RAPE-Serialized version

 

Hi Everyone:

I am pleased to publish chapter 21 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, the current 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.

          All three novels were written to deliver hours of reading pleasure and are modestly priced.

 

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.

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.

Gary’s lawyer, Joe 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 Gary that she and the children are going to Boston to live with her parents.

One of Miriam West’s fans assaults Gary. A neighborhood committee offers money 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. 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 Miriam about insuring her jewelry and she saw him leave. Now, Miriam is forcing her to help destroy him.

Carol’s parents make an appointment for her to meet with the family lawyer about a divorce.

Bosley meets with ex-girlfriend, Connie, who works for the same newspaper as Miguel and learns the reporter has gone to San Antonio. He offers & she accepts a job running his office.

During lunch at the Sailfish Club, Miriam has too much to drink and thinks about how she advanced her career and what she may yet have to do.

Carol consults the family attorney about a divorce. She is summoned to the children’s new school because Robert hit one of his classmates, and is suspended.

 

 

CHAPTER 21

 

 

 

 

 

       Gary shut the cover of his cell phone, let out his breath, and closed his eyes, oh my poor little, mixed-up son, he thought, in time all this will be behind us. You and your sister are going through a rough time right now. Lord, let it pass soon, bring us all together again.

He opened his eyes and looked around at the mess he had created in his office. Two boxes filled with files sat on his desk and two empty cartons waited for his pictures and other personal items. He thought about the phone call, at how distant Carol had been. She hadn’t mentioned missing him—did she? He sure missed her, but she hadn’t given him a chance to say so. She’s still angry about the disruption in our lives. He tried in vain to think of a way to convince her that they weren’t of his making.

One more box to fill before I break for lunch. His cell rang again. Hoping Carol had decided to call again, he fumbled with it, finally getting its lid open; “Hello.”

“Hi Gary; it’s Erica. How are you?”

“Oh, hi Erica, I’m okay. What’s up?

“I got the check you sent yesterday and I wanted you to know that I can’t accept

it. You don’t owe me severance. I’m not going to cash it.”

“That’s up to you. It’s what I feel I owe. Do with it what you wish.”

“You sound angry. Gary, are you angry with me?”

“No; of course not, I haven’t any reason to be angry with you. I’ll tell you what, why don’t you go ahead and cash the check on your way to meet me for lunch? I’ll let you pay if it will make you feel any better.”

“That’s a delicious idea, provided we make it casual. I don’t feel like getting all dressed up.”

“You’re on; how about meeting me at Hamburger Heaven on South County Road in about forty minutes?”

She laughed, “That sounds perfect; do we need to put on disguises?”

“I’ll wash my face so no one will recognize me. See you in forty,” he said snapping the cover of his cell shut.

 

 

It didn’t take Gary long to drive to the three hundred block of South County Road. Maybe this isn’t the smartest thing I’ve done; don’t know what made me pick a restaurant so close to the Police Station. Oh well, by now I should be old news. He arrived ahead of time but finding a parking place during the busy tourist season turned out to be a hassle. He found one in a side-street parking lot and walked back three blocks, arriving first, and managing to secure a table minutes before Erica showed up.

He stood and pulled out a chair for her. “Look at us,” she said planting a quick kiss on his cheek, “we’re twins, both wearing jeans.”

He grinned, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear them.”

“That makes us even.”

The waiter arrived with menus, “You folks need a few minutes?”

Gary nodded and the waiter moved to a nearby table filled with laughing young women.

Erica opened her menu and with eyes busy scanning it said; “I saw the ad in the paper about the office space for rent. It made me cry.”

“Yeah, me too; I spent the morning at the office, packing up personal things I want to save. I have my house up for sale too. Without a source of income, if I don’t unload my real-estate, and do it soon, I’ll be in big financial trouble.”

“If you need any help packing up at the office, I’m available.”

“Thanks, Erica, but I’ve got nothing better to do. Carol and the kids are in Boston with her folks, so this helps pass the time. Besides, it beats sitting in front of the TV and hearing every news-caster talk about my upcoming trial.”

“Oh, I didn’t know about Boston.”

The waiter returned and they ordered a tossed salad for her and a Cheeseburger for him.

 As the waiter left, Erica asked, “Are the children in school there?”

He took a deep breath and exhaled, “That’s a long story.”

She looked puzzled, “I’ve got nothing but time, why don’t you tell me.” Then she became quiet until he related how Robert had said that when his classmate refused to give up her desert he did what he’d been told his dad did.”

“Oh my gosh!” she exclaimed. “What did you say to him?”

“I just told him that I didn’t hit anyone and whoever said I did lied. I think I also said something like hitting is wrong, especially hitting girls. He’s only seven, he’s confused and we’ve yanked his whole world out from under him. He wants me to come to see him, but I had to tell him that I can’t until this mess is cleared up.”

“Do you think you got through to him?”

“I don’t know. I hope so. I asked Carol to put Skype on the computer so I can see the kids and they can see me. Maybe then the family won’t feel so torn apart.”

“That’s a great idea. Is she going to do it?”

“Beats me, she wasn’t enthused, just said that she’ll think about it.”

The waiter returned with their order and Erica took a bite of her salad. “That sounds like a brush-off. Gary, when this is over, are you going to stay in Palm Beach County?”

He had his cheeseburger ready for the first bite. “Only if I win. I need to get my reputation back. Until I do, I’m dead in this county.”

“If you do leave, where will you go?”

He put the burger down and blotted catsup from his mouth; “Erica, to be honest, I haven’t thought that far ahead. Right now, I’m focused on unloading my big expensive house and office space and getting through this trial. I want Carol and my kids to come back. I suspect she is being pressured by her parents to remain in Boston, so as of now, she either can’t or won’t commit to coming home any time soon. My attorney says it’s crucial that she’s in the courtroom at my trial.”  

She put her fork down and leaned forward. Lowering her voice to a decibel above a whisper she said, “I believe in you. If there is anything I can do to help with your business or your family just let me know.” Her warm hand covered his; “I’ll always be on your side. Do whatever you need to do to keep your children.”