My Gaelic came from Google, so please forgive any inaccuracies!
Chapter 10
Li'l Foster watched G'win sleeping as he held their daughter, Ray. The birth was a trial, but both G'win and Ray fought hard. Still weak from the Kinnah knife wound, G'win bled heavy and last night was a hard one. When she finally woke and saw Ray with her own eyes, Li'l Foster knew she wouldn't let anything take her from this child.
Lil Foster stood, handing the baby to Annalivia. There was a clan gathering to take place before the elders and he needed to be there. "If G'win wakes, please let he know I'll be back directly."
Annalivia nodded as she took the baby "Don't concern yourself, I will look after both of em"
Lil Foster walked away from the only peace on this mountain for him toward a hornets' nest.
Emelye called the meeting to order. Looking out at her kin gathered, she prayed silently that they were ready to listen and come together.
"Clan e`isteacht liom – Ni neart go cur le che`le (Clan, hear me. There is no strength without unity)"
Stepping forward to face the group, Emelye continued "We face a great challenge from outside this clan; we must stand united if we are to survive. We held a circle this morn and all who chose to speak had a say. The Elders are ready to make our proclamation"
"The oath every Bre'nin takes says "If the Oak be taken in a manner impure, the Bre'nin will not endure" Foster Farrell VI killed his mother to take the Oak. The Oak was taken in an impure manner; he is not the rightful Bre'nin"
Emelye was watching the crowd as she spoke, and so was Big Foster. They both saw his support fading in the face of this truth. As voices of started to rise, Emelye raised her hand to ask for silence as she continued.
"As for the prophecy, it says the returned one will save us and be Bre'nin. The spirit of Elon indeed stopped the coal machines, but the spirit of a boy can't be Bre'nin and we are not saved Clan. We have poisoned water and soil and a ruined smokehouse."
There was silence among the clan, and slowly people began to nod.
"A Farrell killed a Farrell. Our troubles began with that deed and have only been made worse by war mongering. The Oak passed on to G'win was made impure by Big Foster. We rule to follow the line, that means Foster Farrell VIII be the rightful Bre'nin. Foster, what say you?"
Lil Foster stood and looked at his kin. So many gone and all of them here forever changed because of recent events. He did not know if he was willing or able to take the Oak. "Elders – I do not take the passage lightly. I need time to ponder on this; I would like to answer after the birth celebration of baby Ray."
Emelye consulted the other elders quietly and spoke for the group "Very well, we will meet again in 5 days to hear your decision."
As the crowd moved away, Phil 'up turned to Big Foster "You ain't gonna …" Big Foster put up hand and gestured towards the woods.
When they were clear, Phil 'up started again "You ain't gonna let that stand, are you?
"He couldn't lead a cow out of a barn…. Won't know what to do with that Oak. Who you think he's gonna go to for council?" Phil 'up looked skeptical as Big continued "Him being Bre'nin means I'm Bre'nin."
Wade was frustrated. The Feds weren't making any attempt to hide their determination to pin this on the Farrell kid.
"That Doctor is full of shit." Agent Coats seethed "It can't be a coincidence that this guy turns up shot less than 12 hours after the threat against One Planet and the action at the warehouse."
Wade nodded "Deputy Fults got all the statements, we're gonna get them over to the judge to request a subpoena for the MRI results and a search warrant."
Matt Myers had warned Coats that the Sheriff was colluding with the Farrell Clan. He didn't see any evidence of that, but Houghton obviously wasn't ready to play in the majors. "You think you got enough for that?"
Wade shrugged "I don't know, the judge has helped us out a few times if we've got a good hunch we'll find something to boost a case"
"I'd appreciate that Sheriff, anything you can do to jumpstart this thing – we don't have much to go on at this point" Coats said and extended his hand to Wade. A Win/Win – let the local guy feel like he is helping out and take advantage of his connections at the same time.
"Sure thing" Said Wade, knowing the judge would turn down the request due to lack of evidence and that denial would carry weight in any other requests should they try to bypass the local judge. Judges tend to stick together.
"You mind if I take a run at the girlfriend?" Coats asked?
Wade was hesitant "She's kinda stressed right now, I'm not sure if this is a good time."
"It's the perfect time" Coats said "Maybe I can rattle her and she'll let something slip. Come on." He said as he began to walk toward Sally Ann, Ms. Joyce, and Frieda.
Shit! Wade thought as he trailed behind, this could get ugly.
Coats strode authoritatively up to the women. "Which of you is Sarah Ann Lewis?"
Sally Ann looked at Frieda and then Ms. Joyce – then she spoke up "I'm Sally Ann Lewis"
"Umm hmm" Coats said dismissively. 'I'm Special Agent Coats with the ATF. I'll need you to answer some questions for me. Let's step outside please"
Sally Ann shook her head "I can't go anywhere. They'll be coming for me as soon as Hasil is settled in his room"
"Your boyfriend isn't going anywhere Sarah Ann, so let's step outside…"
Frieda and Sally started to speak "Her name ain't…..I'm not going…."
