Page 44 of Grimm
I plopped down on the couch beside her, and David planted himself in the armchair opposite us. We all stared at the screen as the camera zoomed in on Carson Bradley.
“I hate that motherfucker,” I mumbled.
She rolled her eyes. “Jealousy looks good on you, sweetheart.” She pecked my lips. “Now, be quiet so we can hear.”
“Thank you all for coming. I’m Assistant U.S. Attorney Carson Bradley. After the announcement of the charges, I will only take questions concerning the charges against Judge Richards. Nothing else.
The U.S. Attorney has indicted former Judge Hugh Richards on forty-one counts of sexual abuse of a minor over the age of twelve but not of the age of sixteen. And forty-one counts of child abuse in connection with a human sex-trafficking ring stretching from the east coast to the west. Former Judge Richards will also be charged with lying under oath. More charges may be forthcoming as we continue our investigation. The U.S. Attorney has also opened a case against Alonzo Bianchi, who is now a fugitive from justice. Mr. Bianchi is wanted for his connection to the same human sex-trafficking ring. Also, Alonzo Bianchi is being charged with multiple felonies, including twenty-seven counts of human trafficking, twenty-seven counts of kidnapping in the first degree, fifteen counts of crimes against children, and much more. No other comment will be made on this investigation since it is ongoing. Are there any questions?”
I flicked off the TV. “Is that it?” I asked and pulled Gina onto my lap.
This had been a constant thing for me. If Gina was around, I needed to touch her. More often than not, she ended up sitting on my lap, something she didn’t seem to mind.
“That’s it. He’ll go away for a long time. As for Bianchi, every law enforcement agency in the country and Interpol is looking for him. It’s only a matter of time before they find him, and he answers for everything he’s done.”
“How long will it take to get your father out of jail?” David asked after he took a sip from his bottle of water.
He’d been around while me and Gina discussed getting Angus out, but he was always in his own world. I hadn’t realized he was even listening. It also shocked me he’d even asked me a question. Like I said, he talked little, and when he did, it was always to Gina, which I didn’t take personally.
“Umm, I don’t exactly know, kid.” I looked at Gina. “The law is her wheelhouse, not mine.”
“Not too long,” she said to David, and he nodded. “We have the judge’s confession. They will do some investigating, probably ask Tav’s mother some questions, and most likely question his father as well. Then he will go before a judge.”
“I hope it’s soon. Nobody should be locked in a cell when they don’t deserve it,” he whispered, his eyes glazing over.
Right then, fear blanketed his face. He’d been gone for months, probably made to do unthinkable things. But he was alive when so many more in his position were still lost or dead.
“You survived, David,” Gina said, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. “Remember, don’t let them win.”
He took a deep breath, released it, and then stood. A watery smile crossed his face, not reaching his eyes. “I’m sorry, sis. They’ve already won.”
Without another word, he slowly walked down the hallway, disappearing into the first guest room.
Her body shaking as she sobbed for her brother unnerved something in me, twisting my heart inside my chest. I wanted to take her pain away, but I didn’t know how. I had everyone I knew looking for Bianchi, in the country and overseas. In the meantime, what could I do to take her pain away? It would be there until David healed, and that might never come, especially with Bianchi on the run.
I tightened my arms around her, her tears wetting my neck. This was all I could do. Give her my love and support. Hopefully, it would be enough.
“He’s not doing good, Tav.”
“I know, Gina. I’m going to fix this.”
She only sobbed harder. If it was the last thing I did, Alonzo Bianchi would be mine.
Three weeks later…
Never had I imagined this was where we’d be today, no matter how much we’d worked to make it happen. Today, we were sitting in the same courtroom where my father had been convicted, and he was being set free.
The judge looked over his wire-framed glasses propped on the tip of his nose just as he’d done almost twelve years ago. We’d come full circle, and if it hadn’t been for Gina, none of this would’ve been possible.
“Mr. MacDaniel, I understand due to illness, you would like to remain seated through these court proceedings.”
“Yes, your honor,” he replied weakly.
Although we had come full circle, Angus was no longer the man he’d been all those years ago. Now, he had no hair because of the radiation and could barely stand on his own because he was too weak. So, he used a wheelchair to get around wherever he needed to.
“A grave injustice has been done to you, Mr. MacDaniel. Not only were years taken away from you but also your family.”
My mother squeezed my hand. The hope that had been driven from her eyes years ago shone brightly.
