Knight Rider 2000

Judge, Jury, and Executioner

Written by

Scott Kirkessner

Based upon KNIGHT RIDER

Created by

Glen A. Larson

Original KNIGHT RIDER 2000 Concept by

Rob Hedden

New concept by

Scott Kirkessner

Shawn continues her quest to save the innocent man who has been framed by his insane brother with more government connections than she can count. Now, she doesn't have to go it alone, when the Knight Foundation steps in to assist in the case. They must work together in a race against time to save Harold Johnson, and catch his brother, before it is too late.

Rated PG-13 for profanity, suggestive dialogue, strong violent content, and mild sensuality.

Falling

Down through the terrifying dark.

To Shawn, falling was an eternity. She slipped in and out of consciousness. Shawn just wanted to die, just hit the ground and get it over with. There was no sound to hear but the wind blowing around her ear. She thought she would never hit the ground until she felt her back make contact with a hard, but soft surface. It was an awning. The cloth fabric ripped under her, and she fell into a dumpster. Shawn opened her eyes to look around and she lifted up her head. The alley started spinning and the whole world around her went black.

Shawn heard footsteps running toward her. Her partner, Kurt Miller, was near screaming. She could hear the fear in his voice, but she couldn’t move, or see, or even speak.”

“Shawn? Shawn! Shawn?! Oh God no... Shawn, wake up... please... No!”

A bright light blinded Shawn, but it then subsided and she could see once more. She looked up at a set of eyes that were staring back at her. It was Kevin. Another person walked over. It was Maddock

“Shawn?” Maddock asked. “Kevin, what’s wrong with her?”

“Russ, do you think you could talk after you fell off a 20 story building. Give her some room, okay? From what I can see, and I am no doctor either, the shock of her fall, and the landing too, sent her into this lethargic state. I don’t know when she will wake up, or if she will. But we just have to hope for the best.” Kevin replied.

The room went dark again.

Shawn woke up again. She didn’t know how long she was out. She tried her hardest to talk, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t move at all. She just looked around her surroundings. It was a massive room. It looked like a huge warehouse. It was loud too. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw three semi-trucks parked to the right of her at one end of the warehouse. Workers were busy unloading the trucks and setting up equipment all around the warehouse.

Kevin walked up to Shawn’s bedside. He rubbed her forehead with an ice cold wash-cloth. He massaged her neck, too. “Shawn,” he said, “listen. I’ve been trying to find the evidence that you were looking for. I’ve come up with zero.” He took her hand in his and held it. “I hope you understand what I’m saying. I need you, Shawn. You know what to look for, I don’t. Maddock and KITT arrived a few days ago. They found me and started to set up shop. We were tracking you, until KITT found out that you were immobilized. I don’t know how he knew that you were in danger, but we raced to where he found your communicator signal. We brought you back here. We’re ready to help you wherever you need us.” He held her hand tighter. “Shawn, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Something for a long time. I lov-” Kevin was interrupted when Maddock called him. He looked into Shawn’s eyes and set her hand down and walked over to Maddock.

Shawn’s eyes followed Kevin around the warehouse. She had a vague idea as to what he was trying to tell her. Maddock and Kevin were too far away for her to hear what they were saying.

“....that’s what we’ve found.” Maddock said.

Kevin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Jesus, Russ, you’re nuts. There is no way Carl Johnson could be behind all of this. He is a nutbag sitting in a padded room. Now you want to confront him and his so-called followers?”

“Kevin, listen. This guy may be legally insane, but that doesn’t mean he’s stupid! We’ve done some research. The city DA’s office, the county prosecutor, and the police department were paid off in 1983, 1990, and 1997 to either destroy evidence or keep quiet. We’ve traced all the monies back to a Swiss Bank account that belongs to Carl Johnson.”

Kevin thought the info through in his mind. “1983.. oh my God. You were paid off.”

Maddock was silent.

“How much?”

“Before the court date, $500,000 dollars was deposited into my bank account from an unknown source. A day later, I got a letter. It said that this money was given to me in order for me to keep quiet and to be sure that Harold Johnson goes to jail. During the progress of the trial, which was about three months, I believe, almost one million dollars more was transferred into my account, as well as the accounts of the other DA’s working on the case.”

“Did you destroy evidence?”

“No. They paid me to win... and only that.” Maddock admitted.

“Why didn’t you tell this to Shawn?!”

“I didn’t think of it at the time.”

“Bullshit,” Kevin said, “you were saving your ass and you knew it.”

“Saving my ass from what, Kevin?” Maddock asked.

“From being implicated. If you told Shawn, God willing, she would have found the same damn research you did, including your payoff. She would have presented it at Harold’s final appeal trial, and you, and the rest of the DA’s would be sitting in jail. And the Knight Foundation would have a new president. I know what you did. You tried to save yourself, rather than help a friend. You selfish bastard.” Kevin walked away.

1625 Hrs MST.

Shawn laid looking up at the bright light above her. It seemed that no one knew she was fully conscious, in a sense. She thought long and hard as to why she couldn’t move or talk. The chilling words of the man who threw her off of the building replayed over and over in her head.

“You think you’re so close. You’ve just begun..... You think you’re so close. You’ve just begun..... You think you’re so close. You’ve just begun..... You think you’re so close. You’ve just begun.....”

A rapidly spreading feeling swept over Shawn’s body. She had no clue what it was. It wasn’t painful at all. It was beyond description. Finally when it subsided, she sat up and looked around.

She saw Kevin working on KITT. Kevin looked over at her and smiled. He walked over to her.

“Shawn, how are you feeling?” he asked.

“The same way anyone would feel after falling 20 stories and landing in a dumpster,” Shawn said, “and lucky to have such a good friend as you.” she said holding his hand.

Kevin smiled. The two stared at each other for awhile. It looked like they were about to kiss, until Maddock walked up.

“Shawn,” Maddock said, “it’s good to have you back. Kevin, can you excuse us?” he asked.

Still thinking over Maddock’s choices 17 years ago, Kevin simply nodded and walked away.

Shawn and Maddock were walking around outside the warehouse. “Shawn, I guess I should tell you something about this case you’re working on. I wasn’t honest with you when you came to my office a few days ago.”

“What are you talking about, Russ?” Shawn asked, confused.

“In 1983, before the court date of Harold Johnson. $500,000 was transferred into my bank account, as well as the bank accounts of all the other Montana DA’s working the case. A day later, I received a letter, stating that the money was for me to win. It told me to keep quiet and to ensure that Harold Johnson goes to the chair.”

Shawn was silent.

“We did more research, Shawn. We found that the DA’s office, county prosecutor, and the police department were paid off in 1983, 1990, and 1997 to destroy evidence or keep quiet. Basically to make sure that Harold Johnson remains on Death Row.” said Maddock. “The payoffs total in excess of $120 million. We traced all of the money back to a Swiss Bank Account, which was registered to Carl Johnson.”

Shawn looked up. “Oh shit. I knew it! I knew he was evading questions. Russ, when I talked to Carl, I sensed he was hiding something. You could just tell. However, the guy is completely nuts.”

“Or it’s an act.” Maddock interjected. “From what it seems, and of course, records don’t lie, it seems that Carl Johnson is one smart man.”

“You could be right. Although he is schizophrenic, sociopathic, and every other weird thing. He could be legally insane, but smart.” Shawn suggested.

“Well, one thing is for sure. An innocent man is going to die in a few weeks if we don’t find the evidence.” Maddock said.

“You mean, if we find the evidence first.” Shawn said

“What do you mean?”

“If Carl Johnson is as smart as we think he is. Then he’s looking for that evidence too, and will try to stop us at all costs. If he gets that evidence first, then Harold Johnson is as good as dead.”

Maddock nodded. He was confused as to why Shawn wasn’t angry as Kevin was earlier. “Shawn, aren’t you angry about my payoff?”

“Well, sort of, but I knew already. I was just wondering when you would come around to tell me.” Shawn replied.

“You knew?!” Maddock said, somewhat surprised.

“Yeah. I found transaction records from Switzerland last month. Your name was on one of the slips.” Shawn said.

Maddock smiled. “A detective at best. Good job, Shawn. Now, lets save Harold.” he began to walk into the warehouse.

“Russ wait.” Shawn said.

Maddock stopped and turned around.

Shawn paused for awhile, thinking how she could say this to Maddock.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I have such a personal connection to this case.”

