by M. A. Owens
“It was just two things. One was just as Brutus said. I’d send some of my boys to help encourage people behind on their payments to become current again. We gave several warnings, and eventually, I’d go myself. Sometimes we got a little rough.”
“And the second part, Mr. Bones?”
“The second part? Well, that one was even easier. Much easier, actually. It was to do nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Exactly. If a crime was reported, and someone informed us that Mr. B was behind it, then we were expected to turn a blind eye and sit at our desks. We could do as we pleased if it was anyone else. In fact, if the crime was in direct conflict with one of Mr. B’s operations, then we were expected to come down hard on it. Pile on all the charges we could come up with. Make up a few if necessary.”
“Mr. Bones, would you consider any of Mr. B’s operations here in the city to be legitimate? Based on your knowledge of the law and experience as an officer?”
Bones chuckled. “I had never thought of it before, but no. No, I can’t really think of a single one.”
“No further questions, Your Honor.”
Rory bolted up from his seat so quickly that you’d almost think someone had set his pants on fire. He approached the witness stand. “Good afternoon, Mr. Bones.”
Bones grunted.
“Mr. Bones, your career in Adria was that of a police colonel. Is that correct?”
“Yep.”
“In that time you admit that my client was quite the benefactor for the Adria Police Department. Is that correct?”
He grinned. “You could say that.”
“Yes, I could say that. I could say anything. I’m not questioning myself, Mr. Bones. I’m questioning you. Is that correct, Mr. Bones?”
Bones grinned, verging on a laugh. “That is correct.”
“When you were relieved of your duty, it resulted from a mistake you alone had made. Is this also correct?”
“Yep.”
Rory turned to face the jury, expecting that some were already following where this line of questioning was going. He gave them a validating nod. “When you were being considered for removal, you were expecting my client to come to your aid, were you not?”
“It was a possibility.”
“Mr. Bones, do you think it might be reasonable for some in this courtroom to suspect that, because my client didn’t come to your aid, you were resentful about this?”
Gabe raised his paw. “Objection. Your Honor, Mr. Rory is venturing into the realm of hypotheticals here.”
The judge nodded. “Sustained. Mr. Rory, let’s avoid speculation and stick to the matter at hand. Please continue.”
Rory’s face twitched and his brow furrowed, and he was slow to answer. “Apologies, Your Honor.” He turned back to Bones. “I’ll leave you with one final question. In any of these so-called shady dealings which you had with Vash, was he ever present?”
“No, never.” Bones had stopped smiling. It was another blow to their case against Mr. B. Could anyone on the jury be dumb enough to doubt the case based on something so insignificant? Yes, anything was possible, especially that. It was a real shame, but it was better to risk being at the mercy of a group of fools than one corrupt individual. This was the best chance we would ever get.
Rory walked away from the witness stand. “No further questions.”
48
The judge looked through his notes. “Mr. Rory, please call the next witness to the stand.”
“We call Trigger to the witness stand.”
I had butterflies in my stomach. In my career, I’d sat on that witness stand many times, both as an officer and as a private detective. None of those times involved anything like this. They put a stepping stool next to the stand and a large cushion on the seat so I could see everyone, and they could see me.
“I’m a little confused. Do I address you as Lieutenant Trigger or Mr. Trigger?” Rory asked.
“Let’s go with the easy one. Mr. Trigger is fine.”
“Are you not an officer?”
“Technically. With all that’s been going on, I haven’t turned in my badge yet. You could say I had more important things to do.”
“The court might find it a little strange that you can’t seem to decide on whether you’re an officer or a private detective.”
“Is there a question in there somewhere?”
“I was just observing that it was strange is all.”
Gabe knocked gently on his desk. “Objection, Your Honor. Mr. Rory is once again taking us on an involuntary adventure into the land of speculation.”
The judge nodded. “Sustained.”
Rory nodded, now entirely composed again. “Mr. Trigger, what exactly brought you to Adria?”
“Brutus hired me to investigate the reel swapping incident.”
“And who did you discover to be the culprit?”
“A security dog by the name of Marty. We found the original reel at his residence. We believed him to be working for Mr. B.”
“Purely speculation?”
“At that point, yes. Purely speculation.”
Rory tensed when I said “at that point.” He was quick to move on from it. “Mr. Trigger, what about the second time you found yourself in Adria?”
“Personal business.”
Rory paused, thinking carefully. “No further questions, Your Honor.”
Rory had played it safe. Rather than talk me into a corner, he avoided the possibility of talking himself into a corner.
Gabe approached. “Good afternoon, Mr. Trigger.”
I returned a curt nod.
“Mr. Trigger, you were originally a police officer before you became a private detective, correct?”
“That’s correct.”
“You were removed from this position by the former corrupt chief for what most would consider outstanding integrity as an officer. At least, that’s what I’ve been told by several officers who worked with you. Is that also correct?”
“I’d like to think I was just doing my job,” I replied.
Gabe turned to the jury, nodding to them knowingly. “How are your wounds healing?”
Rory raised his paw. “Objection. That’s irrelevant. Mr. Gabe can make small talk with the witness on his own time.”
