Chapter 2

The Arrest

Dr. Brackett released Jenny at three that afternoon with specific instructions to return if she developed any difficulty breathing, worsening cough or swallowing. He wanted to see her back in two days for a check-up as well. Roy held Jenny in his arms as they started to leave Rampart. He put her down in a chair in the waiting room and sat next to her. "What is it, Roy?" Joanne asked.

"Where do we go? We don't have a house?" They had been so worried about Jenny they didn't think about the condition of their house. Roy was right; they had no place to go.

Johnny came running in and almost slid past them as he came to an abrupt stop. "Sorry, I'm late. I had some things to do." Johnny appeared to be excited about something, although Roy couldn't imagine what that could possibly be when his world was in such turmoil. Johnny noticed the sad look on his partner's face. "Roy, Joanne, I found…I mean we…the guys and I found you a place to stay. It's not perfect and it's just temporary but it's better than nothing."

"You did what, Johnny?" Roy asked. His spirits were beginning to lift a little. He had wondered where the rest of the guys were. Usually, when something happens to one of them they rally together but since the fire a little over twelve hours ago, he's only seen Johnny.

"We've all been out looking all morning. I called Captain Stanley early this morning and well…just follow me, will ya?"

Roy stood up and held Jenny in his arms. "Lead the way." Joanne and Chris smiled at Roy as they followed him. Roy put Jenny in the backseat with Chris and buckled her up. He made sure Chris was buckled before closing the door. Roy followed Johnny. It was a good thing Johnny knew where they were going because they made one turn after another before Johnny's Land Rover parked right in front of a small brick house. Roy saw Captain Stanley's vehicle in front along with Mikes. He opened the car door and took Jenny out who proclaimed that she wanted to walk. Captain Stanley, Chet, Mike, and Marco were standing in the front yard next to Johnny who was holding Rex's leash. Johnny dropped the leash and he ran to his family tail wagging as fast as it could. Johnny thought he'd never seen a happier dog in his whole life. Chris bent down and clapped for him to come to him and he fell on the ground as he petted Rex. Jenny laughed and giggled. The Captain Stanley put his hand on Roy's shoulder, "Sorry we didn't make it to the hospital, Pal, but Johnny said your place is well…he said you needed a new place and quick. We've been looking all morning to find a suitable one. Chet actually found this one."

Joanne smiled at her friends and said, "Thank you all so much."

"We've been gathering some furniture and other things you might need the next few days. We wanted it to be ready for you when Jenny was released so we didn't have a lot of time," Marco said.

"You guys are too much," Roy said as he led his family inside.

Roy stepped into the living room and saw a couch and an end table with a lamp on it. "I don't know how to thank you guys for this."

"Then don't," Captain Stanley said.

"Joanne, here's the kitchen," Marco said. Joanne saw a small kitchen table with four chairs. He showed her the few dishes they had been able to obtain and the refrigerator that had been fully stocked. Marco told her that he donated some of his own spices and opened the small cabinet where he'd put them.

"I can't believe you guys had time to get all this stuff already. We didn't know what we were going to do," Joanne told Marco.

Marco put his arm around her for a moment and said, "That's why we couldn't make it to the hospital. Johnny told us everything."

Chris came running down the hallway followed by Jenny, "Mom, Dad, there's even beds in the bedrooms!"

"We couldn't find any dressers yet, but we did put up some shelves," Mike said.

Roy started walking down the hall to see the bedrooms and stumbled. Johnny caught him before he fell and said, "Hey, Pal, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired, Johnny. I never did sleep last night."

"How about we let you guys get in a little shut eye and come back say around six and we'll bring dinner?" Johnny asked.

"That sounds great," Joanne said. "I know the kids are tired too especially Jenny."

"We'll be back at six then, Pal," Captain Stanley said.

They started to leave and Roy followed them outside. "Uh, Johnny?"

Johnny turned around, "Yeah, Roy."

"This place is great and all but…"

Johnny cut him off, "Roy, don't worry about the first month's rent. It's covered. Get some rest we'll talk about it later, okay?" Roy nodded. He yawned as he walked back in the house.

Roy couldn't believe it was five thirty already. He felt like he'd just fallen asleep. He needed to wake up or he would be awake all night anyway so he stretched and yawned when Joanne woke him up. She said the kids were already awake and playing in the backyard with Rex. She sat on the bed next to him. "That was so sweet of the guys to find us a place so quickly. It's a little small and with only two bedrooms I know we won't be here long, but it was nice to have someplace to go."