Maddock crossed his arms and nodded. “The thought had crossed my mind. Go on.”

“Harold Johnson is my father. Biological father that is. My mom and him got a divorce when I was young, and tried to start a new life. My mom married another guy who adopted me, and my mom and I took his name. My mom, and even my step father, kinda told me pieces about him, and they never gave into the bullshit that others said about Harold Johnson.” Shawn stopped. She looked like she was about to cry. Maddock could see that she was fighting it off. “Well, anyway...” Shawn trailed off. A few tears rolled down her cheek. “You really think one man can still make a difference?” she said, some what crying.

Maddock smiled and placed a comforting hand on Shawn’s shoulder. “Who says it has to be a man?” He said.

Shawn smiled. “Let’s try to solve a killer case without Michael Knight for a change, okay?”

“The answer is yes, by the way.” Maddock said.

“Yes to what?” Shawn asked.

“Yes, I still think one man... wait, I take that back. One person can make a difference. Just imagine what more than that could do. You got all of us on your side Shawn. Kevin, KITT, and I will help you in anyway we can.”

“Thanks Russ.” Shawn said.

They started walking back into the warehouse. Technicians were working on KITT, who was in stand by mode. “We basically put him to sleep,” Maddock said. “we’re making some adjustments, and some repairs. KITT sort of damaged his turbine when he was speeding, trying to find you. At one point, he hit 400 mph without assistance from the new rocket boosters Kevin installed awhile back,” Maddock said, looking at KITT. “Shawn, KITT was deeply concerned for you. It was amazing how he was determined to find you. I remember Devon telling me how KITT and Michael were connected by some kind of common bond. They were real good friends, but, provided, they rode together for eight years. You only have been riding with KITT for only a few months.”

“It could be the memory chip I have installed in my brain. He might think of me more as a sister than a partner. I really don’t know. Sometimes, the best mysteries are left unsolved.” Shawn said.

“I know what you mean.” Maddock said.

Kevin walked up to both of them. “Shawn, mind if Russ and I have a minute?”

“Sure.” Shawn said. She walked off to watch the goings on in the warehouse.

“Russ, listen,” Kevin began, “I’m sorry for what I said earlier today. I didn’t mean any of it at all. I was just angry.”

Maddock stopped him. “Kevin, there’s no need to apologize. You were right, though. I was a selfish bastard. Whenever I saw money, I decided to forget my friends and the rest of everyone else and take the green. What I did was wrong, I know that now. Hell, I knew that then. I condemned a man, an innocent man, to death, and if I go to Hell for that, then so be it. God knows I deserve it.”

Kevin stood wide eyed at Maddock’s revelation. “Russ, I don’t think you’ll be going to Hell, f such a place exists. You have been working for the Knight Foundation since 1995. How many lives do you think you have helped? People you helped save? Children you helped find? One man can make a difference. Who says that man has to be Michael Knight?”

“Thank you Kevin,” Maddock said, “I just can’t help but feel guilty about what I did in 1983. And if Harold Johnson dies, I don’t know what I’ll do.”

“I do.” Kevin said.

“What?”

“Easy,” Kevin stated, “you’ll go on with your life. Of course you would feel guilty, but you can’t things that went wrong eat you up inside all your life. Keep a special place in your mind for all the guilt-ridden things that happened. Never forget them. Always remember them. But don’t let them tear you up. Don’t let them win.”

Maddock smiled. “Sounds good to me, Kev. When will KITT be finished?”

“Whenever you need him, boss.” Kevin said.

“Okay, try to have him done in 4 hours?”

“Sure.”

June 23, 2000

0945 Hrs MST.

Kevin walked out of the semi that he slept in and saw Shawn sitting inside KITT. It’s been three days since they have been in Billings, and so far, no results.

Shawn was sitting inside KITT searching InterPol files.

“Shawn, what exactly are you looking for?” KITT said. He sounded tired.

“Anything I can find on Carl Johnson. Something tells me this guy has a European rap sheet as long as our semi.”

Kevin walked up. “Good morning.”

Shawn laughed. “Same to you, Kevin. How are you?”

“Fine. A little stiff from sleeping in a semi,” he said, “when did you get to sleep?” he asked.

“I didn’t.” Shawn said, a little hyper. “I made a big pot of coffee and worked all night.”

“Tell me about it.” KITT said, wearily. “She’s been searching everywhere for this Carl Johnson man.”

“I don’t know what I’m really looking for. Most of the records are dead ends.” Shawn said.

Kevin climbed into the passenger side. He took out a keyboard and plugged it into a serial port under KITT’s dashboard. He typed in a few commands. All of a sudden, KITT’s monitor was on a CIA page.... a classified CIA page.

“Kevin, what the hell is this?!” Shawn said.

“It’s the CIA foreign terrorist database.” Kevin answered simply.

“Does the Foundation have access to this database?” Shawn asked.

“No.” KITT answered. “Only high officials have access to this database. Including the President.”

“What are you doing?” Shawn asked Kevin.

“I’m searching for Carl Johnson. This database has much more, and better information than InterPol.” Kevin replied. In a few seconds, Carl Johnson’s face came up on KITT’s monitor. “Here we go! Carl Johnson, aliases include Chico Book, Jordan Mitchell, William Troy, and Oliver McNamara. Wanted for suspect of bombings in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar Es Salam, Tanzania. Wanted for conviction of several bombings in Dublin, Ireland, and Moscow Russia. There’s an American connection link here. Wanted for suspect of....” Kevin stopped.

Shawn read the monitor. “Wanted for suspect of blowing up a school bus in Montana, 1983. Wanted for suspect of bombings at Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996. Wanted for suspect of bombings in New York City in 2000. How could he do all of this if he was committed since the 70’s?”

Kevin clicked on a link marked: Known Accomplices. He and Shawn stared wide-eyed at KITT’s monitor as the list of his accomplices went down forever.

“KITT, what else can we find out from this database?” Shawn asked.

“From what I can see, Shawn, it seems we can find out anything we ever wanted to know about Carl Johnson. From his hair color at birth to what he eats daily in the mental hospital....” KITT trailed off.

“KITT?” Kevin asked.

“Someone is using this connection to dial into me... I don’t know what is going on-” KITT’s voice shut off.

“KITT, you there?” Shawn asked.

“Who is this?” another voice said over KITT’s speakers.

Kevin spoke up. “Uhh, we just stumbled on a wrong circuit, sorry for the-”

The other voice cut him off. “THIS IS A RESTRICTED GOVERNMENT DATABASE. YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO ACCESS THIS DATABASE!”

Kevin quickly typed on the keyboard. There was a click heard and then a dial tone. The dial tone shut off and KITT came back.

“That was very strange.” KITT said.

“You got that right,” Shawn said, “how in the hell did they do that anyway?”

Kevin looked over at Shawn. “Shawn, it’s the CIA.”

Shawn realized what Kevin was saying. “Oh. How’d you get rid of them?” she said.

“I sent a feedback loop through the connection, and then I covered our tracks, so they can’t find out who we are.”

Shawn nodded.

“Well, from what I saw, and downloaded too, it seems that Carl Johnson is much smarter than we gave him credit for.” Kevin said.

“I think you’re smarter than we give you credit for, Kevin.” Shawn said. She took his hand in hers. “Thanks, for everything. You really helped me when I needed it the most.”

Kevin smiled. “You’re welcome. Shawn. I’m always glad to help.”

With their hands still joined, Kevin and Shawn leaned closer to each other until their lips finally made contact with each other. Kevin and Shawn kissed full on the lips.

Shawn broke the kiss. “Wow.” she said.

“Wow indeed.” Kevin replied.

The two sat silent for awhile and then left the car, going in opposite directions in the warehouse. KITT, who was silent the whole time shut off the Internet connection and closed his doors. He ejected the disk in his drive, seconds before Kevin came back to retrieve it. “Thanks KITT.” Kevin said.

June 24, 2000

2301 Hrs MST.

Six days until trial...

Shawn, KITT and Kevin were parked outside of City Hall. It was about an hour from midnight, and they were waiting to sneak in and look for records of Harold’s case from 1983.

“Shawn, this is fishy. What makes you think that there is a missing link to the evidence? Wouldn’t you think that it would all be destroyed by now?”

Shawn shook her head. “No, something tells me that there is still a crucial piece out there, and Carl is looking for it. I’m sure he knows where it is too.”

