“I want to thank you all for doing this. Emily told me about what happened, the cop who came to the house didn’t believe us and told us to drop it if we knew what was good for us.” She smiles at Emily and squeezes her hand, “We thought it was over and he was going to get away with this.”
“I have no doubt we can put him away, but it’s going to be uncomfortable and you are going to have to tell your story a few times. If you are ready, we have officers in the next room ready to take your statement.”
“I’ve been ready to do this for over a year. I’m pissed and I want this over.”
I smile at Casey and Brittany and take the girls into the room. Now comes the hard part, hearing their stories.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Brittany
The first three families that came in were in control and eager for justice. I should have known it was too good to be true to expect all of the families to be that easy. Sarah, the timid girl that I had to convince to come in to the meeting, walks in with an angry looking man. She looks as miserable as she did the other night. Kacee waves and gives her a genuine smile. The man pulls the chair out and sits roughly.
“My niece tells me we have to come talk to the cops but she won’t tell me why. None of you look like cops so someone better explain what’s going on.”
My jaw falls open, how could it not? This poor girl hasn’t told him what happened to her and she’s obviously afraid to. I squeeze Kacee’s hand, who thankfully gets the message.
“Sarah, can you go to the bathroom with me? Mom always wants me to go in pairs.”
As soon as the girls are out of earshot, I nod to Casey to break the news.
“My name is Casey Sanders, I’m a lawyer here working on a case. This is a sensitive issue and Sarah is a minor. Can you tell me why you are here instead of her parents?”
His eyes close while he takes a deep breath. “Her parents were killed when she was three, I’m her legal guardian.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, she has already obviously been through a lot. During our investigation, it was discovered that a number of girls were assaulted by Dirk Montgomery. Your niece came to us saying she was one of those victims.”
A horrified look crosses his face; I know that look well. It’s the same one I had when I first got Kacee’s voicemails that night.
“I knew something happened to her. She changed suddenly but she wouldn’t open up to me. I tried having my girlfriend talk to her but it was a no go, she wouldn’t talk. I can’t believe she didn’t tell me. She’s been so different the last year, I assumed I was going to see the cops today because she got busted doing something.”
“I’m going to take you and Sarah in the next room. She will give her statement to two police officers. There is another lawyer inside named Carter Jepsen who is working this case with me. As soon as we have the girls’ statements, we’re going to secure an arrest warrant and get him locked up.”
“You better put him away or I might have to do something to him next time I see him.”
“You are all that Sarah has and she is bound to struggle with retelling her story so I hope you can keep your calm, let us do our job and you focus on taking care of your niece.”
He nods and drops his head, the sign of broken man. I’m sure he’s feeling like a failure; I sure have many times since that night.
The girls come back and Sarah is looking nervously at her uncle. At first I’m afraid he’s not going to make eye contact, but thankfully after a second he stands up and wraps her in a bear hug. Her entire body tenses before collapsing into it and sobbing.
Casey ushers them into the room so they can have more privacy. My whole body relaxes; she is going to get the help she needs now to move on.
Six hours later, we’ve met seven more families, and two of them were girls who hadn’t been at the original meeting. The number of victims continue to climb and with each girl who sits at our table, another level of hatred builds. Justice better be on our side, because this town deserves a little retribution.
“Okay, ladies, we’re done for the night. We have more interviews tomorrow starting around eleven a.m.” Casey looks ragged around the edges, much like the rest of us. He was in the room though, I know he heard every detail so he is probably a lot worse off than Kacee and me.
“Thank you all for putting in such a long day. I hope you realize how important this was for all of us.” Both officer’s shake our hands with the promise they will be back tomorrow.
“We better go get Austin; he’s probably driving my mother up the wall. If you are too tired to swim, I can get you out of it.”
“More than anything I think hanging with you guys in the pool is exactly what we all need.”
“Carter, you are welcome to join us if you’d like.”
“You don’t want to see this old body in a bathing suit. Besides, I’m pretty tired. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
With pizza in hand for Austin, we head out for a few hours of innocent fun to distract us from the evil we’ve been dealing with.
Chapter Thirty
Casey
Sunday was as bad as Saturday. I sit at that table in our makeshift office at the station trying to concentrate and take notes but also trying to keep my emotions in check. I’m going to make this family pay; they are going to pay for every girl their son bothered. You don’t get looked at for District Attorney in your early thirties unless you are good at what you do. I am damn good and now I’m pissed, too, and I’ve set my resolve to watching their world crumble around them.
“We got it. Freeman has the warrant and they are heading to the house now to arrest him. Want to go watch from a distance?” Carter’s look of absolute excitement is contagious.
“Absolutely, plus I promised Kacee I would tell her how he reacts.”
“Then let’s go.” He spins on his heel and leaves the precinct faster than I’ve seen him move since I met him.
