Appreciated (Club Indigo Book 3)

by Karen Nappa

  "Great. I'll go check on dinner. We're having that lentil stew you like."

  "Mm. See you soon, honey."

  It was the third day in a row of heavy rain the next morning when the three of them arrived at the police station to have Josh's fingerprints taken. Henry had arrived ahead of them and James was glad to see him. He trusted Henry as a friend and as Josh's lawyer.

  "Hi, Henry, Paula. It's really coming down outside," James said.

  "It certainly is," Paula said. "There's a flash flood watch today. If it keeps up like this, I think we'll need to start building an ark."

  Laura gave a nervous chuckle at the old joke. Josh turned his head between the two women, puzzled at the laughter.

  Henry said, "It's an old joke, Josh. If it's been raining for days, some people like to kid about Noah and his ark."

  "Now that we're all here, why don't we get this done?" Laura asked. She gripped her bag as if it would fall apart if she let go.

  "Of course. Do you all want to see the finger-printing or will it just be Josh and me?" Paula asked.

  "Would you like some moral support, Josh?" James asked.

  "Would you all come with me, please?" Josh's voice broke as he asked.

  "Sure. Paula, lead the way."

  As a group, they followed her downstairs to the booking area where they took fingerprints and mug shots of people who had been arrested. James stayed right next to Josh in case he needed a steadying hand. The boy looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there.

  Paula introduced them to the technician and Josh walked forward to the machine as if it might swallow him up. James worried about the boy's obvious apprehension. Was something else going to turn up from Josh's fingerprints?

  It was all over quickly and Paula said they could go. "I'll call you if anything turns up."

  Josh held himself together until they got to James' truck. He climbed up into the back seat and collapsed in tears. Laura took one look at him and climbed into the back seat, too. She took the sobbing boy into her arms, and for the first time, he let her, too upset to think to pull away. "It's going to be all right, Josh. It's over and done with. Relax."

  "It's not over," Josh said through his sobs. "It'll never be over. I hit the man. I think I killed him. I didn't mean to, but I did, and now the police will know, too." His tears continued as he repeated "sorry" over and over again.

  Josh had hit a man and killed him? James puzzled over the statement. How was that possible? Whatever the case, they needed Henry, pronto. He turned toward the door and saw Henry emerging only to turn toward the other side of the parking lot. He told Laura to stay with Josh and then jumped out of the truck into the rain to catch Henry.

  James called out and Henry turned around, trying to see where the noise was coming from. James ran toward him, the rain going right through his jacket and soaking his shirt. Henry stepped back under the building overhang so they would be out of the rain.

  "What's up?" Henry asked.

  "I'm not sure, but Josh got in the car, fell apart, and now says he killed a man. What do we do?"

  "Damn. I'm due in court in forty-five minutes. Follow me back to my office and we'll find out what's going on."

  James hurried back to the truck to find Josh had pulled away from Laura and was now hiccupping as he struggled to stop crying. "Henry says to meet him at his office. We'll get this straightened out, son." He tried to put reassurance into a forced smile, but from Laura's expression, he doubted he had succeeded.

  Laura reached behind the back seat for a towel and handed it to her very wet husband. He gave a quick swipe at his face and hair and started the truck. Henry's office was downtown near the courthouse, but James made the fifteen-minute drive in twelve by careful routing, good luck with traffic, and discrete running of yellow lights. They were in the office lobby when Henry arrived a few minutes later.

  "I'm not going to ask how many traffic rules you broke on the way here. Go on into my office. I'm going to see if I can find someone to cover my motion hearing." He turned to the receptionist. "Emily, could you show these damp people into my office and find the big one a towel so he doesn't drip on the furniture.

  James took off his jacket and dried himself off as best he could. Laura had given Josh tissues and he blew his nose, his crying jag over.

  "Are they going to arrest me?" he asked.

  "I don't know. What I do know is that Mr. Cole is a very good lawyer and he'll do his best to help," James answered.

  "Why, thank you, James. I didn't know I ranked so high in your estimation."