“Shawn, if Carl is as smart as you say he is, then I assume that he has his associates looking for this evidence too. Therefore, I suggest you proceed with extreme caution.” KITT said. At the exact second he finished, a panel in the center console opened and two ultrasound handguns popped out.

Shawn and Kevin each took a gun. “Thanks KITT.” Kevin said.

“KITT,” Shawn said, “scan the building for any guards, or things that might get us in trouble.”

“Right away, Shawn.” KITT said. On the windshield, the image changed into a Virtual Reality display of the building. The image slowly zoomed onto the building until it was inside, on the ground floor. The VR image showed three armed guards walking around. “It seems these are the only men in the building.” KITT reported

“What kind of City Hall needs armed guards?” Kevin asked.

“A city hall which has been bought, that’s who.” Shawn replied.

Kevin punched a few commands into a keyboard, and on KITT’s windshield, a VR image of a room appeared. “Okay, from earlier scans, it looks like the records are kept in this room, in that vault over there,” he pointed, “the vault is 6 inches thick, but KITT said that he could open it.”

“Correct.” KITT confirmed.

“All we have to do is get to the Records Room without tripping alarms or being spotted by guards.” Kevin added.

“Okay, KITT, what is our best bet?” Shawn asked.

“My scans show that the guards are on the first floor. The records room is on the top floor, which is the fourth floor. You’re ‘best bet’ is to enter through the skylights on the top of the roof. The alarms are easy to disable with my MicroJam.”

“Okay, KITT, and how do you expect us to get up four floors?” Shawn asked.

“Shawn, you really under-estimate me. I have it covered.” KITT said. Shawn and Kevin heard a whirring noise, as the rear spoiler spilt in two, and the two pieces lifted to where they were vertically in the air. KITT’s engine roared to life and he positioned himself to where his back was facing the building. Two small shots were heard as grappling hooks launched out of the spoiler segments and reached the roof.

Kevin and Shawn got out of KITT and walked to the spoiler segments. They reached up and grabbed a large hook-type device attached to the ropes leading up to the roof. Kevin pressed a button on his and the device moved up the rope, taking Kevin with him. Shawn did the same, and within seconds, both were on the roof of the building.

Shawn and Kevin spotted a skylight and ran toward it.

Shawn spoke into the comm-link. “Okay, KITT disable the alarms.”

“Right away, Shawn.” KITT said as an image of the alarm computer system appeared on his monitor. A section of a motherboard flashed yellow.”

“Alarms are deactivated.” KITT said, through the comm-link.

Kevin took out a crowbar from his bag and pryed open the hatch. He clipped a rope to a small pipe nearby and dropped the rope through the skylight. Shawn went down first, and Kevin followed.

“Now what?” Kevin asked.

“I don’t know.” Shawn replied. “KITT, is this the records room?” Shawn asked into her comm-link. There was no reply. “KITT?” she repeated again. No reply.

“What’s going on?” Kevin asked.

“I can’t raise KITT.”

Kevin spoke into his comm-link. “KITT? KITT, you there?” No reply. “Nothing,” he said, “not even static. They must be jamming our signals. Do they know we’re here?”

“I don’t know.” Shawn replied.

“This is bad, Shawn. We gotta get out of here. Now.”

“No,” Shawn said, “not until we get what we’ve been looking for.”

Kevin nodded. “Okay. You go left, I’ll go right. We’ll meet back here in an hour, regardless if we find the records or not. Remember, our comm-links don’t work.”

“Okay.” Shawn said. Shawn and Kevin went down their indicated hallways.

After a few minutes, Kevin stopped at a filing cabinet and opened it up and looked through it.

Shawn opened up a door and walked into a small office. She set her ultrasound down on the desk and walked over to a filing cabinet. She opened the cabinet and looked through the files.

KITT was monitoring their movements through the building, when something caught his attention. A guard! And he was moving towards Shawn. He tried to contact her on the comm-link. But for some reason she didn’t reply.

“Shawn! Look out! Shawn!” he said. KITT watched the guard slowly approach the office. “Oh no.” he said

The guard saw the light in the office coming through the faux-frosted-window door. He quietly opened the door, and raised his handgun.

Shawn was looking through the files, and found one marked: HJ83. She took it out and began to look through it.

“Bad timing.” the guard said.

Shawn whipped around, dropping the file onto the floor. She gulped. “You’re telling me.” She ran for her ultrasound on the desk. The guard caught her and threw her against the filing cabinet, knocking it over. She got up again, but he grabbed her. She screamed for Kevin.

“Kevin! Help! Kevin!!!! Help me!” she screamed

Down the hall Kevin heard Shawn’s screaming. He dropped his flashlight and ran, with his ultrasound drawn.

Shawn reached the desk and grabbed her ultrasound, but the guard was still holding her, and slamming her against things. She had her finger on the trigger of the ultrasound, and he pushed on her finger, forcing her to fire.

Kevin came running up, he heard the ultrasound fire and slowed down. He was about to open the door when he heard another discharge and the window of the door broke. He stepped back and kicked in the door.

Shawn was still struggling with the guard and he spun her around to face Kevin. He pressed on her finger and forced her to fire, sending Kevin back, hitting the wall. He fell to the floor, unconscious.

“Kevin!” she yelled. Shawn continued to struggle with the guard. He slammed her against the wall three times, but she still persisted. Finally, he slammed her against the wall again, and she fell down, motionless.

The guard spoke into his walkie-talkie. “I got McCormick. What do you want me to do with her partner?”

The guard’s parter replied. “Leave him there, he’s no use. I’ll tell Mr. Johnson that we have the girl in custody.”

“Gotcha.” the guard replied. The guard was about to pick Shawn up when he heard a very loud noise. He looked out of the door to see a red car with a red light in front of it speeding to him! “Holy shit!” he yelled. The guard picked Shawn up and ran for the elevator. He got in and pressed the button to close the doors repeatedly. They finally closed.

KITT came to a stop. He had failed Shawn. He tried to scan for her, but the high velocity turbo-boost had damaged some scanners. “Kevin,” he said, “can you hear me?”

Kevin started to get up. “What the hell...” he said, “KITT?! What... how did you get up here?”

“I turbo-boosted, Kevin. Shawn is gone. She got jumped by a guard and I don’t know where she is.”

“Yeah, I know,” Kevin said, “I think those guards work for Carl Johnson.” Kevin got up and got into KITT’s driver seat. He shifted KITT into reverse and spun around. He pressed the gas pedal to the floor and sped towards the hole where KITT came in. “Okay KITT.... turbo-boost!”

KITT launched out of the hole he made earlier and flew into the air for a few seconds, until he landed on the road. They sped back to the warehouse.

When Kevin and KITT arrived at the warehouse, Maddock was very irate.

“What?!”

Kevin rubbed his eyes. “The guard jumped Shawn and kidnapped her.”

Maddock looked at KITT, who seemed to be in some bad shape, structurally.

“What’s his story?” Maddock asked, pointing to KITT.

“When he landed on the road after he jumped out of the building, he bottomed out. I think we wrecked the suspension.” Kevin replied.

Maddock leaned on KITT’s rear fender. The whole chassis touched the ground. “Great! Just great!” he said.

“Jesus, Maddock, calm down! I can work on him as soon as possible, he should be repaired by tomorrow morning.” Kevin said. “Shawn can fend for herself, she’s strong! She’ll make it through the night.”

2329 Hrs MST.

Carl Johnson walked down a corridor and entered a room. There was a person sitting in a chair in the center of the room. It was Shawn. Carl walked towards her and faced her.

“You little bitch.” he said, as he punched her in the face. “What made you think that you could mess with my plans to have Harold Johnson executed?”

Shawn began to speak, but Carl interrupted her.

“Don’t give me that bullshit about him being your father, I know that already.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m a human being, with a conscience. You’re just a barbarian.” Shawn calmly replied.

“Barbarian?! Human being?!” Carl screamed. He punched Shawn again, and knocked her out of the chair. She fell to the ground. Carl kicked her in her stomach. “Don’t gimme that shit about being a human being! I’ve bet you’ve killed before, haven’t you?! Haven’t you?!”

Shawn could hardly talk. She spit out blood. “No..” she said.

“Bullshit.” Carl said. “Bullshit!” he yelled louder. He kicked her again. “You were a cop. You had to have killed someone before.”

“No.” Shawn repeated.

