“Like I told you in the car, I’m fucking pissed at getting pulled over and losing Charlie. Let’s have a few drinks so I can cool off and then we’ll talk.”
After drinking two shots of whiskey, Jerry said, “I saw a van in the parking lot when we came in, we’ll have a few more drinks and then hot wire the van and drive to where she lives.”
“What if her old man is home?”
“I’m hoping that he is,” said Jerry, “that wimpy ass is probably there cooking dinner for her. I want to take care of both of them and get them off my back. I’ll lure her out by saying that I have Roger, my brother and I will hurt him if she doesn’t come out. She will do anything for him, I think there is more between them than brotherly love, if you know what I mean. She was probably banging him since she was 14.”
“What if she tries to call him and he answers the phone,” said the second man.
“Give me some credit, I’m not totally stupid,” said Jerry, “I have somebody back there that owes me a favor and he is going out to the farm and listen to any phone calls they make, if he hears anything he will let me know.”
“What do we do if he doesn’t come out with her?”
“I’m sure he will come to the door and not her. You Pete will be hiding while Robin knocks on the door. You’ll say you have a message from Roger, as soon as he opens the door use the stun gun with full juice until he hits the ground, he will probably have a gun. I would shoot him, but it would make too much noise right there. We put them in the elevator, take them to the garage where the van is and drive away. Pete follows us in the car. I can’t wait to punch the shit out of her for what she’s planning to do to me. If one of you wants a go at her I don’t care, she deserves what she gets. Then we drive out of the city to that deserted road you found. We pour gas all over them and the van, light it off, and run it off the bank, making it look like it was a crash. Then I’ll be rid of both of them forever and she won’t be able to testify against me that little whore bitch. Without her testimony, they don’t have a leg to stand on. Then I will be free to work on Roger and Matt to get the farm back in my name. I have some sham documents I made my old lady sign saying she is giving me the farm. Once it’s in my name I’ll sell it and split the money with you two.”
“I’ll drink to that,” said the man sitting next to Bart. “Let’s drink up and get going.”
“Hold it one fucking minute man,” said Jerry, “you forget I was cooped up in that crummy, God forsaken, fucking, jail and I want to shot one off before we go, I’m gonna get me a lap dance.”
Jerry said something to the bartender and handed him some money. Soon a girl came out and led Jerry to a booth with curtains. While Jerry was in the enclosed booth, Bart felt this was the time to call Wilson and Chad in, he was certain Jerry’s accomplices didn’t know them. He stepped into the men’s room and called them. The men with Jerry sat at the bar and drank waiting for him.
Wilson and Chad came in and sat at the bar with Bart. They were planning on starting a bar room brawl if nothing else happened. Before they could decide how to start it, the girl who was in the booth with Jerry, screamed panic stricken, yanked the curtain open and shrieked to the bartender, that rotten pig bit off my nipple. She was holding her left breast and her skirt was hanging off. There was blood on her hand, and she was crying hysterically and calling for help. The bartender grabbed a baseball bat and started to go to the booth, Chad got there first. He opened the curtains as wide as they could go and saw Jerry zipping his pants. Jerry looked up and said, “What the fuck are you doing here, you asshole pervert?”
“You love to beat up on women don’t you, you are a fucking coward. Let’s see if you can fight with someone your own size,” said Chad. Come on now and take me on. One of the men who was with Jerry went over and tried to yolk Chad from behind, but Bart grabbed him and punched him. Chad punched Jerry in the gut and then the face knocking him to the floor. Chad looked around to see if Wilson and Bart were all right, as Jerry’s companions began fighting with Bart and Wilson.
Jerry, holding his stomach and gasping for air crawled to the door. Chad saw that Bart and Wilson were holding their own and followed Jerry outside and they started to fight again. Wilson and Bart followed and the two men that were with Jerry ran outside and tried to help Jerry. Bart and Wilson were right behind them and they began to fight with them again. They were all outside now, it had rained, and the parking lot was a muddy mess.
