The Cotillion

"What is your relationship with the defendant?" Peter considered the question then looked directly at me.

"I intend to ask her to be my wife when this is over." I heard Rebecca audibly gasp at Peter's response. My heart nearly burst.

"Yes," I answered the unasked question. I wasn't thinking about where I was when it came out. All I saw was Peter looking at me. All I saw was love. The pounding of the gavel and the commotion of the courtroom was lost on us. The rest of the world could fall into a bottomless pit for all I cared.

"Order!" The judge yelled again. This time, I heard the gavel but ignored it. I smiled at my love and nearly melted when he smiled back. It took awhile to bring the courtroom under control as Peter and I continued to absorb each other with our eyes.

"Mr. Charming!" the prosecutor said for the second time. Peter turned away from me and looked questionably at the prosecutor. I couldn't hide my smile and didn't really care who saw it.

"Has your testimony been comprised by your relationship with the defendant?"

"Comprised? No," Peter responded, "though I am sure it has been tainted. Have you ever been in love?" The court broke out in laughter. More gavel pounding and the judge looking less and less like Santa all the time.

"Mr. Charming," the judge instructed, "you are here to answer questions, not ask them."

"Yes, your honor."

"Could your assessment of the capability of the attacker of your firewall be tainted by your relationship with the defendant?"

"Absolutely not," Peter said, "My firewall, and, therefore, the armed force's networks, are completely exposed to the talents of a single individual." General Rickers stood quickly and leaned down to the assistant prosecutor who immediately waved the prosecutor over. The judge rolled his eyes and slammed his gavel down.

"This court does not have tolerance for interference, even by the military," the judge decreed.

"Your honor, may I approach the bench?" the prosecutor asked.

"Lead counsel only." Brendan joined the prosecutor at the bench. There was a bunch of whisperings that seemed more spirited than it should be. I looked over at Peter. Our eyes met and I mouthed 'yes' again. His smile was so wonderful. I didn't need him on his knee. I just needed him.

"There will be a thirty-minute recess while counsel confers in chambers," the judge announced with a tone that sounded less than pleased. Lead counsel and the judge headed through a door behind the bench. The jury was led out by the sergeant at arms.

A soft hand found my shoulder. I turned to see Rebecca, happy tears in her eyes, leaning over the waist high divider.

"Welcome to the family," Rebecca said. I rose and we hugged. I promised myself I wouldn't break down again. I failed.

"Sorry," Peter said from behind me, "I didn't want to commit perjury." I was in his arms before his words were finished.

"Yes," I said again.

"I haven't asked yet."

"Yes," I repeated. I was sure there were rules about the defendant kissing the witness, but there was no one to tell me what they were. More importantly, there was no one stopping me. Whatever happened, Peter was in my arms. Nothing else mattered. I barely heard the clerk call General Rickers into chambers.

"I was planning something more romantic," Peter whispered, "I hope you aren't disappointed."

"I only need you," I whispered back, "we make our own romance."

"Peter Charming!" the clerk called. Peter smiled at me as if he knew the summons was coming.

"They will call you next," Peter told me, "I am throwing a hail mary. Do you trust me?"

"Until I die," I answered. Peter's smile grew as he separated from me and headed to chambers.

I waited for ten minutes. None of the other lawyers could guess what was going on. It was rare when nonlawyers were called into chambers.

"Ella Tremaine." I followed the clerk into the chambers.

"She needs to be under oath," the prosecutor said as I enter the room.

"Cut the crap, Larkin," the judge said, "we are way past formality now." He looked at me and waited for the door to close. "We have reached a point where national security tramples on civil proceedings. I have been informed that you know of an individual who has the capability to compromise the Shark firewall," the judge looked toward General Rickers, "and therefore, the nation's security networks." I looked at Peter and he gave me a small nod. Raj's family was wrapped in the answer I was about to give. I almost lied, but Peter asked for trust.

"Yes," I said as I prayed inside. The judge nodded and then looked at Rickers.

"Given immunity, would this individual be willing to work for Mr. Charming?" Rickers asked.

"Yes," I answered, "and he would only require one thing." My hands were shaking.

"What would that be?" Rickers asked. My next statement was a blind leap of faith. The request would practically paint a target on Raj. I looked at Peter. He smiled and nodded.

