Zero Zero Zero by Harlan Finchley

Author:Harlan Finchley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Culbin Press
Published: 2021-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

TWO HOURS INTO THE morning the trial ended and the judge swept imperiously from the court to deliberate. Little additional evidence had been presented to the court. None of it had been in Sebastian’s favor, but his lawyer gave him a thumbs-up.

After ten minutes, the judge returned. Apart from the various officers, the only other person there was Raphael. Sebastian faced the judge and prepared to push Not guilty with everything he could muster.

The court clerk read the charge of first-degree murder and when the judge turned to him Sebastian pushed: Sebastian is not guilty.

Sebastian swayed, his vision closing down to a few swirling motes of light. He fell against the front of the dock and then pushed himself upright. The judge held the bridge of his nose between a finger and his thumb, a pained expression on his face.

As he should do, Sebastian thought.

“Not guilty of first degree murder,” the judge said.

Sebastian gulped, while Raphael twitched. The courtroom was quiet as the clerk rubbed his forehead and then approached the judge. Sebastian tried to force a smile while he fought to still the pounding in his head.

The judge and clerk conversed. After some deliberation, the judge nodded and the clerk returned to his seat.

“We’ll now pass judgment on the lesser charge of manslaughter,” he said.

Sebastian grabbed the dock. He needed a delay, to give him the time to gather enough strength for another push. He caught his lawyer’s eye, but his lawyer only waved back at him. Sebastian’s head throbbed as if his skull would explode, but without any choice but to act now, he focused everything remaining in his mind.

Sebastian is not guilty, he pushed weakly.

“Guilty as charged,” the judge said, without pause.

Sebastian flopped into his chair, unable to think. His last action, before darkness descended, was to note that Raphael held his head in his hands. Then, for the rest of the day, Sebastian couldn’t concentrate on life enough even to open his eyes, but the next morning his lawyer came with good news.

“That was a great result,” he said.

“Is there any chance of an appeal?” Sebastian said.

His lawyer slapped his forehead. “I should think not! Only innocent people get an appeal.”

“So what’s the good news?”

“A two-year sentence isn’t bad. With good behavior and parole they could let you out in eighteen months.”

“So I’ll just have to wait to kill Raphael,” Sebastian said to himself.

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