THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

CHAPTER 6

The next morning, I finally found a way out of the forest. Luckily, a passing car was willing to give me a ride, and I managed to reach the station just in time before Liam’s case hearing.

As I approached the station, I saw Liam surrounded by reporters bombarding him with relentless questions.

"Mr. Brown, can we have a word?"
"How did you manage to pull this off?"
"Are there accomplices hiding somewhere?"

"Mr. Brown won't be answering any of your questions," I said firmly, cutting through the crowd as I guided Liam away. The police stepped in to hold the reporters back.

"Mr. Parker! Where have you been? I waited for days! Why do you look so disheveled? What happened to you?" Liam bombarded me with questions.

"We don't have time for this now," I said, brushing him off. "We'll talk later. I'll meet you at the court."

The police ushered Liam into a vehicle, and I quickly caught a cab back to my house—a risky move, knowing the kidnappers could still be watching.

When I got to my place, I found my spare keys still where I’d left them. I grabbed them, opened the door, and retrieved my car. Without wasting time, I drove straight to the courthouse.

Luckily, I always keep an extra suit in my car for emergencies. After tidying myself up as best as I could, I entered the courtroom just as the proceedings began.

"ALL RISE," the judicial assistant announced. The judge entered, and everyone stood.

"PLEASE BE SEATED," she instructed, taking her seat.

"CASE NUMBER 2023HJ245983: THE STATE VERSUS BROWN LIAM. LET THE HEARING BEGIN."

Liam stood as the judge addressed him.

"MR. BROWN, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT AND REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN SILENT, IT WILL NOT BE USED AGAINST YOU. YOU MAY BE SEATED NOW."

She turned to the prosecution. "LET'S HEAR FROM THE PROSECUTION FIRST."

The prosecutor rose. "Your Honor, this is a serious case involving a national treasure, the Black Emerald. There are over twenty pieces of evidence that strongly implicate the defendant, Mr. Liam Brown, in the theft. Furthermore, the defendant resisted arrest and attempted to flee, raising concerns that he may attempt to escape justice again. Given the high-profile nature of this case, we request that Mr. Brown be detained and sent to 'Nowhere' to await trial."

The judge nodded. "MR. BROWN," she called.

"Yes, Your Honor," Liam replied.

"Did you steal the Black Emerald?"

"No, Your Honor, I did not," Liam said firmly.

"So, you do not admit to the charges?"

"Correct, Your Honor."

The judge turned to me. "DEFENSE, YOUR CLIENT'S CASE DOESN'T LOOK GOOD."

"Your Honor," I began, "Mr. Brown has lived an exemplary life without a single blemish on his record. The prosecution's case is based entirely on circumstantial evidence. I urge the court to allow supplementary investigations, as I am confident they will reveal his innocence. In the meantime, I request that Mr. Brown be allowed to prepare for trial outside of custody."

The prosecutor interjected, "Your Honor, all evidence points to the defendant's guilt. Given the gravity of this crime, it is only fitting that Mr. Brown be remanded to 'Nowhere'—a secure facility—for the safety of the public and to ensure no further attempts to escape."

The judge deliberated in silence for a moment. Then she spoke.

"BASED ON THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED, THE COURT FINDS MR. LIAM BROWN GUILTY OF THEFT. HE IS HEREBY SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON, TO BE SERVED AT 'NOWHERE.' THE COURT IS ADJOURNED."

The gavel struck, echoing in the silent courtroom.

Liam turned to me, his face pale. "Three years? 'Nowhere'? What just happened?"

I had no answers for him. I could only stare helplessly as the officers led him away, his fate sealed.

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