SIN

Chapter 30: A surprising twist

(Following Day at the Courthouse)

Lenny had been quietly waiting for half an hour. His eyes went down to his watch again. Cree was late. But so was the judge in letting him into her chambers.

"Lenny," Cree said as she hurried into the waiting area, "she called you yet?" she asked as she sat beside him.

"No," Lenny responded, "but why are you late?" he asked.

Cree sighed.

"My Dad's furious," Cree revealed.

"No surprise there," Lenny said frankly, "mine's still blowing the roof."

"But he didn't threaten to disown you," Cree countered.

"What?" Lenny asked incredulously.

"He threatened me with that this morning," Cree said, "I'm moving out today," she added.

"That would be best," Lenny agreed, "so he's testifying for the prosecution?" he asked.

"Do you need to ask?" Cree said bluntly.

"Oh," Lenny said, "so where will you be staying?" he asked her.

"Father has had an apartment prepared for me months ago," Cree told him, "I'll be moved in by tonight."

"Good," Lenny said, "so how's everything with your mother?" he asked.

"She's disappointed with my decision to help represent Chad," Cree confessed, "but she's not taking it badly like my father and of course Abigail, my lesbo sister," she added distastefully.

Lenny simply nodded and sighed after looking at his watch.

Ten minutes later Lenny and Cree were ushered into the chambers of Judge Ruth Thomas. In the room with the judge was also Horace Gordon. The prosecutor hired by the Beetles family.

Judge Ruth Thomas was a plump Asian American who though a fun loving woman, was a no nonsense women when it came to her job as a judge. She was a round woman at two hundred and sixty pounds but still very active and her attitude definitely overwhelmed her size.

"Good Morning," Lenny and Cree said in unison and the judge and prosecutor responded in kind and then they took their seats.

"Let's get down to business," Judge Thomas said seriously, "I've read the preliminary hearing transcripts and I feel that we can sort this thing out without going to court," she said formally.

"If the defence can admit the guilt of their client, sure." Mr. Gordon said simply.

"My client was under the influence at the time," Lenny countered, "and I can guarantee you that he has never committed such an act when he was sober."

"Young man you're first of all lucky that the law here allows the possibility of someone being guiltless when they perform an act under drunkenness," Judge Thomas said to Lenny, "many other places would've found your client guilty before he went to court," she said, "and you'd HAVE to make a deal with the prosecution to get a lighter sentence," she added.

"We've already given them the deal of forty years without parole," Mr. Gordon said proudly.

"I bet Chad's really looking forward to enjoying freedom when he's over fifty," Lenny said sarcastically.

"Your client raped my client!" Mr. Gordon, "how can you defend him?" he demanded.

"Because he didn't mean to do it!" Lenny shouted back.

"I will have professionalism in my office!" Judge Thomas exploded and both lawyers became quiet, "while I personally agree with such a sentence based on the crime," she said formally and calmly, "it would be idiotic for the defence to accept such a deal," she continued, "they COULD get a lighter sentence from an angry court even though Chad is being tried as an adult, Mr. Gordon," she added.

"I won't go lighter," Mr. Gordon declared defiantly.

"It would be advisable to," a voice said suddenly and Taylor entered the room.

"What are you doing here little boy?" Judge Thomas demanded angrily.

"Trying to keep you from wasting your time with lose lose case," Taylor spoke up.

"What are you talking about?" Cree demanded.

"Mr. Gordon," Taylor spoke, "are you aware that the reason that Chad Dixon knows Wallabee Beetles is because BOTH of them used to be members of the Kids Next Door?" he asked and the room fell under a horrified silence.

"You're not supposed to talk about that!" Lenny shouted.

"You knew!" Judge Thomas shouted incredulously.

Cree seemed lost for words at Taylor revealing such information at this time.

Mr. Gordon's mouth moved wordlessly.

"And as you BOTH know," Taylor said to both the defence and prosecution, "KND are hated by nearly ALL adults," he reminded them, "if their association with the KND comes out in court, everything will turn upside down and the jury will want to give both Wally and Chad life sentences, if not death."

A book suddenly slammed on the table. Everyone else turned to see Judge Thomas with a furious reddened face.

"A deal WILL be made in this office," Judge Thomas hissed her eyes glaring fire at all the others in the office, "I will not be presiding over a fiasco," she told them.

Mr. Gordon suddenly looked defeated.

"Fifteen years," Mr. Gordon said formally.

"Fif….!" Lenny started to cry incredulously.

"Ten, possibility of parole in seven," Cree said immediately.

"Only if he takes and passes Anger Management and Substance Abuse Counselling," Mr. Gordon responded, "and is a model prisoner," he added.

"Okay," Cree agreed.

"Hey!" Lenny shouted, "we can still go to court," he insisted.

"Are you NUTS?" Mr. Gordon spat, "they find out we're defending former KND operatives and they'll want them both locked up."

"But…." Lenny tried to say.

"It's over Lenny," Cree interrupted, "if this goes to court Chad's life is ruined," she said sadly.

"But what about the time in prison," Lenny pointed out.

"He committed a crime Lenny," Taylor said seriously, "he has to pay for it."

"No!" Lenny refused, "I promised to help him."

"And you have," Judge Thomas spoke up, "more than I think anyone should," she added.

Lenny looked at everyone's faces. Then his head hung in defeat.

"What will I tell him?" Lenny whispered.

"I'll talk to him," Cree offered.

"Thanks," Lenny said softly, "Goodbye Judge," he said solemnly and rose to leave.

"Hey," Mr. Gordon said and Lenny looked back, "don't feel bad," he said, "you did good."

"But not great," Lenny countered and left.

Done

Death's Soulmate: Yes I KNOW that must disappoint those waiting for a big time trial (and waiting period, sorry for taking so long). I had writer's block plus I was stuck when it came to this story. That's why I decided to skip the trail. I was just not getting any response on what to write from my brain on that one. Please keep reading. I promise to finish this story THIS year and that there's more things to come. Trust me, it's not over with the sentencing. Sorry for not updating so long and please review.

Last Updated: August 7, 2005

Updated: November 25, 2005.