03_Cornered Coyote (25 page)

“Here is my video recorder. Insert the tape.”

“Yes, your Honor.”

The three of them looked at the videotape which showed Jeffrey, with a butcher knife raised over his head, preparing to attack Maria, and then suddenly falling down when the gun in Maria’s hand discharged. After watching it they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Please return to the courtroom and take your seats. I’ll be there in a moment,” Judge Adams said.

He paced back and forth in his chambers, looking for a way out of the mess created by this startling piece of evidence. He had a jury ready and waiting to announce a verdict, probably a guilty verdict, and a videotape which clearly showed the deceased as a deranged man getting ready to attack, and probably kill the defendant in this case. The term “justifiable homicide” kept reoccurring in his mind. It was an election year and whatever decision he made, he knew his opponent would use it to get press. It was time to mitigate the possible damages. He took a deep breath and walked back into the courtroom.

“Bailiff, please escort the jury into the courtroom.”

There was no sound in the room as the jurors took their seats.

Judge Adams began. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, a videotape was discovered late yesterday that clearly shows Maria Brooks acted in self-defense when she shot and killed her husband. For that reason, with the power vested in me by the State of California, I dismiss this case. This court will not be responsible for convicting someone who is not guilty. It would be a travesty of justice to continue or retry this case. I also do not want it on my conscience that the taxpayers of the State of California had their money wasted because of a retrial based on an erroneous verdict. This case stands dismissed and the defendant is found not guilty.”

Reporters jumped out of their chairs, frantically trying to get the news out. In addition to American reporters, there were a number of French reporters as well as others from foreign countries who had arrived the previous day. The case had attracted worldwide attention and the judge’s decision only made it more newsworthy.

Maria burst out sobbing and it took several minutes for her to regain her composure. Brian turned to her. “You’ll be returned to jail in a couple of minutes. After your paperwork has been processed, you’ll be released in a few hours. The bailiff will confirm that in just a moment. For the record, Maria, I always believed you, but now the world knows that you acted in self-defense.”

“I can never thank you enough, Brian. I really thought I was going to be convicted. I am so grateful it’s over,” she said, tears streaming down her face. Jordan stood next to her and put his hand out, “Thank you, Brian. Thank you for having the courage to do something as unusual and unorthodox as approach the bench at the very last moment. It took a lot of courage. The judge might have thrown you in jail for being in contempt of court.”

“Well, the person you need to thank is Slade. He made it happen.” They turned to Slade who was standing next to Darya, a proprietary arm around her waist.

“I was just doing my civic duty. By the way, I’m going to New York tomorrow to ask her daddy for her hand. Wish me luck.” The three of them stared at Slade in shock. They could not believe what he’d just said. “This just might be the wedding of the century.”

“Let me be the first to congratulate both of you. I want an invitation to the wedding. I’ll be waiting by the mailbox,” Brian said, laughing.

Maria was the next to speak. “I am so happy for you. I had no idea. Of course, I’ve been a bit out of the loop. I wish you both the very best and I want to thank you for everything you did.”

“Okay, guys, we’re out of here. Need to go celebrate,” Slade said, a leering grin on his face.

CHAPTER 41

Slade looked over at Darya. Every time he saw her she took his breath away. Was it possible this lovely woman was going to be his bride? What if her father said no?

“I have one request,” Darya said. We’ll land around 3:00 in the afternoon, New York time. I’ve never been on a carriage ride in Central Park. The Four Seasons is close by. Please indulge me.”

“Absolutely. Whatever you want. After I talk to your father, I’ll call Papa and tell him. You know who and what he is, but you’re going to like him.”

“That’s fine, but I need to tell you something. It’s a tradition in my family that the senior male member of the family must approve of the groom or there can be no marriage. If one gets married without his approval it’s very bad luck. I’m not superstitious, but I know of several instances where horrible things happened when a couple didn’t get permission from the bride’s father and got married anyway. I don’t want anything to happen to you and in your line of work, you’re probably living on borrowed time as it is.”

“Okay, my future is in your father’s hands,” he said. “I’m turning on the television. Stay where you are.”

