CHAPTER 8
And even that went fairly easy. They were able to track his address from the file on the military base. He was working undercover in a Chinese restaurant and Murdock and the ladies were able to throw him in a dumpster and take off with him when he tried to escape from them. They told him what they found out and make him admit to it which he did.
Murdock and the ladies were insanely happy. They did it! They pulled it off! It would be easy from now on. They would show the folder to the judge and jury the very next day and put Van Quyet on the stand to clear the team's name. Piece of cake!
If only they knew …
The very next morning at the trial the prosecutor wore a smug smile on his face.
"Hannibal, I don't like the look of that."
"Yeah, man. He ain't lookin' happy for no reason. Bet ya they're about to nail us. Better start on that plan to get us outta here, Hannibal."
"Any idea what they're up to?" Hannibal asked Mr. Conway.
"I wouldn't worry too much about him," he answered. "I happen to know that Murdock and Zowie managed to get their hands on some very important material. They've also located Colonel Van Quyet himself."
Mr. Conway immediately addressed the judge. He told them how his team had managed to get their hands on some interesting material, although he kept to himself how they did just that. He also asked if he could put Colonel Van Quyet on the witness stand for cross-examination.
Van Quyet answered the first couple of questions honestly, but then began to change his story entirely.
"Hey, you're lying," Murdock muttered. "That's not how it happened and you know it. The guys were nowhere near that base, so Hannibal couldn't have killed Morrison. They were in Hanoi at that time trying to put an end to the war."
"How do you know I'm lying," Van Quyet snapped. "You were not even there, Captain. You were flying that helicopter of yours."
"I just know, man. They're my unit. I dropped them off. They were nowhere near that base. Besides, we have evidence to prove that the A-team is innocent in all of this."
"Oh do you?" He shot back.
"Yes, we do. It's right here," Murdock said as he walked over to the briefcase where they kept the folder hidden safely.
He opened up the briefcase to find it empty.
"What? No, no, no …," he exclaimed. "It was right here. We just got it yesterday and we kept it hidden safe."
"Do you have the evidence you're referring to or not?" The judge asked getting impatient by now.
"No … He stole it. He must have stolen it and he probably destroyed the evidence too. Didn't you?" His voice sounded ice cold.
"You have nothing, Captain. You can't prove a thing. But I can. I was there. I've overheard the team talking to Morrison as they found out he was working for the enemy. That way he became the enemy and you kill the enemy during a war. That's what they did: Colonel Smith, Lieutenant Peck and Sergeant Baracus all shot Morrison. They murdered him in cold blood."
It was very quiet by now in the court room. The judge and the jury retreated to their chambers to talk about the verdict.
"No. No, no, no," Murdock cried out. "This can't be happening."
"My baby Scooter," Mrs. Baracus cried.
"Temp was right all along," Zowie said as tears ran down her pale cheeks. "The army is out to get them. It's a set up. I don't want to lose him."
"What will happen to them now? Will they be sentenced to 30 years in prison?" Maggie asked trying her best to comfort Zowie despite her own sorrow.
"I … I really don't know," Murdock said.
The jury had retreated shortly to talk things over and they now returned. Everyone held their breath.
"Did you come to a conclusion?" The judge asked the jury as the guys were made to stand up before the trial.
"Yes, we have your honor," the President of the Jury said. "We find the accused: Colonel John Smith, Lieutenant Templeton Peck and Sergeant B.A. Baracus guilty of murdering Colonel Morrison, robbing the Bank of Hanoi and deserting the U.S. Army."
Guilty! It was as if the world stood still! They were found guilty of crimes they didn't even commit. They would end up in prison for 30 years at least. It was all becoming a blur to Face. He had never been this nervous in his entire life.
"Could you please explain to the accused what there punishment will be?" The judge said once again.
"Colonel Smith, Lieutenant Peck, Sergeant Baracus. As you have been found guilty of murder, we have sentenced you to be put to death. You will face a firing squad. The sentence will be executed shortly. You will remain in the stockade until the execution."
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
Zowie let out a heartbreaking scream. They couldn't do that to her, to Temp. They loved one another. She was having his baby. The ladies all broke down and cried their eyes out and Murdock merely shut his eyes.