Carl rolled her over and bent down. “I see.... We’re you a good cop, hot shot? You had to have been some kind of great cop, not to kill anyone.”

“Being a cop isn’t always about killing people. It’s about putting scum like you away.” Shawn said.

Carl kicked Shawn in the side. She screamed and collapsed onto the floor.

Carl smiled and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him.

June 25, 2000

1020 Hrs MST.

Five days until trial...

Maddock walked into the warehouse and saw KITT elevated from the ground. About 20 technicians, including Kevin were working under him. He walked over to Kevin. “How long?”

“Not long.” Kevin replied, tightening a bolt. “It should be a few more minutes and we’ll be good to go again.”

Carl walked into Shawn’s room carrying a tray full of food, and a glass of water. He opened the door. “Got some food for ya, ocifer!” Carl set the tray down.

Shawn had her back to him. She asked the question that she had wanted to ask for awhile. “You have the missing evidence, don’t you?”

Carl laughed. “What makes you think I’m gonna tell you?”

“Because you’re going to kill me.” Shawn said.

Carl was silent. This smart lady read his mind. He came too far to be stopped by a broad with a flashy car. “Yeah, I got the evidence. How you ask? Because I got the money,” Carl said, “some say there are things money can’t buy but they’re wrong. See, everything and everyone has a price tag, but sometimes it is hidden, and you gotta look for it. I have the money to buy and sell everyone in this town, and you know what?” Carl said as he faced Shawn, “I can buy its nosy visitors too.”

“How long do you plan on keeping me here, alive?” Shawn asked.

“After Harold’s execution, which is on, ohh.... July 5th. It looks like you and your Knight Foundation buddies are running out of time. I know all about them too. An annoying do-gooders glee club with a flashy car that talks.”

Shawn was amazed as to what Carl was telling her about her own company. “How do you-”

“Ocifer, you don’t give me enough credit! I may be legally insane, but God dammit I’m not stupid!”

“Could have fooled me.” Shawn said. She quickly realized that she had said the wrong thing.

Carl punched Shawn in her black eye from last night. He knocked her out of the chair. “That’s okay, I’ll just let you in here until your daddy is executed, and to make it even better, I got a video feed from the prison, and you’ll be able to watch it LIVE!” Carl laughed. “Where is your knight in shining armor now?”

Shawn gave him a confused look

Carl was frustrated that Shawn didn’t understand his cliché. “Michael Knight, ocifer! He seems to save your ass when you need it, doesn’t he? Looks like he’s sitting this one out, because, well... I don’t see him, do you?” Carl laughed and walked out of the room.

Shawn hung her head down and got up and walked around. One thing she was relieved about was the freedom to walk around, not caged up. She carefully approached the tray of food, waiting for it to explode or something. She got on her knees and picked up a piece of bread. She smelt it, trying to figure out if it was poisoned. She knew it wasn’t. Carl wanted her alive to watch Harold be killed. Shawn looked at the contents of the tray. Toast, eggs, bacon, butter, and orange juice. Carl definitely wanted her alive. Shawn hoped that her friends would find her soon, and began to eat.

June 28, 2000

1645 Hrs MST.

Two days until trial...

For the past three days, the Knight Foundation has been looking very hard for Shawn. Maddock and Kevin both agreed to wherever the find Shawn, they find Carl Johnson. And wherever they find Carl Johnson, they find the missing evidence. Now all they have to do is figure out how and where to find Shawn...

“KITT this is bullshit.” Kevin said.

“I beg your pardon.” KITT replied.

“It’s been... what, 3 days, and no trace of Shawn. How can that possibly be?” Kevin asked.

“I don’t know, Kevin. But I have been scanning everywhere since than, and have come up with nothing.”

“It’s almost like she walked of the edge of the earth...” Kevin murmured. He thought for a while. “That’s it!”

“What is?” KITT asked.

“The earth! We’ve been using conventional scans, earth scans, to find Shawn.”

“I’m afraid you haven’t been getting enough sleep, Kevin. I am returning to the warehouse.” KITT said.

“No wait, let me explain. What we need to do is scan for the communicator’s satellite signal.” Kevin said.

“I understand now.” KITT said.

“Good. The communicators use microwave signals, but there still is the transponder that we use to find an agent. You scanned for the microwave transponder, which is easier to find, but there also is the satellite transponder, which requires tapping into the Global Satellite Network.” Kevin said.

“Kevin, every time I tap in to GSN, I end up wishing for vacuum tubes. It is a very large network.” KITT said.

“I know, KITT, but this is our only way to find Shawn.”

Shawn was rubbing a piece of wood that she broke off of the chair on the underside of it. She rubbed her bloody hands on her cloth napkin, and hid the sawdust in her cup of orange juice. She was rubbing the wood on the chair since 11pm last night, and was hoping it was sharp enough to escape from Carl. She knew he would be in soon to bring her dinner, and was working hard to get the wood sharp enough. She heard Carl unlocking the door. She hid the remaining sawdust in her drink and rubbed her hands clean of blood as she could. She slid the wooden knife up her sleeve, and waited for Carl to come in.

Carl opened the door with a smile on his face. It was only 2 days until the trial, and he knew that without that evidence, his brother is dead. It was so hard being brothers. He walked over to Shawn and set the tray down. “Hey, ocifer. Dinner is served.”

Shawn got up and walked towards him. She hit the tray on the bottom and hit flew up and hit Carl in the face. She took the wooden knife out and stabbed him in the shoulder. Carl screamed and fell down. She kicked him in the side and the stomach, and in his shoulder wound, causing him to scream, loudly. Finally, she kicked him in the head and he went unconscious. She searched him and found a handgun and two clips. She made sure the gun was armed and she ran down the hall. She ran towards the first door she could find, and opened it. There was nothing in there. She frantically looked around for any kind of file or papers, but found nothing. She ran out and tried another door. It was locked. She broke in only to find an empty room. Shawn couldn’t see any guards, or anyone else, so she figured she was all alone. She looked down another hall filled with lots of doors.

1920 Hrs MST.

Kevin was sitting on a chair drinking a glass of water while KITT searched GSN. “How much longer, KITT?” he asked.

“I predict about three more hours.” KITT said.

Kevin threw his glass across the room. “The trial is two days away, we have to get Shawn and hope to God that she has that evidence.”

“Kevin,” KITT said.

“What?”

“I hope so too.” KITT replied. “But you have to relax, Kevin, and give me time. GSN is bigger than ever now, and it will take three more hours to complete the search. The problem is that we have no idea where Shawn is, so I have to search the entire world.”

“KITT, I’m sorry for my outburst. I’m just.... Hell, I don’t know what I am.”

“In love.” a voice said from across the room.

Kevin turned around and saw Maddock standing there.

Maddock nodded. “Yeah, Kev, you are in love. I can see it. Hell, KITT can see it.”

Kevin nodded. “KITT already knows, kinda. Shawn kinda knows too. KITT knows because I told him. Shawn knows because we kissed a few days ago. So I think she’s in love too.”

Maddock walked closer to Kevin. “Don’t bust your ass to save Shawn because you are in love. Keep your mind where it needs to be and save her because she is your partner. She’s OUR partner. We all have to work together.”

Kevin smiled. “It’s good to be part of a team. I was so rejected throughout high school, it was so annoying. Everyone thought I was a geek, and a nerd and what not because I fell in love with computers. Now I am making big bucks and part of a team finally. It feels so good to be accepted.”

“Kevin, you aren’t just part of any old team. You’re part of a family, now. We all need each other to live. Come on. KITT won’t be done for three more hours, I think we need an adult beverage.” Maddock said, smiling.

2057 Hrs MST.

Shawn was out of breath. She had tried every door she could find and came up with nothing. She finally figured out that Carl must have the file of her father on him somewhere. She walked back to the room she was kept in and slowly approached the door. She saw blood on the floor and what she thought to be Carl’s foot. She walked in the room and saw it was Carl’s shoe! He was loose somewhere!

Out of nowhere, a sharp pain hit Shawn in the back. She saw pieces of wood flying everywhere. Carl had hit her with the chair. He kicked her and she fell down, and the gun went sliding across the floor.

Shawn got up and hobbled towards the gun.

“Oh no you don’t!” Carl yelled.

But Shawn reached it first and she fired point blank at Carl and hit him in the arm. He screamed and fell over.

Shawn walked towards him and punched him. He was knocked out. She searched him for the file, and she found a file marked HJ-X. She looked through it and found the missing evidence which could save her father.

