Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Ending
Chapter 12: The Trial
Kurtis hailed a cab and went back to his hotel. It was only a matter of minutes when he came out, with his chirugaii safely hanging by his side, trusty Boran X in the familiar shoulder holster and his knapsack in place, resting above his hip. He walked out of the hotel, vaulted over his bike and drove to the Strahov. He thanked himself for bringing the long coat with him; grateful of the warmth it offered his strong body while his face whipped with cold wind.
Sooner than he had expected, Kurtis arrived at the Strahov. He was not at all shocked to find the place crawling with police inspectors, forensic scientists and photographers. For a moment, he considered how he would get into the building; stealthily or openly, helping the police. He chose the second option, not wanting to get caught, guessing the complex being twice as heavily guarded than before… and getting into the Strahov in the first place was not a piece of cake.
He approached the nearest officer with a big smile on his face. He had learned the basics of Czech when he was assigned for a mission there by the Agency, and now he was glad of it. One only thing the Agency had was that they taught the basics of foreign languages, so that once the mercenaries went under-cover of some native; they were never suspected from under their disguises.
"ahoj JÁ was divení se -li JÁ příliš pocínovat jít s kým tebe snf pomoci hledat člen určitý Strahov," he stated cheerfully. "-li tebe dát spropitné mne JÁ was člen určitý dělat si dobrý den z někoho s Lara Croft s polem." Hi! I was wondering if I too can come along with you and help search the Strahov. If you remember me, I was the guy with Lara Croft.
"Ano , ano JÁ vŘdŘt tebe," the officer said gruffly. Yeah, yeah I know you.
"Asi tolik moci Já?" he asked hopefully. So, may I?
"ne Přísný obchod , bohoslužba kádry ale!" the inspector barked. No, strict business! Appointed personnel only!
"Ach aby ne dříve humoristický zde , JÁ did jeden bezvadný činit of bádání a using má dotyk , JÁ mangan až k nález poutavý bydliště v člen určitý Strahov , jaký goes dále kde," Kurtis said flatly. Oh, but before coming here I did a fair research and using contacts I managed to find interesting places at the Strahov... The happenings inside-
"Jako by my chtěl bych domnívat se-" As if we'll believe-
"D'you vŘdŘt aby člen určitý brána jít s duchem času lev v člen určitý nakládání arkýř 3sg.préz.od have neviditelný laserový aby objevit chování? A is chránit do jeden nahý elektřina dohnat bitva? -li yoy barva ono you'd být stání mezi jeden bolestný blýskat se nádhera!" Kurtis said with a cocky smirk, and glared the inspector in such a way that his blood boiled. D'you know that the gate with a lion in the loading bay has invisible lasers that detect presence? And is protected by naked electricity? If you touch it, ooh... You'd be standing in the middle of a painful lightning parade.
"Blížit se," he muttered and Kurtis stepped over the police tape and followed the inspector inside.
"D'you understand English, by the way?" Kurtis asked. "My Czech needs a little brushing up."
"I thought so," the inspector said amusingly. Angry, Kurtis telekinetically moved a small box of about ankle height quickly by the inspector's foot so he toppled over with a grunt. "Watch yourself," Kurtis said, hauling him to his feet, smirking. The officer grunted harshly and continued walking on.
It was not long when they came up to a small office, with walls covered with monitors and filing cabinets. About five people were in the room, all in front of separate cameras and wearing headphones. "They are checking all the tapes from yesterday evening. They have just found you breaking into the Strahov, and Ms. Croft using her low level pass to get in through. You both dodge cameras expertly," the officer commented.
Kurtis inwardly smiled when he saw (what one of the men was seeing), Lara going about stealthily behind a guard. She pulled him down on the floor, punched his head, and carried his unconscious body to a room. Returning to the hall, she tilted her head and blew up the camera. He turned to the officer. "Of what parts of the Strahov are they watching the camera tapes of?" he asked solemnly.
"Two for the separate portions of the loading bay, the greenhouse, control room and the asylum… Sanitarium as they call it."
"What else are you guys doing?"
"Come with me, I'll show you."
