Ella nodded," yes, your honour. I am aware. I have been aware of this all my life, since I was five years old."The judge nodded in acknowledgement and picked up the tape." And this is?""Your honour. This is a tape that was confiscated by Miss Woods from a journalist." Mrs Sting said boldly.The judge handed it to the policeman who put it on to play.Everyone watched on the small television in the courtroom.Everyone gasped loudly and the jury started to discuss amongst themselves." This was clear tampering with evidence by your client, Mrs Freeman. It will be added to her charges." The judge banged her gavel on the table to silence the room." Do you have anymore questions for Miss Woods?"Mrs Freeman shook her head. She looked like a fool and shot daggers at Brook. If she wasn't good friends with Captain Wilds she would have never taken on this case. She knew it was a losing battle. She had known Brook all her life and was even her god mother. She knew Brook was a spoilt little bra
" Objection. Your honour. She is harassing my client." Mrs Freeman intervened."Sustained. Mrs Sting. No more questions for the accused. You will have to wait for when he takes the stand again.", The judge explained." Do you have anymore questions for Mrs Ray?"" No your honour. That will be it!" Mrs Sting sat down."Mrs Freeman. Do you wish to ask Mrs Ray anything related to the case before she is dismissed?" The judge looked at Mrs Freeman."Yes." Mrs Freeman said as she walked up to Mrs Ray ." How do we know that you didn't do it? She could have come home by herself and you two could have argued and you attacked her. Maybe deep down inside you wished you were young again. Your husband left you. You envied your own daughter. She had her youth and she had a long life ahead. Your jealousy got to you and when you saw Bobby take her to the ball it stabbed you in the heart. You wished that it was you. So when she returned home you attacked her. You beat her and when you finally realised
The boy that looked similar to Bobby was now in the witness box." Please can you tell us the events of the night?" Mrs Sting questioned him." On that night , I was standing at the back of the hall. I saw some kid spike the punch. Mrs Summer Ray was about to pour herself a cup and I decided to drop some leaves in the bowl. I greeted her and she was so polite. She seemed like a genuinely caring person.""And you derived that from just a greeting?" Mrs Sting asked."No. We had a small conversation until Mt Style's had finished his dance with Miss Wilds. I excused myself and stood a few feet away , waiting for my date, Miss Jess. One of Miss Wilds friends.Mr Style's spoke to miss Ray for a short while before leaving. I watched as miss Ray trailed behind him. They both made their way to the toilet area. I watched Mr Style's exit the bathroom and go backstage. I found it rather odd that he did not wait for his date.Jess had joined me with Tess and Flynn, they had all come from backstage
" That was touching. But we forget that we are here on a case. " Mrs Freeman now walked up the Mr Edwards. Her voice was cold and her eyes held a glare of hate."Are you sure you were not having an inappropriate relationship with your student?"Mr Edwards face grew dark." No." He simply answered biting his tongue." The way you speak of Miss Summer Ray, it's as if she meant a lot to you!" Mrs Freeman poked further."Objection. Mrs Freeman is accusing the witness of an affair with the deceased. How is this relative to the case?" Mrs Sting stood up and banged her stack of pages on the table. She knew that Mrs Freeman was now cornered and she was diverting the jury's attention." I assure you. We are questioning the character of the deceased. She could have been suicidal. Maybe a love affair had made her go crazy that she took her own life." Mrs Freeman blurted out her crazy theory." Over ruled." The judge smacked her gavel on the desk and waited for Mr Edwards reply."Miss Summer Ray
"Mrs Freeman. Does your clients agree to an evaluation?The courtroom was silent.Ella watched as Mrs Freeman discussed with her clients."No. My clients do not agree to any such evaluation. They are both mentally and emotionally stable. It is just the pressure of this case that has shaken them up." Mrs Freeman finally replied."Well then , we will continue with our last witness." Mrs Sting excused Mr Edwards from the stand.As he entered the witness room he looked at Ella." It is remarkable. It's is no wonder that Brook and Bobby are confused and shaken up. I hope you are as bright as your sister Summer." Mr Edwards said before taking a seat.The last witness was Mrs Star, the principal of the Salt Rock high school. She held a very high position and opinion in the salt Rock community. Born and brought up here in Salt Rock, she never left the town. She was a straight A student and a motivational speaker.Mrs Star stood on the witness stand, she placed her hand on the holy bible and to
"Mrs Star. Please can you tell us, was it just a physical relationship or was it a sexual relationship?"Ella heard those words, she broke away from her father's embrace and stared at the screen.Everyone was on the edge of their chairs now, waiting for her answer.Whispers went around the room as people speculated.Ella held her breath. She knew the answer deep down in her heart but she refused to believe her own thoughts. She knew that he was always in the principals office. Sometimes he would tell her it was because of his bad grades, sometimes it was because he had football to discuss and sometimes there was no explanation.Her heart raced as she thought of all the times he deserted her in the last one and a half months. It was when he turned seventeen that her had started his episodes of awkwardness."Mrs Star. We are waiting for your answer.", Mrs Sting brought her back to the harsh reality.Her face was now a shade of dark red, almost purple. All eyes were glued on Mrs Star,"
"Mrs Star. Ignore him and continue your story!" Mrs Sting brought her back to her senses. Mrs Star was spiralling into her own world of pity but Mrs Sting had now brought her to the harsh reality. She needed to complete her story and try to save her face." I advised him to see the guidance councellor but he had refused. He said he wasn't comfortable with him and that he preferred talking to me. I had believed him. I did not intend on having an affair. I was just concerned at his grades dropping so suddenly and staying at that steady pace." Mrs Star looked around hoping to win her audience." Why did you believe him?" Mrs Sting prompted her."I believed him like any person would. Maybe I was too gullible." Mrs Star shrugged."And then what happened?" " After the third meeting, he touched me in an inappropriate manner. I should have stopped it but it felt so good. It was naughty and gave me an adrenaline rush. By the fifth visit I had given in to his kisses. Eventually it became a ful
" What occasion?" Mrs Freeman just had to ask.Mrs Star already knew that her reputation was now tainted. She might as well make the most of her time on the stand, after all it was both Brook's and Bobby's fault that she was up here in the first place. " Well. Bobby asked me to try something naughty and I did. He brought in Brook and we had a delightful time together in the office. I had never tried it before but I joined the teens who were still exploring their sexualities." Mrs Star stared at Brook and blew her a kiss.Immediately Brook shouted." She is lying.""Silence. You will have your turn to speak." The judge banged the gavel over and over until their ears rang."Mrs Star, you are under oath. Do you understand what you are saying? You are accusing these children of doing adulterous acts. Is this true and correct or are you harbouring hatred towards them?" Mrs Freeman asked if in a sincere yet judgemental tone." Yes. I understand. I have said all that was true and correct."