Sasha Beaulieu and Dante Mendoza were in custody over the rest of the weekend in the Alexandra PD. Because of their possible exposure to Covid 19 at the party at the Lancaster house where Brett had attempted to rape Genevieve Beaulieu, they were processed carefully after being released from the hospital. The first night had been rough. Their parents, all carefully masked, were allowed to visit briefly and in rotation and the area was sanitized between each person with heavy disinfectant. The whole PD was taking even more extra cleaning precautions and wearing N95 masks, sometimes with face shields on top. Their noses burned from the chemical vapours of the cleaners but it was how it had to be.
Dante was in quite a lot of pain on the first night still and as they were given cliche orange jumpsuits, Sasha helped him, trying to lighten the mood with a few jokes. “Oh look what they gave us Dante. We’re like Orange is the New Black…..but without the cool edgy lesbians.”
Dante had laughed a bit and then winced as Sasha helped him thread his recovering left arm through the sleeve and back into it’s sling “There’s a couple of those among the cops man. But I’m not inviting them in here. They just got hitched. Lieutenant Sharp and Detective Douglas.”
Sasha grins “Nice! I love this town. We have dog mysteries, slurpees, lesbians, all the beautiful women. Fuck I miss Paige…..”
Dante groans “Don’t...because I miss Gen too and I’m still freaked out. Your parents said she’s ok….but fuck I shoulda….”
Sasha does up Dante’s jumpsuit and starts stripping to put on his own “Shoulda what? How could you know? We thought she was at Elise’s house….”
Dante moves to one of the beds and sits “No this goes further back…..he did this to fuck with me I swear….this isn’t the first thing...it’s just the worst he could ever imagine….”
Sasha looks a little doubtful “OK….I fuckin hate Brett..but do you really think he planned this?”
Dante’s jaw tightens “I do. I dunno how to prove it…..but why else? I shut him down, shut down the jobs I did for him. He pulled some shit with an incriminating photo of me awhile ago so I did one last job and then quit….now this...Sasha it’s….fuck maybe I’m paranoid…”
Sasha shakes his head “Tell the lawyer. Maybe they can find a pattern….I don’t know what else to suggest. But I hope Gen presses charges….”
Sasha sat down beside Dante and they talked into the night. There wasn’t much else to do but talk or stare at the walls. At one point Sasha tried to call out to any officer “Hey…..do you think we could get some playing cards in here?” But on the night shift, no one answered and he gave up. They were both worried what would come of the choices they made Saturday night but both also agreed if they had it to do over they would have made the same choices again.
Sunday was a day of all moods but they kept anchoring each other back to calm, more Sasha for Dante than the other way around. The Deli sent them some sandwiches and a note for Sasha “Oh please don’t be a pink slip...I like this job…”
Dante winced “Aw shit, what does it say?”
Sasha laughed “Bobby says get your ass out of there and back to work after you’re done quarantine. I’m calling Amber back in for the next two weeks week and Barb’s been throwing her pencils at me like darts for it. But I don’t want to replace you.” Sasha looks up “Amber trained me and then they cut her hours. Apparently she was a little too flirty with the male customers, even the ones with wives and girlfriends….they got a few complaints.”
Dante nodded “Yeah the cleavage waitress...not that I was trying to look.”
Sasha sighs and shrugs “She cut the neckline on her uniform t-shirt a bit too much. Whatever. They’ll get an eyeful for a week or two and then just fully dressed me and bad jokes. As long as we don’t end up in juvie…”
Dante started to look panicked again “Fuck don’t say it…….Gen will leave me for sure….”
Sasha looked shocked by his fear “Are you kidding? Dante, she’s never leaving you. I can see her devotion from here…..also you told me, she has you tattooed on her entire chest right?” Dante had told him about the tattoo last night and the size of it.
Dante smiled a little “Yeah...yeah she does. I just get scared man……”
Sunday night was melancholy but by Monday morning Dante and Sasha knew almost everything they could possibly know about one another and had become really like brothers. Sasha even joked about it. “Well you’ll have to get to know Rene...I mean don’t dislocate a shoulder and make him dress you…”
“Fuck you Sasha..” Dante snorted “And thank you. I do feel like you’re my brother, and someday brother in law. 2024 actually.”
