Ch18 Blasphemous Rumors

She was a Donatella looking, plastic wearing, fake smile bearing woman with a rustic blazer and a cheap teased up wig. Sarah Carmichael, the district attorney, had one hand on her hip and the other on the desk of an African American judge. The judge was reviewing some documents that she was eagerly awaiting to be seen. The judge seemed stymied.

“Seems as though we’ve got a clear statement” The Judge kept reviewing the papers as another person walked in. He was exuberantly foreign and had a long countenance with protruding facial features.

“And who are you?” Asked the Judge.

“My name is Benjamin Lazar. And I’m Mr. Abernathy’s legal representative” He said in a British accent.

“The boy’s confessed already. I’m afraid you wasted your time here Ben” Said Sarah.

“He was interrogated without legal representation-“

“As legal adult, Ronald Abernathy was read his Miranda rights. He was well aware of his rights when he decide to confess-“ Benjamin interrupted her.

“Indeed. However, my client was questioned under unhealthy circumstances. As conveniently left out of his statement, according to this diagnose, Mr. Abernathy has a series of lesions that caused internal bleeding and nerve damage” Lazar gives the documents for the judge to observe. 

“This resulting brain damage would incur that Mr. Abernathy was not consciously and fully aware of his actions-“

“you’ve gotta be kidding me” called out Carmichael.

“Therefore my client was questioned under inhumane circumstances and admittedly denied medical treatment therefore making his statement null and void” Lazar glares at her knowing that the judge will favor him.

“This seems like it’s going to take a beating out of the public. With a case such as this one I’d rather get it over with soon. But with this- I’m afraid Abernathy’s confession is not valid and cannot be brought or used against him in a trial” The judge said. Carmichael shook her head. Lazar smiled and bowed his head toward the judge and left the room.

Kessler paced back and forth. Hi head bowed in a conscious row like a boy waiting to be punished by his father. Lazar approached him.

“So let me get this straight. You had an altercation with Mr. Abernathy which led to you leaving him stranded on a dark unsupervised highway several miles away from his home?” Lazar looked confused. Kessler seemed to justify his actions with a strategic head nod.

“I understand you not wanting to reveal any more information but with you and Mr. Abernathy both playing against me this is not going to be, albeit, a walk in the park. I just got him out of his confession. if he continues to subconsciously blame himself I’m afraid this will end quickly. Come let’s go”

“I can’t go in there. He only said that confession because I came in the room. I told him not to say anything and… it was like he, like he had this seeping hatred for me that he’d rather be sent to jail than to look at my face.” 

“I see. Well then if I don’t get him to talk I’m not sure how adequately I can perform.”

“Don’t you like a challenge, Benjamin?” Said Kessler. Lazar entered the room with a smirk on his face.

Ronnie’s parents sat at the edge his bed staring ominously at his head injuries as Lazar walked into the room. Ronnie’s parents looked humble and quite ordinarily old probably around their late fifties.

Ronnie’s mother got up.

“Mr. Lazar he won’t say anything, I’m afraid whether or not he  can hear us,” She said.

“oh he can you alright. I’m going to ask that you both vacate the room I’d like a private chat with my client.” Lazar said. His parents cleared the room, leaving Lazar and Ronnie alone. Ronnie looked as if he had a terrible car accident in which he was left paralyzed and unable to move. He blinked perpetually noticing dryness of the air. Lazar sat in the chair right next to him.

“You’re probably thinking that you got away with it… lying like that. Figured you were just a drama queen, but due to recent information I just received might suggest something more concrete.” Lazar crept closer to him.

“I heard Kessler’s side of the story now I need yours. What happened on that night?” 

Ronnie remained silent and unresponsive.

“Let me guess, the reason he left you stranded on a dark beaten road in the middle of the night was because you overstepped your bounds, you crossed the line somehow. It wasn’t something you said, no, you threw yourself at him didn’t you? Took advantage of the situation. You never cared about finding this Lady Killer, all you wanted to do is spend time with the handsome detective and when the time was right to thrust yourself upon it. That was it eh? Your master plan?” 

