Chapter Two
Few Days Later
Eric Mitchell along with a few friends are playing tackle football against another group of kids from their school. It's a semi-friendly game they play almost every Friday. They've missed their game the past two weeks because of different issues coming up. No one wanted to play in last week's downpour, so the boys are making up for missing a few games by making this game longer. They are also hitting each other a littler harder too. Or at least Eric and his friends are playing harder. They don't wear any shoulder pads or a helmet. The lack of equipment does not keep these kids from playing hard.
Too bad for Eric, Derek is sitting at their grandmother's house grounded until next week. They could use him today. Derek has the best arm for playing quarterback. With Derek unable to play, Eric is playing quarterback and he is hating it. Normally, they play six on six, but with Derek being sidelined, they're playing five on five with Eric moving from running back to quarterback. Eric feels they're losing today because Derek isn't playing.
The game is close like it normally is between the two groups, but Eric and his buddies have been hitting harder and yet, they're still losing. They're down to their last play. They need to score to tie the game then keep the other team from scoring to keep it that way. They're willing to play to a tie. Wins are preferable, but a tie beats losing any day. Since they don't have the means to keep time, each team gets ten offensive possessions. There are not field goals and all touchdowns are worth seven points. They don't punt or kick the ball. Running and throwing only. It only took them one game to figure out neither team had anyone who could kick the ball more than fifteen yards, so they decided to not kick at all and only throw and run.
Randy Phets, Eric's best friend, looks at Eric while they are in the huddle. "We got this, Eric. Lee's been open more times than not, throw it to him.
Lee says, "I'll catch it."
Eric replies, "Even if we score, we have to stop them and we've not done that very well today. Every one ready? On two."
They break the huddle. Randy moves to the left side of the line, Lee to the right. Drè is behind Eric with Rosey ready to hike the ball to Eric. Eric looks over the other team before he had Rosey hikes him the ball. Drè and Rosey both move between Eric and the other team before Drè runs a short underneath route, leaving Lee and Randy running longer, over-the-top routes. Their routes crisscross each other. Since Eric tends to throw more to Randy than Lee, Randy gets another defender leaving a window for Eric to get the ball to Lee.
Randy takes his route up the field while Lee heads to the far corner near the goal line. Which happens to be marked by a small bush. As soon as the ball leaves his hand, Eric knows he over threw Lee. He puts both hand on his head then leans over in disgust with himself for missing the throw. Lee does the best he can to attempt to catch the ball. He jumps into the air with his arm outstretched and the ball hits Lee's finger tips and falls to the ground.
All eyes turn to Eric. He stretches his arms while saying, "That's on me."
"Blame Derek!" yells someone from the other team. Which gets everyone laughing. There isn't one kid on either team that isn't happy Mico got expelled. If you're in a group, Mico leaves you alone. If not, you're fair game as far as Mico is concerned.
Randy slaps Eric on the back, "Nah, Derek did everyone a favor by beating up Mico and getting him kicked out of school. He took one for all of us."
Rosey, Lee, and Drè say their goodbyes before heading to the bus stop, leaving Randy and Eric alone in the park. The other group from school also split up. Eric asks, "What do you want to do now, Randy? I don't feel like going home yet. Derek is stuck at grandma's until momma gets home. I don't feel like hanging out at my grandmother's house on a Friday afternoon."
"I have a few credits, we can hit the arcade for a bit. Or we can find something else to do," answers Randy.
Eric checks his credit chit, the balance says zero. "Damn, I'm broke until later tonight when I get my allowance."
Randy smacks Eric's shoulder. "It's cool. I got you covered. She needs to give your money before school on Friday's not after she gets home."
"I'm lucky I still get my allowance. I spent the last of my credits from last week on the new my headset. Which has great sound. You really should pick it up." Eric points his finger at Randy for emphasis.
"I'm good with the headset I have. I'm starting to get bored with Age of Dragons. I may need a new game soon. Come on, Eric, lets see what kind of trouble we can find." Randy grins mischievously to his best friend.
The two friends walk the few blocks to the arcade. The arcade is small, but packed. There isn't a machine free. Randy and Eric both want to play Pirate Raider, but that machine has a large crowd of kids around it. The co-op games always have the biggest groups wanting to play them. Pirate Raider is the newest co-op game. "I don't feel like waiting to play. There's a large crowd too."
