Newton and Eilene spent the night at his place, enjoying his big bed and spacious shower. Like Anton, he'd redone his with sex in mind. He was pleased that Eilene approved of his decorating innovations—not to mention the sexual ones. They, too, fell into a sated, exhausted heap after hours of love making.
CV woke Anton and Tabitha at noon. "There's coffee. I can't cook in this contraption."
"Be honest, you can't cook anyway," Anton teased.
"Except fish."
"Good point. If you couldn't grill fish, you'd starve."
They threw together a meal of leftovers and coffee.
"I've been thinking," CV said as he lit a joint. They were all on the back deck, enjoying the breeze and sunshine. "You need a legit job, that plays to your strengths."
"Yeah, like what?" Anton took a hit, handing it to Tabitha, who refused.
"Well, I first thought about an art and jewelry appraiser."
"I don't really know enough to qualify. I'm good at stealing shit, but I don't know real art from fake."
"I realized that. Security systems—good money in that. Or testing for flaws. People pay for that, don't they?"
"Yeah, I don't know how much," Anton said.
"You could give lessons," Tabitha suggested.
"In theft? The point is to go legit."
"No. Teach police what to look for, from a thief's point of view. Eilene told me they would have missed over half of Rose's stash, if it hadn't been for you. Consultants like that, make good money."
"I'm okay for now," he said with a sly grin. "I've invested well—very well. And I've done a few legit jobs. Under a different name...."
"Doing what?" CV asked.
"I retrieved objects for an insurance company. It's kind of fun, really. Stealing with a legitimate reason. Best of both worlds. I still have those contacts."
Eilene woke without Newton beside her. She didn't sense him in the house. Since it was his home, she didn't worry, but got a shower and dressed.
Newton came in a few minutes later, carrying food bags and a bouquet of flowers. "Hey, beautiful!" He handed her the flowers and she greatly admired them.
"I hope you like sunflowers."
"I happen to love them. Thank you."
They kissed for a minute.
"Oh, I got ice cream!" He put it in the back of the freezer.
They spent the next few minutes putting food away, until the last bag.
"The red light was on," he said, looking guilty. "For clarification, I loved donuts before becoming a cop."
They made their breakfast from coffee and plain glazed donuts.
"I love the flowers."
"I'm so glad. It's from their Just Because collection. I looked for the Thanks for the Incredible Sex bouquets, but they were fresh out."
"Some other lucky girl is enjoying them."
"Yeah—but she's not enjoying—me."
"I'm the luckiest of all."
"Me, too...."
Weeks passed and it was time for Oats to go on trial. The jury had been chosen, testimonies given, the video of him plotting with Teddy, a minor, was entered into evidence.
The judge was, once again, Honoria Walker. When both lawyers had concluded their cases, it was time for the jury to deliberate. Judge Walker had a chance to speak, instructing the jury of their duty. Setting her glasses aside, she folded her hands in front of her.
"I'm not telling you how to vote. I'm telling you that Mr. Oats was an officer of the law, the son of a politician, and a member of the City Brothers Association. As you deliberate, and decide guilt—or innocence—consider that, according to testimony, he is responsible for the deaths of sixteen young men. Another twenty-one, all under the age of twenty-five, are incarcerated. Take your duty to heart. Thank you."
The jury was conducted out. In the shortest deliberation in city history, they were back with a unanimous verdict in less than ten minutes. The defense lawyer had to sprint from the restroom, to be there in time.
"We, the members of the jury, find the defendant, Arlan Oats, guilty of all charges."
The courtroom erupted in applause. Judge Walker called for silence.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the jury. You have discharged your duty well. You are dismissed."
"I protest! I'll appeal!" Oats yelled.
©2021 Dellani Oakes
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