Upon hearing that statement, Judge Roberti wanted to investigate further.
«27 employees are many indeed. Mr. Thomander, how many sick leaves are usually taken each day by your employees?»
«Your Honour, there was a peak of 16 absences last year, but they usually don't go beyond a few units a day.»
Prosecutor Visser, feeling temporarily put aside, returned to the attack.
«Did you hear, Judge? A huge increase in absences due to illness and, incidentally, Mr. Deveux was working there that day!»
«Calm down, Prosecutor Visser, and don't forget to address me with the proper respect. Judge Roberti or Your Honour.»
Prosecutor Visser bowed again, but in that circumstance he also bent down and genuflected, remaining in that position for several moments.
«That's enough, Prosecutor. Get up», the judge commanded.
«Thank you, Excellency. As I said, in the period in which the accused provided his services to Minneman Company, an unusual number of employees got sick. Too many coincidences, Your Honour. Too many.»
Judge Roberti took a few moments to look at the list of charges on the screen behind him, then he wrote down some information on his computer.
«We have a fifth and final evidence against the defendant, am I right, Prosecutor?»
«Yes sir, Excellency! And, with your permission, I will immediately describe it! So... on May 6, the year number...»The prosecutor bit his lip, remembering the judge's warning. «I mean, on May 6th, at the aforementioned Minneman Company headquarters, one of the elevators broke down. What exactly happened, Mr. Thomander?»
«Prosecutor Visser, there was a malfunction in the main elevator, which leads up to the management plans. Some people got stuck inside.»
«Stuck inside, you say? Your Honour, I would rather call it a kidnapping! And the only responsible is that gentleman sitting there», he said, pointing to William Deveux with a fierce look. «But please, try to be more precise, Mr. Thomander: how many people and for how long?», Visser inquired.
«Eight people, Mr. Prosecutor. And for almost three hours.»
« Eight people for three hours!», Visser summed up, «If this is not a despicable criminal action then I'm a hot dog vendor!»
«It is more than obvious that you're not», Michael Roberti remarked ironically, while noting other information on the computer. The judge then raised his arm to pause the audience, informing them that he needed a few minutes to rearrange his ideas. A dead silence fell, as if the courtroom of East Eden turned into a religious temple. Only the increasingly frantic tapping of the judge's fingers on the keyboard could be heard. The militiaman in the rear, who had previously exclaimed against Delegate DiFraia, had to yawn. The colleague sitting next to him lightly elbowed him in the chest and signaled him to shut up. The judge would not be so tolerant that time. Judge Roberti finally spoke again, giving a brief summary of what had been said up to that point. He renewed the invitation to Delegate DiFraia to issue a declaration in defense of his client, but the lawyer renounced that right, thanking the magistrate for the concession. The judge agreed with Prosecutor Visser that the evidence against the defendant was ample and credible, but he wanted to reserve the right to investigate the circumstances of the listed episodes and only then move on to subsequent charges. At the end of the whole proceedings, and not before, he would express his binding opinion and issued a sentence. In the meanwhile, he admitted he was somewhat tired and decided to adjourn the session to a later date. Before the judge dismissed them, Prosecutor Visser - who had previously returned to his post to confabulate with Garreth Thomander - made a panther leap and warned the judge that one last essential detail was still missing. The one that would dispel any doubts about the defendant's guilt: the prosecution's timeline.
«Hmm, not sure if it's necessary. Anyway, go ahead, Visser», said Michael Roberti, a little annoyed because he was already looking forward to enjoying a good meal and giving himself a well-deserved rest.
«Your Honour, in order not to waste precious time, I go straight to the point: me and Mr. Thomander decided to describe the episodes in random order. Although we analyzed them that way, they still constitutes, in my humble opinion, an irrefutable evidence. However, let us now try to put them in the right sequence.»
Kasper Visser moved to the left side of the courtroom and pointed with a long plastic stick at the screen on which the list of evidence glowed.
«May I ask the Colleague Usher to dim the lights, please?»
The usher got up and, slowly and staggering, headed for the electric panel. Judge Roberti gave a deep sigh as if to say just what I needed right now.
«Excellent, colleague», Visser told the usher, to confirm that the lighting level was the right one. «Well, let's summarize quickly: the contract lasted about six weeks, between late March and early May. Do you confirm, Mr. Thomander?»
Garreth Thomander nodded. «From March 28 to May 8, to be more precise, Mr. Prosecutor.»
«Perfect. Now, it is more than obvious that Mr. Deveux could not - let's say - take action from day one. He clearly needed to analyze the environment, adapt, familiarize with the equipment and so on», Visser explained, twirling his stick to highlight the list. «Then at a certain point he felt confident enough and started to enact his plan. First of all, he spread some pathogen that ended up decimating the staff of Minneman Company. That was April 18th, as we saw before. A very smart decision, if you allow me. The fewer the prying eyes, the more the chances to act undisturbed.»
Kasper Visser made an ironic gesture, showing his thumb up, as if approving that choice.
