Chapter XIX: Bomb Bay Doors Open

A/N: Here we go! SSD

Erin watched Doctor Rhodes enter from a side door closely. He looked pale, but otherwise he was showing no signs of his anxiety. Both he and Doctor Byrne had looked like they might throw up on the drive over, but both managed to keep their breakfasts down.

She could barely believe that they had only been a couple for a little over a month. Then again, they have known each other for over 20 years, Erin thought as the doctor took the oath.

This was only the second time Erin had seen any kind of reaction out of the defendant. The first time was during her opening argument. She had been threatened with contempt of court if she kept shooting her mouth off. Now her eyes narrowed at her ex-boyfriend. She seemed more relaxed than she should be with one of the main witnesses to her various behaviors. Doctor Crazy (she had to stop using that moniker, even in her head) was almost smiling as if she thought that the odds would suddenly tilt in her favor.

It would likely take either Connor or Sabrina blowing up on the stand for that to happen. She is able to tell her lawyer a few things that would set them off.

Connor was holding up rather well during the questioning from the prosecution. They'd likely gone over things beforehand.

Doctor Charles was in the gallery to watch how things were going and observe the audience. So far, it was still 50-50. The public at large was more sympathetic towards Sabrina than Connor.

Of course Dr Charles could understand that. Ava's defense rested on her appearing to be a woman wronged by the man that she loved. The public considered Connor to be a two-timing prick while Sabrina was just another victim of his games. Knowing how close the pair were, he knew that Sabrina would take extreme exception to that portrayal.

In fact, the defense might even use that potential blowup as another way to tilt the odds in their favor.

All Connor and Sabrina had to do was keep a lid on their tempers. Which would take a miracle.

With Erin's questioning was now over. Connor knew that the defense would be playing dirty to make him out to be the cheating bastard (which was in fact Ava, not that the press would care).

"What was your relationship with my client?" The defense was starting with a soft question.

"She is my ex-girlfriend. And we are also coworkers at Gaffney Hospital."

"So you mix business with pleasure then?" The lawyer had an evil grin.

"Objection!" Erin growled.

"Sustained. Counsellor, rephrase that question," Judge Norgull ordered.

"Of course your Honor. Do you make a habit of dating coworkers Doctor Rhodes?"

"I do not make a habit of it, it just so happens that my past few girlfriends have been coworkers," he replied.

"Including Doctor Byrne?"

Taking a deep breath, Connor answered, "Doctor Byrne and I have been friends since we were in sixth grade. We have never dated up until the point where your client attempted to kill us. If anything else, your client's actions was what made the two of us realize how things truly stood between us." Connor could not suppress the smile he had.

His former girlfriend had always been a talented actress, now she was pretending to be sad. But Connor could see the rage hidden behind her eyes. Her lawyer didn't notice her, but seemed frustrated that Connor himself had not refused to answer questions.

"Nothing further, your Honor," the lawyer said.

Connor was surprised. He had expected a hard hammering from the defense lawyer. So had Felix and Erin. He was glad to have dodged that bullet.

And yet he wasn't. It meant that whatever scheme the defense had in mind, would come barreling down on Sabrina.

Good thing my client's family is paying me well. Otherwise, I would have tried to plea out by now. I would have tried to plea bargain after losing the insanity defense, Florian Switalski thought as Doctor Rhodes left the witness stand.

He had not been able to get the ex-boyfriend to blow up on the stand. If anything, Rhodes had been calm and reasonable with no hiccups or hints of losing his cool.

Getting Doctor Byrne to lose her "fine Irish temper" was his only hope of winning the case.

Even though Captain Hwang had found his client competent to stand trial, Florian still thought she knitting with only one needle to quote the old Queen song I'm Going Slightly Mad.

Felix knew that it was almost time for Sabrina to be called to the stand. She had been even more nervous than Connor had been on the ride over. His friend was dressed nicely, but had to take into account the rather large cast on her leg. So she was wearing black capri length pants and a light blue dress shirt. The sound of her crutches creaking as she was moving would attract attention to the wounds she had sustained.

As much as he hated to admit it, Sabrina was a far more sympathetic witness than Connor, even though both were victims to the defendants lies and rampaging rage.

He knew that if the defense lawyer hit hard, Sabrina would fire right back at him with something that Switalski more than likely did not know. Because if he did know, he would have come begging on his knees for a plea bargain. Which was a site that Felix would truly enjoy seeing. Switalski, as much as he hated to admit it, was a talented defense lawyer.

"The prosecution calls Doctor Sabrina Byrne to the stand." Felix watched the crowd around him as she clackered into the room.

Sure enough, there was plenty of whispering. It did not hurt that Sabrina was as white as sheet, which most would mistake for fear. He knew here well enough to be able to tell that it was nausea. Sabrina also seemed to be gritting her teeth as she recited the oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Despite her projections of bravado, Sabrina felt like she was going to bazooka barf. But she had to keep her cool.

She was not going to give the bitch the satisfaction of rattling her. Connor's testimony had gone over well. Which had surprised them both, given what the public thought of the situation.

Erin's questioning had been pretty basic, just reiterating what had been shown on the security video footage.

Once she said, "Nothing further, your witness" to the defense lawyer, Sabrina squared her shoulders. She was ready for anything that could be thrown at her.

"Doctor Byrne, why did you risk your life for so many people, most of which you did not even know personally?"

"It was the right thing to do. Couldn't have a live shooter running amok," Sabrina replied.

"How long have you known my client?"

"Less than a year. I barely gave her any thought, since she was not in my department," Sabrina responded.

"Even when she was dating your best friend?"

Ah, now they're getting interesting, Sabrina thought before saying, "I was civil towards her. There was no need to get catty about anything. I stayed out of my friend's private life. I did not need to know any gory details."

Her side was throbbing. Sabrina had wanted a clear head during her testimony, refused the pain pills, and now she was paying the price for it.

"On the night of the incident, why did you have a gun in your car?"

"I have a concealed carry permit, like millions of other Americans," Sabrina answered rolling her eyes.

"Did you go looking to harm my client?"

"I'm sure you saw the security footage. She shot first. All of my shooting was in defense of myself or others," Sabrina retorted.

"Did you want to kill my client?" The defense lawyer looked hopeful.

"Objection!" Erin snarled out.

"Sustained. Rephrase the question councilor." Judge Norgull ordered.

"What did you think my client was doing?" the defense lawyer countered.

"I cannot really speak as to your client's mental state, but I can safely guess that she intended to do Doctor Rhodes and/or myself grievous bodily harm," Sabrina, replied having trouble keeping sarcasm out of her voice.

Deciding on a different tactic to try and discredit her, the defense lawyer inquired, "Did you ever work in any fundraising capacity for the hospital?"

"My record speaks for itself. That is how I fundraise for the hospital," Sabrina declared.

"No glad-handing for donations?" the defense lawyer pressed.

I can't believe it. It's actually happening. Sabrina could not believe her ears. Her smile must have been particularly shark-like if Felix's reaction was anything to go by.

"I simply tell them why they should donate. If you want to know if I tramp myself up to potential donors to get money, I do not. If you want to discuss tramping yourself up for money, ask your client. She's the expert!"

A/N 2: Teehee. I have been waiting to write that line for such a long time. Hope you all like it, I'm looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD

OC casting:

Judge Norgull: An older Gregory Peck.