Words were tightly wound. Emotions were barely held in check. Volumes were spoken aloud as well as in the silence that fell in between. Neither man was willing to concede his point. Both remained firmly entrenched in their positions. The very air in the room seemed to sizzle.
"What will they do if I don't let her go, Viktor?" The magistrate and the barrister were long past the facade of formality. "String me up like they did with...," the man's voice was rising and his ruddy complexion was growing a dark red as he struggled to get out the name that caught in his throat.
"Are you that blind not to see this for what it obviously is"!" the barrister interjected his own voice rising.
"Don't you..."
"What?" Lucien practically roared at the magistrate. The barrister's own features had turned a deep crimson hue. "What is going on, Marcus" What the hell is going on around here? Holding people on suspect witness testimony' As if that wasn't obvious enough, there is someone refuting your witne.."
"The word of a thief!" the magistrate countered. Lucien didn't even pause to make note of the man's rebuttal.
"She's being treated like she's already been convicted!" The magistrate glared at the barrister's accusing tone, but Lucien continued. "She's in isolation. No visitors allowed. Ignoring a judge's bail order! Obviously you don't have anything to go on, because no charges have been filed!"
The barrister slapped the signed bail order on the magistrate's table. "What happened to....Cromwell...," the name hung between the men heavily, both men gritting their teeth. "It should be enough evidence, to leave doubt as to my client's guilt." Lucien rose to his feet and slammed his briefcase closed, punctuating his last statement.
"I expect my client released in an hour's time." The barrister's tone was once again calm and quiet. "Have the Constable look for my carriage and driver. My Co-counsel will be by to pick up her up, Magistrate."