Chapter 20 #2
Kora, with the same poker face that Menace taught both of us, entered from the back and sat down. The only sound that could be heard was her heels until she sat.
“Closing arguments… does the defense want to go first?” She looked at me.
I stood up. “No, your honor. We’re fine with letting the prosecution proceed first.”
“Very well. Any objections to that?”
Court had been delayed because of the murder of the original prosecutor. This stand in was shuffling through his papers and had us all looking at him.
“Yes. I have no problem with that.”
I wanted to close my eyes desperately, and I knew Kora did too. She kept her eyes between looking at the prosecutor doing his closing arguments and then looking down. I just knew she was playing a game on her phone or online shopping.
He had been talking for thirty minutes, and he kept saying the same exact things. “So, I ask you all to think about that federal agent’s family when you go into that room. He was murdered in cold blood doing the job he had sacrificed so much for. Thank you for your time.”
I shook off the sleepiness and stood up. My gray double-breasted suit made a statement before my mouth could. The wide legs whisked over my heels as I walked over toward where the jury was.
“Good afternoon, or morning. I lost track with how long the prosecution’s speech was.”
“Objection.” He jumped right up.
”Counselor, proceed or lose the chance to have a closing statement,” Kora said, uninterested in both of our shenanigans.
Sadly, I missed the dead guy.
He gave me my shit back and went toe to toe with me. Now he was maggot food, and I can’t say I felt sad about it.
“A black billionaire. Need I say more? A billionaire who has been on the receiving end of many threats. Not even safe from the police… the very people that are supposed to protect us. I mean, sheesh, if we cannot depend on the people that should protect us, who can we depend on?” I locked my hands in front of me as I slowly walked along the jury.
“His daughter was asleep on the couch on the lower level… inches away from the front door where shots were let out through his door. No announcement, no badge shown. All Mr. Maze saw was a man at his front door with his gun drawn. No cars in the front… no sirens or lights. He saw a man at his front door while his daughter slept on the couch, falling asleep after watching her favorite cartoon.”
I paused, allowing the words to sink in.
“A bullet… a bullet entered his door, going into the vase that was near his daughter’s body.
Mr. Maze pulled out a registered gun and protected his family and his home.
He didn’t go on a murder spree for cops like the media is painting it out to be.
This is a man who came from nothing and made that into something.
The media had painted the picture of the slain agent.
Give me five seconds to do the same for Mr. Maze. ”
Kora was no longer bored; she was locked in to my closing argument.
“Mr. Maze is a father. A man that has never gotten in trouble, has given back to charity. Is in the middle of rebuilding community centers in his old neighborhood. Our very own prosecutor was just found murdered in his own home. That very well could have been Mr. Maze had he not protected himself. Everything good for you is bad eventually. I love organic candy, but it’s not good for you.
We can love the authorities but realize not all of them are good for us.
When you go back there, I want you all to think about yourself.
Don’t think about Mr. Maze. Think of what could happen to anyone of us for protecting our own lives. Thank you.”
I turned on my heels and went to sit back down. Kora watched me the entire way there and touched her chin as she looked at the prosecution.
“Members of the jury, you’ve heard the evidence and closing arguments. I’ve instructed you on the law and how it applies. It is now your duty to deliberate and reach a unanimous verdict. You may now retire to begin your deliberations… court is in recess.”
I stood up and grabbed my things while me and Kofi left the courtroom. “How long does it take?”
“We can have a verdict today, tomorrow or next week. Stay close by, grab something to eat from your hotel, and I’ll call you once I hear something.”
I went to use the bathroom while taking a few short breaths. Capri came into the bathroom and clapped her hands. “Fucking proud of you… the way you closed was perfect.”
“Think so? I wasn’t nervous and I’m usually always nervous on closing arguments.” I leaned against the sink.
“I think you fought this case like this was your own brothers. Kobi is innocent and we all know there is some corrupt shit happening, and he was a head on the chopping block.”
40: We need to link.
Both me and Capri’s phones chimed with forty’s name and knew that he knew something.
“Doesn’t make it better that he reaches out in the middle of this.” The text message disappeared, and Capri ducked into the stall when someone walked into the bathroom.
“He killed an innocent man, and you sleep at night knowing this.” The widow of the agent came into the bathroom.
This wasn’t our first time being in close quarters. I knew speaking to her would blow everything I worked hard on, and I quickly washed my hands.
“Now you know the rules… don’t speak to her,” Capri quickly exited the stall. “Leave now… use the bathroom down the hall.” Capri saw her out.
“Thank you.”
“She knows what she’s doing… I have to head back; I have court in a few. I love you and call the minute they have a verdict.”
“Will do. Love you too.”
She pushed to leave the bathroom, and a round of chimes could be heard from my phone and every phone from outside the doors. “Verdict is in.”
Her face was stone walled, as she held the door open for me. I called Kofi quickly, and he had only made it to his car. I rushed to the front and waited for him to get through the crowds quickly.
“This good or bad?”
“Honestly, I’ve never had a jury come back this quick. I was expecting at least a few hours or days.”
“Shit.” He whistled lowly.
Everyone was rushing back to the courtroom, and we rushed past the chaos. Between the pushing, I felt a hand on my lower back and looked to see Goo guiding me. We entered the courtroom, and I didn’t see him anymore.
My legs were shaking as we waited for them to call Kora back. When they did, I held onto the table while I stood. Kora walked out with a salad in her hand, probably surprised by how quick everyone came back.
