2020-06-10 - A Good Man and a Good Goulash - Natalie, Marcus, Kira, Ryan and Baba Petruska

The clicking of Natalie Sokal’s heels was a common sound now approaching the door to the Alexandra PD holding cells. She was in a skirt version of her usual suit. One of the officers on duty let her in and she thanked them briefly. Her phone buzzed as she stepped through and she huffed in irritation and ignored it.

She had been getting a non stop string of texts since the early hours of the morning from a man she had put away 2 years ago for aggravated sexual assault called Matthew Timmons. Timmons had been released early for showing signs of rehabilitation but had immediately broken into his ex girlfriend Julie Tyler’s home and rifled through her desk, finding Natalie’s cell number as well as all of Julie’s family’s contact info. He had left a threatening note on her desk detailing what he might do to Julie and each of her contacts, especially her “cunt of a lawyer.” Thankfully he hadn’t touched Julie at all and she didn’t know he was there until she found the note and broken door handle. She was terrified nonetheless. Natalie had already been in contact with the local police near Julie and Julie was in a safe house. But Timmons hadn’t been caught yet. She was really hoping to get Kira prepped for some statements in court and then report her own harassment on a natural break. Timmons wasn’t the first. He wouldn’t be the last. And he had no clue where she was. She had a current and pressing case to attend to. The texts were beyond disturbing but Natalie was really trying to keep control of the flow of her work day.

“Good morning Kira. Officer Lawry.” She greeted, seeing them both. “Kira would you like to go into the interrogation room? I’d like to do some formal writing together if you’re up to it.” Her phone buzzed again and she kept her facial expression passive. The nail of her middle finger pressed into her callous in the palm of her right hand though and when she lifted it there was a tiny but noticeable sign of a fresh scab.

Marcus nodded as Natalie walked in and approached Kira.  “Ms Sokal.”  he replied and that was all he replied.  He waited for Kira’s reply as he heard the phone buzz and noticed two things.  Natalie ignored her phone, which might be because she was with a client.  But he also noticed her right hand and the sign of Kira’s stress that he’d noted many times before now, although it looked like she’d been at it more in the last day or so.  He remained, however silent and in his corner unless and until he was needed.

Kira smiled. Albeit slightly when she saw Natalie.  She’d been growing fond of her lawyer and was beginning to feel even the slightest twinges of hope.  “Yes.  Please.”  she replied.  She heard the phone, but knew if it was important, she could wait.

Marcus heard Kira’s reply and moved to the door, unlocking and opening it for the women.

Natalie gave Kira an encouraging nod and a  partial smile and turned to go to the interrogation room as he phone buzzed again and she sighed at it. “Thank you.” She said about the door unlocking and opening.”Officer Lawry I might have an unrelated question for you shortly.” Natalie however sat down, and made a point of turning her phone face down on the table before pulling out her laptop and getting ready to work “Kira, how are you today?” The phone buzzed and vibrated on the table “Sorry for the distraction.” She scooped it up and dropped it into her purse.

Marcus nodded when Natalie spoke.  “No problem.”  he told her as he let them in and closed the door, standing off to the side of it for the knock when they were done.  He didn’t ask what the question was.  Natalie would tell him.  On the job, they are one hundred percent professional, looking like friends but nothing more.  But she had called or texted him and he’d visited her at the Parthenon, discreetly, of course.  It didn’t get in the way of their jobs, and he loved the time he spent with her off duty.

Kira walked in with a whisper.  “Thanks.”  to Marcus and sits as Natalie’s set her phone face down and then, when it buzzed yet again, put it in her purse.  “No problem.”  she replies, softly.  Then she swallows.  “What formal writing?”  she isn’t sure she is up to formal … anything.  Speaking was hard enough.

Natalie saw Kira’s reaction and tried to ease her mind “I’ll write….you just need to help me fill in the blanks. I find prepping statements to be the easiest for trial. Like memorizing a piece of poetry or lines of a play. We prep you for formal statements, we come up with some questions, anticipating cross examinations. I know it’s daunting because it’s not literature. It’s your life and honestly, your trauma, but the more you have ready on cue, the less you’ll be tripped up in your emotions on the stand. I don’t even know if you’ll have to be on the stand. I’m trying to keep you off it if we can facilitate that option.” She’s about to delve into more when her phone actually rings. She takes it out and scowls at it, letting it ring until it stopped “Oh for the love of…” She’s clearly not pleased with whoever is trying to call and text. “Would you excuse me a moment, Kira? I need to set something in motion I had really hoped could wait another hour?” She decides it’s easier to just explain briefly “Sometimes I get harassed when men I’ve put away get released. Not a fun perk of the job…” The phone immediately rings again and she just watches it and shakes her head.

