Chapter 50
"Christmas Eve Hangings"
Stepping into the Palace of Justice's prison wing, I couldn't help but get the sense that Christmas Eve of 1988 was going to be unlike anything we have experienced before. Three days after Pan Am Flight 103 blew up, this nearly 20 plus year war we had against Team Rocket had to come to a head at some point. Now, the news that Pikachu had been the victim of a near assassination was our main priority.
"How did this happen?" Tim asked into a phone calling one of the International Police offices back in New York from one of the offices at the Palace of Justice. "But there were two guards stationed in his room, weren't there?"
Listening in, Tim let out a small groan of frustration.
"Charges? You're damn right I want to press charges!" Tim snapped. "When will these guys learn that harming Pokemon of any kind equals the death penalty? Well, increase the security around his room! Put two guards in the room if need be!"
Saying goodbye, Tim slammed the phone down on the receiver.
"Easy, easy Tim," I advised, trying to keep my son calm. "There's no need to get worked up over this as long as Pikachu is okay."
It took a few moments for Tim to calm down, but who could really blame Tim for being angered over Pikachu being threatened? I certainly wouldn't blame Tim. Pikachu is my partner, too.
"Sorry, sorry, dad," Tim whispered. "I just can't believe that Pikachu didn't get the proper protection."
"But he's fine, which is all that matters."
"Either way, whoever carried out the assassination attempt will face the appropriate charges," warned Looker. "Whoever he is."
Suddenly, I then got a thought in my brain that perhaps we needed to go be at Pikachu's side. But, Tim refused the idea.
"No dad, we need to stay and continue the investigation. Besides, Rally and Minnie May are still in Frankfurt and we need to reconvene with them."
…
At that moment, we heard a knock at the door and in stepped the Colonel who first informed us about Pikachu's attempted murder.
"There are still some seats if you want to attend the execution," he said, much to my surprise given Tim's sudden outburst. In fact, Tim was quick to accept the offer as if he wanted to watch the executions as a sense of closure.
"Looks like we'll be attending the executions after all," Looker remarked as we both followed Tim and the colonel.
…
Stepping into the open courtyard, we joined a group of journalists and law enforcement personnel along with the families of the Pan Am 73 victims, including the lead flight attendant who died protecting passengers from the Pokemon the hijackers used.
At that moment, the four condemned hijackers were brought up onto the gallows and placed into position as the hangman stepped forward to address them.
"I am hereby commanded to call William Bedford, Nathan Jones, Gary Greene and Cyrus Grissom to be executed in order of the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan."
Stepping forward, the four hijackers were placed with the roped nooses tied around their necks and masks placed on their heads while their hands were tied behind their backs. It was hard to believe that these four men had confessed to us just a short time ago for crimes committed from the Neuss cell. The way that they were able to run the cell from inside the Palace of Justice during their trial for another cruel act of terrorism.
The gallows were lowered and with a loud cry from Grissom, the four prisoners had their necks snapped and they were dead.
"Let this serve as a warning to those responsible for Pan Am 103," Looker whispered to himself as we left the Palace of Justice to drive back to Frankfurt. To Tim, it seemed that the executions were a great way for him to let off steam after what happened to Pikachu.
Now, our attention shifted back to Frankfurt where the disguised Team Rocket agents who had been masquerading as Pan Am employees in Frankfurt were about to face charges of their own…
Again, what a way to celebrate Christmas Eve, isn't it?
Back in New York, the Team Rocket agent who attempted to kill Pikachu was brought to a NYPD police station and booked on charges of attempted murder of a Pokemon. But there was something else about him.
"Are you certain that this guy is the noodle guy?" asked a police lieutenant. "The one who worked in Pan Am's catering department."
"Yes, Lieutenant Van Buren," answered the International Police officer, showing the lieutenant a picture of the suspect. "This is Christopher Yusaku, someone we have been following for a long time now."
And as they looked into the holding cell, the young Team Rocket agent with a penchant for cooking looked back in disgust knowing that he had been caught trying to carry out orders and that no one from Team Rocket was coming to rescue him.
…
…
