Chapter 3

August 17th, 2015

“Remind me, why the hell are we at the town police station at quarter to seven?” Charles asked with a tinge of annoyance in his tone.

“Because we’re going to defend the man who was accused of burning down the orchard that you happened to sleep through. The visiting hours start at seven,” I retorted rubbing my eyes with my thumb and forefinger. I was tired, angry, and bitter about what Keegan said last night. It looked like I was going at it alone this time if you didn’t count Charles. I wasn’t really looking forward to this.

“Well, it’s not my fault the orchard was burned, so why do we need to defend this guy?” Charles asked.

“Because I want to prove myself to Keegan,” I lied, “I’m sick of hitching on to Keegan for every case.”

“Yeah right, you big fat liar,” Charles sneered, “You’re scared out of your wits right now.”

As much as I wanted to prove him wrong, I couldn’t. I was scared half to death. I was secretly hoping Keegan would hurry up and get here like he said he would.

“Yeah, sure,” I said rolling my eyes trying to act like I was uninterested in the conversation, “Geez, where’s Jackie?”

“Who’s Jackie? Some police guy?” Charles asked confused at not being told who Jackie was earlier.

“Jackie?” I asked a small idea forming in my head, “No, no, no. Jackie is someone who was helping last night at the fire. Jackie came out of the orchard that night during the fire so Jackie might have information about what happened that night,” I said being careful not to reveal her gender.

“Oh, he sounds like one tough guy,” Charles remarked raising an eyebrow in interest, “You know, to come out of a fire like that then try to put it out.”

“Sure,” I said with a smirk, “Let’s go with that.”

Before Charles could say anything else though, I heard a familiar southern drawl tease, “Well, I din’t think ya prissy lawyers were t’ keen in th’ mornin’.”

I smiled and turned around to see Jackie walking up. She still had her soot covered clothes on, but I couldn’t blame her. Her clothes were probably still at her house being inspected by the police. The only differences were that her skin looked washed and she wore a Stetson upon her head. CALLED IT!

“And I didn’t think you farm workers were very good with a schedule,” I mocked back.

“Nice ta’ see ya Tella,” She replied holding out her hand for me too shake.

“The pleasures mine,” I replied shaking her hand, “There’s someone else I want you to meet as well. This is my ‘assistant’ Charles,” I said motioning my other hand to Charles.

“Nice to meet you Miss…” Charles started as I smirked, waiting for the golden moment.

“Jackie Pomona. Ya’ll kin call me Jackie.”

Charles look then was one of pure confusion, bewilderment, and to me, hilarity.

“W-wait, what? You’re Jackie?” He stuttered, obviously in shock.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” I snickered, “He thought you were a guy.”

“Is that so?” Jackie growled and squeezed her hand harder around Charles enticing a painful squeak from Charles.

Unfortunately (for my entertainment), the front door to the precinct had been unlocked by a police officer and I told Jackie and Charles, “Well the door’s unlocked. We can head inside for the visiting hours.”

Charles got one more glare from Jackie before she went inside. Charles then walked next to me and while we were entering he whispered, “Dammit Tell, I didn’t even know farmer chicks were hot and you have to go pull a stunt like that? You totally ruined my chances with her!”

“Pfffft. She’s WAY out of your league. Besides, it wasn’t me who said she was a guy,” I chuckled, “By the way, how does your hand feel?”

“It hurts like hell, thank you very much,” He hissed while rubbing his obviously sore hand.

I shrugged and continued to follow Jackie to the detention center. It was a bit odd though, as if she knew exactly where it was.

I pushed the thought aside as we entered the visiting center and sat in one of the chairs if front of a window that divided the room in half, logically for the visitors and the accused. The window itself had a little metal speaker on it so we could hear through the window which must be sound proof. The room itself was very bland. Large gray bricks made up the walls surrounding the small area we were seated in. There was one small window on the other side of the large divider that had a few bars over it to prevent escaping criminals.

“State your name and the name of whom you wish to speak too,” Said a fuzzy voice from the speaker that surprised all three of us in the room.

I cleared my throat and said, “My name is Teller Coy. I’m here to speak with MacInerney Pomona.”

“Very well, he’ll be with you soon,” The voice said in a monotonous tone.

