The Witness Page #2

The atmosphere in the meeting room is tense but calculated.

Scene change, a trial date is agreed, Acheron attends, Mr Lauren attends with his client and Ophelia.

Judge - All rise, Mr Lauren do you wish to make your opening statement,

Mr Lauren – Yes, your honour.

Judge – Go ahead.

Mr Lauren – This is a case of death by misadventure, Mr Ahriman’s wife on the night of the accident was intoxicated and distressed at the prospect of losing her appeal for the total sum of three million dollars divorce settlement. She decided to go for a swim in our clients second home, when she drowned due to intoxication. We have witness that will testify to the whereabout of our client on that night, as well as medical reports on her alcohol consumption.

Judge – Will Mr Ahriman step forward, do you swear to tell the truth nothing but the truth so help you God.

Ahriman – I do.

Judge – Please proceed.

Prosecution Councel – Thank you your honour, Mr Ahriman I am sure the jury would be interested in knowing that this isn’t the first time you’ve appeared in court for a murder charge.

Mr Lauren – I object your honour, our client was acquitted, lack of relevance.

Judge – Overruled.

Prosecution Council – Mr Ahriman, how were you informed of your ex-wife’s death.

Ahriman – I was informed by the police, so I rushed back from a business meeting.

Prosecution – It was your business associate that informed the police of the accident, what was he doing in your house.

Ahriman – We have been business partners for decades; I was planning a dinner gathering that evening.

Prosecution – With your ex-wife.

Lauren – I object where is this leading to.

Judge – Overruled.

Prosecution – Surly your business associate would have known that you being in the middle of a divorce proceeding would have no interest in such gathering.

Ahriman – I wasn’t aware that she was at my second home.

Prosecution – Your wife was found dead at your pool, well past the hours of dinner time, had she drowned, surly your business associate would have called the emergency line a lot sooner.

Lauren – Your honour I’d like to re-esses, may I speak to my client.

Judge – You may.

Lauren has an emergency meeting with Ahriman, to clear the story.

Lauren – Why did you inform me about the dinner gathering for that evening.

Ahriman – I forgot.

Lauren – You forgot, it’s not looking good Mr Ahriman, you can't change the story in the court room.

Lauren and Ahriman take their seat the case proceeds, the case is played out in silence, the viewers can only see the court battle, the stress, fear, arguments before the sound returns.

Judge – Thank you counsels for your assistance, the court needs time to review the case, the evidence as well as your closing argument. In a moment I will return to render a verdict.

The Judge is pulled aside and receives an unexpected phone call, it’s Acheron on the other line, Radcliff Marsh is also seen in the court waiting for the verdict. The judge’s closing statement is heard in court in silence, the viewers can only see the expression of those that attended and the defence council, the verdict given is not guilty. There is a look of disbelief and frustration in the defence council.

Judge – All rise please, the court is adjourned for today.

There is media presence outside of the court room, Mr Lauren is congratulated. Lauren is congratulated by Ophelia who also appears delighted by the verdict.

Ophelia – Mr Lauren I think we need to celebrate.

Mr Lauren – I think you are right.

Ophelia – How about it, I know this perfect quiet place downtown.

Mr Lauren - Are you asking me out on a date.

Ophelia – No, a business get together, to celebrate success, we don’t have to if you don’t want to.

Lauren – I do kind of have a lot of work to do Ophelia, but we can have a short stop over at papa Pizza just down the road.

Ophelia – Ok great.

Lauren – I’ll pick you up at your firm tomorrow evening.

Ophelia – I look forward to it.

Lauren seems pleased but still sees Ophelia as a work colleague nothing more than that.

Scene change, it is Acheron, Gabriel & Co firm, a scene in the office, a telephone conversation.

Acheron – Well done Mr Lauren, you did a great job, Ahriman was on the phone earlier, he said he couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Mr Lauren – Thank you, it was a straightforward case, I need to make my way back to the firm this evening to sign the court acquittal documents.

Acheron – I look forward to seeing you then.

Lauren hangs up the phone.

Acheron – Tania get me Abigor right away, send him to my office.

Tania – I’ll send him to you.

Abigor returns to the firm, he has with him a camera and photos which he had recently taken.

Acheron – Abigor take a seat, did you find anything, everything as planned.

Abigor – No not exactly, take a look.

Abigor shows Acheron the slide.

Acheron – I see Radcliff Marsh has been visiting Mr Lauren.

Abigor – It happened earlier today, I saw them at café ‘New In’, he was handing documents to Lauren.

Acheron – He knows, we can’t take a risk on this one, find out as much as you can about those documents.

Ophelia is seen standing near to the office entrance listening in to the conversation, she looks worried.

Scene change Lauren arrives at the office and makes his way to Acheron’s office.

Tania – Is there something going on between you two.

Ophelia – No don’t be silly.

Tania – You don’t normally make such an effort with your appearance, I saw you put on extra makeup and that perfume, be honest.

Ophelia – Ok I’m going on a date with Lauren, well that’s what it is.

Tania – Does he know it’s a date.

Ophelia – In time he will.

Tania – Well good luck.

Scene change, Lauren arrives at the firm in his car, Ophelia is seen waiting for him, they drive off to papa Pizza as he promised.

Ophelia – I needed to get away from the firm and the workload.

Lauren – Same here, you know I think I spent two nights in my office, in my sleeping bag working on that case.

Ophelia – Well now is the time to unwind.

They arrive at papa Pizza, Lauren escorts Ophelia out of the vehicle and into the restaurant.

Ophelia – I think I’ll order a Kebab with rice.

Lauren – We’ve come to the wrong place; can we have one large Papa Pizza with soft drink please.

Waiter – Certainly.

Ophelia – So what made you want to be a lawyer.

Lauren – The money, the unsociable hours and stress, I regret choosing Law sometimes, can we turn the clock back.

Ophelia – I’m afraid not, how come a guy like you isn’t married.

Lauren – No I have a wife and two kids; we’ll just keep this a secret.

Ophelia – Oh yeah, well I’ll just have to call my husband, be honest with me.

Lauren – I never found the right person, after graduation I had little time on my hand all I’ve done is work.

Ophelia – It’s a drag I know.

Lauren – How about you, what tempted you to be a Lawyer.

Ophelia – I wanted independence I’m a modern girl, you know what modern girls are like.

Lauren – Modern and qualified Lawyer’s.

Ophelia – That’s right, but we still need relationship.

Lauren – Is it possible to have both, thank you.

Waiter – Would you like anything else.

Lauren – No thank you.

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