Stand By Me (24 page)

Hines asked, “Will I be allowed to cross examine the witness, your honor?”

“If you have need, then yes,” the judge answered.

The judge turned the court over to the prosecutor, who returned to Brian.

“Mr. Brian Blakemore, you have been charged with the orchestrating and shooting of Seamus Blakemore and the attack on Mrs. Kenya Blakemore on the night of the 12th in St. Mary's hospital parking lot. Can you tell us what happened on the evening Seamus Blakemore was injured?”

Brian scrubbed a brow tilting his head to the side in a contemplative gesture. He blew out a breath and Kenya shook her head at his display. His said, under a pained eye stare, cast over the jury box was fooling no one. Kenya hoped not.

“My son has blackened my father’s heart against me so he can get the Blakemore estate assigned over to him. That afternoon at a farmer’s picnic, my son, Jonathan Blakemore pulled a gun on me for speaking to his girlfriend after she attacked my fiancée, Morgan Blakemore.”

“Why would Kenya Blakemore attack your wife, Morgan Blakemore?”

“They're sisters. Kenya I believe was jealous of her sister for marrying into the Blakemore family.”

“Do you have evidence of this alleged attack?”

“No, but the field was full of witnesses. I can't say I was expecting such a violent reaction from Mrs. Kenya Blakemore.”

“Continue as to why Jonathan Blakemore came after you in the woods.”

“I live quietly behind the castle estate so as to not disturb the family until the estate is signed over to me. On this day my son and his men, ambushed me in my cabin. I had to protect my fiancé and returned fire after a bullet shattered my front window,” Brian said smugly.

“Was anyone hurt?”

Brian eyed the monitor showing Morgan propped up on a bed. “Morgan was pretty shaken up, but with a little rest fortunately she didn't lose our child she carried.”

“The child she just gave birth to?” the prosecutor asked in a leading question Kenya thought.

“Yes.”

“So who fired at Seamus Blakemore?”

“I can only imagine a stray bullet from one of my son's henchmen.”

Murmurs filled the large room. Jonathan sat tall and proud.

“I have no further questions your honor.” The prosecutor sauntered to his desk. At the defense table, Mr. Hines stood buttoning his suit jacket and casually sauntered across the floor to stand before Brian. He rested his hip along the stand crossing his ankles and looked out at the audience. “I'd like to remind you, Mr. Brian Blakemore, you're still under oath. You’re expected to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Brian's shoulders tensed and his back dropped back in the wood carved back chair. He shot a smug look out over the audience then over to the judge. Kenya watched him shoot a grimace to Sophie sitting beside Calder and the cold stare held ice for their hands intertwined. Hines continued, “You stated, for the record, that you never shot Seamus Blakemore, who happens to be your father, is that correct, Mr. Blakemore?”

“I could never shoot...”

“Yes--or--no, Mr. Blakemore?”

“No!”

The crowd gave a low grumble. Jonathan's back tensed. “Might I turn the court's attention to the monitor to the left of the judge?” The bailiff slid the cart over so the judge could see it. This is the surveillance video used to patrol hikers making camp behind the castle. I will warn some of this is violent.”

Kenya raised a look at Sophie threading their fingers together and her eyes widened when Steve squeezed Sophie's shoulder. What was going on?

What tape could he have, when the video of the grounds were sabotaged?

Jonathan turned to look at Kenya and she shrugged. She was at a big of a loss as he was about what would fill the screen. He leaned forward; suit jacket stretched across his muscled back, his hands on the table.

The screen filled with tall pine trees and the late autumn’s setting sun rays bleeding through the spindly trunks throwing a glow through the forest behind the castle.

Six men emerged from Brian's cabin, packing guns into waistbands and inside vest pockets and underarm gun holsters. Kenya couldn't believe how many weapons were under all those clothes. Recognizing two from the pub, she leaned into Sophie.

“The two with the long hair I've seen in the pub before. They knew every move I made from the time I arrived. No wonder they knew I was at the hospital seeing Seamus. They were playing darts when me and Julia arrived at the castle.”

“Are you certain?”

“Very, I thought the one on the left was Carl until he turned around and I saw he was too old.”

