Chapter 26

Judge Stilton put the phone down once more and this time he had a small smile on his face. Things finally had come together after several furious minutes of calls and gentle chiding but he had what he needed and he felt satisfied. It was really amazing how much politics played in the pursuit of justice, and he wondered if it really was any less up on the bench? Was the ultimate ruler of the country, the Supreme Court, any less affected by the politics of the times or was it really beyond that, as many people seemed to believe?

He shrugged his shoulders because as of this moment in time, his own nomination to the highest bench of the land was still up in the air. Seemed that many across the aisle didn’t like his stance on certain popular programs, but as his nomination guide told him, the White House didn’t want him to temper his views, in fact they were encouraging him to speak out, to answer the charges so that a solid dialogue could be achieved outside the political arena. They were surprisingly candid too that such action would hamper his chances but that the President was tired of all the politically correct nonsense, and he wanted to start his term off by being true to his own beliefs.

In a very candid discussion with the President, he felt that he was quite prepared for many defeats in congress, but then, maybe it would also spur debate on the real issues instead of the same old political crap that had gone on for the last 8 years or so. He admired the concept but he was also a pragmatist and knew that he was fighting an uphill battle. Well, it would be nice to end his career as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court but it would be more enjoyable if the courts really did administer justice and not just the cold narrow line of law tainted many times by the ugly face of politics.

               Chaplain “Of course I believe it, Adam that is what Christianity is all about, it isn’t about stoning sinners or casting ourselves into the role as judge, jury, and executioner, that is not what our savior died for on the Cross, can’t you see that?”                                                                                                   

He waited for Hunter to return, as he had decided to add to the expectations by letting everyone know that court would not get into session as scheduled, but would be delayed by 30 minutes. The news of the deal that Hunter brought to him wasn’t surprising, but Hunter’s astute political savvy also tweaked on how Victor would try to use it to further his own ambitions by placing his failures onto others and that had gotten Judge Stilton’s blood pressure boiling. Well, thankfully he had gotten the heads up because now he had his own bombshell to drop on smart assed Victor Neilson and that holier than thou defense attorney Smith.

Hunter “You look happy, did the Democrats concede your nomination?”

Judge “Haha, no that won’t happen, but then again, thanks to your friend, I think we’ll be giving them something to think about, along with our ambitious friend out there. How did he take the news about the delay?”

Hunter “Oh like a trooper, he really is smug, but you should see the defendant, man is he ever smiling, like a damn Cheshire cat.”

Damn insolent pup, and all done under the guise of religion too, yet that seems to be the way of the world. How many innocents have died because someone thought it was God’s will? Who were these people that had such ego’s as to think they had a secret insight into God’s plans? It really irked him, and now one more might have escaped to wreak more havoc if circumstances hadn’t conspired against him.

Judge “Yes, I can imagine, well fortunately we have a few tricks left up our sleeves, I don’t think he’ll be smiling after I rule on the motion.”

Hunter “So, your friend in Justice was able to help?”

Judge “Oh yes, he in fact was very willing, seems that there are certain provisions in the Uniform Code of Military Justice that give him the grounds, after all he was AWOL.”

Just looking at the Judge he felt a sense of ease. Man he sure did act fast too when he presented him with his thoughts about what might really be behind this deal. He had never seen the Judge get so silent, so menacing and it had scared the shit out of him as he saw a thin smile cross the Judge’s face, and then he became nothing but a whirlwind of action. He really was something, and he could see the fire in his eyes still and for some reason he didn’t feel any pity for Victor Neilson or the defendant.

Hunter “Is that going to be enough?”

Judge “Enough to arrest and confine him, and then he’ll have his day in court, one that Mr Smith won’t be able to manipulate nor Mr Neilson.”

Hunter “I saw that Captain who appeared earlier, is he going to do the honours?”

Judge “Haha, no, the base adjutant, Major Collier and some MP’s are on their way, they will do the honours immediately after my ruling on Mr. Neilson’s motion.”

Hunter “What about the police?”

Judge “That has also been dealt with. I don’t think the Chief is all that happy about being blamed for this either, funny, Victor should realize that he may need the Chief’s support if he really wants to be the DA.”

Hunter “Well I don’t think our boy Victor is all that savvy, he’s focused too narrowly.”

Yes Hunter old boy, he is indeed too narrowly focused, focused solely on what is best for Victor Neilson instead of what is best for Justice and this time he will find out that Lady Justice may indeed be blindfolded, but that she still has teeth, very sharp teeth that will leave a lethal mark on dear Victor, at least if he has anything to do with it, and seeing as he does, well this might very well be Victor’s swan song, only he doesn’t know it yet.

Judge “Yes, too bad, he could have made a good prosecutor too.”

Hunter watched as Judge Stilton donned his robes and they looked at each other, both of them aware of the importance of what was about to occur. They both knew that politics was a part of the criminal justice system, yet today, justice might just win out over politics, or so the hoped as they headed to the courtroom.

