I stood up and grabbed my things while me and Kofi left the courtroom. “How long does it take?”
“We can have a verdict today, tomorrow or next week. Stay close by, grab something to eat from your hotel, and I’ll call you once I hear something.”
I went to use the bathroom while taking a few short breaths. Capri came into the bathroom and clapped her hands. “Fucking proud of you… the way you closed was perfect.”
“Think so? I wasn’t nervous and I’m usually always nervous on closing arguments.” I leaned against the sink.
“I think you fought this case like this was your own brothers. Kobi is innocent and we all know there is some corrupt shit happening, and he was a head on the chopping block.”
40: We need to link.
Both me and Capri’s phones chimed with forty’s name and knew that he knew something.
“Doesn’t make it better that he reaches out in the middle of this.” The text message disappeared, and Capri ducked into the stall when someone walked into the bathroom.
“He killed an innocent man, and you sleep at night knowing this.” The widow of the agent came into the bathroom.
This wasn’t our first time being in close quarters. I knew speaking to her would blow everything I worked hard on, and I quickly washed my hands.
“Now you know the rules… don’t speak to her,” Capri quickly exited the stall. “Leave now… use the bathroom down the hall.” Capri saw her out.
“Thank you.”
“She knows what she’s doing… I have to head back; I have court in a few. I love you and call the minute they have a verdict.”
“Will do. Love you too.”
She pushed to leave the bathroom, and a round of chimes could be heard from my phone and every phone from outside the doors. “Verdict is in.”
Her face was stone walled, as she held the door open for me. I called Kofi quickly, and he had only made it to his car. I rushed to the front and waited for him to get through the crowds quickly.
“This good or bad?”
“Honestly, I’ve never had a jury come back this quick. I was expecting at least a few hours or days.”
“Shit.” He whistled lowly.
Everyone was rushing back to the courtroom, and we rushed past the chaos. Between the pushing, I felt a hand on mylower back and looked to see Goo guiding me. We entered the courtroom, and I didn’t see him anymore.
My legs were shaking as we waited for them to call Kora back. When they did, I held onto the table while I stood. Kora walked out with a salad in her hand, probably surprised by how quick everyone came back.
“Madam Clerk, the jury has reached a verdict?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Please bring the jury in.”
“All rise for the jury,” the Bailiff called, and we all stood as each one filed in. I was good at reading people, but these bitches were stone faced. They weren’t letting a damn thing out.
“Madam, has the jury reached a unanimous verdict?”
“Yes.”
The Bailiff collected the paper and gave it to Kora. She opened it up, closed it and handed it back.
Like the jury, she wasn’t giving a damn thing. Not a swipe of the brow, or anything to let me know.
The clerk stood up. “In the matter of the United States vs Kofi Maze, on count one, we the jury find the defendant.”
