Huston, James W. -2003- Secret Justice (com v4.0)(html) (52 page)

Judge Royce Wiggins brought the courtroom to order and the jury was called in. Rat and the others stood. He had a dressing on his forearm where the bullet had grazed him aboard the
Galli Maru
. He wanted to be outside the building, even outside D.C. when the verdict came in, so he could get his athletic bag and head to the airport if necessary. But Skyles told him he had to be there. He’d have to wait and be released on bail during the appeal. But Skyles told him that was unlikely. He was trapped.

The clerk stated, “Please be seated. This court is now in session.”

The judge looked at the jury. “Have you reached a verdict?”

A frail elderly woman in the front row stood up. “We have, Your Honor.”

The bailiff collected the verdict from her and handed it to the clerk, who handed it to the judge. With a completely unexpressive face, the judge looked at the verdict to make sure it was in order, refolded it, and handed it to the clerk. “Please read the verdict,” he said to the clerk.

“In the case of
United States versus Kent Rathman
, for the charge of manslaughter, we the jury find the defendant . . . not guilty.”

The gallery erupted.

Wiggins frowned and banged his gavel. “This court is adjourned,” he said.

Skyles turned with a big grin on his face and shook Rat’s hand. “I told you. I told you we’d get you off!”

The relief washed over Rat as he nodded at Skyles. “Can I go?”

“You sure can. You’re a free man.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Rat said as he walked out of the courtroom without looking back or acknowledging the calls of the journalists. As he pushed through the enormous steel door to the hallway, he looked for Andrea and saw her immediately. She ran to him with her eyes full of questions and doubts. “What happened?”

“Not guilty.”

“Thank God,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’m so glad. I’m glad the jury did the right thing.”

They walked quickly to the elevator as several sailors from Dev Group blocked the path of anyone who was considering following them. They stepped into the elevator and the doors closed. Rat looked at her. “You think maybe the article in the Sunday newspaper may have been a factor? Rat this, and Rat that. Big hero, saved Norfolk from radiation, risked his life, the whole thing.”

“What are you saying?”

“Our names don’t get put in newspapers, Andrea. Somebody planted the story. Somebody who wanted the jury to read it.”

“Who would do that? Who would have the power to do that?”

“I don’t know. Wish I did.” He held the elevator door for her and they stepped out into the lobby then walked out into the Washington sunshine.

She said, “The article said Duar was killed in a gun battle on the ship so you left him on board.” She thought about what Duar had done. “I’m not sad to see him dead. What a horrible person.”

Rat walked along silently.

She read something in his silence. “He is dead, isn’t he?”

“No, I secretly dragged him off the ship and pulled him out on the SPIE Rig with us. Just us SEALs and our good friend Wahamed Duar. In fact I carried him off myself. Rigged a special steel cable so he could come with us. He’s probably all showered and clean now, smoking a cigarette somewhere.”

She laughed. “I’m still glad he’s dead.”

Rat put his arm around her. They walked for half a block, away from the buzz that was forming behind them at the courthouse, and stopped on the curb. He looked at her. “I need some time off.”

She nodded, not sure what he meant.

“What do you say we go to the Virgin Islands? You have a scuba certificate?”

“No. But I’ve always wanted to.”

“I’ll teach you.”

“I’d like that,” she replied as he stepped into the street to hail a cab.

I received tremendous assistance from several people in the preparation of this book. I’d like to thank my good friend Robert Conrad, the United States Attorney for Charlotte, North Carolina, for his help and guidance. Likewise, John Wallace, the Special Assistant to the Attorney General, helped me through the maze of international human rights law and the Geneva Convention. His experience in military law and prosecuting U.S. forces was invaluable.

I would also like to thank my good friend Don Chartrand, whose insight and advice was, as always, invaluable.

A graduate of TOPGUN, James W. Huston flew F-14s off the
U.S.S. Nimitz
with the Jolly Rogers. He served as a naval flight officer and worked in naval intelligence before becoming a lawyer and the acclaimed author of
Balance of Power, The Price of Power, Flash Point, Fallout
, and
Secret Justice
(all available as PerfectBound e-books). He lives in San Diego, California.

Balance of Power
The Price of Power
Flash Point
Fallout
The Shadows of Power