THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     At exactly 6:36 a.m. on January 31, 1989 Norman was taken from his cell for the last time and the feeling he had was like a hermit crab crawling out of it's cramped shell. He was brought to the processing department for the release procedures. As he was signing all the necessary paperwork one of the officers handed him a large box saying "This was delivered for your release."

     Norman looked at the long box curiously and opened it, where he found, to is delight, a three piece grey gabardine suit, a white dress shirt with french cuffs, a grey silk tie, a pair of dress socks and a pair of Italian leather cap toe shoes, along with a set of silver cuff links in the shape of an X! Norman stood at the sergeant's desk slipping out of his denim prisoner's uniform, like a snake shedding it's skin, as he proceeded to dress himself in front of the officers whom had stood guard over him the last ten years. Norman felt a sense of pride and dignity come over him instantly as soon as he was attired in the expensive garments; which fit his athletic, tall, muscular body perfectly, as if tailored made for his measurements. Even the guards remarked how dapper and dashing he looked, saying he was very lucky to have a friend on the outside that cared enough about him to send along such a posh gift. Yes, a good friend indeed, he had replied. Now our Norman stood there for a minute not sure what to do next, for his time had been carefully monitored and his movements relegated to the schedule of the prison guards. "Well, all you've to do now is be sure to report to your parole officer next week and please Norman..," the sergeant said "try and stay out of trouble. Don't let me catch you back in here." he said extending his hand.

     "Oh aye!" Norman said as he looked at the men in blue for the last time.

     "There's a car waiting." one of the other officers said as he and another guard escorted the prisoner, un-cuffed, down the long hall through the barb wired fences, on that bitter cold morning as a light dusting of snow began to fall, their breath a mist of silver as Norman was let out of the locked, armed gates, a free man. His heart raced like a grey hound chasing after a rabbit as he saw a stylish, new, long black town car with tinted windows parked at the entrance to the old prison. The driver stepped out, a charcoal grey camel hair coat draped over his arm.

     "Your coat sir." the middle aged Englishman said helping Norman into the warm garment, bundling up against the early morning winter air. "Your gloves." the driver said as he handed them to Norman who was anxious for him to open up the back door, for surely he thought Xavier would be sitting in the car waiting for him. However, the backseat was empty as Norman climbed in disappointed. His driver gave Norman a friendly smile as he sat behind the wheel, pulling away from the prison. Norman turned around in his seat watching as the old stone fortified structure slowly disappeared in the back ground and out of view forever. Each mile the driver put between  Norman and the prison walls made him feel  more relaxed and hopeful of the future.

     Now Norman sat back and felt something in the pocket of his coat. He reached in and pulled out a small manila envelope. There inside he found an English passport with his picture, but someone else's name. Bengiman Pruce, it read.There were several visa stamps to many different countries with dates from 1978-1989. As he flipped through his new passport he found a birth certificate folded up inside, it too read Bengiman Pruce, born 31 of October 1955. Now the only thing right about the birth certificate was the birth year. Norman looked at his photo on the apparently legal document, he repeated in his mind Bengiman Pruce, Bengiman Pruce. It took about a quarter of an hour for 'Bengiman' to snap out of his mind numbing trance when he had the sudden realization he had no idea where he was going "Driver?"

     "Yes Mr.Pruce?" the driver looked back in the rear view mirror.

     Silent, vacant stare "Where are you taking me?"

     "Mr.Pruce, I apologize, I am not at liberty to say."

     Our newly named Bengiman sat back intrigued by what his old friend Xavier was up to, but really Bengiman was just so thankful and happy his dear friend had not forgotten about him. It was a long drive, where ever they were headed, and Bengiman enjoyed the ride through the snow covered English countryside. The bare trees so dark in the wood, mists rising up over the rivers and streams, quite country cottages with wisps of grey smoke trailing up from the chimneys. Picture fucking perfect our Bengiman thought, however as they headed south he began to recognize the scenery, for his driver had taken him to Kent. He became anxious as the car pulled in through the black iron gates of the local cemetery. They proceeded down a small gravel road past the many long rows of tombstones and statues of weeping, winged angels. All the blood which ran through Bengiman's veins was like ice water and the heavy weight of dread overcame him.

