Field of Blackbirds - Clayton Jeppsen & Lindsey Jeppsen (me reader txt) 📗

of this caliber and wondered why he was chosen to defend Nikola. He wasn’t even filled in on all of the details and what he was provided with seemed a little glossed over. Radenko even thought that the outcome of the trial had seemed predetermined. The prosecution made valid claims but buckled when met with any resistance.
In law school, Radenko was known for his fortitude and vitality, but during this trial, he felt that neither attribute was necessary for the win. Radenko was pleased with the success of his first case, but some of the statements Nikola made to him behind closed doors began to peck at his conscience. He only hoped the Albanians were actually armed and hostile. Nikola’s nonchalant behavior throughout the course of the proceedings seemed to tell a different story all of its own. Whatever the case, Nikola’s battalion seemed to be misfits in the guild of the Vojsko Srbije.
The jury agreed on a verdict, “Not Guilty”. General Pec congratulated Radenko personally for his win. He invited him to attend a celebratory evening on Saturday night at the Pjata restaurant. Radenko felt honored but a little uneasy about the invitation. He didn’t know he would be associating with such high-ranking officials. He felt as though he was being adopted into a new and welcoming family; a feeling that was sure to be a conflict of interest.
Radenko walked out of the courthouse with the day’s events on his mind. He clicked the alarm to his gray, Government Issue, Fiat and got inside. He threw his briefcase on the passenger seat and paused to take a deep breath. He saw people trickling out of the courthouse. He could see two Albanian Officers of the Kosovo region, who had come to oversee the trial; they were escorted by Albanian and Serbian soldiers. During the trial, Radenko saw the resolve in their eyes, could tell that they were disgusted with the Serbian Judicial System. Looking at them now, Radenko could only imagine what they were plotting. He started his Fiat and commenced his journey home.

Radenko couldn’t disclose details of his interviews with Nikola to anyone. However, maybe he could confide somewhat in his father, General Marshal Gavrillo. Dad could always make sense of things. When Radenko got back to his apartment he dialed the old home telephone number in Ivangrad.
“General Gavrillo speaking.”
“At ease Dad, it’s just me.”
“Congratulations my Son! I’ve been following your trial.” the General announced.
“The verdict only came down about forty-five minutes ago. How did you hear so soon?”
“Son, your dad is a Three-Star General. I have my sources.”
Radenko laughed. “You’ll have to excuse me Dad. I’m not thinking so clearly. I’m still a little overwhelmed.” admitted Radenko. “Dad, how are things at home?”
“Thanks for worrying about your old Dad. I’m doing well. Petrovich wants me to go pheasant hunting with him. He said he stopped hanging out at the pubs and he’s got to find alternative recreation. I’m worried he’s going to try and lure me from the Darkside as well.”
“Well one thing he’s been talking about almost makes it worth it.” Radenko confessed. “He says families can be forever, I mean after death.”
The General was silent for a moment. “Yeah that’s what he told me too. It really would be nice.”
The conversation was silent again. Radenko finally changed the topic, “How’s the old General’s health these days?”
“Retirement is looking better and better as time goes on,” the General sighed. “The military has gotten so political lately. Whatever happened to the good’ol days under Tito where candor and honesty were requirements for soldiers?”
“Yeah,” agreed Radenko. “Today I began to question the honesty of my own client.”
“Radenko, you have to be careful now. You have been wrapped up into a high profile case. These are big hitters you’re dealing with. General Mihailo Pec will take my seat when I retire. I know he’s one of the people supporting my retirement. Just be careful Son.” warned the General.
Radenko wondered to himself if General Pec had selected him for the trial as a favor to his Dad or as incentive for him to retire.
“Sometimes I wonder if it would have been easier to just enlist in the infantry. Then I would only be responsible for following orders instead of dealing with moral dilemmas from case to case.”
“That might be true Radenko, but you chose to be a lawyer and every soldier is entitled to a good defense. You have to protect the right of the soldier and you have to provide the best possible representation you can. There is a question of consciousness that you will have to answer daily in your line of work. You just have to believe that you act on good faith and that the testimony of your clients is truthful. You’re not a human lie detector.”
“Thanks for making sense of things Dad. That’s really why I called.” admitted Radenko.
“You’re welcome Son. I’m proud of you and I love you. Talk to you soon!”
Radenko found comfort in what the General had said. Radenko was exhausted, his supposedly, meritorious performance was taking a toll on him now. Without dinner, Radenko faded away into the next morning.

