Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

The Divine Right of Kings	By : vinsmouse Category: G through L > Hardy Boys Series Views: 5917 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hardy Boys, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
Chapter 25

“The trial begins soon doesn’t it?”

Joe glared at the doctor, refusing to answer. He really didn’t want to talk to the man, especially when he asked stupid questions. He knew the trial date had been in the papers and on television. Even if they hadn’t Joe was sure his father would have told the doctor when the trial was supposed to start.

“How do you feel about testifying?” Steve frowned as no response was forthcoming. The last couple of appointments had gone like this. No matter what question he tried his patient refused to talk.

Usually in a case such as this Steve would use a variation of the silent treatment. Simply put he would sit in the room with his patient, saying nothing, only observing while he jotted down the occasional note. This normally resulted in the patient talking as most were uncomfortable with prolonged silences. Joe Hardy had proven to be the exception to the rule. Rather than talk he had simply closed his eyes and used the hour to take a nap, or pretend to at any rate. A few sessions like this were enough to prove to him that the usual method wouldn’t work. If it hadn’t been so frustrating, Steve would have admired the boy’s determination.

“It must be difficult. I know I wouldn’t enjoy talking about such a horrible experience in front of strangers.” Steve sighed heavily. “If you’d let me help you Joe, you’ll be better prepared for the trial.” He was honestly worried about the effects of the trial on his young patient. While the boy hadn’t experienced another panic attack Steve was very much aware of the possibility. Testifying in a public trial was very nearly guaranteed to cause one. He sighed again. Maybe it was time to hand this patient off to another doctor?

Joe glanced at the clock, relieved to see he’d been in the office for an hour. Without a word he stood and left the room. He could sense the doctor following him but he didn’t acknowledge the man. Sooner or later Dr. Carpenter would realize these appointments were a waste of time.

“Mr. Hardy could I speak to you for a moment?”

Fenton turned from the appointment desk. Had Joe finally started talking to the doctor again? “Of course.” He quickly finished making a new appointment and told Joe to stay in the waiting room. No words were spoken as he followed the doctor down the hall to his office.

“Did Joe say something?” Fenton asked the moment the door closed.

“No, I’m afraid not.”

Fenton ran a hand through his hair, a habit from his younger days. “Is there any point in continuing therapy?”

“Yes and no,” Steve answered. “I don’t believe Joe will talk to me again but he needs to talk to somebody. I think it may be time to find another doctor for him.” He knew the elder Hardy wouldn’t like what he was about to suggest but he had to do what he thought best for his patient. “I’d like to recommend a colleague of mine.” He handed Fenton a card. “Dr. Saylor is very good at what she does.”

“That’s what I was told about you,” Fenton pointed out.

“I won’t insult you by a show of false humility Mr. Hardy. I am good at my job but the doctor patient relationship is much like a marriage. If the personalities involved aren’t a good fit the relationship will become more work than it ought to be and is much more likely to fail.” Steve took a deep breath, “Diane specializes in helping the victims of sexual abuse.”

Fenton gasped. “But Joe wasn’t,” he couldn’t say the word, “that didn’t happen to my son.”

“Not actual rape, no,” Steve agreed. “However what he experienced was a type of sexual assault causing many of the same sorts of feelings. Joe won’t let me help him and he really does need help in dealing with this.”

Fenton nodded. “I’ll call Dr. Saylor,” he promised. “Was that all?”

Steve shook his head. “I’m concerned about Joe testifying in open court. A few weeks ago when I asked him a simple question about the events of that day he nearly had a panic attack. I am very much afraid that he will panic in that courtroom.”

“I’ve been worried about it too,” Fenton admitted. “The judge won’t allow him to testify in chambers. Joe’s testimony will be the most damning and the defense protested the motion. The prosecutor pointed out that Joe is only fourteen but since a boy that age can be charged as an adult the defense was able to argue that he should be old enough to testify in open court like any other witness. Unfortunately the judge ruled for the defense.”

“I see. I suppose the judge is up for re-election this year?” He’d seen judges make bad decisions before because they were more concerned with politics.

“No. Actually from what the prosecutor told me I think the judge is trying to prevent grounds for appeal.”