Sasha smirked “Save the date? I’ll bring Paige.”
Their smiles fell as they were told the lawyer had arrived. Sasha looked nervous. Dante had a look of doom “This might be the beginning of the end for me Sash…”
Levi Samuels had honestly believed that his new life as an attorney in Alexandra would be simple, like the island town hed only just moved to. The jokes at the pizza party had suggested it in a way as well. Neighbour disputes, perhaps some trespassing or kids stealing apples off of someone’s tree. An easy life in contrast to the cases he’d defended in Vancouver, which was mostly rich kids in big trouble requiring the best defence attorneys money could buy. Sure Ryan, Michael and Marcus had hinted at more and he knew about the Kira Delmonaco case, but he thought that was most likely very rare.
Yet it was less than 48 hours before he was in his office, on a Sunday no less, talking to a man named Felix Beaulieu while his wife talked with Natalie in her office. The cases were quite different, but Levi mostly concerned himself with what Felix was hiring him to do; defend his son and another boy against the charges against them. Assault and attempted murder. Dr. Beaulieu explained that they would be paying for bail for both of the boys, but even with that, both boys would be in the Alexandra jail through the weekend.
And so at 8 am on Monday morning, Levi walked into the Alexandra Police Department in a 5000 dollar suit, a 2000 dollar leather briefcase and a top of the line N95 mask on his face. Felix also had one on, as the law firm had provided them for exactly this scenario; needing to meet with clients face to face during covid. Walking in he noticed that he wasn’t the only one. Considering the boys had been arrested at a ‘Covid Party’ it made sense. Apparently both the police and Fire Departments were now paying the price for complacency and had four and two employees now in isolation.
Stopping at the counter, he nodded to the officer that was sitting there. He went into his suit jacket and pulled out one of his business cards. “Levi Samuels here to see my clients, Sasha Beaulieu and Dante Mendoza.”
Felix stood beside this attorney. He sure dressed the part and even though he was a little desperate to get the boys legal representation, he still researched the Samuels and Sons law firm and been impressed. But now he stood and listened as his attorney talked to the cop on duty. He was dressed casually, as the dental office was closed, patients being rescheduled or referred elsewhere while they quarantined. Jeans and a blue henley with his black trainers on.
Frank Sharp-Douglas was on the desk. Ulick was pulling double duty as file clerk and was down getting copier paper. She looked at the very expensive lawyer with the dentist and understood immediately. “Fill this out, empty your pockets and present your briefcase for a search, then I’ll take you back.”
Levi nods and is already complying before the small officer has even finished her sentence, although he does pull another N95 mask out of his briefcase. “Lydia Alvin will be joining us. When she does please move my clients into your Interrogation Room. Thanks.” Less than three minutes later, they are in the holding area. He’d been told by Marcus that it had very recently been modernized and there were no more old west style bars. Instead, the walls were of bulletproof glass and steel, complete with sliding doors and food slots. Very modern. He sees his new clients in prison orange, as both of their clothes had been bloodied and confiscated for washing. He sees the folding chairs leaning against the wall and takes two, setting them in front of the window wall facing the boys and sits. Opening his briefcase and taking out the files on both boys. Sasha’s is effectively empty while Dante’s is much thicker.
Felix sees Sasha and Dante and looks at them both. They look fine. Not happy, but not … he didn’t know how he expected them to look. He does know that this visit is likely to be a surprise. “How are you, boys?” he asks. “This is Levi Samuel. He’s going to represent you.”
Sasha smiles a little at his father but still looks apprehensive. A lawyer meant this was far from done and he knew that “Hi Dad. I’m ok. Nice to meet you Mr. Samuels.”
Dante gritted his teeth and nodded “Hi….are you the new legal aid attorney Mr. Samuels?” Dante had never had any kind of lawyer but a public defender. This guy had nicer clothes than the last one though and Felix was with him. “Hi Felix.” Lydia was probably on her way too.