"Yeah, it was." He hugged her. "We'll be okay, Honey. We're all together and we'll be okay. Tomorrow, I'll go by the house and see if there's anything left. Johnny said most of the fire was in the living room."

"I'm going with you."

Roy thought for a minute whether having Joanne see the burned up house was a good idea or not. "You know…"

"It wasn't a question, Dear. I'm going with you tomorrow. I want to see it, I need to see it. I'll get someone to watch the kids."

"I guess you do."

They went into the back yard and watched the kids play with Rex. They were having fun, but Jenny was running a lot and that concerned Roy. He told them to come inside. Joanne took Jenny to the kitchen to get a glass of Kool-aid and Chris said, "Dad, I know I should be upset about having to share a room with Jenny, but I'm not." Tears were starting to form in his eyes, "We almost lost her. She's my only sister and I love her. If I have to share a room with her forever it will be worth it."

Roy hugged Chris. "We do have a lot to be thankful for don't we?" Chris just nodded.

The front door opened and Johnny came in carrying an armful. He had bought enough hot dogs and hamburgers for an army. Captain Stanley, Emily and the rest of the guys from the station arrived shortly after Johnny. Captain Stanley had put his grill on the back of his truck so they could have a cookout. Everyone had brought enough food so there would be plenty.

Captain Stanley and Marco started the grill and just as the hot dogs were put on there was a knock at the door. Johnny was in the kitchen cutting tomatoes for the hamburgers and he answered it. He saw two men dressed in dark blue suits and were wearing shinny black shoes. "Hello," Johnny said.

One of the men flashed a badge and asked, "Are you Roy DeSoto?"

"No. He's out back with the rest of the guys. Is this about the fire? Do you know what caused it?" Johnny was kind of surprised because he knew all the arson investigators and didn't recognize these men and the investigators wore fire department uniforms. "I'll go get him for ya. Come on in."

"No, that's all right. Just take us to him."

Johnny was a little worried. Something just didn't seem right but he led the men out back and called Roy over. Roy saw the men and thought they must be there about the fire. He shook hands with them, "Hi, I'm Roy DeSoto. Are you here about the fire?"

One of the men flashed his badge again while the other one proceeded to say, "I'm Detective William Nolan and this is my partner Steve Vaughn. Roy DeSoto, you are under arrest."

"Arrest for
what!" Johnny yelled.

Roy looked petrified as Detective Vaughn patted him down and handcuffs were placed on him. The detective continued to read Roy his rights. "You can't possibly think I had anything to do with it, I'm a fireman."

"You wouldn't be the first fireman to start a fire now would you, Mr. DeSoto."

Captain Stanley heard the commotion along with everyone else who came running over to Roy's defense. "Officers, I'm Captain Stanley from the LA Fire Department and I can assure you that Roy here had nothing to do with his house fire. His daughter almost died in it." Captain Stanley's voice was calm although on the inside he was boiling mad. How can they possibly think Roy started his own house fire? He was livid.

"It's a good thing she didn't or he'd be under arrest for murder then," Vaughn said.

Chris tried to hit the officer but Johnny grabbed him just in time. "No, Chris."

"But my Dad didn't do anything wrong. They can't arrest him!" Tears were streaming down Chris's face.

Mike picked Jenny up when he saw her crying. He took her to a very upset Joanne. Emily put her arm around Joanne and whispered, "It'll be okay."

Johnny bent down to be at Chris's eye level, "Chris, I know your dad didn't do anything wrong and so does everyone else. We'll get it sorted out. Now, the best thing you can do is calm down."

"Where are you taking him?" Captain Stanley asked. He had many dealings with the police and knew the best thing to do was to be calm and do what they asked. Yelling and getting upset only escalated matters.

"Downtown, station four," Detective Nolan said.

"Thank you," Captain Stanley replied. "Roy, listen to me. We'll get to the bottom of this. I know you didn't do anything but don't say anything without a lawyer. I'll be there as soon as I call Chief McConnikee."

Detective Nolan took hold of Roy's right arm and led him away. Joanne was crying on Johnny's shoulders. Mike had picked Jenny back up and was holding her. Chet said, "There's no way. They're crazy if they think Roy had anything to do with it."

Captain Stanley put his hands on Joanne's shoulders, "Joanne, I'm going to call the chief then I'm going to the station to see what I can do. I think it would be a good idea if you came with me."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Thanks." She looked at Jenny and Chris.