The judge shook his head. “Overruled. Please continue, Mr. Gabe.”
“Thank you, Your Honor. Please answer the question, Mr. Trigger.”
“I’m still pretty beat up. According to the doctors, I should only just now be up and about. But it’s nothing a little time won’t heal.”
“Mr. Trigger, I would like you to tell the court how it was you received those injuries.”
“Oh, I’d love to. See, just days ago I got a visit from that dog I helped put away in Adria, Marty, at my office. Only, he wasn’t alone. He brought a friend with him.”
That big grin Mr. B kept on his face at all times was slowly, but surely shriveling away. He had been so careful never to be present during his dirtiest deeds, but he made it a point to break that rule, just for me. He must’ve considered the visit to be no risk at all. I was soon to be a dead dog, and dead dogs don’t talk. But here I was. Talking. His curiosity to see the dog who had caused him so much trouble, in person, had killed one of the best arguments the defense had made in this trial. Curiosity killed the cat, as they say. Maybe it wouldn’t kill him, but killing his chances of escaping justice was good enough for me.
“And this friend of his, would you recognize him?” Gabe asked.
“Sure, I could point him out to you right now.”
“Mr. Trigger, please point out this individual to the court.”
I pointed straight to Mr. B. Gasps and chatter erupted in the courtroom. Mr. B himself shot up from his chair, barely able to contain his anger. The judge banged his gavel repeatedly. “Order! Order!” Several individuals, many who I know must’ve been plants, had to be dragged out. Many of them screamed about how I was a liar, or how Mr. B had he
lped them with such and such and blah blah blah. As for Mr. B, his lapse in composure was only momentary. Though still not smiling, he sat back down quickly before anyone else had even noticed, looking as calm as he ever had.
Gabe made his way back to the witness stand. “And you’re certain it was Mr. Vash in your office?”
“Absolutely certain.”
“Did Mr. Vash say anything?”
“He ordered Marty to make quick work of me. I’m sure it was the only reason he bothered to show up. Dead dogs don’t talk. He introduced himself before he left. Then Marty gave me a good thrashing, which led to my office being burned down. I got lucky and by some miracle fought him off. I escaped the building before the whole thing went up in smoke.”
Gabe turned to the jury. “So much for never being there himself and always blaming it on someone else. No further questions.”
Everyone was on edge since the outburst. You got the feeling that everything seemed to go our way, but no one dared to get their hopes up. We still had one wild card to overcome: the jury.
The judge shuffled through his notes. “After a short recess, we’ll return for closing statements.”
49
Gabe was the first to make his closing statement. He wobbled about on his cane, but with his shoulders firmly back and his head held high.
“Dogs and cats of the jury. Many brave dogs and cats worked tirelessly to bring us together on this auspicious day. Some paid with their lives or their livelihoods. They all gave something so you could inherit a safer city. A safer city for your kittens and puppies, for your wives and for your husbands. For your grandchildren and their grandchildren. And not just a safer city either, but one that is more prosperous.”
Gabe continued, “Imagine how much these businesses might grow without the constant threat of thugs breathing down their neck, making threats, and stealing money from the hungry mouths of their workers. Sure, this may not be as much of a problem in Adria, but look at places like the Black District. Mr. Vash’s despicable behavior has smothered out the desire of the young people there and all over the city. Why bother opening a shop when you’re just going to be harassed and bullied? Why be honest when it’s crime that pays? Our youngest citizens, our children, who would otherwise take up honest trades when they grow up, are being groomed by gangsters and thieves. Now, I’m not naive enough to believe that this problem will be gone completely, but you… it is in your power to deal it a serious blow today.”
I thought back on Clive and how he and his family might be doing. He was just the sort of lad Gabe was describing. Undoubtedly many of these jury members knew someone like that. Maybe they’d even been someone like that. Maybe they were someone like that now, planted there by Mr. B for a verdict of not guilty. My attention snapped back to Gabe’s statement.
“I also want to give a message to those of a particular purpose among you. Yes, we know you’re here, but no, we don’t know who you are. I’m speaking to those who were planted here by Mr. B to ensure that, yet again, he gets off without so much as a slap on the wrist. Consider breaking ranks. Consider casting away whatever payment he promised you. Do something far more valuable for yourself. Maybe you’ve been promised treasure. Sure, he will make good on his payment. We’ve already heard here today that he rewards those who serve him well, but consider for a moment a different reward. You may struggle tomorrow without his more direct reward, and the next day, but over time you will suffer less and less. Most of all, you will save your city and the lives of your neighbors, your friends, your family. Is that not the greater reward? I only ask that you consider it carefully. That is all.”
The judge himself appeared moved by the speech. He took a moment to gather his composure, doing his best to appear impartial. “Mr. Rory, your closing statement please.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.”
Rory walked the length of the jury box, his energy and youthful vigor spilling out into the air itself.
