olivia's answer, "Couldn't you have told Mr. Reynolds you were an officer?"

Casey rolled her eyes.

"Your honor," she said standing up, "Ms. Johnson has asked this question many times and every time she has gotten the same response. I would please ask of you, to have her move on and stop being redundant."

"I want a full answer from both detectives and I believe it is perfectly fine for me to ask an already asked question to a different witness," defended Ms. Johnson.

"Ms. Benson you will answer the question," said the judge. "And Ms. Johnson this better be the last time you ask it."

Olivia nodded and so did Ms. Johnson.

"Yes I probably could have told Mr. Reynolds I was an officer but I was a bit frightened and I couldn't think straight," said Olivia. "We had found a black belt in his closet with his name stitched on it. I knew he was capable of anything."

"Aren't they suppose to teach you to think straight when your out on field work?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"Yes but saying one a thing and actually doing it are two different scenarios," said Olivia.

"Did you see your partner Stabler taking out his gun?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"Yes I did," answered Olivia.

"And did you think it was the right plan of action?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"At the moment I couldn't think of any other 'plan of action', as you would call it," answered Benson.

"Well if you could miraculously turn back the hands of time, what would you have done when you in Mr. Reynolds' apartment?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"Objection," said Casey.

"Overruled." said the judge.

Olivia paused for a moment to think, although she knew the answer, yet she didn't want to say it. But she had to tell the truth.

"I would have told Mr. Reynolds that Mr. Stabler and I were officers," answered Olivia.

"No further questions," announced Tiffany as she walked back to her seat with a grin.

"Mr. Reynolds," began Tiffany Johnson. "Where were you April 10th when David Callin was kidnaped?"

"I was at my house, sleeping until 11:00 because I did not have work that day," answered Mr. Reynolds.

"Have you ever met David Callin?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"No," responded Mr. Reynolds.

"Why were there matching clothes of David's, at your house?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"I was donating them to a charity called "It's About The Youth"," stated Mr. Reynolds. "It's a charity for children who are very poor and barely have any clothes themselves."

"Where did you get these clothes?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"I bought them," answered Mr. Reynolds. "It seemed to me that lots of kids were wearing that type of clothes and I thought that whatever kid might get those clothes, they would feel that they fit in."

"That is very kind of you," said Ms. Johnson "Why were there drugs at your house?"

"I hate to admit this but they were for my brother," Mr. Reynolds answered.

"So you had never used them before?"

"No."

"From my understanding, you had no knowledge of Detectives Benson and Stabler's careers, is this true?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"Yes it is," Mr. Reynolds responded.

"Who did you think Mr. Stabler and Ms. Benson were?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"I thought they were criminals," answered Reynolds. "I had entered my apartment and saw that my belongings had been gone through. My first reaction was that there was a break in. And then I heard voices, the voices of Mr. Stabler and Ms. Benson. So I hid and listened to them."

"Mr. Reynolds did you kidnap and kill David Callin?" asked Ms. Johnson.

"No I did not," answered Mr. Reynolds.

"Nothing further," said Tiffany as she returned to her area.

Casey stood and approached Mr. Reynolds. She was prepared.

"Mr. Reynolds why was you hair strand found on the skateboard that belonged to Davey Callin?" asked Casey. Nobody had brought up the hair found on the skateboard. Tiffany probably thought she'd go through the trial without anyone remembering but she was wrong. Casey never forgot evidence.

Mr. Reynolds quickly glanced at Ms. Johnson. He was caught.

"I don't know," answered Mr. Reynolds.

"How don't you know? asked Casey. "Your arm hair was found on the skateboard that belonged to David Callin, the last thing he had before he was kidnaped. You thought you had swiped David clean without leaving a trace behind. You actually thought you'd get away with this and get the money you asked for."

"Objection!" yelled Johnson.

"But you didn't act perfectly," continued Casey ignoring Ms. Johnson She leaned closer to Mr. Reynolds. "You left a trace behind. A trace that proved you were indeed the kidnapper of David Callin."

"Order!" yelled the judge.

Casey ceased her run.

"Control yourself," commanded the judge.

