The Defendant

by Chris Taylor

  “Doctor Munro, it’s Belinda Murphy. Thank you for taking my call.”

  “No problem. I understand you’re calling from Family Services about the Logan boys.”

  “Yes, I am. I hope you don’t mind, but I was given your name by an officer at the police station. I believe he said he was your brother. Riley, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, Riley’s one of my brothers. Is anything the matter?”

  “Your brother received a call from Trevor Logan a short time ago. I understand he called the police in a distraught state of mind and told them he was thinking of committing suicide.”

  Josie gasped in shock. “Oh, my goodness.”

  “From what I understand, he’s in pretty bad shape. He begged the police for help. They’ve contacted me because the children are due out from school shortly and no one’s at home. The police and ambulance have attended the Logan farm and Trevor’s been taken to the hospital. I believe he’s undergoing psychiatric assessment as we speak.”

  Josie shook her head slowly, still struggling to take it all in. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Ms Murphy, but I’m not sure what you want me to do.”

  “Your brother told me you’ve been meeting with Daniel and he’s comfortable with you. He knows you and he trusts you, or so I’ve been led to believe. Unfortunately, the Logans have no relatives living close by and our regular foster parents are already overloaded. I’d go down to the school and collect them myself, only right now, I’m in Grafton. It will be late when I return. My colleague has been off all week with the flu. There’s no one else to call. I was hoping… That is, I was wondering if you’d be able to collect the boys from the school and perhaps keep them with you for a little while. Just a few hours, if you wouldn’t mind? Or perhaps overnight? I’m not sure what time I’ll be back…”

  Josie’s head spun with the sudden deluge of information. Realizing the woman was waiting for a response, she shuffled through the flood of thoughts surging through her head and stammered out a reply.

  “Um…I…I…um…”

  “It will only be for tonight, I promise and maybe tomorrow morning. If you could just get them to school… Please, I wouldn’t be asking unless I was desperate. They’re only children. They can’t stay out on the farm on their own.”

  “No, of course not,” Josie hurried to agree. “It’s okay, I’ll work something out. Daniel has his competency hearing tomorrow. Don’t worry, leave it with me.”

  Belinda let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness! You’re a lifesaver. I’ll call you again tomorrow.”

  “Sure. Um… Which schools do they attend?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t even give you that information. “Daniel’s at Watervale High on Oxley Road and Jason’s at Watervale East Primary School on Stubbins Avenue. I’m sure you’ll find them.”

  “Do they know about their dad?”

  “I’ve called both schools. The principals were going to speak to the boys in the company of the school counselor. I assume they will have been told what’s going on by the time you get there.”

  Josie closed her eyes briefly, glad that at least that much had been dealt with. “Okay, I guess I’ll head over there now. They’ll probably be getting out soon.”

  “Yes. Daniel gets out at three-fifteen. Jason at three-thirty.” After promising once again to call her the next day and offering another round of sincere thanks, Belinda ended the call.

  Josie replaced the receiver. Another glance at her watch told she didn’t have a lot of time if she was to get to the high school before the bell. Collecting her handbag from where she’d put it and inwardly giving up on her plan to spend the afternoon relaxing in solitude, she opened the door to her office, filled in the receptionist and left.

  * * *

  From his position at his desk, Chase watched his boss pick up his coffee mug and head out of his office toward the tea room. His face looked drained, his mouth tight. After the past few hours spent at the Logan farm, Chase understood why.

  “How did it go with Trevor?” he asked quietly.

  Riley’s shoulders slumped on a heavy sigh. “You were there. It was bloody tough.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “For Christ’s sake, how much of this shit is one family supposed to take? Right now, I could do with a stiff drink, but I guess I’ll have to settle for a hit of caffeine.”

  “Let’s hope Trevor gets the help that he needs.”

  “Yeah, he’s been voluntarily admitted to the psych ward for assessment and observation.” Riley bit his lip and shook his head, as if chasing away the memories of the way they’d found Daniel’s father after his desperate call.

