Witness Protection Part 56
Opening Arguments
I'd been cooling my heels in the hallway for close to an hour, my elbows on my knees and my face cradled in my hands, when Chang showed up, with Captain Po and Agent Alexander right behind him.
"Yuy? Is Noventa still in with Maxwell?" asked the Captain.
I jerked a thumb at the door beside me, a bit irritated at the unnecessary question. Where the Hell else did she think he'd be?
She rapped on the door and then let herself in. But before Alexander could follow, I stood up quickly and caught his arm. "I'd like that gun," I told him curtly, nodding towards his sidearm.
He stopped and glared, while Captain Po turned around sharply. "Yuy!"
"Look, Captain--we were shot at by several FBI agents and some hired muscle. I'm not trusting this guy or anyone else from the Bureau around Maxwell with a gun!"
Alexander jerked his weapon from its holster, ending the discussion. "Here. Take it. I want him alive as much as you do."
"I don't think that's possible," I replied gruffly, taking the gun and sticking it in my belt.
I then turned my gaze to my boss. "Did you listen to your voice mail?"
"Yes--I sent two uniforms after Relena, and another to secure my office and start scanning for bugs."
I gave a nod of satisfaction, and stepped back so they could proceed into the office. I caught only the briefest glimpse of Duo seated across from Noventa, both of their faces turned our way momentarily. Then the door shut behind Po and Alexander, and I sighed, dropping back into my seat on the bench.
Wufei plunked down beside me, looking a bit the worse for wear himself. "So Relena was the leak."
I nodded. "She came right out and admitted it."
There was a long pause, and then, "I guess it's not really that much of a surprise. She had access. The only question would be motive--"
"Oh, we have it." I sat up and leaned back against the hard wooden slats of the bench. "She knew Zechs was her brother. Her mother told her on her eighteenth birthday. She'd gone to meet him shortly before he was murdered."
"--the unidentified hair samples?"
"Hers."
"So she misplaced evidence to cover the fact that she'd been at the scene of a crime. But why leak information to Khushrenada's people?"
"She said Une was blackmailing her--threatening to discredit Chief Darlian by telling the press that he was related to Zechs Merquise. When I told her that didn't justify risking people's lives, she said 'what's the life of one drugged-up stripper compared to my father's career?'"
Wufei's dark eyes smoldered. "And you let her run off?"
"I felt that staying close to Duo and safeguarding his life was more important," I pointed out. "Plus, I called Po and left a message for her to get a warrant issued. You know Relena won't go far, anyway. Think about it. Darlian's her father; she'll expect him to bail her out of this."
"Bail her out of tampering with evidence? Leaking information that nearly got a protected witness killed...not to mention his protectors... and Catherine? There's no fucking way!" My partner's voice rose in outrage.
"Relax, Chang. You and I both know the Chief won't--and can't--shield her from this. She'll get what's coming to her."
"I can't see why you're so calm about it!" My partner's thirst for justice was all but strangling him, while mine had been partially sated during my altercation with Relena.
I managed a shrug and a smile. "Slapping her silly more or less got it out of my system--at least now that I know Duo's relatively safe and that Relena will get what's coming to her. Plus, I've had an hour to digest the information and calm down."
"You--slapped her?"
"Hard," I said with great satisfaction. "She's lucky that's all it was."
Wufei nodded sagely. "I see your point. Slapping her silly would help to get my anger under control too."
I think we were both riding a fading edge of adrenaline that left us a bit slap-happy, literally and figuratively.
I fixed a questioning look on him. "So, how did it go with the Captain?"
"She calmed down once I explained our rationale for lying about Duo's whereabouts." He managed a wry smile. "In fact, I think she was impressed by our resourcefulness in getting him past security."
"She should be. It was quite the project."
"And he looked hot," Chang reminded me cheekily.
I mustered a wan smile at that, knowing he was trying to keep my spirits up. Now that the anticipation was over and we were up to our eyeballs in court procedures and testimony, I was feeling the strain.
I honestly had no idea what would happen next. I mean, obviously Noventa would put Duo on the witness stand--probably as soon as the two hour recess was over. But what then?
While there might be time for him to complete his testimony in one afternoon, I doubted that the cross-examination would be so quick. He'd almost certainly have to take the stand again tomorrow--and possibly after that, if they needed to revisit any of his testimony.
