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“Sure, it is,” I mutter. “Especially when I have a big X on my name already.”
“Look, you know the truth. If it goes to trial, you have two witnesses to help persuade the jury. Not to mention Weston’s criminal and abusive history and the fact he was carrying a gun illegally.”
I stare out the window. “Yeah, it all looks good from that perspective, but the judge is going to dig up my history too.”
“You weren’t charged with anything back then either. Rightfully.”
Serena leans over and pats my leg when we hit a red light. “I’ve got your back, Mason. Always have.”
I turn and give her a grateful smile. “I know.”
We arrive at the courthouse for my arraignment where the charges will be explained and I’ll be asked to enter a plea. If the prosecutor decides to try the case, the judge will schedule a trial date and ask for discoveries to prove guilt or innocence. I have no idea what to expect even though I should, but my stomach is so damn twisted I can’t think or breathe.
Once my case number is called, Serena ushers me inside, and we stand at the podium. There are a few people in the pews, but I am quite shocked when I don’t see my father. I told Hunter and Liam not to come until it was crucial for them to get involved. They’d already given their witness statements, so anything more would be done in depositions.
We watch as the judge takes his seat, calling out the case number once he’s done, and he asks the prosecutor to start. Once they give the information of the potential charges, the judge faces me.
“How does your client plead?”
I speak up with Serena to my side. “Not guilty, your Honor,” I respond, my voice shaky though I’m trying to sound confident.
We wait as he looks over the information in front of him. He has all the police files thus far as well as the statements. After the judge breaks down the events of that night, Serena explains that I reacted in self-defense. Then the prosecutor makes a smartass comment about how the victim once again isn’t here to give his side.
And my last name strikes again.
He knows damn well I’m the DA’s son, and my father isn’t the most liked man either. Those involved in public service are all shady fucks. Too many innocent people are locked up while too many criminals get a slap on the wrist.
As soon as the thought hits me, the courtroom doors swing open, causing us all to turn and look.
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter, and Serena shushes me.
“He’s probably here to support you,” she says, and we both know that’s a bold face lie. My father is never anywhere unless it’s to benefit himself.
“Attorney Holt,” the judge chides. “Your interruption—”
“I apologize, Judge Langston, but as the defendant’s alternate lawyer, I have just been informed of a video that will show Mason was acting in self-defense and thought you should see it right away.”
Alternate lawyer? I snort to myself, which makes Serena jab me in the ribs.
The judge waves him up and gives him a look like this better not waste my time. The way they whisper to each other, it’s obvious they have some kind of work relationship. The judge says something about using his title to my advantage, which makes me grind my teeth in anger.
“Officer, can you get a screen in here so we can present the discovery?” the judge directs his order.
A few minutes pass all while my dad refuses to look at me, and I wonder what the hell kind of video he could possibly have or where he got it from. If me being here didn’t drag his name through the mud, I know for a fact he wouldn’t go through the trouble.
My dad inserts the thumb drive and surveillance footage appears. Though it’s in black and white and a little grainy, it’s obvious it’s from an outside camera near the reception hall. I can see Weston’s back as he waves his gun at the three of us, and I plead with him to put the weapon down. Though there isn’t any sound, everyone can see he threatened us with it, held us at gun point, and I tried to get it out of his grip in self-defense. He blew two warning shots off before I charged him.
Relief floods through me the minute the video ends, and the judge calls my father back up. He’s asking him how he obtained it, and he’s claiming the gas station owner sought him out and gave it to him.
Serena and I look at each other, knowing it’s a bold face lie. I wouldn’t put it past my father to go looking for such a video and demanding it. Legally, he’d need a warrant to obtain it, but my father’s practices aren’t always known to be legal.