"Don't worry about the kids, there's enough people here to take care of them," Captain Stanley said. There was a chorus of that's right and we'll watch them.

"Captain, I think I should go with you, too," Johnny said.

"I do too, Johnny. You are his partner and they may have some questions for you."

"I'll stay here with the kids, Joanne. You go with Hank and see Roy." Emily said.

While the captain was talking to the chief on the phone Johnny and Joanne took the kids in the living room. "I don't know why the police think your dad started the fire but you mom, Captain Stanley and I are going to the police station to tell them he didn't do it. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding and I don't want you to worry, okay?" Johnny said.

"Mommy, are they going to put you in jail too?" Jenny asked.

Joanne gasped and covered her mouth. "No, Honey. They're not going to put your mommy in jail," Captain Stanley said.

Chris just sat on the couch with a very angry look on his face. "Chris, I promise we'll do everything to bring dad home," Joanne said. She tried to put her arm around him but he flinched and moved away. "I understand you're angry and believe me, so am I. I know you don't want me to leave right now, but I'm going to find a way to convince the police that there's no way your dad could ever do anything like that."

"That's not what I'm mad about, Mom. I want you to go get Dad."

"What is it then?"

Chris looked at Jenny sitting on Joanne's lap, "If they arrested Dad that means the fire was set. What kind of person…" he touched Jenny's long brown hair. "She almost died."

Johnny hugged Chris. "I don't know who could do something like this, Chris. But I do know that we will find out. It's okay to be mad, scared and whatever else you're feeling. We all are. It's okay."

Chris lifted his head up and wiped the tears from his eyes. "I'm okay, Mom. Tell Dad I love him, okay?"

"I will. He loves you too." She kissed Jenny on the top of the head, "He loves both of you."

Joanne and Johnny left with Captain Stanley after he called the chief. On the way to the police station, he told Joanne and Johnny that the Chief of police had just called Chief McConnikee and told him they arrested Roy. It appears the fire was started in the living room. He also said that it would be wise for Roy to get an attorney as soon as possible. Just as they were about to enter the police station Captain Stanley said, "No matter what happens you've got to keep calm yourselves. The best we can hope for right now is to get Roy out on bail. They think he's guilty and we're not going to change their minds tonight." Johnny and Joanne nodded. "Good," Captain Stanley said as he opened the big glass door to the police station.

It was busy inside with people in handcuffs yelling and cursing at the officers, phones ringing, officers talking on the phones and one presumable drunk man singing. Joanne held her purse tight and Johnny put his arm around her and whispered, "It'll be all right."

Captain Stanley went to the desk and told the officer that he was there to see Roy. He explained that Roy had been arrested earlier. The officer at the desk said, "Oh yeah, the fireman. He's being interrogated now. No one can see him." Johnny shuddered. He wondered what it would be like to be interrogated. Captain Stanley was instructed to sit on a bench and someone would talk to him as soon as they could.

As he was being led to the car, Roy thought about the time he and Johnny had been accused of stealing money from a patient's wallet. He thought he was worried then; that feeling was nothing compared to the fear, anger, and confusion he was experiencing now. He did just as Captain Stanley had suggested and requested a lawyer as soon as he was in the detective's car. Roy had been fingerprinted, photographed, and patted down again before he was taken to a small interrogation room. He was handcuffed to the table and left alone. He looked around and noticed the only thing in the room was a small wooden table, three chairs, a pitcher of water, a glass and a mirror. He wondered if it was a two-way mirror like they had in the movies. The walls were all painted white. He had very little sleep the past couple of days and was extremely tired. He folded his arms on the table and put his head down. As soon as he drifted off to sleep, he saw the fire again. In his dream he couldn't get the window and when Detective Nolan opened the door Roy was yelling, "Jenny!"

Nolan looked at Vaughn and slammed the door. Roy jolted awake. His heart was beating so fast he thought it was going to explode. "Innocent men don't sleep," Vaughn said as he sat down on Roy's left side.

"You don't understand," Roy stated. "I was on duty the night before last. We had one call after the other including a paint factory that kept us out all night. Then last night with the fire…I haven't slept in two days." Roy was too tired to remember he'd asked for a lawyer. Nolan took the handcuffs off. Roy rubbed his wrists. They weren't on tight but they still made his wrists hurt and he was happy to have them off.

