66: Internal Conflict

Laird’s POV "Have you gone mad?" I growled under my breath. Alan and I moved to a secluded corner of the empty hallway behind the courtroom. My eyes flared as I stared at Alan's face, still seeming to view this trial as mere play. "Laird, read the prosecutor's charges to me again. Read them aloud right in front of my face," he said, pointing to the papers I held in my hand. "What's your problem with that?" I asked irritably. "Don't you realize the prosecutor is playing games with us? Read through all his charges carefully!" Alan raised his voice. "You don't need to tell me to read aloud as if I were a child. I remember perfectly well what's in there." I clenched my fist and squeezed the papers tightly. "If you've already read it, why are you telling me to plead guilty to everything?"  "Because that's what you want. You were the one who said at the precinct that you would bear all the punishments for her. Did you hit your head and get amnesia?" I furrowed my brow. "Yes, but I didn't exp