Page 25 of Saved By the Game

“I have already submitted the evidence we have against Mr. Porter in discovery. I want to draw your attention to Exhibit 1, which are the phone records from Mr. Porter to Hazel Ryan.Exhibit 2 are the recorded calls between Brian and Hazel Ryan. Exhibit 3 are the canteen records of the money from Hazel Ryan that was used to pay the hitman. Exhibit 4 is the jail visitation recording with Hazel Ryan the day after the money transfer. The video clearly shows the Federal police arresting Hazel Ryan as an accessory to conspiracy. Finally, Exhibit 5 are the prison visitation records to confirm the hitman visiting the jail the day before the shooting.” The prosector said while referencing all the exhibits for the judge to view.

“Very well, all five exhibits is admitted into the record.” The Judge responded.

Thanks, procureur. You may step down Ms. Vonshire.

“I now call Brian Porter to the stand.” The prosecuting attorney announced.

Brian slowly walked to the stand. He recited his oath as the bailiff instructed. His eyes were low, and he had a look of defeat on his face.

“Now Mr. Porter. Why did you need twenty thousand Euro sent to your canteen? Remember the pledge you took when you give your answer.” The prosecutor spoke while looking at him sternly.

“Your honor, I made a mistake. I wanted revenge for my woman leaving me for that man.”

“Why did you want to kill Adonis too?” The prosector asked.

“He didn’t deserve her. I put years into giving Kybella my all. I made her. She wouldn’t be anything without me. My homies came back to me and told me they saw my girl with Game. I wanted him out the way. I wanted her back with meafter my release from jail. If he was killed, then she couldn’t be with him anymore. I spoke with my cellmate, and he put me in connection with a hitman. The twenty thousand Euros was transferred to my cellmate Bourbon’s canteen to pay for the hit on Adonis. Finally, I confess that I ordered the hit on Game. I’m not proud of it. I thank God it wasn’t successful. I wouldn’t have been able to handle his death on my conscience.” Everyone in the court began to speak loudly and gasp. “Order dans la salle! Order in the court!” The judge banged her gavel repeatedly until the courtroom was quiet.

“Your honor, may I speak freely?” Brian asked with innocence.

“You have my permission to speak freely.”

“I just want to say, I want to offer my apologies for what I’ve done. I don’t have the words to fix what I’ve caused in Paris but I’m truly sorry. I take full responsibility. I’ve started the healing process and I’m willing to help heal others in Paris and tell others about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

“Usually in Paris, when a defendant is found guilty, the sentencing phase takes place after the trial during a separate hearing. However, in your case, we have decided to proceed differently and address sentencing immediately.” The court will take a short recess.

*Fifteen minutes later*

“I have reviewed all the evidence. The court finds you guilty of both charges. We received the testimony of the accessory to the crime Hazel Ryan. She admitted partial involvement, claimed she only acted under pressure and didn’t understand the extent of the crime. Hazel gave her statement implicating the primary defendant and downplaying herresponsibility. Then we had the testimony from the hotel front desk clerk. He confirmed seeing the defendant become verbally abusive and physically abusive to the victim. The front desk clerk identified the defendant with the victim upon checking in together. The victim’s medical doctor testified. He presented the victim’s medical report to me and detailed the victims injuries consistent with assault. Finally, Bourbon and Joey confirmed they knew each other. Joey confessed that Bourbon paid him the first deposit for the hit on Adonis. Bourbon confessed he didn’t pay the final amount to Joey since he didn’t finish the job.” Y. I order you to serve five years in prison for kidnapping. Regarding the charge related to the conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder. I order you to serve ten years in prison. A total of fifteen years prison time with the possibility of parole. I believe you are remorseful. At the same time, the victim will carry the scars of your actions for the rest of her life. Your plot could have taken an innocent man’s life. During your time away, I hope you heal your heart and soul. Baillif take him out of my courtroom.” Brian took one final look at Bella and blew her a kiss before getting handcuffed.

Relieved, tears welled in Bella’s eyes, but the courtroom remained silent and tense. Though no applause broke out, the weight of justice hung heavy. Brian saw Kybella give Adonis a loving embrace. It felt like a punch to Brian’s gut to witness her embracing Game.

