Forever And Always

Chapter 64

Callie spent most of the summer working at Pops with Veronica or the internship with Betty. The internship was under her mother to work on Archie's case, all while trying to spend time with Sweet Pea and the Serpents. She was excited for school to start back up, then maybe everything would not be so hectic. Callie currerntly sat in between her dad and Sweet Pea in a courtroom like most of the summer. They were right behind Ms. McCoy, her mom, and Archie. Right now the opposing side was giving the piece. The building had no air conditioning, everyone was fanning themselves or each other.

" Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," Ms. Wright greeted the room. " The evidence and testimony that was presented in this court tell a dark story. That Mr. Andrews has a history of violent behavior. That he started not one, but two masked vigilante groups. That he assaulted an innocent boy who was helpless with two broken legs. That he went wilding in the Southside of town and threatened to shoot a man in the face." Callie and Sweet Pea glanced at each other before looking back at the lady. " That while partying with his friends in the town of Shadow Lake, Mr. Andrews ran into the woods and shot the victim, Cassidy Bullock, point-blank in the head. Now Mr. Andrews claims that it was his girlfriend's father's doorman who shot Mr. Bullock. A shot that Mr. Andrews claims to have heard, but not seen. Who knows the truth on what happened that terrible night in the woods near Shadow Lake? I'll tell you who, that man." She pointed ay Archie. " Archie Andrews may be a varsity athlete and he may be a sensitive musician.  But he is also...A cold-blooded...Killer." She then sat down and Mrs. Andrews stood up to give her piece.

" Ladies and gentlemen," Ms. Andrews greeted the courtroom.  " We know, for a fact, that Archie Andrews constantly puts the needs of others ahead of his own. We know he did not sleep a wink till his sister was found when she was missing all three times, he would do anything in his willpower to find her. " Callie and Sweet Pea glanced at each other once more. " We know that he helped solve the murder of Jason Blossom. We know that he offered both friends and enemies shelter when they had nowhere else to stay. We know that he punched through a rover of ice to save the life of his classmate Cheryl Blossom. Let me remind you that there were no witnesses to the actual killing. There was no murder weapon. There was no motive. At the end of the day, all the prosecution has is cloudly testimony from unreliable people. Now, it is my solemn duty as a mother to protect my son. But as an attorney, it's my duty to adhere to the facts, to the evidence. There is nothing here that proves that Archie Andrews is anything less than an innocent boy. Thank you." She then went and sat down, Archie whispered something to her.

" Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, the charge is first-degree murder. You may retire to begin deliberations." He banged the gravel.

" All rise," an official ordered, they did as they were told. They released for a short break until the jury was ready for them. Callie was talking with her parents and Jughead.

" You were great in there, Mary," Fred complimented her.

" Thank you, Fred. It's only the most important case of our lives," Mary responded.

" You were amazing mom," Callie said.

" You really were, Mrs. Andrews," Betty added.

" Betty and Callie, your help over the summer was a godsend, " Mary admitted.

" Have you guys seen Archie?" Veronica asked as she walked up to them. The three kids went looking for Archie, they were joined by Sweet Pea. They found him sitting on the steps by himself. "Archie! There you are."

" How are you holding up, bud?" Jughead asked.

" Yeah good, Jug," Archie answered.

" What are you thinking about?" Callie asked.