The Mullinix Book 1: Ascension

  Chapter 56 - The First Time

  Medoferro looked around the anteroom nervously, his mind racing and telling him over and over that he was nuts for doing this. He knew he had no business doing a murder case. He hadn’t even handled a simple case yet, let alone one where someone’s life was at stake.

  "You look a little pale, Medoferro," Colonel Serim said, "You coming down with what Massimaferro has?"

  "I’m fine, Colonel," Medoferro said, "Just a bit nervous is all."

  "I would be too," Serim admitted, "I’m glad I’ve never had to do one of these murder cases."

  "What do you know about this one?" Medoferro asked him, "Just so I’m not completely blindsided."

  "It’s a heinous one, but should be simple," Serim told him, "The young man confessed. A child was murdered a few days ago."

  "Great way to start your first session," Medoferro grumbled, "He confessed?"

  "Yes," Serim nodded, "Should be a simple presentation of the evidence and you passing judgment. You have at least heard one of these before, right?"

  "Two of them," Medoferro said, "One guilty, one not."

  "If guilty without any reason, just give him the final choice," Serim told him, "I know, easier said than done. But it is your duty in doing the session."

  "Let’s get it over with," Medoferro said, "We have three cases left, right?"

  "Two minor squabbles and that," Serim nodded, "What do you want first?"

  "The squabbles," Medoferro said without hesitation, "I want to get my feet wet before I go full out."

  "I’ll get them ready," Serim told him and pointed at Massimaferro, "Good luck in getting him out."

  "I’ll worry about him," Medoferro said, "Just be ready and if you have information, don’t be shy in telling me."

  "Right," Serim agreed.

  "I’m not an invalid," Massimaferro grunted, "Just don’t feel well…"

  "You should be in bed," Coblein told him, "Not doing this."

  "I can make it," Massimaferro insisted and stood up, "Let’s go do this, Medo."

  Massimaferro wobbled a bit and Medo and Ari had to catch him. It took nearly a minute to get him steady, though walking was still out of the question. Massimaferro looked a bit glassy eyed on top of having trouble moving.

  "I’m ok," Massimaferro protested weakly.

  "Bullshit," Medoferro said, "Hold on a bit…"

  Medoferro used his power sense to look at Massimaferro. He found a power point on the man and gently made contact with it, pushing a little power in to him to give him an extra boost. It was much the same process he’d used on Stacy during the fight, though he had to concentrate harder on Massimaferro for some reason.

  "What are you doing, Medo?" Massimaferro asked him, "I still feel lousy, but I can move."

  "I’m pushing power to you like the old man taught me," Medoferro said, "Stay within a few feet of me until you’re sitting down. I’m going to have to let go of the link to listen properly during the session, but this should get you out there."

  "I’ll take it," Massimaferro agreed, "Let’s do it before you tire yourself out."

  "Let’s go," Serim agreed, "We’ll go solemn. I’ll lead as the local man and introduce you. Massimaferro can take the seat right next to Medoferro, allowing him to do whatever the hell he’s doing to keep you upright until you get seated."

  Colonel Serim led the way as Medoferro and Massimaferro walked side by side. The power drain on Medoferro was getting worse as they walked, but they both did a good job of looking like they were where they wanted to be. Once Massimaferro sat down Medoferro did the same and gently let go of the power stream. Massimaferro had a bit of trouble staying upright, but managed a smile and a wave.

  "We have a treat for today," Colonel Serim told the assembled crowd, "Apprentice Mullinix Medoferro will be taking the rest of today’s cases."

  "Thank you," Medoferro said, using all the will he could muster to keep his voice even and deep, "Bring in the first case, please."

  "Certainly," Colonel Serim said, sparing a quick glance at Massimaferro, "Colton vs. Gaget, child custody arrangement."

  "Very well," Medoferro said, hoping he could get this right, "What is the situation?"

  "This coupling fell apart six months ago and they have been unable to come up with child care agreements," Colonel Serim told him, "The parties are present, as are the children. Mr. Colton is refusing to support his children."

  "I refuse to pay for a child she won’t let me see," Mr. Colton said.

  "That’s nice," Medoferro said, suddenly getting a dislike for the man, "Wait until your turn to speak please."

  "They are his children!" Miss Gaget shrieked, "He should have to support them!"

  "They aren’t!" Mr. Colton said.

  "Silence!" Medoferro said, "I want order and I want it now!"