I didn't know if they had a hotel lined up, or planned to keep Duo here in the courthouse. I didn't like the idea of him leaving; with the potential for snipers, taking him outside was just asking for trouble.
But I did know Chang's and my part in the protective detail was over. We'd be expected to resume our duties as detectives and leave the handling of the court case to the officers who'd taken over investigating Merquise's murder. Furthermore, there'd be someone else assigned to guard Duo.
And I really, really hated that thought.
"Feel like going out for a beer tonight?" I asked abruptly.
"Tonight?" Wufei looked surprised.
"Well, I'm pretty sure they won't let me stay here--no matter how much I want to keep protecting Duo. And I'm equally sure they aren't going to let him leave. So--I'll be pretty much on my own tonight--for the first time since--"
"Wow--it has been a while."
Chang and I exchanged rather lost looks, neither of us able to picture an evening without Duo.
Then my partner cleared his throat uneasily. "I'm not comfortable leaving him in someone else's care."
"Me neither."
"Can we even trust the security within the courthouse? If Khushrenada could afford FBI agents--"
"I know, Chang!" I said sharply. "Jesus--I know. But I don't know how to make Captain Po understand our level of paranoia."
Wufei sighed. "Maybe we can just hang around and guard the guards, hm?"
I managed a near-smile at that. "We can at least inquire about the accommodations and security being provided for Duo. I can't imagine them letting him out of the building. Snipers."
"You think they'll keep him here?"
"I'm hoping to find that out shortly."
Before we had time for further speculation, the door opened and the Captain and Alexander came out in the midst of a heated discussion.
"--heard him! He doesn't want your agents anywhere near him!"
"But we're far more experienced in witness protection than a couple of wet behind the ears detectives!"
Did that mean what I thought it did? Was Duo demanding that we stay as his bodyguards? Hope surged within my chest--hope that he'd forgiven me for the scene Relena made in the hallway, and hope that Chang and I could continue to remain with him.
"I'd say that weeks of keeping a witness alive against nearly overwhelming odds makes them uniquely qualified."
Alexander shot me a scathing look, and then directed it back at my boss. "We appreciate all your men did--but it's time to let the experts take over."
"You take that up with Winner. He's Maxwell's attorney--the one he's placed his trust in, and given authority to make decisions for him." She glanced over at my partner and me. "Meanwhile, Yuy and Chang, you're to remain here and continue to safeguard Maxwell. Is that clear?"
I smiled in relief. "Abundantly."
Alexander held out his hand with a sour look on his face. "My gun, if you please, detective?"
I graciously handed it over, too pleased at remaining at my post to hold a grudge against the surly agent.
The Captain turned her gaze to Wufei. "Noventa asked if you'd be so kind as to run down the hall to the vending machines and get a soda for Maxwell. Apparently your witness is thirsty."
"No doubt," smirked my partner. "He had a very long morning. I think all the hair curling and dressing up simply parched him."
I elbowed Chang good-naturedly, getting a puzzled look from our boss before she and the FBI agent walked off still arguing.
"Be right back," Wufei informed me, trotting off to fetch Duo's soda.
He'd barely disappeared when Noventa stepped out of the office, looking up and down the hallway. "Where the fuck--?"
"The Captain and Agent Alexander went that way," I told him, pointing back towards the courtroom.
"No--I called downstairs fifteen minutes ago for someone to bring me up Maxwell's criminal file. I don't want any surprises in that courtroom." He frowned at me, and then looked at his watch. "Would you--?"
"Sorry. I'm assigned to protect Maxwell--not play secretary," I told him apologetically. I had no intention of leaving Duo alone and unguarded, even with the District Attorney himself in the room.
He growled in frustration. "Fine. Get in there and protect him, while I run down and fetch that file. Damned secretary--" He stalked off muttering under his breath, and I cautiously stepped into the office and shut the door.
~*~
Duo looked a bit haggard, slumped in a chair across from Noventa's big desk. But he pushed himself upright when he saw me. "So--was Chang right?" he asked in a rather subdued voice.
"About--?"
He swallowed so hard I could see his throat move from halfway across the room. "That chick in the hallway. She your girlfriend?"
"Hell no!" I blurted hastily, crossing to stand in front of him and grab both of his hands. "No, Duo. She's nobody--nothing."
