Jolan's Path Chapter 57
Jolan's Path - Chapter 57
The following story is fictional and is intended for an adult audience. It is not meant to suggest anything about the sexuality of Justin Timberlake or any other celebrities included in this story. This story is fiction, meaning not real. It's all for fun. If you are under age, it is illegal in your country, or you don't like stories about gay sex, please stop reading this now.
Chapter 57
Justin walked into his New York condo; Jennie, Lance and Joey, Lynn, Jonathan and Jordan walking behind him. Carlos followed all of them with a cart containing their luggage.
It was late Tuesday evening, the group landing in New York a few hours behind Jolan.
Jolan had been moved earlier that day from Los Angeles to New York for the arraignment hearing the next afternoon.
At present he was in a cell somewhere in lower Manhattan, his whereabouts known only to Ally and the police force.
For the media had been a following shadow.
They'd followed Jolan onto his commercial flight, two air marshals and three armed police officers surrounding the young man when the reporters had tried to cozy up to him during the flight.
The air marshals had made short work of their interference, three reporters escorted back to their seats, Jolan suddenly cocooned in a circle of enforcement.
He'd sat in his seat, staring out into the late afternoon sunshine lost in his own thoughts.
His mind flashed constantly to one person.
His loving Justin.
Justin had been courageous the day before when they'd parted, the two looking into each other's eyes.
They both saw the unending love staring back at each other.
"We'll be together soon in New York, Jo. I'll see you first thing Wednesday before the hearing."
Jolan nodded, so wanting to kiss him again.
The two armed officers now back in the room made that an impossibility.
They'd kissed often through the hour they'd been together, everyone seeing their need for contact.
They knew the separation was hard on both of them.
Ally was setting in motion the process for a fast posting of bail for Jolan at the arraignment, she wanting Jolan to be back in Justin's arms as soon as possible in New York.
She also had her sights set on an early trial date.
She was raring to go after those who'd instigated these charges.
For Alexandra Carmichael this was turning personal.
In Jolan she sensed a budding friendship.
She felt in her heart the young man's innocence, that hardening her resolve.
And she had another more personal reason.
A tall dark man had said goodbye to her yesterday, a man whose beautiful brown eyes filled her soul.
She'd never met a man who'd made her feel so alone so quickly.
He'd made her long for something new to her.
Something she'd always deemed unnecessary and frivolous.
Love.
Lonnie had smiled at her, the two shaking hands.
"You look after our boy here, Miss Carmichael."
Ally had smiled, Jolan looking between the two, Jennie smiling as well.
"Will do, Lonnie. He's in good hands. And it's Ally."
The two had smiled at each other, Lonnie quietly looking at her. He then looked at Jolan and Jordan, blushing and putting his arm around Justin; Justin and Jolan looking at each other one more time, Justin walking quietly out of the room escorted by Lonnie.
"Put the bags down anywhere, Carlos." Justin said, throwing his wallet and phone on top of an end table in the living room.
The young man lined all their bags up against the wall from off the cart, smiling at everyone.
"I heard about Jolan, Justin. That's so totally unbelievable." Carlos said, Justin nodding, handing him a few bills.
"Unbelievable and untrue." Joey said, sitting down on one of the couches, Lance looking at him.
"Oh yes, Mr. Fatone. I truly believe that as well." Carlos said, smiling at everyone.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Carlos." Lance said, smiling back at him.
The young man smiled at Lance, Joey's eyes glued to him.
"I'll go if you don't need anything else, Justin. Have a good evening, everyone." Carlos said, Justin thanking him.
The young Latino's eyes gazed at Lance for another moment.
The young man then walked out of the condo, closing the door behind him.
"He's a nice young man, Justin." Lynn said, sitting down on a couch, Jennie by her side, the older woman's arm going around her.
"I don't trust him." Joey said, Lance's eyes going to his. "I didn't like the way he was looking at you, Lance."
Lance smiled, sitting down in his teddy bear's lap, Joey's arms wrapping around him.
Lance kissed him tenderly, Joey lost in the beauty of the kiss.
"Jealous, are we?"
Joey blushed, Justin smiling at him, sitting down beside his mother and Jennie, his arm going around Jennie as well.
"Not jealous, love. I just don't like guys eyeing you up like that. You're more than a vision of beauty. The real you is breathtaking."
