Chapter 26: Friday Afternoon: AP Physics

Kara ducked into her next classroom and breathed a sigh of relief. And I’m safe where she can’t get to me. She looked over at the empty table in front of the chalkboard. “No hands on component today?”

“No. I’ll save the next one for next week. Today though, I think a more traditional method of teaching is called for.” Mrs. Rainou glanced at the class facing chair. “Do you need relief today?”

Kara shook her head. “It’s ‘amazing’ what bad RRs can do to one’s arousal.”

“In that case, I’d like you to remain standing a bit longer. I’m sure you know why.”

Kara groaned softly and nodded her head. “Does using the naked girl as your ghost writer really help that much?”

Mrs. Rainou laughed raucously. “Oh no; it’s just nice sometimes to be able to focus on one thing. Besides, I’m pretty sure you already have a good grasp on what we’re covering today.”

Kara heard the bell ring as most of the class came streaming in. We’re not accusing you of being one of those ‘pervy’ boys. Men’s eyes are drawn to the physical features they believe belong to a good, strong mate.

Kara glanced outside the door’s window absently as Mrs. Rainou started on her topic finally. Uhm ... did either of you see police officers walking in the hallways as you were on your way to class?

Not at all... she paused thinking for a moment actually, I can think of one thing, and if I’m right...

A sudden shout suddenly caught her attention. “What do you mean I’m under arrest?!”

Kara closed her eyes and focused on the direction the voice had come from. Wait ... that’s the same girl from before. One of you said that might be Pamela?

I’m sure that was Pamela.

“Ma’am, we still need to...”

“It’s all the fault of that stupid Chinese bitch and those polygamists! I’ve done nothing wrong!”

Kara’s eyes forced themselves open as the one of the students close to the door opened it violently and ran out into the hallway. The rest of the class followed rapidly, despite shouts to ‘stay in the room’ from Mrs. Rainou. “You may as well join them; then I can leave the room and keep an eye on all of you.” She nodded and quietly stepped out of the room, catching Emily’s eyes as she did the same.

“There they are!” the girl screamed, pointing at both Kara and Emily. “The little Chinese bitch I dared to show some mercy to, and one of ‘his’ wives!”

One of the officers caught a flash of light off of her ring and turned to her. “We’ll need to talk with you as well Ms...”

“Foster.”

“Yes. Please follow us Mrs. Foster.”

“Oh, so he’s good enough to marry, but not to take his last name? I knew your table was full of freaks, but I didn’t realize it was full of whores too!” Kara watched the girl get dragged away by two female officers, physically resisting them the entire hallway.

“You too Ms...”

“Lian”.

“Yes. Neither of you are active suspects; we just need to ask each of you a few questions.” The officer turned to the acting Principal. “We also need to talk to Mr. Lopez and Ms. Kirse.”

“I’ll have them brought to my office when you’re done with these two. I’d prefer to disrupt as few student’s classes as possible.”

“Excuse me officer, how long is the questioning going to take? If it’s more than twenty minutes, I’ll need to grab my stuff first.”

“We can’t say for sure; it’s probably best if you both grab your bags before we start.”

Kara nodded, stepped back into the classroom, and picked up her bag. Well, it looks like that girl is Pamela, and now the police know about what she did.

Kara followed one of the officers into the Principal’s office. “We’ll start with Ms. Lian. Ms. Foster, would you please wait in the back room while we do?” Kara nodded her head and stepped into the backroom, collapsing on the couch. Her eyes drifted to another person entering the office a few moments later; a woman in a three piece suit. Wait, does the school have a lawyer on standby?

Probably several; one specifically to represent them, and the others to defend students who are charged with criminal stuff. You can always ask if they do.

I intend to, Manny. Kara closed her eyes and focused again on the scene playing outside the room. I think, based on what I’m seeing off Emily and the officers, that she has nothing to worry about. She’s nervous, but that’s to be expected; the officers are just kind of neutral.

