“I’ve got something you can use, but I think this is a terrible idea. Isn’t Richard trying to hook you up on a trip to Mexico?” Tommy asks, stuffing food in his mouth.
I nod, my anger exiting my body. They have no idea what I’m about to do, and how I need a car to complete my task. And yes, Richard’s called me almost every day to tell me about the Mexico set up. He’s got me ready to go. I only need to tell him when.
“Thanks, man. Can I get the car soon?”
“Just take the one Sally and I came in, and we can walk home. It’s only a couple of blocks.” He hands me the keys and I grasp his hand and pull him into a hug. I’ve never hugged Tommy before. I’ve never hugged any of my employees before, but I want him to realize my true appreciation.
I pull away and put my hands in my pockets. “I just want to tell you and Sally thank you for everything. I wouldn’t have made it these past few years if it weren’t for you. You’re a true friend and I wanted to say thanks.”
Tommy looks at me incredulously and mutters out a thanks of his own. I had better stop with the hugs and sugary speech before my plan is discovered. If they only knew, they would stop me in my tracks. I tell them good-bye and let Tim know I’ll be gone most of the day. No one thinks it’s a good idea, but no one can stop me. I’m a grown man.
I return to my room and grab my family picture sitting on my nightstand. It’s propped up against the lamp. I don’t even remember placing it there. I remember Claire running copies of this picture for the twins. I hope they keep their copies and can remember the good times.
I stuff the picture into my pocket and feel Marcus’s necklace around my neck. I look in the mirror and see a shaved, clean, new man. I swallow and grab the car keys. I purposefully leave my cell phone on the table.
I walk out of the apartment into the garage and close the door behind me. I step into the Toyota Camry and once again, am thankful for the thick window tint. I put the garage up and back out the car. It feels amazing to be leaving the apartment and to be in the sunshine. I roll the windows down just an inch to let in the cool air, and turn up the radio. I take deep breaths and realize I want to make a stop before my final destination.
After a fifteen-minute drive, I pull up to the downtown Catholic Church. This church is massive and I know they allow visitors in at any time for prayer. I grab a hat to accompany my glasses, and I leave the confines of the car. I guess if the police arrest me in the church that will be a good place to go, but hopefully there won’t be a crowd. I open the ancient wooden doors and walk inside the foyer. I remove my glasses and hat as I walk into the sanctuary.
Thankfully, I’m alone except for the priest lighting candles in the front. I take a seat in one of the pews and bend my head over in prayer. I haven’t done this in years. I haven’t stepped foot inside a church since my grandparents died, and I haven’t prayed since I lost my brothers.
But today I will pray.
Today I will ask for the forgiveness of my sins, because today will change everything. I’m not sure why I’ve experienced so much loss in my life and why I’m the only one who keeps living. I have no idea why I’m still here, and why the path to where I’ve gotten has been so rocky.
I ask forgiveness for all my past sins and the mistakes I will make in the future. I know I’m only a human and will continue to mess up, but I vow right there to live my life a better man. I think about all the people I have loved and I know that even if I never see Claire or my brothers again, they are worth living for. I can be a good man for them. I’m not sure how long I stay there but when I look up, the priest is gone and I am alone.
I stand and make the sign of the cross over my chest. I am at peace as I walk out the doors of the church. I instantly put my hat and glasses back on, as I head towards the Camry. I drive another ten minutes and arrive at my final destination. I glance around to see people walking beside my car, completely unaware that a wanted criminal is only a few feet away.
I glance at the building, expecting to feel fear. After all, today I’m manning up and facing the biggest fear of my life.
Instead I feel peace for my decision and remorse for my past sins. I see the blue lettering for the Atlanta Police Department Headquarters and take a deep breath. The building looks like the pictures I’ve seen on the Internet; a building I have avoided like the plague during the past five years. I open the car door and start the process of walking towards the entrance.
Today I’m turning myself in.
There’s no turning back now.
