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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Chapter 19
Tony had been abjectly apologetic over his blunder with Emmy.
‘I should have just said ‘You’re a hooker aren’t you Miss Brown!’
‘I don’t think it really matters,’ I replied. ‘The funny thing is, pretty much everything that was said is true. It’s just a question of how you interpret it.’
Vanessa had joined us for lunch and sat quietly as we ate and talked.
‘There were a lot of them, weren’t there,’ she muttered and then realised her words. ‘Sorry Rick, I didn’t mean that critically.’
I hung my head. ‘No, you’re right, it was fucking crazy. Laura was right six months ago. Totally out of control. I don’t think I’ll ever be giving anyone a massage – never again!’
She came over and kissed me on the cheek. ‘Never say never,’ she smiled.
The prosecution rested with Emmy, so we were up. After a long debate about the relevance of individual witnesses, I just called a halt to the conversation.
‘Enough is enough. I’m not putting any more of those women through that experience. It isn’t fair. Just put me on the stand. Either the jury believes me or they don’t.’
Tony pondered for a moment.
‘I’m may call one other witness,’ he said. ‘I’ve been working on it for a while and she insists she wants to testify, if the court allows it. Still trying to get permission.’
I took the stand and was sworn in. I was shaking slightly and tried to calm myself. Looking out over the sea of faces I began to understand how life-changing a trial can be. Guilty or innocent, I knew that nothing would ever be the same. The old carefree, bang-anything-in-a-skirt Rick was gone for sure. I’d finally grown up.
Tony tried to establish credibility. He listed all the positive comments from previous witnesses. Asked me about how I’d set up the business and how I ran it. We covered training, ethics, paperwork, insurance, the law. I described how I checked IDs where relevant, sought consent, got regularly tested for STIs and used contraception wherever requested and often with new clients. It was matter—of-fact and sounded professional.
He finished with a flourish.
‘For absolute clarity Mr Rollins, have you ever had intimate contact or sexual intercourse with anyone who you believed had NOT given you consent to do so?’
‘Never, sir,’ I said meekly. ‘I have never wanted to do anything other than give pleasure and joy to my clients.’
Weller grilled me hard for 40 minutes. Was I aware of the laws around soliciting and prostitution in the UK? Or the impact it has on both prostitutes and their clients? Did I really believe that offering ‘massage services’ really justified the true purpose of the enterprise, which was to take advantage of vulnerable women?
He pulled out copies of my ‘client records’ and read them out to the court.
‘Maya (husband: Andy). Loves firm pressure, hands and fingers. Awesome BJs. Janet (husband: Ray). Quite shy, keep it gentle. Lots of breast play. Susan (husband: Peter). Loves to be licked, then fucked doggy style.’
He paused for effect. ‘These seem unlike any client records I’ve ever encountered from a massage therapist,’ he barked and there were titters from the gallery.
I wanted to explain but it all just seemed so lame and pathetic, so I just remained silent.
We went through the entire evening with Emmy again.
‘Doesn’t a professional therapist leave the room when their clients are changing?’
‘Er, usually yes.’
‘What exactly did you say before you touched Miss Brown’s breasts?’
‘Would you like me to…’ I replied. ‘But she was…’ Weller cut me off.
‘And you consider that to be a request for consent to intimate contact?’
‘I… er…’
And on it went. I just wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. It was a massacre.
The court adjourned after my evidence.
‘You did OK Rick, under the circumstances,’ said Tony sympathetically. There is one more witness tomorrow morning. Keep your chin up.
Vanessa knocked and entered.
‘I think I’m going to take you out for dinner,’ she said.
‘Condemned man’s last supper?’ I suggested.
‘You really know how to put a downer on a night out don’t you?’ She smiled and I managed a grimace.
She thanked Tony for everything he’d done.
‘I wish there was more,’ he said. ‘With cases like this there’s so little to go on. Forensic evidence is irrelevant. No witnesses. No phone records. It just comes down to one person’s word against…’
‘Phone records?’ I said suddenly. ‘What about the texts? Emmy had a phone with her and she definitely got messages while we together.’
Tony and Vanessa stared at me.
‘Sorry, I totally forgot. I mean, probably not relevant anyway.’ I stammered.
‘No stone unturned,’ said Tony as he grabbed his notes and rushed out.
She drove me to a swanky Chinese place but it was no better than being in court. Everyone knew my face now, so heads turned constantly as we sat and tried to order. Vanessa tried to ignore it.
‘I’m really sorry but this isn’t working,’ I pined. She understood and took me back to the apartment.
‘You’ve been incredibly generous,’ I started.
‘I’m as sucker for lost causes,’ she said. I had to double take but she was grinning. I laughed with her.
‘That’s better,’ she said. ‘I haven’t see you smile for weeks.’
‘I wish there was something I could do to repay you.’
‘Well,’ she paused. ‘I have been struggling with my shoulders recently. Maybe a quick massage?’
You don’t need the details but she left feeling much, much better and I slept like a baby.