The inspector took Kurtis to the whole of Strahov on a tour. There were two portions of the complex. One had all the operations running in, and one was a training centre for the guards and servants who vowed to serve the Cabal. Every one of the 'students' had been taken into custody. Nothing of use was in the training centre of the Strahov; every corner had been searched last night but to no avail. The search was abandoned on that part.
The other one was the only hope for Kurtis. He asked the inspector to take him to the room where all the tapes are kept. The inspector took him to a small room, where boxes of tapes were stacked. There were a few filing cabinets too. Kurtis was left alone.
He began working on the box that had "Personal Meetings" written over it. It took him an hour to go over a few tapes. His blood boiled every time Eckhardt was on discussing with the Cabal. He had been discussed so many times, and it took him all he had to refrain from screaming with rage when Eckhardt called him "The bastard Lux Veritatis dogging his steps," and Gunderson commented, "Croft holding Trent captive with her battering eye-lashes. She must've known that my once best soldier is somewhat emotional when it comes to his lost family."
Kurtis felt numb. The words "lost family," echoed in his mind, as the pain of his parents' death returned. When the first time he held Autumn, his younger sister in his hands, was the last as Eckhardt finished Maria and Autumn off in front of him. He still remembered their screams, Maria screaming to take her instead of Kurtis and Autumn. Most of all Autumn's shrieks as the ruthless killer cut open the child's neck, someone who was hardly a month old…. ..
Tears rolled down as he recalled himself, only four years of age when he exuberantly held his sister up and had a picture taken: The only picture of the two siblings together. He searched wildly for his wallet, and after finding it, gazed at the picture he had stolen form his father when he was nineteen, upto twelve years ago; The same Kurtis at the age of four, with a pale face and big blue eyes, and a huge smile staring in the camera. Autumn had forest-green eyes, fair skin and blonde/brown hair. She was awake when they took the picture, and she was pouting in it.
After a few more moments, Kurtis turned the picture to another one. This one was of his parents, smiling. It was taken in India, when Konstantin first met Maria. "Dad, Mom… Autumn," he first quivered, but quickly regained composure, "I have avenged all your deaths, and now I'm gonna help Lara. I hope you're happy up there, all of you," he whispered, kissed the picture and put it back. He checked his watch, only two hours were left till the trial, and he still hadn't found anything to prove Lara innocent… or something at least to stall accusations put on her and throw some positive light on her case. It took him one more hour to finish all the tapes. He had found one tape, which was a little satisfying. It at least pointed all the murders over to Eckhardt, or seemed to.
Eckhardt, Karel, Muller and Gunderson were discussing plans. Boaz had been turned into a monster by then.
"Muller, is she locked in properly? That's the second time she disobeyed me," Eckhardt said roughly.
"Yes, Meister Eckhardt. She is sealed in strongly," answered Muller.
"Good. Gunderson, Lara Croft and Kurtis Trent would be coming soon in this way. Have you made all the arrangements to capture them?"
"Yes I have, sir. My best men are on guard," Gunderson said quietly.
"Funny! That seems a bit familiar!" Eckhardt said. "Oh yes! You said Kurtis Trent was your best soldier too when he was under you! Wasn't he!" Gunderson did not reply.
"Joachim, my right-hand man. You are the only one who has not upset up till now. Tell me, what the case with Monstrum is? Was all the trace of Bouchard's murder destroyed?"
"I have taken care of it. Croft was trying to find something to make her way out, so her fingerprints are on his body. She's been blamed again, poor thing." Karel answered with evil satisfaction.
"Another innocent blamed for one of my deeds…" Eckhardt laughed evilly.
"Meister, finally, your Superior Deed would be finished! We would be immortal!" Muller said excitedly.
"Yes, yes!" Eckhardt said rather gruffly as evil glinted in his eyes.
"We had better get going."
Kurtis put the tape in a paper bag lying near by and put in his coat's inner breast pocket. A thought struck him: Lara would be getting worried. He decided to reach her telepathically.
'Lara?'
'Kurtis! Is that you, or is my mind playing another trick on me again?'
'No, it's me. Sorry, it took me some time to reach something to prove you innocent. It isn't something that big, but Karel is telling Eckhardt that you've been blamed for Bouchard's murder: your fingerprints on his body. That's the only tape justifying you.'
'Th-Thank you Kurtis… I don't know how I could ever repay you. Are you alright?'
