Refined By His Fire

by Cathy Conradie

  Chapter Twelve

  Adrian and Ryan sit in the restaurant of the airport, silently sipping on their milkshakes. They already weighed in their baggage and are waiting for the boarding call.

  A young detective dressed in civilian clothes approach them.

  “Good morning. Sergeant Smith from Humewood SAPS Detective Branch. I’m looking for Adrian Parker.”

  Adrian looks up.

  “Morning, Sergeant. It’s me you are looking for.”

  “Mr. Parker, I need you to come with me to the station for questioning.”

  Ryan frowns.

  “That’s not going to happen.” Ryan says.

  “Our flight is leaving in twenty minutes.”

  Adrian gathers his belongings.

  “Buddy, no, wait. You don’t have to go.”

  “I certainly don’t want to be arrested because I’m resisting an arrest.”

  “Why . . . no! No! You are not going! Just what does he want to arrest you for?!”

  “Please phone my dad when you land, okay?”

  “Adrian!”

  But Adrian disappears with the detective and Ryan puts his face in his hands in despair.

  Arriving at the police station, Adrian is taken through to the area where the suspects are questioned. All his belongings are booked into the police registers, but goodness knows how much of that he will get back.

  “Do you know why you are here?”

  “Sergeant, no. I don’t.” Adrian says annoyed.

  “But I’m smart enough to use my right to silence. I’m also a cop.”

  The detective seems to be taken aback.

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Not that it will make any difference, now would it?”

  The detective sighs.

  “You are the main suspect for the murder on Arthur Johnson.”

  “Did the post mortem results come back?”

  “Yes. The findings were that he was shot at close range.”

  Adrian closes his eyes. It couldn’t be. And it couldn’t be that the results are back. That is way too soon.

  “You know your rights. Can you afford a lawyer?”

  “Can I call one of my choices?”

  “Whom do you have in mind?”

  “Jonathan Richards.”

  “No can do. He is your team mate.”

  “Good grief, Sergeant. He barely knows me. He is an attorney and he practices in Uitenhage.”

  “Can’t you think of anyone else?”

  “Look. I need to prove my innocence. My life, my career, my reputation is on the line here. No one cares about that. Just call him, okay?”

  “You’re not being fair.”

  “Really? And is it fair to accuse me of something I haven’t done? Can you imagine how this will look if the media gets hold of this?”

  “I’ll call you this lawyer. You know the procedure. I need your watch, your shoelaces and your belt.”

  Adrian gets up. He takes off his watch, belt and takes out his shoelaces.

  Sergeant Smith searches him before taking Adrian’s fingerprints and taking him to a temporary holding cell.

  Adrian sits down on the cold cement floor and folds his arms around his knees, resting with his head on his knees.

  Never in his whole life did he feel so alone and abandoned.

  Eagerly and anxiously, Henry, Chrissie and Barry wait for Adrian and Ryan to arrive. Arthur’s death made headlines since the news broke. All they wanted to do, was to hold Adrian close and comfort him. Very disturbed, they watch Ryan emerging alone.

  “Hello, Ryan.” Henry greets him.

  “Where’s Adrian? Is he still coming?”

  “Henry . . . Adrian told me to call you when I land. He was arrested before our departure.”

  “Bloody hell! What for?”

  “A detective came there. A Sergeant Smith from Humewood SAPS. I don’t know why he arrested Adrian.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll sort that out.” Henry says.

  Ryan can see Henry is enraged, but he also notices Henry bravely tries to remain calm.

  “They are messing with the wrong man. My son’s coming home and apart from that, when I’m done, both Adrian and I will be able to retire!”

  Henry tried to get the first best flight to Port Elizabeth, but only four hours later, Henry, Chrissie and Barry arrive at the Humewood Police station.

  Henry takes out his appointment certificate.

  “Major Henry Parker, SAPS Grabouw. I want to see Adrian Parker.”

  “Sorry, sir. It’s not visiting hours.”

  “Don’t call me “sir”, sonny! I’m working for a living! Let me say this again, I’m Major Parker and I’m from Grabouw. You are keeping my son here. I don’t know what for. It has been more than three hours and I will pay his bail. He is a policeman himself and has a fixed address.”