"More than anything, he and his family want to be citizens of the United States," I replied. My heart was beating so hard, I was surprised no one else heard it.

"Is he that good?" Rickers asked Peter.

"Ingenious. He thinks way out of the box," Peter replied.

"A foreigner?" Rickers stated more than asked, "I wish I could be certain of his intentions." I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and leaped.

"The phone from that night has messages from him," I said quietly, hoping I hadn't just signed Raj's family's deportation order, "you can hear it in his voice and read it in his words. He had no intention of attacking America. He and his family love it as much as you and I."

"Where's the phone?" Ricker's asked.

"We were going to submit it as evidence," Larkin answered, "It's on the table, but it's encrypted and NSA hasn't been able to break into it yet."

"I know the password," I admitted. There, I just hung Raj out completely. I was about to hand the prosecution everything.

"Can I see the phone?" Rickers asked. He looked at me and I saw some compassion in his eyes. He was beginning to see what it was costing me. Maybe this was just a dance.

Larkin looked desperately at the judge. He didn't want to give up a piece of physical evidence, especially when I just stated I knew the password.

"Produce the phone," the judge ruled. I could see he didn't like the interference nor the extra time this was taking. Larkin left and shortly returned with the phone in a plastic bag. The judge nodded as Rickers removed the phone from the plastic.

"Password?" Rickers asked. My face went red.

"I can type it in," I said, moving forward.

"No," Larkin jumped in, "if this isn't what you say, I don't want the phone tampered with."

"The password, Ms. Tremaine," the judge said, agreeing with Larkin. I looked at the five men in the room and thought I would die.

"Can I whisper it?" I begged Rickers. The curious looks I got made it all worse. Rickers looked to the judge.

"Yes," the judge said. I was blushing horrible when I leaned toward Rickers' ear.I couldn't believe I had to do this. I should have chosen a different password.

"Peter likes my breasts," I whispered so only Rickers would hear it, "no spaces." Rickers eyes shot to Peter and he struggled to keep the corner of his lips down. "It was from before," I defended the password, "the flat tire, before I knew Peter was Peter Charming." Rickers lips were straining as he typed in the code. The phone let him in and he looked back at me. He knew then, before he even read the texts, it was only a dance.

We watched as Rickers scrolled through the texts. He fired off one of the voicemails and held it to his ear. The humor in his eyes grew as he listened to another. Raj confessing to missing the logs and begging my forgiveness, praying that his stupidity didn't get me in trouble.

"You say the NSA couldn't break this man's encryption?" Rickers asked Larkin. Larkin shook his head no. Rickers smiled at me.

"It really was just a dance," Rickers stated. I nodded my head. "This phone and its encryption are also considered a national security issue." Rickers told the judge. The judge nodded.

"So, you'll get him and his family citizenship?" I asked desperately.

"Done," Rickers told me, "Charming will handle the logistics. Nothing of this leaves this room." He directed the last statement to the prosecutor.

"The wire fraud still exists," Larkin said. The judge looked at me.

"Legally, that is correct," the judge said to me, "if it is determined you are a participant of the fraud, you will not be able to bring up the aforementioned individual. You will stand alone." He looked at the prosecutor, "you will have to refrain from any mention of a third party."

"I agree," I said with a smile. Raj was out of it and his family was safe. Espionage was off the table.

"You don't have a choice," the judge said. I saw his lips curl for the briefest moment. Maybe he did have a little Santa in him.

I left the chamber floating on a cloud. Though I wasn't wearing a ring, I was engaged to the only person in the world who I truly loved, Raj and his family were safe, and I was only on trial for wire fraud. What a wonderful turn of events.

The trial began again with the judge instructing the court to ignore all references to the Shark firewall and the skill level of the person or persons who comprised the network or networks. I watched the jurors eyes glaze over again. Peter was once again seated in the witness chair and the prosecutor continued his questioning.

"Were you responsible for the children's hospital charity cotillion website?"

"Yes."

"Were your systems the target of fraudulent activity prior to the cotillion?"

"No." Peter held a straight face. The prosecutor's face was starting to look a little flush.

"No one compromised your system?" the prosecutor asked.

"I believe someone did find what you would call a backdoor into to the network." Peter clarified.

"So, fraud was perpetrated," the prosecutor said exasperatedly.

