The Empire: The Crime Consortium

As they sat down to breakfast, Gil asked, “Where are Doug and Javelle?”

“I don’t know, Gil. I have not seen them since yesterday,” Raquel replied.

“What have they been doing?” Gil asked.

“I don’t know, Gil. As I just told you, I have not seen them,” Raquel replied.

Shaking his head, Gil said, “These are the worst clients I have ever represented.” Turning to Issie, he said, “Issie, have you seen Doug and Javelle?”

“Haven’t seen them,” Issie replied, without looking up from her breakfast.

Staring at Issie, Gil said, “Why is it I don’t believe that?”

“Haven’t seen them,” Issie repeated, as she continued eating her breakfast.

“Issie, if you know something, you have to tell me,” Gil said.

“Gil, stop harassing her,” Raquel said. “Issie told you she hasn’t seen them.”

After everyone had gone, Raquel said to Issie, “Do you have something to tell me?”

“You can’t tell Gil,” Issie said.

“I won’t, but are Doug and Javelle okay?” Raquel asked, concern, evident in her voice.

“They’re okay,” Issie said, and told Raquel about Doug and Javelle discovering that the projectile had been switched. “That clears them of murder. All they have to do is give Gil the information and he can get the charges dropped,” Raquel said.

“Yes, but they want to find out who is behind the plot to frame them and why,” Issie said. She played the conversation Doug and Javelle had had with Firmino. “So Bonasso is behind it,” Raquel said. “What are Doug and Javelle going to do?”

“They went to the city of Windsor, on the southern continent, to bring back Bonasso,” Issie replied.

“Oh, good Galaxy!” Raquel exclaimed. “The judge ordered them to remain in the Trenton City area.”

“I know,” Issie replied. “That is why you can’t tell Gil. Javelle said if Gil knew, as an officer of the court, he would be obliged to tell the judge.”

Except for Gil asking Raquel and Issie if they had seen Doug and Javelle, the routine at Raquel’s house remained constant each morning. It was now the morning of the sixth day and the trial was scheduled to resume at 1600 hours that afternoon. “Have you seen Doug and Javelle?” Gil asked, obviously nervous.

“As I keep saying, Gil, I have not,” Raquel replied.

“Issie, what about you, have you seen them?” Gil asked.

“Haven’t seen them,” Issie replied, without looking up from her breakfast.

“Maybe I asked the wrong question. Have you heard from them?” Gil asked.

Issie continued to eat and said nothing. “Issie, I demand you answer me,” Gil said. “If you know something and withhold it, you can be charged as an accessory after the fact.”

“Gil, don’t hassle Issie,” Raquel snapped.

“She knows something. She works for you. Order her to tell me,” Gil responded.

“I’m sure they will be back in time for the trial,” Raquel replied.

“Back? Back from where? They were not supposed to leave,” Gil said, picking up on this.

“Just a figure of speech, Gil,” Raquel said. “Don’t worry. I am sure they will be on time.”

Issie was off to the side, and Aisha came over, asking, “Aunt Issie, are Uncle Doug and Uncle Javelle okay?”

“Yes, sweetie, they’re okay,” Issie said.

“When will they be back?” Aisha wanted to know.

“Later today, but don’t tell anyone and you’ll see them in the morning,” Issie said.

“Okay. I will not tell anyone,” Aisha replied.

As Major and Maria left for the office, Maria asked, “Are Doug and Javelle okay?”

“They’re okay, Maria,” Raquel replied.

“I don’t suppose there is anything else you want to tell me,” Maria said. Raquel smiled, but said nothing.

“Yeah, right, I’ll see you at the office,” Maria said.

Issie lingered. After everyone left, Raquel asked, “You said they were supposed to be back last evening. Where are they?”

“The flight from Windsor was delayed. Scheduled arrival at Trenton Intergalactic Spaceport airship terminal is around 1400 hours,” Issie replied.

“That is cutting it close. Gil’s right, you know, we could be charged as accessories after the fact, or whatever the legal term is.”

“I’m sure they will make it,” Issie replied.

“Let’s hope,” Raquel said.

It was approaching 1430 when Raquel left her office and entered the commons area. “Issie and I are going to the court-house,” she told Jenny and Karen.

Corporal 1st Class Rocco Jacopo and Private Karim Khamenei were Raquel’s security detail this day. Jacopo drove. “Gil did not appear happy at breakfast because he had not heard from Doug and Javelle,” Jacopo said. “Are they okay?”

“They’re okay,” Issie replied. “Doug called a few minutes ago. Their airship landed at the Trenton Intergalactic Spaceport airship terminal shortly after 1400 hours. Doug said it was taking longer than expected to clear security.”

“But that means they were away from Trenton City, and I definitely heard Gil say they were not supposed to have left the area,” Jacopo said.

“Will you tell Gil?” Raquel asked.

“Uh…no. I just meant, uh…I mean, well…Can Gil clear them of the murder charge?”

“They’re bringing the person who framed them back,” Issie said.

