Casper arrived later than usual, but instead of hurriedly opening his suitcase he took his time in observing the jurors.
Cole was brought in shortly after, chains rattling faintly. He looked marginally more scared than normal.
"Any big plans?" Cole murmured as he sat.
Casper replied without looking at him. "I'm working on it,"
Judge Morton entered, seated himself, and wasted no time. "Be seated. Prosecution, continue."
Eberton stood calmly, unhurried. His face was smug as he loudly declared, "The People call Inspector Roland Heskell."
"Inspector," Eberton said evenly, "what was your role in the investigation?"
"I led the post-incident reconstruction and interrogations."
Eberton nodded. "Did you personally interview the defendant?"
"Yes. Twice." The man answered without hesitation.
"Did the defendant claim he was a hostage?"
"No."
A subtle shift ran through the jury.
Several of them glanced down at once, pens scribbled against their notepads. One juror paused, frowned, then seemed to underline a line he had just written.
Eberton let the answer settle before continuing.
"What did he claim?"
Heskell glanced briefly at Cole. "He claimed nothing. He invoked his right to silence."
Eberton folded his hands behind his back. "Inspector, describe the defendant's demeanor during questioning."
"Calm. Alert. Cooperative when required, but never confused."
Casper's eyes flicked briefly toward the jury. Pens continued to move.
"Did he appear frightened?" Eberton asked.
"No."
"Panicked?"
"No."
"Coerced?"
"No." Heskell repeated one last time.
Eberton turned slightly, letting the jury see his profile. "Inspector, based on witness statements collected that day, how was the defendant observed inside the bank?"
"He moved freely. He was not restrained. He gave orders to civilians."
Casper shifted in his seat, Fuck! There goes that plan, he thought bitterly.
It seems I have no other choice other than to resort to that plan, he thought with a resigned sigh.
From the start, Casper had two plans. The first one involved in depicting Cole as a grief-stricken civilian, the second one on the other hand was much, much harder.
Casper had based his opening statement on the second plan in fear of the first one not working out but he didn't expect to pivot to his other plan so soon.
"Inspector," Eberton said with a satisfied smile, "where was the defendant positioned when officers entered the building?"
"Near the sewer access."
"And what was his behavior?"
"He was waiting."
The jurors paused, then leaned forward, awaiting the inspector's answer.
"Waiting for what?" Eberton asked.
"For the corridor to be breached. Entering the sewer too early would have meant running into the arriving policemen."
Eberton nodded once. "No further questions." He turned back to his seat, flashing Casper a mocking grin.
Casper bit his lips in frustration.
Ah! That sly bastard had truly gotten the better of him this time.
If he didn't cross examine the witness, the only thing that would be in the jurors mind would be a single, damning image.
Truly a conundrum.
"Mr. Walsh, Mr. Walsh!"
Judge Morton's voice rang out in the courtroom as Casper snapped back to reality.
"Yes, your honour?" He asked hesitantly.
"Are you going to cross examine the witness?"
"Uhm… yes, your honour," Casper scrambled up, he buttoned his coat deliberately then turned towards the stand.
"Inspector Heskell," he started slowly, "you testified that my client invoked his right to silence."
"Yes."
"And you interpret that silence as evidence of guilt?"
Heskell met his gaze evenly. "No. I interpret his conduct."
Casper nodded slowly. "Then let us speak of conduct."
He took a single step forward.
"You say he gave orders. To whom?"
"Civilians."
"How many?"
"Two that we can confirm."
"Confirm," Casper repeated. "Meaning others were uncertain."
"Some accounts varied."
Casper nodded with a smile, "No further questions."
After a moment, he quickly added, "Your honour, can I request a continuance."
Judge Morton raised his eyebrow, "What's your reason, Mr. Walsh?"
He cleared his tone and quietly added, "The thing is my daughter's really ill and I need to take her to a doctor."
Judge Morton nodded but was surprised nonetheless, "A daughter? You're quite young for one aren't you."
"Adopted," Casper quickly clarified.
"I see…. the court is adjourned till 8 today." He declared with a bang.
Casper let out a slow, relieved sigh upon the declaration. He pulled a pocket watch and checked the time.
Seeing that it was four in the evening, his face turned dark.
Four hours for me to get my things in order, it seems a meeting with an old friend is due. He thought grimly.
___
A/N - Short chapter but what can I say, I had to go out today. By the way, I'm gonna stop putting funny ass names for my chapters cuz it's getting hard to find out what chapter I'm looking for cuz I need to re-read it. But I'll put funny names for chapters that require it.