Chaplain O’Malley couldn’t believe it, there just was no way that what Adam was saying was even possible, was it? After all, this was America not some third world country but yet the sheen in Adam’s eyes and the way his voice was so upbeat, it had to be true, even though his mind couldn’t fathom how.

Adam “Don’t you see Father? He has protected me, after all I really was doing his work for him, don’t you see it?”

Impossible! There is no way that the prosecutor would do this, how dare he, even if he doesn’t think he has a chance of winning, he certainly should at least try, after all, this isn’t just an ordinary assault, my God a young boy is dead and another is barely clinging to life, how could he do this to them?

Chaplain O’Malley “Huh? Sorry, my mind, Adam are you certain of this? I mean the DA over there, he really said that he was going to withdraw the charges?”

Adam “Of course, I wouldn’t make that up Father, you know that.”

Chaplain “Yes, that is true, I am sorry, I just didn’t think he would dare do something like that.”

Adam “Maybe normally he wouldn’t, but don’t you see? It wasn’t his doing, it was God’s doing, God is proud of me, and he has come to protect me, just like Reverend Hartwell said he would.”

Chaplain “Now Adam, this isn’t God’s work, surely you can’t really believe that God would condone what you did?”

Adam “Why not? I mean, those types, they are evil, them and Jews and the Blacks, they all are Satan’s tools, and it is up to people like you and me, true God fearing people to help keep the world safe, isn’t it our jobs?”

Chaplain “No Adam, our jobs as good Christians is to show mercy, not to judge others, and to always offer a helping hand, no matter who is asking, that is our obligation under God, not to murder, not to do harm simply because we don’t accept their colour, religion or lifestyle.”

Adam “I know you have to say that Father, I mean to keep up the pretence, but you can’t believe it, can you?”

Adam “NO, No that can’t be right Chaplain, you are wrong, can’t you see that what I did was a blessing? I helped to rid the world of vermin, of those who want to infect us because we are true believers, can’t you see that?”

Chaplain “No, no one wants to infect us, they don’t care if we become Jewish, in fact the Jewish faith is the hardest one to convert to if you aren’t born into it out of all the established religions and from what I know about gays, they aren’t interested in turning anyone gay, they just want to have the same rights, the same respect that we have, and blacks, last I heard you can’t change your skins pigments, and that is how God made it Adam, these are all his children, he doesn’t play favourites.”

Adam “That isn’t true, a non believer cannot enter heaven, Reverend Hartwell told me so, and that those who don’t enter heaven are doomed to eternal damnation, that’s in the bible too Chaplain, don’t you read your scriptures?”

My God, how can he believe all this? Has religion and the true word of God been so corrupted that no one can really know the truth? How does a man like Hartwell get away with this sin? Why don’t you come down and do something? Why are you leaving your children so vulnerable like this? Isn’t it enough that we suffer from all the other sins of this mortal world and then have to endure the uncertainty of your own love? Dear God what are we to do?

Chaplain “More than you can know Adam, I wish I could help you, but until you seek the truth that is within you, I am afraid for you, I truly am.”

Adam “Reverend Hartwell said you wouldn’t understand, you don’t have to be afraid for me Chaplain, I am in God’s hands and he is looking after me really good, that’s why I am going home after this, back to the Navy.”

Chaplain “So you say, well I wish you well Adam, I really do but not in the spirit that you may take that to mean.”

His heart was heavy as he turned away from the pimpled smiling face of Adam Westbrook. How could today’s society still be as archaic and narrow minded as it was back in Christ’s time? Was there no learning from the past? His feet felt heavy and his soul was dragging, as if there was a real sense of dread upon it and he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was much more to come in this saga.

Candice West came in behind the mad crush of her fellow reporters and she was feeling a bit sick to the stomach as she saw how the frenzy was already in full force There was no denying that Paul’s arrival had only added to the fires, his refusal to say anything other than he was he was here to see that Justice was done for the attack on his brother, and for the murder of another innocent person, who’s only crime was that he was gay.

They had tried to get him to comment on his charges against his parents, but he had refused any further comment and the two young men with him had also refused comment. One she recognized as being the lover to the victim laying in a coma back at the hospital. The doctors hadn’t given him much of a chance of every coming out of the coma, in fact the odds of him surviving were something like a million to one, and yet somehow all three of them seemed to have hope that he would recover.

People were strange in that way, how they could hear the cold facts of science and yet cling to that one chance as if it was the real number, that the numbers opposing his recover were nothing but fantasy. She sighed a little as she watched the horde continue to flash their cameras and thrust their microphones into all three faces and yet, the three didn’t even seemed phased by it at all. 