Lance smiled his Joey smile, Joey smiling back.
In a short span of a few days, the two men had developed a tight bond of love and friendship.
They hadn't given into the final act of joining love yet.
Joey sensed that Lance needed more time to see the beauty of his soul.
And Lance had felt Joey's shyness and newness at male love.
Lance laid his head on Joey's shoulder, both looking towards Justin.
"How are you doing, Jus?" Joey said, with love.
"It's been a rough couple of days, guys. And the nights have been even longer. Not having my Jolan beside me has been so hard." he said, Jennie kissing his cheek.
They'd all seen the tiredness in Justin's eyes.
They'd all sensed long nights of loneliness surrounding the man.
"You'll have him back soon. Hey, maybe even tomorrow if Ally gets everything squared away." Jordan said, Justin smiling.
That was the one thought that was keeping him going.
Having his Jolan back in his arms once again.
He planned on spending hours just holding him.
Lynn looked at her son, seeing the lost look in his eyes, knowing on who he was thinking.
"Well, it's been a long flight, and it is rather late. I think you need a nice hot toddy and then a good night's sleep, Justin. And Jennie's falling asleep." Lynn said, Justin looking at her, seeing the young girl yawning.
Jonathan smiled at the young girl, Jennie smiling back.
Lynn patted her knee, rising up with her.
Everyone saw her taking charge of her children.
Justin closed his bedroom door, walking over to the bed and sitting on its edge.
He pulled off his socks, stretching his limbs.
He got up, opening the balcony door, walking out into the early November coolness.
The coolness soothed his tired mind.
He leaned against the railing looking out into the New York night.
Where are you my Jo?
What are you doing right now?
Is my love in your heart and in your mind?
You are in every waking thought for me, my love.
Justin sighed, walking back into the bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar, wanting a coolness to envelope the room.
He always slept better when the room was cool.
He also always slept better wrapped in Jolan's arms.
He sighed again, removing his clothes, down to his boxers.
He looked over on the wall, seeing novels lined up on the book shelf beside his television.
He walked over, perusing the shelf, pulling out one.
I've read you before, and the writing was so beautiful.
Maybe you'll lull me into dreamland.
He pulled out the book from the shelf, walking over to the bed, climbing under the covers.
He opened the book, beginning to read.
For an hour he read, his mind constantly moving from the pages.
It wasn't helping.
He tossed the book onto the nightstand, laying back against the pillows.
He lay quietly, listening to the silence around him.
His ears caught a soft melodic sound coming from somewhere outside his room.
Justin quietly got up, walking to his door, opening it slowly.
The sound was coming from Jennie's room.
Justin grabbed his robe, wrapping his near nude body in it, walking across the hallway to her door.
He gently opened it, seeing the young girl laying in bed, her eyes staring upward.
He leaned against the doorway, listening to a young angel softly singing, her voice so melodic and beautiful.
It was a familiar song to Justin, a mother's song for a suffering child.
_Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part, baby of mine.
Little one, when you play
Pay no heed what they say.
Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
Never a tear, baby of mine.
If they knew all about you,
They'd end up loving you, too.
All those same people who scold you,
What they'd give just for the right to hold you.
From your head down to your toes,
You're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me,
Sweet as can be, baby of mine._
Jennie's head moved, her grey eyes staring at Justin.
"Jolly couldn't sleep. I remembered Mom always sang him that song to calm him. He's sleeping now. My love and hers has sent him to sleep."
Lynn--who'd been standing in the hallway behind Justin listening to Jennie's beautiful voice--moved past her son, going to the bed, Jennie smiling as the woman took her gently into her arms.
Justin smiled, seeing his mother's open love for the young woman.
He walked into the room, gently sitting down on the bed in front of the two women.
"You remembered the song, Jennie?" he said, his voice filled with love.
She nodded, Lynn rubbing her back.
"I've been catching glimpses in my mind of her, little moments of recollection. That song just materialized a few minutes ago. It couldn't have come at a better time. Right when Jolly needed it."
Justin smiled, patting her knee.
"Perhaps your mother knew he needed her loving song, and so she sent it to you."
Jennie smiled, liking Justin's reasoning.
It made the hope that their mother was still out there somewhere seem more real.
"Maybe, Justin. Maybe she is still connected to us." the young girl said, smiling then yawning.
