Chapter 10 –consequences

Mart was shivering as he looked through the bars of the cell. It had so far been an awful day as he'd faced the college head and confessed to his actions. That Brian and Dan both stood by his side only helped ease the pain somewhat. When he was led away in handcuffs he thought his brother would pass out. The reality of how things stood was biting hard, in the crimes department he'd only face charges for arson. On the college front he'd been told all of his work was now invalid and he'd have to sit all the papers again. The head had made it clear he preferred that he did that at another college.

Then there were the drugs, he was already feeling minor effects of withdrawal and could feel the fear building as he imagined how much worse it was going to get.

"Your parents are on the way with the bail money", one detective told him with a scowl.

Mart swallowed knowing that the bail was several thousand dollars and that his parents would have had to borrow the money. For the first time in a long time genuine guilt was beginning to overwhelm him.

"I just can't believe he'd do this", Helen Belden told detective William Heller as she and Peter sat in his office . There must be some mistake", Peter agreed. They had both been shocked at the call they'd received from Brian but even though they knew their oldest son would never lie were still coming to terms with the information.

William had done this many times before and knew that many parents would blindly keep up the belief in their childrens innocence even under pressure. Helen Belden would have normally been a rosy coloured woman he surmised but now she had no colour in her face and looked old beyond her years. Mr Belden looked like a robot making no movement or sound his face expressionless , his hands though moved constantly twiddling around each other.

"He did confess", William pointed out. "It was better for him that he did as we found his prints on a lighter at the scene". Helen went even paler at this bit of information. Peter was just shaking his head, "why would he do this", he asked. "He has been taking drugs Mr Belden and they are clouding his judgement", William stated. He honestly thought Mrs Belden was going to faint at that point, she had gone even paler and still. But it was Peter Belden who choked out, "no, not Mart", in a shattered voice. "We have tested him, Mr Belden and the tests are conclusive. I am sorry", he stated.

Peter reached over and gripped his wife's hand hard, "We thought it was Daniel Mangan who was accused of the arson", he stated. He'd heard from Matt Wheeler how Bill had gone storming out of his apartment because Dan was in trouble. 'Dan originally did confess to the arson but was given an alibi", William reported, he paused knowing this bit was going to hurt.

"Your son told me that he had being coercing Daniel into covering for him. He got him to do his classwork so he could stay in college and get good grades. Then he assaulted him to try and convince him to say he set the fire himself." Mart had tearfully blurted this story out in the cells.

"Not my Mart, no, no, no" Helen Beldens voice had risen shrilly and she was reaching her hands up and putting them over her ears. Peters was gripping his fingers so tightly he thought they might snap off.

"Mart would never hurt Dan", Peter stated in shock. "Daniel told me he did not fight back because he knew Martin was not himself", William stated.

I believe your son fell under the influence of a local girl with gang affiliations" . He has however refused to testify against her or her family", he continued.

Peter was biting his lip, "would it help him if he did", he asked. William knew the answer should be yes and that he should ask the parents to convince their son to change his mind. But he'd also been down this road before and knew what would happen to Martin if he did testify. "It'd help him into an early grave", he told the shocked couple honestly.

"Your son is lucky it is a first offense and with the assurance of help for his drug addictions he may get a light sentence. I know you are shocked by all this and disbelieving but it has happened to the well brought up sons and daughter of many families before. The main thing to going forward to face the future will be you acknowledging your son has a problem then getting him the help he needs," William told them firmly.

Peter looked down at his shaking hands and then over at his devastated wife. He knew she was still in denial and hence it was him who had to be the strong one, "will you take us to him now", he asked. William nodded and helped a shaky Helen stand. He knew without a doubt that after this visit the parents would no longer be able to deny anything. He could see this was hitting them hard and wished he could spare them the sight of their son in the grips of withdrawal.

"I want to rip Martin's head off and put it in a jar", Bill stormed at his nephew as he drove them both through the city. He'd been present when a weeping Mart had confessed to hurting his nephew and was now venting his anger."

Dan didn't reply just settling back into the car seat and feeling exhaustion hit him again.

"I should take you somewhere to rest", Bill stated in concern as he looked at his nephew.

Quickly opening his eyes Dan hurried to pull himself togther, "no, I'm fine Uncle Bill lets just go and have some food like I suggested".

They pulled up outside a restaurant and Bill hesitated, "This looks a little outside my price range Dan. Plus I had hoped we could go somewhere a little quieter", he hinted.

