Kale let himself quietly into the courtroom. Though the proceedings were about to begin, there was no one there, except the people that had to be. The judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, witnesses, and the jury all looked less than enthusiastic. Kale really didn't want to be here but felt like he had to be. Jazlyn had called and told him that she was divorcing Kanoa and her and the kids would be out of town a few weeks. Kale hadn't even told Holly he was here, though he regretted it, he knew it was in her best interest not to be told about the trial. She had been so upset when she learned that Kanoa couldn't be tried for the hit-and-run that he had arranged and carried out. Holly had been badly injured and had to go through months of recovery. Her leg was still in really bad shape and her scars, though fading, were deep.
Kanoa looked over his shoulder at Kale, and his lips tightened. No doubt Kanoa blamed his brother for his sorry state, though Kale had nothing to do with the charges against Kanoa. Apparently, even rich sims have to obey the law and not perfom white collar crimes.
Kale's mind flashed back to when they were boys, growing up on one of the many islands, in Hawaii. Their dad, Haku, and mom, Akahi, were excellent parents and tried to raise them right. Though Haku's family was very wealthy, he decided that a simpler life was better for his family.
Detective Darrin pulled Kale back to the present. "Prosecutor Wright always wins, she has this in the bag. I bet she'll push for ten years."
Kale couldn't help that his thoughts kept trailing back to his family. His parents. Haku always did the right thing, no matter how hard. And his mom, Akahi, was so good and kind to all their neighbors. Though it saddened Kale that his parents were no longer alive, he felt fortunate that their mom didn't have to witness this. Or what Kanoa had become. What went wrong?
Kale remembered their teen years were spent on the beach, grilling hotdogs and spending time with friends. He didn't ever remember Kanoa being this, this monster he had become. Sure, Kanoa was always flirty with girls, but not someone capable of stealing, of trying to murder.
Defense Attorney Lyst was up now, pleading Kanoa's case. Kale remembered a time when Kanoa had pled his case.
Kale had wanted to go boating but Haku wasn't home and they had never driven the boat alone before. Kanoa, usually up for anything, agreed not to tell their father. Unfortunately, Kale crashed into a boat in less than an hour. When the police arrived Kanoa jumped in and said it was his fault. Kale started to argue but Kanoa shook his head. "Trust me."
When they got home, Kanoa waltzed up to Haku and explained it was his fault. Haku was furious at Kanoa, and chewed him out and grounded him for a month. Kanoa, unfazed walked into the house.
"I have something to tell you." Detective Darrin said, clearly not sure what to say, or how to word it. "I did find a motive, though nothing else to back our case." Detective Darrin continued, "Do you remember your grandfather's will?" Kale really didn't care but nodded.
"There is a section about all his off shore accounts. Worth Billions of simoleons. Neither of you can get to it for the next decade or so, correct?" Kale shrugged he really didn't care about money. He was like his mother, and just wanted to help others. Hence, his career as a firefighter. "Well, there is a section about future great-grandchildren. Legal jargon aside, whoever has the most children aka your grandfather's great-grandchildren, will inherit the accounts."
Kale remembered asking Haku, after Kanoa's talking to, why he was so strict on Kanoa. Haku, though usually quiet and soft spoken, said his opinion in no uncertain terms. "Your brother fears nothing. That, Kale, can create the worse kind of man."
Detective Darrin continued talking. "In a way, it's kind of your grandfather who started this whole thing." Kale looked at Detective Darrin and sighed. "My grandfather Akoni knew Kanoa was greedy. I guess I just didn't know the extent of his greed." It all made sense now. Kanoa coercing Jazlyn to cheat on Kale, knowing full well that Kale wouldn't stay with a cheater. Cheating with most the women in their small town, knowing Kale wouldn't want anything to do with a cheater. And finally, trying to kill Holly because Kanoa knew she wouldn't cheat on Kale. It all made sense now, in a twisted, dark way.
Kanoa was beyond being a dirt bag. Kanoa was a cold, calculating human being who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Kale was impressed with Detective Darrin. He had got inside Kanoa's head and figured him out. Kale felt enraged, "I can't believe he would ruin my life, just for simoleons! I would have given them to him!" Detective Darrin nodded. "Well, at least you know in some way Kanoa does care about you." Before Kale could protest, the Detective concluded. "He could have just killed you and been done with it. Some how, he seems to know that killing his brother is wrong." Kale concurred dryly. "Yes, at least we won't go down like Cain and Abel."
The jury had reached their decision. They found Kanoa guilty of all his crimes.
Judge Fountain had often given light sentencing for white collar crimes but she, for once, actually stood her ground. "I find you guilty, Kanoa Perez and sentence you to ten years in prison." The gavel hit with a dull thud as she exited the room.
Kanoa was led from the courtroom by Officer Tank. Tank was happy to see this man get ten years behind bars. Tank hoped it would improve Kanoa's character, but he doubted it.
Detective Darrin went back to the holding cell to have alittle chit chat with Kanoa. "Came to gloat?" Kanoa sneered. The Detective smiled. "When and if, Perez, didn't I call it?" Kanoa shook his head. "Just you wait until I get out you-" Detective Darrin interrupted. "Careful, Perez, don't want to add to that ten year sentence now." He laughed as he walked out.
Kale stood. Readying himself to leave the courtroom. It was more than that really. He was leaving his brother behind. Kale knew, what had been painfully obvious for a long time now. Kanoa was beyond reason, beyond family, and beyond any kind of ethics at all. Kale knew when their parents died, and they moved in with their business oriented grandfather that Kanoa had changed. He knew it but wouldn't accept it. Even with everything that had happened with Holly, he had still a small hope that his brother was still there. But he was gone. Forever. Accepting this, Kale pushed open the door to the courthous and never looked back.
End of Part 12
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