     The driver stopped the car turned and said "We're here Mr.Pruce." next he got out of the drivers seat and opened up the back door for his passenger. It took Bengiman a moment to step to his feet as he looked uncertain where to go "Over there Mr.Pruce." the kindly driver pointed  "See the wreath of red roses? I believe they were your mother's favorite."

     Norman Pierce looked over and saw the flowers at some distance and he began walking slowly, carefully through the snow, towards his mothers grave. The pain and the heartache and loss of his dear sweet lady began billowing up in his heart, as bitter tears of regret began welling up in his eyes. As he grew ever nearer to that hallowed ground, Gertrude's heartbroken little boy did not hear the sound of his driver departing the cemetery grounds, leaving the broken man alone with his pain. The headstone was a beautiful, magnificent, solid pink granite stone, carved with climbing vines of roses and thorns. The words Loving Mother, Gertrude Ashley Pierce, 1926-1985, of course he knew this could have only been erected and paid for by Xavier and his sisters. After his lamentations Norman/Bengiman heard the sound of a vehicle coming down the long gravel road, he turned to see a  white stretch limousine pull up alongside the path. As he stood at the foot of his beloved mother's grave, he watched in shock as he saw the driver open up the back door, where to his delight he saw a familiar looking, tall, dark haired, handsome man standing with his hand extended, helping out of the back seat a petite, raven haired beauty. It was, no other than, Felina and her brother!

     "Sweetheart!" Felina called out to her dearly missed friend.

     "Felina! Xavier! Oh my Christ!" he yelled across the headstones running, nearly slipping on the path in his excitement. He ran towards his darling girl, sweeping her up in his arms as she kissed his lips, tears of love and joy staining her rosy cheeks as Xation threw his arms around both of them. "God it is so great to see you!"

     "Look at you! My God you are built like a Spartan Warrior!" Xation exclaimed seeing his friend who was now a full grown, mature man after so many long years.

     "And you! Xavier! You're not a young lad anymore! Older, much more mature looking! You look like a captain of industry!" he exclaimed for he was a boy of 19 when last they saw each other.

     "That is because I am, Bengiman." Xation refered to him by his new identity for the first time.

     "Oh Bengiman!" Felina sighed with an ecstatic smile "My brother Xation, and I have waited so long!"

    "Xa.., tion?" Bengiman said slowly sounding out the name a little confused.

    "Yes, Xation, sounds almost exactly like Satan!" Felina laughed then she turned and said "Come Bengiman, it is far too cold here. We need to go somewhere where it is warmer, do you not agree?" Felina gave one of her illicit little smiles and said "We would like very much to take you back to Argentina with us and make you part of our family." a pause, followed by silence as this sank in to her friend's brain. "That is, if that's alright by you?"

     Xation Day looked over at his loyal friend and smiled "We will make it worth your while, after everything you have done to protect my freedom and my name, please, for you must be repaid."

     Bengiman Pruce looked at his dear friends and with no thought of his parole or the future he extended his hand to his wealthy and influential friend and said "Cheers mate! I thought you'd never ask!"

     "Then come, we will go!" Xation exclaimed "For we have waited far too long for this day!" he smiled warmly and said "We have reservations for lunch at the Guinea, in London, and we have much to discuss about your future," Xation smiled warmly at his good and faithful friend saying "so let us be on our way."

  THE END

Chapter 20 continues

     So it was Norman quickly adjusted to his new life in prison, and, being that he was such a large, giant of a man, Norman was never troubled by the other inmates, who would rather be his friend than his enemy. However, Norman did not want any friends or companions so he kept to himself, rarely speaking. Ever quiet and brooding as he went about his back breaking, laborious task of smashing rocks in the quarry for her Majesties construction projects. He, along with the other prisoners, were served three square meals a day, of the blandest food he had ever had the misery of eating. Day after day in the work yards led to Norman developing muscles he did not even know he had, and after a few years he was built like a 'brickshit house' as they say in the Southern States of America. So he passed his time each day, deep in thought of the memories he had of wine and women, and fabulous dinners with his good friends. Norman looked forward to each night when the inmates were given two hours in their cells before lights out. This is when he would lie on his tiny bunk bed and get lost in a classic novel he had purchased from the commissary, with the stipend Felina gave him each month. Norman was so thankful for her kindness and generosity, as well as the many letters and post cards and the amazing photographs she had sent; which he plastered all over the walls of his tiny cell. Thankfully, because of Norman's propensity for violence and the sheer size of him, he was allowed to have a cell all to himself. 