The tension was so thick… well you know how the saying goes. I was nervous, to put it lightly. My first case without Keegan to guide me the right way, why wouldn’t I be? I started to think of bad case scenarios that might happen during the case. It’s a bad habit, I know, but I can’t help it.

Around the climax of my thoughts when I thought the prosecutor was going to pull out a gun on me, the door opening on the other side snapped me out of my stupor and I saw MacInerney somberly walk in handcuffed and led by another police officer. The police officer told him to sit at a chair across from me from behind the divider. When he did, the police officer walked back towards the door, pressed a button that turned on the speaker, and stood guard to make sure MacInerney didn’t try to cause any kind of trouble.

I cleared my throat and cautiously asked, “Can you hear me, Mr. Pomona?”

He perked up and answered in a deep, phlegmatic, lethargic voice, “I kin hear ya.”

I already disliked his slow speaking habit. I knew I was going to need a lot of patience whenever I talked to this guy.

“Good then,” I replied, “My name is Teller Coy, attorney at law.”

“Yeah, I seen ya last night at th’ fire,” He droned.

I waited for him to introduce himself and when he didn’t I asked, “Care to tell me your name?”

He furrowed his brow and answered with, “Ya’ll ready said mah name. That, ‘nd mah sis is here. She probably already told ya mah name.” I sighed because he was right.

I noticed that his speaking habit allowed him to speak with less of an accent then his sister which made him much easier to understand. But it was still torture on me. My mind was screaming for MacInerney to go faster. I thought his last answer took five minutes.

“Sorry about that. I meant do you have a name I can call you? MacInerney is a bit much to say…” I replied.

“Ya’ll kin call me Mac if ya feel like it,” He slowly answered.

“Thank you. Now then Mac,” I paused clearing my throat and listening to how the new word sounded, “Last night you were arrested on the accusation that you set fire to a part of the orchard…”

“It’s th’ Pomona Family Orchard,” Mac interrupted.

“R- Right, thank you,” I said, feeling my patience wearing thin, “Anyways, you were arrested for suspected arson. We don’t know what exactly you will be accused of in court, but we have to be prepared in anyway possible. I’ve brought your sister here to gather as much information as we can today in the allotted time.”

“Well, I got a question fer you, Mr. Coy,” He started slowly, “’Fore I trust th’ rest o’ mah life to ya, I gotta make sure ya kin think right.” I perked up, hoping I could show him just how intelligent I am.

“How much of th’ orchards was burned down last night?”

I smirked and said, “Which part, the front or the back? Because if it were the front, about half, If it were the back, none, if it was both, about a quarter, if it was…”

“Now how’d ya’ll figure that out?” He asked just a tinge confused.

“Simple, the barn wasn’t even touched last night due to the fire-department’s great job. The barn divides the two sides to the orchard, and since the barn didn’t burn, it’s safe to say neither did the other orchard,” I said with a satisfied grin.

“But how did…” Mac continued before I interrupted with, “You forget that one of the two entrances to town passes right by the front and back of the two orchards. That’s how I knew about the second orchard.”

Mac was speechless; his dull eyes widened a miniscule from where they were when we started the conversation. He looked as if he was struggling to think of what to say; his mouth open but no words forming. In short, Tell-1, Mac-0.

‘But I have to stay on the alert. Who knows what he might ask next,’ I thought to myself.

I was right as Mac cleared his throat and said, “That was a pretty lucky guess. ‘Righty then, mah next question is who got taken to the hospital?”

That one was just as easy as the first. I answered confidently, “The little girl I happened to rescue.” Hah! Tell-2, Mac-0.

“I meant her name, Mr. High ‘n Mighty,” Mac retorted. Correction, Tell-1, Mac-1.

This was going to be harder than I thought. Thinking back, I tried to envision last night and its series of events in my head. I remembered hearing a name. In fact, I think it was Mac who said it. What did he say?

“Aw, come on big brothah! Tella here is tryin’ ta help ya out, and ya’ll are spittin’ ‘n his face! Besides, How‘n God’s name do ya think Tella knows…” Jackie started but I shushed her and said, “Don’t say it!”

The room was silent. Not a word was said as I thought a little longer. I remembered that Mac said her name when he was getting held back by the fire-department. Now I had a time, but still no name. Gah! What was it?

“Her name is……” I started, drawing a blank.

