Tribes of time, p.23
Tribes of Time, page 23
“Where is that footage and video evidence now?” Roderick asked.
“As we speak it’s with the U.S. Attorney General’s office in Washington DC.” Milford’s heart sunk and he knew a shit storm was brewing on the horizon. He wanted to call Vernon and let him know what was transpiring in the courtroom while he was waiting in the witness room just a few feet away. He thought how stupid could Vernon be to let an FBI Agent get into his department; hadn’t he learned from other agencies.
“Mr. Tannehill is there anyone else in this room that you’ve seen at Klan rallies?” Roderick asked.
“Yes sir, I’ve seen the Assistant State’s Attorney Mr. Milford attend several meetings.” The entire jury looked at Milford, but he pretended he did not feel their gaze and continued staring at Special Agent Tannehill.
“Have you seen Co-Counsel attend any of those meetings?’
“No sir, in fact I’ve seen him attend some of the area’s African American churches and picnics. I’ve only known him to be a fair and impartial man.” Tannehill answered.
“I have just a couple of more questions if you don’t mind?”
“One has to deal with the collection of evidence in relation to this case. Have you seen anyone from the Sheriff’s office alter or embellish any evidence collected?”
“I personally saw Sheriff Hutchison remove pages from a report compiled by Dr. Janine Hearne. He then asked me to deliver the altered report to Co-Counsel Mr. McClendon’s office.”
“Do you know what happened to the removed pages?” Roderick asked
“Sheriff Hutchison shredded them, but I faxed copies of the complete report to my Bureau Chief of the southern region before delivering to Mr. McClendon.”
“Why did you do that?”
“We’ve been speculating for years that the sloughs were the dumping grounds for the activities of his Klavern. After Sheriff Hutchison read the report and the discovery of fifteen different DNA types, he called someone on the phone and they instructed him to get rid of those pages.”
“Do you know who he called that day?”
“Yes I do, we’ve had a title 18; that’s a wire tape on his phones for the last year. That call was placed to Mr. Milford at the Capitol Building in Knoxville.” When Terrance heard that, he looked at Milford with utter contempt.
“What else has transpired in the past few days?”
“We’ve since sent a team out to the sloughs, using ground penetrating sonar and we’ve located twenty nine graves. Fifteen have already been identified using the DNA collected by Dr. Hearne to the reported missing individuals.” When Tannehill finished his sentence, several reporters ran out of the courtroom to contact their copy desks or news stations to send a team out to Ocelia for the unfolding story.
“I have one last question Mr. Tannehill.” Roderick asked, and then looked back at Cyrus and Miss Ella.
“Yesterday I was given an envelope which included the information discussed here this morning. Was there anything else included in that report?”
“Unfortunately there is. During my last week of undercover with Sheriff Hutchison I seized the opportunity to take a sample of his hat band and sent it for DNA.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Sheriff Hutchison always bragged to anyone that would listen that it was the skin he flayed from the back of an African American when he was twelve years old; although he didn’t use that verbiage.”
“Did you get the results back from that test sir?” Roderick asked with a heavy heart.
“Yes we did and the DNA sample matched that of Cyrus Davies, but only a midalchondrial match; which means a blood relative.” Miss Ella let out an audible sigh and buried her head into the shoulder of her husband.
“Your Honor let the record show that Cyrus Davies had a cousin that allegedly refused to acquiesce to a white man. The story goes that he was chased out of Tennessee by Sheriff Bernard Hutchison, the father of the current Sheriff. Knowing what we’ve learned today, it’s a fair assumption that Sheriff Vernon Hutchison was present during that spook ride and kept a souvenir.” Roderick stated.
“The record shall reflect.” Judge Iwamoto ordered.
“Have you located his remains Mr. Tannehill?”
“Yes we have, it was located yesterday during the excavations of the graves at the slough.” He replied.
“Thank you Special Agent Tannehill for your testimony and service.” Roderick said.
