CHAPTER TWO
AWAKENING
The next thing Ocean saw was him in the hospital all bandaged up, with many pairs of eyes staring at him.
He was in a spacious ward. The surprising thing was that he was the only patient in his ward. The bright light overhead hurt his eyes badly and he squinted at the sight to gain some form of relief from the light. It was as he squinted that he saw it boldly written on the windows on the wall.
Engraved on the window just in front of him were some writings he couldn’t make out.
Gradually his eyes began to adjust to the light and he began to make out the shape of the creature the eyes belonged to. They were three men. One short and athletic, he wore an officer’s uniform. The second man was tall and dressed in a tie and suit, and the last man was tall, almost the same height with the man in suit and tie, he also wore a suit. Ocean eyes were now wide open and he began to take in the minute details of his surroundings.
He glances once again at the glass panels in front of him.
Engraved on the large window panel, were the words,
‘WAKE AND BE OBLIVIOUS TO THE FATE OF YOUR DESTINY
LIFE SITUATIONS ARE SOMETIMES JUST ILLUSIONS
OUR SUBCONSCIOUS MOST TIMES PLAYS TRICKS ON us,
JUST DON’T DWELL IN THE DREAM AND BE LOST
CLIMB THE STEPS AND SAVE YOURSELF OH SOJOURNER
THREE, TWO, ONE, THOSE ARE THE Levels YOU MUST CONTEND AGAINST. By Adam.’
‘The Adam that had written this poem was a genius. Wait and be oblivious to the fate of your destiny, life situations are sometimes just illusions, our subconscious most times plays tricks on us. Don’t just dwell in the dream and be lost oh sojourner. Three, two, one, those are the levels, you must contend against.’ what on earth he thought. His life definitely wasn’t an illusion, he was in a hospital bed. Why was he in a hospital bed? He asked himself. And then everything dawned on him, memories started flooding in. Daisy he thought and then he began to cry. He let out a soft cry and almost immediately the men that had been standing talking to themselves mumbling some things amongst themselves turned to him.
‘He is awake,’ the short athletic cop dashed towards him. And like robots, the other men followed suit.
‘Wait I was here first.’ The short cop whispered you have to allow me-‘ he was cut off as the door flung open and a man in flowing white robes entered the ward.
‘I am sorry, what are you people doing here?’ he asked the men.
‘We are cops,’ one of the tall men in suits cut off the doctor, flashing his badge as he walked towards the doctor extending his arm to shake him.
‘I am Preston and I am here to investigate the murder of a woman named Daisy.’ he quipped. ‘And you must be?’
‘The man in white flowing robes, the doctor looked at his hand ignoring him, then spoke.
‘If you must know my name it is written on my name tag, so there will be no further introduction. Besides you are violating the fundamental rights of this man, he isn’t a criminal and until proven guilty, is an innocent man. Besides can’t you see that he is in no condition to talk to you? Please, I will have to ask you to leave this place as you are stepping out of line.’
Preston opened up his mouth to speak when the other man in a suit stopped him, by waving his hand.
It was then Ocean had a good view of the man. Just about the same height as Preston, he was above six foot for sure. He was clean shaving with striking features.
He moved to Preston’s side and calmed the hot-blooded guy down, then turned back toward Ocean. It was then he saw his face properly. There were scars, not the silvery lines you see on people’s faces, but ridged pronounce scars, not as bad as Freddy grudgers’ scars though they run the entire length of his face. What the heck? Ocean thought to himself. The most distinct thing about the scars though was the fact that they were so many, crisscrossing around each other, ever so faintly. It was as if a puzzle had been solved on his face. The more Ocean looked at him the more he got appalled. How could someone with so many scars not come out as ugly? He asked himself. The man was pretty handsome despite the fact that he was carrying these distinctive scars. Ocean couldn’t help but wonder how fine he was without the scars.
‘Stop acting like my big cop detective brother Victor.’ Preston shouted. ‘I am going to listen to you this once, not because I respect you or anything, but simply because of the fact that I have lost appetite in solving this case.’
‘Are you sure?’ Victor asked.
‘Damn, sure.’ Preston said.
‘We shall see about that.’