She watched as they entered the courtroom and moved up the aisle towards their reserved seating, just behind the Prosecutor who had turned to watch them enter the room. Hell everyone had turned to watch and she could see the Reverend Hartwell and his wife staring too. For a brief second she was certain she had seen a killing glance by Mrs Hartwell as she looked at her eldest son walk in. The reverend didn’t look all that happy either and yet the defendant seemed almost glad to see Paul, Rob, and Ashley coming in. It was like he couldn’t contain his glee and she noticed too the blank stare of the prosecutor, almost, but no, it wouldn’t be possible, not even Victor Neilson could be that stupid, but she suddenly felt very apprehensive as she continued to watch the procession and the flash of cameras.

Candice had been covering the courthouse for a short time, and many of her colleagues considered her just a pretty face trying to climb up the media ladder. They really weren’t all that supportive either and at the beginning she had made some pretty good blunders, until she came across Judge Stilton. He had become her favourite over the year, mainly because he had helped her out when no one would even give her the time of day. 

There had been a tough case 9 months back, and everyone had wanted an interview with the presiding judge who had been forced to let a convicted rapist go free on a technicality. Judge Stilton had been that judge and out of all the hounding members of the press, he had granted one interview, and that was to her. It made her, so to speak, and from that time on she wasn’t constantly being humiliated or shunned. She had stature because she had got the hot interview then, and she wondered if she would be able to accomplish that again? After all Judge Stilton was a hot topic and she had approached his clerk, Hunter Mathews and he did sound promising.

If she could just get that interview nailed down, especially while this trial was going on, she could write her own ticket with her bosses. Hell, she might even make anchor at the station if she pulled this off. Somehow though, all of those dreams seemed to suddenly pale as she continued to watch the defendant and now his attorney as well, as they seemed almost jovial, as if the whole thing was merely a walk in the park. She couldn’t understand their demeanor and she turned her attention to the others seated in the courtroom.

There was several people that drew her interest, but one seated next to the JAG officer really got her blood pressure rising. He looked almost as if he was ready to burst a blood vessel or two. His face was so constricted by hatred and anger, and she could see that he couldn’t keep his eyes off the defendant either. It scared her a little and for one of the few times, she was glad that the courthouse had electronic screening for all entering the building. Sure the police had guns, and it did look like the military guy did too, but that was okay, just as long as the ordinary folk didn’t and that was what the scanners were for.

A strange chill went up her spine as she saw that there wasn’t any extra Bailiff’s either and she couldn’t explain it, but that made her feel even more nervous as she scanned the crowd, constantly returning to the one person that had so captivated her attention. The guy was tall and formidable looking and she suddenly let her jaw fall open. That was the guy who had identified Adam Westbrook as one of the assailants and now she felt the sweat beading up in the palms of her hands.

The clerk called the court into session for the third time and finally this time around people began to listen to him. The media grudgingly backed off to their assigned spots in the courtroom and the loud rustling noise began to finally subside so that voices could actually be distinguished from the general hub bub.

With a soft tap on the door to the Judge’s chambers, the clerk once more stepped forward and spoke up bringing those seated to their feet as Robert Stilton, clad in his long black robes, entered the courtroom. His eyes sparkled as he walked up the three steps to his raised podium and he quickly glanced to make sure all the papers were there. He had to smile inside, because he knew they would be there, but he didn’t like taking things for granted.

With a gruff ‘be seated’ he busied himself glancing at the papers and shuffling them around, heightening the already tension filled room. Well, it would get a lot more tense in a short time, that he was certain of. He really felt disgusted, that his lady justice was being so ruthlessly used, but she wasn’t always a lady. She had teeth too and if someone had the balls to get them bared then look out and he stared over at the defendant’s table.

The beaming face of the defendant was almost enough to make him throw up but then again, he knew something that the defendant didn’t and that brought a smile to his 63rd year old face. He was sure that Victor had seen that smile too and he turned his attention towards him, letting his contempt for the man show on his face. He saw Victor recoil a little but then get that smug look of his, well, so be it thought Judge Stilton and he finally gaveled the court into session.

Judge “Mr Prosecutor?”

Victor “Your Honour, at this time the state wished to offer a motion to the court.”

Judge “Oh? Very well, proceed.”

Victor “Uh, thank you your Honour, I would like to state for the record, that this motion is joined by defense council as well.”

Judge “Is that correct Mr Smith?”

Smith “Yes it is your honour”

Judge “I see, well proceed Mr. Prosecutor.”

Victor “Thank you, I would like to add for the record that I do not make this motion lightly, however circumstances leave the State no choice, in fact, I would also state for the record that your Honour has contributed most heavily to this decision as well, by your insistence that…”

Judge “Excuse me councilor, is this a campaign speech or do you have a motion to present?”

Victor “I am getting to that your honour, however I feel that given the nature of the motion and of the attention this case has drawn, that the DA’s office should be allowed to explain its motion.”

Judge “I see, well you can do that after you present the motion Mr. Prosecutor, in your argument for it.”

