Linda Andrews - The Meltdown

And it will, especially the pictures. The bodies displayed on a forty-eight inch LCD screen should sway the jury and the audience. She handed the warrant to Lister.

He kissed the paper then addressed his MPs. “Arrest the puke, cuffs and everything, then throw him in our makeshift jail. If he resists shoot off his knee cap.”

Brother Bob opened his mouth then closed it again. “Opposing counsel should be given the opportunity to interview the witnesses.”

Mavis shrugged. That was the way it worked on TV. “The Sergeant-Major can answer his questions. The witness Emmanuel Saldana and other investigator, PFC Robertson have been a little… delayed.”

Brother Bob arched an eyebrow. “Do I want to know?”

“I don’t want to bias your opinion,” she lied.

A personnel carrier turned down the street. People rushed forward to get a better view before the Marines helped them back to the sidewalk.

When would they notice it was only one truck?

Murmurs started at the end and spread across the crowd. People rose on tiptoes and leaned to get a better view.

They’d noticed. The hair on her arms stood up. And they were not pleased. Excellent. Score one for her side. She cleared her throat. Now to play her part.

The truck slowed to a stop. The engine idled loudly then it finally fell silent. Behind the wheel, Jake Turner paled.

If this little homecoming unnerved him, the next bit should make him crap his pants.

Mavis stepped forward. “Alright, let’s unload the sick and injured.”

Four Marines hustled to the rear of the truck.

The crowd closed around the back. Some stared at the empty road then the single carrier as if trying to reconcile the two.

She stifled a smile. Everything was going as planned. Now to up the ante. “Where are the people with blankets and coats? We’ve got children here.”

Chains rattled as the gate dropped.

Jake opened his door.

Trent must have done the same on the other side.

Someone shouted, “It’s the reverend! Thank God he’s alive.”

David straightened, fists clenched at his side. He stomped into the street.

Brother Bob clamped a hand on his shoulder and reeled him back. “Easy, soldier.”

Good thing she insisted David leave his gun behind. Despite his promise, he might have shot Trent.

“Doc!” A Marine jogged over to her. Anger left spots in his cheeks. “The back is empty.”

Mavis looked over his shoulder, gauging the crowd’s reaction. “There should be fifty people in the back. Most of them children.”

Nearly everyone felt the need to protect children.

Confusion shifted to hostility. Men pushed forward. A few scrambled into the back. “It is empty.”

Anger lasered on the two men who’d ridden in the cab.

Trent sprinted around the front bumper. He raked a hand through is hair until the dirty blond locks stood on end. “Thank God we found you.”

Mavis nodded.

The two MPs marched forward. Handcuffs dangled from the fingers of one. “Trent Powers you’re under arrest.”

“What!” Trent reared back too late.

A silver bracelet dangled from his wrist. The MP quickly attached the other one, binding his hands in front, instead of back.

“You can’t do this!” He raised his arms to show the crowd. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

The crowd shuffled closer. Speculation swarmed like riled bees.

Airmen bracketed her and Brother Bob. Marines lined the walkway to the cafeteria keeping the path to the janitor’s closet-turned-jail free.

David cupped her elbow. “I wish I had my gun now.”

“We were attacked.” Trent shouted as the two MPs dragged him inside. “It’s not my fault the others aren’t with us.”

The buzz of voices grew in volume. She felt the tide of belief lap at Trent’s shores.

“The soldiers ran away instead of protecting us.” He jumped as the MPs shoved him through the door.

“Bastard.” David’s fingers dug into her muscle.

Mavis flinched but didn’t pull away. A bruise was a small price to pay to keep him from executing Trent. As for the crowd… She panned the audience.

Brother Bob shook his head. “Mr. Powers seems to have lost a bit of sympathy with that last bit.”

“True.” More than half of the audience dismissed Trent’s words. But several others had to think it over. A handful bought his words without thought.

“Worried?” David loosened his grip.

“Only twenty-five percent of the Colonists supported independence from England.” One in four. The number of people in the audience willing to think the worst of the military exceeded that now. She might have to rethink her timetable. “And look where that got us.”

Brother Bob scratched his freshly shaven chin. “The trial will help most see Trent Powers’ true nature.”

Yes, the trial. She turned her back to the crowd. Resting his hand on his holstered pistol, General Lister stood next to Jake Turner. The trial would start tomorrow. The mistrust must be contained. “Mr. Turner.”

Lister escorted the man over. “We were just having a little chat about our mutual friend.”

Jake Turner twisted the crucifix at his neck. The chain it hung on cut into his neck. “Ma’am.”

“I understand you are a criminal defense attorney.” Mavis held her hand out to David, who set a tablet computer on it.

Jake wedged a sausage thick finger under his coat collar and tugged. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. In the morning, you’ll be defending Trent Powers, insurance agent, on two charges of first degree murder.” She shoved the laptop into his chest. “The witnesses will be available to you once they arrive.”

Once she saw Sunnie was alive and well.

Jake swallowed hard. “Murder?”

The crowd fell back at the magic word. Soon they rearranged themselves into clumps to discuss the latest turn of events. Good thing they’d already sequestered the potential jurors. Even as she acknowledged their voices, she heard Trent being acquitted or convicted just on impressions he’d made. But the murder wasn’t the main topic: his pretense of being a man of God angered them more.

“Yes, murder in the first degree.” If the man could only speak one word sentences the case would be won too easily. There must be some sort of defense to protect the military, protect their fledgling society. “All the evidence is electronically recorded as are the statements and case notes.”

Jake flicked on the screen. Denise Powers hung from the loft of her house. Green tinged his cheeks. “I don’t know much about military law.”

“You don’t need to. Since both casualties were civilians, the Doc thinks it best to keep to civilian rules.” Lister tucked the warrant into Jake’s pocket and patted it.

“So there could be a jury?” Ignoring the warrant, the defense attorney pulled up another picture. Belinda’s battered face stared back at him. His hand shook as he turned off the screen.

“We’ve drawn up a list of names of people who’d sat on a trial before. Our prosecutor will go through the candidates with you for the actual selection.” Mavis’s hind brain niggled at her consciousness. Something was off here. “I know the trial will be a cruder version of what you’re used to, but it will be legal and binding. Given our current status, there will be no appeals.”

Execution would be carried out as quickly as the judge said the words.

Jake’s lips twitched. He tucked the book under his arm. “Then I guess I should consult with my client right away.”

Lister snapped his fingers and a Marine stepped from the crowd. “Escort counsel to his client.”

“He seems like a competent attorney.” Brother Bob stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets. “I think he’ll put on a good defense.”