Officer Douglas has the warrant in hand as he grimly climbs in his cruiser. I know what he heard over the last two days has changed him forever like the rest of us. He thought he hated the Montgomery family before but like me, he has a new sense of determination to take them down. Maybe this will be the beginning this town needs to oust that family and take back control.
Thirty minutes later, we pull up in front of a huge house set on a couple of acres. The cruiser pulls right up to the door but I park my car on the street out front. We watch as the officers ring the doorbell and wait for it to be opened.
“I feel like we should have brought popcorn. I can’t wait to see this little shit’s face.”
An older Hispanic woman opens the door, talks for a minute then closes the door. A minute later, Dirk is at the door with a man that looks exactly like he does, just older. The papers are handed over and as expected, we can see Dirk’s face contort with rage, then he leans toward Freeman looking like he’s about to swing when his dad pulls him back. They exchange words before Dirk finally steps out and lets them handcuff him. I snap a picture on my cell phone and wait while the cruiser slowly drives past us. I roll down my window and wave as Dirk starts screaming when he sees us. Sometimes I love my job.
As expected, a lawyer is already at the station when we get there, and Dirk’s father isn’t far behind. He speaks to their lawyer for a few minutes, glancing at Carter and I repeatedly. I take my first sip of coffee when Mr. Montgomery stalks over to us.
“You are looking pretty smug. Do you really think he’s going to stay in here? You’re new around here so I suppose you don’t know how things work but you, Mr. Jepsen, know exactly what you’ve gotten yourself into.”
“You don’t have to be in this town long to know there is a degenerate family bullying everyone around them. I’m looking forward to taking your son down.” I toss the coffee in the garbage next to the desk and walk away. I hear expletives behind me. As hoped, my coffee had splashed on his perfectly pressed pants.
“Holy shit, Casey, I knew the m
oment I met you, you were tough but that was out right insane. You just drew a target on your back.”
“Are you sure you want to move to Florida after this case? I have a feeling things are going to get very interesting around here.”
“You are one crazy son of a bitch. Now let’s go see if we can watch them taking his mugshot and prints. Freeman and Douglas have to be loving this.”
“Kacee and Brittany would probably love a couple more pictures.”
As discreetly as possible, I snap photos when I can, trying to document every level of humiliation he goes through. I know this isn’t professional but he did go after my daughter.
Freeman stops by our little conference room and lets us know the lawyer has a tight rein on Dirk and he isn’t letting him say anything. It doesn’t matter though; we have enough evidence to ensure he is put behind bars for a very long time.
They move Dirk to holding to wait for his arraignment, and it’s no surprise they got a judge to hear his case immediately. Carter and I grab lunch then head for the court house. I have tried hundreds of cases in my career and never have I felt more determined and battle ready as I do now.
Casey and Brittany smile and wave from the front row in the courtroom. I knew when I called them to give them the good news they would be excited but I didn’t expect them to be here. I really shouldn’t be surprised though, they are both very strong-willed women and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Are you sure you guys want him to see you? He’s already got it out for you, it will only make it worse if he thinks you orchestrated this.”
“I appreciate your concern but I want to look him in the eye when he enters the room. I want him to know exactly who is doing this.”
“You ladies are tough. I don’t know why Dirk even thought of messing with you two.”
Dirk’s case number is called. Carter and I take our places and watch smugly as he is brought in. At first he seems calmer, more so than he has all day. My guess is his daddy and lawyer told him everything was taken care of. The look on his face when he sees Brittany and Kacee is a moment I want etched in my memory forever. His face turns from shock to hatred in seconds. It’s amazing how ugly that can make a person look. His lawyer whispers in his ear when he gets to the table and his face changes drastically to a look of innocent fear. What a great actor he is.
The charges are read, the not guilty plea entered. His lawyer asks for him to be released into his parents’ custody until the trial.
Carter jumps to his feet immediately, “Your Honor, we have seventeen women who wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight if you let him free. This isn’t a case of burglary, your Honor. He physically and emotionally assaulted every one of these women and does not deserve to be let out. Not to mention with his family’s money and connections, he is a flight risk.”
I’m impressed by his speech; I don’t think I could have done better myself. Dirk’s lawyer counters that he will surrender his passport in an act of good faith. They can’t possibly think that will work.
“I will release Mr. Montgomery; bail is set at five million dollars. You must also not go anywhere besides home and work; you will be fitted with an ankle monitor until the time of your trial. Also, you are not to go within 100 yards of any of the women named in this suit.”
Utter shock and bewilderment course through my body. Five million is nothing for this family. I guess we know which side this judge favors.
Dirk’s father seems thrilled. He on the other hand is shooting daggers at Brittany. Spoiled little brat thought he was going to get out of this easily like he has everything else in life. His mood gives me some solace.
“Come on, Casey, all things considered I think we got the best we were going to get. How about we all go out for a celebratory dinner?”
“Let me see how they are feeling, one minute.”
With an apology on my lips, I’m stopped by Brittany’s arms wrapping around me. “Thank you.”