“I guess there’s nothing to be done then. Just watch your son carefully while he’s testifying and be prepared to insist on a break for him if you see him beginning to panic,” Steve advised.

Fenton smiled ruefully. “I already am Doctor.”

A week later Joe sat at his computer. He should be in bed; tomorrow was going to be a long day.

I don’t know if I can do this.

You’ll do fine pet.

I could still change my mind.

Joey we’ve talked about this.

But I don’t want to send you to prison.

I don’t want to go to prison pet, but we both know it’s going to happen.

Maybe I can make the jury see that you were trying to protect me from Red.

I wish you could Joey but unfortunately nobody else sees it that way. Nor are they likely to.

Joe sighed, he knew when arguing would do no good. Have you figured out a way for us to keep talking?

No, but I did find a site for you to start visiting after the trial. I’ll send you the link in an email. Look for a user named Minder. He is a friend of mine and very much like me.

Joe stared at the screen in disbelief. You want me to replace you?

No, I want you to have somebody to talk to. Somebody who can help you while I’m away, I want your promise you’ll do as I say pet.

With shaking hands Joe began to type his reply. I promise. His finger hesitated over the enter key. Joe knew the promise he was making was an acknowledgement that Alex would soon be gone from his life. He didn’t know if he’d be able to talk to this guy, Minder, but he would try at least. It wouldn’t be the same as talking to Alex, who understood what he’d gone through because he’d been there. Would this Minder understand him and his feelings to actually be helpful? He honestly doubted it.

Thank you Joey. Now say goodnight Gracie.

Joe smiled. Goodnight Gracie.

The next morning an exhausted Joe Hardy climbed out of bed. After ending his chat with Alex he had tried to go to bed only to spend the next hour tossing and turning. When he finally managed to fall asleep he was plagued with nightmares.

“Joe time to…oh you’re already up.” Frank stood in the doorway uncertainly. He hadn’t expected his brother to be out of bed, not this early. “Mom has breakfast ready.”

“Not hungry,” Joe mumbled.

Frank frowned. “You need to eat Joe.”

Joe sat heavily on the edge of his bed, his head hanging. He was the picture of abject misery. “It’d just come back up.”

Frank fully entered the room, taking a seat next to his brother. “That bad huh?”

“I know I have to testify Frank but…”

“You’re scared.”

Joe nodded. “The thought of it makes me sick,” he quietly admitted.

“It’s going to be a long day Joe, an empty stomach is going to make it longer.”

Joe shrugged.

Frank sighed. “Is there anything I can do?”

Joe snorted. “Convince the prosecutor to drop the charges.”

“Joe…”

“Never mind Frank,” he sighed. “Go eat breakfast; I’ll be down in a little while.”

“You sure?” He hated to leave Joe alone when he was so obviously stressed.

“Go on Frank, I’ll be fine. Just going to shower and get dressed.”

“Alright.” With obvious reluctance Frank left the room.

Two hours later found the Hardy family entering the courtroom. Luckily the prosecutor had arranged for them to enter through a back entrance, allowing them to avoid most of the reporters lying in wait. Still there were a few directly outside the courtroom that were impossible to avoid. Their only option was to force their way past them all the while ignoring the questions shouted at them.

Bunch of vultures, Frank thought with disgust as he wrapped one arm around Joe’s shoulder as if to shield him from their sight. He knew it was their job to report the news and this was certainly news but did they have to be so obnoxious about it.

Inside the courtroom it was much quieter. The few reporters permitted in the gallery had been warned against any outburst. The Hardy family soon found their seats.

Fenton sat next to his wife, Joe on his other side with Frank seated next to him. Throughout the morning the detective listened in horror as his wife and eldest son recounted the events of that horrible day. He glanced, for probably the twentieth time, at his youngest. The boy was pale and obviously nervous over his testimony. The detective wished with all of his heart that he could have spared his family, particularly Joe this ordeal. But once more he was helpless to save his family from the pain caused by Alex Tomlinson.

When the judge dismissed the court for lunch a bailiff led the Hardy family into a side room.

