And now, the final chapter!

ON WITH THE SHOW!

Law & Order: Leanbox

Epilogue

by Derald Snyder

DISTRICT COURT

TRIAL PART 34

APRIL 11, 10:15 AM

"Madam Foreperson," stated the judge, "Has the jury reached a verdict?"

"We have, Your Honor."

The judge nodded. "The defendant will rise." Samantha Lisand and Rei Ryghts slowly rose to their feet. "What is your verdict?"

"We the jury, on the charge of Murder in the Second Degree, hereby find the defendant, Miss Samantha Lisand, Not Guilty." The crowd began to murmur... "However, Your Honor," she quickly continued, "we find the defendant Guilty of the lesser charge of Manslaughter in the First Degree."

"So say you all?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

The judge nodded in satisfaction. "Defendant is hereby remanded to custody, pending sentencing." He then banged his gavel to bring a formal end to the trial.

McCoy and Isles quietly gathered their papers in preparation to leave, McCoy briefly looking over at the defense's bench. Rei and Samantha were exchanging some hushed words with each other, before the bounty hunter was escorted out of the room by the bailiff...

*Outside, on the courtroom steps...*

"I thank the jury for rendering a fair verdict in this case," stated Allen Curmudgeon as he stood in front of a small crowd of reporters, with McCoy and Isles at his sides. "And I hope that this sends a strong message to Lowee's government- that next time criminal activity in their nation spills into Leanbox, they will work with the local authorities to resolve the situation, instead of sending a bounty hunter in to wreak havoc at will."

Meanwhile, a short distance away, the commander-in-chief of the Leanbox Army was having his own mini-press conference, Adrian and Peashy standing with him. "...Joseph Starr will be given a proper military burial with full honors, as well as being posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant. As for Thomas Peloton," he continued, "he will be stripped of his rank and given a dishonorable discharge for his shameful actions which have disgraced this army. Also, I wish to thank both Staff Sergeant Peach Macintosh and Petty Officer First Class Adrian Johns for their assistance in bringing this investigation to a satisfactory conclusion." The four-star general then shook hands with Adrian, giving a tight smile, before turning to Peach and doing the same, the gathered reporters lightly applauding...

*Later that night...*

Jared McCoy walked into his usual bar, but as he approached the bartender, he was slight taken aback to see Rei Ryghts sitting there, Peach sitting to her left, dressed casually. "Ms. Ryghts," he acknowledged.

"Hello, Mr. McCoy," Rei turned and nodded at him. "Your co-workers t-told me y-you like t-to c-come here after hours..."

"Did they now," Jared muttered as he sat down and ordered his usual drink. "And you're escorting her now, Sergeant Macintosh?"

"Just Peach is fine. And yeah, I took over for Adrian," the blonde responded. "And before you ask, yes this is root beer. With my strength and having gotten a little of Mom's bad temper, it's a better idea for me to stay sober 100% of the time."

"I won't judge," the prosecutor shrugged. "But why did you want to see me, Ms. Ryghts?"

"I j-just wanted t-to say... that th-there are no hard f-feelings," the former goddess said. "Y-you were j-just d-doing your j-job after all..."

"Oh? So you're not upset that I ended your international win streak?" McCoy inquired as he sipped at his drink.

"W-with all d-due respect, Mr. McCoy," Rei shook her head, "I d-don't see it th-that way. After all... w-wee figured out th-the real t-truth of what happened, the real c-criminals have b-been caught and p-put behind b-bars, and I even m-managed t-to get my c-client convicted on a lesser ch-charge. As far as I'm c-concerned, th-that's a win in my book..."

Jared blinked a few times, nonplussed. "Huh... wish we had more defense attorneys like you here in Leanbox..."

"And I wish there were more prosecutors like you in Lowee," Rei replied.

"Like they say, 'the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence'," Peach quoted.

"Mm-hmm," Rei nodded, before raising her glass. "A toast," she proposed, "to justice served."

"I'll drink to that," Jared agreed.

"Me too," said Peach.

The three clinked their glasses together, before downing their drinks...

Executive Producer

DICK WOLF

~*Fin*~

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