Chapter 146

The prosecutor continued laying out his case, his smooth baritone washing over Emmeline without truly registering as she focused on tormenting Zavian.

“The defendant’s former employer, Mark Aeronautics, requires all workers to undergo comprehensive physical and mental health screenings every month as a workplace policy. The results from this examination taken mere weeks ago show the defendant is psychologically fit to stand trial for his crimes.”

Zavian finally managed to tear his eyes away when the prosecutor approached the bench to submit his evidence. The defense lawyer immediately rose to counter.

“You can’t admit those results as evidence, Your Honor,” he protested in a reedy tone. “Those test results are over a month old and no longer relevant. A person’s mental state can deteriorate rapidly - a matter of mere days, even. The examination my client took more recently is far more pertinent here.”

The prosecutor turned and shot the defense lawyer a look of