Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 14:26:35 +1100 (EST) From: george Subject: Pro Bono 10 Warning: the following story contains graphic descriptions of male/male/female sex between consenting adults. If that sort of thing bothers you, or you are a minor, or it is illegal for you to read this type of content under the laws of your area, don't read any further. This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Accolades, encouragement, suggestions, comments, and corrections are welcome and gladly accepted. Flames will be utterly ignored. dog_oocl@yahoo.com.au Chapter 10. It was a night filled with excitement, Tomas' wife Hannah broke her water around 5 p.m. and arrived the hospital within 30 minutes' time. The contractions started and continued for almost 2 hours, then she went into labor. All the family members were in her room, Hannah's parents, my parents, Tomas, me and Ben. Hannah opted for natural birth with the help of a midwife, I was in charge of the video camera, Tomas was a wreck, in fact, we were all a wreck. It took another 2 hours of pushing, yelling and screaming, we saw the first head being born, then the rest of his body, the sound of baby crying, the cutting of the umblical cord, and within 5 minutes, another head was born, followed by the rest of his body, more baby crying, more cord cutting. Both babies with full head of blond hair, and each weighed in at a very healthy 6 lbs, how she ever managed to carry that much weight for 9 months was beyond me, and a surprisingly easy delivery for a first timer, according to the midwife. The first born named Moshe, after Hannah's father, and his younger brother by a mere 5 minutes named Lionel, after my father. The two old men were were so overcome with joy that they were kissing each other, and, unknowlingly holding hands like a couple, and the actions were all captured on camera. The neonatologist gave the twins an all clear bill of health, Hannah, who was totally exhaused, with the twins snuggled close to her breast, two hungry little mouths latched onto her tits, and Tomas laid his head on the pillow next to Hannah, watching her nursing the newborns. The picture brought tears to my eyes, and a twitch of envy as well. Not much happening at the Legal Aid, most cases involved minor drug and alcohol related crimes, it would have been much cheaper for the society to put in more monies for education and rehabilitation, instead, the public goaded the government to direct almost all of its resources towards punishment and incarceration. Then this urgent case landed on my desk. A young man of 18 years old, Ross Markey his name, called in the Darlinghust Police Station last night, confessed to the murder of a local priest. He led the police to the crime scene, at the nearby St. Joseph Catholic Church, they found the body of a priest on the pew at the front row, accordingly to the youth, he strangled the priest with his bare hands. The forensic team confirmed his version, even the detectives at the scene noted the clear visibility of finger marks on the deceased's windpipe. I would have been a clear case of murder or manslaughter, however, during the subsequent interview with the youth, who refused legal representation, was only willing to provide his age, name, the victim's identity, Father David O'Connor, and repeatedly telling the detectives at the interview that he killed Father O'Connor with his bare hands, and signed the confession. He refused to elaborate on the circumstances which led up to the killing, his motives, and even his family background. They ran a check on Ross Markey, which came up with nothing, not even a driving license. The identity of the victim, Father O'Connor, age 36, was confirmed by his mother. Detective Rogerson, who was in charge of the case, decided to bring in Legal Aid for help, he told me on the phone that he sensed there must be more to it, "It is obvious that the kid is suffering from some form of psychological disorder, James, but our hands are tied, we couldn't just call in medical help without order from the Magistrate, so, perhaps you could come in and see if you might be able to extract some information from him? This kid needs help, at the moment we are putting him under suicide watch, and he is being kept at the local station". That Rogerson, I found him to be a rare specimen among the law enforcement professions, from all the dealings I had with him so far, he displayed a compassion not common among his fellow policemen. I made arrangment to be there at 2 p.m. today. The duty officer took me into one of the interview rooms, few minutes later Rogerson came in, a 40 somthing bloke with expanded waistline, and a strong hand grip. He ran through the case with me quickly, telling me also he interviewed some staffs from the parish, nobody seemed to or willing to tell him anything, except that the victim was very well respected and loved. "Detective Rogerson, how much time do I have with this case before you have to present it to the Magistrate?" "A week? Unless he wants to apply for bail before then, which I doubt it" "Ok, lets get started then" Sitting in front of me, tall frame, maybe 6'1", slim, sensitive face, dark long hairs, fine features, quite good looking, the appearance of a college kid, what is the story behind the killing? "Cigarette? Ross?" I don't smoke, but I always carry a pack with me, good icebreaker with your client. "Yes, please" I light the cigarette for him. "My name is James Menzie, I'm from the Legal Aid to look after your case" "I don't need a lawyer, I have confessed to the killing, I'm guilty, so, thanks anyway" "I believe you have told the truth, but perhaps if you could tell me your reason behind the killing, maybe we could get you a lighter sentence. The jail is no place for a young guy like you, rape and bashing is common inside. Killing another human being is a major crime, but we could ask for leniency if there are mitigating circumstances" "I don't want leniency, I killed the only man I ever loved, and I deserve punishment" Crime of passion!!! "Were you and Father O'Connor having a sexual relationship?" No answer. "Ross, I'm not judging you, I myself am having a relationship with another man for many years" "Yes" "You loved him, but did he love you back?" "He did, until last night, when he told me that he didn't have any time for me anymore, there are other needy children required his attention. Since I'd turned 18, I'm old enough to look after myself, and should start living my life like an adult without him" "So, he told you to go" Better leave the question about the killing to the last. "Yes" "How long ago the relationship first started?" "Since I was 10 years old" "How did you two meet" He clams up again. "Did he help you when you where in trouble?" "That was the night when my father left us. Dad and Mom had a big row, something about another woman, then mom told him to leave, and dad stormed out of the house. Mom was crying, smashing things, I got really scared, so I went to Father O'Connor for help" "How did you come to know him at the first place?" "Mom is a keen church goer, Father O'Connor often dropped in for a cup of tea, he was always very nice towards me. Could I go now, I'm getting very tired, I'm happy to see you tomorrow" "Sure, Ross, do you need me to pick up anything for you?" "You think you could go to my home and pick up my iPod for me? and perhaps a package of cigarette? I have no money though, but I'll pay you back as soon as possible, the house key is with the desk sergeant" I takes the address down. "I have to ask permission of the Custodian Sergeant to let you have the iPod. Would your mother be home? What should I tell her?" "She drinks all day long, you wouldn't be able to get any sense into her" "How's it going? James?" Detective Rogerson asks. I tell him what I knew, and ask permission to allow Ross to have access to his iPod "if he has something to occupy his mind, the less chance of him trying to commit suicide, by the way, have you done any search on Father O'Connor's residence? I suspect there might be some kind of address book, appointment book or even diary kept" "It's next on my list, it will be thoroughly searched today. Could I have Ross Markey's address? you could tag along, but we will do the search, standard procedure, you know, tomorrow morning at 9? and by the way, thanks for the help" I avoid shaking his hand this time. (To be continued.....)