"No."

"Either they broke in or they didn't, Which is it Mr. Charming?"

"Someone definitely entered the network in an unexpected way," Peter answered with a straight face.

"You do not consider that fraud?"

"No. No data was taken, altered or deleted. A ticket was inserted into the database and the charity received the prescribed payment for that ticket." Peter let a small chuckle, "I'm not sure why they just didn't use the standard web interface. The results would have been the same." he paused for a moment then added, "I saw no fraud, just an unorthodox transaction."

"What was the price of that ticket?"

"$5,000."

"No more questions," the prosecutor spat as he returned to his table. A hushed conference between his assistant and the Agent Stratford.

"Cross-exam?" the judge asked.

"No questions at this time," Brendan announced. Peter was excused. We shared a smile as he moved to a seat directly behind me. I liked having him close.

A representative for Coupon Crave was called next. He was unaware of any unauthorized intrusions to his company's network. He was most adamant that everyone in the courtroom knew that they take enormous care of their customers data. I had to smile at Raj's skill.

Jaq and Beatrice were called in turn. They were both adamant that they had received full payment from Coupon Crave and controlled no networks. They were both asked the price of their services to me. I smelled a trap in the dollar amounts. I conferred quietly with Brendan who just nodded and said it will be alright.

Agnus was called to the stand next. She didn't even try to hide her pleased smile.

"You heard the previous testimony of the purchases made and received by Ella Tremaine?" the prosecutor asked.

"Yes I did," Agnus answered. She looked at me as she answered. She was enjoying this.

"Are those dollar amounts familiar?" the prosecutor prodded.

"Yes, they are," Agnus announced, "they are the exact amounts missing from a company account." The prosecutor walked over to his table and grabbed a set of papers.

"Here is the independently audited transaction log for the account mentioned. I would like to submit it as exhibit A." There were no objections, which surprised me, and it was placed in evidence.

"Did you authorize a disbursement of those amounts?"

"No, I did not."

"Did any other authorized person disburse those amounts?"

"No," Agnus replied. Her grin was growing.

"What do you think happened to those funds?" the prosecutor asked. Brendan stopped one of my other lawyers from objecting. He seemed comfortable with the line of questioning. I wasn't.

"I think it was stolen by Ella Tremaine," Agnus said. The words came from her mouth like music. Her happiness was apparent to everyone in the room. She was rattling my nerves.

"No more questions."

"Cross-exam?" the judge asked. Brendan rose confidently and moved toward Agnus.

"Mrs. Tremaine, what is your relationship to Ella Tremaine?"

"I am her stepmother."

"What is your legal relationship with Ella Tremaine?"

"I am the executor of her father's will," Agnus said confidently, "the trustee of the assets until Ella is 32."

"What assets would those be?"

"Tremaine Marketing, Inc, a few bank accounts, a house and some stock holdings," Agnus said, her confidence wavering. Brendan nodded.

"Did Ella Tremaine mention the cotillion prior to the event?"

"I'm not sure?" Agnus lied.

"We could call your daughters to the stand to help your memory," Brendan said.

"Oh yes, I do remember having a discussion pertaining to the event."

"Did Ella Tremaine express interest in going to the cotillion?"

"I'm not sure I remember," Agnus lied again. At least her smile had disappeared. I liked nervous Agnus.

"Again, would your daughter's memory be more complete?"

"Yes, now I remember. She did express interest." I think I saw sweat on her forehead.

"What was your answer to that request?"

"I...I believe I didn't think it prudent," Agnus stuttered.

"Who from Tremaine Marketing did go to the cotillion?"

"If memory serves, Anastasia and Drizella, and myself, " Agnus said slowly.

"Who are they?"

"Sales representatives for Tremaine Marketing."

"What is their relationship to Ella Tremaine?"

"Stepsisters," Agnus said after an uncomfortable pause.

"So, to summarize, you disallowed Ella to use her own company's money to attend the cotillion because you thought it not prudent." Brendan paused for a moment, rubbing his chin as if he was trying to understand, "but you thought it prudent to use Ella's company money to send your daughters to the same cotillion."

"It was a business decision," Agnus justified, "my daughters were representing the firm."

"You sent two sales representatives instead of an owner?"