“People of Arc City. Members of the jury. What has Arc City ever done for you? My client is just one cat in a city of thousands of cats and dogs. Could all your misfortune really be blamed on this villain, Mr. B, Vash, even if he was as terrible as the prosecution has told you he is? Could there even be such a boogeyman? Let’s all think about this question and be reasonable. There cannot be.
“I’m sure many of you can remember when Adria was not such a productive and prosperous place as it is now. Yes, there’s more crime, but there’s also more of everything. More wealth, more entertainment, and more opportunity, for everyone. I’m sure many of you have heard of or frequented many of my client’s businesses. He has donated real money to your schools and police forces. He has employed hundreds. He’s also the reason Mr. Gabe and myself can now stand before you as equals, both attorneys, both respected by this court. I’m sure many of you remember a time when I wouldn’t have been allowed such a privilege, simply on the basis of my species. You’ll not find another in the city more dedicated to the advancement of the civil rights of cats. Vash has brought real progress to this city, and this… this is how he is thanked.
“As for these bullied business owners experiencing buyer’s remorse with their supposedly terrible business insurance? We have put together statistics showing that nearly every business owner who duly paid their premiums operated almost entirely without incident. If you ask me, that’s money well spent.
“If you convict my client today, consider what the city will be losing. Is he really the legendary villain you have all come to fear, or is he merely a convenient scapegoat for the incompetence of your police and leaders? Is he perfect? No, but who here is? Don’t let yourself be told what to think by all the flimsy, cherry-picked evidence. Think for yourselves. That is all.”
I knew what Rory had been saying was littered with nonsense, but I couldn’t help feeling that part of it was true. That old chicken-and-the-egg question. Was Mr. B just a symptom of a broken system, with corrupt leaders looking for a payoff? Corrupt police giving in to the first thug to make them a nice offer? Patches had shown us, through the recent accomplishments of the police, that things could’ve been different all along. We now had a straight-laced cop heading the ACPD, and we arrived here in no time. Mr. B couldn’t be entirely to blame for that, could he? In the end, it didn’t matter. He’d done what he’d done, and he needed to face justice for it. We’d bring the others to justice tomorrow, setting an example for them to fear today.
Nothing was ever as simple as just one cat or one dog. No problem was so small that getting rid of one cat or one dog would fix it. But whatever happened, we’d be ready for it.
The jury was dismissed and deliberated for only an hour before returning. A young cat girl handed the judge a small envelope and took her seat. Mr. B smiled and nodded at her. I knew exactly what that nod meant.
“Vash, please stand and receive the jury’s verdict,” the judge demanded.
He complied, standing confidently behind a podium facing the judge, his smile never fading. The judge opened the envelope at what seemed like a snail’s pace. After reading over the letter calmly and carefully, he addressed the courtroom.
“In the case of Arc City versus Vash, and regarding all charges presented, the jury finds Vash, otherwise known as Mr. B… guilty of all charges. As allowed by law, I am delivering the maximum sentence, life in prison, with no chance of parole. Vash, let me just say it gives me great pleasure to send you to prison for the rest of your life. You will never see the light of day again as a free cat.”
Vash just continued smiling. “If you say so, Your Honor. I have a feeling that I’ll be seeing all of you again very soon.”
He said the words as if, beyond all doubt, he knew them to be true. As for whether or not I believed them, I suppose anything was possible. If he’d already made arrangements, it would be difficult to discover them. If I had to guess, though, it was just wishful thinking on his part. He assumed this would be just another problem for him to buy or threaten his way o
ut of, but he was wrong. This was the end of the line for Mr. B.
50
The city quickly erupted with celebration and riots alike, those two groups clashing with one another as the news spread. It would die down in a few days, and we'd get to see how the dust settled. I made my way to Adria to pay a visit to a cat I knew would be sympathetic to those celebrating. She’s probably having a celebration of her own.
I made a stop by Rick’s office before I went to see her. He'd heard the news on the radio and was apparently waiting for me. He had two glasses sitting on his desk with an unopened bottle beside them. He poured both to full and slid one across the second I walked in.
“We did it, detective. We did it,” Rick said, taking a sip.
That there were no jokes or jests from the usually goofy beagle today took me aback.
I hung my head. “You deserve more credit than me. I would've been content sitting in that office scraping by for the rest of my days. The city had given up on me, and I'd given up on it. I'd convinced myself I couldn't make a difference, even if that’s what I wanted. Worse still, I convinced myself that I didn't want to make a difference. You, on the other hand—”
Rick motioned for me not to continue. “I had the means. That's the only difference. I have no higher character than you. I'd argue less, actually. If I’d been the one sitting in that office in Black District, I’d have been too much of a coward to take all the physical risks you did. I'm fortunate enough to have the wealth and success I do to give me other options, though I worked hard for it. Still, there's a big serving of luck involved as well.” His smile grew wide. “Speaking of which, I thought it had run out recently. Thank you for rescuing me. There's no way I was getting out of there alive.”
I chuckled. “Don't mention it. I didn't find out they kidnapped you until after I already made it back here. I tried to find you to come up with a plan. I ran into Sugarplum after I found out you weren't here. We… by the way, did you ever look into this Bad Kitty character?”