Victor “Yes, well if your Honour will state that we shall have that opportunity, then of course I…”

Judge “If I what? Mr. Prosecutor is there some reason that you feel it necessary to attack this court? You are very close to outright insubordination, and that Mr. Prosecutor is not acceptable in my court.”

Just the fact that it was a joint motion had peaked everyone’s attention and you could feel the tension as it rose high in the courtroom. Many people now leaned forward, studying the two lawyers and the defendant. Dismay rose in many as they could see that the defendant was in a very exulted mood. 

Victor “I would respectfully say to his Honour that I am not attacking the court but I can understand how his honour might feel that way, given his rulings so far in this…”

Just look at his smug face! He thinks he has pulled one over on me, that he can attack me and the police and come out of this smelling like a rose, his own political dreams intact, well he is in for a fight he didn’t expect. God I wish for the time when we can serve Justice and not political ambitions, maybe this can be one of those times.

Judge “MR PROSECUTOR, I would urge you to control your ‘thoughts’ before you find yourself in contempt of this court, now do you, or do you not have a motion to present to this court?”

Victor “Yes your Honour, may I proceed?”

Judge “Yes you may proceed to present your motion, the grandstanding you do not have permission to proceed with, Mister Prosecutor.”

Victor “Yes, well, due to the Court’s own decision to have the charges against the Defendant…”

Judge “I am warning you Mr. Prosecutor, no more of that nonsense, this court did not make up the charges, it suggested a guideline for the State to follow, one which you accepted without hesitation if my memory is correct.”

Damn but you are a feisty one Stilton, but it won’t help you one fucking bit, I got you and there isn’t shit you can do about it now. I am going to bury you old man, you and your dreams of sitting on the bench, that is all going to go down the drain while I will ascend. I’ll teach you to try and make me look weak or incompetent.

Victor “None the less your Honour, your suggestion was most forceful, as the State’s representative I felt I had no choice but to bow to your suggestion, as you call it.”

Judge “You had the option to refuse, you also had the option to request the matter be held over, so Mr. Prosecutor don’t blame this court for your rush to judgment, or maybe I should say perhaps your lack of preparation for this case?”

Victor “That is not fair your honour, I’ll have you know that my office has spent countless hours on this case, we were prepared for our case, not one you forced on us.”

Judge “I forced nothing on you Mr. Prosecutor, it is my duty as the presiding judge to point out matters of law to you, it isn’t my fault if you can’t interpret them properly, now do you or do you not have a motion to present? If not, then we can proceed.”

Victor “I do have a motion, if your Honour will allow me to present it.”

Judges “Please… go ahead Mr. Prosecutor.”

Victor “Thank you… your Honour. As I have been saying, due to certain factors forced upon the State in bringing forth charges against this defendant, the State has come to the painful decision that those charges could not be sustained during even a preliminary hearing, and as the Police have failed as well to pursue obtaining further evidence, the State reluctantly must inform the court that it is withdrawing all charges against the defendant…”

The courtroom erupted as if a bomb had suddenly gone off. Everyone was on their feet yelling and some of the voices penetrated the general outcry to reach even the Judge. His eyes were blazing as he had anticipated some rebellion from the onlookers, but this was worse than he had imagined. Off to the right where the supporters of the defense were, he could hear people cheering and yelling thank yous and some were even singing hymns it seemed.

On the opposite side he could see the outrage but he also saw complete confusion too. They didn’t know who to be angry with, the Prosecutor, or him,  or even the defendant. They were livid and he didn’t like what he saw either in many of the faces of those shaking their fists at him and at the Prosecutor. For the first time in his entire recollection of sitting on the bench, Judge Stilton felt fear for his own safety and it made him sweat as he tried to regain control, to get people to sit down and calm down.

For an instant he had his hand on the panic button under his desk, contemplating sending an urgent help signal to the Bailiffs. He had forgotten about that, and he knew he should have anticipated such outrage, and increased his security staff, but there just hadn’t been time to cover all the bases and now he might be paying for that in an actual riot in his own courtroom.

Chaplain O’Malley “YOU CAN’T DO THAT!”

Detective Deese “YOUR HONOUR!  You can let him do this, we did our job, there are witnesses.”

Carl Hardy “NO! YOU HAVE PROOF! NO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS; YOU CAN’T LET HIM GET AWAY WITH MURDER!  YOU CAN’T!”

Those behind the prosecutor moved closer to the railing and Patrolman Lanier was suddenly thrown off balance by the press of people. He didn’t know what to expect but he stood his ground, shuffling back among the press of bodies and then he tripped over the leg of his superior, falling to the ground and losing his weapon. Someone’s foot kicked the service weapon and Patrolman Lanier didn’t even notice it had been released from his holster. He was too busy attempting to get back up, to avoid being stepped on and he felt one crushing blow on his leg that made him howl out in pain.

