Collision Course (A Josh Williams Novel)

by Joe Broadmeadow

  Chapter 79: Final Act

  The call, coming so quickly on the heels of the return to the courtroom, surprised everyone.

  Josh and Hawk walked quickly back from Café 101 to the courthouse. Hawk was ebullient. "This is in the bag, Josh. I am certain of it. Once we have that verdict in our hands, I am going to hold a press conference that will ruin that son-of-a-bitch."

  Josh had his doubts. He liked Hawk. Hell, he just trusted him with his life, but he hated that everything was a crusade to him. Josh just wanted this over. There wasn’t much left of his life that really mattered anyway.

  Symonds and Hamlin met them outside the courthouse. Hawk tried to dissuade Hamlin from being there, but it was to no avail. She did not care what Rodericks said, she was going and that was the end of it.

  Hawk, Symonds, Hamlin, and Josh entered the courtroom. The court was once again full of uniformed police officers, several agents from the local FBI office, and other law enforcement agencies.

  One person was not there. The one that would have made a difference.

  As they took their seats, Fleming walked over. “I hope you understand,” she said, “I am truly sorry for this.” Turning, she went to her seat.

  The Marshal announced Rodericks entry as he took the bench.

  Looking over to the government table, then at the defense he said, “Are we ready, gentlemen?”

  Hawk answered, “Your Honor, I have been ready since this whole charade started.”

  Rodericks shook his head, “True to form Mr. Bennett. I would’ve expected nothing less.” The Judge examined a few documents, and then motioned for the jury to be brought in.

  As the jury took their seats, Josh noticed no one was looking at him. What the hell, he thought, what the hell?

  Rodericks addressed he courtroom. “I want to remind everyone that this is a court of law. No outbursts will be tolerated. Heed my words.”

  There was no reaction from the crowd; they learned to pay little attention to this judge.

  “Mr. Foreman, has the jury reached a verdict?”

  The foreperson rose, glanced briefly at Josh, and then said, “We have, your Honor.” He then handed the verdict form to the Deputy US Marshal.

  The Marshal took the document and handed it to the Judge. Rodericks opened the paper, read it, and then returned it to the Marshal.

  The Marshal returned the document to the jury.

  In the back of the courtroom, the door opened. Josh looked to see, but his view was blocked.

  Rodericks looked out at the courtroom and said, “Mr. Foreman on the count of Violation of Civil Rights while acting under color of law, how do you find the defendant?”

  “We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.”

  Josh hung his head. Hawk slapped him on the back and shook Symonds hand. Hamlin let out her breath, tears in her eyes.

  The foreperson read off two more verdicts of not guilty. Collucci asked to poll the jury. The not guilty verdicts rang out in the courtroom.

  In the back of the court, the door opened once again.

  Reporters rushed from the court to report the verdict.

  Rodericks motioned for quiet and addressed the jury. “Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your service. The willingness of people such as yourselves to serve on a jury is the cornerstone of our judicial system. You are dismissed. Thank you again for your time.”

  Turning his attention to the court Rodericks said, “The defendant’s bond is released. Are there any other matters Mr. Bennett?”

  “Not for the moment, your Honor, not for the moment.”

  “All rise.”

  Josh heard those words for what he hoped the last time.

  Epilogue

  The Note

  Josh stood looking out the window onto Kennedy Plaza. He heard Hawk speaking to the reporters, turning Collucci into evil incarnate. He did not have the strength to care enough to listen.

  He wanted no part of it.

  Chris came into the room, walked over, and put her arm around him, "She hasn't called?"

  Josh just shook his head, continued to stare, "Why would she? I doubted her. The one person in the world that never gave me a reason..."

  "She'll be back, she loves you Josh. You don't walk away from that...."

  "She isn't walking away, I pushed her."

  "Look, give her time. I know her Josh. I tried to get you to listen to me. She will be back. I know it."

  Josh walked to the desk, opened the briefcase, and took out a letter. He handed it to Chris.

  "Can you give this to Chief Brennan for me?"

  "What's this?"

  "My resignation. I can't stay here, no reason for me to try."

  "Bullshit Josh, you can't go. Look, you’re a good cop, this never should have happened to you... The department is better with you on it. You cannot let this take you away from us. We want you, Josh. I don't know what will happen with Keira, but you will have a chance to deal with that. You resign and that is it. Even Brennan will not be able to get you back. The political whores will see to that."

  Chris took the letter, tore it up, and threw it in the trash.

  Josh smiled, "I'll think about it, but I can just print another one if I decide to go."

  "Fine, I take out all the printers in the office first thing tomorrow." Chris replied. "Look, take some time off. Go hike, or fish, or whatever it is you do in the woods. Take time to think it over. Then come back to work. That last part is an order."

  Josh looked at Chris, "Thanks, Lieutenant. It means a lot to me."