'I'm okay, though I should be asking you that. Did they do any harm to you? And don't thank me yet! I'm telling you, the murder victims' families are extremely upset, and escaping this wouldn't be easy. This tape would only stall the case. Give us some more time to gather proof. But don't worry, I'll get you out.'
'Oh… but still they must be giving us a week or two to gather all the evidence. Anyway, thanks again for sparing me some time. That's something I owe you.'
'You don't. You did not answer me. Have they done any harm to you?'
'No, not yet. Elliot is staring at me as if he would barge in any moment and do things he'd regret later, big time. I wish I was out and I would knock his lights out, though for thinking that.'
'I wouldn't blame him. It's not his fault you're completely irresistible.'
'There's more to someone that just looks, Kurtis.'
'And I find that someone inside you attractive. I will be coming in soon. He tries anything, just-'
'I was trained with my hands and feet before I went up to firepower. I'll handle it. Come back quickly so he keeps his hand a little low, knowing he wouldn't want to mess around when you are here.'
'You want me to pretend that I'm your boyfriend! You may be attractive, woman, but don't count on me on to do that!'
'NO! Just, a telling him off that I'll be out and he'll be toast.'
'Right. Take care.'
'You too, stay warm.'
Talking to Lara felt much better, but just before he exited the room, Kurtis decided to talk a look in the cabinets too. He found some files, and in one of them, he found something so shocking that his eyes seemed like they would drop out from their sockets any second.
"Oh-my-God…"
Half an hour later
Kurtis barged in through the police station, not caring how the bitterly cold winds disturbed the warmth of the office. He walked boldly towards Lara's cell, when the guard asked him about his destination, he only muttered "Croft".
He stood in front of Lara's cell, and tapped his foot impatiently as Elliot, angry that Kurtis was back, stood up and unlocked the cell door. "You have twenty minutes, then we take her to the court."
"Done," Lara said. They both were left alone again. Lara rushed up and hugged him as tightly as she could. "Thank you," she whispered into his strong shoulder. Kurtis kissed her head, and returned the hug as tightly.
They remained in their embrace a few moments, when Lara broke away. He held her shoulders and looked into her face. Lara looked at him, her naturally beautiful face looking so attractive that it would buckle other men's knees, but Kurtis was not like them. He felt Lara simply breath taking, and apart from the angelic face and goddess like body somehow had him drooling, but tough soul inside which was fighting, fighting for survival, fighting for justice, fighting for self respect. "You okay?" he asked gently.
Lara nodded, and gestured towards her bed. They sat down on it then Lara started saying something she thought she would share with no one before. "I seriously can't figure out if coming here was a good idea or not. To Paris."
"Why not?"
"Well… Werner and I weren't on the best of terms. We hadn't come to any resolution after Egypt, I'm not in the state to tell you what happened in there. But, whatever you may call it, von Croy ended up betraying me. Kurtis everybody just takes advantage of me. I worked with so many men before, but they were all in for my money. Nothing but money! They even had mercenaries in to kill me while they took away all I worked for, what my father left me. Werner did the same, but just to save his own life. If you're thinking that I'm saying all this just so you'd sympathize with me, no! I don't need anyone's pity! I'm just sharing all of this because you understand, or maybe that's what I think."
"I know I shouldn't pity someone like you. I know I would not want anyone to pity if I were in your position. And I can feel everything you mean, I've been used too, but please go on," said Kurtis in his deep voice.
"Of all the selfish people of the world, I saved everyone numerous times, yet still they just thought of me as the 'rich icon'. And now there's you…"
"Lara, don't think that I'm helping you and gaining your trust to betray you later. No." Kurtis said softly. "Eckhardt killed my family, Lara. How bad could it be? My… my sister wasn't even a month old when Eckhardt butchered her in front of me. I mean I was just four and… I can't talk about it now. But yes, I did work for Gunderson once. Yes, I did unknowingly help my enemy. Yes, I was a cold-blooded mercenary but my father's death was a wake-up call for me. I was Gunderson's best man; I was paid well enough and actually made some savings. I lost all that just to avenge my family. Now if someone who murdered my whole family isn't blamed for the murder, instead someone else is, I would rather help them. That is you. And apart from all that, we are so much alike. You know it well enough that we are the type of people who would fight for the driver's seat if given the chance. I really like that, I mean. I was a rough tough and a bit emotional guy from the start, so guns and fighting were all my favorite things, and I was considered like an alien for that. Now I feel like I'm not alone in that field too… kind of. That's why I'd never forget you, but let's concentrate on our present position for the moment," Kurtis ended his speech, and patted her hands. "Don't worry."
