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The first witness was one of the police officers called to the scene when Mandy had been shot. The prosecutor ran through the events as the policeman knew them and David let him leave the stand without cross examining him. "This stuff is all pretty cut and dried." David whispered to Elisha. "No point in dragging this any more than we have to." After that, for the next two days, the prosecutor called a succession of police and doctors, all of whom David let go with a wave of his hand. "God!" David exclaimed to Elisha under his breath.. "She was shot, you can only say that in so many ways! Let's get on with it." The next person called to the stand was Officer Halliday. He smiled briefly in Elishas direction as he turned to sit in the witness chair. "So, Officer Halliday. We have had the main fact of the case presented to us by your fellow officers and the doctors that worked on Miss Williford and Mrs. Carter. Could we have your take on how Mrs. Carter seemed to you after the shooting?" Officer Halliday cleared his throat and gazed at Elisha. "She was upset, obviously, but she also seemed very hesitant. She was constantly glancing to her husband before she answered any questions." "I see, so what did you make of that?" "I thought she was hiding something."
They broke for lunch after Halliday's testimony. Elisha gratefully let Nick wrap her in his arms once they were out of the courtroom. "How much longer will this go on do you think?" Nick asked David, as they walked to the cafeteria. "Well I don't think the prosecutor has much more to go here. I'm pretty sure he has run through all his witnesses. Their stuff is all technical." David looked at Elisha intently. "This case literally rests on your shoulders. You have to let the jury know how it felt when Mandy stole your babies. How it felt when Mandy stabbed Nick. When she paralyzed you. Let them feel it." Elisha looked at Nick and nodded her head. "I can do that." "Good." David encouraged. "Do you have anyone else you are going to call?" Nick asked. "No, I'm going to let Elisha stand for herself." Elisha felt a flutter of fear and tried to push it away. David saw the look on her face. "I could call all the character witnesses in the world for you. The jury is smart enough to know that they are all going to say you are the most wonderful person ever born. So what is the point of wasting time? You want to go home right?" Husband and wife exchanged glances and smiled. "More than anything in the world." Frank fingered the newspaper and folded it along the crease and set it next to his breakfast plate. Then he picked it up and read it briefly before tossing it down again. "What's bothering you, dear?" his wife asked. "Oh, I'm just reading about the Nick Carter case." Mary picked up the paper and scanned the headline. "Oh yes, his wife is on trial. Didn't you work for that woman?" Frank placed his hands in front of him and nervously tapped the table. "Yes, I located someone for her." Mary continued reading the article. "Sounds pretty cut and dried to me, she was defending her family." She handed him the paper and started picking up the dishes from the table. "Who did you locate for her?" Frank looked up at his wife with sad eyes. "The woman she killed." After the recess they filed back into the courtroom quietly and took their places. "Does it usually take this long to get going again after lunch?" Elisha whispered to David. David looked around the room. "The prosecutor isn't back yet. Some sort of delay. Maybe a witness hasn't shown yet." Elisha turned to Nick and reached for his hand. "Still scared?" he smiled at her. "Definitely!" she laughed. "But I'm calming down somewhat." "Good, everything is going great so far. Just remember that I am here for you." "I know." She squeezed his hand. "You are the absolute best husband a girl could ask for." The prosecutor walked in at that moment, staring at a sheet of paper in his hand and a grin on his face. "What's up with him?" Nick asked David. David shrugged in reply. "We'll find out in a minute, I'm sure." The judge called everyone to order and the prosecutor requested to approach the bench. They discussed for a moment and the prosecutor sat down. "We have a last minute witness for the prosecution that should be arriving momentarily. We will have another brief recess until he arrives but please don't leave the building." The judge banged his gavel and left the room. The gang stayed in the courtroom for the recess. It was the only place they were free of the reporters and photographers hounding them. They all crowded around Elisha offering their support to her for the rest of the trial. "I'm so glad you are all here, it means so much to me." Elisha smiled. "And me!" Nick added. "We're happy to do it." Christine hugged Elisha and laughed. "Just think of the party we will have when this is all over!" "It will be a big one, that's for sure." Linda added. "It sounds like things are going good right now." Brian mentioned. "Yes, I keep telling her that." Nick joked. "She doesn't believe me though!" Elisha giggled and held Nick's hand. "I do too!" Kevin gripped her shoulders. "Just keep thinking positive and things will work out fine." he assured her. "Thank you Kevin. All of you." She held a tissue up to her face to capture the falling tears. "I love you." Just then the baliff called the room to order and everyone slid back into their seats. "Here we go." David muttered, as he took his place next to her. "Another nurse or ambulance attendant, what's your bet?" Elisha smiled and turned to face the judge. The prosecutor stood and stood before her. "I'd like to call my last witness." |