  James turned his head to see Henry standing in the doorway. He should have known the crafty lawyer would sneak up on him. He looked back to Josh. "See, Josh, I told you he was good. Sneaking up on people is an important talent for lawyers to have. It gives them a chance to overhear things they weren't supposed to know about."

  "Why don't we all sit down and Josh can tell me what's going on? Is that okay with you, Josh?"

  "I-I don't really know where to start. Everything happened really fast. I tried not to hit him; I really did."

  "I'm sure you did, Josh. Maybe we start with what exactly happened and when?"

  "It was about a year and a half ago now, I guess. I," he stopped and looked at all the adults. "I'm sorry. I guess you'll get rid of me now."

  Laura was the first to speak. "Of course, we won't get rid of you, Josh. Stop talking nonsense. It sounds like it was all an accident. Does anyone else know about this?"

  "No, Ms. Laura. I-I was trying to run away from home. Mom's boyfriend then was—was worse than Ethan, and I had to get away. I didn't really have a plan. I was wandering around the parking lot at the little strip mall near my house. You know, the one next door to Joe's gas station and barbecue? I saw this man get out of an old SUV to pump some gas. When he finished, he dropped his keys and didn't notice. Then he went inside and it seemed like it was meant to be. I picked up the keys and got inside. It seemed easy at first. I got out of the gas station because his car wasn't blocked in. I drove down the street a way and got going faster. I managed to stop for a couple of red lights and a stop sign. Then I got kind of lost and turned a corner too fast and there was this man in the middle of the street. I tried to stop, but my foot hit the gas instead of the brake, I guess. It was the most awful sound I ever heard. I-I didn't know what to do. I kept going and going for a while and I-I don't really remember a lot after that. I must have left the SUV somewhere because, after a while, I was walking and I ended up at home. Mom and her boyfriend were gone and I got in through my bedroom window. I don't think they knew I was home when they came in. I went to school in the morning. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone, I really didn't. Can we find out what happened to the man I hit?" Josh dissolved into sobs again. "Are they going to send me to jail?"

  Before Henry or James could respond, Laura reached over and took Josh into her arms. For the second time that day, he didn't resist. James was pleased to see something that looked like progress in the midst of what was surely going to be a difficult situation to resolve. He turned to Henry. "What do you think? Is there any way for Josh to atone for his mistakes without going to jail?"

  "I don't know, James. Josh, how old are you now and how old were you when this happened?"

  "I'll be fifteen next month. I was thirteen when it happened." Josh spoke through hiccups as he pulled away from Laura. James noticed that he didn't recoil as he had previously.

  "Josh, what time of year was this?" James felt a lump in the pit of his stomach as he remembered the hit-and-run that had killed Laura's ex-husband. Although he wanted to interrogate the boy immediately, he didn't want to alarm Josh with his questions.

  "January or February."

  "What color was the car you stole?"

  "Dark blue, I think. Does that matter?"

  "It may help us find out about the accident," James said.

  Laura looked up at James' questions. Her eyes widened and James suspected she was reme
mbering the same thing he was. "Is that possible, James?"

  "Later, honey." He was proud she was holding it together. He knew she wouldn't want to upset Josh in his fragile state. He turned to Henry. "What are the options here? Can we keep Josh out of jail?"

  "That depends on multiple factors. Josh could be charged with car theft, joyriding, leaving the scene of an accident and second-degree involuntary manslaughter if the man died. We need to find out more before we speculate. I don't think it will be a problem to keep it in juvenile court. We should be able to get the lesser charges subsumed under the top count. Normally, second-degree involuntary manslaughter would mean a stint in juvenile detention, but it's possible we can keep him out with mitigating factors. That part depends on Josh." He addressed the boy directly, "You'll have to talk about your home life. You'll need to tell about the boyfriend's abuse and your overdose. Have you gotten serious about therapy yet?"

  "You mean, if I don't talk about all that, I'll have to go to jail?" Josh paled at the thought of talking to anybody about all that had happened to him.

  "I'm very much afraid so. Is that enough reason for you to cooperate with a therapist?"