Lydia Alvin came bustling into the police station with a multicoloured cloth mask on and a green leafy patterned tshirt dress over stretchy black jeans. She had black flip flops on her feet. Her hairband that never really contained her fro was bright purple with a yellow batik pattern. She halted at the front desk waiting for instructions. “Lieutenant, I hear congratulations are in order. All the best to you and Tamela.” She smiles behind the mask.
Frank had barely returned tot he front desk when Lyda arrived. She smiled under her mask. "Thanks. I'll tell her." she reaches under the counter and pulls out the N95 mask. "But I know you’re not here for me. Your lawyer left this for you. Let me search you real quick and you can join them.” and once she cheeks her bag, she lets her back to the cells.
Felix kept looking at the boys, drinking them in. Again he thinks they look alright, even after a weekend in jail. He almost speaks when Lydia is let in, he stands and offers her his seat.
Levi nodded at Sasha. "You too." and then looked at Dante. "I’m…” he turns his head as Lydia is brought in. He looks at Sam and then at at the closed door he is assuming is the small town departments Interrogation room. One of the two doors.
Frank walks in with Lydia and heads straight for the IR room door, unlocking and opening it. “Mr Samuels, you just tap on the glass when you’re ready and the chief or someone will come to get the guys.”
Levi nods. “Thank you, Lieutenant.” he motions into the room for everyone to enter and, once they do he closes it and looks at them all. “Alright. Introductions are in order. My name is Levi Samuels. I work for Samuels and Sons, Attorneys at Law, New York, Chicago, Toronto and Vancouver .. and now Alexandra. I was retained yesterday by Felix Beaulieu to represent his son, Sasha and,” he nods at Dante. “You, Mr. Mendoza. So no, I am not a legal aid attorney. Now if you have any questions before we begin, please ask.” he’d smile but with the mask, there is little point.
Dante’s jaw dropped as it was revealed that Felix had hired a full on lawyer and when the guy listed his credentials Dante reeled for a moment in his chair before he stared at Felix in awe “Um…..thank you?” He looked almost like he might burst into tears and then looked at Lydia “Did you know about this?” He looked back at Levi “No questions….Sir.” He swallowed hard.
Lydia smiled with her eyes at Felix and took the offered chair “Thank you Felix….for so much.” She had said that even before Levi explained and then Dante reacted to Felix hiring Levi Samuels she nodded “I did Dante. The Beaulieus have been incredibly kind and generous. Thank you again Felix, you and Amelie and you Mr. Samuels.”
Sasha looked impressed by the lawyer and then saw Dante react and Lydia and realized immediately his own privilege. He had always known his parents would and could help him even if he never imagined he’d actually get into legal trouble but clearly Dante and Lydia couldn’t take it for granted. He was still scared, but he also had a new awareness. “No questions Mr. Samuels.”
Felix nods at Dante. "You fought for Gen. I's the least I can do, son." he means that with everything he is. He shakes his head at Lydia. "If not for these two who knows what would have happened to Gen. It's all the absolute least we could do."
Levi watches his clients and is very interested in all fo the gratitude he is seeing. “Your bail was posted this morning and you two should be back home by noon.” he tells them. No one has any questions, so he continues. “Alright now. Let’s start with the charges.” he opens his briefcase and takes out a leather-bound legal pad. Opening it, he looks at his notes. “First of all,” he looks at all of them not just the boys. “It’s a pretty standard practice to charge you very generally, so don’t let the charges alarm you. Sasha, you are being charged with first-degree assault. They are trying to charge you as an adult, but don’t worry, I can get those knocked down without any problems.” he blows out a breath. “Dante… you are currently being charged with attempted murder…” he pauses here because he expects there will be some reaction.
Lydia nods at Felix but still looks immensely grateful. Then she tears up a bit about the bail, which she knew about but was still so thankful she couldn’t put it into words. She looks at Felix again “We can’t thank you enough either…”
Dante looks between Levi, Felix and Lydia about the bail and now he does stifle a sob and sheds a few tears. He can’t even speak.
