Solomon's Private File #140
These stories about Stephen and Solomon take place starting in
1950's. Stephen wrote about his life in letters to a penpal, and then
in a secure blog, in case he lost his memory again, in the master
computer in his school for gifted students, which he started attending
in 2016 in a new incarnation, until his death. Now his son Solomon is
attending the same school, and is writing in his own secure blog for
his future incarnations.
All characters are fictitious, even if some of them might have names
that belong to some actual people, or act like people we know.
Solomon is 20 in this story, in the Summer of 2046.
Solomon's Private File #140 "Child Victims"
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There was a summer camp in Mexico. A gang invaded it and beat up and
raped a lot of children. Two counselors were killed. I ported to the
Chief of the police of that district. I said, "I am Solomon. A bad
thing happened here." He said, "We are handling it. We don't need your
help." I said, "Is that your official word?" He said, "It is." I said,
"I advise you to reconsider." He said, "I won't." I nodded and ported
to the Governor's office. After introductions, I said, "The camp raid.
I offered my help to the police. It was refused." He said, "That's most
suspects his son is involved." He looked at me and said, "I know of
you, and what you do. Is the son part of it?" I said, "Yes. And a
cousin." He said, "I know what you would do. It would be better for the
raiders if the police act on it correctly, than if they have your
consequences. I know, and he should know, you won't leave this. There
must be full justice. I know if I don't work for it, you will make it
public." I said, "If I could, I would like to borrow you to win my
arguments for me." He grinned and said, "A better complement I have
never received!" We bowed to each other.
He said, "Would you tell me why it happened?" I said, "I can, a
little. The son of the police chief was raised in privilege. His minor
crimes were suppressed and hidden from the public, and not punished. He
was unable to learn to behave correctly. They became bigger crimes, and
the law was broken to cover them up, and he was not punished. His
father helped him in this way because of family pride, and a harmful
lazy kind of love, unwilling to discipline his child. From this
reinforcement of his bad attitude and behavior, the son developed a
feeling of entitlement and arrogance, believing he could do anything he
wanted to, which was made true by the reality of the protection his
father gave him. The son became powerful in his own eyes, and in the
eyes of his friends. He was the leader, and they obeyed him because
they wanted to, and agreed with what he wanted to do. It made them feel
as powerful as they felt he was. Some did feel bad about hurting
people, but suppressed that feeling, in favor of the feeling of power
that the causing of the suffering of others gave them. The son still
believes he will not be punished for this latest crime. And if you and
I don't do something to correct the situation, he will do more and
bigger crimes until some outraged relative kills him and his father in
grief driven revenge. And then it begins again with another family.
Only correct action now can help to change the society that causes and
supports this."
He stared at me for a while. Then he said, "You DO know. May I have a
recording of what you said?" I said, "Here, yes. Do you plan to play it
to the Chief?" He said, "I had thought to." I said, "But will it change
anything?" He said, "Probably not. How can I ask a father to arrest his
own son?" I looked at him with an ironic smile. He sighed and said, "I
understand. I could have been like him. It is indeed part of our
society. He must be made to understand that he must do what is right.
That is to prosecute his son, or resign from the police. He must know
this crime isn't going to vanish just because he wishes it to. The
world knows of it, and the honor of our State and our Country is part
of it now." I said, "Again, the honor. What of the VICTIMS and their
families?" He looked at me in a kind of horror. He said, "I don't know
what to say. I, we, must seem heartless to you." I said, "When it's not
your own family, isn't that actually true, to some degree, and more
than in some other societies?" He thought a little, and said, "I think
you are correct." I said, "In them, the Governor would have made public
statements in support of the victims, vowing to make justice happen,
and not just because of public attention, but because he cares about
ALL of his people as if they were his family, which in a sense they
are. More, they CHOSE you to be so, with their votes. In other places,
the Governor would even visit with the victims and families in private
to offer his prayers of support. You are the leader of this State. From
you, your people take their direction. If you want your people to care
about justice and the welfare of victims of crimes, YOU need to lead by
example, or you are in part the CAUSE of more problems."
He was shocked, and a little angry. Then he had some tears. He said,
"You are wise. You have been in this position before?" I said, "Many
times as a bad person, only a few times as a mostly good person. I KNOW
what NOT to do, very well. Please learn from my experience, as I have,
but with much less pain." He said, "It is already beginning, the pain
of past failures. I see it now. Please wait." He called his State
Prosecutor. He arrived on the run. I was requested to play back our
conversation. He looked at me with a lot of respect, and bowed. The
Governor said, "Do you think we should ask for a representative of the
Federal Police to accompany us?" He said, "Yes." That call was made,
and he arrived. Gove said to me, "Will you please transport us to the
office of the police there?" I said, "I will, and I will provide
protection." They nodded.
The police chief was very surprised. Even more, when our conversation
was played back. And very angry, too. I said to him, "Why are you
angry? YOU caused this, by the many things you did and didn't do. If
you need to be angry, it should be at yourself." It was only fear of me
that caused him not to do something violent. I said, "You still don't
know what you created. Do you think your son loves and respects you? He
doesn't. He despises you. Think back on how he's behaved toward you.