His face was turned away, so I couldn't see his expression. "Then why--?" His voice cracked just slightly and he drew a shaky breath. "Why'd she run to you like that?"
"Because she's a freakin' psycho bitch stalker."
He looked up quickly, a bastard mix of disbelief and hope on his face.
"Shit, Duo. She's been asking me out for months, and I've been turning her down flatly every time. Ask Chang if you don't believe me."
His indigo eyes searched mine, a frown creasing his forehead. "I wanna believe you--"
"Believe this." I leaned in and kissed him deeply and thoroughly, pulling back only when I felt him relax and sigh into the kiss. "I love you, Duo Maxwell. Only you. Forever."
He smiled reluctantly, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. "You better not be bullshittin' me, 'Ro--'cause I think it'd just about kill me to lose you--especially to that bitch."
"Speaking of the bitch," I said, leaning back against the desk and crossing my arms. "How do you know Relena Darlian?"
He looked confused. "Darlian? Her name's Peacecraft--isn't it?"
"No, it's Relena Darlian--the Chief's daughter."
"B-but Zechs said she was his sister!" Duo's eyes flashed, and I saw doubt enter them. "He lied to me?"
I resisted the impulse to ask why Duo was shocked that a crime lord would lie. Considering his relationship with Merquise, he had a right to expect honesty. "No, Duo," I said gently. "He didn't lie."
"But--he was born with the name Peacecraft--Milliardo Peacecraft."
I was a bit surprised Zechs had shared that much with Duo. God, he must have really loved him! "Relena's his half-sister. His mother remarried."
Relief flooded Duo's face, and I felt one of those increasingly rare twinges of jealousy. Of course he wouldn't want to think his dead lover had deceived him. But as usual, when Merquise's ghost drifted in between us, I resented the place he'd had in Duo's life.
"She said she visited him, and that you saw them hugging and got pissed," I added, prompting him to continue.
He smiled wryly. "That's about right. I got off the elevator on my way to the penthouse and saw them in each other's arms." His shrug was unrepentant. "I jumped to the logical conclusion."
"--even if it was dead wrong."
He chuckled. "Took Zechs a week to convince me she was his sister, an' not some bimbo he brought home."
"Are you always so jealous?" I teased.
"Only of guys I really care about." His expression turned a bit wistful. "I kinda made him grovel--or as close to it as a man like him would stoop."
"I imagine he'd stoop to almost anything for you," I said warmly.
"Yeah, I guess he might've..."
"I know I would."
Duo shot me a stern look. "I'd never make you do that, 'Ro."
"I'm glad," I said with genuine relief. "I was afraid when I came in here you'd be angry or hurt, and maybe not even give me a chance to explain."
He shook his head. "I was angry and hurt--until Noventa grilled me for an hour, and I had time to cool off and think." His eyes caught and held mine. "You've never played games with me, 'Ro. Never. You just don't have it in you. Even when I was screwing with your head, back at the start of all this, you didn't retaliate. You were always above that kind of shit." A wry smile quirked his lips. "I'll admit, there was a second out there in the hall when I wondered if it'd all been a joke to you--fucking the witness and then waving good-bye without a second thought. But after all we've been through together, I know you better than that. I know you could never do that--not to anyone."
"Not to you," I insisted. I reached to smooth a hand down his cheek. "You'll never have to doubt me, love. I promise. You're the only one for me."
He leaned into the touch, sighing just a bit. "God, I can't wait for this all to be over."
The sound of a tap on the door made us both jump apart guiltily. But it was Chang who poked his head in, waving a frosty can of soda. "I hear there's a thirsty witness in here," he teased, walking in and pulling the door shut.
"Thanks, man," Duo said warmly, grabbing the can and popping it open. "Fuckin' Noventa just made me tell him practically my whole life history. I'm dyin' here." He guzzled half the can in a few desperate swallows, and then gave a satisfied belch.
Wufei rolled his eyes. "You can dress him up, but you can't take him out," he sighed.
Noventa burst back in then, causing both Chang and me to whirl and go for our guns. But he merely waved us aside with the thick folder clutched in his hand, still muttering about incompetent office temps as he went around to his desk.
"About your criminal record, Maxwell--"
Duo looked up with a raised eyebrow. "What about it? I was a screwed up kid from the get go--I told you."
