Blacken Alandra Rankin (the alpha prince and his bride full story free TXT) 📖

He leaned forward, “I’m a Detective for Blacken’s police department.”

“Were you involved with the defendant in any way?”

“I handled his booking and filed the information on him.”

She talked to the detective as her body opened to allow the collected jury to easily see their interaction, hands moving greatly with her speech in inflated motions.

“Were you ever at the crime scene on the night of October twenty-sixth?”

“I was. Called in shortly after midnight and arrived about a quarter after then.”

She nodded, approvingly, “Since you were involved, could you identify the weapon found at the scene of the crime?”

He chuckled, “Sure can. A Taurus Judge, silver, dark grey handle.”

The Crown counsel woman brought forth evidence collected during the case, starting with the most critical piece that tied Avie and himself together as a crime.

She showcased the item and spoke high and mighty, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I present to you Exhibit A: The revolver used on the night of the crime. The same handgun registered to Owen Zagorski, purchased in the time that he got to know the victim.”

Passing around accumulated papers, the Crown described them as matching fingerprint documents and ownership records of the piece, “Now, the evidence presented here is pretty cut and dry, it very simply connects the defendant being in possession of this revolver. Detective, you said you were the one who booked the defendant, correct?”

“Yes, I was.”

“How much time passed between the crime and the detainment that night?”

His face pulled down while pursing his lips, “I would have to wager about an hour, an hour and a half.”

“I would like to ask, did Mr. Zagorski appear in pain or with any markings on himself at the time?”

He shook his head, “No, the kid had clearer skin than he does now. Nothin’ mentioned during the interview neither.”

She turned back, giving the jury all of her attention, “I’d like to show evidence, mug shots taken at the police station mere hours after the attack.” Her confident stride presented the shots, showing the clear-cut V-neck blue tee shirt, showing off his neck and dipping enough to glance at the beginning of a chest.

“Detective, if two people are mixed up in a fight, what happens when someone is hit so brutally by an attacker?”

“Broken skin, broken bones, swelling, discolouration, bruising… depends on the severity.”

“And how long does it take for any of those to show up after an attack?

“Usually? Immediately.”

“What is missing on the defendant in this photograph?”

“All of the above.”

Owen saw her smirk at the information presented by the detective, she was covering her ass for his own inevitable testimony. “Upon processing the defendant, he gave a statement to you, could you let us know what was said with the documents you have?”

Det. Arcand spoke about Owen being in a trance like state, most likely due to the disturbance experienced. The Crown played the recorded interview, listening to his own confession played back for him. He only opened up about what happened once he believed Avie had died in the hospital. He explained about needing to protect her, from herself, that she wasn’t thinking right or the same way she had been. Admitting, finally, to firing the very same handgun presented as evidence, but not the circumstances around that night.

“Thank you for your time, detective.”

The trial went on, the prosecution called upon one of Avie’s neighbors to testify as well. The older gentleman Owen only met in passing instructed to be called Buddy. Buddy was asked about the same night of the shooting, testifying that the only raised noise levels had been the blond at her door pounding for several minutes and shouting through the barrier. That, and the gun shot a few hours later.

His well-suited attorney asked permission to cross examine the neighbor, claiming the fact that Buddy had hearing aids, asking if they were turned down at the time.

“The man was making such a ruckus; I did turn them down for a short period.”

“Could it have been possible that in that time, if Miss. Conrad and the defendant were both aggressive, a struggle could have been muted to you?”

“I… I guess it is possible.”

Owen smirked behind his hand.

Afterwards, a Dr. Fidler was called to the bench. The pictures were presented at his testimony of Avie’s torso that had been cut open, showing off the damage done by the bullet. Even the bullet itself was brought up, matching the gun record.

Dr. Fidler talked about the state his patient had been in on arrival, how tricky the surgery was with her extremely rare blood and how no other injuries were found on her person. The questioning woman asked about attack injuries once again.

“Typically,” he went on to explain, “even an assailant would receive marks on their body from a defender. Things like imprints on the wrist from being held back, or a push or kick imprint on the skin if they were forced away.”

“And you can confirm that the victim didn’t arrive with or show any signs of those developing in their time at the hospital?”

“None. It would have raised concern from any of the doctors or nurses attending.”

The Crown dismissed him as well after a few more technical questions, thanking him for his time while she turned her head to the jury, dark waves of hair tossing around in that annoying superior motion.

“From the information we gathered here, there casts reasonable suspicion on Mr. Zagorski. Only one other person had been there that night who can tell us their side of the story. The very person who, by all odds against them, survived a gunshot at close range. I would like to call to the stand Avie Conrad.”

“Avie Conrad, you are being called upon for your testimony, please come this way.”

She sat up straighter, a chill running through her body, causing her to forcibly shiver. This was it. She felt as though she could throw up at any second, public speaking never being her forte. Still she made her way to the bench, the world