And there is this. Part of the reason for his crimes, is to hurt you
with them. Somewhere inside him, he knows you failed him as a father,
and in part, this is how he takes his revenge." He had a lot of strong
emotions, including dawning awareness and horror. I said, "One more
thing. If you do your duty and go after him, he will do his best to
kill you. Do not seek that death!" I had said that last part in a
different, more powerful, voice, and I hadn't intended to. They were
astounded at that, and what it could mean. I said, "I know. Sorry. That
last part wasn't me. Annoying when He does that." They looked at me in
awe, believing that it was God who spoke through me. It could actually
have been true.
I said, "He meant that suicide is not the answer for you. Doing good
for ALL your people is the answer for you, for the rest of your life.
You have much to expiate. Do you accept that challenge?" He said, "If I
don't?" I said, "You will feel better if you do. That means if you
happened, but also good in a way." I said, "Relief." He said, "That is
so. A dark burden I didn't know I had, is lifted from my shoulders, and
replaced with a larger but just burden, but it is welcome. I don't
fully understand it, but I have to thank you for this. I could not have
ever expected it." I said, "You thought I would punish you." He said,
"I see now, I did fear that, knowing it was justified." I said, "I
don't punish people. Where I can, I help them to improve who they are.
But the work in that is still theirs." He nodded acceptance. He said,
"What do you advise?" I said, "I advise you to let your deputy work
this case, with full authority and your determination to see real and
honest justice be done. If people need to know why, you can tell them
it is because of a conflict of interest. This will also help to keep
your son from wanting to kill you, a little." The Federale said, "We
offer any assistance you need." Chief said, "I request it now. Solomon,
please give to him all the evidence you have." I said, "It's recordings
of what happened. It is NOT a happy thing to look at. Please be careful
about who sees it, for the pain it will cause them, and the bad dreams.
The other cards have recordings of other crimes." I said to the father,
gently, "Knowing it happened, is enough. Please don't look at them,
because that suffering would be compounded for you, and who you are now
shouldn't have that extra burden." He cried, and I hugged him. He said
through his sobs, "I don't deserve your love and compassion!" I said,
"I'll be the judge of that."
Fed said to me, "On your word that there is enough evidence to issue
and he told me where to port them to. I did. I said, "It has been my
custom that in porting prisoners to jail, that it is only them that I
port, and not their possessions, which includes clothes. Is there a
problem with that?" Some grins and chuckles. There were no problems. I
said, "In the matter of my transportation, are there other places some
of you should be?" Gove said, "I should visit the victims." Chief said,
"I should, too." I said to him, "That would be good for you, but at
this time, not good for them. They know your son was involved. They
know you've been protecting him. A LOT of people know, and have known
for years. Don't encourage hate in them. Let them see you have stopped
doing that for real, before they see you in person. Then they will be
better able to see your pain as well." More awe from them. I took the
Gove on a tour of the victims. I was in disguise as an assistant, so
they wouldn't be fixated on me.
Back at the Governor's office, he had a lot of thanks to give me. I
said, "I do what I'm called to do. A duty, but a willing one." He said,
"It hurts you." I said, "True, but less than not helping. There is no
life without pain. Managing that pain in the best way, for the greater
good, is what we should do, what we are meant to do. What I do. What I
try to help others to do. And to have and share love." I opened my arms
to him, and we hugged with love. I ported home. Galya hugged me
tightly, with tears and love.
Dad had Chad to watch for communications meant for him. I have me.
Galya helps, too. So does George. The post office has a dead letter bin
for things addressed to me. Even those without stamps go there. They
know we look. I told them. I work on a lot of the issues they talk
about in asking for my help, but I don't usually let them know I'm
doing it.
There was a trial in session. A girl, 14, was being tried as an adult
for first degree murder. She was babysitting, and the young child died.
The autopsy showed he had a strained neck and cerebral bleeding. She
was suspected of causing the shaken baby syndrome. I ported to the back
of the courtroom. I was noticed. There was some commotion. The judge
asked me, "What is the meaning of this interruption?" I said, "I
request to be accepted as an Amicus Curiae." He said, "On what
grounds?" I said, "I am a known expert in developmental neurology and
psychology, and I can see what actually happened." He said, "Solomon
and counselors, in my chambers, please." We went. The prosecutor was
almost wild with arguments against me testifying. When I was asked
about that, I said, "Methinks he doth protest too much." They were
stunned by the implications of that Shakespearian quote. He said, "This
is becoming even more interesting. Please explain." I said to the
prosecutor, "Please explain your relationship with the mother of the
victim." He said, "I don't have any!" I said, "Better say it now,
before you dig yourself into a deeper hole." He really didn't want to.
He said, "Can I withdraw from the case, and not say?" I said, "In
JUSTICE, for what you put that innocent little girl through, absolutely
NOT! Spill your guts before I compel you, or there will be lasting
consequences." He said, "That's illegal!" I said, "You should be well
acquainted with such a condition." The defense lawyer almost choked,
trying not to laugh.