  “He’s a broken man, Chase. He’s endured more than any man should have to bear. I don’t know if anyone will be able to fix him.”

  Chase nodded grimly. “His family’s been torn apart through the worst circumstances imaginable. I can understand why he might be feeling a little less enamored with his life.”

  “Yeah, there but for the grace of God… I honestly don’t know what I’d do if something like that happened to me. Just the thought of someone assaulting Kate… Christ, I don’t even want to think about it.”

  “I can’t help thinking about Daniel. He’s not even thirteen! How the hell is he going to deal with something like this? Grown men would struggle with it. And now, he knows his father considered blowing his brains out. Please tell me it wasn’t with the same gun?”

  “No, we still have that one in the evidence room.”

  Chase breathed out on a sigh of relief. “Perhaps we should confiscate whatever other firearms he still has? If I remember right, he had at least three or four rifles in that safe. No sense in tempting him unnecessarily.”

  “Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll speak to him about it straight away.”

  “What’s going to happen to the kids while he’s in there? The other boy is even younger than Daniel.”

  “Jason. Yeah, he’s eight. I called Family and Community Services. Unfortunately, they’re out of options at the moment. Their foster families are at capacity and the two women who man the Watervale office are unavailable. I gave them Josie’s number.”

  Chase sat up in surprise and straightened in his chair. “You mean, they’re going to see if she can take the boys in?”

  “Yes, at least for tonight. They can’t stay at home alone and she’s had a fair bit to do with Daniel, at least. Given the circumstances, she seemed like the best person to call.”

  “Yeah, I guess and of course, they can’t return home without a parent in tow.” He paused and did his best to slow his pulse rate that had taken off at the mention of Josie’s name. “Is-is Josie agreeable?”

  “Yes. She called me a short time ago. She’s on her way now to collect them.”

  A pang of emotion tightened Chase’s chest. Josie would get her chance to be a mother, if only for a little while. He wished the thought didn’t hurt so much and then immediately felt guilty. She was doing what any good, decent person would do. She was offering help to two young boys who were greatly in need of it. He couldn’t help but admire her for her courage. There would be plenty who’d turn away, unwilling to get involved.

  “She always wanted kids.” Chase didn’t realize he’d said the words aloud until he noticed Riley’s sharp look.

  “I thought you only took her to her graduation? I didn’t realize you knew her that well.”

  Chase blinked and quickly hunted around for a reasonable explanation. “Yes, um…that’s right. We did a lot of…talking…between dances.” Heat stole up his neck and he kept his gaze fixed firmly on the floor.

  When his boss didn’t respond, he risked a glance upwards and then wished he hadn’t. Riley’s eyes were narrowed in suspicion.

  “Are you sure you didn’t know her before that? I noticed the two of you seemed quite familiar with each other at the barbeque. More than what I’d expect from people who’d spent only a matter of hours together a decade ago.”

  “Well, we�
�d been liaising over the Daniel Logan matter. It wasn’t like I hadn’t spoken to her since she arrived in town.”

  The suspicion in Riley’s eyes barely lessened. His lips pursed. “It’s funny, you know. Kate told me last night that Josie asked about you. She wanted to know if you had any kids.”

  Chase’s heart stuttered in surprise and he felt a momentary sense of elation. She had asked about him. Just as quickly, his heart plummeted, quieted and almost stopped. The fact that she still cared was exactly the reason he’d stuck his tongue down Lucy’s throat at The Bullet. He wasn’t what Josie needed. He had to accept it and move on. Riley’s voice intruded on his dark thoughts.

  “Do you know why I think it’s funny? You asked me much the same thing a couple of months ago.” Riley closed the distance between them until he was mere feet away. “What’s going on with you two?”

