Chapitre 78: Chapter 78: An unexpected witness

Then it was back to the courthouse, still in full regalia, running the gauntlet of reassembled media who trailed behind after the initial fairly well-mannered onslaught, noses twitching. Watching anxiously by the doors were the Montgomery's with Adele Constantine and, a short distance apart, the Stavros', mother, son, and daughter. Ray and Julia converged on Elisabeth, faces betraying their anxiety.

'We have another witness,' Robert told them. Julia's face flared with hope but the light extinguished with Robert's next words. 'It might help get the lesser charge.'

'Can we come in?' she pleaded.

'Yes,' Elisabeth said. To subject yourself to it, she could have added. They mustered back behind the bar table while the sheriff's officer regrouped the court, Mary Eleni in the witness box, Russell in the dock. Thierry and David Crombie were at the bar table, Thierry sitting patiently, Dave alive with ill-concealed curiosity.