"Thank you for everything Kurtis. Now please, I'd like to get my head off this, if you don't mind. Let's talk about something else. Do you listen to music?" she asked, wanting to know more about him.
"Yeah. I like Rock music; I used to and even now, listen to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Nirvana. They are an old favorite, but nowadays I'm simply in love with Evanescence. The guard outside was listening to My Immortal on the radio." He chuckled lightly.
"Oh I love Evanescence too! I've bought their album Fallen. And I play My Immortal or Hello on the piano when I'm at home," Lara provided.
"I'd like to hear you sing," Kurtis said mischievously.
"I only play it, darling, I don't sing," Lara said with a fake seductive tone, going perfectly with his mischievous statement.
Kurtis laughed. "Anyway, which track you love the most? I love Going Under."
"I love Going Under! What a coincidence!"
"Everybody does, the vocalist Amy Lee says that "Going Under" is her favorite track too. What else?"
Their conversation continued for sometime, until Elliot came to take them to court. Kurtis planned to show the evidence he had found to Sylvester.
At the court
"Monsieur Sylvester!" Kurtis called as he rushed up the stairs to the lawyer. Lara meanwhile, had entered the confession box and awaited the hearing, after getting through the horrible nightmare the reporters and the cameras had put her through.
"Yes, Mr. Trent?" asked the lawyer.
"Kurtis. I have found something, at the Strahov. Come, I'll show you…"
"This is fantastic! I too, only had the points just to stall the case, but the opposition is Harper Jacobs, and the case is still near impossible, but the video will help us a lot!" Maurice stated happily.
"Yes, I hope this'll stall the case for some time. We really need it," Kurtis said, secretly wondering if he did the right thing by not giving the document he had found, or not. Personally, he thought to use it as a wild card, not that the situation at that time was less important. It would only be a matter of a few hours; either the jury would believe Lara to be slightly on the good side, or lifetime in prison, maybe even worse, a death sentence. He just felt something was going to go wrong.
Kurtis entered the courtroom, and gave an understanding smile to Lara, who looked shattered from the mere sight of her. She smiled back, somewhat contented with his arrival; she felt, I daresay, happy.
Kurtis took his seat directly behind Maurice. The trial began. "International Case, no. 45: The Monstrum Killings is now in order." Everyone present in the room stood up as the judge arrived, and sat down when he did so himself.
"Good evening, everyone. Lawyers please begin your case," the judge said. He was an old man in his mid-fifties.
"Your Honor," began Jacobs, a man in his mid-thirties, with blonde hair, electric blue eyes and a pale face. "Lady Lara Croft, the world's renowned archeologist adventurer, is now standing charged with six murders and blame for stealing a car. Now everyone would ask why she is blamed for all this, when she has saved the world numerous times. Revenge, my lord, revenge. Werner von Croy, her former mentor ended up… upsetting Ms. Croft here, and when he asked for her help a few weeks back, she planned a whole scheme. She would kill off Werner and go-"
"Objection my lord!" snapped Sylvester loudly and sharply.
"Objection sustained, please let Mr. Jacobs finish," said the judge calmly.
"Thank you my lord, as I was saying, Lady Croft planned to kill off Werner, in order to take her revenge and what about all those other murders? Well Mademoiselle Carvier found out she killed Werner, so she went on to kill the museum worker, and so on."
"Ms. Croft, would you like to say something?" asked the judge.
"I never killed Werner! I am not the Monstrum!" began Lara, after she had taken the oath, she believed in all religions, but followed none.
"May I ask a few questions, my lord?" asked Jacobs asked.
"Permission granted."
"Ms. Croft, did Werner von Croy teach you at some time? Were there any practical lessons?"
"Yes, Werner taught me when I was in high school, and I only went on one practical lesson with him," Lara replied quietly.