"Justin, you go to bed. I'm staying here tonight with our angel."
Jennie smiled, moving under the covers, Lynn climbing in beside her.
Justin smiled, standing up, leaning forward and kissing both women on the cheek.
"Goodnight Mom and Sis."
They both smiled, Jennie looking into Justin's blue eyes.
"Maybe you need my song to send you to dreamland with Jolan."
Justin teared up, kissing her cheek again.
"I have your beautiful voice in my soul, angel. It will help me sleep."
Justin stood again, extinguishing the lamp on the nightstand, walking quietly out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
He stood in the hallway, a hand going to his shoulder.
Justin turned around, Jonathan staring at him, wearing a robe identical to Justin's.
"Is she okay?"
Justin smiled, his arm going around his brother.
"She's fine, Mom's sleeping with her tonight. What are you still doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep. I heard her voice and her beautiful words drew me here."
Justin smiled, kissing his brother's cheek.
"Jus, can I sleep with you tonight? I just can't seem to get to sleep."
Justin nodded, guiding his brother to his bedroom.
Justin crawled back into bed once he'd removed his robe, Jonathan hanging his over a chair, climbing into the bed on the other side.
They lay together in the darkness for a few moments, then Jonathan moving, his brother wrapping his arms around him.
Justin smiled, remembering the nights his little brother had slept with him at his Dad's home.
Jonathan had always idolized his big brother, their love unconditional.
Jonathan now lay against him, his brother wrapping him in love.
And Justin felt Jonathan was giving him just as much love back.
Here without his Jolan he had his brother to hold.
In both their minds Jennie's soft, beautiful voice filled their thoughts again, both succumbing to her loving musical words.
They fell asleep immediately.
Simus stared out the window of the jet into the dark, black night.
Cory sat down on the couch beside him, two drinks in his hands, handing one to Calen who sat across from them in an overstuffed chair.
The three men were the sole passengers on a sleek white jet flying towards New York.
Cory had been amazed when they'd boarded it, Calen explaining that it was one of seven the Dragosans owned.
The urgency of the moment made its use immediate.
Cory knew the Dragosan clan was extremely wealthy, Simus having told him that.
But to see this kind of wealth totally awed him.
He looked at his lover, Simus still staring out into the night.
"Here, Simus. A Scotch-on-the-rocks. You need it."
Simus turned his grey eyes to Cory, seeing the caring love in his eyes.
"Thank you, Cory." he said, taking the drink from him, bringing it to his lips.
He drank half the glass, setting it back down on the table between him and Calen.
His arm went around the younger man, Cory snuggling against him.
"I still can't fathom what's happened. Jolan charged with rape? It's totally preposterous!" Calen said, Simus looking at his brother.
"I think we have to prepare to defend our nephew. These charges have to be proven false." Simus said, Calen picking up the folder off the table, opening it.
Cory had seen a man hand the folder to Calen just before they'd boarded the jet in London.
Cory picked out easily the man in the hangar as a private investigator.
The two men sat in silence as Calen perused the folder, his grey eyes widening on several occasions.
Calen read through its contents while his brother and Cory quietly watched him.
"Well?" Simus said, Cory sensing the emotion in his lover's voice.
Calen's grey eyes met his brother's, the two looking into each other's calming souls.
"Well, our thoughts have been substantiated. The rape charges stem from an attack on a woman in a small Massachusetts town called Cutter's Bluff."
Cory and Simus looked at each other.
"That's my home town." Cory softly said, Simus hugging him closer.
"And Jolan's as well." Calen said, looking at the young man.
"Do you know this woman, Cory?"
Cory shook his head no, the name meaning nothing to him.
"I don't know anyone named Theresa Brannigan."
Calen nodded, his mind on his own thoughts.
"Perhaps that isn't her real name. Perhaps she changed it when she left there?" Simus said, Cory looking up at him.
"It's possible. Do you have any photographs of her?"
Calen produced a photograph out of the folder, handing it to Simus, the two lovers looking at it.
Cory stared at her youthful looking face, judging her to be about twenty-nine.
"No, I don't recognize her. I haven't a clue who she is. She isn't anyone that I know from the townsfolk, and I know most of them through my policing the area."
Calen nodded, looking into the folder again.
"Apparently from her statements, she was visiting friends there since that past Christmas."
"When did this attack take place?" Simus said, Calen staring at his brother.
