Jail Cell Love Affair - 16. Strange Bedfellows, and Some Progress

After a short talk with Kyle, and after lunch, Fred headed to the police station, where Sebastian was still waiting in the 'drunk tank.' His arraignment would be at three o'clock this afternoon.

"Hello Officer. Fred Jamers for Sebastian DeVore."

"Yes, Mr. Jamers. Mr. DeVore may not be completely coherent yet, but you can see him."

Fred was led through the station to the holding cells. The officer escorting him let him into the cell.

"Hello Sebastian."

He looked up, and seemed clear-headed, "Oh, Fred. Thank God you're here. Although I'm not sure that you'll have anything to do. I fucked up pretty badly."

"No argument there. Conrad thinks you should either take a plea bargain or plead guilty."

"Yeah, don't hold your breath on the plea bargain. Nobody but Karter and Conrad know this, it was before I joined the firm, but I had two previous DWI arrests, released on my own recognizance with probation and a fine for both. I'm looking at the maximum penalty for this, trial or not. I'll plead guilty this afternoon. I thought about it after calling Conrad first thing this morning. It's my only choice. I don't want to make this any worse on the firm than I already have. That, and I know you have a mountain of work because of me. I'm really sorry about that. That's really the main reason I insisted that Conrad assign you to my case. There won't be any work on it after today, but I really wanted to apologize."

"Apology accepted. It's not like you did anything to me directly, and I know it wasn't only your decision to hire me."

"It wasn't, but the three of us definitely agreed it was the right move. You proved us right."

"I guess. Conrad told me Karter said I may have saved the firm. I'm not sure that's really true..."

"Believe it. If we lost and were sued by Wallingford, well, maybe we wouldn't have closed up shop, but we would have been crippled. Pfft, we. That sure as hell isn't accurate anymore."

After a little more unrelated conversation, Sebastian was called for the arraignment and pleaded guilty. The judge reminded him of the penalty.

"Mr. DeVore, being a defense attorney yourself, I probably don't have to remind you this is your third DWI. You're facing the maximum penalty by pleading guilty."

"I understand that your honor. But I know my odds of acquittal lie somewhere between none and impossible."

The judge nodded, "Very well then. I sentence you to ten years at the state penitentiary at Rosharon and levy a fine of ten thousand dollars. A subsequent two-year suspension of your driver's license, and a two-thousand-dollar annual surcharge for three additional years may also apply after you've served your sentence. In addition, you will pay restitution for the property damage you caused. Take the prisoner into custody for transfer to Rosharon. Case adjourned."

"You don't need to bother visiting me, Fred. Not much point."

"Good luck Sebastian."

With that, Sebastian was taken away and wasn't seen again by anybody but his wife for ten years. Well, anybody outside the prison, anyway.

*****

After returning to the office, and a quick chat with Conrad, Fred called Kyle and Kirsten into his office.

Kyle wanted to confirm the rumors, "Is it true you got stuck with Sebastian's defense?"

"Yes, but there wasn't much to do. He pleaded guilty, got the max, and it's over."

"Well, at least he won't take any more time away from Silas' mess. Karter gave me the highlights and Kirsten gave me the details while you were out; what a hot pile of shit. What can we do to help?"

"I've already gone through the other four cases that were in Silas' file cabinet. We'll need to put together an appeal for Bily Mannon. He's guilty, but there's no way he should serve the full twenty years. I'll go through what I found with you, Kirsten, and you can put together the first draft of the appeal."

"Really, Fred?"

"Sure, why not? Kyle and I will be doing the heavy lifting. On that vein, Kyle," pointing at the next three on his white board, "I'd like you to take a second look at the next three cases. I've gone through them and don't see any mistakes, but you've got the best non-conviction rate in the group, maybe you'll see something I missed.

"Sure, I can do that."

