They reached the court minutes before their trial was to be resumed. Judge had thought Roderick would not appear in time, but he had proved him wrong. But the most disappointed faces in the lot were of Isolda and Bartholomew.
“Why have you brought him here?” judge asked.
“He has something which can change the way how you look at this case.”
“He can’t speak.”
“I can interpret him.” Roderick said.
“I swear I will order both of you beheaded if he dares to flip off me.” Judge said.
“He will do nothing stupid. I assure you, your honour.”
“Sit in the box.” Judge said to the devil.
Devil stood in the jury box and started gesturing.
Roderick read his hand, “I had seen Isolda roaming around the old judge’s room before he was murdered. The judge was not very supportive to her. It was the motive why she killed him.”
The judge squinted at Isolda. Bartholomew stood to speak for her, “He is lying. She was in the bathroom when the murder happened.”
“And the way to bathroom is from old judge’s cabin.” Roderick interrupted.
“Who are you to speak?” Bartholomew yelled at the witness.
The witness began signaling. Roderick watched his signs carefully.
“Are you sure?” Roderick asked him.
Devil nod.
“He wants me to scream this at you.” Roderick roared, “DON’T ASK ME WHO I AM TO SPEAK. ASK HER WHO SHE IS TO MURDER A JUDGE. ASK HER IF SHE WAS NO SMILING WHILE RETURNING TO THIS ROOM?”
“I was smiling because the case – ” Isolda said.
“Imprison her.” Judge said.
“What?” Bartholomew spread his arms, “Why is the judge’s murder a topic of discussion now? Wasn’t this a divorce case?”
“This still is a divorce case. But she has been accused of a much more serious offence.”
The guards came in and caught Isolda from her seat.
Now they are separated. Roderick thought. She can’t quarrel with anyone now.
“You two can go for now.” Judge said, “But both of you have to be present here tomorrow. You will go through interrogations and will have to follow the procedure.”
Roderick and the devil went out from there. The judge started to work on another hearing while they went out.
“YOU THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE EASY?” Devil signaled, “INTERROGATORS WILL FIND IN A SECOND WHO THE REAL CULPRIT IS.”
“They haven’t kept us in custody. You can flee.”
“WILL ME FLEEING SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM, RODERICK? ISOLDA WILL EVENTUALLY BE RELEASED DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCES.”
“Her being released after few days is not a problem for me. I have to make villagers feel I did what they had said. Don’t really have to fulfill their wish.” Roderick smirked, “By the time she gets released and starts arguing again, I will be in another dimension.”
“I DON’T WANT TO SHARE CELLS WITH CHOPYK!” Isolda’s voice came from where she was captivated. Her loud voice amplified itself at night. Chopyk also didn’t keep quiet and began to argue with her.
“ARE YOU SURE VILLAGERS WILL BE OKAY WITH IT?” the devil laughed and left to pack his bag at home.
S***. Roderick looked at the clock’s hour hand nearing to midnight. He had no more than an hour left.
Roderick watched a devil peon walking with his fingers stuffed in his ears. He did the same, but felt gross. When he took the finger out, strands of cotton got stuck on his nail.
Roderick’s eyes lit.
“Hey, peon.” Roderick waved a gold coin at him.
