Academy Murders: Slay Dragons

“You said, ‘No,’ right?” Yawquisha asked. Her inquisitiveness underlined in her voice.

“I did,” Kim replied.

“If you were not already embroiled in the investigation, there would have been some room for your ability to represent yourself.”

“You already know the joke,” Kim said drolly.

“Of course. But we both know what Roark does in the novel,” Yawquisha reminded her friend.

“You know with all of this I’ve never had the chance to open it,” Kim admitted.

Yawquisha just nodded. “You’ll get to it.”

The difference in distance wore down on both women. Their respective “him” found strength in each other. The male bonding had brought them together. Yawquisha enjoyed the idea of Kim’s “him” saving himself for her until she got out of this situation.

“Do you feel like you have been found guilty before innocent?”

“I think the judge being lenient in my case is revealing. I wouldn’t say I’ve been judged unfairly. He wants me to fulfill this experiment.”

“It is quite the experiment. It’s something that is warming and encouraging.”

“I could go to prison again. I’m glad to say I’ve got the chance to breathe liberty on loan.”

Yawquisha chuckled lightly.

“What? What?” Kim smiled.

“You’re already free and you won the case that you’re currently investigating. This extremely peculiar circumstance ought to propel your rational hope.”

“Rational hope? There’s more than just hope?”

“Yes, it is the reason to look forward to the future. It’s that little sound in your consciousness then becomes murmurs and then shouts with full-throated conviction the wondrous beauty of truth.”

Like a trickle of a stream then bursting forth through a river and then the ocean, Kim reassured herself. The tension flowed through her and washed away from her head to her fingertips and toes and out of the door.

“You’re right,” Kim acknowledged. This whole thing is just a way of saying I have to work through all of this in the manner not of a cop but like you…a thinker,” she saluted.

“I know,” Yawquisha replied. There was about ten minutes of silence. In that time, there was enough room for peace and harmony between the friends, sisters, soul mates.

Then, “If you ever find yourself in the position where I’m defending you, I will do so without hesitation. If I had to go to prison because of something you did, I would fetter myself automatically. For you to be the boss woman that you are, I would delight in making sure you were compensated spiritually and physically. This I vow for a friend,” Yawquisha proclaimed.

In her mind, an audience of ten thousand people were applauding in an ovation that lasted an hour but really only a few seconds before she said, “And I you. Thank you.”

Yawquisha switched her feet. Kim could tell that the mutual respect and love that they shared radiated from the video chat. The two sisters from another mister could relate to each other on the plane of integrity and honesty.

“I’m prepared for whatever,” Kim said and wanted to vaporize at that moment. The clarity of her statement, the simplicity of it brought Yawquisha almost to tears.

“I know you’re a fighter. Your life is still on the line. You have to go out there and slay dragons. I get it. In some far off time and space you led women against kings in some way of protecting your honor. I see that in you.”

Kim looked at her smartphone’s clock. “Tomorrow I’ll be going through. I’ll be in court for an appearance on the ankle monitor.”

“You’ll do well.”

“I know.” They both burst out laughing.