Ronnie clenched his fists, gritted his teeth and bit his tongue. He wanted to lash out at him, yell that he’s a liar, a bold face liar who doesn’t know anything about anything. He hated him. But he withdrew, and remained silent. Because that’s what he wanted. Talking out would be playing right into his filthy little game. Lazar was amused at his willpower.

“No answer eh? Shall I bring in Kessler? That’ll get you to talk right? Since he was the reason you declared your guilt… you hate him don’t you thats why you did it. You think he was the one who facilitated your injuries. And you would see yourself rot in prison than to look at his face.” Lazar got real close to him.

“But you just don’t hate him don’t you? Or else you would be talking to me. No. You’ve spawned an infectious hatred… or maybe you’re just a suicidal attention whore” Ronnie kept his act up. Lazar retracted and breathed heavily.

“You’re stubborn Mr. Abernathy but in time you’ll find that I’m more.” Lazar left the room. Ronnie let out a big gulp of air as if he was holding his breath. He breathed heavily and writhed in his bed wanting to rip out his tongue.

Bradley skulked in the dormitories. Wearing his nicest slacks and suede vest and holding a single red rose to his chest. He looked determined and refined, ready to declare his love for the single woman that has managed to awaken his inner lover. He waited patiently for Jane and the longer he waited the more he kept going over what would happen in his head and the same scenario kept popping up. Jane would ultimately reject him again.  He hadn’t done anything that would prove that he was genuine, this gesture would solve nothing. Jane would still be angry at him for what Olivia did.

He lowered the rose and held it to his side. He looked down the empty corridor, no one in sight, and dropped the rose in the middle of the corridor and walked away.

Albert quickly dialed Jane’s number on Chico’s cell phone which he managed to snatch out of the bathroom in between his naked legs. He paced back in forth in the room as he could hear Chico in the shower. This was the only time he could talk on the phone as Rosa was not in the room. He pressed the phone to his ears and cautiously heard the sound of the shower. It rang and rang.

“Come on Jane, answer the phone for once,” He said. The tension grew thicker as the shower progressed and Jane would still not pick up. The call went to voice mail. He quickly redialed knowing that Chico likes to take short showers. He paced around the room cursing and kicking about.

“Come on Jane, dammit!” 

Suddenly the door was unlocked and the shower still on. Chico stood in the door way. Albert turned around astonished with the cell phone held to his ear. Before he could speak Chico struck him with his fist knocking the phone to the floor and sent Albert groveling to the floor in pain.

“Who were you calling?!huh?! Who the fuck were you calling?!” Chico yelled as he crouched over Albert’s groveling body and repeatedly beat him with his fists. Albert tried to block his punches but he was overpowered by Chico’s moist and thunderous fists.

Jane and Kessler stood outside of Ronnie’s room in the hospital. She looked well rested and more lively. Her red hair starting to fade into an orange amber. Kessler leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and staring diagonally at the floor.

“So what are you going to do about my brother?” Jane said looking at Kessler.

“From what you’re telling me, he’s being kept there as a sex slave. If that’s the case the I doubt he’s in any real danger. I think it can wait after Ronnie’s trial which will be the day after tomorrow. 

Besides, he put himself in that situation, didn’t he?” He said without breaking his stare.

“How dare you judge him after what you did to Ronnie? If we’re all here right now it’s because of you! You led him on, you bastard! Taking him on your little detective missions, making him believe that you cared for him. I know your type Detective Kessler. The type of man who like to lead people on because they just crave the extra attention, they get their kicks off of it. But then when things get too real they quickly deject into their satirical turtle shell and harm others.” Jane glared at him, her phone started ringing. She looked at it and ignored the unknown number. Kessler remained silent for a few seconds. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her in the eye or even glance towards her face. Somehow she was reading him all his truths. Truths that he didn’t even know existed. 

“When Ronnie’s case is over, I’ll personally go and rescue your brother?” Kessler looked pale and discouraged. Jane looked at him with skepticism.

Lazar walks into the hallway and interrupts the conversation.

“I’ve got good news” Said Lazar. “I just received a relieving phone call. Apparently, someone named Megan, who will be testifying tomorrow, will bring up evidence against reverend James and will help prove Mr. Abernathy’s innocence. Honestly I’m quite disappointed.” 

“That’s great news!” Said Jane.

“Why is it disappointing?” Asked Kessler.

