A/N: Sorry. been sick for a while. This was a paticulary hard chapter. Sorry if the court procedure isn't accurate, the only thing I can reference it to is the mock trial we did in school two years ago.
Chapter 17
The next morning my parents and I went to the courthouse.
I felt unusually juvenile that day I remember. With my hair done up in a jumble of messy curls and wearing a knee length sailor dress I felt like a five year old on her first day of school. My father held my hand as we rode in the taxi. I let him. I knew he was just as afraid as I was.
I sat on the stone steps of the building as my father and mother went over the proceeding with the judge. The morning clouds hung low over the city making it unusually hot and sweaty. The steps were cold so I unbuckled my knees to let them cool on the pavement. That was when I saw Cal Hockley get out of his car followed by a hairy man I assumed to be his lawyer. He saw me and came closer, stopping on the second step when he realized I was watching him too.
"I thought.......I thought we were going to keep our mouths shut?" He said cooly, while his attorney yammered on about case strategies in the background.
"We were. But as I said before, Mr. Hockley, some things just can't be hidden." I glanced from him to my battered arms up to him again. "And they have....repercussions."
"Hmm." He grunted. "Well then we'll just have to make sure those repercussions don't occur." He looked away back at the street where a black model Ford pulled up and out got Mrs. Hockley, the twins, and Nathan. "Or there will be even greater ones to follow, won't there be?" He meant lie.
"But we'll both be under oath! We can't lie!" I hissed quietly.
"No, but we can distort the truth. You and I are very alike in that way, we have an extraordinary talent for twisting reality, don't we." he smirked at me and I involuntarily returned it with a grin of my own. "Besides without a witness there's no way you'll win. There's no way you can prove you where at my house that night. But don't worry. this isn't a total waste. I am quite anxious to see your mother. How is Rose?" Its funny how quickly my mood can change. I had to dig my nails into the concrete to keep from lunging at him.
"Better now she's about to get revenge." I spat. "I'm sorry , I'm not twisting the truth. I'm going to be as blunt as possible. Even if I can't win at least now people will know what a god damned son of a bitch you are just to be accused of such a crime. Now if you'll exuse me, I have to go and prepare my testimony."
"But what about Nathan? You love him, don't you." He implored, tantalizingly. "What will he think when he learns you were the girl who accused me? What will he think if you win? Either way you lose him. What will you do then."
"This isn't about Nathan, Mr. Hockley. This is between you and me. Nathan can think whatever he likes." I snapped, walking up the steps and reaching for the heavy oak doors.
"Ah, I see. You and my son are through, aren't you? How unfortunate. Then I guess I will have to wish you luck after all. Seeing as you are emotionally unstable you won't be able to give a proper testimony without it being biased. Oh, and I plan to use that to my advantage." He walked up behind me, so close I could feel the vibrations of his deep voice in the pit of my stomach. He leaned in to my back, pinning me against the door. He bared his teeth against my neck. I was paralyzed to the point where my hands grip the door handle so firly they grew red. "Good luck, Elizabeth." He whispered.
"Daddy?" One of the twins called from the sidewalk below. Her voice was high and imploring.
"Coming Sweetpea." he answered silkily, backing away and with one last withering stare. Once I was out of his shadow my nerves unclenched and I yanked open the dorrs and slipped inside before any of the other Hockley's noticed the red haired girl standing behind him.
I shut the door behind me, breathing hard. Mr. Hockley was right. Without a witness I had no chance. People would think I was after his money. I looked around the entrance hall, was it suposed to be spinning. My hands were clammy and trembling. I would humiliate myself infront of the law if I went up without any evidence.
The balif noticed me sitting there and came to investigate. He bent down to my level trying to catch my eyes. I glanced upward and was surprised to see he was African American. I averted my eyes to my purple-white knees, shaking under pressure.