Sasha’s eyes widen and then he looks relieved and scoots closer to Dante, patting him on the back as he starts to cry “Dante, you’re family...it’s ok…” When his charges are read out he stiffens in his seat. And when Levi says as an adult he mutters “Shit….” but nods, hopeful about the skills of this lawyer. When Dante’s charges are revealed as attempted murder he deflates and looks at Dante.
Lydia now lets out a sob, loudly “Oh god no…” She’s shaking. This is the worst charge Dante’s ever faced.
Dante just hangs his head and nods, still letting some tears fall but accepting the information. He looks up eventually “Ok, so how fucked am i?” His eyes lock on Levi’s.
Felix again shakes his head. “Amelie and I won’t let you rot in jail after what you did for Gen.” he almost says more, but he hears the charges. “That’s outrageous.” he protests.
Levi watches them and in particular Dante’s reaction to the charges. But the young man looks him in the eye, which had to take guts. “If I were a legal aid attorney, plenty.” he replies. “But I’m not legal aid. I’ve read the police report, your statements, Genevieve’s statement and witness statements. The attempted murder charge is because you told Mr. Lancaster that you were going to kill him according to the witnesses in the room, including Sasha here. But also after when Mr. Lancaster was unconscious according to .. well everyone in the house.” he immediately holds up a finger. “Don’t regret it. It’s more important to tell the truth.” he looks at Dante. “Now I want you to be honest with me. Did you mean it? Were you honestly planning to beat him until he was dead?”
Sasha listens to the lawyer and then looks at Dante grimly. He already knows what the answer is going to be.
Lydia swallows hard and looks at Dante and shakes her head discreetly. She’s pretty sure he’s going to say yes and she’s not sure it will help him.
Dante looks at Levi and then at everyone in the room, stopping on Lydia “I’m sorry….he says tell the truth.” He looks back at Levi “Yeah. Yeah I did and I was. I love Gen to the ends of the earth and anyone who could ever hurt her...especially like that...I will fucking end them. I know that doesn’t help me in court.”
Felix listens to the charges and blows out a breath. Dante’s answer was brutally honest, and while part of him admires the boy and part of him one hundred and fifty percent understands his position, he also wonders how much this will hurt his chances in a court of law.
Levi nods slowly as Dante answers the question and in such a way that he believes his client completely. He purses his lips. “Alright … thank you for your honesty. I understand your position and I think many others would as well. I will do everything I can to keep you off of the witness stand, however. Mr. Lancaster doesn’t have a record but has been arrested on minor, nonviolent charges. He is white, blonde, blue-eyed and probably physically weaker than you are. But all of that is in his favour, not yours. You, on the other hand, are Guatamalian with a juvenile police record and a history of violence, including belonging to a fight club.” he taps absently at his legal pad with his pen. “However, you have been behaving yourself for a while now and showing signs that you want to give up your life of crime. The people I’ve spoken to tell me this seems to have coincided with your new girlfriend. Genevieve. That … works in your favour. If I have to go to trial, and I will avoid that like coronavirus, I am going to have to present you as a hot-blooded young man who acted in the heat of passion while keeping you from perjuring yourself on the stand by blurting out that you fully intended to end him.” he looks thoughtful.
Dante slowly nods along with what Levi is saying. It’s all true and he’s not sure what to even offer. “I understand Sir….”
Sasha interjects “OK hang on….Mr. Blonde hair blue eyed perfect white boy…..we need to show them he’s not right? Dante…..you need to tell Mr. Samuels all the stuff you told me. Brett’s not clean….and he was threatening you...and your theory!” He looks adamantly around and back at Dante.
Dante looks hesitant “I don’t know how to prove it Sasha…..and the rest….well some of that might get me in more trouble first or after…..”
Sasha looks frustrated “Can they start charging people who confess to something else to accuse another person of something worse in court?” He’s being vague but Dante is looking at him like he wants him to shut up.