B.A. had also closed his eyes. Hannibal was furious. And Face? Well it seemed as if the world had stopped spinning. All he could hear was the frantic beating of his own heart. They were gonna shoot him! He would never get to live a 'normal' life with his wife and baby. The baby! His child would grow up without a father just like he did. Life was so unfair! He got so worked up he forgot to breathe.
As Face was the closest thing to a son he ever had and he truly cared about his second-in-command Hannibal looked at him worriedly. Face was a ghostly pale by now and seemed to be completely out of it.
"Kid, are you alright? Face? Are you with me, son?"
Hannibal noticed that Face was about to lose consciousness. He was able to grab him before he tumbled down and gently laid him on the cold floor in the courthouse. He loosened up his tie and the button of his collar and kneeled down beside him while B.A. did the exact same thing.
"Poor kid lost it," Hannibal said. "He has been under too much pressure."
He softly ran a hand through Face's blond hair.
"It's okay, kid. I've got ya," he softly said.
"Don't say that, sucker. It ain't gonna be alright. We're gonna die 'cause of their lies."
They were taken back to their cells. Some of the MP's carried Face to the cell and put him down on his bed. Hannibal was with him right away. Nobody had been allowed to get to them in the courtroom after their sentence. But they would be allowed to spent private time with their loved ones as usual until the day the sentence would be executed.
As Face was regaining consciousness, he was lying on his back on his bed in the cell.
"Hey, kid. How are you doing?"
"I feel just wonderful, Colonel. Just wonderful!"
"Yeah, sucker. What kind of a stupid question is that?"
"My life is going great. I am married to the girl I love and about to become a dad and I'll be death pretty soon. Shot down for something I didn't even do. So how do you think that makes me feel, huh Hannibal?"
"I'm sorry, kid. But don't worry! This is not over yet! We won't go down without a fight."
"What'ya mean?"
"I'll come up with a plan to get us out of here. You just hang in there, kid."
"Better be quick, man."
As soon as the guards noticed that Face was conscious again they were forced to get dressed into their army fatigues in order to be able to spend their private time. Face still looked deadly pale and his heart was beating so fast he could swear people would be able to see it beat beneath the t-shirt of his army fatigues. What was he going to say to his wife? He paced nervously up and down the room until the door opened and in came Zowie. As he turned around he could see her tearful face and it broke his heart.
"Oh Temp." Her voice was hardly above a whisper.
"Baby." He couldn't get any further. All the pent up emotion just kind of exploded. Although he tried to hold back he couldn't. He just couldn't. So he broke down and cried.
Zowie ran up to him and pulled him in her arms without saying a word. She ran her hands through his blond hair soothingly. She felt his heart beating frantically and knew how upset he truly was. This was so unfair! He had done nothing wrong! He had been in the army at a far too young age and now he had to pay for things he didn't do. He was a good man! He helped innocent people and they were just married. They had their whole lives ahead of them: settling down, raising a family, … They couldn't take all that away from them. Zowie noticed that Face had to practically gasp for air.
"I know how much you're hurting, baby. Believe me I do. But you have to keep breathing, Temp. You'll pass out again if you don't control your breathing."
She took his head in both of her hands and made him look at her. Tears were flowing down his pale cheeks.
"It's good to let the pain out, but we have to focus on your breathing. You're hyperventilating. You need to snap out of it. Look at me and do as I tell you. Take deep breaths: in through your nose and out through your mouth. Real deep breaths! That's it! You're doing great!"
He was still upset, but he did manage to get a hold on his breathing. He pulled his wife in his arms and held onto her. They were both crying.
"It's so unfair. You did nothing wrong," Zowie sniffled. "We had the evidence in our hands. All of it. We could have cleared you once and for all. Why? Why did they steal that document and destroy it and made Van Quyet lie on the witness stand. Why do they want you guys death?"
"The army wanted to frame us all along. We never even stood a chance. They hated our unit, Zowie. They've always hated us. I don't know why. All we ever did was follow orders and try to stay alive while doing so. We've risked our necks and now … My life is over … I just … I can't …"
"Baby, don't say that."
"Zowie, they're gonna shoot me. It's all over. Maybe we better get divorced so you can go on with your life. The baby can have your name. Don't let its life be doomed by calling it Peck. I don't want my kid to ever get hurt. Just …. Don't forget about me Zowie. Please? I loved you. I always have and I still do. I will forever."