"I hear ya, Eric. They need another machine or two," comments Randy.
"They could get rid of that game. No one ever plays it or I've never seen anyone playing it." Eric points to the least played game in the arcade with a few jackets lying on it. It's more like a coat rack than a functioning game. The owner never says anything to anyone about their jackets being on the game nor has the game been replaced.
Randy has his mischievous grin on his face again, "I got an idea. Up for a little fun?"
"Oh, I'm always up for some fun. What do you have in mind, Randy?" Eric follows Randy from the arcade as they head to the small shopping center a few blocks away.
Kaja along with an assistant district attorney are observing two detectives interviewing a suspect in a double homicide. It's one aspect of her job she likes the most. If needed, she doesn't hesitate to jump into an interrogation and help her detectives with their case. An uniformed officer opens the observation room door, "Sarge, you're needed downstairs."
The asari turns her attention from the interrogation to the uniformed officer then asks, "Can it wait?"
"No, Sarge, it can't," replies the uniform officer.
"Alright. I'll be right down. Thanks, Gessel." Kaja nods to the officer before saying, "I'll be right back," to the ADA.
Kaja walks downstairs to see her former partner and retired detective, Ben Livingston, standing next to the juvenile holding area. As soon as she sees Ben, Kaja knows Ben caught Eric doing something illegal at the shopping center, where Ben works part-time as a security guard. Walking up to Ben, Kaja asks, "What did Eric do, Ben?"
"Hi to you too, Kaja," says Ben with sarcasm in his voice.
"Oh, sorry, hi Ben." The asari Sergeant places her hand on Ben's shoulder. "What did he do? He did something or you wouldn't be here."
Ben gives Kaja a sympathetic look while saying, "I caught him and his friend, Randy Phets, stealing bottles of water from a street vender. I watched Randy talk him into it, Kaja. They didn't see me standing near the vender. I stood there and watched the whole thing. It was surreal, Kaja. I never thought I would ever catch one of your kids shoplifting."
"Dammit. What am I going to do with him, Ben?" asks Kaja. She takes a few steps backs, puts both hands on her hips then shakes her head in disgust with her son's actions.
"Kaja, I brought them in, not a uniform. I thought you would want to handle it as you see fit. I don't know what you should do. Maybe let him go through the system. He'll get a slap on the wrist, but maybe it will send him a message. I don't know what else to tell you." Ben hands Kaja a data pad, "Here, I have the video surveillance footage of them taking the water, plus my statement. You would think the kids would know there are cameras in the area. They're not the first kids I've busted, Kaja. However, this is the first time I left the uniforms out of it. I already contacted Randy Phets parents and told them I was bringing him here. Kaja, I have to get back. Belinda and I have been thinking of inviting you and the twins over for some barbeque. How's next Saturday sound?"
Kaja rubs her neck, "Let me get back to you on that. It does sound good though. Thanks for how you handled things with Eric. I owe you, Ben."
"You don't owe me anything, Kaja. Eric's acting tough, but I sense he's scared." Ben pats Kaja's upper arm before leaving the police station.
The asari nods and smiles to her best friend as he leaves. Kaja calms herself before entering the juvenile holding area. Eric and Randy are sitting next to each other alone on a bench. She stands with her weight on her back foot and her arms across her chest. She glares down at both boys, but remains silent, waiting to see if either boy speaks or even looks at her. Eric is leaning forward with his forearms on his thighs and his hands together, and he is staring at the joint connecting the far wall and floor. Eric doesn't move from his position even when his momma enters.
Randy sees Kaja then smacks Eric in the side, "Your momma's here. Hi, ma'am."
Kaja holds the data pad up for both boys to see once Eric looks into her direction. "Eric, Randy, I have all the evidence I need to charge you both with shoplifting on this data pad. Not only do I have an eyewitness, who happens to be a retired detective and works security at the shopping center, but I also have video footage." She turns on the monitor in the room, hits a few buttons on the data pad, then the video of them starts playing on the monitor.
Kaja pauses it when she sees them both taking a bottle of water from the vender at the same time. "See, right here." She points to the monitor. "So, whose idea was this?"
"Randy's." Eric sits up straight when he says it. The youth feels sick to his stomach about what he did. At the time, he didn't care if he got busted. Since he is now dealing with the consequences of his actions, he cares. Eric is afraid, but is doing his best to not show it in front of his friend.
