Page 86 of Quasim III: King Inferno

Syn: I’m a single mom, B. Don’t have time for games.

I looked at my phone and didn’t bother to reply. Between the both of them, they weren’t going to drive me crazy.

“All rise. The United States District Court for theSouthern District of New Yorkis now in session, the Honorable Judge Case presiding.”

A petite woman with black curly hair appeared and sat up on that bench and looked at those in front of her. Had I not known Zoya, I wouldn’t have known this was her sister.

I didn’t know Kora that well, other than meeting her a few times, but I felt this immense sense of pride like I had known her forever. Not only did Menace raise a federal judge, but he also raised a top-ranking defense attorney. The shit was admirable, and although he was somewhere flying off the handle, I hope he was proud of what he accomplished with his sisters.

We sat back and listened to Mercer’s lawyer present the facts of allowing his client out before trial, and all that he wouldsurrender to be able to do so. My stomach growled, and I felt a nudge and Wylie handed me a protein bar.

“Thanks, Wy.”

He winked and continued to lean back with his arms folded while I discreetly took pieces of the bar to eat.

The US district attorney stated her case as to why he shouldn’t get bail, and Judge Case listened to both sides with a stone-walled face on. You couldn’t tell what she was thinking because her expression was cold.

I didn’t know if things were looking good for Mercer or not because she remained seated, and her head slowly moved from each side, listening to them argue why he should or shouldn’t be granted bail.

“Alright, enough with the pissing in my courtroom. You both have made your case... enough,” she sternly replied, and they both backed down as she looked at Mercer.

From the back, I couldn’t see his face but the back of him looked pretty pitiful. When he was arrested at that gala, he didn’t know what overcame him. He had no clue because he didn’t think people like him ever got caught.

People with his power were able to cause pain and trauma without ever having to pay for it. I watched as Capri walked over there and spoke to him before waving the agents over toward him. Hiswhat is the meaning of this?act was comical because he truly wanted everyone to believe this was a mistake and a case of the wrong person.

“Your Honor, my client is not a flight risk. He is a decorated public servant. The Surgeon General, with an impeccable record of service to this country. The prosecution’s argument rests on speculation, not substantiated risk. Yes, my client has traveled extensively because his role required it. He does not possess dual citizenship, nor is there any evidence that he has attempted to flee or evade justice.”

“Hmm.” Judge Case replied and everyone hung onto her every word as she looked down at papers she had in front of her.

The courtroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The only sound was of the papers moving as she took her time to scan everything. Tension was thick in the air from Mercer and his legal team wanting her to say something.

Anything.

“If we need to take a recess for you to decide, your honor. The people are perfectly fine with that.”

She looked up.

“I can make my decision right now, actually.” She cleared her throat and sat up in her chair as she looked at Mercer and his team. “While the defense has proposed various conditions of release, including surrendering passports and home confinement, the Court is not persuaded that these measures would effectively mitigate the risk. The weight of the evidence against the defendant, combined with his elevated status, influence, and global reach, creates a scenario where traditional monitoring would be insufficient.”

“Your hono—” The way she cut her eyes at Mercer’s defense would send a grown man crying.

“This Court finds that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance as required. The motion for bond is hereby DENIED. The defendant shall remain detained pending trial. Thank you.”

She slammed that gavel and stood up, leaving the courtroom as quickly as she came. Mercer was so red that he looked like the same shade I wore on my nails.

He was aggressively whispering something to his lawyer while they waited to put cuffs on him and hand him to the back.

“Good. Keep his sick ass in jail… give him a lifetime supply of fucking soap. The slipperiest soap they have.” Wylie stood upand held his arm out, and I linked mine with his as they both whisked me out of the courtroom.

Tookie: Can I see you? Want to make sure you’re good.

I cut my eyes at my phone, knowing that when he eventually saw me, it would be the last thing that he saw.

Tookie

Recommendation: Listen to Feel It In The Air by Beanie Sigel

Death was something serious,and I would know after losing my grandfather and then cousin. That shit wasn’t nothing to take lightly and as much as life continued moving, that shit stuck with you forever. You didn’t think the same, and every so often, you would be reminded of them and question how the fuck was this your life?

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