Behind Steel Bars
By Midnight Dreamer
Chapter 17: Courtroom Drama
“Objection! Your Honor, he’s badgering the witness.”
“Counselor, please get to the question.”
“Yes, Your Honor… Mr. Andrews, were you or were you not at the Bayside Marina on Saturday June 12th between the hours of 1pm and 6pm?”
“Yes, sir, I was at the Marina.”
“No further questions, You Honor.”
“Mrs. Whitlock, you may proceed.”
“Thank you… Mr. Andrews, you just told the court that you were at he Bayside Marina on Saturday June 12th between the hours of 1pm and 6pm – is that correct?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Then why is it that we have footage of you outside Masen’s Tavern at the same time that you claim to be somewhere else?”
“I’m not sure, Ma’am.”
“So, you are saying that the footage is wrong?”
“No, Ma’am but perhaps the time stamp on the footage is wrong?”
“So, this is not you withdrawing money from an ATM outside Masen’s Tavern?”
“I didn’t say that, Ma’am.”
“Well, Mr. Andrews – either your bank, this time stamp from the camera or you are lying.”
“I’m telling the truth!”
“Save it for your preacher.”
“Objection!”
“Sustained. Mrs. Whitlock’s last statement will be stricken from the records.”
“Nothing further, Your Honor.”
“You may step down, Mr. Andrews. Court is now adjourned. We will reconvene tomorrow morning at 8am to hear closing statements.”
Charlotte and the rest of the courtroom stood as the judge left for his chambers. Charlotte began packing her things in her briefcase, when a hand slithered up her arm onto her shoulder.
“You know Charlotte… just because I’m working for the other side now doesn’t mean we can’t go out for dinner, whatta ya say?”
“Newton, I say that if you don’t take your hand off my shoulder right now I will be the one sitting in that seat over there – after I murder you.”
“Now sugar, don’t be that way!”
“I’m married, Mike – just leave me alone.”
“I’m sure your husband won’t mind. Hell, he won’t ever have to know about it. He’s a doctor right? Works long hours? You must get lonely?”
“I said: leave me alone!”
Charlotte quickly kneed the man in the balls bringing him to his knees; she grabbed her briefcase and made a hasty retreat out of the room.
Frustrated and pissed off, Charlotte headed to her car; throwing her things in the back. She needed someone to talk to and she could think of only once place to go: Bella.
The drive from the court house to the prison took an hour. Using the badge Isabella had given her, she enter the compound. Heading straight to the main building, she wound her way up the 5 floors to Isabella’s office. Angela waved as Charlotte breezed past and with a quick knock – followed by a muffled “Come in” – Charlotte found herself once again in Isabella’s domain.
“So, what brings you hear today?” she asked, without even looking up to see who it was.
“That vile creep Newton.” Charlotte said, pacing in front of Isabella’s desk.
Finally looking up, Isabella noticed the state Charlotte was in.
“Char, when are you finally gonna tell Peter about this creep?”
“I don’t wanna involve him. He’ll only drag Jasper into it and he has enough problems right now.”
“I can see how you could worry about that but why didn’t you tell him after the first time?”
“I thought slamming his hand in my briefcase would help him get the hint!”
“And the second time?”
“Closing his hand in the car door.”
“This time?”
“My knee to his nuts.”
Isabella smiled. She loved that Charlotte could handle herself, but this Newton character seemed to not know how to get the hint that Charlotte was not interested.
“So, what have ya got for me?”
“Mr. Andrews – a petty thief turned counter-fitter, now up for murder.”
“Damn! I was hoping to give Emmett some more company – he’s been awfully whiny lately. How long you think he’ll get?”
“We’re pushin’ for 25 but I have a feeling they’ll deal and he’ll get 20 – which means he’ll be out in 15 for good behavior. Now, who is Emmett?”
“So, Cell block C with Ernie – he’ll be thrilled. Emmett is a foreman on Cell block A. Wanna meet him?”
“Sure! But how’s that gonna work?”
“Inspection.”
“Oh.”
Isabella stood from her desk, grabbed a clipboard and a legal pad, heading for the door before she turning once again to Char.
“Leave your case.”
“Sure thing, Boss Lady!” Charlotte snickered.
They headed out of the main building and turned toward the left side of the courtyard. Cell block E was in bold over the door.
“Why we starting here?” Charlotte seemed nervous.
“Faster to start here and work our way to Emmett.”
“If you say so.”
Charlotte watched in fascination as Isabella seemed to check off a number of things in her head while scribbling on the notepad; stopping to speak to a few of the guards, she took even more notes. Surprisingly, it only took about 20 minutes to go through the whole building.
“Cell block E is where we keep the death row inmates. They are actually much calmer then the others so I think they have accepted the consequences of their actions and made peace with themselves – and whatever deity they worship.”
“Okay, then – next.” Charlotte hurried her along, Isabella laughed at her antics.
Charlotte dealt with these people all the time, so Isabella could only wonder why she was so scared now. They entered the next building, this one however seemed much more sinister then the last. As they moved through the building, they received cat calls and whistles.