  “I don’t care, sir.”

  “Well, you will start to care now!”

  Henry passes the counter and goes up to the station commander’s office, ignoring the policemen in the charge office and the office personnel.

  Henry passes every door until he finds the station commander’s office and he knocks on the door. Brigadier Januarie looks up.

  “Good afternoon, Brigadier.”

  “Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?”

  “Please.”

  “Come in, please take a seat.”

  “Thanks, Brigadier. But I won’t be long. Brigadier, I’m Major Henry Parker, I’m the station commander of Grabouw SAPS. I’m very disturbed of the fact that my son is arrested and held here at your station and that I’m unable to see him.”

  The Brigadier frowns.

  “Arrested? What for?”

  “I have no idea, Brigadier. I was hoping that this is a huge mistake. He was supposed to arrive home this morning with his team mate, but I was told that a Sergeant Smith arrested him.”

  “Major, please come with me.”

  They proceed to the cells.

  “Lieutenant, please hand me the cells register.”

  “Brigadier.”

  “Who is your son, Major?”

  “A Parker.”

  They page through the cells register and Henry turns pale.

  “Murder? This is a mistake. What murder case is this?”

  “It’s the one of that Arthur Johnson guy, I think.” the Lieutenant says.

  Henry looks at the Lieutenant.

  “Please, I want to see my son.”

  “Let’s go.”

  “Major, is there anything else I can do for you?”

  Henry tries to smile.

  “Can you organize the docket for me, Brigadier? I would like to take a look at it.”

  “I’ll organize it right away, Major.”

  Henry walks through the one door and they walk to the cell where Adrian was kept.

  “Adrian?”

  Adrian looks up and gets up immediately.

  “Dad!”

  Henry stands right close to the cell, takes hold of Adrian’s hands and squeezes it gently.

  “Dad!”

  Adrian starts crying.

  “Please, get me out of here . . . I didn’t do anything! This is so wrong . . .”

  “Did you call your lawyer yet?”

  “Yeah, one of my team mates is an attorney. He was here.”

  “Just hang in there, my son.”

  “Dad! Dad, don’t leave me, please!”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying here with you. I asked them for the docket. I want to take a look at it and then, we’re going home. You included.”

  Very late that night, they finally arrive on the farm.

  Barry looks very worriedly at Adrian. He has seen Adrian in a very bad state of mind before after coming from Australia, but he doubts if Adrian was going to be able to work through this ordeal.

  Nero comes running into the cottage, puts his paw on Adrian’s leg and licks Adrian in the face. Adrian af
fectionately strokes him.

  “Hey, my boy. Been behaving while I was gone?”

  “He was good, don’t worry.”

  Barry disappears into the kitchen and soon emerges with mugs with steaming hot chocolate. He takes a seat opposite Adrian.

  “Ye okay, old man?”

  Adrian smiles ruefully.

  “Can one ever be okay after something like this? You know, Barry, I think I’m done with cricket.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “It is the second time that I’m there that things have gone wrong. I’m starting to believe that I’m bad luck to the side.”

  “That’s not fair. Besides, you’re a Christian. There is no way that a Christian can bring bad luck over people. Everywhere ye go, you are such a blessing to others.”

  Adrian shakes his head, tries to fight back the tears.

  “It’s not true . . .”

  “It is. You are a special friend and an awesome person who always think of others before ye think of your needs. It’s just the way ye are. Adrian, I know it is terribly late, but you have spoken nothing to anyone since we arrived. Ye look terrible. What happened in PE?”

  Adrian bites his lip and shakes his head.

  “Barry, don’t. Please. I don’t want to talk about it, okay? I just need to get through this on my own . . .”

  “Adrian, two things. I’m your best friend. Two, ye taught me to talk about me feelings after a traumatic incident. It’s me here. I care about you.”

  A tear slips over Adrian’s cheek.

  “I know . . .” Adrian whispers.

  “It’s just . . .”

  “Just what?”

  “It’s an awful feeling. I know I haven’t done anything wrong, but everyone has made up their minds. Besides, I don’t have an explanation. Just how am I supposed to prove my innocence?”