  Chase yearned to tell Riley the truth, but ten years ago, he’d made Josie a promise and even though he’d broken it when he’d told his mom, this was different. There was no longer any expectation of a happily ever after. It wasn’t his place to breach Josie’s trust with her brother. Besides, hadn’t he already convinced himself to let her go?

  “Of course not. Like I said, we’re just friends, that’s all. Until that night at the station, we hadn’t seen each other since her high school graduation. We’ve spent a little time catching up, reminiscing—you know how it is—and of course, we’ve been communicating over the Logan case. The competency hearing’s on tomorrow.”

  Riley’s stern expression relaxed marginally. “Just so you know, if you break her heart, you’ll have me and four other brothers to answer to, you got it? She doesn’t need to get caught up with a bloke like you. We both know you’re not into commitment. Josie deserves more than that and I’m going to make darn sure she gets it. Are we clear?”

  Chase held Riley’s gaze and did his best to swallow his anger. There was no point antagonizing his boss over it. He and Josie were never going to work, no matter how much he wished things were different.

  “Yes, sir. We’re clear,” he said, his voice steady and strong.

  “Good,” Riley replied dismissively. “Now, I need coffee.”

  * * *

  Josie walked into the Watervale High School office and tried to quell the bundle of nerves that somersaulted inside her. Having completed her senior schooling in Grafton, she’d never stepped foot inside the grounds of Watervale High and although she’d been an exemplary student, being summoned to the principal’s office was always cause for disquiet, even a decade after she’d finished high school. Coupled with the reason for her visit, it was no wonder she was on edge.

  She’d missed the bell by five minutes and most of the students had vanished. The school looked deserted. She approached a woman who appeared to be in her late fifties, sitting behind a desk in the reception area. The woman looked at Josie curiously, but didn’t seem surprised by her arrival.

  “Hi, I’m Doctor Josie Munro. I believe your principal has spoken to Belinda Murphy?”

  The woman stood and moved closer. “You’re here about Daniel Logan, is that right?”

  “Yes.”

  The woman smiled kindly. “I’ll let Mr Ledingham know you’re here. Daniel’s in with him.”

  Josie nodded her thanks and turned away, folding her arms across her chest. She heard the receptionist murmur into the phone and a few moments later, a door at the end of the corridor swung open and a tall man with an enormous belly strode toward her, his expression grave.

  “Doctor Munro, I’m Stewart Ledingham, the principal of Watervale High. Thank you for coming.”

  Despite his awkward appearance, his tone was respectful. Some of Josie’s nerves receded and she acknowledged his greeting with another nod.

  “Daniel’s in my office. Come on through.”

  Josie hesitated. “Does he know about…? What… What have you told him?”

  “On the advice of our school counselor, I’ve kept it as vague as possible. He doesn’t know about the attempted suicide, if that’s what we’re calling it, but he knows his father’s been hospitalized and is receiving treatment for depression.”

  “Is he aware I’m here to collect him?”

  “Yes, I told him you were going to take him and his brother to your place for the night. He seems okay about it.”

  A little more of the tension that gripped Josie’s stomach since her arrival at the school dissipated. She breathed out slowly and sent a silent prayer heavenwards that things would work out.

  “I’d like to see him now, if you don’t mind. I have to be at the primary school shortly.”

  “Yes, of course. And, look, if you don’t think he’s up to school tomorrow, please feel free to keep him home.” He shrugged and looked away. “We do our best, but we can’t shield him from everything. I’m sure there are students who have approached him about what happened. After all he’s been through, I’m not sure he’s able to focus on anything school related and to tell you the truth, that’s the least of the boy’s worries at the moment.”

  “His hearing starts tomorrow. Don’t worry, he won’t be at school.”

  The man in front of her blushed profusely and Josie just shook her head. He should have made it his business to know when Daniel would next go before the court. It was as simple as that.

  With a blustering attempt to cover his tracks, the principal turned away and headed back the way he’d come. She drew in a deep breath, squared her shoulders and followed him.

