Happy Thursday, Y'all!
I had a MUCH needed day off today, and despite the February gloom in my part of the country, I'm feeling a little more optimistic than I was this morning :)
Who else is ready to see Aro go down for his crimes? Any mistakes regarding court proceedings are purely my own. I know I've got at least one reader in the legal profession. Fingers crossed, these next few chapters are up to snuff!
Let's get this trial started!
EPOV
Fabric rustles, and the wooden benches creak as the courtroom patrons take their seats. Judge Jenks organizes his notes on the platform as we await the opening statements of the Aro Volturi trial. I haven't slept in two days, and the three cups of coffee I drank this morning have me jittery instead of awake.
I won't be called to the stand immediately, but that doesn't mean my potential questions and answers aren't running through my head in a constant loop. It doesn't help that Bella and I were ordered to keep our distance until after she testifies. My gut churns at the idea of making her take the stand, but she swears she wants to help, and Mike wasn't about to lose out on our prime witness.
Unbuttoning my suit jacket, I lean against the back of our bench as the US attorney assigned to our case stands for opening statements. Eleazar Denali is a young guy out of New York with a law degree from Columbia on his resume. He's too good to be making a government salary, but word on the street is he's got his eye on a political career. This case will put him on the map. There is no way he will let us lose.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury…." And so it begins.
I half listen to Elezar's speech because I already know what he's going to say. Hell, I understand this case better than anyone else in this room. My gaze trails to where Aro sits, surrounded by his defense team.
Jail has not been kind to him. His hair is noticeably thinner, and he's lost at least twenty pounds. Serves the fucker right. When I found out he would be held without bail, I threw a freaking party. Well, it consisted of Bella, me, Mike, and Jessica drinking champagne on Bella's back deck, but it was a party nonetheless.
Eleazar paces the room, his voice carrying as he lets his passion for justice show through in his words. "The man that sits before you is cold-hearted and ruthless. He will stop at nothing to feed his corruption." The jurors are eating out of his hand. We have this thing in the bag. I hope.
It takes him thirty minutes to list the crimes Aro is charged with. He does a remarkable job of planting the idea of guilt in everyone's head. Mike nudges and nods toward Aro, who is leaning over to hiss at his attorney's. Yeah, good luck, asshole.
The agency seized everything we could from Aro, leaving him with limited funds to hire his defense team. But he's crafty and, of course, has money stashed in places we can't touch, so he armed himself with one of the best defense attorneys in the nation. Marcus Vitale might be past retirement age, but he's still sharp as a tack. Mike and I share a glance as Marcus stands, ready to open for the defense.
"Aro Volturi is a victim of police harassment." Ah, so that's how he's going to play this.
Mike leans in, whispering, "They're trying to get our recordings thrown out."
I nod. "I heard. Judge Jenks agrees there was no expectation of privacy in the diner, and Aro didn't own the O'Henry's garage."
"Elezear argued that you were working in an official government capacity. They're contesting Bella's recording a little harder."
We go back to listening to Marcus drone on about what an upstanding citizen Aro is. Listing off charities the jackass donates to and his connections to city and state officials- as if the latter is not a red flag.
The jurors' eyes bounce between Marcus and Aro, and I can tell a couple are questioning their initial assumption of guilt.
I take a deep breath. It's okay. The evidence is on our side.
"And I know that each and every one of you will judge this man fairly and justly," Marcus finishes with a flourish before returning to his seat.
If I didn't know better, I would think Judge Jenks finds the entire proceeding boring as he nonchalantly hits his gavel and gives us a short recess.
"Marcus is an impressive bullshitter." Mekenna, one of our case agents, stands from her seat on the opposite side of Mike.
Mike's eyes follow the old geezer as he confers with another member of his team. "He's got the experience for it."
"So, Black's up first?" She asks.
"Yep. Hopefully, he knows what's good for him, and he won't let this tiff he's got with Cullen get in the way of his testimony."
I shrug. "If he does, he's looking at a lot more than five years."
"A plea deal was too good for that kid," Mike scoffs, tapping his fingers on the bench in front of us.
"Plea deals were too good for all of them, but what are we supposed to do." We need the testimonies of Black, O'Henry, and Felix.
We settle back in our seats when Jenks returns. I have the urge to cross my fingers and say a prayer when Eleazar calls for Jacob Black to take the stand.
Black got out on bail after we arrested him during the Volturi organization takedown a week following the warehouse incident. He's in much better shape than Aro, and I can't hold back my glare as he sends me a self-satisfied smirk. I hate that the little fuck holds so much power right now.
The bailiff swears him in, and Eleazar stands, taking a moment to review his notes before addressing his witness.
"Mr. Black, will you please tell me about your relationship with Aro Volturi?" Elezar begins.
"Sure. He was a competitor of mine."