Randy looks at Eric, who is glaring at him then to Kaja, "It was my idea, ma'am."
Kaja's eyes constantly move from Randy to Eric. She's waiting for Randy's parents to arrive, so they can discuss the matter. She's conflicted. Her conscience tells her to let Eric go through the system. Ben is right, he'll get a few months of probation, possibly some work detail, but that's about it. Her heart says to take him home and not press charges. The longer she waits and thinks about it, the more she feels she needs to let them both run their course through the judicial system.
Officer Gessel enters the juvenile area with Randy's parents. "Sergeant T'Soni, Mr. and Mrs. Phets are here."
"Thank you, Gessel," responds Kaja. "Please, have a seat." She pulls two chairs away from the table so Randy's parents can sit down. Once everyone is sitting, Kaja says as she paces between her son and the monitor, "We have a problem. Our sons were caught shoplifting from a street vender. Here is the evidence." The Sergeant points to the monitor.
Mr. Phets glares at his son while Mrs. Phets covers her mouth in shock. They never expected this from Randy. Vandalism yes, fighting yes, stealing no. They had hoped when Randy became friends with the Mitchell twins, he would get into less trouble, but that hasn't happened so far. "Randy, you get caught stealing a bottle of water? Don't you have money to pay for it?" asks Mr. Phets.
Randy answers, "Yea."
"Then explain to us why you needed to steal it in the first place, Randy," says Mrs. Phets.
The teen shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know."
Mr. Phets stands then gets into Randy's face, "I don't know is not an answer, Randell."
"Mr. Phets, sit back down," orders Sgt. T'Soni when she steps between father and son.
Doing as he's told, Mr. Phets sits back down. He shakes his head at his son. "What is going to happen now, Sergeant T'Soni?"
"Shoplifting is a crime and we do prosecute those who commit it. Anything that has been said up to this point can't be used in court. The security officer brought them in. He's my former partner and retired from the department. He did bring me the security video and his statement. He also witnessed them stealing the water. Because he knows Eric, Ben brought them to the station instead of involving the uniforms. Now, that you're here, I'm going to formally read them their rights."
Kaja's heart breaks as she reads Randy and Eric their rights under the law to remain silent and they have right to have an attorney present when being questioned. Eric sits in silence, but the shock on his face tells Kaja, he wasn't expecting on her reading him his rights. Kaja can't tell what he is thinking, but hopes he understands why she must do what she is doing. She has to set the right example for Eric and for her squad. No cutting corners even when it involves family.
"Eric, come with me," says Kaja as she heads to the door. She needs to separate Randy and Eric. She tells Officer Gessel to start the paperwork for Randy Phets, while she finds Gessel's partner to deal with her son's. "Eric, I need to make a few calls. Don't say anything to anyone. Understand?"
Eric nods, "Yes, momma, I understand. Does that include you too?"
A faint grin appears on her face. She isn't sure why, but his question makes her grin. She ruffles his hair and places her hand on his right shoulder. "No, it does not." Kaja turns her attention to Officer Zahn. She gives him the data pad. "Officer Zahn, share this with your partner. Start Eric's paperwork. I've already read him his rights. You can finish the rest and when you're done. Bring him to my office.."
"Of course, Sergeant. Come with me, Eric." Officer Zahn leads Eric away from Kaja and towards the fingerprinting terminal. Eric looks back at his momma and she can see he's nervous, scared, and angry.
Kaja mumbles, "Fuck," under her breath as she hustles upstairs to her office. She stops to tell the ADA there is a shoplifting case involving two minors downstairs with one of them being her son before entering her office. Slumping at her desk, Kaja wipes her face with her hand before calling the attorney she put on retainer in case the boys ever got into trouble. Her next call is to her mother, Liara. "Hi, mom." Kaja starts rubbing her forehead.
Liara knows Kaja only calls from work if something is wrong, so she knows something has happened. She gets a feeling from Kaja rubbing her forehead, it involves Eric. "What kind of trouble did Eric get himself into this time, Kaja?"
Kaja answers, "Shoplifting. He got caught by Ben of all people. And on vid. Ben brought him and the evidence needed to charge and convict him. He was with Randy and it was Randy's idea to steal water from a street vender. They probably did it as a prank, but I can't let him walk unpunished for it, mom. He got caught."
