Cast the First Stone (Red Lake Series Book 2)

by Rich Foster

  The prosecution promised to present dozens of witnesses and video recordings that would prove their case far beyond a reasonable doubt.

  Brent Carlson, acting for the Public Defender’s Office, represented Mr. Goodman in court. His opening statement claimed that mitigating circumstances existed. Furthermore, he claimed, it would be shown that at the time of the alleged crimes, his client was not of sound mind and body.

  To the shock of both the court and the media, Mr. Goodman leaped from his seat protesting this claim aloud, shouting, “This sorry son-of-a-bitch is trying to say I’m crazy!”

  Judge Mannering called for order and instructed the bailiff to forcibly restrain Mr. Goodman if he did not sit down. But when the defense counsel resumed his statement Mr. Goodman leapt from his seat and struck his attorney a stunning blow to the back of the head, yelling, “Shut up, I ain’t crazy.” The blow was sufficient to send Mr. Carlson to the floor.

  As a consequence of his acts, Judge Mannering ordered the defendant be bound and gagged for the duration of the morning’s proceedings. One can only wonder what effect Mr. Goodman’s outburst had upon the jury. Though one may reasonably speculate, it was not good.

  Bound and gagged in court, Mr. Goodman appeared to be a dangerous animal. The spectacle in court was certainly prejudicial. This reporter cannot help but think that this will be the basis for appeal if the defendant is convicted.

  Opening arguments ended shortly thereafter and the prosecution began their case. The rest of the morning was spent introducing items into evidence, such as the videotape the police recorded off a monitor in the church. The defense spent much time, futilely, attempting to discredit the chain of custody and the validity of the tape.

  At three o’clock Judge Mannering dismissed court for the day. The first witness will be called to the stand on Tuesday. At the time of publication this witness is to be the church’s organist, Helen Payton.”

  Lucas did not finish the article, as Max’s secretary told him to go on in. Despite his use of them in his own sermon, Lucas disliked the way Harding used Desmond’s disability and Ruthie’s youth to sensationalize the story. Passing the secretary’s desk, he dropped the paper into the trash.

  Max Teech handed Lucas the monthly report of distributions from the trust. Lucas thumbed through them quickly. The accounting showed more revenue in than out so there was no erosion of capital. A couple of individuals no longer need help to which Max commented, “Miracles never cease. I was sure they would bleed you as long as they could.”

  “You’re a cynic Max.”

  Teech laughed, “Expect little from your fellow man and you won’t be disappointed!”

  The last report had to do with June Goodman.

  “First, you will see, the paperwork is complete. You are now the legal guardian for June Goodman. Normally the courts would be reluctant to grant custody to a non-relative who is single and new to the community. But, your fine moral character and more importantly your generous bank account persuaded them. Believe me, the system is happy to have someone picking up the bill for her therapy, which I might add is not cheap.”

  Lucas waved his hand lightly, as if brushing away a pesky fly. Max merely sighed.

  “The papers below that are from the rehab center. You can read them for yourself. In summary, after almost a year, Miss Goodman is making steady progress. She can now walk a short distance using only braces. The rest of the time she needs either a walker or a wheel chair. The therapist hopes for more but only time and your bank account will tell.”

  “You know Max, I really do appreciate your concern for my finances, but it is just money.”

  Teech resigned himself to losing the argument.

  “Well, I guess you should go see your new ward?”

  “Yes, I guess so,” Lucas replied with surprising reluctance.

  He never intended to become June Goodman’s guardian. But the Department of Children Service’s had changed their policies, driven by regards of patient privacy rights. If he wished to pay for her private treatment he had to petition the courts for custody, otherwise they could not bill him for services without revealing privileged medical information. In short, without custody, she would be returned to the county hospital for rehabilitation.

  Between helping Grace with Calley’s kids and now this, he seemed to be acquiring a growing family of dependents without intending to. When June came out of re-hab he would need to figure out something else to do, he was not ready to be an unmarried father to a complete stranger.

