Opening Day
I had to use Jack McCoy as the lead prosecutor (the best prosecutor "Law & Order" ever had) in the following chapters.
The trial of the State of Florida vs. Julia Albery and Rick Stetler began today. Horatio wasn't sure when he would be called to testify so he had to wait in the gallery. Speed was there, too, sitting next to Horatio. Even if he wasn't a family man Tim was glad that Aimee has chosen to stay home with the kids. He couldn't imagine what it would be like for her to be in the same room as the three people who tried to take her life and the life of then-unborn daughter.
The prosecutor Jack McCoy told the jury how both Julia and Rick despised Horatio and Aimee Caine for different reasons. Rick hated him because Horatio had been given the job position and respect that he craved. Julia hated him because even though she'd given up their child, physically and legally, she was enraged to find out that, that child was happy and well-adjusted and thought of another woman as "mom." When Julia found out that woman was going to adopt her biological son she "wouldn't stand for it." The fact that Horatio's wife was pregnant was a "bonus" to Julia. The entire goal was to "drive Horatio Caine over the deep end." They were sure that losing his wife and unborn child would accomplish that.
Horatio was first up to testify, to his own surprise. He told the jury of his offer to Julia to see their son and get to know their son in the first year of his life, though supervised, despite the fact she no longer retained parental claim to the boy. He closed the invitation when she didn't take up the offer after that amount of time. If Julia had taken up the offer, her access to Kyle would have continued. He recounted how Julia had come to his office, furious after returning to Miami and finding out Kyle was calling Aimee "mommy" and following their marriage, Aimee intended to legally adopt Kyle.
"When you refused to let see your son, she stated to you 'this isn't over,' correct?" asked.
"Yes."
"Did you take this as a threat?"
"I took it as a threat she would take me to court, yes. But nothing else."
The prosecution then asked Horatio about his feelings towards to Rick Stetler prior to this incident. Horatio said nothing particular had happened between the two, but there was "no love lost" between the two.
Jack then read out Rick felt about Horatio, as was on record with the Internal Affairs Board when he lodged a compliant after being passed over for the job as head of the crime lab. How Rick felt Horatio had "stolen the job" from him. How he was angry everyone thought Horatio was "so wonderful" and "adored" him.
Horatio said that Rick had complained to him about this after Horatio had been promoted but Horatio didn't think much of it because Rick made any sort of threat towards him.
Jack Lewis testified next now he was hired by Rick and his girlfriend who said to call her "Bree." He communicated with "Bree" only by cellphone and met with Rick only once in person to exchange the money for the crime. He explained he was given Aimee's photo and told when she would be in the parking garage of her workplace. He recounted how he was told to choke her and hit her head against the ground before stabbing her in the abdomen. Something he couldn't bring himself to once he saw she were pregnant.
"Are you testifying under a plea agreement today, Mr. Lewis?"
Jack wasn't. He was charged with the highest counts possible, attempted murder and attempted murder of an unborn child. He was leaving his sentence up the judge.
Ryan was called to the stand next. He testified how he was able to trace the phone number Jack had given them to a throwaway cellphone. When they arrived at Rick Stetler's home with a warrant, they found Julia Albery there, along with Aimee's picture and what appeared to be her work schedule in Rick's handwriting.
Afterward, the trial was adjourned for the day. The judge told Horatio he was free to leave the courthouse. He was reminded not to discuss his testimony with anyone.
Chapter 17 has been edited for missing details!