"Well, I can't say that I blame you, Kaja. Do you need anything from me?" asks Liara.
"No, mom, I've already taken care of things for him. I just called to let you know what is going on and I have no idea when we'll be home." Kaja wonders what her father would do in this situation. She's tempted to ask her mother, but decides against it. She knows she needs to follow her own path, not her father's. All she can do is follow her own moral compass.
Liara asks, "Do you want me to tell Derek?" She can't believe Eric got caught shoplifting. Kaja always makes sure the twins have what they need and more.
Kaja thinks about that for a moment. Does she or does she not want her mother telling Derek about Eric being arrested? "No, I think Eric can tell him when he gets home. I gotta go, mom. I love you." She terminates the call when she hears her mom reply with an "I love you too."
Mrs. Phets knocks on Kaja's office door. "Excuse me, Sergeant T'Soni. Mind if we talk privately?"
"No, not all, Mrs. Phets. Please, have a seat." The asari points a chair.
"Thank you." The human sits then smiles at the Sergeant before continuing, "I wanted to say thank you for how you handled Randy and Eric's incident. I had always hoped Randy would get into less trouble once he became friends with your sons, but it looks like that isn't going to happen."
Kaja sees another parent unsure what to do about their child's behavior. It's nice to know other parents are going through what she is going through when it comes to Eric. Knowing Randy's parents are dealing with the same thing she is, doesn't give Kaja much comfort. "Eric has gotten into more trouble since he became friends with Randy. I don't blame Randy for Eric's behavior, Mrs. Phets. I blame Eric. Maybe this will cause both boys to see what their doing is wrong and change it. If not, I'm afraid there might be more days like today in their future." She hates being blunt with Mrs. Phets, but sugar-coating it won't help the situation.
Mrs. Phets stands then says before she leaves Kaja's office, "Thank you again. I hope you're right and they both see the error in their activities. I almost doubt it. I'm at a loss on what to do with him. I should get back. My husband is talking with ADA. We saw what you had on the screen. Randy knows he's been caught with his hand in the cookie jar."
A smile appears on Kaja's face. Humans and their cute phrases. "That they did, Mrs. Phets. You're welcome, but I'm just doing my duty. I'm not going to give my sons or their friend any special treatment. I like to lead by example. By giving them special treatment, I would be setting a bad example for those who serve under me."
Mrs. Phets smiles and nods to Kaja's comment. Officer Zahn appears at the door with Eric and his attorney standing beside him. "Mrs. Phets, you and your husband can take your son home now. I do believe they have a court date set for him already.."
"Thank you officer," replies Mrs. Phets when she leaves to join her family so they can take their son home.
Officer Zahn leaves Eric and his attorney, Paige Davenport, in Kaja's office. Eric sits in chair, but remains quiet. He knows he is in major trouble. He has a lawyer with him at the police station where his momma works. Kaja glances over to her son, she still sees he is scared and nervous, but the anger seems to have waned. She stands to shake Paige's hand, "Give me an update, Paige. What happens to him next?"
Ms. Davenport smiles as she shakes Kaja's hand then sits in a chair. "Well, Sargent, as you know, Eric is being charged with one count of misdemeanor shoplifting. Max sentence is two years probation and/or one hundred hours of work detail. Since this is Eric's first offense, they judge might go light on him. Or not considering his parent is a law enforcement officer. He has his court date on Wednesday at 0930." She transfers all the court information to a data pad then hands it to the asari. "I've advised Eric to plead guilty. I saw the vid. Not only do you see Eric and Randy taking the water, you see your old partner standing and watching them take the water then catching them a few seconds later. There is no fighting this and I've explained that to Eric."
Kaja makes a note on her omni-tool of Eric's court date and time, so she can take the time off to take Eric to court. "Who's the judge?" asks Kaja.
"Judge Lomas. He's stern but fair. I'll do my best to make sure Eric gets a fair sentence. Lomas has been known to give the max to first time offenders at times. Sergeant, meet me at the courthouse at 0845 on Wednesday and I'll go through everything again before his hearing. I'll see you both then. Eric, remember what I told you, you can not afford to get into any more trouble of any kind. I'll see you both Wednesday morning," answers Paige.
Kaja gets up from her desk and walks Paige from her office. She says once they are alone. "I can't thank you enough, Paige."