"In previous discussions with Kirsten, we talked about a target of twenty cases reviewed per quarter. I'm thinking that is too aggressive, even with two of us doing the reviews. If we can complete four a month between us, knocking out twelve per quarter will put enough meat into the quarterly reports requested by the A.C., to satisfy them we're making progress. And it leaves us time for other cases. Kirsten, Conrad told me Karter will be hiring a temporary paralegal to help out with the extra burden. I'd like you to get him or her up to speed on the firm's systems, but also review the next set of cases, four at a time this time around. Let him or her summarize everything you find so Kyle and I can hit the ground running when the time comes."

"Sure, Fred. Thanks for the added responsibility."

Chuckling, Fred told her, "You want to eventually become a lawyer, no reason you shouldn't experience some of the pain in advance. I'll ensure Karter knows what your contributions are. Questions?"

Kirsten spoke up, "Only one; when will the temp arrive?"

"I'll touch base with Karter, but with Christmas and New Year's next week, I'd guess after the first. Anything else?"

There wasn't. The new year's guess turned out to be accurate. Fred gave Kyle the Adams, Lewis, and Parker files and they all went on to their assigned tasks.

Thursday morning, Fred met with Kirsten to go over the Mannon case. There was no deadline to meet for that appeal, which was one reason why Fred thought it would be a good exercise for her. Fred attacked the Jesse Wellington case first since it was a capital murder case. It somewhat surprised Fred that the initial appeal was never started. Although not much Silas didn't do would surprise Fred anymore. He arranged a visit with Jesse Wellington the next day.

After the introductions with Jesse, he asked the obvious question, "What happened to Thompson?"

"Fired for screwing up a case. Well, as it stands, way more than one. Very possibly yours as well."

"Yeah, for sure. Six months and nothing from that dick. So, you have my case now?"

"Yes. And for the moment, it will be my top priority. I hate to have to tell you this, but Silas Thompson never even started an appeal."

He lowered his voice so he wouldn't get punished, "Fucker. I knew that was going to happen based on his reaction after... This is all privilege, right?"

"Of course."

"I accidentally let it slip that I was gay. He looked at me like I'd just burned down his house, killed his dog, horse, and whole family."

"That was actually one question I was going to ask you. I have a suspicion every single gay client of his was handled inadequately."

"And you're okay with gay guys?"

"I have to be. I am one."

"That's a relief. I guess you'll pull hard for me."

"Yes, I haven't found a lot yet, other than the typical death penalty arguments, but I have to ask; why didn't you take the plea? Sorry to say this, but everything I read indicates you're guilty."

"I won't deny being guilty. You said, 'the plea.' I never even knew there was one on the table."

"I hope you're joking."

"Nope. My funny bone has been broken for years."

"Holy shit." That caused a look from the guard. Fred nodded an acknowledgment before responding, "That's got to be his biggest screw up."

"You're saying there was a plea bargain offered and Thompson turned it down without telling me?"

"Exactly."

Noticeably frustrated and angry, "I'll probably hate myself for asking, but what was it?"

"Murder two. Forty to life, parole possible after thirty."

"FUCK! The bastard wanted to kill me!"

The guard spoke up, "Sorry, Wellington, you just lost the rest of your visit."

"Yeah, I get it." To Fred, "You'll be back?"

"Of course. You have definite grounds for appeal to reduce your sentence."

There was no point in going back to the office by this time, so Fred headed home to start the weekend with Mo.

"You're home early."

"Yeah, had another run to Rosharon. A major fuck-up by Silas this time."

"What was it?"

"Due to attorney/client privilege, I can't say who, but one of his clients was given the death penalty for murder one. The DA offered a murder two plea. Silas turned it down without telling the client."

"Wow. He really was an ass. Another gay one?"

"Yep." Then, trying hard not to laugh, "I don't smell anything cooking, given up on being the housewife?"

"That's not funny. A knuckle sandwich is easy to prepare."

"Come on, you know I was kidding."

Mo's turn to stifle a laugh, "I know. Me too. Anyway, I figured you'd want to take me out to eat and do some Christmas shopping."