«With fewer people around, and the company busy remedying numerous unforeseen absences, the actual sabotage began on April 21st, erasing and corrupting data. As Mr. Thomander clarified, maybe something happened shortly after that prevented the accused from completing his perfidious task, so he decided to put himself in stasis for a few days. We arrive at April 29th and Mr. Deveux finally found what he was looking for», said the prosecutor, emphasizing the word “finally” and faking relief, «that is, a secret project, potentially very profitable and capable of bringing great benefits to our community. And - aware of not being able to eliminate it completely - what did he do? He cunningly altered it, like a devious person would do.»
«Hey!», William Deveux protested. Delegate DiFraia once again asked him to remain silent and seated.
«Order!», the magistrate replied. «Mr. Visser, please be quick!»
«Yes, sir! So, as I was just saying, Mr. Deveux altered the project, but in a way so that the company couldn't notice it very soon, hoping that - once marketed - the product could cause serious damage. Financial damages for Minneman Company, health damages for our dear citizens of East Eden.»
The prosecutor twirled his stick again, then moved to the right side of the screen.
«We come, therefore, to the final phase of this macabre plan. To cover his misdeeds, the accused caused a blackout on May 4, so that people would blame the power outage. You know, if electrical and computer systems are not shut down properly, damage always occurs. Isn't it true, Deveux?»
William wisely refrained from answering.
«If Minneman managers had been unprepared, they would have believed those alterations were a mere consequence of the blackout and filed the case. But fortunately for us, you underestimated them, Deveux.»
Prosecutor Visser – all puffed up – walked towards the accused and stood in front of him with his hands on his hips as if to emphasize his shrewdness. He then did a pirouette and positioned himself back on the left side the screen to finish his invective.
«As a corollary of all this, we arrive at the date of May 6. The defendant, to corroborate the thesis of a “casual damage” due to the blackout, puts in place a last act of sabotage, damaging the main elevator of the building located in Melbourne Avenue and leaving innocent employees for hours and hours without food, without water and with little oxygen.» Visser tried to bring out all the drama an
d theatricality he had perfected through years and years of valuable service, with the hope that Judge Roberti would decide to immediately issue his ruling, without even examining the other charges.
«I sincerely hope», the prosecutor added, before going back to his seat, «that Your Honour, whose wisdom and judgment had been shown on so many occasions, will take into account the meticulous reconstruction by the accusing party - and by myself in particular - and proceed without delay to bring this scoundrel to justice!»
Judge Roberti hesitated a few seconds, thinking back to the careful yet also heartfelt examination of Kasper Visser. His eyes bounced left and right between the two counterparts like a spectator at a metalball game, remaining open-mouthed all the time, unable to assess what to do and take a quick decision. He had released most of the tension and was ready to adjourn the session to another date, but that last convincing speech by the prosecutor caught him by surprise. He could not overlook it and go on as if it had no relevance, yet he did not want to behave in a shallow way and hurry just because he felt tired and needed to rest. He therefore thought about it for a few minutes, then finally expressed his thoughts and thanked Visser for all the work he had done, yet he insisted that he wanted to postpone any decision until the end of the lawsuit. He informed William Deveux that the prosecution's case seemed to be more and more clear and the accusations against him more plausible, but he wanted to grant him the opportunity to exonerate or justify himself in a subsequent session. Then he got up and left the courtroom while the usher recited the farewell formula, inviting the participants to bow and pay homage to the magistrate. Visser, unlike before, contained his enthusiasm and his reverence: without a judge to admire him, any new expression of submission would just be a wasted effort. The prosecutor left the court a few seconds later the judge, greeting his colleague DiFraia with a simple nod. Then came the turn of the rest of that little audience and in the end only William Deveux, Alfred DiFraia and the usher remained; the latter stared at them from afar as if to urge them to leave so he could finally close the courtroom. William Deveux remained seated so Delegate DiFraia - who meanwhile had stood up - returned to his position and asked his client if he needed to dispel some doubt. William therefore took the chance to ask his lawyer why he had not taken advantage of the second opportunity offered to him by the magistrate to speak in his defense. «A mere procedural formality, Deveux», the delegate clarified, «in our legal system the judge in several circumstances encourages the losing party to express opinions, but all the delegates know well that they don't have to abuse that opportunity. It would be a lack of respect for the Court.»
«All just a fiction, then. Like the whole trial.»
«Don't be so stiff, Deveux!», Alfred DiFraia scolded him. «Everything in this world has rules; some written, others unwritten. We would live in chaos, otherwise. However, don't worry», the delegate added, «the outcome of the trial will not depend on it.»
«What, then?», William asked. DiFraia did not answer and searched his tunic as if he were looking for something. He eventually found his packet of cigarettes and pulled it out. He asked his client if he wanted to smoke but he refused.
«What does it depend on?», William repeated. Alfred DiFraia inhaled deeply and then decided to give him the requested information.
«It depends on the impression you make on the judge. Largely on that.»
«Just that?», William asked, in amazement. «I just have to hope the judge likes me?»
«Deveux, let's get this straight», said the delegate, sitting more comfortably on the chair, «the lawsuit is between you and a private company. Our Most Excellent Institute isn't directly involved; it has only a mediating role. I mean, it's not even a murder trial! I could swear that, deep down, Judge Roberti is quite bored. It's pretty obvious that if you had offended us – and not Minneman Company - we would have witnessed quite a different trial. If we had ever had a trial, you know...», DiFraia made it clear, emphasizing with a wave of the hand which was holding the cigarette.