"March 2nd, 2005."
Cory and Simus froze, staring at the younger Dragos brother.
"That's the day after Jolan's disappearance!" Simus said with shock.
"Yes, exactly." Calen said, throwing the folder down on the table before them.
"Something's not quite right here. This attack supposedly happens the day after Jolan disappears. How can a stranger in town be connected to that disappearance? You said you don't know her, Cory. And I truly believe you. That being said, then she indeed was a stranger to Jolan as well. Jolan was a boy of seventeen when he disappeared. I can't believe a seventeen-year-old teenager would rape a complete stranger!"
Cory nodded, sitting up more.
"Take into account the fact that my best friend was a loving, giving, soul. Let alone the fact he's gay. He told me he was gay when we were fifteen, two years before that attack. Why would a gay teenager rape an older woman? It just doesn't make sense!"
Simus nodded, his hand rubbing Cory's back.
"Exactly, Cory. None of this makes sense. And that worries me." Calen said, putting his hands together, as if in prayer, rubbing his chin with his fingertips.
"What if someone else raped her? And in the confusion she thought it was Jolan."
Cory's eyes widened.
"That would mean that she was with Jolan after he disappeared!"
Calen nodded, standing up and walking around the cabin.
"If she was with him after his disappearance, then perhaps she was connected to whomever took Jolan and his parents."
Cory stood up.
"Then she may know where they are. Or what really happened. We have to talk to her!"
Calen's hand went onto Cory's shoulder.
"I don't think we'll be able to get near her. She's the star witness against Jolan."
Cory sat down again, his hands going together.
"I can't believe that she's claiming that child is Jolan's."
Calen nodded, sitting back down again.
"Well, that will be easy to prove otherwise. According to the report here Jolan's already volunteered a blood sample for DNA testing. That should prove that claim false."
"Guaranteed, Calen." Simus said, Cory again leaning against him.
"So where do we go from here, Calen?" Simus said, Calen looking at Cory.
"That's where I was hoping our young friend here could help."
Cory sat up again, staring at the younger Dragos.
"Help in what way?"
"Simus and I are foreigners in your land, Cory. You know as a police officer the ins and outs of the judicial and law enforcement communities in that town. There must be some way you can check into this woman's background more deeply, or this man she's affiliated with, this Samuel Conrad."
Cory nodded, his mind on those facts.
"I think it's time I returned home. The Chief may be able to help me with this."
Calen smiled, patting the young man's knee.
"Jolan has a great friend in you, Cory."
Cory looked into Calen's grey eyes.
"He's my best friend, Calen. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him."
Calen and Simus both smiled, hearing the love in Cory's words.
Simus leaned over, the two kissing deeply.
"The same goes for you, my Dragosan heart."
Simus smiled, Calen quietly sitting in silence.
Ally smiled at Jolan, the young woman standing up as he walked into the room.
It was Wednesday morning, the day of his arraignment hearing.
"How are you, Jolan? I take it this jail was a little more comfortable than the last?"
Jolan smiled a soft smile, Ally seeing he was a little nervous.
"As jails go it's not half bad. But then again who the hell likes jail?"
Ally smiled, her hand extending to Jolan, Jolan seeing a yellow card in it.
She smiled, offering it to him.
He took it out of her hand, looking down at it.
It showed a picture of a man in a striped prisoner uniform, and five words written below it.
Get Out Of Jail Free
Jolan couldn't help it, his laughter filled the room, the officer at the doorway staring at him.
Jolan continued to laugh, looking down at the Monopoly card.
"I think I'll hold onto this. I can use it at anytime, right?"
Ally laughed, her joke having had the desired effect.
Jolan Dragos was now totally relaxed, and in good spirits.
Jolan sat down, Ally sitting down across the table from him.
"Alright, Jolan. The day's upon us. Now you know what to do, right? What we've discussed?"
"Yes, Alexandra. I'll remain silent and calm. You will do all the talking on my behalf."
She smiled, surprised at his sudden calmness.
"I really am beginning to respect you, Jolan. You have a level head on your shoulders. Most of my clients in cases like this have been pretty upset, or almost psychotic. It's a nerve-wracking experience."
"I have something on my side, Alexandra. I have the truth."
Ally smiled at him, hearing the truth resonating off the man's every word.
