Chapter 39
Two weeks had passed, and Hollis was still in the Cook County Jail.
Rocky was at Alvarez’s firm discussing the case with Jamillah, Beau Lee, and Alvarez.
Harpo came in and embraced her. He tried to reassure her that even though Hollis was in jail, there were people on the inside who guaranteed they’d look out for him.
“It’s not about protecting him from the other inmates, it’s about making sure he’s receiving adequate healthcare. And there’s nobody you have on the inside that can guarantee that,” said Rocky.
“Please calm down, Mama,” Jamillah begged. “Your blood pressure will rise again. Then you’ll need healthcare, too. I’m getting too close to my due date and cannot handle the stress of both of my parents being hospitalized.”
“I just hate the thought of him in there and all the things that could be happening to him,” Rocky said as she located a plush leather club chair and nearly collapsed into it.
“I’m so sorry, ladies,” Beau Lee said. “It’s an awful thing that’s happening here.
A travesty of justice if I’ve ever seen one.
Unfortunately, Judge Lambert has all of the discretion to make these decisions.
Based on the state attorney’s petition and the political pressure of the police union, she chose to order Hollis be confined to Cook County Jail as he awaits trial.
We knew that once his condition improved, the judge could order him to jail. Regrettably, that day has come.”
“There must be something we can do to get him out of there,” declared Rocky. “I’m telling you they’re not equipped to give a person who is paralyzed the proper medical care. They keep trying to give my husband a death sentence to cover up their crimes!”
We’ve filed an additional petition with the appellate court to review Hollis’s bail denial on the grounds that he isn’t a flight risk.
He doesn’t own a passport, and he requires ongoing medical attention.
The petition cites other cases in which suspects were charged with violent crimes against law enforcement and had been granted bail. I hope it’ll speed up their ruling.”
“I pray it will,” Rocky managed.
“He won’t be there for long, Mama,” Jamillah said. “God has ordained it. Daddy’s going to get out.”
“We need to see him,” Rocky said. “I need to know he’s all right in there.”
“I don’t know if it gives you much comfort,” Alvarez said, “but from what we’ve been told, he’s spending most of his time in the medical wing receiving care.”
“You mean he isn’t with the other prisoners?”
“He’s likely had minimal contact with anyone outside the infirmary. In this case, his condition would require him to be kept isolated.”
“But I know how they treat ex-police officers in jail, and who’s going to protect him when he’s no longer in the infirmary?”
“It’s not something we advertise, but the Nation of Islam has significant membership in the correctional system,” Brother Harpo said. “Many of our brothers have found enlightenment during their darkest hours. I’ve informed our members to look out for Hollis and to protect him at all costs.”
Beau Lee’s phone rang. He quickly patted his pockets and came up empty.
“Now, where’d I put that thing?” He dug in his briefcase, which was in the chair next to him, found the phone, and answered it before it went to voicemail.
“Hello?” He nodded as he listened. “Thank you,” he said, then ended the call.
“Who was that?” Alvarez asked.
“The court clerk. We’ve got a trial date.”
“Already?”
“December nineteenth.”
“DaSilva and Dillard must be cooking with butter,” Brother Harpo said. “Not to mention, it’s an election year, and DaSilva’ll want to tout Hollis’s case as his crowning achievement.”
Capes entered the room with two pizza boxes, a salad, and a liter of cola. It was going to be another long night of trial preparation. “I got dinner,” he said. “One extra cheese and one veggie pie. Chicago style, of course.”