The judge said, "A question has been raised about a possible conflict
of interest. And more. I order you to answer, or face a serious
contempt charge. You know it will eventually come out. Here in private
is your best opportunity for mitigation of the damage." He saw that and
said, "We had an affair." I said, "More, regarding this case." He
gulped, and said, "I'm being pressured to try the case without good
evidence, which I withheld from the Defense. My star witness isn't
qualified." I said, "One more thing. Why do you suspect she's insisting
on the prosecution?" He said, "I don't know! The evidence is
inconclusive. She might have caused the injury herself, and is blaming
the sitter for it." I said, "I can provide evidence that she actually
did that. The defendant is completely innocent, and you KNEW that!" He
said, "I didn't know anything for sure! Let the jury decide!" I said,
"An innocent little girl's life is ruined, for your spineless
cowardice." He said, "She was going to tell my wife!" I said, "Good."
The judge nodded at that. He said to me, "You are a true friend of the
Court, in fact, not just in law."
I said, "I suggest that the DA drop all charges against the
defendant. And what's more, announce that she is completely innocent. I
will provide expert evidence and testimony if needed in what happened
to the child, if prosecution of the mother is desired. She did harm him
in anger. If necessary, I can obtain a law degree in a few days, well,
Yale offered, and take the Bar exam for this State, and USE that here.
Innocent children have been harmed here, and I DO NOT LIKE THAT!" The
judge said, "I can't give my opinion on that in this case, but I will
allow you to show a recording of this to the District Attorney." He
said to the Defense, "You, sir, are bound not to reveal what was said
here, without my authorization." He said, pointing to me, "What about
him?" The Judge said, "His testimony and comments here are his to do
with what he will. This is not a Grand Jury, and he is not legal
counsel in this case. I have no power to prevent him from repeating
what he has said here, anywhere he wishes to." I said to the lawyer,
"Didn't your mother tell you your face could freeze like that?" He had
to laugh. The judge tried not to.
The Judge said to the Prosecutor, "I suggest you drop the charges, or
I will declare a mistrial due to serious prosecutorial misconduct, with
prejudice. That will require the specifics to be made part of the
record." There was a big gulp, and he nodded, and said, "Yes, Your
Honor. I'll announce that we will be dropping the charges." I said to
him, "Advice. The severity of what might be in store for you, may be
made less, depending on how good you are to the child you seriously
wronged, and I mean in public. Do you understand me?" He gulped again,
and nodded, and said, "I do, sir!"
We went back into the courtroom. The Prosecutor said, "We are
dropping all the charges against the Defendant. This trial is over."
The mother went hysterical, with angry comments against a lot of
people. I said sharply, "Mrs. Pisnatch! She is innocent of harming
anybody, and there is proof. I suggest you be careful what you say
about her in public, or you could be sued for slander. I know of at
least two lawyers who would like to help with that, if needed. I
suggest you obtain your own lawyer, before that happens." She continued
screeching, but not against anybody specific. Her husband said, "Do you
have more advice for us?" I said privately to him, "I shouldn't
interfere with possible future criminal proceedings, but I do have an
observation for you. The Captain doesn't always have to go down with
the ship." He digested that, and had some tears. He said, "I didn't
know. Truly. Thank you." We hugged.
I went to the Defendant, and offered to hug her. She cried in my
arms. I whispered to her, "Sorry it took so long for me to see your
letter. I get an awful lot, and most of them are asking to marry me."
She said, "But you're already married." I said, "I know that. Seems
that some don't want to believe it. We already know about that kind of
thing, don't we." She said, "We do. Her baby died. I can't imagine how
that must make her feel. She needed to blame somebody, and I was there.
I feel very sorry for her." I said, "You're a good person. Keep on that
way, and you will be a big part in making the world a better place." I
bent down so she could kiss me in the cheek. I said to the parents,
"Your daughter has a beautiful soul. Thank you for bringing her into
the world, and nurturing her." We hugged. I said, "Mr. Pisnatch is
going to be needing some friends. He didn't know, and he might be alone
soon." They nodded.
I ported to the office of the DA. She was expecting me. I gave her
the evidence. She said, "He was good. I didn't expect this. He has to
go. Are you going to make this public?" I said, "That depends on if the
mother is tried, and what comes of that, and what the past defendant
wants, and what you want and do about your assistant. I know you want
to keep it quiet, for your own reasons, but how wise is it to allow
others to create the message?" She sighed and said, "Wisdom is yours.
I'll go fully public. I'm at fault in part. I let him have too long of
a leash. I trusted him too much." I said, "We learn from all we
experience. Better you have it this way, than being responsible for
sending an innocent defendant to prison. Your possible replacement
hasn't experienced such a useful lesson. Wisdom doesn't come free of
charge. We all pay for the few who eventually acquire it. Sadly, those
who sacrificed for it, often refuse to heed that very wisdom they
suffered for." She had some tears, and we hugged with love.
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