“How can you thank me? He’s not going to jail.”
“Not yet he isn’t, but I think he knows we’re serious and his parents are going to keep him on a tight leash if they have any expectation of winning the case.”
“You are still the optimist I remember you being. What about you, Kacee, are you and the girls going to be okay knowing he’s out?”
“You did great, Dad. Besides, I’m with you guys, I know I have nothing to worry about. I’ll tell the other girls to stay in for the night if they can. I think everyone’s going to be a lot more cautious for a while.”
“So how about it, are we celebrating?”
Carter joins our circle and accepts a hug from Brittany.
“Carter wants to get dinner, okay with you guys?”
“Sure, I’ll have Mom and Austin meet us. Where should I tell him we’re going?”
“How about that seafood place over on Sixth Street?”
“You mean the one directly across from the restaurant the Montgomery’s own and Dirk works at?” Brittany’s shocked face and Carter’s gleeful expression make it clear she thinks his plan is insane.
“Now who’s the crazy son of a bitch?” Carter continues to surprise me.
“I’m going to pick up my wife, we’ll meet you there soon.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Brittany
I understand why they would want to go to this restaurant but I’m not thrilled with the decision. It’s one thing to show fearlessness and quite another to poke the bear.
There is a short line at the valet stand and while we wait our turn, I can't help but inspect the restaurant across the street. At a glance I don’t see Dirk or anyone from his family inside, maybe we’ll get lucky and there won’t be any drama.
Carter pulls up behind us and we’re introduced to his wife before we all go inside. I notice I’m not the only person keeping a watchful eye across the street. In the few minutes we’re on the sidewalk, I see both Casey and Carter look over a handful of times.
“Mom is already inside with a table, should we join her?”
The planets must be aligned; we’re given the table directly in front of the window. Not only can we see their restaurant perfectly but they will be able to see us easily if they happen to look over.
Carter waves the waiter over. “How about we skip the wine and go right to champagne?”
“Sounds good to me, we need to toast the best legal team in Utah.” Mom wanted to come to the hearing but I wouldn’t let her. I want her and Austin away from this as much as possible. I texted her the outcome and she was thrilled, apparently she wasn’t the only one who thought he was going to walk out of there free and clear.
“I’m starving, let’s order, too.”
Four courses and two bottles of champagne later, we decide to call it a night. I think everyone is going to crash after the weekend we’ve had.
“Mom, give me your valet ticket. Will you keep the kids in here while we get the cars? I don’t want them outside for long.”
“Sure, sweetie, I’ll entertain them at the lobster tank.”
We follow the Jepson’s to the valet stand. Three other couples are already in line, so we’re forced to wait. I appear to be the only one worried about this.
“Casey, why don’t you come to my office tomorrow and we’ll get some more work in?”
“Geez, honey, you guys worked all weekend, can’t you take a day off?” Carter strokes his wife’s cheek lovingly.
“How about I promise to work a half day? I don’t want to lose any momentum on either case.”
The valet walks by and collects our tickets, we’re almost out of here. I can’t wait to get in the car and get home. I haven’t relaxed in hours.
“Check it out, we’ve got fans.”
Over Casey’s shoulder, I see two men staring at us and talking to each other animatedly. Finally, one goes inside and to my dread I see Dirk step out with him in tow. Of course he had to work tonight. Carter raises his hand and waves across the street.
Screams reverberate up and down the street. In shock, I spin into Casey’s arms and close my eyes. It doesn’t help, the image of Dirk getting hit is seared in my brain.
“I can’t believe he did that.”
“I guess he was dying to talk to us.”
My jaw drops as I stare at Carter, shocked by his words. His wife slaps him on the shoulder, apparently she didn’t like his pun either.
“Too soon? Look, I’m sorry it happened but come on, it’s not like he was a good guy lost too soon.”
“I’m going to go inside; I don’t want the kids coming out.” Hands shaking, I go inside and try to compose myself. Tears are rolling down my face, not for Dirk per say, I think it’s more a reaction to the situation and for his mother, too. No matter what he’s done, he is still her boy.
“What happened out there? People are saying someone got hit.”
“Yeah, it’s not pretty. Your car is here, can you take the kids to the hotel and get them to bed? We’ll probably be here a while.”
“Are you sure you are okay? You are so pale.”
“I’m fine, I’ll explain later.”
Enough police and ambulances arrive to block the kids from seeing anything. I kiss them goodnight and tell them we’ll be home later.
Long after the car is gone, I continue staring down the street, trying to process what happened.
“Did you tell them?” Casey’s hands land on my shoulders and squeeze. In need of his warmth, I lean against his chest and take a deep breath.
“No, let them sleep tonight.”
“If you are ready, we’re giving witness statements. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can go home.”
“Yeah, I want to be gone before his parents get here.”
The pro to now having friends on the police force and your party being respected lawyers, we are able to give our statements first and they let us go.
Forever Yours, Casey Page 11