  After leaving Teech’s office Lucas drove over the mountains to Beaumont. The road led through the burnt wasteland, but bits of green were showing through as nature began the slow process of rehabilitation.

  Once he was past the burn area the fall colors at higher elevations were intense. Streams of yellow, orange, and gold leaves formed a cataract down the canyons between the hills. Highlighted by the green pines on the slopes.

  The road twisted and turned as it descended toward Beaumont. Precipitous drop offs edged the road. Guardrails were infrequent. He was glad for the handling of his Porsche.

  In town, he had a bite to eat at a small cafe where he lingered over a mediocre meal, finally admitting to himself that he was procrastinating about meeting June. Anonymous generosity was far easier than actually knowing and seeing someone who might feel an obligation to be grateful. He thought of his own sermon. Could June Goodman accept his gift? Would she feel obligated and thereby resent him? Sheepishly, he realized he was ascribing too many adult motives to an eight-year-old girl.

  He paid his bill, while thinking about what it was like to be alone in a hospital. As a consequence, he stopped at a nearby shop, in search of a suitable gift. Lucas felt morally ashamed that he had not visited sooner. As a child he knew loneliness. He should have known June would be terribly lonely too.

  An inner voice spoke of sins of commission and omission. Sending money was charitable, but there was more to loving one’s neighbor than just cold hard cash.

  At the rehabilitation center he introduced himself to the chief administrator and gave her a copy of the custody order. They were already in possession of it, but it confirmed for them who Lucas was. The administrator asked the head nurse to introduce the girl to him.

  “I’m sure she has come to trust you over the last year. It might make it easier.” He said, uncertain whether he meant “easier” for June Goodman or for himself. With some trepidation Lucas walked down the hall to room 113.

  June lay on her bed reading a book. The nurse made cursory introductions and then hastened off to other duties.

  “I’m the new Pastor at your church.”

  “Oh! Do you know Paula Neilson?” June asked with excitement in her voice. “She’s my friend, but I haven’t seen her in a long, long, time.”

  Lucas thought of the people he knew, placing the Neilson’s in his mind and vaguely seeing a young daughter.

  “Yes, I think I do, but not well.”

  “I haven’t seen anyone in ages, ever since Mommy and May died. Even daddy only came a couple times. Now, he has done something bad and can’t come. Nobody will tell me what but I saw his picture on the news. They said he killed a bunch of people and is in jail. Before I heard the rest, my nurse turned it off.”

  While she talked, Lucas appraised his new ward. The girl was plain. She was also pallid from months indoors. Yet when she spoke her face became so animated that she bordered on the angelic. Wanting to please her, he brought out his gift.

  “For me?” June cried, gleefully, as she tore at the wrapping paper. The package contained a Play Station plus a dozen games that he hoped would appeal to an eight year old. Fortunately, the precocious young clerk made certain he bought the necessary cables to hook it up to a TV. The gift brought instant familiarity. They passed the afternoon hours learning new games and in the process becoming acquainted. Soon it was time for him to leave.

  “Will you come back?” June asked.

  “Yes I
will. For now I will be responsible for you.”

  “What about my daddy?”

  “He’ll always be your father.”

  “Do you ever see him?”

  “No. We’ve never met.”

  “But could you, if you wanted to?”

  “I suppose that could be arranged.”

  “Would you tell him that I miss him, at least when he was being nice.”

  Lucas felt himself being drawn ever deeper into the Goodman family. Reluctantly he promised, “I’ll try to see him.”

  When June said “thank you” and smiled, his misgivings faded away.

  *

  Grace moved into the Haskell house until Calley could be released. The hospital was weaning her from the Valium habit she so quickly acquired, but coming off benzodiazepines is not rapidly achieved. The potential for adverse side effects was immense. Insomnia, irritability, and even suicidal impulses were common. It helped that Calley was using for only a few months, but her level of usage and thus her tolerance was shockingly high.

