Return to Innocence

Part 17

"Am I invited?" Kwai Chang Caine's soft voice blended with the gentle sound of the water rippling up to the lakeshore. Peter closed his eyes and smiled, his heart filled with gratefulness.

"I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather see right now," he whispered.

"You are troubled." It was a statement, not a question.

Peter took a shaky breath and nodded, "Yeah, I guess I am."

"What has happened, my son?" Caine sat on the ground next to his son, crossing his legs half-lotus and making sure his knee was in contact with Peter's. It was a small token of human affection, but he hoped it would provide comfort.

A harsh laugh escaped Peter's throat. "What has happened?" He shook his head. "Frankly, I wish I knew. Twenty-four hours ago I went to work being proud of what I did. I was a cop. I tried to help others. I tried to serve with honor." His voice trailed off.

"And that has changed?" Caine asked with innocence.

"Yes. . .that has changed." Peter shifted his legs and broke the contact with his father. "Things happened today. Things that I'm ashamed of. . .things that have put doubt in all my ideas about what being a cop is all about."

"What happened?" Caine pressed, although he already knew the answer.

"I spoke with Stacy this afternoon. We discovered that Barnes lied on the report about Michael's death." Peter explained.

"Yes, she told me that you had spoken. She said you agreed to help." Caine placed a hand on Peter's shoulder and squeezed it affectionately, "I am very proud of you."

"Well, don't be. I confronted Barnes about it. . .demanded an explanation." Peter's words were bitter.

"And what did he say?"

"He said that all the others in the raid backed up his account of the events and that I was the one lying." Peter's anger got the best of him and he picked up a near by rock and thrust it into the water.

"But the report is a lie," Caine insisted stubbornly.

"I know it. . .you know it. . .Stacy knows it. But none of us can prove it. And since I am the only witness who is willing to testify as to the truth of what happened, it'll be my word against the other three. Those are bad odds, Pop."

Caine said nothing. There was nothing that could be said. Peter had attempted to do the honorable thing by defending the truth and now he was the one accused of dishonesty. "What are you going to do."

"What can I do?" Peter swallowed deeply. "I'm a fighter, Pop. . .always have been. I guess I'm going to do the only thing I can."

"And that is?" Caine tilted his head, a slight grin playing on his lips.

Peter matched Caine's face with his own crooked grin, "Go down swinging."

"Ah." Caine's smile became complete. "I knew you would." He put his arm around his son's shoulders and pulled him close. "Peter, there are some things you have forgotten."

"What's that?"

"You do not have to fight this battle alone. You may be the only witness willing to tell the truth, but you have many friends. . .and family. . . who will be there to back you up. Do not shut them. . .do not shut me. . . out."

Peter felt tears welling up in his eyes. Although he knew in his heart his father would be there for him, hearing the words coming from the elder Caine gave added strength. His father was right. With his friends and his family, he could stand up to Barnes and the lies.

Caine held his son for a short while. Then he removed his arm from Peter's shoulder. "I shall leave you to your thoughts if you would like."

"No Pop. . .I would not like. In fact, I was kinda hoping that you would stick around and watch the sunset with me." Peter whispered.

"It would be my pleasure, my son." Caine settled back down, but kept his hands on his lap. Peter reached over, glanced into his father's brown eyes, grabbed his hand and pulled the elder Caine's arm so it was draped around his son's shoulders once again. Caine smiled and closed his eyes, enjoying the nearness of his child.

"Case number 97CR253, State versus Theodore Watson." Judge Charles Ahrens said authoritatively, quieting the courtroom. Theodore Watson, one arm in a sling, but both feet chained together, was escorted into the courtroom by two armed guards, Stacy Pardchek followed and both attorney and client took a seat at the defendant's table. Stacy looked at the gallery behind her and immediately spotted Peter and his father in the first row, directly behind her table. She smiled at the two and nodded. Caine returned her nod with a slower one of his own; Peter gave her a quick wink. Having them in the courtroom instilled confidence.

She looked at her client. He looked scared. She had tried to talk to him all morning, but the kid had shut down on her. He was an emotional basket case. All-in-all, not that surprising, considering the charge that was about to be formally brought against him.

"Please state your appearances." Judge Ahrens' voice broke through her thoughts.

"District Attorney Calvin Barta for the State, your honor," a short, balding man stood at the table on the other side of the podium.

Stacy stood, "Theodore Watson appears in person and through his attorney, Stacy Pardchek, your honor."

"Thank you." The judge wrote notes in the file and then directed his next comment to Stacy. "Does your client waive the reading of the charges, Ms. Pardchek?"

"Yes your honor," Stacy answered.

"Very well. How does your client plead?" the Judge looked at Theodore Watson, attempting to make eye contact with the kid. The minute their eyes met, Theodore looked away in shame and lowered his eyes to the floor.

"My client pleads 'not guilty' your honor," Stacy said with confidence. Her words caused an eruption of sound from the back of the courtroom. The judge struck his gavel and the noise level died down.

"Very well, I will here motions for bail," the Judge commented.

Stacy spoke first, "Your honor, my client has no criminal record and is employed within the city, with a less than adequate means of support. We request that bail be waived."

The District Attorney rose immediately, "Your honor, the State disagrees. Mr. Watson has been accused of a capital crime. He has no significant ties to this community. We believe him to be a high risk for flight."

"Agreed," Judge Ahrens commented. "Bail is to be set at one million dollars." Theodore closed his eyes and leaned back heavily in his chair. Stacy frowned, "Your honor, that amount is not reasonable in light of Mr. Watson's economic condition."

"I believe that amount is more than reasonable when you factor in the severity of the crime, further I agree with Mr. Barta. Your client is a high risk for flight."

Stacy nodded and looked at her client apologetically. The judge flipped through the calendar on his desk. "How much time do you need to prepare your cases?"

Stacy spoke first, "Three months, your honor."

Barta followed, "Your honor, we are basically ready to go now. The facts are not complex. We would be willing to start in two weeks."

Ahrens looked at his calendar. "We will schedule the trial to begin in thirty days. . .that would be Monday, February 26. Ms. Pardchek, if you are not ready at that time you can file a motion for an extension."

"Yes, your honor." Stacy answered respectfully.

"Very well." Ahrens brought his gavel down on the bench and called the next case. The court security guard, along with the other two guards, brought Watson to his feet and began to escort him out of the courtroom.

Stacy caught her client's arm and stopped the procession. "Teddy, don't worry about what happened today. I'll stop by and see you in a little bit. We'll go over everything then, okay?"

The young man nodded at her, saying nothing, his fear precluding any speech.

End Part 17

Back to KFTLC Page