"So, it's almost time. You'll be escorted from here to the New York Central Courts. Word of warning, the press has staked out all the ground around the courthouse. This is big news, locally and nationally."
"Yes, I understand. When can I see Justin? And Jennie?"
Ally patted his hand, Jolan smiling at her.
"They'll be at the hearing, Jolan. When bail is posted you'll be able to leave on your own accord and go to Justin's. I think it's best if you remain apart from him before that. Media-wise and judicially speaking it would be the best thing."
Jolan nodded, looking into her green calm eyes.
"Thank you for doing this for me, Alexandra."
"It's my job, Jolan. And I take it very seriously."
Jolan smiled, Ally seeing a mirthful look in his grey staring eyes.
"Serious careers can't hold a candle to life, Ally. Or to love."
Ally blushed a little, unsure where this was going.
"Talk to Justin, Ally. He'll give you Lonnie's number."
To say Alexandra Carmichael lost all sense of judicial seriousness at that moment would be an understatement.
She looked totally stunned, a stuttering sentence coming out of her gaping mouth.
"I. . .I. . .I don't know what. . ."
Jolan's hand went forward, resting on top of hers.
"Love can sometimes slap you across the face, Ally. It can jolt you to your very core. I saw that look in your green eyes when Lonnie's brown orbs looked into yours. Call me a naive twinkie, but I can see when someone's been bitch-slapped by love."
Ally stared at him in shock, then burst out in laughter at Jolan's last sentence, Jolan joining her.
The policeman at the door stared in confusion, unsure what the laughter was about.
Jolan looked towards him, then at Ally.
"Don't cop out on him now, girlfriend."
Ally laughed, Jolan smiling at her.
Her face changed, her usual serious look again there.
"I haven't had much luck in the love department, Jolan. My career--as you said--has always been what's mattered to me. Life as you see it may not be what I'm destined for."
Jolan's hand went on top of hers again.
"Life is about loving and living, Ally. You need to do both to be complete. I don't know Lonnie really well as of yet, but from what I've seen you won't be disappointed. Darius Laughton was just a mistake, Ally. Lonnie will never be like him."
Ally was sitting again in stunned silence.
The door of the room opened, two other officers coming into it.
"It's time. The guard truck is ready." one officer said, Jolan standing up, extending his hands while the two men cuffed and chained his legs.
"Live life and love life. Come on Ally, my soulmate awaits."
Jolan walked forward, Alexandra Carmichael staring after him, a look of awe on her face.
Jolan Dragos walked into the courtroom, all eyes upon him.
He saw Ally sitting at a long table, the rows of pews behind her filled with people.
Ally and he had met again in the main lobby of the courthouse, after Jolan had been hauled through a rushing crowd of journalists and cameramen.
If the front entrance was a madhouse, the back entrance wasn't that much better.
It was there that Jolan had walked out of the truck into blinding flashing lights.
Questions were screamed at him as he walked surrounded by police officers.
The reporters followed him right into the courthouse, their questions more coherent now.
"Is Justin Timberlake going to stand by you through all this, Jolan?"
"Is Justin paying for your bail?"
_
"What is this woman's connection to your sordid past, Dragos?"_
"Are you that child's father?"
"Are you and Britney Spears a couple?"
That question had made Jolan stop in surprise, the reporter taking that as a sign of truthfulness.
"Well is it true?"
Jolan stared at him, then lowered his gaze, walking forward.
Ally's hand went to his shoulder, Jolan staring at her.
She'd walked beside him, until he was taken into the prisoner's room adjacent to the hearing rooms.
Now in the courtroom, Jolan's eyes found two blue sparkling centers staring at him from the front row sitting behind Ally's table.
Justin, Jennie, Lynn and Lance were seated together right behind her.
Behind them were Simus, Cory, Calen and Joey.
And behind them, Jolan's grandfather Domo, Trace, Cindy and Jordan, along with Deidra and Juan Defalco.
Jolan smiled, seeing his family surrounding him.
But the deepness of his loving smile was directed at Justin.
His lover smiled at him, the police officer with Jolan guiding him to Ally's table.
Jolan walked behind it, sitting down beside Ally.
He looked behind him, Justin's eyes meeting him.
No words needed speaking, their love flowed in their gaze.
"All rise. The honorable Judge Horace Gardner presiding."
Jolan stood up first, everyone in the room following.
