No Place Like Home Ch 14 pt 2

Bill Hecht lounged on David’s office couch while David sat at his desk and looked out the large window in his office.  Shandrea’s bail had been denied and that had thrown a kink in his plans.  With her in jail, it would be almost impossible to get rid of her and she was set to testify in only two weeks.  In that matter of time he knew he could come up with a plan perhaps with a little help.1

“What’s on your mind?”  Bill asked.2

David did not answer, Bill continued…3

 “I’m sorry I couldn’t get bail.  I assumed that since Ms. Talmadge is homeless and unemployed that the court would not consider her a flight risk.  On the bright side, that could mean the judge thinks she‘s out of her mind, which could work for you if you offer to provide psychiatric care to her.  She may claim insanity, which I believe she will, and then perhaps I can file a motion stating that she is incompetent to stand trial.  If that happens then you don‘t have to worry about her saying anything in her testimony that would defame your character.  What is it exactly that you‘re worried about her revealing?  Don‘t worry, I can keep it under lawyer client privilege.  I just want to know what I‘m looking out for.”4

David shot Mr. Hecht an icy glare and poured another drink for them both.5

“I caught my ex sneaking around the property a few days ago.  I don’t know what she was looking for, but I made quite a scene.  I may need your services, in case she tries to sue me for property damage or claim I assaulted her.”6

“Why would she charge you with assault, Mr. Sandal, when you could charge her with trespassing.   Just how did this scenario play out?”7

“Well, I saw a vehicle parked on down on the lower acreage.  It looked suspicious so I went down there to investigate.  We had a few words and I threw a ceramic dog dish.”8

“At her?”9

“No, at her van. It busted the windshield an left a few dents on the hood, that’s all.  But check this out… A few minutes later I turned around to see a guy coming out of my guest house.  He looked familiar, but I couldn’t be sure because of the distance.  Anyway, she told me some lie in an attempt to explain why she was there.”10

“Was this the same house where they found that kidnapped baby?”11

David nodded.12

“If  the investigation is ongoing she could be charged with evidence tampering.  Would you like me to check into it?”13

“No,” David replied, “I’m more interested in finding out why she was hanging around. Once Shandrea’s taken care of  I don’t think Rose will be a problem.  I have half a mind to pack up and go on vacation, but I just got a subpoena yesterday with my name on it, so I guess I’m testifying for the defense.14

“Right you are!” Bill replied and they clinked their glasses in an unspoken toast. “Let’s try to have Shandrea re-evaluated.  Is there anyone you know in the field of psychiatry that could tip the odds in your favor?  If they put her on medication and get her the help she needs then a judge can request that she stand trial.  We need someone to declare her incompetent so that there’s no chance of her getting on the stand.  I have to say though, I have never seen that done in my 24 years on  the job, so good luck.”15

“I have something better than luck.” David said.  “I have money.”16

“Well, you may need a little luck on this one.” Bill replied. “One thing I learned in law school is that you can never be too sure of  a judge’s ruling.  Shandrea’s competence was already in question, before I took over the case.  Jan Hopkin’s, the prison shrink, believes that her mental capacity is below that of an 18 year old which makes her somewhat less accountable, but it’s not likely she’ll walk free.   Her trial is still set for the end of January, and I’m not looking for it to go much into February, unless she changes counsel or files an appeal for another evaluation.  My prediction, like I said before, is that she’ll be sent up to Windfield Mental Hospital and with the recent closings of Menninger’s, Parkview, and the State Hospital, they don’t have a lot of space.  If she agrees to take medication and behaves herself, she’ll be out on ‘Independent Living’ status before the end of this year.  As for your ex…whatever her name is…”17

“Rose” David replied.18

“As for Rose, you’d be better off just leaving her alone and calling the Police if she trespasses again.  I’m too busy with this case  to defend you on charges of assault and battery.”19

Shandrea sat alone in her jail cell, she had just finished a counseling session with Dr. Hopkins, and was fighting back memories of her past.  Since she was on suicide watch she could not have a roommate and was only let out under supervision of her therapist.  She was not allowed a writing utensil and there were no sheets on her bed, but at least she was by herself.  She could not get rid of the sickening feeling that seemed to have taken over her body and she wasn’t sure if it was intuition or the reality of her situation sinking in.  20

She was being prescribed medication that was supposed to get rid of her schizophrenia and depression but she was certain she didn’t need it, and it made her feel lethargic and ill.   She didn’t feel depressed or schizophrenic  so she poked a hole in her pillow with a long fingernail along the seam and inserted her pills, one by one.  She felt safer sleeping at night, knowing that if she did have to take her own life she could, though she really did not want to.  She was certain David’s goons would get her out of jail so she bided her time, reading the many different books provided for her by the prison library that the resident psychologist had brought her, including a Bible.  21

Looking at it's columned pages and small lettering she thmbed through until she came to the Book of Revelations.  She quickly closed the book, scared of scripture and the ominous prophecies that lay within it's pages.  Of all the things she’d witnessed in her life, the ancient text  often sounded a bit to realistic, and in others ways incredibly far fetched.  She didn’t think Hell was a burning pit of fire ruled by a horned Devil or that Heaven was a place where we just sit around in a paradise, suffering from eternal boredom.  She had her own opinions on such things and numerous doubts as well.  Something she had not told to hardly anyone except David, and a few of her therapists. kept coming to her mind and her head began to flood with memories  As a young child her mother had gone off on a binge and left her at home by herself for days   She remembered being relieved at first that her mother was gone, but the reprieve soon turned to hunger and loneliness.  The water and electricity had been shut off  and  people had come into the house and ransacked it.  As a child she didn’t understand, but as an adult she was almost certain they were looking for drugs.   In order to stay safe she hid in a closet.  She’d been so scared that even after the house was quiet again she stayed behind the safety of the door.  At one point in the night right before drifting off to sleep and felt herself going through a tunnel, it reminded her of an amusement park ride, but at the end there was a bright light that was like nothing she’d ever seen before.  A hand reached out and guided her into the warmest embrace she had ever felt.  She looked up and saw her grandma Norma.  Feeling of safety and total peace enveloped her, but almost as instantly, it was over.  She heard a rhythmic beeping noise and the scenery immediately changed.   22

The wailing sound of a woman who she knew had to be her mother, filled her ears.  She looked around and saw her mother escorted out of the room by security officers and the surprise on the doctor’s face as she tried to pull a tube from her throat and sit up.  The memory caused Shandrea to absentmindedly run her finger along the scar on her neck.  Her mother was jailed and lost custody of her for almost two years and Shandrea was bused back and forth between foster homes.  Eventually her mother had cleaned up and regained custody, but one night after a bitter argument, her mother told her that she wished Shandrea would have died and she cursed the doctors who brought her back.  She was shocked to hear that, because in her mind it had always been a dream and after that revelation she’d wondered a lot about the ‘other side’, but was too afraid to speak of it often  for fear people would think her mentally ill. 23