I took a deep breath, fighting to maintain an even temper. "The Great Glen… it's a seismically active area. The last major earthquake took place in 1901 and was so violent it actually cracked the bank of the Caledonian Canal. The epicenters of these earthquakes are usually around Lochend, located at the northern end of Loch Ness, precisely where a theorized aquifer running northeast into the Moray Firth might lie. It's possible debris from the 1901 tremor sealed off the aquifer's underground access into Loch Ness, theoretically trapping one or more of these creatures, assuming they even exist."

"And the other evidence you cite, Dr. Wallace, the theory regarding man-made explosions?"

I glanced at Judge Hannam, relishing the fact that he too was clearly losing patience. "Is this going somewhere, Mr. Rael?"

"Aye, my Lord, in fact this specific inquiry provides us with a clear reason the creature surfaced in February to attack John Cialino."

"Go on then, but be quick about it."

"Thank you, my lord. Again, returning to Dr. Wallace's research paper, 'Whether one or more of these seismic quakes collapsed the theorized aquifer is unknown, but another event—a man-made event—clearly coincides with the beginning of Nessie's modern-day sightings.

"'It was in the 1930s that construction work first began on the A82 highway. Massive quantities of dynamite were needed to blast through the mountainous rock. No doubt these blasts reverberated through the basin, upsetting any large creatures inhabiting Loch Ness. From this time period forward, sightings of the creature increased dramatically. In fact, while only a handful of sightings existed prior to the A82, they have numbered in the thousands since construction began."

Max closed the dissertation and turned to me. "Dr. Wallace, theoretically speaking, if a large predator or predators were trapped in Loch Ness, would dynamiting the Loch's basin agitate the monster, causing it to surface?"

"You just read my statement. Isn't that what I said?"

The judge eyed me a warning.

"Then, if dynamiting agitated these bottom dwellers back in the 1930s, wouldn't the same hold true for construction that occurred last winter along the banks south of Urquhart Bay?"

"Objection! My lord, this entire testimony, while entertaining to some, has no bearing on—"

"Overruled. Answer the question, Dr. Wallace."

I scratched my head, impressed at Max's logic. "I suppose if dynamite were being used, yes."

Max nodded to the jury. "The record will show that Cialino construction began using dynamite as early as last October, coinciding with numerous Nessie sightings and drownings, as confirmed by the water bailiff"

A fervor rose in the courtroom, temporarily quelled by the judge's gavel.

Max was far from through. "Dr. Wallace, hypothetically speaking, if a large water creature did prey in Loch Ness, is it possible it could have developed a taste for human flesh?"

"Objection! My lord?"

Attorneys and jury stared at the judge, the court's visitors holding their collective breath.

"No, I'll allow it," the judge said. "Answer the question, Dr. Wallace."