“Look...” Sophie angled Kenya toward the screen. Hines fast-forwarded the tape. Men came running through the woods toward the camera and Jonathan, Jamie and four other men moved through the trees. Jonathan stood with his back to Seamus then waved him back as he walked farther in between the trees using the trunks as a shield. Just as Kenya leaned forward, Jonathan on the screen hollered something back to whoever was behind him and ducked to the ground.

Seamus and Gretchen sat down from Kenya and the pain on Gretchen's face brought tears to more eyes in the room faster than the scene was unfolding on the monitor. Gretchen began rocking back and forth and Fiona slid down and wrapped her arms around her slumped shoulders. Seamus held his wife’s hand in her lap and sat stoic watching his family fight one another on a public platform.

Steve spoke close to her face. “Turn away. You don't wanna see this.” Before she could protest, the room exploded in gasps and moans. Steve held her buried in his shoulder over the seat. “You didn't need to see Seamus getting hit by a bullet.”

Cursing into Steve's chest Kenya rocked holding her belly. That would have sent her into labor she was certain.

“If you follow the tape as I enlarge the first screen, you will see exactly who shot, Seamus Blakemore.”

Kenya kept her eyes on Jonathan's rigid body as the scene unfolded before the court. From the voices around her she could hear each move Brian made as relayed by murmurs. Brian knelt on the ground with a gun in hand aimed at Seamus.

“Prosecutor Davis, do you have anything you wish to add?” the Judge asked, after getting the room's attention.

“We have no way of knowing if Seamus Blakemore fired first. This could be self-defense.”

“That will have for a separate trial. Right now, your client is found guilty of firing the shot that wounded Seamus Blakemore. Do you have anything further in this regard?”

“We have nothing your honor.”

Brian squirmed in the wooden chair, his impressive shoulders dropping to a slump and his stare set on Jonathan, who made no facial expressions. He sat looking forward at the judge.

