After listening to Stephen patiently and thinking for several seconds, the judge announced:

“Prosecutor Stephen…The court gives you one week’s time to come up with better evidence and stronger arguments to support your case. If you don’t prove your arguments with solid evidence next time, then I’m afraid the court might give the verdict against you.”

Roald turned back and looked at William. William smiled and gave a thumbs up as an appreciation. The judge declared:

“The court is adjourned… I want to see both the attorneys in my chamber, immediately.”

There was some noise in the court room as everyone stood up. Benjamin, however, walked hopelessly towards the plaintiff’s table. He was thinking about his moments with Evelyn.

“Oh Evelyn, I’m so sorry. I don’t think I’d be able to bring justice to your soul,” he said to himself.

He sat down for a minute but then stood up slowly and remembered his beautiful moments with her. But then his thoughts got interrupted with the sound of her scream and the car crash from the other night.

He turned his face towards the defendant’s table and saw Mr. William smiling with pride.

No shame, no regrets whatsoever. He thought to himself.

Benjamin’s father came from behind and placed his supporting hand over Benjamin’s shoulder. Benjamin looked back at his father.

“I made a mess of everything. I ruined a winning situation,” he said.

“No, you didn’t,” his father replied. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Let’s go home and sort this out.”

**********

That night, William was sitting in his room comfortably. He was having a soft drink and was watching television; happily in a festive mood. His phone began to ring. He answered the phone.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Spacey, what are we hearing about you in the news?”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing but a conspiracy. The prosecutors have nothing to prove against us.”

“But this case will ruin your reputation, won’t it?”

“Don’t worry Mr. Gonsalves, we are going to win this case. And if my reputation gets tarnished, nothing will happen to your investments. You’ll get your 25 per cent return on investment.”

“I better, or you know what will happen to your company.”

“I know, I know, just sit back and relax in your home, Mr. Gonsalves. Like always, you will not be disappointed with me.”

“We’ll see.”

William bid good bye and disconnected the call. His mood was spoiled now.

“Baron! Come here!” He called his servant.

Several seconds later, Baron came running to his room.

“Yes sir?” He said breathlessly.

“Listen to me carefully. I have to win this case by all means. Do you understand that?”

“Yes sir.”

“Now I want you to testify in court. That it was you. You were the one who was driving the vehicle the other night. Understand?”

“But sir…”

“…Don’t worry,” William said, “you won’t be penalised. I will be answerable. The court will ask me to fire you, that’s it.”

“Then?”

“I’ll get you a job somewhere else, don’t worry. But we have to stick with the plan, okay?”

“Ok sir,” Baron responded, disappointed.

**********

Next day at Stephen’s office, he was sitting and was reading a book on law. He was also writing something down on a large piece of paper. He heard his phone ringing.

“Yes Steve?” It was a friend.

“Stephen I have acquired the video.”

“Wow, that’s great. Is Simeon’s face visible in it?”

“Well, that’s the issue. The video is not quite clear since it is CCTV footage and you know that these videos are not quite clear.”

“Listen Steve, this video is the only thing that can help me win this case.”

“I understand, Stephen.”

“Look Steve, within two days can you get me this video in high definition?”

“Uh… Let me think. Can it wait for four days?”

“Four days is too much, please make it sooner.”

“Okay, three days?”

“…Alright fine,” Stephen answered after a while. “Three days is fine. But please not more than three days. I have to win this case.”

“Okay, fine”

“Thanks.”

“Tell me something though. I have never seen you so desperate to win any case before. But this time…”

“…It’s about money,” Stephen answered before he could finish his question, “It’s all about money this time.”

“Really?”

“Yes, my client is paying me huge amount. If I win this case.”

“I see… So anyway, I guess I’ll see you on Tuesday.”

“Yeah, sure. Thanks.”

They disconnected the call. Stephen took a deep breath and sat back on his chair, feeling relieved.

Thank God, he uttered.

He heard someone knocking on his door.

“Come in,” he said.

William Spacey opened the door and entered inside.

**********

That evening, Benjamin was running outside his house. His father came outside and looked at his son. He realised how frustrated and upset his son was with his life.

He stopped Benjamin as he came running towards the house.

“Benjamin,” his father said. “Look son, you’re being really hard on yourself. I just want to assure you that even if we lose this case, it won’t be the end of the world. Trust me. I’ve been in your situation.”

“No dad, it’s not just about… well you see the problem is…”

Benjamin was unable to complete his sentences.

“Go on tell me. What is the problem?”His father asked.

“I am. I am the problem. Every time I step on that witness stand, the case goes in their favour.”

“No, that’s not true.”

“Come on dad, don’t you see? Last time I was the one whom Roald made the target of confusion. And in the session before, that security guard and I were targeted.”

“So it happens in every other case, what’s the big deal?”

“No dad, if we lose this case, then I don’t think I’d be able to forgive myself.”

“Don’t worry Benjamin. Stephen is a well-educated and well experienced lawyer. I know that he will sort out a way.”

Benjamin remained silent and looked down at the road.

“I think you are partially disturbed because of your mother,” his father said.

