None of them knew how long they would be waiting for until the jury came up with a verdict they were certain was the right decision. Cain having reached the end of his patience as he had watched Paddy and Chas pace the corridor outside, had announced they all find somewhere to get lunch and drink, they all need it. All of them agreed it was a good idea, there was no point sticking around, a watched kettle never boils. Harrison had also agreed it was a good idea, he's caught wind that the jurys decision was going to take a while. He promised to call them if he heard anymore before they headed down the road. It wasn't long before they found a bar not five minutes away. Cain ordered them all drinks whilst they decided on what food to order.
Chas brushed her hair to one side with her hands before letting out a sigh and resting her elbows on the table in front.
"I'm sure the jury will see that he's guilty." Paddy tried to assure her but failing.
"I hope so Paddy!" Chas admitted.
"It won't be down to that posh boy solicitor if he does get sent down." Cain commented as the waiter came over with their drinks.
"Oh thanks Cain!" Chas exclaimed.
"Honestly sis what solicitor loses his notes!" Cain asked her, not helping. "I hate to say it but it's not looking good. How hard is it to see that that Darrel is guilty!"
"Cain . . ." Paddy warned. He knew the older mechanic liked to make his opinions heard, not matter how honest they were.
"Sorry Paddy, but maybe next time, hire somebody that knows what they're doing." Cain quickly said before taking a gulp of his pint.
"Next time? I hope there won't be a next time!" Chas argued. She didn't think she could cope anymore if Aaron was to find himself in anymore trouble. He was going to turn her grey too early with all the worry he supplied.
"Don't worry Chas, there won't be a next time." Jackson assured her. He was going to keep a good eye on her son from now on.
"Thanks love." Chas smiled at him before drinking her much needed larger.
Whilst the others discussed the outcome of the trial and Harrison's ability to prosecute, Aaorn sar at the table quietly having thought of his own. His mind was still reeling from the stories Darrel had so fluently told in court. So much thought had gone into each lie he had told, it was almost as if he believed them himself. Surely Darrel didn't believe his own lies? He was deluded if he did. But he sounded so convincing as he took the stand and told the whole court that he was wanted by the teen, that he only said the older man attacked him to prevent Jackson form breaking up with him because he actually cheated on him with Darrel. It was all lies but it still didn't stop it from sounding any less convincing. Darrel's solicitor was good. They'd worked together well to cook it all up.
"Aaron. . .Aaron. . ." Chas called out across the table. "Aaron!"
"What!" Aaron snapped rudely pulled form his thoughts.
"I just. . .you alright love?" Chas stumbled when face with her son's glare.
"Yeah I'm fine." Aaron shot at her.
"Well you don't seem it." Chas snapped at him, a little stressed.
He could feel all eyes of the table on him. "I need a smoke." He excused as he stood from the table and made his way outside. Smoking was his escape goat. If everything got too much he could always make the excuse that he needed to have a smoke and it would be a good enough reason for him to go outside on his own without causing any questions.
"I really do hope that once this trial is over with Aaron can put it all behind him." Chas commented as she watched her son light up outside through the bar window from their table.
"He will." Paddy assured. "We'll help him."
"I hope so Paddy, I really do." She whispered trying to hold back the tears as she noticed even more so how tired her little boy looked.
Aaron returned to the table when their food was brought over. Once in awhile somebody would try to make light conversation as they ate their meals but no more was said about the court case, until Chas's phone began to ring out on the table. Everyone seemed to stop eating and looked towards her phone as the words 'Harrison Morgan' lit up in blue flashed across her phone display.
"Well answer it then!" Cain snapped, kicking everyone in to action.
"Course." Chas muttered before taking in a deep breath through her nose and picking her phone up. Her heart quickened as she listened to the voice on the other end. Everyone listened intently as she spoke to Harrison, eager to know what he was sayings.
"They wan us back in the court room." Chas told them as soon as she got off the phone. "The jury is ready."
