Hi Everyone:

I am pleased to publish chapter, 16 of my novel, RAPE. After reading the chapter, I hope you will comment. As you know, your comments and suggestions influence my revision. If you missed any of the previous chapters, check the archives.

          I encourage you to visit my website:  joshswritingroom.com/ where you will find, a short story.

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. 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.

Lawyer Flaherty sends P.I., Jim Bosley to investigate, and then visits Carol. He finds her parents have arrived and plan to take her and the children back to Boston.

A January court date is set. Bail is set. Carol tells him that she and the children are going to Boston to live with her parents.

Gary stops at a Palm Beach Pub. As he walks to his car, a Miriam West fan assaults him.

A neighborhood committee offers up to $15,000 to help Gary sell his home if his family leaves Palm Beach within 60 days.

P.I. Bosley learns that Consuela Arista was fired after Gary’s visit & Reporter; Miguel Gonzales is already looking for her.

Miguel’s editor helps him find an address for Consuela. He learns she has gone to visit her mother in San Antonio.

Consuela tells her mother that she was in the next room when Gary came to see her about insuring her jewelry and she saw him leave. Now, Miriam is forcing her to help bring him down.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 16

 

 

Charles, the Howe family chauffeur, closed the rear door as Carol Sanders brushed her hands along her thighs smoothing her full skirt and settling into the luxurious seat in her father’s Rolls Royce Ghost. She examined the chipped polish on the ring finger of her left hand. “Oh damn! I’ll have to remember to ask Mother for her manicurist’s phone number,” she said, not expecting the chauffeur to respond or even nod. She decided that she must have damaged it while enrolling Robert and Janet in the Parker Hill private elementary school, supposedly one of Boston’s finest. Her father had told her not to worry about cost; he’d take care of it. She hoped her children appreciated their grandfather’s generosity.

In less than twenty minutes, Charles drove them back to the oversized townhouse on Louisburg Square in the heart of the Beacon Hill section. She thanked the chauffeur, an excellent driver who had been with the family since she had been Robert’s age, and then went in search of her mother. She found her on the glass-enclosed veranda having a cup of tea.

“Come join me!” Jenny Howe called.

“Thanks, Mother, I think tea is exactly what I need.”

“Maude, bring another cup, please and some of that Danish.”

Within seconds, the maid appeared with the requested items. “Will there be anything else?”

“No Maude, that’ll be all. Well, Carol,” Mrs. Howe, said, turning her attention to her daughter, “how did the children like the new school?”

Carol sipped her tea. “Oh, I think they are okay with it. It helps that they’re both going to be in the same building. They did a lot of looking around but neither one of them had much to say.”

“Give them time, Carol, they’ll adjust. It just takes a while for children to get used to new surroundings, new teachers, and classmates. Pretty soon they’ll have a lot of new friends; then they’ll be bright and cheerful again.”

She twisted her wedding ring; “You’re right, Mother. I think Janet is happier, now that she’s not the object of ridicule because of her father’s situation. That’s not to say that they don’t both miss Gary, they do, especially Robert. He and his father have a special bond.”

Mrs. Howe reached for one of the miniature Danish and then looked at her daughter. “And what about you, do you miss him?”

“Of course I do. Not all the time but now and then. Why do you ask?”

“If he did what they’re accusing him of, it—it’s just despicable that’s what it is! I don’t see how you can take him back if he’s actually a—a rapist. Who knows what he’s capable of doing. Your father and I discussed your situation and we agree. We want you to see Henry Castle.”

“Henry Castle? Isn’t he Father’s attorney?”

“Yes, he handles a lot of the family’s legal matters and he’ll know the best way for you to proceed.”

“Proceed with what?” she asked toying with her ring again.

“Carol, don’t act naïve! Proceed with a divorce, or if you prefer, a dissolution of the marriage.”

“Gary swears he is innocent. Maybe he is, and besides, I’m not sure I’m ready for your resolution no matter what you call it.”

Mrs. Howe dabbed a napkin to her lips and then dropped it on the table; “Don’t be unreasonable. It came to this when you decided to leave him, and don’t pretend you didn’t know. If you’re going to do it, why drag it out? The sooner it’s over and done with the sooner things will become normal. That’s what’s best for the children and for you. You’re still young and attractive. These days, a lot of people are involved in second marriages.”

Carol frowned, “And what about poor Gary? If he goes to court with a divorce hanging over his head, it sure won’t help him.”

Pushing her chair back, Mrs. Howe said, “That’s why we want you to see Henry Castle. Let him advise you. I’m no expert. Let him tell you what’s best. Who knows, maybe Gary will agree to one of those quick Mexican divorces in order to get it behind him before his trial date.”

“But, Mother, think what a jury will make of the fact that his wife has turned against him. They’ll take that as a sign that I know he’s guilty. Besides, it’s hard to love him right now, but I still care about Gary. Before all this started, he was a good provider and a wonderful husband and father. I know that he may have wandered once or twice but this time the woman is accusing him of rape. I don’t know if he’s guilty or not. Maybe her acting status or her sexy looks attracted him. Maybe they quarreled. This thing may just be a fling that will pass. The truth of the matter is that I’m not sure I want a divorce.”

Mrs. Howe rose from her chair. “We like Gary, we always have, but you are our only child, you are our concern; you and our grandchildren. Your father has already made an appointment for you to see Henry tomorrow. I expect you to keep it.”

“I’ll tell you right now, I’m not going to let Henry Castle or anyone else shove me into a divorce that I’m not ready for.”

 “Carol, no one is forcing you to do anything. All we ask is that you talk to Henry, and then make up your own mind. We only want what’s best for you and the children.”