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Note: The characters Special Agent Rich Mason, Ben Jacobs and Bennie Jacobs are from his story The President's Son and are used with the express permission of the author, Miguel Sanchez.
Lives Changed Chapter 4-C
Back in Naples, Malcolm walked away from the cheering crowd and headed around to the back of the school, where he sat, hung his head and cried. Both the Daniels and the Jacobs families followed him, wanting to talk to him. When Richard saw Malcolm sitting and crying, he held out his arms and stopped everyone from approaching. Aaron wanted to run up to his brother, but Richard knelt down and spoke to him.
"Not right now, Aaron. He needs this; he needs to let out all the stress. I know you may not understand, but that may have been the hardest speech your brother will ever make," Richard said as he gently held Aaron's hand.
"But he did good, right?" Aaron asked in his high-pitched voice.
"Oh, yes, he did very good, but that doesn't make what he asked for easy on him."
"So, he's got a boo-boo inside him?"
"Yes, Aaron, that he does, and a very big one."
After a few minutes, Malcolm looked up and saw his little brothers looking at him. Walking over to the families, he hugged both brothers.
"Dad I want to, no, I need to go to a church," Malcolm stated.
"Okay, son, but can I ask why?" Richard asked with a confused expression on his face.
"I need some answers, and I hope I can find them there."
"Well, He does listen, Son, you know that. Do you want us to join you?"
"I don't mind, but I really would rather do it alone."
"Malcolm, may I have a word with you please," a familiar voice asked."
Malcolm turned and saw his mother standing nearby. "Sure, mother, as long as you don't start ragging on me," Malcolm said, frowning as he watched his mother walk towards him.
"I promise I won't." his mother said with just a hint of ice in her voice.
"Okay, excuse me people. This way mother," said Malcolm as he led to aside.
"Malcolm, I want to apologize. I was wrong about you. You have stood up and made a name for yourself, and I am proud of you. I know that we have had our disagreements over a lot of things, and, well, I would like you to know that I will help you from now on if you will let me."
"Mother, it isn't just about me, it is about everyone that was here today and a lot of others who weren't. This isn't just one school's fight anymore, it is a nation of children standing up and saying `no more.' Can you accept that? Can you forget that some of those children and the families that are standing with me don't have a lot of money and that feeding, housing and clothing their children is all that matters to them?"
"I don't know, Malcolm. I mean, I always thought that this was just about you getting back into school."
"That is how it started, first with Patrick. Then it was Patrick and me. Then some other students joined us. Now it isn't about us, it is about school policies that have to change and it's about a government that will not listen to the people who elected them. All I wanted was to go back to school. Now, as you can see, it has gotten much bigger than that."
"I do see, and I would still like to help if I can."
"Then talk to people. There are boxes of flyers out front, take one and hand them out. That will help and is a good way to start."
"Okay, I can do that. And good luck, Malcolm."
"Thanks, mother."
Leaving his mother there, Malcolm rejoined his dad and the others and they headed off to a nearby church. The families stayed outside as Malcolm slowly and quietly walked inside by himself. He walked to the front of the sanctuary, knelt in the first pew and bowed his head in prayer. Over the next fifteen minutes, Malcolm was oblivious as others came and went. Only when he stood to leave did he notice that others had come in to pray also. As he walked back outside he felt a bit better, but still had no answers to all his questions.
While Malcolm was praying at the church, Elizabeth had taken a box of flyers and walked away from the school. Her face was a mask of fury and her pace quickened as she made her way back across town. She stopped once and called Principal Marshall.
"Maurice, we have to get everyone together again."
"Why?" Marshall asked.
"Malcolm is stirring up trouble again. You better call the Governor's office and tell him to watch the news tonight."
"What's that little shit done now?" the principal asked.
"He's causing us all more problems, bigger problems. Now call everyone and meet me at that restaurant on the south side, you know the place."
"Fine, but what do you want out of this?"
"I've made my choice: I want him dead."
"You want who dead?"
"Malcolm. I'll pay fifty thousand to do the job right this time."
"Elizabeth, you can't be serious!