     Norman had become a voracious reader, for the stories he read were his only escape from the hell of his existence. Were it not for tales by Washington Irving, John Melville, Mary Shelly, Rudyard Kipling, Edgar Allen Poe, Robert Browning, Isak Dinesen, Harper Lee, John Steinbeck and the master, Ernest Hemingway, our poor Norman would have gone stark ravening mad. While he got lost in these fantastic works of fiction, the world outside was passing him by. Norman had missed the rise of the Police and Sting, the Irish band U2 and Bono, and England's own Def-Leppard, the dissolution of such legendary bands like The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones. The arrest and conviction of Peter Sutcliff, the Yorkshire Ripper, who had terrorized the nation for nearly a decade, brutally murdering over thirteen prostitutes and attacking seven in the Leeds area. The birth of MTV. The nightmare of the rise, and spread, of a newly discovered lethal disease called, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; which would decimate the population of Africa as it spread to all corners of the globe. Leading England's own Bob Geldof to create the world wide music festival, Live Aid. Norman missed the wedding of the century when 20 billion people watched Prince Charles marry a shy, young, 19 year old, beauty from Scotland named, Lady Diana Spencer. He also missed the births of the two crowned princes William and Harry. Yet, among everything he did not get to experience, the only one regret our Norman had was, he was not there for his mother's funeral. For she had passed in the summer of '84 on her way riding on a bus up from Kent to the prison to see her son, as she had come twice every month to visit with him. Old Gertrude had been devastated by her son's Manslaughter conviction and his incarceration, but she loved her boy just the same. She had been feeling a bit dizzy and lightheaded that morning, and halfway there on the road to the prison his mother suffered a massive stroke and died right there in her seat. Norman was shattered by the news he received later that day from the warden. There was only one thing Norman would ever regret about his life and that was not being there for his mother, when she needed him most, for this Norman would never forgive himself.

     This is how he spent those long years isolated from the outside world, only the newspaper and letters from Felina and Serena to keep him up to date on the goings on, outside the thick prison walls. Then early in January 1989 Norman was summoned before the Parole Board to be updated on his pending release; which was scheduled for the 31st later that month. Norman could hardly believe ten long years had finally come and gone. However, there were still the formalities to deal with as he was instructed by the Board on the conditions of his release. He would be on probation for 5 years, during which he was to report to his parole officer twice each month. He was forbidden from voting, associating with known felons, the use of narcotics was strictly forbidden and his urine would be tested randomly to confirm he was 'clean'. The prisoner was also forbidden from traveling outside of the United Kingdom. However he was allowed to travel throughout Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Norman sat and listened quietly, he thanked the men of the Parole Board and agreed to the terms and conditions of his probation, signing all the corresponding documents to that effect. Then he was escorted, handcuffed, back to his prison cell where he had only three more weeks left to serve out his sentence. As Norman settled down in his bunk with a well worn copy of 'The Old Man and the Sea', he suddenly realized he had no idea what would become of him after he was released. Now the worry and dread of an uncertain future began to creep into his head. Though he needn't worry, for Felina and Xation had already made plans for their dear friend's future. In fact, Felina was already in London with her brother making arrangements to get Norman out of the country and securing the paperwork for Norman, for he would have a brand new identity and name.

Chapter 20 begins

     "Xation!" came Felina's brother's voice over the telephone, as she lie in her bed with the copper headed, young bell boy, of the Savoy named Quentin.

     "What?" she asked a little 'sex drunk' wishing she had not answered the phone.
     It was Thursday morning and Xavier/Xation had raced down to the Student Union to phone his sister's hotel room after his Socio-Economics class. "Xation, Xation Day."
     "Xation?" she sounded confused.
     "In my text book, the word was taxation, but the word was hyphenated at the margin, Ta-, on the next line was printed xation!" Xation said jubilantly, as if he had discovered some hidden secret of the Universe.

     "Hmm..," Felina paused as she watched the tall, well endowed Quentin slip up out of her warm bed and dress himself back into his hotel uniform.

     "What do you not like about it?" Xation asked sincerely.

     "No, I think it is the most unusual, sexiest, name I have ever heard.., Xation." she repeated, Felina paused as Quentin gave her wink and exited her room.

     "However..?" Xation said disheartened.

     "Do you not think it sounds too much like.., SATAN?" Felina spoke truthfully.

     "Yes! Of course! That is why I like it!" Xation shouted.