Kira listens and bitesher lip.  The words are a little overwhelming for her.  Logically she understands, but … her thoughts and Natalie’s words are interrupted by Natalie’s phone and Natalie explains the problem.  “Yes.  That’s fine.”  she considers harassing phone calls to her lawyer … someone she is coming to like and trust … a problem.  “I bet Marcus could help you.”  he guarded her and she believed, become friends .. as much as a guard and prisoner could become friends.  More than the other shift guards, at any rate.  She trusted him, at least.

Natalie looks apologetic and nods “Thank you Kira. And yes, I’m hoping to just pass this off through him so we can do our work.” She gives a little knock on the door as another text buzzes on the phone in her hand. She doesn’t even look at it, but pulls open the door before Marcus can “Officer Lawry. I’m wondering if someone in this station can...run a trace on some things coming in on my phone. An inmate was released, one I put away and this morning he acquired my number. His former victim is safe right now. If you tell the person tracing to forward any helpful info about the location to Detective Yvonne Vale in the New Westminster Police Department. I’m probably not the only person he’s texting so hopefully….I know this is highly irregular…” Natalie seems a little awkward about the asking but is trying to appear nonchalant. Her connection with Marcus was growing to the point where asking him all this was a vulnerability. But this situation was also interrupting her ability to work with Kira. “I’ll take the pass code off my phone temporarily so it’s more convenient…”

Marcus is a little surprised to hear the knock.  That was fast.  Natalie opens the door and he turns to face her and begins to speak.  His professional face barely twitches.  Barely.  His eyebrows jump slightly.  Natalie may notice, or she may be too distracted to.  He holds out his hand for the phone.  “No problem.  I’ll take a look at this now.”  he tells her and will at least wait for the door to close before he does.  He takes the seconds to decide if he can do it himself, or if he will have to call in someone more used to the tech stuff.

Kira listens from her position and finds herself angry at whoever would do such a thing to Natalie.  On a logical level, she can understand why men would come to hate Natalie, but on a personal level, she was angry.  She hoped Marcus could help .. and maybe drown the man in the ocean.  That would help, in her opinion.

Natalie had noticed the eyebrow jump and disables her pass code temporarily before handing Marcus her phone “Thank you. I’ll warn you….it’s a lot to read and he’s a terrible speller.” She’s trying to lighten an awful situation but what else can you do. Matthew Timmins had effectively been threatening to rape her witha  knife and cut her open from the inside until she bled to death. It was all variations on that same threat in different words blaming Natalie for ruining his life, even though what he did to Julie Tyler was the choice he made that ruined his and of course her life. Natalie recomposed herself and stepped back to Kira with a little shoulder roll before she opened a document on her laptop “Section 16 of the Criminal Code of Canada….states that where a person has experienced or is experiencing mental illness they are not held criminally responsible for a criminal offense. We’ve talked about this...but that’s the official legal jargon if you will…” Natalie seems to be diving into the work as if she really needs it right now.

Marcus doesn’t laugh at the joke, but does tell her “I’ll see if we can add to his charges for that.”  When the door is closed he holds the phone and looks at it for a long time, scrolling through the text messages as he walks from the door to the middle of the holding cell room.  His jaw tightens at the threats he reads and he realizes as he gets angry that he may well be too close to this.  Inhaling and exhaling he composes himself and is about to move when two things happen.  He hears a “Goddamnit, Newcastle!”  from beyond the door at the same time the phone in his hand rings.  But in his attempt to NOT answer the call, his thumb slips and answers it instead.

Kira is glad to hear that Marcus will handle the call and Natalie comes in and jumps right back into work.  “Natalie….”  she begins, slowly.  “I appreciate your work, but … let's face facts.  I did it.  Yes, I was a little out of my head .. but I did it.”  she swallows.  “And .. a cross examination … that will … I don’t want some lawyer grilling me about what Jack did to me.”  she spits out the name.  “I can’t .. I can’t go through that.  I know you’ve worked so hard for me, but …”  she swallows again and knows she sounds like she is pleading, because she is.  “What if I plead … guilty?”  she asks.  “I mean … better a plea bargain and a couple years then to go to trial, freak out on the prosecution and get the whole five years?”