The pain was too much for him, and he could feel it lancing straight up thru his spine. His eyes teared up as he struggled to get out of the way but he wasn’t fast enough as another foot suddenly stomped on his already injured leg. The pain was so intense he didn’t see a long arm reaching down amongst the milling crowd and pick up his service weapon. All he could think of was the pain and that his leg might be broken. It was excruciating as finally a couple of people saw his plight and lifted him up. 

The two men undid his service belt and loosen his pants as they laid him out across several now empty seats. His leg looked bad too and they were sure they could see blood seeping into the dark uniform trousers. Connor had seen the officer go down and he finally made his way thru the still screaming and angry crowd and he slit open the trouser leg, exposing the flesh and one man began to retch as he saw the white jagged edge of the patrolman’s leg bone jutting out from the skin.

Judge “ORDER!  ORDER IN THIS COURT!”

He saw the men pulling a uniformed officer up out of the pile of humanity that had swarmed up to the railing but luckily no one seemed willing to cross that artificial barrier. Fortunately three of his bailiffs had rushed to the railing as well, their hands on their own service weapons and that seemed to do the trick and ease the anguished cries of outrage that were still spewing forth, but in a more subdued manner.

Victor “If I may your honour?”

Fucking bastard was hoping for a riot, it would make anything that he said moot, because all people would remember would be the riot, they wouldn’t even pause to consider why so many people had suddenly exploded in a superior courtroom, they would just remember that they rioted. Damn you Neilson, but I am not giving up, not on your life.

Judge “BE SEATED MR. PROSECUTOR! ORDER, There will be order, you people of the press, QUIET! Or I’ll have the Bailiff remove you from this courtroom, ORDER!”

The constant banging of his gavel and the loud commanding tones of his voice slowly began to penetrate the outraged crowd. The singing group behind the defendant quietened down and slowly began to sit back into their seats. People behind the Prosecutor were still standing but their voices were at least being slowly stilled. Judge Stilton breathed a small sigh of relief as he noticed the crowd slowly being calmed and their attention was now turning towards the back of the courtroom, where the agonized cries of Patrolman Lanier could now be heard within the entire courtroom.

Gradually the people began to shuffle back to their seats. Judge Stilton ordered a bailiff to help with the injured patrolman and some semblance of order was gradually being returned when his eyes happened about a tall man, standing still at the railing. He saw his eyes filled with rage and he shuddered as the man’s gaze now took his own face into view. The sudden weight of his job crushed in on him as he took an unexpected breath, coughing a little as the full force of the man’s hatred seemed to suddenly lift up and strike him.

Once more he recalled seeing that face and it still scared him. For a brief moment he considered having a bailiff go stand by the man, but he was down to just one bailiff between him and the entire courtroom. He was spread too thin and he once more contemplated hitting the panic button below his desk, to summon more help.

There were still some people milling around and as he rapped his gavel once more, the noise made their heads swivel towards him. He had managed, for now, to regain control and he could see that most of the people standing, were congregated around the patrolman.

Judge “How is the officer Bailiff?”

Connor “Excuse me your Honour, I am a paramedic, and this man needs to get to a hospital immediately, he has a severely fractured leg.”

Judge “Very well, the clerk will call for an ambulance, should he be moved elsewhere until they arrive?”

Connor “I’d advice against it your Honour.”

Judge “I see, very well then, we shall all remain in our seats, and this court will stand temporarily adjourned until after the paramedics have arrived and removed the injured officer.”

Smith “Uh Your Honour maybe we should simply move to another courtroom? This could take some…”

Judge “Mr. Smith, don’t you start to try to tell me how to run my courtroom, we stand in recess until the paramedics can remove the injured officer.”

Judge Stilton rapped his gavel down hard; the sharp bark of wood striking wood echoed loudly in the large courtroom and made some people jump. One who almost leapt from his seat was the tall man who had eyes that were still ablaze, and yet over on the side behind the defendant, another thin young man also jumped. Robert Stilton caught a brief glimpse of him and he shuddered as he saw an emptiness that defied description.

He sat there for a moment, still stunned by the events of a few minutes earlier and he realized that he was partially to blame, but not in the way that Victor Neilson was trying to imply. He was to blame for not insuring that the case was not rested on politicians to deal with, he should have had Hunter or someone on his staff insure that the police and DA’s office were seeking corroboration on what the witnesses had sworn to.

There also was the matter of making sure his courtroom was safe, not just for the spectators but also for the inside staff. On that line he summoned Hunter and managed to get him to go and obtain additional bailiffs, if he could for the remaining portion of the session. He knew that the bombshell had worked its way thru and hopefully the anger would dissipate as they waited for the paramedics. The cries of the injured man didn’t add to a calming effect but maybe it would be a sobering one for the crowd.

