Next morning, Yenedith tries to reach her brother — Please, answer! — she whispers to herself, hoping one of her captors will pick up the call, but the line goes dead. She begins to think it's due to poor reception and decides to leave her room to walk the hallways while trying to contact someone, until a familiar sound starts playing in the back of her mind. She wonders if it's her imagination, but with every passing second she hears it more clearly; the bass solo from the song "Mr. Blue Sky" echoes off the walls, tracing back to its source in Elena's bedroom. She enters cautiously and searches everywhere until she finds it in a shoebox on top of the wardrobe.
— What are you doing here? — Elena's voice startles her.
— Why do you have Tadeus' cell phone?
— I guess he must have dropped it during the struggle. I found it in the hallway. I'd appreciate it if you didn't go through my things.
— I assume my father doesn't know that Tadeus' missing.
— He just woke up from surgery where they stitched up his stomach; the last thing I want is to give him a heart attack.
— Have you at least reported his disappearance to the police or hired a private investigator to help us find him?
— We can't involve the police in this. I'm working with professionals from the organization to help us locate and extract him.
— You mean mercenaries.
— Excuse me, ladies — D'mitri says at the door of the room.
— I have matters to attend to — Elena says.
— D'mitri, is this news about my brother?
— No, miss — he replies, looking down — You should know that your grandmother is at the mansion. She's waiting for you in the library.
Daisy wonders if Alexander's men might be following her, but along the entire route to the spot, no car could have gone unnoticed unless it was hidden off to the side of the road, which is surrounded by tall brush and small mounds of earth, making such thing highly unlikely.
— Yenedith, thank goodness you're okay! — Daisy says when she sees her. They hug for several seconds and kiss each other's cheeks enthusiastically until Daisy can no longer hold back her tears — I asked Alexander many times where you were, and he didn't know what to tell me.
— Oh, Grandma — says Yenedith, hugging her again — Elena made sure to protect me. I'm fine; I'm here again.
— What do you mean, protect you from what?
— Alexander, remember what Tadeus told us, that he's a drug dealer — says the young woman. Daisy nods, and Yenedith continues — Alexander found out about Tadeus and tried to kill him.
— But how is that possible? Weren't they together?
— It was a lie, Grandma!
At that moment, Daisy feels confused. Her grandson had indeed mentioned that Edwin had asked him to infiltrate a drug lord's gang, but after so much time had passed, she'd forgotten that it was Alexander, since he seemed so genuinely worried about her — It happened right here in the house. He sent some men, tried to kill my dad, and took Tadeus away. Maybe to torture him…
— You never listen to me — Daisy says, and she leans toward her granddaughter so she can dry her tears on her shoulder.
<><><><> JANUARY — 10:15 AM <><><><>
— Please stand to welcome the judge — says Juliet, the court clerk.
— Thank you very much, you may be seated — says the judge once he has taken his seat.
— Good morning — Juliet continues — It is now 10:15 a.m. on January 9th, and we are gathered in Courtroom Two of the Superior Court. We are hearing the case of the State against the defendant Sebastian House for the crimes of violent sexual assault, aggravated assault, and chemical subjugation. Concurrently, the criminal proceedings against the defendant Hunter Sears are being held for the crimes of violent sexual assault, aggravated assault, and aiding and abetting a crime. Additionally, the defendant William Hofstadter is being tried for the crimes of co-perpetration and failure to render aid. The court asks the audience to maintain order and respect in accordance with Article 65 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Thank you.
— Good morning. At the date and time indicated by the court clerk, the criminal trial is hereby convened. Please identify the representatives of the prosecution — says Judge Ismael.
— Mr. Faiber Marino, Your Honor.
— Who is accompanying you?
— Ms. Bianca Benitez, a private attorney, and the victim, who will introduce herself — she says, standing up. Bianca helps Gem to her feet due to her advanced stage of pregnancy.
— Gem Goldstein, Your Honor — says the young woman.
The judge nods and looks to the other side of the courtroom. — On behalf of the defense, who is with us?
— Attorney Luis Paez, public defender for the defendant William Hofstadter, Your Honor.
— Attorney Alfredo Londoño, public defender for the defendant Hunter Sears, Your Honor.
— Attorney Kevin Melecio, private defense attorney for the defendant Sebastián House, Your Honor.
— Very well, the hearing is hereby declared open, as all specific conditions have been met. Prosecutor, you have the floor to present your opening statement — says Ismael.
— Thank you, Your Honor — says Faiber — Today, the prosecution aims to prove that the defendants intentionally committed the crimes of chemical sedation, violent sexual assault, and aggravated assault. We seek to prove that the victim's ability to consent to sexual acts was taken away and that her life was endangered through the use of psychoactive substances. The prosecution also holds the defendants responsible for the loss or damage of belongings at the victim's residence on the day of the incident.
— You may proceed with the witnesses — says the judge.
— To that end, we call the victim, Gem Goldstein, to give her testimony.
Gem rises from her chair with Bianca's help and walks to the witness stand, where she begins to recount what happened. Bianca asks a few questions regarding her relationship with Sebastian House and her knowledge of the friendship between the three defendants. The prosecutor also asks a few questions about her current state of health in relation to possible drug use to prove Gem's true intention as an individual who wishes to adapt to society.
— Next, we would like to call the defendant William Hofstadter — says Faiber.
— Mr. Hofstadter, please take the witness stand — orders the judge. The police officer unlocks the padlock securing the chain to his feet and escorts him to his seat.
— Mr. Hofstadter, you are reminded of your right to remain in silence. Since you have decided to take the witness stand, you're obliged to speak only the truth, and if at any time you hear the word "objection," do not answer until I give you permission. Do you understand?
— I understand, Your Honor.
— Prosecutor, proceed.
— Do you know who Sebastian House is? — asks Faiber.
— Yes.
— Can you point out where he is in this room?
— Over there, the one in the dark blue suit — says William, pointing his finger toward the back of the room.
— Can you tell us where you met him?
— We attended the same music program in high school, but we weren't that close. It was later in college that we became closer friends. I was studying literature and history, and he was in architecture, but all majors have to take English and political science, so we hung out in those classes and off campus.
— Were drugs ever involved in those off-campus get-togethers?
— Yes, after the third time we met at his house to study. He'd already been complaining about a headache because he couldn't sleep well, and he asked me if I had anything strong to help him stay awake.
— Tell us what happened after that.
— Well, I sold it to him and to other friends in his circle.
— What do you mean by "in his circle"?
— His other wealthy friends, you know. He complained that the parties were just about chatting and eating, that they were very lame, so he invited me to sell drugs at those parties. People would get out of control, and sometimes they would damage things in the houses where these parties were held.
— Did the defendant Sebastian ever cause damage to other properties?
— Yes, sir. There are videos of that on social media.
— Your Honor, we are submitting the audiovisual evidence found on the social media accounts of the defendant Sebastian House. Additionally, videos of other people whose property was damaged at these parties organized by the aforementioned defendant — says the prosecutor. After presenting about five videos, he continues — Was the defendant Sebastian House at Gem Goldstein's house on April 8th of last year?
— Yes.
— To the best of your knowledge, was he ever accompanied by you or anyone else on any other occasion prior to the day of the incident?
— No, I only know about that day.
— How did the defendant, Sebastian House, arrive at the victim's residence?
— Hunter sent him a message using my phone.
— Why did Hunter use your phone?
— Well, when Sebastian texted me, I was gonna tell him to wait for me, that I was on my way to his house.
— What did Hunter text him? Could you explain a little more?
— I'd have to start from the beginning.
— Go ahead — the judge orders.