What do we do now? (Sequel to Being Held Hostage), chapter 5

"Yeah, she's here with us," Tre said into his cell phone. He had called Alex to let her know Mandy was with them. She seemed worried.

Mike placed Mandy on the hotel bed. He shut off the lights and closed to door behind him. He let Mandy sleep alone. Mike walked back into the living room of the hotel and listened in as Tre talked to Alex.

"Yeah, she's fine. Well she will be fine. Once everything calms down," he said. He was sitting on the couch across from Mike who had just taken a seat. Tre just stared out into space as he talked.

"Tell her Mandy will stay with us till we have to leave," Mike said. Tre nodded. "Tell her!" Mike said again, throwing a pillow at Tre.

"Mike says we'll keep Mandy with us until we have to leave....probably the day after tomorrow.....yeah.....okay.....bye." Tre hung up the phone.

"Well?" Mike asked.

"Well, of course she was worried. And I told her that we'll take care of her," Tre answered.

The two sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Well, I suppose I ought to get to bed. The trial starts tomorrow, and Billie gets out the day after that. So...yeah," Mike said. He stood up and started walking towards the opposite bedroom across from the one Mandy was in.

"So I'm guessing we're sharing a room tonight," Tre said. An evil smile came across his face.

"Tre, not tonight," Mike said with a laugh. "I can't pretend to be gay tonight. I'm too tired."

Mike laughed before he completely disappeared into the other room. Tre made himself comfortable on the couch.


Hank sat quitely in the courtroom. He was sitting at the defendant's table with the lawyer that was appointed to him. He barely even knew this guy that was defending him. Hank just sat patiently waiting for his fate.

"Hank!" a voice came from behind him. Hank spun around in his chair to see Mandy running down the aisle towards him.

"Mandy! You came!" Hank cried out. Mandy finally reached Hank. He was standing behind the barrier, blocking the court from the audience. "I had to come, I'm testifying."

"You're still testifying? What if Dan finds out?" Hank asked.

"He already knows. He's threatened me twice. I just can't let you get the death penalty for something you didn't do!" Mandy said. The two embraced.

Mike and Tre walked into the courtroom. The first thing Mike laid eyes on was Mandy and Hank hugging. He hurried over to them to break them up.

"I think we should take our seats," he said to Mandy. "Go ahead, I'm just gonna wish Hank luck." Mandy nodded her head and went to sit by Tre.

"Look, I know you don't like me..." Hank started.

"Listen. Before I can let you even start thinking about Mandy, I have to know some things. Were you the one who cut off her finger?" Mike asked.

"No."

"Are you the one who threatened her life?"

"No, not on purpose."

"Are you the one who was going to kill her?"

"I didn't want to kill her! I didn't want to kill anybody. Dan dragged me into all of this," Hank said in his defence. Mike just stared into Hank's fear filled eyes. Finally he nodded and left Hank to go sit by Mandy and Tre.

"Court is now in session!" the judge hollered throughout the room. Everyone to their seats. Hank sat back down facing the judge and the jury.

The trail went on as any trial did. Both sides made an opening statement, then went through various of evidence to try and both prove Hank's innocence and his guilt. Some of the evidence was overwhelming.

"Defense, you may call your first witness."

Hank looked over to his lawyer. He nodded his head. The lawyer stood up.

"Your Honor, we call Mandy Smith to the stand."

Mandy slowly stood up. Hank looked down to the floor, he knew only bad could come from this. Mike and Tre watched as Mandy walked to the stand. After they swore her in, Mandy sat down. Hank's lawyer came walking over to the stand.

"Ms. Smith, is it true that my client here pulled you into the van?" the lawyer asked.

"Well, when the van pulled up and the door was open; there was a blinding light that came out. All I felt was someone pulling me in. I don't know for sure who exactly took me," Mandy answered.

"But is it true it could have been either one of them?"

"Yes."

"Ms. Smith, how much harm did my client actually cause you?"

"Well, only the cut on my neck," Mandy answered.

"So Dan was the one who cut your finger off?"

"Objection!" the prosecutor shouted throughout the court. "That's leading the witness."

"Over ruled," the judge ordered. "Answer the question, Ms. Smith."

"Yes. Dan cut my finger off. He did most, if not all, the harm to me," she answered.

"Ms. Smith, in your opinion is my client guilty or innocent?"

"He's innocent."

"Why would you say that?"

"Dan was the one giving orders. Dan was the one who gave out the ransom, if I didn't know any better I would say Dan was the one who planned the whole kidnapping."

"No more questions, your Honor."

Hanks lawyer sat back down. It was the prosecutors turn to question Mandy.

"Ms. Smith, is it not true the defendant threatened your life?"

"Yes, that's true, but..."

"And is it also true that he cut your neck when Mr. Dirnt did not reply to their threats?"

"Well yes, but...."

"So when you said he caused no harm to you....you were lying?"

"No, I never said that. I merely meant he caused as little harm to me as possible."

"Ms. Smith. Why is it that Dan isn't here?"

"He wasn't caught. No one has even started looking for him," Mandy answered.

"How do we know he even existes? I mean Hank's here. We have proof that he did this to you. We have no proof showing that Dan participated in these events. Who's to say Hank didn't cut off your finger?"

"I'm telling you Dan did it!" Mandy started to shout.

"No further questions," the lawyer said. He started to turn when Mandy started to shout.

"I know Dan did this! I know 'cause I was there! If you want the real criminal, then stop trying to throw this innocent man in jail and go after Dan! He's out there! He's still at large! He's the guilty party!"

The court room stirred with a buzz. The judge started pounding on his desk, calling order.

Suddenly something came crashing through the window nearest the plantiff table. A solid brick landed on the courtroom floor. Mandy stood up straight and stared down at the brick.

"Officers!" the judge shouted. Every officer in the room ran out into of the building and searched the place.

Mandy ran from the stand over to Hank.

"It's Dan! I know it!" she cried out. Hank embraced her.

"Don't worry, I won't let him hurt you."

"This court is in recess until 9 A.M. tomorrow," the judge shouted. He slammed down on the desk one more time before standing up and walking out. Everyone started to walk out of the court room. Two officers came and started to take Hank away.

"Keep her safe! He'll come after her!" he shouted over to Mike and Tre. The two of them came over and grabbed Mandy.

"Let's go!" Mike said. He took Mandy by the shoulders and led her out of the court room.