This is it; the beginning of the rest of my life.
INSTEAD OF RUNNING away from the police department, I’m ironically walking towards the building. For the first time in my life, I’ve owned up to my sins, and I’m doing the right thing. For once in my life…I’m proud of myself.
For once in my life, I don’t hate myself.
Maybe I can never have Claire, but I know she will be proud of me for this decision. My parents and grandparents would be proud of me for doing the right thing. This might not be the life I wanted to live, but from this point forward, I will be a better man. For Claire and for my brothers, I will try my damnedest every day to be a worthy man. My life has been a series of choices and heartache, and sadly, my present is defined by the terrible choices from my past.
From now on, I will think before I act and think of Claire and the twins before I react. From this point onward, I can start a new life. I might be in a jail cell till I die, but I can at least sleep in peace.
And maybe when Claire and the twins see me on the news, they will be proud to say they knew me. Just maybe. Or maybe they’ll be embarrassed and humiliated that their brother and kidnapper is spending the rest of his life in jail. I’m not sure of their reaction, but at least I can live with myself.
I told my brothers and Claire that I loved them, and I’m doing this today for the honor of those I love.
I open the steel doors and remove my sunglasses. I walk in like a non-criminal and walk to the receptionist. She looks at me and smiles, oblivious of who I am.
“Can I help you?”
Her smile is forced, her lipstick too red, and her hair too big.
“Yeah. I’m Brandon Wilson, and I’m here to turn myself in.”
Her smile instantly fades and fear crosses her face. Seriously! I would never hurt a woman. I feel my anger start to rise, but I think of Claire and the twins, and I’m instantly calmed. She pushes back her chair and runs to the back. I stand there and wait, feeling like an idiot.
I guess this doesn’t happen that often.
“ON THE FLOOR, NOW!” I hear one of the officers yell and see three enter the room. They point their guns at me, and I immediately comply with their orders. I lie on the floor and put my hands behind my back. I know the drill. I’ve been on the streets long enough.
They aggressively cuff my hands and haul me up. They throw me against the wall and pat me down. Seeing I have no weapons, they put their guns up. My docile behavior shocks them, and they lead me down the hallway to the back door. One of them is on his radio and the news of my arrest spreads like wildfire.
They take me out the back and push my head into the backseat of a police car. Two cops enter the front seats and we start down the road with the sirens blaring. I know exactly where they’re taking me. We’re going to the maximum-security prison. I should be scared shitless; I am, after all, facing my biggest fear.
Instead, I’m still feeling peace and pride.
I’M READ MY rights and put in solitary confinement. I’m sure I’ve made breaking news, and I wonder what Tommy thinks about my decision. He’s probably pissed that I took his car and shocked that I actually gave myself up. I know Richard is cursing me for all those Mexico arrangements I will no longer need.
I lie in the bed and look at the ceiling. I hear the door opening and a security worker walks in. He asks what I need and I request some books. John Grisham if they have any. He nods and leaves. I wonder what will ultimately happen
to me?
I’m going to have plenty of time to think about my life over the next twenty plus years.
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS HAVE passed, and another guard arrives at my cell. I’m taken to a small holding room where I’m met by a female guard. She’s here to discuss my court date.
“Will you be needing a lawyer?”
“Yes.”
“The state will provide you with the services of a lawyer if that’s what you need.”
I cringe, remembering the state lawyer in the custody case of my brothers. I almost start to protest, but then realize I have no other choice. I will have to go with the state lawyer. It’s not like I have a hope in hell of getting out of this situation anyways.
“Yeah. I’ll need the state lawyer.”
She nods and writes some information on her paper. “Once they assign the lawyer, he or she will be by to visit you and talk.”
“Okay.”
My meeting with this lady finishes, and I’m ushered back to my cell. I’m in a holding cell right now, but I expect them to move me to something more permanent in a few days. I’ve gotten several books checked out from the library, and I start to read once back in my room.