This is something they need to handle by the book I imagine; besides, Emily didn’t join Pamela’s gang until after the incident, so they couldn’t charge her for taking part of that even if they wanted to.

True, Manny; but what I’m uncertain about is why they seem to be asking so many questions of her. She wasn’t with the group for that long; wait a moment... Kara watched her nod her head and sign a piece of paper she just agreed to something and signed something.

The thing she signed is probably her statement. But why would she need to agree to something?

I’m not sure, Ally. But I suspect I’ll find out soon enough; one of the officers is approaching the door now. Kara heard the knock on the door. “Ms. Foster? We’re ready for you now.”

She nodded her head, stood up, and headed toward the door. It swung open; suddenly Emily was in her arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“What for?”

“Getting me out of that gang when you did. Apparently, Pamela had plans to do to me what she ... you know.”

Kara felt a light bulb go on over her head. “Oh...” she started, then lowered her voice to a whisper. “We can talk more about this after they’re done with me.”

“Okay” Emily began just as quietly, then raising her voice, continued “I’m supposed to wait here while they question you anyway.”

So, Pamela planned revenge on Emily apparently. You two made it clear then that you didn’t want to press charges?

Exactly. So, why would the police be arresting her for just the incident?

Because, my muse, she was planning to repeat it; on Emily this time. Kara disengaged from Emily and sat down in the offered chair, glancing at the tape recorder. “Is this going to be recorded?” I’m not sure how the acting Principal found out about that, but I imagine it has something to do with Lisa.

Probably. Nothing stays a secret from her for long it seems. Good luck with them darling.

Thank you.

“Only for the purposes of standard documentation. Is that a problem?”

“I’m not comfortable with a record that can be misrepresented if someone decides doing so serves their purposes.”

“Then will you sign a written statement at the end of the questions?”

“Of course.”

“Good. We have a few questions about this affair, then ... well, we need to follow up on her accusation. I know that a new marriage law passed recently, but until it takes effect polygamy is still illegal in the state.”

“Before I answer any questions, is there a lawyer available for me to consult with if need be? I know you said I’m not an active suspect currently, but...”

“Better safe...” the woman in the suit began, looking at Kara. “I’m Yvette Ragnold, one of the public defenders available to students if they request one. I’ve been informed about all the relevant information for this case, and will shake my head if a question is inappropriate and should be ignored.”

Kara nodded her head, then turned back to the officer at the desk. “Very well then. Your first question?”

The woman chuckled. “Not nervous like the other one, are we? Let’s start with your first and last name for the record.”

“Kara Foster.”

“Age?”

“Eighteen.”

“Date of birth?”

Kara quietly handed over her photo id. “That has all the relevant information.”

“Very well. How do you know about the alleged attempted assault on Ms. Kirse and Mr. Lopez?”

“They told me about it; I don’t remember what we were talking about that brought it up at the moment.”

“And did you tell anyone else about it?”

“Emily and Lisa. That’s it.”

The officer nodded her head. “Are you the ‘trusted source’ she refused to name?”

Yvette shook her head vigorously. “On my lawyer’s advice, I can’t answer that question.”

The officer sighed, and glanced down at the notepad in front of her. “Then, can you tell me what else you told her?”

“Nothing else related to that. Most of our conversation was about school rumors surrounding Allison, Emanuel and I.”

“What did you talk to Emily about?”

“Stick to things directly related to this investigation” Yvette advised her.

“I simply told her what Pamela’s retribution could look like, and warned her that the true story would be getting out soon.”

“And is she the only other person who knows about the impending article?”

“Besides my loves, who gave me permission to share it with Lisa in the first place, and the acting Principal? Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone else?”

“We’ve all gotten a pretty good course in how school politics works lately; it made no sense to share something that could incite mass panic before Lisa could confirm that she was reporting on the truth with sufficient evidence for her claims.”

“I’ll need you to read over this statement and sign it then; it contains only what you’ve said.”

Kara quietly read it over. “I would like to write my own statement.”

