Cole sat next to Lou in the courthouse hallway. His grandparents were there, as were the ninja. Nikki couldn't make it, since she had an appointment in the middle of the trial that day, but she texted Cole that morning and wished him luck. All cell phones and other electronic devices were confiscated when they passed through the metal detectors at the entrance, so everyone was super bored. Due to the high profile nature of the case, the general public was barred from viewing the trial. Only approved friends and family were allowed inside. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife.
"Days like this make me wish I hadn't given up smoking," Lou muttered to himself.
"Your dad used to smoke?" Jay asked Cole.
"Yeah. Anna made him stop before they got married because she refused to marry a chimney," Cole said.
"When do we get to go in?" Kai said, tugging on the tie he hated but was forced to wear.
"The lawyers aren't even here. We have a while, so get comfortable," Lou said, stretching his legs out in front of him.
Cole was picking at his fingernails in an effort to stay awake, but he perked up when he felt his dad stiffen. He glanced up and saw Hermes and Kelly walk past them. He had seen them at some of the hearings, but he had never had a chance to really speak to them. He was curious about his maternal grandparents, but he knew Lou and Hermes had a history, so he let the matter drop. Still, he heard the stories about Hermes teaching Skylor to use her Earth power, and he couldn't help but wonder if they would like him or even want to get to know him after twenty years with zero contact.
"I thought he was in jail," Giovanni said to Helaine.
"Yeah, and I thought you were dead. Goodness knows you're old enough," Hermes retorted.
"Says the kettle to the pot."
"That's enough," Kelly said, dragging Hermes away.
"Hello, punk," Hermes said as he passed Lou. Kelly slapped his arm and they left to find seats elsewhere. Lou looked like he was ready to clobber Hermes.
"Lucien, don't let him get to you. We have a long day ahead of us, and I don't want you getting thrown out of the courtroom," Helaine said.
"I still don't see why Hermes keeps calling you a punk," Lloyd said.
"Remind me later and I'll show you pictures," Cole said.
"You will do no such thing." Lou glared at his son.
Cole was about to say something back, but he stopped when he saw the ADAs coming down the hall. Everyone stood up to greet them.
"You ready for this?" Michael asked.
"No," Lou replied.
The bailiff showed up and opened the door. Everyone slowly filed inside the courtroom. Cole, Lou, Giovanni, and Helaine sat in the row directly behind the barrier separating the audience from the well. They sat behind the plaintiff's table while Hermes and Kelly sat directly behind the defendant's table. The other ninja sat behind the Burtchenellis. Reporters sat in the other seats. Morgen was escorted inside a moment later. She looked smug in her brown pantsuit. A few minutes later, the jury entered and sat in the jury box. The court reporter entered next and took her seat in front of the bench. The bailiff took his spot by the jury box and waited for the judge to enter.
"All rise."
Everyone stood as the judge entered the courtroom. He was a tall, stern-looking, middle-aged man. He motioned for everyone to sit. ADA McFravel was lead counsel, so he stood up to deliver the opening statement.
"Thank you, Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you are here today to listen to the defendant talk about her relationship with her son who she has not seen in twenty years. The evidence will show not only how the defendant truly feels about her son, but also how she has tried multiple times over the past twenty years to end his life. You will hear the testimonies of her victims, who she held captive for years on end. You will also hear the testimonies of those who finally brought an end to her reign of terror. The defendant will have you believe that she did not know what she doing, but the evidence will show that she was of sound mind while she committed these horrendous crimes. Thank you." ADA McFravel quickly sat back down with his colleagues. Morgen's lawyer stood to offer his opening statement.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my client here has done some terrible things. There is no denying that. However, as you will see, my client is clinically insane and she was not in control of her actions. Your job is to determine if she deserves to go to jail, where she will not receive any treatment, or if she should go to a place where she can receive some much needed help. The evidence will show that my client is in desperate need of treatment, and her actions were not of her own will. Thank you."
"Is the plaintiff ready with their first argument?"
"We are, Your Honor."
"Okay. This should be fun." The judge smiled and leaned forward in his chair.