"There's nothing recent in here."
"No. Should there be?"
"When were you last arrested?"
"Well--not counting Yuy and Chang chasin' me down at Sanc--probably a couple of years ago."
"For--?"
"Drug possession." Duo looked down at the desk, picking at the edge of the blotter. "Look--Noventa--you know all this stuff. You had weeks to read all about it." He gestured vaguely towards the documents.
"That's not the point. The defense will try to discredit you by bringing up things from your past--the drug arrests, theft, drunk and disorderly--and what was that about you engaging in sex in a public park on top of a statue of a horse--?"
Duo ducked his head to hide a smirk. "I was drunk, an' it was a dare. For fuck's sake, counselor, I was barely eighteen at the time!"
"Yes, and the other boy wasn't quite that old, was he?"
"Um, no."
I rolled my eyes, exchanging a long-suffering look with Chang.
"At any rate," Noventa continued brusquely. "Whatever Septum, Tsubarov, or Catalonia brings up, just answer 'yes' or 'no.' Don't elaborate. Don't volunteer anything. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Good--and as for your account of the murder, remember to simply say you and Merquise had dinner and went to bed. Don't mention sex, like you did when you told it to me. It's one thing for the jury to know you were two gay men in a relationship, and quite another for them to hear the word 'sex.' As open-minded as they are, that might be more than they can handle."
Duo sighed. "I get it. No sex."
"And no swearing, no matter what. If I hear the f-word cross your lips out there just once--!"
"It won't!" Duo promised. "Jeeze, Noventa--I can behave myself for long enough to tell the jury what I saw."
"That part doesn't worry me. The account of the murder you just gave me was very close to your original statement to the police, which lends it great credibility."
"Uh--yeah," Duo said, looking a bit confused. "That means you believe it's the truth?"
"Something like that," came Noventa's amused reply. "But what's really important is that the jury does." He looked at his watch and then at Duo. "It's time for us to get back in there. Do you have any questions for me?"
Duo made a helpless little gesture with his hands. "Would it matter?" he asked wryly. "We're kinda out of time."
Noventa smiled patiently. "I suppose so. Just--stay calm out there. Don't let them fluster you, okay? I'll be the one you're testifying for--and if possible, I'll drag it out so they don't get to cross-examine you until tomorrow. That way you'll have more time to prepare."
My lover's smile was weak, but grateful. "I'd appreciate that," he admitted. "This has all been kind of crazy. I could use a little down time."
"You'll get it."
We headed out of the office, Chang taking point, while I stayed alongside and slightly behind Duo and Noventa. At the corner, my partner paused with a hand out to stop us, and we both scanned the hallway for trouble, keeping Duo shielded with our bodies.
He must have felt like the middle portion of a sandwich, the way we had him pressed between us. "Jesus, 'Ro--'m okay!" he hissed under his breath.
"Maxwell--you do realize that law enforcement officers are permitted weapons even in a courthouse--" Wufei reminded him, glancing back with a vague scowl.
"But there're witnesses--"
"Do you honestly think that would stop them?" I scoffed. "At Khushrenada's price, a man might be willing to risk prison. Just because we're inside a courthouse--it doesn't mean the threats aren't still valid," I pointed out. "Guards and security people can be bought--cops can be bought." How true that was!
"FBI agents can be bought," Duo added darkly.
"Absolutely," Noventa agreed, stepping out ahead of us, as if testing the waters.
"What about a D.A.?" Duo inquired warily.
Noventa stopped in his tracks, turning around, and I automatically edged in front of Duo.
"Mister Maxwell--I'd take offense at a question like that, if I didn't know how much you've been through."
"I'm just sayin'--"
"And I'm saying--no! I have not been bought," came a firm reply. "That is not to say that a District Attorney is above temptation. Anyone can be tempted. And I'm sure some have been bought. But not me. Not yet."
Duo gave a wry smile. "Nobody found your price yet?"
Noventa shook his head. "I hope they never do."
"Me, too," my lover said with a more relaxed smile. He gave me a quick wink. "I like this guy, Yuy. Quatre was right--he'll walk me right through this."
"That's what I'm here for," replied Noventa. He gestured down the hallway towards the courtroom. "Shall we?"
"Oh yeah--let's go cook Treize's goose."