  Medoferro grumbled internally, realizing that cases like this were not something he was going to enjoy. He spent the next twenty minutes listening to each side bicker about it and realized that there was going to be no pleasing any of them. Seeing as nothing was going to make either of them happy he decided to piss them both off.

  "I’ve had enough of this," Medoferro said quietly, "You have a choice. You can settle this now or I will make a decision that neither of you will like."

  This set off another round of bickering and Medoferro decided he had enough. He was certain that both sets of parents were equally bad, so he figured he had a novel way to make sure they both took care of their kids and paid their share. He raised his hands for silence, which took a minute to come.

  "Since you hate each other equally you can take my decision," Medoferro said, "Neither of you are getting sole custody."

  "You can’t do that!" Colton exclaimed.

  "Read your Mullinix law," Medoferro said, "Yes I can. Now shut up and listen to my decision."

  The harsh rebuke was something that neither side expected out of the young Mullinix. Medoferro smiled and stood up, deciding he wanted to pace a little as he framed his decision.

  "Since you can’t agree on anything I’m going to make it so you don’t have to," Medoferro said, "You are hooked together by those three children and they deserve better than this. You’re doing more damage to them than you are each other."

  Medoferro looked over at the parents, who were flinching at the rebuke.

  "You will remain living within two miles of each other," Medoferro told them, "Three days each week will be spent with each parent, who will pay to feed them on those days. Clothing costs will be shared equally between the two parents."

  "That’s insane!" Gaget yelled.

  "So is what you’re doing to these children," Medoferro told them, "The off day of the week will be spent on alternating weeks with each parent."

  Massimaferro, still trying hard to maintain himself, looked at Medoferro with curiosity, wondering what the young man was actually up to. He wasn’t about to interfere, however, as he thought Medoferro was actually doing a pretty good job.

  "To ensure that neither of you try to poison your children against the other," Medoferro continued, "They will be checked out and asked questions about their time at home once a week at random times by the local Colonel. Should either of you try that sort of thing you will lose your rights and pay double support."

  Jaws dropped around the room at the judgment, but it was accepted. Medoferro looked at the two parents, neither of whom expected anything like this. Colonel Serim couldn’t help but smile at this. The problems between these two had been a festering sore in his area for months.

  "Next case please," Medoferro said, looking at everyone.

  "Good show, Medo," Massimaferro said quietly, "Now let’s see if you can handle another one…"

  Medoferro looked over at Massimaferro, who was still looking fairly well despite the pain that was emanating from the Mullinix. He went through the next case very easily, it being a simple case of theft. The young man was
guilty and took the mercy of the Mullinix. Medoferro did a restitution and community service sentence, taking a total of ten minutes for the whole thing.

  "Doing well, Medoferro," Colonel Serim said, "You ready for the murder case?"

  "Let’s get this over with," Medoferro grumbled, "The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can put him to bed and get him better so I don’t have to do another one anytime soon."

  Colonel Serim looked at Massimaferro and he nodded, indicating that he was ready for this to move on as well. Colonel Serim stood up and called out the murder case, causing a few murmurs in the room as they knew full well that this was Medoferro’s first batch of cases.

  "Mullinix," Colonel Serim said loudly, "I regret that I must bring you this case, an abomination in the public eye, a murder of an innocent child."

  "I see," Medoferro said, "And do we have the accused here today?"

  "We do, Mullinix," Serim told him, "A male citizen, Robert Morgan, stands accused today of this crime."

  "Bring him out," Medoferro instructed, as he’d seen Massimaferro do before, "Let him stand before the court and receive Mullinix Justice."

  "Bring out Citizen Morgan," Colonel Serim ordered.

  The guards brought out the young man accused of the crime. He was a thin man, not much older than Medoferro himself. Medoferro was surprised, because Morgan looked like he was going to fall over from fright as he was brought into the room. Medoferro looked at Massimaferro, but he was no real help because he was beginning to glass over a little.

  "Proceed with the public reading of the facts of this case," Medoferro asked Serim.

  "A child of two citizens, Angela Storm, was murdered four nights ago," Serim told the assembled room and the Mullinix, "Her body was found in the cove down the road, there are pictures available of the scene and the body."

  "I’ll take the file now," Medoferro said, receiving it from Serim and opening it up, "Go ahead and continue with the presentation of facts."

  "The child went missing that day," Serim said, "It was…"

  Medoferro half listened to the description, but was more interested in the person sitting in the chair of the accused. The description of the scene was necessary, but not overly enlightening. Medoferro used the time to look over the young man and the crowd. When it came to the description of the confession, Medoferro perked up again and listened to the reading of it.