The two men walked out of the ward as Victor stopped by the doctor’s side to apologize for their rudeness on their first encounter. He then briskly walked away to join Preston, who hadn’t even cared to wait for him.
‘Now the Doctor turned back to see the other short athletic officer, still waiting there?’ he asked.
‘And what do you think I am waiting for?’ the short man quickly replied.
‘Ok, I can see you are not willing to let this man out of your sight. You can wait in the hallway, and when I am finished with you, you can come back to question him. Is that ok with you?’ the doctor asked.
The short cop begrudgingly accepted the doctor’s suggestion and moved out of the hospital ward. But to say he wasn’t going to allow Ocean out of his sight was an understatement as he was seen still peering through the glass door to look at Ocean. The doctor wasn’t having any of it and quickly walked to the door and released the curtains, blocking out the sight of the cop. Now he will have no other option than to wait calmly.
The Doctor then moved to Ocean while apologizing to him on what had transpired five minutes ago.
‘Cops and their drive to imprison anything, even a fly, just to get recognition. I hate them.’ he said under muttered breath.
‘And you Mr. Ocean, you are hurt pretty bad. You were brought in by cops, and for the first time, I almost began to have respect for them, only to discover that they brought you here, so that I can revive you and they should interrogate you. Cops, natures snakes.’
Ocean looked at the man and was mortified at the Doctors deep hatred for cops.
‘By chance, have you had any bad encounter with any cop?’ Ocean asked, as he looked at the doctor.
The doctor looked around then sighed.
‘It was my sister, my younger sister, my favorite. The only thing I had in this world and a cop took her from me.’
‘What do you mean by that?’ Ocean asked.
‘She got engaged to this idiot a cop, who finally got to marry her. This man being a cop would harass and beat my sister, even telling her to her face, that he was a cop and was immune to anything she could ever think of doing. Being the only living relative, my sister will come and complain to me about everything and even cry. She showed me scar marks, injuries, which I always took pictures of and reported to the cops, only for them to just call the husband and warn him. On the day my sister committed suicide, I sue the man, but the judge wouldn’t prosecute a law enforcer, he was just dishonorably discharged and allowed to walk. I have never felt betrayed like that in my entire life. My sister was cold dead and the perpetrator was alive. What level of injustice? Did you know that I was the only one that attended her burial? Yes nobody came to her grave except me. That is why I hate cops and the judicial system as a whole.’ The doctor said with red eyes.
‘But you know doc, no matter wrong they did to you, it shouldn’t be the manner you would use to condemn the whole judicial system. I mean it is just not right?’
‘Not right?’ The doctor laughed hysterically. ‘And who are you to tell me that patient? Well, I don’t expect you to understand Mr. Ocean, but soon I believe you will. Don’t worry, In fact, I know and I am certain that soon, in the nearest future, probably some few days from now, you will truly understand what I meant by what I was saying. Now if you don’t mind, I will like to look at you, and treat you.’ the doctor said as he began to examine Ocean.
‘You were hurt pretty badly. You had a gunshot wound on your leg, a knife stab on the second leg, an injury on the head and multiple bruises on your body. It was a miracle you survive at all. But thankfully you are healing quite nicely. In a day or two, you should be good to leave the hospital premises. And on a side note, you had been out for twelve days.’
‘Twelve days?’ Ocean screamed.
‘Yes, twelve days.’
The nurse is going to bring some medicines for you, I advise you to take all of them. Now I will have to take my leave, I have other patients to take care of. As for your bill, don’t worry. Daisy’s boyfriend is paying for it. I don’t know the guy seems to be a sick devil, he wants you to rot in jail. Well, that should be all, I have gossiped enough. I am taking my leave. Bye.’
Ocean lay in the hospital ward thinking of what had transpired, why had he being so foolish to fall for a girl that was already engaged. They say love was blind but not blind in all the senses. He had not been only blind in his thinking, but deaf, dumb and incredibly stupid, all for what? A bullet wound on his leg and some serious injuries and bruises. As he laid there his attention caught the writing again on the windows.
Wake and be oblivious to the fate of your destiny. Life situations are sometimes just illusions.
