The Promise

Chapter 9

The Police Station

"Mr. Rawlings, thank you for coming down to the station to answer our questions. I'm Detective Burgess and this is Detective Manning. Turning his attention to the individual accompanying Rawlings, Burgess continued, you are Mr. Rawlings attorney, correct?"

"Yes, my name is Angela Banks and I represent Mr. Rawlings."

"Mr. Rawlings, Ms. Banks, we've asked you to come to the station today to answer a few questions."

"About what Detective?" inquired Banks.

"An encounter your client had with a Ms. Amy Fleming-Borden."

"Alleged encounter Detective," corrected Banks.

"Yeah, just like you and Mr. Rawlings are allegedly here speaking with us right now. We're not in a courtroom counselor, so let's skip some of the legaleze. Mr. Raw_.

"Excuse me Detective, interrupted Banks. I don't plan on skipping any of the legaleze to use your term. It's my job to ensure my client is treated fairly and legally."

"I'm sure we'll all sleep better tonight knowing that, replied a sarcastic Burgess, but I digress. Focusing his attention back to Rawlings, Burgess resumed his questioning. Did you have an altercation with Ms. Fleming last night in the parking lot in the rear of Maggies…alleged or any other kind?"

"Yes."

"You're saying you did?"

"That's what I just said."

"Please describe for us what happened."

For the next 90 minutes, Colt Rawlings described and was questioned on every aspect of the sexual assault he perpetrated on Amy Fleming. As he did with his father, Colt continued to advance his story-line that Amy was the aggressor and initiated the physical altercation after her sexual advances towards him were spurned by Colt. She also originated the fight by slapping and punching him. He had no choice but to defend himself and did so to the best of his ability.

"So let me get this straight Mr. Rawlings, commented Detective Burgess. You claim that Amy Fleming came on to you sexually. When you rejected her advances, she became angry, began mocking you, and initiated a fight with you. This small, petite woman of about one-hundred and ten pounds was able to successfully hit you with multiple punches? That's your story; that's what you are claiming?"

"That's not my claim detective, that's what happened."

"Is that a yes?"

"Detective, my client just answered your question. It's a yes," interjected Banks, and why is it so unbelievable that a woman started a fight?"

"We're asking the questions here today counselor, not answering them. Mr. Rawlings I'll repeat, your contention is that a married woman with an impeccable reputation in this community aggressively came on to you and when you didn't respond to her sexual advances, she mocked and started a fight with you where she physically struck you multiple times and you were simply defending yourself? That's your story?"

"That's what happened detective."

"And you expect us to believe that story."

"We have no real expectations of you Detective. But what you and Detective Manning believe is irrelevant," stated Attorney Banks. And I will say this, I've never met a man who would believe a woman would try to sexually assault a man and then start a fight with him. In fact, I told Mr. Rawlings not to expect his story to be believed because in situations such as this, the man is always thought to be guilty."

"That's because they nearly always are counselor."

"Well now you can say you've met an exception."

"Forgive me if I don't say that."

Choosing a different tact, Detective Burgess continued.

"Had you been drinking Mr. Rawlings, leading up to the time of the assault?"

"No."

"Had Ms. Fleming been drinking?" interjected Banks.

"That's irrelevant."

"Why is that irrelevant? It's not to me or to establishing the truth as to what actually occurred."

"Then ask her."

"I'm sorry, I thought that was a job for the police. Have the police had her alcohol levels tested?" inquired Banks.

"No, she's unconscious in the ICU, Ms. Banks."

"Interesting…so you don't know if Ms. Fleming had been drinking; a fact that may have contributed to Ms. Fleming attacking my client."

"Alleged counselor."

"Excellent Detective. You've decided to follow the law. You're a quick learner. I'll make a note of it."

Glaring at Angela Banks as she was beginning to get under his skin, Burgess chose not to continue the little sparing session with Colt Rawlings clever attorney.

"Mr. Rawlings, Ms. Fleming has substantial and serious injuries to her head and face; are you responsible for those?"

"Please rephrase the question detective. You're implying guilt on my client's part."

"I'm not implying anything counselor. I believe your client is lying his ass off. I believe he initiated the attack on Amy Fleming and sexually assaulted her."

"I guess you following the law was only a short-lived tease. It's comforting to know how objective you are detective, but I repeat, please rephrase the question."

"I'll answer the question, injected Colt Rawlings. No, I'm not responsible for Amy Fleming's injuries, she is."

"Really? responded Burgess. Did she attempt to put her own head through a windshield, hit herself in the face, and tear her own clothes off? Was Amy Fleming that self-destructive?"

