EMBRACE YOU Lone(liness Book Two)(12)
After several minutes, he's able to begin writing with Lizzie close by him. Now that we have security guards at each entrance, we all feel safer.
Our short practice is intense and productive - because we don't have very much time, we know we have to work hard in the hours, days and weeks we have remaining until our tour begins.
It's shortly after noon when we leave practice. On a break, Tim spoke to the security guards' supervisor. As a result, we now have a security guard trailing us as we leave the studio and drive to the magistrate's office.
We wait, along with Lizzie, in the office. When we announce ourselves and show them why we need to speak to the barrister, the receptionist's eyes widen.
"He's occupied right now, but I'm sure he can give you a few minutes. If you'll wait right over here?"
Five minutes later, she comes out and tells us that he will be with us in a few minutes. A "few minutes" stretches out to more than twenty, but I'm willing to wait.
Finally, we are escorted into his office. Marcus and I explain our reason for being there.
"This was thrust upon us by a very dishonest, though enterprising 'reporter,' says Marcus. "When we showed up for Johanna's practice this morning, we had to read this rubbish, which literally made me sick. Is there any way you or the magistrate can get this nonsense stopped?" Marcus asks. The exasperation is clear, lining his voice.
"I had heard of this, but this is the first I've gotten to read it, if I may." The barrister holds his hand out and I hand my copy of the rag to him. By the time he finishes, his face looks as though he has caught a very offensive body odor. His lips turn down at the corners and his nose is wrinkled.
"I can call this...paper...and find out how this reporter got in to talk to this defendant." The barrister looks for, and finds the reporter's name. "I can petition the magistrate for a gag order that forbids all sides from speaking out on this case before and during trial. That includes you two," he says, pointing at us.
"Sir, we just want to see this media attention die down. Seeing the reporters camped outside our house and the studio is very unsettling for my wife. Her band is preparing for a big European tour and she needs to be able to focus fully on practicing and learning new material," Marcus points out. "As for me, I am a freelance writer. I can work anywhere, but, for potential clients to see my name splashed all over the paper - that could affect my ability to get future writing work."
"So, I take it, you don't want to say anything to any media, at all?"
"No, sir! Definitely not!" I speak up. "I just want to practice for our tour and take care of our little girl."
"Okay, then. I'll draft up an order and ask the magistrate to sign it. You do know I would have to include every media outlet, whether legitimate or otherwise, and enjoin them from reporting on this."
We both nod.
"My secretary will call you when the order has been signed. I can tell you that the magistrate is very disgusted by the level of reporting, so I believe he'll happily sign off on it."
Marcus and I look at each other, feeling relief. Peace and quiet! They're within reach! Marcus and I communicate this message to each other, grinning in the meantime.
"Thank you, sir!" I say, offering him my hand.
He unbends long enough to smile back at me, give my hand a gentle shake and say, "My wife greatly enjoys your CDs. She was at you last Christmas concert and can't stop raving about the talent of your band."
I know I can't offer anything to him, so I smile.
"Our second CD is coming out by year's end, sir. Perhaps she would be able to buy a copy when it's in the stores."
"Oh! I'll tell her - I know she'll quite look forward to buying a copy. Perhaps she'll buy several for her friends as well," says the barrister.
"Excellent! Thank you!" I stand up to leave, then decide to ask the barrister one more question. "Sir, I don't know if you have any information on this, but - is it likely that Cara or her friend could be suffering from some mental condition?"
"You're right. I can't say much. However, given what she said in this interview..." he says, picking the rag up delicately in between his thumb and forefinger. "I do have some very strong questions in that direction. It's something I intend to pursue. She's proved she can be dangerous, so I don't want to rule anything out."
"Thank you, again. We'll let you get back to work," I say. Leaving, we return home. After everything that's been happening, we are very wary and we look all round us to make sure we're not being watched - or followed. Five minutes later, we pull in through the electronic gate.
Chapter 5
Inside the house, Marcus goes from window to window, peering outside. We don't rest easy until he comes into the baby's room with an expression of relief.
"Nobody followed us. Now, I'm glad we exercised so much caution when we moved and didn't have a housewarming party. I know it was painful for you, your family and mine, but I think the alternative would have been far worse."
I shiver. He's right, of course. I pull Lizzie's blanket up closer to her tiny chin and rest my hand on her back as she sleeps peacefully. Oh, for the innocence of a child!
Marcus and I go back downstairs and sit, cuddling on our couch. As we sit, we offer comfort to each other, in our words and our embraces of each other.