Winter Justice Chapter 1: My Domain

Ms. Sparx … Ms. Sparx the witness is yours!

The sudden dominance of the judge’s voice was all Winter needed to jolt her back into the reality of the courtroom. She hadn’t known what had gotten into her. She was usually so relaxed and comfortable in the courtroom and did not know why she had allowed herself to become so worked up and distracted by the presence of this mere mortal on the stand. But deep down she knew exactly why. Caleb always had a way with the ladies and that she knew just a little to well, since he had cheated on her several times during their brief and tragic marriage. There was no way in hell she was going to allow him to shake her off her game. This was her domain dammit and this bastard was going down!

Slowly standing she slid her slender hand down the side of her navy blue knee length Versace skirt in order to wipe away the dampness that had formed in the center of her palm and also to free any wrinkles that had formed there. She then began an unhurried yet confident walk toward the witness stand, where Caleb silently and calmly awaited her questioning.

The steady and rhythmic thud of her heels on the polished wooden courtroom floor reminded him of just how in control she thought she was when she was in a courtroom but he knew better. Even as she approached him he could sense that he had disturbed her equilibrium just by looking at her and that alone had gave him great satisfaction. He now remembered why he had chosen her to be his wife she was calm, smart, independent, and sexy as hell.
Standing directly in front of him now, her questioning began.

“Mr. Blackwell. Where were you on the night of August the second?”
A slow sensual smile began to curve on his lips. Oh how she hated those lips.
“As I already stated I was out with a female friend.”
“And …”
“And we had diner, she invited me back to her place for a nightcap… I was there all night so there is no possible way…”

With a pure look of annoyance forming on Winter’s face she did not hesitate to cut him off. She did this with a simple wave of her hand and composed shake of her head, which immediately silenced him.
The expression on his face was definitely a Kodak moment. As she watched his unforgiving eyes send a quick glace from her head to her feet and back up again, she could clearly tell he was pissed.

“Mr. Blackwell…were there any shipments or cargo that were scheduled to arrive at your shipping docks on the night of August the second?”

With a quick release of breath he regained his composure and answered.

“Yes, but as I was going to say before I was interrupted, I was not there personally so I assume that the shipments made it to my docks safely.”

“You assume?”

“That’s what I said”

“Hmm…Why should you have to assume, I mean don’t you keep documents of the imports and exports that are to come through your docks?”

With a slit shift in his seat he answered.

“Yes, but as I said I was not there so when I arrived at the docks the next day the cargo had already been signed for and picked up by the person who ordered it. So yes I assumed that the shipment made it safely.”

“Ok, someone had picked up the cargo. So where exactly is the signed documents which state the name of this person who allegedly received this unidentified cargo?”

“I don’t know Ms. Sparx apparently those documents have been misplaced or stolen, I’m not quiet sure which one.
“And why is that?”

“Well since I did not attend to the matter personally I do not know where the paperwork is but my workers say that it was stolen.”

A look of sudden disbelief emerged on Winter’s face.
“But you believe that they were just misplaced?”

“Yes, because there is no reason for someone to steal that type of information simply because it would do them no good.”

“Well…actually it would, wouldn’t it Mr. Blackwell. I mean if you did not want anyone to know who you were or if you didn’t want to leave any trace that you had received this cargo. It would have a large amount of use, wouldn’t?”

With a skeptical look on his face he answered.
“I suppose.”
“So you agree that without this paperwork, there is no way to know what the cargo was or who picked it up”

“Yes, I agree.”

With slow, casual steps she walked toward the jury’s box and leaned her right elbow gently against it. With questioning eyes she watched him lean back in his chair, cross his fingers together and lay them on his athletic, flat stomach which was hidden underneath his black Armani suit.

“Mr. Blackwell shouldn’t there be someone present during the signing of these documents?”
“Yes, and there was”
“Oh really! Who was this person?”

“The desk attendant on duty that day was Miguel Sanchez.”

“So he would know who the person was and what cargo was picked up?”

“I guess…I mean he should.”

“Ok, so where is Mr. Sanchez at this time?”
“I’m not sure he has been missing since the day after
the cargo was picked up.”

“Hmm… So the paperwork was stolen,” giggles…”excuse me. I mean misplaced, the cargo is gone and the only man who knows anything is missing. This does not look good for you does it Mr. Blackwell?”

As he released a deep breath he leaned back in his chair and sent a piercing gaze her way.
“No more questions your honor.”

Feeling she had proved her point she took long confident strides back to her chair and took a seat. As she sat down a wave of relief swept over her. This bastard is all mine she
thought. There is no way he is getting out of this.

“Well since there are no more questions we will
take a 2-hour recess and allow the jury to make there
Final decision. Dismissed!”

Gavel is banged.