  “Ye don’t think God will take care of that?”

  “It doesn’t make sense, Barry! Why are all these things happening? What am I being punished for? I just keep on losing my friends! Another one I failed to protect! To crown everything, my reputation is ruined! Do you honestly think I will be able to go anywhere after this? I won’t be able to work, and I won’t be able to go anywhere without people staring at me!”

  “Please, Adrian. Please tell me what’s happened. I’m here for you.”

  “I can’t! I don’t want to talk about it! Please leave me alone. I’m asking you nicely.”

  “Adrian, listen to me! I will not allow ye to do this! Friends are there to support each other and to protect each other! I cannot allow Satan to steal your life like this!”

  “Don’t you get it?! He already has!”

  Adrian gets up and storms out of the cottage, running off into the darkness enveloping the farm.

  Barry runs his hands over his face and wiping away the tears. He sits down on the couch again, rests with his head on his hands.

  “Oh, Jesus, please. Please help us, please.” Barry starts praying.

  “Please comfort Adrian where he is now. Please show him he is not being punished and that You love him so. Please keep him safe where he is at the moment. Please give me the wisdom and comfort I need to handle this thing and to be of comfort to Adrian in this time. And please, Lord, please let Your Holy justice prevail.”

  Barry takes Adrian’s safe keys and puts it away where Adrian won’t be able to find them. There is no way that he can allow Adrian access to his firearms. Not now.

  Very confused and heart broken, Adrian walks onto the barn. He didn’t see chance to return to the cottage just as yet, not after the way he has treated Barry. It wasn’t fair from him to talk to Barry like that.

  Adrian walks onto Majoor’s stable and stands right to the stable door.

  Majoor rouses and gets up from where he was lying in his thick bedding. He whinnies softly and walks closer.

  “Hello, my boy.”

  Adrian softly strokes Majoor, opens the stable door and steps inside. He puts his arms around Majoor’s muscular neck and weeps softly for a while before he sits down in the bedding, just stroking Majoor’s legs.

  As if Majoor knew that Adrian needs comfort, he carefully lays down and allows Adrian to rest on him, both of them falling asleep in each other’s company.

  The early sun rays teasing the bedroom curtains and the soft dimmed light in the lounge rouses Barry.

  Barry opens his eyes, stretches and yawns. He stares at the empty, neat bed next to him and frowns.

  “Och, Adrian.” he says softly.

  “Where the hell are ye?”

  Barry gets up, walks to Adrian’s cupboard and opens it. The riding hat and boots are still in their place in Adrian’s neat cupboard.

  If Adrian didn’t go riding, there is only one other logical explanation where he can be . . .

  Barry dresses into a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and his Hi-Tecs and walks off to the barn. He opens the heavy doors of the barn and is greeted by the soft whinnies of the other horses. Barry looks over the stable door and looks onto the picture of the sleeping Adrian, resting with his upper body on Majoor’s back. Majoor rouses and it wakes Adrian.

  “Hey, old man.” Barry says softly.

  “Slept okay?”

  “Hey, Engelsman.”

  Adrian rubs over his eyes, yawns and to Barry’s delight, manages a smile and soft giggle when Majoor nudges him, breathing over Adrian’s hair.

  “Okay, okay, good morning.”

  They get up and Adrian puts his arms around Majoor’s neck, embracing him.

  “Thank you so much for last night, big guy. I’ll come and fetch you for a ride.”

  Majoor whinnies softly.

  “Uh oh, seems ye have made a date.” Barry says.

  Adrian exits the stable, closes the stable door before giving Barry a hug.

  “I’m so sorry about last night.”

  “It’s okay. It’s all forgiven and forgotten.”

  “Thanks, but I mean it. I was so wrong. I’m so confused and scared, but that doesn’t give me the right to talk to you or anyone like that. Let’s go to the cottage so I can change. I feel like a long outride with my best friend.”

  Adrian and Barry started off slowly and spent the first part of the ride in a comfortable silence before picking up the pace in a canter.

  Adrian then looks mischievously at Barry when they slow down for a few minutes.

  “Do you see chance for a gallop?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a dangerous thing to do, don’t ye think? Besides, I don’t know how to.”