Benjamin still did not respond but looked up at his father.

“Isn’t it?” His father pressed on.

“In my entire life, she is the only person who has deliberately hurt me.”

“Oh come on Benjamin, don’t think like that. I can’t believe you even said that.”

“Okay then, prove me wrong. Tell me one good thing

she did.”

“… Alright fine” his father interrupted, “please, let’s just change the subject.”

“I suggest let’s just go our own ways now,” Benjamin replied sarcastically.

He left his father and went away.

***********

Three Days Later

Stephen who was sleeping at his home heard his phone ringing. He opened his eyes and picked up the phone.

“Hello.”

“Stephen?”

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Steve. Are you sleeping?”

“Yeah, what is it Steve?”

“Can you talk?”

“I am Steve, tell me what it is?”

“Your video is ready.”

“Oh, that’s great” Stephen got up and said. “When will you send it?”

“I have emailed it to you.”

“Oh, well thanks man. Thank you, really.”

“It’s okay.”

After disconnecting the call, Stephen jumped out of his bed and walked to the other room to get his laptop.

Two minutes later, he was watching the video on his laptop. The scene of the accident was quite clear in the video. It was shot from above and left side. The guy who stepped out of the vehicle had long hair but his face was not as clearly visible as required. But the person’s face was still recognisable. And it was Simeon Spacey’s face, only with longer hair.

I think it’s clear enough, Stephen said to himself. It should be acceptable to the jury.

That evening, Stephen was driving his car. On his way, he crossed William Spacey’s house. Realising where he was, he stopped his car and looked at William’s house for a moment. He waited for a moment hoping someone would step outside.

He kept on waiting for thirty minutes until he saw their garage opening. He got alert and saw a car coming out of the garage. It was not the same car that was in the accident. The vehicle was accelerating at high speed. Stephen turned on his own vehicle’s engine and accelerated, creating minimal sound and followed the car.

Stephen kept on following the driver for several minutes until the car stopped outside a club. Stephen also stopped his vehicle behind them. He saw Mr. William stepping out of the passenger seat. He was surprised but he was more anxious as to who would come out of the driver’s seat.

It was Simeon. He was the one who stepped out of the driver’s seat.

Oh my God. Stephen uttered.

He took out his phone immediately to capture the video at the moment. But unfortunately the camera was in day mode which was why the video was not at all clear. He kept the phone in his pocket and stepped out of his car.

He followed Simeon and his father to the club. As he entered inside the lobby, a guard stopped him.

“The phone, if you have any please leave it here with us.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, phones are not allowed.”

Quite reluctantly he took out the phone from his pocket and handed it over to him.

***********

Next day in a public place, Benjamin and his father were waiting for someone.

“Why has he called us here?” Benjamin asked his father.

“I don’t know, all he said was that it was really important.”

“Important?”

“Yeah, maybe he is about to share something really important.”

They both saw Stephen coming towards them.

“Here he comes,”

Mr. Schimberg said.

“Yeah?”

A minute later after they shook hands and greeted each other.

“So what is it?”

Mr. Schimberg asked.

“I’m about to tell you something that might leave you amazed. I discovered it yesterday.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“Yesterday I followed Mr. Spacey and guess who was driving the vehicle.”

“Simeon?” Benjamin guessed.

“Right, but that’s not all. I followed them further. I went inside the club. Unfortunately, the video camera was not allowed there.”

“It must be a family club,” Mr. Schimberg added. “They don’t allow cameras over there.”

“Exactly… So anyway, what I discovered there was not really surprising for me but it would be for you guys.”

“What was it?”

“Simeon is not mentally ill. He is perfectly normal.”

“Oh my God,” Mr. Schimberg exclaimed, stunned.

“I knew it!” Benjamin said in a low voice.

“It was very unfortunate that I saw them there,” Stephen continued. “If only I was allowed to carry a video camera, I would have had evidence right now.”

“But wait,” Mr. Schimberg asked, “are you sure that he is perfectly sane?”

“I’m more than sure. I have seen him walk like a normal man. I have seen him talk like a normal man. I swear.”

“We believe you, but isn’t there any way we can prove it in court?”

“Well I have the other evidence. I have acquired the CCTV footage. In that video, Simeon is vaguely visible. We can see him stepping out of the vehicle’s driver’s seat.”

“Do you think the court will consider it?”

Stephen paused for a moment. He had no answer for this question.

“Do you think that the court will accept that evidence?”

Mr. Schimberg asked again.

“… I hope they do,” Stephen answered sadly.

***********

Finally on the day of court hearing Stephen was giving his speech in the court.

“I know that Simeon is not insane. And I can prove it today. I have two witnesses who can testify on this,” he claimed.

“Objection my lord,” Roald claimed standing up, “this has been proved in court that Simeon is perfectly insane and he is suffering from autism. Then why does Mr. Stephen want to revisit that topic?”

“Objection overruled,” the judge spoke “Let him finish.”

“Thank you your honour,” Stephen said. “As I was saying, that I have witnesses who can testify that Simeon is perfectly sane, I’d like to call the club’s security guard Winston on the witness stand.”

to be continued...