Thursday, October 14, 2021

Katarina and Peter (F) 1 of 6

Justice Beche pushed a folder across the small table toward Peter Linton. He nodded and opened up to the stack of documents.

“Well,” he said, “I do appreciate the irony, Katarina, you being sent to deliver my sentence.”

She nodded in the direction of the court videographer. “Please, Justice Beche if you don’t mind.”

“Of course. Why would I mind?” He smiled.

“The first document is the Case Summary—this is your copy to keep, of course.”

Peter set it to the side. “Next?”

“The second document is the Verdict Affirmation. The top sheet is a summary review.”

“I was surprised Kat—Justice Beche—you didn’t take the partnership at Martin and Clarkson.”

“Please, Professor Linton—“

“No longer obviously. Just Peter.”

“Dr. Linton, please. The third set is the Sentencing section. In the appendix are the sentencing guidelines per State Statute 34B-221. Do you have any questions before I review the sentence?”

He held her gaze for a moment. “You didn’t marry that Ted, Junior at the hedge fund?”

“Dr. Linton, this is an official proceeding of the court. You are being sentenced for crimes against the state. You will conduct yourself in the manner of being before a justice in a courtroom. Understood?”

“Indeed. Onward then.”

“On the charge of inciting public lawlessness, you were found guilty by a vote of 5-2.”

“Power of the pen, I suppose. You wrote as well as anyone I ever had in my constitutional law course. Now here you are, a Justice at 39.”

“Dr. Linton, please. On the charge of threatening the prime minister with physical violence, you were found guilty by a vote of 7-0.”

“Yes.”

“On the charges of both libel and slander directed again the prime minister, you were found guilty by a vote of 7-0. Any questions at this point?”

“Absolutely none.”

“Please sign and date the next page, the Affidavit of Judgment.”

Peter pushed the signed sheet back toward her. “Will this ankle bracelet being coming off soon?”

“The sentencing section will answer most of your questions.”

“Patience then? See, I am already on the virtuous path.”

“Dr. Linton, having been found guilty of all charges presented before the High Court, you are sentenced to ten years beginning in 48 hours from this hearing with the following provisos.”

Peter shifted in his chair as Justice Beche took a sip of water.

“You are to take up residence in the guest quarters of the French Consulate—“

“The old consulate?”

“Yes, even as they still have nearly 20 years on the lease on that compound, they have agreed to this arrangement.”

Peter shook his head. “Amazing. So helpful.”

“You will be confined to the quarters and the courtyard. You will have access to the library room once a week for two hours. You will not be permitted internet access, email, or a personal phone of any kind. If you wish to place a phone call, you must request—in writing—at what time and name the person to be contacted.”

“Any chance I’ll get a French chef?”

“You will be provided groceries once a week after you fill out the appropriate requisition form.”

“Spending limit?”

“Yes, $80 per week. Now, you will be allowed your laptop, without wireless capacity, two suitcases for all clothing items, two medium boxes for books, toiletries, and a subscription to one daily newspaper of your choice. Questions?”

“So who will be watching me? You?”

“The consulate has state of the art technology and the state security team will be linked to it around the clock.”

“So no access to the wine cellar?”

“You may spend your food and beverage budget as you deem suitable.”

“Well, you certainly have comported yourself with all due dignity, Katarina. The ankle bracelet?”

“It will be removed after you have been secured at the consulate—Dr. Linton.”

“Now, one last thing—Justice Beche. Visitors? My granddaughter specifically?”

“You may have one visitor—supervised, of course—in the library for one hour each week.” She stacked the folders together neatly and nodded to the videographer to end the recording.

“But my granddaughter, specifically?”

“She is a minor and therefore will not be allowed of course to visit a convicted felon. Especially one deemed a threat to national security.”

“That is that bastard Wasserman talking! Threat to national security. What nonsense, Katarina."

She stood. “The Chief Justice was very clear on the matter, security considerations are paramount.”

“But—“

“Transport will arrive in forty-eight hours. Be ready, Dr. Linton. Guard!”

The guard opened the front door of Peter’s apartment.

“Good day, Dr. Linton.”

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Katarina.”

She nodded and followed the videographer out into the hall. The door closed, the guard snapped the lock, and Peter Linton, elbows on the table, put his head in his hands.

Lyman 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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