By Zephyria 
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath in, and slowly exhaled. Despite the tingling sensation of carbonation that brushed past my esophagus, my mind refused to clear. I stood there for a while, unmoving. I had been like this since the day before. I hated to admit it, but I must have been quite shocked. More than the car accident itself, the man’s actions towards me were still terrifying enough to make me tremble. Even now, if I let my guard down for a moment, the crimson flames that had spread before my eyes would vividly return, and my eyes would sting as if they were burning.
Get a grip.
I deliberately threw the empty can hard. Clang, the can hit the wall and went straight into the trash can. It was a ridiculous thought. There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. That’s all over.
I’d better look at the trial materials instead of wasting time like this.
I whipped myself on and moved faster than necessary, ignoring the heavy, numb feeling at the back of my neck.
***
The day of the grand jury arrived without fail. I finished preparing early and headed to the courthouse. Reporters were already camped out in front of the courthouse. I saw the lawyer, who had arrived before me, surrounded by reporters and shouting triumphantly.
“There will be no formal trial. I believe the grand jurors will make a wise decision…”
I turned back discreetly and hid inside the courthouse. One of the reporters, who belatedly discovered me, hurriedly called my name, but I pretended not to hear and quickly went inside.
“They say it won’t pass the grand jury.”
The assistant prosecutor, who was waiting, said worriedly. I frowned and asked.
“Who’s saying that?”
“It’s in the newspaper.”
He took out his cell phone and showed me the article. I quickly scanned the screen and returned the phone.
“This is just a bluff. They always do this.”
“That’s true, but the opponent is Miller, isn’t it? He might have bribed the jurors.”
At his worried expression, I paused for a beat before opening my mouth.
“It’s a crime to do that. Surely he wouldn’t?”
For a moment, I was tempted, but I couldn’t condone it. When I denied it in a more aloof tone than usual, the assistant prosecutor whispered, suppressing his voice.
“They say they planted a bug in the conference room.”
He added to my hesitation.
“Of course, it’s just a rumor, but it can’t hurt to be careful, right? Why don’t we check it out?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out, so I closed it again. I wanted to tell him sternly not to be swayed by such rumors, but somehow I couldn’t be sure. The chilling face of the man who had tried to burn my eyes was choking me. On top of that, I couldn’t help but be concerned about the Miller Law Firm’s track record of never having lost.
Just in time, the lawyer was walking over. Barely returning to reality, I left the assistant prosecutor behind and entered the courtroom.
The assistant prosecutor’s words made sense. Miller’s lawyers had always been known to tear down witnesses, invalidate evidence, and make a mess of trials. They were also adept at creating public opinion to turn the situation in their favor.
But lawyers are prohibited from speaking in the grand jury. Everything is decided solely on the prosecutor’s evidence and persuasion. There was nothing the lawyer could do.
Just as I was sitting down, my eyes met the lawyer’s. He smirked.
What is he so confident about?
I felt like I was getting caught up in the assistant prosecutor’s unnecessary worries. I rummaged through the documents irritably, and just then, the judge entered. We all stood up. After a formal procedure of briefly informing the jurors about the terms and procedures, I stood up. I was moving to the jury room. After taking a short breath, I moved my feet.
The jury room didn’t seem to be anything special. After looking around the familiar interior, I took a seat on one side. For a while, there was a busy noise as people took their seats, and finally, the grand jury began.
Bug.
I shook my head to erase the word that suddenly came to mind and focused on the grand jury. What good would it do to plant a bug here anyway? It can’t have any impact on whether or not to indict.
There were a few minor cases waiting for indictment. I waited tediously for my case to come up. After two felony cases were indicted, the time finally came.
“Fourth, the Jonathan Davis case. He was arrested at his home around 5 p.m. on X month X day. He is accused of raping Anthony Smith after holding a party with friends the day before and shooting him in the face with a gun, killing him. The gun used as a weapon was found at his home, and a large amount of semen confirmed to be Jonathan Davis’ was found in the victim’s body…”
Here and there, people frowned and lowered their heads or made small groans. I carefully observed the jurors’ reactions. There was an overall sense of disgust and displeasure, and pity for the victim. There didn’t seem to be any problem with the indictment. I felt a little relieved by the jurors’ reactions. As in the preliminary hearing, I seated Charlie, Anthony Smith’s old friend, as a witness.
The proceedings went smoothly. The witness highlighted Anthony Smith’s kind and sincere side during his lifetime, eliciting sympathy. Regarding the events of the day of the incident, he emphasized the denial of media reports.
“He’s not that kind of friend. It’s true that he had a crush on Jonathan Davis, but he never said anything about trying to extort money from him. Rather, Jonathan Davis didn’t even go near him, saying that someone like him wouldn’t pay attention to him.”
“Yes, I understand. Do you have any questions?”
I finished briefly and looked around at the jurors. They were all looking at me with expressionless faces. I paused for a moment and then opened my mouth.
“Then let’s start voting…”
Then a man raised his hand. Feeling an ominous premonition, I nodded.
“Does the fact that the gun came from Jonathan Davis’ house provide solid evidence that it was his?”
“The gun was registered in Jonathan Davis’ name, and there is testimony that Jonathan Davis was seen shooting it.”
“Then why didn’t that witness come out and this man came out?”
I frowned at his confrontational attitude, and Charlie was flustered. I answered calmly.
“He is currently refusing to testify publicly. It has been adopted as evidence in a separate recording.”
“Is that evidence credible? Maybe that man shot it and framed Jonathan Davis?”
I had to pause to exercise patience.
I know these types inside and out. People who are so engrossed in crime dramas that they mistake them for reality and act like experts, talking a big game.