Muted Judgement (Legal thriller, thriller) (6 page)

Ethan waved a hand at him.

"So, Miss Smith, you say you weren't raped by the deceased. Are you still saying you didn't kill him?"

"Yes, I did not kill him," Claire said in the strongest voice Lauren had heard out of her yet.

"Then tell me what really happened," Brad said.

Ethan's gaze went straight to Lauren. "You're okay with all this? No objections?"

"No objections."

Brad ignored the judge. "Please tell us the story of that day."

Claire took a deep breath, not looking at Ethan. She looked down at her hands then back at her lawyer. "I was in a relationship with John Sheffield."

Now it was Ethan's turn to gasp. No one paid him any attention.

"I can still find you in contempt of court," Ethan said.

"Please let my client finish," Brad said.

Ethan sat back in his chair, obviously cowed. He frowned and looked down.

"
Proceed Miss Smith."

"I was in a relationship with John, but he wasn't my first. I was in a relationship with someone before him. That person is the one who killed John out of jealousy. Then he raped me and convinced me to take the blame
for the murder."

"Who would that be?"

Ethan banged his gavel. "Enough. Why should we believe the defendant this time? She'd lied under oath."

"She was under duress," Brad said. He looked at the jury. "This will all make sense in a moment."

The jury foreman nodded for him to keep going.

"Miss Smith, continue."

"No, she cannot. This is a circus and I will have none of it," Ethan said.

"Your honor," Brad said. "My client deserves her day in court and she will have it."

Ethan stood. "I won't stand for this."

"You will or I'll have the bailiff make sure you stay here," Brad said.

Ethan looked around as if looking for an ally.

Claire continued.
"Before I fell in love with John Sheffield." Now she turned on the water works, tears streaming down her face. "I was in a relationship with Ethan Grogan."

"That's a lie," Ethan said.

Brad held up his hand. Lauren thought this was all the best theatre she'd ever seen.

Ethan turned his steely gaze to Lauren. "You put her up to this.
To get me back for college."

"Ethan, the truth hurts, but let her say it," Lauren
commanded.

Ethan's face turned red and he clenched his fists. Claire, looking at him for the first time, stared at him wide-eyed. "I'm not lying. You found out about John
and I and I watched you stab him. Then you raped me."

"You can't prove that."

"Yes, we can," Lauren said. She held up the file with the DNA evidence. "We have proof."

Ethan opened and closed his mouth like a fish trying to get air. "I will not be a part of this miscarriage of justice."

"Bailiff, please detain Judge Grogan," Brad said.

The bailiff,
an older gentleman, probably a former cop, studied Brad for a moment before approaching Ethan.

"Don't you dare," Ethan said. He backed away, but was wedged into a corner.

"Now, judge I think you need to come quietly," the bailiff said.

"I will not," Ethan said, but the fight had gone out of him.

He slumped back into his chair, holding his head in his hands.

"Can you get a cop in here?" Brad said to Lauren as the bailiff stood over Ethan.

She snagged one in the hallway and explained the situation. She returned with him in tow.

"Please arrest Judge Grogan for the murder of John Sheffield," she said.

"I love you," Ethan said to Claire making her lean away from him.

"Ethan Grogan, I'm arresting you for the murder of John Sheffield." The officer went onto read him his rights.

Brad turned to the jury. "I'm sorry for the theatrics, but you are dismissed. This trial is over."

The jurors exchanged glances then trooped out of the jury box.

A cop led Ethan out of the courtroom. The press stormed out to file their stories.

Claire still sat on the witness stand. "Am I free?"

"Well, there's some paperwork that has to be filled out which I'll do as soon as I get back to my office," Lauren said. "Then you'll be free."

The young girl smiled. "Thank you."

"If you'll take some motherly advice? You need to pick a better class of man to date," Lauren said.

Brad nodded in agreement.

The End.

G.E. Mason is an avid adventurer who adds a contemporary twist to his fiery thriller novels. Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.

Living in South
Boston, but a Californian at heart, G.E Mason finds plenty of inspiration for his books from his purposefully exciting life. Mason has always loved the arts and as a young boy, took oil painting classes and spent the summers buried in books from the Boston library. Mason started writing stories and later took Creative Writing classes in High School and in college. Mason graduated from The University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in Journalism and an MBA of Entrepreneurship.

G.E. Mason
would love to hear your thoughts on the novel. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/authorgemason

https://twitter.com/GEMasonAuthor

or you can email him directly at
[email protected]

If you enjoyed the book, please share your excitement with other fans of
thrillers. You can write a review by returning to the book buy page.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H4NSM2Y

Other Works by the Author

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HKO1USU

She was a thief, but he stole her heart. Now he wanted her to steal something that could turn deadly. Does she follow her heart or follow her head?
 
*Taking Death is a gripping thriller that will leave you wanting more

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I0LS5PS

Michael is a new agent tasked to take down a money laundering operation. This is his dream job, something he's worked his whole life to achieve. He infiltrates where his agency thinks the money is being laundered and begins his arduous investigation.
 
A series of mishaps that almost kills him, leading him to believe there is more to this operation. When he gets no backup from his partner, he takes the investigation in his own direction. With the help of a veteran agent, he discovers who the mastermind is behind the operation and the shocking reason why his backup is lacking.