Lydia looks stressed out by everything Levi explained but nodded. Then she looked even more worried as Sasha and Dante got into some weird debate over some whole thing that wasn’t known yet. “God god what else? Just tell us so it doesn’t come up from whoever the Lancaster lady hires to represent that little weasel she spawned.”
Felix nearly groans at the little comparison/contrast the lawyer spells out for them. Then Dante and Sasha have words and it looks like there could be worse in the wings for Dante. He nods at Lydia’s words, even though he wonders if he would have worded it differently.
Levi watches the boys and raises his eyebrows. While he agrees with Lydia, he does word it a bit differently. “Dante, I am your attorney and I insist you tell me the truth, because your foster mother is right. The prosecution is going to bring up every little thing it can to make you look like a career criminal who is just getting a jump on the system.” he looks the young man in the eyes. “What does Brett Lancaster have on you, son?”
Dante feels everyone’s eyes on him now and then sighs and looks up at Levi. “Brett’s a fence. I was a thief. I worked for him. I’m not proud of it. I was trying to go clean after I met Gen. He didn’t approve. He….he planted that backpack on Gen…” Now Dante looks at Felix “To fuck with us I think so she’d give up on me and he could have me back to do jobs. And yeah I did steal the stuff in that backpack but Brett pushed me into that job. Then I said no to more and he came at me with a picture I didn’t even remember anyone taking.” Now he looks up at both Lydia and Felix with absolute shame “It was me….and a girl, before i met Gen but just before. I was drunk, so drunk I blacked out. But this girl...she had it and gave it to Brett. Actually she was at his party. Brooke Martin. I remember her kissing me at a party. But in the photo…” He hesitates. “In the photo she...well my pants are down and she’s going down on me...it’s graphic. Brett said he’d show it to Gen and try to make her think I cheated on her.” He looks up at Lydia “That was the day he came in for coffee and then we took off. I agreed to do one last job if he’d delete it and get Brooke to. So I uh….I pickpocketed the ferry, the bus, and a museum.” He swallows, realizing how bad it all sounds “Then he said I could be done. I believed him, but that was just a few weeks ago. I feel like what he did to Gen….I feel like he was hurting her to get to me again. Because that’s his pattern. I can’t prove any of it though.” He slumps and hangs his head.
Sasha nods and looks sympathetic and pats Dante on the back again. It’s bad, but now it’s out.
Lydia closes her eyes partway through Dante’s story and rubs her forehead hard and then opens them and looks at him “I wish you had come to me Dante……” She looks emotional “I never liked that boy….I knew something was going on…..”
Felix inhales and lets out a big sigh. He looks at Lydia with sympathy. Dante had tried so hard and had so much against him.
Levi is scribbling like mad on his legal pad. Once Dante says he can’t prove it and slumps, he glances up. “That’s my job, Dante.” he finishes his notes. “I will be subpoenaing this Brooke Martin’s phone and computer, as well as Brett Lancaster’s. So …” he lifts his head and looks at Dante, speaking to him like a man. “This young man didn’t want you to stop working for him because you’re apparently a damn good thief and pickpocket. He blackmailed you in order to extort your services … supposedly one last time before you gave up stealing and making money for him. Is that correct?” he is thinking as he was trained to think like an attorney who has, more than once, defended someone close to the Bittettos.
Dante looks sadly at Lydia “I’m sorry Lydia. I wish I had come to you too.” Then he nods and listened sto Levi looking just a tiny bit less bleak as the man goes on “Yes Sir, that’s correct.” He had actually chosen vocabulary that turned the story a bit and Dante marveled at that.
Sasha began to nod vehemently with Levi. He could see a transition in the perspective too “Yeah it sounds way better that way. What about the picture thing...I mean if Dante wasn’t consenting to that...or….I dunno he’s ….shit Dante, how old are you again?”
Dante shrugs a bit “Fifteen man, same as Gen. I don’t think Brett made Brooke assault me…”
Sasha pointed at Dante “No, I’m saying the picture thing. You’re underage. If Brett showed that around or Brooke did, isn’t that like child pornography….ah shit they’re both underage too aren’t they….how does that work Mr. Samuels?”