Maybe I should start making tick marks on the wall so I don’t lose track of time. Solitary confinement can drive a man mad.
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS HAVE passed, and I’m finally moved to a more permanent room. I now have a roommate who appears to have seen harder days than me. I, at least, have television and an allotted time to work out. I’m also able to venture outside. I live my days by routine, awaiting the dreaded meeting with my lawyer. One day after finishing my workout, I’m ushered back to my cell, only to have the guard call me from the bars.
“Wilson. You’re wanted in the conference room.”
I hold out my hands for him to place the cuffs, and I follow down the hall. I’m lead into a room which has a table and two chairs. I sit in one of the chairs and wait for who I assume is my lawyer. The seconds tick and I’m getting anxious wondering how many years he thinks I’ll receive.
I hear the door squeak open and standing before me is a man I remember all too well from ten years ago. Memories from that terrible day run quickly through my mind. I feel the hate starting to surface. He even has the same nauseating hairstyle.
Standing in front of me is Philip Birch, Claire’s father.
I’m too shocked to move or breathe. My hatred for this man is no secret, I’ve kidnapped his own daughter to prove that, and I know he’s here for one reason. He wants to rub this in my face. He wants to tell me what a sorry role model I have been for my brothers and how I deserve this.
I look at the ground because I can’t look in his face. I hate Philip Birch, and I don’t care to hear his opinion. I wonder what Claire has said about me. Maybe she told him a few of my redeeming qualities.
“Mr. Wilson.” Birch breaks the silence, but I don’t respond. This man removed my brothers from my life. Does he expect me to be polite to him? He takes a seat in the opposite chair and sets his briefcase on the table. I continue to stare at the ground, wondering what’s going on.
“Why are you here?” I ask him as curiosity gets the best of me. If he’s going to gloat, he can just go ahead and get it over with. The bad thing is I’m chained to myself and I won’t be able to fight him back when he starts. I’ll just have to sit here and take it like a pansy.
“I’ve agreed to represent you.” He pauses as I look up. “Pro-bono,” he adds, and now it’s my turn to be shocked.
“What?” I can barely find my voice and I look at him in awe. Our eyes lock, and I’m instantly humbled. “Why?”
He leans in to me and pauses, choosing his words carefully. “Because I believe in second chances.” He pauses again and looks at his briefcase. “And my daughter told me you would do the right thing…which you did.”
I can’t speak. Claire mentioned me? I look into his eyes and notice they are the same blue as Claire’s. I look at the ground and attempt to control my emotions.
“Your daughter…is amazing…sir. She’s one in a million.” I choose my words wisely because I can’t tell him the truth. I don’t know what Claire has told him, but I’m sure it’s not that we were in love. That’s what every father wants to hear, that his daughter is in love with a criminal.
“Yes, she is,” he says as he opens his brief case. I look back at him and sense the conversation about Claire is finished. It’s time to work on my case, but I’m still humbled that his man wants to work with me. A man I have spent the last ten years hating is going to represent me. I have the best lawyer in town at my disposal. This has got to be social suicide for him.
How can I trust a man I hate? I have to make a split second decision to funnel all my hatred towards this man into trust. It won’t be easy, but I see no other choice. Not to mention, he’s the best damn lawyer in town. If I have any hope of less time, Philip Birch is my answer. I’m completely and utterly at his mercy. Part of me hates this and the other part loves that Claire had something to do with him being here. She’s still watching out for me. She’s still my angel.
He starts to speak, but I quickly interrupt him. “Mr. Birch.” He looks up and I notice those same blue eyes again.
“Yes, Brandon?”
“Thanks…for doing this.”
He nods. “You’re welcome.”
And just like that the hatred I’ve had for him starts to melt away. Maybe Claire was right after all. Maybe her dad really is a good man.
I DECIDE TO trust Philip Birch with my case, mainly because I don’t have any other choice, but also because of Claire. And what criminal would ever have a lawyer like Philip Birch to represent them? I’m one lucky bastard.