Gil was in the hall outside the courtroom pacing back and forth, looking first at the time and then at the entrance. When Durrett Firmino entered, Gil told Raquel and Issie, “That’s Chief Prosecutor Durrett Firmino, here to see Tuvalu hang my clients.”

Gil continued to pace back and forth. “Relax, Gil, they’ll be here,” Raquel said.

At almost 1600 hours, Gil murmured, “If they’re not here…”

“They’ll be here,” Issie told him. “They said traffic was heavy.”

Gil stared at her. “I knew it. You have been communicating with them, haven’t you?”

“Tell him, Issie,” Raquel instructed.

“Former Trenton City Councilman Bonasso is behind the plot to frame Doug and Javelle. They went to the city of Windsor, on the southern continent, to get him. The flight was delayed, but they arrived at Trenton Intergalactic Spaceport airship terminal around 1400 this afternoon,” Issie replied. “As I said, traffic is heavy, but they’re on the way.”

“Oh, good Galaxy, Issie,” Gil exclaimed. “If Judge Kudlow finds out what they did…”

Gil didn’t finish the sentence. Raquel said, “Chief Prosecutor Durrett Firmino is mixed up in the plot to frame Doug and Javelle.”

“Firmino, the Prosecutor? Oh, good Galaxy,” Gil exclaimed. “How?”

“Bonasso blackmailed him,” Issie responded. “That is why Firmino never prosecuted him or the others for the shakedown.”

“What about Melissa?” Gil asked with concern in his voice.

“No, Miss Tuvalu is unaware,” Issie said.

“How did you find out?” Gil asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Javelle said that as an officer of the court, you would have to report them. Never mind that now. Just delay the start of the trial. Do something until they get here,” Raquel said.

A bailiff announced that the Superior Court of the City of Trenton was now in session, The Honorable Judge Kudlow presiding.

“Counselors, are we ready to continue?” Judge Kudlow asked.

“The people are ready, Your Honor,” Tuvalu said.

“Your Honor, I request only a few minutes. My clients are in traffic,” Gil said.

“Your Honor, this is just another dilatory tactic by Mr. Faber,” Tuvalu said.

“Counselor, I do not appreciate tardiness, either by accident or, as Miss Tuvalu suggests, by design. If this is a dilatory tactic, I will hold you and your clients in contempt. You have five minutes, Mr. Faber,” Judge Kudlow said.

Gil watched the entrance helplessly for a time, then looked at Raquel and Issie.

“Counselor, your time is up. Where are your clients?” Judge Kudlow asked.

As Judge Kudlow spoke, three men walked into the courtroom, followed by Doug and Javelle. Doug heard Judge Kudlow’s words to Gil as he ushered Bonasso, Sergeant Kaffe, and Bonasso’s computer expert Pier Huka, into the courtroom. “Our apologies for being late, Your Honor,” Doug said. “Traffic was heavy.”

Tuvalu saw Doug and the others enter. She stood to her feet. “Your Honor, I demand to know what is going on.” Near the front, Javelle ordered Bonasso, Sergeant Kaffe and Huka to sit down.

Judge Kudlow pounded his gavel. “Mr. Kincaid, I hope this was not some dilatory tactic. Tardiness will not be tolerated in this court. I happen to have a dinner date.”

“I feel the same way, Your Honor, so let’s speed this along. I call Chief Prosecutor Durrett Firmino to testify.”

Doug had barely gotten the words out when Tuvalu was on her feet. “Objection, Your Honor. Mr. Kincaid is not an attorney. He’s the defendant.”

“You cannot call witnesses, Mr. Kincaid, unless you are to be your own counsel, which I do not recommend.”

“You said you had a dinner date, judge. I’m just trying to expedite matters. If we leave it up to those two,” Doug said, waving an arm around in the direction of the lawyers, “we’ll be here all night objecting.”

Tuvalu yelled, “Objection, Your Honor, what scam is Mr. Kincaid attempting now?”

Gil yelled, “Objection, Your Honor.”

“To what do you object, Mr. Faber?”

“Well, uh, because she objected,” Gil stammered. “Silence,” Judge Kudlow said to them.

Javelle said to Chief Prosecutor Durrett Firmino, “Go forth and confess your sins.”

Judge Kudlow pounded his gavel. “Order! Order! I will have order, or security will clear the court.”

Doug said, “Firmino, go up and confess your sins to the judge.”

Firmino said, “Your Honor, I want to confess my sins.”

“Out of order, Mr. Firmino,” Judge Kudlow ruled.

“Your Honor, I must confess my sins,” Firmino replied.

Judge Kudlow started to repeat that this was out of order, but Javelle momentarily immobilized his speech, so Firmino continued. “Mr. Kincaid and Mr. Jovok were framed for Mr. Chaudhary’s murder.” He said he was blackmailed by Bonasso not to prosecute him, that Bonasso had forced him to switch the projectile, and finished by acknowledging that he knew Sergeant Kaffe actually murdered Chaudhary.

Doug looked at Tuvalu while Firmino explained what had transpired. She was in disbelief. When Doug looked back at Judge Kudlow he was shaking his head, and his face wore an expression similar to hers. When Firmino had finished his story, Judge Kudlow continued to stare at him.