"Mr. Reynolds," started Casey, "Why was David Callin's saliva found on a bottle of Vodka, under your bed, with your fingerprints on it.?"

"I don't..."

"You don't know," answered Casey for him. She was infuriated and wanted, more than anything, to prove Mr. Reynolds was guilty "It's not that you don't know, Mr. Reynolds. You have no excuse is what it is. You've been caught Mr. Reynolds. You know your guilty. What's the point of continuing?"

"Objection!" yelled Ms. Johnson.

"Ms. Novak this is the last warning!" yelled the judge.

"No!" yelled Mr. Reynolds. "She's right. I did it, I kidnaped and killed David Callin."

"Don't say anymore," commanded Ms. Johnson as she quickly walked over to Mr. Reynolds.

"But it wasn't my idea!" yelled Mr. Reynolds. "I was hired to do it!"

"Who did it?" asked Casey in a somewhat hushed voice. "Who told you to kill David Callin?"

"Why should I tell you?" asked Mr. Reynolds. "There isn't a point."

"Mr. Reynolds," said Casey, "don't you want us to get the guy who put you through this?"

"No, it's not worth it," he answered.

"Mr. Reynolds, it isn't fair for you to be the only one sent to jail for this crime," said Casey.

"I don't care," said Mr. Reynolds.

"Ms. Novak and Ms. Johnson, please return to your seats, I don't think this trial needs to go on. The jury will deliberate and will tell us their decision in fifteen. There is no need of closing statements. I call a brief recess," said judge as she hit her gavel.

"This isn't fair at all," said Casey as she walked down the hall with Stabler and Benson.

"Well nothing is ever fair," said Stabler.

Casey came to a halt and turned around to look at Stabler and Benson.

"Well it's my job to find justice and in my eyes only half of justice was found today," said Casey. "The guy won't say anything. He doesn't think there is a point to tell me who hired him. He doesn't understand the importance. I can't go and try to convince him. I'm not allowed. Nobody can talk to him but his lawyer."

"Well then try and get to her," suggested Olivia.

"She hates me enough," said Casey. "She won't let me get to him. Plus, she's going to want something in return. I was even thinking about dropping the charges but then I came to my senses."

"Well thank god for that," said Stabler.

"I still can't believe I didn't say my closing statement," said Casey.

4:17

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" asked the judge.

"We have your honor," said a man from the jury. "We have found Mr. Reynolds to be guilty on all charges."

Casey approached Mr. Reynolds as the others in the crowd stood up and began to leave.

"Mr. Reynolds," she said, "please tell me who hired you."

"Ms. Novak you may not speak with the criminal," said an officer as he took Mr. Reynolds away.

"I would love to tell you," said Mr. Reynolds.

"Mr. Reynolds," said the officer, "please stay silent."

"He's a lot closer than you think," said Mr. Reynolds.

And those were the last words Casey heard from Mr. Reynold's mouth.

Casey walked over to Tiffany. "Did he tell you who hired him?" asked Casey.

"That is none of your business," said Tiffany.

"So you want to let a criminal get away with the assistance in murder?" asked Casey.

"Even if I did tell you who it was there is no evidence to prove that he did in fact hire Mr. Reynolds."

"Then just tell me who the hell it is!"

Tiffany turned to Casey with stern eyes. "George Thurman did it. Davey's stepfather. Mr. Reynolds told me that George was sick of the kid. My guess is that Davey hated him and George didn't take that lightly. Casey there is no proof that he hired Mr. Reynolds. For all I know, Mr. Reynolds could be lying. He climbed his way out of accusations before he might have been trying again. You shouldn't waste your time, just let it go."

Tiffany walked out with her briefcase. Casey knew she couldn't let it go but this time she might just have to. She hated it when criminals got away. It wasn't right. But like Tiffany said, there was nothing she could do. Or was there? Casey decided not to tell anyone about George Thurman.

End Note: I was actually thinking about stopping this fanfic because nobody was reviewing. But I had a really close friend of mine tell me to continue. So if you like this story or if you don't, please comment, I like opinions. And thank you to that very close friend of mine;-).