The call Marcus answered was not Matthew Timmins. It was a video call. He may not realize that part immediately but a shrunken wrinkled old woman in a flowered babuska is looking out from the screen very confused “Natalia?” She calls out “Co se deje?” She asks in Czech which means what is going on. She sees a man in uniform and clutches at her heart “Where is my Natalia...why do the police have her phone?! Has she been in an accident?!” Her Czech accent is strong but her English is perfect. She’s wearing a sort of diamond patterned cotton house dress with a little brown cardigan.

Natalie listens to Kira and looks sympathetic. “I understand why you don’t want to talk about all of that, believe me. I’m here to represent you...as best I can, with your best interests as a priority. So you lead this process. We can explore all the options Kira. And then make an informed choice. I will advise you if I think one choice is more feasible.” She admits.

Marcus immediately realizes that this is not the suspect and, given the woman’s reaction to him, is probably some relative.  Immediately he goes into a calming mode.  “Ma’am.”  he begins politely.  “I’m Marcus Lawry of the Alexandra Police Department.  Natalie is FINE .. I’m a .. friend of hers and she had a problem with her phone I’m trying to fix.  So .. no accidents, ma’am.”  he tries to reassure her.

Kira inhales and exhales slowly, trying to calm herself.  “I know and you’re wonderful.”  she tells her.  “It’s just .. scary for me, you know?”  She knows Natalie understands.  “Alright ….  Go on.  I’m ready.”  but she isn’t sure that she hasn’t just lied.

The old woman eyes Marcus suspiciously until he gets it all out and then she grins at him with a little twinkle in her eyes “Marcus Lawry of the Alexandra Police Department.” She licks her lips “You are Natalia’s friend? I am her Baba Petrushka….she has not mentioned having such a handsome new friend.” She leans closer to the screen like she’s trying to get a better look at him “Do you cook Marcus Lawry? My Natalia is a terrible cook….she needs a nice man who cooks. I know with you kids nowadays the man cooks...it is very good….Give me your email...I’ll send you a recipe….” She grins again and she’s missing a few teeth.

Natalie sees Kira struggling and feels bad for putting her on the spot. She exhales “I feel ike I’m pushing you and that’s the last thing I want to do here. I do know how scary it is. It’s ok if you’re not ready to prep all this today. Let’s try something else. I want to give you the option to explore the plea versus the Section 16 approach.” She takes out a legal pad and draws a line down the centre of it putting those ideas as heading at the top. “Would it help if we step back and look at the big picture? You don’t have to commit to any of this today….” Her voice has softened from the let’s get to business edge she had coming in. She had been working so hard trying to be professional in the face of harassment that she had backed her own client into a corner without meaning to. Natalie was not going to let Matthew Timmins have any more space in her head that should be for Kira.

Marcus can’t help but smile at this little old lady.  “Mrs. Petrushka.”  he nods.  He ignored the fact that Natelie hasn’t mentioned him.  That was no surprise and made perfect sense to him.  She goes on a bit about men and cooking and he chuckles.  “I do cook, ma’am.  My mama and grandmama insisted.”  he hesitates, but then nods, giving the woman his personal email address.  “I’ll have her over and cook it for her as soon as I can.”  he promises.  “But I have to let you go, ma’am.  I have to check some things on Natalie’s phone which I can’t do if I’m talking to you.”  and this woman is a delight.  “It has been fantastic to meet you and I’ll tell Natalie you called, if you want me to.”  he offers, preparing to cut the call, but not before this woman was ready.  He was no fool.

Kira blows out a breath.  “I want to prep.  And yes I want to know all of my options.”  she explains.  “I just want you to know I’m scared … and I don’t always do so well scared.  I’m sorry.”  she pauses.  “I’m so much stronger now … than I was … but …. Lets try it … and I’ll see.”