Now Lydia looked curious too. “It’s definitely exploitation. And not at all ok.”
Felix nods slowly. He is staying mostly quiet and letting Sasha defend his friend and Lydia was doing her best to support Dante. He looks at Levi who, for a paid mouthpiece, was doing an excellent job.
Levi scribbles more notes. “How old is Brooke Martin?” he asks, casually, his voice betraying nothing. “Because if she is over the age of seventeen, I will start with statutory rape, creating child pornography and distributing child pornography. I’ll also see what else is on her computer because there could be more that the police would be interested in.” he pauses. “Of course, the way things work, I would be willing to overlook all of it provided Miss Martin testifies that Mr Lancaster wanted that particular picture from her collection.” he is assuming she has a collection. In his experience, if the woman is young also, those three charges alone might get her on their side.
Lydia thinks hard and her brow furrows “I think those Martin girls are older than you guys…” She’s working it out “Amber works with you at that deli Sasha, how old is she?”
Sasha slaps the table “Oh mon dieu I didn’t make the name connection. Amber Martin. I dunno twenty something? I’m bad with ages. Call Bobby, he knows everyone in town.”
Now it clicks for Lydia “I remember! Bobby...thank you Sasha. Brooke had a thing with Charlie Anderson, Bobby’s son. Broke the kid’s heart. Charlie’s 19. They went to school together. Brooke has to be 18 or 19. One of my old fosters, Deke Hebb, was Charlie’s friend, moved away with him as soon as we got the ferry back but I heard the whole story. They also told me a not so nice name the boys in town call her…..” She looks around like she’s not sure she should say it.
Dante says it for Lydia “BJ Brooke….” He shrugs awkwardly “Blow Job Brooke? Not that I even remember it…”
Sasha snorts and can't help himself “BJ is short for blow job?” Dante laughs and smacks him and he snickers and straightens up “Sorry...so sorry. But this is good, I mean it’s bad but helpful.”
Lydia face palms at the boys but is also relieved they’re laughing a bit.
Felix blinks and closes his eyes at the revelation of the nickname, clearing his throat, gruffly. “Any information that will help, boys.”
Levi writes down all the names and, when BJ Brooke is mentioned, he coughs. “Very good. Very good.” He nods at his notes. “Small towns. Big information.” he consults more notes. “I think I had better run everyone at the party and see if they can help us by being connected to Mr. Lancaster. I haven’t interviewed his brother yet, but he is the one who called 911 stating …” he turns a page. “Ah here. ‘It’s my brother. He’s trying to rape a girl’ were his exact words.” he nods to himself. “This is a lot of information that casts doubts on Mr. Lancaster’s character.” he looks at Dante. “I also have to speak to Dr. Jasper Rogers and find out the current extent of Mr. Lancaster’s injuries. The report listed several injuries…” he consults his notes. “Broken nose, broken rib, a cracked rib, skull fracture, broken jaw and a black eye.” he glances at Dante. If his client had both arms available, he suspects that by the time the police arrived Brett Lancaster would have been in much worse shape.
Dante looks a little hopeful about Nolan’s call and the character stuff and then focuses on the floor when Brett’s injuries are listed. He exhales slowly and doesn’t say anything.
Lydia looks curious about the brother too “Yeah if he heard Brett being beat, and said that….hmmm…” She’s very curious now about Nolan Lancaster. She stares hard at Dante when the injuries are listed “Jesus Dante…”
Sasha looks thoughtful about Nolan too “He apologized….to us in the police car. Write that down too Mr. Samuels…..like he knows Brett is an ass.” He remembers something else “Nolan said...when we were still upstairs...to one of the cops...that he didn’t figure out what Brett was planning until it was too late. I was still standing there in cuffs. Dante was getting moved down the stairs or just had. Interview Nolan, Mr. Samuels…” He says resolutely. Then he hears the injuries and blinks “Holy shit…..and just with your right?” He’s not trying to sound impressed but there’s an unintentional hint of that in his voice.
