“Would you be willing to submit to a polygraph and sign a release allowing us full access to your psychiatric records?”
I had not even considered that the courts might want to see my records. The thought of everyone knowing every tiny detail of my fucked up life terrified me. But if it would help my father I would be willing to do anything. I owed him that much.
“Anything you need, I will do it. I want my father out of that place, he did not do anything wrong. My father had to suffer the loss of his entire family locked up in an institution. I cannot begin to comprehend how much he has suffered. I have to help him and I will do whatever it takes.”
“Good to know. You understand that should everything lean towards the fact that your father was wrongly convicted and I began the pardoning process it could still be a while before he sees the light of day?”
I nodded, I did understand.
“Good. Alex, am I to assume that you will representing the Hales in their endeavors?”
Mr. Hicks bobbed his head. “I would do anything for my family.” He stated with fact.
It was then that I knew Brandon had called his father on my behalf. I don’t know what he said to get his father to agree to help me but I was happy for whatever it was.
“Very well, I will have my secretary send over the necessary paperwork.”
“Excellent, now let’s eat, I am starving!” Mr. Hicks exclaimed letting out a small laugh.
We spent the rest of our lunch eating and talking about the process which could lead to a pardon. Mr. Adler informed me that since my father had confessed , his conviction would still be on record, something that Mr. Hicks assured he would fight to have removed. He felt confident that given the fact that his state of mind was impaired as was mine that he could at the very least obtain an order of non disclosure which would pretty much seal my father’s arrest records.
“Shall I walk you to your car Jemma?”
Mr. Adler had already made his getaway letting us know that he would be getting back to us within the next few weeks with his decision. Before he left he made it a point to let me know that he wanted no part in leaving an innocent man to rot behind bars. If my father was in fact innocent, which I knew he was, then he would stop at nothing to see to it that he was set free.
Mr. Hicks reached down and took my hand helping me from my seat and we began the short walk to my car.
“My son tells me that you ended things. He muttered a bunch of nonsense about wanting to postpone Columbia and then you ended things. I must say Miss. Hale, that I truly underestimated you. But then I have known that for quite some time. I want you to know that I hold no ill will towards you.
I didn’t even realize ill will was a possibility, I just thought that he hated me.
“I understand more than most what a father will do for his child Mr. Hicks.”
He smiled. “Yes, it seems you do. I just want you to know that I am not just doing this for my son. I am doing it for you, no offense Jemma, but you stopped my son from making one of the biggest mistakes of his life.”
At least we both agreed on something, had Brandon stayed it would have been a huge mistake. He and I were not cut out to be together. I have no doubts that I would have still met Julian and in the end I would have probably hurt him worse.
“I love Brandon. I was not worth that kind of sacrifice.”
Mr. Hicks looked at me as if he was determining which tie to pair with his new suit, putting his hands to his chin, as I had seen his son do many times before. Then, taking me completely by surprise, he laughed.
“I am not so sure about that Jemma Hale, I am just not so sure.” After which he opened the door to my car and walked away letting me know that his secretary would contact me within the next forty eight hours to come in to sign a release of records.
Chapter Twenty One
More than three weeks had passed before we actually heard from the District Attorney, thankfully when he finally got around to calling it was to let us know that he would be going ahead with the Pardon suggesting that a letter to The President detailing the official events of the night in question would help. Of course I agreed to write the letter; however I ended up needing Julian, my life line, next to me while I wrote it.
Dear Mr. President,
My name is Jemma Lee Hale, I am 19 years old. Ten years ago I had the unfortunate life experience of losing my brother Nicolai in a horrific crime. You see, Nicolai was gunned down in the middle of a crowded restaurant after a crazed man by the name of Ignacio Hernandez shot and murdered his wife and her lover. There was no reason for this man to murder my brother who was only twelve years old at the time, it was an evil act carried out by an evil human being. Not only was my brother killed that day but so were the parents of his best friend Julian, who was also injured in the attack. It was hard for my parents to lose their child in such a horrible and tragic way but it was also hard on me as well. Not only dealing with unimaginable loss but also watching my entire family fall apart before my eyes.