Muted Judgement (Legal thriller, thriller) by G. E. Mason Page B

went to Mr. Sheffield's house that day in October to snuff out his life. That she knew exactly what she was doing when she stabbed this upstanding member of the community seventeen times. Seventeen times, ladies and gentlemen of the jury."
    Lauren gazed at each one as she let that number sink into their brains. In a softer voice, she refrained, "Seventeen times."
    She motioned towards Brad. "Mr. Kennedy, on the other hand will try to convince you that Miss Smith was a victim of abuse. But don't be mesmerized by his performance. Be ever vigilant for the facts. Because ladies and gentlemen, the facts are what you need to make a decision. " She pounded her fist on the jury box. "What you need to come to the guilty verdict I'm expecting from you. The verdict you must come to given the facts that will be presented during this case."
    Pausing, she drew herself up tall. Well , as tall as she could at her diminutive height. "Don't let me or the public down. Thank you."
    She patted the jury box, and then walked back to her table, glancing at Brad for only a moment.
    Brad stood, smiling and buttoning his suit jacket. "Thank you Ms. Heath."
    He approached the juror box with much more confidence than Lauren had. One of the women on the jury, scowled at his swagger. Lauren smiled internally.
    "The state would like you to think that my client, Miss Smith," he indicated the young girl. "The state would like you to think that my client murdered a man in cold blood. I'm g oing to convince you otherwise. Based on facts."
    He threw a glance over his shoulder at Lauren. "Facts which are what my defense will be based on. Facts that Miss Smith did not in fact murder anyone except someone who had habitually abused her. I am confident you will see our side of things. I am confident you will see the facts as we see them and acquit Miss Claire Smith of premeditated murder. Thank you ladies and gentlemen of the jury."
    He bowed to them with a flourish that had Lauren wanting to gag. Several of the jurors rolled their eyes.
    "I'd appreciate if you keep the courtroom theatrics to a minimum Mr. Kennedy," Ethan said.
    Lauren had to hide a smile behind her hand.
    ***
    "Court is adjourned until tomorrow at 9 in the morning," Ethan said before banging his gavel.
    The jurors filed out while the guard escorted Claire Smith away. She'd done nothing but cry in the courtroom. Her blue eyes would probably be puffy for the next few hours.
    Brad came over to shake Lauren's hand. "Good day in court counselor."
    Lauren looked down at the hand that was better manicured than hers. She shook it, but not with a lot of vigor. "Sure."
    "Can I buy you a drink?"
    Brad never changed. He'd been asking her out for a drink for almost the whole year she'd been divorced.
    "Brad, you know better."
    He nodded his perfectly coiffed hair. "Forgot. You don't fraternize with the other side while the trial's going on. Would it make it any better if I asked the judge also?"
    She laughed.  She couldn't help herself. "And you think he'd go with you?"
    "Why not?"
    "I think it would be unethical."
    "Maybe. Well see you tomorrow," Brad said, before he strode out of the courtroom.
    No one remained in the audience. Lauren had the place to herself. She took a moment to reflect on the day's happenings real izing she couldn't do anything else about what went on.
    "Time to go home."
    She smiled. Her daughter, not yet a teen, not really a child would be glad to see her. She hoped.
    As Lauren walked to her car, she reviewed what she would need to accomplish tonight. A voice startled her out of her thoughts.
    "Lauren?"
    Standing a respectful distance away, no longer wearing his dark judge's robes, Ethan smiled at her. Instead, he wore a tailored suit and designer shoes. All the men in the trial dressed better than she did.
    For one brief moment, Lauren was back in college, staring at the star quarterback. Tongue-tied, she could only smile. Then she remembered she was an accomplished lawyer who used words