"What are you waiting for then?" Cain exclaimed as everyone seemed to sit at the table, taking it all in. "Let's go."
The tension was unbearable for any of them as they sat in court, waiting fro the proceedings to begin. There was nothing more he could do or say. The decision had been made, a decision that would change Aaron's life for the better hopefully. His mouth felt dry as he sat in court and watched the jury file in, expressionless. As he waited for the judge to ask the jury to announce their chosen conclusion, Aaron tried to think back over the past few days in court. He needed to know what he said was certain to put Darrel behind bars. He couldn't think of anything that could have jeopardized his case.
"Members of the jury have you come to a decision?" The judge asked.
"We have." The spokeswoman of the jury said as she stood.
"And on the indictment of attempted rape and grievous bodily harm, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?" The judge questioned.
It seemed like a fair amount of time passed before the spokeswoman cleared her throat to speak clearly.
"Not guilty." She said firmly.
No.
She was wrong. She had to be. She had meant to say guilty! She was meant to.
Everyone except Darrel and his family had been sent into shock. Heckles of joy and relief could be heard from the Kendall's whilst everyone was left reeling from the blow. Aaron felt sick to the stomach. It was as though the floor had been ripped out from beneath his feet. He had heard it wrong, hadn't it? He must have. The jury didn't believe the lies Darrel and his lawyer had cooked up together, they couldn't do. Even though he's been weary of the outcome of the trial, fearing Darrel wouldn't be found guilty, deep down he'd believe that they would find the attacker guilty, even if he hadn't been aware. This was a complete shock to him. Foolishly Aaron looked up towards Darrel, just to see if the confident liar was just a front he was putting on. He hoped he would see some ounce of regret and sorrow in the man. But he didn't. All he saw was a smug, contented man able to walk free with his life.
Chas was the first to gather herself together after the shock, jumping to her feet she had full intentions of letting everyone know what she thought. "That 'man' needs to be locked up!" Chas shouted across the court to the judge. "Surely you're not going brainless enough to take these stupid people's word, that he's 'not guilty'!" She continued. "He tried to rape my boy! RAPE him and then to top it all off he left him to die in his own pool blood with his head smashed to pieces!-."
"QUIET!" The judge ruled. "Could somebody remove this woman from the court."
"No!" Chas shrieked as two court ushers came over to remove her. "Not until you realize what hell and torment that monster has put my little boy through!" Chas cried before walking out on her own.
The whole court was left in silence from Chas's outburst.
As they began to file out of the public gallery a member of Darrel's family piped up, when they were clustered round the exit.
"She's deluded bless her." What looked like Darrel's mother muttered. "About time she realized what a messed up kid she's brought up!"
"Excuse me!" Cain roared as he stood behind her. One of her other son's, who stood beside her, turned on his heel to face Cain.
"Don't you speak to my mother like that!" The younger man threatened Cain.
"Oh believe me kid, I'll speak to how her how I see fit!" Cain hissed towards him. "She's the one with a rapist as a son! You're the one with a SICK brother!"
"What did you just sa-." The younger man was about throw back at him before Jackson and Paddy interrupted them. They could all do without Cain getting into a punch up with a member of Darrel's family.
"Come on Cain, they're not worth it." Jackson hissed into the raven haired man's ear.
"You're right." Cain sneered. "But tell your brother to watch his back. He's a dead man walking."
A/N – I hate think how long it's been since I lasted updated. I've been debating with my self what the outcome of the court case should be and I'm still a little uncertain of what you guys might think. I know this wouldn't nessicarly happen in real life but I want you guys to take in account that Harrison had screwed everything up from the beginning and with Aaron being a little too defensive over everything and unwilling to comply with Harrison, things were only set to go downhill on their side. Please let me know what you think! If you hate so much I could change the outcome but I think there's a lot more drama and storylines to come out of this route. I'm rambling, I'm sorry. I just hope you like it. Let me know what you think! I'm thankful for every reader and every piece of feedback I receive!