“The problem is that while they involved club members, their parties were never at the club. The club doesn’t admit any undergraduates to their parties unless they’re a member. Even alumni must wait ten to fifteen years before they may be allowed as a guest. The exception, of course, is female guests, who aren’t members. It isn’t uncommon for the final club to rent out a nightclub for the evening.
“What tripped Brandon up was the last party was held on campus. When the allegations were made, the case fell to the university’s police. The university didn’t want any part of it. They gave him the choice of a disciplinary inquiry and possible prosecution, or to withdraw from school. He obviously picked the second option.
“The Middlesex District Attorney suggested that if you wanted to expedite the processing of the rape kits, you could send a check to the lab. She gave me a reference number to attach to the check, and they’d know what to do.”
“Will I be able to get a copy of the results?” I asked.
There was a pause.
“It could be argued that if you pay for it, you own it, but that probably wouldn’t apply to this. We are talking about an open investigation.”
I smiled to myself. Of
“So, I won’t know if they’re following up or not.”
“You aren’t technically in any way involved with the investigation,” Bev said.
“Except that my friend was raped.”
“David, you have to understand …” she began.
“Bev, I understand completely. Because the girls who were raped went to the parties willingly and didn’t remember what actually happened, it’s no big deal. You and I both know that’s bullshit. One of the definitions of consent is being in control of your faculties. Passed out or drugged doesn’t make it possible to give consent.”
“I understand your frustration, but you have no standing in the open cases. Unfortunately, we could never make a case for Tami against Brandon. I know I sound like I’m being an obstacle, but I don’t want to promise something I can’t deliver.
“Can you at least follow up and make sure they process the kits and get any information you can?” I asked.
“Yes, I can do that,” she conceded.
“Bev, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, because I do appreciate what you’ve done. You got the ball rolling on this. When he’s behind bars, you’ll have had a big part in it.”
“Okay, no need to suck up. I won’t let you down.
“Thanks.”
We said our goodbyes, and I looked up. Shit! Cassidy and Brook were staring at me from the front seat.
“There wouldn’t be a chance you didn’t hear all that?” I asked, and from the looks I got, there wasn’t. “I was afraid of that. Can you just let it go for now?”
“If you need me to hurt someone, let me know,” Cassidy offered.
I smiled, thinking of the last guy she said she would hurt. She had threatened Alan, but he ended up being a wuss and wouldn’t take his punishment like a man. Cassidy had given him an offer: she could make him cry like a little girl, or he could start going to her
“You’ll be the first person I ask,” I assured her.
We entered the dojo, and Cassidy showed me I wasn’t as good as I thought I was. Someday!
◊◊◊
I went to Brook’s house for dinner because Ian wanted to talk about the political rallies. He and Brook sat down with me after we’d eaten.
“I talked to Governor Higgins’ campaign manager. They plan to hit campuses next weekend. The campaign wanted to have you stand behind the governor on stage. I had some other ideas,” Ian said.
“I look good standing on a stage,” I said.
Both Ian and Brook ignored me.
“I explained to them that we were missing an opportunity. I suggested that they do a voter registration drive. They could allow people who register to meet you and have their picture taken.”
“I’m not sure that would be enough,” Brook said.
Did she just slam me? She caught my evil eye and rolled hers to tell me to quit being a baby.
“We want something that’ll make students want to come. We need to make it an event,” Brook explained.
“Or a concert,” I said. “I met a band from Chicago that’s really good. I saw them in LA and watched the four of them play a couple of times. It would be great exposure for them, and we would create a buzz. It certainly wouldn’t be a boring campaign rally.”
I think Ian was offended by the ‘boring campaign rally’ comment. He certainly didn’t think politics was boring. I gave him my best smile.
“Want me to see if they’ll do it?” I asked.
“Let me call and see if the campaign manager is on board with this.”
Ian left us to make his call. As soon as he left, Brook turned on me.
“I almost forgot. Cassidy will be making you a visit tomorrow. You got my dad all excited about helping you and then suggested that I should be involved.”
