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“It’s reasonable to conclude that you’ve broken multiple rules many times, correct?”

Aiden sighs in defeat. “Yes.”

“And you have a tendency of being violent and sneaky, which shows that you cannot be trusted, correct?” That is a radical conclusion Chris is making.

Aiden says, “I wouldn’t say—” I stand to object, but Chris beats me to it.

“No further questions your honor,” Chris interjects, taking his seat and sending me a wink.

Fuck me sideways with a chainsaw. I couldn’t have imagined a worse turnout. I shouldn’t have allowed Aiden to blur my duties as a lawyer. I knew this was a horrible idea.

Aiden walks over to our defense table, and takes a seat. Chris just threw Aiden’s character in the trash and showed that he may not be the most trustworthy. Therefore, his testimony means nothing.

“Who is your next witness, Attorney Parker?”

I stand. “Defense wishes to call Director Jackson to the stand.”

Chris stands. “Your honor. May I have a sidebar with Ms. Parker?”

“You may,” the judge replies.

Chris walks to me and whispers, “Don’t call him. I found something out this morning. I was not going to admit it into evidence. But if you call him on the stand…you’ll leave me no choice.” I don’t have many witnesses and Aiden’s testimony was a shitshow. I need Director Jackson on the stand. I can handle whatever he throws at me.

I shake my head. “Whatever it is Chris, I’ll deal with it. I appreciate your…whatever this is.” Chris stares at me for a second, then nods and takes his seat.

I look at the judge. “Defense calls Director Jackson to the stand.”

Director Jackson rises from the gallery, walks to the witness stand. Once he is sworn in by the bailiff, I begin my questioning.

“Please state your name for the record.”

“I am Director Taevian Jackson.”

“How long have you been a director?”

“Ah, let’s see. I became a reaper thirty years ago. Then, six years later, I became a supervisor. I was promoted to a director two years after becoming a supervisor. The previous director, my mentor, decided to retire and passed the torch to me.” I love Taevian, but he did everything except answer my question. I mentally calculate in my head, which takes longer than I am willing to admit.

I nod. “You’ve been a director for…twenty-two years?”

He smiles. “Yes.”

“How many times during those twenty-two years did you prevent a reaper from assigning the wrong death?"

“More than I can count. I pre-approve all the new reapers assignments before submitting them. For established reapers, I do not. However, I always advise them to check it over three times at least.”

“Do you think Aiden would have checked in over three times at least?”

Taevian nods his head. “Yes. He’s the type to check it over five times at minimum. I truly do believe there was something wrong with the system and not Aiden. He has never made a mistake before on the job. With all the issues occurring at Eden, this could have been a glitch.”

I smile. “No further questions, your honor.”

Chris walks in front of Director Jackson. He turns to look at me one more time then takes a deep breath and faces the Taevian.

“You’ve been a reaper for thirty years?”

Taevian replies, “Yes.”

“What do you think of Mr. Kim?”