Chapter 39: Like Father, Like Daughter
I had thought that I had known everything. Every possible detail affiliated with prison and jail and court and trials, but I was wrong. I knew nothing. And sitting there on that "bench" as people liked to call it in front of nearly a hundred people and dressed up in a stripped grey pantsuit and fancy jewelry which everyone knew I could afford on my own didn't help my cause.
"Now, Miss Lawson, I'd like you to tell the jury as well as the rest of the people here today why exactly you turned yourself in. You obviously feel that you're innocent."
"You know damn well why I did it." I could see anger build up in his eyes with my comment, but his appearance did not change.
"There is no room for retaliation when you are on the edge like them, Miss Lawson. Not only that, but it is practically illegal in this state."
"I bet you say that to every damn looser who ends up in this joint."
"Just answer the question. Please."
"I already did."
"Miss Lawson, please answer the question in a full, complete, and clear answer."
"Why should I tell you, when you already know it?"
"Just answer the question."
"As I stated previously, I already did."
"Answer the question!"
"Mr. Taylor, please recommence with the questions." The lawyer sighed and I could see his frustration as he looked down at the list of questions in his hands. Looking back up his eyes met mine with a cold, hard stare.
"Miss Lawson, you and Mr. Harper went missing right after Mr. Queen and Miss Lance's wedding. Where did you go? Please leave out... certain details."
"Certain details? If you think for one second that I had anything to do with... Mr. Harper's disappearance, you are terribly wrong."
"Witness' claim that you two went outside after pictures. Alone..."
"And who exactly were the witness'?"
"I do not have the liberty of saying and their identities are under protect by the United States Government."
"Okay then, let me guess. Two men. One Black haired, around five-eleven, muscular, has a scar from his left eye down to his bottom lip. The other brown haired, toned, black eyes, olive skinned." His hands fumbled with the papers and I smiled. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
It took the lawyer a moment to gain back his composure before he went back to his questions. "Tell me. Why do you believe these two men to be the witness'?"
"You mean how do I know that those two men were the little birds whispering in your ears. Well the simple answer would be that I know them. I know how they operate, I know how their minds tick, I know what makes them... them."
"And how, might I ask, do you know all about them or them in general."
"I fear that I am not at liberty to say. After all, you wanted me to leave out certain details, didn't you?"
"So... I suppose you and them work for the same person?" I laughed.
"Oh, hell no. There's no way in hell that I'd work for that dick."
"Then who is the person at the top?" I sighed.
"You people and your innocent minds. That's what I love about you. You haven't been through nearly as much hell as people like me have seen and you're nothing like the people that I'm up against. Shedding some new light on that subject, I am not eligible to tell you."
"And why exactly can you not tell us?"
"Because if I did, I could guarantee that none of you would make it through the night alive. Well, with the exception to the one person here that has dressed up incognito and ready to tell him every word I say."
"And how do you know for sure that there is someone here watching and listening to this conversation?"
"I don't. But what I do know is that the man behind it won't take any chances with me. Since after all, I was the closest to him."
"And I suppose you are referring to a sexual relationship." I laughed.
"Oh, hell no. That's wrong in itself."
"Then what do you mean by 'closest'?"
"I don't think that asking me that would be the smartest decision if you think about it."
"And why would that be?"
"The man I am referring to is ruthless. Horrible. Sick. There's so many other words that could be used to describe him, but I'll keep those on the down low. But back to the point, this man isn't someone you'd like to mess with. Whether its simply fighting in an arena or doing something as stupid as confessing to everything to a... fucking jury, he'll make you pay.
"But what the hell, right? I mean, there's not much I can do anymore. Not much I can fight with. I've lost almost all my allies to him, and the ones I have left are weak and useless. The people who used to be on my side, the ones who fought to keep me alive of all people, they're dead. Torn to shreds by the people I used to know to be my friends."
"I suppose that you still aren't going to tell us who the man you are talking about is?"
"I won't tell you his full name, but I can tell you his alias."
"And that would be...?"
"The Phantom."
"As in the legend that has been going on for nearly two decades."
"Yeah, it's no legend anymore."
"How are you affiliated with The Phantom?"
"It's a long story, but the short version is that left his ruthless ass for what I thought to be freedom."
"Why did you leave?"
"Why wouldn't I leave? He was ruthless, abusive, foul-mouthed, merciless. He'd beat up anyone who stood in his way. Hell, he'd destroy anyone who tried to take him down or report him to the police."
"And still you find yourself here? Talking to a hundred people about him when you know he'll kill you."
"He scares the shit out of everyone he meets. But me. I'm not scared of him."
"Why?" He looked interested now and I had almost forgotten about Dinah and Oliver and Roy sitting in the room. I swallowed, glancing over at where the three of them sat and then back to the lawyer.
"Well, after all... like father, like daughter, right?"