Meanwhile, Malcolm returned to the family and got in the car. Aaron snuggled in close beside him. "Did He take the hurt away?"
"A little bit, but not all of it."
"Okay, maybe He will soon, right?"
"Right, it will just take time. I've always heard the He answers prayers with yes,' no,' or `not right now.'"
"Oh, I didn't know that."
"It's okay. So, did you have fun today?"
"Uh huh. Can we play Mouse Trap® when we get home?"
"Sure, can Zeke play too?"
"Uh huh."
"That's good because I want to spend some time with my brothers."
The newspaper was sitting on the table when Malcolm awoke the next morning, his two still sleeping brothers curled up beside him. He gently slipped out of bed, dressed and headed downstairs. He grabbed a juice and stumbled to the table.
"Morning, Papa."
"Morning, Malcolm. Your brothers awake?"
"Not yet."
"That's good. I don't want them here when you see the newspaper."
"Why? What does it say?"
"Maybe you should read it."
Malcolm picked up the paper and recoiled in shock as he read the headline: GOVERNOR CALLS FOR ARREST OF MALCOLM DANIELS
As he read the rest of the story, he was glad his brothers were sleeping so they couldn't hear him swearing, but he was loud enough that his dad walked in.
"Son, take it easy. What is the problem?"
"You haven't seen the paper yet?"
"No, you just woke me up."
"The governor is saying I'm inciting a riot."
"Well, you're not, and the people who stand with you also know you're not. Right now there is nothing you can do, except maybe stay away from reporters for awhile."
"I can do that, but can they stay away from me? This is going to bring them out in even greater numbers."
"Well, then we'll just have to keep them away from you."
"No, I have a better idea. Give me two hours, and then if there are reporters out front I'll give them something to report."
"Malcolm, you realize that could be adding fuel to the fire."
"Or it could be throwing water on it."
"Okay, I hope you know what you're doing."
"Don't I always?"
"I would have to say yes, you do."
"Thanks, Dad. Now can I have breakfast?"
"Sure, go wake your brothers."
"We is awake, Pops," Aaron said as he snuggled under Papa's arm and Zeke went over and hugged Malcolm.
"You woke us up yelling," Zeke said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Malcolm whispered.
"It's okay, my tummy said it was empty," Aaron giggled.
"Get dressed and Papa will fill it up for you."
"Okies."
Two hours later, Malcolm was finished with what he was writing and was back downstairs. Looking out the front window, he saw a group of reporters out in the yard waiting.
"Dad, Papa, I'm stepping outside. You want to come?"
"Not so fast Malcolm, you know we have to be with you," Tony stated as he walked up.
"We'll be right there, just wait," Richard called out from the kitchen.
"Okay, Dad. Sorry, Tony, sometimes I forget you guys are here."
With Tony and Donnie leading the way, Malcolm stepped outside with his brothers beside him and his dad and Papa following behind them. Malcolm smiled as he looked over the assembled media and invited them to ask questions. It was Amelia that started it off.
"Malcolm, have you had a chance to read this morning's paper?" she shouted from the sidewalk.
"Yes, I have, and it is strange that a rally or a news conference can be called a riot," Malcolm answered.
"Malcolm. Eric Stobbel, Channel Two from Washington. What was your reaction to the article?"
"I'm afraid I can't answer that the way I would like to, but to say that I was angry is an understatement."
"What are you going to do now?" another reporter asked.
"I'm not sure. What can I do?"
"Mr. Daniels, how do you feel about what your son is doing?" Eric Stobbel asked.
"I am very proud of my son. He has strength and wisdom beyond his years," Richard said as he placed his hand on Malcolm's shoulder.
"Malcolm, after this threat of arrest are you going to give up fighting for changes in the school system?" Amelia asked
"Should I give up? Should I let bullies win? That is what the governor is: a big bully who is trying to scare a fourteen-year-old boy. I can tell you right here and right now that I am NOT giving up, that I am not going to let the bullies win—not in school and not in the government." Malcolm replied, a slight smile on his face.
"So you're not scared about him having you arrested?"
"I never said that. Yes, I am scared, but not of him and not of the legal system. If a person is in the right, they have nothing to fear."