     "Ay! Dios Mio!" Felina laughed then said to her brother "Xation Day? This is what you want?"

     "Si Senorita!" Xation shouted over the phone, pleased with his new moniker.

     "Very well." she agreed

     So it was about 60 days later, after all the proper paperwork had been filed, Xation Day received all his new documentation, his birth certificate, passport, a newly issued student I.D. everything he needed to take on a newly named identity. Even on his diploma, two years later, the name read, Xation Day. He had managed to graduate at the top of his class and secure a much coveted position with Morgan Stanley in Manhattan. Xation had done very well for himself, a nice apartment on the upper west side, successfully making commission off his clients, whom he urged to invest in I.B.M. For what was once a high yielding class project, had produced much dividends off their initial investment. Xation never once stopped thinking about our poor Norman, locked up away in Her Majesties prisons. The tech stock had been soaring and Xation had a nice pile of cash for his good friend, whenever he would be released. Xation was not always working and alone in the big city, for during the Spring and Fall his sisters, Felina and Serena would come and visit, staying with him at his high rise apartment overlooking Central Park, for fashion week.

     Now Serena was finally told of Norman's fate in the Fall of '83. She had been begging Xation to invite Norman out to party in the city with them. Until one day when Felina had taken enough of her little sister's whining about the situation, when she opened up her mouth and the truth came tumbling out. Xation, as well as Felina, were not sure how their little sister Serena would take the terrible truth of the story they had to relay to her. However, Serena was no longer a stupid little girl, no. Our strong Serena, nearly 21, admired our Norman for his courage and bravery to stand alone for his crime. From here on Serena and her sister Felina made a point over the next six years to send post cards from all over the world, and letters with photographs of the two of them in bikinis, with oiled, bronzed skin on white sandy beaches, from St.Tropez, to Bimini. These tokens of admiration and honor were the highlight of our incarcerated Norman's confinement, as he languished at her Majesties pleasure from 1978 to 1989. But in the meantime Xation Day, and his seductive sisters spent their time growing older, and wiser and richer. Yet they never failed, at every meal together, to raise a glass to their dear friend Norman Pierce.

    

End Chapter 19

     A short while later Xavier sat, speeding down through the heart of London in the Mayfair district, behind the wheel of his expensive new automobile; which he had eagerly accepted from his sister,whom he was taking to dinner at Wheeler's of St. James off Piccadilly, the finest seafood restaurant in all of England. Felina had never been and she enjoyed the ride through Green Park adjacent to Buckingham Palace Gardens all wet with the unyielding rain. Felina was glad she had made her brother so happy with her gift. So they arrived at the famous restaurant, which had been at 72-73 St. James Street since 1856, both were ravenous as they sat at their well appointed table, Felina opened up her menu at once and, forgoing all pleasantries with her waiter, she began a long list of items she required for her and her brother's sustenance. For it was nearly six o'clock, twelve hours since they last ate breakfast. However the waiter did not know this, he was too astonished the petite, beautiful woman could order so much food. "Start us off with two pints of Fullers London Pride, and for our appetizers.., 1 Salad of Cornish crab, 2 prawn cocktails, 2 bisque of crab Newburg, an order of smoked salmon with brown bread and butter." Felina paused for a moment to let the server catch up "Xavier, how does grilled Dover sole a la salamadre with Swede puree and buttered spinach sound for me, and pour vous.., grilled lobster with herbs and Bearnaise sauce?"

     "Yes!" Xavier said his mouth watering as she spoke.

     "Yes, everything I just said and what ever my brother would like." Felina gave a warm smile to her lovely waiter who would take the utmost care of her service at the, beyond expensive, fine dining establishment. 

     After a few pints of Fullers and a bit of easy conversation between plates of exquisite cuisine Xavier sat back in his chair gazing out the window to the street where he saw his shiny new sports car beading up with water from the rain. Xavier turned and looked at his sister with her big brown eyes and soft rosy cheeks, then she smiled when he said "Thank you again Felina for buying a car for me. You are the best sister a brother could ever have, but tell me?" he paused taking a sip of his ice water. "What have I done to deserve this?" 

     Felina laughed a little and said "Nothing.., yet." she gave a coy look.

     "And there it is! I can feel the pull of the little string attached to your benevolence and generosity, my dear, sweet sister." Xavier shook his head hoping her request would not be so bad.