Doctor Collier entered the brightly lit corridor of the Intensive Care Unit to the hushed sounds of beeping machines and he felt a strange chill, almost like a cold wind had just brushed past him and his eyes took in the faces of those medical personnel at the main desk. He could see disbelief and even anger in their faces and he wondered what had happened, what had suddenly turned so many people into virtual zombies?

For a second, his heart quailed as if it had been struck but a huge wall of steel. His soul was suddenly dark for a mere millisecond as the horrible thought that Terry had suffered a relapse or worse wound its way into his thoughts. He could feel his legs coming close to buckling as he tried to hurry forward to the main desk and yet at the same time, feeling reluctant to even move. Sweat was starting to pour from his forehead and he wiped it with the back of his sleeve, praying that his fears were unfounded, unjustified.

The Nurses were in shock, Bruce could see that, and he knew that whatever had shaken them; it would have to be something momentous. His pulse raced as he came up to the desk where he could hear the muted sounds of a television and he saw a reporter standing outside the courthouse he had just left, an ambulance pulling in and he stood rock still. His heart was still, but he gasped for air as all sorts of thoughts now poked at his heart.

Nurse #1 “Doctor, were you there when it happened?”

Bruce “Where, when what happened? Isn’t that the superior courthouse?”

Nurse #2 “Yes it is, you didn’t hear then?”

Bruce “Hear what? Will someone tell me what’s going on?”

Nurse #1 “The prosecutor, he’s moved to have the charges against that animal withdrawn, it is terrible, how can he do that Doctor? Doesn’t he have any decency?”

Bruce “WHAT? HE’S WHAT?”

Nurse #2 “He’s asking to withdraw the charges against that animal that beat up your patient, and I guess some of the people inside got pushy.”

Nurse #1 “Pushy? Hell they were near to a riot I think and did you see what those religious nuts were doing? Christ they were singing Hosanna’s for God’s sake.”

Bruce “Withdrawing the charges? Oh my God, what is going on in this world, why, I mean, did someone get hurt?”

Nurse #2 “Yes, a police officer fell down when some people rushed to the railing or something, to protest the Prosecutor’s motion and I guess he got stepped on pretty bad.”

Nurse #1 “Yeah, the ER has already been alerted, said he has a really bad fracture, main bone is severed and sticking right out of the leg.”

Bruce “ER? They ask for me?”

Nurse #1 “No they didn’t Doctor, shall I see if they want you?”

Bruce “Uh, in a few, what about Terry? I got an urgent message, is he slipped back? What?”

Nurse #2 “He might, if he hears this news, but no Doctor, he’s still conscious and still asking for you. It really is a miracle isn’t it Doctor Bruce?”

Bruce “Yes, it really is. He is actually asking for me? I mean he’s speaking?”

Nurse #1 “Yes Doctor, not to loudly mind you, bit hoarse but he did take several sips of water, and well, I mean his vitals are normal, as if nothing had happened to him.”

Bruce “Normal? No sign of the trauma, nothing?”

Nurse #2 “Nothing, and the machines, they all seem to be working again, I just don’t know what else to say.”

Bruce “Neither do I, well… I will go see him, uh, call the ER and see if they need me, let me know.”

Nurse #2 “yes Doctor.”

Bruce Collier stared at the two paramedics racing up the steps of the courthouse, their gurney loaded with equipment and he could see the machines and bags bouncing as they moved quickly up the long white steps. The columns stood out and on the television the building looked so stately, so full of hope and promise, but in his heart he just couldn’t see it that way anymore. Instead of hope he saw a flawed system being corrupted by greedy vicious political animals and his heart cried for a time when Justice actually did mean something, or did it? Was there ever such a time in the history of the system?

He sighed knowing that the world he lived in was far from perfect, but it was his world and maybe it was his obligation to try and make changes. Maybe his practise of just accepting what is wasn’t the way to go; maybe it was time that he actually became involved in being a member of the Human race? Maybe he did need to do more than just mutter about things, maybe Connor had been right and he did need to become active in groups that supported reform.

Well that would be for later, right now he needed to see his patient and as he entered the glass walled room he couldn’t believe the changes he was seeing. There was actual colour in Terry’s face and the eyes, they were not just open but he could see the fire within, the spirit that held each person was clearly there and for some reason it made his pulse race a little and made his heart seem warm and pleased. The Nurse was right, it truly was a miracle but still, anything could happen as he saw the eyes fix on him and a smile cross the young man’s face.

His heart was thumping wildly as he stared at the calm face before him, he could see some of the torment, the fears that still rested within the young man flashing but he saw something else, a strange sense of peace. It really was something to stare into those soft blue eyes and to feel all that he could feel. It was like no barriers existed between them and he felt the young man’s thoughts touching his very soul as he walked up to him and smiled down, or at least tried to.

Bruce “Well, you certainly seem a whole lot better.”

Terry “Thanks to you, you are Doctor Bruce aren’t you?”

