Anf the final part of this chapter...

 Walstead continues with his spitting rage at Simon's accusations:

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“Your honor, this is unacceptable and..."

Simon turned to the judge. “Unacceptable that I want to know how his committee might feel about him being presented to the defense in a way that makes him seem like a physician? And him offering an opinion meant only to benefit them?” 

Walstead was almost frothing at the mouth, he was so upset. “That’s nonsense! We only asked for him to describe what he saw!” 

“He did far more than that.” 

Manville chimed in with, “But, you honor, the defense is threatening Dr. Aristian!” 

“I’ve made no threats, your honor.” 

Falwell leaned closer to Simon, glaring as he said, “Saying you’ll take this to his committee and...” 

“I said nothing of the sort,” Simon replied. Then he turned to Aristian to add, “I merely asked how they would feel if they found out.” 

“Which is the same thing!” Manville snapped. 

“Hardly.” 

“Then why would you ask it?” 

Simon had grown even calmer, not only on the outside but also within. He smiled at Aristian and said, “I just wanted to know what you thought about what you were doing...and you told me.” 

Walstead snapped, “He didn’t say anything along those lines.” 

“He didn’t need to. Dr. Aristian knows what he did is quasi-legal, and he’s afraid if his committee finds out they will revoke his doctorate.” 

“Are you going to tell them?” Aristian asked, glaring at me. 

“No,” Simon said. 

“Why should I believe you?” 

“I’ll swear it right here and now. I promise before the court I will not approach your doctoral committee, nor will I seek them out or contact them.” 

“You expect us to just take you at your word?” Manville snarled. 

“Do or don’t. Doesn’t matter to me.” Then with more than a little disdain he sneered, “I’m done with this witness.” 

He returned to his table... 

And realized ReShawn was seated at the back of the gallery, a look of disbelief on his face. When had he slipped in? He locked eyes with Simon as if to ask, What the fuck is going on? 

Simon merely smiled to him. Then he noticed Paley glaring at him and couldn’t help but blow a kiss, in return. Childish, true, but rather satisfactory. 

He sat down just as Dr. Aristian was passing. The man stopped, still angry. “I told you, I’m not your enemy.” 

Simon calmly looked up at him and pointed to Walstead and Manville, saying, “You’re helping those two put me in prison.” 

“This is just a misdemeanor. No jail time required.” 

“Stick around for the verdict. See just how much of an enemy you’ve become, to me.” 

“So you’re going to punish me.” 

“I told I would not approach your committee...” 

“And all I can do is trust you.” 

“What a stupid man, you are.” That made Aristian blink. Before he could answer, Simon continued with, “An intelligent one would know this will eventually get back to that committee, so would tell them himself. That way he could control the narrative. Coach it in as positive a light as possible. Find out if they actually would care, one way or the other, about the tricks he pulled in service to the DA’s office. They might not. But you haven’t got the balls to find out.” 

Aristian huffed and puffed, and finally said, “You really are an asshole.” 

For the first time during the trial, Simon felt chipper enough to say, “Pot calls kettle black. News at eleven.” One of Alain’s favorite phrases. 

Walstead and Manville looked like they were about to come over, but Aristian walked away. 

That is when Judge Falwell asked, “Mr. Walstead, do you have anything further?” 

Simon looked up at his honor. Saw concern in his eyes, all of it directed at Walstead. The judge knew this had caused serious damage to the prosecution’s case and was hoping for something more to use for what was probably his pre-planned verdict. 

But Walstead said, “No, your honor. The people rest.” 

That made Falwell sit back, not at all pleased. He turned to Simon. “Are you ready with your defense, Mr. Halloran?” 

Since he had already entered his evidence into the record, hoping Walstead would be smart enough to back down, all Simon could say was, “The defense rests, your honor.” 

That made Falwell blink. “You have nothing further?” 

“No. Thank you.” 

“Are...are you ready with your summation?” 

Simon took in a deep breath, banished his concerns and said, “Yes.” 

He noticed Walstead grimacing and giving a sharp shake of his head. Apparently, he’d thought he’d have a bit more time to work up his closing argument. 

So Falwell sighed, nodded, and then said, “The court will take a fifteen minute recess, after which we will hear both summations.” He clapped his gavel, rose and whisked out. 

Simon sank into his chair, for the first time thinking maybe, just maybe, he had a chance to make this go his way. 

Maybe.