Chapter 2 - Behind Closed Doors
The judge’s private chambers smelled of old leather and stale coffee.
Leo sat on a massive leather sofa, his feet dangling above the floor.
Maria sat beside him, nervously twisting her uniform apron.
Richard stood near the door, pacing like a caged animal.
Victoria sat gracefully in a velvet chair, crossing her legs.
Her expensive perfume filled the small, stuffy room.
The judge sat behind his heavy oak desk, folding his hands.
“Alright, Leo,” the judge said softly.
“There are no reporters here now.”
“I need you to tell me the absolute truth.”
Leo nodded his head slowly.
“I am telling the truth, Your Honor,” Leo whispered.
The prosecuting attorney, a tall man named Harrison, leaned forward.
“Leo, do you understand what happens if you lie?” Harrison asked.
“I’m not lying!” Leo shouted defensively.
Victoria rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.
“He is just a child with a wild imagination,” she said smoothly.
“Maria obviously brainwashed him into saying this.”
“She knows she is going to spend the rest of her life behind bars.”
Maria jumped up from the sofa, her face flushing red.
“I never told him to say anything!” Maria cried out.
“I wanted him to stay quiet so he would be safe!”
Richard stepped forward, placing a heavy hand on Maria’s shoulder.
“Sit down and shut your mouth, Maria,” Richard hissed.
The judge slammed his fist onto the desk.
“Watch your tone in my chambers, Richard!” the judge snapped.
“Leo, tell me exactly what happened the night your father was poisoned.”
Leo took a deep, shaky breath.
“I couldn’t sleep because of the thunderstorm,” Leo began.
“I went downstairs to get a glass of warm milk.”
“Maria was in the kitchen washing the dinner dishes.”
“Suddenly, we heard a loud crash coming from my father’s study.”
Leo looked over at Victoria, glaring at her.
“Maria grabbed my hand and pulled me into the pantry closet.”
“She told me to stay completely silent.”
“Then she left the closet to go check on my dad.”
“I didn’t listen to her.”
“I cracked the door open just a tiny bit.”
“I saw Victoria walking out of the study.”
“She was holding a small blue vial in one hand.”
“And she was smiling.”
Victoria stood up abruptly, knocking her chair backward.
“This is an absolute outrage!” she screamed.
“I will not sit here and be slandered by a deceitful brat!”
Leo reached his small hand into his pocket.
“I’m not a brat,” Leo said quietly.
He pulled out a small, crushed object and placed it on the coffee table.
“And I found this in the trash can the next morning.”
May you like
Everyone stared at the table in stunned silence.
It was a small, empty blue glass vial.