Slade and Darya watched the evening news story about Maria’s trial on the big screen TV in Darya’s bedroom. Both of them had tears of happiness in their eyes. Slade pulled her close to him. “Darya, do you realize the part you played in Maria and Jordan’s life? Without you, none of this would have happened. Maria never would have been protected in jail, she never would have had Brian Meeks as her attorney, and you never would have had the chance to buy the formulas. When you think about it, what you’ve done is pretty incredible.”

“Thanks, Slade, but the funny thing is I just did what I thought was right, and remember, none of this would have happened had it not been for my aunt. That started everything,” she said, fingering the gold necklace around her neck with the tiny diamond encrusted angel on it. “To change the subject, looks to me like you’re feeling pretty good,” she said, glancing down at the sheet.

“Yeah. Seems like there’s a little action going on south of the equator. Come here, Angel, hate to waste it.”

“Slade, some things I’m never going to be able to change about you and perhaps that’s just as well.”

* * * * *

Slade and Darya were at the Santa Monica airport the next morning at 6:45. Darya greeted her pilot and co-pilot. “Good morning, Mike, James. Sorry to make you get up so early. You told me we’d be landing at Teterboro airport near New York City, so I had Mahsa make limo arrangements for us. I understand it’s only twelve miles from the city. You probably won’t see much of me during the trip there. I need to catch up on some paperwork. I’ve spent all week at the trial of a friend of mine and I’m way behind.”

Darya sat down at a small desk at the rear of the plane and started going through some files. Slade took off his jacket and stretched out on the luxurious oversized leather seat that converted into a bed. He pulled a blanket over himself and was asleep before the plane left California. Slade had made it very clear to Darya when she’d hired him that she could no longer travel commercially. She’d bought the big Gulfstream jet several years ago and never regretted it. It had become her second home.

It was an uneventful trip and several hours later the phone on her desk rang. “Yes, Mike.”

“We’ve just been cleared for landing. We’re right on schedule. You may want to put your work away and return to your seat. I’m starting our descent into Teterboro.”

“Thanks, Mike. I’ll wake Slade up.”

She stood up and walked over to Slade. “Slade, it’s time to get up. We’re starting our descent.”

He opened his eyes and stretched his arms up, pulling her close to him, and kissing her deeply. “Get used to it, Darya. Prefer this to an alarm clock. Jesus,” he said, releasing her. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so damn nervous. I’ll be glad when this is over.”

Mike landed the big jet with ease and they walked down the steps to the waiting limousine. “Central Park, please.” Even though it was only twelve miles from the airport, it took about forty-five minutes because of the heavy traffic.

Darya looked out the window. “I don’t care how many times I’ve been here, I always feel like a kid. There is no other city like New York. Whatever you want, New York City has it. I’m so excited about the carriage ride. I just wish Tavern on the Green was still open. I never ate there and I always heard it was magical with all the twinkling lights.”

The driver stopped at a sidewalk bordering the park. Darya looked at her watch. It was 3:45. “Pick us up in an hour. We need to go to The Four Seasons Hotel. Actually, make it 4:30. I don’t want to be late.”

Promptly at 4:30 the horse-drawn carriage pulled up next to the limousine. “Thanks, driver,” Slade said handing him a number of bills. “Keep the change. It was worth every penny.”

“So, Darya, what did you like best about the ride?”

“I liked the Pond and just meandering through the park. It still amazes me that a place like this exists inside a city of over eight million people. Thanks for indulging me. I’ve always wanted to do that, but it never seemed like it would be much fun if I did it by myself.”

“Angel, your wish is my command.”

A few minutes later they pulled up to the hotel. Darya turned to the limo driver and said, “Would you stay nearby? This won’t take long. What’s your cell phone number? I’ll call you when we’re ready to be picked up. We’ll be going back to the airport.”

It’s show time,
thought Slade.
I hope I don’t fuck it up.

“We’re meeting my parents at The Bar. They’re usually early so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already there. It’s just off the main lobby.”