An older robed man walked into the room from a side door, walking up to the bench, sitting down behind it.
Jolan stared at him, finding a man of about sixty, with grayish white hair and a short, well-trimmed beard.
"You may all be seated. First case on the docket, Anderson."
"The state of New York versus Jolan Dragos." the bailiff said loudly.
"Is Jolan Dragos here?" the judge said, staring at Jolan.
"Yes your honor, my client is here." Ally said, standing beside Jolan who'd risen again.
"The charges have been read to you, young man?" the judge said, looking through papers, then staring into his grey eyes again.
"Yes, sir." Jolan said, beating Ally to it.
Ally stared at him, Jolan feeling her simmering gaze.
"This hearing is to determine the jurisdiction for your trial and the bail setting for your crimes, son."
"As far as I know it hasn't been proven that I've committed a crime, sir." Jolan said, Ally jabbing his ribs.
The judge stared at him again.
"Yes, that's true. And mind your tongue, son. I don't like being contradicted."
"I wasn't contradicting you, sir. I was just showing my innocence."
Jolan stared at him, the Judge looking towards Ally.
"Your client needs a lessen in silent judicial decorum, counselor."
"Yes your honor, he does. Forgive his youthful emotions." Ally now glaring at Jolan.
The Judge nodded, telling everyone to sit down.
Jolan sat down, folding his hands in front of him.
The judge looked through the papers in front of him, then folded his hands.
"These are serious charges, Mr. Dragos. Stemming from an incident in a small town north of here. What do the two of you counselors want to do about jurisdictions?"
Across from Jolan a distinguished looking man stood up, Jolan looking at him.
He seemed to show an aloofness and dignified persona.
"The city of New York wishes to try him here, your Honor."
"But this crime happened in Massachusetts, Mr. Sutcliffe." the Judge said, staring at the familiar lawyer.
"Yes, your Honor it did. But the time frame of this case warrants no real local influence in this. The key participants have, since this incident happened, gone on to other places. The place where it happened is not that involved." the lawyer said, looking at Jolan for a moment.
"That's not entirely true, counselor." Ally said, standing up again.
"I feel that this trial should be held where the scene of the supposed crime took place. Jolan Dragos remains in a state of amnesia since his coma. Perhaps the local atmosphere would help jog his memories. My client needs a fair trial. He and his parents lived in that town for over ten years. People there knew them. In a center of familiarity and fairness, truth must prevail."
"Your Honor, where this crime happened is not the issue here. What's the issue is the charges. Rape and attempted murder are serious charges, that I feel a small town wouldn't vindicate with true justice." Sutcliffe said, zeroing in on Ally's green staring eyes.
"So you're saying the local townsfolk can't grasp heinous crimes? I don't know what America you live in Henderson, but those crimes happen everywhere." Ally said, the lawyer glaring at her.
"I never said that at all!"
"Well you're implying it! Or are you worried the small town venue won't be big enough for your fame, Henderson??"
Henderson Sutcliffe glared at her again, his words now louder.
"I am not seeking fame, Miss Carmichael. Here in New York your L.A. attitude holds no welcoming smiles."
The Judge banged his gavel, both lawyers looking towards him.
"That will be enough, counselors. I don't need to hear about fame or attitudes, they're both already surrounding this case. The press outside this building shows that. I've made my decision. I will issue a change of venue for this case. Cutter's Bluff has full rights and an obligation to try this young man. Issue the writ, Anderson."
The bailiff nodded, writing in his ledger.
Sutcliffe sat down, a look of anger crossing his face, his eyes glaring briefly at Ally.
The Judge folded his hands again, staring at Jolan.
"Now comes the question of bail and whether the defendant warrants it. As I have stated these are serious charges, not to be taken lightly. I am fully aware of the defendant's recent brushes with fame and valor, this city itself owing him so much. What are your views on this matter, Counselor Sutcliffe?"
The lawyer stood again, looking towards Jolan.
"The defendant's previous moments of dubious courage play no part in this trial, your Honor. Painting him as a hero solves nothing. This is a serious crime, with serious consequences if the defendant is allowed to enter society again while awaiting trial. A potential rapist shouldn't be allowed to walk the streets. I don't think any of us could sleep at night knowing such a threat was surrounding us. We request Mr. Dragos be held without bail until his trial, now to be held in Cutter's Bluff."