     "I need for you to change your name." she said plainly.

     Xavier was not sure he heard her correctly "Change my,"

     "Yes." Felina interrupted. "Westernize it."

     The two sat across the table from one another looking into each other's eyes, Xavier could see his sister's mind working like a finely tuned watch, she was setting the gears in motion for something, but Xavier could never be sure which direction he would be pulled, so he asked the most important question ever devised "Why?"

     Felina leaned over the table a little, as a dead serious look came over her face, as if they were in both great peril "As you know, our dear friend will not be able to be with us for a very long time.., and just in case our friend lets some information slip." she sighed and shook her head "For if the wrong word goes in the right ear.., well that always proves to disastrous. Believe me brother, by doing this you will help yourself in more ways than one."

     "Go on." Xavier said with a hint of consternation.

     "You will be entering one of the most cut throat industries, the world of high finance, stocks, the markets and with a foreign sounding name like..," she paused seeing Xavier had taken a bit of offense with her statement. "All I can say is, if you stay in London or work on Wall Street, you are in a very prejudice business. Listen, Xavier people are racist all over the world, whether we like it or not." Felina tried to focus her meaning for him to clearly understand "I have traveled all over the world, as you well know, and the majority of men I have met, say we will begin with the Englishmen, who hate Scotsmen, who hate the English, who hate the French, who hate the Germans, who hate the Americans, who hate the Mexicans, who hate the Americans, who hate the Canadians etc.. etc... etc..." she threw her hands up in disgust, then she sharpened her eyes upon him like a sharp eyed eagle locking target on it's prey " So I ask you brother, on a business card, who do you think would get more calls and pull more clients in New York, London, Paris, Munich? Senor Diaz or Mr.Day?"

     This thought had never even fucking occurred to Xavier Antonio de la Rosa Diaz, but it only made sense, based on the way he was treated when he was relegated to being just an average, poor foreign student living in a dorm. Xavier knew money could overcome any prejudice, but now he realized that formula only worked at school. In the real world, where vast sums of money and corporations were concerned, name was everything, just like a brand. Xavier mulled this over as his sister ordered desert then he sighed and said "Well, yes I guess that makes sense." 

     "Well it's coming out of my mouth! Of course it makes sense!" Felina gloated. "Now I have the forms here for you." she said taking the papers from her snakeskin purse. "Now I filled everything out, see."

     Xavier looked at the documents neatly written by Felina's hand, all the spaces were filled, except for the space for the New Name. "What can I change my name to?"

     "Well, we can change Diaz to Day, that is easy enough" Felina said entering Day for his new last name. "The rest you can think about later, however, I leave on Friday so you must have at least decided on a first name. Also I need a copy of your passport and student I.D. I can obtain a copy of your birth certificate from the university student records office tomorrow. So Mr.Day? Ready for a sherry trifle and poached pears in cream?"

     So it was the two had a wonderful delicious dinner together retiring back to Felina's hotel room to hang out with each other and watch a bit of t.v. Felina went over every detail of Norman's hearing with Xavier who was shocked to learn of her morning visit to the courtroom. It did Xavier's heart good to know she had gone in his place to see Norman off. Xavier made her tell the story over again, so she told the story to him three or four more times. A little after ten o'clock Felina was interrupted by her brother's light snoring, as he had fallen asleep with his head on the pillows, next to her in bed. Felina leaned over turning off the light wondering what the future would hold for her brother, just barely 20 years old, with his whole life ahead of him. She could never foresee where his life would lead, but Felina had made a promise to herself, and God, that she would always do whatever must be done to keep her brother safe from harm. Oh our dear, sweet, Felina, if only she could know what the cruel Fates had devised for her future, the suffering, the heartache and the loss of lives, perhaps she would have not slept so soundly that night.

      

Chapter 19 continues

     Felina stood grasping the railing, she felt faint watching Norman go, her stomach was twisted in knots and it took her about twenty minutes to gather her thoughts and courage. Then she departed the crowded galleries above the courtroom, as more hearings proceeded for the day. Felina found herself down stairs searching the long corridors in the old, cold stone and marble courthouse 'The Old Bailey' as it was referred to by the common folk. After what seemed an endless search, Felina found the Department of Accounts for Her Majesties Prisoners. Here Felina, being a kind and loving friend to Norman, opened up a commissary fund account for him, in the amount of 500 Pounds. To which Felina would add money to every month for the next ten years, for that is the sentence our Norman would receive at his trial by judge for the crime of Manslaughter.