“You’re aware that if your answers in it differ significantly from what you’ve said, we’ll have grounds to charge you with ‘obstructing an active investigation’ and ‘lying under oath’?”

Kara nodded her head, and quickly rewrote the statement on a clean sheet of paper, then showed it to Yvette. “Will you confirm that I did not remove any relevant information from the original notes, nor add anything new?”

“My client has not removed any relevant information or added new information to their official statement.”

Kara took back the document, signed and dated it, then handed it back to the officer. “But, this doesn’t mention the full list of people who knew about the first incident!”

“Officer” Yvette started “that’s not relevant to Ms. Foster’s statement. The only thing that is relevant is that she specifically told Ms. Lian and the reporter about the incident, and that’s included. The same thing is true about her identity as the reporter’s source of information; as long as that information can be corroborated, then the source does not need to be named. Now, you have questions about a different set of allegations?”

A sour grimace briefly crossed her face. “Yes. The accused of the first investigation claimed you were married to multiple people. Is this true?”

“Absolutely not. If we were, I would have happily taken my husband’s last name.”

“Then, what is the nature of your relationship with your lovers?”

“Legally speaking, we are engaged to be married at some point after the new law takes effect.”

“That ring on your finger does not look like a typical engagement ring.”

“To be fair officer, we’re seniors in high school. One traditional engagement ring would be expensive enough; two would be insane.”

“According to the statements from several others, you three are claiming to be married. Are they wrong, or is there more that you aren’t telling us?”

“You don’t need to answer either question Ms. Foster.”

“No, but I will. What I’m going to say is not some secret; practically the whole school knows the truth by now.” She turned back to the officer. “The people I like to call my husband and wife aren’t legally that; not until we can make it legal. However, we are betrothed in accordance with old pagan traditions; three-hundred and sixty-one days from now, we will have to decide whether or not we are making our triad legal in the eyes of the law. Until then, our hand-fasting merely binds us together by our own wishes.”

“I know a little bit about old-fashioned rituals like that; for all other intents and purposes, you are married.”

“And is that illegal? We’re not claiming that we are to the state; if we were working and able to file taxes, we’d all be filing separately.”

“It’s not technically illegal, but intent to marry when doing so is illegal is.”

“Actually officer, if we’re talking technicalities, then marriage to multiple people is not illegal anymore. Until the law takes full effect, there can be no guarantee that one’s legal rights will be received. But the law was officially signed by the governor, and has been entered into the state law books. It is perfectly legal to say your married to multiple people, so long as you don’t expect others to recognize it. Besides, private rituals like hand-fasting have been allowed for centuries.”

“Well, you’re right counselor, but...”

Kara shook her head. “Officer, is there any law on the state books that explicitly says acting toward another consenting adult as if you and they were married is illegal? That agreeing that you are joined the way marriage does is illegal?”

“As long as you’re not making the claim of marriage to the state, or seeking any of the rights that come with legal marriage, no.”

“Then we’re completely clear. None of have made any claims to the state. We simply agreed that we’d treat each other as if we were married until a year and a day passes from our hand-fasting. That is why they are my husband and wife.”

“And all three of you are of legal age to make such a decision?”

“We’re all eighteen, yes.”

“Still living at home?”

“For now.”

“Then you need your parent’s permission too.”

“And we have the permission from all the parents who can grant it. My mother was the one who performed the ceremony for us. She’s the one who gave us the rings to give to each other, and the cord which has temporarily bound us. Is that strong enough permission?”

“You said ‘all the parents who can grant it’. Which one of them haven’t you gotten permission from?”

Yvette nodded her head. “My husband’s father. He can’t grant it because he’s serving time in jail and my husband is officially emancipated from him.”

“And his mother?”

“Passed away about ten years ago.”

The officer’s face softened considerably. “I ... I’m sorry. I didn’t realize...” Kara watched the look of horror that briefly crossed her face “oh! Your husband is his son, isn’t he?”

