Page 114 of Collateral Damage

“I had no hand in my parents’ death, your honour. I found them dead before being attacked in my own home the night before Halloween.” I bite, trying to contain my obvious frustration. I don't want to show too much, or it could show signs of guilt.

“And you are not aware why they would have spared you?” He collars and at the time I did not. But now I do.

“I am aware, your honour. Everything is in that book. Maybe things that were perhaps missed.” I say coyly. They are asking me questions that are all clearly in my journal if they look hard enough.

“You said that Miss Moore did not harm you, is that correct?” I don't think I ever mentioned the basement in my journal. But even so, that was personally inflicted.

“Yes, your honour.”

“So how did she get you out of the house? Are you saying you went willingly?” It would be easier for them if I agreed but I didn't and I will not give them what they want to hear.

“No, your honour. I was drugged from what I can remem-” I jump as the man beside me almost shouts over me, grinding against my thoughts with his raspy tone.

“Objection!” The judge does not look amused, silencing him with just his index finger as he lifts it in his direction, still heavily set on me and part of me feels grateful to have someone that will actually listen to me.

“Please. Continue.” He coaxes me, asking me another question respectfully.“Is there a reason Miss Moore did not harm you?”

Because as much as she hated to admit it. She had a bigger heart than she liked to let on and somehow, I ended up loving that about her. Tapping into that hard exterior was an achievement for me.

“Because she is not amonster,your honour.” I say softly and disagreement echoes through the crowd like my words are blasphemous.

“Were you aware of the number of victims she killed?”Fourteen.But that was when she told me. From what I can remember, I don’t know how many were after that.

“Yes but I only knew the number, not whom or how your honour.” I talk calmly, trying to get my words out.

“Did that not frighten you?”

It should have. At first it did, slightly. But for some reason when she told me, it didn’t exactly shock me. Maybe I’ve watched too many documentaries. Should I have been frightened? Shown weakness? Given her a reason to retaliate? Would she have, if I had? I don’t believe she would have. I rammed a knife into her hand and she ended up wrapping my harm where I clipped my own flesh.What about that should terrify me?

“If I am to be truthful, your honour. I am more terrified of the monsters that walk among us in plain sight than I was of her. I trusted she would not harm me, even with blood on her hands. She never gave me reason to fear her, she only ever tried to make the situation more comfortable for me, your honour.” I explain, swallowing my absurd words slipping from my mouth knowing how absolutely ridiculous I sound right now. I know I do, and maybe I am just as to blame. Maybe I’m crazy, but her devotionto take a life in order to protect mine didn't scare me at all. I’d never felt safer in her arms.

“From her long list of victims, I find that hard to believe. I’m curious to know why you do not think she was a threat.” I feel my eyes welling, sucking them back in with a sharp hitch in my breathing.This is it.

“Do you know why she killed my father?” I ask with a little more confidence filling my tone. Knowing that most people in this room did not do their research before prying on an innocent girl.

“Records state they had relations, ye-” I respond abruptly, cutting him off without meaning to, but he doesn't seem annoyed, only raising his brows in surprise, almost prideful.

“Because he killed her mother.” Neither are alive, so speaking these words is a little easier on my heart knowing I won't have to face any of them tomorrow. Maybe I shouldn’t visit the afterlife just yet. I don’t particularly want to be hounded in hell.Even though I know she’ll be there waiting for me.

“Objection! Detective Blackthorne's demotion from CPD was due to self-defence. The woman he murdered was justified.”Justified? The woman?I try to hold back a scoff at the disrespect alone dripping from his mouth as he raises his voice sharply, slamming his papers against the desk and the judge does not seem to want to entertain his temper.

“And I bet that is what Miss Moore’s killer also claimed, don't tell me.” I face my left to look at him scowling at me so I scowl harder, standing off to him. I won't back down. I finally have a voice. I finally have control and I quite. Like. It.

“Would you like to elaborate?” the judge asks curiously, as if he himself is interested in this new take on their web of lies.

“Mrs Moore's murder was intentional. By my father.” I explain, feeling slightly guilty that I'm dragging my father through the dirt but it's about time people knew the man he was.The man he kept hidden, even from me. A man I am still furious at for keeping me locked away for his own selfish reasons. A man I no longer recognise.

“Are you telling me that your father killed Mrs Moore with ill intentions?” He questions, furrowing his brows as he leans further over his table. We all know she was accused of being mentally unstable on the day of her death.

“Yes. Your honour. And he breached case laws by investigating undercover, involving himself romantically with her mother in hopes to uncover her husband’s death.” If Hayden was alive right now to hear me she would probably break her jaw with anger. But she's not. It's me and I'm done doing what everyone else says anymore.

“And why do you say that?”

“Because my father believed Lillie Moore was the cause behind Richard Moore's disappearance.” He gazes at me, bewildered as we hold a strangely understanding stare before being interrupted.

“Objection! Mrs Moore went for Detective Blackthorne!”He's really starting to get on my nervesbut my nerves are sucked out of me as the Judge raises his voice abruptly.

“Silence!” He ushers me to carry on, nodding his head for me to speak, and I can feel my tears crawling up my throat just thinking about my next words.

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