Felix listens carefully. When it comes to Brett’s injuries, his jaw drops and for a minute looks envious. He hopes no one sees it, but he doesn’t know.
Levi arches his brows at Sasha. “I will definitely do that. Hopefully today. I’ll change my appointment with the good doctor if I have to.” and then Sasha mentions that Nolan spoke to one of the cops. “Which one?” he looks at the sheet with the names on it and the few notes he has on the police.
Sasha thinks back but he had a good memory for details “Not one of the ones I know….and no I haven’t been arrested before. Shorter guy, black hair….bit of a nose….I mean a noticeable nose if that makes sense? I don’t know his name but I can rule out some others…..” He was going to go on but then Dante interrupted him.
“Sam Wright. I do know all the cops for the reasons Sasha doesn’t.” He shrugs and looks a little sheepishly at Felix. He had noticed an odd look on his face earlier and felt worried he might be completely horrified with him after hearing those injuries listed.
Lydia just listens. It was progressing and with this lawyer, as well as could be she thought.
Felix nods, but remains silent. Things seemed to be going wall, or just that there were a lot of angles he hadn’t thought of.
Levi writes the name down. “I will definitely talk to him as well. Thank you.” he pauses and looks over his notes again. “Yesterday I talked to some people. Dr. Beaulieu was kind enough to tell me your place of employment. Leonard and Siobhan O’Leannain own the shop and have both agreed to testify to your character. I also spoke to one Walter McLeod. He is willing to testify that you’ve stolen from him, but that he’s forgiven you. Can you think of anyone else I might be able to talk to that could be a character witness? Gen, Sasha … your foster family doesn’t really count because they have biases in your favour. If there’s no one else, then just these three are good. Mr. McLeod is particularly good since you’ve committed a crime against him, but he’s still willing to testify that he doesn’t think you’re a terrible person.” he considers. “I still want to keep you out of court. Appearance counts for a lot and ‘fuck life’ isn’t going to win you points, even though it should be irrelevant. But I’m confident I can do that much. Covid-19 will also help with that, ironically enough. You won’t be completely cleared, because so many people saw you beating him, but right now I am pretty sure I can get the charges lowered to assault and negotiate a plea agreement. I’m going to seek as little time as possible in the juvenile detention. Hopefully none. Community Service, but that might be a little too hopeful.” he looks at Sasha and Felix. “If Gen goes ahead with the charges of attempted rape, I’ll go in asking for two months and community service.” he returns his eyes to Dante. “I won’t get it, but I will try and get you less than 6 months, plus as little community service as I can. With your permission, of course.”
Dante looks at Felix with grateful eyes again and then looks truly touched by the character witnesses. The O’Leannains he might have expected but Walter McLeod surprises him. He had apologized to Walter and had even been doing a few chores for the man as an unofficial community service after the theft. Walter always hung around and told him ridiculous stories and he patiently listened and laughed. Dante had the sense the guy was a little lonely sometimes despite being such a gregarious radio personality in town. “Walter McLeod….that’s actually really cool of him.” He looked down at his knuckle tattoos and frowned a bit. He listened to Levi detail the options and nodded “OK. I hope to god Gen charges him, whether it helps me or not….because Brett needs to be put away. But yes you have my permission Mr. Samuels.”
Sasha looks hopeful for Dante, and for himself. He had charges too but not attempted murder. “Thank you Mr. Samuels. We know you’ll do your best.”
Lydia started to look stressed again. “Can we petition for anything other than Juvenile prison? Those places…” She looked worriedly at Dante “If you end up in there you need to keep your head down Dante…..” She loved Dante like one of her own but she knew that might be a place he could get tempted back into things he was trying to get away from. He was also a bit naturally hot tempered and a fighter. That could be noticed and exploited in prison. And of course the race thing, always, everywhere but there too.
Felix gives Dante an encouraging smile and then looks at Lydia, realizing that she had a point. “I’d like to know the answer to that as well. I’ve heard these places can make kids worse than ever they were, and Dante is trying to make his life right.”
