Once the court had settled down from the dramatic hubbub of Dupree's meltdown, Divine Justice reminded Mina she wasn't out of the woods yet.
"Well, I think after that display," the bushy haired woman said, "I feel like one of Dupree's mimes…speechless. Jury, you may now deliberate over Ms. Cumberson's verdict."
Mina directed her attention to the corner of the room where the jurors sat. There was a diverse group of people who hailed from all walks of life. Some wore casual outfits like store keepers and construction workers, others wore business outfits like suits and mini skirts, but there was one man that made Mina's jaw drop and reduced her chatty nature to complete silence.
His face was painted whiter than a snowbank. He sported a black and white striped shirt that either belonged to a criminal or a creepy public entertainer and he had a stupid looking black beret, often found in Paris, France. Mina held her hands to her face and gasped, and like a twisted reflection so did the man. He also pretended he was trapped in a box.
What scared Mina most was not his getup, but the fact he did not utter a single word. He was clearly a mime, and similar to the ones Dupree might have used to intimidate reviewers.
It seemed the devious and dubious Dupree had infiltrated the jury with his own creepy clown.
"Your honor," Mina cried as the jury stood up to leave. "Are you sure the jury is trustworthy?"
Divine glared at her. "They were selected by a trusted committee…"
"A trusted committee of clowns?" Mina asked as the mime walked past her.
The justice banged the gavel in her face, causing her to squeak and recoil.
"How dare you call our committee, clowns? Miss Attorney, I ought to penalize you for that kind of comment."
The judge's brow softened when Mina's lip trembled. "But seeing as you were nearly assassinated and saved by my dashing grandson, I'll let it slide."
"Thank you, your honor," Mina said, muttering. "I'll just sit down and take it easy now."
Mina returned to her desk beside Trudy. She tried to put the clown out of her head.
"Maybe he's a respectable member of society," Mina thought, "and he went to clown college. I shouldn't be profiling him because of his face paint."
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She turned to Trudy and was greeted with a wide smile from her client and best friend.
"How did ya do it?" Trudy asked. "All you did was tap your butterfly necklace and everything came together with my case."
Mina beamed. "Oh. I was just using my super power. My EAP!"
"Your eep?" Trudy said in disbelief. "That strange prosecutor made me go eep!"
"No, Trudy," Mina said and touched her necklace. "My Extra Accessory Perception. For some reason, when I wear this butterfly pendant you got me, I can look at things more deeply and cerebral!"
"That's amazing," Trudy responded and grasped for the baggy with her own trinket and keyring. "I had no idea the cheap presents I got us at Spindly Thrifts would be so lucky!"
As Trudy gazed through the baggy at her charm, her face dropped into a frown. "Or unlucky in my case. It got me into a whole heap of trouble."
Mina offered her signature shiny grin. "I still consider it super duper lucky!"
"Why?"
"Because!" Mina said, flashing Trudy a wink. "Because I defended you in court and I think you're gonna get off scot free!"
As the jury filed into the courtroom, Mina caught the silent glance of the clown among the jurors. He continued to wear a creepy grin worthy of the Jester, the famed villain of BC's Ratman.
The jury returned to their seats and Mina's heart thumped and thudded nervously.
"Have you reached a verdict?" Divine asked a bespectacled, black man in a business suit.
"We have indeed your honor," he said and he cleared his throat. "After much deliberation, we have concluded that Trudy Margaret Cumberson is…"
Mina watched the man's lips, hanging on every syllable. Slowly, they formed the word: "Innocent."
Almost immediately, Mina and Trudy took each other by the arms and started swinging their partner while chanting, "Trudy's innocent, innocent, she's much too foxy for prison!"
A loud gavel silenced them and the business man cleared his throat again, "It has been brought to our attention however, that while he is now a suspect in this murder case and will be charged for attempted murder, Mr. Dupree did not confess to killing Chef Hamsey…"
"But-but," Mina stammered. "He had a motive and tried to kill me."
The business man shook his head. "Murder and attempted murder are two different things. It was also brought to our attention that Mr. Dupree was not in the best state of mind, having to deal with a restaurant and a murder trial at once."
At last, the wretched mine spoke in deep French accent, "And like Ms. Cumberson, Monseigneur Dupree has a right to a fair trial."
The proud justice spoke loudly. "Thank you members of the jury for ensuring that justice is served. Court adjourned."
Everyone in the courtroom stood up to leave. The cameras were shut down, leaving Trudy and Mina no longer on TV.
"I'm free!" Trudy cried, breaking down into tears. "That was so stressful. I think I need some comfort food! French or Italian?"
The French mine wiggled his eyebrows knowingly at Mina and her stomach lurched. Though she had won the legal battle, the war was far from over.
"Trudy," Mina said exasperated. "I think you should stay away from French food for a long time!"