“Your Honor, I have no more questions for this witness.” The courtroom was silent except for the faint sound of Miss Ella’s whimpering. Judge Iwamoto called for the Bailiff to approach the bench and whispered something in his ear. The Bailiff hurriedly exited the courtroom.
“There will be a short five minute recess, but no one can leave the room.” He ordered. Judge Iwamoto then left the courtroom for his chambers. Milford was frantically writing down questions that he wanted to ask Special Agent Tannehill on Rebuttal. Terrance was sitting next to him, but wanted no part in the Rebuttal. A few minutes passed before Judge Iwamoto returned. Everyone was ordered to stand until he was seated. Judge Iwamoto then nodded for the Bailiff to bring in the person he called for. When the doors opened Sheriff Hutchison entered smiling and strolling like he was going to be the star witness. Judge Iwamoto then spoke.
“Mr. Milford, would you please stand before me, you too Sheriff Hutchison?” Just then emerging from every door leading into the courtroom, were Federal Agents. They lined the courtroom preventing anyone from entering or exiting.
“Gentlemen in all my years sitting on the bench have I not heard of a more heinous or revolting tale such as this. Two men, both of you elected and sworn into office to uphold the liberties of all citizen’s in the state of Tennessee; abused that power for your own distasteful benefit. I cannot believe you had the audacity to fabricate evidence and bring this man to trial. This whole event could have been avoided had it not been for the Sheriff of Cumberland County; who seeded the clouds of hate culminating in the deaths of Delbert Cutts, Cecil Miller, Paul Bailey, Kenton Moore and Frank and Jesse Billingsly. Not to mention those lost souls buried in unmarked graves of muck and mire. At this time I am placing you both under arrest for violating U.S. Code 18-245 of the Federal Hate Crime Statute. The U.S. Attorney General is at this very moment drafting Federal Capital Murder charges against you; undetermined counts. You may take these men out of my sight and into custody.” The courtroom erupted; some were happy with the court’s decision and some obviously not in agreement. Judge Iwamoto pounded his gavel several times to regain order.
“Mr. Johnson, would you please stand?” He ordered. Haines slowly stood up and faced the Judge.
“Mr. Johnson I am never for the use of violence, but in this instance I believe you had no other recourse but to resort to such measures. I am vacating the charges of Murder against you and you’re free to go.” He then slammed his gavel once and left the courtroom before the Bailiff could do his customary announcement. Haines’ legal team sat dumbfounded at the Judges speech; but not his verdict. Everyone hugged and congratulated each other around the defense table. During all of the celebration Roderick looked over at Terrance still sitting there staring at the wall behind the Judge’s bench. He walked over to console him.
“Mr. McClendon” he said as he extended his hand. Terrance just looked up at him, extending his hand out of habit; but not saying a word.
“I just wanted to thank you for being an honorable man through this whole process.” Terrance still did not speak; he just nodded acknowledging that he heard what Roderick had said. Roderick then handed him a business card and said.
“If you ever think of practicing in the Beltway, give me a call; and I mean that. Washington could use an honest man such as you.” He then placed his hand on Terrance shoulder and gave a light squeeze before returning to his group.
CHAPTER 31
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
T
hat night Roderick treated the entire crew to a John Legend concert; and then to a Meet and Greet session with the singer in celebration of their victory and Haines’ vindication. The next morning everyone was packed and boarding the plane back to Ocelia.
“What are you going to do with yourself now Haines?’ Roderick asked as they sat together peering out of the window.
“I’m going to continue my work on the Sankofa Project. What are you gonna do; go back to that cesspool of beltway politics?”
“Well the first thing I’m going to do is contact that Anthropologist when we get back to Ocelia; she’s there helping the feds with the excavations.” He replied.
“Don’t let her slip away Rod; it’s never too late for love; except in my case.”
“Damn, I just saved your neck from the hang man’s noose; and now you’re getting all melancholy on me. What gives?” Roderick asked.
