Dark Justice by William Bernhardt Read Free Book Online

replacing humans with more efficient machines and blaming Green Rage for the layoffs. We’re like the Antichrist around here.”
    “Surely they understand—”
    “All they understand is that they’re out of a job, or might be someday soon. Some of these families have worked in the logging industry for generations. They literally don’t know anything else. It’s as if we marched into town and wanted to burn down their church.”
    “It’s pathetic,” Maureen said. “People consider us terrorists. But we’ve been assaulted right and left since we moved into this area. We’ve been beaten up, had our camp destroyed, had our personal belongings stolen. We can’t even walk down the street alone; we always travel in groups. Have you seen those yellow ribbons all around town?”
    “Yeah,” Ben said. “I have.”
    “That’s WLE’s Nazi-like yellow ribbon campaign. Businesses are supposed to display the yellow ribbons to show solidarity with the logging management against the so-called environmental threat. Anyone who doesn’t display the ribbons could find themselves on the wrong end of a boycott or out of work or with a store that’s been burned to the ground. Truth is, we’re not the terrorists—they are.”
    “Still, it’s hard to believe anyone would frame your leader for murder.”
    “If they thought it would get Green Rage out of their forests, I’ll bet half the people in this town would do it. And someone did.”
    “The police must have some evidence.”
    “Of course they have evidence. Otherwise the frame wouldn’t work. But I know this for a fact. Zak is not responsible for that logger’s death.” She stopped for a moment, catching her breath. “You know, Ben, if you’re a lawyer—”
    Ben held up his hands. “Wait just a minute. I’m just passing through.”
    “We’ve been searching desperately for someone to take Zak’s case, but of course none of the locals will touch it with a ten-foot pole. The court appointed some schmuck, but he doesn’t exactly have his heart in it. If you took over the case—”
    “Stop right there. I can’t do it. I’m in the middle of a book tour. Also, I’m in jail.”
    Her eyes widened. “A book tour? You’re—a writer?”
    “Well, it’s only my first book.”
    “Nonfiction?”
    “Yes.”
    “Ben, that’s perfect! You’re—you’re exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
    “I am?”
    “Yes! You’re perfect. Zak needs someone to take his case. Someone who’s committed to the cause, to the truth. Someone who cares whether justice is served. And Green Rage needs a scribe. You could wear both hats!”
    “I’m not sure I follow.”
    “You’re a writer. You must know how important publicity is. God knows the logging companies have their propaganda machines working full-time, painting us as black, evil marauders. You’ve been exposed to it yourself—as soon as you heard the name Green Rage, you thought eco-terrorist. That’s what the loggers want.”
    “Or perhaps it’s just the truth.”
    “But you could change all that. You could expose the world to our point of view. Make them see things the way we do. Make them understand that time is short, that if we don’t take action now, it will be too late.” She looked at him eagerly. “What do you think?”
    “I don’t see how—”
    “Aww, forget it, Maureen,” Rick growled. “Look at this chump. He’s not going to stick his neck out for us or anyone else. He’s got his comfy little lawyer world. Probably a nice swimming pool and a big screen TV. He’s not going to put himself on the line for us.”
    “That’s not fair,” Ben protested. “You don’t know—”
    “Please consider it, Ben,” Maureen implored. “You don’t know what a difference this could make. I can’t explain it totally. I—I just have a sense that if you were on our team, sending the world our battle reports from the front lines, that might be just what we need to win the day. And God knows Zak