Devil Take The Hindmost, chapter 19

A/N: Hello, readers! I decided to update today, even if I fail. I will try my best, and this chapter will probably be an epic fail. This took rather long, because I was doing research on the trial process.

"The trial of Tobias Eaton, on the account of the murder of Albert Young, shall begin."

"The press gather outside of the court room, eagerly trying to depict every detail happening in the courtroom. Witnesses, defense, and accusers of the dead sit patiently, waiting for the judge to begin the trial. Tobias Eaton is to be defended by Peris Mackemore, a well known lawyer in the city of Chicago, famous for his case of Turner vs Williams. The Young Family crowd together at the pews, the witness of the murder, Max Arlington, standing beside them. The prosecutor is to be Jeanine Matthews, principal of Calloway High School, where Eaton attended. An epic story about to be unfolded, this is Gary Wiebe, reporting to you live from the Trial."

Max Arlington glances at Jeanine Matthews, gulping nervously as the court clerk approaches them, and presents a Holy Bible, and he places his left hand upon the book.

"Do you, Max Arlington, swear to tell the truth, under the name of God and of the city of Chicago, to tell the whole, entire truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I swear."

The process is quickly repeated with Jeanine, before the clerk walks over to Tobias and Peris, asking them the same question, and they agree. The judge nods to Jeanine, and she nods in return. Returning Max to the pews, she turns to the Jury, a sneer upon her face. She trembles slightly, knowing the fate of the Young community and the reputation of the Eaton community are on her shoulders. She straightens the papers, re-reading her notes one last time, before clearing her throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury," she begins, her voice loud and clear in the silent court room, "I am here today to present the case of Albert Young. A boy so young, so charismatic, and so brutally murdered. He was a mere age of 16, and today, I'd like to bring him to justice following this terrible murder. Today, I am here to bring Tobias Eaton, the murderer and liar of the Eaton estate. There is a significant amount of evidence brought to life in the past few days, and today, he will be returned to jail, to serve the time that he took from Albert. Thank you."

Jeanine takes a seat, smirking at Peris, a noticeably younger lawyer in this account. He straightens his Italian suit, and smiles comfortingly at Tobias, who was sweating in the suit that he wore for the proceedings.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury," he begins, his voice friendlier and softer then the harsh tones of Jeanine Matthews. He begins to pace around the Court Room, making the air seem thicker then it usually had been, "Today, I am here to bring a boy of great talent and wit to the light, to prove his innocence in the brutal murder of Albert Young. Albert was indeed, too young to die, but I know my client, Tobias Eaton, is not the type to murder. Indeed, there is evidence against my client, but there is also witnesses to where he was at that hour of Albert's death. Members of the Jury, read my lips, and understand, that this boy will be, and always will be innocent of any significant crime that has happened in this fair city. Thank you."

Silence.

"The Prosecution calls Max Arlington to the stand."

The pale young boy slowly makes his way to the booth, staring at the pairs of eyes that are fixated upon him. Jeanine Matthews, clad in blue and black, pulls out her files and begins to question Max.

"Max Arlington. Upon the night of December 24th, around 9:30pm, you were walking Millenium Park, enjoying the night?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And that night, you say you saw a young man, all alone, sitting on the bench?"

"Yes...I was going to console him, about to ask him. He was crying."

"Does this boy you saw match the appearance of Albert Young?" She pulls out a recent photo of him, early months in the school year.

"Yes. He looked just like that."

"Please tell the jury what you witnessed."

Max twisted nervously in the booth, staring at his finger. He had to elevate the mic to meet his mouth, as he began to speak.

"I...it was snowing...hard...but...I could...just make out a man tackling...him to the ground. I...I wanted to help...b-but he was too fast. He...had his hands on the boy's neck, quicker then anything. I fumbled for my gun..."

"What model of gun do you own, sir?"

"A Kel-Tec P-32."

"Continue."

"I...I tried to help...My hands kept slipping...and then...the man ran off, leaving footprints in the snow..."

"And then what did you do?"

"I tried...to run over, praying that the boy was still alive. H-He...he wasn't moving...and I-I tried to resucitate him...but I...he was d-dead..."

"When did you call the police?"

"About five after."

"Any description of the man, Max?"

"I...I didn't get a good look...h-he was wearing a hoodie...but it fell back just as he began to run..."

"And?"

"He was tall...close cropped brown hair...and I could see a bit of a black tattoo on the back of his neck..."

"Would you say they matched the appearance of your classmate, Tobias Eaton?"

"Yes."

"No further questions, your honor."

Jeanine and Max left the stand, Jeanine gloating in her witnesses words. Peris, however, was smiling. There were many holes in his story, and he was determined to weed him out. He glances over at the already sweating boy, and quickly glanced at his notes, before calling Max to the stand.

"So, Max..." he began, skimming over the papers he had in his hand, "I see you're an honor student."

"Yes, sir."

"How long have you known Tobias, Max?"

"About two or four years, sir."

"And have you ever, ever, seen any outburst of violence of my client against Albert?"

"N-No...but I saw the way Tobias looked at him..."

"And what way would you describe that?"

Max's anxiety ridden eyes met Tobias', who were glaring back dangerously. He stares into his lap, the white lines of the suit diverting his attention.

"Angrily...like he was about to kill him..."

"And Max, do you have any reason why Tobias Eaton would try and kill Albert?"

"...Yes."

"And what is that?"

"Four days before...at school, the beginning of winter break...I was heading to my car...when I heard crying..."

"Crying? Elaborate."

"I turned my head, to see Al crying, his head buried in his hands...Eric, this one guy I kind of knew, was walking over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder...and I heard him shout some things...I didn't catch all of it."

"Please describe to the Jury exactly what you heard..."

"Something...about a girlfriend...Prior, or something...and Tobias...together...E-Eric looked like he was about to murder something when he heard that...but instead...he picked Albert off the ground, and they walked together to the bus."

"So you say Tobias had interfered with Albert's relationship with a girl?"

"Yes..."

"And why would Tobias Eaton want to murder Albert, if he had already broken their relationship, Max?"

"Your honor, this is ridiculous!" Jeanine interjects from the side, looking outraged. Beatrice, looking nervous, is shot a warning look from Peris, as he looks to the Judge.

"Silence, . Continue, ."

"I...I don't know."

Peris' mouth curved into a smile.

"No further questions, your honor."

Ten minutes later, after questioning of Albert's friends and family, they call a short recess. Beatrice quickly approaches Peris, biting her lip.

"Great job, . D'you think he'll be out soon?"

Peris shoots the hopeful girl a smile, a sad sort of sympathy running through his system. He didn't want to disappoint the poor girl, by telling her he had no other means of defending Tobias. Unless he found something for Tobias, the boy might earn a life sentence."

"I'm positive, Ms. Prior."

The quality of a good lawyer: Being able to lie and act like it didn't kill you.