“I’ve told you about my project over the year’s right? Well, this whole ordeal really made me want to devote the rest of my life to completing it. I believe if I can pull this off, it could be instrumental in changing the course of history; where every indigenous culture has a seat at the table without all of this hatred, and each group would be afforded equal status.” Haines said while staring out the window.
“And how is this machine going to do that?” Roderick asked.
“If it works, I plan on taking a team back in time before the tribes separated to educate them how their mistakes through the generation ended in death and destruction for some cultures; and elevated others to power and control. I would educate our African ancestors, the Native Americans; those who have been enslaved and decimated by genocidal agendas on what to look out for; and to fight with modern sophisticated weapons and tactics to defend them, and prevent the outcome we have now. I don’t intend to make any one race rulers, but to form a congress of cultures to govern us as human beings. In essence, an end to classism and racism in our society because everyone would remain free of tyranny; which has divided our social fabric because one race or culture believed it superior to another. “
“And how do you plan on doing that Haines, time travel.”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Unfortunately it will be a one way trip. It’s gonna be hard to sell that to the regents; why would they invest in a project that would strip them or their forefathers of the accruements of entitlement.” Roderick really didn’t have an answer for him; Haines was a deep contemplator and this incident pushed him deeper into that process. Roderick decided to change the subject.
“Hey let me run something by you.” He said to Haines.
“I’ve really grown to like Cyrus and Miss Ella and want to do something for them. Since I’ll be getting the bail money back from the city of Ocelia, I was thinking of setting up a trust fund for them; and of course an endowment to your project.”
“What kind of trust are you talking about?”
“I was going to open an account with 1.5 million of the bail money in Knoxville. One million of that for Cyrus and Miss Ella; the way I’d set it up is that the account would remain in my name, but the annual interest earned goes to them. That’s over sixty thousand a year. They also have two young boys that will need an education, so the remaining five hundred thousand would be split two ways to pay for their college education.”
“You’ve been around them long enough to know they won’t accept that; they’ll take it as a charity handout.” Haines responded.
“Exactly, that’s why the checks will arrive anonymous each month.”
“That would be wonderful Rod, with all that family has been through; they need to enjoy their golden years without scraping around to make money for their kids future.” Miss Ella was pretending to be asleep in the seats behind them and heard every word. She just smiled to herself and continued pretending to be asleep. Before long the plane landed in Ocelia and their limousine was waiting on the tarmac. During the drive out to the Davies farm, the road was littered with news trucks and reporters lining their lane asking for comments on what happened out in the sloughs and how they feel about the Sheriff’s Department being dismantled.
“Like sharks when they smell blood in the water, where were they when these people were being reported missing?” Cyrus asked.
“You know how the national media is, if it’s an ethnic victim it doesn’t make the news; no matter how many people die. Let it be a little white girl and they’ll have a movie made in a month.” Michaelson replied.
“Either way, I have nothing to say to them. Cyrus if they ask you for the rights to the story; make sure you have me review the contract before you sign anything.” Roderick said. When everyone was back inside and settled down, Roderick asked Miss Ella if they could stay at the farm for a few more days.
“You done gone and lost your mind, you will always have a place in my home without asking; you’se family now.”
“Thanks Miss Ella that really means a lot.” Roderick said as he gave her a tight hug. Roderick then walked out onto the porch and dialed the phone of Dr. Hearne.
“Janine Speaking.” She said when she answered the phone.
“Hey Doc it’s me Roderick.”
“Congratulations on your win; I knew something was mephitic about that Sheriff from the first time I spoke to him.” She said.
“I wasn’t sure we’d win until the FBI slipped me that envelope detailing their investigation.”
“Anyway, since this thing is over and I have some free time for a few days; I was wondering if you’d be in the mood for some Maine Lobster.” He asked.
“Do you know how far Maine is from here, and I’m not too fond of previously frozen seafood.”
