The Prime Minister's Daughter

by William Manchee

  Chapter 20

   

  When Kevin woke up Deviane was gone. He tried to move but discovered he was excruciatingly sore. Noticing his discomfort, a nurse brought him a pain pill. He ate his breakfast and then took a hot shower. He was about to go find out when he could leave when the Attorney General walked in.

  "Mr. Wells, how are you feeling today?" Sharad asked.

  "A little sore, but I think I'm going to live."

  "Good. I'm glad to hear it. Listen, I need to ask a favor of you."

  "Oh really? What's that?"

  "We've arrested some NDC leaders and I need you to come down to the courthouse to see if you can identify any of them. You might have seen them when you were kidnaped, or at the NDC headquarters."

  "Sure, no problem. How long will it take?"

  "Just a couple hours."

  "Okay. Have you seen Deviane. I thought she’d be here when I woke up?"

  "She went to see Kiran. Then she’s going home to shower and put on some fresh clothes. You’ll see her this afternoon.”

  "I should check on Kiran too."

  "Okay, Go ahead. I'll wait here."

  "Thanks," Kevin said as he hurried out of the room and went down the hall.

  When he walked in Kiran’s room, the Prime Minister was alone.

  "Oh, hi, Mr. Prime Minister."

  "You can call me Ahmad, Kevin. After all you're damn near part of the family. Although I wish you'd make up your mind which one of my daughters you love.”

  “Ah. Right.”

  “Kiran told us the wedding was off.”

  “I’m sorry. I had no idea I’d fall in love with Deviane. I really thought I loved Kiran, but as I got to know them both better and I found out Deviane loved me, everything changed.”

  “It’s not your fault. I just thought it would be such a wonderful match, you and Kiran. An American hero and my daughter. I thought it might bring Trinidad and America closer together. You know, soften some of the anti-American feeling that has been so rampant lately. But, it doesn’t matter which daughter you marry.”

  “So, you don’t object to me marrying Deviane?” Kevin asked.

  “No. Not at all. If there is love, so much the better.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.”

  “So, Sharad is going to take you to identify some of the NDC pigs, huh?"

  "That's what he says."

  "Listen, Kevin. We know for a fact that everyone we picked up was in on the assassination attempt and the kidnaping. I know you might not recognize them all, but so what. Who could challenge you if you did identify them all? We need to rid Trinidad of all these evil men, who would destroy democracy."

  "I can't falsely accuse someone, Ahmad. I told you that."

  "No, of course not, but don't hesitate to identify anyone who looks the least bit like one of the traitors. We have been carefully watching these people and have put together files on their sinister activities. Ask Sharad to show you the files. You will see that they all belong behind bars or at the end of a rope."

  "I'll identify anyone I recognize, don't worry."

  "Even if you don't identify them, we have enough on them to put them away for many years. It would just be a lot easier, you know, if you did recognize them. You know what a tough burden the State has to convict someone. This is why so many criminals are let go each year. We can’t let these traitors back on the street. Help us out here, Kevin.”

  "Like I said, I’ll identify anyone I recognize."

  The Prime Minister nodded.

  “So, where is Kiran,” Kevin asked.

  “Oh. She’s in x-ray. I thought maybe she’d be coming back soon, but apparently not. You better go with Ahmad. You’ll see her later, don’t worry.”

  Kevin nodded and left. Sharad took Kevin downtown to the courthouse where the prisoners were being detained. The building was crowded with spectators and members of the press. Sharad ordered the driver to take them into a private entrance underneath the courthouse. They got out of the car and went inside. The building was spacious and ornately decorated. It reminded Kevin of the Texas State Capitol building. They walked down the hall and through a private entrance, guarded by two security police.

  "Okay, Kevin, you've seen these two-way mirrors before, right?"

  "Sure."

  "Well, we're going to bring in five groups of eight men. Take your time. If you see anybody you recognize, let us know."

  "Okay."

  Kevin sat down and waited for the guards to bring in the first group. As they filed in, he looked them over very carefully.

  "The third man on the right, he was a guard I saw when they took off my blindfold at the prison."

  "Excellent. Anyone else?"

  "No, none of them look familiar."

  "All right, bring in the next group," Sharad yelled.

  The guards brought in the next group and Kevin scrutinized them as carefully as he had the first.

  "I've never seen any of these men before."

  "Are you sure, Kevin? I've got the files on these men. Would you like to see them?"

  "No, what good would that do? If I don't recognize them, nothing in that file is going to help."

  "Didn't the Prime Minister have a talk with you, Kevin?"

  "Yes, but I'm not going to lie, it wouldn't be right. I couldn't live with myself."

  "Kevin, these men are traitors. We know they were instrumental in the plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. Do your duty here."

  "Let me see the others. Maybe I'll recognize some of them."

  "Okay, bring in the next group."

  The third group walked in the room. Kevin hoped he would see someone he recognized but none of the men were at all familiar.

  "I'm sorry. I've never seen any of them."

  "Damn it, Kevin. We've gone to a lot of trouble to find the bastards who were responsible for your kidnaping. Don't you want to punish the men who nearly killed Kiran?"

  "Of course, but Kiran wouldn't want an innocent man dying either."

  "And Ahmad and I believe in justice too, but sometimes to obtain justice you have to do some things that are not pleasant. These men, they are all guilty! That's what I've been trying to tell you."

  "They have a right to a trial, don't they?"

  "Of course, and that’s why we need your help. With your testimony they will surely be convicted. Without it they will more than likely go free."

  "I won't do it. I'm sorry, it's not right. Would you please take me home?"

  "You're very naive, Kevin. I hope you understand what you've just done."

  "I've done the right thing, that's all that is important."

  "We shall see," Ahmad spat.