  "According to the confession, given freely to the guards," Serim said, "Robert Morgan took the child to a clearing…"

  "Let me read it for myself please," Medoferro said, dispensing with some of the formality, "It will go faster and spare the family present from reliving the details."

  "Very well, Mullinix," Serim nodded, relieved at not having to do that.

  Medoferro read the grisly details, which mainly included the child being brought to that clearing and being raped and murdered. Medoferro sighed as he read it and tried to place the words with the young man he was seeing in front of him. He tried to read the young man and got little but fear.

  "Continue with your presentation Colonel," Medoferro said when he finished reading.

  Serim did so, as the local Colonels usually did in this type of case. Medoferro watched the proceedings and kept his eye on Robert Morgan. The young man kept looking around the room, especially over in the far corner of the gallery. Medoferro tried to figure out who the young man was looking at, but it wasn’t a connection he could readily notice.

  "Mullinix," Serim said when he was done presenting, "I have finished the guard presentation of the evidence. Would you care to question anyone?"

  "Yes I would," Medoferro nodded, "But I’d like to see the pictures again before I do so. No need to hold everyone here while I stare. Ten minute break while I examine the photographs."

  Colonel Serim nodded and released the room. He handed the folder of pictures over to Medoferro and he started to look through them. They saw no need to leave the room as Medoferro looked at the pictures. Colonel Serim and Massimaferro looked at Medoferro as he did so.

  "You didn’t have to release the room for this you know," Massimaferro said, "We’re supposed to take our time with these."

  "I had you do it for another reason," Medoferro said as he still looked at them, "How hard would it be to find a child roughly the same age, build and hair color as the murdered girl?"

  "Not very," Serim said, "Why?"

  "I want you to find one and place her in the front row," Medoferro said, "I want to know who looks at her."

  "You don’t think he did it, did you," Massimaferro said, "You sure you don’t want me to take this?"

  Massimaferro finished this statement and began coughing again, proving that he wasn’t up to it. Medoferro sighed and shook his head. He knew he could finish it, especially if his hunch was right.

  "I can do it," Medoferro said, "Probably better than you in this case."

  "I’ll go get the child," Serim said, "I’ll be back in five. Will she have to do anything?"

  "Sit in the front row in plain sight," Medoferro told him, "That’s all."

  "Will do," Serim agreed.

  "What are you thinking?" Massimaferro said, "I’m trying to keep up…"

  "You should be in bed," Medoferro said, "Promise me that you’re not going to play the hero and try to do anything after this case is done?"

  "Straight to bed, I promise," Massimaferro told him, "You’re doing all right as far as I can tell."

  "I think Morgan is bowing to someone in here," Medoferro said, "I can’t tell who though. The one thing I will be able to tell though, is if someone is projecting sexual need towards that child."

  "How?" Massimaferro asked him.

  "I’ve been watching people the way the old man taught me," Medoferro explained, "I’ve noticed that sexual preference exudes from them. When Simon looks at Sascha I can tell he wants her. The steward at the palace is gay and I can tell when he looks at the teenage men at the palace."

  "How will that help you now?" Massimaferro asked.

  "Children as young as this girl don’t push that preference," Medoferro explained, "But if someone is pushing that preference on them, I’ll be able to tell and possibly will be able to tell who."

  "I’ll take your word for it," Massimaferro said, "If it gets the truth though, I’m all for it."

  "Let’s just hope I’m right," Medoferro said, "I seriously hate this job now, by the way."

  "Everyone hates murder cases," Massimaferro chuckled, "You’re doing fine. Better than I did my first time, that’s for sure."

  "That’s nice," Medoferro said, "Doesn’t help but I'll take what I can get."

  "Get it over with," Massimaferro told him before going into another coughing fit, "Before I fall over completely."

  Medoferro nodded and Massimaferro coughed once more as the people came in the room. Colonel Serim did a good job in recruiting a child, putting a young blonde girl in the seat that Medoferro requested. Medoferro watched as they led the young defendant in. He was looking for signs of emotion from the young man, but the only thing he saw was fear.

  "Would you like to begin your questioning, Mullinix?" Colonel Serim asked him after he reintroduced the session.

  "Yes," Medoferro said, "Stand up, Robert."

  Robert Morgan looked around for a moment before he did what he was told. Medoferro couldn’t pick up anything from the young man. He stood up as well and decided to pace a little bit. He stood up to full height and looked at the young man as he posed his first question.