They slipped and slided and Wilson got knocked to the ground. He grabbed the man’s pants leg and pulled the man down.
Bart was kneeling in the mud punching the other man who would not stop kicking at him. Police cars arrived silently, and the officers saw Bart, Wilson, and the Jerry’s friends fighting. They pulled them apart. Bart and Wilson showed the officers their identification and then turned their attention to Chad.
Jerry and Chad were still battling, Jerry tried to run away and got to the far end of the parking lot when Chad grabbed him and pulled him down. They rolled around on the ground and were close to the edge of the parking lot where it dropped off about 4 feet into a drainage ditch. They rolled over the edge of the parking lot into the rain-filled ditch. Bart and Wilson turned and caught sight of Chad and Jerry as they fell into the ditch, they ran towards them and heard gunfire. They sprinted to the ditch and saw both men still fighting, and then they saw the gun in Jerry’s hand. Chad had a firm grip on Jerry’s hand that had the gun, and he was twisting it with all his might. Another shot ran out and then a snapping sound and Jerry gave out a scream as Chad twisted his arm until it broke. Chad punched him as hard as he could in the face and said this one is for Amelia. Jerry’s nose went flat and again he yelped in pain and cursed at Chad. “You fucker, I wish that shot went in your heart,” said Jerry vehemently. Chad punched him once more in the gut and said, “That one was for Roger.”
Bart signaled to the uniform police. Wilson and Bart pulled Chad away from Jerry and put Jerry in hand cuffs as he cursed and screamed for them to watch his broken arm.
Bart quickly looked at Chad’s upper arm where Jerry shot him, “Thank God it’s only a scratch, Amelia would kill me if you were dead,” he said, then he laughed, and Wilson and Chad did too. Bart bent over and picked up Jerry’s gun with an ink pen in the trigger guard and put it in a bag.
“Nice going Jerry,” said Bart, “this is exactly what we needed,” he said.
“Nice work guys,” said Wilson.
“I think we have it all now. I got all that you heard recorded so we shouldn’t have any trouble getting all of them locked up. How did you get so close?” Asked Wilson.”
“I had them thinking I was listening to an IPod and laid it on the bar right next to them.”
“Boy look at us we look like we were playing in the mud hole,” said Chad. “I’m going to call Amelia.”
“Hi Babe,” said Chad, “put me on speaker again Honey. I love you. Hey everybody we’re all here.
“Hi,” yelled Bart, “Hey Shelly,” said Wilson.
“It’s all over Babe, we got him, and his two cronies and he will be in jail for sure this time.”
“Are you OK? Is everybody OK?” Asked Amelia, nervously.
“I got a little nick and we are all a mess, we’re on our way home and we’re ready for dessert.” Sophie could hear Bart in the background saying I could eat a bear and she laughed.
When they arrived at the apartment and the girls saw them, they gasped. Amelia saw the handkerchief tied around Chad’s upper arm and said, “Oh Babe your hurt.”
“Jerry shot me,” said Chad, “I don’t care I beat the living snot out of him, I’m sorry Honey, it sure felt good. I wanted to do that for a long time.”
“Shelly, Sophie please come and take care of Chad’s arm, begged Amelia alarmed and upset at seeing the blood on the handkerchief.
“It’s OK Babe, I’m fine,” Chad said reassu
ringly. Amelia, the guys really need showers, Wilson will need something to wear would you get him a pair of my shorts and a tee shirt, while Shelly and Sophie look at my arm?”
“Shelly untied the handkerchief and saw the wound was on the upper inside of Chad’s left arm. The bullet went through and there really was not much to do, except clean and dress it. Sophie what do you think, you probably have seen more gunshot wounds like this than me.
“Chad, you were very lucky,” said Sophie, “a few more inches and it would have done some real damage.”
“I know I didn’t want Amelia to see it and get upset before I explained everything. I will wash it well when I get in the shower and then you can put on a dressing when I come out.”