~*~
All went well as we entered the crowded corridor leading to the court--right up until we were almost at the door. And then, Khushrenada and his entourage arrived from the opposite direction, and he and Duo ended up face to face.
The syndicate leader's keen eyes narrowed astutely as he studied my suddenly-pale lover. "Nice to see you again, Duo," he purred smoothly, his tone hinting at more than a passing acquaintance. "I was very sorry to hear of Zechs' death--my condolences on your loss."
Duo's jaw dropped, but words seemed to fail him. I already had a loose grip on his arm, and could feel him tense with anger.
"You--your condolences?" he finally sputtered in outrage, lunging for the crime lord. Fortunately, Chang and I were ready for such a move, and we forcibly held him back. "You fuckin' sonofa--! Don't stand there and patronize me, you bastard! I watched you kill him!"
"Get your client into the courtroom!" Noventa snarled, shoving his way in between our group and theirs.
Khushrenada was chuckling to himself, pleased at having rattled Duo, as he and his team of lawyers entered the courtroom.
"Duo, calm down!" I urged, feeling the raggedness of his breaths as I restrained him.
"Maxwell!"
Chang's voice seemed to cut through Duo's outrage, and he froze and then relaxed in our grasp.
"Sorry," he breathed, sounding thoroughly miserable. "Didn't mean to lose it like that...but...he sounded so fuckin' smug."
"He baited you, Maxwell," said the D.A. dispassionately. "And you fell for it. I told you before, you have to keep your cool on the stand."
"I will!" Duo said hotly. "But you also said I wouldn't see him except in the courtroom."
"Bad timing," he conceded. "Now, let's get in there before the judge arrives. She's not a patient woman."
The four of us entered the courtroom to hushed murmurs and curious looks. At that point Wufei and I took positions in the front row, with Duo between us, while Noventa walked through the gate and joined his assistant at the prosecutor's table.
I heard him quietly chastise his subordinate for not having brought him his files, and get a mumbled apology in reply. Then the bailiff called for everyone to rise and we all stood to watch Judge Lake enter and take her place at the bench.
She cast a sharp gaze over both the prosecution and the defense team, and then took her seat as the bailiff announced the court was in session with the Honorable Judge Victoria Lake presiding.
Duo wrinkled his nose at the lengthy introduction, giving me a mischievous sidelong glance that reassured me he had recovered from the encounter at the doorway.
"Mister Noventa--are you ready to begin presenting your case?" asked the judge.
"Yes, Your Honor. The prosecution would like to call Duo Maxwell to the stand."
I surreptitiously squeezed Duo's hand, before standing to let him slide past me and walk through the gate and up to the witness stand.
I was proud of the way he looked up there. His suit, impeccably chosen by Quatre, fit like it was made for him. It was stylish without being obvious, and it made him look--completely and utterly respectable.
I found myself smiling at the thought that he'd finally gotten what he wanted.
Frankly I couldn't care less how respectable he wanted to be. I adored the ebullient, irreverent, brassy and irrepressible man just the way he was. And when his indigo eyes sought mine for reassurance, I'm pretty sure he found it. At least the hint of color that brushed his cheeks made me think he'd seen what he was looking for.
He was sworn in, and then Noventa approached him with a suitably sober expression on his face. "Would you state your name for the court please?"
"Duo Maxwell."
"And how did you know Zechs Merquise?"
I bit my lip to keep from smirking at a random thought that crossed my mind. There was a time Duo probably would have said "inside and out," and winked slyly at the jury.
Instead he looked squarely at the prosecutor and gave a completely serious answer. "First I worked in a club he owned, and later I was his lover, as well as his employee."
"How long were you a couple?"
"Around eight or nine months."
"And was the relationship exclusive?"
"For the last six months it was."
I exchanged a glance with Wufei, pleased at how things were going. For having only had a couple of hours to prepare Duo, Noventa had done a fine job of picking out the things that would lend credibility and sincerity to Duo's testimony.
"Would you please tell the court what happened on the night of Zechs Merquise's death?"
