The Blackbirds Song

Chapter 26

The guards handed the cuffed Mike off to a different set of guards as they entered the marbled stoned building. It looked as if it was three stories high, but it only had one floor. As Michael appeared in the doorway, the judge and jury stood up, along with the prosecutor and defense attorney. 

As Mike took his seat next to his lawyer, I drifted to the back of the courtroom to watch. I did not need to be thick in all the action; no, I was tired, and was far safer back here. The judge, according to Mike, was the same one who held his first trial. I repeat, I do not find that very fair somehow, but as I have never seen the guy in action, I held my breath. 

The judge's name was Judge Walton, he had a mop of fair white curls, and could pass as eighty years old, but you could tell from the way he ruled the court, he still had some pep in his step; Everyone in the room listened attentively, and hung on every word. 

When the ordered silence, it came in a manner seconds. Even though he had gotten what he wanted fairly quickly, he still seemed displeased. Something told me that he was not the most patient type. I hope Mike's lawyers realize that this guy is not going to hold with any nonsense.

Perhaps they did notice that key factor, because they handled everything in such a professional manner that even the judge found nothing wrong with it. The first thing they did was bring forward the wounded young lady from the shop, who was not uncovered to have been there until a few days back. 

After she took an oath of honesty, the lawyers began. 'You are Chloe Deyab of 121 Patricia Lane?' the defense asked sharply.  The young girl nodded, and Mike's lawyers continued. 'May you please describe the faces of the armed men you saw.' Chloe nodded again. '

'Two men came into the shop with black masks over their faces,-' she would have continued, but the defense interjected. 'But did you see any portion of their faces?' 

'Yes.' said Miss Deyab, now sounding exasperated. The lawyers looked hopeful. 'What did you see?' 'Their eyes,' everyone sat up a little straighter. 'Bright baby-blue eyes, with white skin around them.'

'That would be all your honor.' 

Mike's lawyers sat down triumphantly, as there was no longer any case against them, no video evidence, no other surviving witnesses. The prosecutors hung their heads, but still tried to make a case. They attempted to point out that Chloe Deyab might have been bribed or threatened, but did not have enough evidence to obtain a warrant or a subpoena to access their land and digital files. Plus, as the judge rightfully added, it would be hard to bribe Miss Deyab all the way from prison. 

After a short recess in which the prosecutors discussed the situation, and in which the jurors were huddled together, everyone was finally back in their seats. 

'I have officially come to a decision,' boomed the amiable judge. Everybody was on the edge of their seat, including me. 

'With convincing evidence to support his claims, and a lack of evidence against him, I am convinced of the innocence of one wrongfully convicted Mister Michael Chong.' Mike was on the ground, crying with relief, and I was feeling happier than I had ever felt, like I, myself had been set free, let go from the grasps of my enemies.

As Judge Walton banged the table with his wooden mallet, dismissing the court, I parted this life. The cry of the bird that took me from my body sounded again, its long loud song, so beautiful that you could just see a black majestic figure dancing in the sky. But I was all right, I had reached my purpose, and met my goal.

I was finally at peace.