One thing I must do is call Roger, Chad said. Amelia dialed the farm and Roger answered.
“Roger this is Chad I called to apologize I couldn’t call you when we started out to get Jerry because it all happened so fast, but as I promised I got a few good punches in for you. Jerry has a broken arm and a broken nose and he’s back in jail where he belongs, I do wish you were there.”
“I understand Chad I thanks for doing what had to be done, we’ll talk later, thanks for calling and letting me know what’s going on.”
After they had all showered and Chad’s arm was dressed, the guys were starving again. Amelia reheated up the left-over lasagna and then they had dessert. Amelia opened up a bottle of wine and said, “This calls for a celebration. The next hurdle will be when I testify. I feel better about it now though, because I know Jerry is not going to think he has the upper hand, after you showed him what you could do to him,” said Amelia as she hugged Chad.
“Shelly why don’t you and Wilson stay tonight I’ll pull out the sofa bed and you won’t have to drive.”
“That sounds great,” said Wilson, “now I’ll have another beer.”
They all began laughing and talking and Amelia held Chad’s hand and hung on his every word. “I’m so proud of you doing all that to protect me, Babe,” as she as said this she couldn’t stand it anymore and crawled into his lap.
“Uh Oh, Chad you’re in for it tonight,” said Bart, laughing and looking at Sophie with a grin. The rest of the group made cats calls and had a few comments, Amelia blushed. “No, I meant, she said, I, I,”
Chad laughed and put his arms around her, he said, “It’s OK Babe, you’re not going to explain anything to this crowd, honey, don’t worry, they all have the same thing on their minds, especially after a rousing fight. Wilson and Bart clinked glasses. It’s like the gladiators when they can back from fighting the lions, they wanted their wine and women. I think everybody here knows that. I want to thank you guys for helping us, it all worked out so well, you know guys, we make a great team. Chad said, “Let’s all get to bed.”
[ Chapter 61 ]
Sophie was right Bart started talking to both Wilson and Chad about thinking of joining the FBI, he respected their work and knew they both were more than qualified. Chad’s biggest reservation was that he would have to leave Amelia at times, and he didn’t want her to be alone as she was for the first part of their marriage. He told Bart privately that they would talk after the trial and see what happens to Jerry. Wilson liked the city of Philadelphia, he grew up here and didn’t want to leave, but he told Bart he didn’t completely rule anything out. They tried to get together often because they enjoyed each others company and their wives gone alone so well too.
Amelia had already been subpoenaed to testify in the preliminary hearing, she was still anxious about the trail testimony she had to give. Wilson and Bart kept her and Chad aware of everything that was going on and that helped. Their friends all promised to be there in the courtroom to support her, and to make her feel less intimidated.
Vince’s staff worked with Amelia to advise her on what she should wear and what she would say. In general, Amelia was instructed to look like a professional, dress conservatively and wear good clothes, sort of like your Sunday best. Wear colors that are subdued, dark blue, gray, deep green, nothing flashy. Hair nails and clothing should look clean, neat, and no flashy jewelry or anything that might distract the jury’s attention, such as bangle bracelets or dangling earrings. Amelia wouldn’t be allowed to speak to the jury panel members if she saw them out of the court room and she must speak directly to the attorney’s when they ask questions and be polite to them. Amelia was also told that she could make notes on what questions would be asked and how she would respond. She could review the notes before going in to testify. They told Amelia to try and avoid looking at Jerry directly because he would try and intimidate her. Above all else, they told her, “Never let them see you sweat.”
Two weeks before the trail Chad and Amelia got a call from Bart who told them that Vince got a message from the District Attorney that somehow Jerry was able to get a high-powered criminal lawyer. They had found a witness who would refute Amelia’s testimony and they were asking for a deal to get Jerry off with a much lighter sentence then life in prison.
“Who could that be Amelia?” asked Chad.
“The only other person who was there,” said Amelia, “that would be Rosalie.”