"Okay, Ms. Croft how old were you at that time, when you took the practical lesson?"
"Sixteen."
"And where did you go?"
"Angkor Wat, in Cambodia."
"Would you kindly tell us your experience?"
"Werner took me to a place called Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We had to walk for over two hours in the thick forest to reach there. It was a type of a tutorial. Werner just showed me all the traps, how they are hidden and how to approach a tomb there. We were actually searching for an artifact called the Iris, which is supposed to have mystical powers beyond human imagination. Then Werner challenged me to a race, to reach the Iris. I reached there first, and was able to translate from the plaque that the one who removes the Iris would have to face a terrible end. But he just hushed me, pulled a lever so that a small path was made, connecting to the floating platform that housed the Iris. When Werner took it, the temple began to fall down-"
"Was Werner the only one on the platform that had the artifact?"
"Yes, I decided to respect what the plaque had said and stayed behind. The outer layer of the floating platform rose from the lava underneath, and the path burned away. Werner tried to jump, but his leg got caught in the outer layer. He yelled for help, but the place was too far, no one could possibly do it. I couldn't think straight, I just said "I'm coming Werner," but the temple came down on us. I fled. I barely had time to blink an eye even when the temple was sealed. That is all."
"You see, your honor, Ms. Croft had been black within from the start! She had had some problem with him from the start. That is a-"
"Objection, my lord!"
"If I'd had some problem with Werner in the first place, why the hell would I go with him all alone to Cambodia!" Lara asked furiously.
"Because you simply wanted an opportunity to taste adventure."
"That does not justify you!"
"He's the one here to judge that!" barked Jacobs, pointing to the judge. "That is all."
"Yes Mr. Sylvester. Continue your case."
"You honor, first the opposition blamed my client for actually planning the murder. But sir, who would think like that when they're deep down in black depression? Secondly, sir my client had feelings for Werner, soft feelings. Maybe Ms. Croft would like to portray them herself?"
"Permission granted."
"Sir, I had been disowned by my family when I was twenty-one, because I wanted to go ahead and be an adventurer. I believed Werner to be like my second father, and he did say he forgave me back then, saying it was an "instinctive feature to save oneself". My aunt took me in then, Juliette Croft, and we were on excellent terms. If you do not believe me, you can call Jean Yves from Egypt, Father Patrick from Wimbledon, and my aunt's her former butler now under me, Winston Jeaves from Surrey. They were there at the time when Werner had said that."
"Who are these Jean Yves and Father Patrick?" asked the judge.
"Jean Yves was Werner's friend and one of my history professors in the university. Father Patrick was just a priest who visited my father's house quite frequently. I am very close to both of the men."
"My lord, coming back to the point, Ms. Croft has committed six murders. She murdered Werner, and to hide that, Mlle. Carvier's, to hide that, Daniel Rennes' and the list goes on. I would like to ask you a few things. You were there at the time of Werner's murder, weren't you?" began Jacobs, now bombarding his questions on Lara.
"Yes."
"Then how can you say you didn't murder him."
"I was talking to him, ready to turn and leave when someone pushed me very hard and I almost passed out."
"You mean you were unconscious? You didn't see who killed him?"
"I said 'almost'. My vision was blurred because of the pain in my head, I saw the person. It was Pieter van Eckhardt, he killed Werner."
"Lies, lies and yet more lies. Ms. Croft, don't you get tired of-"
"How are you so sure that I'm lying!" flared Lara. "Your Honor, I'm telling the truth! I would not like any more accusations, as if my present situation isn't bad enough!"
"Ms. Croft, please calm down. Mr. Jacobs, please do not upset Lady Croft this way, it is offensive."
"I'm sorry, my lord. Now I'd like to call upon Ms. Croft's recent boyfriend-"
"Partner!"
"Yes, yes," said Jacobs impatiently. "Mr. Kurtis Trent, to answer a few questions."
Kurtis got up from his seat and walked into the box, took the oath and awaited Jacobs with strong determination.
"Mr. Trent, how old are you now and state your date of birth."
"Thirty-one. June, twenty-sixth, 1972."
"Right. You were in the army, I believe?"
"Yes, I joined the Foreign Legion of France, in 1991 and left in 1996."