But elsewhere a small army was gathering on my behalf. I only learned this much later, but I’ll describe it to you here, just as it happened.
*
Vanessa received a call on the way back to her apartment.
‘I need your help,’ said Tony. ‘I called in the judge and she forced the investigating officers to hand over Brown’s phone records. They insisted it’s irrelevant but I’m not buying it. But there’s a problem.’
‘What can I do?’ said Vanessa.
‘Help me trawl through it. There are 300 pages of calls and texts. It will take me weeks on my own and most of my team have left for the day. Tomorrow’s the last day of the case. There’s no way I’ll get an extension at this stage.’
‘Meet me at Martin Heathcare,’ said Vanessa calmly as she swung a u-turn and headed into town. She gave him the address.
‘Somewhere in this lot there has to be something that can help Rick,’ said Vanessa to the room.
They were all there. All my ladies. Vanessa had called Jenny, who then called Maya. They spread the word. Rick needed help, are you in? And here they were, spread around the Martin Healthcare boardroom.
I’m sure it must have been weird. Some of these ladies had never met but they had a common link. For many of them it was my penis.
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ chirped Jenny. ‘Even if it takes all night.’
‘Plenty of tea!’ squealed Mandy from the kitchen area.
‘And biscuits,’ chipped in Fiona, emptying her enormous bag on to the desk. ‘I, erm, like to keep a stock on hand.’
The ladies looked incredulously at Fiona’s horde, then laughed.
‘Thank you ladies,’ said Vanessa, quietly. ‘Let’s get to work.’
*
It was the last day. I dragged myself out of bed, showered and dressed. I said a silent goodbye to the apartment as I left. Don’t suppose I’ll be coming back here I thought with a tinge of sadness. Next stop: prison cell 408.
Tony called Lisa Radka as a witness, explaining who she was. I was dumbstruck. ‘You’re kidding!’ I whispered. He grinned.
‘Objection! This witness is irrelevant to the alleged offences,’ said opposing council.
‘In my opinion, council, some of your prosecution witnesses were equally questionable,’ said the judge. ‘I’d like to hear what this witness has to say.’
The court had set up a video screen so that Lisa could give evidence from elsewhere. ‘Vulnerable witness,’ Tony explained. ‘Had to fight hard for it to be included, but she’s testifying.’
I couldn’t see her face, which was obscured on the screen, but it was clearly Lisa’s voice. I sighed internally, full of relief. She sounded OK.
Tony described her situation to the court and went through a few details with her. Not the whole story of our encounter, but the critical bits. Lisa answered every question confidently. I was welling up and overjoyed to hear her in such good health. I don’t have children but I think I sensed, for just a few minutes, the overwhelming joy and relief a father must feel, knowing his precious child is safe and well.
‘Miss Radka, in your opinion, did Mr Rollins contribute to your release?’
‘Objection!’ shouted opposing council. ‘Calls for conjecture.’
‘Mr Weller!’ snapped the judge, glaring at him. ‘This young lady has been through hell and back. Allow her to speak!’
She turned towards Tony. ‘Please continue, council.’
‘Thank you Madam. Once again Miss Radka, did Rick Rollins help secure your freedom?’
There was a pause.
‘Rick saved my life,’ said Lisa quietly. ‘No question about it.’
As Weller was considering whether to cross, Vanessa marched into the courtroom and headed over to Tony’s desk. She handed him a fistful of documents and they muttered for a moment.
‘No questions for this witness,’ said the council for the prosecution. Lisa was excused and I silently wished her well in life. Stay safe, I thought and I think it was a little prayer.
‘Your honour, some new evidence has come to light. May I share with the bench?’
Tony and Weller huddled with the Judge and then called a short recess. I didn’t see Tony during the break so had no idea what was going on, but Vanessa popped her head in and grinned. She gave me hug and we kissed.
‘I’m making enquiries about Lisa Radka,’ she said. ‘I promise you that whatever happens I’ll make sure she’s looked after. I’ll get her home one way or another.’ I looked at her and fell in love.
‘Vanessa, I know it’s far too late but I just want to tell you…’
We were interrupted by the usher. Court was back in session.
‘We’re recalling Miss Amelia Brown,’ Tony stated to the Jury and the court.
Emmy took the stand, obviously confused, as was almost everyone else in the courtroom.
‘Miss Brown, is there anything you’d like to amend in the statement you gave Police after the alleged incident on July Twentieth?’
Emmy looked uncomfortable but remained defiant, with a firm ‘no.’
Tony held up the papers Vanessa had passed across earlier.
‘Your honour, I have records from a mobile phone belonging to Miss Brown and registered to her. They only came to light a few hours ago, but we’ve submitted them as evidence.’
The judge nodded. Opposing council had been poring over the papers and now sat is stony silence. I sensed a moment of hope.
‘The prosecution has already established, and Mr Rollins has confirmed, that you were with him at his apartment, between 7:30PM and 8:45PM. Do you still agree?’
