Chapter 8 #2
“I’m sorry you went through all that, Dutton.
And I promise that I’ll do everything I can today so that your past does not dictate your future.
When those agents come back in here, I don’t want you to say anything at all unless it has to do with exactly what you did Saturday night.
No comment on the two fires you put out.
No comment on what happened. No comment on anything other than stating you didn’t see a fire down at the river and that Dahlia Day was with you.
She’ll be your alibi. Are you sure she’ll confirm that she didn’t see or smell any indication of fire that night? ”
Was he? Dutton had no idea, though Dahlia seemed like an honest person. All he could do at that point was trust her. He had no reason not to. “I can’t see why she wouldn’t. It’s the truth.”
“Okay. Let’s do this.” Lorna waved a hand at the two men who were waiting just outside the room.
They walked in, sat on the opposite couch, and got to work.
“Tell me about the fire on Main Street. The one that trapped Dahlia Day,” Parker said.
“My client has no comment,” Lorna said mildly.
Parker raised one eyebrow. “Seriously?”
“No comment,” Lorna repeated.
Visibly irritated, Parker asked, “Do you have anything to say about the fire at The Magic Pie?”
Lorna shook her head. “Again, no comment.”
“I see,” Parker said and then leaned forward. “Is your client willing to answer questions about his past history with arson?”
“No comment,” Dutton said, really appreciating that Lorna had taken the lead, but he was ready to stand up for himself.
“And the fire down at the Keating Hollow River?” It was clear that Agent Parker didn’t expect any response.
“I didn’t see, smell, or feel a fire down at the river on Saturday night,” Dutton said. “Nor did I use my magic.”
“Then explain how it is that your magical signature is all over the remnants of that fire,” Parker said, looking smug.
Lorna put a hand on Dutton’s arm. “Don’t answer that.”
Dutton wanted to deny it. Claim they were planting evidence and setting him up, but instead, he just sat there, mute as Lorna started doing the talking.
She sat straight up and looked the agent in the eye when she demanded, “We need to see the evidence showing the fire at the river has Mr. Williams’s magical signature.”
“Not today,” Agent Parker said. “When the subject is arraigned for trial, you’ll get everything.”
“So you’re letting my client go, then?” she asked, already getting to her feet. “That’s good news.”
“He’s not going anywhere except a jail cell,” Parker said.
“If you are planning to book him on arson charges, then I’ll get the evidence today,” she said, sneering at him. “You can’t arrest him without probable cause. It’s the law that you have to show me what you have. If you don’t, I’ll move to have the entire case dismissed due to improper procedures.”
Parker narrowed his eyes at her, clearly trying to decide if she was as fierce as she sounded.
“If you want to throw this case away, then by all means, do what you have to do. I’ll be calling the judge as soon as I walk out of here,” she said.
Agent Parker grumbled something to Agent Avery.
Avery huffed, rose from the couch, and then left the room.
“I assume he went to get the file,” Lorna said, leaning back and looking pleased with herself.
Dutton decided she should be. She was holding her own with the two agents. Briggs had hired a fierce lawyer, and he’d have to find a way to thank him for it.
Avery was back in a flash with a file in his hand.
After Parker nodded, Avery handed it to Lorna.
She opened it and scanned the pages. When she finally looked up, she scowled at the two agents.
“This proves nothing. The magical signature you have is beyond corrupted, and there’s only a fraction of a partial match to my client. ”
“It’s only corrupted because Yvette Townsend had to use her magic to put the fire out. The other signature is hers,” Parker said.
“You can only prove it’s hers because of her statement. If you were going on this report, it would be inconclusive,” Lorna said, slamming the file closed. “You have nothing to go on, and we all know it.”
“We have his record,” Parker said.
“His sealed record from when he was a minor. That has no bearing on what’s happening today. Now, are you going to let my client go, or am I filing a grievance with the court?” she asked, her hand on one hip as she glared at the agent.
Agent Parker let out a long sigh, grimaced, and then waved a hand. “You’re free to go. But don’t leave town. I’m sure we’ll have more questions for you, Mr. Williams.”
Great, he thought sarcastically. Something to look forward to.
“We both know my client doesn’t have any travel restrictions,” Lorna said.
Dutton figured she’d said it just to get under Parker’s skin.