Shawn got up and began to run, when something grabbed her leg. She fell down and fell hard. The gun and the folder slipped out of her hand and went sliding down the hall.

2110 Hrs MST.

Kevin and Maddock were sitting in the bar, drinking beers and talking. “This has been the worst God-knows-how-many-weeks in my life.” Kevin said, unable to count the past days which he has been in Montana.

Maddock looked at his watch. “KITT should be done by now. I’m sure he’s bored to tears sitting in that warehouse.” Maddock paid the bartender and walked out, with Kevin following.

Shawn was fighting with Carl again. She kicked and punched as much as she could, but he compensated by kicking and punching her too. She noticed he was getting weaker as they continued, but she was getting weaker too, she had to last longer than him.

“Just give me the evidence, and I’ll let you disappear.” Shawn said.

“Screw yourself sweetcheeks and just give up.” Carl shot back.

“Never.” Shawn replied. She kicked him in his wound.

Carl screamed and twisted Shawn’s arm. She screamed and punched him in the jaw. Carl spit out blood. “You’re gonna pay for that.” he said.

He got up to charge Shawn. He could hardly run, but still tried anyway. Shawn elbowed him in the jaw, causing him to fall over. She grabbed the wooden knife she made earlier and stabbed him in the arm again. She got up and hobbled out the door. Carl got up and ran to the door, but Shawn closed it just in time. She locked it and grabbed the file and gun and ran towards where she saw an exit earlier.

Maddock and Kevin walked into the warehouse.

“Russ, I’ve been thinking... if the city is corrupt all thanks to Harold’s nutso brother, then don’t you think he’s gonna have a corrupt lawyer if he gets one from the state?”

Maddock just realized what Kevin was saying. “Oh crap.”

“Looks like it is up to you.” Kevin said.

“Yeah. Okay, tomorrow, we go see Harold and tell him I’m going to defend him.” Maddock said.

“Sounds good to me,” Kevin said. He turned to KITT. “KITT, you finished?”

“Yes, Kevin,” KITT said, excited, “and here is where I found Shawn.”

Kevin and Maddock sat inside of KITT as she showed them a map of the world on the windshield. A red dot appeared and the map zoomed in.

“KITT this is impossible.” Kevin said as he looked at where Shawn was located.

“I am sorry, Kevin, but this is where I traced her comm-link to.” KITT said.

“Maybe Carl dumped it there.” Kevin said.

“I’m not sure, but it is all we have to go on.” Maddock said, running to grab his jacket.

“Whoa, Russell, wait up, this is gonna take about 4 hours to get there.” Kevin said.

“I know, so that’s why we’re leaving now.” Maddock said. “Kevin, call the plane, tell them to fuel up and get ready to rock.”

Kevin nodded and got on KITT’s satellite phone.

Maddock ran towards one of the semi-trucks and gathered some things. When he returned, Kevin was off the phone, waiting for him. “The plane is gonna be ready when we get to the airport.”

“Good job.” Maddock said. He approached the driver’s side of the car and got in. Kevin got in on the passenger side. Maddock stepped on the accelerator and drove towards the airport.

Shawn was struggling up stairs and was wondering when they would ever end. Finally she found a door marked roof top access. She opened it up and walked into pure darkness.

Darkness

The endless reaches of space.

No light

Nothing to keep Oblivion away.

It took awhile, but finally she could see. She searched for a switch or something and found one, which turned on massive spot lights, and a strobe light. She realized she was standing on a Heli-pad. She slowly walked towards the roof’s edge. She looked over and screamed in horror.

Shawn was standing on the top of an old oil rig, in the middle of the ocean.

The massive 747 was in the flying in the air, toward San Francisco. The pilot determined that it should take 3 hours to get there.

Kevin was in the garage, with Maddock, who was sitting on KITT’s hood.

“I believe that if we leave as soon as we land, we should get to Shawn’s location in 2-3 hours.” KITT said.

Shawn blocked the door with anything she could find. She was all alone on the Heli-pad. She sat down and opened the folder which contained the missing evidence which she sought out for so many years...

June 29, 2000

0245 Hrs PST

One day until trial...

Kevin wondered around the plane. They were about 20 minutes away from San Francisco and he was getting antsy. He tried watching TV, or a movie, but it didn’t help. He couldn’t help but think about Shawn.

Maddock walked up to him. “What time is it?” he asked.

“Kevin looked at his watch. 2:45am, Pacific Time.”

Maddock rubbed his eyes. “I’m gonna be so jet-lagged after this is over.”

“What is our plan?” Kevin asked.

“I figure that as soon as we land, we high tail it to San Francisco, which is an hour from the airport itself. If we get KITT to 300 MPH, we should be to the bay in no time.” Maddock said.

“Okay, how do you plan on getting to Shawn’s location?”

“I figure we take KITT into the bay, and head into the ocean towards wherever Shawn is. How long do you think it will take to get there, and will KITT be ready?”

“KITT’s ready now, and I figure since Shawn’s location is 200 miles out, if we get KITT to 300 plus miles per hour, it should take about 45 minutes to get there.”

Maddock was working on a calculator. “Okay, let’s figure that to be two hours round trip, who knows what we have to do to get Shawn out of there. We high tail it back to San Francisco and I figure that we take off and should be in Billings by 8:00 am. We get to Harold as fast as we can and tell him I am now his lawyer. We spend the entire day getting ready for the case.”

“What time zone is that?” Kevin asked.

“It’s Mountain time.” Maddock said.

“Attention all Knight Air Transport personnel. We are approaching San Francisco International Airport, secure all stations and prepare for landing.”

Maddock and Kevin walked into the garage and saw the garage crew scrambling to get everything secured. They joined the garage crew in their seats and strapped themselves in. After a few minutes the plane finally landed.

Before the plane stopped rolling on the runway, Maddock and Kevin jumped from their seats and ran to KITT. Maddock approached the driver’s side, but saw Kevin. He smiled and walked around to the passenger side and got in. Kevin smiled and got in the driver side.

The rear door dropped down and Kevin sped out of the garage...

Shawn was amazed as to what she found in the folder. This evidence would definitely save her father’s life. Now she just hoped that KITT and everyone else would find her too.

KITT was speeding towards San Francisco Bay at 300 miles per hour. He swerved to avoid any cars in the way. Maddock tried to read a sign, but it went by too fast.

“I hope to hell you know what you’re doing, KITT.” Kevin said.

“Of course I know,” KITT said, “if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be going this fast.”

Kevin leaned against the door as KITT turned sharply to the left.

“Where are you going?” Maddock asked.

“Down this dock-way.” KITT said as he pulled onto a long dock.

“There’s no turning back now.” Kevin said.

KITT was about 100 feet from the end of the dock when he turbo-boosted. The car launched into the air and sailed for awhile until it hit the water.

Maddock and Kevin heard KITT’s water-turbine engines start up. Kevin pressed the accelerator and KITT sped off towards Shawn’s location.

“Current speed, 311 miles per hour and climbing.” KITT said.

“KITT, try to push for 350.” Maddock said.

“Mr. Maddock, I’m afraid I might blow out my turbine if I do that. I no longer have those rocket boosters which can double my speed.” KITT reported.

“Do what you can KITT.” Kevin said.

Shawn was trying to figure out what to do next. This was probably the safest place for her to be. Carl couldn’t possibly get to her, if he was still alive. All of a sudden, the door that she blocked earlier exploded.

When the smoke cleared, Carl Johnson emerged from the destroyed doorway, holding a gun. Shawn grabbed hers and aimed it at him. They had a standoff.

Carl smiled. “Drop it. We both know that I can kill you first before you can even get a shot off.”

Shawn smiled back. “You’re forgetting I was a cop.”

Carl slowly walked to the right. Shawn followed his movements, exactly.

“Do you know how this shit works?” Carl said, waving his gun, while repeating a line from his favorite movie.

“I saw that movie too, Carl. Know how this shit works?” Shawn said, waving the folder containing the missing evidence. “I got enough in here to make sure that you go to jail for a long time.”

“Shawn, be a good girl and hand over the evidence. If you do, I’ll let you live.. maybe.”

“Hell no, I’m taking this evidence back to Billings and saving my father.” Shawn said. “I know all about everything else, Carl. You’re a mad-bomber, obsessed with fire, chemicals, explosives. You love it all. You’re wanted for a number of bombings. Including some domestic ones. How was Atlanta in ‘96 anyway?”

