JUNE Martinez shot her answer like a bullet.
“It is November, Attorney Barbar. And we’re heading near the frosty times already.
“But, at least, homes are warmer and more comfortable than the workplace...
“Still you left the comfort of your home for work like anybody else, this morning.
“And here you are, asking me why I left work life for my homeland just when I wanted!
“I could ask you instead – now I mean no harm:
“With all due respect sir, why haven’t you left your job at this age to be with family?
“I’m quite sure anyone with your career journey would’ve settled by now!
“So why are you asking what’s no question, Professor Barbar?!”
Just then the audience burst into laughter. So the judge beat his wooden hammer to still the noise.
Now, June and Carl knew Cannon’s way of doing fights. They knew that when it was about a scandal, their lawyers would try to alter the witness’ statement.
So they knew that Barbar was going to suggest that June was quite unstable. That she’d pushed herself too hard and developed a syndrome close to midlife crisis.
That she’d been quite depressed before she ever stepped on Cannon’s soil. And was blaming her work-related syndrome on them.
But then, the Martinez couple knew that if things went that way they’d have no case.
So the distressed woman had stood her ground and clearly opened fire.
Meanwhile, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Peter Pedro by name, suddenly had words to say.
He’d been sitting defeated all the while, but he suddenly got up.
“Objection! Objection!” he cried. So everyone wondered why June’s counsel was talking now.
They wondered if he was even around all the time. Or if he knew what he was objecting to.
So, there were murmurs in the court sitting. Yet the judge was quite aware of the media’s interest in the case. Particularly its dramatic turns.
So, the man was simply allowing more drama when he spoke.
“Sustained, Defense Counsel. Now make your point brief!”
“Thank you, my lord,” replied Peter.
He faced the Bar now.
“I stand corrected; but should we continue to watch as the legal profession is being shamed because of Professor’s questions?
“Now even my lay client couldn’t stand how uncourtly those questions are!”
He turned to Barbar.
“My mistake! I shouldn’t call you Professor as this isn’t Cannon.
“Pardon me; I’ll get more used to saying Lawyer Barbar in a bit!”
Peter Pedro knew quite well that June was lay in matters of the court. That she could go on hitting back without minding her limit.
So he was afraid for her sake that she might be disciplined according to court rules, if she went on talking.
So he got up to save his client.
Meanwhile, the young lawyer was quite a lot impressed with June’s performance and he wanted to copy this.
The young man of 32 was an alumnus of Cannon University. He’d studied for law there. So he’d crossed paths with the professor in college.
Peter was the chief counsel for Pendulum’s attorneys on this case. As his chambers often sported their young minds on psychosocial cases...
Like they were now on June’s case.
But Cannon’s team had been playing the age card with Pendulum lawyers from start...
And this time that June dissed them, Peter wanted to copy it.
He addressed the old man.
“Lawyer Barbar, now that we know my client came home just when she wanted, I hope the next question wouldn’t be: ‘Why does she want that?’”
He faced the judge.
“Your honor, I believe my client is being put through psychological pressure with my colleague’s oblique questions.
“And if his questioning is not checked, I’m afraid we may have a case of witness intimidation.
“My client has only helped in restoring focus to the case at hand. We shouldn’t let anyone shame the court any further—
“My humble submission!”
The man bowed and sat himself. But by now Attorney Barbar had nothing else to ask.
The case was adjourned to another day. And Barbar kept wondering what happened...
What made this witness dare?
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