  "Oh, now it’s Lieutenant; not Cheeks, or Swiss Cheeks? All I needed to do was get you indicted, tried, found not guilty and that would housebreak you? Jesus, why didn't I think of this before?"

  A moment later, Hawk came walking into the office with one of the many news bunnies covering the trial, "Josh, this is Candace Ferguson. Candace, this is Josh Williams and Lieutenant Chris Hamlin, two of the finest officers you'll ever meet."

  "Sergeant, Lieutenant, it is a pleasure to meet you," Candace said, flashing a perfect smile.

  "Josh, Candace would like to do a feature story on the trial, the emphasis, of course, being my brilliant legal tactics and maneuvering. She'd also like to focus on the impact this miscarriage of justice has taken on you personally, and the department as a whole."

  "I don't know Hawk, I'd rather pass."

  "Josh, listen to me. This is your opportunity to get the full story out on what the government is capable of doing when it lacks restraint."

  Josh looked to Chris. Chris shrugged her shoulders.

  "Okay, but can we hold off a few days, I just want to get away from here for a bit."

  "Listen my boy, we are all done talking about anything trial, or police, or law related. Tonight we are going to the Capital Grille, my private dining area, and celebrating."

  Chris saw the look on Josh's face, "Hawk, we appreciate the offer, but not tonight. Josh and I need to get back to the department and deal with a few things," expecting an argument.

  "Are you sure?" Hawk replied, "Well, okay I understand. However, as soon as you are ready, the offer stands. Candace, why don't you and I go? We can discuss my trial strategy."

  Candace smiled, "That sounds lovely Mr. Bennett."

  "Hawk, please. Hawk, we are among friends."

  "Josh, you and Chris stay as long as you like. You know where I keep the Scotch." Turning to the reporter, "Shall we, my dear," gesturing to the door.

  "Did I mention I was a Green Beret in Vietnam, Candace? Perhaps you could use that as an aspect of my tenacity..." Taking her by the arm, walking out the door, a perfectly formed thumbs up behind his back.

  Josh started to close his briefcase; it slid off the desk, onto the floor, contents everywhere.

  Chris helped him gather things, noticed a small envelope on the floor, picked it up, looked at the 'J' on the outside, and showed it to him.

  "Hmm, I forgot about this," taking the envelope, examining the partial
ly opened flap, "Steve Murray gave it to me at the beginning of the trial. I was going to open it, Hawk came over. I threw it in the briefcase and forgot about."

  "So?"

  Josh looked at her, and then opened the envelope...

  Josh,

  I wish I could find words....you hurt me.....but now that I've taken time to truly look at myself.......I hurt you as well.

  I wrote this one night waiting for you to come home. I wanted to surprise you by being there.

  Not expecting me, you didn't come home until long after I was asleep, unsuspecting I had been there for hours, waiting.

  You didn't know.

  I gave you no reason to believe.

  I know you will come out of this okay. You are the most caring, loving, honest man I have ever known.

  Taking a human life is the worst thing that could happen to a sweet man like you. You'd never do that unless you saw no other choice.

  It is why I love you...

  ****

  She looked out over the dunes to the ocean for a ship, a sign, anything. Would he come? Why haven't I heard? Why was he so distant?

  This was the part she hated, The intensity of the feelings, all of them, love, hope, doubt, distance, despair, delight, resolve, and resignation.

  It had always been as this. Was it her obsession?

  Was he that different? Was he really so sweet, and caring, and tender, and distant, and difficult?

  Does it have to be thus?

  But she kept looking, kept hoping, every day; whenever she could, watch the sun fade, steal her heart, pulling it down below the horizon, inevitably, undeniably.

  Broken, she would return inside.

  Surrendered to her life.

  Morning sunrise would return hope, renew her spirit, buoy her heart...and the pattern would repeat, day in and day out.

  There came a time when she no longer went.

  She believed now that his absence wasn't a delay, or a deferral, it was a decision.

  She thought never to look out again.

  Resigned to feigning happiness, taking consolation in consistency, undeniably familiar but never fulfilling, irrevocably there but not theirs, numbingly comfortable but not comforting.

  She medicated her soul into submission.

  ****

  He steered the ship through the storm, made little progress. He turned back over and over only to return, and try again. He was unprepared, unequipped, and unsure of the way.

  But there was something compelling him. Something drove him, despite objections to his leaving the safe harbor.

  The waves chilled him, blinded him, impeding his progress. He was moving forward, approaching the coast. Coming closer to that which held him together for years.

  The storm receded, the sun appeared, and set. Would she be watching? It had been so long, so much time lost; so many times he'd disappointed her.

  Sea calming, wind relenting, mists of rain fading.

  He could see.

  He looked to the shore, felt the guilt rise, felt the shame of his cowardly delay consume him.

  How could he have expected her to wait? After all he'd done and failed to do, how dare he think himself worth it.

  He returned to the tiller, a gentle turn away from the coast. Tears blinded him, he couldn't imagine life alone.

