The whole courtroom was silent again, as Croix-Saint took his victory lap.
He had truly captured both the audience's attention and his adversary, Maria Santiago. Even Mina knew that now the true face behind the mask was exposed to the public. But, what she didn't know was what difference it would make.
It wasn't like Monica or her brother were known quantities. And they looked so much like each other (and one could argue the flamboyance level was similar too, especially when Monica was in her flirtacious Santiago guise.)
For once, she'd have to sit back and let fate and justice chart its own course.
Naturally, the big bailiff and the security moved to apprehend Monica--she was the true perpetrator and the law couldn't sit idle. Mina and many of the Stantiagos wondered if Ms. Santiago would try some kind of trick. Would she throw a smoke bomb or drop kick the men? Would she crash through the window and escape into broad daylight? There was so much possibility with a thieving showstopper like Maria Santiago.
Instead, she merely winked and put her hands behind her back.
"Good gurl!" the bailiff grunted in his brutish voice.
The security notified Chief O'Law and her deputy and they rushed to the forefront. The chief handcuffed Santiago much to the dismay of her army of fans. At last, the authorities had captured the modern folk anti-hero and it elicited many cries of anguish.
Monica gave a playful wink as they escorted her down the aisle and out of the room. "Saludos mid amores!" she proclaimed in her flamboyant accent. "And goodbye!"
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Many of them cried and reached for her. Some even made promises to visit her in prison.
Chief O'Law smirked knowingly. "Suddenly, I'm thinking our humble police department is gonna get a lot more popular! Sparky, I hope you're wearing your rabid fan proof vest!"
And with that, Maria Santiago was off to meet her fate.
The detective continued to cackle. His coarse 'haw haw haws' a needle sharp donkey bray in everyone's ears. Ricki began to sob tears over his sister and slumped to his knees.
Mina glared at the detective. "What do you expect to come of this? Other than splitting up a family!"
"Hoh?" Croix-Saint exclaimed, his mustache uncurling and curling on its own. "You're still defending zis fashionable felon, you leetle peach?"
"I am!" Mina exclaimed, thrusting her finger at the nearly choking detective. "I firmly believe that Monica Montero may have lifted a gem or thirteen. But she is no murderess! There's something that stinks worse than the Seine here!"
"Don't you dare speak about zat beauteous Parisian body of water like that!" Croissant exclaimed. "Judge, when eez zee true trial for zis cold blooded killer?"
"Hmm..." Divine answered adjusting her glasses. "We'll have to investigate this case further so the day after tomorrow. Miss Hawkins, do you accept Monica Montero as your new client?"
Mina flashed a thumbs up. "You bet your sweet zowie!"
Mr. Borg crossed his arms and gave a robotic "hmph."
"Very well," the cybernetic man said. "And I will continue as prosecutor. I hope to expose Miss Hawkins as the hack she is."
Mina scowled at the half-robotic prosecutor. What a lot of nerve he had, coming out of nowhere and plotting to dismantle her career for what seemed like no reason.
But it didn't matter. She would defeat him and most importantly, clear Monica's name. (Well, of murder. She's definitely have to give back all her jewels and gems!)
The shady Inspector Croissant began to cackle again and he whipped out his favorite namesake pastry. Once again smothered with garden insects. Mina had a new lead and tomorrow, she would investigate the shady investigator himself!