Casper was back at the Central Court, cameras flashed at him as he made his way into the court — the Cole Abbot case had drawn much attention, good and bad.
Some were angry that Cole hadn't been sentenced at once — they were mostly the victims' relatives and a few livid citizens who had a sense of justice.
While others, mostly criminals, wanted to see how a man that had been caught red handed would win this impossible case.
Truly, the odds were stacked against them.
But Casper never played the odds, he played the man.
Casper finally made his way to the courtroom, he set his briefcase on his desk and started some preliminary preparation, waiting for Cole.
Finally, after what felt like eternity. Cole was brought into the courtroom in chains, his arms were tightly bound and two guards flanked his left and right side.
He looked bored, almost sleepy, as though this were an inconvenience rather than a trial for his life.
Casper had to admit that his fearlessness in the face of possible death impressed him.
He flipped open his pocketwatch, his eyes flickered upon the time.
It was two o'clock, barely an hour before the Tarot Club started and immediately after that was the meeting that decided the fate of his organisation.
Cole leaned slightly toward Casper as he was seated, his chains clinking softly.
"Two o'clock already!" He muttered mockingly, a lazy grin tugging at his lips, "Oh, how dare I force the almighty Casper Walsh to stay here trying this puny case of mine that would… probably decide the fate of my life."
Casper closed his watch with a resigned sigh as Cole snickered. "...You're fairly unfazed."
For that he made no witty remark.
Soon Eberton made his way into the courtroom with a smug grin, seemingly acting like his victory was assured.
Judge Morton didn't lag behind, arriving moments after Eberton.
The bailiff's voice rang out across the chamber. "All rise!"
Judge Morton took his seat and waved his hands indifferently. "Be seated. Court is back in session."
As everyone settled, Cole leaned in again, lowering his voice. "So tell me, Walsh. You really think you can pull me out of this mess before your… afternoon commitments?"
Casper smirked arrogantly, "I'm a lawyer, literally. If I can't get you off, I should probably give up entirely on this…" he paused for a moment, then added ominously, "career of mine."
Judge Morton soon spoke slowly, "The prosecution may call its first witness."
Eberton rose at once, a cocky smirk playing at his lips. "The People call Sergeant Harold Finch to the stand."
A stocky man in uniform stepped forward, swore the oath, and took his seat.
"Sergeant Finch," Eberton began, pacing slowly around the court, "state your occupation for the court."
"I am a senior officer with the Backlund Metropolitan Police. I led the response unit dispatched to Bolden Bank on the morning of the robbery."
Eberton nodded. "Tell the jury what you observed upon arrival."
Finch replied in a rehearsed tone, "The bank had already been breached. Two guards were down with gunshot wounds. One suspect was apprehended inside the building — the defendant."
A murmur rippled through the benches.
"Was the defendant armed?" Eberton asked.
"Yes."
"Did he resist arrest?"
"No. He complied."
Eberton paused deliberately. "Where was the defendant found?"
"Near the rear corridor, close to the bathroom."
Eberton let that sink in, his smirk widening each second. "Sergeant, what is the significance of that location?"
Finch cooly answered, "The bathrooms lead to an abandoned section of the sewers that were closed off. Mr. Cole," he gestured to Casper's client, "was about to jump in when we found him. His partners had already escaped through the sewers, we tried to chase after them but the sewers split into multiple tunnels."
Eberton turned back, "No further questions," he said slowly, glaring at Casper amusingly.
Casper stood up, and buttoned his suit.
He read his notes then turned to meet Finch's gaze. "Seargent Finch," he said loudly, his tone callous, "during the robbery, were disguises used?"
Finch frowned slightly. "Yes."
"Describe them," Casper ordered.
"They wore a certain type of unidentified mask and a blue raincoat."
Casper nodded expectantly, "I see… were some of these hostages made to wear these disguises?"
Immediately Eberton's smirk was wiped from his face.
Finch hesitated for a moment before nodding with strain.
"Some hostages," Casper repeated, "were made to wear the same clothing as the perpetrators."
"Yes." Finch spat.
"And some were forced to hold firearms."
"Yes," Finch admitted. "Unloaded in most cases."
Casper took a step forward, grinning ear to ear. "So from a distance — through smoke, shouting, and barricades it would have been difficult to immediately distinguish the hostages from the robbers."
"Yes." Finch confessed.
His face unconsciously scrunched up, realising Casper's insidious plan.
Casper then asked lightly. "When officers first breached the bank, how many armed figures did they observe?"
"Several."
"More than the actual number of robbers later confirmed?"
"Yes."
Casper nodded knowingly, "One more thing, Sergeant. You testified that Mr. Abbott was found near the sewer access."
"Yes."
"At that moment," Casper said, "were other suspects already fleeing through that access?"
"Yes."
"So it would be accurate to say," Casper continued carefully, "that anyone positioned there would have had the opportunity to either escape or," he paused dramatically, and then added, "pursue."
Eberton stiffened.
Finch answered after a pause. "Yes."
Casper smiled triumphantly, "So what you're saying is, the defendant," he pointed to Cole, "could've been one of the hostages forced to be a human shield for the hostages.
"He might've stood there, helpless, watching the marauders plunder the hard earned money of decent, hardworking people — a brazen theft that might've ignited a profound rage within him — a rage so great that it led him to pursue them through the sewers to bring them to justice…. but before he could, you apprehended him."
As his words fell upon the silent courtroom, the jurors drew their breath, Eberton's face twisted and Finch looked visibly uncomfortable.
"Objection!" Eberton screamed from behind, "Testifying and Speculation."
Judge Morton nodded, "Sustained," he then turned towards Casper with an impressed look and also a gaze of anger.
"Mr. Casper, you pull such a stunt again I'll have you removed from this case!" He said sternly before turning towards the jurors, "Strike that from the record; jurors, disregard it."
Casper raised both hands placatingly and took a step back.
"My apologies, Your Honour," he said smoothly. "And I have no further questions."
Saying that, he turned back to face Eberton and smiled a mocking smile.
For even if the Judge made them disregard the statement, that did not erase it from their minds.
No, it only made them pay attention to it even more.
And no one loved a good accidental hero like an ordinary citizen with dreams of greatness.... so basically everyone.
Judge Morton cleared his throat. "The witness may step down."
Sergeant Finch did so stiffly, avoiding eye contact as he left the stand.
Cole glanced at Casper and whistled, "Remind me not to go against you."
Casper just smiled at that.
Judge Morton then banged his gavel, "The court is adjourned for the day."
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A/N - My humble apologies for disappearing on you guys.... Is that right? Meh. I stumbled on a peak novel called Young Master's pov and got caught up in reading it. My bad gang! Anyways we're seriously low on powerstones, sooooo donate ts rn!