“I took this case because I thought it was going to be difficult and challenging now I’m just stuck with it.” Lazar sighed and peered into Ronnie’s room with a sad look of disappointment. 

The blood ran. It tread down Albert’s neck and trailed down onto the white pastel carpet. His eyes swollen like turnips, his lips in shambles, and the sides of his face stamped down and scraped by Chico’s ring. He groveled and heaved in pain as his head was rested on top of Chico’s still moist lap. Chico caressed his black hair tinged the metal of his blood. 

“I’m sorry baby,” Chico said. Albert trembled profusely.

“Just promise you won’t do that again baby” He said. Chico pressed his lips against his shaking forehead holding him up like a wounded soldier after Gettysburg. 

“Everything’s gonna be all right baby, shh, Its gon’ be okay” A crack was heard in his voice, a tear escaped his eye down Albert’s bruises.

Sarah Carmichael sat languish in the Reverend’s office. Her long bony legs crossed and firmly wavering as she leaned to the side. Reverend James poised his shoulders on his desk and held his face in his hands, almost like in prayer. He breathed in heavily and then breathed out menacingly.

“Don’t worry, even without the confession, the boy is in some psychological turmoil. If we were to arouse those feelings he had when he confessed making we can make him to do it again. This time in front of a jury.” Said Carmichael.

“But we don’t know what caused it, do we? But you’re right we haven’t lost the advantage. God forbid this monster is let loose to run amuck in this town killing innocent men” Said the reverend looking up at Sarah to review her response.

“James, you poor old, miserable, excuse of a man. I don’t know what your agenda is, fact is I don’t really care. Fact of the matter I happen to owe you a damn favor. And I’m just as much obliged is that bastard, Lazar is involved-“

“Watch you language” Sarah snickered. She got up.

“Anyways, don’t expect me to come to your aid when this comes crashing down. Whether it be the day after tomorrow or when your wife decides to divorce you” She said as she gathered her purse, slipped on her D&G shades and left the room. The reverend was kept glaring at the entrance. He was about to turn his chair round when he heard anther professing knock at his door.

“Enter!” he said as Megan peered through the opening. Her stature, a menacing one, confidant, exuberant even. It was as if she had galloped off a merry pony and was on her way to meet her boyfriend at the Gala. He immediately despised her intrusive happiness. 

“Megan, come in. I wasn’t sure you’d been made aware of what ‘s to happen the day after tomorrow-“

“I’m going to be called as a witness for Ronnie’s trail” She interjected.

“So you have been informed?” 

“More or less”

“Do you know what you have to do?” 

“More or less”

“This is serious Megan, it’s important we put this criminal-“

“criminal? Are you talking about yourself Reverend?” The reverend looks at her with a fierce indignation.

“Excuse you?” 

“A criminal, Reverend James. People who go out and bash people’s heads in with a baseball bat.” His look changed to a bewildered one. Questions surrounded his vision. How? How did she know? He quickly started calculating his options, scanning the room around knowing what he must ultimately do. 

“I’ve headed this entire parish for more than 10 years now. I know what you’re thinking Megan-“

“What I’m thinking right now is how I’m going to walk into that court tomorrow and show those revealing photos of you and Regina in this office” The Reverend’s eyes grew wider. 

“And how I have recorded evidence of a conversation with Shawn that you sent him to bash Ronnie” 

The reverend looked defeated, he slumped back in his chair and swied his face with his hands.

“It’s over James.” She said. The Reverend stoop up like a sailor walking to the plank. He walked to the rear of his office, distraught and pacing, as if he was having a stroke, a terrible mess. His world had suddenly been turned round. Megan remained in her seat, poised and enjoying the kill. 

Suddenly her neck was encompassed by his brutish palms. Her throat closed. Behind her the reverend hunched around her thin body as his hands pressed together her thin, straw-like neck. His face turned tomato red as he exerted all his force. Megan choked and gaged as her arms flailed about like a dry fish and she kicked herself out of her chair and fell to the ground while the Reverend kept his firm grasp on her neck. And now on the floor he used his full bodyweight and pressed on her neck from above trying to make the least possible noise.

Megan’s spasms stopped as her arms and legs collided on the floor, motionless.