Chapter 6 - The Tiger in the CourtroomThe courtroom of the County Superior Court was packed to absolute capacity. Media vans lined the streets outside for blocks, their satellite dishes pointed skyward like metal sunflowers, broadcasting every second to an eager global audience.
Derek walked in wearing a high-security orange jumpsuit. Gone was the smug, arrogant posture, the designer suits, and the easy smile. His hair was unwashed, his face hollow, and his eyes darted nervously toward the press gallery.
When he saw Skylar sitting at the plaintiff’s table, he froze.
Skylar wore an immaculate, razor-sharp cream-colored suit. A high-collared silk blouse covered her neck, but the faint, healing pink outline of the burn scar near her cheekbone was visible—a badge of survival and an unyielding weapon of psychological terror. She didn't look at him with anger. She looked at him the way a scientist looks at an uninteresting specimen under a microscope.
Derek’s defense attorney, a sweaty, high-priced legal shark named Miller, leaned over the podium. "Mr. Evans, look at me. Do not make eye contact with her. We are pleading temporary insanity and extreme provocation. We can spin this as a tragic marital dispute."
Derek swallowed hard, his throat dry as sandpaper. "She... she looks different. Miller, she’s not blinking."
"All rise for the Honorable Judge Harrison!" the bailiff boomed.
Judge Harrison entered, his face carved from granite. He sat down, adjusted his glasses, and looked down at the towering stack of legal briefs before him.
"We are here for Case No. 8842-CR: The State of California versus Derek Evans," Judge Harrison announced, his voice echoing through the silent chamber. "The charges include felony aggravated assault, deliberate infliction of severe bodily trauma, and an expanded indictment added this morning by the State Attorney General: systemic corporate grand larceny and financial fraud exceeding two million dollars."
Miller jumped to your feet. "Objection, Your Honor! The financial charges are a civil matter improperly attached to a criminal assault trial!"
Skylar’s lead attorney, a legendary litigator named Victoria Vance, stood up smoothly. "Overruled before you even started, Counselor, pursuant to Statute 44-B, seeing as the assault itself was directly committed to silence the victim regarding the ongoing financial crimes."
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Judge Harrison nodded firmly. "Overruled, Mr. Miller. Sit down. Furthermore, looking at the preliminary evidence package submitted by the prosecution, I see no reason to entertain frivolous pleas of insanity. The video speaks for itself."
Derek felt his chest cave in. He looked across the aisle again. Skylar slowly turned her head, met his terrified gaze, and gave him a microscopic, chilling smile.
