Chapter 62: Released
*We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them. – Albert Einstein*
Marti was not happy with the judge but understood why the decision was made. There was no record of previous violence. Hank was seen as an upstanding member of society.
The chief, under intense pressure from the city council and mayor, suspended Hank pending investigation. The PR war that his family started fizzled out once the body cam was released. Henry Senior tried to file a defamation suit against Jolene. The judge asked if he was really that stupid before dismissing it without hearing any arguments.
Marti walked down the hospital corridor to the room where Jolene was. She had gotten a message while she was in court that Jolene had woken up. This time she did not ask to be knocked back out. Between the pain her body must be experiencing and the heartache and betrayal, it was no wonder she kept going back to the blissful darkness.
Knocking on the partially closed door, Marti waited for it to be opened. The older brother opened the door and motioned for her to enter. Her client was still in the bed, bruised and battered. Literally, from head to toe. She stopped next to the bed and smiled at the younger woman.
“Hi, I don’t know if you remember meeting me or not. I’m Marti Pinkston, and I’m your lawyer.”
Jolene tapped the notepad where divorce was written.
“Yes, I’ve started that process. I came by to give everyone an update. Your husband has been released on bond. The judge has issued an order of protection, but it’s just a piece of paper.”
“I’ll hire guards.” Reese said sending a message to Neo.
“I personally think that’s a good idea.” Marti said as Jolene painstakingly wrote on her notepad.
Jolene tapped the notepad again and Marti saw the word prenup.
“It’s nullified. The instant that he hit you the first time it became invalid. You do not have to repay any of the money he put towards your college. Yes, he will probably try to have it enforced, but no judge will hear it. That’s why they attempted a defamation suit. And that also failed.”
“Neo will have a guard here within the hour.” Reese said looking at his phone.
“Good. The order only applies to Jolene. Mr. Fargo may try to contact the family. I advise don’t engage. If he shows up at your house, video your encounter and tell him to get off your property, he’s not welcome and if he returns, you will call the police.”
Jolene made a dismissive motion with her good hand.
“Trust me. They will respond. The whole department is under scrutiny right now.” Marti assured her. “When you are up to it, there are some questions that the state police and the DA have for you.” She emphasized the word state. “State police have taken over your case.”
Jolene made a question mark on the paper.
“Why?” Marti asked and Jolene nodded. Helen started to say something, but Reese pulled her into his lap and whispered in her ear.
“Because in the past three months there have been a total of fifty-four calls to the MCPD for your address from neighbors and they were all basically dismissed. Bare basic protocol was not followed. At any time when the cops showed up, were you separated from your abuser and questioned?”
Jolene shook her head.
“Did you ever feel as though they were offering you any kind of protection? Would you have felt safe asking them for help? Did they ever check back with you? Anytime that you were around any of the officers or staff, did they ever ask if you were OK?”
Jolene shook her head no to each question. Then she flipped a page and wrote on her notepad. When she was done, she handed it to the lawyer.
*Hank said we trying 4 baby. Erybody xcitd. Only ask if preg.*
Flipping the page to a new sheet, Marti handed it back. “Did you want to have a baby? Not him, you.”
Jolene shook her head no and then wrote on the paper.
*got iud w/o telling. Threw away pills. NO CHOICE he made decisions. I was property. Chattel.*
Marti looked at the paper and smiled. “You are a very smart woman. If you feel up to it, I will ask for the investigators to provide questions in writing. We will sit down and complete a written statement and affidavit.”
Jolene smiled and nodded.
“Good. If anybody needs me, I’ll be planning a trip to Barbados. Thanks for the business, Owen.”
Reese chuckled. “You do realize that Barbados is a tropical island?” he asked, and Marti made a face of disgust. “I’m sure Norway is just as expensive, and they have skiing.”
“Nothing better than snow. Oh, Jolene, make a list of everything in the apartment that is yours or that you got after you were married, and you want.”
Jolene quickly wrote down that she didn’t want anything.
“Yes, you do.” Marti said forcefully. “He’s taken enough from you. It’s time to claim what is yours. I don’t care if a moving truck takes all your stuff to a charity and donates it. It’s yours. You make the decision. You are not a possession to be owned. You own the possessions, and you decide what to do with them. If you want to burn everything he ever touched, I’ll get the burn permit. You want to sell everything and split the profits with him, I’ll mark everything a penny. You decide what you want to do with your possessions, and it will be done.”
Jolene’s eyes widened and she jotted down what went through her mind.
“I can talk to your boss, but I don’t know how long you’ll be out.” Marti admitted.
“Princess, don’t worry about your job.” Reese said standing up and bringing Helen with him. “Your job is to get better and healthy. Then once you’re back to 100 percent, you can go back to school and finish your degree.”
He saw the confusion on her face. “I’ll pay for it. No conditions, no contracts, just me paying for your school. Think of it as an investment in the next generation.”
Reese carefully wiped away tears from her face. “We need good teachers. Like the kind that teach their younger brother to read and write.”
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