Levi considers. “Maybe. Our greatest argument against it is that Brett Lancaster is very likely to be sentenced to the same facility. That’s a disaster waiting to happen, so…” a knock sounds at the door and he holds up his hand. “One moment …” he goes to the door, opens it and half sticks his head out. Frank’s voice can be heard murmuring and Levi replying in a low voice. They exchange several words before Levi pulls his head back into the room and closes the door again. “You’ve made bail boys. As soon as you’re done here you are free to go.” he announces. “What I was going to say was … I’m going to fight to keep you out of jail period, Dante. I’ll have to do some creative thinking, but it will be a bit before I am speaking to a judge anyway. No promises, but I will try.” he looks around the table. “Any questions before you head home?”
Dante tensed up visibly at the idea of being in a jail with Brett, his eyes narrowing and his right hand forming and instant fist on the table for all to see. His scabbed and bruised knuckles were bandaged still. He relaxes the hand as soon as he hears they’re free to go after this. He looks at Lydia “I have to hide in the garage….”
Lydia sees Dante’s reaction to the idea of being incarcerated with Brett and shakes her head “Yeah that can’t happen...at all..” She exhales at the news they’re free to go after and smiles with her eyes at Felix “Thank you again.” She looks at Levi “And thank you Mr. Samuels.”
Sasha puts up his hand briefly “I have a question. I’m assuming we’re allowed to talk about the case...with each other…..are there any restrictions on other people? Friends….my girlfriend. I mean I’m gonna fuckin tell her anyway but maybe let me know if it’s against a law….and yes Papa I know I’m still quarantined.” He anticipates a reminder and wiggles his brows over his mask.
Felix sees Dantes hand curl into a fist and has to agree with Lydia. He looks at her with a smile. “He’s my family too, Lydia … or I expect will be someday.” he looks fondly at Dante before Sasha speaks and he sighs at the eyebrow wiggle. “Two weeks without won’t kill either one of you. It’ll be good practice for marriage.” he teases them right back.
Levi looks at Sasha for his question and chuckles slightly when he says he’ll tell his girlfriend regardless. “Right now I would like our strategy not to get all over town so that the Lancasters lawyer can plan his defence…” he explains. “So, for now, I have to trust you to use your judgement.” he grins behind his mask. “I know that your quarantine might be harder than some.” he begins to gather up his papers and put them back in his briefcase. “I will be in touch and if we need more meetings I will come to you … since your whole house is quarantined, Dr. Beaulieu, those meetings can be held there I hope?”
Dante takes his hand off the table. He hadn’t even realized he had made a fist until everyone looked at it and he had released it. He chuckles at Sasha and then again looked at Felix, overwhelmed by his kindness. After all he just heard here, the man is still speaking to him and welcoming him to his family? He swallows and looks at Felix and nods “Yeah.” is all he can say but there’s an ocean of unspoken behind it.
Sasha smirks at his father “So you’re saying we’ll have less affection after we get married? Well aren’t you a horrible example then…” He teases. His parents' nonstop affection had been more recent and he was happy to see them happy. He nods at Levi “Yesh, no, I won’t spread that information. Don’t worry Mr. Samuels.” He looks at his Dad “We could meet outside. It would be safer for Mr. Samuels?” He slowly stands up as it looks like things are wrapping.
Lydia looks between Felix and Dante and her eyes twinkle. Dante really had worked his way into the hearts of not just Gen, but her family too. She nods at Levi “We will be discreet.” She stands as well and shoulders her purse “Come on, let’s go home boys.”
Felix laughs a bit about the affection, but doesn’t blush. “Alright .. point made.” he then nods. “Yes .. outside might be better, weather permitting, of course. We’ll make it work.” he stands and offers Levi his hand, then takes it back. “Mon Dieu … old habits.”
Levi nods at the assurances and stands. He chuckles at Felix. “I understand, believe me. And yes, we’ll work something out. I will be in touch.” he raps on the window and in a moment Frank arrives to show them out. He pauses at the front desk to ask someone to have Sam Wright to give him a call to arrange a meeting.
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