"Are you okay, Miss?" He asked in a low rumble. "You're the girl who was assaulted, aren't you." he sighed. I saw his black eyes roll back in his head. "Don't be nervous. Everyone is there first time in court but there's no reason to be. The judge is kind and fair. Trust me, if your case is good and true everyting will turn out fine." He assured. "Come on." He took me by the elbow and pulled me to my feet. "You'll feel better once you meet the judge."
he led through the nearest set of oak pannelled doors. Inside was a long, spacious room filled with chairs. My parents sat in two of them across from an old man in long black robes.
The honourable Judge Anderson was a tall, balding man. He was a little on the heavy side with a round head and bright red cheeks. He was deep in conversation with my mother when he saw me and stopped.
"Ah, this must be Elizabeth!" He smiled. He had a warm smile, not creepy like most old man grins. He extanded his hand to me and shook it firmly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. How are you?" His pale eyes twinkled in the dim light.
"Fine." I replied modestly. He beckoned for me to take a seat in between my parents. My father patted me on the back as I sat down. I guess he was proud of me for standing up for myself. The truth is I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for them.
"Your a very brave girl. I commend you for coming forward like this. Most young women would not have thegumption to stand up against such a powerful man." He winked at me.
"When will the Hockley's be arriving?" My mother asked. For some reason her voice calmed my nerves. I felt awake, lively again.
"Soon, if not here already. I suspect they're just outside." He let out a long sigh. "I must warn you. Mr. Hockley's hired one hell of an attorney. I hope your prepared with enough evidence, a witness?" My parents looked at each other.
"Well, we have Eliza, and John Calvert's deposition. Isn't that enough?" My mother asked, biting her nails.
"I don't know. That's up to the jury and ultimately whether the evidence is strong enough to supporet you case. But again, if the evidence dosen't add up there might be........consequences."
"What do you mean?" My father inquired.
"Mrs. Hockley made it very clear. She cannot accept that he husband may have acted in a manner that is well......out of character. She says that if her husband is found not guilty she will........."
"She's going to press charges! For what?" My mother asked affrontedly.
"She can't press charges. But she seems things to think Elizabeth has a mental problem. I believe her exact words were: "
There is something wrong with that girl. If we win this case I'm going to have her put away." He looked dead serious.
"Put away? You mean in an asylum?" I asked shakily.
"She can't do that, Jack, can she?" My mother asked terrified, gripping my arm and pulling me closer to her. I didn't see how she couls act so possesive towards me after I called her a bitch and refused to talk to her for two weeks, but she still held me tight.
"But I'm not insane? How can she send me to a mental institution if I'm not mentally ill?" I implored.
"I don't know." Siad the judge gravely. "Maybe she knows something you don't. But I must caution you, Elizabeth. Choose your words wisely. the Hockley's have commanded great respect nationwide. They survived the Titanic, after all. People respect them. they are automatically inclined to believe them. Don't let you emotions dictate your words, use them to your advantage. You're a clever girl, I can tell. Make your case and truth will out itself."
I nodded but I knew it was hopeless. I linked my arm around my father's and leaned my head on his shoulder. He smiled and kissed the top of my head. I was his little girl, his only little girl. He'd do anything to protect me. But this was something he couldn't save me from. I prayed I had the strength to go it alone.
Just then the doors opened and a large group of people walked in and sat themselves, men and women all unfamiliar and distant. Why were they here? Did they have purpose. Most of them were older men with faces of stone. They looked harsh and serious like they were prepared to judge. There eyes were already throwing dagges at me.
He motioned for us to take our places as he shifted comfortably preparing himself for court. I surveyed the busy courtroom for the Hockley's. They were just walking in. Mr. Hockley strided down the ailse looking proud and regal, he was followed closely by his lawyer. I saw Mrs. Hockley usher the girls into the back row while Nathan stood beside her, looking handsome and stoic as always. As they walked down the ailse to join Mr. Hockley I saw Nathan scan the room no doubt for the girl who brought him here. I hid my face in my father's jacket. I was ready for his reaction, not at all.
"Court is now in session. The honourable judge George Anderson prosiding." The balif's deep, resounding voice hushed all conversations. The judge banged his gavel, leering at the crowd.
