It's almost midnight, most of the courthouse are off. Only one office is lit. Veydrick sits at his desk reviewing case files. Stacks of evidence surround him. Photos, Statements, Forensics. The case seems obvious.
A man named Darian Voss is accused of murdering his business partner.
But one thing keeps on bothering Veydrick. There is no direct proof. Only circumstantial evidence. Veydrick leans back and for a moment his calm expression cracks.
Next day, Aren visits the courtroom to deliver additional evidence from Police investigation. When he reaches Veydrick's office, he finds him still working.
"You didn't go home?" [Aren] "I will go after the trial" [Veydrick] Aren notices the files everywhere. "You think he is guilty?" [Aren] A brief silence, then Veydrick answers carefully. "I think....it's very likely" [Veydrick] "very likely?... He obviously did it" [Aren] Veydrick finally looks up. "There is no thing called 'obvious', it's half based on the proof too" [Veydrick] They both look at each other silently, and then another officer calls for Aren.
"Remember that, like how you did for the factory case" [Veydrick] "Yes sir" [Aren] and leaves
The courtroom is tense, witnesses testify about the victim and the accused. Aren gives his testimony about the investigation. Everything points to Darian Voss. But the defense lawyer starts attacking the evidence: "The timeline is uncertain My Lord, no murder weapon was found and no one saw the attack" Every doubt chips away the case. Aren watches the trial, slight frustration.
Meanwhile, Veydrick remains calm on the outside, but inside he knows the case is slipping away. Aren takes a quiet glance at him.
In a break, Aren confronts Veydrick: "You're letting him control the case". Veydrick answers him quietly: "I'm following the law". Aren lowers his voice: "If that man walks free, someone else could die". Veydrick says quietly: "that possibility exists...but convicting someone without proof is worse, he might be innocent"
After hours of argument, the judge announces the verdict. "Due to lack of sufficient evidence, the defendent is not guilty" Darian Voss smiles slightly as he leaves. Aren is furious.
Outside the courthouse.
Aren catches up to Veydrick.
"You knew this would happen." [Aren]
Veydrick doesn't answer.
"You should have fought harder." [Aren]
Now Veydrick finally stops walking.
His voice is calm, but heavy.
"I fought exactly as hard as the law allows."
Aren shakes his head.
"That man murdered someone." [Aren]
Veydrick replies quietly:
"And if I send the wrong man to prison… I become the criminal."
For the first time, Aren doesn't have a response.
Aren looks at Veydrick, when he realizes that Veydrick is more tired today then any other day, he lowers his voice. "Are you okay?" [Aren].
After reflecting, Veydrick speaks: "do you like coffee?"
For a second Aren looks confused and replies: "I've..I have not tried coffee before" looking at Veydrick, Aren, then tells: "Well, we can buy coffee" Veydrick smiles "sure"
Veydrick stands on the courthouse balcony overlooking the city.
The city lights stretch endlessly, footsteps approach, it is Aren.
He hands Veydrick a cup of coffee.
They stand there silently.
After a moment Aren says:
"You hate losing cases."
Veydrick gives a faint smile.
"It isn't about winning."
A pause.
"It's about truth."
He looks out at the city again.
"And sometimes… the truth escapes."