The man behind the mask

Chapter Six: Persuasion

A few days go by where we just find any last bit of evidence left and look over everything. We prepare our speech and visit Daniel in this time to explain what is going to happen and what to do.

Today is the day we propose out evidence to prove Daniel Simmons innocence.

                                   <~~~~~~~>

"Matt is never late. Where is he ?" I complain while pacing the hallway back and forth.

Then I hear it. Matts cane tapping the tiled floor.

"I'm sorry I'm late".

"It doesn't matter come on they just started", I say eager to get inside.

We apologise to the jury and the judge. I sit down next to Foggy and Daniel as Matt starts talking to the jury.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the jury. I'd like to start by saying thank you all for being here. Now I'm sure you are all aware of the situation but let me explain it for you. My client, Daniel Simmons was found in his apartment next to the body of his deceased co-worker, may she rest in peace. Now for most, they wouldn't even hesitate to say he was the killer. He was there with the knife covered in her blood, right ? I don't mean to pry...but some of those people may even be you. You see Daniel Simmons asked Ms Clan out for food, nothing more than to simply talk about work. However she had some secrets she wanted to share, which I believe...is the reason she got killed. Ms Clan asked my client to meet her in an ally way at 1am. She said she needed to tell him something, she was shanking. So like the gentleman Mr Simmons is, he met her to make sure she was okay. But right before she could talk, my client passed out, and the next thing he knows, he is woken up with polices guns pointed at his face. Mr Simmons claims he is innocent. I believe him. Not just because I am his lawyer, but because of the evidence that provides he had nothing to do with the murder...of Ms Valerie Clan".

After that Matt comes sits down to the seat next to me. That's going to be hard to follow.

"Well done Matt , that was brilliant". I proudly say.

"It's was nothing. You are up next, good luck".

I knew he was proud of it, but he was right, I was up next. I get up and stand in front of the jury and the judge.

"Gosh, he's a tough one to follow" I laugh causing the jury to chuckle a bit.

"When we first took this case it was almost impossible to find a lead or a scrap of evidence. It was as if the plate was scraped clean. Too clean. That when we started finding little scratches left behind. Little bits of string that hadn't been cut off. We pulled on that thread and didn't let go. We pulled and we pulled until we found what we needed. A voicemail was left on Ms Clans mobile phone. The voicemail wasn't a friendly 'call me when you hear this'... no of course not. Instead it was a death threat. After some more digging we found where about it was from and found a man who would have worked with the guy who sent this awful voicemail. He told us everything as long as we promised safety... which we did", I finish my sentence which was Foggy's signal.

He came up next to me.

"He told us who he worked for, why she was doing this. To simplify it, he worked for the Russians who I am sure you know of by now. They had something on her. Something that she would panic over. A tape. One pornographic tape form when she was young. She operated the docks, they told her to keep it clear for them or it gets released. He told us everything in fear of his life. But it didn't matter. Supposedly he punched a officer and grabbed his gun threatening to shoot. Until the other officer pulled his trigger to protect him and his colleague. Now I don't know about you, but something isn't connecting here. Why would he tell us everything knowing he was in safe hands just then to threaten the life of two officers. What would he gain?"

I being to talk again. "Nothing, he would gain nothing. Now I'm not saying those officers are dirty but I want you to give me a reason why he would do this...what would he get out of off this? But if we go back to Mr Clan. She knew everything that happened down on docks with the Russians. They were bringing in guns and drugs which I believe is what she wanted to tell our Client, Mr Simmons. She wanted to tell someone... and she chose him".

Me and both foggy sit down and Matt goes back up.

"To put someone away you need facts, facts which we have. With all this evidence they all have one thing in common. The Russians. They operated the docks. They left the voicemail. They had the tape....they killed Ms Clan before the word got out about what they were doing. Those ladies and gentlemen of the jury are the facts. They seized on the opportunity to frame Daniel Simmons so they wouldn't make another news headline. This man is innocent. Why should he spent his life rotting in a jail cell when the real men behind this suffer no consequence. They know who they are. They decided to do this. Now you have to decide what kind of jury you want to be....thank you for your time."

You could feel the exhilaration in the air from us three. We sounded so professional.

<~~~~~~~~>

After the discussion between the jury they called all of us back in. I was shaking and I wasn't even the one who might go to prison.

A woman, with curly orange hair stands up.
"We have come to a conclusion if you your Client is guilty or not..."

All I could feel and hear was my heart pounding out of my chest.

"...not guilty"

We all look at Daniel and the stress and pain from the last few weeks has caused faded away. A smile that I hadn't see before lit up his face. I hugged him so tight while he was still processing things. I let go as he starts to talk.

"I-I don't know what to say", he laughs. "I'll pay you as soon as I can. I'd like to take you all out for dinner first to say thank you for everything you have done".

"That's a deal" Foggy jumps in.

We all laugh. A few hours go by after celebrating. Everyone goes home and gets ready to go out for dinner.

Thank you for reading. Please press the star Xx