Weekend Warriors (Sisterhood #1)(13)
“Here’s my evidence,” Kathryn said tossing a packet on the table. “You people sitting here make me remember why I didn’t go to the police. They would have been just like you, questioning me, asking me questions like I was the one who did something wrong. I told you what happened. There’s my proof. The partial license plate number. The picture Alan took. There’s some definition to it. It needs to be enhanced. One of the bikers was named Lee. They belonged to the Weekend Warriors. I know what they looked like. I know how they smelled and I damn well know how they felt. Because of Alan, I waited too long. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t do anything different. If you people hadn’t come along when you did, I would have started on my own search. Just because the eyes of the law are closed doesn’t mean my eyes are closed. Alan’s gone now. I don’t care what happens to me.”
“You say that like you mean it,” Nikki said quietly.
“I do mean it,” Kathryn said coldly.
And what would be your revenge against the men who did this to you, Kathryn?” Myra asked quietly.
Kathryn didn’t blink or miss a beat. Head high, her shoulders back, the words shot out of her mouth like bullets. “I want to slice off their goddamn balls with a dull knife.”
Chapter Three
The silence in the room was deafening. Kathryn raised her eyes and stared around at the group of women. “You look shocked!” she said, wondering if it was what she’d said or the way she’d said it. “I’m serious here. It’s better than they deserve. You asked me a question and I gave you my answer. I didn’t need to think about my answer because I’ve thought about nothing else for the past seven years.” Bitterness rang in her voice as she let her gaze sweep from one woman to the other, finally coming to rest on Charles, who was staring at her intently, a look of compassion on his face.
“Obviously, none of you care for my answer. You know what, that’s just too damn bad. I think I want to know a little more about how this is all going to work or I’m outta here with my dog. I don’t have to prove anything to any of you. I came here because I thought you would help. You certainly led me to believe that was the case. I didn’t come here to be judged.”
“Of course you’ve thought about it. You would have to be inhuman not to have dwelled on it almost to the exclusion of all else. I’m sure we’ve all thought about how we want to be avenged. I know I have. You aren’t being judged, dear. We’re simply asking questions to better understand so we can finally get you the justice you deserve,” Myra said.
They all started to talk at once. Myra picked up her gavel and banged it three times on top of the polished table. “One at a time, sisters. It’s important for all of us to understand right now that each person’s idea of vengeance and retribution is different from someone else’s. I want each of you to tell me what you think would be a fitting punishment for the men who attacked and raped Kathryn. In the end, it has to be Kathryn’s decision and we will all abide by that decision. Let’s be clear on that. Isabelle, tell us what you think.”
Isabella cleared her throat nervously as she fiddled with the long braid hanging down her back. “I’m real big on an eye for an eye. I agree with Kathryn. I have to admit, I cheered that Bobbit woman.” She looked at Kathryn. “I think your punishment is just.”
Yoko clapped her hands against her cheeks. “What about their families? What if they have wives? Maybe the wives don’t know their husbands…do…things like that. It will be like you are punishing them also for something they did not do.”
Nikki responded in Kathryn’s defense. “Obviously they weren’t thinking of their wives when they attacked Kathryn. We have to stay focused and remember that our issue is with the criminals, not their families.”
“Alexis, what’s your opinion?” Myra asked.
“You play, you pay. Kathryn is right. They didn’t think about their families or their wives. They were out for a good time and the hell with everything else. They goddamn well violated her and they should be made to pay for what they did. I agree with Kathryn. Let’s slice their balls off and pickle them. We can send them their balls anonymously. Yeah, yeah, I like that,” Alexis said vehemently.
Charles straightened his tie as his gaze swept across the ceiling. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and did not go unnoticed by Kathryn.
“Julia, what do you think?” Myra asked.
Kathryn jerked upright at the doctor’s cold, deadly voice. “I’ll do the operation. I’ll use my dullest surgical knife. I will place all testicles in formaldehyde and will label each. However, I think we should use Ziploc bags. They’ll be easier to mail. I will even volunteer to mail them. Does that answer your question?”
“Yes,” Myra said. “Yoko?”
Yoko looked first at one woman and then another as she struggled to find the words she wanted. She stared at the shoebox in the middle of the table.
Kathryn leaned over and pinched Murphy’s ear. The huge dog reared back and stood up. “What’s your damn problem, Yoko?” Kathryn said as her foot pressed against the dog’s foot to make him turn around until he was facing Yoko. “You should be champing at the bit to go after these guys. Wasn’t your father just like them? Your history says he was.”