"Hmmm, we have to get you set up with a bank account, you can't have anything to buy a gift with."

"Most of that hundred you gave me Tuesday, but I do have a bank account."

"It wasn't frozen after all this time?"

"No, I had a friend make a one dollar deposit every three months to keep it active. I'll have to let him know he doesn't need to do that anymore. Although, he's still got sixty dollars for the next fifteen years."

"Good thinking. For some reason mine got frozen after only four plus months. I know at least one thing I can get you. No, make that a few; you've been wearing those clothes since Tuesday."

"You're not very observant, but yeah, another few changes would be worthwhile."

"What do you mean, I'm not very observant?"

"I picked up another pair of jeans, underwear, socks, and a couple more shirts when I walked to Wal-Mart on Tuesday. I've been wearing different things the last two days."

Fred tilted his head sideways, in thought, "No. Blue jeans and a blue long-sleeved t-shirt each day."

"Have you noticed the colors of my shirts?"

"Yeah, blue. Dark blue."

"Three slightly different shades."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and different color underwear too."

"Well, you can't blame me for missing that, I'm always focused on what's beneath the underwear."

"Yeah, I'll give you that one. So, dinner, shopping, and sex. Sound like a good plan?"

"Close. Although may I make a modification?"

"Sure, what?"

"Sex, dinner, shopping, and sex."

"You drive a hard bargain, mister. I accept your modification."

That bargain wasn't the only thing hard that evening.

Along with Christmas shopping at the mall for each other, they also bought a small artificial tree; lights and mini ornaments included. That got set up on one of the end tables in the living room, presents spread around the floor beneath it. They also went food shopping, so Mo would have more to work with, specifically for Christmas dinner, but for other meals as well. It wouldn't be long before Fred wouldn't need rocks in his pockets to weigh one hundred and forty pounds with Mo's cooking.

Christmas morning arrived. Unfortunately for both our men, tears came along with it. It was Fred's first Christmas without Stephane. It was also Mo's first Christmas on the outside without Kevin. Fred and Mo comforted each other as best they could. The Christmas morning lovemaking session would have to wait. They held each other, crying together, in bed, until the tears would fall no more.

Late Christmas morning, they initially agreed neither one of them was up to the task of making love to the other at that point. They got out of bed, still naked from the previous night's romp in the hay. Coffee came first. During their shower, friskiness returned, and they gave each other the first present of the day; themselves. It was a slow and gentle lovemaking session that continued from shower, through drying off, and resumed in the bedroom.

Expressions of loss and of love complete, they moved to the living room to exchange gifts of a more material nature.

Mo queried, "So, how are we doing this? We just rip them all open at random, or..."

"I think going one at a time to start. After we each choose a couple to open first, then we'll rip away. Why don't you go first? I bet it's been a long time since you got a Christmas present."

"It has. Too long. Any specific one I should start with?"

"No. You choose."

Looking at Fred with an evil grin, "Good things come in small packages. I'll open this one first... Holy shit, an iPhone! This was too much."

Shaking his head, Fred responded, "It was a good deal just adding a line to my plan. And don't worry about how much anything cost. It's Christmas."

"Thanks. Okay. Your turn."

Fred opened a very nice, gold plated pen and mechanical pencil set. "Wow, this is nice. Thanks."

Two more rounds of presents occurred before the wrapping paper went flying. Most of the rest were clothes. Fred bought Mo some polo shirts, and a very nice travel kit. Beside the iPhone, Mo's favorite was the sexy underwear. Mo bought Fred a few ties, a portable CD player and some music CDs. Mo was into jazz, Fred hadn't listened to it much before then, but would end up enjoying the selections Mo gave him.

Next, more ripping occurred. In this case nothing actually got torn, but clothes were ripped off bodies, leading to another slow, passionate, and long lovemaking session.

Next up - "Back to Jerry, A New Boss, and More Appeals"