The lawyer sat back down, a smug look directed at Ally.
The Judge looked at Ally, his hands still folded in front of him.
"And your views, Miss Carmichael?"
Ally stood up, looking down at Jolan.
"My client awoke from a coma a short month ago, your Honor. He himself suffered through four years of lost memories, of lost love. To seal him away in a cold damp jail cell would be also like returning him to that darkness. He'd be once again cut off from life. In the last month he's shown so much courage, so much valor and heroism in risking his own life to save others, including his own sister. There is no threat of Jolan Dragos harming anyone. He'd only ever do the opposite. I think we'd all sleep much better at night knowing a heroic soul is surrounding us."
Ally sat down, the Judge looking at Jolan.
The Judge stared into his grey eyes for a few moments, then lowered his head.
"Bail is set at two million dollars." he said, banging his gavel.
Ally smiled, Sutcliffe folding his arms.
"You may post bail, Miss Carmichael. You will be notified when the trial will be. Do you wish to issue your own writ?"
"Yes your Honor. The defendant will be requesting an immediate outcome for his vindication."
"Submit it in writing to the bailiff. I shall hear the next case after a short recess." the Judge said, banging his gavel again, rising up and walking out of the room.
Jolan remained seated, looking back at his friends and family.
Ally put her hand on his, the bailiff walking up to the table.
"Come with me, Miss Carmichael, and we'll do the necessary paperwork. The officer will take you back to the holding room, Mr. Dragos."
Ally smiled at him, Jolan nodding and standing.
"It won't be long, Jolan. Justin will post your bail." Ally said, Jolan looking towards his Justin.
Justin winked at him, Jolan smiling.
The police officer was at the table, leading Jolan out of the room.
Ally left with the bailiff, Justin and the others walking out of the courtroom.
Justin stood up when the door opened, Ally walking into the crowded conference room where everyone was waiting.
"He'll be right with us, Justin. They're finishing his paperwork." she said, smiling at all the now smiling faces.
"Great work in there, Ally." Jordan said with a smile, a smile returned toward him.
"Thanks, Jordan. The real work now begins." she said, looking towards Cory, Simus and Calen.
Justin introduced her to everyone she didn't know, all of them shaking her hand.
"Jolan told me of his family, Mr. Dragos. I think you're all going to surprise me." Ally said, looking at Simus.
"I think the biggest surprise will be our Jolan." Simus said, smiling at her.
"Yes, he's one of a kind."
Everyone smiled, Cory looking at Ally.
"Is it wise to move the trial to Cutter's Bluff? I'm from that town and a lot of people do know Jolan."
"That will work in our favor, Mr. Hamilton. And against Henderson Sutcliffe."
"Yes, he didn't seem too thrilled with the change of venue." Lance said, Joey nodding beside him.
"Henderson Sutcliffe takes on a case for only one reason. Fame and glory. That's why he wanted the trial in New York. Here he could stand up as the champion against the fallen hero. I can almost picture the headlines." she said, Lonnie smiling at her.
Ally's cheeks blushed a little, her eyes looking elsewhere.
Jennie's hand went in hers.
"Thank you for standing by my Jolly."
Ally smiled, kissing her cheek.
"His love makes anyone stand by him."
Jennie smiled, Justin's arm going around her.
The conference room's door opened, a police officer walking in, holding the door open.
Jolan walked into the room, Jennie going into his arms immediately, Jolan hugging his sister close.
"You're free to leave, Mr. Dragos. But you must remain in New York State as the bond states." the officer said, Jolan nodding his understanding.
The officer walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Jennie looked up at Jolan, Jolan's eyes meeting Justin's blue tearing pools.
"Let's go home, Jus. I need to be surrounded by your love."
Justin teared up more, his arm going around his Jolan.
End of Chapter 57
And so Jolan's been given his freedom.
For a short time anyways.
And the upcoming trial will draw us all to Jolan's childhood hometown.
What will Cory try and learn there?
What happened so long ago to Jolan in that same town, along with his sister and their parents?
Will the return home draw out Jolan's lost pain and missing memories?
Only I know, and I'll eventually let you know.
I hope the journey so far has been intriguing.
I love the song Baby Mine, especially Bette Midler's version.
So beautiful.
Hugs, Angel.
email: music-fan-1@hotmail.com