DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS OR EMMERDALE LOCALES, JUST BORROWING.
Please note that some fair amounts of dramatic license have been used, I'm not an expert in all areas (just don't tell anyone I've admitted to that). If there are any glaringly obvious errors in regard to due process/legal proceedings let me know.
Chapter 1:
Sitting there he knew what was coming. He'd walked off the plane, through the airport to border control and get through immigration no problem. He still couldn't believe how it easy travel was even on a false passport, not that he was going to tell anyone that. One thing was for sure, it was time to be home. Maybe he should have called. Maybe he should have talked this through with someone.
As he exited the airport building he got into a taxi and headed towards Bradford's city centre. No point in letting the police know he had been out of the country. The last thing Aaron needed was an added charge of possessing a false passport.
Even though it was dark outside and he was heading to be arrested, a sense of familiarity surrounded him. This was home, granted it wasn't the village but being back in England, there was no doubt that this was home. No matter what happened over the next couple days, weeks, months or years, home. Getting out of the taxi at Bradford City Park, the prearranged meeting point Aaron didn't have to wait long before he saw the familiar figure of now DCI Fletcher walking up to him.
"Didn't think I'd hear from you again, tell me where you have been these last few years."
Aaron held out his arms wrists together in front of him, not saying a word.
"Come along then," she motioned for him to step in front of her as she pointed to a sedan parked not far away. "Aaron Livesy, I hereby place you under arrest for a contempt of court charge for missing a court date in April 2012," DCI Fletcher began rattling on about evidence and talking to them could be used. Aaron tuned her out; he'd heard all of this beforehand he knew what he needed to know.
Arriving at the station a short time later, he was escorted into a room he'd hoped he'd seen the last of, no such luck though. After being booked in, he sat down face to face with DCI Fletcher and now Detective Inspector Bedford.
"Aaron, do you know why you're here?"
The detective watched Aaron carefully. He hadn't said a word since before getting into the car in Bradford. "You know, if you talk to us we may be able to help you out a little bit. No? Fine, have it your way then."
Both police officers stood up and left the room. As Fletcher saw who was standing there, presumably watching the proceedings she heaved an annoyed sigh. "What are you doing here? You don't usually show up until we have a bit more."
Turning from the gentleman she was the talking to the CPS solicitor replied, "I'm here to make sure we can pack him in this time. I'm sick of this man getting away with crimes. Murder," she was however cut off by the man standing next to her.
"If you could so kindly refrain from finishing your thought and attempting to plant a specific idea in my mind as to the type of person my patient is I'd greatly appreciate it."
Noting the curious glances of the police officers, the solicitor quickly introduced them, "Detectives, this is Dr. Zachary Michaels. He's a psychiatrist that does some consulting work for us. You said on the phone just before you went in he hadn't said a word? Well, I'm covering all my bases so he can't attempt to plea something ridiculous in court to mitigate his sentence and for the fact that arsonists are dangerous people. Doctor, you're up."
During the lawyers rant, Dr. Zachary Michaels, Zack to most people, watched the young man through the window noting his appearance. Turning to look at the solicitor he chose his words carefully. "Don't treat me like your next act in a circus lineup; you may not like what I have to say on the matter."
The solicitor appeared taken back by such a comment, "Your duty Dr. Michaels," everyone in the room, quickly realized this was the wrong approach for the lawyer to take.
"Is to my patient, not the CPS or the police service and my evaluation of my patient will reflect what I feel is in the best interest of my patient as the law requires it to be."
Walking into the room, Zack took in the appearance of his patient from a closer stand point. Dark circles under the eyes, face slightly gaunt. Looks like some recent weight loss, probably not intentional. Something was definitely bothering this young man. His posture told a similar story. Sitting erect, staring straight ahead at a spot on the wall in front of him. He was definitely putting a lot of effort into maintaining the strong silent type appearance.
"Good evening Mr. Livesy, my name is Zack, I'm a doctor that does some work for the CPS. Do you know why I'm here?"
To the untrained eye, there appeared to be no response, but there was a slight change in the breathing of the young man facing the wall followed by a quick flick of the eyes from his spot on the wall to Zack and then back.
"In a nutshell I'm here because the CPS thinks you're a nutter, but want me to say you aren't so that you'll be sent to prison if found guilty."
"I confessed, no need for a trial, just sentence me."
Zack showed a look of surprise, "well it was certainly easier to get you to say something than I thought it was going to be. What did you confess to?"
"Arson."
"You started a fire?"
Aaron swung his head around staring incredulously at the man across the table from him, "are you being serious?"
"How'd you start the fire?"
"Doused walls with petrol and then I, uh, used what I had on hand."
"Which was?"
"It's a garage lots of stuff could start a fire."
"True, but what did you use?"
"Blowtorch."
"Why start the fire?"
Aaron's slight shrug of shoulders and look down at the table before muttering, "Messing about, payback for all the times that Cain, got on my nerves," were beginning to paint a pretty clear picture in Zack's mind.
"Revenge by fire?"
"Something like that."
"Anything else you think I should know?"
"Aren't you the doctor?"
"Who's Cain?"
"My uncle, he was my boss when I worked at the garage."
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"No."
"Boyfriend?"
A hitch to his breathing and slight hesitation was the only indication that perhaps a sore spot had been hit by Zack when Aaron's answer came, "uh, no."
"Recent break up then?" Aaron focused a glare on Zack before turning his head and staring off at a point on the wall again. Zack took note that this was clearly the end of his interview. "Aaron, if possible I'd like to talk to you again, would you object to that?" Aaron's only response was a shrug. Getting up to head out, Zack focused on Aaron's breathing, something about the pattern of breaths caught his attention, firmly cementing in Zack's mind that yes, he would be speaking to Aaron again. There was a lot more going on here than what he'd originally been told when asked to consult earlier.
Exiting the room, he was rounded on by the audience of professionals, with the solicitor speaking first. "Well, what do you think?"
"You'll have my report in a few days."
"Dr. Michaels," DI Bedford spoke up for the first time since Zack noticed him, "What do you think? The quick notes version."
Sighing and running his hand over his face Zack kept his reply short and to the point. "He's not your arsonist, and there's a lot more going on than any of you have appreciated. I'd like to meet with him again."
The solicitor was clearly not impressed with the response, "Dr. Michaels, he is clearly a danger to society, he has been…"
"Save your speech for the court, it's falling on deaf ears here. You'll have my full report in a few days." Shaking his head as he stepped out of the police station Zack couldn't help but smile a little. The CPS was definitely not going to like what he had to say on this matter.
End Chapter 1.
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