  "Will I have to tell everyone?" Josh's voice trembled.

  "You'll have to tell the judge, but juvenile court proceedings are generally closed. We can limit how many people will be there."

  Josh looked at James. "Could we find another therapist, Mr. James? I really didn't like those other ones. I promise I'll try with the next one."

  Laura said, "I'm sure Mr. Kiriakis can recommend someone else. Or maybe Bob could do it or would know who specializes in teenagers?"

  "Do you mean Bob Lyons?" Henry asked.

  "Yes. He was a big help to my brother-in-law."

  "Let's put a pin in that one and get started with the legal stuff. I'll call Paula Stone and see who's handling the hit-and-run. We'll move on from there."

  "Unless I'm much mistaken, Paula is handling the case. Laura and I think this was the accident that resulted in her ex-husband's death."

  Josh's eyes got big and his jaw dropped. "You mean you know who I killed? Oh, God. I didn't mean to. Now you're sure to get rid of me."

  "Why would you say that? Of course, we don't want to get rid of you," Laura said. "Being our foster son has nothing to do with the accident. My ex-husband wasn't a very nice man. Although I didn't wish him dead, I don't miss him, either."

  "B-but they say foster parents don't want kids who get in trouble, and this is really big trouble."

  James could see the boy needed reassurance. "Josh, we have no intention of 'getting rid of you.' You're a good kid who made some bad choices, but I know you'll accept responsibility for your actions and we'll get through this together. You can trust that Ms. Laura and I have your best interests at heart in all of this." He turned to Henry. "Do you want to call Paula, or shall I?"

  "Let me. Why don't y'all go get some food and I'll join you once I know where we stand," Henry said.

  "Suzie's is close. We can go there and get in before the lunch rush starts." Laura looked to James for approval.

  "Sounds good. We'll be at The Savory Table, Henry. Do you know it?"

  "Love the place. I'll see you soon."

  Paula was working at her desk with an eye on the clock when James, Laura, Josh and Henry Cole returned.

  "Hi, Paula. Are the others here yet?" James asked.

  "No such luck. Kiriakis said he'd be here by 1:00 and Landis said by 12:30." They looked at the clock to see it was now 12:45. "Let me get you settled in the conference room. Are those cookies I smell from The Savory Table?"

  "They are. My sister, Suzie, is co-owner and chief baker there. Help yourself," Laura said.

  "I'll wait until the others get here. Would anyone like bad coffee, water, or pop?" she offered.

  She had just returned with water for Laura and Coke for Josh when Derek Kiriakis and another man walked in. Before they could finish introductions, Landis started in, "I have a limited amount of time this afternoon. I'm Brian Landis with the district attorney's office. I work with juvenile court cases. If it's all right with you, Henry, I'd like to record this. It will save the boy from having to go through it more times than necessary."

  "That's fine, Brian."

  "Let's get started." The DA turned the recorder on, introduced everyone, and then asked Josh to tell his story. "I will interrupt when I need clarification, and Mr. Cole will interrupt if I ask anything he considers inappropriate. Det. Stone, have you read Joshua his rights?"

  "No, I was just getting ready to when you arrived."

  Once Paula had taken care of the required details, Mr. Landis asked Josh to tell his story. When Josh got to the part about running away, Mr. Landis stopped him to ask why. Josh took a deep breath and then another. "Maybe you know that my mother and her boyfriend are being charged with neglect and abuse of me. Ethan liked to beat me with his belt. The boyfriend my mother had before, Wolfman, was worse. He used his belt, too, but the end with the buckle. That's where most of the scars on my back came from." He paused and looked at Derek Kiriakis who had asked him about the scars so many times since they had met. "My mother tried to stop him—once—but he slapped her so hard, she fell down. She hasn't tried to stop anyone from hitting me, since. She even started taking Ethan's side when I wouldn't let her—" His voice trailed off. Paula thought he looked like he was five instead of almost fifteen. She wanted to reach out and comfort him.

  Before she could say anything, Henry asked, "Do we really need to get into this part now? It seems to me Josh has already provided ample reason for running away."

