AN: So fear, on its own, is not wrong. Fear tells us when we need to be vigilant. However Fear can go too far. You're meant to acknowledge the fear and the risks and move on. You can't let Fear run your life. Fear doesn't ACTUALLY solve or protect you from anything!
Part 80
Judge Emerson Mulholland was sitting at his desk, reviewing the upcoming cases. He looked up at the prosecuting attorney. "So, we have Mr. Marcus Green for a parole violation and possible murder?" He asked. "The first is easy but I need more information on the second."
The lanky weasel nodded. "While violating his parole, we have reason to believe that he murdered James Crystal. To get revenge for Mr. Moon, whom Mr Crystal killed earlier that same evening."
The door burst open as a zebra in a dark suit and tie stomped in. "Actually, you don't have a damn thing. At best, you have conjecture and hearsay. That's why you couldn't get an arrest warrant specifically for murder or you would have. Your Honor, if Mr. Green had killed Mr. Crystal and the investigators had hard evidence, then he would have been charged with that. Not the parole violation. There'd be no need because murder is enough. Murder wasn't even included."
The pig blinked up at him, confused. "And you are? I'm assuming Mr. Green's attorney?"
"For all intents and purposes, yes. I am Floyd Grisham, private attorney from Redshore City," he introduced himself. "My client has been maliciously detained over a silly parole violation and the reason for the violation is completely justified. He has a right to protect his son! Now I either want him released immediately or I want you to schedule his hearing as soon as possible. He gets to defend himself against bullshit charges."
The prosecutor growled at him. "I am prosecuting attorney, Henri Jameson, and your client is suspected of murder. We have the right to detain him for the safety of others."
"Actually, you don't. You suspect him but you have no evidence to support your suspicions," Mr. Grisham argued. "So you have no right to detain him. You determine a crime has even been committed and that he was involved then you can arrest him. Unless there's something you're not sharing. Do you have new evidence that might support your accusations?"
The weasel growled. "I have an informant."
"Who's dead and had reason to want to hurt Mr. Green. Someone who had recently tried to have her own son murdered. Sorry, if I don't find her story lol credible," Mr. Grisham countered. "Your honor, I swear if my client's rights are not upheld, you will regret it."
The judge sighed. "He can spend a couple of nights in lockup and his hearing will be first thing Wednesday morning. 9am. Sharp. That's my earliest availability." He looked at the prosecutor. "I want this dealt with and done too."
The weasel nodded. "Of course, Your Honor, so do I. I look forward to putting that gorilla where he belongs."
Grisham nodded. "Wednesday, 9am. Got it." He looked at the DA. "Hope your reputation can handle it when your accusations are proven to be false. You too, Your Honor." He left the office.
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"They did what?" Was the question that was thrown around by everyone.
After his father was arrested, Johnny immediately notified the others. With the plan to go to the park anyway, they decided to meet there. Rosita packed a large picnic lunch including the means to make hamburgers and hot dogs.
Ryan nodded. "Yeah, apparently even from the grave, Mrs. Noodleman had one last trick up her sleeve."
Nana sighed as she made sure Jerry put some food on his plate. While he was no longer refusing to eat, he still didn't like to. "Allow me to apologize for my former daughter-in-law, may she have the rest she deserves." She looked at Suki, who was rolling her pups back and forth in their pram. "I'm sorry."
Suki shook her head. "We knew this could happen… We knew the risks we were taking. They have nothing. Nothing solid to hold over him."
Johnny glared at Jerry. "So, are you proud of yourself? You finally got my dad arrested!"
The cat trembled and shook his head. "I didn't mean to! Mrs. Noodleman… she was scaring me and I just wanted her to leave us all alone!"
Eddie rolled his eyes. "Don't be too harsh, Johnny. Mom was good at manipulating people." He looked at Jerry. "It's okay, Jerry. I'm sorry my mom… no… Mama Rosita is my mom. I'm sorry my egg donor put you in that position."
Johnny rolled his eyes. "So my dad gets railroaded and that's perfectly okay? He shouldn't have spoken to her at all!"
Nana looked at Johnny. "Mr. Green, I am sorry for what you're going through but there's no reason to take it out on Jeremiah. He was being harassed beyond his breaking point. He could even make the claim that he lied to Mrs. Noodleman just to get her off his back. Testimony under duress isn't admissible. He would have said anything to shut her up."
The gorilla glared at Jerry. Suki touched his shoulder. "Johnny, it's not his fault…"
He turned on her. "You're right! It's yours!" The Saluki froze. "None of this would have happened if it weren't for you! He only dealt with Crystal himself because of you! Mr. Moon only made us go because you made him feel like he had something to prove!"
The dog looked down sadly. "I'm sorry…" She knew he was right.
