Chapter 8.
Three hours later Joey and Max walked out of the court house. Both of them were in a state of shock. Joey felt physically sick.
The sound of footsteps behind them, "Mr. Branning?" It was DCI Marsden. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Branning."
"It's not your fault." Max said. He looked at her, "How long will it be before the trial?"
"Lauren's solicitor should hear from the CPS in the next few days. I'm really sorry about what happened. The honourable Judge Gibbs is a bit of a taskmaster and it seems he wants to make an example of your daughter."
"So what happens now?" Joey asked.
"Lauren will be remanded in custody until the case is heard in court." Marsden said and she saw the young boy's shoulders sag.
"Can we see her before she goes?" he asked.
"I can ask." She replied. She walked off and returned a few minutes later, "You can see her for five minutes. The transport is due to leave on the hour and they have to get her ready before she leaves."
Max and Joey walked back into the court house and Marsden led them down to the cells. She nodded to a guard and he opened one of the cells. Max walked in ahead of Joey and he found his daughter sitting forlornly on the bed. She looked up at them both, tears were running down her face. All three of them stayed still for several seconds and then Lauren was on her feet and heading towards the two most important men in her life. Her dad was the first person she reached and she clung to him, sobs shaking the whole of her body. "It'll be okay, babe." He whispered to her.
She turned her head and reached a hand out towards Joey. He took it and she tugged on it, pulling him towards her and her dad. "Joey..." she whispered and Max released her from his grip. He watched them as they embraced and he could see they were both upset by the unanticipated circumstances Lauren was facing. He stepped back towards them and wrapped his arms around both of them, kissing the side of his daughter's head.
A soft knock on the door broke them apart and when Joey saw it was the prison guard he stepped back to Lauren and kissed her passionately. "That's to remember me by, baby girl." He told her, his hands grasping her face. "I'll come and see you as often as I can."
She nodded, her eyes filling with tears again. She glanced at her dad, holding his gaze. He smiled at her, "I will." He said, knowing what she was saying to him without her having to verbalise it.
"It's time," the prison guard said and Lauren pulled away from them both. She walked over to the guard and he put handcuffs on her. He led her from the room, her head turning to look at them both as she walked from the room.
A/N: Bonus points if anyone can work out what programme I was watching when I came up with the judge's name... Oh dear, Lauren didn't get bail... and she's off to prison... How's she going to cope with that, I wonder... and how is Joey going to handle it? How will any of them? Send me a review and let me know what you think. Back later if I get enough reviews...