Carl laughed. “Damn humid if you ask me. That bomb was supposed to kill more people than it did. Too bad...”

“I think you killed enough in Africa.” Shawn said.

“There was no evidence which connected me to that.... wonderful display.” Carl said, laughing.

“You have no problems killing, do you?” Shawn asked.

“Nope.” Carl said as he fired his gun at Shawn.

Shawn ducked and ran behind some crates, dodging the bullets. She fired back a few times.

“Kevin, we are approaching Shawn’s location.” KITT said.

Maddock and Kevin looked out the windshield and saw a massive oil rig sitting in the water. “So that’s it.” Maddock said.

“I am detecting gun fire on the top of the structure.” KITT said.

“Switch to Virtual Reality.” Maddock said.

KITT’s windshield switched to a Virtual Reality representation. He zoomed in on the roof.

“That’s Shawn all right.” Maddock said.

“It looks like she’s in a semi-standoff with Carl Johnson.” Kevin added.

“KITT can we turbo-boost on to the top of the oil rig?”

“I’ll have to compensate because we are in water.” KITT said. “Finished. Hold on, this is going to be steep.”

Shawn briefly looked over the edge and saw what appeared to be a speed-boat approaching. She looked closer and saw chasing red lights in the front. She knew her friends would save her. Shawn heard a familiar whine as she saw the car leap into the air.

All of a sudden, Carl saw a red car come out of nowhere and land on the roof. He started firing at it but the bullets bounced off! He saw Shawn emerge from her hiding spot, and he aimed the gun at her...

Shawn did not hesitate and fired at Carl immediately. She fired numerous times hitting him in the chest and stomach. Blood flew everywhere. Finally, she fired a shot and it hit in the middle of his forehead. The back of his head exploded in a bloody mess and he stumbled backwards and fell over the edge.

“How do you like how that shit works?!” Shawn yelled over the edge as Carl’s body hit the water.

Kevin got out of KITT and ran to Shawn. She dropped the gun and hugged him tightly. The two fell into a deep and passionate kiss. “I love you.” Shawn said to Kevin.

“I love you too.” Kevin replied. The two kissed again and ran back to KITT. Kevin got into the back seat and Shawn got in front.

“So much has happened, Shawn...” Maddock said.

“We’ll compare notes later, right now I’m gonna try not to get us killed.” Shawn said. She stepped on the accelerator and floored it off of the Heli-pad. “Hold on!”

KITT hit the water and took off at 250 MPH.

“We’re we going?” Shawn asked.

“KITT’s on a course for San Francisco. The plane is waiting for us there.” Maddock said.

“After that, we head back to Billings to save your father.” Kevin added.

“Sounds good to me.” Shawn said.

“I plan on defending him in court.” Maddock said.

Shawn looked at Maddock.

“Yeah. We figured if he gets lawyers from the state, then they’d be corrupt too and do a shit effort to get the appeal through.”

“Does Harold know this yet?” Shawn asked.

“No,” Kevin said, “we figured that we would be in Billings by 7am mountain time, so we’d tell him then.”

“The trial is tomorrow, you guys know that, right?” Shawn asked.

“Yes.” Maddock and Kevin said in unison.

“I figure that we all get to know the case that day, which is today,” Maddock said looking at his watch, “and we go in and give ‘em hell.”

“Speaking of which, do you have the missing evidence?” Kevin asked.

“Got it right here!” Shawn said, waving the folder. “Here, take a look.” she said, handing the folder to Kevin.

“We are approaching the bay, Shawn.” KITT said.

“Okay KITT. Call the plane and tell them to get ready to go, and await further orders.” Shawn said.

“Right away, Shawn.” KITT said. “It is good to have you back.”

“Feelings mutual, KITT.” Shawn said.

In a few minutes, they were all on the road headed toward the airport. “KITT, alert the plane the second we enter the airport, I want them rolling on the runway.” Shawn said.

Maddock looked at Shawn. “Huh?”

“I figured we can save some time if we catch up to the plane as its about to take off. They usually punch 200 miles for take off speed, so we can match that.” Shawn said.

Maddock nodded.

“This is nutso, Shawn.” Kevin said.

“We can do it, if the timing is right.” Shawn said.

“I just finished with the plane, Shawn, they are taxing to the runway now. I estimate that it will take two minutes for them to reach the runway and start take off, which means we have two minutes to meet them, and only 1 minute to catch up.”

“Three minutes.” Shawn said. She pressed the accelerator to the floor. “We can do it.”

Inside the Knight Air Transport, the pilots cleared take off with the tower.

“Roger that, tower.” the co-pilot said. He hung up the microphone. “The boys in the garage say that they’ll drop the cargo door once they pick up KITT’s sign.”

“I sure hope this works.” the pilot said. He throttled up the jet engines and started down the runway.

KITT pulled onto the runway and started chasing the plane, which was going about 200 MPH. He matched and exceeded their speed to catch up to them.

Inside the cockpit of the 747, a loud alarm and a red light began to blink. “Master alarm activated, main cargo bay door has opened.” the co-pilot said.

“Okay,” the pilot said, “they better hurry this up, we’re gonna run out of runway soon.”

KITT sped towards the large open cargo bay door. He was only a few hundred feet away, when the planes elevators began to move into their takeoff positions.

“We’re almost there.” Shawn said. She saw the plane’s nose being to lift off the ground. She floored it and finally reached the open door. She sped onto it and into the cargo bay. KITT screeched to a halt and the massive door began to close. The plane was airborne

The three of them breathed a sigh of relief.

“Docking clamps are locked, Shawn.” KITT reported.

“Good job KITT.” Shawn said. She rubbed her neck, and the other places where it hurt. “What time is it?” she asked.

Kevin yawned. “About 4:28am, pacific time.” Kevin said.

Shawn turned to Maddock. “Thanks for everything, Russ. I gotta get some sleep.” Shawn said, as she headed off to her cabin.

Shawn took some pain killers and applied bandages and ointments to her injuries. She couldn’t sleep at all, and was too wound up about the days that just happened. The bell on her cabin rang. She opened the door and saw Kevin standing there with a rose in his hand.

Kevin smiled. “Thought you might need this.” he said.

Shawn smiled and took the rose. “Come in.” she said.

Kevin walked into her cabin. “These past few weeks have been so hard.” he said.

“I know what you mean,” Shawn said, “we’ve been working so hard on-”

Kevin cut her off. “No, they were hard because I really couldn’t tell you how I felt.”

“Oh.” Shawn said. “Kevin, these past months have been hell on me because I wasn’t sure how to tell you how I felt about you.”

Kevin walked closer and held Shawn. “I think it’s very obvious on how we feel now.”

Shawn kissed Kevin. “I know...” she kissed him again, and whispered in his ear. “I love you.”

Kevin kissed Shawn back. “I love you too.”

Both of them engaged in a deep and passionate kiss, holding each other. As they were kissing, they both slowly sank to the bed...

June 29, 2000

0600 Hrs MST

27 hours until trial...

Maddock was up early and walked into the garage, where KITT was sitting all alone. “Good morning, KITT.” he said. He walked over to KITT and looked inside the window. KITT was playing computer solitaire.

“Good morning, Mr. Maddock.” KITT replied.

“Have you been at this all night?”

“It has only been less than two hours.” KITT replied.

Maddock cursed under his breath as he realized the time.

“And no, I haven’t been at this all the time. I was on the Internet playing checkers with one of my friends.” KITT replied.

Maddock laughed. “Any possible solution to pass the time, right?”

“When there is nothing else to do, yes.” KITT said.

“When do we land?” Maddock asked.

“In about two more hours, give or take a few minutes.” KITT replied.

Maddock opened KITT’s door and sat down. “You’re seats are probably more comfortable than my bed.”

“Make yourself comfortable. Might I suggest you get some rest too? We do have a big day today.”

“Sounds like a good idea KITT. All of us gotta cram info today.” Maddock said.

KITT reclined the seat and turned on some soft classical music. Within a few minutes, Maddock was asleep.

0920 Hrs MST

Billings Federal Jail

Location: Billings, Montana

KITT pulled up to the front steps of the federal prison and let Shawn and Maddock out. Kevin got into the driver’s side and drove towards the warehouse to tell everyone to get ready to leave.

Harold Johnson was already sitting in the visitor’s room when Shawn and Maddock were shown in. Harold got up and hugged Shawn.