“But lucky for you, my client has put down roots in Keating Hollow, so he’s unlikely to run away just to get away from the likes of you.” She gave him a forced smile, grabbed Dutton’s arm, and then pulled him out of the room.
Dutton glanced at her with wide, grateful eyes. “Thank you for that.”
“No need,” she said. “Just do me a favor and make sure you stay out of trouble. Got it?”
“I always try to stay out of trouble. Unfortunately, I think it tends to find me.”
“It’s just like that for some people,” she said sympathetically. “And I don’t know how to change that.”
“Hey, Lorna?”
“Yeah?”
“What would happen if you filed a grievance with the court? Sanctions?” Because he could really get behind the agents getting a slap on the wrist. Dutton had been treated like a criminal ever since they’d stepped on his property. It wasn’t something he was handling well.
“It means that if they’d arrested you tonight, then after I filed and the judge saw that evidence, you’d be released, and the agents would be put on administrative leave until they finish investigating why they ignored protocol.
And you’d be free regardless of whether you’re guilty or innocent.
It wouldn’t matter if any new solid evidence was uncovered.
They’d have already corrupted the case, and they wouldn’t be able to do anything but watch you walk away.
So do me a favor and promise me that everything you said in there is the truth. ”
“I promise. I really didn’t do anything,” he said, hating that he had to prove himself to even his lawyer.
“Good.” She grinned at him. “I believe you, by the way. I just like having my ducks in a row.”
He nodded but didn’t feel any better. Maybe it was because he was still feeling the void left by the erasure of his magic.
Or maybe it was because he’d just been accused of a crime he hadn’t committed, and the agents in charge had already decided he was the culprit without looking closer and trying to find out what really happened.
“I’m sorry, Dutton,” Lorna said softly. “I know it doesn’t feel good to be accused of a crime and then have to defend yourself from the people who are supposed to be on your side. I shouldn’t have said that.”
His natural instinct was to tell her that it didn’t matter. But the reality was that it did matter. It mattered a lot. So instead, he just nodded and said, “Thank you. I appreciate the apology.”
“Hopefully those goons in there will do their jobs and figure out who is really to blame, and this will be the last time you’ll see the likes of this place,” she said, sounding cheerful and optimistic again.
“I pray you’re right,” he said.
She led him outside to the almost deserted parking lot.
Before Dutton could ask for a ride home, his brother came running up.
“Dude, what the hell happened?” Briggs asked, his face lined with worry.
Dutton grabbed his brother and pulled him into a tight hug. “Thanks, man. I owe you big.”
Briggs let out a bark of laughter as he pulled out of his brother’s embrace. “You don’t owe me anything except an explanation. How did you end up here?”
“How about I tell you on the way home?” Dutton suggested, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off his chest. His brother had come through for him in a way no one else ever had.
And while he’d trusted that Briggs would be there for him, there’d still been a nagging voice in the back of his mind that told him no one cared about him that much.
That he only had himself to rely on. But in that moment, he felt like he wasn’t alone for the first time.
Not really. He had his brother, and for now, that was enough.
“We’ll be in touch tomorrow, Dutton,” Lorna said. “I’m going to go over this evidence—or rather lack of evidence—more thoroughly just so I can be prepared if they try to use it again. I’ll let you know what I come up with.”
“Thanks, Lorna,” Dutton said, moving to stand next to her. He held his hand out to her. “You were incredible in there, and I feel like I owe you something more than just a thank you.”
Her eyes crinkled as she smiled at him. “We’ll see how you feel once you get my invoice.”
He chuckled. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s worth it.”
“I hope you still feel that way when it’s time to write the check.” She cackled and then headed off to a white SUV.
“She was a lifesaver,” Dutton said to his brother.
“It sounds like it. Now let’s get out of here.” Briggs led Dutton to his truck. Once they were in, Briggs said, “You hungry? Do we need to stop somewhere?”
“Sure. Anywhere, as long as we can take it to go. I just want to get home. It’s been one hell of a day,” Dutton said.
“You got it.” Briggs pointed his truck down a highway that would take them to a burger joint just outside of Keating Hollow. Once they were safely speeding down the highway, Briggs turned to him and said, “Tell me everything.”
Dutton took a deep breath and did just that.