Then he hung his head low while witnessing Game walk out with Bella. From where Brian sat, half shadowed behind the guards, he could see the reporters swarm the hallway. Their cameras and microphones pointed straight at Bella and Game. They were seen asking her about the trial, but no one asked Brian anything. Brian felt like he wasn’t a person anymore but only a headline, a name behind the glass. Maybethat’s all he deserved. Brian heard Bella’s voice carry down the corridor, steady and clear, telling them she wanted to become a domestic violence advocate. That hit harder than the verdict. She was turning the worst thing he’d ever done into something meaningful, and he was just the reason she had to. Then, with barely a pause, she added, ‘If you’re suffering, call 911 and get out.’ No anger in her voice, just purpose. And then they turned and walked off together, still holding hands. That image stayed with him longer than the sentence they gave him.

15

Miranda Harris

Meanwhile, Miranda Harris was watching the world news at home. The news report came across the screen. It was a live recording of Kybella’s interview with the reporter. She couldn’t believe what she’d heard. “Did she say Joey Harris?” Miranda spoke out. She took the remote to rewind the recording to hear the statement again. She sat in disbelief at what she heard. It was her understanding her man was on a business trip in Paris. It was ironic she hadn’t spoken to Joey in a while. She figured something was wrong, but didn’t think it was something this bad.

She paced the floor thinking about her next move. She called Joey’s phone and received his voicemail message immediately. Joey promised her they’d go to Qatar for vacation when he got back from Paris. Now, she’d just found out he was in prison for attempted murder. After thinking about it, she went to their bedroom. There was a safe in there where Joey stashed money for emergencies. After entering the code, the safe opened. In the safe she’d found thousands of dollars and plane tickets. There were two one-way plan tickets to Qatar. Miranda took all the money and her plane ticket out of the safe. She made the decision to leave while she had time. The flight was scheduled to board in five hours. She quickly packed twosuitcases with important things and left for the airport. Miranda planned to leave for Qatar and never return home. It was the only way to remain clear of a connection with Joey. She’d been married to a professional assassin for a year and didn’t have a clue.God worked in mysterious ways.Now she didn’t have to work She packed her car and drove to the airport. After checking her purse for her passport and I.D., she sped up the highway. She would worry about moving her car to another location later and the things in her house. Time was moving fast.

As she rushed into the airport, she thought she’d seen a ghost. The person she saw caused her to drop her bag. “I’m sorry ma’am, I didn’t mean to bump into you.” The contents from her purse fell out. She rushed to pick everything up. As she was trying to pick everything up, the woman picked up her I.D. She looked at it and said, “Miranda Harris.” She snatched her I.D. and ran from her quickly. Miranda knew Bella recognized she was Joey’s wife. After checking in, checking in her bags, and going through TSA it was almost time to board her flight. The plane to Qatar was getting ready to board. Miranda ran to get inside quickly to avoid Bella.

“Babe, I think that was the hitman’s wife. I saw her driver’s license. It had to have been her. ”

“You’re possibly right. I can’t argue with a women’s intuition. I do sense you have a gift of discernment. I don’t blame her for trying to escape a bad circumstance. Let’s let her make it this time. If it was really his wife, she seemed like an innocent woman trying to leave. ”

“You’re right. My problem isn’t with her, it’s with her hitman husband. Let’s get out of Paris and get back to Dallas before something else crazy happens to us.” She spoke while touching his freshly shaved face.

∞∞∞

The guard escorted Brian back to his cell without a word. Once the clanged shut, he gave a nod, smirked and disappeared down the prison hall. Upon entering, he noticed another person’s stuff on his cot. A man cleared his throat. “What’s up homie? I’m sorry but that’s my bed. You’ll have to sleep on the other bed.” Brian stated. The man stared him down and smirked. He rolled his dental floss around his mouth. Standing up, the man rubbed his bald head. “I think you have me mistaken with someone else. I put my stuff on the bed where I’ll be sleeping. Your name wasn’t on the bed and a snitch don’t run me.” His new cellmate spoke while staring Brian in his eyes.

“Dude, who are you calling a snitch?”

The little boy I’m staring at, snitch!” Spit flew from his mouth toward Brian. Brian went toward the other bed which Bourbon used to sleep on and sat down. Yeah, I’m Mike Jones. I already heard about you snitching on Bourbon. The news about you telling the judge on Bourbon has spread. I think you better watch your back. The guys are ready to get at you.”

“I’m not worried about nothing. God is my redeemer and protector.” There was silence in the room. Mike Jones was twirling his thumbs while Brian read his Bible. Maybe the new problematic cellmate wasn’t a coincidence, maybe he was his bad karma finally showing up in a form he never expected. He prepared himself mentally for the war. After studying the word, it was time for lunch.

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