As two ambulances left the courtroom, the DA gathered the rest of the interested parties in the matter of Yvette Smith together for a quick conference.
"Well," said Simon Theopod.
"I'm sorry for my outburst," began William Anderson. "It's just that... that..."
"I understand, and in fact that did help our case out tremendously. The judge ordered Smith held without bail. Although I'm surprised at the defense's sudden change of heart in regards to their plea, I'm not surprised about their requests for medical and psychiatric evaluations before sentencing. I won't contest any of it, depending upon the results, but did you have anything to do with that Mrs. Tachibana," he asked the Skulk leader.
"No," replied Akane, shaking her head negatively. "While internal matters between various members are always somewhat difficult to address, this situation is especially most heinous. Other than meeting my obligation of providing legal counsel as Skulk leader, her attorney's actions were strictly his own."
"I see," replied the DA. "Well, even though it looks like we may not actually be going to trial now, I will still need to go over everyone's statements at your convenience. I'll have my office contact you individually to make those arrangements. Meanwhile, I will also need to talk to each of you about your feelings in regards to potential punishment of the rogue were, which will now need to be weighed against all the court ordered test results."
No one in the courthouse was presently aware of the detective's findings at the house of Yvette Smith's mother.
"If she's truly in need of help, I hope she gets it. Otherwise, she should spend a long time in jail and never be allowed anywhere near me or the rest of my family ever again!" swore William.
"I'll make sure the current restraining order is extended. Anyone else?" asked the DA.
"I second William's opinion," said the Dean, "and I'm also going to make sure she's expelled. On cause, of course," he quickly added, to make sure it didn't look like he was being vindictive. Which he might have been. Yvette Smith not only attacked a member of his faculty and a fellow student on his watch, the Dean felt somewhat responsible for her actions. After all, what if she had endangered more of the student body or faculty before she was caught?
"Mrs. Tachibana, you've been strangely silent on this matter. Any thoughts?" inquired the DA.
"Miss Smith's actions have brought great shame not only upon the Moon Lake community, but the Skulk as well. I shall strive to make amends where I can. As for the matter of potential sentencing, I too desire to see her acquire any help she might need, but will reserve judgement upon any sentencing suggestions until we discover what all the testing reveals."
"Well then, unless there's anything else," began the DA, as Samantha Twist started approaching them after hanging up her cell phone.
"I just got off the phone with my wife," she said, addressing the group.
"Frances the therapist?" asked the DA, to which Samantha nodded.
"Having not examined either party for herself, Frances' best guess at the moment is the emotional strain of being incomplete and seeing Yvette harmed made Jenny swoon and faint. She's willing to meet me at the hospital and take it from there."
"Good. It's longer than any of us would like, but hopefully Jenny Harper can be made whole in the hospital's safe room by tonight," said the DA.
"But unfortunately no one, not even me, knows if there will be any consequences from such a delay," admitted Akane. "By our best guess, it will now be well over 30 hours before there's any chance Jennifer's induction into were society can be... consummated."
"We're doing the best we can under the circumstances. Would you like to ride to the hospital with me?" asked Samantha.
"That would be greatly appreciated," said Akane, pausing to bow before Mrs. Twist. "Just let me inform my grandson of the change in plans and we shall leave immediately," she added, pointing to a gentleman in the far corner of the courtroom, dressed in an all black business suit.
With that, everyone else said their respective goodbyes and left.
MEANWHILE...
Two ambulances left the courthouse for Moon Lake Hospital.
One carried the unconscious form of Yvette Smith. There was a Moon Lake police officer riding with the paramedics, while a squad car followed them.
The other held Jennifer Harper. Her fiance, and recently created werefox, Harold Jenkins rode with her. The recently forged life/mate bond between them was strong, with Harry extremely worried about the woman he loved.
Jenny was semi-conscious. Every once in a while she would moan and ask for Harry, despite the fact he was right there with her, holding Jenny's hand. At other times Jenny would moan for Yvette, which made Harry cringe, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it until after Yvette made his future wife whole.
But once that task had been completed and Jenny didn't need Yvette any more...