“Judge, that is Mr. Bonasso, former Trenton City Councilman,” Doug said, pointing at Bonasso. “He was behind the shakedown. Call him here and have him confess his sins.”

“I was told that Mr. Bonasso had moved to the southern continent,” the judge said, “and do not recall any extradition treaty. Why is he here?”

“He volunteered to come back to confess his sins, Your Honor,” Javelle said and told Bonasso to do so. Bonasso told his story. Judge Kudlow shook his head at intervals while staring at Bonasso, as if not to believe what he was hearing.

Javelle stood beside Doug, just in front of the judge’s rostrum. Javelle said, “Your Honor, I believe it is time that you rule that the murder charges are dismissed.”

Judge Kudlow announced, “Murder charges against Mr. Kincaid and Mr. Jovok are dismissed. Sergeant, take these men into custody.”

“Also those two back there,” Javelle told the security officer, pointing at Sergeant Kaffe and Pier Huka.

Judge Kudlow announced, “Court adjourned.”

Neither Gil nor Tuvalu appeared to fully comprehend what just happened. Aisha was sitting with Raquel and Issie when Doug entered the courtroom. (He found out later that she had insisted on coming.) Now she ran down the aisle shouting, “Uncle Doug; Uncle Javelle!” When she reached Doug, he scooped her up in his arms and said, “Hi, sweetie. How’s my favorite girl?”

“I’m okay. But I was worried about you and Uncle Javelle.”

“Well, we’re fine,” Doug said. “Now give Uncle Javelle a hug,” passing her to Javelle.

Raquel and Issie walked toward them with Raquel’s security detail in tow. Along with Doug and Javelle, everyone met where Gil and Tuvalu were talking. Doug said, “Sorry, Melissa. We ruined your perfect record.”

“That’s okay. The law is about seeking justice, not a conviction. But I can’t bring myself to that believe Mr. Firmino was involved in trying to frame you and Javelle.”

“And you two! I can’t believe what you did,” Gil said. Turning to Issie, he said, “And you! I can’t believe you helped them.”

Aisha extended a hand to Tuvalu. “Hi, I’m Aisha. Who are you?”

Accepting Aisha’s hand, Tuvalu said, “Hi, I’m Melissa Tuvalu.”

“Are you the one who tried to convict Uncle Doug and Uncle Javelle of murder?” Tuvalu glanced around, obviously unsure of how to respond. “I don’t like you,” Aisha said with a cold stare. Everyone laughed except Tuvalu, who wore a solemn expression.

Javelle, displaying one of his rare smiles, told her that “Miss Tuvalu was just doing her job. She is a nice person.”

“Okay, I guess I like you,” Aisha said.

“Thanks, I think,” Tuvalu replied with a frown ghosting her face.

“As Doug might say, let’s blow this joint,” Raquel said.

“Wait,” Javelle said, setting Aisha down. “We have to pay for our legal services.” Javelle reached into his pocket, withdrew some tickets, handed them to Issie and said, “These are tickets to the Trenton City Opera, and vouchers for dinner at Casino Royale. Perhaps you know a handsome young lieutenant who might escort you.”

Smiling, Issie said, “Thank you, Javelle,” and stepped forward and hugged him.

Searching his pockets, Doug said, “I have something too. Considering that Javelle and I had to do all the investigative work, this is all we are going to pay you.”

“You two are the worst clients I have ever had,” Gil replied. “Who said I wanted to represent you again?” Then he noticed that Doug had given him two tickets to the opera and two vouchers for dinner at Casino Royale and mentioned it to Doug.

“I noticed you and Melissa have eyes for one another. I’m sure she would appreciate you taking her to dinner and the opera,” Doug said, a smile playing across his lips.

Gil appeared embarrassed by Doug’s comment but said, “Yeah, I’ll do that.”

“I think it is customary for you to ask the girl first,” Raquel said, grinning.

“Yeah, right. Uh…you…uh…” Gil stammered.

“I would love to go to dinner with you,” Melissa said, smiling.

“You would? I mean, you would?” Gil replied.

“And you are invited to breakfast in the morning,” Raquel told Melissa, “which is the only apology you’ll get from me for bursting into your office and threatening you. If you ever send security people to my home again, and they pull their blasters, I will see that you are picking up trash alongside the Autobahn.”

“Yes, Madam Director,” Melissa replied, grinning.

“And you may now call me Raquel,” Raquel replied, smiling.

’Raquel, here are two more opera tickets and dinner vouchers for you and Ricardo,”Javelle said. “I volunteer to watch the children.”

“Thank you, Javelle,” Raquel said, accepting the tickets and dinner vouchers.

“Now that that’s settled, let’s blow this joint; enough of courtrooms. Melissa and Gil can have them,” Doug said, as he took Aisha’s hand and set out. Aisha asked, “What did you get me?”

Doug stopped and glanced at Javelle. Being a robot, except for one of his rare smiles, his expression never changed. Smiling, Aisha reached over and took Javelle’s hand and said, “That’s okay. I got the best gift of all. I have you two.” Together the three marched out of the courtroom hand in hand.