The human defense attorney grins at the asari Sergeant. She puts her hand on Kaja's upper left arm. "Kaja, because Eric is a son of a police officer, Lomas will give him the max. I didn't want to say this in front of him, but Lomas can't stand kids of cops in his courtroom. Eric is lucky this is his first offense or Lomas would make him sit until he is eighteen. He's not fair, Kaja, but I don't want to scare Eric anymore than he is already."
"I deal with the juvenile court every and the rumor about Lomas being tough on police officer's kids is true. He doesn't overstep his authority, but he rarely takes plea deals involving kids like Eric. It's what Eric needs I think. Or I hope. I don't even know what to say to him besides yelling at him. There's no point to yelling," comments Kaja.
Paige understands Kaja's frustrations when it comes to Eric. She sees it every day with other parents who need her to represent their son or daughter in court. "I know and I see parents do it every day too. If you would like to blow off some steam tonight, a friends and I are going to The Roost after work. You should stop by and have a drink or two with us."
Kaja is tempted to take Paige up on her offer. If there is a night to go out and blow off the stress Eric is causing, tonight is the night. "I might take you up on that, Paige. If not, I'll see you Wednesday morning. You thought I was crazy when I gave you the retainer last year. I had a feeling your services would be needed."
"I am sorry I am needed too, Kaja. I mean that. I hope to see you later. If not, have a good weekend. Take some time for yourself," says Ms. Davenport as she leaves to attend to another client.
Kaja rubs her neck. Take time for myself. I need to. Dammit, Eric, why are you so difficult at times? I hope I'm doing the right thing because I can't let you go unpunished. Goddess, let him understand and not hate me for this. Kaja returns to her office and sits in the chair Paige was sitting in before. She looks at her son, wondering what to say to him that doesn't come out sounding angry.
Eric looks at Kaja then looks at the floor to ashamed to look at her. He knows he messed up by letting Randy talk him into stealing the water when Randy could have paid for it. His right hand fiddles with his shirt's hem. He looks at his momma again. He sees she's angry, but she hasn't said anything yet. So, he decides to speak first by saying, "I'm sorry, momma."
"Why are you sorry, Eric?" replies Kaja. Her tone is stern, but calm. As much as she wants to yell at him. She knows it will only make matters worse. The more she keeps her emotions under control, the easier it is for her to get him to listen to what she is trying to tell him.
Her question throws him. Eric thinks she would know why he is sorry. "For getting into trouble with Randy."
Kaja sighs then takes a few breathes to calm down. That is not the answer she wants from him. "Are you sorry you got caught, Eric? Or are you sorry you took the water in the first place? There is a difference between them."
Eric slumps his shoulders then hangs his head. "For letting Randy talk me into doing something I knew was wrong. I'm sorry, momma. I don't want to go to jail." His eyes start to water and he quickly wipes the moisture away with his shirt sleeve. Eric knows he is still under arrest because Kaja hasn't signed his release papers. He also knows, she can let him sit until Wednesday and that is what he is afraid of the most. That his momma will make him sit in jail instead of letting him go home with her. He watched Randy's parents sign the form and take him home.
Kaja is conflicted on which hat she needs to wear with Eric. Momma or cop? How harsh should his punishment be? She needs more than a few minutes to think about everything. She doesn't want to go off on him and regret it later. She needs to punish him, but also wants to make sure Eric understands she still loves him. This is a pivotal point in Eric's life. He either turns it around and stays out of trouble or he continues down the path he is on and going to jail is part of that path.
"I don't want you going to jail either, but don't think I'll let you walk because I can pull strings and make it happen. I'll never do that, Eric. Never. I will make sure you have an attorney and no one steps on your rights, but I can't let you break society's laws and let you get away with it. I love you, Eric. I can't let you walk on this. Even thought it's only a five credit bottle of water. I hope you understand why it has to be this way." Kaja reaches over to pull Eric into an embrace.
Eric hugs his momma tight. "Can I go home now? Please?"
Kaja looks into her son's brown eyes. "How would you prefer to go home? I'm going to give you a few choices. You can wait for me to get done going over and filing reports Or I can call your grandmother and she can sign you out. Or I can have Officer Zahn take you to your grandmother's. The choice is yours."