Eleazar is a picture of cool confidence as he patiently ticks off questions. "Can you be more specific? A competitor of what type?"
"We were in the same business."
"And what business was that?"
"We ran drugs. Sold opiates, cocaine, whatever the market was looking for."
Eleazar allows the information to sink in, strolling by the jurors before returning to Jacob.
"Did you ever have any altercations with Mr. Volturi?"
Black scoffs and nods toward Aro. "Hell, yes. Dude didn't like me selling in his 'territory.'"
"Can you please explain what a 'territory' is?"
"Aro thought he owned part of Chicago. That no one else could sell product-"
"By product, do you mean the illegal substances you just listed?" Eleazar interrupts.
"Yeah. And according to Aro, no one else could sell in certain parts of the city."
Eleazar moves to an easel next to the witness stand and turns a board around, so it faces the courtrooms.
"Can you please point out the parts of the city where Mr. Volturi did not allow you to sell?"
Black goes on to point out Aro's territory until Eleazar leads him into the specifics of what happened when Black was caught disobeying Aro. Eventually, he gets to the night of the altercation at Eclipse.
"And who else was there that night?"
Black runs down the list, referring to me as Tony Masen.
"Are any of the people you listed in this courtroom right now."
"Yeah, Volutri and Masen."
"Can you point them out?"
The eyes of the jury turn toward me when Black's finger points in my direction. I continue to watch him, ignoring the questioning glances.
Eleazar passes Black off for cross-examination, and I sit back as Marcus tries his best to beat down Black's character. Yeah, he's a no-good piece of scum, but the jury can't be so stupid as to believe Aro isn't the same for working with the schmuck.
Black is released, and his shoulders slump as some of the wind is let out of his sails. He's done his job, and now he's looking at five years behind bars. Better than the twenty we initially hit him with.
Court adjourns for lunch, and Mike, Mekenna, and I take off toward the deli across the street.
"I think that went well," Mike says as we take a booth in the back.
I purse my lips and scan my menu. "About as good as could be expected."
"O'Henry's next." Makenna points out.
"Elezear's going to play the first tape, Ed."
I sigh, "I know."
I'm not ready to re-live the night I shot Jamie O'Henry, but it's a necessary evil. All I can do is grit my teeth and hope the jury will understand the reasoning behind my actions when I get a chance to explain myself.
After a pastrami on rye and some bullshit with Mike over the Cub's chances this season, we're on our way back to the courthouse, ready for our second witness.
As we settle back into our bench, I survey the courtroom. In the back, a handful of journalists compare notes, with paper and pens in hand, ready for any new juicy tidbit of information. I run my hand over my newly cropped hair. I haven't dyed it since my undercover stint ended, so I'm back to my natural auburn color. My eyes land on the courtroom artist, and I hope he can do a good likeness of me. I have no doubt those reporters will plaster his renderings all over every news station in the country.
Jenks returns to the room, calling court back into order, and Elezear announces our next witness as Jamie O'Henry.
The bailiff brings in Jamie, and I catch a quick glare he sends Aro's way as he's sworn in. I cringe at his mangled hand and the few fingers he lost in his battle with Aro.
"Mr. O'Henry," Elezar steps forward. "Can you please tell the court how you came to know Aro Volturi?"
"I've known Aro since I was five or six. He was a family friend."
"And did you ever have any business dealings with Mr. Volturi?"
"Nah, man. Volturi did business with my pops, but then he got greedy."
"Can you explain what you mean by that?"
"Aro wanted Chicago to himself. Didn't want anyone else to sell on his turf."
"What didn't he want sold on his 'turf?'"
"Drugs."
"And did you ever sell drugs in Chicago?"
"Yeah," Jamie laughs. "I sold a whole lot of drugs in Chicago."
"Did Mr. Volturi ever explain to you why he didn't want you selling drugs in Chicago?"
"He wanted to sell them himself."
Eleazar pauses, pretending to scan his notes, giving the jury a moment with that information. "Mr. Hunter, will you please explain what happened to your hand?"
"Aro Volturi shot me." Jamie sneers at Aro but gets no reaction as Aro watches with a look of indifference on his face. "I lost two fingers because of that bastard."
"Did Aro explain why he shot you?"
"Because he didn't want me selling on his turf."
"Can you please explain what happened on the night of October twenty-seventh?"
This is it. I fight the urge to sink into my seat and hide from the accusatory stares I know I will receive. Jamie launches into an explanation of the night Aro's crew ambushed him in the O'Henry's garage. No surprise, as soon as he mentions Tony Masen, I can feel eyes on the back of my head. The reporters are going to start digging around. Too bad they aren't going to find a whole hell of a lot on my alias.
