Bab 99: Chapter 99: Maybe for Justice
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Henry returned with updates on Andy's case.
"..."
"The judge who tried Andy's case retired last year. Despite Andy's persistent claims of innocence and his monthly letters to the court, the evidence was insufficient, yet he was convicted of homicide and sentenced to two life terms."
"Andy has been at Shawshank Prison since then, continually seeking justice. He writes letters every month, expressing his grievances."
"Boss, we've located the thief's gun. It's a Colt revolver that has changed hands three times. We found it in the last owner's utility room."
Henry placed a paper bag in front of Hardy. Inside was a plain revolver, worth only twenty or thirty dollars, yet it had ruined a banker's life.
"Anything else?" Hardy asked.
Henry continued, "Andy is quite the writer. Aside from his appeals to the court, he also lobbied the state government about the prison library's lack of books. His persistent requests eventually led to improvements, earning him some respect and reducing his mistreatment."
Hardy recalled this detail from the movie's plot.
"Henry, find a lawyer to file for a retrial. Have Aimo, the thief, turn himself in and confess. You will oversee this process and keep me updated." Hardy instructed.
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At Shawshank Prison, a car arrived at the gate.
Henry and Attorney Bob, a seasoned lawyer in his forties, stepped out. Bob had been hesitant about taking the case initially but was swayed by the substantial lawyer's fee offered by Henry.
After passing security checks, they entered the interview room.
Andy, surprised by the visit, inquired, "Who are you?"
Bob smiled, "I'm Attorney Bob, and this is Mr. Henry. We're here regarding your case."
Andy's eyes widened with hope. "You've come from the state court?"
Bob shook his head. "We were commissioned by Mr. Hardy."
"Mr. Hardy?"
Andy racked his brain, trying to recall who Hardy was but came up empty.
"Mr. Hardy is my employer," Henry explained.
Andy remained puzzled but was eager for any help. Bob presented a power of attorney for Andy to sign, authorizing Bob to represent him in seeking a retrial.
Andy, trembling with anticipation, signed the document. He was filled with hope for the first time in years, despite not knowing Hardy.
Bob and Henry departed, leaving Andy to reflect on the possibility of a new beginning. Captain Hailey, upon learning of the visit, reported back to Warden Sam Norton, who was engrossed in his collection of antique music boxes.
Hailey reported, "A lawyer visited Andy, and they're applying for a retrial."
The warden's expression darkened. Andy's capabilities were valuable to him, and the prospect of losing Andy to a retrial was unsettling. His first impulse was to eliminate the threat, but he reconsidered.
"Hailey, keep a close watch on Andy and update me with any developments," the warden instructed.
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The sun beat down on Shawshank as Andy took some rare outdoor time. He sat next to Old Black Reid, who inquired about the visitors.
"It was a lawyer," Andy explained.
"Someone helping you out of the blue? That's unusual," Reid noted.
"I don't know Mr. Hardy, but I'm hopeful. It's a glimmer of light after so many dark years," Andy said, smiling despite his uncertainty.
Days later, Aimo, the thief, turned himself in to the police, confessing to the murders he had committed seven years earlier. His decision to surrender came from a life of relentless torture and a desire to escape his current suffering.
The police, finding Aimo's confession credible, reported the case to the court. The current state court officer, upon reviewing the case file and Aimo's confession, noted that the facts matched those of the original case.
"The judge who tried Andy's case has retired. The trial had its controversies, and now the real murderer has confessed," the officer said.
A judge considered the situation and concluded, "The case should be corrected if a mistake was made."
The next day, Attorney Bob filed a petition with the state court, presenting Andy's power of attorney. The media quickly picked up the story, highlighting the wrongful conviction and the new developments.
The case, once a sensational scandal, now became a testament to the quest for justice, with public interest piqued by the unfolding drama.
Bab 100: Chapter 100: Caveat
Shawshank Prison was bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, but the warmth did little to comfort the warden, who was seething with anger as he read the newspaper. The headlines blared news of a thief who had surrendered, confessing to the murders that had sent Andy Dufresne to prison seven years ago. The revelation that Andy's case might be overturned was a bitter pill for the warden to swallow.
The warden was skeptical about Andy's chances of overturning his conviction, believing that it required undeniable evidence. But the appearance of the thief raised suspicions. The warden couldn't ignore the unsettling coincidence of Andy's case being suddenly revisited, especially after his lawyer's visit.
The warden's unease deepened as he considered the implications. Andy was not just a prisoner; he was a potential threat to his own secrets. Andy had been complicit in financial schemes for the warden, including tax evasion and money laundering. If Andy were freed, his knowledge of these illicit activities could spell disaster for the warden's career—and potentially his freedom.
The warden's mind raced as he weighed his options. He could not allow Andy to expose him. He needed to ensure that Andy remained silent—permanently.
He summoned Captain Hailey to his office. The captain arrived promptly, his face betraying a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Haili, did you also receive a false tax return from Hardy?" the warden asked, his voice laced with menace.
"Yes," Hailey replied, his voice steady.
The warden threw the newspaper onto the desk. "Look at this. If Andy's case is overturned, he could be released. He knows too much about us. If his knowledge gets out, it could ruin us both."
Hailey's eyes widened as he read the newspaper headline. "So, what's the plan?"
"We need to silence Andy," the warden said coldly. "He cannot be allowed to testify or even hint at what he knows. Do you have a solution?"
Hailey's expression darkened. "I'll arrange it. But it needs to be done discreetly. It can't be traced back to us."
The warden nodded. "Exactly. Find someone in prison who can handle this quietly. Offer them incentives to take care of Andy. It's better if it looks like an accident or a prison vendetta."
Hailey left, determined to find a suitable candidate. He roamed the prison corridors, his eyes scanning for potential perpetrators. He found Dimon, a notorious inmate with a history of violence and a reputation for being involved in prison affairs.
In a cell, Hailey confronted Dimon and his crew, orchestrating a staged search for contraband. He took Dimon aside, suggesting that his behavior in prison could be improved if he cooperated. Hailey subtly hinted at the benefits Dimon could receive if he carried out a specific task.
Dimon, knowing the risks of defying Hailey, agreed to the job, though he had already guessed what was being asked of him. He understood the gravity of the situation but saw the potential for personal gain in following through.
The next day, during the prison's designated free time, Dimon and his gang kept a close watch on Andy. Dimon, under Hailey's instructions, approached Andy with a pretense of offering cigarettes, but he used the opportunity to discreetly warn Andy of the impending danger.
Andy, initially shocked, became apprehensive. His previous excitement about the retrial was now overshadowed by fear. The mention of a possible assassination attempt added a new layer of tension to his already tumultuous situation.
Later that day, Henry and Lawyer Bob visited Andy again, bringing good news. They presented him with a newspaper showing the thief's confession and assured him that the court had accepted the retrial application. Andy was overwhelmed with joy, but his relief was tempered by his earlier warning about a possible threat to his life.
Henry and Bob, after their visit, returned to the city and investigated further. Henry uncovered the plot against Andy and informed Hardy of the dangerous situation.
Hardy, familiar with the warden's tactics from the movie, was not surprised by the lengths to which the warden would go to protect his secrets. Hardy instructed Henry to take immediate action to protect Andy.
"Henry, issue a warning to the warden. Make it clear that if anything happens to Andy, there will be severe consequences," Hardy instructed. "Ensure that the warden understands the gravity of the situation."
As the sun set over Shawshank Prison, the shadows lengthened, and the stakes grew higher. Andy's fate was now intertwined with a deadly game of power and secrecy, where every move was critical, and every decision could mean life or death.
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