“Dad, this is Russell Maddock, Knight Foundation CEO.” Shawn said.

Harold shook Maddock’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Maddock.” Harold said.

Maddock acknowledged Harold’s greeting. “Let’s get down to business,” he said. He turned to Shawn, “show him.”

Shawn took out a folder and slid it across the table.

“What’s this?” Harold asked.

“Everything I risked my life for to save yours.” Shawn said.

Harold opened the folder and read through the papers. “Holy Mother of God...”

Shawn nodded. “I got it.”

“How?”

“Dad, it was Carl... He was behind everything! The bombing of the bus, your trial, the missing evidence, it was all him. Everything needed to acquit you and convict him is in that folder.” Shawn explained.

“Where is that bastard?” Harold asked.

“Dead.” Shawn said.

“What?” Harold asked.

Shawn and Maddock explained everything which happened in the last week to Harold. From Shawn’s attempted murder to the discovery of Carl’s record in Europe. As well as Carl kidnapping Shawn. Harold was totally amazed that Carl could be behind such a thing.

“My God...” Harold said.

“We didn’t just come here for that, Harold.” Maddock said.

“What did you come for then?”

“We know that you are being represented by the state in your trial tomorrow. We think that even though Carl Johnson is dead, he might have paid off the DA’s office to foul up your appeal trial. We definitely do not want that to happen, especially after we’ve come this far.” Maddock said. “Therefore, I am going to represent you at the appeal trial tomorrow.”

Harold knew he saw Maddock’s face before and finally put it together. This was the guy who sent him to this place back in 1983. “Shawn, could you excuse Mr. Maddock and I for a second?”

“Sure.” Shawn said. She got up and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Harold turned to Maddock. “I know who you are.”

“Excuse me?” Maddock asked, confused.

“You were with the DA’s office in 1983. You prosecuted me. What’s the deal with the change of heart?”

Maddock sat for awhile, trying to think of an answer. “Harold... your daughter is.. tenacious. She will not quit at anything she sets her mind to. Even if it means risking her job, or even her life. If she truly believes in something, she wont stop.” Maddock got up and walked around. “Back in 1983, I was pretty new at being a lawyer. I only cared about prosecuting cold hearted scum-bags and fighting other defense attorneys who only cared about winning. After being around all of that, I began to think that way too, and I lost my faith in human beings. In 1983, I was selected to be one of the DA’s to prosecute you. Before the trial began, $500,000 dollars was deposited into my bank account from an unknown source. I got a letter about a day later saying that the money was given to be to ensure that you go to jail. During the three months of your trial, about one million dollars more was transferred into my account, as well as the accounts of the other DA’s working the case. The money was hush money as well as fighting to send you to jail.”

“Jesus Christ...” Harold said. “You were paid off?”

Maddock nodded.

“Oh God, this was all a conspiracy.”

“We told you everything about your brother that we know, some of which we obtained uhh... illegally. All in all, your brother fought for you to die.” Maddock explained.

“Then it is true... everything has a price tag.”

Maddock nodded. “Humans too. Including me, and this city.”

“Okay, so I understand now. But why the turn around?”

“Harold, your daughter convinced me enough to work this case to make sure you were saved. She loves you, Harold, and wants to spend more time with her father.”

“She’s got a father...”

“She wants to spend time with you too. You are her biological father, there is an unexplainable connection between children and their parents. Do you think it is right for you to die, because your dipshit brother wanted you too? When he framed you for something that you couldn’t do. Is that right?”

“No.”

“Then God dammit fight it!” Maddock yelled. “Let me represent you in court tomorrow. We have the evidence which could save you.”

“You got yourself a deal.” Harold said.

“Good,” Maddock said, “Shawn, Kevin, and I will spend the entire day working on this. We are going to acquit you, Harold. I promise.” Maddock smiled and opened the door and walked out.

1155 Hrs

Kevin returned to the warehouse holding a bag full of take out food. The warehouse was empty save a large conference table under a light, with papers all over it. Shawn and Maddock were at opposite ends, sifting through the papers.

“My God, look at all of this...” Maddock said, amazed.

“Totally amazing isn’t it? A full circle than from 17 years ago.” Shawn said.

“You got that right,” Maddock said, “there is enough evidence here to acquit Harold.”

“This is the bare missing stuff from 1983?” Kevin asked.

“Yeah,” Shawn said, “and with the InterPol and CIA records you ‘obtained’ then it should work.”

“Oh,” Maddock said, “do not bring that up in court. If they find out that stuff is illegally obtained, everything else will be useless.”

“What if I am called up and asked that?” Shawn asked.

“I’ll object and claim that it is not sufficient to the case. If the judge is smart then he should sustain it. Same goes for you, Kevin. If worse comes to worse, plead the Fifth Amendment.”

Kevin and Shawn nodded. “Ugh, I am worn out for now. Time for a lunch break.” Shawn said, looking in the bag.

Kevin took out some French fries and two hamburgers. “What is the format of this trial like?” he asked.

“It is much different than anything you have seen on TV. There is no jury. It is either going to be a panel of judges, or one judge. They rarely call up witnesses, but there are some rare times they do. Each side presents his case back and forth. Then the judge or judges go to decide the final appeal.”

“How long does that take?” Shawn asked.

“Considering how quick those tubbies are... I think maybe three to four hours.” Maddock said.

Kevin laughed and Shawn soon followed. Maddock started laughing too.

“This is the first time I have laughed in the last three weeks.” Kevin said.

“I know,” Shawn added, “these last weeks have been trying on all of us. I really didn’t mean for both of you to get drug into all of this. This was my fight.”

“Shawn, we are all partners. We’re a family, and we’ve got each other’s backs.” Maddock said.

Shawn took both of their hands. “Thank you, guys. I appreciate this so much.”

“Forget about it.” Maddock said. “I say we get back to work.”

Kevin and Shawn nodded and returned to looking at papers. Maddock wrote on a note pad...

June 30, 2000

0900 Hrs

Everyone in the courtroom rose as Judge Jonathan Ryan entered the courtroom. “Be seated. This appeals court is now in session. Appeal of the decision in the 1983 case of the State versus Harold Johnson. The final decision was the death penalty. Defense, you have the floor.”

Maddock gave a quick look to his notes and got up. “Your Honor, 17 years ago in that very same case, Mr. Johnson’s defense indicated the possibility of missing evidence, which could acquit Mr. Johnson from the charges indicated. Your Honor, with the help of the Foundation of Law and Government, that missing evidence has been discovered.”

“You are the CEO of that organization, are you not, Mr. Maddock?” the judge asked.

“Yes, sir, but my affiliation with the Knight Foundation and this case is only the approval given to Agent Shawn McCormick to find the missing evidence.”

“Accepted.” the judge said.

Maddock continued. “The contents of this evidence point to a conspiracy buried within the city government, which shows a payoff to the DA office at the time to win the case-”

“Objection!” the prosecutor yelled. “Your honor, the defense has no proof of records that such payoffs exist.”

“Actually sir,” Maddock said, “we do. What I have here is orders for an undisclosed amount of money to be transferred to the city DA’s office, the county prosecutor, and the police department in 1983, 1990, and 1997, the years of other appeals by Mr. Johnson. The monies were paid for the above parties to either destroy evidence or keep quiet. We’ve traced this money back to a Swiss Bank account that belongs to a Mr. Carl Johnson, the defendant’s brother.”

“I see,” the judge said, “objection over ruled. And Mr. Raleigh, I suggest you listen first before objecting again. Please go on, Mr. Maddock.”

“More of this points back to Carl Johnson. The Knight Foundation has found out that he has an outstanding record in Europe. He is wanted under numerous aliases for a number of bombings. He is a prime suspect for the American Embassy bombings in Dar Es Salam, and Nairobi. He is also a suspect for the 1996 Olympic bombings in Atlanta.” Maddock said. “Carl Johnson is an expert at explosives and chemicals. While he is legally insane, he is also extremely intelligent in areas of combat, weapons. and chemicals, once again. It is clearly evident that Harold Johnson could not have blown up that school bus, with either limited or no knowledge of explosives whatsoever.” Maddock sat down.

“Prosecution, it’s your floor.” Judge Ryan said.