Just don’t dwell in them and be lost or sojourner.
Three, two, one. Those are the steps you must contend against. By Adam.
Why was he repeatedly seeing this? He asked himself. And then his thought skipped, to something different.
Why hadn’t somebody come to visit him all this while? His family members had abandoned him, leaving him in the hospital. Going by what the doctor said, for twelve days he had been in the hospital and nobody had come to look for him. Then another thought crossed his mind. You fool, the twelve days, we’re you not asleep? That’s right there was no way he could have told whether somebody had come to visit him. He was just out thinking, he had to calm down.
He must have dozed off, as he was startled awake by the short athletic cop.
‘Wake up, Ocean. I have serious questioning for you.’ the short athletic cop said as he gave a brisk crackle of his knuckles.
For a while, Ocean was dumbfounded, by the sheer persistence of this cop. What the fuck? He thought. This wasn’t just normal. The cop should have being a gentleman and behaved like the pair of a detective from earlier and let sleeping dogs snooze for the time being, but no, he wasn’t just going to let a case like this slip of his hands.
‘So how can I help you?’ Ocean asked, pretending to be in serious pain.
The cop paused for a while, looking intently on Ocean, and then continued as if nothing was wrong. Damn, this cop was emotionless.
‘I am Gabriel by name, as you can see from my name tag, and I am here to question you pertaining what really happened, the other day.’
Ocean paused for a while, thinking and deliberating what to do about this persistent demon of a human called Gabriel. His name certainly should have been something more evil, instead of the righteous and sacred Gabriel.
‘I am in no mood to talk to you, right now.’ Ocean quipped. ‘Besides, can’t you see that I am not doing so well?’
‘No, actually I can see that you are In fact, not doing well, I am not blind. And due to the fact that I am not blind and can perfectly see, I also realize that your mouth is perfectly well to engage in conversations. So I am after your mouth, not your whole body. No offense.’
That was it, there was not shaking off this guy. Ocean knew in that moment that his best option was to cooperate with the man, he wasn’t in the right state, but physically and mentally to ward off the persistent advances of the man.’
‘Ok then, what do you what?’ Ocean snorted out, almost shouted.
‘So you are now ready to cooperate. Well, no offense once again. I have the interest of the people, the American people at heart.’
‘Don’t give me that.’ Ocean couldn’t hold himself any longer. ‘Don’t give me that crap of having the interest of the American, people at heart. All you care about is your pockets, nothing else.’
Gabriel was taking aback. Then spoke.
‘Are you threatening a federal officer?’ he asked.
‘If anyone feels threatened it is me.’ Ocean replied. ‘I am not the one, with the gun, you are.’
Gabriel paused again, looking, calculating, he was in some sort of deep thought.
‘Ok. Mr. Ocean, I think we got off on a wrong foot, ok. But we, me and you, we can still do this. I am just here doing my job, you should make it easier for me, by co-operating.’
There was a long pause in the ward (it was as if an angel just passed by). He then spoke again.
‘Tell me, Mr. Ocean what really happened that day.’
Ocean looked at the cop for a few seconds, and then his eyes move to the ceiling as he collected his thoughts. Then he opened his mouth and spilled everything he knew to the cop.
…………
‘Ok, Ocean. I have heard your story, and I am going to write a report about it. But you should know that this is a serious investigation and matters can easily get escalated. I suggest you always keep your ears open and cooperate with the police. I should be seeing you soon.’ Gabriel said.
‘Not only would my ears but my eyes and mouth, be opened.’ Ocean said, now frustrated.
Gabriel chuckled for some time, shook his head then left the hospital ward.
Finally some free time for himself from this entire maniac. His heart leaped for joy, but it wasn’t to last. A thought of Daisy crossed his mind again, and he was back to his gloomy state.