Eric doesn't like any of those choices. He doubts very much is momma will hurry and get her paperwork done quickly. He doesn't want his grandmother and brother coming to the police station to pick him up nor does he want to go home in a police cruiser. "Can't you sign the paper and let me walk home or take the bus?
Kaja chuckles at Eric's question. "I don't think so, Eric. You have to leave with an adult. That's either me or your grandmother. Or I can get an officer to take you home. Those are your choices. You're grounded until I say otherwise and I am going to give it some serious thought about the path you are heading down. You have no idea how disappointed and angry I am with you, Eric. However, I do want you to think about your future and any goals you have. I'll do what ever is needed to help you reach those goals. I won't help you become a criminal, Eric. That is where I draw the line."
"Will you give my allowance before school on Friday instead of when you get home?" asks Eric.
"Is that why Randy talked you into stealing the water because you spent all your credits on the headphones?" asks Kaja.
Nodding, Eric replies, "Mostly. Randy thought it would be fun to steal from the guy. He never seems to pay enough attention when he is dealing with someone else. I went along with it even though I knew it was wrong."
Kaja shakes her head. "That is bothers me the most, Eric. You knew it was wrong and yet you did it anyway. If Randy decided it would be fun to jump from the Steele Street Bridge would you jump with him?"
"No. People die jumping from that bridge," responds Eric quickly. His brain is slowly processing the point being made to him.
"I didn't think you would, so please tell me why Randy was able to get you to steal from the vendor. Was this some type of prank?" asks Kaja.
Eric shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know. He said it would be easy to get away with it. There is just the one guy working and when he has a few customers is when you take it. He did end up seeing us and so did Ben." He looks at Kaja then blinks a few times. "I messed up. Is that what you want me to say, momma?" The anger Eric was showing before is back in his tone.
Kaja stands then hovers over Eric. "You want to know what I want from you, Eric. I want you to think about what you are going to do with your life once you are an adult. I get the sense you are more sorry you got caught than you are for stealing in the first place. That is bothersome, Eric. It tells me you don't care and that you are willing to break the rules and laws. You do it when you skip school and now you're doing it by stealing. Is this the path you really want to be on, Eric?"
Kaja leaves her office to find either Officer Zahn or Gessel. She locates Officer Gessel and has him take Eric to a holding cell alone, but across from another cell with adults near by to harass him. She also instructs him to stay near by in case things get out of hand with the adults or to keep it half way civil. Her hope is to show Eric what it's like in jail and maybe he will finally decide this isn't what he wants for his future. Kaja isn't sure what else she can do to get him to see the direction he is heading.
She noticed how late in the afternoon it's getting when she returns to her office with Gessel, "Eric, I want you to go with Officer Gessel. I have some paperwork I need to finish up, then we'll go home. It won't take longer than an hour."
"Where is he taking me?" asks Eric as he stand to follow the uniformed officer.
Officer Gessel says, "To a holding cell. Why should you be treated any differently than any other criminal?"
Kaja cringes at Gessel's comment, but doesn't say anything to him about it. He is speaking the truth and it's just hard for her to hear. Eric snaps his head to give his momma the death glare as he leaves her office. She knows he now hates her, it's radiating from him, but it's for his own good. Kaja stands tall with her arms folded across her chest and has a calm look on her face. Inside, she's dying a slow death and wants to curl up on the floor and cry. She can't afford to do that nor show that type of emotion. She will not allow Eric's behavior get the better of her.
Eric starts wondering as he follows Officer Gessel why his momma is putting him in a holding cell? What does this teach me? I already said I didn't want to go to jail and yet she sends me to jail anyway? Think about my future? What future? I hate school and only go because I have to. Gessel opens the cell door so Eric can get inside. The youth looks around the cell and turns to the officer when he hears the door's lock engage.
Across the walkway is another holding cell with several adults mingling around. Most are human, but there is one turian and one batarian as well. The batarian moves from the bench closer to the other cell containing Eric. "Well, look what he have here. Fresh meat. Young and tender too. Just the way I like them." The batarian smiles showing his menacing looking teeth.
Eric ignores the batarian. He doesn't look at them nor say anything. This is not what Eric wants for his future, but he doesn't need his momma pushing that point at him. He messed up, nothing he can say to change it. He will do as instructed by his attorney and plead guilty to the one misdemeanor charge of shoplifting. He does glance over at the adults harassing him when one says they want to take him home to meet his mother because he's such a cute lad.