“Yes” Kara began, hearing the protectiveness rise in her voice “and the acts of his ‘father’ nearly destroyed a good man. We agreed to the hand-fasting because our first thought was to rush to Manny’s side and do everything in our power to help him back from the brink of what could have been a terrible depression; just as Manny and I have kept our wife from being trapped in herself several times this week, and...” she paused, her voice beginning to waver “they gave me back a part of myself I’d thought was lost forever.” Her voice rose again, strong and firm “do you seriously doubt that we are serious when we say that we are truly committed to each other?”

Darling? Are you okay?

One of the officers was insinuating things about us, and our relationship ... and I just couldn’t take it anymore.

“Lena...” the other officer suddenly spoke up “clearly the other girl was trying to take Ms. Foster down with her. You know better than most where that kind of fire comes from where relationships are concerned.”

“Yes ... I do.” She turned back to Kara. “My sincerest apologies Ms. Fost ... I mean, Mrs. Lopez. Consider the matter dropped completely.”

“I accept your apology.”

“I still need to talk with Ms. Kirse and Mr. Lopez about the investigation; are you willing to return to the other room while we talk with each of them?”

Kara nodded and silently walked back into the back room. They’ll be on their way for you two next.

Are you sure you’re okay darling?

I’m ... no, not really. First the officer tried to include things in the statement that had no relevance to the actual investigation, and then... Kara felt the doubt begin to pile on her, each piece starting to weigh her down I lost my cool. I exploded on her, when she wasn’t actually saying anything demeaning about us. She felt tears begin to stream from her eyes as she collapsed on the couch. I feel like I have no control over...

“Kara? Are you okay?”

Kara shook her head at Emily as the door to the hallway burst open, Allison running through it before closing it behind her.

“Ah, Ms. Kirse; good, we’ll start with...” officer Lena started.

“You’ll start with Manny” Allison barked as an order. “My wife needs me.” She ran into the back room and sat sideways on the couch, pulling Kara into a close cuddle as the officers and Yvette looked on with shock.

“You’re the...”

“Yes, I’m the other wife. Emily, can you close the door so that we’ll have some measure of privacy?” Emily nodded, quickly closed the door, then waited by it. “You can be on the couch too. I just don’t want them to hear everything that goes on in here.”

“O ... okay. Is she going to be okay?”

“I’ll make sure of it.” Kara felt one of Allison’s hands running gently through her hair. “Can you tell me what happened darling?”

“I ... I’m not sure. I felt fine until she started in on something about intending to marry when it’s illegal to be also being illegal. It felt like she was trying to find something to get on me too, even though there wasn’t anything she really could. And when she asked about Manny’s father” Kara heard her tone of voice darken considerably “I lost it. At first I merely felt indignant; but that rapidly became anger, then a few moments of deep sadness.”

“And when you came back in here, your anger grew towards her until your self doubt started to pile itself on.”

“You ... you felt that?” Emily asked suddenly.

“Each piece feels like it weighs at least ten pounds, and there are a lot of them. That’s a strong enough emotion that I would have felt it from miles away had Manny been the one to share it. From someone with a broadcasting strength as high as Kara’s? I’d have to shut myself off completely to not feel that.”

“I knew it ... I am a burden to you and Manny.”

“No darling, you’re not; that’s the self-doubt lying to you. You are our beloved.”

“Even though I can no longer control my emotions the way I used to?” she asked, a hitch in her voice.

“None of us are ever really in control of our emotions. And you opened the floodgates yesterday to emotions you haven’t felt properly in years. Asking you to maintain even partial control of them this soon would be impossible for almost anyone.”

“But ... I exploded on her ... on an officer of the law.”

“Who was asking questions that she shouldn’t have. All she needed to ask was ‘do you claim to be legally married?’, and our answer would make it clear that there was nothing more to ask. Being bound together the way we were was a private matter between our parents and us; no one else.”

Kara gasped suddenly as the burning sensation broke through her haze of emotions, melting several of the doubt weights. “Ooh ... did you feel that too my muse?”