"Now, we all know why we are here. The accusations are as follows," He squinted at the parchment as if he actually needed to. "Sexual Assault of a minor, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson's daughter. if found guilty the punishment will be five years probation along with medical compensation, of course." He droned. A few people in the chairs behind us coughed out comments to their neighbors. How do you plead, Mr. Hockley? "
"Not guilty, your honour." He said earnestly.
"Very well. Now, we'll need to know what happened, Elizabeth......." Judge Anderson drawled.
"The court calls Elizabeth Dawson to the stand." The balif roared, his voice eching through the hollowed room. I got, knees shaking. I felt people eyes turn on me like a hundred pins sticking into my shoulders. "Place your left hand on the bible and raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"
"Yes." I answered. Now I couldn't lie.
"You may be seated." I sat down on the hard wooden chair beside the judges stand. I found Nathan sitting next to his mother in the second row. His eyes were vexed and averted downward. I wasn't sure if he wasupset or angry. The shade of his complexion told me he was not expecting this.
"Alright Elizabeth. Tell us what happened that night." The judges eyes twinkled warmly. As long as I stared at them I'd be okay.
"Well, I had gotten in a fight with my mother. I needed someone to talk to, so I......I went to go see Mr. Hockley's son, Nathan. He my friend, I..I thought he could help." Nate looked up through his bangs. His blazing blue eyes met mine. They looked afflicted.
"I know it was late but I just needed him. When I got there I waited in the study for him to come down. Then I remember staring into the fire and earing someone come up behind me, but I just thought I was being paranoid. Something hit me in the back of the head and knocked me out. When I woke up I was in some kind of cellar with Mr. Hockley."
"Do you know how you got there?" The judge implored. I shook my head.
"He told me I followed him down there and tripped over the stairs. It all happened so fast I didn't know what to believe. He was nice to me when I first woke up but when I tried to leave........" I swallowed hard. It felt like there was something lodge in my throat, preventing me from breathing. I had never told anyone what really happened. Everyone had just assumed. I didn't want them to know, to really know. That would always remain a secret.
"When I tried to leave he told me since he couldn't have my mother he'd settle for me. So he came up and pinned me against he door and he....he kissed me. And then he twisted my arm so I couldn't get away and trough me on the floor, and then he raped me." I could hear my mother sobbing silently. Cal looked over at her for the first time. His gae softened as if he was actually remorseful. But then my father put his arm around her. he looked livid.
"Thankyou, Elizabeth. I know that was hard to do. I won't ask you to go into detail." He inhaled as to continue but a short, stocky man had risen from his seat next to Mr. Hockley and come forward.
"Exuse me, judge,George Wilkes, Mr. Hockley's attorney." Introduce striding up to me. He had dark, shifty eyes and a round sort of Italian face. He smiled and wriggled his ears to amke me laugh. Perhaps he was forgetting I wasn't four. "Just a few questions to verify your story, he he." He chuckled as if it was something to be taken lightly. "Now, lets say you were at the Hockley's mansion that night and my client did act out of character, how did you know what he was doing to you?"
"Well, he ripped off my clothes.......and well you know I-I just knew." I stammered. What kind of question was that? He wanted me to feel vulnerable, uncomfortable.
"Were you a virgin at the time?" He said that with such composure.
"How is that relevent?" My mother snapped.
"I have a point, you honour." He answered. He raised his catapillar eye brows in anticipation.
"No." I sighed. I didn't bother fighting it. My father hadn't understood what I meant that night in my room. I saw him put his face inn his hands. My mother glanced at him, then back at me urging me to keep going.
"Who took it?" He asked, sickley intrigued.
"Nate. Nate Hockley. But it's not what you think! We were drunk I didn't mean for it to happen!" I cried as gasps rippled through the room. Mrs. Hockley cried out in horror.
"You were drunk. You do know alcohol is outlawed by the United States government?" He was enjoying this.
"I told you it was a mistakes. People make mistakes. My mother made a mistake cheating on Mr. Hockley when she was engaged to him! These things happen every day!" I watched my mother's face drain of all color. "Oh no." I gasped. I had said the wrong thing.
