Murder City

Chapter 4

"Dead is dead,the dead have no problems", her mother had told her once when her grandmother had died.
Whispering softly to herself,"The dead have no problems, how fucking lucky". Since her session with Frank, she'd been considering the possibility that she may not be guilty afterall, that maybe her guilt was all in her head. But could it be?, her memory was cloudy but she remembered, the wepon in her hand, clearly and then the police and the lights and from then it had all spiraled out of control. She didn't even remember being committed or her trials or going to court. For the first time in seven months, she was lucid, really lucid.
"The dead don't have to worry about trials, but the living do"

Next Day

"All rise, court is now in session, For Today's proceedings Honorable Judge Funke Adewale will be preciding in place of Judge Eze Ifemefuna who is currently indisposed. The court clerk announced.
"Aww hell, indisposed my sorry ass more like kicked of the case",
"What was that"
"It's obvious isn't it"
"I'm not sure I'm following?
"You're a little daft for a lawyer, which means I'm screwed, arent i"
"I dont have much experience, this being my first case and all but I would not necessarily say you were screwed now"
"Loosely translated, I'm fucking screwed"
Mumuring, "not necessarily"
"The judge was changed"
"I can see that"
"Well?"
"What?"
"The fucking judge was changed, which means this one is probably in the pockets of the Chijiokes, no?"
"It's possible"
"Which means wether or not I  killed the bitch, I shouldn't hope for a fair trial."
" Don't speak ill the dead, fair trial or not I will do my best to prove your innocence"
"But I'm not"
"As your lawyer I would not advise you not to say that"
"Paul, what do you know, you're hardly a day out of law school"
"I'm the best your parents could afford"
"Yeah I can see why, nothing good comes cheap"
"I am as goo....."
"Order in court, Mr Richards I would advise that any more idle chit chat you want to make with your client can be done after this court session is over, lest I find both you and your client in contempt of the court", Judge Adewale pratically barked.
"I'm sorry your honor", Paul while nervously adjusting his tie, managed to say
"Whimp"
" Now that that is over with let us get on with today's proceedings"

Three hours later
"That was gruesome"
"I told you"
"Yeah yeah, the judge is out to get you which by the way you have to realise is not the case"
Scoffs,"really?"
"Yes really Miss Collins"
"Rita please, I already call you by your first name"
"Fine, you should know the judge is not, out to get you as you put it and by the way if you do not mind me saying, You seem more lucid than you Have In months"
"I do mind that you said that"
"Oh.....well then I apolog....."
"Nah it's fine, I just stopped taking my meds, they muddled my brain too much"
"Oh, does Dr. Frank know?"
"I don't think so, no"
"You shouldn't not take your meds you coul....."
"What, have a psychotic break"
"I was going to say harm yourself"
"Same difference"
"We need to talk about the case, go over some areas that we need to adress in court make sure we're ready next time"
"I thought we were ready this time around, this is a fucking diaster, I should just say I did it. The whole country already thinks so, the media for the past seven months have dragged my family through the mud and have not let then have a moments peace, heck I'm dreading going outside now. I can't take much more of this."
"Look, Miss Collins, I need you to talk to Frank okay, your therapist?, I need you to talk to him. Something he said to me makes me think that a lot more is going on here"
"Bigger than the death of a politician's daughter, a death that I have been accused of"
"A lot bigger"
"You are both deluded, Peter, this is not going to be your big break, okay. Give it up, all the evidence points to me Oga, nothing go change that one ( Bossman, nothing is gonna change that).
"I'm not looking for a big break Mrs Coll....err Rita, I'm looking to help you dammit but you're being too damn stubborn"
"You cursed?"
"I did not...is that all you got from all that"
Nods
"Really?, seriously it's imperative you talk to Frank"
"Ok"
"Good"
"I don't like the way he gets into my head but I'll talk to him"
"It's all I ask, time to brave the storm outside"
"Yeah, not really looking forward to that."
"Me neither"
"Paul I've been meaning to ask, my parents they weren't in court, why?"
"It's not my place to say"
"They can't possibly have given up on me so soon, ah ah wetin sef"
"No not that,  your dad something of an accident"
"What, WHAT THE FUCK PAUL, YOU DIDN'T FUCKING THINK I'D WANT TO KNOW THAT, oh God, oh God....I want to see him, Paul...What happned, a car hit him?, what"
"Calm down, I know I know, it was a strok...."
"Oh no..a stroke:
"A mild one, Rita, he'll be okay but you can't see him remember. Court orders, the only places you're allowed are the hospital and then court"
"Fuck the court orders, I want to see my dad, Paul you understand, my dad I need to see him"
"I'll see what I can do but not now, Rita. I'm going to have to pull some strings for that to happen but I'll make something work"
"Fucking hell Paul"
"I know"
"It's all going to shit, my life, my family, heck my world, it's going down the fucking drain. I need a minute before we leave. I need to gather myself. I just...I  just can't stand the mob out there"
"I understand, take your time, I'll wait".
"Thank you", what was it that Frank had said, deep breaths whenever you feel overwhelmed Rita, take deep and long breaths, with your head between your legs to calm yourself down. Well she did it now, it calmed her some but she still felt agitated. Deep, long breath, in, out, in ,out, in,out,in, out, i......."
"We need to leave, Rita"
"Hell paul"
"I know,I can't help it"
"Let's go"
"I'll cover you with my jacket to protect you from the flashes from the cameras, a car from the hospital is out front to take you back to the hospital, hey look at it this way, it's moi moi Friday at the cafeteria"
Laughs, "Yeah, it is"

Authors Note
Currently on a flight to Detroit, but can't stop writing. Hopefully this chapter met your expectations. Moi moi is a Nigerian food made from beans, it's lovely you guys should try it if you can. I really do appreciate feedback you know, so vote and comment aiight. Lemme know what you all think, kay, kay bye.