Andreas Saerdna ch.6 Turnabout Angel Wings pt.8

9:38, September 22
District court, defendant lobby nr.2

This is it. The last day. He has to bring his ace game, or else Andreas could end up in jail, as well as his companions. Since their fate to would be decided today, they have been allowed to watch the proceedings today, though in a special booth where they can't communicate with the people in the courtroom. This is so that no attempt to escape can be put in motion.
- So, how do you feel today?
Miles hoped that Andreas would be able to get through today. During the night, some men had entered his cell and beat him up. After that, they had healed him, leaving no trace of their brutality. They had also threatened him that if he would speak about this to anyone, then they would give him the same treatment every night when he had been found guilty. So Miles took the fact that Andreas told him about this that he believed that he would be found not guilty.
- A little roughed up, but other than that I am fine.
- Good. Are you sure you don't remember who your assailants were?
- They were wearing masks, so I couldn't see their faces. Also, it was dark, so I really couldn't see that much.
- Miles!
It was one of the other attorneys at the agency.
- What is it?
- It's the chief. He has disappeared. We were searching for him when we found this.
It was a note. Miles feared the worst.
- What does it say?
It couldn't be, has the chief been kidnapped the same way as Amanda was?
- You won't believe it, but...
Miles read through it. The letter was really not what he had expected. It said that the chief himself had been the one who had kidnapped Amanda, covered up for Meireida, had Andreas beat up, hired the assassin to kill Cetre. It was a confession. But it was the wrong confession. Many things in the letter was inaccurate. The kidnapping could be true, but the parts that had to do with the Stellas family couldn't. Firstly, he covered for Meireida? It was Minerva who was the one who needed someone to cover for her, and also, she was the assassin that he spoke of, surely he would know who she was, and by writing this, he would actually cast suspicion on her, which he wouldn't want to do. So, he clearly wrote this to throw the case out of hand.
- I think  know where the chief is.
Miles really didn't have a clue, but he needed to keep the agency occupied.
- The Verité mansion. He has probably been taken there.
Of course he hadn't been taken there, he wasn't even kidnapped, but Miles wanted them to believe that he was. Also, there was a great chance that he actually was at the mansion. Still trying to cover up for Minerva.
- Okay, I'll get everyone to search for him there. I knew I was right in telling you this.
And there he went.
- What was that all about?
Andreas was confused. Something had happened, and he could feel that it wasn't good.
- I think we have suddenly lost our leverage for this trial.

10:00, September 22
District court, courtroom nr.2

- Court is now in session.
- The prosecution is ready your Honor. Lets hear that guilty verdict.
- Wait a minute. We, the defense, is also ready your Honor.
- Then what are you waiting for? Call the first witness.
- The prosecution calls the chief of the defending attorney's agency.
- Wait, what?
Miles couldn't believe it, they already knew about him?