A week had passed since the day Gabriel came to his hospital ward. The seven days had seemed like seven decades, mostly because of the fact that it had been lonely. He had laid on his bed, taken the food the hospital had given him and the drugs also. He was now feeling a little better and was ready to be discharged. Ocean wondered why no-one and nobody had cared to visit him during his hospital stay. He had just woken up from his long sleep, a usual routine, in this his boring livelihood in the hospital. He sat up the bed and examined his body, starting from his leg where he had been shot. The Doctor had truly outdone himself, he had made sure to remove the bullet and closed up the wound quite nicely. Save for the almost invisible silvery red scar, nobody would suspect a bullet wound. He took off his hospital apparel, to look at the mirror hung on the wall. He was in shape. He had the six abs going for him there. Broad shoulders, and as he stood there, he couldn’t help but wonder why Daisy hadn’t fallen for him. He certainly would have being her hero. He then ran his arm around his body, stopping to examine the almost nonexistent scars that remained of the bruises he had endured. Only the ever so soft, pain of the bruises reminded him that he had truly dabbled with death, and lived to tell the tale.
‘Admiring yourself!!! I see.’
Ocean was startled by the voice of the doctor, which came from behind, and his soul almost jumped out of his body.
‘Since you are now strong enough to stand and even admire yourself, I can have solace on the thought that I did a good job on you? I am discharging you today, In fact, to avoid further delay right now.’
The doctor then took out his torch and examined Ocean’s eyes, mouth, then took out his stethoscope to monitor his heart readings, while standing. He then smiled.
‘You are good to go, meet the lady at the receptionist to check you out, and don’t worry about the bill like I said John has already settled everything.’ the doctor paused for a while. ‘I guess this is goodbye then.’ he said as he extended his hand to shake Ocean who was leaving the ward.
‘Naked you came in here and naked you return back.’ The doctor said, referring to the fact that Ocean didn’t have a change of clothes.
‘Please stay safe.’ he said, behind the already gone Ocean.
Ocean moves briskly and walked out of his ward, moving like a wild horse, going with the wind. It was after a minute or so of walking did he realize that he absolutely had no idea where he was going. Thankfully, some female nurses were just around the corner, and after asking them politely, where the receptionist was, they also gently gave him the directions.
Now armed with the knowledge of where he was going, he walked majestically, although partially limping, to the receptionist desk and checked himself out.
‘First things first, he was going to rush home and try and munch down at much food as possible, as he was now starving, then he was going to take a bath, a long well deserved, thorough bath. Then he was going to go to John’s house to thank him for taking care of his hospital bills the few days he had being in the hospital, then perhaps finally he was going to visit Daisy grave. Every time he remembered Daisy, his mood changed and sometimes he couldn’t help control the tear that trickled down his eyes. But she was gone now, it was the saddest thing he had ever experienced since the passing of his Dad who had been brutally murdered. Maybe that was why he had become obsessed with the girl. She reminded him so much of his Dad. Quirky, charming and extremely likable. His life has always being a tumbling dominoes of misfortune. Losing his Dad, some of his loved ones, and of recent Daisy. For some weird mysterious reason, if he loved someone that person probably ends up dead. And then he began to blame himself again. If only he had not called her that night, she certainly might still be alive. A pain was growing inside his heart. A deep searing pain that was untouchable, and probably untreatable, but was unusually so painful. He deserved to die, he knew it. He deserved to be murdered, how could he have endangered, and then orchestrated the death of a damsel. If only he hadn’t succumbed to his basic instincts and just picked her up straight and dropped her off to her boyfriend. If only he hadn’t been greedy and desired her so much so that he wanted all parts of her to himself. If only he hadn’t fallen to his based animal instinct to caress her laps wittingly, delaying and wasting precious time he could have used to escape. Damn, he his a murderer and he deserved death.
Ocean raised his hands and hailed down a taxi. The taxi turned at the corner of the street then came to a halt in front of him. He then opened the door and entered.
‘Freeze.’ A loud voice came from Ocean’s back.
He turned to where the sound had come from and to his surprise he saw five cops.
He was now frozen in his position where he had one leg inside the taxi and the other leg on the street floor. It was then he made out the face of Gabriel. What the hell was this guy looking for?
Ocean took out his other foot that was in the car then closed the door of the taxi behind him, then started approaching Gabriel.
‘Raise your arm where I can see them, and don’t move.’ Gabriel said, all demeanor of familiarity non-existent on his face.