  “It’s very easy, really. Just make your reins shorter and stand like this in your saddle.”

  Adrian shows him.

  “But remember at all times, keep your heels down and pinch with your knees. If you start to feel scared, tired or uncomfortable, just tell Hantam to slow down. He is excellent on voice commands. He won’t get over excited. I promise you. You ready?”

  Barry looks doubtful.

  “Hey, Engelsman. It’s okay. I promise. Do you trust me?”

  They look at each other.

  “I trust ye.”

  “Ready?”

  “Aye.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Adrian gets Majoor into an immediate gallop right from a walk and Hantam gradually picks up speed. He is a very gentle horse, very softly tempered, obedient and he felt Barry’s uncertainty, but it didn’t take very long for Barry to get keen on the idea.

  “You’re too slow there at the back, Engelsman!” Adrian teases.

  “Giving ye a head start, you’re gonna need it, old man! Come on, boy! Faster! Faster!”

  Adrian and Barry’s carefree laughter melts with the fast, hard breathing of the horses and their rhythmic footfalls.

  Approaching Adrian’s favorite spot at the river, they bring the horses to a halt. Adrian dismounts and fastens Majoor’s reins through the throat latch of the bridle. Majoor lowers his head and takes a drink from the stream before he starts grazing
.

  Adrian takes a seat on one of the rocks and stares over his father’s farm, trying to catch his breath. Barry also dismounts and follows the same routine with Hantam before he sits down next to Adrian.

  “I thought you’re scared to gallop.” Adrian teases.

  “Someone has done a lot of riding while I was gone.”

  Barry blushes shyly, takes off his rider’s hat and rubs his short spiky, wet hair.

  “If I knew what I know now, I would have started to gallop long time ago. It’s fun.”

  Barry looks at Adrian.

  “So, Adrian. What happened on the tour?”

  Adrian closes his eyes, bites on his lip.

  “Are ye okay to talk about it now?”

  “Yes, I want to . . .”

  Adrian opens his eyes, looks at Barry and sighs.

  “In PE, a day before the match, I was approached by a guy that called himself Brett. He told me that he wants to make a suggestion to make the tour interesting that we lose the match. He presented me with an envelope filled with money. Barry, you should have seen it. There was about my whole annual Constable salary in there.”

  Barry stares wide eyed.

  “So, I tried to arrest him. He tried to run off. I got hold of him again, but he tried to stab me. I chased him on foot for a long while until I couldn’t run anymore. I left the money on the table. I never took it. And so, the night when we finished the match at St George’s, I received an SMS from Arthur to come and see him in his room. It was about midnight. We had a very short discussion where he informed me that Peter wanted to appoint me as captain because Christo was about to retire. The next day when I wanted to discuss something with him prior to breakfast, I discovered him lying on the floor, unconscious. There was a spent .38 cartridge next to him . . .”

  Adrian fights back the tears.

  “I called Anthony and I tried to do CPR in the meantime. I have no explanation between midnight and that time I discovered Arthur because Ryan was asleep when I returned to my room after meeting with Arthur and Ryan went for a jog before breakfast.” Adrian swallows hard.

  “That same night after Arthur died, Peter informed us that the tour is cancelled. So while waiting for our flight to Cape Town the next morning, I was arrested at the airport.”

  “Good gracious! On what charge?”

  “It is alleged that I’m the main suspect of the murder on Arthur.”

  “But . . . is it murder? For sure? What did the post mortem say?”

  “That’s the beauty of it. They alleged they received the post mortem report, within a day after the murder. I doubt if it is legit. But they allege Arthur died of a gunshot wound, close range. They allege it comes from my private .38 Special Smith & Wesson I took with.”

  Barry snorts.

  “That’s ridiculous!”

  “Best of it all are they initially refused me to use Jonathan as my lawyer because they felt that we know each other too intimately because we are team mates.”

  “And?!”

  “Well, he is my lawyer. I did put my foot down.”

  “No way, there is too much going on here. One thing is for certain, they have made one hell of an unlawful arrest and they will pay up, that’s for sure.”