  Then, he heard the voice, tried to see, saw only motion. She was there, she had always been there, it was his doubts that blinded him.

  Her gentle, loving, honest heart wouldn't let her abandon the shore.

  All men seek love, some have it presented to them; the rare man embraces it.

  It wasn't where, how, or when they came together, it was always that they would.

  The journey continues.............

  I hope you will let me back in your life,

  Keira

  Josh dropped the letter on the desk, looked at Chris, tears streaming down, "I am an idiot, how could I do this...."

  Chris picked up the letter, “Go. Go find her."

  Memory of Love

  Watching a sunset at Sachuest Point was a favorite of Josh and Keira. They came here for the first time after dinner on their second date. They returned here many times since.

  Sachuest Point is one of Rhode Island's best-kept secrets. A national park encompassing several hundred acres of land at the mouth of Narragansett Bay, overlooking Newport to the west and Sakonnet Point to the east. Home to deer, migratory birds, hawks, falcons, osprey, and myriad other creatures, it also was one of the best fishing spots in the state, and virtually unknown.

  Sometimes, Josh would fish while Keira would lie in the sun, sometimes they would both just sit and stare at the water, and sometimes they made love, hidden in the many rocks, out of view of the rangers that patrolled the park.

  It became cathartic when there were those difficult times every relationship endures. It was a place of refuge from the horrors of their intimate view into the hell of other's lives. It renewed their strength, reminded them of their original feelings for each other, and added to the quality of their mutual existence.

  It was the only place he could come to decide, the one place he could be free from outside influences, the place it started all those years ago.

  Where would they go from here? Could it even be they? He went everywhere he could think of to find her. He came up empty. He was too late.

  Josh walked down the path, to the furthest point from the parking lot at the spot where he liked to fish, and sat on the rocks.

  How did it come to this?

  As he sat there, the Jane Olivor song ‘You’, the one they fell in love to, played in his head.

  “You are the one who makes me happy

  When everything else turns to gray

  Yours is the voice that wakes me mornings

  And sends me out into the day

  You are the crowd that sits quiet

  Listening to me

  And all the mad sense that I make

  You are one of the few things worth remembering

  And since it's all true

  How could anyone mean more to me

  Than you?”

  He lost sight of the very thing that made him happiest.

  It was better this way; he had gone too long to save things now. He wanted to, tried to think of a way, he did not know how.

  The 9mm Sig was one solution. He knew it was the coward's way out. He thought of himself as a coward, he could not face his own problems, could not just explain. He spent his time immersed in work, avoiding reality, missing the parts of life that matter.

  "I knew I'd find you here."

  For once, Josh appeared startled.

  Keira stood there, smiling. "Josh, all you needed to do was ask."

  Josh stared out at the sea. "But I doubted you, the one person who never gave me a reason to, the one person that...” He began to sob.

  Keira pulled him close, held him to her, held him like the first time she realized she loved this man.

  "Josh, Josh. I never expected you to be perfect; I just wanted you as you were, as you still are. I was as difficult for you as you were to me. There are things I have done that hurt you. I think the intensity between us is also a curse."

  She smiled, and took his hand.

  "There is one more thing."

  Josh looked up, how was it he deserved this woman, how was it he was so lucky?

  "Anything, Keira, anything..."

  Smiling, gently kissing his forehead, "You owe me a car."

  Sitting there, holding each other, starring at the sea. "…one of the few things worth remembering..."

  About the Author

  Joe Broadmeadow was born in Pawtucket and grew up in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

  He retired with the rank of Captain from the East Providence, Rhode Island Police Department after twenty years. He served in the various divisions within the department, including Commander of Investigative Services. He also worked in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task
Force (OCDETF) and on special assignment to the FBI Drug Task Force.

  Silenced Justice is his second novel in the Josh Williams series. His first novel, Collision Course, continues to garner rave reviews and is available on Amazon.com

  When Joe is not writing, he is hiking or fishing (and thinking about writing). Joe completed a 2,185-mile thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in September 2014. After completing the trail, Joe published a short story, Spirit of the Trail, available on Amazon.com in print and Kindle versions.

  In the fall of 2015, Joe will release Saving the Last Dragon, a young adult novel also set in the backdrop of Rhode Island.

  Joe lives in Lincoln, RI with his wife Susan.

  Contact the author at joe.broadmeadow@hotmail.com

  I encourage my readers to send me their thoughts and reactions to my writing. Thanks for reading!

  Amazon Author page

  http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Broadmeadow/e/B00OWPE9GU

  Twitter: @JBroadmeadow

  Author Blogs:

  www.joebroadmeadowblog.wordpress.com

  www.jebroadmeadow.wordpress.com

  Books by Joe Broadmeadow

  Collision Course (A Josh Williams Novel)

  Spirit of the Trail (An Appalachian Trail Short Story)

  Saving the Last Dragon (coming Fall 2015)