Disclaimer: All belongs to Joss. I got nada but my imagination.

Characters: Crew, omc, ofc.

Warning: PG for graphic violence, profanity and other grownup things.

Setting: In the town of Silverton, on Santo, immediately prior to “The Train Job”.

Words: 2,278

A/N: As a kid, my two favorite TV genres were westerns and detective shows. I finally decided to tackle both in a mix I’ve thought of as “Firefly CSI”. Click my name to access the previous chapters. If you’re following this tale, I’d really appreciate hearing what you think, and if you’re enjoying it, please pimp it to your friends. Thanks!

X - posted from my LiveJournal.

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Presumption of Guilt

Chapter Twelve

There was already a crowd of local citizens jockeying for good seats when Mal and Zoe arrived at the Silverton District Courthouse. Not unexpectedly, both were asked to surrender their weapons. “That’s somethin’ I never feel comfortable doin’,” Mal murmured to his Second as they were passed into the large gallery to take seats just behind the table allocated for the Defense.

The designated hour for the hearing drew near and the courtroom was nearly full. Book made his way down the aisle and sat down at the left-hand table, laying out his notes. Across the aisle, Sheriff Garvey was dressed in a black suit and high collared white shirt, his badge freshly polished and gleaming in the morning light that flooded the hall through tall windows.

Behind him sat a glowering Ambrose Murchison along with other family members. He glanced down at his shirt cuff and the plain silver links which fastened it, wondering where he’d misplaced his gold and diamond one. It was probably on the floor of his flier, he decided, and he determined to look there when the court recessed.

When Nellie’s brother had still not appeared by the time for the arraignment, the family murmured among themselves. “Where is Dwight? He’s not even present for the trial of her