Ocean had no choice than to do what Gabriel requested and before he knew what was happening the guy had cuffed him in one fluid motion.
‘You are being arrested for the murder of Daisy. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?’ Gabriel said.
‘What is happening?’ Ocean asked.
‘You are being arrested that is what is happening.’
He then motioned to the other cops who came into assisting him to take Ocean to their cars. The taxi at the first sight of the cops zoomed off, and Ocean was left all alone. For some reason, everything happening had a lucid feel to it. Everything was so surreal, Ocean just couldn’t believe what was happening. He was now a suspect in the murder of Daisy. And even when he was bundled up, taken to their cars and put in the back and driven off, he just couldn’t believe it.
‘Where are you taking me?’ Ocean finally managed to say.
‘Somewhere private.’ Gabriel managed to say.
‘But I didn’t do anything.’
‘You are the chief suspect for the murder of Daisy, and until the court or we prove beyond any reasonable doubt that you aren’t guilty, we are your Gods. Do you understand?’ Gabriel asks him.
Ocean sat at the back of the car silent, as the car navigated through the busy streets, cars blaring and honking left and right, till they finally reached the local police jail. The car then drove in and almost immediately Gabriel pounced on Ocean, making sure that no other cop touched him, he then directed him to a cell, un-cuffed him then threw him inside.
‘And what now?’ Ocean asked, almost screaming. But Gabriel just looked at him and walked away without even replying.
‘I didn’t kill her, how many times do you want me to tell you this?’ Ocean yelled at the interrogator.
‘Then tell me, why was she found murdered in her car?’
‘Wait, what?
‘I and Daisy were knocked out cold outside my car. How can you tell me she was found in my car? The story doesn’t match. Is the police trying to frame me for the murder or something? Like I said I never did anything.’
‘I am sorry Mr. Ocean.’ Gabriel yelled from behind Ocean in the enclosed facility. Your story just doesn’t tally. First, you tell us that you came to pick and didn’t do anything. Then we tell you she had scratch marks on her laps and your DNA was found there. Then you tell us, you had been drunk and driving and had wanted to have sex with her, and when she refused you did nothing. Then we find out that she had died from lack of air in other word strangulation. Your story doesn’t match, your effort at lying are pity full and worst of all, and you keep lying to yourself. You know what I think about this?’ Gabriel asked Ocean.
I think you purposely wanted to have sex with her and when she refused, you strangled her to have your way. Do yourself a favor and confess or risk the penalty of an increased sentence, for wasting the time of the cops, wasting the money of the cops, wasting the time of the state, wasting the money of the state, and most importantly, wasting my own precious money and time.’
‘For Christ sakes, I told you that I didn’t do anything. I and the girl were mugged by some men. In fact, you can check my truck, it is damaged.’
‘I think you want to spend the rest of your life in jail, really badly Ocean. Nothing you have said, or are saying makes sense, don’t you freaking understand. You said your truck tires were shot, but your car was found intact with only a dent in the front of the car as you smashed into Daisy’s car, then..’
‘I am sorry, what did you say?’
‘I said we found your truck and the tires intact except the front end that collided with her own car. What were you up to, if you have anything to say, you better spill it out, before it is too late.’
Ocean was dumbfounded. Nothing these interrogators were telling him, made any sense. How could they out rightly, blatantly, lie to his face, just because they were cops?’
‘Need we remind you, that you already have an impending, unresolved case with us, and now you have managed to add another crime, to your portfolios of committed crimes, we suggest you start talking, if not you should get ready for capital punishment or life imprisonment.’ the interrogator said. ‘So what really happened that night?’
‘Well, before I say anything, I need my lawyer.’ Ocean said.
‘Ok, the interrogator grimaced at the fact that Ocean called for his Miranda rights. Not at this time. ‘A lawyer would be arranged.’ he said.
‘No, I need my lawyer, not a lawyer.’ Ocean quipped.
‘Alright.’
‘Well ok, we get it. But you will now be booked for the crimes you committed.’
‘What do you mean? I just said I didn’t commit any crime.’
‘Well that isn’t for us to decide, tell that to the judge’
‘Follow me.’ The officer asked Ocean.
