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- 07/23/2021
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Adam Blake - 147. Chapter 147
By 7 in the morning, everyone knew what happened. There were 23 men rounded up and waiting in the cells. The people couldn’t believe what was happening. The papers were all over it.
“Sir, there is a delegation wanting to see you?”
“Are they the families of the men in the cells?”
“Yes, my Prince”
“Allow them one at a time to see their men and only for 30 minutes.”
“My Prince, the reporters are here.”
“Let the ministers handle it. Hans, I think they knew more than they are letting on. Keep a watch on them. I’ll get rid of them all if I need to.”
I knew the Butler heard, and soon the ministers will hear as well.
That night I had a visitor. He was happy that the threat was removed. In the morning, I went to the 6 am Mass. I prayed for the minister’s soul, for Gerry, and our country. I took communion, the priest blessed me, and I left.
I went to the site of the hanging. I sat in a seat reserved for the Prince, and I watched the crowd. “Hans, who is that woman weeping?”
“It’s the minister’s wife.”
“Have the finance minister do a financial analysis on his accounts. If he is broke, then we’ll put her on a state allowance.”
Precisely at 9, a priest offered him the last chance to repent, he was going to say something, but it wasn’t a confession asking for mercy. When the priest heard what he said, he pushed the lever. The person in charge of doing that just looked. “He’s the devil spawn.”
I returned to the Palace. I had the meeting room set up like a courtroom. I thought a little Americana wasn’t a bad idea.
I met with the ministers at nine the following day. I explained that one of them would interview the man, the rest may ask questions, and then they must decide the verdict. All must agree. I selected the finance minister to do the interview. His name was supplied to me in a dream, who was I to argue.
The first man was led to a chair, he was scared, he was shaking, I guess after yesterday’s hanging, he should be afraid.
“The finance minister turned out to be an effective lawyer. The accused gave it all, not holding back anything. It was apparent to me he was bribed with money, and he was afraid. The jury found him guilty. I agreed and sentenced him to five years of hard labor. There were a few civil projects Gerry and I talked about, and now we had a volunteer.
The men, one by one, sat in the chair. The questioning followed the same path. They were all found guilty. Most of them were duped, and I sentenced them to hard labor. There were two, always one or two, who haven’t learned. The first one said he did what he did because he believed it was right. I sentenced him to the cells for 15 years. The second said he had no regrets, and if offered the chance again, he would sign up. I told him I wouldn’t give him a second chance, and he joined the minister.
When it was over, I thanked the ministers, reminding them that the Prince is their number one priority.
The following day Hans and I left. I had the helicopter pick up the Prince and meet us at the airport. I took the copter home, and the Prince and Hans took the plane home.
That night at the cabin, I told Marie why I had to go and the outcome of my trip. I gave her the short versions. I took the day and hugged the kids; I couldn’t get enough of them. I was so lucky when I said that to Marie she said Gerry is also lucky.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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