Saturday night came sooner than expected. Radenko was met by security when he got to Pjata. From the looks of it, this was an ‘invitation only’ dinner. Radenko obviously hadn’t made a name for himself yet or the guard would have recognized him. By all the laughing and off-key singing, he could tell some of the guys wasted no time letting alcohol disguise the better of them.
"Over there!" the guard pointed.
Radenko could already see General Pec waving his arm. The whole situation still didn't sit right with him. He promised himself he would only stay a half-hour. On his way to the table, Radenko passed an elderly lady playing the violin. She had elegance about her. He nodded to her and placed some money in her violin case.
"Counselor, sit down, get something to eat. Have a drink!" encouraged Nikola.
Radenko knew someone had spent a lot of money when he saw that the table supported the finest foods. On one end, there was veal, Knedle sa Slijivama(potato dumplings with plums), Punjene Paprika(stuffed peppers), Szerb Bableves soup, and Gibanica(a cheese strudel pie), and on the other end of the table, the richest wines from the Navip Company
The table consisted of about twenty ranking officials. Radenko was definitely the lowest rank among them.
Nikola held up his mug and shouted, “Cheers, to the newest member of our family.”
Radenko gave a half-hearted smile and a forced chuckle.
“To an impeccable judicial system.” declared Radenko.
Radenko glanced over at General Pec and noticed the inquiry in his eye. He worried that he had said the wrong thing.
The General raised his glass and saluted, “To Serbia.”
Radenko sat down. He listened to all the foolhardy talk and occasionally it would turn back to trial. During those moments, he would try to zone out or change the topic. Now that the case was over, he didn't want to hear any undevulged secrets or new evidence.
As Radenko sidestepped the spotlight for a moment, he couldn't help but notice the array of colors and paintings surrounding them. It looked like the work of Leonardo Davinci. Pictorals of Christ at the Last Supper, Mother Mary, Saints and babies with angel wings. One picture in particular caught Radenko's eye. The image reminded him of something his mother would appreciate. Christ had been taken down from the cross and Mary was holding Him in her arms. He was covered in blood, vinegar and sweat. But Mary held Him as though He were still the Infinite Being, full of life and love, who had just saved the world. Tears fell from her face, not because her Son was dead, but because the world had forsaken Him as their Savior.
Radenko was captivated by the moment, touched by the ever-presence and feeling of his mother. He felt as though she was enjoying the painting with him. It seemed now, to make sense of what Petrovich had been telling him, that his mother could be watching over him. For a while, Radenko didn't hear all the loud belligerent voices, but only the soft sound of a violin. If for no other purpose at all, this dinner had now become worth Radenko's time.

“Shut up Nikola, you're drunk!” ordered General Pec.
Radenko was jolted back into reality. He looked over at Nikola and couldn't tell whether he was laughing or crying, but he was babbling loudly. Nikolas soft, rusty-red hair, previously combed tightly, had fallen down onto his forehead. A long narrow nose divided his pale blue eyes, now bloodshot and watery. And when he looked at you, drunk or not, his eyes seemed to fall just short of meeting your own. His jaw line was usually square but with alcohol and all the laughter, it softened. He was beyond the point of sound judgement and was making careless statements.
“Two hundred is a good start, but I’m ready to send another two million to their graves. Where can I place another order of two million AK-47s?”
The words turned Radenko’s stomach. He couldn’t believe someone could be so cold blooded. He thought he should leave, but something was holding him there.
General Pec walked over to Nikola and put his hands on his shoulders, “Nikola, accompany me outside.”
“What General, you’re not feeling guilty for what we did are you? We’ve been exonerated. It doesn’t matter anymore! Ask the counselor.” Nikola’s eyes were glazed.
Radenko remained silent. When Nikola stood up, his chair tipped backwards.
“Don’t go soft on me General. I’m just saying I’m ready for the next assignment.”
Nikola pretended to hold and aim a rifle, and then shot it into the air. He uncaged a horrible laugh.
“I’m sorry, Radenko. He doesn’t know what he’s saying.” assured General Pec. “Stay here! I want to talk to you in private when I return.”
Radenko didn’t want to stay. He didn’t like being treated as if he