INSIDE THE COURTROOM, the presiding judge's face was white with rage as the session came to order. It was the first time the court had convened since the riot and the judge wanted to say his piece. "This is a court of law!" he bellowed. "And in this court of law, justice will not be deterred, delayed, or denied."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohixKzI2tB
He looked in Mischa's direction as he spoke, as if the riot had been her fault----as if it had been some elaborate scheme on her part to get a day off from trial.
"We shall conduct this trial with deliberation but with dispatch," he went on. "We will waste not another day on distractions. The people of this great nation want justice and they want it with all possible speed. And they shall have it!"
The court gave a presumptive nod in Mischa's direction.
"Ms. Barton," he said. "Do you wish to testify at this time?"
She rose and approached the microphone in the cage. "I do, Mr. President."
"Does it remain your intention to contest these charges?"
That was a strange question to ask. He was referring to Mischa's refusal to go along with LaForge's plea deal.
"It does, Mr. President."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"Mr. President, I didn't do anything wrong, and I....."
"We have already heard this from you." The presiding judge, needing both hands to do so, held up the dossier and then dropped it with a loud whack. "And you testified in full to the investigating judge, yes?"
"Well, yes....."
"Do you stand by what you said?"
"I stand by every word."
"You stand by every word." The presiding judge looked at the other judges on the panel.
"Mr. President, the court has heard other evidence that was previously detailed in the dossier. I would respectfully ask for the same......"
The presiding judge silenced Mischa with a loud whang! of his gavel. "The defendant will please refrain from lecturing the court on its procedures!"
She took a breath. "May I pro...."
"The court has reviewed your statements to the investigating judge at great length. The members of this court do not have any questions for you. If you have anything to supplement what you have previously said, the court will hear that testimony. But your general claims of innocence are well known to this court."
Mischa wasn't sure what to say.
"Do you have anything to add to your previous statements, Ms. Barton?"
"Mr. President, I---I guess I'm not sure how to proceed."
"You proceed by answering my question. Do you have any new information?"
Mischa let out a breath, trying to calm herself as the heat came to her face.
"Mr. President...."
"Are you able to substantiate your claim that you were framed by another individual? Are you able to tell us who could have possibly possessed all the information and resources necessary to frame you?"
"I----no, I can't give you a name."
"Then we are left with your general denials. Which we shall review again during our deliberations." The presiding judge took a moment to look among his colleagues, to confirm their unanimity. "I am sorry, Ms. Barton, but we have no need of any further testimony from you at this time."
"I don't get to testify?!" she cried. "Are you kidding me?"
Aubrey jumped up. "Mr. President, if I may have a brief moment with my client."
The presiding judge stared at her, then at Aubrey, for a long count. "If you must. One minute. We will not recess."
Aubrey leaned against the glass cage, speaking through the mouth holes. Mischa put her hand over the microphone and leaned forward, too.
"Mischa," he said in a harsh whisper, "you must accept the deal. We can see if it's not too late to change our minds."
"No," she said.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWYp5ZFMP6
"They must be getting pressure to end this trial. They're going to hold you responsible for dragging this out."347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAv2oRfvGX
"No," she repeated.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE37YirI8w
"Mischa, listen to me. It's over. It's written in their faces. I'm sorry, but it's over....."
"No!" She shook her head violently. She removed her hand from the microphone and turned to the court. "This isn't fair! I have the right to testify as much as anyone else. I didn't commit any crime and I don't give a damn how much you threaten or pressure me----I won't confess to something I didn't do. You can't do this! You can't do this!!!!"
The presiding judge said something to the bailiff and the sound to Mischa's microphone was cut off. It didn't stop her from continuing to yell at the judges. Gendarmes approached her and ordered her to her seat. When she refused, they each took one of her arms and forced her down.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3sWApn85h
Mischa ripped off her headphones as she sat seething, her pulse racing so wildly that her vision was spotty. But she could see enough: Sebastian, in the front row, with a hand covering his face in horror. Lindsay, Nicole Richie, and Rihanna, all with tears streaming down their faces, their fates now sealed. The presiding judge, admonishing her furiously. She couldn't make out what he was saying but what the hell did it matter?347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVuCYKqDHy
Because she knew. Everything was unraveling, any final chance at hope. They probably never really had a chance. Maybe Mischa's pride, her stubbornness, her blind hope had prevented her from seeing it earlier. It no longer mattered. Regret was irrelevant. Hope was a continent away.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28QuTRnPYs
It was over.347Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7J3v1tOSn
