Chapter 14 - Producer is feeling unpleasant

The Faker’s Affair

The next morning, I got to the court little early. As soon as I sat down, I heard someone marching to my direction.

It was Daisy.She was rather calm.In fact very calm.She said

"Endy. What are you doing? Everyone thinks that Josh is the culprit and all the evidences are pointing at him.You said that you wouldn't protect him but what you are doing right now is totally opposite of your words. Plus, bringing Mr.Palton into the mess? You know that it would reflect badly on his reputation, right? He is really mad at you right now."

"Yes, I believe I said I wouldn't protect Josh. But I also said that I would get to the bottom of it.Didn't I Daisy? And that's what I am doing right now.If that involves dragging people into the mess, so be it. And I don't care if Mr.Palton hates me or not.The guy never liked me anyway."

Daisy left without even replying to my words.She seemed....different today. Perhaps Mr.Palton wasn’t very pleased with being summoned to the court and took it out on her.Afterall she is the one that basically dragged him to the case. Or she is just worried that it would endager someone.Possibly me or her. Afterall we both know that Mr.Palton is a very capable man.

I took a look at my watch, it was still 15 min left to trial. So I sat down and picked up a newspaper that was already on the table.

On the front page, I saw news of Devvy's death. It was described in headline that says "Popular young idol murdered right after her concert" with a photo of herself from the concert and from past events.

One of the photos shows Devvy standing with her production crew on the red carpet greeting to the press on the night of her concert. Edward and Mr.Palton were standing on each side of her.

Even in a standing pose I could tell that Mr.Palton was limping.Then I turned into further pages until it was time to enter the room. I told myself that today would be harder than first round.

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TRIAL - DAY 2

"The Court is now back in session for murder of Miss Devvy Love"

"The prosecution is ready Your Honor"

"The defense is also ready Your Honor"

"Before we proceed any further, let me just tell you that my granddaughter made it to the semi-final."

"...................................."(Mr.Payaya)

"...................................."(Audience)

"................................Con-congratulations Your Honor."(Me, awkwardly)

"Thank you Mr.Morals.It would be very considerate of you and Mr.Payaya to make it fast so I wouldn't miss her show today."

He requested us like in a way which sounded more like he is telling us that we have to. And without even waiting for our responses, he continued

"All right.Would either of you like to make an opening statement?"

Mr.Payaya raised his hand and said.

"Yes Your Honor.I'd love to."

"Go ahead Mr.Payaya"

He seemed enviously confident today.

"In the last trial, we have learned that a new witness was at the crime scene.Today we will hear from him and prove that his presence has nothing to do with the case and the prosecution's point stands still Your Honor."

"Very well. Shall we begin then?"

"Yes Your Honor. The prosecution would like to request Mr.Hugh Palton to take the stand."

As soon as Mr.Payaya finished saying that, a man in orange suit stood up from audience seat and walked to the stand.

Let's see what you got chubby-bear.

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Mr.Palton is in his 40s. He is a big, chubby, bearded, money-loving,sort of high-class business man. He is the one who scouted Devvy and debuted her.His production company wasn't that big when he started out.It was all thanks to Devvy for him to get where he is at now.The compnay and Devvy helped each other out. The more she got popular, the more productive company had become and gained larger income.

But the profit between them was unbalenced. Devvy was the prime earner yet she only got 20% of what she made. That was until she hired me as her lawyer 3 years ago when I was finally finished with my internship. I made some arrangements in contract, threaten him legally to get percentage up to 50%.

So the guy really doesn't like me.But trust me, the feeling is mutual. After all, he had been making money off Devvy since the begining.

I pushed my thoughts to the back of my head and concentrate on the current situation.

"Witness.Will you plesase state your name?"

"Hugh Palton.I owned the Atlantic Stars Agency.I was the deceased's producer."

"Can you tell us why the receipt you paid for was found near the crime scene?"

I can tell that he is quite bothered by the fact that he was summoned to the court to testify.

And yeah. He is giving glares at me for that everytime we make eye contact.

"Yes...."

OK. Show me some claws Garfield.

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