Chapter 8.22: Defence

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From Rowan's diary

The next day, I and Juno went to the police so that she could testify. At first the officers were quite upset, as it was clear to everyone that Juno had read the confidential work documents they had sent me, but the situation quickly changed when they realised how much information she could provide. 

A few weeks later the news that the well-known and benevolent company committed to the green transition was charged with money laundering was in all the newspapers, and the start of the trial was upon us.

Rowan: Ready to testify in front of the judge?

Juno: (taking a deep breath) Yes, I think so.

She seemed a little tense, a bit like a student just before an exam. Ultimately she just had to tell the truth and answer the questions, I didn't think she had much to fear.

Logan: Oh, that's where you were.

Juno: Hi.

Obviously Logan, like all of Juno's other colleagues, also found themselves entangled in the trial. Many seemed quite hostile towards her since they realized that it was she was the one who spilt everything to the detectives, as if it was her fault if they ended up in a tribunal. I can't avoid suspecting that many of them may have reacted this way because they had something to hide, but I don't see why I should worry about them.

No, officially I am here to carry forward the defence of Juno and her other colleagues who were not directly involved in the money laundering affair, and this is what I must focus on.

Logan: I admit I don't feel so comfortable having him as my lawyer, you know?
Rowan: (serious) Hey, I have a name!
Logan: Uh uh...

Yes, I need to do my best to be impartial, but it's going to be particularly challenging with a certain person. It's not like a verdict confirming his innocence would change anything to me, anyway, I would dislike him no matter what. 

This trial will definitively be an especially long one. There is a very large number of charged people, even more people called in to testify, and several lawyers and assistants. Even just listening to everyone took days. As the defence lawyer of Juno and the others in her situation, I had to ensure that them all could receive fair treatment and make their position as clear as possible during the debates. 

Juno was asked several questions, regarding her role in the company, the fundraisings and the circumstances that had led her to testify at the police station. She had to repeat for the umpteenth time elements already in the hands of the detectives and reported in the trial files, but in general they all seemed well disposed towards her.

Juno: ... officially our customers paid us a monthly fee, on the contracts they signed it was clearly stated that our company would have used that money to implement more environmentally friendly solutions in their buildings and production lines. I was in charge of drawing up budgets and of some fundraising projects, but I never had reason to suspect that the money had an illicit origin. Honestly, I still struggle to believe it, we worked so hard thinking we were helping the environment, while instead...

Juno was one of the few witnesses to prove to be sincerely disappointed by the conduct of their company, evidently she was among the few who truly believed in what was their (official) mission. I know I should remain impartial and do my job, but that was very disappointing to find.

Logan: ... among my tasks, I was also responsible for the company's computer network. I had never accessed the executives' files, but I can provide you with some passwords, if it may be of use for the investigation.

It pains me to admit it, but Logan was also quite cooperative and provided a lot of important information for the investigation. What a drag.

Shaking my head a little, I took note of what he had said and prepared to listen to the next witness. It will be a long process, we will need to maintain patience and strong nerves if we want to reach the end of it.

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So the days passed. Both Juno and I couldn't help but be worried about the progress of the trial, but we were trying very hard not to make Gaia notice our state of mind.

Time passed so quickly that we barely noticed it, and now it was time for the birthday of the (no more so) little Gaia.

Juno: Iris managed to get the tourist visa just in time, she's coming!
Rowan: I also helped River and the others with their paperwork too, they should arrive soon.

We decided to celebrate Gaia's birthday here, in Sim City, even if this meant a lot of paperwork for our relatives and friends from New Sixam. But we thought that the little one would have more fun in a place she was familiar with, and then the others said they were curious to see our new house, after hearing so much about it.

Gaia: Cake, cake!
River: Eh eh, how can you blame her? The cake looks delicious!
Rowan: Don't you want to blow out the candles first?
Gaia: Yes, blow, blow!

Gaia has always shown a quite strong character, and even during her birthday party it has been very evident. She sulked all evening because she argued with Eva, it wasn't entirely clear to us what the reason for their argument was, but they seemed to have taken it seriously.

Caleb: I really don't understand girls, why are they fighting?

Iris: I suspect that Gaia said something that implied she doesn't like Eva's hairstyle.

Caleb: (perplexed) And is this a reason to argue?

Iris: Well, it depends... But tonight they're definitively exaggerating a bit, that's for sure.

Despite everything, in the end Gaia seemed to have fun, as did our guests. All in all it had been a good party, we could be satisfied when we went to sleep that evening.

And a good night's sleep at that moment was just what we needed, as the final court ruling would be held the very next morning.

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The following day, back in court

The work day started very early again, and we lawyers were called to report our final reports, before the judge expressed his final judgment.

The overall situation had been clear for days, the responsibility lay with a few managers of Juno's company and of their clients, and very few of Juno's colleagues were found aware of the facts or involved in any illegal act. After months in court, those few executives had been arrested, the illicit activities traced, and the company where Juno worked (that, at this point, appears like a pure cover to a money laundering operation) had been closed down.

Logan: Well, thank goodness it's over, I couldn't stand coming to court anymore... (Ironic) I really think I'll have to start sifting through job adverts again, just like a new graduate, don't I?

Juno, Logan and all their acquitted colleagues seem relieved for the first time since they set foot in this court, but some sadness and anger for the job they just lost is also evident, even to me.

Juno: C'mon, it's not all bad, in the end they were just tricking us! We thought we were helping the environment, but instead they were only interested in laundering money, it was right to get out!

Rowan: To be precise, you also helped stop criminals and prevented their illegal activities from continuing, which is no small feat.

Juno: Yes, right!

Logan: Well, whatever, at this point I don't think I have any reason to stay. Thank you for defending us during the trial, Rowan, objectively you've been very professional.

Rowan: …

Logan: I don't think there will be any other opportunities to cross paths, but after all this city is smaller than it seems… But in any case, bye bye to both of you.

Juno: Bye, and good luck!

Logan: (nods) You too.

That said Logan left, I guess he was tired. The few times I had seen him in the past he had always seemed nonchalant and even a bit of a loudmouth, but throughout the trial he always looked particularly worried, according to Juno he was afraid that I could pull some dirty trick on him. Honestly, I can't say I'm sorry.

But at least he went away and left us alone. At that point Juno didn't think twice before hugging me tightly and telling me:

Juno: I'm so relieved!

Rowan: Yes, me too.

It has been a long and tedious trial, but I'm quite sure there aren't loose ends left. Those responsible have been identified and punished, while the innocents like Juno and most of her colleagues can move forward with their lives. This is a new starting point, for everyone.

Logan: (ironic) I think those two are the only couple I know who came out of a tribunal more united than when they entered...

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So we went home, relieved as we hadn't been in a long time.

Juno: You were the best lawyer in the whole trial, and I don't say it just because it's you! But is your job always like this?

Rowan: Actually, I'm not asked to go to tribunals, and when I do the processes usually don't take that long.

Juno: Well, thanks again anyway, really. I really don't know what I would have done without you.

I don't think she was only referring to legal defense, after all many other lawyers could have done the same. For sure, during these months she shared with me a lot of her worries about what was going on, like she listened to mines, I think we've been a good team even if the situation initially appeared far from ideal.

Rowan: Well...

Juno: Why so silent tonight?

Rowan: It's just I don't know what to sa—

At this point in our lives, my dear diary, it doesn't happen often to feel as carefree as tonight. It has definitely been a great day.

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