Baba Petruska holds up a finger while she jots down his email looking tickled pink about the women in his family making sure he learned to cook. “I am not Mrs. Petruska…..I am Petruska...my first name, like Natalia’s middle name. I am Mrs. Sokal but please call me Petra...or Baba.” She likes this man already. “I always knew my little Zeli would find a nice one someday.” She smooths her babuska on one side “You go Marcus Lawry...and fix the phone. I’m sure we’ll see you again. I’ll send you the goulash recipe first…..that will go well for you.” She encourages. “Bye bye now..” She gives a little finger waggle and then makes an obvious swoop to click off as she giggles to herself.

Natalie looks kindly at Kira “It’s ok to be scared. You don’t need to be sorry.” She starts going down the columns “I’m hoping under Section 16...that they consider a shift from incarceration to counselling and community service….” She writes that down and then slides her hand to the other column “As you mentioned here, a guilty plea or plea bargain can sometimes shorten a sentence….” She keeps going a bit, trying to balance out the points between the columns.

Marcus doesn’t really get a chance to reply before Petra … or Baba … disconnects.  But she made him smile.  A minute ago he was livid. Thinking that thought reminds him that he still has her phone.  Gripping it for a second, he walks to the door to the bullpen and opens it, looking for one face in particular.  Spotting it, he calls out.  “Yamada, can I see you in here for a minute?”

Kira hears Natalie out, although she can’t help but scoff at the community service comment.  “I already did the community a service.”  and then on the heels of that.  “Sorry.  I know that won’t help.  I get it though.”  She looks at both sides of the legal pad.  “Natalie.  I have faith in you to do what’s best for me.”  she ultimately says.  “I’m scared to testify, but if you think that going to trial is best …  I’ll do it.”  she sighs.  “I won’t like it, but I’ll do it.  Dr Singh might have to do a patch job on me, but he’s a good doctor.”

Ryan was just hitting send on a report when he hears his name being called. He glances up at Marcus and nods “Yep…” He stands and makes sure he gets the confirmation that everything sent and then clicks off his screen and wanders through to the holding cell area “Lawry, what can I do for you man?” He’s cheerful and assuming maybe Marcus just needs a trade off for a bathroom break or something.

Natalie laughs a bit at Kira’s definition of community service “I shouldn’t find that so funny...but I do.” She admits and then listens attentively. Then she folds her arms and leans back thoughtfully “Kira….you just nailed it….we’re going to put Dr. Gurshan Singh on the stand….either before you or even instead of you. He might be exactly what’s needed.” Natalie has that gears turning in her head look.

Marcus waits until the bullpen door has closed behind them before stepping back into the middle of the room.  Then he holds Natalie’s phone between them.  “Natalie’s getting some nasty threats from a man she sent up.  Matthew Timmins.  He just got out and is starting in already.  So she needs you to run traces and just the whole nine yards.”  he hesitates.  “But there’s something you need to know first.  About other texts you might see…”

Kira smiles lightly at Natalie’s laugh but then looks hopeful.  Dr Singh.  Of course!  She nods.  “I vote for ‘instead of me’, but you probably know that already.”  she half quips.

Ryan reaches tentatively for the phone “Yeah that’s not good…” He listens to Marcus some more and nods “Just tell me the station I should coordinate with…” A little flicker sparked in his brain when Marcus called ehr Natalie and not Miss Sokal but it was a dim light in a dark hallway “Other texts? Like other perps? How many traces should I be setting up for?”

Natalie flips the legal pad page and makes another notation as she smiles “They love a psychologist. No offence. Doctors, psyche people, any kind of medical role will bolster a case. It’s a stupid game sometimes...the courts system. And they’re playing with people’s lives. If I can keep you off the stand I will. I promise Kira.”


Marcus hadn't realized that he's spoken so informally about Natalie.  "Anything you find goes to Detective Yvonne Vale in the New Westminster Police Department."  he tells him and then sighs.  "No other perps and only the one trace."  he blows out a breath.  "You'll probably see other texts ...  from me."  they would be in the nature of 'are you asleep?' 'No' 'Come over." and 'I need a nightcap.  Stop by in an hour'  and other less obvious but formerly flirtatious texts that suggest the cop and attorney are more than the casual friends they appear to be.