- Name and occupation, if you please.
- Charles Peridot, chief attorney for the Peridot agency of law.
- Mr. Peridot, I believe there is something that you want to tell the court.
- Yes. It was I who killed the butler.
Miles was in shock. Of course, this would free his client, but it wouldn't the way he wanted it to end.
- There we have it, a confession. So, your Honor.
- Hold it! I haven't even had my crossexamination.
- Oh, what are you to examine? His confession was nice short.
- Oh, I believe there is more to it.
The written confession. Even though it won't work in their favour, it could buy them some time. Speaking of favour, where was Amanda?
- I have here a written confession, where Mr. Peridot confesses to a lot more than just the murder, and all of these things are connected to the case.
The judge read the contents of the letter for the court. Everyone was silent. No one could believe it.
- The defense are welcome to crossexamine the witness.
- Thank you, your Honor. Mr. Peridot, can I ask you something?
- What is it, Miles?
- What is the assassins name?
- Why would you...
- Isn't it reasonable to know the name of someone you hire to do an errand for you? This errand might be bloodier than most, which only makes it more reasonable that you would know the name of the assassin.
- I too would want to know the name of the assassin I hire.
The judge spoke yet again without thinking. Out of nowhere, a whip smacked right into Miles face.
- Ouch, why did you do that?
- Oh, you aren't very clever, are you?
- What do you mean by that?
- So, he doesn't know the name of the assassin. Even though most people would think it reasonable to get the name of the person they hire, the witness might not have thought so.
- True.
The judge was already on her side. This could end badly.
- Then how did he contact the assassin? If he didn't know anything about her, he shouldn't have been able to hire her.
- Well, I might not have known her name, but I knew how to get in touch with her.
What is this? Was he going to lie again, or tell the truth?
- I took this with me if you wouldn't believe me.
Mr. Peridot took out a mirror. In it the image of the eye of a woman could be seen.
- I just write a note and show it to the eye, and then she knows what I want her to do.
- And that was when you understood that the Stellas family was involved, correct?
- What are you talking about?
- Oh, come on, you must have realised it by now. That mirror wouldn't work like that if it had been locked. Which means that the Stellas family is connected to this somehow.
A crack in his testimony. He might be able to use this.
- And of course, since it wasn't locked, you might even have become suspicious of your assassin. So you took it to the master of the Stellas family.
- You mean to Meireida?
Karma looked triumphant. If it really was Meireida, then she would probably have an ace up her sleeve to use.
- No, to Minaro Stellas.
- Wait, I think I know who that is. Is he perhaps another judge?
So wrong, your Honor.
- No, he was the master of the Stellas family.
- Was?
Karma looked a little pale. She knew where this was heading.
- Yes. He has been dead for quite a while. An illusion was set up to look like he was still alive, and it was made with just a mirror like that one...
A mirror just like that one. Maybe they are exactly the same.
- Let me see that mirror.
- Why would you want it? I have already told you about it, there is no need for you to look at it.
- Let me decide if it is to my benefit or not to look at it. Now hand it over.
- No, I will not, you have no right to ask me to give it to...
Karma whipped the mirror out of Mr. Peridots' hand. It landed at the floor with a crack. But no one looked at it, all eyes were fixed at the man at the stand. He had changed back to look like himself. On the stand stood Meireida.
- Order, order. I believe that a break is in order. Court starts again in 20 minutes.

11:47, September 22
District court, defendant lobby nr.2

- What happened in there?
Andreas was in shock, he had never seen anything like it. Also, even though an illusion had been cast, one he should have been able to see through because of his contract with Veira, he had not been able to. Which could mean that something had happened to Veira, or that the contract had been broken. Or maybe it wasn't an illusion?
- What you just saw in there was the work of mirrors. Nothing more. Think nothing of it. More importantly, is there anything you want to speak with me about before we go back to the courtroom?
- Not really, I mean...
- I am so glad to see you two!
In through the doors walked Amanda. She was smiling, seeing the two of them that she wanted to meet.
- Where have you been? I have been so worried.
Miles was about to pass out out of relief. That was one less thing that he needed to worry about.
- How has it gone? Has the judge passed his verdict yet?
- No, we still have a chance to win this. More importantly, did you find out anything useful?
Miles had quickly changed the subject to the case. It couldn't have annoyed Amanda more.
- Why should we think about this brat?
- How can you say that? I mean, he is our client.
- Your client perhaps. But I have abandoned this case. I am to take the stand today, actually, as a witness for the prosecution.
The betrayal stung hard in miles heart. He had believed in her, done everything he could have deon to make sure that she was not to be harmed, even though it meant for him to go against the oath he had made when he became an attorney. He had done so much for her, and this was the thanks he got?
- Why so quiet? Why don't we just leave this murderer and live our lives like we used to. I mean, isn't it obvious that he is the murder?
Miles just kept on staying quiet.
- What are you saying? Are you telling us that everything Miles has done was for nothing?
- Shut up, little brat, you are just a simple murderer, nothing else. I don't care if you get the death penalty, just get out of my sight.
That was all that Miles could take. Raising his hand, he slapped Amanda, right in the face.
- What the hell are you doing?
Miles was crying, his mouth in a grimace, showing how hard this was for him.
- I could ask you the same thing. Wasn't it you who told me to never give up? To always stand by the client if you knew that something was wrong with the case? To always believe in your client, until he is proven wrong. I don't know who you are anymore. Get out of here, before I hurt you again.
Amanda went out of the door, with speaking another word. During the rest of the recess, everyne in the room kept quiet. The only sound that could be heard was Miles crying.