CHAPTER 2: THE NEXT MORNING
Daphne invited She-Ra to spend the night in her house while she made several phone calls. Among them was to her father in Coolsville. Another was to Virginia to inform He-Man that his sister was safe and sound. He-Man wasn't available but his girlfriend and ally Teela was and she agreed to pass on the news. And finally Daphne phoned Seattle and informed her coach Lisa Carlson about the situation.
Lisa asked Daphne if there was anything she could do but Daphne told Lisa that she would keep her informed if she can. Daphne didn't sleep well that night but as for She-Ra, she slept as if she hadn't for weeks and that was mainly the case.
The next morning, there was a knock at the front door. Daphne went downstairs to answer it. At the door was Daphne's father's attorney and general counsel for Blake's Bubble Bath Inc, one J. Henry Fitzgerald. He had come at her father's request for he had heard about what happened before Daphne called him. Moments later, She-Ra awakened and Daphne introduced her to Mr. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Fitzgerald was pleased to meet The Princess of Power and said, "My youngest daughter collected all of your action figures back in the 80's. And she never missed a single episode of yours." She-Ra replied, "Thank you sir. I would like for all of this to end as quickly as possible." Mr. Fitzgerald said in confidence, "That's what I'm here for. Daphne, your father agreed to also have me act as She-Ra's attorney on this case." Daphne replied, "I'm glad to hear that Mr. Fitzgerald. It's not everyday that a super hero is tried as a murderer."
Mr. Fitzgerald said, "Actually my dear, it's you who's wanted for murder and She-Ra as an accomplice." As the three sat down in the dining room, Mr. Fitzgerald wanted to make sure he had all of his facts straight.
"Well ladies," the lawyer told both women, "As I understand it, this alleged 'murder' occurred in international waters between Seattle and Honolulu. That being the case, the passengers and crew would then be subject to the laws of the nation whose flag it was flying, in this case Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a territory of the United Kingdom meaning the case would be heard in either Gibraltar or England.
And I've done some checking. Vernon Dimpsey, Verona's father, filed the complaint with the British Consulate in Chicago. They assigned an investigator with Scotland Yard to look into the case. My guess is that warrants will be issued for your arrests shortly and both of you will be extradited to the UK to stand trial."
Then Mr. Fitzgerald asked, "Is there anything else I should know about at this time pertaining to this case?" She-Ra said, "Actually there is Mr. Fitzgerald. When our group was in Boston during our goodwill tour last year, Daphne was kidnapped by Verona. I have the ability to sense when others are in trouble. I found Daphne bound and gagged in a suburban Boston home. That sort of pissed off Verona."
Mr. Fitzgerald said, "That's interesting, go on." She-Ra continued, "That's the beginning. In Rhode Island, Bart Simpson nearly got killed off a rocky bluff while skateboarding at a seaside park. I examined the board and discovered the axles were tampered with." Mr. Fitzgerald got really interested and told She-Ra to continue. "Then about a month later in Las Vegas, I helped Daphne win a small fortune at the crap table. I was there mainly for "eye candy" as Daphne put it.
Three days later, I was approached by two security guards. At first I thought Daphne or I was in some kind of trouble for winning so much at the crap table. The one guard named Kyle, I didn't get his last name told me that his sister was a big fan of mine back in the 80's like you told me today about your daughter. He asked me out and showed me the sights of Las Vegas. Kyle's partner thought I was some kind of showgirl because of my costume. Kyle pointed it out to me at a show in another hotel where we had dinner.
When he dropped me off at Caesar's Palace where we stayed, I found out the next day by his partner that Kyle was killed by a drunk driver in which he died of his injuries that day I heard it on the evening news. Mr. Fitzgerald's curiosity peaked at that point and asked She-Ra to continue. "Then as we were aboard The Pacific Princess, I was still devastated about Kyle's death. He was a nice young man who still had his whole life ahead of him. Then Daphne found an old friend of hers named Gil Lopez.
Daphne and Gil were talking for several minutes before she introduced him to me and The Smurfette who was with me and Daphne at the time. Gil's eyes lit up as we were introduced as were mine. Gil and I became an item shortly afterwards. I was in love with him, and he was in love with me. He was on the ship as a performer and we spent time together when he wasn't working.
One night after a show, he was abducted. I even accused Daphne of trying to take him away from me. I bashed in her cabin door. Later, Daphne found Verona on the Promenade Deck. I arrived minutes later behind Verona as she and Daphne were exchanging words. She abducted Gil and I wanted to fight her to get Gil back.
Daphne insisted on battling her because she was her enemy, not mine. Daphne even dressed in a costume similar to mine but in purple. Daphne and Verona agreed that if Verona had won, Daphne would be her prisoner, and if Daphne won, Verona would let Gil go and turn herself in to the ship's crew.
Daphne and Verona let it all out in front of hundreds of passengers, crew and the group we were with. Daphne got one good kick in and sent Verona packing over the side of the ship and drowned. Mr. Fitzgerald, Daphne isn't a murderer. She should be commended for putting such an evil woman out of commission like that.
As for me, your daughter will even tell you this, I would never harm a living thing even if they are evil. So what do we do?" She-Ra asked Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald answered, "My advice to both of you is to turn yourselves in, if they haven't already arrested both of you, and to waive extradition proceedings."
Daphne then asked, "Mr. Fitzgerald, I thought you just practiced corporate law. Are you sure you can represent us in this matter?" Fitzgerald laughed, "Ladies I assure you I'm licensed and qualified to practice in all areas of the law, including criminal. And I have argued cases in British courts on behalf of Blake's Bubble Bath, so I am familiar with British law. I'm certain I can provide you with proper counsel".
"Mr. Fitzgerald", She-Ra inquired, "Since I'm known as a superhero, and as far as I know, neither my brother He-Man nor I have any weaknesses, I can escape from any jail or prison they can incarcerate me in." If you attempt to escape or run," Fitzgerald answered, "that would be considered circumstantial evidence of your guilt, which would make their case stronger against you.
My advice to you is to play by their rules. If they incarcerate you, stay put. That way, it'll make it easier for you to prove your innocence and clear your name. Don't worry I'll be here when you need me every step of the way. I'll see to it that your rights are protected here and in the UK. And I'll do my very best to see that both of you 'beat the rap'".
Daphne and She-Ra seemed pleased with what Mr. Fitzgerald was telling them. Then Mr. Fitzgerald said, "And with the extra information you gave me She-Ra, you should have no trouble in court." She-Ra replied with some relief, "I hope so." Daphne then said, "We were about to go to the FBI office downtown, but now that we have spoken to you, we can wait until tomorrow."
Mr. Fitzgerald then replied, "I'll be right with you. Get a good night's sleep. If either of you need anything, Fred should get it for you. Now I understand She-Ra that you have a flying unicorn, where is he at the moment?" Daphne answered the question and said, "Look out in the backyard." Mr. Fitzgerald said, "She-Ra in your best interest and not to make Daphne's neighbors suspicious, he should fly back to Virginia."
She-Ra replied, "He will leave after midnight tonight and not to arouse suspicion like you said." Mr. Fitzgerald grabbed his hat and briefcase and told Daphne and She-Ra that he would wait for them the next day at the FBI office. Later that night, She-Ra did what Mr. Fitzgerald told her to do and sent Swift Wind back to Virginia.
She-Ra informed Swift Wind to have the Sorceress contact her if she needed to. And most importantly, She-Ra told Swift Wind to tell He-Man not to attempt a jailbreak as she would play by the rules like Mr. Fitzgerald had told her. She-Ra said goodbye, but the real question was if the goodbye would be forever.
END OF CHAPTER 2