“Field Commander McClennan, the other judges and I have discussed this case at length.” She looked at him over her glasses. “You certainly don’t do things by halves do you?”
Jack gave her a weak smile. “I’ve been told that on a number of occasions, Your Honor.” Someone choked back a laugh, and he knew it was Rena.
The judge frowned at the assembly and continued. “We don’t usually conduct trials this quickly, either. Your lawyer asked Commander Frailer to be expeditious in this situation in the public’s best interest. The commander thought that was best and communicated those concerns to us.”
The judge cleared her throat and shuffled through the papers again. “You were here for the outcome of the Council’s trial. They won’t ever be free to do this kind of thing again.”
She made several notes then finally looked up, setting her glasses off to the side. She leaned forward and folded her hands on her desk. “Please rise, field commander.”
Jack swallowed hard as he and Harrison slowly stood. He glanced at Misty. His future was about to be decided, and he wondered what that would mean to them. Would she be strong enough to deal with what came next? He noticed Rena pointedly not look at him, and her lips were slightly curved in a small smile. What did she know?
“I’ll start with your team. You’ve requested they not serve any time, and you would take any penalties they incurred. So be it. Commander Frailer has asked that your team have their records expunged only if they will return to ULTRA to work for him. If they put one foot wrong, they will be dealt with.”
The judge stared at him. “That only leaves you. Since this tribunal was formed, we’ve never had a case like yours. In light of your evidence, we’ve cleared you of the original charges and wish to extend our apologies to you for all you have suffered.”
Jack nodded his head, unable to speak and wasn’t sure if he wanted to anyway.
The judge took a deep breath. “However, new charges were filed because of the acts you committed since then. The Court has reviewed all of the evidence, and we find you guilty of the following charges.” She picked up her glasses.
Jack cringed as the judge read from the long list. He frowned as the list went on and on. I did all that? It doesn’t seem like he’d had enough time.
“Ha! I knew you didn’t do things by halves,” Rena said telepathically.
He sighed. “Would you please let me concentrate?”
The judge set her glasses off to the side again. “In spite of everything you’ve done, you have served the nation and the world to your utmost capabilities. If not for you and your team, I shudder to think what the Council would have continued to do.” She paused and looked at Jack. “However, my personal feelings have no bearing and the High Court has no option but to sentence you as the law demands. None of us were happy with that, but Commander Frailer presented us with a solution.”
Jack glanced at Mike, but couldn’t see any betrayal of emotion on the commander’s face. He simply rocked back and forth on his feet, looking like he didn’t have a care in the world. Jack looked back at the judge when she cleared her throat.
“Commander Frailer has stated what you’ve been through has been more punishing than any prison sentence. We agree but that doesn’t serve the public’s best interest.” She leaned forward. “You will be remanded to an additional fifteen years at the HighPower Federal Containment Facility.”
Jack’s shoulders sagged, and his heart sank as he heard a sob from Misty. Fifteen years was a long time to be away from her. How would he make it? He closed his eyes, almost missing what the judge said next.
“This time will be commuted to probation, as the crimes committed were only against the conspirators and their members. You’ll only get this if you agree to the following two terms.”
She held up her fingers. “The first condition is you will return to duty at ULTRA, go back to your position as field commander and begin training the new recruits coming in. For the second condition, you will report only to Commander Frailer as his special agent to be utilized as he sees fit, without question. Any violation of these terms and you will go to HighPower to serve the entire sentence, not just what remains. Understood? You may consult with your councilor before you tell me what you decide.”
Jack turned to Harrison who just smiled and nodded. Misty ran to his side and he spun her around, kissing her soundly. Off to the side, he saw Mike high five with Rena. Mike had probably been working on this since the first time they talked. The fact that Rena knew didn’t surprise him at all.
“I accept the court’s judgment, your Honor.” He pulled Misty tight against him. “It’s a fair decision.”
The judge smiled. “We thought you’d agree. Keep out of trouble for a few years and everything should be fine.”
“Yeah, like that’ll happen,” Rena muttered, earning a frown from the judge.
“I’ll do my best, your Honor,” Jack said, pulling Misty closer to him.
The judge gathered her papers. “He’s your problem now, Michael. Next time, bring me a difficult case like ChessMaster and his Network.”
Mike nodded. “I’ll try harder on the next one.”
They left the courtroom and were besieged outside the doors by the media. Using her telekinesis, Rena pushed them back to let the small group get down the hallway. Mike stayed behind and held up his hands.
“I’ll have a statement to give you in about twenty minutes. Please be patient.”
Mike caught up to them. “Report to work on Monday. We’ll discuss everything then, including some honeymoon time. I’ll expect you in my office at eight in the morning.” He thrust his hands in his pockets and walked back to the media mob whistling “Funny Valentine.”
“Why do I get the feeling he’s getting the most out of this deal?” Jack asked no one in particular.
“Look at it from his point of view,” Misty said. “He’d just gotten back one of the best teams in ULTRA history. He’s gotten one of the top field commander back, too. He’s just increased his experienced agents by almost thirty. Life now is good for him and ULTRA. Let him have his moment of smugness.”
“Excuse me,” Rena interrupted. “But which house are you guys going to live in?” She grinned at Misty. “He could stay with all your gorgeous teammates.”
Misty frowned. “Not a chance.” She turned to Jack. “I vote we take your country house.”
He remembered the pictures he’d seen of Misty’s teammates. “Are you sure? I could live with the scenery at Angel Haven.”
Misty laughed, then instantly sobered. “No. Besides, they’ll drive you nuts. I need only refer to Rena as an example.”
“The country house it is,” Jack said.
Rena sighed. “I’m so unloved.”
****
Rena handed Misty more of her clothes from the dresser. “So, you’re really leaving?”
Misty smiled at her. “We can’t stay here forever. We all need our own lives.”
Rena watched Misty snap the catches shut on the suitcase. “What am I going to do without you?”
Misty stopped and pulled Rena into a tight hug. “I’ll still be around. You won’t be alone.”
“I know.” Rena stepped back and looked at her friend. “He’s good for you.”
“I’m glad you finally think so. After all, I did have to bully you into helping me.” Misty put the suitcase near the door.
Rena shrugged. “If I’d just given in, where would the challenge have been?”
Misty grinned. “I hear you.”
Smiles disappeared from their faces, and they held each other once more. “You really are my best friend, Red,” Misty said.
“Back at you.” Rena wiped her eyes. “Well, we can’t keep the big oaf waiting any longer. Grab a couple of bags and let’s get you downstairs.”
Misty walked down the main staircase where Jack waited for her at the bottom. They walked out to the car to begin their new life together.
And they had a bi
g wedding to plan…when they returned from that honeymoon he’d mentioned.
A word from the author...
I graduated from Mercy High in Baltimore, MD in 1981 and married an Air Force man in 1982. We have two amazing boys who have grown into amazing young men. We spent sixteen years in southern New Jersey, four of them at McGuire AFB and the rest in Hammonton. We currently live in Memphis, TN, where our cat rules all.
I’d love to hear from readers. Email me at:
[email protected]
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Bedeviled Angel Page 21