I couldn't help the panting of my heart as my name was called out loudly in the hall. I turned from left to right, wondering if, by any chance, it wasn't me being called but someone else. But damn it, I knew it was me.
"Natasha Grey"
The announcer called again with a loud voice in the hall. And at that, I stood up impulsively. And I immediately regretted my actions. Faces turned towards me, all eyes curious to know who I was. I was never one to like too much attention, not to mention being put in the spotlight. And this was one of those occasions.
As I made my way out of my seat towards the confession stand where the lawyer stood waiting to interrogate me, I felt like a criminal that had just been caught. But I didn't commit any crime; I was hardly even an accomplice; why was I summoned as a witness? How have I gotten myself into this complicated situation? I asked myself. Or perhaps my crime was knowing a man like that. No, I cautioned myself; I shouldn't think in that direction; we didn't know if he did it or not. The court had not yet declared him guilty. Although all evidence was pointing to him.
Over the series of hearings I have been attended so far, evidence has been presented, all pointing towards him. Even if it was all a frame-up like he claimed, the CCTV footage was no denying the fact that he indeed walked into room 404 at time, and when he came out, Chief Agreh was found dead. What other possible way was there to explain that? I thought. This was indeed a very strong case and a complicated one at that. I doubt if he would walk out of this court innocent.
As I walked ever so slowly, completely enraptured in my thoughts. It became so obvious I was stalling, judging from the scowl I saw on the announcers and lawyers faces as they waited impatiently for me to take my seat at the confession stand. I eyed that seat warrily as I got closer. That seat that required me to face the crowd, to bear the judging eyes I got from their stares as they assessed me. I hated being in such a situation. When I finally got to the confession stand, I felt like entering into the ground. But there was no going back now.
"Please sit down, Miss Grey, and do not waste our time any further." The announcer said running out of patience.
I sat down on the seat and looked up at the crowd, refusing to appear timid.
"What's your name, Miss?" the lawyer began,
" Natasha Grey."
"Would you tell the court how you know this man?" He asked further.
" He booked a room in the hotel where I work as a cleaner, and I only see him when I go to clean the rooms in the morning.
" But from this picture, it seems like you know him more personally," the lawyer said, handing over a copy to me and the judge.
I looked at the picture to see me smiling at him while waving.
" I assure you, I do not know this man anymore than I have already said. This was just me greeting him cheerfully one of the mornings I passed by to clean a room.
" Then how do you explain the CCTV camera footage?" he said.
" Your honor, an hour before Mr. Rodrigo was seen entering room 404, this woman was just coming out of the room, and they exchanged looks.
" I went to clean the room that morning, and Chief Agreh wasn't even around at that time." I said it angrily, not liking what this lawyer was implying.
" Your honor, I have every reason to believe that this woman is in fact an accomplice and helped Mr. Rodrigo here murder Chief Agreh. For all we know, he must have paid her to slip something in his drink. As she is infact the perfect person for the job, having access to all the rooms in the hotel."
"Objection, my Lord, all these are just mere accusations, and there is no tangible evidence to prove those claims." The female lawyer that was on Mr. Rodrigo side said, and I was thankful for that.
" Objection heard. Please refrain from any accusatory claims without evidence or proof," the judge said to the male lawyer.
He continued asking me some other questions, and when he was done with the interrogation, I was asked to leave, and another person was called upon to the confession stand. As I left the courtroom, my heart was pounding loudly within my ribcage. The questioning was intense. And I couldn't help the anxiety that crept up within me.
How had I turned from a simple cleaner to an accomplice to a murder case? I thought to myself. Within the days that went by, I kept to myself, refusing to associate with anyone within the hotel. I thought about quitting my job but decided against it as it would make me look guilty. I kept up on the case, attending every hearing when I had the opportunity.
Fortunately for Mr. Rodrigo, they found another piece of evidence, a forensic report. Someone had broken into the room through the window. There were tiny cracks and marks in the window. Whoever did this also altered the CCTV footage such that it didn't show on the screen. I was relieved, to say the least. That means I was free. I was no longer tamed a suspect or an accomplice. I pitied for Mr. Rodrigo; he was indeed right. Someone did try to frame him.
As it stood now, the only way to prove his innocence was if the killer was found. I prayed a silent prayer in my heart, wishing him luck as I went on with my normal job for the day. At last, I was free of all accusations.