“I didn’t say anything about frozen seafood, I’m saying we go to Maine for dinner; I can have you back that night if you wish.”
“And how are you going to do that, sprout wings?” she jokingly asked.
“Yeah basically, I have my own private jet just sitting there waiting for an answer.”
“In that case how’s this weekend?” She replied.
“I’ll put in a flight plan and make reservations. I’ll call you in a day.”
“Roderick, I don’t like short trips so we don’t have to be in a hurry to return that night.” She coyly stated.
“How’s the Vineyard for the weekend after dinner if that’s the case?”
“You really know how to court a girl don’t you?” she replied
“Quality treatment for a quality lady” He answered. She and Roderick courted for about six months before deciding to tie the knot. Roderick eventually stepped away as being a present Managing Partner and moved to Knoxville; he passed the reins on to Nilsson and Michaelson as Co-Managing Partners in his absence. Cyrus and Ella enjoyed the monthly checks that were supposedly anonymous; but they knew where they were coming from. Haines in the mean time had been working steadfastly in securing grants and endowments for his project. Six years had passed and he finally felt the mathematical equations were enough for human trials. He’d teleported inanimate objects and even conducted a few animal trials; which he truly detested. Finally the day had come for him to take his team to the proving grounds with all of their equipment; either they perished or they’d be teleported to the coordinated dateline. Haines was having his final discussion with his assistant Shelton Davies before having him pull the lever to start the combustion.
“Haney I’d truly like to make this trip with you, I want to see if all of your efforts paid off.” Shelton stated.
“I need you here to keep working on the formula, hopefully finding a way to bring us back.” Haines replied.
“I’m scared Haney.” He answered.
“Me too, but I feel this sacrifice is worth it.” Haines then reached into his pocket and handed Shelton an envelope.
“Open this when we’re gone, not before.” He instructed “Sure Haney.” He replied while holding back tears. The two embraced briefly, and then Haines called his team together to enter into the chamber.
“Commence the sequence!” Haines yelled to Shelton through the closed door. Shelton pulled the lever initiating the sequencing. When the process was over, Haines’ expedition team had disappeared from inside. Shelton plopped down in his seat feeling the grief of losing his mentor and Uncle-like figure; when he remembered what Haney had instructed him to do with the letter. Shelton reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter. He carefully opened the envelope and read it; a simple tear stained handwritten poem.
Rain Drops
Shhhh……………………………………………….Listen
Do you hear the melodious rhythm?
To many it’s just a tranquil inconvenience,
But to me, it is a primordial awakening of my
Ancestor’s essence.
Like the beat of the villager’s talking drums
Yoruba, Mendi, Ashanti, Bantu, Maasai, Zulu!
Proud warrior tribes all.
The tears of our Motherland shed for her
Abducted and enslaved children
The restlessness of my soul in perpetual harmony
With the syncopation of beats
Luring me home.
Shhhh…………………………………………………Listen
P.S. When it rains, know that I am there bathing you in my love and adoration.
Haney
Table of Contents
DEDICATION
CHAPTER 1: EMANATION
CHAPTER 2: APOCALYPSE
CHAPTER 3: BET NOIRE
CHAPTER 4: HOMESTEAD
CHAPTER 5: ACRIMONY
CHAPTER 6: CONCORDAT
CHAPTER 7: PLENTEOUS
CHAPTER 8: MAUDLIN
CHAPTER 9: BAD MOON RISING
CHAPTER 10: ANALOGUS
CHAPTER 11: CASTIGATION
CHAPTER 12: TINCTURE
CHAPTER 13: AFFLATUS
CHAPTER 14: DUBIETY
CHAPTER 15: RISIBLE
CHAPTER 16: CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
CHAPTER 17: DOWN ON THE BOONDOCKS
CHAPTER 18: REJUVENATION
CHAPTER 19: RECOMPENSE
CHAPTER 20: DUDGEON