Kira scoffs a little.  “None taken, believe me.  But if you can keep me off the stand, believe me I’d appreciate it.”  she pauses.  “They’re working on my house, you know….”  she almost whispers.  “Marcus told me that the cleaning is done … now they’re … renovating it?  All paid for by that fundraiser…”

Ryan nods about New Westminster “I’ve worked with Vale before….glad to help her again. He notices the shift in Marcus as he says the other texts would be from him and his eyes almost pop out of his head and then he has to bite his lip not to let out a laugh. He grins at Marcus and gives him a pat on the shoulder “Shit...it’s always the quiet guys...I’ll only send the pertinent information to Vale. Don’t worry.” He fully takes the phone and it immediately buzzes with a text from Matthew Timmins that appears on the screen. Ryan reads it and looks horrified “Jesus this guy’s a sicko….you read a bunch of these….and you and…she...” It dawns on him this was possibly really upsetting for Marcus. “Hey man….hit me up if you need a beer after work ok? We’ll get this bastard….”

Natalie smiles and then nods “I did know the house stuff was underway. I heard the fundraiser did very well.” She looks relieved about the cleaning given her asthma attack on the first attempt to go in “Are you looking forward to being in your home again Kira?” Knowing it had been her parents home made her wonder. Since her parents had abandoned her after all.

Marcus nods and then almost smiles when Ryan says it's always the quiet ones.  Then the phone buzzes in Ryans hand and they can both read it.  Usually Marcus’s face is a mask, but now anger can be seen on it clearly, even if only for scant seconds.  Ryan comments on the text and Marcus replies with a growled.  “Yea.”  and when he’s invited for that beer he sighs.  “I might man.  If she isn’t up to talking.”  and knowing Natalie, she isn’t.  She might consider it just ‘part of the job’.  But she’s surprised him before now.  “Thanks.”

Kira considers the question about being in her home.  “It wasn’t easy before.  So many memories.  But .. if they’re renovating it .. maybe that’ll help?”  she shrugs.  “If not … maybe now I can sell it and move to a smaller place.”  She looks at Natalie.  “I won't let him drive me from my home island.”  she insists, almost defiantly.

Ryan gives Marcus a look of empathy “However it goes. I’m around if you need to talk.” He taps the phone in the air “But let me get on this” He takes the phone and heads to the equipment he needs, ready to send Matthew Timmins back behind bars where he belongs.

Natalie looks thoughtful “Has anyone consulted with you on any of the renovations? That might give you more control over what the space is if it’s to be yours in any way.” She looks very approving of Kira’s insistence “That’s what I like to hear Kira. Take back your power.”

Marcus nods as Ryan leaves the holding area with a simple.  “Thanks.” and moves back to the interrogation room door to wait for the knock telling him they are done.

Kira looks a little surprised.  “Mint Portia came to visit me.  I’ve seen him around but I don’t really know him.  He got stuck here after the earthquake, I know he worked on the new houses on the cliffs.  He asked me what I wanted if I could do anything with the house.”  she bites her lip.  “I told him I’d like there not to be so many walls.  He told me he could do that.  He asked me if I’d like a bathroom downstairs.  Like he could put in a half bath.”  she almost sounds excited.  “And a back door…”  she bites her lip again.  “I told him I wasn’t sure, but he said … he said they’re tearing down the Rose house.” she looks like she might not believe that.  “I mean … that would give me two ways to leave, if I had to.”  still her mind goes to escaping the house, but she is also happy it might look like an entirely different place when they’re done.

Natalie smiles at the name Mint. She remembered Marcus telling her about Mint on the very first night they spent together “I’ve heard the name Mint. Hard to forget that one.” She’s very happy they’re giving Kira so much say in it all. Then she looks floored about the Rose house “You’re kidding? That’s amazing. I mean I figured there was a lot of fire damage but with all those houses looking alike...this town huh. I have to admit it’s been a pleasant surprise here….in many ways. You live in a pretty special place here Kira.”

Ryan only has to run one trace and he works as fast as he can. He gets on the phone with Yvonne Vale as he sends only the trace info and triangulates with her and another police station even in Coquitlam. Between texts sent to Natalie and a series to Julie Tyler’s sister they get a match. Ryan stays on the line with Yvonne as she orders half her fleet of squad cars to surround a motel room. Yvonne cheers into the phone when they report  that Timmins is in custody. Ryan jumps out of his chair after he hangs up with Yvonne and comes bursting back through to the holding cells but is mindful to shut it behind him. “They got him. They just arrested Matthew Timmins in New Westminster.” He announces to Marcus. He’s still holding Natalie’s phone “We should block his number anyways and delete the messages. I can do it….so you don’t have to look at them again.”