  Grace’s presence averted the possibility of the children being shunted off into foster care. When Calley was committed under a court ordered seventy-two hour hold, the hospital notified Child Protective Services. Social workers called at the Haskell house. When they knocked, five-year-old Jacob greeted them by yelling for “Grandma.” When Grace came to the door, she introduced herself without dispelling them of the notion that the children and she were related. Content with seeing a responsible adult, a clean house, and seemingly healthy children, the social workers departed for more troubled homes.

  Calley struggled coming off the pills. Fantasies of what she would do to Robert Goodman, if given the chance, filled her mind. She kept these thoughts secret from Dr. Urvadi, yet shared them with Kevin.

  “It doesn’t matter. If it brings him pleasure to inflict pain then why shouldn’t he? If it would bring you pleasure to hurt him, then go ahead, do it. But it will change nothing, and in the end everything comes to nothingness.”

  Calley resented him being dismissive of her hate. His lack of animosity riled her. She avoided him after that.

  Kevin was discharged. He returned to get his possessions from Carmen Vincentia’s house, hoping she hadn’t thrown them out, but not particularly concerned if she had. His truck was still in the drive.

  To his Surprise, she greeted him warmly, said it was good to have him back, and hoped he would stay.

  “I don’t have the back rent.” His voice was indifferent, flattened of affect by the anti-depressants.

  “Not to worry. An angel has been paying it.”

  Whether the angel was his or Mrs. Vincentia’s Kevin neither knew nor troubled himself to ask. He accepted the fact that for now he had a place to live, later he might not. In either case, to him, it didn’t seem to matter. Kevin trudged up the stairs away from his garrulous landlady. With a sigh of relief he closed the door.

  *

  Gavin Gaines skimmed the daily log from the county jail. He looked for signs of friction or pending trouble in the reports. He noted who visited his more problematic prisoners and was surprised to see that Robert Goodman received a visitor other than his attorney. “Lucas James, Mason Forks,” the entry read. Why was the nephew of Elijah James visiting his uncle’s killer? Curiosity? Vengeance? Forgiveness? Gaines decided to drop in on the Reverend.

  That afternoon, he swung his patrol car into the New Life Church parking lot. Inside the church he located Lucas in his office.

  “Sheriff.” The man said nodding and extending his hand. “What can I do for you?”

  Gaines shook the hand and then settled into the chair Lucas gestured toward.

  “I see you went to see Robert Goodman.”

  Lucas was mildly surprised he knew about it.

  “I did.”

  “Was it professional? Trying to save a lost soul?”

  “No.”

  “Then if it wasn’t professional it wouldn’t violate the confessional if I asked what you two talked about?”

  “Protestants don’t have confessionals, Sheriff.”

  “Then what were you talking about, or were you looking for a chance to get even?”

  A tension filled the air. Lucas resented being questioned about his visit. His irritation caused him to unnecessarily spar with the Sheriff.

  “Vengeance is mine thus saith the Lord.”

  “Well that hasn’t stopped the Lord’s servants in the past.”

  Lucas realized why the sheriff’s questions put his back up. He simply didn’t want to explain his involvement with June Goodman. Once he made the connection his irritation passed.

  “I promised June I would visit her father.”

  “You mean seven year old June Goodman?”

  “Yes, but she’s now eight.”

  Gaines aided his thinking by stroking his mustache.

  “June was hurt in that bus accident almost a year ago. You came to town after Goodman killed your uncle. How do you come to know the girl?”

  “I’m currently her legal guardian.”

  Gaines rubbed his forehead. “Wow, I never saw that one coming! Are you and Goodman related?”

  “Nope. I met him for the first time, yesterday in jail. I met his daughter for the first time last week.”

  “Reverend, I have a prisoner that has escaped once. Things I don’t know about or have trouble seeing through have a way of making me nervous. Would you mind humoring me and telling what this is all about?”