Dan ignored him getting out of the car and leaving him to trail curiously behind. It wasn't until he got inside the doors and saw Mr Lynch and Diana greeting guests that he understood why Dan had come here. Hanging back a little he watched as his nephew went up to Diana and pulled her away from her father. They disappeared off together to one side but Bill found that if he looked in a mirror on the wall he could see the two of them talking. Seconds later Di was in Dans arms and Bill guessed she'd just been told.

"Hey Bill", removing his eyes from Dan and Di Bill found Mr Lynch looking seriously at him.

Bill greeted the millionaire and agreed when he was invited to join him at a table.

If he looked slightly to the left he could still see Dan and Diana and was feeling increasing intrigued as he watched them interact.

"I'm so sorry I had to tell you this Di", Dan remarked as he pulled back from her after telling her Mart was in a cell. He kept one hand firmly on Di's not wanting to totally break off contact. 'Di found a wave of betrayal hitting her hard and turned some of that anger on Dan, "I know that being in trouble with the law is not the only thing he's done Dan", she told him harshly." Some of my friends felt it was better that I knew about him and Amy. Did he choose to go to her because I said I'd rather wait until we were committed to each other before we..", she stopped as she realised Dan was going red. "I guess I shouldn't get that personal Dan but it feels like he got a knife and stabbed me straight through the heart, Di shakily told him. "I know Di", Dan pulled her close again and felt warmness envelope him as he held her. He moved his hands further up her back and put his head close to his. "I didn't like the fact he was doing that to you Di", he told her earnestly.

Now Di pulled back again and Dan saw a flash of anger in her eyes. "Yet you still lied about how much he cared for me", she accused.

Bill could tell by the tenseness that now the two were having some sort of serious conversation. Feeling eyes on him Bill flushed as he turned to Di's father," Ah I see you have been watching", Mr Lynch stated as he pointed at the mirror. 'Yes", Bill agreed.

"So what do you think", Mr Lynch asked pointing to the reflection. "I think Dan forgot to mention something", Bill told him boldly. "Yes it is kind of obvious isn't it", Mr Lynch agreed," you can see it in the way he touches her and speaks to her. I don't think he ever intended it to happen but it did." My question would be does he have the courage to pursue something or will he let her slip through his fingers out of misguided loyaty to Martin Belden."

Bill wondered exactly the same thing and settled himself beside the millionaire as the two of them quite blatantly observed the couple in the mirror.

Dan was silent as Di accused him ,his heart beating rapidly. The thought that Di might end up not wanting to be friend or anything else because of keeping Mart's secret was more painful than he thought. What he said in the next few minutes might ever make or break his future. When he looked at Di and held her he realized how much he wanted that future and the only way he could get it was to take a risk. "What I said to you wasn't out of Mart's heart it was out of my own", Dan boldly told her as he stroked her hand. "I couldn't really help falling for you Di Lynch", he confessed.

Di stared at him. She recalled her long time dream of one day marrying Martin Belden. It had remained a shiny and probably future until it had all come crashing down rather abruptly. The pain at what he done to her was still fresh and she doubted that she would ever truly forgive him. Yet she wondered at why she was not somewhere now bawling her eyes out and smashing things against the wall. When she felt the warmth of fingers stroking her hand and looked into a pair of compassionate dark brown eyes she suddenly knew the answer. 'I should be feeling shattered", she told Dan, "but I think deep down I knew there was something wrong with Mart and I and that it was going to end in tears. I think that's why I started to let go of his love and let myself enjoy being with you".

Dan's eyes were widening, "Di are you saying… ",he asked. Di simply reached out and pulled him close then kissed him firmly." I am saying that both of us need to move on from Mart Belden Dan and give ourselves a chance at something more", she concluded as the kiss ended.

Bill found himself smiling and as he turned saw the smile echoed on Di's fathers face. "Your Dan has treated her like how she deserves to be treated", Mr Lynch told him, "I have no objections to the match.

"Neither do I", replied Bill. "What about Mart Belden though", he wondered out loud.

Mr Lynch had a stony look in his eyes as he replied, "he had his chance Bill and he wrecked it".

"Yes but I think he will wake up one day and live to regret all his mistakes and then he'll come for Di" ,Bill stated.

"I'll meet him at the door with my shotgun", Mr Lynch replied firmly. At first Bill thought it was a joke but when he looked at the millionaires face he recognised he was totally serious. Mart had just paid another price for his actions, he'd lost the respect and love of the man that could have been his future father in law.