Chapter Nine —-
Special Warning: Graphic Descriptions in this chapter.
Erin watches as the man lowers himself across from them. His lawyer with him. "We're willing to plead to the harassment…'
"Let me just stop you there.' Erin says firmly, 'we have you dead to rights on all of these charges and we're adding more as of tomorrow morning."
"She's confused."
"She's not confused… she's terrified and rightfully so after the hell you have put her through."
"She's carrying our child!" Erin blinked, because no one was supposed to know about that, "MY CHILD!"
"And you still walked into a police station and tried to attack her."
"She won't speak with me!'
Erin took out the photos, slamming them down on the table. The deep bruises stark in the pictures. Saw his eyes lock on them, his face paling. She slammed the reports down on top of them from the hospital. Watching as he stared down at them with something akin to horror.
"You claimed to love her. That you wanted to move forward in your relationship and when she said no because you had been less than gentle with her before, you lost it. You held her against the wall by her hair, while you proceeded to punch her repeatedly. You continued to beat while you ignored her screams that resulted in three 911 calls. The screams that you can hear in the background on two of the 911 calls.
Did you know that you can clearly hear her screaming for you to stop? That you can hear as you continued to punch her until she grabs the lamp off the table beside her and hits you with it. Stunning you long enough for her to get away from you.
That's not the end of it though. We then have her on camera where she ran from the building and you chased her 3 blocks until she was able to get on a city bus.' Erin set the photos down as she went 'you did this to her while neither of you were aware that she was already pregnant with your child. A child you created while you were drunk and you held her down on the bed and proceed to have sexual intercourse with her even though she asked you to slow down, to give her a few minutes, you proceeded with your wants. An action that her doctor then documented…' Erin pulled up a report, adjusting her glasses,
"Patient advised that the bruising and tearing observed to vagina was a result of consensual sexual activity. When questioned if a sexual assault occurred. She advised that it was not but indicated that it was an activity that she was not ready for. Patient was prescribed…' she trails off, and looked up at him. 'Did you know? That you hurt her enough that she had to go have herself checked out and take time off of work to heal. Was there blood?"
"Erin."
"I wasn't speaking to you Charles. I was speaking to your client." She picked up another report and brought it up, "Did you not accuse her of being on her monthly cycle and that it was quote… unquote 'disgusting' to be covered in her blood."
"She didn't say anything…'
"She shouldn't have had too. No deal. We'll take our chances at trial."
—-
Frank frowns as he walks the path to the meeting room and frowned at the man sitting at the table. A far cry from the man he had seen 3 days ago. A man that was raging at the world. This one look like a man who had lost his way.
"Rodriguez…'
"Sir… thank you for seeing me."
"Where is your attorney?"
"I didn't need him here for this."
"What exactly is this?"
"I want…' he trailed off before starting over 'I would like to ask you for my retirement."
"Excuse me…'
"I know I don't deserve it… given my actions… but she's pregnant… and I'm not going to be there. I'll sign whatever you want… I want my pension deferred to her… I have 26 years on the job. It will be more than enough for whatever she needs, whatever the baby needs."
Frank held his eyes before giving a half nod,
"If that can be arranged… It would be binding."
"Of course."
"And permanent. With no recourse for change..."
"Of course… but… don't tell her. She won't accept it and… given everything I've done… she deserves it."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
—
Everything stops, the random phone calls, the odd letters, the weird stares she sometimes gets. It's almost more unsettling.
—