"So what is the next step?"
"My next step was taken right here by talking to you. The next step is the governor's. Now that is all I have to say, but I do ask that you report my words as I said them and without adding to them. Thank-you for coming by this morning."
Malcolm turned and led his family and security agents back inside the house. Once inside, Malcolm let out a deep breath and leaned back against the door.
"Malcolm Daniels, you never cease to amaze me. With Channel Two out there I'm sure things are really going to get hot now," Papa said with a slight frown on his face.
In the Oval Office, the President and Senator Montrose sat chuckling. "What are we going to do about that boy, sir? He seems to be in the sights of a lot of big guns right now?"
"That he is, Sam, that he is, but you have to give him credit for standing his ground."
"Could this fight be the Alamo all over again?"
"I guess one could look at it that way, but like Sam Houston, or was it Travis, who drew the line in the sand, Mr. Daniels has done that and the Governor is playing Santa Anna."
"Are you saying that Mr. Daniels is going to lose?"
"Only time will tell, but if does, I know he will go down fighting."
"I guess we are the army that gets there too late?"
"No! I will not let that happen. Now, has the Senate passed the bill making the changes to the school system that Mr. Daniels brought to us?"
"No, sir, it seems that more than a few members don't believe that the changes are necessary."
"How many think that way?"
"Just over half right now. I know they have all heard Mr. Daniels' speeches. I have heard a few say that he needs to be taken out and horse whipped."
"Well, then maybe it is time for a wake-up call for them."
"What are you thinking, sir?"
"I am thinking of doing something that has never been done before. I think I will call a special session and invite Mr. Daniels to address them, and allow him to speak his mind, just like he did here in this office."
"Sir, that could end him in legal troubles for the rest of his life?"
"No, because I will guarantee his right to free speech and shield him from lawsuits or other legal matters. I'm sure I can get the vice-president on our side of this."
"I hope so, because without his support, Mr. Daniels doesn't have a chance."
"I know. Now do me a favor and get Ace for me."
"Yes, sir."
In Tallahassee, Florida the meeting between the governor and the commissioner of education wasn't going as well.
"That brat is getting to me! How dare he call me a bully and say that it is his right to stand up to bullies no matter who they are."
"Well, sir, you did threaten to have him arrested?"
"That's it. I want him arrested right away. Have the state police pick him up."
"On what charges?"
"Let's start with inciting a riot, holding rallies without a permit, and public discord."
"What riot, sir?"
"Use the rallies as the point of the charges. He didn't have permits to hold them."
"Very well, sir, I will get on it right away."
At Malcolm's house, everyone was sitting having lunch. Patrick had come over and was playing with Aaron. Outside, Donnie, Tony and four other agents circled the house. Tony was about to knock on the door when his cell phone rang.
"Tony, this is Ace. You are about to be joined by another dozen men. The President wants that family protected around the clock."
"We can use the men, sir; we are all getting a bit tired."
"Okay, you're in charge, so set up the schedule. Make sure everybody gets enough time off to be rested and sharp when on duty."
"Very good, sir."
No sooner had Tony finished his call with Ace than a small car pulled up to the front of the house and a young man stepped out. Tony watched him carefully. The faded jeans and tight shirt defined the man's well-muscled body. As the young man walked closer, Tony saw that he was holding what appeared to be a thick red file folder in his right hand. Tony clicked the alert button on his radio and approached the young man.
"May I help you? Tony asked.
"Sir, I am Tyrone Jackson. I work at the local school board."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Jackson, what brings you here today?" Tony asked.
"I heard that Malcolm Daniels has some personal protection, and I need to know if this is true," Tyrone stated bluntly.
"What business is it of yours whether he does or doesn't?" Tony said defensively.
"Sir, is there a place that we can talk privately?" Tyrone asked as he quickly looked around.
"I'm not sure. Would you please tell me what this is about?"
"Sir, I am with the FBI and I have been working undercover investigating some of the school board members and, I have information that may be useful to Mr. Daniels, but I cannot be seen here."
