Stolen

by James Hunt

  “How are you feeling?” The attorney that Lena had managed to provide was a former colleague of hers at law school and now owned his own practice. He was the only peer in her graduating class that had a higher GPA than she did. He was the valedictorian.

  “I’ll be better once this is over.” The court proceedings weren’t even the longest part of the process. It was the investigation that had taken up the most time. And with the amount of evidence that Longwood had tampered with, it created a nightmare for the prosecution.

  “All rise for the honorable Judge Baynor.”

  The courtroom stood, and the lawyer leaned in to Jake’s ear once again. “You did great on the stand. We painted the best picture that we could. It won’t be as bad as you think it will.”

  “Be seated.” Judge Baynor smacked the gavel, calling the court to order. He adjusted his robes and then shuffled a few pieces of paper on his desk. “I have lingered on this case for over a week now. Jake Cooley, you were found guilty by a group of peers of second-degree manslaughter. While I have no doubt that when you shot Pete Wurstshed there was no intention of murder, you were there under violent pretenses.” He paused, looking back down to his notes. “However, your previous employment with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department and your exemplary record with them reveal a man who has done nothing but uphold the law and do his best to keep order even under extraordinary circumstances.” He removed his glasses and looked Jake in the eyes. “But a man who uses the badge at all costs to prevent a crime can be just as dangerous as a man who ignores the laws completely.” He shifted his gaze toward the attorney. “Counsel, are you ready for sentencing?”

  “We are, your honor.”

  “Rise.”

  Jake stood, and the steel cuffs around his wrists suddenly felt abnormally tight. His stomach churned from the bundle of nerves that nestled itself firmly in the pit of his gut.

  “Jake Cooley, North Dakota classifies second-degree manslaughter as a Class B felony with up to ten years in prison and up to ten thousand dollars in fines. Taking into consideration the elements of the case as well as the defendant’s lack of a criminal record, I hereby sentence you to three years in prison and seven years of probation.” The gavel smacked, and the courtroom burst into chatter.

  The attorney grabbed Jake’s arm and gave a solemn nod. “Well, we knew that would most likely be the minimum. You might be able to get out early for good behavior, but we can cross that road when we come to it.” He extended his hand and shook Jake’s. “Best of luck to you, Jake.”

  The attorney left, and the probation officers escorted Jake back to the door from which he entered. Before he passed through, Jake turned around and found Lena still seated on the bench, tears streaming down her face. He smiled but never got a chance to see her reaction as the door slammed shut.

  Ken bounced his knee nervously and had to continually brush the hair out of his face. The pain in his hip didn’t make the sitting and waiting any easier, but it felt good to be out of the hospital. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the pain meds the doctor had given him. He popped one in his mouth and then downed it with the rest of the coffee in his tiny Styrofoam cup. He’d already reached his limit for how many he could take in a day. And it was only one in the afternoon.

  The door opened, and a man with a crew cut and dressed in a suit sat down with a folder. “All right, Mr. Lang, I think we have everything set.” He shuffled the papers out of the folder methodically, three portions neatly packed and paper-clipped. “You have everything you need in regard to documentation once you arrive. New passports, medical information, identifications, as well as a brief personal history for each member of your family that should be memorized prior to your arrival in Finland.”

  Ken played with the corner of the plastic covering of the papers. “And when do we leave?”

  “The sentencing of John Alwitz will happen in the next few hours, and you’ll be on the plane soon after.” The agent leaned forward, his hands clasped together. “We appreciate everything that you were able to provide for us in regard to your previous employer along with the rest of your history in DC politics. It was very… helpful.”