God you would never think this kid had been at death’s door by how he looked now, and they said miracles didn’t happen? It is unbelievable really and yet there is the proof. Strange how calm he looks, almost as if he knows that whatever the future holds, he’ll manage it. 

Bruce “Yes, but, well, how do you know my name? You were unconscious ever since they brought you in.”

There is so much I don’t understand, yet I know you were the means that gave me this chance, that you gave me the time to think it all through, and I can’t explain any of this, yet it should frighten me but it doesn’t, like there is no more fear inside of me.

Terry “Was I? Doesn’t seem that way, but I do remember your eyes, when I first came here, it was pretty bad wasn’t it?”

Bruce “Yes, it still is too, you have, well, we really didn’t have much hope for you.”

That is strange to hear, because I have this memory of you being the one who insisted that there was hope for me. Funny, only Paul ever really believed in me, no one else did but he always did, but then, I believed in him too.

Terry “No? Doesn’t seem like that, feels like there were a few who did, how is Ashley? Is he okay now?”

Bruce “Now? Well, he’s certainly feeling easier after this morning.”

Terry “No, I mean, there won’t be any side effects from all the pills he took will there?”

It is uncanny how someone can come literally back from the grave and know so much, it is scaring the shit out of me too, like I am talking with someone who has been given a secret insight into the world, Wonder if he can explain it or is he just saying what he feels? I read about this, scoffed at it too and yet now, it doesn’t seem to surprise me, just the opposite in a way, but I know now one thing I never did before, and that is that miracles happen, which also sort of has to mean that there is indeed a God, how else can you explain miracles?

Bruce “Uh, but, I, uh… no, no there won’t be.”

Terry “Good, I was worried about that… Doctor, that guy, the one who did all this, he won’t get away with it, you know that don’t you?”

Bruce “Look, I think you have enough to concern yourself with, let the judicial system deal with him in its own way, now, what was so urgent that you needed to see me?”

Terry “Still finding it hard to break that doctor routine huh? Haha, well I won’t worry about him, that’s not my place, I just wanted to make sure you were here and not there.”

Bruce “Huh? I don’t quite, why?”

It all seems like a wild dream to me, dolphins and swimming and all, and yet somehow I just had to get you here. Christ I hope I am not going bonkers, so much seems to have happened and yet it is like I was there to see it all, but I couldn’t have been, but I know one thing, I won’t deny that voice inside ever again, least I sure as hell will try not to.

Terry “I don’t know why either, least not really, tell me Doctor, uh, can I call you Bruce?”

Bruce “Sure, go ahead.”

Terry “Thanks, you ever gone on a long sailing cruise Bruce? Off to nowhere in particular, just out there, with nothing but the wind and ocean before and behind you?”

Bruce “No, I haven’t, want to mind you, my uh friend and I, we’ve thought about it some, but just never really had the time.”

Terry “My brother is taking me and Ashley when you let me out of here, you and your friend should join us, who knows maybe we’ll all find a nice tropical island and just spend the time enjoying life, I think I could really get into that, sounds nice doesn’t it?”

Bruce “uh, yes it does, but you are far from out of the woods, I mean, you had major internal damage done, you can’t just pack up and go off on some sailing trip.”

Terry “Why not? I know I’ll be weak for a bit, but everything seems to be working…”

Bruce “Well, for starters you haven’t even gotten out of bed on your own yet, and well, you have to regain control over your bodily functions, and then there is rehab for your muscles, I mean you really took a lot of punishment Terry…”

Terry “I know, it still feels weird laying here, but the nurse said I shouldn’t sit up until you okayed it, but I really want to, at least let me try.”

Bruce “you are an impatient one, aren’t you?”

Terry “Yes, there is so much I want to do, first thing I want to do is hug Ashley and Paul, I can’t believe how much they went through, do you like my brother Bruce?”

Bruce “Huh? Paul? Yeah, he is rather amazing actually, he was very strong thru your ordeal, you should be proud of him.”

Terry “Oh I am, always have been, he’s been my hero ever since I was a tyke actually, I am so glad he’s come back.”

Bruce “Well, let’s not rush things Terry, how about we see if we can’t get you to sit up and then maybe we can move you into a different room, I don’t think you are going to need all these machines anymore.”

Terry “No, guess not, besides they sure didn’t seem to work very good did they?”

I read about out of body experiences, and they sounded like so much hooey to me, but maybe there is more to it than we know? Christ, how arrogant we doctors get, but thank God for Terry, maybe that is it, maybe he was sent to sort me out, to bring me down to earth? All I know is he acts like he was awake for it all, so maybe what they say is true, that there really is a God, at least I believe in one now, and for what its worth, I feel more at ease in that than when I only believed in Science. Strange how incidents can change one’s perspective on life.

Bruce “huh? Uh, well… no I guess they didn’t.”