Ocean was taken to another room in the building where he was given a form to fill. He was told to write down his name, age, address, place of work, telephone number. His picture was then taken, his height measured, then his fingerprints were also captured. He was then charged with rape, abduction, and murder, all written in a document.
‘But I didn’t do anything, levied against me.’ Ocean said.
‘Yeah, we get that a lot. But until you are proven beyond reasonable doubt in the court to be not guilty, you will be charged for these crimes.’ a cop said.
‘You better relax, this is just a booking procedure, and make yourself feel at home and start enjoying this environment. Because it is going to be your home for a while.’
Ocean was then returned in handcuffs to his cell.
‘What are you doing here again?’ Dennis asked, his childhood friend. ‘Why would you just walk into more trouble, when we haven’t yet resolved your past troubles? You know very well that you are still on probation right? What did you do this time?’
Ocean narrated what had occurred the previous night, that had led up to the present day and how the police were now trying to levy the crimes on him.
‘But why didn’t you call the police? Why did you run?’ Dennis asked Ocean. ‘That might just mean that you were guilty.’
‘I was scared and terrified alright? I was confused, I guess that is why I ran.’
‘You guess? Do you think this is a play? They are filing three counts against you. The first count is for abduction, the second for rape and the third count for murder. Each of this counts requires nothing less than 50 years, in jail, couple that with the count of murder, which attracts the capital punishment, so if you know anything Ocean, I advise you to start talking.’
‘See, everything I have told you is the truth. I swear I am not lying.’
‘That’s what you said for the case that we are yet to resolve, and here you are repeating the swearing again. You think you are the only one gifted with a pink organ that can swear? Please keep the swearing to yourself, which will not do you any good right now.’
‘So, I am going to ask you, one more time. And this time, more politely. Did you, or did you not commit any of those crimes?’
‘I swear to God, I didn’t’ Ocean said tearing up.
‘Please, like I said, stop swearing, it wouldn’t do you any good. I need to know the facts so I start preparing your case.’
‘I know, but I can’t help myself.’
‘Well, that is by the way. Normally, I would not even consider this case, but since we are childhood friends, I am going to give it a shot.’ Dennis said as he stood up from his seat. He then glances at his watch.
‘Where are you going?’ Ocean asked.
‘To build a case, of course. I can’t be in this tiny room forever. Besides my time is almost up.’
‘Am I going to be ok?’ Ocean asked.
‘As you did before. Just continue praying and believing in your God.’
Deep down in his heart, Dennis knew Oceans case was critical. Everything Ocean has told him was proven to be false. His story just didn’t seem to match anything in the real life. He said he came to help a girl, and then was chased by some men, who shot his car and his tires, but his car was in good condition and intact, except the front dent from colliding into the girl, Daisy’s car. He said he didn’t rape the girl, but samples of his DNA was found on her laps. Who was he to believe? Had it not being that Ocean was his childhood friend, he would have immediately rejected the case. Ocean had seen things, the good, the bad and the ugly side of life, he had seen it all. He had grown up with an abusive father, who lacked the wisdom of thinking like the wind. His father had been a hypocrite, always making the children do what he himself couldn’t do. His mother also had been alcoholic. Drinking whatever booze she could lay her hands on. For this matter, Ocean had grown up secluded and alone, despite the fact that he had both parents. Ocean had been extremely brilliant and had to drop out of school at a very young age, this was to enable him to take care of his younger siblings, as he had taken over the mantle of leadership of the house, and also due to the fact that he was also always being bullied. So it wasn’t peculiar he had fallen into the traps of gangsters, which was drinking alcohol excessively, like his mum. Ocean continued spiraling downwards into the hellish realm of drug addiction and alcoholism, so much potential, wasted. At one point in his life, his parents and some of his siblings had taken the easy way and had taken their own lives. So essentially, Ocean was virtually alone, except for his last sister of course, and that, with the fact that he had been, Dennis childhood friend, was the only reason, he was being helped.
‘So, I should see you later,’ Dennis told Ocean. ‘Everything will be alright.’ He said, not believing his words.
‘OK Bro, later.’
Dennis walked out of the small enclosed room.
He then went to the autopsy division of the police to confirm their results, to help him build a solid case.