  And easy. Ken spilled on everyone. Throughout his career he’d worked with some of the vilest individuals on the planet. They were the types of villains you’d see in a movie or television show, almost as if they were caricatures of their former selves. But out of all of them New Energy had taken the cake. They’d done anything to cut costs and expand. Every charge that Lena Hayes failed to stick them with for making all of those kids sick was returned to them one hundred fold when the FBI discovered all of their off shore accounts and shady deals with cartels and dictators down in South America. Their planned expansion as a global exporter in oil was dashed the day after Kaley Hayes was found and their dirty laundry was sprayed all over the internet. “I’d like to see my family now.”

  The agent nodded. “They’re in the next room. My partner should be done with them soon.”

  When Ken stepped into the anteroom, it wasn’t much different from the small box that he’d been stuffed inside. But when he saw Sasha’s and Tommy’s smiles, he couldn’t have cared less where he was.

  “Dad!” Tommy bounced in his seat, and his face lit up.

  “Hey, buddy!” Ken rushed over to him and scooped him up gently. All of the treatments had left his son’s body in shambles, but you’d never guess it with the amount of energy he had. The only physical signs of his symptoms were the pallid color of his cheeks and the braces around his limbs. “Did they let you change your name to what you wanted?”

  Sasha laughed. “Unfortunately Captain Super Awesome Fantastic doesn’t translate well into Finnish.”

  “It doesn’t have to be in Finnish, though.” Tommy shrugged then whispered into Ken’s ear. “I don’t really want to live in Finland.”

  “I know, buddy.” Ken kissed him on the top of the head then set him down. “But it’s where we can all be together. And be safe.” He tossed Sasha a glance, and his wife looked away.

  Tommy slid from the chair and grabbed his father’s hand. “Dad, do you think that if we live there full time I won’t be sick anymore? I mean, I know what I have is bad”—he furrowed his brow to emphasize the point—“but if I’m where all of the medicine is, that should make it better, right?”

  Ken ran his fingers through his son’s light-blond hair. He never understood where he got that color from. Maybe his grandfather. “I think you might be on to something there. But”—Ken leaned closer, and Tommy’s eyes grew large and round—“it’s going to get a lot harder. It’s important to have hope, but also to remember what the doctors tell you to do. You have to commit to it.” Ken kissed his forehead. “Got it?”

  “Yeah, I got it.”

  “Why don’t you go and fish out some cards, and we’ll play a little poker. Have you been practicing?”

  Tommy nodded emphatically and then looked back to his mother. “Mom’s been showing me how to read your tell.”

  Ken slowly turned his head toward Sasha, a half grin sliding up his right cheek. “Has she, now?” He thumped Tommy on his butt and pushed him toward their luggage across the room. He stretched his arm around her shoulders and intertwined his fingers with hers. “I didn’t realize there had been so many illegal activities going on at our house. Any other illicit avenues you need to tell me about, Mrs. Lang?”

  Sasha shrugged her shoulders innocently. “Nothing that I’d like to admit at the moment.” She gave his hand a playful squeeze, but there was no smile on her face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “He thinks we’re moving there because it will save him. It’s all he’s been able to talk about for the past few months. He doesn’t bring it up in front of you because he wants you to think he’s strong on his own.” Sasha’s mouth twitched. “He doesn’t think he’s going to die.” She used her free hand to muffle the sobs then quickly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

  “Hey
, listen to me.” Ken held her face with both hands. “Nothing is set in stone right now. There’s no reason that him being there full time won’t lead to something. It’s okay for him to get his hopes up, even if we don’t.”

  Sasha nodded, and Tommy returned, his face weary as he placed the deck of cards on the table. “Were you guys talking about me?” He pressed his chin into his chest and puffed out his lower lip.

  “We were talking about you.” Ken placed a finger under his son’s chin and raised it. “Your mother was just telling me how much money she thinks she can take from you.”

  A slow, wide smile spread across Tommy’s face, and he jumped into the chair and ripped open the deck of cards. Sasha turned away, no doubt wiping the rest of the tears from her eyes. When she finally turned around she was smiling and leaned over to kiss Tommy on the cheek.

