Fate

Chapter 20

Ace

The judge called the session to order and announced the order of cases. Hers was last in a list of 40. No one could leave until the end.

The judge seemed fair in her rulings. It was two hours before her case was called. Skye was wearing a turtleneck sweater and leggings. Soft and comfy against the bruises and cuts. She walked to the podium as the judge reviewed the police report and heard from the state attorneys and victim advocate. They appointed Jason a victim advocate, yet he was absolutely not. My hands balled into fists.

The door to the courtroom opened up. Chris and Rex walked in, followed by an older Italian man in a custom Brioni suit. They quietly made their way to the podium Skye was stationed at. Rex sat next to her, putting his head under her hand. Chris stood on the other side. The Italian man walked to the table next to the podium. Chris glanced at where KB and I were sitting. KB held up the pictures that we took of Skye. He jerked his chin toward the other man. KB quietly walked over to him, handing the pictures over, before returning next to me. Get ready for this s**t. She linked to me.

The judge finally looked up from the police report, her eyes fell to the massive men that stood on either side of Skye. She gave a nod of greeting to them. “May I ask the state what their goal is for today?” She directed her attention to the state’s attorney's table opposite of Skye. A young man, pale with black hair stood, papers in hand. “Your Honor. We are asking for a restraining order to be placed on the defendant. She attacked the plaintiff while in a discussion about divorce. We are asking that an order be placed for her not to be able to return home and forfeit her right to the lease, belongings and animals to the plaintiff.” He looked up at her. The judge looked down at the report, her eyebrows raised. “Does the plaintiff have proof of said attack?” The attorney flipped through the papers, “No, your Honor. He states that she didn’t leave a mark but destroyed the apartment.”

The judge looked at Skye. Her face remained fixed. Skye was looking down at her hands, shaking uncontrollably. “Does the defendant's counsel have anything to add?” Her eyes flicked over to the Italian man. “I do, your Honor.” His voice boomed. “Attorney Conti. I am representing Skye Conti in this case. I do have to say that the defendant is of familial relations to me. Standing next to her is Sergeant Chris Heart and K9 Rex. We have evidence that the situation that unfolded last night was not at the fault of the defendant but of the plaintiff. We have an audio recording as well as pictures of the harm put unto her by the plaintiff's own free will last night, as well as testimony.” The judge nodded and motioned for the bailiff to get the evidence from him. All the pictures, the report from the EMT, as well as a recorder of the audio I recorded.

The judge looked through the pictures, her face turning white at each one. She read through the medical report and finally played the recording. Skye was visibly tense. Rex kept pushing on her with her head. I looked at the state's attorney, his face drained of all color, listening to the recording. The victim advocate shook her head slightly, looking in Skye's direction. I could see the pain in her eyes as she saw her tension. The judge stayed silent for a moment. The courtroom was buzzing. Various gallery members talking amongst themselves quietly. Finally, a little voice spoke, and the room went eerily silent.