The ‘den’ Triplets
by: E Walk
(© 2009-2010 by the Author)
 

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 10  

Welcome To Politics

After the visitors had departed, Dad Hammond and I went into the kitchen where the two grandmothers and Todd were taking care of the triplets.  Mother had arrived while everyone was there, “Okay, what’s going down.  Why were all those bigwigs here?  Michael, don’t tell me you’re in trouble.”

“Mom, why do you always think the worst.  I’m not in trouble, or at least I don’t think so.”

Dad Hammond laughed, “Mike isn’t in trouble, yet.  He may well be before this mess he’s gotten himself involved with is squared away.”

Mother changed the subject as she is want to do, “I stopped by the church and talked to Pastor Miller on my way here.  He agreed to baptize the boys tomorrow at the second service, since Marty and Gene are here, and I don’t have any new arrivals scheduled.  Marty and I will need to go get proper christening outfits for the boys after lunch.”

“Mom, I’m not a complete jerk.  I could have made the arrangements if you had given me time.”

Mother Hammond laughed, “Mike, be glad that you have someone to help you.  Let others help you while you have them available.  Who knows, when we’ll be able to get away from the university again.  This is just one less thing that you will need to worry about.”

Mother added, “Pastor Miller will meet with us at ten forty five, tomorrow, and explain exactly what is going to happen.  It’s pretty straight forward, so you shouldn’t be able to botch it too much.”

Todd started to giggle, “Yeah, you won’t be able to botch it too much.  Let your mom and in-laws do the worrying.”

I kicked Todd under the table to let him know that I wasn’t really appreciative of his comments. 

After the two grandmothers departed for their shopping spree, Dad, Todd and I were sitting in the living room.  Dad was frowning, “Mike, I’m a little concerned about you getting any more involved in this prostitution ring than you are.  Don’t let the case consume you, and above all else, don’t let the case take over your life.  If there is a city councilperson and two county commissioners involved, you can bet they're going to be doing whatever they can to not be made to look bad.”

“While I don’t know these people, they will probably bring out all the forces at their disposal to make you look like the bad guy.  It may be that you will have to involve some of the young men who have come forward.  I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but don’t let the young men who have stepped forward get hurt.”

“Dad Hammond, I almost wish that I had said no.  I feel as if I owe it to Aaron and Tim to help them out.  What the officers were doing is totally unacceptable, and I am concerned about how many more young people they had brought into their operation that we aren’t aware of.  They certainly were devious to solicit young people whose parents are in the spotlight.  There is no telling where this fiasco is going to end.”

Todd had been strangely quiet during the conversation.  I looked at him and he shrugged his shoulders as if saying, “Later.”

After the grandmothers’ shopping spree, they were making plans for after lunch, before the Hammonds wanted to head home.  They decided they would invite a few people for punch and cookies after lunch. 

The grandmothers spent the afternoon making cookies while we three guys were relegated to taking care of the boys.  While they were at it, the grandmothers fixed dinner, so it was a lazy afternoon.

After the three boys were in bed, I went to put my thoughts on paper so I could discuss them with Dad Hammond before he departed for home after the small celebration.

After the Hammonds had gone to bed, Todd came and sat down next to me, “Mike, is there anything I can do to help?”

“Todd, the biggest thing that you can do to help is to keep the boys out of the spotlight.  It’s going to be difficult, especially if someone were to suspect that you and I were, or are, playing big boy games.  Are you sorry that we have become more involved than I ever thought would possibly happen?”

“Mike, we’ve only just begun the exploratory phase of our relationship.  Since there are some big-time politicians involved, I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised to see some of the conservative clerical people of the city get involved before this mess is brought to fruition.  They will use the case as a springboard to attack anyone who says that the young people were forced into their roles of servicing people.  There are some clergy who want to prove their point that gay sex is the work of the devil.”

There was no messing around that night; the triplets were restless as if they knew something was happening.  The christening went fine, and sure enough, Mother had managed to invite approximately fifty people for the cookies and punch celebration.  Not only did the guests come to the celebration, they brought gifts for the boys.”

I whispered to Todd, “I think my Mother wants my right hand to become unusable.  We’ll never get all these thank you notes written.”

“Yeah, we will.”

Mother had invited Sheriff Pat Patrick and his wife as well as District Attorney Ray Howard and his wife.  I wondered why she would have invited them since they certainly weren’t close friends.  I was to find out that Dad Hammond suggested that she invite them, so it would seem we were friends and wouldn’t create so much suspicion if we were seen together.

After the guests had departed, except for the Howards and the Patricks, I asked, “People, I know this is a big imposition, but could you possible meet with me tomorrow afternoon at four thirty so I can get a jump start on this case.  The citizens are going to be clamoring for action, now that the story is on the table.”