  Ken watched his son deal the cards. He understood that once this was all said and done and they were actually in their new home in their new country with their new names, there would be a heavy dose of reality of what that meant, but for now, with his family at the table and a two of a kind in his hand, he was ready to face whatever came his way.

  The courtroom had emptied quickly, but Lena remained glued to the long wooden bench. Two arguments raged inside of her, one thankful and one angry. Her years as a lawyer provided the reasons for her thankful side. The judge could have easily given Jake the full ten years. But the other side, the one fueled by guilt from letting Jake take the fall for her mistake, didn’t let her enjoy the outcome.

  But, in the end, it was something she had to accept. It was his decision to take the heat, as it was hers to choose her daughters over her brother. Of all the burdens she had carried in her lifetime, she knew this would weigh the heaviest.

  Lena used the back of the pew in front of her to lift off the old wooden seat then clutched it for support as she shuffled down the aisle. She had chosen to come alone, knowing that the girls didn’t need to be thrust into the circus light any more than they already had.

  Even if they had wanted to come, though, Lena wasn’t sure if she would have let them. When Lena went with Jake into Bismarck and tracked down that gun-store owner, it was just the two of them. When Lena was on her last leg and at rock bottom from her drug addiction, it was just her and Jake. When they were kids and one of them got in trouble, they always leaned on each other. Lena just wished that it hadn’t been Jake who took the final blow. There was no repaying this debt, no settling the score. But that was part of the burden too.

  Lena waited by the courtroom’s rear exit and leaned against the wall. She placed a hand gently over her stomach, careful not to apply too much pressure. Even after six weeks she still felt a twinge of pain whenever she moved. The doctors assured her that it would go away, but currently, it didn’t feel as if that was ever going to happen.

  The rear door opened, and one of the correctional officers stepped inside. “Mrs. Hayes? You can see him now.”

  “Thank you.” Lena passed through the doorway, which was usually reserved for the transfer of jurors, judges, and inmates. Now, it was used by her to see her brother. The officer who escorted her down the hall was tall. And while he gave the illusion of a charmer, she saw the malice in his eyes.

  “Congratulations on your bill, Mrs. Hayes. It must feel good to have that win.”

  “Yes. Good.” With the chaos of Jake’s trial she’d nearly forgotten the vote of her bill in the state legislature yesterday. Though with New Energy bankrupt, she didn’t expect for them to comply with any of the new regulations anytime soon.

  The handsome giant shook his head. “I saw what happened to your family on the news, ma’am. It was an awful shame.”

  “That’s kind of you to say.”

  “And with all due respect, I know your brother was sheriff and all, but what he did was unlawful, and if you break the rules, you need to be held accountable. You of all people should understand that. I hope it gives you some comfort.” He reached for the doorknob and gave it a twist.

  Lena lingered in the hallway for a minute, nodding. “I do understand. I also understand the small minds that find pleasure in the pain and suffering of others.” The grin the correctional officer displayed earlier disappeared. “But I suppose even the weak need to find purpose in something.”

  When she stepped into the room, the door was slammed shut behind her. She wouldn’t have smiled if it weren’t for Jake grinning back at her.

  “I see you met my caretakers,” Jake said.

  “And what gentle souls they are.” Lena walked around the table slowly and leaned over to give Jake a hug. While she was able to secure the meeting, she wasn’t able to have Jake freed from the restraints that left him bolted to the chair. She sat next to him and squeezed his hand. The tip of her index finger grazed the cold steel around his wrist. “How are you?”

  “Better now that it’s done. At least now I know what I’m facing.”

  “I can talk with your attorney and see if we can’t schedule a special hearing with the parole board in six months and use time served to get you on parole in a year. I can speak with the warden about making sure you stay isolated so—”

  “You don’t have to do that, Lena.” There was a sternness to Jake’s voice. One that sounded eerily like their father whenever one of them had done something they shouldn’t have. “I’ll be all right.”