After a few quick tests, simple strength tests, Bruce stepped back and watched as Terry was actually able to push himself upright from the flat gurney and sit up. As he watched he was amazed at how different Terry looked since he had last seen him, just last night. There was full colour in his face, and he could see the life that was brimming forth from his face, especially his eyes. They simply glowed and shimmered in the harsh light of the ICU room.

His body was still a bit pale, but he could see normal colour returning and his chest no longer looked like a tight covering over bones. It was almost as if he was filling out once more and yet he hadn’t had any solid food other than thru intravenous. It really was like someone else was attending to his needs, gradually giving him the needed nourishment that he needed and he felt so inadequate at that instant. He realized that modern medicine was indeed powerful, but was nothing compared to the unknown that seemed to have a will of its own.

It was funny how when he had graduated he had thought that he was as close to being a God as any human could. In his hands rested life or death and if he did his job right, then he could bring life to people, if not, then no one else could, and yet from that instant when his own eyes had stared into Terry’s down in the ER his whole attitude had changed. He finally had come to realize that he was nothing but a mere mortal who had a gift, a talent that had come from somewhere but not from his own doing either, and he was no closer to being a God than the janitor was. It was a shock really to find that your own arrogance was just that, arrogance.

Terry never should have made it beyond the ER room, never mind up to here, and yet he had. Then had come the operation that had gone totally wrong from the start, and so once more Terry should never be here now, yet he was, and that had to be proof of something far more powerful than Man. He shook his head as he watched Terry smile at him, the success of being able to sit up evident on his young face. Christ, just looking at him he was amazed at how handsome he was, even after all he had been through.

The bruises were there, the ones around the eyes, the jaw, the chest even, and yet they failed to detract from Terry’s looks. He sat there, looking like a picture of health and even the way his chest heaved a little from the task of sitting up, all of it didn’t detract from his appearance and Bruce realized that he wasn’t really seeing the physical man, but that he was seeing the inner grace of Terry shining through all that had happened to him. In that second, he felt peace in his own heart and he no longer questioned anything about this miracle, he just accepted it for what it was, divine intervention if you will, but whatever it was, he just accepted it and was grateful for it.

Four extra bailiffs had arrived and he had them stationed in the courtroom gallery, keeping his normal bailiffs in their normal positions. He wasn’t going to get caught short again and the dread that had taken hold in his heart was slightly eased by their presence. Even Major Collier and his men had managed to arrive and were seated at the back of the courtroom, and to the best of his knowledge, had entered unnoticed by most everyone in the court.

While waiting for the paramedics to arrive he had consulted with Hunter and even had taken the time to go down and check personally on the injured police officer. He found out he was one who had taken the death bed confession and he didn’t want to leave, in fact despite the obvious pain that he was in, he tried to get them to let him stay so he could testify. He didn’t really understand that there would be no witnesses, not if he ruled in favour of the motion, which he knew he had no choice in either.

His anger at Victor was complete too as he watched the way the man sat at his table, unconcerned about the angry buzzes behind him or even for the injured man. It was like he was indeed only concerned with those things that would boost his own reputation, his own aims. How did people like that become part of the system and worse, rise in it? Surely Justice wasn’t just a stepping stone to personal advancement, surely there had to be some people who entered the profession to really serve justice, or was he deluding himself?

He had hoped that by forcing the DA to submit appropriate charges against the defendant, that it would spur a deeper and much more intensive investigation into the crime. Part of him may have known it was fruitless, or that a jury would not see it the way he did, but he had to make that effort. What had stunned him today wasn’t that people were angered into violence, but that those sworn to protect the innocent and bring the guilty to trial had failed so miserably in their duties to their fellow citizens.

The Police did indeed stop investigating; they failed to search for more witnesses or at least evidence. Hell they failed to even ask for the man’s service history, which in itself was a clue to his behavior, but he couldn’t do more than he had. Now he would be forced to dip his own hands into politics in what may be a vain effort at achieving justice for the dead young man and the near dead other young man.

Even the defendant’s own family history was left untouched by the Police and the DA himself. If they had simply followed up on the bare facts alone, they would have uncovered motive, in that Adam’s brother Andrew was currently suffering from full blown AIDS, acquired thru a casual encounter with a male prostitute, exactly the profession of the two victims. Any good prosecutor could make that case with just that simply information; never mind what a conversation with the brother or family might turn up. No, his blessed justice system had failed in more than just one area, it had a complete breakdown and as he banged his gavel down, to once more set the wheels of justice in motion, deep in his heart, he knew that Justice had failed because the victims were simply gay.

Judge “Order, Order in the Court, the Court will come to order!”

The loud sharp bangs finally managed to get everyone’s attention and he could see the two sides now all faces turned towards him. He saw still anger and a smoldering hatred in most of the faces on the Prosecutor’s side, except for one, and he could see only sympathy and understanding in his eyes. It amazed him too because that was the still living victim’s brother. How could he have such patience, such strength while the man who may yet wind up killing his brother was about to be set free?