But he'd hung up. Feeling oddly pleased, she dried off and applied her makeup. She'd lied about her hair, as she'd washed it the night before. It went into a tight, French braid. She chose a tailored suit in a creamy coffee color, with a bolero jacket and flirty skirt. It was long enough to be discrete, but short enough to please her. Partnered with a dark rose, silk shell, she was ready. Not one for fancy jewelry, she wore a gold crucifix and simple gold hoops, about the size of a nickel.
Pleased with her appearance, she was touching up her lips when Newton arrived. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, something between navy and royal. His shirt was copen blue, his tie blue and black stripes. They stood on her porch a moment, admiring one another.
"I know it's just court, but wow. You look gorgeous," he finally said.
"You look good enough to eat," she murmured. "Oh, shit." She did a face-palm.
"I like where your mind's going, Sergeant."
"Oh, shut up," she mumbled into her hand.
"I'm being honest. We chose that as our form of communication, right?"
"Just drive, Newton."
"Yes, ma'am." He winked and backed up the car.
With his usual, cavalier style, he had them at the courthouse in record time. They met up with their fellow officers on the broad, shallow steps. The courthouse, built back in the Twenties, had a very neoclassical look. It seemed strangely archaic in the downtown, which was largely Art Deco in design. There was a scattering of more modern architecture, but the city had tried to preserve its historic buildings.
"You may be called as witnesses," Canon told them. "Oats really f**ked up my day off, but if I can nail the little turd, I don't care."
His team was behind him wholeheartedly. They all had been compromised, at one time or another, by Oats' behavior. Filing into court in rank order, Eilene found herself behind Dr. Lister. Since court wasn't yet in session, she leaned forward, tapping the doctor's shoulder.
Tabitha turned with a puzzled frown, but smiled when she saw Eilene.
"Hello, Sergeant."
"Hello, Dr. Lister. How's our favorite patient?"
"Mending. Lying about his pain."
"Yeah, seems to to with tough guy territory."
"So it seems. Though, they whine the most when they get a cold."
The bailiff walked in and court began. Eilene's favorite judge, Honoria Walker, took her seat and they all followed suit. Judge Walker had her own style, which often caught people unaware.
"So, you're back," she addressed Oats. "What's he done this time?" she asked the court clerk.
The man read off the charges.
"And a man's in the hospital, correct?" she asked the DA.
"Yes, Your Honor. Recovering from extensive surgery."
"How extensive? Is his doctor here?"
"He was called in on an emergency. However, his colleague, Dr. Lister, has offered to testify."
The judged flipped through the file. "That's the one he arrested for having coffee with the injured man?" she glared over her pearl studded reading glasses.
"Yes."
"Get her up here."
Tabitha was sworn in. The DA and judge asked a lot of questions, which she answered well. When they were done, the defense rose. He was a smarmy man. Tabitha disliked him on sight.
"Surely you're exaggerating the extent of your boyfriend's injuries."
"He's not my boyfriend."
"Oh?"
"We met that day."
"Yet, you're a regular visitor."
"If you characterize twice, as regular, yes."
"And yet you met that night."
"Yes. Am I on trial here, Your Honor?"
"No. She told us all this, so either get past it, or sit down."
Flustered, the lawyer tried to regroup. "Did you—um—you witnessed—the injury?"
"Inflicted by your client. Yes."
"Objection. Allegedly."
"Shut up," the judge said.
"Were you there?" Tabitha asked, an edge to her voice. "Because I was. And he shoved Mr. Winthrop to the pavement, slamming him in the back with his knee, using his full weight."
"Surely you exaggerate...." he repeated.
"I've performed the maneuver myself. Want me to demonstrate on you? With your hands cuffed behind you, of course. To be authentic."
"No further questions," he mumbled. Flustered, he sat.
Tabitha didn't know it, but she had a very fierce expression on her face.
"You're excused," the judge said. "Who's next?"
Canon was called, then Eilene.
"Are you going to tell us the same thing?" Judge Walker asked Eilene.
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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