Joyce stood up and smiled. "Officer Coats" She started…..he corrected her "Agent Coats"
Nodding, she continued "May we see your credentials Officer Coats"
Again he corrected her "It's Agent Coats. And you are?"
Joyce smiled "I know its Agent Coats, using an incorrect name or title to rattle someone is the oldest trick in the book! Can't get anything by you. I'm Joyce Moore."
Coats stared at Joyce, sizing her up. "My business is with Miss. Lewis."
"Oh, I don't think Sally Ann minds if I speak on her behalf here, after all she is dealing with an extremely stressful personal situation. You wouldn't want to take unfair advantage of that I'm sure." Joyce said evenly, meeting his eyes. Without turning away she asked Sally Ann "Do you mind dear?"
Sally Ann shook her head "No Ma'am"
Joyce asked Coats again "Your credentials please Agent Coats?" She closely examined the ID he presented confirming he was a Special Agent with ATF.
"Thank you Agent Coats. Do you plan to arrest Miss Lewis?" Joyce asked
"Nobody said anything about an arrest, I just need to ask her some questions" Coats said, losing patience.
"Are you in charge of this detail?" Joyce asked
"I'm the AIC" Coats said
"To be Agent in Charge you must be fairly senior and knowledgeable. I'm sure know your need does not equal grounds to compel Miss. Lewis to step outside with you or answer any questions. If you felt confident you had grounds, you would arrest her. Or maybe not, since you would need to advise her of her Miranda Rights – that explain her right to remain silent."
Coats tried to back track "I am just trying to do my job….."
"Your job description doesn't require you to bully or badger pregnant women in hospital waiting rooms. Miss Lewis spoke to the Sheriff and gave a statement to Deputy Fults. I am confident your agency can obtain a copy of that report. Should you have any further questions, Miss Lewis will consider answering those when she is in a better frame of mind, at a time that is convenient for her, and with representation present."
Coats knew when to back off. He put up his hands and said "Understood. Here is my card if there is any new information you'd like to share," He handed Joyce his card and turned and walked away. His team followed him out of the ER.
Wade, Sally Ann, Frieda, stared at Joyce.
Frieda was the first to speak "You beat that man like you were getting paid to do it!"
Joyce smiled "Not anymore my dear"
Wade asked "So you're a lawyer?"
Joyce nodded "Yes, librarian is my retirement gig. I've been retired for about 6 years but I've kept my license current. I worked for the Innocence Project in criminal defense"
"Thank you Ms. Joyce, I wasn't sure what to do there" Said Sally Ann
"My pleasure dear, it feels good to know I've still got it!"
A nurse approached the group, "Mr. Farrell is settled in his room now. Are you ready to come back Miss Lewis?"
They all stood and Sally Ann said "Yes, thank you" She turned to Joyce and gave her a big hug. "Thank you for everything"
"Anything for you sweetie" Joyce said "I'll be by to check on you tomorrow, but if any other law enforcement show up wanting to interview you or Hasil, let me know. You really shouldn't answer any questions without an attorney present. Okay?"
Sally Ann nodded as Frieda stepped forward to hug her. Frieda said "I'll take the car and go by your place to pack you a bag and bring back some food, okay?"
"Thank you Sis" She said to Frieda. She picked up her purse and followed the nurse back to Hasil's room
The lights were dim in the tiny room, and Hasil lay on the bed - pale and still. Sally Ann walked over to him and took his hand. "Hey Babe" She whispered as she reached out to touch his face.
Nurse Janice introduced herself as they walked down the hall, she would be the floor nurse until the 11pm shift change. "There's a button here to call for help if you need anything. His vitals are being monitored, and everything is holding steady. We will get an alarm anything changes. I heard you were expecting, so we brought in a recliner and linens. Let me know if you need more."
"Thank you" Sally Ann said not taking her eyes off Hasil. "How soon will he wake up?"
"The sedation from the surgery has worn off by now; he's just on pain meds, antibiotics, and fluids. It could be any time now. Talk to him, it helps. You call if you need anything or when he wakes up, okay? Janice said as she walked toward the door.
Sally Ann nodded, suddenly unable to find her voice. She set her purse on the recliner and pulled the small chair in the room close to the bedside. She sat next to Hasil took his hand, resting her head next to his hip. She was so tired. "We're here now Baby, wake up …please"
30 Minutes Later...
Hasil began to stir….without opening his eyes, he knew he was in a strange place – the sounds were not familiar. He felt tied down and these clothes didn't feel like his. He felt a hand in his…..and knew Sally Ann was with him. He wondered why it was so hard to open his eyes.
He took a slow breath and forced his eyes open. His eyes darted around the room, but he didn't move. A hospital? He looked down to see Sally Ann holding his hand, her head resting next to him on the bed, asleep in a chair. What the hell happened? He lifted his other arm to reach across and touch Sally Ann, but it was attached to something. He squeezed her hand and whispered her name, his voice hoarse "Sally Ann?"