Leading the way, Tony led Tyrone into the house. Malcolm was watching TV with his brothers. Tony walked over and whispered, "Malcolm, may we please use your room? This gentleman and I need to talk privately."
Malcolm nodded, and Tony led the way upstairs. Once in Malcolm's room, Tony closed the door and turned to Tyrone. "Alright young man, show me some ID and then tell me what the hell this is all about."
"Well, sir. The Justice Department has been looking into some federal funds that seem to have disappeared. About the time that young Patrick Jacobs spoke at the meeting, what was it, about nine months ago, I started digging deeper and it seems that besides the missing money and the unanswered complaints Malcolm disclosed at the rally in the stadium, there have been a number of assaults occurring in the schools.
"What was the reason for these assaults, and what type of assaults are you talking about?" Tony asked.
"Here, sir, it is all in this file. I would rather not go into it here. Besides what I found almost made me sick," Tyrone answered.
Tony took the file and saw it was rather thick. "Can you give me the highlights so I don't have to go through every page here?"
"Well, sir, there are numerous physical assaults and quite a few girls were sexually assaulted, but when they made complaints to the school board or to the police they were never acted on. It seems as if someone dropped the ball, or is covering something up.
"Damn, that's corruption in the police department as well as in the school. Now, one important question: Why was Patrick singled out, or was Malcolm the intended target?"
It was Malcolm. It seems that ever since his uncle died, Malcolm has been targeted.
"Why? Since I've known him he's proved to be a very intelligent young man. Granted, he does speak his mind and isn't afraid to do so."
"Sir, from what I have gathered, Malcolm is rather well off because of his uncle, and it seems that his uncle pissed off some people. Since the uncle isn't around, now they are targeting the nephew."
"Who are `they', and why are they targeting Malcolm?" he almost shouted. Tony was pissed.
"Sir, it is all in the file, but it seems that he pissed off our current governor and some secret service agent, his sister and the chairman of the school board. It was over some program or business deal."
"Malcolm has a sister?"
"No, his mother, Elizabeth Daniels, was once Elizabeth Wiley."
"Okay, so she is pissed because she was basically written out of the will."
"From what I understand, she was pissed before she knew that. It seems they all lost money when Marcus Daniels sold his company. They were trying to get him to go public, but he refused. Computer programing is a very big business now days."
"But from what I know of this, Malcolm now controls all of it. His mother tried to have him proven incompetent but that was shot down. This woman is grasping at straws. If I can prove she had anything to do with Malcolm's assault, I'll make it my mission to see she spends a long time in a cell."
"That would be good, but I have the school board to deal with. I can't get involved with Malcolm or his mother. That is the reason I came to you. I did try to help Malcolm once before by handing him that file at the rally, and I was the one who called him and warned him that a shooter would be in the courtroom."
"You knew he was under our protection. Why didn't you use proper channels?"
"I just wanted to warn Malcolm. Besides if I went through the police it probably would not have been looked into and it may have blown my cover."
Tony relaxed. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Now, how many cops are dirty?"
"From what I have found out, it is just one, and he's the cousin of Principal Marshall."
"Okay, one bad apple we can handle. You'll arrest him, right?"
"After we get Marshall off the street, but we can't seem to find him right now."
"Have you checked the school?"
"Yeah, but he hasn't been seen. I don't think he's far. Now, I have been here too long."
Alright, glad to be working with you," Tony said as he wrote his cell number on a piece of paper. "Call me anytime; here is my private number."
"Thanks, and take care of that boy. I would have come sooner, but I heard the chairman take a call and was trying to find out what was being said."
"Well, don't blow your cover until you're ready to make the arrests." Tony said as the two men shook hands.
I won't, and I'll call if I hear anything."
"Sounds good. If you need a hand, I'll be glad to help." Tony said smiling
"Sounds like it's more than a hand you want to give."
"If his mother had anything to do with the bullies, it'll be a pleasure to put her in cuffs."
"I hope you get the chance then."
Malcolm had heard Tony and the other man walking out the door as he and his brothers were sitting watching TV. An hour later, Tony came back into the house, followed by a state police officer. "Mr. Malcolm Daniels, I have a warrant for your arrest."
"What are the charges?"
