Page 2 of Save Her Life

The lawyer continued. “Since his incarceration, he has been doing what he can to make up for his actions, and it is with a humble and pleading manner that he asks this parole board to approve his request for early release. He’s prepared to do all he can to secure employment and contribute to society.” The attorney returned to his seat.

“Very well.” The deputy commissioner leaned forward, both elbows on the table, looking over his glasses at Patton as he called on him to speak for himself.

Once Patton put himself in the same spot his lawyer had been, the deputy commissioner spoke again. “What do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Patton?”

“That I’m sorry to everyone in this room that we even need to be here today, that my actions thirty-three years ago brought us to this day. I’m sorry to those I’ve hurt.” Patton turned to look directly at Sandra. She met his gaze, determined not to disclose any weakness even if her stomach was ice and her breathing labored.

“Beyond your apologies, Mr. Patton, tell us why we should consider early parole,” one of the board members said.

“I’ve changed in my time here. I was only twenty-five, young, naive, immature, when I carried out my crimes. In all the time that has passed, I’ve worked to improve myself every day and show that I’m a model inmate. You’ll see from my record that I’ve never initiated any fights in here, and I’ve always listened to the direction of the COs.”

“All very well, but what’s to say you are not a danger to yourself or others if you get out early?” This question came from the second board member.

“With respect, as I’ve said, I’m a different man now. I’ve even found God, and I’m regularly in attendance for Bible study.”

Sandra hated it when anyone pointed at their religious beliefs as evidence of being blameless. Some of the worst atrocities in history were done in the name of God or religion.

“You may return to your seat,” the deputy commissioner told Patton, and he did just that. Then he glanced at a piece of paper and looked up at her. “Sandra Vos, you are here today to oppose early parole for Darrell Patton?”

“I am, sir.”

He waved for her to get up. As she stood, she brushed her fingertips over the gold St. Michael pendant that dangled from a chain around her neck. It was passed on to her brother after their father’s death, then on to her. Standing tall, shoulders squared back, head high, chin slightly out to denote confidence and strength but not arrogance, she spoke. “As you just said, my name is Sandra Vos. Darrell Patton did more than put lives in danger. He killed my twin brother, Sam, at the age of fourteen. Sam, like any American teenager, loved and played football. After practice one day he decided to go out with his friends for pizza. Our mother, the sweet woman who adopted us just a couple years before, said he could, but she’s been haunted by that decision ever since. You see, that day, Sam never came home. All because Darrell Patton saw fit to kidnap his seven-year-old daughter and stop for pizza. His face was broadcast on a TV they had in the restaurant. People recognized him, including my brother. Sam spoke up though, and Darrell shot him just before locking down the place. Due to Mr. Patton’s refusal to release him for medical attention or surrender himself, Sam never received the help he needed. Sam died on scene. In the eyes of law enforcement, Sam was a tragedy, collateral damage, but he was far more than that to me and his family. Darrell Patton stole a light that day. He didn’t seem to care that he endangered lives. The people in the restaurant that day, but also his own daughter’s. His own flesh and blood,” sheemphasized. “He knowingly packed a gun and took her into a public place, gambling with his daughter’s welfare. Even when given ample opportunities to surrender, Mr. Patton refused. As a negotiator with the FBI, I know the longer an incident stretches out, the window of opportunity for peaceful resolution starts to close. Darrell Patton was warned of this, but he continued to risk everyone’s life. Even his own. And sure, Mr. Pattonmightbe a different man now. But consider this. He did what he did because he was desperate and down on his luck. He took his daughter because full custody had just been awarded to the girl’s mother. He felt he was wronged. That makes me fear what will happen if Mr. Patton gets out and feels wronged again. As this board is tasked with considering all the practicalities of early release, where does he plan to go if he gets out? How does he intend to support himself? From my knowledge, he’d be on his own. His daughter didn’t even see fit to attend this hearing. What if Mr. Patton becomes desperate again? What’s to prevent him from being triggered into committing another crime? How many people will die next time? You ask me, Darrell Patton is a danger to himself and society. I urge this board to deny request for parole.” She returned to her chair, satisfied with her presentation. Since the parole board’s main responsibility was to weigh whether Patton was a risk to himself or society, she wanted to end on that key point. Some aspects had been impromptu, but most of it she’d practiced to tedium in front of a mirror. Even a few times before her teenage daughter, Olivia, Liv for short. She had given her mother two thumbs up, but there was far more on the line today.

“Thank you, Ms. Vos,” the deputy commissioner said. He turned to Patton and asked, “What are your plans if you are released? Where will you go? How will you make a living?”

Patton stood and cleared his throat. “I’m still working out the details.”

The three men tasked with determining Patton’s fate all looked at each other. Their facial expressions made it clear they were not impressed.

One of the board members asked, “Will your daughter be supportive of you? As Ms. Vos pointed out, she’s not even here today.”

Patton glanced over his shoulder, and his cheeks burned bright red. “I haven’t talked to my daughter since that day, though I have tried reaching out to her numerous times. I have confidence if I were freed, I could build a relationship with her.”

“That sounds to me like you plan to manipulate your daughter’s feelings to suit your purpose, which, I’ll be honest, doesn’t sit well with me. What if she doesn’t agree to reconciliation?” The deputy commissioner leveled an expectant gaze at Patton, and Sandra felt a spike of victory.

“If I may step in,” the lawyer said, standing next to his client. “Mr. Patton has also learned a trade during his time here. Woodworking, and it’s something he can utilize on the outside to support himself. Until he gets himself on his feet, I am confident his friends will take him in.”

The man from the end of the row, Lonnie Jennings, now stood. “If I may say something?”

“We will be getting to you just shortly.” The deputy commissioner fired him with a glare.

Jennings sat back down.

The lawyer gestured toward Jennings. “I believe Mr. Jennings was going to offer to take in Darrell Patton. Am I right?”

“Yes,” Jennings said.

The board didn’t look impressed at the temporary loss of control over the direction of the hearing.

“All right, Mr. Jennings, let’s hear your statement,” the deputy commissioner said to regain ground.

Sandra tuned out most of what the man said, aside from the fact the two men were friends since childhood, and Jennings had witnessed the change in his friend. He put it on the record he’d take Patton in if he was released.

Eventually, the hearing was called to a close with the promise a decision should be reached by Friday.

Two days from now.Whether it took that full length of time or not, every minute was sure to feel much longer.

As everyone cleared out, Patton was looking at her, and she stared right back. She saw a man who regretted what he’d done, but she wasn’t sure if the reason was pure or selfish. Would he feel that remorse if he hadn’t been caught?

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