Slade took a deep breath and followed her into The Bar. She waved to a distinguished-looking couple seated at a table near a large window at the back of the room. The last rays of the day filtered into the room, creating a hazy atmosphere.

When they reached the table, Darya’s father stood up. Darya reached up and kissed him, then leaned over the table and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Father, I want you to meet Slade Kelly. Slade this is my father, Jabar Rahimi, and my mother, Laila Rahimi.” Slade shook their hands and pulled a chair out for Darya.

“You both look wonderful. It’s so good to see you.”

“So do you, darling,” her mother said.

“Did you just land?” Jabar asked.

“No,” Slade said. “We took a carriage ride in Central Park. This was our first time and it was wonderful.”

“Good. Slade, Darya told us why you wanted to meet us.”

“May I get you something to drink?” asked the tall, leggy waitress.

“I’ll have a glass of chardonnay,” Darya said.

“And you sir?” the waitress asked, looking at Slade.

“I’d like a dirty martini with a blue cheese olive. I understand The Bar is known for them,” he said, smiling up at the waitress.

“It’s our most popular drink, by far.”

When the waitress left, Slade turned back to Darya’s father. “I love your daughter and I want to marry her. I hope you will give us your blessing.”

Jabar sighed deeply and began. “I know Darya would not fall in love with someone who was unworthy, but I must tell you a story. I have never told it to Darya. My brother…”

“Father, I never knew you had a brother. You’ve never mentioned him to me.”

“Please, let me finish. My brother came to the United States and settled in Chicago. He was Muslim and opened a meat market, preparing meat in the Muslim tradition, called Halal. In fact, the market was named the Halal Market. There is a large community of Muslims living in Chicago and his market became very successful. It was so successful that it caught the eye of the Mafia. Several members of the Mafia paid my brother a visit suggesting that it might be a good idea if he paid them a large sum of money for what they called ‘protection.’ He refused. They came several times. Each time he refused. One day his body was found behind the meat market, the head had been severed from it and was never found.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I know nothing about that. I left Chicago when I was six years old.”

“Yes, I know, Slade. In fact I know pretty much everything about you. I have some resources that were kind enough to run a thorough check on you this morning. You have come a long way from the ghetto you grew up in and I commend you for that. I hope that you appreciate my situation. I cannot condone my daughter marrying a man who is the nephew of the leader of the Chicago Mafia and I think you understand why. When my brother’s body was brought back to Afghanistan I made a vow to honor his memory in whatever way I could. If I agreed to this marriage, I would be breaking that vow. I sense you’re a very good man. Please believe me when I tell you how sorrowful this makes us,” he said, looking at Laila. “I cannot bless this marriage.”

Slade sat in stunned silence.

“Father, you just said that you think Slade is a good man and that he has come a long way from the ghetto. You know I would not fall in love with a man who was not a good man. I want to marry him. Please give us your blessing.”

“Darya, this pains me more than anything I have ever had to do, but the answer is no. I am not able to give my blessing to this wedding. I love you more than anything, but I cannot break the vow I made many years ago.”

“Thank you for your honesty. If that’s your decision, I won’t make her choose one of us over the other. Darya, I think I’ll leave,” he said, standing up and taking money from his wallet. “Here’s for our drinks. It was nice to meet both of you.” He turned and walked out of the room.

“I’ll call you later. I need to be with Slade,” Darya said, running after him.

She caught up to Slade as he walked out the front door. He was breathing heavily and was red in the face. “Call the driver. I want to get the hell out of here.”

They were both quiet on the ride back to the airport. Darya began to cry softly. Slade looked over at her and realized this was the first time he had ever seen her cry. “Slade, I am so, so sorry. I don’t know what to say.”

“Darya, if it’s any consolation, I don’t know either. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. What the…Driver, turn up the radio.”

“Marsha Sinclair, the prosecuting attorney in the Maria Brooks murder trial was found dead at her home this morning. A preliminary report indicates she died of a drug overdose,” the voice on the radio said. “We will bring you more details as we receive them.” Darya and Slade looked at each other in shocked silence.