“And one of the children saw Mr. Chapman exposed?”
“More than one did. One of the children screamed when she saw a man in the confessional. He jumped up, his pants falling to the floor and fully exposing himself to all the children and the teacher.”
“What did Mr. Chapman do then?”
“He took the Lord’s name in vain, asked the teacher, Miss Benson, if she wanted to take his confession. He took off when I told him I was going to call his wife if he didn’t leave right then.”
“So, Mr. Chapman not only masturbated in the confessional, he then openly exposed himself to the teacher and a class full of students… special needs students?”
“That’s right.”
“Thank you, Father. Do you have any questions?” she asked as she turned to the defense council.
“Actually, Your Honor, we would not dispute the testimony from Father James. But we do offer a defense.”
Judge Cooper and Kenna simultaneously turned to the attorney.
“You have a legal defense that allows your client to whack off in church in the presence of a priest, a teacher, and special needs children? I would love to hear it if you do,” Judge Cooper said, bushy eyebrows wagging.
“I would like to introduce Mrs. Chapman as evidence,” said the opposing counsel.
Kenna couldn’t contain a snort and noticed Judge Cooper's eyebrows bouncing as he repressed his laughter.
“Mrs. Chapman and Mr. Chapman married five years ago. Since their marriage, Mrs. Chapman went from an everyday college student to a strictly religious, overbearing wife. She refuses Mr. Chapman sex. Refuses to allow him to masturbate at home. Refused to pay for internet service after she discovered him watching porn and has created a hostile living environment, leaving Mr. Chapman no other option but to seek his pleasures elsewhere. Mrs. Chapman has even tried to have him committed for an addiction to sex, all because she found one magazine in his car. Mr. Chapman has not had sexual relations with his wife in three years, and masturbation is the only way to stay true to his vows. By his wife taking away all sexual stimuli, Mr. Chapman has not been in his right mind. And as such, cannot be found guilty.”
Kenna noted the silence in the courtroom. “State rests, Your Honor.” She took a big step back and decided she'd let Judge Cooper handle this one.
Judge Cooper stared at Mr. Chapman and his attorney.
“Son, that’s the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Your wife withholding sex isn’t an excuse just to whip it out whenever you want. Hell, if that were the case, every married man would expose himself in public at some point. In this case, it’s just you. I sentence you to three days in jail and counseling. Obviously, I can’t order your wife to attend with you but would strongly advise it. A word of advice: I’d make sure you keep it in your pants for those three days. Also, I want a letter of apology written to the teacher and also to the parents of the children within two weeks. That’s all, folks. Let’s go to lunch.”
Kenna wanted to check in at the office before going to lunch, so she crossed the street at the stoplight and waved to the courthouse patrons filling the Blossom Cafe before turning left and heading up to her office.
“How’d it go?” Tammy was sitting on her desk, her pixie hair highlighted in pastel purple this week. Kenna leaned against the desk and told her about her plea deals and the two trials. “You mean Father James, accompanied by a whole group of special needs children, caught him with his pants down?” Tammy placed a hand over her mouth and tried to stop laughing. “I know I shouldn’t laugh, but I just can’t help it.”
Tammy’s laughter was contagious, and Kenna found herself trying to imitate Judge Cooper for her. It reminded Kenna of the days she'd come back from court and dissect the case with Danielle. Quieting some, Kenna made her excuses and went back to her office to check her email.
Hey Girl! I'm guessing since our last communication went undetected, we’d be safe contacting each other this way. Hope poor Mr. Fox doesn’t mind me using his identity a little longer.
I've been moving all over town, trying to find out what happened to the girl you told me about and to keep an ear out for what all these people want with us. I thought about going to Italy but am pretty sure my passport has been flagged because every time I use my Metro card, some mean-looking guy in sunglasses and a black suit shows up.
Somehow, I'm managing to stay one step ahead of everyone. When I say everyone, I mean everyone is after us. One person in the room was a senator. I haven’t been able to figure out which one, they all look alike—old, wrinkly, dark suits, white hair! Anyway, I found some dour men trying to follow me. And when I looped back around and came up behind them, they kept mentioning “The Senator.” Chad has come close a time or two, and old Bob is pulling some major strings behind the scenes.