Academy Murders: Cold Steel Bars

At the hearing, Kim sat with her chin slightly raised and her hands in her lap. The scent of the government issued soap emitted from her skin. The same soap that cadets received, so did federal prisoners. Kim yearned to remain the former, not the latter.

When Judge Kalitha Satkin reached her chair, she looked at Kim twice.

“Be seated. This hearing is in regard to two murders at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Academy for training cadets. Miss Jergensen, please stand.”

Kim abided.

“Do you understand that you are charged with two counts of felony murder?”

“Yes, your honor.”

“Do you understand that you may utilize the auspices of a private attorney or a public defender assigned to you?”

“Yes, your honor.”

“Alright. You can go back to your cell, now. Court adjourned.” The gavel banged.

Kim sat up against the wall. She talked to herself profusely.

“Are you crazy or something?” her cellmate Mila Werner asked.

“Yes…in a way. But not because I talk to myself.”

“Well, it’s creeping me out. Let me talk to you. You came a long way down from being a star detective on one of the biggest crime sprees in history. Jergensen, what are you going to do?”

“Not much I can do. I’ve got my lawyer. She’s—”

“You messed up right there. You need a man to handle what you did or didn’t do.”

“I didn’t.”

“Well, a woman is going to be a detriment. She’s going to get all emotional and disrupt the flow of facts and information. She’s going to give her heart and not involve her brain.”

Unstung from the commentary, Kim wanted a bulldozer to drive through the cell.

“I disagree. I’ve worked with plenty of attorneys and females do just as good if not better than their male counterparts.”

“We’re both in a brig for women. You’re a cop! Or at least was one at some point…We’re all about feelings and what the other person thinks about us. We don’t take the time to evaluate things the way a man does. I’m not saying we can’t be mechanics or electricians or…the police. I’m just saying that we move differently.”

A blast of hot air came through the vents like a demon’s breath. The sweatpants and shirt Kim wore as a cadet was replaced by orange scrubs. She thought of herself as a slim jack-o-lantern.

“If you’re going to do this, girl, you’re going to have to represent for the ladies who have been wrongly accused,” Mila cracked her voice at the end of the line and then said flatly, “you’ve got to be manly.”

“As you may know, I’ve seen my fair share of perps and know how the law system works. It’s something new, now. It’s something where women have just as much of a chance to bring together their wits.”

Mila kissed her teeth. “I hear you talking. At least it’s not to yourself this time.”

“Lights out!”

As the shadows of correctional officers prowled the corridors of the women’s prison, Kim felt the heat and remained standing near the bars of the cell. With a right hand she felt the chipped walls and the cold steel of the bars. She remembered him and what he was probably doing at this exact moment. Like drops of blood, thoughts pooled in her mind. She knew she was innocent and that she would fight.

The warrior spirit from being a Marine still registered with her. She didn’t know how to lose. She looked down at the ground and saw a spider kicked it out of the cell.

“Ewww,” a CO said and squashed it. “Better get to bed,” she suggested. “You’ve got a long day ahead of you.”