"And you received your French nationality-"
"During my time in the Legion, yes."
"Ok. Mr. Trent, kindly explain how you are related to Ms. Croft."
"Contrary to your belief, Mr. Jacobs, I saw Lara Croft in Paris three days ago, and met her yesterday. We were out for the same mission, we had the same goal so we decided to join in together and track down our enemies. I'm her partner-in-crime, you can say, nothing more."
"What was your goal? Who were your enemies?"
"Well, I was the one with the enemies. The whole of Cabal, contributed in having my father murdered. The case was closed, so the matter was dead to the authorities. Somehow, I had woken up from my ignorance and soon was out to track down and kill Eckhardt, Pieter van Eckhardt in full. Lara was slowly getting on to finding the Monstrum, yet I knew who it was from the start. Eckhardt had been terrorizing the streets of Paris and Prague all along. Our goal was to destroy Eckhardt, me to avenge my father, and Lara to get revenge for Werner's death."
"Mr. Trent, what was the name of your late father?"
"Konstantin. Konstantin DeCombel."
"Konstantin DeCombel? Then how come is your name 'Trent'?"
"That's because I changed it. 'DeCombel' doesn't really suit 'Kurtis', and I never really liked it."
"When you left the Legion, you were about-"
"Twenty-four."
"Twenty-four, why didn't you settle down?"
"Objection! This is not relevant!" barked Maurice.
"Mr. Jacobs, please stay on the topic," the judge warned.
"Yes, your honor. Mr. Trent, you said you only met Lady Croft yesterday, then how come you knew her in Paris."
"The time was a little over 6 AM, I was sitting in a café reading the paper, when she arrived. That is the first time I saw her."
"And you didn't talk to her or anything?"
"No, I had too much on my mind already. But I was following her everywhere, reaching a place before her to see her reaction. I thought she was one of the Cabal, only realized that she was on the good side with me when I saw her have a painting the Cabal sought. If she was one of them, she'd have given it to them, but she kept it to herself.
"What painting?"
"An artifact, out of five, three were with the Cabal, and the fourth one Lara had. The fifth was not discovered at that time. Werner was researching these artifacts; Eckhardt gave him a commission to find these particular paintings. They aren't of any relevance in this case, believe me."
"And they don't seem to be too. Anyway, Kurtis, mind if I call you that?"
"No."
"Ok, Kurtis. Apart from the Mafia members, who presumably died from an unknown explosion and one being eaten alive, do you think Lara Croft committed those murders?"
"No. She's innocent, and I know it."
"Ok. Thank you Kurtis, you may please return to your seat."
Kurtis turned and left, wondering how plain information about him would be able to save Lara, or to kill her. He took a breath and sat down.
"That is all I have for the day, your honor. Please let Mr. Sylvester proceed."
Sylvester got up, inhaled a deep breath and began his case. "Your honor, Lara Croft is blamed for six murders, but has anyone actually seen Lady Croft cut open someone and use the blood to write things on the wall? No, so why so sure on her being the Monstrum?"
"Because-"
"Mr. Jacobs, it isn't your turn, please speak later."
"Your honor, I have with me Winston Jeaves, whom Lara Croft spoke of, here. I would like to call him for brief questioning."
Lara took in a breath, and it seemed that everything in her body had paused for a small moment, only her heart beat on, full and loud. Winston shuffled in the box, after taking the oath he looked up and held eye contact with her employee for the first time in several days. Tears welled up in Lara's eyes as she whispered, "I didn't do it, Winston. Believe me." She drank back her tears, afraid they will shatter her pride, just like they've shattered her reputation.
"Winston Jeaves, you've known Lara since-"
"Before birth."
"And you've been with her all along since?"
"We managed to keep a strong contact when she moved in with her aunt, but excluding that time, yes."
"What were her relations with Werner von Croy, before his death?"
"I cannot explain it. She was angry and sad. He had after all, betrayed her. She took it to the heart, and just said, "I wish to forget him, him and all his deeds." She did not plan to kill him; she was too caught up with her latest experience. It had horrible effects on her, she never closed her eyes in the night, for the fear of haunting and recurring nightmares, and she hardly ate anything. It was depression at full throttle. She completely forgot the outside world and retired from tomb raiding."
