CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
(part five)

Monday afternoon — 4:11 P.M.

“That’s the best we can expect, Aden,” Samantha Hargreaves said.

“One year in county, one year work release, three years probation,” Aden said. “It doesn’t seem like much of a bargain.”

“Third degree assault has a possible sentence of two years in county. A year sentence is a reduction. You should be out in six months with good behavior,” Samantha said. “You’ve had a lot of press attention. The Denver Post is calling you a hero. If they don’t prosecute, the police and D.A. think there will be more vigilante justice. With all of these men arrested for child pornography, they have to lay down the law. That’s what they say.”

“I’m an example.”

“You’re being used as an example,” Samantha said.

“And if we take it to trial?”

“The DA is pissed off, Aden,” Samantha said. “He’ll come at you full force. Plus…”

Closing her mouth, Samantha shook her head.

“This is the best we can expect,” she said.

“Plus what?”

Samantha sighed.

“Have you ever heard of Judge Howard Alberts?”

“The hanging judge? Yeah, he was the judge on my last case. He scared the crap out of me. He told me that nothing pissed him off more than to see someone capable ‘shit their life away.‘ Said if he ever saw me again, ever like even in the grocery store, he would give me the maximum sentence on my case and throw in a couple charges just for sheer stupidity alone. My PD told me he was the hardest, meanest judge on the bench. He’s probably the single most influential person in my life. I was so terrified of him that I got clean, let Nuala go, and the rest is history.”

Puzzled, Aden’s brows furrowed.

“Why?” he asked.

“He’s the judge on this case. Your case, Sandy’s father’s case, and the rest of the guys. He’s a senior judge now. He’ll decide what happens in all of these cases. He’s chosen to try your case. He specifically said he would preside over your case.”

“Fuck.”

“Fuck is right, Aden,” Sandy said. “The DA told me that because a senior judge has chosen to take the bench, he’s going to personally prosecute your case. If we take this to trial, we…”

“We’ve already lost,” Aden said. “Wow, I really fucked up my life.”

“I’m sorry.” Samantha’s baby blue eyes relayed her empathy. “We’ll get through this together.”

“Yes, thank you for everything, Samantha,” Aden said. “As always, I’d be lost without you.”

“We’ll take the plea?”

“Yes, we’ll take the plea,” Aden said. “How long do I have?”

“Not long,” Samantha said. “The DA wants you gone and fast. I’ll try to stall but I bet they’ll want to do this by the end of the week. You need to get ready.”

“Crap,” Aden said.

“No point putting off the inevitable,” Samantha said.

“What’s that mean?”

“I don’t know,” she smiled. “It’s something my Dad used to say all the time. We’ll get through this. Jake said you’ll have your job when you get out. You know how to do easy time.”

“I’ll miss almost two years of my kids lives! Noelle will be a teenager by the time I get done. My unborn baby will be a toddler. God, Nash will grow up without me,” Aden said. “Judge Alberts has final say on sentencing. He can give me the maximum. What’s the maximum?”

“He can insist that it’s a first degree assault – intent to do serious bodily harm and doing serious bodily harm – rather than what we’re pleading to, third degree assault – knowingly or recklessly causing bodily harm,” Samantha said. “First degree assault is mandatory ten years. At the minimum. We can claim self defense because you believed you were protecting Noelle. If he refuses the plea and goes with first degree assault, we’ll have to go to trial. No choice.”

“At least ten years!” Aden said. “He’s going to give me the maximum. I just know it.”

“One thing at a time,” Samantha said. “We can always make a big media fuss. The DA isn’t going to want that kind of attention.”

“But he took my case, right?”

“He did,” Samantha said.

“I’m fucked.”

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…