     As Felina made her way back outside to her awaiting limo she let out a deep sigh as she opened up her umbrella dashing out to the car down the long steps from the courthouse in the pouring rain. "Where to now Madame?" the old driver asked.

     "Now I must go to the Argentine Consulate, at 27 Three King's Yard, just off Bond Street." she informed the driver who gave her a warm and friendly smile.

     "Bond Street, always good for shopping." he cheerfully recommended, but Felina could not think about shopping in the designer boutiques just now. No, she needed to pick up the forms for a change of name. For she knew she must convince/force her brother to change his name, just in case Norman slipped up and gave away the real truth of their terrible story. This might prove to be difficult, but she was older and wiser than Xavier, and Felina was more than willing to buy him a little sports car, if need be, so she proceeded with the utmost confidence.

      Around 4:30 in the p.m. Felina drove out in a little red Porsche 911 Turbo she took for a test drive from a local auto dealership. Xavier came out of his class where he saw his sister standing in the hall flirting with one of his professors. Overjoyed to see her, Xavier's, face lit up as they locked eyes and he smiled, lovingly kissing his sister on the cheek, giving her quick squeeze in his strong arms. "Felina, you are so beautiful. You always make me so happy when I see you." Xavier said in the manner in which he was accustomed to speaking to his dear sweet sister, whom he worshiped and adored.

     "Sweetheart." Felina said her amber eyes sparkling "How was your day?"

     "Much better now you are back here with me."

     "Are you hungry?"

     "Famished." Xavier said rubbing his grumbling stomach.

     "Excellente! Here, catch." she said tossing the keys to the little red Porsche with a curious smile.

     "What? You bought a car?" he said a sudden rush of joy filling his heart, as Felina was always finding ways to surprise him.

     "Perhaps." Felina gave a wink and a little laugh as she ran down the corridor shouting "Come see if you like it!' Xavier slung his book bag up over his shoulder as he chased after his sister playfully out of the building. As his classmates and instructors looked on, not sure if the two were brother and sister, or boyfriend and girlfriend. This was not unusual, for Xavier was unusually close to both his sisters.

     Xavier ran out in the rain full of excitement, jumping into the 'sweet ride' laughing and thrilled when Felina explained he could drive it back to the car lot, and if he wanted the vehicle than it was his. Now Xavier had no idea this gift would come with one tenuous string attached to it, but as for now he threw his arms around his benevolent sister kissing her on the lips saying "Thank you Felina! I love you so much!" another kiss on his sister's lips and Xavier fired up the 300 horse power engine, they buckled into the bucket seats and Xavier went tearing off down the wet roadway his heart racing with excitement of finally having a car again! This had been a very difficult time for Xavier and, for now, this little present took his mind off his dear friend sitting in a prison cell. Though Norman would have been very happy for Xavier if he had known about Felina's surprise. And when Norman was sent a notice of his account balance in the commissary,  he too was surprised knowing, full well, Felina was behind it. This act of friendship and loyalty was of great comfort to Norman as he would endure thousands of nights alone, without his dear friends, whom he missed terribly!

Chapter 19 begins

     Norman cleared his throat, as he stood up straight, pleading his case to the judge of his Summary Hearing. "I was there sir, stealing half a million pounds in cash, among other items" a gasp came over the gallery, even Felina was taken aback by the sum of money he had gotten away with.

     "Did you know the victim?" the judge inquired.

     "No your Honor, I did not." he paused then spoke again before the judge could ask his next question. "Nor did I lay in wait, or premeditate his death, in any way, shape, or form. I will confess to Manslaughter and waive my rights to a trial by jury in the Crown Court."

      The judge made a notation in Norman's file then continued on his course of questioning."Will the defendant please explain to the court just how Mr.McDowell came to perish?"