"Johnny!" Rosita fixed him with a look. "I know you're worried about your dad. But it's not fair to blame Suki for any of it. She was trying to warn us away from Crystal."
Johnny looked away from them all. Ryan put his arms around his husband. "It's going to be okay, Johnny. I promise."
"But you can't promise, because you don't know! None of us knows what's going on in there or what they might be doing to him!" He shouted.
"Alright! Enough!" Meena cried out. Everyone turned to look at the normally mild-mannered elephant. "Panicking and fighting amongst ourselves or blaming anyone is NOT going to fix this! Now, all of you, snap out of it!" She looked at Johnny. "You need to stop. You're scaring your sisters and you'll scare the kids if they hear you."
Alphonso took her hand and put his arm around her. "Meena's right. Johnny, your dad is one of the strongest men that I know. If anyone can get through this, he can."
Johnny looked at his sisters. Porsha was doing her best to comfort Nooshy and herself.
Rosita nodded while she tried to comfort Suki. "We need a plan."
Porsha nodded. "I sent my lawyer a text asking him to meet us here after talking with Big Daddy and the judge."
As if on queue, a voice called out her name from the curb as the zebra stepped out of his taxi cab. He came over with a cocky grin. "Mr. Green Jr?" He looked around until he saw a younger gorilla.
Johnny stood up. "I'm Johnny Hunter-Green."
"I am Floyd Grisham, private attorney, currently exclusively employed by the Crystal Family and Crystal Entertainment. And I'm happy to report that the DA really has nothing more than a stupid parole violation, and even that's tenuous. I was able to get the hearing for Wednesday morning at 9," he sat down at a picnic table. "Thank you for notifying me, Miss. Crystal. How are you doing?"
She shrugged. "I'll be better when Big Daddy's home."
Mr. Grisham nodded. "Can we possibly go somewhere more private?" He asked.
Suki stood up. "I'll take you back to our apartment. The rest of you stay and keep having fun. The children don't need to be affected."
Porsha nodded. "I'll come too."
Johnny stood up. "Ryan, do you mind if I go with them?"
His husband kissed him. "Gunter, do you mind watching Neo for us?"
It was soon decided that Gunter and Nana would stay with the children. Mr. Green wasn't just Johnny, Porsha and Nooshy's father or the twins', nor Suki's husband. He was a father to all of them, fiercely protective and now he was in trouble. Eddie was torn between going to support Johnny and help protect Jerry and staying with Gunter and Sarah. Nana shooed him away, insisting it was fine and she'd keep them company. The two lovers shared a secret look before they left.
Once they were alone, with only the massive number of children playing on the equipment, Nana turned to Gunter. "I am glad for the chance to speak with you, Mr. Schweinsteiger."
Gunter shook his head. "You can just call me, Gunter. My father was Mr. Schweinsteiger."
She nodded. "I want to thank you. For what you've done for my grandson. Rosita and Norman gave him a family. You gave him new love and a reason to live."
He blushed. "Did he tell you?"
She shook her head. "He didn't need to. He's my grandson. Just as I knew he held a candle for Mr. Moon, I could tell that a new candle has been lit for you." She smiled at him.
"We were trying to keep it secret. So we can explore it without outside pressure," he explained. "But I love Eddie. I think I loved him for a long time now."
Nana chuckled. "Your secret is safe with me. But I do want you to know how much I appreciate it. Thank you for teaching him how to love again. I know now… that when my time comes… he will be well cared for. I know that he is going to be alright."
Gunter looked up at her with a little alarm, wondering if she was trying to tell him something. "I will take good care of Eddie… for my entire life. But… you're going to be around for many more years… right?"
Nana smiled down at him. "Oh, I do hope not. You know I'm 111 years old and I am starting to get tired. I'm sure I still have a few years left in me but I will look forward to a well-earned test when my time is done." She chuckled. "That being said, I'd like to know if there's anything I can do for you, to thank you for loving Eddie and watching over him?"
The pig wasn't prepared for that question. "Well… you know… I don't watch over him or love him for a reward… I really love him." She nodded reassuringly. "Well… if I had to ask something… I never expected to have a child to raise. I counted myself lucky to be able to babysit for Rosita and Ash and now Johnny and, soon, Meena. Now I have Sarah and… I'd like it if she wouldn't have to worry about her future. None of them should."
She nodded, listening and understanding where he was going. "I think there's something I can arrange where that's concerned. Something I think even Mr. Moon would have loved."
They turned their heads to watch the kids play together. Sarah was pushing Neo on the swing. The piglets and the twins had teamed up to build a huge sand castle.
Gunter smiled. "Mr. Moon loved kids. He wanted to inspire them as you inspired him when he was a kid." He looked ahead. "I'll just have to do it for him…"
AN: Ending there. Time for bed. Please review.