“Madam Clerk, the jury has reached a verdict?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Please bring the jury in.”
“All rise for the jury,” the Bailiff called, and we all stood as each one filed in. I was good at reading people, but these bitches were stone faced. They weren’t letting a damn thing out.
“Madam, has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?”
“Yes.”
The Bailiff collected the paper and gave it to Kora. She opened it up, closed it and handed it back.
Like the jury, she wasn’t giving a damn thing. Not a swipe of the brow, or anything to let me know.
The clerk stood up. “In the matter of the United States vs Kofi Maze, on count one, we the jury find the defendant.”
It felt like time was going slow. Her wrinkled mouth was moving even slower. “Not guilty.”
Kofi dropped down onto his seat and clasped his hands together, praying. I stood there in disbelief while Kora slammed her gavel down because while Kofi’s family and everyone that believed in him was celebrating, the other side was outraged and throwing out slurs.
“Order in this court now… I know ya’ll lying… next outburst, you’re doing forty days for me in state prison!” Kora hollered, in disbelief that everyone busted out in either anger or excitement, knowing how strict she ran her courtroom.
The room went completely quiet. “Members of the jury, thank you for your service. You are now discharged from this case.”
Everyone stood up as the jury left the courtroom. Kofi hugged me tightly, as I stood there still in disbelief.
“Zoya, you really it. Did this shit alone and never gave up having faith,” he said, and I smiled.
“Just coming through on my promise. I told you that I would have you going home to your daughter.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed.” I smiled, as I squeezed him tightly.
“Media, leave my courtroom now,” Kora said.
The media quickly filed out of the courtroom as my sister leaned forward. “Ms. Caselli, I know you have to make a statement to the public. However, are there protocols in place to get you and Mr. Maze out of here safely?”
“Yes, your honor. I will make sure Ms. Caselli is taken out of here by my security.” Kofi replied.
“Very well.”
Everyone stood as Kora quickly left, looking back at me worried. Kofi and I exited the courtroom, and Capone was standing with Kincaid.
“Statement and you gone… not a fucking debate, Boobie.” Goo told me, and I nodded my head.
“Noted.”
Capone and Kincaid opened the double doors, and I quickly stepped out. The media had their tape recorders in my face, waiting for me to say something.
“Any words on the verdict? What are your feelings, Mr. Maze.”
Kofi stood next to me. “I am very pleased with the verdict.”
They turned toward me. “Justice was served. Both families may start to heal. Nothing further.” We both turned to head back into the courthouse.
Me and Kofi hugged once more before his security whisked him toward one exit, and Capone whisked me toward another. We took the back staircase and were moving quickly.
“Your brother sent the truck for you.” He let me in on what was going on.
I saw the tank waiting for me. He held the door open for me and got in on the other side. Khaos hopped in the front, and Duke was in the driver’s seat.
Duke didn’t come for any person.
His job was Menace and Stevie. “Your brother’s on the phone.”
I picked up the phone in the back, as he backed up and headed out of the parking garage. “Hey.”
“Congratulations. Don’t need to hear how I’m controlling. My only job is to get you and Kora out that fuck ass building. Lot of people ain’t happy with this verdict, Bean.”
“I know.”
The line was quiet. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
I watched out the window, and Quasim and Meer both sped in front of the tank. Kincaid and Goo took the side where I was.
“See you when you touch down.”
“Okay.”
Havoc took the back of the tank, and I leaned back. “This what comes with being the best.”
“Shitttttt!” I wailed, as tears fell down my face.
Khaos quickly turned around, concerned. “She feeling that shit… finally hitting her.” I felt Capone rubbing my back. “Nobody said it was easy being a fucking shark, Zoy. You went in there and because of you, a little girl gets to come home from school to her father being home.”
Tears poured down my face. I’ve had plenty of cases, but this one was different. I couldn’t explain the feeling I felt, but it was heavy. Every time me and Kofi spoke, or I researched something for this case, I felt this immense stress on my chest.
Seeing his daughter on his screensaver. Knowing he was a small fish in a bigger pond that wanted anyone. I’ve always known that the justice system was flawed. Today, I saw how they set up an innocent man to sit in prison for the rest of his life.
My hands were shaking and my lip quivered. “She having a panic attack or some shit?” Khaos questioned, damn near in the back with us.
Capone was calm. His presence brought a stillness while I felt like I was spiraling. “Breathe, Zoya… I never pretend I know how it feels for you and Pri to walk into a room full of wolves… You did good today… take a breath and know you that one.”
I leaned back, while Capone and Khaos watched me. Looking out the window, I saw Goo riding beside me.
He couldn’t see in here.
Quasim and Meer both were lead today. I watched as each of them did their part to get me to wherever Menace instructed them to take me.
“Chill out, Z. You coming to my birthday party, right?” He was trying to distract me, which I appreciated.
I looked at him. “You’re a libra.”
“Nah, Scorpio… the Libra’s evil twin, feel me?” He held his hand out and dapped me up while I laughed.
“Great. Got me in this car with Dr. Jekel and Mr. Hyde,” Capone muttered.
“Fuck you mean, Capo… never took you as a hater.” Khaos chuckled, while teasing Capone, which made me feel a little better.
I leaned my head back and enjoyed the ride.
I did good today.
I wondered if my parents would have thought so had they been alive?
Yeah. They would.