Chapter 13
Abraham's Sacrifice
The precinct had provided a special room for the questioning of
children involved in delicate police matters, and it was decorated
with the intent of making children feel at ease. There were comfy
adult-sized orange couches for adults, and matching child-sized orange
couches for children. There were cartoon characters painted on the
walls, including Pooh and Christopher Robin and friends, as well as
Donald Duck and Danger Mouse, all gaily connected by a sparkling
rainbow. In the corner, a shelf neatly stacked with various stuffed
Tank Engine wooden railroad set up on the blue carpet. They all looked
as if they had never been played with. Set beside the toy area, in
complete contrast, was a stark adult-sized table with four grownup
chairs.
Seated beside Daddy, who looked as if he were dressed for the office,
Nigel's eyes wandered around the room. He had been anxious since
they'd arrived precisely at ten o'clock, and he wasn't feeling the
least bit at ease. The whole room was so at odds with what Nigel
believed was the nature of policemen that, as the minutes oozed by,
Hansel and Gretel.
Presently somebody opened the door. Roger and Nigel turned as one
towards the sound. Investigator Stuart and Investigator Knight walked
briskly into the room, warm smiles and extended hands. Father and son
stood up.
"Take off your hat, son." Daddy instructed, and Nigel did.
"Mr. Macmillan," Officer Stuart said, "Thank you so much for coming
in. I'm sure you appreciate the gravity of this particular case, and
your presence makes an important contribution to our efforts."
"Yes," Roger replied somewhat reluctantly, "But I think you ought to
be thanking Nigel."
"Ah, Nigel!" the man exclaimed, at last noting the boy, "You do
remember me, don't you. Officer Willie? And Officer Susie?"
It was silly. Of course he remembered them. After all, he had
vomited on the man only yesterday afternoon.
"Hello, Nigel," Officer Susie smiled, "What a wonderful outfit! Pooh
here on the hat, and Eyore, too! Where did you find such a darling
piece?"
of his hat, and then held it behind his back.
"It was a gift from a friend of the family," Roger explained, "Nigel
decided to wear it today. Special occasion."
"I'm sorry I threw up on your trousers and shoes, Officer Willie,"
Nigel apologised in the politest way he could.
The policeman gave a grim smile and dismissed the accident with a
wave. He turned to Roger and put a hand on his shoulder.
"We best get started," he announced, nodding to a doorway across the
take a few minutes."
Roger took a step in that direction then stopped and looked back at
his boy. Nigel was staring up at him, startled.
"Nigel," Daddy asked, "Do you want me to wait in that room, or stay
with you?"
Roger glanced at Officer William, shrugged his shoulders and sat down
on the couch again. Nigel sat down with him.
"Sorry officers," he said, "I told him if he'd come today, I'd stay
with him."
"I can assure you," Officer Susie said, "We'll be very gentle with the
And she laughed at her own quip.
Roger looked at Nigel and Nigel looked up at him.
"Stay, Daddy."
"If that's what you want," Daddy replied, "Sorry, officer."
here to this table by the toy area and we can talk a bit over there."
Nigel glanced up at his father questioningly and Daddy looked back
down at him.
"Well?" Daddy asked, "Do you want to go over to the table with Officer
William and Susie? I'll be right here."
Nigel shook his head.
"Alright," Roger sighed and looked up at the officers, "Guess you'll
"I'm sorry," Officer Knight insisted somewhat impatiently, "But this
is completely irregular. You must understand how critical this
"And you must understand," Roger replied evenly, "That this is Nigel's
interview, not mine, and he's the one you ought to be talking to. He's
not a table lamp, you know."
Officer Stuart heaved a sigh, then, stooping down in front of Nigel,
pasted on a smile.
"Why don't you come over to the table?" the man offered, "Would you
like a teddy to hold?"
Nigel shook his head.
"Don't you want to talk to us today?" Susie said gently, "Nigel?"
"No," Nigel whispered very softly.
"Not even here, with your daddy beside you?" the lady answered,
other children."
"I don't want to, please, ma'am."
Officer William suddenly spoke up.
in the corner?"
"You can speak here," Roger smiled, "Nigel isn't an idiot. Anything
you need to say to me about him, you can say directly to him. That's
not too unreasonable, is it?"
"As you wish," Officer William said rather curtly, and his words took
an ominous turn, "You realise that what may have happened to Nigel in
this affair could have long term negative ramifications for his mental
health, not to mention consequences for your family and the families
of the other children involved in this investigation. Surely you can
apprehend how traumatic it would be if the magistrate was forced to
compel testimony."
Adults used big words to hide their intent from children, but Nigel
understood fairly everything the man had said by just looking at his
expression.
Roger looked at Nigel again, and Nigel looked up at his daddy.
Nigel shook his head.
Mr. Macmillan slowly got to his feet, his face turning slightly red.
"Now you listen to me, Officer Willie. Nigel has made it quite clear
he doesn't want to talk with you. I respect his decision and I expect
you to respect it, too. Let me say, off the record, that I am also no
idiot and I know something of the law. I don't appreciate your veiled
threats, and if you dare petition a magistrate to compel Nigel give
Evening News would be very interested in the story as well. But you
Roger ignored her.
families, or for the law or the Queen and Country for God's sake, then
you're off your trolley."
Daddy took a deep breath and heaved a sigh. Then he turned to Nigel.
"Do you want to stay, or go, Nigel?"
"I want to go now, Daddy."
Roger held out a hand and his son stood up, perched his Pooh hat on
his head, and eagerly took it.
"Well," his father announced brightly, "There it is. You have our
number. Have a nice day, officers."
"Just a moment, Mr. Macmillan," Officer William said, and after
rummaging in his suit coat pocket, held out a business card, "If you
to, won't you please consider taking Nigel to a psychologist? It
done to the boy."
"Damage?" the father began in a tone of disbelief.
Roger scoffed slightly and glanced at Nigel.
for your damage?"
Nigel shook his head and the captain's hat slipped down over one eye.
"He's just a child, for God's sake," Officer Susie protested, "He
can't understand ..."
smirked, tucking the business card into the boy's shirt pocket, "I
mean, really. For the best? Isn't that how all this bloody cack got
started in the first place?"
"Daddy," Nigel stretching up on his tiptoes and whispered, "That's a
naughty word."
"Sorry, son," Daddy apologised, "I'll make it up to you. Let's go get
some ice cream."
And so they did.
The End
HMS Victor Victorian New Year 2012
May God Bless You One and All
God Save the Queen.
God Bless the Prince of Wales.
God Preserve the Windsors.
Rule Britannia!
|
|