"Oh, Temp. Don't say that! It's not over. We've got to fight this! I can't have you give up. I won't. I love you. I can't live without you. You're my husband and the father of my child. I will not divorce you. Never! I love you way too much to do that."
"I don't want you to get hurt, Zowie."
"Letting you go will hurt me more. I can't and I won't. I think I have a solution: I need to ask my dad for help."
"General Stockwell? Oh he really is gonna love this! His precious angel being married to a convicted murderer and carrying his child. I think he'll wanna pull the trigger on me himself."
"Don't say that. He doesn't hate you."
"He hardly likes me either."
"He thinks your stubborn, that you have a big mouth and lack respect for superior officers. But he also knows you're a highly skilled officer and a very bright person."
"He thinks I'm a no good and liar and cheater all of the time."
"You know that's not true! You are the sweetest, kindest guy I know. So maybe you had a difficult childhood. That's hardly your fault. And maybe you had to lie to get where you are now to even stand a chance. To the world and to me you are a hero, you and the rest of the A-team. No matter what they say about you, you are the 'good' guys. You've helped so many people in need while you were on the run. That should count for something too. You need to stay positive now, baby. You'll be a dad. This baby needs you. I need you. And I am going to get you out of this mess even if it's the last thing I do. I won't let them execute you! I promise you that. Trust me!"
"I do, baby. I do trust you. And I love you so very much. I guess we'll just have to pray for some sort of miracle to happen."
Zowie knew the conversation with her father would be hard. Extremely hard! But she was a stubborn girl and she truly loved Face. She would do whatever it takes to get him and his friends out of this mess and she would make her father help them. Somehow!
"Zowie. Carla said you wanted to see me," Stockwell said.
"I do, dad. We have a big problem."
"What are you talking about, Zowie?"
"I'm talking about the A-team."
"The A-team? What about the A-team? They were convicted by the jury and sentenced to be put to death. They are criminals. Justice is done after all these years. Why do you want to talk to me about that issue?"
"You know that's bull, dad. I know. I've seen the file. I know they're innocent. They've been set up."
"What are you talking about, Zowie? What is this all about?"
"You can't let this happen."
"Zowie Stockwell, what has gotten into you? Why should you care about these men?"
"Because, dad, I'm having a baby. I'm pregnant."
"Pregnant? What do you mean you're pregnant? How … ? Who …?"
"Temp."
"Temp? Who is … Oh no … Zowie, please don't tell me … How stupid can you be?"
"I'm not stupid, dad. We're in love."
"Zowie, he got you pregnant. How could you? You're a doctor for heaven's sake. You know what to do. How could you let him get to you like this? Lieutenant Peck is a liar and nothing but a liar. He doesn't love you. He is a ladies man. He doesn't commit to anyone, Zowie. Get rid of that baby."
"What? Absolutely not! How can you even suggest that?"
"Okay, fine. Have it your way, but that baby better not have his last name."
"This child is a Peck, dad, whether you like it or not."
"I don't like it one bit, young lady. I will not have my daughter carrying that man's child. He is …"
"Too bad, dad. He is part of the family now whether you like it or not. Templeton Peck happens to be my husband. We got married."
"What?"
"You heard me. I married Temp. We love each other very much."
"When?"
"While he was in jail. The judge granted us permission and Hannibal and Maggie got married as well. I've asked him to marry me after I found out about the baby."
"You asked him to marry you? Zowie? Are you insane? I can get you out of this marriage. We need to get you out of this. I will have Carla start on the paper work to get this wedding annulled or have you divorce him."
"No you won't, dad. I have no intention whatsoever to divorce Temp or to get rid of the baby. That's where you come in. I want you to pull some strings and get them out. You know they've been set up. The army wanted to frame them all along."
"What if I refuse to do that?"
"That's simple. I can't live without Temp. I just can't. I don't want him getting killed. I'd never survive losing him. They are innocent. I know they are. They should get their pardons and be able to live normal lives. You have to help them. If you don't then I'll never want to see you again and you'll never get to see your grandchild."
"Zowie …"
"I mean it, dad. If you want me to be part of your life, you'll help the guys."
"I can look into their case, but …"
"No, get them out of there, dad. I know you can do it. I don't care how just get him out of there."
She turned around and ran out of his office. Tears were streaming down her face. She passed Carla on the way, but didn't say a word. Carla quickly made her way over to Stockwell's office.
