He wasn't so worried about the townsfolk in this case, but the perception of the rest of the world. He'd seen it so many times before. Something like this happened and if it got out, every civil rights group from Able to Zane would come out in protest.
Chase remembered meeting Jerome. It was last year at the town's annual Christmas party. He was talking with Lionel and trying to find a way to escape him when this tall black guy and some of his group members walked in. Everyone hushed. Jerome walked right over to him and Lionel and introduced himself.
Being ever gracious, Chase greeted him, but could not shake the feeling of discomfort that followed. He felt the same when he looked at the banker, Lionel. It was something wrong with those two men. He shuddered at the memory and the reflected on Jacob. He'd spoken with Jacob several times, and in his honest opinion, this guy was not a murderer. There was no way he'd go for Murder one, because he instinctively believed whatever Jacob had done was in self-defense. He'd talked to Tasha, and he didn't believe her story. She was scared. He knew this but he'd wait and try to get the truth from her. Chase sighed. He hoped that this issue could be resolved soon because he, like so many others, didn't want to send a man to prison for defending himself.
Chase thought about the black community in this small town. They welcomed him, and he appreciated it. Being the only child of a single Mom, he loved the sense of community and togetherness he felt here in this small town. This was home now, and he'd do whatever it took to make sure justice was served, even if it meant sending a beloved community member to prison. He prayed that it didn't get that far.
The initial hearing for bail was scheduled at one right after lunch. Chase knew he'd hear from Sunnet before appearing in court to discuss what charges he planned to level. Maybe they could strike up some sort of deal. He sat in his office contemplating when Pastor Frank Henry stopped by to see him. Never one to disrespect an elder, he invited him in and listened.
"Son, this will be your toughest challenge. You have to argue the law. We both know that Jerome was a disgusting pig. He was a rotten scourge in our community. The thing is, if one of our boys had killed him, they'd go straight to jail for murder. No questions asked, and no real defense needed. They would be seen as thugs just like him, and no one would even be upset. He made his choices son. He was wrong." Pastor Henry took a deep breath. He faced the young attorney sitting at the desk before him. He continued, "I have lived here for my entire life. I was young when I moved here. The people here have their issues son, but being racist isn't one of them. Everyone in this town knows that Jerome is not as innocent as some would have you believe, but then again Jacob did kill him. In that thought he is a murderer. I don't know what happened, but I know the truth will come out. You have to listen to all sides son and not let anyone influence you, even me. You already know the truth, so do what you know is right. No matter how you handle this, we will support you." Pastor Henry concluded.
Chase stood and shook Pastor's Henry hand, accepting the pastor's sage advice. Pastor Henry stood. He wanted to talk with Raymond and Seth's family and they would go to the hospital to pray. He left and Chase contemplated some more.
Every since Jacob was arrested, his office had calls coming in from several groups that fought against racial discrimination in any form. He answered each a call, and explained that the situation would be judged on basis of the law, not race. The groups thanked him for his answer and then informed him that they would be sending representatives to make sure Jerome got justice. For some reason, the pastor's words comforted him. He knew this would be an uphill battle, but for once he wasn't fighting alone. The people here would stand with him.
His phone rang once more. It was a caller from an activist group. Not ever to be rude, Chase answered and explained his stance. This case would be handled by the merits of the law. The gentleman who introduced himself as Reverend Xavier Smith spoke candidly to the young lawyer.
"Listen son," an older gentleman explained to him. "I am not racist. I love everyone, but in this country if you are black you are assumed guilty before innocent. From what I was told, this man killed one man and put two in the hospital. The thing is if he were black, we'd stay out of it. But he is white and we cannot sit here and let them keep getting away with killing young black men. Think about it, if it was a black guy that hurt two white boys and killed a white man, would he get a slap on the wrist? So, you do your job, and we will be there to do ours." He surmised.