Kira giggles at the mention of Mint.  "It's a funny name.  His voice is kinda high pitched .. you know .. for a man.  And he actually fell asleep while we were talking.  Marcus woke him and he apologized.  Apparently he does that a lot..."  then she shakes her head.  "No ... I mean ... everyone knows where everyone else lives in this town, almost.  And I'm not even sure if a renovation will get rid of the .. ghosts .. the memories?  But if it doesn't look like it did .. I can make new better memories to drive out the old bad ones?"  she sounds like she is both asking and stating.  She considers the kind of place Alexandra is.  "It IS special.  And strange."  she agrees.

Marcus’s head snaps left as Ryan bursts in, but relaxes and smiles at the news.  “Terrific.  I’m glad it could be done fast.”  then he nods.  “Would you?  I don’t think Natal … Ms. Sokal would mind if she didn’t have to do it either.  And I saw enough.”  it's clear he is relieved.  Granted … he and Natalie aren’t a secret anymore.  Not really.  But he trusted Ryan … and liked him.  Maybe he could even be a closer friend and confidant.

Ryan nods and smiles “Ok it’s Ms….I’ve been calling her Miss. So far she hasn’t snapped at me but now I know.” Ryan stood there, leaning back against the bars a bit and blocked the number and then deleted every bit of the history associated with the number. “K...he’s wiped. Let me know about that beer….even if it’s another day.” He’s clearly reaching out in friendship and comradery.

Natalie understands how much trauma that house, even this town holds for Kira “New memories is probably the best approach. You can’t really get rid of the old...just try and find a better balance. Someday I’ll visit you in your new old house in this special and strange town and you’ll be in a totally different space. I can’t explain why...but I see it.” She really can’t but unlike some of her other clients, she has hope in Kira, real hope.

Marcus grins.  "Well, after Newcastle forgot to pick her up at the ferry the day she arrived ..."  he shrugs.  "But I don't think that the Miss or Ms would register enough on her radar for her to snap at anyone. That .. professional exterior of hers … you know.”  he takes the phone.  “I’ll get this back to her.  And … maybe tonight after work on that beer if you’re not doing anything for the wife.”  he suggests.  Then he turns and knocks on the door to the interrogation room a couple of times.

Kira nods listening to Natalie and then smiles.  “I’d like for you to visit when all of this is over … or even to do this.”  she motions around the interrogation room.  “There instead of here.”  she smiles again at the comment that Natalie sees it.  “I’m glad.  That gives me hope…”  she almost says more but there is a knock at the door and Kira blinks. 

Ryan chuckles “You bet.” And he heads back through the door to the bullpen just as Tamela yells “Newcastle! For fuck’s sakes not AGAIN!”

Natalie looks happy about the idea of Kira in a home situation, even chatting over a kitchen table instead of here. She listens to Kira reply and then hears the knock “Pardon me…” She excuses as she stands to go open the door. It’s Marcus and she unconsciously keeps holding onto the door handle while she meets his gaze. This is either about her phone trace or something to do with Kira.


Marcus is always the consummate professional.  Considering Natalie is with a client, he simply offers her the phone.  “Yamada took care of it.  Timmins is in custody.”  and will back up and let her close the door if she has nothing else to say.

Kira hears from her position and is relieved that whatever the problem was seems to be resolved.

Natalie visibly exhales as she takes the phone “Thank you Officer Lawry and thank Yamada.” She takes another deep breath and lets out “They got him….ok…” She’s clearly still coming down from it all but just nods and steps back in giving Marcus a small but grateful smile no one can see but him as she shuts the door. She sits down with Kira again “A special town with an efficient police force. Now that’s a rare find.” She’s not just talking about the police department as a whole, but of course about Marcus.

Kira looks as relieved as she feels.  “They really are good cops.” she admits.  “And fair .. and they don’t jump the gun .. or I’d have been dead years ago.  They always restrained me .. never shot me like I wanted them to.”  she admits to what many suspected.

Natalie sighs at Kira “Well I’m glad of that too. Like I said at the beginning of our working together, there is another side, Kira. It’s only fair you get to be here to see it through.”