«What should I do, then?», William Deveux inquired again.
«Be yourself, for now. Nothing more and nothing less. Today you've been attacked and you had a natural reaction, very genuine. And that's okay, I just ask you not to overreact. Maybe you didn't notice, but His Excellency liked it, even though he had to warn you about the consequences of inappropriate behavior. It's part of his job», the delegate explained, spreading his arms. «Don't overdo it, but don't change your attitude either. If you do, the judge will understand that you're trying to curry favor with him and he'll crush you with no mercy. I probably didn't tell you that», Alfred DiFraia continued, smiling, «His Excellency Roberti doesn't love panderers.»
«And the prosecutor doesn't know that?»
«Of course he knows!», replied the delegate, amused. «But it's his approach, the one he takes in all trials. If he suddenly changed it because of the judge...»
« The judge would crush him with no mercy», William said, completing his attorney's argument.
«You learn fast», DiFraia congratulated him, giving him a pat on the shoulder. The delegate then took his attention away from his client for a moment and looked around the courtroom. There was no one left but the usher, who was standing by the door, mumbling something. «You know, William, it was a good idea to take it easy before leaving. My colleagues will see you leave the building a lot after Judge Roberti and think you're self-confident, that you're not afraid of us. They will understand that you have nothing to hide, that you're convinced of your positions. And this news will travel fast. It will surely reach both judge and prosecutor.»
William fell silent as he listened to those words. He turned completely towards Alfred DiFraia, putting one leg under the other. He tried to say something, but the astonishment left him speechless and he felt confused for the umpteenth time. Alfred DiFraia noticed it and put out his cigarette in an ashtray. He asked William Deveux if he was feeling ill; William, after a while, shook himself and managed to answer.
«What... what do you mean with 'taking it easy before leaving'?»
«I don't get you», said the delegate, trying in vain to understand. William, just as the delegate had done a few minutes before, looked all around.
«But... does that mean I can go back home?»
Alfred DiFraia laughed again. «Do you want to sleep here, Deveux? The cells are not very comfortable, I tell you.»
William stayed serious and continued to look him straight in the eye, with his mouth open. DiFraia then realized that he was missing some important details.
«No, wait a minute, Deveux. Do you want me to believe you thought you had to remain in custody until the lawsuit was concluded? Are you kidding me?»
William didn't reply, stuck by surprise and unexpected joy.
«For the mercy of Our Most Excellent Institute!», exclaimed DiFraia, once he realized his client was serious. «That's why you were in no hurry to leave the building! You thought you had to stay here!» The delegate shook his head and could not hide his bitterness. «I'm a little disappointed, Deveux. I probably overrated you.»
William - who wanted to clarify the misunderstanding in one way or another - sensed the frustration in his defender and lowered his eyes, remaining silent.
«But... help me understand, William: what or who made you believe you had to stay in jail indefinitely?»
William thought about it for a while, but came up with nothing worth saying. «I... I don't know, I assumed that it worked that way», he vaguely tried to justify himself.
«You... assumed? Oh, I see. So, is this what people say about us? That we detain citizens at will and dispose of them at our leisure? Not everyone does things like that», the delegate stated, standing up. «Not everyone does such things», he repeated, more severely.
«I... I'm sorry.»
«It doesn't matter. Now follow me.»
They left the courtroom, allowing the usher to breathe a sigh of relief, then they walked the path backwards, in
single file. Alfred DiFraia greeted some militiamen in the corridors while William preferred to focus on the floor to avoid their looks. Once he reached the exit, the delegate barely waved his hand to greet William and then turned around, but the accused held him by the arm and tried to ask him for information. He mainly needed to know if and when they would come back to take him. DiFraia was about to rail against him, but was able to restrain himself in time; he then made sure no one had witnessed that embarrassing episode.
«Are you crazy, Deveux? Putting your hands on a Militia officer! If anyone had seen this, I would have been forced to have you arrested! Instead of listening to the rumors people spread, try to learn more about laws and procedures!»
«I'm sorry, I didn't want to get you into trouble, but...»
«I know, I know: you don't control your impulses, because you're sick», Alfred DiFraia interrupted him, raising his voice as if he wanted that any spectators hidden in the shadows could hear him loud.
«What should I do now?», William asked.
«Go home. Nothing else», DiFraia replied hastily. «Go. We'll let you know. Now go!», the delegate insisted, to overcome the hesitancy of the one who had disappointed him.
William Deveux ran to the social carrier stop. He didn't want to be seen with that eccentric tights on him a minute more. He tried to sit far from other passengers and did his best to avoid catching their eyes. However, he could not avoid hearing the laughters of some children who were playing a little further and were amused by that funny costume. One of them asked his mother why that gentleman was dressed like that; she told him something, hiding her mouth so as not to be heard. Because he was very bad, the obvious answer. Maybe it was true, after all, otherwise why did everything happen to him?
The Ruling Impulses Page 24