"So like Mr. Jacobs said, she didn't plan to kill Werner or anything?"
"No, like I said she was too caught up in her world. She wasn't weak or afraid, generally, but she felt like being haunted from every shadow. Like darkness would kill her altogether, and fear of death is purely natural. It was a hard time for her, she was drowned in sadness to think of anything like that."
"See your honor, Lady Croft had no hard feelings as such to kill Werner. Thank you, Mr. Winston. Now I would please like to call Kurtis Trent, once more."
Kurtis walked back into the box. "Mr. Trent, have you seen Lady Croft commit a Monstrum killing?"
"No."
"Have you seen Ms. Croft do some other crime?"
"No."
"Mr. Trent, did you know Ms. Croft's earlier expeditions? Any of them?"
"Not much, I've just seen it in on television, basically Lara walking away from the airport and not answering the journalists, else in the newspaper, I've read about the artifacts she has recovered, the places she's been to, but that's only it. I wasn't really interested in what she did, to be honest, I was lukewarm about it."
"Right. Thank you, Kurtis, you can go back now. Your Honor, now I'd like to call John Elliot, the inspector responsible for Lara Croft's case."
Elliot walked into the box and began answering the questions after swearing to tell the truth.
"Elliot, what do you think about Ms. Croft? Did she really kill her professor?"
"Yes, I believe she did. There is no proof that she didn't, so naturally. Besides, we have witnesses to-"
"I am very well aware of that, Mr. Elliot, you need not tell me about that!" said Maurice sharply. Elliot shut himself up instantly. The lawyer continued. "Tell me, John, if you, for a small moment, forget that Lara Croft is charged for six murders and for stealing a car, and think of it: Does she look like a killer to you, appearance can reflect the soul."
"Appearances can be deceiving."
"Come now, just try it for once."
Silence prevailed as John inspected Lara from head to toe with a critical eye. "I still see a murderer looming inside her."
"Mr. John, forget that fact for a moment, please."
Silence took over again, and John's face turned soft. After a few more moments, he spoke up: "She has saved all of us so many times, I can't say anything. She looks innocent, yet clever, she did save all of us more than five times, yet still she looks like a killer."
"That killer part is a psychological thing, Elliot, you did not forget for a moment about her accusations. Has she been trouble for the four hours she remained in prison?"
"She's been abusing me a lot."
"SIR! I need to say something!" screeched Lara from her corner, furious.
"Permission granted."
"Sir, I may not speak Czech properly, but I can get a few words. He kept on saying offensive things about my parents, such things that I'm even ashamed to speak it out loud, and your honor, I can take stuff about myself, but how dare he say things about my late father and mother!"
"Is it true Mr. Elliot!" asked the judge gruffly.
Elliot began to panic. "Well sir… I spoke for the victims' families. I-"
"Inspector John Elliot, kindly show some respect for a woman, and if she's in jail or not, she still remains one of England's richest landladies. This is a final warning to you, if I hear any more complains you would regret it."
"I apologize, Lara Croft," said Elliot quietly.
"Thank for you time, Elliot." Elliot went back. "Your Honor, now you have seen that Lara Croft hasn't done anything wrong. Elliot had done something wrong, and she snapped back in the same words. But Elliot was the one who did the bad thing first. Similarly, Lara Croft was just out to avenge her late professor. That is all."
"What about the video!" Kurtis whispered in Maurice's ear when he sat down.
"Now's not the time," whispered back.
"Have you any proof or witnesses to prove Ms. Croft guilty or innocent?"
"Yes your honor," began Jacobs, as he held up a plastic bag, containing her pistols. The very same ones that Kurtis had chucked out from her holster in the Louvre.
"These 9 mms have Ms. Croft's fingerprints on them, and we found them at the Louvre."
"Would you like to say something, Ms. Croft?"
"Yes. I agree those pistols are mine, but like Kurtis Trent said, we only talked to each other yesterday. He disarmed me at the Louvre the day before, not entirely sure if, I was on the good side or not. He disarmed me during the siege in the gallery."
The judge shuffled for a moment, then said. "Yes, the siege of the Louvre about two days back. I believe this fact, Lady Croft."