‘Yea, I guess,’ mumbled Emmy.
‘During that time a number of text messages were received and sent on this phone, from the same location.
At 7:52PM from an unknown number: ‘Are you there yet?’
At 7:56PM: ‘What’s happening?’
And at 8:01PM: ‘Have you done it?’
The room was absolutely silent as the entire court collectively held its breath.
‘Miss Brown, can you confirm that you replied to those messages at 8:03PM with the message: ‘Piss off and let me work. I’m going to fuck him OK! I’ll call you in an hour.’
The court erupted.
Emmy looked at the floor and I saw a tear roll down her cheek. She said nothing. It took a few minutes but eventually the room quietened. Just a few hushed whispers from the gallery.
‘No further questions,’ said Tony. ‘The defence rests.’
Both councils waved closing arguments. As the jury filed out, Tony smiled and winked, leaning in. ‘You’ll be fine,’ he murmured, grinning. ‘I had intended to suggest you were set up in revenge, but I think the jury will work that out for themselves.’
It took less than 20 minutes.
On all counts: Not guilty.
‘You are free to go, Mr Rollins,’ said the Judge and she left the court.
And suddenly it was over.
As the guard confirmed my release, Vanessa walked across and took my hands. I looked at her and my heart filled with gratitude and love.
‘I don’t know what to say. I’m so…’ I started but she cut me off.
‘Shush,’ she said and hugged me.
I looked across the room. There were all my ladies, grinning with joy. I welled up and the dam burst. I sobbed with joy in Vanessa’s arms while everyone shook hands, laughing and hugging.
***
We sat, a few days later, in Leno’s – a small, discreet and very exclusive Italian just behind the Old Market. It was dimly lit and almost empty, just as Vanessa had suggested it would be.
‘My treat. It’s the kind of place that’s so pretentious hardly anybody comes here!’ She laughed. ‘And those who can afford to, don’t admit it!’
We munched thoughtfully on bowls of fancy ravioli, dressed with rocket and pungent olive oil.
‘I really don’t know what to say,’ I murmured as I forked another little parcel of pasta into my mouth. ‘I am sooo grateful.’
‘Stop it, already!’ She smiled. ‘That’s enough grovelling for today.’
‘I just don’t how I’ll ever be able to…’
‘Do you know why I’m still single?’ She asked, firmly cutting me off.
I paused, mid-chew, trying to process the thought. I’d asked the same question myself many times.
‘Too busy?’ I ventured. ‘All men are bastards? Closet lesbian maybe?’
She grinned. ‘Mmmm, well I suppose I wouldn’t be averse to a little, er, exploration, in that direction.’
My johnson twitched and the pasta fell out of my mouth. Vanessa just giggled.
‘Men are not all bastards,’ she continued. ‘But they seem to be scared of me. Either they just don’t approach, or they feel the need to compete. You’re not like that Rick.’
‘Well that’s because I’m not really in your, you know, league,’ I started, but realised how patronising it sounded. ‘Sorry, what I mean is: I don’t feel worthy.’
‘Exactly my point,’ she replied softly. ‘And yet you’ve brought pleasure to me, and all your ladies, selflessly and without judgement or demands. That sounds pretty worthy to me.’
‘It’s kind of my job,’ I said. ‘Or at least it was. And I do have the old magic hands.’ I waved them in the air, although Vanessa didn’t really need a visual reminder.
She chuckled and smiled.
‘There’s no such thing as magic, you should know that. Most women are starved of attention from men who are more interested in their own needs.’
She leaned forward.
‘What you do is so caring and sensitive, it just feels like magic.’
I blushed.
‘And, of course, you are very, very good at it,’ she whispered lasciviously.
I blushed again.
She paused and we gazed at each other. Her eyes sparkled and I fell in love with her all over again. Slightly less lustfully this time.
‘So what next?’ She chirped.
‘I have no fucking idea!’
‘Here’s the thing. My apartment is downtown, on the river. It’s not huge. Although there is a terrace. And, er, a sauna.’ Now it was her turn to sound a little apologetic.
‘Very nice,’ I murmured jealously. ‘I should get into the healthcare business!’
‘Well, until three months ago, you were,’ She laughed and I grimaced.
‘Why don’t you… you know… move in with me?’
My heart leapt a little but in my head I knew I had to be realistic.
‘It may be a couple of weeks before I get sorted out.’
She reached across the table and took my hands. She paused, squeezed my hands, and her eye’s softened.
‘I was thinking a bit longer than that,’ she said calmly.
As it slowly dawned on me, I felt the growing warmth of love spread through my body. It touched my soul and radiated out. I began to float.
‘I…’ I started, but she already knew what I was going to say.
‘I knew you were the one, months ago,’ She murmured. ‘I just didn’t know if you felt the same way.’
I grinned broadly and we laughed, staring into each other’s eyes lustfully.
‘Wait till I get you home,’ I whispered and she giggled.
‘Are you going to put your magic hands on me?’
THE END
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