"You were engaged to the defendent?" The judge inquired, narrowing his eyes at my mother.
"W-well yes. But that-that was fourteen years ago. It's done with." She told him, her eyes blazing with intesity.
"Mrs. Dawson do you think you could have filed this case to get back at Mr. Hockley?" The Judge implored.
"No! No, Absolutely not. This is about Eliza and what happened to her by this...this unimaginable bastard." My mother declared.
"Amen." I whispered sacastically. Mr. Wilkes heard me and snapped his attention back to me.
"From Dr. Calvert's deposition he confims that you were definately sexually assaulted. But is there any evidence to confirm that you were there at the Hockley's mansion that night?"
"I just told you what happened." I growled.
"Yes. But Mr. Hockley, a much more reputable man claims he has no recolection of your visit. So even though you were missing for several hours that night and you were attacked by some one, you have no evidence you were at the Hockley's mansion there fore you cannot accuse my client of anything seeing as you were never there." He smiled.
"But I was there! Why would I lie, I wouldn't be here in the first place if it wasn't for them." I leered at my parents.
"Hold your temper, Miss Dawson!" The judge repremanded. "Any further questions, Mr. Wilkes?"
"Only one, your honour." He said slyly. "Mr. Hockley isn't a terribley unattractive man, wouldn't you agree?" I didn't answer, just bit down on my lip hard. He still went on. "Then why would a pretty little thing like you have a problem with a handsome, rich man like Mr. Hockley forcing himself on you?"
Thwk! The sound of my hand slapping him across the face echoed through the room along with the murmers of agahst disclams from the audience. He had bated me with that question. He wanted me to lose it.
"Miss Dawson, I must ask you to control yourself, this is the court of law!" Judge Anderson scolded. he was getting annoyed with me.
"Of course you'd say that! You a man! You don't know what it's like! It was horrible and frightning and it hurt so bad and I could't get him off of me...." I was so upset and startled by the judge's sudden uproar. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks, I felt feverish. Everyone was staring at me. But then I noticed Mr. Wilkes before me. He was laughing.
I got up, knocking over my seat and lunged for him. Nate sprang from his chair and got between me and Mr. Wilkes with astounding speed. Our bodies collided and I collapsed into his arms dissolving into more tears.
"Let me go! Let me go! I want to hurt him!" I sobbed into Nathan's shoulder. I felt his breath onmy neck. It reminded me terribly of the other night. I kept struggling to break his grip until the balif's muscular arms pried me from Nate's and tossed me into my parents. They caught me in their arms and squeeed me protectively. My mother looked around, scowling at anyone who challenged her with their gazes.
"Order! Order! I will have order!" The judge roared. "Now, I want this case over with. Since the Dawson's cannot provide sufficient evidence and although that question was quite uncalled for, it seems that their daughter cannot control her temper long enough to be properly questioned I hearby dismiss this case! I don't want to hear about it anymore!"
"This is absurd! He provoked her! She's just a child. Mr. Anderson please! What about Eliza?" My mother pleaded angerly.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Dawson. this is out of my hands. You have no witness this child could be lying for all I know." He said bitterly.
"But what about my case!" Shrilled Mrs. Hockley. "Did you see that tatrum, she could have killed him! I want to appeal to the court that this child be put away as a danger to society. She is obviously dilusional to some extent." My father rolled his eyes.
"I believe her." Nathan voice stood out amongst the pandemonium. He stepped forward to stand beside me and my parents. He had chosen his side. I grabbed hold of his hand.
"That's all very well, son but without a witness-"
"She does have a witness." A cold woman's voice announced from the back of the room. A tiny, aging woman with wild red hair came striding down the ailse to face the judge. "Ruth Dewit Bukater, Mr. and Mrs. Hockley's housekeeper." She introduced, shaking the judges hand.
"Mother." My mother's face paled. Ruth looked at her with cold, grey eyes. Mother?
A/N: This chapter was supposed to be longer but it got too long so I decided to split it. Sorry!