Sheriff Patrick asked, “Mike, do you want Tim involved?”

“Nope, not yet.  I would like to keep the names of all the young people out of the news if at all possible.  Mr. and Mrs. Howard, I would like to have a copy of the suicide note that Danny left behind.  Again, I don’t plan to make the name of the creator known, but I would like to use the letter in my opening statement, to show how the people involved were systematically destroying the lives of the young people they blackmailed into participating in their unlawful activities.”

“Ray, I would like to get this case on the docket as soon as possible, so that the case is fresh in the minds of a jury since this is a criminal case.  The less time the defense has to prepare, the less time they have to implicate any of the young people.”

Sheriff Patrick shook his head, “Mike, it’s almost as if you had a personal vendetta against the officers involved.”

“Pat, remember I was there and saw what they were doing to Aaron Shoemaker and were going to do to me as well.  I take it personally, when people go after me.  I want the names and addresses of the people who were in Aaron’s cell the night I got involved.  One other thing, if I am to be in charge of the case, I do not want anyone trying to tell me what to do, or to interfere.  As far as I’m concerned, no one in an official position is trustworthy until I feel confident they are.  There’s no telling how deep the clutches of the ring have reached into the county and city government.”

Ray looked concerned, “Mike, how do you plan to get the evidence, if you don’t plan to involve any public officials?”

“Trust me, Ray and Pat, if you simply tell the officials that they are to cooperate with me and my appointed agents, we’ll make sure that the hooligans get what’s coming to them.  I am going to solicit the assistance of the young people involved, but I'll try to make sure they and their families are not injured by what happens.”

As the Hammonds were departing, Dad offered, “Mike, call me if I can be of any assistance.”

Even Mother decided that she had some things that she needed to take care of, and took her leave, “Guys, I’ll see you tomorrow evening.  Remember; don’t get so wrapped up in the case that you forget about my three grandsons.”

As Todd and I were eating a light evening meal, he asked, “Mike, how do you plan to help the young people who were involved in this case to remain anonymous?”

“Todd, I wish I knew.  Hopefully, something will happen and those young people who were caught up in the ring will remain anonymous as you say.  There are some shyster lawyers out there who will probably try to make some fast money off this case and cause some innocent people to be hurt.”

After a quiet night, and making sure that Aiden, Jaden and Kaden were taken care of.  I kissed my four guys and made my way to the office for the start of a new week.  When I arrived, Gloria, Jeff and David were at their desks.  I looked at the clock and it was only eight thirty.  Even so, Gloria was already on the phone.

After Gloria hung up, she frowned, “Michael, I don’t suppose you would care to tell us what’s happening?  Why and what case is on the docket for next Monday morning at ten o’clock?  What letter is Diane Howard dropping by the office this morning?”

“Gather round, my faithful employees, and you shall hear what hath transpired to cause us all to work many hours of overtime this week.  I have been appointed as special prosecuting attorney for the prostitution ring case that I uncovered last week.  Mrs. Howard is bringing by a letter that their son who committed suicide left behind.”

“We will need to expend our energy on this case, now that we know we have only a limited time.  Don’t take any new appointments for the rest of the week.  We’ll honor those that are already on the books, though.  I’d like to be very selective about any cases that aren’t urgent.  I’m very nervous about doing this since I don’t usually handle criminal cases.” 

“Jeff and David, I have some names of young people who were caught up in the ring, whom I would like you to talk to, away from the office.   They are all high school students, so it will need to be done after school hours.  You need to be very discreet.  The young men’s parents are aware of the guy’s involvement, but their identities still need to be protected so they aren‘t ostracized.”

I handed Jeff and David Trent and Kent Alexander, Derek and Devon Daniels' names. “I want you to talk to them and see how many others who were caught up in the prostitution web they can identify.  I want you to get to as many of the people as you possibly can, and assure them that we are doing everything that we can to protect their identities.  You may be able to glean some information that might be useful.  Under no circumstances will any of us make a statement to the media.  I do not want anyone to know what evidence we might have at our disposal.”

A scheduled client arrived, and I took him into the office.  When I was escorting him out, there were three people in the office who were obviously waiting to see me.

Gloria handed me a note, “Mr. Naylor, you need to return an important phone call.”

I went back into my office and was trying to figure what was so important that a phone call came before a person.  I dialed the number, “This is Mike Naylor, I was asked to call a Mr. Smith at this number.”

“Thank you for calling, Mr. Naylor.  The name is Smith, for now, until I am confident that I can trust you.  Is there any way that I can meet you, away from the office?”

“Mr. Smith, could you give me a clue why all the mystery?”

“Mr. Naylor, it’s about the prostitution ring.  I can provide some valuable information.  I would like to meet with you to make sure I trust you before I spill my guts.  Perhaps we could meet for lunch?”