“Now boys, don’t make me call for lock down.”
Instantly, an almost deafening silence fell through the building. Isabella went through the same routine as the last building. She nodded to the guard by the door on the way out.
“Cell block D. This houses some of Texas’ finest criminals – murders, rapists, cartel leaders… you know the big-time sinners.”
“How lovely.”
“Next is Cell block C. This houses those who are your main streamers: drug dealers, human traffickers, counter fitters, the occasional hacker – if they get their hands into federal type stuff that is.”
Charlotte followed behind once again. Though she was not as wary as the last building, she was still slightly jittery. Taking only 15 minutes this time, they quickly moved on.
“Cell block B. This houses our regulars: petty thugs, gang bangers, robbers, pimps…”
“Such lovely company you keep.”
“I know, right?”
Another 15 minutes and they were out the door.
“Cell block A . This one is my favorite and not just because of Emmett, either. These are the ones who made a stupid mistake, or were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“So, these are the ones who don’t come back again?”
“Most times not.”
Entering inside the building you could hear something you don’t usually find inside prison walls: laughter.
“Emmett must be entertaining.” Isabella said.
“Huh?”
“You’ll see…”
Rounding the next corner you could see five men sitting around what looked like a poker table. The sounds of our heels on the concrete floor made them all look in our direction.
“Warden.” A large colored man said.
“Gentlemen.”
“To what do we owe the pleasure?” another of the men said.
“Inspection.”
“Ah, yes – that time again.”
“Same time every month.”
“Well, as usual, it’s the same as it was last month.”
“Thank you, Manny.” Isabella said, to the large colored man.
“No problem, Boss Lady.”
Charlotte snickered, causing them to turn their attention to her.
“Who’s your friend?”
“This, gentlemen, is Mrs. Charlotte Whitlock.”
“Hello, Mrs.”
“Hi, y’all.”
“Charlotte, this is Manny, Jose, David, Richie and of course, Emmett.”
“Pleasure, I’m sure.”
“Well fellas, it looks like the games’ over for not. Got work to do.” Emmett said.
“Funny, Emmett.” Manny said, while cleaning up their card game.
“Boss.” Emmett said, nodding toward his office.
The three settled into the seating around the room.
“Poker, Emmett? Really?”
“We were bored! You can only clean the same spot so many times.”
“You’re right. It seems everyone is doing well.”
“Of course.”
“Emmett, I’d like for you to meet Charlotte. She is a prosecutor for the state so… I didn’t wanna say anything around the guys.”
“I understand. Hello, Charlotte, it’s nice to meet ya.”
“You too.”
“Emmett is like the big brother I never had – nor wanted,” Isabella giggled. “We have worked together so long, we’re practically family.”
“Now Bella, there is no need for sweet talking.”
“I wasn’t just talking, I’m tellin it like it is.”
Charlotte watched as they bantered back and forth; much like Jasper and Peter would. You could tell they were close, but it was like Bella had said – they were family. The more she listened to them the more she realized that Emmett would fit in nicely with both Peter and Jasper.
After saying their good-byes; Charlotte headed home. It was late and she was sure Peter would be home already. When she pulled up outside the house she noticed a strange truck in the drive; it was huge. Upon entering the house she not only saw but heard the owner of said truck. Jasper was laughing with Peter as they watched Bad Boys 2 on the big screen.
“Hey guys, I’m home.”
“Hey babe!” “Hey Char!” they said at the same time.
“You boys hungry?”
“Nah… Ma sent over leftovers; they’re in the fridge.” Jasper said then turned back to the TV.
“Alright.” Charlotte said as she headed to the kitchen.
After making herself something to eat, she grabbed three beers and headed back to the living room to settle in with the boys.
“So, how was your day?” Peter asked muting the TV.
“A pain in the ass but okay. Yours?”
“Same as always.”
“What about you, Jasper?”
“Spent the day working on the ranch. It felt good being home.”
“Anything happen?”
“Esme Cullen was there?” Jasper said quickly.
“What?” both Peter and Charlotte said together.
“Yeah, Alice’s mom had lunch with Ma. I guess they do it every week.”
“And?”
“I showed them the footage.”
“How did that go over?” Peter asked.
“Like a lead balloon.”
“So, they know everything then?”
“Yeah… Esme is pissed. I also had lunch with Carlisle.”
“Hell, and I thought spending the day with Isabella was interesting.”
“You spent the day with Isabella?” Peter asked.
“Yeah, I needed to let her know she was getting a new roomy.”
“Oh.” Peter said.
“Huh?” was Jasper’s intelligent response.
“Sorry, Jasper; I told you before… Ask her.”
“Fine.” Jasper huffed.
“Well boys, I’m off to bed – I have court in the morning.”
Charlotte gave a kiss to Peter. “Nite.”
Then kissing Jasper on the forehead, she headed off to bed. “What a day!” Charlotte thought to herself as she crawled into bed.
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