“You got a new trial, Nial. The A.I.D., you know, Allusian Investigative Department looked into your case as an example of the gross misconduct in Liagiba Province. They agreed that you were never given a fair trial. Today is your new hearing, so we need to get you spiffed up and ready for court.”
As I got showered, shaved, and dressed, the only thought I had was that I was actually getting a new trial. Ze had been right, I might be free after all, even if he would never be able to breathe the free air with me.
Luke, Kane, Jarvis, and Eugene got into a car I had never seen before and drove off. As Geordie and I got into his SUV outside our tiny cabin, all of a sudden the happiness I had felt at the possibility of freedom was gone. I watched the trees and houses fly past bringing me closer to a new life, a new chance at freedom. What was a lifetime of freedom, without the missing piece of my soul?
* * *
When Geordie ushered me into the very same courtroom where my first trial had been held, I stopped cold and wouldn't walk another step. I remembered the hateful judge, the smirking prosecutor and the officers who sneered at my fate. I couldn’t go through all that again, it was too much, and I was too fragile.
“Geordie, I can’t do this. They’re going to send me back, and I’m going to die in there.”
I tried to backtrack, but Geordie held my arm and frog-marched me forward to the same table where I had heard my sentence and fainted from the shock of it all. Paul was seated in the same seat, but instead of the solemn look from before, this time he looked happy.
Happy? Why does he look so fucking happy?
I sat on the same seat as before, and Paul reached over to give me a huge hug and a kiss on both cheeks. His red cheeks showed just how emotional he was at seeing me again.
“Gods, Danny boy, you don’t know how happy I am to see you, son. I have so much to tell you, but here are the basics. Your da has been working with the Allusian authorities for over two years to investigate and gather evidence of the atrocities against shifters in Liagiba Province. He was getting close to having enough evidence to bring down half the judicial system and many of the police, when you were caught and convicted. The men your da had targeted thought they could keep him silent as long as they had you under their control.”
Paul poured himself and me a glass of water, and I drank it even though I wasn’t thirsty. He drank his down and then continued.
“But they didn’t know that the A.I.D. had their prison under investigation already. They had their men in there for almost a year when you were sent there, so your da got them to protect you until they could get enough evidence to bring the whole system down. I think you met most of the team while you were in there. You came in with one of them. Geordie Horner was their tech guy.”
Paul motioned with his head, and I looked over to see Geordie at the back of the room talking with a group of men in suits like the one he had given me and the one he had worn for the occasion. I recognized one of the other men he was talking to also.
“Luke Ford was the assistant investigator. He was there to do surveillance and to plan the egress with their contact when they were ready.”
At the mention of their contact, a head of dirty blond hair caught my attention, and I noticed Eugene was among the group with Luke and Geordie. His glamour was in full force, but when he turned toward me, he flashed his dark eyes at me in a silent acknowledgment. I tipped my head at him in a quiet thank you for all his help. He was the reason I had gotten out. I could see that now. He had been their contact all along.
“What about Sallyann? Do you know anything about the medic in the prison?”
Paul smiled a familiar grin, and I let my lips rise slightly in response.
“Sallyann was part of another team investigating the same situation. She worked with Eugene when she found out his plan. Eugene worked for the A.I.D. and Sallyann was working for the Paranormal Investigation Department of the Others Council for Justice. They were working for different entities, but they decided to work together for this investigation. Everyone wanted this situation to get resolved and working together was the only way.”
I wanted to ask about Ze and his role in it all, but I couldn’t bring myself to open that wound, especially in public. I didn’t have much time to think about it though, because we were asked to rise and the judge entered the courtroom.
It wasn’t the original judge.
This woman, Judge Marsha McClintock, had a kind face with short dark hair that cupped her chin. She was short and had to adjust her chair so she would be tall enough to see over the bench. She looked nice, but she was also all business. She called everyone to order and got right to it.
“All right everyone, I think you’re all aware of the reason we’re all here today. Danial Rourke was convicted of a heinous crime by very questionable methods. That conviction has been thrown out after further investigation. We’re ostensibly here to have another trial, but I don’t think that will be necessary. The new chief of police put into place by the Allusian Investigative Department, has looked at the evidence and come to the conclusion that Dr. Rourke was set up to keep his father quiet about the shenanigans that were being perpetrated in the justice system in this very corrupt province.”
I looked at Paul to see his reaction to these findings and his smile looked big enough to hurt his jaw. I scanned the room behind me to see what Geordie might think, but I didn’t see him right away. There was a guy with short dark hair turned in his seat talking to Geordie, who was bent forward to hear the man’s words.
I felt a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach all of a sudden, and I clamped a hand over my tummy. These proceedings were so unexpected, no wonder I was having a physical reaction. The judge kept speaking, so I turned back around to see what else she had to say.
“Furthermore, Dr. Rourke was never given his rights, never tested for mind-altering drugs and never given any ability to put up even a semblance of a defense. For all these reasons, I hereby declare all charges against Dr. Rourke are dropped and all proceedings against him erased from the records. You’re a free man, Dr. Rourke. Good luck and a prosperous life, son.”
With that, the judge slammed the gavel down, and the proceedings were over.
I was free, at last.
I should have been happy. I should have been overjoyed at the thought of returning to my life and starting a medical practice like I’d always planned. But this victory, like everything else in my life these last weeks, rang hollow and pointless.
I felt that odd feeling in my belly again, and wondered if I really should have eaten more like Geordie had said. I would have to decide on food after I decided where I should go now. And what I should do.
“Danny boy, your da can’t wait for you to come home and see him. He was roughed up by those bastards when he refused to back off, but he’s home now and wants to see you. You can ride with me, and we’ll head over there now. I think your da had a special get together planned for you, sort of a celebration.”