     Norman sighed and began his story/lie in a clear voice that filled the courtroom as the hushed crowd gathered around him and above him listened intently "I had been back in the study, where the safe is located. It had taken me two days of work to crack it open, whereupon, your honor, I discovered the huge stacks of cash. No sooner had I placed the money in an emptied, deep desk drawer and had come out to the living room, prepared to leave.., well that's when everything went 'pear-shaped'." here he paused for dramatic affect, letting out a heavy sigh shaking his bowed head as he continued with the thread of his story/lie "I heard someone come in the front door, the victim your honor. Now if you can only imagine this poor lad had come home to find me, giant of a man, my nickname's 'Goliath', he was screaming.., terrified, I dropped the heavy drawer full of cash as he, the victim, ran towards the telephone." here another pause another sigh. "Your honor, I could not let him make that call to the police.., so I, in a moment of desperation and panic, without thinking clearly I.., I remember I grabbed a tall glass candlestick and struck, the victim," Norman referred to Teddy, thus wise, for he could not, did not wish to, say his name. "However, when I hit him, it took a few times to get him to go down..," here a few members of the gallery, women, shook their heads in revulsion as they listened to the tale "As I have stated to, Chief Inspector Fowler, I thought the candlestick was made of glass, but it was solid lead crystal and was very heavy, causing the massive head trauma." Norman began thinking of that day, how it really happened, but no matter what spin he tried to put on his story, one fact always remained the same, Norman had bashed in a young man's skull, exposing the brain. "It happened so quickly, your honor, three or four seconds maybe.., then after the victim stopped moving, motionless at my feet, it occurred to me then what had happened. I panicked, I threw the crystal candlestick down on the floor, then I knelt down beside the poor lad. I was in a state of shock, but I wanted to check his pulse and see if he was still, indeed, alive. I thought if I felt a sign of life I could call emergency services, who could transport him to hospital." short pause, head shake, sigh "So I reached down to feel his neck, but with the latex gloves on I could feel nothing, I pulled off the glove, where it fell to the floor. I tried again to feel a pulse.., but all was lost, the final blow had been to much for his body to bare, and I knew he was dead."

     There was a moment of silence for about thirty seconds as the judge made another notation on Norman's file. At this exact time a sudden rush of a sneeze began tickling at Felina's nose and she tried to suppress the urge to sneeze, but she was unsuccessful as she let out a loud "Achoo." A few in the courtroom looked up and over the judges right shoulder where they saw a young dark haired vixen looking embarrassed, and then it happened. Norman looked up as well. Now when he saw the ravishing Felina standing there at the railing of the balcony his hearted melted like wax over a flame, with the sheer delight of her presence. "God bless you!" Norman said loudly as all eyes were drawn to Felina; which normally she adored, but now was not the time for attention, a bright red flush came across her face and she felt a slight fever to her brow. Norman looked away from his cherished friend, giving his full attention to the judge, his demeanor did not change but his heart and his spirit was lifted to know Xavier's sister, Felina, whom he worshipped and adored had come, all the way across an ocean to be here, for him. Norman gave a silent prayer of thanks to God, whom he did not worship or adore. Next the judge spoke to the prosecution "Can you establish 'Mens Rea'?"

     One of the barristers stood and addressed the ruler of the court "No your honor, we recommend the crime be established as the charge of Manslaughter. We accept his full confession, that he acted alone, and had no prior knowledge of the victim. We accept his guilty plea, and his refusal of a trial by jury. With our recommendation to the Crown Court to punish the defendant with a sentence of no more than 15 years confined, in her Majesties prisons, to hard labour." 

     Now there were a few more statements made about, such and such date of Crown Court trial by judge, etc... and this and that, and what have you, however, our Felina could only hear the statement of the prosecutor saying 'HE ACTED ALONE'! That was all she needed to hear, and in a brief moment Norman was taken down out of the courtroom, and as he turned from the judges bench Norman looked up briefly at the face of the beautiful Felina who had tears welling up in her dark eyes. Felina knew she would not look upon him until Norman would be released from prison, 10 or 15 years from today. Then as Felina watched her dearest, charming Norman  led away in handcuffs back to a prison cell, she knew she would be there that day when he was returned to the World. Then a line from an ancient English poet crossed her mind 'With you my child I wish to play, I'll give you gifts if you will stay. I'll pick you flowers and presents bring and dress you like a noble king'. Felina did not know how long our poor Norman would be incarcerated, but she was bound and determined to welcome him back into her family. For he had shown the utmost Unity, Loyalty, Respect and Honor to Xavier her only  brother. Norman would be handsomely rewarded for his courage and protection, this Felina would see to personally.