Duo nodded, and I could see his hands tighten on the arms of the chair as he launched into his account of the murder. "We were at his penthouse--Zechs and me. We'd had dinner and gone to bed, and around midnight someone rang the intercom." Duo had that little line in the middle of his forehead that I'd come to recognize as indicating he was thinking rather unpleasant thoughts. "Zechs buzzed them in, and got up to go to the door, while I stayed in bed. But I decided to have a cigarette while I was waiting, and had to get up for my lighter. While I was getting it, I heard what sounded like an argument--someone saying Zechs had betrayed them, an' Zechs denying it. They said they knew about the private bank accounts--that the money he'd been putting in them was a payoff." He shook his head, the scowl deepening. "But Zechs said he'd never betray Oz; he'd never sell out to the cops." He fixed a steady glare on the jury. "He wouldn't have done that! Not Zechs."
"At any rate--" he continued, taking a deep, calming breath and turning his gaze back to Noventa. "I threw on some clothes, 'cause I figured maybe he needed some backup. But before I could go out there, I saw them through the space between the door and the frame. Two guys had Zechs by the arms, on his knees--Khushrenada was standing in front of him, and Une was holding a gun to his forehead."
Noventa raised a hand, and Duo paused. "Une?" asked the D.A.
"Khushrenada's administrative assistant," Duo explained, jerking his head in her direction.
Une was seated in the audience just behind the table where Khushrenada and his defense team sat. She looked as coldly efficient as ever, a briefcase in hand, and her hair pulled back into a tidy little bun.
And why the hell hadn't she been picked up as an accomplice, I wondered. Unless, of course, she was out on bail. But I still didn't like the icy glare she was directing at my lover--as if she were the one he was accusing of murder.
Noventa turned the attention of the jury back to Duo by nodding and asking him to continue.
"So--I tried to figure out how I could help Zechs without getting us both killed," Duo went on, a thread of grief seeping into his voice. "I looked through his dresser drawers to see if he had a gun or something--but he didn't. And just when I was gonna go out there anyway, I heard Une ask Khushrenada if she could 'finish the traitor.'" Here Duo raised his eyes to meet Khushrenada's from across the room, hate glittering in their depths. "He said 'no, my dear--this is between Zechs and me--a matter of honor and betrayal.' And then he took the gun out of her hand and shot him."
Duo's voice wavered at the end, and I saw him drop his gaze to the floor, swallowing hard to regain his composure.
Fortunately, the awed murmurs in the courtroom gave Noventa a moment to move in close and say something that seemed to steady Duo's nerves. He patted the back of one of the white-knuckled hands, and then turned and directed his gaze at Khushrenada, even as he continued his questioning of Duo.
"You're sure it was Treize Khushrenada in that penthouse?"
"Yes."
"Had you met him before, that you'd recognize him?"
"I saw him once or twice with Zechs at a nightclub where I worked. I was even introduced once when we bumped into Une and him at a restaurant--yeah, I'd recognize Treize Khushrenada anywhere."
"And did you know the men with him?"
"Sure. Otto and Trant were a couple of his bodyguards, I guess. Hired muscle. At least, they were always a few steps behind when he was out in public. Like the b-- Um--like Une."
Noventa gave Duo a sharp look, and my lover grimaced slightly and looked down at his feet.
"Okay, Mister Maxwell," Noventa continued, smoothing over the near-blunder. "What happened after the murder?"
"I--" Duo faltered, and his eyes sought mine for a moment, before he drew a deep breath. "It's kind of a blur," he admitted rather weakly. "As soon as it sank in--that it wasn't just some kind of horrible nightmare--I realized I had to get out of there, in case they thought to look around. Not that a lot of people knew about Zechs and me--but I'm pretty sure Khushrenada did. So I slipped over to the window and climbed out onto the fire escape. It was raining, which probably helped cover the sound, and I went up onto the roof and took the stairs down to the first floor. I figured if I went out the front lobby they might have someone waiting who'd see me leave, or maybe stop me. So I jumped out a window at the end of the hall onto a dumpster in the alley, and I took off."
"Where did you go?"
"To a friend's apartment. I was afraid to go back to mine--in case Khushrenada's goons came looking to tie up any loose ends."
"And why didn't you go to the police?"
Duo gave him a withering look. "Do you know how powerful Treize Khushrenada is? I didn't think the cops would believe me if I tried to tell them he'd killed Zechs. And I was afraid if I went to them and he found out, he'd come after me next." He darted a glare in Khushrenada's direction. "And he did, didn't he?"
