Throwback Vol. #1 (Violent Faith)

Chapter Twenty-one

It would be a year before Susan would see the face of the man that had caused her so much grief. He sat at the defense side of the courtroom with a stupid grin that sent shivers down her spine. By the way he staggered into the courtroom, It was obvious that he hadn't fully recovered from his wounds. The judge declared that court was in order and the nightmare that was Susan's life began to be laid out on the table.

"Mr. McGee. You are being charged with an accessory to murder and multiple counts of child molestation and endangerment. How do you plea?" The judge began shuffling papers as McGee's lawyer announced -Not guilty.

Susan sat with her hands folded in her lap and looked rather calm, even though inside she was a steaming kettle. She wished so badly that they would of let him die on that front porch like the dog he was. Billy sat next to his mother as well as Katherine. Billy seemed to be past the trauma and getting back to his normal self again. Susan wished she didn't have to drag him here. She was afraid it might put him back into his mute state. It took months before he would utter a word, and it was the longest months of her life. Now, it seemed that he and Katherine had returned to their normal kid-selfs. To her relief, they seemed not to be affected by McGee's presence.

She sat through all the precedings listening intently to the case of the prosecutor and the defense. She could feel McGee's hateful eyes on her a few times during his lawyer's arguments. It was a cold feeling. She new she was perfectly safe in this courtroom, but that evil stare made her fear for her life. Then it came time for her to take the stand.

"Ms. Brogan. I would like to begin by having you tell the jury about you and your sister's childhood." The prosecuting lawyer said, lightly drumming a pen on a wooden table.

Susan took a deep breath and began. "My sister and I grew up best friends. It wasn't until our teens that we started to grow apart. You see. We both kept a very dark secret from everyone. Our father had repedeatly molested us, starting from age five, and all the way up until we were thirteen. He always told us that if we said a word to anyone, he would kill our mother and then kill himself. We were scared, so we just let him have his way. When I turned fifteen, he had spent a night drinking heavily and decided to go for a drive. A few hours later the police came to our door informing us of the accident and his death. My mother was torn up over it and we spent the rest of our teens basically taking care of ourselves. My sister took on the mothering role and I became the rebellious one, partying and staying all hours of the night. And that's when we started to drift apart."
Tears started running down Susan's face. The courtroom remained dead silent. The lawyer patiently waited and then said, "continue when your ready, Ms. Brogan."

"At one point, we decided to sit down with our mother and tell her of our past with our father. It turned out not to be the best idea. A year later she died of a heart attack at the early age of forty-seven." Susan lost it and started weeping out of control.

"I think because of my father, and all the other shit that happened in our lives, was the reason why Linda was so resistant to this sick fuck's plans." She shot a finger at McGee screaming. The judge banged his mallet as the courtroom filled with gasps and shuffling of feet.

"Mrs. Brogan, you need to control yourself in the courtroom." The judge scolded her and the lawyer said he had no further questions. The defense decided not to interrogate her and she was excused to go back to her seat. The shocked teary eyed look on Billy and Katherine's faces didn't help to get herself together. She squeezed them tight as more tears fell, leaving long lines of mascara on her cheeks.

It was two long hours until the jury scurried off to decide the verdict. Susan sat silent, and unbeknown to herself, she was praying for McGee to get the maximum sentence. It was twenty minutes and the jury was already seated in their box with the verdict in hand. The judge opened the envelope and started to read off all the charges, following each one with the word guilty. McGee stood emotionless with a smile stretched across his face. The judge announced that he would be sentenced to thirty-five years without the possibility of parole. A small crowd yelled in protest behind McGee. The courtroom erupted with shouts and threats from one side to the other. The judge smacked his hammer to calm them, but it took a few officer's to get the angered crowd back in their seats and calmed down. When all was quiet again. the judge asked McGee if he had any last words.

McGee cleared his throat and began. "I want to let it be known that I have done no wrong. I am purely a servant of God and in his eyes, I am innocent. As far as Mrs. Brogan's sister, I'm sorry for her loss, but I would do the same to anyone who tries to intervene with the Lord's divine plan. You may sit here and judge me, but you're the one who's gonna burn in hell."

"That's enough, take him away." The judge said as he could feel the tension building in the courtroom again.

McGee let out a laugh and turned to face his followers. Susan seen him nod to one of them, then tilt his head back with his eyes focused on the ceiling. The man closest to him stood and reacted quickly. He yanked a switchblade knife from the crotch of his jeans and buried it deep in McGee's heart. McGee steadied himself and remained on his feet with his hands cuffed behind his back and blood pouring from his mouth. His eyes never left the ceiling as he collapsed to the ground. The officers immediately grabbed the attacker and lead him out. McGee's side of the courtroom cheered in a weird kind of celebration, as Susan's side screamed in horror.

Susan heard the disturbing comments as she was being ushered from the courtroom.

"He's with the Lord now."

"The day of our salvation begins."

And the most disturbing one fell on her ears from a man standing next to her before she reached the exit. It was a light whisper in her ear.

"The Lord's plan will continue, and all those against it will be sought out and executed."