  * * *

  Josie glanced over at Daniel who sat in the front seat of her car. He held himself stiffly and his head was turned away from her. Apart from a murmured hello when she’d greeted him in the principal’s office, he hadn’t spoken a word.

  She was a little taken aback when she saw him. He seemed to have lost weight—pounds he couldn’t afford to lose—and his eyes were ringed with dark circles. His expression was hallow, haunted, void of any emotion. A pang of sympathy went through her and she wished she could take away his pain. His mother was dead; he’d been charged with murder and now, his father was in hospital suffering from demons of his own. No wonder the boy was upset.

  “Do you live in town?”

  The quiet question came from the child in the back seat and Josie eased her breath out on a surreptitious sigh, thankful that the silence in the car had been broken. At least Jason was talking to her. In fact, although he looked drawn and pale, he appeared to be holding up better than his brother. That was understandable. Jason wasn’t the one who’d witnessed his mother’s rape or was looking at being put on trial for murder.

  Knowing the boy waited for her answer, she cleared her throat and replied, “No, I don’t live in town, but I’m not too far out.”

  “So, you live on a farm then,” Jason said.

  “Yes, kind of, but not a farm like yours. I only live on a few acres. I’m renting a cottage from the Holloways, out on Whiskey Creek Road. Do you know where that is?”

  Jason shook his head. “Nope. We haven’t been here long. We’re only renting, too.”

  “Where did you come from?” Josie asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.

  “Melbourne. It was closer to Dad’s work there. We moved here because Mom wanted to get out into the country. She hated living in the city.”

  “I know what you mean,” Josie replied. “I used to live in Brisbane and while it’s nowhere near as big or busy as Melbourne, it has its fair share of drawbacks. I’m more than happy I made the move back to the bush.”

  Jason sat forward a little in his seat. “So, are you from Watervale?”

  “No, I was born in Grafton and my parents still live there. It’s nice to be close to home again.”

  “Yeah, as much as Mom hated Melbourne, I miss being near my friends. At least there were people who we knew down there.”

  “What about other family members? Do you have any aunts or uncles? You won’t have to stay with me forever. In fact, I’m not su
re if your principal told you, but it’s probably only for the night. Mrs Murphy who works with the Department of Family and Community Services will speak to your dad tomorrow. If he’s not well enough to come home, I’m sure she’ll call one of your relatives.”

  “We don’t have any relatives,” Daniel stated bluntly. “None that we’re close to, anyway. Mom has a sister way out west, but the first time we met her was at Mom’s funeral.”

  Josie was glad Daniel had entered into the conversation, but his stark words sent quiet slivers of pain through her heart.

  “What’s wrong with Dad, anyway? No one will tell me,” Jason said softly.

  Daniel tensed beside her. Josie wondered what to say. She wanted to be honest with them, but she also didn’t want to cause them any more pain. Besides, once their father had received some proper counseling and perhaps some medication, there was no reason why he couldn’t return home and be there for his sons.

  “Your dad’s still struggling a little with the things that happened to your family a couple of months ago,” she said gently. “It’s perfectly natural and perfectly understandable. Losing a family member can make you sad for a long, long time.”

  “Yeah, I’m still sad about losing Mom,” Jason replied, his voice little more than a whisper. “I wish she was still here.”

  “Dad wishes he was dead. Just like I do.” Anger laced every one of Daniel’s harsh words. Utter devastation ravaged his face. Josie tried hard to contain her shock and sadness and to keep her attention on the road.

  Easing off the accelerator pedal, she took the turn into her driveway, grateful that they were nearly home. She couldn’t properly deal with this situation while behind the wheel. She brought the car to a halt outside the fenced yard that surrounded the cottage and then turned to Daniel.

  “Would you like to come inside?”

  He turned to look at her with a tortured gaze and vehemently shook his head. Her heart sank, but she knew better than to push him. He’d come in when he was ready. Instead, she turned to Jason and asked, “Could you help me bring the things in from the car?”