Chapter 27
Orlando Cruz was stopped for a traffic violation in College Station. Once identified, he was arrested on the spot, but not without a struggle. He attacked one of the arresting officers with a knife. A search of his car revealed he was in possession of the stolen shotgun, and several controlled substances. Eventually, as the wheels of justice turned their course, he would be returned to Tyler to stand trial on the home invasion and theft charges.
As soon as we learned of his arrest, we had a little celebration in honor of the occasion, at “Currants” restaurant. Mr. Murphy hosted the event.
“I’d like to propose a toast.” He waited for us all to raise our glassware. “Here’s to our daughter, Lori, as strong and courageous a person as I’ve ever met, we love you, honey!” We all bumped glasses and bottles.
Lori was beaming.
“And, here’s to the fine work of the police, in catching that…suspect,” I added, gesturing toward Tony.
Tony bowed slightly, willing to take the credit due all policemen, everywhere.
“Hear, hear!” everyone said.
“How long do you think he’ll be in prison?” Lori asked.
Tony considered the various possibilities.
“Well, first there’s the issue of his Probation violation. He’ll have to serve out the full term for the previous crime. Then there’s the drug possession charges, he’s looking at two to five years on that. Possession of stolen property, breaking and entering, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a police officer, use of a firearm in a criminal act, resisting arrest…he’ll be sentenced to a minimum of 25 years, I would guess, maybe a lot more, depending on the jury.”
“Do you think the judge might probate his sentence?” Mrs. Murphy asked.
Tony shook his head.
“No, there’s no chance. His lawyers will tell Orlando to make a deal with the DA, though.”
“What does that mean?” Lori asked.
“They’ll tell Orlando to plead guilty to some of the charges, in exchange for the District Attorney dropping or reducing some of the other charges. That’s why he’ll only get 25 years or so. Otherwise, the sky’s the limit. He could spend several decades in prison.”
“Isn’t it possible he could get out early?” Mr. Murphy asked.
“Yes, with good behavior, his sentence could be cut in half. He’d be out in about twelve years. But Orlando doesn’t strike me as the model prisoner type.”
“What about bail?” Mr. Murphy asked.
“I don’t know who’d bail him out. He has no family. Because of the nature of his crimes, his bail will be set high, at least a hundred thousand dollars, probably more. After they transfer him back here, he’ll sit in the Smith County Jail, for months, waiting on his trial. Then, it will be off to the big house.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Mrs. Murphy said.
I thought about the thing we weren’t discussing. Lori would not have to testify in open court. Because Orlando wouldn’t face any charges related to what he had done with and to Lori, she would never have to appear in court at all.
I smiled to myself, but evidently Christine saw it.
“You look kind of smug, John. Shouldn’t a religious person like you want mercy for Orlando?”
“I’m not his judge, Christine. I’m just happy Lori won’t have to testify in court.”
“Oh, right, I see your point. How wonderful!”
She smiled too. She held up her hand for a “high five.”
“I saw that, Christine!” Lori said. “You’re just happy you’ll be able to have me out of your apartment.”
“No,” Christine said. “We’re just happy you’re safe from that bum.”
“As are we all, honey,” Lori’s father added.
“We’re very grateful to you for all the two of you have done for Lori and us. You went over and above any service we could possibly have hoped for.” Mrs. Murphy said.
Christine and I looked at each other.
“It has been our pleasure,” we said, in unison.
Everybody laughed.
“I’m afraid there is still the issue of payment.” I said.
It would have been a wholly inappropriate time to mention it, but…
“…It seems to me Lori will have to spend the rest of the summer in our office, working off her portion of our fee.”
Lori’s face lit up!
“Can I, please?” she asked her folks.
Her dad smiled.
“Well, I only see one complication with that…”
“What, can’t we figure out some sort of car pool arrangement?” Lori asked.
Her father grinned.
“That’s the complication. If you’re going to go through driver’s education, you’ll have to figure out how to fit it into your schedule.”
“Oh, yeah, I nearly forgot, I can get my driver’s license now!”
We discussed various ways to solve the scheduling crisis.
Then Lori’s father brought up a new topic.
“We want ya’ll to know our plans. We’ve discussed it as a family, and we’re not moving away from Tyler. We’re not giving up the life we’ve made here, because of this time of trouble we’ve had. Lori will start back at high school in the fall, at a private school. By this time next year, she’ll be looking forward to her senior year.”
We all applauded.
Redemption is cool.