When Jamie finishes, Eleazar breaks out the flash drive carrying the recording from October twenty-seventh, submitting it for evidence. Mike gives me a sympathetic glance as Aro's voice fills the courtroom. When the gunshots I fired ring out, I close my eyes and focus on breathing. Now, outside of my undercover requirements, my actions disgust me.
Mike pats my shoulder, "You didn't have a choice, man."
"I always had a choice."
"It was you or him. If it were you, both of you would have ended up dead, and Aro wouldn't be on trial today."
Cross-examination of Jamie follows in the same manner Black's did. Marcus tears Jamie's character apart. He's nothing but a low-life thug, dealing drugs and committing felonies. Jamie's got a rap sheet and has done time for petty theft and possession. As much as I hate replaying my role in all of this, I thank God I recorded everything that happened that night. Whether Jamie is a piece of shit or not, Aro's crimes are still documented.
Jamie leaves the stand, walking out of the room toward his new life in witness protection with his girl, Vicky.
Jenks lets the courtroom settle before adjourning us until nine am tomorrow.
"Mekenna, you ready for tomorrow?" Mike asks. "Financial crimes are up next."
She laughs, "I've been ready for weeks. I'm glad I get to play a part in bringing this jackass down."
I tune out as their conversation continues. One day down and one day closer to having to get up on that stand and replay every minute of my time as Tony Masen. I scoff to myself. One day closer to Bella being forced to re-live her kidnapping.
Once we hit the courthouse's front steps, reporters and news cameras accost us. Microphones point our way as questions begin flying in my direction, everyone addressing me as Tony Masen. Mekenna and Mike quickly recover from their surprise and flank my sides, Mike continuously stating that we have no comment. But it isn't until Eleazar emerges from the building that we catch a break. The mob of reporters flocks toward him as soon as they realize he is willing to give them an impromptu press conference.
"Jesus," I hiss in shock over what we endured.
"Well, can't say I was expecting that," Mike laughs. "See you in the morning, Ed!"
He and Mekenna take off toward their government cars parked in the nearby garage. The agency hasn't issued me a vehicle yet, so I opt to walk a few blocks to my hotel. The Hilton is a step up from my old apartment, but after spending the last few months in limbo between Bella's townhouse and my parent's home in forks, my hotel room is desolate and lonely.
I strip out of my tie and jacket, unbuttoning the top button on my shirt and rolling my sleeves before taking my phone from my pocket. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I select my recent call list and dial the only person I can imagine talking to right now.
Bella picks up after one ring, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "How'd it go?"
"About as well as we could expect."
"Reports are already on the local news. They're talking about you."
"Seriously?" I flip on the TV, picking a network station and keeping the volume low.
"Yep. Everyone is speculating about 'Tony Masen.'"
"They're in for a shock."
"A twist in the story. Everyone is going to eat that up. You're going to be bigger news than Aro himself."
I cringe at the thought. "Great."
"Hey, Edward?" Bella asks, her voice dropping.
"What's wrong, baby?"
"I was thinking about it today, and… is Aro going to come after us when this trial finishes?"
I smile, relieved that I can quell her fear. "No. It's a death sentence to go after agents or their families. Aro knows that. Everyone in his organization knows that. Not to mention we are taking down all the major players. With so many behind bars, there will be no way for anyone to run the organization. It may not dissipate completely, but the Volturi will be working blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs."
"Okay," she sighs. "I was worried."
"Not to mention you live with your very own bodyguard."
"True. I do have a federal agent at my beck and call."
"I wish I could be at your beck and call right now."
"Oh, don't worry, I'll let you beck and call all night once I testify," she laughs. I groan, adjusting my slacks which are suddenly too tight. "Speaking of, how long do you think it will be before I take the stand? I'm getting lonely, stuck at home by myself."
"Eleazar is efficient. I give it another day before he calls you in."
"Thank God."
"You nervous?"
She pauses, and I lie back on the bed, staring at the ceiling while I wait for her answer.
"A little? It's my first time taking the stand in a federal case."
I scoff, "And I hope it's the last time!"
"Then you should probably stay out of the undercover world from now on. We don't want a repeat of our trip to Aro's warehouse."
"Bella, the agency doesn't have enough money to convince me to go back under cover. Like it or not, Edward Cullen is here to stay."
She laughs, and the sound fills me with the longing to be with her, not across the city in a freaking hotel. I wonder if I can disguise myself and hop on the L to go home.
"Edward Cullen, I wouldn't let you go undercover for all the money in the world."
I smile. I'm ready to bury Tony Masen once and for all.
A/N: I have to say, even I am excited to see Edward take the stand! But up next, we've got Bella's turn.
A totally non The Alias related side note, there's a new Facebook group that was just created for all you sports fans out there. For The Love of Sports(Ward)! Check it out... I may or may not be planning another fic with an underlying sports theme for when The Alias wraps up ;)