“Judge Harlin thought you wouldn’t want to deal with the reporters. There’s menus from Sally’s diner. If you give me your order I’ll see it’s brought to you,” the bailiff explained.

“That’s very kind of you, thank you,” Laura quietly said.

It took them only moments to make their selections, with Joe once more refusing anything. Fenton ordered a light lunch for him anyway. He only hoped the boy would eat some of it. The afternoon would be difficult as it was, Joe didn’t need to faint from hunger on top of everything else.

“How are you holding up son?” Fenton asked after the bailiff left.

Joe shrugged. What was there to say? They wouldn’t let him refuse to testify. Alex wouldn’t let him refuse either. He almost laughed at that, just barely stopping himself. He didn’t want to explain to his family. Joe suspected they wouldn’t see the humor of them and Alex agreeing on something.

“Frank?”

“I’m okay Dad. It wasn’t easy to talk about it, especially with Tomlinson sitting there the whole time,” he admitted. It had been creepy to see the man staring at him, wearing a look very similar to the one that graced his face all those weeks ago.

“You did good son. I’m proud of you.”

“Just wish it was over with.”

“Me too,” Laura whispered. Gratefully she leaned into Fenton’s embrace. She had nearly broken down on the stand more than once. Seeing the man who had terrorized them looking at her with such disdain as she recounted that day had reignited the guilt she still carried. It was the sight of her husband and sons sitting behind the prosecutor that had kept her strong and got her through testifying.

Too soon lunch was ending. Slowly the family returned to their seats in the courtroom. Beside him Fenton could feel Joe beginning to tremble. Wrapping one arm around his son’s shoulders, he pulled him close. “You okay son?”

“I can’t do this Dad,” Joe spoke in a voice just above a whisper.

As if he’d heard him Alex turned in his seat. Ignoring the glares sent his way by the rest of the Hardy family he focused on Joe. Softening his gaze he gave a barely perceptible nod before turning to once more face forward.

Joe drew in a deep breath. He knew he had to testify. He had promised.

“Joe?” Aware of Tomlinson’s effect on his victims Fenton was understandably worried by the look he’d given his son.

“I’m okay now Dad,” Joe assured him.

Before anything else could be said court was called to order. They had barely resumed their seats when Joe’s name was called and he stepped forward.

“Hello Joe, you don’t mind if I call you Joe do you?” the prosecutor, Evan Sanders, asked.

“It’s okay.”

“I know this isn’t easy for you Joe but I’d like you to tell me about the events that occurred on June 10th of this year.”

Joe swallowed hard and began to speak. He spoke not only of the events, but with the encouragement of Mr. Sanders, he spoke too of the terror he’d felt that day. The longer he spoke the more his voice shook as he moved closer to the worst part of that awful day. “…Red took me into the kitchen.”

Here Evan interrupted his witness. “When you say Red you mean Gary Wyndham?” he asked for clarification.

Joe nodded.

“Let the record show the witness indicated a positive response to the question,” the judge ordered. He could see the boy was nearing the end of his endurance. “Do you need a break Joe?” he quietly asked the young witness.

Joe shook his head. He wanted nothing more than to leave the stand but he knew if he did there was no way he would return. He was barely holding himself together now.

“You said Gary Wyndham took you into the kitchen, can you tell us what happened Joe?” Evan gently asked.

“He…he pushed me against the wall and started cu…cu…” As his heart hammered a staccato beat Joe felt himself growing lightheaded. He knew he was losing the struggle to keep himself together. Through a tunnel he heard the judge asking him something but he was too far away for the words to make sense. His vision began to fade as his breathing came in short, panicked gasps. He saw Alex stand and suddenly the panic stopped. Somehow Joe knew the man was about to save him again.

Alex had seen enough. He pushed himself to his feet. “Stop!”

“Mr. Tomlinson if you don’t sit down I will have you restrained,” Judge Harlin threatened.

Alex ignored him. “I’m sorry Joey; I shouldn’t have allowed this to happen.” Turning to the judge he squared his shoulders. “Your honor I wish to change my plea to guilty.”

TBC...

Please feed the muse with reviews.
- 24
- 25
- 26
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Divine Right of Kings