The hearing carried on, as Jacobo showed all the evidence the police had found, including her denim jacket, her backpack (with bite marks from the dogs in Paris) etc. and the witnesses giving their stories, finding Lara leaving a building. By the end of it, Maurice was shaking and sweating. Kurtis hacked into his mind to find himself so shocked that his own breathing paused.
"Before the court and jury members see the proof to prove Lady Lara Croft innocent, we'll take a lunch break, and assemble in an hour. The court is adjourned till after lunch."
Slowly everyone shuffled out, Kurtis immediately made some arrangements; he had an idea. Meanwhile, Lara, two female police officers and Winston were left alone. Lara begged the officers to meet Winston once, and soon they granted her the permission. Lara rushed towards Winston, and hugged the old man tight, as tears that she had held in her eyes for the past three days rolled out freely. He patted her back, and calmed her down. The only five minutes she had have to be with her butler; Lara told him that it was all a lie. She did steal the car to come here, but she had never committed those murders. Winston believed her, and the officers took her away.
Kurtis was sick to the stomach to what Maurice was going to do. He opened his cell phone and dialed in a number as he narrowed his eyes against the winter sunlight. Someone picked up the phone from the other line. "Hello?" said a masculine voice.
"Jake, how are you? Listen, I have something very important going on around here. A friend of mine needs help, send me those documents in less than an hour, got it?"
"Okay, Kurtis. Hope those papers will help your friend."
"They will. It's time I take things into my own hands," said Kurtis quietly as he planned his next move. He was going to surprise everybody.
After lunch, in the court
"Where is Mr. Maurice Sylvester?" asked the judge, losing his patience by every minute that was passing. A police officer came running into the court.
"Sir, I found this!" he said and handed an envelope to the judge. The judge read it a few times, before saying in the mic. "It appears that Mr. Sylvester has left the case, due to its weak base. Beforehand, no other lawyers we had contacted wished to take up a case like this."
Lara let tears fall from her eyes; she was going to die. Die again after Egypt, after so much blood and betrayal it would end.
"No," she whispered to herself as she fell down, and cried bitterly; how someone's ignorance can mean someone else's death. Kurtis had somehow revived her from within, pulled her out from the pit of dark depression. Pulled her into the light of the world, and made her see between all the blood and terror, could be trust: Trust that comes from within one's soul. That trust, whether it is from another being, or in your own power, could save one from falling into suffocating darkness. She had finally found that trust, it came from Kurtis. The only thing she wanted was to hold Kurtis' hand, just to know he was there, for her.
Lara believed that Kurtis was the only one who hadn't lost hope in her. Even at a time Winston had, but Kurtis outshone everyone. She was suffering from depression, and everybody knew it, but Kurtis was the only one who tried to pull her out. With the mysterious air he left, drawing her in and making her breathe into her addiction: raiding. She was going to leave all that… forever… …
"Ms. Croft, therefore, is found guilty for six murders, of Werner von Croy, Margot Carvier, Daniel Rennes, Louis Bouchard, Thomas Luddick and Richard Galistro, the cleaner and for stealing his SUV-"
Footsteps echoed in the empty halls as a tall man made his way to the courtroom, his presence required immediately. He held two files, hooking them with his left hand. Dark hair fell into his eyes and he shook them away. His black coat swirled with the bitterly cold wind. The sun had set, and the sky was a beautiful portrait of pinks, oranges and blues. Personally, he would love to stop and gaze at the relaxing picture, but as a wise father once told him, "Business before pleasure", he ignored it. He neared the courtroom, and heard the judge giving a final statement. He would need to move fast. He opened the double doors.
"Her punishment wouldn't be lenient. She would be han-"
"Excuse me, you honor!" echoed a deep, calm voice throughout the courtroom. The man walked along the aisle, as the journalists scribbled down quick details, and photographers took photos wildly. He covered his face lightly with the back of his hand. The man said to him when he reached near the confession box: "I would be taking Lara Croft's case."
"Are you a qualified lawyer?"
"Here are my papers," he said and gave the file to the judge.
Lara looked up to see whom the man was, ready to fight for her: Denim jeans, a black coat over a black T-shirt, a familiar American accent and messy dark hair going into piercing blue eyes. Then, it dawned on her.
"Kurtis!"