The Verdict
809 Words
The courtroom was already crowded when Mia walked through the doors.
She adjusted the sleeve of her black suit and glanced at the clock.
Nine minutes until proceedings began.
“Ms. Josh.”
Mia turned.
Samuel was standing a few feet away, his expression tense.
“You're here early.”
“I like being early,” Mia replied. “It gives me time to watch everyone panic.”
Samuel chuckled nervously.
“I'm not panicking.”
“You've checked that file four times since I arrived.”
He looked down at the folder in his hands.
“Five.”
Mia smiled.
“Relax. We've prepared for this.”
The doors to the courtroom opened and the lawyers took their seats.
Moments later, the judge entered.
Everyone rose.
“Be seated.”
Mia opened the file in front of her.
Today was the final hearing.
For weeks, she had been prosecuting the case against Marcus Dike, a businessman accused of orchestrating a violent attack against one of his former employees after the man threatened to expose his illegal dealings.
The prosecution had built its case carefully.
Witness statements.
Financial records.
Phone records.
And one piece of evidence that Mia had deliberately saved for the final hearing.
The defense counsel stood first.
“Your Honour, the prosecution has presented a collection of circumstantial evidence, but circumstantial evidence does not establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”
Mia listened quietly.
The defense continued for several minutes, arguing that the witnesses were unreliable and that there was no direct evidence connecting Marcus to the attack.
When he finally sat down, Mia stood.
“Your Honour, the defense is correct about one thing.”
The courtroom became quiet.
“There is no photograph of my client committing the crime.”
She picked up a document.
“But the law does not require one.”
The defense lawyer stood.
“Objection.”
“Overruled,” the judge said.
Mia continued.
“The evidence shows that the accused communicated with the attackers shortly before the incident. It shows that money was transferred to an account belonging to one of them. And most importantly—”
She held up another document.
“—the accused lied about knowing him.”
Marcus shifted in his seat.
Mia looked directly at him.
“You told this court that you had never met Mr. Benson.”
Marcus said nothing.
“You maintained that position throughout this trial.”
Still nothing.
Mia placed the document on the desk.
“These are security records from your office.”
She turned toward the judge.
“They show the accused meeting Mr. Benson three days before the attack.”
The defense lawyer immediately rose.
“Your Honour, we challenge the authenticity of—”
“The records were submitted and authenticated during the previous hearing,” Mia interrupted calmly.
The judge looked through the documents.
The defense lawyer slowly sat down.
Mia returned to her seat.
She didn't smile.
She didn't need to.
The evidence had spoken for her.
Several hours later, the courtroom fell silent as the judge delivered the verdict.
Guilty.
Mia exhaled slowly.
She gathered her files while the room erupted into quiet conversations.
Outside the courthouse, she stepped into the afternoon sunlight.
“Well done.”
Mia turned.
A man stood beside a parked car, smiling at her.
Daniel Josh.
Her father.
“You came.”
“Of course I came.”
“You didn't have to.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“Your daughter just won a major case. I'm allowed to be proud.”
Mia smiled.
“Don't make it a big thing.”
“Too late.”
He pulled her into a brief hug.
“You did well, Mia.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
Daniel stepped back.
“How long are you going to keep working like this?”
“Until I'm rich.”
“You're already working too much.”
“And you're already giving too many speeches.”
Daniel laughed.
“That is my profession.”
“And this is mine.”
She held up her file.
Daniel shook his head.
“Just remember there is more to life than work.”
Mia smiled.
“I know.”
Her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Ryan.
Her expression immediately softened.
“Speak of the devil.”
Daniel noticed.
“Your boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“Tell him I said hello.”
Mia answered the call.
“Hey.”
“Congratulations, counselor.”
She smiled.
“You heard?”
“I've been waiting for the verdict.”
“Were you nervous?”
“About you? Never.”
Mia laughed.
Daniel watched his daughter walk toward her car, still talking on the phone.
For the first time that day, she wasn't thinking about court.
She was thinking about Ryan.
And for Mia, that was enough.
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