Here is the next update. The next two chapters are the trial. It will be poignant at times. Please read and review. My background is not in law, so forgive me if it doesn't seem as realistic. Amber

Chapter 25

Three weeks later and so far Callie hadn't developed the psychosis. Right now Brooke was sitting in the lobby waiting for her turn to testify against Juan Garcia. She was nervous. She hadn't seen him since the rape. She was tapping her foot and sitting between her parents. Her grandfather was sitting beside her mother. They were in a private office and had a guard outside the door. Plus, both her father and grandfather had their guns. Her mouth was so dry. She saw the pitcher of water and cups. She went over and poured herself some. She sipped thirstily.

Frank stood up and came beside her. He put a hand on her back. "You'll be fine kiddo. Just remember to tell the truth. Don't interject your feelings unless you are asked to."

Brooke smoothed her dark navy suit. She had chosen her outfit carefully. The suit had a box pleated skirt and matching blazer. She wore a cream shell and hose and oatmeal heels. Her hair was perfectly groomed. She had used her straightening iron and pulled it partially up in a navy clip. Her makeup was minimal, some loose powder foundation, a little blush, and pink lipgloss. She looked young but confident. The door opened and the bailiff was there. "Miss. Brooke Hardy, we're ready for you."

Frank and Callie gave her a hug. Fenton blew her a kiss. They all went into the courtroom. Fenton, Callie, and Frank sat in the front row behind the prosecutor's table. That bench had been saved for the family's of the victims. Callie nodded to the mother that was standing getting her things. She and her husband slid out of the bench so they could sit. Their daughter Robin was now between them. They left the courtroom. Callie looked back three benches where Joe was sitting next to Nancy Drew Nickerson. She gave her a thumbs up. Callie nodded and turned just as the bailiff was swearing her daughter under oath.

"Raise your right hand."

Brooke complied and waited for the bailiff.

"Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, so help you god?"

Brooke answered. "Yes I do."

The judge said. "Take a seat Miss. Hardy. I'm Judge Marshall Douglas. These lawyers are going to ask you questions. All you have to do is tell the truth. Okay."

Brooke twisted her ring nervously. "Yes your honor."

He nodded. "Proceed Mr. Drew."

Carson Drew stood up. "Can you state your full name and age for the record?"

"My name is Brooke Ellen Hardy and I'm fifteen years old."

Carson Drew nodded. "How old were you the day of April twentieth of 2034?"

Brooke answered. "I was fourteen."

"What happened on that day?"

"I was kidnapped by a man named Isaac Newman from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History."

"When did you see the defendant for the first time?"

Brooke took a handkerchief out of her pocket. It was the one her father gave her that morning. She wiped her tears. Her voice cracked a little with emotion. "I was locked in a dog crate, tied up in an airplane's cargo hold."

"Objection the witness is speculating."

Brooke snarled. "It WAS a cargo hold. My dad owns a jet just like the one I was in. So I know."

Carson Drew's voice sliced through the air. "My witness makes a valid point. If she's been in the cargo hold of her family jet she could easily identify when she is in one. I request that the record remain intact."

"Overruled, Mr. Drew."

Carson Drew signaled to Ned. He brought in a cart with the black metal dog crate. He gestured to it. "Miss. Hardy is this that crate?"

Brooke nodded her head. She cleared her throat. "Yes sir. That's it."

"You said you were tied up. How were you tied up?"

"My hands were tied around my back and my ankles were tied. It was hard to move."

"Were you alone in the cargo hold?"

"No sir, there were three other crates in there with girls inside."

"Can you describe them?"

Brooke took a sip of water. "The girl farthest away from me had long blond hair. She was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt. The girl to her left had brown curly hair and glasses, she was older along with the girl on her left who had straight red hair. They were wearing a school uniform. Blue plaid skirts and blue blouses."

"Did you try to free yourself?"

"I tried to move my arms in front of me but I couldn't. I kicked the cage. I tried to see if I could get out through the top, but it was ziptied."

"So you saw the defendant in the cargo hold?"

"He came down the ladder from the latch in the bottom of the floor that gives you access to the cargo hold. He was talking to a man that came down first."

"What did they say to each other?"

Brooke bit her lip and looked over at the jury. She answered. "They stopped at the first cage, the blond girl. Mr. Garcia said that Isaac should get a bonus that he chose well. Then they looked at the next two girls together. He said these two are older but will work, then he stopped in front of my cage. He said that Isaac needed a double bonus for me that the clients would pay a lot of money for a piece of me because I looked twelve."

Callie had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out. She wanted to jump over the rail and rip Juan Garcia apart! Frank put his hand in hers. Callie took a cleansing breath and continued to watch.

"He asked how old I was. I didn't answer him. I said Fuck you asshole. He said I needed to learn some manners and asked how old I was again. I stuck out my tongue at him and said. You already know I'm in highschool to do the math. He had the assistant look up what highschool was at the museum that day and determined that I was in ninth grade. He said I was a fine specimen. I told him that I was not a specimen but a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a human fucking being. Pardon my language but that's what I said to him. I swore to tell the truth."

Carson Drew nodded. "That is correct Brooke."