co-written by RatedrKjErIcHo

John smiled as he walked up the steps and saw Leah standing there. "Are we ready?"

"Yep. I go in and state what the petition says. I give him Amanda's recommendation and we go from there." She said as they started toward the court room. "So, how did things go with Amanda last night? It seemed that I interrupted something."

"Amanda and I had a nice evening. We talked."

"Come on, John. I know you. When you see something you want, you don't waste time and Amanda hasn't dated in so long. So, what really happened."

"Why do you assume she and I slept together?"

She smiled. "Because you did." She hugged him. "And I'm so happy."

"Enough. Let's go do this." He said when they came to the court room. He didn't know if his relationship with Amanda was a conflict of interest and he didn't want to risk anything. They sat down and waited for the judge.

Leah looked over at the Lauranitits' lawyer and sighed. Wade Barrett was tough and well paid and he'd fight her tooth and nail to make sure that she did not win this. But she was prepared for that too and she'd gone on her own to get a statement from Dr. Michaels.

"All rise, the honorable Jerry Lawler presiding." The bailiff said as Jerry took his place.

"Be seated." He said to the group while picking up the file. "This is case no.35643KC8. The petition for the exhumation of Joseph Lauranitits. Petition filed by Leah Copeland on behalf of John Cena. Are the parties present?"

"Yes your honor." Leah replied.

"Yes, your honor." Wade replied also.

"Ms. Copeland, you may proceed."

"Your honor, my client, John Cena is the biological brother of Joey Lauranitits. His mother gave the child up when he was born. On her death bed, she asked John to find Joey. He did and he found that he was dead and he feels under suspicious circumstances. We request the exhumation of the body so we can put this to rest and John can have some peace of mind."

"Mr. Barrett."

"Your honor, my clients have already mourned for and buried their son once. His death was the result of a tragic accident. It wouldn't be fair to make them go through it again. Mr. Cena has no legal right to bring this petition and this is all just a frivolous waste of time."

"Thank you, Mr. Barrett." The judge looked over the file and all the information in it. "I see the current Medical Examiner feels there is something off with things. I think I will like to hear from her before I make my ruling."

"Your honor, the current ME has no bearing in this."

"Mr. Barrett, I would like to hear from her." He turned to the bailiff. "Can you call Ms. Rollins and get her here in the next thirty minutes." The bailiff nodded. "Court is adjourned for thirty minutes to give her time to get here." He banged the gavel and headed to his chambers.

John turned to Leah. "Is this good or bad?"

"I think good. Amanda can say that she feels it should be done and the odds are good, the judge will agree." Leah replied.

Wade turned to his clients. "Can the judge do this?" John Lauranitits asked him.

"He can. The medical examiner is someone who looks at the cause of death and can tell if something was off. He wants her opinion to see if there is something."

"Can you do anything about that?" Eve asked.

"I know Amanda very well. But I can't say it will matter."

"Know her how?"

"We dated for a while. She's passionate about her job and very thorough."

"Well I hope she sees there is nothing to see." John said turned to his wife. He couldn't believe that this was happening. He thought they had covered all their tracks on this.

Amanda arrived at the courthouse and headed to the court room. She hoped she could help John and Leah get the petition approved. She walked into the court room and stopped when she saw the Lauranitits' lawyer. She shouldn't have been surprised. Wade was one of the top young lawyers in the state of Texas.

"All rise." The bailiff said as the judge came in. "The honorable Jerry Lawler presiding."

"Be seated." Jerry said. "I would like Dr. Amanda Rollins to take the stand please."

Amanda got up and walked to the stand. Once she was sworn in, she waited for the questions.

"Dr. Rollins, please state your name and occupation for the court."

"Dr. Amanda Rachel Rollins. And I'm the new chief medical examiner."

"And could you state your interest on this case."

"Mr. Cena approached me and told me that he was the biological brother of Joey Lauranitits and that he wanted to find out exactly how he died. I looked up the file and noticed some irregularities in the autopsy."

"What type of irregularities?"

"The cause of death on the certificate. Normally it would be listed as homicide, suicide, natural cause or accidental. But the cause on the certificate was undetermined."

"And that's unusual?"

"Yes. That is normally put as a temporary cause. Once the autopsy is complete, then you put a more permanent cause of death."

"Was there anything else?"

"The pictures that the medical examiner took. They didn't look like it had been an accident. Those photos had a lot of things that made me feel it was intentional."

"Thank you." The judge said. "Does either lawyer wish to ask Dr. Rollins questions?"

"No your honor." Leah said.

"Mr. Barrett?"

"Dr. Rollins, exactly what made you question the photographs?"

"There was bruising along Joey's cheek and a sub-dermal hematoma along the side of his neck. Those bruises could have been consist with a fall but further tests need to be done to determine exact cause of death."

"Do you feel it's appropriate to make the Lauranitits' relive this because of some bruises that could be consisted with a fall?"

"I would think they would want to know the actual cause of death of their son."

"But they have made their peace with it, why put them through this for a man who was never apart of things?"

"Because they're a lot of questions with this case. While the bruises could be consisted with a fall, they could have been cause a different way."

"What way?"

"Some of the bruises look like they were caused by someone dragging this poor little boy down some stairs. I think it warrants more investigation."

"You're suggesting that Joey may have been abused?"

"I think it's possible based on the photos I saw. But I can't say for certain. However I do feel that this case warrants more investigating."

"Thank you." Wade said sitting down.

"I've heard enough. You may step down, Dr. Rollins." The judge said to her. She nodded and took her seat at the back. "Based on everything and the testimony of Dr. Rollins, I feel that there is sufficient evidence to open this case back up. Petition to exhume the body is granted. Mrs. Copeland, make sure you follow the procedure to the letter."

"Thank you, your honor." Leah said.

"Court adjourned." He banged his gravel and headed out.

Leah looked over at John and nodded. He looked at her and they walked out of the courtroom.

"So we can set the exhumation for Saturday."

"Okay. What do you need?"

"Well, I have to have a judge, the grave people, a religion officiant and the medical examiner."

"Can you get them all?"

'I think I can. I'm glad things went good. Now I will arrange the exhumation." She hugged him and headed out. She hoped John got the answers he wanted. She hoped it was just an accident but deep inside she knew it wasn't.

Please Review!