The Judge added, “As it's blatantly clear, Mr. Brian Blakemore is responsible for the shooting of Seamus Blakemore. We will take a fifteen minute break and resume with the character proceedings.”

~~~

When court resumed they waited to see how the character witnesses would pan out.

They sat waiting for the screen to drop down from the ceiling. When it did Kenya closed a hand over her mouth. Faces filled the screen blocking out the room behind those on the screen one face at a time. Molly and Jennifer, from the girl’s cabin, and the boys that questioned if she were Jonathan’s honey, were all smiles and grins. The kids were polished in suits and dresses. Dreads were neat and pulled back in ponytails. Lanky bodies filled the courtroom to stand before the judge. Kenya counted thirty-seven kids. The girls were absent of the neon, planet blinding, jackets they sported in the mountains and looked well mannered. They were a room of young professionals.

They listened as a group of local high school kids was ushered into the courtroom, all eyeing Jonathan the boys winking, and flashing hand gestures to impress any major league baseball coach.For Kenya, it warmed her heart to see the love showered over her man.

A hand on her knee and Kenya looked up to see Julia squeezing in between Jamie and Katherine to her side. She knew Julia would make it somehow to support her and she made it just in time to see the kid’s testimony.

“Girl, reporters are swarming around the airport like bees waiting to see who comes in on the Blakemore plane,” Julia started running a hand over Kenya's stomach. “Look at you, you're about to crack open like a ripe watermelon.”

She smacked her lips. What gave her away? “Not until his father's free. I'm so glad you made it in time to see the kids give testimony.”

“You're all anyone's talking about at work. Kenya's taking down a crime lord.”

“You're lying!”

“I wish, my email inbox is jammed with questions. Girl, spam couldn't get through with a shoe horn.”

“Well today should put that all to rest, not that I can go back to the bank.”

“Jamie's already told me, Jonathan wants you at the financial firm.”

“I heard that's not all Jamie's been telling you. You two dating?”

Julia nudged her shoulders and crossed her legs while tugging off her jacket laying it across the back of the bench. “How's it going so far?” Denial, that heifer, Kenya thought relieved her rock made it in time. She threaded their fingers together, needing the support and turned her attention toward the front.

The bailiff stood before the room. Kenya said, “Shh! The judge is about to start.”

The room warmed from the energy alone crackling from the kids just being around one another. How had she never enjoyed kids before? Her brows shot up seeing Jamie's arm eased behind Julia's shoulders pulling her close to his chest.

Julia winked and rested back into Jamie; her hand caressing the area the glass had cut him. She knew about him getting hurt in the fire.

“Jonathan Blakemore is facing death charges for Graham Brennar. Okay Mr. Hines you have the floor.”

“Thank you your honor. The prosecutor has alleged that my client, Jonathan Blakemore was seen in Nigeria on the day in question. He is facing murder charges for the death of Graham Brennar. We have presented the court with numerous reports of people having had spoken with Mr. Banner on the day and the following day of his death.”

“I object, your honor,” Davis accused getting to his feet. “I've seen the statements given and none of it proves Mr. Blakemore didn't kill Graham Brennar, just that people had seen Mr. Brennar on said date.”

“Sustained,” the judge said. “Mr. Hines will your evidence prove Mr. Jonathan Blakemore could not have killed Mr. Graham Brennar?”

“It will your honor. I will not only prove Jonathan was not in the vicinity when Graham Brennar was killed, but his character is above board in this community as well as the states.” Hines explained the trips and limousine rides; Jonathan's company's provided through the years. He handed the judge a folder with the airline itinerary showing Jonathan Blakemore never entered the country for the week that Graham was allegedly killed.

The judge handed the folder to the bailiff who walked it across the room handing it to the prosecutor. Davis whispered to Brian before handing it to the bailiff. Brian frowned scrubbing a thumb over his brow.

“Your honor, Mr. Jonathan Blakemore could have already been in Nigeria.” Davis argued vehemently from the prosecutor's table.

“Very true, your honor,” Hines started. “If I can turn your attention to the monitor and the date and time at the bottom of the screen, I will prove that the defendant, Jonathan Blakemore, was not only not in Nigeria, but over two hundred people saw him that Friday night and weekend.”

Music filled the courtroom from the monitor beside the witness stand. Mr. Hines clicked the button on the remote. Kenya was transported back to the club and dancing in Jonathan's arms. Her gaze locked on Jonathan staring at her from the defendant's table. The twinkle in his eyes said he was dancing right along with her. She held his loving stare from across the few feet between them. She didn't need to see the video to know her Jonathan was innocent and loved her.

The room ooh'd and ahh'd at Jonathan twirling Kenya around the room.

Hines stood beside the monitor directing the room’s attention. “If you look here at the bottom of the video, the date is a part of the video, not something typed over the video. And,” he stepped toward the judge, “here are hand written verifications from some of the patrons that were in attendance that evening along with shop owners that saw the couple the following day shopping in downtown Birmingham, Michigan in the states your honor. You will also find a receipt for Mr. Blakemore's credit card where they had lunch in a local cafe. None of these people are related to the defendant or his wife, at that time fiancée, your honor. Jonathan Blakemore could not have killed Graham Brennar on the night or following nights in question as multiple people and storeowners in the states saw him. I have nothing further, your honor.”

Claps and praises filled the courtroom.

“Anything further Mr. Hines?” the judge asked.

“Mr. Davis would like this court to believe, my client; Jonathan Blakemore is a ruthless killer. Well, I would like to turn your attention over to the thirty young people filling the first two rows to my left. These are children from the surrounding schools.” He clicked the remote, queuing up a new video. “This is a tape made by some of the children I mentioned earlier that Mr. Jonathan Blakemore takes on camping trips and mentors.”

The audience muttered as Brian wiggled in his chair.

“Watch the screen as the kids tell you what Jonathan Blakemore has brought to their lives.”

The room watched the screen as a young girl walked in front of the camera and sat on the floor of the police interview room. Crossing her legs, she told the tale of being bullied because she couldn't afford to go to camp and if not for Mr. Blakemore she'd have gone through with her plans to run-a-way from home. No one understood what being trapped between divorcing parents was like for the kids, but Mr. Blakemore cared.

Story after story was relayed from the screen to the kids filling the courtroom.

One boy from the precinct in the states said from the tape. “Mr. Blakemore didn't just throw some money at us and walk away. He goes on the trips with us. Last time he brought his honey...ah, his girlfriend...Ms. Claiborne.”