"Tell us about the fire last night, Roy. I can call you Roy can't I?" Vaughn said. There was something in his tone that Roy didn't like. He didn't trust him, but he was too tired to think straight.

"Roy's fine. I was sleeping and the smoke alarms went off and woke me up."

Nolan sat down on Roy's right side and poured a glass of water and slid it toward Roy. "Go ahead. Sounds like you've had a long couple of days."

Roy picked up the glass and took a sip. The cool water felt refreshing and woke him up a little. His throat had been dry since the fire. He set he glass down and said, "Thanks."

"Roy what were you doing when the fire broke out?" Nolan asked.

"I was sleeping. I told you the smoke alarms woke me up."

"What about before the fire? Before you went to bed, what were you doing?" Vaughn asked.

Roy turned his head so he could look at Vaughn when he answered, "I was…"

Before Roy could answer Nolan asked, "Roy, how is it you got out before your kids?" Roy turned his head to face Nolan.

"The door, the door was hot when I touched it. I couldn't open it. I had to go out the window," Roy was trying to recollect every detail. "It all happened so fast…"

"What were you doing before you went to bed?" Vaughn repeated.

Instead of turning his head, Roy remembered about asking for a lawyer said, "I've been arrested and charged with arson. I want a lawyer. I asked for one in the car and I don't think I should be answering anymore questions until I talk to a lawyer."

"If you want to wait here for a couple of hours for some court appointed lawyer to show up instead of talking to us and clearing the air now, that's your choice," Vaughn said.

"Just tell me, what evidence do you have against me? I didn't do it. I didn't set my own house on fire."

"Roy, the fire was started in your living room. Your couch had been doused in kerosene then set on fire. Who else had access to your house so late at night?"

Just then the door opened and a short man wearing a dark brown business suit came in. "I believe my client has requested a lawyer so why are you still questioning him?" Roy felt relieved. He thought he'd have to wait hours for a lawyer.

"We were just keeping him company. Making small chit-chat while we waited for you," Vaughn said as he stood up.

"Give me time alone to confer with my client please." The two detectives didn't say anything as they left the room.

"I'm Josh Evans, your lawyer, Mr. DeSoto." He reached his hand out and shook Roy's. "We're going to try to get you out on bail tonight. Tell me everything about the fire."

It took Roy a while to explain every detail about the fire. He was so tired he struggled to remember everything. He finally got it all out. "Okay. I've worked with Nolan and Vaughn before. I know they can seem kind of hard-nosed but they really are pretty fair guys."

"I didn't have anything to do with the fire and don't understand why anyone thinks I did."

"Roy, I want you to know that I do believe you. As far as the detectives go, let's just say I know they're just doing their job right now. Your wife, partner and captain are here. Do you mind if I talk to them?"

"They said they'd come."

"I saw them before I came in here. They want to see what they can do get you out on bail tonight. It's a long shot but I'll see what I can do."

"You can talk to anyone and everyone I know just get me outta here, will ya?"

"Roy, hang in there. Don't answer any more questions, I'll be back in a few minutes," Josh said. He gave Roy a reassuring smile as he left the room.

Detectives Nolan and Vaughn were ordered by their captain to arrest Roy after the cause of the fire was deemed to be arson. They were pretty sure he doused the couch and set the fire after the rest of the family had gone to bed. They thought Roy was sure he could get everyone out safely. But something went wrong and his daughter didn't get out until it was almost too late.

Josh tried to his best to get Roy out on bail but he would have to go before a judge and that hearing would be in two days. He hated to deliver the news to Joanne. He was glad that Roy's partner and captain were there. Joanne wanted desperately to talk to Roy before she left the station. Josh explained to Roy that he would have to go in front of a judge in two days then he would probably be released on bail. Detectives Nolan and Vaughn were kind enough to let Joanne have a few minutes with Roy. She was allowed to see him in the interrogation room along with Johnny and Captain Stanley. Joanne cried as she hugged Roy. "Don't worry, we'll get you out as soon as we can. I can't believe they're doing this to us."

"Me either," Roy said as he sat in the chair. He'd never been in jail before and didn't know what to expect.

Johnny patted him on the shoulder, "I'll stay with Joanne and the kids. Don't worry about them. And Joanne's right, we'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"I'll call the chief and let him know what's going on. Pal, don't worry the truth will come out. It'll be fine," Captain Stanley said.

"Don't worry. How can I not worry?"