  "Is this statement correct?" Medoferro asked him, "Did you kill that little girl?"

  "I am responsible for her death," Morgan told him.

  The odd phrasing of that statement was not lost on Medoferro, though it was on nearly everyone else in the room. The young man’s voice was almost cracking at the strain on it. Medoferro looked hard at the young man, trying to make him nervous, something he was succeeding well with.

&nbs
p; "How did you kill her, Robert?" Medoferro asked him, "I want you to describe it for me."

  Medoferro looked straight at the young man. It was all he could do to keep himself from cracking himself, but Medoferro realized that for this to work Robert Morgan had to be scared out of his mind. Robert froze a little, then started looking around again, which is what Medoferro was looking for.

  Morgan looked up the center row and gave Medoferro the direction he was looking for. Someone was projecting at the child in a way they shouldn’t have been, but Medoferro hadn’t been able to detect where it was coming from until he got that bit of direction from the scared defendant.

  "I want an answer, Robert," Medoferro told him, while trying to narrow down who it was in the crowd, "I expect you to answer me."

  "I took her to that clearing and I…" Robert said and trailed off.

  Medoferro knew then that the defendant didn’t do it. He wasn’t lying though, so it was apparent that Robert Morgan believed he did it. Medoferro encouraged the young man to keep talking, digging the hole for himself deeper.

  "I want details, Robert," Medoferro told him, getting sick of the horsing around, "How did you do it? Why did you do it?"

  "I… I…" Robert Morgan stammered, "I don’t remember…"

  "You didn’t do it at all, did you?" Medoferro asked him, wanting to see the response he gave.

  "I did!" Morgan exclaimed, "I had to have… I was responsible…"

  "No," Medoferro said shaking his head, "I think not. Tell me what really happened."

  "But he said I was responsible," Robert said, almost crying, "I did those awful things, but I was too drunk to remember them…"

  "Who said you were responsible?" Medoferro asked, knowing it was going to be the man in the second row, "Who, Robert?"

  "No one!" Robert said, "I was drunk and I did it…"

  "Then why are you looking to the man in the middle row," Medoferro asked him, "He’s not going to be able to help you with regaining your memory."

  "I’m not looking at anyone," Robert said, "I did it!"

  The man in the middle row, the same one who had been radiating at the child in the front, stood up and started walking out. Colonel Serim and Massimaferro watched in surprise as Medoferro handled things just about perfectly.

  "Excuse me," Medoferro said loudly to the man who was leaving, "You back there. Kindly come to the front please?"

  "He means you, Jobe," Colonel Serim said, "The Mullinix is requesting your presence up front."

  Jobe turned around and walked up front, giving a scowl at Colonel Serim. Medoferro looked at Jobe and knew he’d found the killer. The way Robert Morgan looked at Jobe pretty well concluded it for him.

  "What is your name please?" Medoferro asked him, "And why were you leaving?"

  "My name is Jobe Treyer," he told the Mullinix, "I was leaving because this was boring."

  "I have a feeling it is about to be a little less so," Medoferro said, "Where were you four nights ago?"

  "What business is it of yours?" Jobe asked him, "I’m a free citizen."

  "Sure you are," Medoferro nodded, "Would you like to tell me why you told Robert Morgan he was responsible for this?"

  Jobe Treyer looked at him and simply laughed. Medoferro looked the man over and let off an odd smile of his own. When Treyer pretended that he didn’t have a clue as to what Medoferro was talking about Medoferro had him. He was so obviously lying that it didn’t take much talent to see it.

  "I see, Mr. Treyer," Medoferro said, "So Robert Morgan was looking at you because you’re a friend of his?"

  "Everyone has friends, Mullinix," Treyer shrugged.

  "Then why does he look more afraid of you than he does his fate," Medoferro asked him, "And why are you lying to me, Mr. Treyer?"

  "I am not lying to you," Treyer growled, "I have no reason to. I didn’t do it."

  "Sure you are," Medoferro told him, "You’ve yet to say a truthful word to me. I suggest you start."

  "I’m not on trial here," Treyer said, "He is. He admitted it."

  "I’d watch it Jobe," Colonel Serim told him, "A trial is designed to get the truth. The Mullinix can do whatever he feels is necessary to get at that truth."

  "You sound like you know him, Colonel," Medoferro said, "Is there history here?"

  "Jobe here has set foot in my office more than once," Colonel Serim told him, "I should have looked harder at him for this one, but the confession…"

  "Yes," Medoferro said, "Let’s talk about that confession. I know you don’t remember a damn thing, Robert. But let’s start with what you do know."

