The DA's office is quiet and dimly lit as Elena steps inside. She feels every pound of her heart.
Marcel sits behind his desk, a small, digital recorder in front of him. He looks up as she enters, his expression serious yet compassionate.
"Elena, thank you for coming," he says gently. "We found this tape in the safety deposit box. We believe Kol made it. Can you verify if it's his voice?"
Elena nods as her throat tightens with emotion. She sits down, her hands trembling slightly.
The moment Marcel presses play, Kol's voice fills the room. It's strong and familiar yet laced with an undercurrent of fear and urgency.
Hearing Kol's voice is like a gut punch. Elena's vision blurs with tears as a wave of overwhelming grief crashes over her. It's as if Kol is there with her and his voice is a haunting echo of a past that can never be reclaimed. She gasps for breath, the pain of his loss hitting her sharper and more profound than ever.
Her tears flow freely. "It's him," she chokes out. It's Kol."
Marcel nods somberly. "Thank you, Elena. This tape is crucial evidence."
Elena stands on shaky legs. Her mind reels from the emotional impact of hearing Kol's voice again.
She leaves the office, the weight of her grief pressing heavily on her.
Back in the small, cluttered room where she's been poring over documents, Elena tries to refocus. Her eyes are red and puffy and her heart is heavy with the burden of loss. She pulls herself together, determined to find the missing piece.
Hours pass in a blur of paperwork. Her eyes are weary from hours of scanning through endless paperwork and her body aches from long days and nights hunched over the desk.
As she flips through yet another set of documents, her heart nearly skips a beat. Two sets of papers catch her eye. She leans closer, her breath quickening as she examines them. It's Kol's name at the top of the loan documents and an insurance policy, but something is off. The signatures at the bottom don't match.
Elena's hands tremble as she holds the papers closer to the light, her eyes widening in disbelief. "No... it can't be," she whispers in shock. She compares the signatures again.
They don't match.
A wave of overwhelming emotion crashes over her. Relief, disbelief, and an intense sense of grief all mix together, making it hard for her to breathe. She stumbles back, a sob breaking free from her chest. Tears blur her vision as the reality of what she's found sinks in. This is it. This is the evidence they need to prove Hayley's deception and motive.
Elena cradles the documents to her chest, her tears flowing freely. "Kol, we did it," she whispers, her voice breaking. "We're going to get justice for you."
Just then, the door to the room opens, and Damon steps inside. His eyes widen as he sees Elena's tear-streaked face and the documents clutched in her hands. "What's wrong?"
She turns to him with relief and raw emotion. "I found it, Damon. I found the evidence. Hayley forged Kol's signature on these loan documents and an insurance policy. This proves she had a financial motive."
Damon moves quickly to her side, his eyes scanning the documents. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Elena, this is incredible. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for."
She sobs into his shoulder as months of pent-up grief and frustration pour out. "I can't believe it. We're finally going to get justice for Kol."
Damon holds her tightly as his eyes mist with emotion. "You did it, Elena. You never gave up. Kol would be so proud of you."
The office of District Attorney Gerard is quiet as Damon and Elena enter. She's clutching the crucial documents she discovered.
Elena's heart races with anxiety, hoping it's what Marcel needs to pound the final nail in Hayley's coffin.
Marcel looks up from his desk as they approach, his eyes narrowing with curiosity and expectation. "Elena, Damon, what do you have for me?"
Elena hands over the documents. Her voice is steady despite the whirlwind of emotions. "We found these in Kol's files. Hayley forged his signature on these loan documents and an insurance policy. This could prove her financial motive."
Marcel takes the papers and scans them intently. He lets out a slow breath, his expression shifting from concern to cautious optimism. "This is significant, Elena. These signatures have to be examined by a forensic handwriting expert, but if they confirm the forgery, this could be the smoking gun we've been looking for."
Elena nods, her hands still trembling slightly. "I know it's not over yet but finding these...feels like a breakthrough."
Marcel sets the documents carefully on his desk, his eyes meeting Elena's with genuine appreciation. "You've done incredible work. This is exactly the evidence we need to make a strong case against Hayley. I truly believe this will help us secure a conviction."
Damon places a reassuring hand on Elena's shoulder. "We're not giving up until justice is served. For Kol."
Marcel smiles determinedly. "I'll get these to our forensic handwriting expert immediately. We'll move forward with this and ensure everything is meticulously verified. Thank you, Elena. You've made a significant impact on this case."
The tension in the room is palpable as Hayley stands in her small bedroom at her parents' house. Her mother enters the room, carrying a neatly pressed dress on a hanger.
"Here," her mother says. "You should wear this to court for the closing arguments. It's respectable and modest. It will show the jury you're serious."
Hayley looks at the dress, her heart sinking. It's an old-fashioned, tame dress. One she would never choose for herself. The fabric is a muted floral print with a conservative and demure line. It's not the stylish and modern designer clothes she's used to.
