My Yakuza, A.J. Llewellyn [best book clubs TXT] 📗

the D.A.’s office may stop by and explain things further.”

When he left everyone moaned a little. One thing about court duty is that it could, and often did, become extremely boring waiting around to testify. Even though this case was far from being normal or dull, it still got boring sitting in a room staring at the same people who all wanted to be somewhere else.

Forty minutes later and the district attorney entered the room. He was smiling as he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down.

“Well boys, you’ll never believe what’s just happened. Once the shock of seeing Kono here alive and well wore off and that he was able to testify, it suddenly dawned on the defence team that they had turned down any offer of a plea deal last week and opted instead to go to trial. Harada faced up to forty-five years in jail on all charges if convicted. They wanted to negotiate a plea and I was able to get what I think is a good offer.”

“It’s over?” Kono blurted out.

“Let me explain, Detective,” the D.A. said with a smile.

“In exchange for a guilty plea on all charges except two, which I’ll drop, I’ve agreed to a sentence of no more than twenty years. With Harada’s age being what it is, chances are he’ll die in prison anyway, and we can end this trial today with a done deal. We take it in front of the Judge in twenty minutes for him to sign off on. If he does, sentencing will begin immediately.”

The room broke into cheers with everyone slapping Kono on the back. When it all died down, Kono asked, “Is that really it? Just like that they caved?”

“Sure. They realised that if you testified and this went all the way to the jury, Harada would be sentenced to do around forty years. I think they were also worried a little about what might have come out during the trial to further damage their operations in New York City and Tokyo.

“This doesn’t mean, Kono, that you still don’t have to watch your back. They’re gonna hold a big grudge against you and if they get the chance, I don’t doubt they’ll kill you.”

“Yeah, thanks. I wouldn’t want to be Harada’s lawyer either. He screwed up big time by not preparing for this as if I was still alive. They got blindsided and couldn’t recover from it. At least I can carry a gun,” Kono said with a smile.

When sounds came over the speaker to indicate that court was beginning to come to order, Kono and the guys headed into the courtroom and took seats this time.

“All rise. The Criminal Court of the Manhattan District is now in session.”

“Gentlemen, I understand that a plea arrangement has been agreed to by the parties. Is that correct?”

Both men answered, “Yes, your Honour.”

“Mr. Harada, do you understand the plea agreement entered into by your Attorney on your behalf? Do you understand that you are pleading guilty? Do you understand that you’ve agreed to a sentence not to exceed twenty years in the state prison system?”

“Yes, I understand, “ Harada responded with a heavy Japanese accent.

“Do you enter into this plea agreement of your own free will with advice of Counsel?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Very well. Please rise, Mr. Harada.”

He stood up along with his lawyer and waited for the Judge to end the proceeding.

“Having read the plea agreement between the defence and the prosecution in this case, I concur with the agreement. Mr. Harada on the charges you have pled guilty to, I sentence you to twenty years in the custody of the New York State prison system and hold you accountable for court costs and a twenty-five-thousand-dollar fine. You will be taken from here and transferred into the custody of the state penal system as soon as possible. Court is adjourned.”

The banging of the gavel gave the proceedings a note of finality as Harada was handcuffed and placed in leg chains as well. Harada’s men said goodbye to their clan leader, shot an ugly look at the D.A. and Kono, and stormed out of the courtroom.

“Remember what I said, Detective, be very careful and keep a watch over your shoulder for a while.” The D.A. turned and left the courtroom as the remaining cops gathered around Kono.

Jerrell came up to him and said, “Good job, Detective. I know it hasn’t been easy. But at least you don’t have to stay out on Fire Island now. What do you want us to do with Shiro?”

“That’s a damn good question,” Kono replied.

“Well, since we have everything set up out there, why don’t you stay there for at least tonight while we figure out what you’re gonna do next. We have to ease you back into things and I would suggest you find a new place to live.”

“Okay, Boss, let’s get out to the island then.”

* * * *

Kono couldn’t wait to touch Shiro once they landed at Fire Island. If Jerrell was surprised to see the two men kiss once they were in the safe house together, he didn’t show it.

He handed his cell phone over to Shiro.

“It’s your mom. She just landed in Hawaii and she wants to speak to you.”

Kono watched his lover talk in Japanese, Hawaiian and English to his mom and grandmother.

He knew Shiro had to go home.

Home. Kono didn’t feel as if he had one without Shiro.

It didn’t take much to convince him that they should go to Hawaii, away from the insanity, away from people. He badly wanted to be alone with Shiro, but now they were free for the first time in weeks to dine out in public, well, as public has a three-quarters-empty island allowed.

They sat up all night talking with Jerrell, eating at a tiny, cottage-style restaurant called the Hideaway at Ocean Beach, right near their safe house.

Though a couple of security officers dined at the table beside them, Kono felt no concerns about their safety.

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