End Chapter 18

     Early Monday morning Felina was up by seven making sure her brother had a good breakfast before having the limo, provided by the hotel, take Felina and Xavier back to his campus just in time for his first class of the day. Felina also made sure to impress upon Xavier he should throw himself into his studies and lay low and out of the local pubs and clubs. She also obtained his banking account information making a deposit in a large sum of cash into his checking account, like all good sisters should. After her little trip to the bank, Felina was driven over to the local magistrates court where Norman was scheduled to appear before the judge for his Summary Hearing. Felina, dressed in a dark designer day suit with a short skirt, a fitted waist coat with gold Chanel buttons, felt nervous as she walked under her umbrella in the ever present London rain. There were handsome men dressed in three piece suits with their briefcases, she found several quite dashing, however, she was not on the prowl for flesh, no, not today. Felina's heart was as heavy as a tombstone as she walked up the grey stone steps up into the aged three story court house. People were milling out about in the long corridors as Felina made her way up to the galleries where the public went to gather to watch the outcome of the hearings and trials etc... Here Felina found a little spot off to the side which overlooked the judges bench, facing out over the courtroom. She gazed down at the crowded court room filled with barristers, solicitors, assistants dressed in red robes wearing white ornately curled wigs. Felina thought this a bit archaic, but this was England, land of pomp and circumstance, still she thought they all looked silly. However when the judge came out of his hidden chambers, and all in the court rose for him, whose robes were much more resplendent than the 'commom lawyers' Felina felt a strange power of charisma and regalness to the old man who looked like the elderly Sir Lawrence Oliver.

     Felina watched mingled up on the balconies with the crowd, she noticed a few journalists and reporters gathered over to her right, she knew they had to be from the Sun, the Times, the News of the World, what have you. She felt a bit of revulsion for these viper writers, however, were it not for the stories Felina had read in the papers about Norman's terrible crime, Felina would have no information about Norman at all. Lost in thought, anxiously waiting for the bailiff to call out Norman's case on the docket, she watched as each criminal was brought up into the courtroom from a staircase directly under the old, oaken paneled room. Each man was brought up one by one in handcuffs, the charges against the individual would be read, a court date set in either the Magistrate Court or the Crown Court where more severe offences could be dealt the harshest penalties under law. There was a case, or two, that were dismissed for lack of evidence on the side of the prosecution, or lack of a witness who had not shown up to court to testify. It was about three quarters of an hour before Norman's case was called, due to a back log of cases. Then, that Monday morning, on a cold grey day at 11:37 a.m. the bailiff stood and said "Your honor the court will now hear case #19630327-48, one Norman Reginald Pierce has been accused of the crime of murder in the Death of one Theodore Maxwell McDowell, respectively" a hush fell over the crowd both in the galleries of spectators above, and down below in the courtroom as the doors from the stairway were opened and out stepped two police officers leading the prisoner up into the courtroom.

     Felina heard a few whispers next to her saying 'look at the size of him', 'he's as big as a monster.' Norman towered over the officers and everyone in the court. Felina watched on baited breath as she beheld her friend handcuffed and defeated before the judge up in his witness box. Felina could see his face and look into Norman's eyes from afar, but of course he did not notice her standing up on the left side of the balcony over the judge's shoulder. No, his attention was clearly focused on the proceedings. Felina said a silent prayer for she was nervous for Norman, her heart racing so fast she felt surely it would burst. Felina felt so sad seeing Norman in custody, brought out like the creature from Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, chained and shackled before the leering townspeople. Felina knew her dear friend Norman was not a monster in any way shape or form, Felina's purse of mercy and pity would forever be full for Norman. He had killed a man with his own hand to protect her brother, to keep them both out of trouble and now here Norman stood before the judge, the court, God and everybody. He had come to answer for his crime, Felina was happy she could be there with Norman that day so that he would not be alone, even if he did not see her there, she was, and that was all that mattered. Felina quieted her mind and listened as the prosecution presented it's case, and what they said stunned her and the members of the gallery. "Your honor we ask the charge be reduced to the Crime of Manslaughter."

     "On what grounds?"the handsome old judge said a bit confused.

     "The prisoner has given his full confession, as I have here for your eminence." the lead prosecutor said handing a thick stack of papers 'the confession' to the bailiff.

     The seasoned judge looked at the stack of papers, sighed, then turned his steel-blue eyes on Norman who looked as if someone had just walked over his grave. "Mr.Pierce, please do tell the court how you came to be inside the McDowell house that day?"

     Once more a hush fell over everyone as the 'star' of the summary hearing began to speak.