Several others make much nastier comments to Eric. A few comments make Eric's skin crawl and it makes him wonder if they'd really do what they're saying or are they saying it to get a rise from him. The batarian starts in again saying his goal is to make the human boy cry. Eric does the best he can to ignore the adults, so he lies on his back on the bench and stares at the ceiling while thinking about his future until his momma comes and gets him. He has no idea what he wants to do. All he knows is he wants to finish school and move out of the house.
Not knowing what he wants to do as far as a career is Eric's biggest hurdle. There are times he wants to design video games, but doesn't want to deal with going to school. Math is his least favorite subject. After talking with his aunt Liv about the classes she took for her degree, he realized there is too much math involved. At times, Eric wonders if he should join the Alliance military. He doesn't think his momma would approve. As he lies on his back looking at the ceiling, Eric thinks maybe this is the time to bring that topic up. Him joining the Alliance after he turns eighteen and graduates high school.
Eric glances over to the other cell again. No way do I want to be like them. I know I messed up. I told you, Randy, it was a bad idea, but you disagreed. Last time I listen to you. I don't want to be here again. He thinks about the pros and cons to serving in the Alliance military. He sees more pros than cons, but he wants to research more and talk to both his momma and grandmother about it. He senses neither would want him serving in the military.
Liara nor Kaja have ever said as much, but it's a feeling he gets. Especially from Kaja. Her military experience was less than ideal and he thinks she doesn't want him going through the same thing. He also wonders if he's wrong and both would give their blessing. He is slowly understanding how the choices he makes today affect what happens to him in the future. He hasn't thought much about his future, but sitting in a jail cell has forced him to think about it that much more.
Kaja checks on her detectives before going back into her office to look over all the daily reports and file a few of her own. It's the one thing every commanding officer hates, paperwork. The higher up command you go, the more you have. There are days she misses being on the streets. Then there are days she is glad she is behind a desk. Today is one of those ultra rare days she wishes she wasn't a cop and could be like most parents and put their head in the sand when their kids runs afoul of the law.
The asari sits at her desk then starts looking for the data pad with the latest report on the case she was observing before being having to deal with Eric's legal issue. She finds the data pad she is looking for and a package about the same size as a data pad. Grabbing the package, Kaja leaves her office to ask, "Can anyone tell me where this package came from?"
The squad's green horn detective says,"A courier brought it by while you where downstairs, Sergeant. You were busy, so he put it in your office."
Kaja nod to the detective, asking, "Did the courier say who sent it?"
"No, ma'am," answers the green horn.
"Thank you, Detective," replies Kaja. She heads back into her office. Sitting at her desk, Kaja looks the package over. No name or return address on it. Just her name: Sergeant K. T'Soni is written on the package. The package's weight feels the same as a data pad and the shape of it looks like a data pad.
Kaja cautiously opens the package. It is a data pad with a short message on it:
Kaja-
Please come by 1027 Illyria Blvd. Apt. 105
I would love to see you.
N.
Kaja rubs her neck after reading the message. She looks at address again. Interesting, it's the building across the street from the apartment Cass and I rented for over a decade. N? Who is N? Kaja isn't sure who N is. She doesn't know anyone who lives in that building. Unless someone moved there and this is their way of telling her. Today is not a good day for cryptic messages, but Kaja does feel she needs some sort of distraction. This message is a distraction.
Paige has already invited her out. As tempting as that is, she knows Paige wants more than a working relationship. To Kaja, Paige is her family's attorney and wants to keep it that way. As much as Kaja hates having Paige on retainer, she's thankful she did. Eric has proved her gut feeling was right, he would do something which would require her to get him an attorney.
Kaja types in the address in the search engine to see who lives at the address. She waits before hitting the enter button. Should she or shouldn't she check on the address before hand. A slight chuckle escapes Kaja's lips when she thinks what could possibly go wrong if she doesn't know first. Hitting the enter button, Kaja's eyes bulge when she sees the name, Neena Vakarian.
A/N:This is a warning now. This story is going to have many many rough things going on. However, it also has some sweet moments too. Stick around for this ride. This story is all about family and at times things within the family get rough.
See everyone next week. And before everyone asks. The answer is Yes. That's all I'm saying. :)