Seratus Lima Puluh Empat – 5 Hours
Friday, April 12, 2019. At 7:02 AM, the sun rose over The Republic of Singapore. The day started with clear skies and 26.1°C (79°F). Sunny skies were forecast with lower humidity and a high of 32.8° (91°). “This will be a Glorious Day,” gushed one weatherman.
Cell, Parliamentary Guards HQ, Singapore, Friday, April 12, 2019, 7:03 AM
Josephine sat on the cot, alone with her thoughts. That Italian Sausage Casserole has been marvelous. She wondered where she would be eating her next meal.
Her agreement with Mama Rut was clear and unbreakable. Jo, out of loyalty and love, would say nothing, claim nothing, and make no effort to block her sentencing. Whatever happened, she deserved it. Taking others to task would not change her own guilt.
Mama Rut, on her part, had promised nothing. She expected Jo to show her loyalty with no necessity of a return. She had only said, “You are berharga to me, anak saya*. I shall do what I can.”
That was enough for Josephine.
Two guards appeared at the cell door. “Time for your trial, First Minister.”
Josephine rose and walking with all the dignity she could summon, she went between the two, out of her cell.
[Redacted Location] Hodges Condo, Singapore, Friday 7:35 AM
Jeffrey Hodges rose early and left his condo before his wife stirred. He was still furious at her for her stupid behavior at the dinner. When they had got home, she had again tried to make excuses. She even had the nerve to try to blame it all on Ambassador Walkerson, claiming he asked to see her breast. Jeffrey almost slugged her in the face when she said that. It took every bit of self-control he possessed, but he didn’t. He, instead, forced the ball-gag into her mouth. As he tightened the strap as tight as possible, he hissed at her, “I want no more of your excuses or lies! If I ever hear you repeat anything negative about Scot, even to criticize his hair, I swear I’ll hit you so hard, you won’t remember a thing!” He jerked her around to face him. “Understand, bitch?” Kathy meekly nodded assent.
Jeffrey grabbed the shoulders of Kathy’s dress and pulled them down hard, tearing the dress front. “OK. Strip off those clothes fast, before I rip them off!”
The S&M had been different for Jeffrey last night. He was hurting Kathy to punish her. She wasn’t asking for it. Surprisingly, he had enjoyed it more than the consensual evenings. In the end, he’d mounted her from behind and slipped his cock between her cane-welted asscheeks. As he began pounding her to her muffled cries through the gag, it had been possibly the best sex of his life.
This morning, Hodges was calmer but every bit as angry. His mind went back to how Kathy’d cried and whimpered as he beat her. For a moment, Jeffrey thought of getting out his ‘tools’ and working her over again this morning. But he didn’t have the time. Hodges promised himself that he’d apply part 2 of her punishment tonight. He needed to teach the bitch a very hard lesson, Jeff thought, as he went out the condo door.
Courtroom, Parliament Building, Singapore, Friday, 7:50 AM
Josephine entered the courtroom in the Parliament building flanked by her two guards. She was allowed to wear street clothes and no restraints – per instruction from Musa. She observed a single judge in a wig and red robes on the elevated bench with three clerks sitting in front. To the right was a table with two lawyers, probably prosecutors, and to the left was a table with Mr. Chan and a vacant chair. The old attorney waved Jo to join him. When she did, Jo looked toward the rear and saw the two detectives, the Guard’s Commander, Wei An Kow, and Mcgregor. None of the public had been admitted. Her Ladyship’s request to Colonel An Kow had been honored. Jo politely greeted Chan, sat, and stared ahead in silence.
At Eight precisely, the clerk ordered all to rise.
“Court of the Parliament of the Republic of Singapore is now in session. Justice Miles Lawson, presiding.”
Josephine watched the old, short, and bent man enter, slowly climb the steps to his bench and sit. At seventy-four, Miles Lawson had been a judge in Singapore for over forty-five years, the last twenty-nine with the Parliamentary Court. No claims for legal brilliance were ever made on his behalf. But, he knew the law and was regarded as totally honest and fair. It was said that if God himself had ordered Miles to rule against the letter of the law, the judge would politely decline the Almighty’s request.
The prosecutor outlined the charges against the Defendant. Lawson asked Josephine to rise and repeat her plea.
“Guilty of all charges, your honor.”
“Thank you. You may be seated.” The judge picked up a paper with his notes on it.
“Although the Defendant was only arrested two days ago, there is already complete agreement among the parties present. The lack of dispute on all matters presented has made any further extension of these legal proceedings unnecessary. I therefore find the Defendant, Josephine Shanmugam, guilt of all counts in the charges.” He banged his gavel.
“Furthermore, said agreements among the parties had given me the chance to review the sentencing guidelines and the recommendation of the prosecutor before this trial. Does the prosecution have anything to add?”
One of the lawyers at the other table rose, “No, your honor,” and sat back down.
“Counsel for the Defense. Do you still wish to refrain from a sentencing recommendation?”
Chan rose with an air of resignation. “At the instruction of my client, yes, your honor.”
“Does the Defendant wish to say anything to the court to urge the lightening of the sentence?
Josephine rose and said, “No, your honor,” and sat back down.
“Defense Counsel? Any claim for mitigation?”
“I am only permitted by my client to remind the court of her extensive and high public service.”
“Very good. The court had already arrived at its likely sentencing before this session. I must say that the sparse action here has done nothing to change my opinion.”
“Any credit that the Defendant would be granted for her high service in government has been negated by the fact that her crimes constitute a direct affront to the trust that was placed in her. The scandalous way she ignored her responsibilities and betrayed that trust removes any thought on my part of credit for service.”
“Would the Defendant please rise?” Josephine stood up, proud and tall, with Chan, looking exceptionally sad, beside her.
“On the count of encouraging sexual assault and rape on Parliamentary grounds, this court shares the deep offense felt by all in the Parliamentary community at this defiling of our sacred premises. A planned and premeditated befouling of our grounds is an offense of the worst kind. Therefore, the Defendant is sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor.”
Even in the sparsely occupied room, there was a soft audible gasp. Lawson had opted for the maximum allowable penalty.
“On the count of subverting the course of justice by both falsifying evidence and by preventing an accused from presenting evidence, the court sees these offenses as striking at the very heart of the fairness of our criminal justice system. The Parliament has passed laws with strict penalties, counting on the fairness of our courts. To subvert those is an insult to our very rule of law. It is incredible to have that subversion performed by the highest-ranking official charged with the fair and proper justice administration. Nevertheless, the Defendant, while First Minister of Home Affairs, did indeed instigate the subversion.” Miles paused to take a breath and review the notes in front of him.
“Combined with the previous charge, which already carries the maximum, non-capital, punishment available, there is only one way that I can impose a sentence that punishes this heinous crime adequately.”
Another short pause.
“I sentence you, Josephine Shanmugam, to death by impalement and hanging.”
This time the gasps in the courtroom were loud.
“Miss Shanmugam, it is my understanding that you intend not to appeal.”
“No, your honor. I am prepared to meet my just punishment. I wish all uncertainty to end as soon as possible.”
“Very well. I order you to be turned over to the Commandant of Changi Prison and executed today at noon.” Miles pounded his gavel with vigor and said, “Court is adjourned.”
* “You are precious to me, my child.”
What a hung and impaled triumvirate we have to look forward to ... wow! 