  “I know I don’t have to do anything. But I want to, Jake.” What color had flooded her cheeks from the exertion of the walk faded. “I have to get you out of that place as soon as possible.”

  “There is one thing you can do for me,” Jake said, locking eyes with her, his tone softening. “And this is very important to me.”

  “Name it.”

  Jake leaned close, the chains around his ankles and wrists rattling. “Let go.”

  Lena shook her head. “I don’t—”

  “How much sleep have you gotten since we found Kaley?”

  Lena pursed her lips, taken aback by the sudden offensive. “It’s my fault you’re in this mess.”

  “No, it’s not.” Jake tilted his head to the side. “It was Nick who took Kaley. It was the New Energy executives that made all of those kids sick, it was Scott Ambers who convinced your junkie ex-husband to take your daughter, and it was Longwood who helped keep them in the loop and from going to prison. You’ve fought uphill against these people for so long that I don’t think you know what it’s like to set your feet on level ground. But that’s where you are now, Lena. You’re done.”

  Lena shook her head. Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m not done, because you’re still in here. You’re still paying for what I did.” She wiped her sleeve over her face, regaining her composure. “I can’t let you do that.”

  “This was my choice.” Jake leaned back. “Just like it was yours to stand against all of those people, even after the beating you took. And for as long as I live I will never blame you for the choices that I made.” Jake smiled, the dimpled grin looking oddly out of place with the blue jumpsuit and his shaggy hair and beard. “I know you don’t believe me, but out of both of us you’re the strongest. You’re the best.”

  The door opened, and the officer from earlier stepped inside. “Time’s up.” The PO’s partner entered and immediately detached Jake’s restraints from the chair, lifting her brother and leading him away. But Lena blocked their path and wrapped her arms around Jake, squeezing tight.

  “You need to step aside, ma’am.” The officer took hold of her shoulder and forcefully peeled her off Jake. “Visiting time is over.”

  “Do you remember what you said to me when I was six and Mom and Dad had just gotten divorced?” Jake asked as the two men pulled him down the hallway. “Do you remember what you told me that day?”

  Lena nodded as the words flooded back through the channels of her memory. “It’s not your fault.”

  “You were right then. Just like I’m right now.”

  The door slammed shut, and
Jake was gone. Lena collapsed back into the chair and clutched her stomach, a tearing pain that felt as if a hole had been ripped open.

  When she looked down at her belly she half-expected to see blood on her palms, but there was nothing. She sat there for a little while longer and waited for the pain to subside. When it did she walked out the door and to her car. She wanted to get out of this place. She wanted to believe what Jake had said. She wanted to go home.

  The entrance to the dirt road that led to Lena’s house had finally been cleared of reporters. All of the news stations had moved on to other news cycles. Lena, her town, and her family were old news. And she couldn’t have been happier about it.

  Lena parked in her front yard and shut off the car engine. She sat behind the wheel for a moment and looked to the front door. She knew when she entered she wouldn’t see Mark in the kitchen, making the girls pancakes. No matter how much she prayed.

  The walk to the front door was slow, and when she cracked open the door and stepped inside she saw both Gwen and Kaley at the kitchen table. “Hey, girls.”

  “Hey, Mom,” Kaley said.

  “Hey,” Gwen said.

  Stacks of photo albums were piled high, and both Kaley and Gwen turned pages, their eyes studying the pictures intently. Lena took a seat between her daughters and leaned over Kaley’s shoulder. “What are you guys doing?”

  “We missed Dad,” Kaley said then turned the page of the album.

  Lena placed her arm around her youngest girl’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Me too.” She pointed to one of the photos on the page Kaley had turned to. It was from four years ago, before Gwen entered her angst-filled teenage years, and Kaley was still in preschool. It was in the backyard of their house, and Mark had just constructed one of those plastic play sets. “Do you remember that day?”

  Kaley shook her head.