Failure

Flash fiction entry - 300 words. The justice system meets the real world.

High fives were flung as the verdict was read. Guilty on all counts. James Madison would never see the outside of a prison wall again. Four dead including a four year old child in his robbery-gone-wrong at the Stop & Go, all for three hundred bucks. It was a victory for the victims' families. Madison had maintained his innocence of course and since everyone in the store was dead and the assailant on camera was wearing a mask, the case had not been easy. But we'd found his prints on the gasoline pump and the murder weapon was with him when we picked him up. Case closed. The victory was just as big, I thought, for my boss, John Hardin, prosecuting attorney. His occasional shot of whiskey after work was becoming more frequent and earlier as a long string of losses had dimmed his promising career.

Now, in his office, I was shocked.

"That's not my job," he repeated as he looked at the picture. It clearly showed the killer outside the shop, gun in hand, removing his mask. Just as clearly, it was not James Madison.

"It proves he's innocent," I said.

"My job," he continued, "is to take the evidence we're given and get a conviction. Not to continue the investigation after the verdict." As he spoke, he ripped the picture in half. He kept on ripping until it was nothing but tiny scraps.

"My job was done 3 hours ago, and Sam, you have a bright future ahead. I suggest your job was done then too."

I nodded. I knew the punk who'd cornered me on the elevator and shoved the photo in my hand was gone forever. I also knew the queasiness in my gut would eventually subside. John said it. I had a bright future.