Just as Benton and Amanda; each in their were-panther fursonas walked into the reading room to discover their daughter in the middle of sex. Tachibana was calling for silence in the council chambers.
“I am sorry Brett,” Tachibana speaking; “but we have been unable to contact Melissa Stovall.”
“Did you try Frances Twists office,” Brett asked.
“Yes,” Tachibana answers; “Frances’s assistant answered and said there was a medical emergency involving Melissa. She fainted.”
“And what of Martin Stovall,” Brett asking; “why is he not here?”
“Sheriff Cooper found Martin at his home after assisting the Luna Brotherhood with their clue gathering soused to the gills.” Tachibana revealing a crumpled letter; “holding this.”
Brett Takes the letter from Tachibana’s paw and reads it. The contents run the were-badger’s blood cold. “Why would Julie write this,” Brett looking ashen.
“I cannot speak for her,” Tachibana looking apologetic; “but I have to reveal the contents of this letter to the council.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Brett shaking her head; “it’s not as if my client had a legal chance anyways.”
“You still had to try,” Tachibana whispers in Brett’s ear; “as a lawyer you know not every battle or every argument will go your way.”
Taking the letter back and standing on the dais like before; Tachibana begins to speak.
“Due to unfortunate circumstances, neither Martin nor Melissa Stovall could be here. However a letter written by Julie was just discovered that can help shed some light on her actions.” Unfolding the paper, Tachibana begins to read the letter out loud.
“By the time you find this letter, I’ll be gone. I already know what the outcome of my statue 1A trial will be. I know Brett will try and argue for attempted Statue 1A. None of her strategies will work. I will be declared unanimously guilty by every single council rep and sent to a cell, who the hell knows where and left to rot. I have no intention of letting that happen. You keep saying actions have consequences; I say to hell with the consequences. I make my own decisions, my own choices and I regret none of them; least of which what I write in this letter.
If I had a another chance; I would not hesitate to turn Eric Anderson into a wer-mer. But that ship has sailed. He is now a were-panther and clearly beyond my reach to strike at. Him and his tramp girlfriends Spencer and Frieda; tell them to watch their backs, one day I will have my due with them. Brian Walker will also feel my wrath. I still have not forgotten the humiliating way he broke up with me. No one breaks up with me. I break up with them!
And lastly you two. First you dad; as mayor, you could of used your influence to make all this go away. You could of crushed the Anderson’s, threaten the school’s funding or fire the sheriff for arresting me. But no, all you did was sit on your ass and bitch at me for wanting revenge. Revenge I have a right too!
And mom, that fetus growing in you; my future brother or sister. I hope you have a miscarriage; I hope it dies inside of you; because you are now dead to me. Both of you.”
Tachibana not wanting to read the post script just folds the letter back up. Leon Talbot, the were-lion rep stands up; “that is by far the meanest and spiteful letter I have ever heard read. There is no doubt in my mind as to the verdict that should be rendered today.”
“But do we pass judgement on the crimes Julie was tried for,” Rachael Gaudet the were-otter rep in her trademark French accent speaking; “or do we include the murder she committed in escaping?”
“Are you saying we sit here for another few hours,” Randolph growling; “to listen to a hysterical were-tigress discovering a dead body and look at footage of Julie leaving the building?”
“I doubt that will be necessary,” the were-rat squeaking; “we all know she killed an innocent person and is clearly unrepentant. The letter Tachibana read clearly said so.”
“To wish your mother to suffer a miscarriage out of spite,” Andrew shaking his head; “Julie needs to be put away for life.”
“Very well,” Tachibana sighing; “we will vote and conclude this trial, unless you have anyone else you believe can testify on Julie’s behalf?”
“No,” Brett looking forlorn; “I do not.”
“Please have Eric Anderson and Frieda Knight join us, “Tachibana speaking.
*******
Both Eric and Frieda re-enter the council chambers; each standing at the podium while Tachibana waits a moment before speaking.
“Before the jury raises their paws in a verdict towards Julie’s statue 1A trial,” Tachibana speaking; “is there anything you want to add?”
“Only that the tuna melt and Monte Cristo sandwiches we had were amazing,” Eric answering.
There was a low chuckle from the jury as Tachibana shakes her head; “I’ll let Franklin Catering know then. But do you have anything else you would like to say in regards to the trial?”
“No,” Frieda speaking; “I don’t know what more we could say.”
“Very well,” Tachibana answering; looking at the jury, “starting from the most senior council member please raise your paw if you believe Julie is guilty.”
Andrew was the first to raise his webbed hand; followed by Leon Talbot and then Randolph. It goes slowly at first. The paws of the various wer-reps rising in the air; lastly Rachael Gaudet raises her were-otter paw up followed by Lance Knight.
Tachibana nods and speaks; “we have unanimous decision then.” Looking at Brett, “I’m sorry to say but your client is guilty of two counts of Statue 1A violations. If and when she is recaptured by the town’s police force or the Luna Brotherhood, she will be brought back here to face the council and be handed her sentence.”
“I understand,” Brett sighing; “will I be required to be present?”
“You don’t need to if you don’t want to,” Tachibana answering: “but it wouldn’t hurt for Julie to have a friendly face in her corner.”
Brett nods as she looks on defeated. Tachibana staring at the council as well as Eric and Frieda booms, “this statue 1A trial is now concluded, until such a time as Julie Stovall is brought back to our custody; in which time all will be required to return for her sentencing. You are all dismissed until then.”