The results confirmed that the girl was choked with her cars seat belts, as there were scratches on her neck. Then she was raped severely, then finally murdered through choking.
The only DNA samples found on the girl was that of Ocean.
It was a new day, seconds, minutes, hours, and even days had passed and he was yet to get contact with the outside world. Ocean didn’t know the date or day as he had been in his cell for some time and wasn’t counting the days anymore. He should have been in the cell for six or seven days, without a word from his lawyer Dennis or anybody, except the daily and steady food that he was given.
The only thing he knew was that it was afternoon as he was fed three times a day, once at 6 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm. And the officer in charge of feeding him had just brought his second meal.
There was nothing else he could do, except wait and hope for the best. But from time to time though he couldn’t help but wonder why he had hurriedly gone to meet Daisy when she called. If only he had just continued drinking quietly in his bar, this wouldn’t have had to happen, now he was stuck in a cell, being accused of a crime he didn’t commit.
For some reason, he was put alone in a cell, a dark cell for that, possibly because he was being accused of rape and murder.
Dennis had promised him that he would get an arraignment in the nearest future, but he had been waiting for the past 10 days or so, if his calculations were correct, he had lost count of the days as he was always thinking about his life.
A knock on his cell door, made him stop thinking.
‘Your lawyer is here to see you,’ a police officer said.
And then opened the door to lead him to where he could see Dennis.
‘I am sorry, for keeping you so long’ Dennis apologized.
‘I was going about preparing for your case. Today would be the day you are arraigned before a prosecutor, so prepare yourself.’
‘So what is this arraignment all about?’ Ocean asked.
‘Nothing much, basically you are going to be read your crime before a prosecutor and you are to plead guilty or not guilty.’
‘Then when will I be free?’ Ocean asked.
‘I don’t know when, Ok?’
‘But you we can try requesting for bail after the arraignment. But I cannot also guarantee that.’
‘So I am just a sitting duck, waiting to be fried.’
‘Now that you put it that way, but essentially yes. You are a sitting duck, but my job as a lawyer is to bring in water, to level the playing field, so you can swim, and not fry.’
‘Ok, I trust you.’
The county jail had a courtroom attached to it, so there was no need going far to meet a prosecutor.
Ocean and Dennis entered the closed room and were given a seat to sit down. They were now told to wait for the prosecutor to arrive.
Before the prosecutor came, the officer that had captured Ocean’s data some days ago, brought in the data that had been reproduced and gave Ocean and his lawyer a copy each, and finally left a piece on the table of the prosecutor. He then found a seat and sat down keeping an eye on Ocean.
In time, the prosecutor came and read a lengthy article, before reading the crimes levied against Ocean, and then asked him how he pleaded.
‘Not guilty’ Ocean replied, as this was what Dennis had told him to say.
Dennis asked for bail for his client but was denied by the prosecutor on grounds that Ocean didn’t have a clean slate, so had to be remanded in prison till the due date of trial.
CHAPTER THREE
PROCEEDINGS
There was a new case in town, which was to be held today, about a local car repairman being indicted. The news of a local car repairman being indicted for felony was circulating town. As an investigator, Preston had visited the guy at the hospital to probe him but victor his partner had advised him to let the case pass, but now that the guy was to get the capital punishment as a punishment for his crimes. Preston just started feeling sorry for the guy, coupled with the fact that the guy was a friend of his very close friend Dennis, made him just want to get involved.
The defendant had finally been sentenced and had gotten a sentence of death by lethal injection, but he was still claiming that he didn’t commit the crime.
Though not peculiar that condemned, although as usual amongst convicted felons, this man’s case wasn’t any different. Despite the fact that nobody believed him, he still took his stand even after the jury decided his fate and the judge sealed his sentence he still kept on pleading not guilty. Preston just wanted to get involved. The criminal had seen his fair share of the dark side in life and Preston was beginning to question his judgment. I mean the man was not rich, just managing to begin with, Preston had had an encounter once with the man when his car broke down once and his time with the man had been wonderful. He had normally charged Preston, far lower than what he had being charged for the same repair and here was the man being sentenced to death. Something in his heart just didn’t feel this was right. The more he thought about the man, the more he felt pity for him.
