Murderer Or Not?

"Is that his picture?" Gwen pointed to a picture on a side table close to another recliner in the living room.

Salma smiled, "Yes, I know what you are thinking, I look too young to give birth to a six year old boy. I got married early at 18 to my high school sweetheart."

"That's exactly what I'm thinking, it sounds great to marry your high school sweetheart."

"Yeah, Salma had it easy." Freya said and that made them laugh. "We're having a girls night with Gwen and some of the girls in our town, you should join us."

"Yeah, you should totally join. It will be fun." Gwen added as she and Freya waited for Salma's response.

"I would love to, but you know I'm behind at work and I need to catch up. I'm sure you girls will have a lot fun."

It was the next day, the day Freya will reveal who murdered Nathan Brady. Freya and Gwen were seated on the defense attorney's table with Nora Thorn while Lila Park and her Attorney, Mark were sitting on their own table by their left side.

The Gallery was full of people, Freya looked around at the faces of the people there to see who came to the trial. Cathy was sitting on the first row which surprised Freya because last time, Cathy couldn't come out of her apartment. James was also there, seated next to Cathy, and Mathew, Percy, Daisy, Nina, Rose and Finn were sitting together in the row behind them. The rest of the people in the gallery, Freya wasn't familiar with them.

A bailiff (court officer) was standing next to the gallery while a court clerk was facing the judge's seat, and a court reporter was sitting next to the judge's seat with his typing machine, ready to type what was happening at the trial.

Judge Turner entered the room, followed by the jury members, and the bailiff exclaimed, "All rise!"

Everyone inside the courtroom stood up. Judge Turner walked to his chair and sat down. The jury followed and then everyone else. Judge Turner slammed his gavel and the trial began.

He made the opening statement and recapped yesterday's trial then he faced Freya and asked, "Do you have the evidence that will prove Ms. Thorn not guilty and reveal the true murderer?"

She stood up, "Yes, Your Honor." She picked up the brown folder on the table in front of her and brought out a paper slip and a USB. "Here is the DNA of the murderer from the forensic team and the CCTV footage of the murder scene." She held up the paper slip and then the USB.

She passed them to the court clerk, and he presented the items to Judge Turner. He collected them and scanned the slip, his face was unamused - he didn't look surprised at the information. "The results states that the murderer is Cathy Dean."

Many gasps were heard from the gallery, and Cathy stood up. "I object, Your Honor. I have been framed!" She exclaimed becoming hysterical and crying.

"Order!" Judge Turner shouted and slammed his gavel. "The forensic team will not lie or cheat, they know well not to try this at court." James pulled Cathy down and spoke to her in a hushed tone.

Nora Thorn looked like she expected this as she tried to hide a smile while Lila Park looked shocked at the revelation and tightened her hands into fights.

Judge Turner passed the slip to the jury members, but held unto the USB. Each jury member scanned the slip before passing it around, they discussed in low tones before they passed it back to Judge Turner.

"Martin, can we get a computer system in here and play the CCTV footage?" Judge Turned asked the court clerk, Martin.

"Yes, Your Honor." Martin went through a door and came back with a computer, he plugged in the USB and played the scene. After Judge Turner watched the video, he turned the computer to face everyone and Martin played the video.

The video wasn't very clear since it was taken through a window, but they were able to see what was going on. It showed Nathan and Cathy standing inside Nathan's house, arguing.

Finally, Nathan turned his back to Cathy and she brought out a large knife from her handbag and plunged it deep into his back. He fell to his knees then fell over on his front bleeding as Cathy stood over him watching him bleed out. After making sure he was dead, Cathy ran out of the house.

The CCTV footage ended, and Judge Turner told Martin to put away the computer and evidences. He faced the people in the court and slammed his gavel, "Nora Thorn is found not guilty, and Cathy Dean is found guilty for the murder of Nathan Brady."

The bailiff approached Cathy and handcuffed her while saying anything she says can be used against her as she kept shouting she didn't do it. James was left looking sad and confused, probably because he didn't think his sister was capable of murder.

Freya had felt surprised at first when she received the evidence the day before, but now, it all made sense. Cathy had issues and she needed help. Maybe a mental hospital will be better suited for her, but it's the court decision in the end anyway, so it's none of her business, Freya thought.

Freya and Gwen met James outside the court after the trial was finished and Cathy was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

"James, we're sorry about Cathy. You know we didn't mean any harm, right?" Freya spoke to him softly sympathetically, and Gwen added, "Yes, we're really sorry, we only wanted to bring justice."

"Justice, yes, Justice." He said with a faraway look in his eyes.

"Don't worry, everything happens for a reason." Gwen told him as she rubbed his arm comfortingly.

"And remember that we'll always be here for you, call us anytime." Freya said smiling, and he tried to smile back, but it came out sad and pained.

"We'll be going now. Bye." Gwen said as Freya also bid goodbye. He returned their goodbyes and walked to his car.

"Where to?" Freya asked Gwen as she got into the driver's seat of her car and Gwen climbed in.

"Your place, definitely."

Bring

Bri-

Freya cut the ringing as she answered her phone, smiling.

"Baby, did you miss me?" Luke asked in his deep enticing voice. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered.

"You know I did, especially since the trial today was awful even though we won." She said in a pout.

"What happened?" He asked in a worried tone.

"The murderer of Percy's dad is actually Cathy, James's sister."