With a sigh, Hayley takes the dress from her mother's hands, trying to muster a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mom. I'll try it on."
Her mother's expression softens slightly. "Trust in the Lord, Hayley. He will guide you through this."
When her mother leaves the room, Hayley holds the dress up in front of the mirror. She stares at her reflection, feeling frustration and resignation. The dress is a physical manifestation of how trapped she feels—forced into a role she never wanted, never thought she'd find herself in. Facing the consequences of her actions isn't what she anticipated.
The tension in the courtroom is palpable as District Attorney Gerard rises from his seat, preparing to deliver his closing arguments. The jurors, the defense team, the audience, and even Hayley are riveted, knowing that the weight of these final words could shape the trial's outcome.
DA Gerard steps to the center of the courtroom, his gaze steady and his voice clear. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," he begins, his voice resonant with conviction. "We are here today to seek justice for Kol Mikaelson, a man who was taken from his family and friends under tragic and suspicious circumstances."
He gestures to the evidence board, where photographs, documents, and charts are displayed. "The evidence we have presented in this trial paints a troubling picture. It shows that Hayley Mikaelson, the defendant, had the motive and the means to commit this heinous act."
Marcel takes a deep breath. His expression is grave. "First, we presented financial records demonstrating significant debts and unexplained expenditures, all hidden from Kol. These records include large, unexplained transfers and purchases, indicating a motive rooted in financial desperation."
He points to the ballistics report. "Next, we have the ballistics evidence. The trajectory of the bullet that killed Kol does not match Hayley's account of an accidental discharge. Instead, it suggests a calculated act."
Marcel then turns to the jury, his eyes locking with theirs. "We also presented testimony from friends and family who described Kol's increasing fear and suspicion towards Hayley. He knew something was terribly wrong, and his concerns were valid. Kol even left behind a tape, pleading for the truth to come out if something happened to him. A plea that speaks volumes about his state of mind and the danger he felt."
Marcel walks over to a small table where a tape recorder sits. With a solemn expression, he presses play. Kol's strong and urgent voice fills the courtroom.
"Today is August 20th, and this is Kol Mikaelson. I'm making this recording because I have serious concerns about my safety and the well-being of my daughter, Hope. Over the past few weeks, I've discovered a number of troubling things about my wife, Hayley...
I've found numerous unpaid bills and collection notices that Hayley has been hiding from me. Our financial situation is far worse than I realized. Last night, I tried to talk to her about it, but I believe she drugged me to avoid the conversation. I felt incredibly sleepy and disoriented after drinking the wine she gave me, and I passed out on the couch.
I also have reason to believe that Hayley has been seeing another man. I saw her with him a few nights ago, and their behavior was very intimate. I'm worried about what she might do if she feels cornered. For the sake of my daughter, I need to take action."
Marcel pauses the tape. His voice is emotional as he addresses the jury once more. "This is the voice of a man who feared for his life. He knew something was in the works, and he was right. Kol's plea is a cry for justice. A plea that we cannot ignore."
He then moves to the final piece of evidence—a re-examination of the circumstances surrounding the death of Hayley's first husband. "The court granted permission to exhume Jerod Thompson's body, and the autopsy findings are crucial. The trajectory of the bullet in his case also contradicts the initial ruling of an accidental shooting. This pattern of behavior is too significant to ignore."
Marcel faces the jury directly, his voice strong and unwavering. "Hayley Mikaelson had both the opportunity and the motive to kill Kol Mikaelson. She meticulously planned and executed this act, then attempted to cover it up with lies and deceit. The evidence is overwhelming and conclusive. Justice for Kol Mikaelson demands a verdict of guilty. Thank you." he completes his statement.
As Marcel returns to his seat, the defense attorney stands, ready to present the rebuttal. He approaches the jury and tries to cast doubts on the prosecution's case.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard a lot of theories and assumptions. The prosecution wants you to believe that Hayley Mikaelson is a cold and calculating murderer, but the evidence is circumstantial. There is no direct proof that she intentionally pulled the trigger. Remember, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, and they have not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Hayley committed this crime."
The defense attorney's rebuttal is earnest but lacks the concrete evidence to dismantle the prosecution's case. He concludes with a plea for the jury to consider the possibility of Hayley's innocence. "I ask you to look beyond the assumptions and focus on the lack of definitive evidence. Hayley Mikaelson deserves the presumption of innocence until proven guilty."
The judge's firm voice echoes through the tense courtroom as he instructs the jury to begin deliberations. "You have sworn an oath," he reminds them, his gaze sweeping over the solemn faces, 'to deliberate fairly and impartially. The fate of this case now rests in your hands."
As the jurors file out of the courtroom, the tension thickens.
Elena and Damon watch with bated breath, knowing the agonizing wait has just begun.
Thank you all for reading.
I do plan to update WP and GS this week.
Have a fabulous day.