"Very good Detective; sarcasm. Did they teach you that in Detective school?" taunted Banks."

"No, I learned it in the one year I attended law school before I decided to pursue a real career."

"That's understandable Detective. Not everyone can handle the intellectual rigors of law school."

"Clearly, there are exceptions to that contention counselor."

"Burgess, Ms. Banks, can we get back to the matter at hand?" snapped Detective Manning.

"Of course, Detective Manning. Please continue Detective Burgess."

"Mr. Rawlings, inquired Burgess, did you slap, hit, punch or in any other way assault Amy Fleming."

"I defended myself. When she slapped, hit, and kicked me, I hit back in self-defense after she first hit me."

"But Amy Fleming is unconscious in a ICU hospital bed while here you are, none worse for wear. How do you explain that Rawlings?"

"Maybe I hit harder that she does; may I take a punch better. I'm not going to apologize for defending myself against someone who attacked me."

"I notice you have some cuts on your face Mr. Rawlings, said Detective Manning entering the fray again. And coincidentally, Amy Fleming had skin under her finger nails that we've sent out for DNA testing. Whose skin do you think the tests will identify when we receive the results?"

"Mine for sure, commented Colt. I don't know if there might be others but you never know."

"So how did your skin get under Amy Fleming's nails?"

"How do you think? replied Colt playing his innocent act perfectly. During her attack on me, at one point she scraped her nails across my face."

"And you just stood there and let it happen?"

"Don't answer that Colt, instructed Banks. Detectives, I should inform you, my client is considering filing charges against Ms. Fleming."

"For what, did she take his lunch money?" Burgess asked sarcastically.

Choosing not to take the bait, Banks calmly replied, "for assault and her unprovoked attack on Mr. Rawlings. Pausing for maximum effect before continuing, Banks dropped her next bomb. I should also inform you we can produce a witness who can corroborate Mr. Rawlings entire account of what transpired."

"Do you know why attorneys are viewed by the general public as being only slightly above child rapists Ms. Banks?...no answer; why am I not surprised. It's because you willingly defend pieces of shit like the one sitting in front of me know."

"But somehow we remain above dirty, brain-dead, Neanderthal detectives in those same public opinion polls," countered Banks.

"Kiss my ass you mother fu…"

"Burgess!" interrupted Detective Manning.

A tense silence came over the room following Manning's clear command.

"Mr. Rawlings, continued Manning, there's something I'd like to know. Can you explain to me why Ms. Fleming's shirt and bra were found on the ground in Maggies lot and not on her person?"

"Yes, she tore them off herself."

"She removed them herself?" asked Manning.

"She didn't remove them like she was casually changing her clothes, she ripped them off. When I didn't respond to Ms. Fleming's sexual advances, she became angry and threatened me."

"Threatened you?"

"Yes, she threatened me. The angel you describe as Amy Fleming said to me, what do you think the Police will think and do when they find my torn clothes on the ground. Who do you think they'll believe is responsible? What do you think will happen to you then? She then proceeded to rip the buttons of her shirt, took it off, and then ripped her bra off and threw them on the ground. I picked them up and tried to hand them back to her asking her to put them back on but she refused. She said no one will believe I didn't attack her."

"Do you write books Mr. Rawlings?" asked Manning.

"No, why."

"With the imagination you possess, I thought you might be a fiction writer."

"He is to the same extent you are a stand-up comedian, Detective spoke Angela Banks. Detectives, is my client under arrest?

"No; not at this time."

"Do you have any further questions for my client?"

"Only one, replied Manning. Rawlings, how do you feel about the fact that Amy Fleming is lying a ICU hospital bed, unconscious with three broken bones on her face and skull?"

"Don't answer that, replied Banks. Do you have any legitimate questions detectives?"

Staring at Colt Rawlings with open disdain, Manning replied, "No, not at this time," he repeated.

"Then we're done here. My client came here of his own volition and patiently and truthfully answered all your questions. Now unless you are arresting Mr. Rawlings, we are leaving."

After a momentary silence, Detective Burgess replied to Banks and Rawlings, "you're free to leave."

Without further comment, Colt Rawlings and his attorney Angela Banks strode out of the room, through the Police station and to their respective vehicles, satisfied they had won this round.

Staying behind to compare notes, the two detectives studied each other before Burgess broke the silence. "This guy is so full of crap he has to wipe his mouth with toilet paper after he speaks. I don't know if he said a single truthful word the entire time."

"I agree with you but the problem is, what real evidence do we have against him? And he says he has a witness? Maybe when Fleming regains consciousness, she'll be able to help us but as of now, I don't know if we have enough on this guy to charge him."