“Do you think she would testify for Jerry, I thought you said he treated her like dirt?”
“He did but maybe circumstances have changed for her now. What I would like to know is? What is Jerry offering her to testify? And more than that how is he paying for a high fluting lawyer, where is the money coming from?”
“You have a good point there, Babe let’s ask Wilson, Vince and Bart those questions.”
“They all met in Vince’s office at FBI headquarters. Amelia went over the story again and told them Rosalie had to be the surprise witness. She posed the questions she and Chad wondered about and Vince said he might have an answer.
“When I sent agents to Mexico to question Rosalie she was living on a small plot of ground in a small run-down old house. She, her mother, and two kids all live there. I’m not sure how they survive. Jerry’s lawyer must have offered her money to testify, or she may be so scared of him that she will do it out of her terror of Jerry.”
“How he is paying for an expensive lawyer?” Asked Amelia.
“I’m not really sure, but if I were to take a guess I would say, they have something up their sleeve. I’m guessing that it is the publicity they are looking for.”
“What are you driving at?” Asked Chad.
“The best way to get someone to look innocent is to discredit the witness who is going to testify against you. That is to defame her in public so that the entire world thinks you are not a nice person and the way to do that, is to get it in the press. Think of it this way it could kill two birds with one stone. They defile Amelia’s character and make this into a high-profile case. By sensationalizing that a sister is going to testify against her own brother,” said Vince. Like good vs evil. They are probably planning to make you out to be a really bad person, a slut, lair, and a cheat who is money hungry and always causing trouble, Amelia, I’m sorry.”
“I have to ask is there anything in your past that might be press worthy.”
Amelia looked at Chad, “the only thing I can think of is that I worked for a construction company to put myself through school and it turned out that the foreman was stalking me. The police shot and killed him, but how would they know about that?”
“Believe me,” said Vince, “this lawyer probably has a team of people who specialize in digging up dirt on people. It doesn’t matter if it’s the truth or not. They won’t tell the whole story only the salacious parts that could be taken out of context and be seen as scandalous. You say the police shot and killed him?”
“Yes, I wasn’t married than and lived with two other girls, he broke into our apartment and attacked one of them and the police shot him, he died on the OR table.”
“I’m the one who killed him,” Wilson piped up.
“I hope they don’t know you all are friends now,” Said Vince that could be bad. “I don’t know what to tell you that may be the angle they will work.”
“Won’t I have a chance to defend myself?” asked Amelia.
“Chances are they will wait until the very last minute, so that any rebuttal you make would be too late for the trial. You can’t defend yourself if you don’t know what they are going to say. In addition, if you did, it would sound as if you were telling lies.
“One very important thing I want you to keep in mind Amelia,” said Vince, “What they will try and do to you will be very painful. Jerry’s attorney will attempt to paint a terrible picture of you, if not in the press, then definitely on the stand. They will tell lies about you and try to discredit you as a decent, honest person. You must not let this get to you. Jerry has probably told his lawyer that you are a despicable character and you lie all the time about everything. Do you think you can handle that kind of pressure?”
“Well I have had to handle some difficult things in my life, I think if I focus on my life now with Chad and how the past is just that, the past, I’ll be OK.”
“At any rate, Amelia,” said Vince, “we are going to stick to the same plan, you will do as we have talked about and testify and then we’ll see what happens.”
Secret thoughts: (Oh my God what a terrible predicament I’m in. Although I want to see that Jerry is punished for all he has done, will I be able to stand the guilt I will feel if they put him to death? I’m so twisted inside with all of this.)
Jerry went crazy when he saw what his face looked like with his nose badly broken and almost to the side of his face and his broken jaw wired shut. Jerry told his lawyer that his sister’s husband did all the damage to him and he wanted to get even. He lied to him and told him what a bad person Amelia was. He also told him about everybody who was at the crime scene. The lawyer had a plan.
Secrets of Amelia Page 38