We spend an hour going over my case.
“Sir,” I stop him during a pause. We haven’t gotten to this part, but I want to mention this before we do. “I know you’re here to give me legal advice, and I respect that and want to follow what you say, but there is something I want…no need…to do.”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to plead guilty. Everything I’m accused of is true, and I want to come clean. Confess all my sins and make Claire and my brothers proud. I turned myself in for them. I don’t really care how long they lock me up, I’m done letting my past determine my future. I’m going to plead guilty and face the consequences.”
Birch doesn’t say anything for a while. Then he looks at his notes.
“You’re doing this for Claire and your brothers?”
“Yes, sir.” I don’t elaborate. I’ve probably told him too much already.
“Okay. We’ll plead no contest and that will keep you away from a jury. This way we go in front of a judge and let him make the decisions.”
“Yes, sir.”
We read more legal information and when it’s over, my brain is fried. We stand to leave and Mr. Birch holds out his hand for me to shake. I’m shocked and quickly try, through my cuffs, to reciprocate.
“I’m proud of you, son.”
He looks me in the eyes when he says this, and I freeze. I haven’t had anyone tell me they were proud of me in years…and he called me son. “Thanks.” I’m not sure if I said the word in my head or if it actually came from my mouth. I watch him leave and I continue standing, waiting on the guard to lead me back to my cell. I’m still in shock when they close me in my cell moments later.
He told me he was proud of me…and he called me son.
He told me he was proud of me…and he called me son.
I MEET WITH Mr. Birch almost everyday during the coming weeks. He’s confident in what he does, and I find myself agreeing with all his recommendations. After all, he’s the big ass lawyer. I’m a criminal at his mercy. After two weeks of meetings, the court date is set. I will be meeting with the judge in a month to plead no contest.
“I think I can manage a deal for fifteen years, with a chance of parole in twelve.”
I look him in the eyes and nod. This sucks ass. In fifteen
years, I’ll be forty-three years old. I hate how my past decisions have led me here, but there’s no changing the past.
“I’m trying for less time, but you have several charges on you…I don’t want to get your hopes up.”
“Yes, sir. I understand.” I put my head down. I need to run my hand down my face to experience the calming effect it brings, but I can’t due to the cuffs. I sigh deeply and look into his eyes. I’ve been meeting with him every day for the past two weeks and I need to know one thing, one very important piece of information.
“Sir.” Mr. Birch looks at me and I know I might get killed for the next question. He might quit my case over this, but I have to ask. I have to know. “I realize I’m going to rot in this place for the next fifteen years. I know this and I accept the consequences for my actions. But I have one request.” I pause before dropping the bomb.
“Will I be able to see Claire? Will I be able to see my brothers? I know I will have weekly visiting times and those three are the only ones I want to see. My brothers are eighteen now. They can make their own decisions about wanting to come see me…if they want to. They might not want to, but if they do, can it be arranged?” Now I’m rambling, but I did just admit to wanting to see his daughter, and the two people he single-handedly cut from my life.
Mr. Birch looks at me first and then diverts his eyes to the wall. “They’ve already requested to see you, Brandon.”
“What?” I stand, causing the wooden chair to wobble behind me. “What? They want to see me? They aren’t too ashamed of me?” A smile crosses my face and I no longer care about the fifteen years. Claire, Mark, and Luke want to see me.
“No. They’re not ashamed, Brandon. They’re proud.” He pauses for a minute before he continues. “Claire told me you were a good person and that you would make the right choice. To be honest with you, I didn’t believe her, but when you turned yourself in…well, I became a believer. People can change. And the way Claire talks about you, you would think you’re a saint. But, I thought it best if we waited a while to let the dust settle before they came to visit you. The media will heavily cover your hearing, so I recommended they wait until afterwards for visits. I hope you understand. I don’t want Claire’s picture splattered all over the news anymore than you want your brothers’ pictures shown.”
The Thief Redeemer Page 20