"Inciting a riot."
"And where was this `riot' supposed to have taken place?"
"The Palace Theater and the stadium."
"That is bull, sir, and you know it."
"Son, I have to take you in."
"I know. Let me tell my dad."
"I can't let you do that."
"Sir, I am Tony Marchand, U.S. Secret Service, I am asking you to hold off for half-an-hour before you serve the warrant."
"Well, I don't know. The governor wants Mr. Daniels in juvenile detention this afternoon."
"I understand, sir, but I have to make a call before you do that."
"Okay, I can hold off, but only if Malcolm has some coffee around here."
"Yes, sir, in the kitchen."
For an hour Tony talked on his phone with Ace, his boss, the President and Senator Montrose. Finally, he walked into the kitchen and smiled. "Malcolm you will have to go with this officer. Officer, Malcolm is under a federal protection order and there will agents with him at all times. He is to have whatever he wants for dinner and he is to keep his own clothes. Your chief has by now received a call confirming everything I just told you. He will be appearing before the judge first thing in the morning, so I expect that Mr. Daniels here will need a pen and pad tonight. So now, shall we be off?"
"I'll have to cuff him?"
"I don't think that is really necessary."
"It's okay, Tony. Let him cuff me." Winking at Tony, Malcolm held out his hands. "Go a head sir."
With the cuffs on, Malcolm walked out the front door, lifting his hands for the media to see. "The Big Bully has made his move. He has ordered the arrest of a fourteen-year-old boy and is charging him with instigating a riot. Time will tell what will happen."
"Mr. Daniels, are you saying that the governor had you arrested?"
"Looks that way. Now it is my turn to fire a shot, I guess. However, I will fire it legally and through the court tomorrow morning."
"Mr. Daniels, will this be open to reporters?"
"I certainly hope so; I will ask the judge to allow it."
"Thank-you, Mr. Daniels, and good luck tomorrow."
"No, I thank-you all for your support."
In his cell, Malcolm was given extra blankets and pillows. He had juice whenever he asked for it. By the time for lights out, Malcolm was fully ready for the morning and his time to face the judge. Curling up, he slept like a log. Breakfast for Malcolm was steak and eggs with toast and two glasses of milk.
The next morning, the courthouse steps were crowded with students, parents and news reporters. The State police had cordoned off a path through the crowd. Malcolm stepped out of the police car to cheers from the crowd. As he moved up the steps, Patrick stepped forward, holding out a newspaper for him. An officer close to him tried to stop him from getting it, but Tony took the paper and handed it to Malcolm. The front page showed a picture of him in cuffs with a headline size caption: Governor Plays Big Bully Again. Laughing Malcolm, walked up the steps.
"Mr. Daniels."
"Good morning, Amelia, do you have a question?"
"Do you think you will be walking out of this?"
"But of course. Haven't I always said that bullies don't win? Now I must get inside; can't keep the judge waiting."
Inside the courtroom, that is just what was happening: the judge was already in his seat at the bench. Reporters filed in behind Malcolm taking seats.
"Mr. Daniels, it is so good of you to come."
"I am sorry, Your Honor, I didn't intend to be late."
"I am sure of that, but can we get this started."
"Yes, sir."
"Your Honor, I am Emilio Ortega for the state."
"Very well, Mr. Daniels, where is your lawyer."
"I felt that I wouldn't need him this time," Malcolm answered.
"Very well; Mr. Ortega please state your case."
"Sir, over the last ten months, Mr. Daniels here has staged a strike against the school system. He held rallies inciting students to riot not just once, but twice. Every time he speaks the students demand more and more. He has gone so far as to have parents join him and his friends in support of the strike. Your Honor, Mr. Daniels, wasn't satisfied with just his school, he decided to take his strike across the nation, getting other students and parents to join him in his rebellion.
"At his last rally he had the parents sign a petition trying to force the state to change the school system. When it was rejected he stood up and told the press that the government was wrong and that they were trying to bully the students back into school. Sir, Mr. Daniels, called for the resignation or recall of the entire government's elected officials, including the governor. When the governor threatened to have Mr. Daniels arrested, Mr. Daniels stood up and said that he wasn't about to be bullied by the governor or anyone else. Sir, I am asking that you lock Mr. Daniels up until he is twenty one, in hopes that he learns the meaning of respect for his elders."
