RAPE-Serialized version
Hi Everyone:
I am pleased to publish chapter 10 of my novel, RAPE. After reading the chapter, I hope
you will comment on it. As you know, your comments and suggestions influence my
revision. If you missed any of the previous chapters, check the archives.
I also encourage you to
visit my website: joshswritingroom.com/ where you will find RANSOM,
a short story by Frank. You can also check out my e-published novels. If you find one to your liking, you can
purchase it from Amazon.com, or from Barnes and Noble. You’ll find links on the
website taking you right to it.
PATH TO A PARDON,
THE EINDHOVEN
STRATEGY,
& PALM BEACH
STYLE.
As I publish each new chapter, the previous
chapter(s) should be archived, so you can easily catch up. For those who
prefer, here is an encapsulated version of the previous action:
PREVIOUSLY:
RAPE
Prosperous
executive, Gary Sanders, has an appointment at the home of Julia Walsh, the
reigning Empress of Palm Beach. Julia’s niece, Oscar winning actress, Miriam
West, is visiting and has jewelry to insure.
Miriam
accuses Gary of assault and rape. Chief Moore shows Gary a close-up of her
facial cuts and bruises. They await the lab report.
Gary’s
wife, Carol, is furious. Due to a Gary’s past, Carol believes him guilty. She
moves him into the guest room.
Attorney,
Joe Flaherty advises him not to hide, flee or talk. Reporters who publish
stories favoring the actress surround Gary’s home and office. His children are
harassed at school and Gary loses his clients and his major companies.
Neighbors and friends shun Gary and his family.
Prior
to Gary’s arraignment, lawyer Flaherty sends P.I., Jim Bosley, to investigate,
and then visits Carol. When he arrives, he finds her parents have arrived and
plan to take her and the children back to Boston. He tries to persuade her to
stay.
CHAPTER 10
In courtroom
number two, Judge Stern looked out over the crowd gathered in his small
auditorium and ordered the clerk to call the next case.
“Case number: 260520 State of Florida vs. Gary
Sanders; one count of sexual assault and one count of assault.”
Clean-shaven,
he entered the courtroom. With the exception of the new shirt his attorney had
brought, Gary wore the clothes he had been wearing when arrested. He moved to
stand beside attorney Flaherty, and then craned his head in a failed attempt to
locate his wife.
Flaherty
whispered, “Concentrate, Laddie! All that matters now is that we get you
released. It’s not the quarrel that you may
have with your wife, but the one you do have with the law that matters.”
“But Joe,
she’ll be here. In my gut I can feel it.”
The Judge,
wearing a black robe and a serious face, lived up to his name, asked, “Who
represents the defendant?”
“Attorney Joseph Flaherty, representing Mr.
Sanders your honor,” he answered without a trace of accent.
“And for the
State?” the Judge asked.
A tall, thin
blonde-haired woman in a tailored, gray suit stepped forward, “Assistant
District Attorney, Marcia Ugiss, your honor.
“And how
does the defendant plead?”
Gary didn’t
need prodding. He cleared his throat and in a clear voice answered, “Not guilty
your honor.” He felt a pat on his back from Flaherty. Glancing over his right
shoulder, he again searched the spectators for Carol. He didn’t see her.
Flaherty whispered, “Laddie, look to your left!”
Jerking his
head around and half turning, he spotted her, sitting at the end of the third
row. He recognized the new, dark blue suit she wore with its high button top
and rounded collar. She clung to the arm of her father, decked out in one of
his Brooks Brothers suits. He jabbed Flaherty’s arm, “I just knew she’d never
let me down. I told you she’d come.”
“Aye that
you did. I just hope it means she’s ready to post the bail.”
Judge Stern
said, “In view of the defendant’s plea, I’m setting the court date for Monday
January 24, 2012. Now let’s discuss the matter of bail. Ms. Ugiss what is the
State’s opinion.
“Your Honor,
this case involves a vicious attack and sexual assault on a very prominent
actress and is receiving coast to coast coverage by the media. Anything less
than one million dollars will be viewed as a travesty.”
Judge Stern
nodded before turning his gaze toward the defense attorney. “Mr. Flaherty, do
you disagree?”
“I certainly
do. The State’s case depends entirely on unsubstantiated testimony, your honor.
The victim didn’t call the police until after bathing, which destroyed any
chance for DNA evidence and there are no other known eyewitnesses.
Furthermore,
your honor, my client is a prominent member of the community. He has two young
children. His wife and father-in-law are here today showing their support. He
has both business and personal ties in Palm Beach County. We ask that he be
released on his own recognizance.”
Assistant
D.A. Ugiss sounded adamant. “Your honor, the State opposes such a move. The
defendant closed his office, severing his business ties to this community. We
have also learned that he has a valid passport and is therefore a flight risk.”
The rustle
of voices from the spectators came to an abrupt end as Judge Stern tapped his
gavel. “The court orders that bail be set at $50,000 and that the defendant
surrender his passport! Next case!” the judge ordered, tapping his gavel.
Joe Flaherty
motioned to Carol and her father, who advanced with his checkbook in hand.
Together they hustled toward the clerk’s desk to arrange for Gary’s release.
Hustling
didn’t help much, by the time Carol and her father got Gary home the hall clock
had already chimed 2:00 P.M. Two television equipped vans and half-a-dozen
reporters clogged the sidewalk in front of the house on Sandpiper Drive. Mr.
Howe drove up the driveway and slowly made his way to the back of the house.
Parking in front of the garage, the trio made a dash for the serenity of the
fenced-in yard.
Once inside
the house, Carol went upstairs to see her mother while Gary hugged his
children, and then turned to the man who had posted the bond. “I can write you
a check right now if you like.
Randolph
shook his head, “That isn’t at all necessary or called for.”
Don’t worry Randolph, I promise that I’ll show
up on January twenty-fourth. You won’t lose your money.”
Randolph
nodded, “Honestly, that never crossed my mind.”
Hannah
rushed in from the kitchen and gave Gary a hug, then from the pocket of her
apron; she pulled out an envelope and handed it to him. “This came for you
today.”
Gary glanced
at the envelope noting that it came from his Country Club. He started to put
the envelope aside, then changed his mind and opened it as Carol returned with
her mother. Gary read the brief letter to himself before exclaiming, “The bastards!” He squeezed the Country
Club letter to golf-ball size. “They’ve cancelled our membership; it’s
effective immediately.”
Carol, with arms crossed, stood next to her
mother and shrugged. “Well,” she said with a sigh, “they sure didn’t waste any
time. Gary, I’m afraid I have more news. I’ve decided to take the children to
Boston for a while. They are miserable here; who can blame them with all these
nosy reporters; they refuse to go to school and their friends snub them.
They’ll be so much better off in Boston. My parents have plenty of room. I’ll
enroll them in good schools and I promise to return in time for your trial.”
“Just like that huh?”
“No Gary,
not just like that. I’ve given this a lot of thought and I think it’s what’s
best for us all.”