“I’m sorry, but I ain’t gonna let ya defend mah life if ya can’t even ‘member mah sis’ name,” Mac finished, leaving me grasping at straws. I knew this! Why couldn’t I remember?

I was about to give up when Charles leaned over and whispered, “What are you doing Tell? Show this sluggish sap who the smart one is!”

I motioned for Mac to excuse our little side conversation and turned my back along with Charles’ away from him as I hissed back, “What do you mean? I don’t remember her name at all! This is so frustrating, I even heard Lord Leisurely here say her name but I can’t recall it! What do I do?”

Charles thought for a moment and whispered back, “You’re saying that the thought is still fresh in your mind?”

I shrugged and whispered back, “I guess so…?”

He grunted and fumbled around his pocket for a few seconds until he pulled out the small pouch he bought from outside the health resort yesterday.

“I thought I said I don’t want to know what’s in there,” I hissed.

Charles chuckled and whispered back, “Listen, the contents of this pouch might be able to help you out, not only now, but for a long time. Just give it a chance?”

I knew with every bone in my body that this was a bad idea, but my mind made me reply, “Well… I guess ONCE won’t hurt…”

Charles seemed to brighten about 50 watts at my words and opened the mysterious little black pouch. From it, he pulled out a… needle?!

“What do you think you’re doing?! Don’t even think about getting near me with that thing!” I hissed.

“Relax, this is an acupuncture needle. You don’t have to do anything except think and breathe. Leave the rest to me,” He replied, enjoying every minute of my torture.

Well it IS an acupuncture needle. It’s supposed to be relaxing, right?

I gave a defeated sigh and motioned for Charles to go ahead while I said to the two Pomona’s, “Please excuse us for a moment.”

“Well alright then!” Charles exclaimed, “Let’s start then. First, I want you to clear your mind of everything except the vague thought of when you heard her name and how to breathe.”

I shook my head in doubt as I closed my eyes and emptied my mind. Slowly but surely, the noise of the morning faded away and the only thing that was occupying me was my thoughts. Then, I complied with Charles instructions as I inhaled deeply trying to remember the time when Mac said his sister’s name. I exhaled as I ‘opened’ my eyes in my mind to see a fuzzy vision of the fire from my point of view. It all looked familiar and I did recognize a few things like Jackie and some sounds such as the fire-chief barking orders to his crew. But most of it was a soft, fuzzy, inaudible blob of sounds and sights.

My little flashback was then interrupted by Charles’ voice as it said sounding very distant, “It looks like you’ve found your thought. Now I will insert two needles in the areas of your spine which are connected to the sensory and memory part of the brain. You should only feel a small poke when I do. Here I go.”

I waited for a second in my thoughts not really feeling anything. The event in my mind continued to play out its series of events as I tried to anticipate when the needle would pierce my skin. But after a few more seconds, I felt a sharp pain in my mid-back section right where my spine was. Nothing immediately happened after that, but I didn’t notice the semi-lifelike thought in my mind slowly melting away into a blur of colors and hues. When I finally noticed what was happening, I started to panic thinking that my brain might have been damaged. But the colors started to reform themselves into shapes that soon became cars, people, the orchard fire, Jackie, Mac, and other objects. Only this time, the image was much clearer. There was no noise at first, but in a crescendo of sound, the motions people’s mouths were making were accompanied with their own distinct sounds.

Then, in an explosion of noise, the sounds coming from all people, things, and directions clashed together making me grimace in pain. It all sounded so familiar too. I then felt a strange force pass through my body making it feel exhausted and tired. I found my lungs hurting as well and I started to cough. Why did this feel so familiar? Why did it feel so real?

I then heard rushed footsteps coming in my direction. I squinted and I saw the fire-chief from last night running towards me. Then I realized that his face had the same look of shock as it did last night. This was definitely starting to freak me out.

“What’s happening here?” He asked as he ran up to me. Isn’t that what he asked last night though?