  Landis looked around the room. Paula was glad to see that everyone had the same protective expression. No one wanted Josh to continue. Paula didn't know what else he might have said, but in that moment, it didn't matter. She had a strong suspicion that whatever would come next was something Josh wasn't ready to face.

  "All right. We can come back to that later. What happened after you left home, Josh?" Landis was anxious to get through the interview.

  Josh went through the details of his car theft and the accident and ended when he realized he was on foot again. "I didn't know the man was dead, but I knew it was bad from the way he bounced over the car. I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone at the time. I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I really didn't!" His voice broke and he looked as though he were about to burst into tears again.

  Henry turned to the district attorney. "Enough mitigating circumstances for you, Brian?"

  "I'm going to need to hear whatever the rest of the story is, but for now, it's enough. Josh, let's get you booked. Then Mr. Cole and I will meet with Judge Spenser and get you released to your foster parents. It will take a while to get the plea deal worked out, but I think we can manage probation until you're twenty-one and some hefty hours of community service."

  "Surely, eighteen is sufficient, Brian. Josh has had exemplary behavior since he's been in foster care. He's an excellent student, and now that he's no longer in his mother's care, his school attendance is nearly perfect. James and Laura will attest to his character. He's starting with a new therapist shortly. I don't see how the extra three years are necessary," Henry said.

  "Gentlemen, gentlemen," Derek Kiriakis spoke for the first time, "can't we save this discussion for another day. Josh has been through a lot. Let's see to the formalities and send these good people home."

  "I think Derek is right," Henry said, and Landis agreed.

  "Josh, do you need me for anything else today?" Henry asked. Josh shook his head. "James? Laura?" Again receiving answers in the negative, he gathered his things and prepared to leave. "If we hurry, Brian, we can get to Judge Spenser before he starts afternoon court. We'll call as soon as Josh can be released."

  "Let's go. I've got five more cases to deal with today," Landis said, and they walked out together.

  "I have to be going as well. Glad to see you're doing well in spite of past events," Derek said. "Good to see you all. Wish the circumst
ances were better."

  A uniformed officer came to take Josh for booking and James went with him to keep an eye on things. He wanted Josh to have support throughout the process and wanted to make sure everything was done properly.

  Paula and Laura watched them head downstairs and Laura asked, "Is it really going to be so simple? Probation and community service?"

  "I don't know. I haven't had many cases in juvenile court. If it's like adult court, the judge usually rubber stamps the agreement between the prosecution and the defense, but every now and then, you get one who thinks the deal is too easy on the defendant and he decides to throw the book at him. For now, Josh gets to go home with you as soon as we get the call."

  After the duty officer had finished booking Josh, Paula walked with them to the exit. On impulse, she hugged Laura and Laura clung to her for a moment before leaning back and putting on a brave smile. "Thank you for your help." Laura stepped away from her and right into James' arms. He kissed her temple and held out a hand to Paula.

  "Thank you, Paula. We'll talk to Henry and Derek as well," James said as his big callused hand engulfed hers in a warm handshake. He let go of her hand, gave a friendly nod, and walked away with his arm around Laura and Josh trailing behind.

  Paula stared after the retreating couple. She just couldn't wrap her head around their relationship. Both seemed really happy, both utterly in love. Oh, yes, they were. But what was the appeal of being tied up and beaten? To both of them? A shadow cast over her as Jim Cagney stepped beside her, a bit close for comfort.

  Nevertheless, Paula lifted her chin and acknowledged his presence with a short but not unfriendly nod. "Cagney. What brings you by?"

  Jim grinned and responded, "Stone." After a short pause, he added, "Papers to drop off for your case. What's on your mind?"

  Paula indicated Laura and James with her head. "Those two."

  "What about them?"

  "I don't get it," she replied.

  "Get what?" Jim seemed genuinely confused. "They're a happy couple."

  "Yeah, I can see that," Paula acquiesced, "but why do they need this inequality? Why can't they have a normal, balanced relationship? He's no bully; she's no doormat. I just don't get it."