  Adrian was right when the media was overcrowded with newspaper clippings and allegations on the news that Adrian was guilty. Some of the media even referred to him as the disgraced cricketer that never should be allowed to play ever again, let alone be allowed in the community. Adrian refused any interviews with any journalists. Adrian refused to let the media get the best of him, but simultaneously his family and Barry witnessed daily the strain edged in his eyes. Henry installed a security gate in front of the front door of the cottage to allow privacy for Adrian when he was at home.

  Adrian sits in the bedroom on the bed and reads his Bible while listening to his favorite Christian music. It is the only thing that keeps him sane and he is grateful for the fact that his family and Barry kept all the newspaper clippings away from him. But it is his family’s support and Barry’s silly jokes and friendship that also helped him a great deal in the great time of tribulation he was going through.

  Knowing Barry went to Cape Town for the day when he hears the door bell rings, Adrian sighs. If it was his parents, they would have called him at the door to open up.

  Adrian closes his eyes. At this stage he hates the media so much . . .

  Adrian gets up, gathers the keys for in case and walks to the door. His emotion overwhelms him when he looks at René.

  “René . . .” he swallows hard.

  “I . . . I didn’t expect you.”

  René rests her hands through the security gate on Adrian’s.

  “I can’t leave you like this. Not in such a bad time. Can I come in?”

  Adrian opens the door for her and René embraces Adrian for a long time. She kisses him softly and holds him close when he breaks down in tears, crying softly.

  “It’s okay, it’s okay . . . I’m here.”

  “René . . . René, please don’t leave . . .”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” she says softly.

  “It’s all right. I’m here for you.”

  René holds Adrian close until he finally starts to calm down and she softly wipes the tears from his eyes.

  “Why did you come?” Adrian asks.

  “Don’t you know?”

  “I know everything. I came here because you need me and because I love you. I believe in you and your innocence.”

  They sit down next to each other on the couch.

  “But . . . we barely know each other. How can your faith be so steadfast in me?”

  “I know enough.”

  René takes Adrian’s fringe from his eyes.

  “I know that you are a beautiful man inside out, a committed cop, a gentle soul. That’s enough for me.”

  René takes Adrian in her arms again.

  “I love you.” she whispers before kissing him tenderly.

  “And I’m here for you as much as I can and as much as you’ll allow me to.”

  “I don’t know what to say . . .”

  “You don’t have say anything.”

  The final day of the court hearing arrives. It dragged on for a long time and the speculations were never ending about the ruling that the judge was going to make.

  Both the parties were afforded the chance to present their case and for what Adrian hoped would be the last time, he stands up to face the court and the questions. He tries desperately to ignore the flashing cameras.

  “Mr. Parker, is it true that you had a gun with you when you went to the World Cup cricket tour to Australia?”

  “Yes. It’s true.”

  “So, why’s that?”

  “I’m a policeman. I’m regarded as on duty 24/7. It’s my private firearm I took along.”

  “What firearm is it?”

  “A .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver.”

  “With what intention?”

  “To protect my team when necessary. I’m a policeman. I must serve and protect.”

  “Did you follow all the firearm control regulations?”

  “Your Honor, that’s irrelevant.” Jonathan interrupts.

  “Overruled. Continue.”

  “Of course I have.”

  “Did you know that the deceased, Roy McBride, was in Australia?”

  “No.”

  “So you allege you never knew.”

  “I didn’t know that he was there. He was supposed to be jailed for life.”

  “Why did you kill him?”

  “Your Honor, this has got nothing to do with the present case!” Jonathan interrupts again.

  “Mr. Thompson, get to the point, please.”

  “Mr. McBride kidnaped my friend. I received a tip off where he was and I took my firearm with.”

  “With what intention?”

  “Self protection, self defense.”

  “
So you shot him.”

  “He kidnaped my friend and kidnaped me too after almost killing me. I was found not guilty on that charge of murder and am wondering what relevance it bears with this case.”

  “You shot Mr. McBride four times. It’s more than self defense. As a cop, you know how to handle a firearm. You could have killed him with one shot, but instead, you decided to empty the magazine. It mounts to hatred. An then interestingly enough, you took your firearm, your .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver with you again on tour. That is very coincidental. I’m proving to this court that you are a heartless, cold-blooded murderer who has no explanation for the murder on Arthur Johnson. No questions further, Your Honor.”