"Objection!" Septum called out curtly. "That's speculation, Your Honor. There's no proof that my client had anything to do with any attempts on Mister Maxwell's life."
"Sustained." The judge glanced over at the jury. "You will disregard that last statement."
She gave a warning look to Noventa, who passed it along to Duo.
"Can you tell me, briefly, how it is you came to be testifying in this case at all?"
Duo looked a bit off balance, but pulled himself back together well. "I--um--waited until payday and went to pick up my last check from my job, so I'd have money enough to leave town--but the cops found me there. They'd guessed that I might've seen what happened to Zechs, and wanted me to tell them--but I was sure if I did, my life wouldn't be worth sh--" He caught himself just in time. "I thought that somehow word would leak out, and someone would try to shut me up. So I refused to cooperate--until a couple of days later when I went to see my lawyer and someone blew up the car I came in."
Noventa nodded wisely. "As I recall, your attorney lost a valued employee and friend in that explosion?"
"Rashid," Duo said, his voice husky. "He was bringing the car around when it happened."
"And you were injured in the blast, were you not?"
"Yeah--just bruised and banged up." Duo gave a shrug. "I was lucky."
"So the close call was enough to convince you to cooperate with the police?"
"I didn't want anyone else to get hurt," Duo replied firmly. "After what happened to Rashid--I just couldn't stand to think of other people close to me getting killed if whoever blew up the car tried again." He gave a wry smile. "Besides, I don't think the cops would've let me walk away a second time." His warm gaze slid over to me, and I gave a very slight nod of agreement.
Damn straight I wouldn't have let him waltz off on his own again.
Noventa continued the questioning for a little bit longer, asking about things I thought were a bit trivial--like how long Duo had been employed at the club, and if Zechs had ever hinted that Treize might have reason to do him harm. But then, I already knew the answers, while the District Attorney had nothing to work with besides Duo's initial statement and his arrest record, until their all too brief session just prior to entering the courtroom. For him, there were probably a whole lot of blanks still waiting to be filled in.
He managed to drag out the testimony until it was just late enough that the judge would be unlikely to allow the cross-examination to begin. Then he thanked Duo for his time, and said he had no further questions at this time.
Judge Lake eyed my weary-looking lover, and then gave a quick thump of the gavel. "This court will adjourn for the day, and these proceedings will resume at nine o'clock tomorrow morning with Mister Maxwell back on the stand." She looked over at Noventa, her expression unreadable. "I assume you've made provisions for your witness' accommodations?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Good. See you in the morning." She made her exit, and then the rest of the courtroom began to empty.
As Duo stepped down from the stand, I crossed the room to stay between him and Khushrenada. I was partially shielding him from those malicious, sly eyes, and partially acting to keep him from making another scene.
But he didn't have that much fight left in him. When I got close, his shoulders slumped wearily, and it took a supreme act of will not to scoop him up in my arms.
"You did fine," I told him, my hands twitching with the urge to touch.
He nodded, sighing.
"He's right," came Noventa's curt tone. "You didn't get emotional up there, which is great. Juries don't tend to empathize with a weepy witness. It doesn't garner sympathy, and often makes them think it's an act. Your testimony was very--real."
Duo eyed him narrowly. "I wasn't putting on a show, Noventa. I just told them what happened the best I could."
"I know--and so did they." Noventa looked inordinately pleased. "Like I said, you were great up there."
Duo waved him off a bit impatiently. "Is there somewhere I can just crash, counselor? I'm fuckin' beat to Hell right now."
"I'll see about setting something up," Noventa replied. "We weren't sure you were coming--so there wasn't much of a plan made for sleeping quarters."
My lover yawned, leaning an arm across Chang's shoulder and slumping against him. "Jus' find me a horizontal surface, an' with Yuy and Chang to watch over me, I'll sleep like a baby."
Noventa eyed the three of us carefully. "You really trust these two, don't you?" he asked Duo.
"With my life. Repeatedly."
The District Attorney gestured us to follow as the last of the people slipped out of the room. "Let's go back to my office for now, and I'll arrange for a futon or a couple of couches to be brought in. I'm not sending you out of this building now that I've got you here. Until your cross-examination is completed, your testimony can be questioned. I'm not taking any chances."
I gave him a mildly amused look. "As if we'd let you?"
Chang chuckled beside me.
TBC...
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