She takes her seat early so that she can watch the judges enter the courtroom. It’s a strange mix of modern and traditional, the building designer clearly having tried to incorporate vintage elements to give the new courtroom gravitas. The reclaimed wooden bench where the five judges will sit is bathed in light from a glass skylight. The antique wooden stand has been upgraded with the installation of retractable glass walls. Alex Hudson occupies the seat next to her. He’s neat as a pin in his dress uniform, long white fingers folded on his lap.
‘Do you feel ready, Mr Hudson?’
‘I do. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity, Admiral. I won’t disappoint you.’
‘See that you don’t.’
The Hudson boy is uniquely equipped to lead the interrogation of Nikhil Lall. Another prosecutor would have done adequately. However, Hudson’s personal history with Lall means he should be able to provide some uniquely insightful queries.
Lall is already restrained on the stand, the ornate wooden box coming up to his waist. His hands are held down by metal gloves, one on either side of the stand, so that he can only face the judges.
It’s little wonder that he looks so tired. They scrubbed him top to bottom before his court appearance, and dressed him in new clothes. The public doesn’t like to think of prisoners being mistreated, even ones who will be executed within the hour.
Janek’s teams have apprehended a portion of the escaped refugees. A few more hours and she’ll have enough in prison camps that she can pretend this whole fiasco was planned. The president might never even hear about the breach. She’ll silence Harveen with a syringe of opiates, and her body will be found surrounded by the paraphernalia of an addict. Evidence will be brought to light that Harveen was the one responsible for the Ithaka disaster, and for the deaths that followed. Janek will finally be freed from the shackles of her past.
She breathes in and lets the air flow calmly out through her nose. The courtroom is filling with people. Nik Lall strains to look over his shoulder.
The judges enter, long black robes trailing over the ground. Three men, two women, all serious.
Janek stands out of respect, and the oldest judge, a retired colonel, halts in front of her to salute. She salutes in return and feels the swell of pride and success lifting her.
None of the judges look at the defendant.