I tried to ask him the same thing because I didn’t know what was going on at all. I tried to speak, but my mouth instead said, “I’m not sure, I was just sleeping in the hotel when the fire’s brightness woke me up. All I know is that two people out of four just stumbled out of the orchard,” causing me to gasp loudly in horror. “The two who came out are already helping to put out the fire. You should get to work too, before it gets to the barn and the back orchard!” I was again forced to say, and it was then I realized that the exact events from last night were taking place. From my physical condition to the conversations taking place to the sights to the smells and to… and to… and… and…

It was when I had this epiphany that I gained some control over my body and promptly fell on my knees. I could feel my respiration rate steadily rising to an erratic hyperventilation, which didn’t help because I could see myself coughing up smoke again.

“Get away from the fire and let the fire-department and the forest fire rescue planes do their job!”

What’s happening to me? What’s going to happen to me? WHEN WILL IT END?!?!?!

“Sir, Ma’am! You need to get out of here! It’s too dangerous to be around the fire!”

Wait a minute. This is the part where Mac says her name, isn’t it?

“Ya don’t understand…” I heard Mac start to say…

“BLOSSOM’S STILL IN THERE!” I unconsciously shouted.

It took a few seconds for me to re-gather my bearings. As my vision started to clear from its cloudy hindrance, I realized I wasn’t in that lucid hell anymore but rather I was in the detention center again. I surveyed the room to see the same bland, grey room with the window in the middle. The guard was still standing guard at the door, looking jaded from his job. Mac and Jackie were still here as well, even though they were giving me a look like I had two heads.  I sighed in relief as I tried to fall into my chair, only to find I was sitting the whole time.

Realizing the outburst I just shouted was relevant to the conversation, I asked, “Is that the girls name MacInerney? Blossom?”

“… Ah take it back.  Ya’ll ’r smarter than ya look,” Mac sounding considerably happier. Wait, huh? Happy? Why’d he sound happy? Was he doing something? “Ah guess ya’ll kin defend me. Already signed th’ paper.”

…OH YEAH! Suck it! Tell-2, Mac-1! Game, set, match!

Of course, I didn’t actually SAY that. What I did say was, “Thank you, Mac. You won’t regret your decision to trust me. I’ll try everything in my power to find the truth behind your families’ orchard arson.”

“Why, thank ya kindly Mr. Coy. I’m glad ‘tall worked out fer ya,” Mac replied cheerily.

“Alright,” I started, “I know you’re probably going to ask ‘What do we do next?’ so I’ll answer it right now. I’m going to ask you questions about last night and I want you to answer them to the best of your abilities. My assistant Charles…” I trailed off as I noticed Charles wasn’t in the room anymore. Come to think of it, I didn’t see him when I awoke from that lucid hell. Where did he go?

“Oh, yer buddy there? Yeah, I sent ‘em outside ta give ya some room. What with th’ needle n’ all…” Jackie answered as if reading my thoughts.

I almost forgot that he caused this. I needed to speak with him about what he did to me.

“On second thought then, can I go get him? I have to speak with him for a second. You don’t mind?” I asked, slowly getting out of my chair.

“Ya’ll did it a second ago, ya’ll kin do it again,” Mac answered with a smile.

Why was he acting like this all of the sudden? It’s like his personality did a complete 180. Minutes ago it almost sounded like he was insulting me. What happened while I was unconscious?

“Thanks a lot. I’ll be back in as soon as I can,” I said as I got up and left the room.

Re-entering the lobby, I looked around for the lanky figure that was Charles. I didn’t see him in here, so I looked outside. I knew I found him when I saw a gangly figure wearing his signature maize and blue shirt walking in my direction.

“Hey Charles! Over here!” I shouted towards him, but to no avail. Him and his damn hearing problem…

“Charles! Come here! I need to talk to you!” I yelled and waved my hand for Charles to see. He saw me and motioned for me to walk his way. I groaned, but complied as I made my way over.

“Hey Tell, what’re doing here? You have to ask the Pomona’s some questions don’t you?” Charles asked when I finally arrived.

“I need you in there too. *You have to write down all of the answers for future reference,” I answered motioning him to follow me back to the precinct. “What were you doing anyway?”

“I was getting a snack. Jackie sent me out as soon as you started babbling nonsense while I was helping you,” He answered.

“Wait, how long was I out for? Was I even out? What did you do to me?” I asked, all too confused.

“If you’re just finding me now then maybe five minutes, which is normal after a sensory/memory acupuncture. And yes, you were out as soon as the needle pierced your skin, which is also normal,” Charles answered casually.

