“I think it sounds kind of interesting — sort of James Bond.” He laughed. “You’re going to tell Braden though, right?”
“Not right away. I’m afraid he’ll get worried and upset and have one or more of them investigated and that could have all kinds of ramifications. I’m not telling my dad either or we’ll have more alarms in this place than Fort Knox before you know it.”
“I don’t know if I feel good about doing anything behind Braden’s back,” Cam said significantly.
“I promise I’ll tell him. I’m just hoping to have a little something to go on first. I really don’t want to worry him and I honestly don’t feel like I’m in any danger. Public defenders and prosecutors get harassing letters sometimes. I think this is just like that.”
“Well, I guess it’s not like I’m sneaking around with you. More like I’m sneaking around with your roommate.” He smiled. “Okay team, I’m in!”
“Great! Okay, I have the address of Marla’s townhouse. I say that this Friday you two just see if you can figure out what kinds of places she goes to. Maybe it will give us an idea.”
“You’re going to see your parents?” Cam asked.
“Yeah, Braden and I will leave for New York by train on Friday after work, so you guys will be on your own, but call me anytime. If I don’t answer right away I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”
We finished dinner and Cam hung out for a while longer before heading back to his place. When he was gone Jess turned to me and I had a feeling I was about to be cross-examined.
“Okay, what’s the deal?”
“What’s the deal with what?”
“The whole story with you and Cameron and Braden. I get the feeling there’s more there than you’ve shared so far.” Jess was very observant. It was hard to get anything past her.
“Let’s go get comfortable,” I said, heading for the living room and sinking into my favorite armchair. “Cam and I were friends in college and I had a big crush on him. We wound up hooking up one night and I wanted it to be more but he didn’t.”
“Oh wow. You’re kidding.” I could that she genuinely sympathized.
“And he and Braden had some tension because back when Braden was dating Marla, Cam hooked up with her too.”
“Oh my God! He sounds like he was a total ass!”
“It’s weird but I don’t think he was. I know it sounds naïve, but I honestly think he’s basically a nice guy and that there were reasons for all of his screw-ups. I think that he felt really bad about them for a long time.”
“You always give people the benefit of the doubt.”
“Maybe someday I’ll get the full explanation. I really do think that there is one.”
“So do you think that you’ll all be able to get along now that you’re dating Braden?”
“I think so. I hope so. It was a long time ago and I like the present a lot better than the past. Now I’m going to go relax and watch PBS. There’s a special on about the Bill of Rights tonight.”
“You wild woman. Forgive me if I don’t join you.”
“Don’t forget to stick around for Mr. Davis’ plea tomorrow. I think you’ll be more entertained by that.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF PHILADELPHIA COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
Commonwealth v. Davis
“You understand the charges that you’re pleading guilty to, Mr. Davis? And you understand that you have a right to a trial?” Judge Channing asked.
“Yes sir,” Mr. Davis answered.
“Okay, summarize the facts, Mr. Pierce.” Inner-Gabrielle rolled her eyes.
“On May fourteenth of this year in the County of Philadelphia, the defendant, Mr. Maximillian Davis, aged seventy-five, was in operation of a vehicle traveling southbound on Broad Street within the city limits. Several motorists called nine-one-one to notify authorities that a vehicle matching the description of Mr. Davis’ was driving erratically. Officer Brian Picton of the Philadelphia Police Department got behind Mr. Davis in his patrol vehicle and witnessed Mr. Davis swerve across lanes, hit several parked vehicles and twice drive up on the sidewalk. Mr. Davis did eventually pull over and Officer Picton placed him under arrest. When questioned at the station, after having been advised of his rights and having waived counsel, he explained that he was making, and I quote, ‘a booty call.’ He further explained that at his age, when the mood strikes he needs to, quote, ‘be quick about it’ unquote. He is charged with ten counts of driving on the wrong side of the road, four counts of hit and run, four counts of damaging parked vehicles, and two counts of reckless endangerment.”
“A booty call, Mr. Davis?” Judge Channing asked in a disgusted tone.
“I’ve got needs just like you, sir. I just don’t have the staying power I used to.”
“Ms. Ginsberg?” Judge Channing said, giving my client a look that most people reserved for gum that they found stuck to their shoes.
“Mr. Davis has no criminal record. He was gainfully employed with the erectric – electric! He was employed with the electric company for over fifty years. Furthermore, he’s an upstanding member of his community.” Oh my God. Did I just say that? I saw Braden trying to maintain a straight face. I provided this man with a great deal of mirth. In fact, I filled his life with laughter.
“He was so concerned about remaining upstanding that he could have killed someone from his community,” the judge responded acidly. Braden was now biting down on his lip to avoid laughing. I glanced behind me and saw Mark, Jess and Cameron also trying to maintain their composure. Have you ever noticed how everything seems so much funnier when you’re not allowed to laugh? Well, court is like that a lot. Adam looked like he wasn’t going to make it.
“He deeply regrets what happened, Your Honor, and assures you that it will never happen again.”
“Well, the bad driving part anyway!” Mr. Davis offered.
“Thank you for clarifying that,” the judge retorted sarcastically. “There’s an agreement with the District Attorney’s Office I take it?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Braden answered. “The Commonwealth has no objection to a sentence of six months of probation and restitution for the damaged vehicles.”
“The court accepts the plea. Mr. Maximillian Davis, you have indicated that you understand the charges and are entering a plea of guilty. I hereby sentence you to six months of probation and restitution for any damage that the owners of the vehicles in question can substantiate. Off the record please.” The court reporter stopped typing. “Viagra, Mr. Davis. Viagra!” He banged his gavel just because he could.