The trial had proceeded just like any trial would proceed. Dennis the best lawyer around, and Preston’s friend, had done his job, with the little evidence he had but he still wasn’t a match for the dead girls fiancé who kept shaking, probably from his intense hatred for the man, his lawyer also was keen on making Ocean go to jail, for killing his client’s fiancé.
The more Dennis convinces the jury, on the defendant’s innocence, the more the plain tiff’s lawyer brought up other convincing evidence. From his exact DNA match found on the girl, and other convincing evidence.
Essentially, it was a short but heated debate on the defendant, and after deliberations, Ocean was given the capital punishment.
No manner of words could describe the surprise in his voice and face after he was declared guilty and sentenced to death. Ocean cried there and was then escorted back to his cell, his lawyer Dennis, doing everything in his limited power to console him.
Preston then left the court back to his station. He felt sorry for his friend Dennis for losing this case, this was the first case, he had ever lost, his clean record now tainted. He had slipped into the courtroom and after the verdict had been passed had slipped back out, without Dennis noticing him at all. He would talk to him later but now wasn’t the time. He would allow him to cool off and calm down.
The phone rang, hard and loud and Preston was woken up by it abruptly. After the courtroom he had gone back to his station, done his daily boring routine, close for work, gone to the bar for some couple of drinks then had gone home to sleep late. And now he was woken late in the night when most folks were just cozying up in their beds. Fuck. Preston checked his watch. It was 3.00 am. He was sad mad. Sad at the fact that a while ago, he had signed up for this job of being a detective in all naivety of a young man, but as time went on, his childhood aspirations began to give way to adult frustrations, as he realised that the detective job was not as it was portrayed by Hollywood. He was mad, mad at the fact that when he had always been ready, to receive a call, he had gotten nothing, but today of all days, when he had resigned himself to a day of serenity, he was receiving a call.
Preston sluggishly came out of his bed dressed up, then went out of his house, locked the doors, entered his car and drove off. As he was driving, a call came in again. It was his partner Victor. He called in and reported, where the murder case had transpired, and Preston was shocked. It was his friend’s house the lawyer Dennis. Preston drove fast to the location. When he reached there, the area had already being encircled with the customary yellow tapes, and cops were around. He was greeted by Victor, who for some unknown reasons was always on night shifts, who also smiled at him and showed him to the murder scene.
Victor was a calm, calculated wise cop, with so many awards to his belt, and for that, he was specifically teamed up with Preston, another killer cop in the area. Victor was queer, not normal, for one thing, he had these deep scars, running around his body as if he had just come out of the morgue. But he was wise, and that covered up his shortcomings.
It was Dennis alright, the genius lawyer splayed on the ground. He had been shot, cleanly on the neck. A single bullet, passed through his throat to block his windpipe, making him choke on his own blood. Preston looked at the scene and tried to figure out what was going on, but as hard as he tried. Nothing was coming to mind. He was as blank as hell. The only question that came running through his head was who tried to kill his friend? And he was angry, angry as hell that his friend had just been murdered. But like the wise cop that he was, he wasn’t going to let his feeling, make his thinking irrational. Preston then left the place. First thing at daybreak he was going to speak to Ocean’s only living relative, his sister. Because whoever might have killed Dennis had a hand with Ocean’s case. It just had to be. How he knew this, he did not now. He just knew it from a hunch.
Preston explained the situation to his partner, Victor and then he left back to his house. Dennis was dead and there was no point mourning him too much. He was angry and sad, but no matter how much he tried being sad or mad, he wasn’t ever going to be able to bring back the dead Dennis. Sooner or later he would have to accept the fact that they are never coming back, but that scenario was going to play out for normal human beings, but he wasn’t normal. This wasn’t the first time he would be in this type of situation, but that was by the way. He was going to focus his energy on more productive ventures, like the case that was now before him. But that would have to wait, he was going to put his brainpower to good use, at the first sign of daylight, but he was going to do this at his best, and to be at his best, he couldn’t resist the call of his bed. Yes, he just needed to finish his unfinished business with his bed.