  Jonathan gets up.

  “Mr. Parker, am I correct about the fact that you were awarded the gold cross for Bravery?”

  “Yes.”

  “When was that?”

  “Just a couple of months ago, before the Windies tour in SA.”

  “Why were you awarded that medal?”

  “Objection!”

  “Overruled. Carry on, Mr. Richards.”

  “I saved Mr. Nielsen life in Australia and a year after that, I saved a colleague of mine who was kidnaped by drug dealers. My colleague and I also saved toddlers from a burning house. The staircase got burnt and collapsed, trapping my colleague. I freed my colleague and we managed to get out of the house. I sustained second degree burns on my legs.”

  “Mr. Parker, on the night of the assumed attack when you went to Mr. Johnson, the deceased, did you take your private firearm with you to his room?”

  “No.”

  “Mr. Parker, were you alone in the hotel room with Mr. Johnson at that time?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you have any shooting incidents in your Police career?”

  “Yes.”

  “How many?”

  “Only one.”

  “Why?”

  “There was an armed robbery, a hijacking in the township area of Grabouw. The criminals fired in our direction and I wanted to protect my friend and myself.”

  “Did you have any injuries on the morning of Mr. Johnson”s death?”

  “Yes. A minor cut on my arm.”

  “How did you sustain that?”

  “I was approached by a guy that called himself Brett, a day before the match. He wanted to implicate me into match fixing. When I tried to arrest him, he tried to stab me. I reported the incident at the chairman of the C.S.A., Anthony Edwards. He is a registered paramedic and he dressed the wound for me when I spoke to him in regards to the bribe.”

  “Could you tell the court what the findings were of the primer residue tests on your hands?”

  “They were negative.”

  “No further questions, Your Honor.”

  The judge looks at the evidence in front of him and then at the court.

  “I’m ready to make a ruling.” he announces.

  “And I want to say this: although Mr. Johnson’s death is a huge tragedy in the history of this country, the trial is not over yet. This must be taken note of: I am deeply ashamed of the manner in which a young man’s life was ruined, the total unprofessional way in which the case was handled and investigated, the unlawful arrest and accusation. It is therefore my ruling that Adrian Parker is found not guilty on the charges of murder on Arthur Johnson and that furthermore, that the State is responsible for the compensation of this young man to the sum of R3 million. Also that all efforts are made to find the real suspect in this case and that no stone be left unturned in the quest to do so and the suspect is charged in front of this court. Court is adjourned.”

  Adrian sighs with relief and turns to Jonathan.

  “Thanks, buddy.” he shakes Jonathan’s hand firmly.

  “It’s okay, Adrian. I knew anyway that they had a very poor case and nothing to stand on. You okay?”

  Adrian smiles bravely.

  “Yes.”

  “Hope to see you soon at the cricket?”

  “No, I . . . I don’t think so. I’m done with cricket. I caused so much trouble for the side.”

  “Nonsense. It’s just the way everything turned out.”

  “Thanks again, buddy. I . . . I need to go. I just want to go on with my life now.”

  “Just remember what I have said. You still have so much to offer in cricket. You are very young and very talented. Don’t waste it just because Satan tries to steal it and to steal your joy.”

  Adrian smiles ruefully.

  “Take care.”

  Adrian turns around and leaves with his family to the outside where they are met by thousands of media. Adrian bravely looks at them and Henry protectively puts his arm around Adrian’s shoulders.

  “I have this to say and this to ask: I was found not guilty on charges of murder. Please, I am an ordinary policeman and I beg you, please leave me alone now. I don’t have anything to say. I don’t want to talk about anything.”

  “But, Adrian—”

  “Leave him alone.” Henry says firmly.

  “No articles anymore, nothing. He is innocent. Leave him to live his life and leave all us alone.”

  They walk onto the car amidst the media and the flashing cameras, trying to ignore the commotion.

  Barry takes off his jacket and covers Adrian’s head and shoulders with it before they get into the vehicle and leave for the safety and peace of the farm.