"Is that all, Mr. Ortega?" the judge asked.
"Yes, your honor."
"Mr. Daniels, you do not have a lawyer present. Are you sure that is wise?"
"Yes, sir. I feel that what I have to say would be best heard straight from me."
"Very well then, go ahead."
"Thank-you, sir. Your Honor and Mr. Ortega: Life is full of trials and tribulations, of mistakes and of harsh words spoken in anger. Mr. Ortega has said that I have tried to incite a riot, when in truth it is just the opposite. I have asked time and again for a peaceful, non-violent strike. However, when a person believes he or she is right there really is no stopping them. This strike is still happening because the students are right. When the government ignored the pleas and petitions from the people they serve, they told the people that elected officials were right and the people who elected them were wrong. Sirs, the governor feels threatened by a fourteen-year-old. He feels that I threaten the old ways of doing things, and yes I do some, but not all of them. All we asked was a few changes to the school board's handling of complaints plus the resignation of the one principal and one English teacher. Sirs, all we wanted was the right to defend ourselves, a right that should be guaranteed.
"Your Honor, if I instigated anything or incited anything, it was just getting people to stand up and stop the bullies in schools and in our government. So, as there was no riot I cannot be guilty of starting it. If I and guilty of anything, it is of opening peoples' eyes to what is happening around them. Thank-you, sir."
"Well, Mr. Ortega, anything more to say?"
"No, Your Honor."
"Very well then. Mr. Daniels, sometimes opening people's eyes can be shocking to them, and they wish to have them closed again. I find that to be the case here. You have not opened their eyes gently, but have forced them to see what is happening around them. To do that takes courage and a strong heart, and you, Mr. Daniels, have both. Nine months ago you sat before this court and defended your actions in school; you stood up for your rights and the rights of others. Today you are still doing the same thing. I must ask: what you are getting out of all this?"
"Sir, I am getting nothing out of this except to be allowed back in school and to defend myself against bullies."
"I see. That is all you want out of this?"
"That is all we ever wanted, sir."
"Very well, then. Mr. Daniels, I find the charges against you to be outrageous, and they are hereby dismissed. A second charge regarding permits was also filed, and I know that for you to hold rallies you would have the permits required, so those charges are likewise dismissed. Therefore, I find you not guilty of anything but opening our eyes. Mr. Daniels, you are free to go," Judge Stein ordered with a bang of his gavel.
"Thank-you, sir." Malcolm smiled.
"Mr. Ortega, you on the other hand I find guilty of gross stupidity. I will be discussing today's actions with the bar association, both about this and the other cases you and Mr. Jefferies have tried to bring against Mr. Daniels. I am starting to think that this is nothing more than harassment tactics.Court is adjourned," Judge Stein called out as he slammed his gavel on the desk a second time.
Malcolm was home by noon, and security was once more patrolling around the house. Tony phoned Ace to let him know what happened in court. "Tony, Malcolm has nine lives, but something tells me that his fight isn't over yet." Ace said with pride in his voice.
"It would have been over a long time ago if the school board had followed the orders of the judge, but they, like everyone else, seem to think Mr. Daniels and the courts are to be ignored."
"I wasn't aware that there was a court order for changes to be made."
"I wasn't either until an FBI agent gave me a copy of the transcript, and a lot more."
"Get that to me right away. This could take the fight right out of the governor's office, and away from Mr. Daniels."
"Sir, I don't think Mr. Daniels will let you take it from him."
"Yes, he is is fighter, but refusing a court order is a criminal offense and outside of his scope of action."
"I know that, sir. I will fax this to you, but I think I would like to stay put and do some footwork here."
"You want to know who is behind all this?"
"That, plus who told the board they didn't have to obey a judge's order."
"Okay, you get to work on that, and I will brief the boss about what has happened so far."
"Yes, sir."
Email me if you wish me to continue. thewriter1@live.ca Lots More Too Come just please be patient