Chase was now flustered. He suspected this would happen and now it seemed that the town would have activist descending before noon. He had to talk to Tasha. If she recanted and told the truth, it would go a long way in alleviating tensions. However, her insistence that Jacob was just a hateful killer fueled the fire. A racial powder keg was about to explode and he had to find a way to diffuse it. Maybe Raymond or Seth would awake and they could help clear up this mess. Either way, he needed to get a handle on things, and he had to do so now.
Meanwhile, Sunnet talked with Jacob. He had calmed enough to explain that the den was under attack and he feared the worse. She couldn't fix that situation, but she could try to get him out so he could go home. She spoke, "Jacob, be calm. I will do everything I can to get you out so you can go home. I won't promise a miracle, but I'll do the best I can." She grasped his hand. He covered her hand with his and held it against his cheek. Her scent soothed his beast, and he knew she'd fight for him.
"Thank you Sunnet. Thank you." He whispered. He spoke so low that she was worried. Out of all the time that she had known Jacob Kingsley, he never seemed so depressed. She had to get him out of here and back to his family.
"I'll be back, OK. Stay calm." She pleaded, fighting the urge to just hug him close. She needed to hold him, but that was inappropriate and highly unusual. She needed to talk with Chase. This man was not a murderer.
As she exited the precinct her phone rang. Her boss was calling because he'd just received notice of the extended leave she had requested. She took a moment to explain what happened and he didn't like it. However, Sunnet was one of the best members of his team. If she took on this case then she had a reason to. She assured her boss that she'd be back and could tell he wanted to say something else. She waited and finally he spoke. "This case, this guy, is he just a client, or do I need to be worried?" he asked.
Sunnet was stunned. At first, she didn't understand the nature of this question and then she realized that it was personal. She answered as honestly as she could, "He's a friend."
The voice on the other end paused. "I'm joining you. I'll be there within the hour." He explained. Before Sunnet could reply, he hung up. Not willing to focus on her strange boss any longer, Sunnet called Chase and he agreed to see her immediately.
*****
Marcus and Ja'Mal fought with every ounce of strength they had within them. Lionel seemed unstoppable. Several wolves were injured, some killed even. Ja'Mal ordered that the injured wolves be taken to the medical center. Healers were there and they treated them immediately. He looked around; so many members of his pack had fallen, but as many were still fighting.
Lionel was unstoppable. The wounds they inflicted healed instantly. He was superhuman strength, and they were weakening by the second. It was at this point Logan and Marcus attacked the demon simultaneously. Several others wolves joined, all were bloodied and Ja'Mal knew he had to end this.
Love, let me join you. We can defeat him bout we must unite.
Kerri sent.
No, stay hidden. If I say run, get out.
Ja'Mal replied.
Ja'Mal. Take my strength. Absorb the power of the Wapjanli. She will help destroy the demon.
she insisted.
Out of options Jamal asked one question.
HOW?
Close your eyes, I'm coming.
Kerri whispered. Lionel saw Ja'Mal entered into a trance and he knew he was allowing the wapjanli to help. He had to kill him now. As he lunged for Jamal, Logan pounced, knocking him sideways, diverting him from his target. It was then that Marcus too joined in covering the monster fighting viciously. With a swipe of his arm, his claws rent into Logan's side slicing him open, he yelped and went down. The blow was fatal and Marcus attacked even more.
Jamal stood snarling at the creature before him, and Wapjanli spoke. "You pathetic creature, you will die today, and the sad thing is no one will even miss you."
Jamal approached T'chumekia slowly, stalking his prey. Tossing Marcus aside, the demon faced the one thing he hated more that living. He faced the Wapjanli. Marcus rushed to Logan and along with the help of some other warriors they rushed him to the triage until at the medical center. He was so weak, lost so much blood. His wound was devastating. The medics worked on him as best they could, but they feared he would not make it.
Meanwhile, Jamal ordered the pack members to stand down this was the end. Either Lionel would die or he would, but as far as he was concerned this was over.