  "I’m leaving," Jobe Treyer said, growling, "Fuck all of you."

  "Restrain him," Medoferro instructed the guard, "He will leave when I dismiss. Not before."

  The guards came forward and aimed their crossbows at Jobe’s head. He made a quick move to try to leave, but when he saw that he realized that he was going to be dead within several paces.

  "Were you alone when you started drinking, Robert?" Medoferro asked him.

  "Yes," Robert lied.

  "You’re lying Robert," Medoferro said, knowing that everyone could tell this, "Try again."

  "Ok," Robert said, just about breaking down, "I was with Jobe, but I passed out…"

  "When you awoke you found yourself covered with the girl’s blood," Medoferro surmised, "And you believed Jobe when he told you that you did it?"

  "I did not!" Jobe exclaimed.

  "Shut up, Jobe," Colonel Serim warned.

  "I get violent when I drink," Robert told him, "I’ve hit people before…"

  "You may have gotten drunk," Medoferro told him, "But I doubt seriously you could have kept an erection long enough to rape that child."

  "I would never!" Robert exclaimed.

  "According to your confession you did," Medoferro reminded him, "Had you even sobered up by the time you gave that confession?"

  "I killed her…" Robert said, "I should have…"

  "You should have what," Medoferro asked him, "What did you do?"

  "I should have stopped him," Robert said, beginning to sob, "I could have stopped him, but I just watched… He… Oh gods…"

  "You didn’t commit this crime," Medoferro said, "You can regret it all you want, but Mullinix law is for the guilty. I don’t think there is any doubt who the guilty one is."

  "Fuck you, Mullinix!" Jobe Treyer yelled, "Fuck all of you. You’re going to take the word of a violent drunkard liar?"

  "Compared to you," Colonel Serim said, "Yes."

  "I’m prepared for my judgment," Medoferro said, "Jobe Treyer, I find you guilty of the murder of Angela Storm. You may retreat to a lone room to make peace with your maker. Should you decide to do so you can meet him on your own terms. Should you refuse this, an execution method of the Storm Family’s choice will be brought to bear on you."

  "Fuck you all!" Jobe yelled and pushed past the guards, "I refuse to do this!"

  Jobe Treyer ran for the door and was stopped by a large, strapping man holding a knife. This man looked hard into Jobe Treyer’s eyes and drove the knife into the pedophilic child killer’s gut. Treyer’s eyes went wide and he sank down onto the ground, his blood spilling onto the polished white floor of the session room.

  "That’s for Angela, you sick creep," the man said through clenched teeth, "Rot in hell."

  There was silence in the room as they absorbed what happened. Nobody was making any moves to help Jobe Treyer. It would have been useless, as the knife wound was severe enough that nobody could have helped him. Medoferro was almost in shock, but knew he had to deal with it as the Mullinix hearing the case.

  "Who is that man?" Medoferro asked Serim quietly.

  "Angela’s father," Serim told him, "Nick Storm."

  "Very well," Medoferro said, "Listen up, everyone."

  The crowd turned towards him, as did Nick Storm and Robert Morgan. Medoferro looked over all of them and tried to decide wh
at to do. Massimaferro was little to no help at this time, barely even comprehending what was going on. Medoferro knew he didn’t want to do another case, so he decided to handle it.

  "I think we can skip over the usual hour," Medoferro said, "Nick Storm, as the father of the murdered child I think we can call this an official execution of Mullinix Justice. Jobe Treyer has paid the price. Have the body removed from the courtroom and have Mr. Morgan sent to a counselor to take care of his problems. Case closed!"

  There was a cheer in the room and everyone began filing out. Nick Storm’s wife led him out of the room and consoled him. Once everyone was out of the room Medoferro collapsed into his chair and let out a series of dry heaves before getting control of himself.

  "Good gods," Medoferro said, "I’m glad that’s over."

  "Good job, Medo," Massimaferro croaked out, "I couldn’t have done that well today."

  "Get to bed," Medoferro told him, "Session is done for now, right?"

  "Yes Mullinix," Colonel Serim nodded, "We’ll deal with other things later."

  "Good," Medoferro said, nodding, "Rav, get Massy upstairs. Ari, go with him and keep an eye on him. Colonel, would you please direct me to the nearest source of alcohol?"

  "Follow me," Serim smiled, "I’ll serve you the best brandy in my cellar…"