ログインThe following morning, an unusual calm settled over Courtroom Three. The claimant had closed its case. Now... For the first time since the Morrison trial began, the Court would hear the defence. Marcus Hale arrived early. He sat alone at the defence table, reviewing a slim bundle of documents. Richard Morrison sat beside him, his expression unreadable. Weeks earlier, Morrison had entered the courtroom with quiet confidence. That confidence had long since disappeared. Marcus noticed. He leaned slightly toward his client. "Whatever happens today..." "...remain calm." Morrison nodded. "I understand." Across the aisle, Roman Ellis entered with Vivian. Neither spoke as they organised their files. There was little left to prepare. The evidence had already been presented. Now it was a matter of answering whatever Marcus intended to place before the Court. Damien quietly took his usual seat in the public gallery. He caught Vivian's eye. She smiled faintly. For the firs
The silence inside Courtroom Three was unlike anything that had come before. It wasn't curiosity. It was disbelief. For four years, Clara Whitmore had been a ghost. Now... She sat in the witness box. Justice Harrison allowed the silence to settle before looking towards Roman Ellis. "Mr. Ellis." Roman nodded respectfully. "My Lord." He turned towards Clara. "Ms. Whitmore..." "How long were you employed by Blackwood & Vale?" "Nearly six years." "And during that time..." "...what was your area of practice?" "Corporate litigation." "I also assisted with regulatory compliance and high-value commercial disputes." Roman nodded. "Were you assigned to work on matters involving Richard Morrison?" "Yes." "For approximately eighteen months." Marcus Hale watched without expression. But he had already realised this testimony would be unlike any the Court had heard before. Roman continued. "During your work on those matters..." "...did anything attract your attention?" Cl
By the following morning, anticipation filled every corner of the courthouse. The Morrison trial had reached a point where every witness seemed capable of changing its course. Inside Courtroom Three, the atmosphere was noticeably different. Even before proceedings began, reporters whispered among themselves. Something was coming. No one knew what. Justice Harrison entered the courtroom promptly. Everyone rose. "Please be seated." Roman Ellis stood. "My Lord..." "...the claimant calls Ms. Helen Brooks." A composed woman in her late forties walked to the witness box. After taking the oath, she adjusted the microphone. Roman approached. "Ms. Brooks, would you tell the Court your occupation?" "I'm the Director of Regulatory Compliance for the New York Financial Oversight Bureau." "And how long have you held that position?" "Eleven years." "Were you asked to examine regulatory filings relating to companies connected with Richard Morrison?" "I was." Roman handed her a
The rain had stopped before dawn. By the time the Morrison hearing resumed, the steps of the courthouse were once again crowded with journalists, photographers and curious onlookers. Word had spread throughout the legal community. The trial was approaching its conclusion. Inside Courtroom Three, the atmosphere reflected that expectation. Every seat in the public gallery was occupied. Even several senior attorneys from other firms had come to observe the proceedings. Justice Harrison entered precisely at ten o'clock. The courtroom rose. "Please be seated." Roman Ellis stood. "My Lord..." "...the claimant calls Mr. David Marcel." A distinguished man in his late fifties approached the witness box. After taking the oath, he adjusted his glasses and waited calmly. Roman walked towards him. "Mr. Marcel, would you please tell the Court your profession?" "I'm a forensic accountant." "And how many years have you practised in that field?" "Twenty-seven." Roman nodded. "Wer
Rain fell steadily over Manhattan as the Morrison hearing entered another day. The weather had done little to discourage the crowds. By the time the courthouse doors opened, reporters had already filled the front steps, each hoping for another dramatic development. Instead... The morning began with quiet efficiency. Inside Courtroom Three, the judge reviewed the day's schedule before looking towards counsel. "Mr. Ellis." Roman rose. "My Lord, the claimant calls Ms. Rebecca Lawson." A woman in her early forties stepped into the witness box. She took the oath confidently before taking her seat. Marcus Hale glanced briefly at the witness list before returning his attention to the bench. Roman approached. "Ms. Lawson, would you tell the Court your occupation?" "I'm a senior compliance manager with Dominion Corporate Services." "And how long have you held that position?" "Nine years." "Were you asked to review a number of corporate entities connected with Richard Morrison
By eight-thirty the following morning, the courthouse was already crowded. Reporters lined the front steps. Camera crews rehearsed their opening broadcasts. Legal correspondents debated the previous day's testimony, each convinced they knew how the Morrison hearing would end. None of them did. Inside Courtroom Three, the atmosphere was calm. Almost deceptively so. Roman Ellis reviewed the morning's witness bundle while Vivian arranged the exhibits in chronological order. She noticed Roman reading the same page for the third time. "You haven't turned a page in five minutes." Roman smiled faintly. "I've been thinking." "About today's witness?" "No." Vivian lowered her voice. "Vincent Harrow." Roman finally looked up. Nathan had briefed them late the previous evening. A man who had vanished fifteen years earlier had suddenly reappeared. Another ghost from Cross's unfinished investigation. "We can't afford to let it distract us." Roman said quietly. "The courtroom i