"Ella doesn't own Tremaine Marketing until she is 32," Angus countered.

"No, I believe the law would disagree with you. You are the trustee, not the temporary owner. You have a fiduciary responsibility to represent Ella Tremaine as if she was 32."

"She can't just take money," Agnus argued.

"The amount is immaterial to the total worth of the company. More of a mistaken withdraw than a theft. She has declared it on her taxes as dispersed earnings." Brendan walked over to our table and grabbed a copy of the tax form I had just signed. "A minor disbursement from her own company declared legally to the IRS. I do believe the error lies with your fiduciary responsibility, not with such a small disbursement she is entitled to anyway." Agnus was visibly perturbed.

"I would like to note that my own compensation had to be paid by a third party," Brendan continued, "since Ella Tremaine's trustee refused to release funds for Ella's defense."

"I am failing to see a crime here," the judge said, "I am beginning to see a breach of trust that precipitated the events. Larkin is there any evidence that the money in question was not ultimately Ella Tremaine's? Are there any victims beside Ella Tremaine."

The prosecutor was in a conference with Agent Stratford and his assistant.

"Larkin?" the judge repeated himself.

"There may be," the prosecutor stated, "the funds in question resided in a US bank. Depending upon how those funds were accessed, it could very well represent a crime." The judge rolled his eyes.

"Agnus Tremaine, you are excused," the judge said, "I would recommend you find legal counsel of your own. I doubt your decisions as executor will stand up to legal scrutiny."

"There will be a two-hour recess," the judge continued, "after which the prosecution will have to convince me there is a reason to continue this trial." The gavel came down and the judge left quickly.

I turned to Peter and found him gone. Rebecca shrugged her shoulders and pointed at the door. I walked out to the hall and didn't seem him. I couldn't believe he left me. He just sort of asked me to marry him and he disappears. I wanted my sort-of fiancee.

Peter came up the stairs, a smile across his face. I jumped into his arms and tasted his wonderful lips.

"Where did you go?" I asked.

"Picking up some leverage," Peter answered cryptically.

"I already said yes. What do you need leverage for?" I joked.

"Not for you. For her," Peter said, pointing at agent Stratford. He split away from me and went directly to Stratford and directed her to the side, away from others. He pulled out his phone and showed her something that made her face lose its color. They had a brief heated conversation that never rose above a whisper though the faces said they were yelling. After a moment, Peter came back smiling.

"Looks like it will end now," Peter said. I wrapped him in my arms.

"And why is that?"

"Someone, protected by immunity, happened to locate some security camera footage on FBI servers that was not supposed to exist," Peter said.

"Oh god," I said, "Raj didn't see it, did he?" Peter pulled me close.

"He loves you," Peter soothed, "not as much as me, but enough to forget."

"You saw it?"

"Yes."

"It's embarrassing," I admitted shyly. Peter's hand caressed the side of my face, his eyes caressing my soul.

"Nothing is embarrassing between us," Peter said before he kissed me. It was still embarrassing, but I could ignore it.

Peter's parents took us out to lunch. Rebecca scolded Peter for announcing a pending proposal without the proper romantic setup, especially a ring. I assured her, I was more than willing to wait. I started that morning believing there was a good chance I would have to spend some time in prison. Now, it was looking like I might get away with a slap on the wrist and gain a husband to boot.

Daniel rolled his eyes as Rebecca and I started preliminary talk on wedding arrangements. I had no desire for Agnus to participate, so that left me with only one woman to lean on. I knew Peter would just nod his head and say yes to everything, Rebecca on the other hand, had the style and the desire to make it wonderful. I didn't want a big wedding, but I did want it wonderful.

"What do you think about a garden wedding, Peter?" Rebecca asked. I had already agreed that it sounded wonderful.

"That sounds like a good idea," Peter said, nodding his head. True to form. He turned back to the discussion he was having with his father.

"What about using The Fountains, Peter? Somewhere along the walking trail." Rebecca pushed. I smiled, expecting acquiescence followed by a nod. He seemed deeply entrenched into the conversation with his father.

"Yes," Peter agreed, turning to his mother, "but it has to be by that small fountain. The one with the little cement ducks." He returned to his father.

"But there are better spots on the grounds," Rebecca countered, "like the corner with willow trees or the tiered flower beds." Peter turned to me.