The prosecutor, Daniel Raleigh stood up. He was semi-speechless. “Your Honor, in 1983 when the subject of this missing evidence came up, it was ignored because it could not be proven, and Mr. Johnson’s defense was blamed for making the up concept of this ‘ghost evidence.’ I believe that is the case today, and none of the evidence that is presented today should be taken seriously at all. It is obviously a ploy to get a murderer back on the streets-”

“Objection, your Honor, the prosecutor is using personal judgment in his case.” Maddock said.

“Sustained.”

“Let me rephrase. This so-called missing evidence seems to be a fairy tale, rather than fact. Plus that it is coincidental that the brother of the defendant has explosive training. This evidence is circumstantial without the testimony of Carl Johnson.” Raleigh said.

“Objection. Testimony from Carl Johnson is not required in this appeal, due to the fact it would only slow things down and would not benefit the trial one bit.”

“Sustained.”

Raleigh sat down, and Maddock got up. “Your Honor, I can assure you that this evidence is 100 percent true. We had to dig into InterPol and overseas records to find the Swiss bank account transfers as well as Carl Johnson’s outstanding warrants. The transaction records match exactly one day before the appeal trials years ago.”

“Mr. Maddock, do you have any other helpful evidence other than these Swiss bank records?” the judge asked.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Maddock said, smiling.

Maddock presented the evidence to the court which consisted of witness accounts taken by police, alibis for Harold and more cover-up records. The prosecutor’s frantically tried to present a structured case which was now broken down by the new-found evidence.

“...therefore your Honor, it is now safe to say that Harold Johnson is innocent, thanks to this new evidence. I rest my case.”

The judge turned to the prosecutor. “Anything to add, Mr. Raleigh?”

Raleigh who was looking and writing on a legal pad threw is pen down and threw up his hands in defeat. “No.”

“Good. I will take a recess, court will reconvene at 1pm, with my decision.” Judge Ryan banged his gavel and left the courtroom for his chambers.

Shawn, Kevin, Maddock, and Harold got up and walked out of the courtroom.

The prosecutors made sure everyone was gone. Raleigh threw his briefcase across the room. “God dammit!” he screamed. “What the hell was that?” he asked his assistants.

They both shrugged.

“That money in our accounts is as good as nothing now!” said one of the assistants.

“What do we do with it?” asked the other.

“We do nothing. We let that money sit in our accounts, we do not touch it. For all we can hope is that the Knight Foundation doesn’t find out and hope to God it just disappears.” Raleigh said.

“And if they do find out, and present it in court?” the first assistant asked.

“You fool, Ryan’s returning with his decision, we, or they, can’t present anything now. If God himself comes down and tells us that Harold Johnson actually did it, it wouldn’t matter.”

“So what now?” the second assistant asked.

“With that evidence, which was supposed to disappear before this trial, Harold Johnson is as good as free.” said Raleigh. “We just sit back and ride now, there’s nothing we can do.”

1302 Hrs

Everyone was sitting in the courtroom waiting for Judge Ryan to return.

Kevin leaned over the small fence to Harold and Maddock. “Russ, you killed them with that evidence.” he said.

“I got a question though,” whispered Harold, “the judge took that folder with everything in it, including records of you working for the DA in 1983. Which means if he read that, he knows about your payoff. What are you gonna do?”

“I’ll admit to it if he asks about it, but I highly doubt that. He’s coming back with his decision, any new evidence is void, and can’t be presented.” Maddock replied.

Shawn walked into the courtroom and sat down next to Kevin. “You were right,” she said to Maddock, recalling a conversation from lunch. “$800,000 was transferred into the accounts of Raleigh and his assistants.”

“I knew it,” Maddock said, “Carl Johnson plans ahead.”

“All rise.” the bailiff said.

Judge Ryan came in and sat down. “Be seated. After looking over this missing evidence which somehow was obtained after 17 years, and hearing Mr. Maddock’s case, I therefore grant the appeal to Harold Johnson,” Judge Ryan banged the gavel, “you’re a free man Harold. This court is adjourned. Mr. Maddock, may I see you in my chambers after all of this, please?”

Maddock walked into Judge Ryan’s chambers and sat down facing him. “What did you need, sir?”

“Mr. Maddock, although the case is over, do you mind if I ask you some questions?” Judge Ryan asked.

“Of course not.”

“Good. I read this evidence and found out that you were with the city DA in 1983, and you were on the panel to prosecute Harold Johnson, is that correct?”

Maddock nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Were you paid off with the other DA’s?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you for being honest. It is right here in this record. Why the sudden turn around? 17 years ago, you prosecuted this man. Now you’re defending him.”

“Sir... some things in this life are hard to explain. Tenacity, for example. Agent McCormick spent most the past few years to find this missing evidence to acquit Harold Johnson. She wouldn’t give up. When she came on with us in late March, I did not know that she had any connection to the case. I only found out when she came to me a few weeks ago. It is a long story your Honor, but after certain events in the past three weeks, Agent McCormick convinced me that this missing evidence is true, and exists.” Maddock said. “When we found the records of the payoffs, we all figured that if Harold Johnson had a lawyer appointed by the city, then that lawyer just might be corrupt too. Judge Ryan, everything in that folder ties back to a vast conspiracy deep in the city government. I felt that Harold Johnson deserved a fair trial, so I decided to represent him.”

“You aren’t nervous that I am corrupt, I can tell. Why?” the judge asked.

“They usually bring in out of state judges to avoid any siding problems with the case. Their names are kept top secret, so we figured that Carl Johnson couldn’t possibly get to you.”

Judge Ryan nodded. “Where is this Carl Johnson?”

“Sir, there are too many facts to tell you about everything that happened. Everything you need, or needed to know is about the case is in that folder. The rest is classified.”

The judge stood up and extended his hand. Maddock shook it. “Mr. Maddock, you are one hell of a lawyer, and a good friend to others too. I wont keep you any longer. Thank you for your time.”

“Thank you, your Honor.” Maddock said. He walked out of the room.

July 1, 2000

1325 Hrs

Shawn, Kevin, Maddock, and Harold were having lunch at an expensive restaurant. Harold raised his glass. “I guess I should propose a toast. To Shawn, my lovely daughter who never forgot nor gave up on me. And to her friends, who dropped everything to come to help to save my life. Thank you all.”

Everyone brought their glasses together.

“That’s not all to toast,” Kevin said, “here is a toast to KITT, without his speed and beyond state of the art technology, we wouldn’t have been able to win.”

“Thank you, Kevin. I was very glad to help. Protecting the innocent was always one of the most important prospects Wilton Knight ever thought of.”

“Protecting the helpless, powerless, championing the cause of the innocent, I guess there’s some Michael Knight in me after all.” Shawn said.

“But this time, you aren’t a loner.” Kevin said, holding her hand.

“That’s right,” Maddock said, “you got all of us here for you.”

“Shawn, you’re very lucky to have friends like these.” Harold said.

Shawn smiled. “I know.”

“Harold, what do you plan to do now?” Kevin asked.

“Be a more crucial part of my daughter’s life, and start a new life of my own.” Harold replied, smiling.

July 4, 2000

1925 Hrs

A semi backed into the warehouse. The rear door dropped down and KITT pulled in. Kevin and Maddock followed, carrying equipment and boxes.

Shawn and Harold were off to the side. “I guess this is goodbye.” Harold said.

“Nah,” Shawn said, “I’ll keep in touch, I promise.” Shawn said. She hugged Harold.

Harold hugged back. “I’ll call you when I settle down.” he said.

“Shawn, we’re ready to go.” Maddock said.

“Okay, I’ll be with you guys in a second.” Shawn replied.

“No,” Kevin said, “Russ, KITT, and I are ready to go. You and your father get to stay here and watch the fireworks.”

“You mean it?” Harold said, surprised.

Maddock nodded. “Yeah, we don’t have a case for a few weeks, so that should give you and Shawn a few days together.”

“Thanks, Russ.” Shawn said.

“No problem,” Maddock said, “see you later, at the Foundation.” He turned around and walked into the trailer.

Kevin walked up to Shawn and they kissed. “Save that thought for when you get home.” he whispered.

Shawn kissed him and whispered in his ear. “I love you.”

Kevin said the same thing and kissed her again. He walked back to the trailer. The rear door slowly closed as Maddock and Kevin waved goodbye.

2116 Hrs

Shawn and Harold were sitting on the grass, across the river from the massive fireworks display. Shawn laid her head on her father’s shoulder and the two laid back to watch the fireworks.

To be continued…

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