Heartland – Ty & Amy's Home; Four days after the attack

In the days following her attack, Ty hadn't left Amy's side except to quickly run home to shower and change his clothes before returning. Lyndy and Jackson came every day after school and were becoming worried about their father. He looked haggard and worn from spending every night at the hospital and barely eating but no amount of pleading on their part or the rest of the family could sway him. The woman that had saved him from his misguided young adult on the path to personal destruction was not going to be left alone no matter the physical cost.

In the late afternoon on the fourth day since the attack, Ty was putting on his shirt after showering before returning to the hospital to be with Amy, when his cell phone rang. Noting the hospital name on the caller-ID, Ty froze, fearful it was more bad news about Amy.

"Hello," answered Ty, in a strained voice.

"Mr. Borden, this is Emily Jordain at the hospital."

Immediately recognizing the name from the countless hours he'd spent in recent days at the hospital, Ty answered. "Yes, Emily, is everything alright with my wife?"

"That's why I'm calling Mr. Borden, your wife has regained consciousness."

Fear turned to elation with Ty upon hearing the news. "Oh, thank you Emily!" he replied. I'm on my way."

Reaching for his coat and keys, Ty raced out of the house to his truck, his spirits lifted for the first time since Amy's attack.

The Hospital

Opening the door to Amy's room, the buoyancy Ty felt since hearing she had awakened was tempered by the trepidation he felt with the uncertainty of how her spirits would be.

Will she be herself, the Amy I've known and loved or will she be traumatized by what she endured? It doesn't matter, I love her. How ever she is, I'll help her get through it like she's done so many times for me.

His first view of his wife produced a meek smile to cross his face seeing her bandages had been removed. Though her face was still swollen and bruised, just seeing Amy's face again free of the white sterile cloth he had come to hate and resent, lifted Ty's heart. Her beauty couldn't be veiled for long behind the purple discoloration of her face suffered at the hands of Colt Rawlings.

"Amy! breathed Ty reaching for his wife's hand. You're awake…I'm so glad you are awake."

"T…Ty, is that you Amy whimpered, her voice barely audible and her eyes fluttering open and shut. What…where am I?

"You're in the hospital sweetheart. I've been so worried about you. How do you feel?"

"I…I…my head and face hurts. What happened to me? Why am I in a hospital?"

"Do you remember the night you and Jackson went to Maggies for supplies? You were attacked outside in the parking lot and…and you were hurt."

"Maggies…hurt…attacked…what…what are you saying?"

"Do you remember anything Amy? Do you remember anything of what happened?"

"No…no Ty…no I don't remember," as Amy began to cry and reach for him.

Gently taking his wife in his arms, Ty attempted to calm and sooth her as he had done that time so many years ago when Amy had temporarily lost her sight.

"It's alright Amy; it's alright. I'm right here."

"Ty, I'm so confused and scared, uttered Amy between sobs. Please don't leave me."

"I'm not going to leave you; ever. I'll be right here with you until you're better and able to come home."

Clinging to the man she'd fallen in love with as just a teenager, Amy's fears finally began to subside as Ty lovingly held her.

"Ty, you said I was attacked?"

Deciding to avoid details, believing Amy wasn't prepared to handle all of what had happened, Ty answered while continuing to cradle his wife.

"Yes, when you were walking to the truck, you were jumped by a man and he beat you up."

"I don't remember; only…only vague images. Why can't I remember? Ty, my head hurts and I'm… so tired. Will you lie down with me until I fall asleep? I'm scared."

"Of course I will," said Ty as he eased into Amy's bed careful not to jar her in any way but determined to comfort the woman he loved. As soon as he eased in next to her, Amy turned towards him, curling her petite frame into the familiar nooks of Ty's arms and chest as she had so many times when needing comfort. Within minutes, Ty felt Amy's breathing begin to enter the rhythmic state of sleep followed by her body relaxing into the bed and against Ty's body. Gently kissing the top of his love's head, Ty closed his eyes, for the moment content that Amy was again in his arms for the first time in days and on her way to healing.

After what seemed to be only minutes, Ty was gently awakened by one of Amy's nurses.

"Mr. Borden, she whispered. Doctor Jenson is outside and would like to speak to you."

"Ok, tell him I'll be right there."

Carefully rising from Amy's bed so as to not wake her, Ty lovingly covered Amy with the sheet and blanket, and with another kiss of her head, quietly exited her room to where Doctor Benson waited.

"Doctor Benson, what is it?"

"Mr. Borden, I'm afraid I have some unfortunate news about Amy."


A/N: As I've previously noted, what happened to Amy was for establishing what's to come. This story will not follow the path that some of you are assuming.