“Mr. Smith, I usually go home for lunch to spend time with my new born sons.”

“Great, I can meet you at your house and we can talk where people won’t see us together.  Where do you live?”

“We live at 700 N. Beadle.  I’ll get there about 12:05.”

 

“I’ll see you there then.  I’ll be wearing a green parka.”

As I was putting the receiver on the cradle, I was wondering why this Smith person was being so mysterious.  I went to the door and jested, “Mrs. Hawkins, would you show the next contestant on down.”

Gloria grinned, “Mrs. Diane Howard is here for her appointment.”

I greeted Mrs. Howard as if she was a regular client, “Good morning, Mrs. Howard.  It’s so good to see you again.”

When we were settled in the office, Mrs. Howard started, “Mike, the Patricks, my husband and I talked last night, after we left your house, and we decided it might not be a good idea to have the five of us meet together this afternoon.  Ray is being watched like a Hawk and once you are identified in the media, you will be as well.  Ray and I decided that I should bring Danny’s suicide note to you before the heat gets turned up too high.”

Tears were forming in Mrs. Howard’s eyes, “Mike, please don’t lose the note, it’s all we have left of Danny.  Ray and I are disgusted with ourselves to think that Danny didn’t believe that we loved him enough that he could have shared what was happening with us.  We’re devastated to think that we were responsible for Danny’s death.”

I gave Mrs. Howard time to compose herself before I ushered her to the door, “Don’t worry, Mrs. Howard, we’ll take care of the matter.  We’ll be calling you sometime next week and have you come in to finalize the matter.”

After Mrs. Howard departed, David brought a man who was obviously a member of the clergy, since he was wearing a clerical collar and a large flashy cross on a gaudy chain.  “Mr. Naylor, Reverend Stocker would like to talk with you.”

I walked up to the man. “Good morning, sir.  I’m Mike Naylor.  Won’t you come into the office and tell me how I can be of assistance to you.  The man was holding a cup of juice.  David, would you bring me a cup of coffee, please.”

After we were seated, I assessed the man’s attitude and wasn’t receiving good vibes, “Reverend Stocker, how can I help you?”

The man was blunt if nothing else, “Mr. Naylor, I understand that you are the special prosecutor for the scandalous prostitution ring that has been uncovered in our town.  Is that right?”

“Yes.  Why do you ask?”

“I’m here to tell you that in the churches’ opinion, the young people who are involved are as guilty as the people behind the operation.”

I shook my head in disbelief, “Reverend Stocker, I don’t understand what you’re saying.  Are you suggesting that the young people volunteered to serve as prostitutes?”

“They may not have volunteered, but they were discovered when they were doing sexual activities that were being done at the devil’s command, and therefore, they are as guilty as the people who took advantage of what the devil made available to them.”

I took a deep breath trying to control my emotions, “Reverend Stocker, are you speaking for the Church, or Reverend Stocker and his particular church.  My pastor said nothing to me on this subject when my three sons were baptized, yesterday.”

“Mr. Naylor, I’m sure that you will have other members of the clergy who have the same beliefs as I have, visiting you during the week.  Homosexuality and sex outside of wedlock is the work of the devil.”

“Thank you for sharing your opinion, Reverend Stocker.  If you will excuse me, I believe I have some other appointments waiting.”

I watched as the pompous Reverend Stocker departed.  I went up to the gentleman who had been sitting waiting.  He was wringing his hands and his legs were quivering.  “Hi, I’m Mike Naylor.”

“I’m George DeLuca.”

“Mr. DeLuca, go into my office and get comfortable.  I need to give my people some instructions.  I’ll be with you in a couple of minutes.”

After Mr. DeLuca was out of sight, I turned to my people, “I want you to get me as much information about Reverend Stocker as you can.  I don’t like him, or his attitude, very much, to say the least.”

As I was going into my office, my jaws were tightening.  ‘What right did Mr. Stocker have spouting his personal beliefs?  Who is Mr. DeLuca?  What does this guy need?  Why is he so nervous?  Who is this Mr. Smith, for now, and what does he want?’

To be continued...

Editor's Notes: Well, I, for one, don't like Reverend Stoker, in the least. He sounds like a bigoted heartless smug asshole. But other than that... I don't like him.  As for Mr. DeLuca, I have no opinion on him, yet.  Mr. temporarily Smith seems genuinely interested in helping, but I suspect he will also be helping himself.  We will just have to wait and see what will happen, in the next chapter.

Thanks, E Walk, for another fine exciting chapter.

Dear Readers, Please send E Walk your words of support and please say a prayer for his good health and well being.  As I am sure you know, he has been having some health issues, lately.  He is home and is recovering, but I know he would appreciate hearing from you.

It might take him some time to get back to you, but I know he will appreciate hearing from his readers and fans.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 11/05/10