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“I respectfully invoke my rights under the Fifth Amendment…”
“Were you the one,” I yell over him, “that ordered them to be killed and abandoned?!”
“I respectfully invoke my rights under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and decline to answer your question.”
I look Roycroft in the eyes as he responds. He’s not getting away with this. He thinks he’s smarter than us. That he can play our game and win. He murdered two of my men in cold blood for nothing. Nothing.
“No further questions,” I say to the judge.
I head back to my seat, but we both know this isn’t over.
“No further questions for the witness,” Foley says.
Roycroft tries to walk calmly back to his seat with his crutches. But he’s stiff. Like he’s using every bit of concentration to try and remain composed.
“No further witnesses, your honor,” I tell Judge Korbel.
I hear Foley’s chair scrape the ground as he stands. “Your honor, based on the exculpatory evidence presented before us today, we would like to withdraw the charges against Mateo Barone and make a motion to dismiss this case without prejudice.”
“Thank you, Mr. Foley,” Judge Korbel replies. “Mateo Barone, the charges listed against you today have been dropped. This case is dismissed. Prosecutors do have the right to refile charges in the future.” Judge Korbel bangs his gavel.
Then he turns toward his bailiff. “Bailiff, could you please take Blaine Roycroft into custody?”
Blaine doesn’t put up a fight, but goes with the bailiff quietly. The judge leaves his seat and heads back to his chambers.
That’s it. I’m free. It feels strange not having Maurizio here to tell me what happens next or where I go to get my personal items.
I stand and look around. Foley exits the courtroom without looking back at me. The gallery is slowly emptying. I see Enzo in the back corner.
He lifts his head inquisitively toward me. I know what he’s asking. He waiting for the order. I nod. Enzo nods back and turns toward the courthouse door.
Then I search the room for Klein. When I find her, she’s face-to-face with Nicoletti on the other side of the courtroom. Their exchange looks tense. and I want to go over there and defend her. I want to make sure Nicoletti can’t do anything to hurt her. But Klein isn’t looking to me for help. She appears to be handling the conversation.
“Your things, Mr. Barone.”
I hear a voice behind me and turn around.
An officer lays a large envelope on the table. The one they put all my belongings in when I was arrested.
“Thanks,” I nod. I pick up the envelope and peer into it, making sure everything is there.
When I turn around, Nicoletti and is gone. Klein is leaning against the wall of the courtroom, her arms crossed in front of her, looking at me. There are only a few people left, mingling around.
I make my way across the room, not taking my eyes off her for a second. The relief I feel in this moment, my gratitude to her, is only rivaled by my need to be with her and away from this place as soon as humanly possible.
27
KLEIN
I’m sorelieved that the charges against Mateo are dropped. I knew they had to be. Still, I try not to let my reaction show in the courthouse. I want to run to Mateo and hug him, but I hold myself back. I don’t have to wonder if I’ll have a chance to celebrate with him soon.
As I get into the aisle at the edge of the courtroom, Nicoletti approaches me. I knew he would. His face is filled with rage.
“What the fuck was that?” he spits at me. He doesn’t yell, but the people around us still turn when they hear him. When they realize it’s him, they look away again.
“You tell me,” I throw back at him. “Were you a part of this?”
I watch for any reaction in his face, but his expression doesn’t change.
