“Probably not. So you think that’s all you have to do to create reasonable doubt? Isn’t that putting a lot of power into the hands of twohumanbeings?” He didn’t want to have to point out how fallible humans were. Most werewolves thought themselves superior, but Konrad didn’t think he was one of them. Maybe deep down, he was.
She fluffed her drying hair. “No. I hope to disprove their DNA evidence too.”
“How can you do that?”
“I don’t want to say just now. It’s better if you don’t know every detail.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I could help come up with other angles.”
“No, I’ve got this. To be honest, I’m feeling pretty confident. I don’t want to get cocky, so the team of lawyers will be there if I need them.”
His mood lifted considerably. “That sounds great. I’m relieved I won’t be going to jail, and all this will be behind us soon.”
“I never said that. If the prosecution can make a good case, it may drag on and on. There are no guarantees.”
“Shit. I had hoped…well, never mind.”
She straightened and put her feet back on the floor. “What?”
“Oh, nothing. It’s just the timing. I had hoped we’d have a nice, easy summer.”
She squinted as if she didn’t quite believe him, but she let it go, thank God.
He’d had a sailboat reserved, but he could cancel it and reschedule after everything was over. It seemed like a romantic idea, and even if it went the way of all of their dates, wolves were great swimmers.
***
The jury filed in and took seats along one side of the courtroom. Konrad looked them over. A jury of his peers? Wouldn’t that have to be twelve werewolves? The only other werewolf in the courtroom that he knew of was his brother, Nick.
Be that as it may, a dozen human beings of mixed ages and races sat there staring back. His hands began to sweat.
“All rise,” said the bailiff.
A rumble signified about fifty people getting to their feet.
“This court is in session, the honorable Judge Vader, presiding.”
A balding man wearing a long, black robe breezed into the courtroom and up a few steps to his seat on high. As soon as the judge sat comfortably in his leather chair behind his massive desk, he said, “Be seated.”
While everyone was getting resettled, the judge scanned some papers in front of him. Konrad was beginning to think the good judge had fallen asleep, when the man finally looked up and addressed the jury.
“Members of the jury, what you have before you is a great responsibility, to the court, to the Commonwealth, and to yourselves. Our judicial system asks you to listen to all the facts presented during this trial, then take everything into consideration and make a decision regarding the guilt or innocence of the defendant.
“You are not to take this matter lightly. The outcome will affect more than this one man. You are to deliberate until you are absolutely sure of your decision, no matter how long it takes.”
As he droned on, Konrad stared at his lap and obsessed about the jury taking forever to deliberate. He wondered what it took to declare a hung jury.
Roz must have heard him. “Relax, lover. He has to say those things to every jury. It’s not unique to this one.”
Konrad tried to slow his breathing.Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t a fast decision a good sign?
“Not necessarily. A long deliberation may just mean they’re taking a second or third look at the evidence and trying to get it right. Don’t worry.”
Konrad noticed his jaw ached from clenching his teeth.Easy for you to say.
“No, it’s really not. This is the most difficult case I’ve ever had. And lift up your head. You look guilty as sin.”
Thanks for waiting until now to tell me.Konrad snapped his head up, his eyes level.