“Wha….? That was only a few minutes? It felt like hours almost! I’ll ask again, what did you do to me?” I asked, panic in my tone.

“Relax, Tell. I tell you what happened,” He replied as he started making his way back to the precinct. I followed close behind as to listen to his answer.

“What happened was that I used a titanium needle infused with volcanic ash to help jump-start your brain into sensually remembering the event you were thinking of by sticking it in the sensory and memory nerves in the spine connected to the brain. The negative ions in titanium and volcanic ash help to ‘shock’ the brain into remembering the entire event from start to finish. That is precisely what happened to you Tell,” Charles answered to my amazement.

“…Wow! How did you know all of that? You mean to tell me you knew what you were doing?” I asked with a newfound respect for the one named Charles.

“Of course! What did you think I was doing at the health resort, getting a mud bath?” Charles replied sounding a bit annoyed for doubting him.

“Well, no, but you were in there for a long time. What were you doing in there anyways?” I asked.

“What do you think? Learning how to use the acupuncture needle! Orchid and Lei invented it right here in Equine, so they were the only ones who could teach me how to use it.”

“Who are Orchid and Lei?”

“They’re the owners of the spa and inventors of sensory/memory acupuncture.”

“Well, why did you stop me at the spa? You didn’t know what you were going to get.”

“Because I actually was going to go into the sauna because of how stressed you made me that day, but I found myself talking to Orchid and long story short I ended up buying a set of needles and learning how to use them. I never got to the sauna because you kept honking and telling me to get moving,” Charles said with bitterness.

Those words hurt and it felt like each word was punching me in the gut. I didn’t really know I was causing him so much stress. I should have known he would be so anxious about going to college plus the fact that I was getting on his nerves would get him so upset. I swallowed my pride and said, “Look, I apologize about yesterday. I should have taken into account your anxiety about getting to college. I also shouldn’t have been such a jerk. Can you forgive me?”

Charles was silent for a while as he rubbed his chin in thought. Worried that he wasn’t going to excuse my behavior, I added, “I’ll tell you what, I’ll even try to get you to the sauna this week. What do you say?”

Charles glowered at me causing me to sweat, but I see the sides of his mouth fighting to try not to smile and I knew all was already forgiven.

“Yeah, I forgive you. But you better take me to the sauna. I’m going to make you promise alright?” He said still fighting the smile.

“I cross my heart,” I said while making an ‘x’ over my chest, “and hope to die!”

“Good,” Charles said with a satisfied grin, “I’m going to hold you to that. Remember that.”

“Alright then, let’s try to hurry back to the precinct. I don’t want to keep Jackie and Mac waiting,” I said picking up my pace a little.

“Yeah, you have to ask Mac some questions right?” He asked.

“Wait, that reminds me. How did you know that I was going to be asking Mac some questions soon? You even sounded like you knew earlier too,” I asked confused as to how he knew I had gotten the question right.

“Because I knew the acupuncture would work. Plus, I’m just awesome like that,” Charles said with a smirk as we approached the precinct.

All I knew was that I was going to love using these needles and they would probably be a big help in the future. For now, I had bigger things to think about. Like what to ask Mac and Jackie for questioning. I sighed heavily as I once again opened the doors leading to the lobby of the precinct. Well, here goes nothing.

Authors note

As you may have noticed, this will involve a lot of interrogating and investigating. But what is a good investigation without a little gimmick? (Magatama anyone?) That’s what this chapter was for; introducing some sort of tactic to help our hero. The only reason I’m writing this is because I didn’t even think of using some kind of device. The idea came along as I read about a back-round character named ‘Pokey Pierce’ and I thought, ‘Well, why couldn’t I put something like that in the story?’ and so here it is. Sorry you have to wait another chapter to get to the good stuff, but all good things to those who wait. So on that note, I’ll see ya at chapter four in a week and a half. Until then, Stay Viewtiful! ~AZT

*This is hinting that you should probably have notepad or a piece of paper and a pen ready for questioning in the next chapter. Any answer to any question is fair game in court and you have to be ready. You will most likely be prompted when to write when Charles starts to write as well. Charles will also hold all the evidence information and people information in his notes so those will be fair game as well. I as the author will upload what your summary should look like before every trial in court. Try to remember what other special events may have happened as well. Those are also fair game.