  For the next quarter hour Lucas told Gaines about his uncle’s unknown philanthropy. He explained how he chose to continue it and how due to a change of rules by the state, he was forced to be the guardian for June Goodman or let her go back to state care.

  “Let me get this straight. When your uncle stood up and volunteered to take a bullet, he was paying for the medical care of his killer’s daughter?”

  Lucas nodded his head in the positive. Gaines slowly rolled his head side to side in disbelief.

  “What would possess a man to do that?” he asked, speaking to no one in particular.

  “The short answer is faith.”

  “That takes a lot of faith Reverend.”

  “Come now Sheriff, haven’t you risked your life to protect citizens you didn’t know?”

  “It sure as hell isn’t the same!” Gaines bristled.

  “It’s not all that different. The nobility is in the willingness to sacrifice everything for someone else.”

  “Reverend James, if I sit here much longer you’ll have me thinking I am some sort of saint, which believe me, I’m not.”

  Gaines rose to his feet. “Thanks for talking. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t planning to kill the son-of-a-bitch. There are a lot of folks here in the Forks who would like to.”

  *

  Calley watched the evening news as Tanya Talbot give the synopsis of the day’s testimony in Goodman’s trial. She viewed it with irritation. She wanted out. She wanted to be at the trial. She wanted to sit behind Robert Goodman and focus her hate directly on him.

  Tanya reported, “Helen Payton, the New Life Church’s organist was the first witness called by the prosecution. When asked to describe the events that took place the night of the killings she began by saying,

  That animal came in and shoved his gun in my mouth. That beast broke my tooth.

  Miss Payton who is elderly was visibly shaken while testifying. Upon re-direct Mr. Carlson pointedly asked,

  “Were you attacked by an animal, a beast, or my client?”

  Before the poor woman could answer he retracted the question while observing that she did not seem to be certain what or who attacked her.

  “Do you believe a man is innocent until proven guilty?” he asked.

  “Miss Payton, visibly riled said hotly,

  “That man is a cold blooded killer!”

  Mr. Carlson then asked the judge to declare Miss Payton a hostile witness saying,

  The witness is drawing conc
lusions your Honor. I request her comments be stricken from the record.

  Throughout the days proceedings, Mr. Goodman seemed unperturbed by the testimony and the universally hostile descriptions of his character.”

  Calley walked away while Tanya continued to talk. At the nursing station she requested paper and pen. Moments later she began to write, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!

  Robert enigmatically smiled when he received Calley’s letter. There had been a curious break in their regular arrival. He studied the letter, searching for signs of her anger exposed by the slash of the pen or the intensity with which the paper was etched by nib of the pen point.

  In Calley’s anger and hurt he found an emotional closeness to her. Here was someone who felt the same anger and frustration with life that he felt. In his mind, they were kindred spirits who both raged at what life dealt them.

  He cared little about the trial. There was no doubt that he would be given a death sentence. That was sure “phony”, he thought, the state could kill, but he could not.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Lucas thought it would be nice to bring June a visitor, someone her own age. He also thought something had to be done to move Calley Haskell out of her pool of hate. Not knowing how it would play out, but hoping for the best, he stopped by the Haskell house to ask Sarah if she would visit June Goodman.

  Whatever Sarah’s inner thoughts were she did not voice them to, Lucas. But silently she thought that the Reverend James and Grandma Grace had been ever so nice while her Mom was in the hospital. And, now that he was asking a favor, she wanted to please him. She said yes.

  Sarah should signs of her anger regarding her sister’s death. Lucas felt putting June and Sara together would ultimately be healthy for them both. The plan was not without its risks but he felt them worth taking. Secondly, he knew Calley would go ballistic when she heard of the visit. Lucas wanted to challenge her hate for Goodman one step at a time. Could she hate a girl who was still suffering because of the sins of omission committed by Jason?