Daniel + Ireland + prison sentence
The results were heart-wrenching. Amelia read with her stomach lodged in her throat.
Daniel Byrne, seventeen years old of Ballydoon, Co. Galway, sentenced to twenty years for the most horrific bombing since the early 1980’s. Three expecting women were having tea when the device exploded and all of them lost their babes that day. Countless others were injured during the attack. Many are pleased with the verdict although most hope for a stronger sentence…
There was more and she skimmed through each article, wondering if there was a scrap of truth to any of this. Of his twenty year sentence, he served fifteen years. Today was his first day of freedom since he was a teenager.
And then, she came upon a double feature. The first part detailed a cover-up, placing blame for the bombing solely on a boy who had no more experience with explosives than he did with sewing a quilt. At least someone else out there couldn’t imagine Daniel instigating such a horrendous event.
The second part of the double article told of an act so atrocious, bile rose into her mouth. His mother, father and two younger sisters were murdered and the suspects were never named, nor arrested due to a very suspicious lack of evidence. God, how could people be so horrible? Those four did absolutely nothing wrong and…
Amelia did her best to force down the lump in her throat but it was like a fist of emotions clogging, squeezing, choking…
The bathroom door opened. Amelia pressed and held the red button, shutting down the device. Daniel stepped into the room, a dry towel wrapped around his waist. Thick, corded muscle rippled as he furiously scrubbed a towel over his hair. Just like she imagined. Daniel looked like a god. Only, his perfect torso was peppered with the same little nicks as his face, though much more pronounced.
“Amelia? Are you okay?”
No, she wanted to say.
No, because I wish I could take all of your hurt and pain away.
I wish I could give you the last fifteen years of your life back.
The man had the second half of his life taken away from him. She tried not to imagine everything he missed out on, but a few of those things invaded her head anyways. Movies he missed, world events, sports, advancements in…everything. And who knew what else. They stole far too much from him and it hit her like a slap in the face.
“God, you’re trembling, love.” Daniel framed her face with his hands. “Give us a minute to find something to wear, and I’ll be right back.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and stood up, rummaging through his backpack.
He didn’t do what they said, he couldn’t have. Daniel didn’t make, set, or detonate that bomb. She would bet her entire bank balance that Daniel didn’t know even half of the components in the most basic of incendiary devices.
No, Daniel Byrne was kind and sweet and thoughtful and selfless. During her perusal of news articles on him, she noticed that his release date was today. He truly had nowhere to go and if she hadn’t taken that road at that time…
Amelia didn’t want to think what might have happened to the man. People were probably still very enraged by the bombing but it didn’t give them the right to retaliate against Daniel. Knowing how legendary an Irish temper could become first hand, thanks to her Nan, Poppa, and Mom, at least one person would take a shot at him. Just like they did to his family.
Amelia knew in her heart he didn’t do it, and her time in Ireland would be used for more than the two planned projects now. She made a mental note to send an e-mail to the investigator she used when she required information, and needed it obtained legally. He was always discreet and, much to her delight, always found out what he needed to.
Daniel stood in the doorway to the bathroom, shrouded by darkness. “Erm, I’ve only got these shorts to sleep in, I hope that’s fine?”
She laughed behind her hands, glad they quit shaking. “It’s fine.”
“I er, I don’t think you understand. They’re…quite small. I’ve not worn them in nearly twenty years,” the catch in his voice belied any façade he attempted to create.
When she spoke, Amelia kept her voice calm, her tone even. “Daniel, it doesn’t matter. We can get you some new things tomorrow”– She held her hand up when he stepped into the room and opened his mouth to interrupt her –“and I won’t take no for an answer. Come on, let’s see if there’s anything to watch on TV before we call it a night.” She patted the spot next to her on the bed.
She let her eyes follow his progress, taking in every inch of him. It’s not like she was a sex starved maniac who would jump any man. She couldn’t help but stare at him. And yeah, those shorts were small, but wow could he pull them off. The form-fitting fabric strained taught over his muscular backside. Her tongue dried up. He was the first man she had witnessed in this state of undress. The man made her sweat inside her damned flannel PJs.